Reaching and Keeping Young Adults

Super Saturday 2009

Goal of the Young Adult Baptism Survey

To identify what is working in the top 108 churches in Kentucky that experienced baptism growth in the 18-29 year old category

To share those best practices with other Kentucky Baptists

To encourage Kentucky Baptist churches to apply transferable principles and practices to become more effective in reaching Young Adults in their setting

SURVEY INFORMATION:108 Churches were sent surveys 38 respondedBaptisms ranged from 5 to 1655 to 10 baptisms -86 Churches 11 to 25 baptisms– 17 Churches26 to 50 baptisms-3 churches51-165 – 2 churches

1. What are the top three things God is using to reach young adults through your church’s ministry?

Small Group Ministry 23%

Worship 26%

Intentional Outreach 22%

Special Events 18%

Other 12%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30

2. Is the worship style impacting how you are reaching young adults?

Yes 67%

No 33%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

3. If you answered yes to question #2, what are you presently using?

Variety of musical inst. 58%

Piano/Organ only 8%

Drama/Interp 4%

Multimedia 8%

Other 21%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

4. How would you describe the worship experience that most young adults attend?

Traditional 14%

Celebrative 20%

Contemporary 26%

Blended 37%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

5. How do you follow-up with young adults that visit your church?

YA contact YA guests 19%

Small Grps/SS Classes 30%

Phone, Email, Texting 34%

Other 16%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

6. What is the preaching style that is used in the service most young adults attend?

Expository 44%

Preach through Bible Bks 12%

Topical 3%

Life Needs Series 6%

Variety of all 33%

Other 3%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50

7. Describe your staff that relate specifically to young adults?

Paid Full Time 30%

Paid Part Time 14%

Volunteer 34%

None 16%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

8. How do you conduct outreach to young adults?

Weekly Visitation 11%

Small Group Outreach 25%

YA Invite Friends 42%

Events 15%

Other 8%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

9. How do you feel your building / meeting place impacts how you reach young adults?

Impacts Positively 69%

Impacts Negatively 6%

No Impact 25%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

10. How do you use your facility to impact how you reach young adults?Access to facilities available

throughout the week 28%Provide space for young adults

in existing facility 28%Provide additional programs for

them at separate times 23%Areas designed, furnished &

dedicated just for young adults 16%

11. Do you have a specific plan for involving young adults in ministry?

Yes 80%

No 20%

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Series1

12. If you answered ‘yes’ to question 11, Which plan are you implementing?

Young adults get involved in ministry through their Sunday School Class or small group 35%

Ministry leaders personally enlist young adults for ministry 26%

An ongoing “Find your place in ministry” class 23%

Nominating committee process of enlistment 10%

Other 6%

13. What are you doing to encourage and establish relationships with young adults?

Personal participation in young adult programs and activities 35%

Regular intentional communication with college students 30%

Mentoring program 14%“Adopt-a-student” ministry 11%Other 10%

14. What are your young adults most difficult struggles?

Finances 27%

Peer Pressure 15%

Dating/Prep for Marriage 19%

Spiritual Issues/Neg Influence of Culture 29%

Other 10%

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

What was the one most successful event that impacted conversion growth in the Young Adult age group? Outreach to WKU International

Students Our annual “God’s Great Outdoors

Event Participation in small groups. Seeing

Jesus in the people around them Preaching/Personal Application Mid Week Worship Service for

students and intentional relational evangelism

Disciple Now Weekend T.G.I.F. (Thank God It’s Free) Sat. give

away

What was the one most successful event that impacted conversion growth in the Young Adult age group? Three part sermon series on

“Blessed Singleness”, “Finding the Love of Your Life”, “Loving the Find of Your Life”

“Twenty Somethings” class Small Group Study Keep them involved at all times Worship atmosphere of praise,

confrontation with truth. Youth revival

What was the one most successful event that impacted conversion growth in the Young Adult age group? We give them the freedom to

express their thoughts and views Conversation Having a single adult ministry Friends inviting friends to “Friend

Day” Music Events with testimonies Telling them that they are the

“church of now” and not just the “church of the future”

Weekly Bible Preaching and Teaching

What was the one most successful event that impacted conversion growth in the Young Adult age group? No big event. Just consistent

teaching and equipping students. It takes all of them. Young adults

reach young adults. Love reaches all ages. Love in Action.

One on one witnessing. Evangelism through our Sunday

School. No one event. Weekly, relational

ministry. No one event. It was more the

regular normal ministry.

What was the one most successful event that impacted conversion growth in the Young Adult age group? Sunday School Class Fellowships Single Mom’s Oil Change Contemporary Worship Style favorite

of Young Adults

Conclusions from the Survey: Worship Matters: Worship style is a significant

factor in reaching Young Adults. A blended or contemporary style with a variety of instruments was most effective.

Staff to Reach Them: A church can reach young adults without a full time staff person (34% used volunteer staff). This is great news for smaller churches who cannot afford staff and speaks volumes about simply having adults who are concerned for reaching this generation.

Conclusions from the Survey Become Intentional about Ministry

Involvement: 80% had a plan for ministry involvement. This is a big reason young adults stay in the church.

Snowball Effect in Outreach-Young adults reach young adults. This is the ‘snowball effect.’ The more you reach, the greater the possibility is of reaching more.

Sunday School Classes and Small Groups are essential for Outreach, Follow-Up and Ministry Involvement with Young Adults.

Conclusions from the Survey Young Adults want to know “What does the

Bible say?” when the pastor preaches. (44% preach expository messages)

Churches that are reaching young adults have pastors who are personally connecting with young adults (35%). This does not mean they have to develop the program or ministry but they show up at some of the activities! This is a key component because it shows the pastor really cares.