Finding the formula for connecting the church in the lives of teenagers/young adults.

摘要

Across the country, church membership is on the decline. Teenagers and young adults are one of the largest groups with declining church attendance. With a growing number of life options available to choose from on any given Sunday morning, a large segment of this vital population continues to be visibly missing, from church community. How can we reach this vulnerable population? Is there a formula for connecting our churches to the lives of teens and young adults in a way that is relevant to them?;Church leadership and congregations will have to deal with a generation of teens and young adults who are the collateral damage of "The War on Drugs, a war that led to unfair laws and mass incarcerations. The societal impact of this war, on the inner city, was experienced on many levels; lost incomes led to the destruction of entire families, neighborhoods and schools.;How can we as a church reconnect to our teens and young people? If a formula is to work it must be build on strong relationships or utilize already existing ones. The twenty- four teens and young adults chosen for the pilot program were given a pre-assessment that revealed their strengths and areas of challenge. The assessment focused on the following assets: personal, social, family, academic and community strengths. This information allowed for the direct development of challenge areas.;The premise is that when these areas of need are met, a personal connection will be made, and the church will become relevant in their lives. The participants were given a post assessment to determine if any change had taken place in their thinking. The results revealed that many of the participants improved in areas of challenge, established trusting relationships, and a willingness to walk that pathway back to the church.;When the church works to understand the teens and young adults, and meets their subconscious needs in a meaningful way, a new and stronger connection will be forged. Connection is what makes the church relevant, and may be what draws a person into a fellowship of believers.