Research + News | Topic: Pastors

Why Youth Stay In Church When They Grow Up

What is it that sets apart the kids who stay in the church? Read the article here.

Church Membership ‘Back Home’ is Not Enough

What is the role of the local church in the life of a college student? The Gospel Coalition takes a look. Read more here.

The Decline of Evangelical America?

A New York Times editorial by author and pastor John S. Dickerson discussing the declining influence of evangelicals. Dickerson writes : “In 2011 the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life polled church leaders from around the world. Evangelical ministers from the United States reported a greater loss of influence than church leaders from any other country — with some 82 percent indicating that their movement was losing ground.”

Read the article here.

Youth Increasingly Seeking New Salvation

A recent survey shows that Americans under 30 are more likely to reconsider their church’s role – or to simply abandon organized religion altogether. Journalist Jim Hinch reports: “A record one-third of Americans under age 30 are now religiously unaffiliated, according to a recent study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. That’s up from one-quarter just four years ago. There are now more religiously unaffiliated Americans than white evangelical Protestants.”

Read the full report from the Orange County Register here.

What College Freshmen Need to Hear from their Youth Pastors

Fuller Youth Institute’s Sticky Faith Research reveals what students thought might have helped them the most transitioning from high school to college. Two of the most consistent responses: (1) students wished someone from their high school youth group would have contacted them after they had entered college and (2) students would have liked more practical training describing the college context and relevant issues they might face.

Read the entire article here.