Sermon Illustrations

New Barna Research shows that church attendance bottoms out during the late 20s when the vast majority of students have transitioned from education to the workforce. Only 31% of 20-somethings attend church in a typical week, compared to 42% of those in their 30s and 49% of all adults 40 and older. Just 22% of those 25 to 29 attend church. As teens, more than half attended weekly while 81% had ever gone to a Christian church. That means that from high school graduation to age 25 there is a 42% drop in weekly church attendance and a 58% decline from age 18 to age 29. That represents about 8,000,000 20-somethings today who were active churchgoers as teens but are no by their 30th birthday. Only 30% of 20-somethings donated to a church in the past year, compared with 61% of older adults. Overall, only 30% of 20-somethings have read the Bible regularly, compared to 37% of those in their 30s; 44% of 40s; 47% of 50s; and 55% of 60s and above. Just 34% claim to be absolutely committed to Christianity versus 54% of older adults. This means millions of 20-somethings are crystallizing their views of life without the input of church leaders, the Bible, or other mature Christians. Interestingly 80% say that their religious faith is very important in their life and 57% claim to have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life while75% regularly pray to God. More than 10 million are active churchgoers and very committed to the Christian faith. (Barna Update 9/24/03)

http://garydfoster.com

Related Sermon Illustrations

Related Sermons

  • Leaving An Impression

    Contributed by Lloyd Grubbs on Sep 10, 2008
    based on 9 ratings
     | 29,165 views

    Every Christian is leaving their mark on society. Even after were gone our lives will still be making an impact.

  • A Spiritual House - The Building And Purpose

    Contributed by Duane Smith on Oct 27, 2008
    based on 4 ratings
     | 25,659 views

    The goal of this message is to help us understand that God dwells in us and that He has a purpose in the church being a living, vibrant community of believers.

  • Temple Without Walls Series

    Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jul 28, 2009
    based on 12 ratings
     | 21,064 views

    The holy place of Jesus Christ resides not in any building, cathedral, or historical site, the holy place of Jesus Christ resides in your heart.

  • The Church Series

    Contributed by Timothy Gardner on Nov 27, 2012
    based on 3 ratings
     | 18,207 views

    The word "Church" is so often used out of context. This sermon series helps the church (the people) identify how God defines church buy using seven different analogies found in the Bible. This is the introduction sermon to the series. There are eight serm

  • He's Coming Back Series

    Contributed by Connail Johnson on Oct 23, 2012
    based on 1 rating
     | 16,607 views

    Some of the most exciting periods of our lives are the times of anticipation. The times when we can't think of anything but what we are expecting to occur. When we are living with an attitude of expectancy our steps begin to quicken & our eyes brighten as