United Methodeviations

Wanted: Young People (Some Restrictions Apply) March 11, 2011

Going through some files, I came upon a folder of interview notes from the UM Seeker Study I conducted almost a decade ago.  There is a wondrous and troubling paradox in the old UMC these days when it comes to young people: we say we want to reach young people and bring them into the church.  We say we need to listen to them to find out how to reach them.  But when we hear what they say, we argue with them and criticize them for not accepting us just as we are.  Which raises the question: do we really want to reach young people or do we only want to reach young people who are exactly like we are?  And who, exactly, are these “young people” we are so keen on?

Last question first.  When we look at young people, ages 18-34, we’re looking at three distributions: education, economics, and values.  About 58% will finish college, about 21% will get some college, and about 21% will have no college.  About 55% will make between $30,000 and $70,000, with about 15% making more and 30% making less.  About 50% will hold moderate values spiritually and politically, 30% conservative, and 20% liberal/progressive.  Young people who are less educated, conservative-to-moderate, and making less income are five times as likely to go to church as their counterparts.  This group is most attracted to larger, newer, independent churches with the widest variety of programs and services.  Across the board, young people are not joiners, and 18-34 year olds are unlikely to step into leadership positions in traditional structures — they are more interested in doing ministry than talking about doing ministry.  Those with a higher education will hold the church to a different set of expectations.  Of the 21% who do not go onto college, the basic expectations are: a simple story, clearly told, with very clear instructions on right and wrong, good and evil, salvation and sin.  This group will not “over-think” the gospel story, nor will they be attracted to deep theological reflection or the complexity of reconciling belief with behavior.  Of the 21% with some college, the expectations shift to include a deeper understanding of the Bible and the Christian story.  The hunger for “answers” shifts to a deep desire for “meaning.”  The moderately higher-educated will be less interested in knowing “the truth,” than understanding how to live a life pleasing to God.  This group will wrestle more with inconsistencies and will seek ways to resolve the inner conflicts that their faith brings to bear on complex social issues.  This will be a questioning group, unwilling to take most anything at face value.  (In The United Methodist Church, we’re not really sure we want people who will come asking a lot of questions — especially when we don’t know the answers…)

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