Research about young adults leaving the church, by Ed Stetzer. More here: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/mainpage/0%2C1701%2CM%25253D200767%2C00.html

1. Teen Influences on Church Dropouts Spring 2007

13. In middle school, dropouts indicate they attended church twice-a-month just as often as those who stayed in church Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by “regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more months)? Base: All (n=1,023 through age 18) Consistent twice-a-month attendance does result in lower likelihood of dropping out of church, but among 18-30 year olds who did so from under age 14 through age 17, 55% still dropped out (vs. 65% total)

14. Fewer dropouts indicate twice-a-month attendance beginning at age 16 Q1a. At which of the following ages did you regularly attend church (by “regularly attend,” we mean attend at least twice a month for three or more months)? Base: All (n=1,023 through age 18) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant Half of dropouts still attend twice a month at Age 17 By Age 18 the difference in attendance between dropouts and those who stay is dramatic

17. Dropouts are less likely to say they had direct spiritual guidance and a genuine example from their family as teens Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

18. As teens, 20% fewer dropouts indicate their families had positive attitudes toward church than those who stayed Q9. Which of the following describe your parents’ attitudes toward religion/church attendance through your teenage years (prior to turning 18)? Base: All (n=1,023) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

19. Prior to age 18, more dropouts indicate their families were negative examples about church than those who stayed Q9. Which of the following describe your parents’ attitudes toward religion/church attendance through your teenage years (prior to turning 18)? Base: All (n=1,023) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

20. Parents’ harmony in marriage and church is more common among those who continue attending church Q10a. At age 17, which of the following applied to your parents? Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

21. While more mothers attend church, the father’s attendance makes a bigger impact on the decision to stay in church Q10a. At age 17, which of the following applied to your parents? Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

25. Adults investing time in a teen’s spiritual growth Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) 42 percent of young adults indicate that prior to turning 18: “An adult spent time with me regularly to help me grow spiritually”* *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

33. More of those who stay are involved in church activities (before age 18) than those who dropout Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

34. Dropouts had less responsibility at church and less positive peer pressure than those who stayed in church Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

35. Thirty percent more of those who stay wanted the church to help guide their decisions in everyday life as teens Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the following statements applies to your life prior to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023) *All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant

37. Among ALL young adults, at least half viewed the church they attended positively prior to age 18 Attractive Worship Agree * The worship style was appealing to me 56% The pastor’s sermons were engaging 54% The pastor’s sermons were relevant to my life 50% * Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree Complementary of Atmosphere Agree * My church was a welcoming environment for people in my life stage 60% Other people like me attended the church 60% My church offered appealing activities or small group studies for people in my life stage 58% I felt “at home” at church 57% My church was a source of support during personal crises 48% Similar Perspective Agree * I agreed with beliefs taught in my church 69% My church was important in my life 62% I agreed with my church’s political perspective 52% Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023)

39. Young adults’ perspective on church attended prior to age 18 *Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree. All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023)

40. Young adults’ perspective on church attended prior to age 18 *Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which “1” = Strongly Disagree and “5” = Strongly Agree. All differences in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” are statistically significant Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements about the church you attended as they pertain to your perceptions prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,023)

43. Dropouts indicate less positive impressions of church members before age 18 than those who stayed in church Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

44. Dropouts indicate more negative impressions of church members before age 18 than those who stayed in church Q8. Please indicate which of the following statements describe your impression of church members in general prior to turning 18 and which statements describe your impression through ages 18-22. Base: All (n=1,004) *Difference in percentages between “dropouts” and those who “stayed” is statistically significant

47. Types of high school attended can have some impact on the likelihood a young adult drops out of church Q14a. Please indicate the type of schools/colleges you have attended? Base: Public (n=830) Private (n=64) Catholic (n=53) Christian (n=93) Home School (n=104) *Difference in percentages between those who “dropped out” and the total dropout rate for 18-30 year olds (65%) is statistically significant Note: Respondents could indicate attending more than one type of school There is no statistically significant difference in the dropout rate for those attending a public high school, but the dropout rate is lower for those attending home school or a Christian school (other than Catholic) Type of high schools attended Public : 65% dropped out Private (not Christian) : 69% dropped out Catholic : 63% dropped out Other Christian : 51% dropped out* Home school : 56% dropped out* Among young adults ages 18-30 indicating:

48. Types of college or university attended can have some impact on the likelihood a young adult drops out of church Q14a. Please indicate the type of schools/colleges you have attended? Base: State (n=302) Christian (n=92) Other Private (n=67) *Difference in percentages between those who “dropped out” and the total dropout rate for 18-30 year olds (65%) is statistically significant Note: Respondents could indicate attending more than one type of school There is no statistically significant difference in the dropout rate for those attending a state colleges (the largest group), but the rate is lower for those attending Christian colleges/universities (other than Catholic) Type of college or university attended State : 69% dropped out Christian : 46% dropped out* Other private : 70% dropped out Catholic : Small sample size Other religious : Small sample size Among young adults ages 18-30 indicating: