In this new era after President Obama’s inauguration, making New Year’s resolutions seems so…ancient. Yet, as 2009’s first month slips into history, vexing issues will continue to confront the Church. Tackling them will require resolve, whether or not you took the time to write them down a few weeks ago. 

One is stemming the church drop out rate among those 18 to 22, reportedly at 70 percent. In a recent column, campus pastor Sam Rainer III notes that to solve the problem, churches must understand the root cause. 

“Most of these students are not mad at the church, nor do they have a strong desire to leave,” Rainer says. “They simply phase out once they reach their college years, and the church becomes a non-essential element of their lives.” 

Lack of investment 

According to Rainer, one of the problems behind this fading away is a lack of investment in younger people’s lives by older adults. He points to a strong correlation between the number of older adults involved in a young person’s life and the likelihood of that student remaining in church. 

Rainer’s comments sparked an unpleasant memory from my past.  Two years after leaving my hometown for college, when I had no earnings from which to give, some church leaders showed up at our house. They asked my mother why I hadn’t given anything the year before.  

When she later told me about it, I shrugged it off, but privately was none too pleased. I almost felt invisible after spending the better part of 12 years in that church, including confirmation classes. Did no one remember the many conversations about my college plans the spring of high school graduation? 

Biblical depth important 

Investing in young adults and remembering key details of their lives isn’t the only thing. Church consultant (and president of LifeWay Christian Resources) Thom Rainer identifies greater biblical depth as an attraction for young adults. 

“Many of them are crying for deeper biblical teaching and preaching,” Rainer says in a column about trends surfacing that will help shape churches over the next decade. “This will become more pervasive with ‘Generation We’ (those born between 1977-94, who number over 72 million.)” 

They are also yearning for connections, Rainer adds. The trend toward stronger relationships is increasing, he says, citing three different studies by LifeWay Research.  

So, while the world of Facebook, MySpace and Twitter may seem like an impersonal, high-tech puzzle to many older adults, in reality it’s a search for socialization. 

Be yourself 

Another recent story piqued my interest in the subject of connecting with young people: a profile in the New York Times of Seattle megachurch pastor Mark Driscoll. Thirteen years after starting with a living room Bible study, multi-site Mars Hill draws 7,600 people—including many young adults—to seven campuses each week. 

Preaching in such garb as blue jeans, T-shirts or a black skateboarder’s jacket, the Times says Driscoll is noted for such frank language that his clips are too racy to post on GodTube. Which is okay with him, since he would rather be on You Tube. 

A couple things caught my eye about this story: 

• The Sunday the Times visited, Driscoll preached for 70 minutes, much longer than the average sermon geared for today’s short-attention spans. 
• While newcomers are welcome to show up with tattoos, facial hair and cell phones, the pastor is clear about Mars Hill’s beliefs in conservative social teachings and biblical interpretation.