LATEST RESEARCH ON WHY OUR TEENAGERS LEAVE THE CHURCH

Roger Dudley Institute of Church Ministry Andrews University Sponsored by the North American Division of Seventhday Adventists

5/5/2012

THE YOUTH RETENTION STUDY

695 CONGREGATIONS: 1 FOR EACH 1000 MEMBERS 95% RESPONSE AFTER 6 MONTHS 1523 MID-TEENAGERS SELECTED: REPRESENTS ALL OF NAD SURVEY EVERY YEAR FOR TEN YEARS 783 YOUNG ADULTS COMPLETE YEAR 10
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THE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

To discover what factors in the lives of Seventh-day Adventist mid-teenagers (15 and 16 years old) predict which ones will still be active in the church ten years later and which ones will have dropped out or become inactive

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A FEW BASIC STATISTICS

By the time they are in their midtwenties, 48% will at some time have dropped out of the church or become inactive 40% to 50% of those who were baptized members in their teens are no longer active members After 10 years only 55% attend church regularly Only 21% hold some office or service position Only 45% pay tithe regularly

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WHY DID THEY DROP OUT?

Alienation Irrelevance Intolerance Convenience Personal Conflict Doctrinal reasons not given

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ALIENATION
"A major theme shared by the dropouts was that they feel unaccepted by their churches. Many described their churches as very "cold," "aloof," and "unfriendly places." One young woman shared: "I would rather spend Sabbath on my own than try to carve out a place in the ice." Another chimed in: "No one seems really happy there. It's like they have to be there or something.
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PREDICTORS OF RETENTION
Home: Father and mother still married Both parents Adventist Both parents faithfully attend church Family worship in the home

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MORE PREDICTORS
Attend Adventist schools Active in local congregation Agreement with Adventist lifestyle standards Rich personal devotional life

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ADVENTIST EDUCATION AND RETENTION

Those who attended more years of Adventist elementary school (grades 1-8) were more likely to remain members at the end of ten years and less likely to have ever dropped out. The same was true for those who had attended one or two years at Adventist day academies.
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FAITH MATURITY SCALE FIFTH-YEAR OF STUDY

Low Moderate High Adventist schools 3.5% 62.8% 33.7% Public schools 7.7% 72.6% 19.7%

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SOCIAL MATURITY SCALE FIFTH-YEAR OF STUDY

Low Moderate High Adventist schools 11.9% 80.2% 7.9% Public schools 9.9% 78.0% 12.1%

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OUTCOMES PREDICTED FROM QUESTIONS IN VARIOUS YEARS

1. Member of church at time of last report 2. Regular attendance at worship services at time of last report 3. Never dropped out of church or became inactive

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Year 2: "Where do you plan to attend school for the 1988-89 year?"
More than half (51%) of those who would still be members at the end planned to attend an Adventist academy compared to 33% of the non-members. Nearly half 48% of the nonmembers opted for public high school in contrast to 32% of the members.
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Year 3: "Where did you attend school during the 1988-89 school year?"
Of the future members, 55% were in Adventist academies and 29% in public high school. The comparable figures for the non-members were 34% and 47%--highly significant differences. About 50% of the dropouts attended Adventist schools compared with 63% of those who never dropped out.
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Year 4: "Where did you attend school during the 1989-90 school year?"
60% of those who remained members were in either an Adventist academy or college compared to 31% of those no longer members Only 19% of those who remained members were in public high, but 34% of the nonmembers were.
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Year 5: "Where did you attend school during the 1990-91 school year?"
61% of the members were in Adventist schools in contrast to 24% of the non-members. 24% of the members and 51% of the non-members were in public institutions. Over half (52%) of the regular attenders were in Adventist institutions, and only 33% were in public schools.
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Year 6: "Where did you attend school during the 1991-92 school year?
Nearly 44% of those who would remain members were in Adventist colleges in contrast to 13% of non-members 48% of those regularly attending church attended Adventist colleges while only 26% of the absentees did.

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Year 8: "How many years have you attended Seventh-day Adventist schools?"
Those still members had an average of 11.3 years of Adventist education while the non-members had an average of only 7.5 years. This is a highly significant difference. Regulars in worship attendance had an average of 11.3 years in SDA schools while the absentees had 10.1 years.
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Year 9: The last education question

"Was your high school/academy or college education: (1) all or mostly in Adventist schools; (2) about equally divided between the two systems; (3) all or mostly in non-Adventist schools?"

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THE DIFFERENCE FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Of those who were still members, 67% reported that their education was all or mostly in Adventist schools, and only 19% were educated all or mostly in non-Adventist schools. By contrast 38% of the non-members were the product of Christian education while 43% attended all or mostly other schools.
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KUDOS FOR ADVENTIST COLLEGES

"My experience with this Adventist college has been very positive, especially because I wasn't forced to go to worships. I did choose to attend regularly and find them much more of a blessing without being forced."

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MORE KUDOS!

"This year I went back to Adventist college after a year in public college. I was glad to be back. I was also surprised and pleased at the kindness, helpfulness, and ease with which the college personnel accepted me back. They were extremely helpful."
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CONCERNS
"The Adventist college I attended last year was extremely rigid with a lack of caring for the students and their problems. The required worship services made me resentful, with a negative attitude toward the church overall. At least one of my friends has left the church because of this, and others are very unsure and upset."
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MORE CONCERNS
"I had an awful year at this Adventist college. People are confusing Christianity with religion, and there's a difference. There was far too much focus on rules rather than on people as people with a basic need for Christ."

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NO COMPLACENCY

We dare not rest on our laurels. While this study shows that Christian education does a better job spiritually than public education, it also shows that the job is far from perfect.

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WAKE-UP CALL
Remember, that of those who are no longer members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 38% took all or most of their education in our schools. Of those who at some time during the ten years dropped out of the church or became inactive, 58% took all or most of their education in our schools.
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SPECIAL SURVEY TO DROPOUTS

At the time you dropped out of the church or became inactive, did any of the following happen? 1. A visit from the pastor 2. A phone call from the pastor 3. A phone call from any member 4. A letter from anyone in the church
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TRAGIC OUTCOME

NOT MORE THAN 15% EXPERIENCED ANY OF THE ABOVE ATTEMPTS TO REACH OUT!

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LIKELIHOOD OF COMING HOME

15% very likely 26% somewhat likely 33% uncertain Only about a fourth said unlikely "I would go to a different church but not to ________ because the members are very cold-hearted."
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REASONS FOR RETURNING

One important reason was Christian fellowship "An old friend sent me a Christmas card. The only one I got that year. She did not judge nor question why I had left nor condemn me. She was just my friend." Another respondent shared: "I have found a church which accepts, nurtures, and involves me.
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WHY TEENAGERS STAY IN THE CHURCH

Belief in the message Adventist background Relationship with God Fellowship/Friendships

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 It is a church full of loving Christian people . . . On the whole they are wonderful people. I felt accepted and that it was where I should be and belong. The church (or at least mine) has plenty for me to be involved in . . . It is exciting to be a part of an alive, growing church, and even more so knowing that I've had a part in creating that.

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WHAT DOES THE CHURCH PROVIDE FOR YOU PERSONALLY?

Christian fellowship Spiritual nourishment Security and stability

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A WARM, EXTENDED FAMILY

"They are always there when you are in need, just like God. It is wonderful to be among friends who love Jesus. I am fortunate; I finally found a youth group that is strong and feels like I do. We don't have to give up being us to belong in it. We sing our songs and have fun even though we are adults."
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WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST DISTURBING ABOUT THE CHURCH?

Judgmental attitudes Politics in church governance Hypocrisy and gossip Rules and codes Holier-than-thou attitudes

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DESIGN THE IDEAL CONGREGATION

Friendly and caring
"A loving congregation that makes everyone feel welcomed and people feel like they belong." "A family with unconditional love.

Deep spirituality
"Focused on defining the essential principles of spirituality."

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 Like a family
"Like a true family. Every one would be concerned about one another and respect and love one another as God's family. They would really concentrate on the children who are our future and who need proper spiritual guidance.

Involved in community and mission

"Helping others in the community--communityoriented." "Active in outreach and ministry in the community."
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 A thinking climate
"People would be allowed to question their beliefs without shocking everyone." "A safe place to hurt, share, and think. Not afraid of questions; not always trying to offer answers.

Young people involved in congregation

more young adults in the congregation and more adults willing to teach and lead those young people into the light."

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 Meaningful worship
Programs that catered to people of all ages and backgrounds. There would be less traditionalism, and the congregation would be open to accept new ideas and change.

Diversity
A church with lots of different people accepting each other for who they are, not what they want them to be."

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