Most twenty-somethings put Christianity on the shelf following spiritually active teen years, says Barna study

By The Barna Group

VENTURA, Calif. - Transitions in life are rarely simple. Some of the most significant and complex shifts that people undergo occur during the transition from adolescence to early adulthood. An important part of that maturation is the refinement of people's spiritual commitment and behavior.

A new study by The Barna Group of Ventura, Calif. shows that despite strong levels of spiritual activity during the teen years, most twenty-somethings disengage from active participation in the Christian faith during their young adult years - and often beyond that. In total, six out of ten twenty-somethings were involved in a church during their teen years, but have failed to translate that into active spirituality during their early adulthood.

Teens embrace spirituality.

Teenagers thrive on fresh experiences and new perspectives. The spiritual dimension gives teens a fertile ground for their explorations. Half of teens attend a church-related service or activity in a typical week. More than three-quarters discuss matters of faith with peers and three out of five teens attend at least one youth group meeting at a church during a typical three month period. One-third of teenagers say they participate in a Christian club on campus at some point during a typical school year. There is also a substantial amount of unorthodox spiritual activity: three-quarters of America's teenaged youths have engaged in at least one type of psychic or witchcraft-related activity during their teen years (not including reading horoscopes).

Still, one of the most striking findings from the research is the broad base of opportunities that Christian churches in America have with to work with teenagers. Overall, more than four out of five teens say they have attended a church for a period of at least two months during their teenage years (81 percent). This represents substantial penetration and significant prospects for influencing the nation's 24 million teens.

… But disengagement happens

At the same time, the Barna research underscores how fleeting that influence may be: twenty-somethings continue to be the most spiritually independent and resistant age group in America. Most of them pull away from participation and engagement in Christian churches, particularly during the "college years." The research shows that, compared to older adults, twenty-somethings have significantly lower levels of church attendance, time spent alone studying and reading the Bible, volunteering to help churches, donations to churches, Sunday school and small group involvement, and use of Christian media (including television, radio and magazines).

In fact, the most potent data regarding disengagement is that a majority of twenty-somethings - 61 percent of today's young adults - had been churched at one point during their teen years but they are now spiritually disengaged, that is not actively attending church, reading the Bible or praying. Only one-fifth of twenty-somethings (20 percent) have maintained a level of spiritual activity consistent with their high school experiences. Another one-fifth of teens (19 percent) were never significantly reached by a Christian community of faith during their teens and have remained disconnected from the Christian faith.

For more information and complete report, log on to www.barna.org. © The Barna Group, Ltd, 2006.

Last updated on 25 Apr 2008

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