Already Gone?

One of the first books ever reviewed after the formation of the World Movers Sunday School class was Ken Ham's Already Gone. Since that initial review, I have had numerous occasions on which it was relevant to quote some of the results of the survey by Bob Beemer which forms the statistical basis for that book. Here is a summary of some of the most interesting findings:


• nearly 50% of teens in the U.S. regularly attend church-related services or activities.
• More than three quarters talk about their faith with their friends
• 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 participate in Christian clubs at school

A majority of twenty-somethings—61% of today’s young adults—had been churched at one point during their teen years but they are now spiritually disengaged (i.e., not actively attending church, reading the Bible, or praying). 20% of those who were spiritually active during high school are maintaining a similar level of commitment. 19% of teens were never reached by the Christian community, and they are still disconnected from any Christian activities.

• Those who faithfully attend Sunday School are more likely to leave the church than those who do not.
• Those who regularly attend Sunday School are more likely to believe that the Bible is less true.
• Those who regularly attend Sunday School are actually more likely to defend that abortion and gay marriage should be legal.
• Those who regularly attend Sunday School are actually more likely to defend premarital sex.

Top reasons 20-somethings stopped attending church

Reason and %

Boring service 11.9
Legalism 11.7
Hypocrisy – leaders 11.1
too political 9.8
self-righteous people 9.2
distance from home 7.5
not relevant personally 6.3
God would not condemn to hell 5.7
Bible not relevant 5
not finding preferred denomination in area 5
not feeling worthy 4.2
no time 2.9
don’t know 2.4
hypocrisy of parents 2
Bible not true 1.6
Unfriendly people 1.1
Music is poor 1
Miscellaneous 0.6

Comment:   I am publishing these because WorldMovers may have occasion to quote some of these stats in our minsitry of "sound bite sowing." I should mention that Ham's compelling conclusion for these stats is that middle school and high school aged young people want more meat in their preaching and teaching:  doctine (first and foremost), controversial topics like origins and eschatology (Where did I come from?  Where am I going?), and immediate relevance (as we attempt in WorldMovers). I have always maintained that we "dumb down" our faith too much for the young people in our midst. 

I also find it amusing that "poor music" is almost a non-factor, since so many churches are falling all over themselves trying to be "cool" with their music.