We’ve seen a steady decline in both Christian identity and church attendance with each passing generation in the United States. A stat that should concern all church leaders is that among teenagers who were active in church for at least a year during high school, 2 of 3 are not attending shortly after graduation.

This cultural retreat from church is also impacting churchgoing numbers among women. For generations, the number of female churchgoers has been a few percentage points higher than the number of male churchgoers.

Among young adults today, women are engaging in religion at the same rate as men, and among Protestants, there’s no difference between the rate of leaving between young women and young men.

For most of those who drop out of church, leaving is not an aspiration. Instead, church attendance gets ignored amid the numerous life changes and activities that come with college life or launching a career.

Young adults who drop out of church list many reasons for doing so. The five most common reasons include two major life changes, two perceptions of the church and a lack of relationships in the church.

Our research clearly identifies that having a variety of adult voices speaking into students’ lives is one of the most influential aspects of their spiritual development. Here are practical ways to encourage women in your church to invest in young women.

* Look for teens at your church to connect with. Simply seeking them out on Sunday morning and asking them about their week and talking to them about the things they’re interested in shows you care.

* Consider volunteering in student ministry. This could be a weekly role or ask your student minister if there are special events or activities you could help with.

* Help them fall in love with the Bible and teach them how to study it for themselves.

* Show them they’re valued. Amid the many changes in their lives, they need to see you believe they matter more than politics, jobs or degrees.

* Listen. As they form opinions and make many new choices, listen to their views and care about why they have those views.

* Get them ready to launch. Help seniors to begin thinking about church after high school by asking about their plans for church involvement. If they’re going to college, help them find a campus ministry. If they’re moving away, do a little research with them on churches in that area.

As their opinions are forming, we need nonjudgmental moments when they can share their thoughts and discover what Scripture says on those topics.

Your ministry can help young women remain connected to the church by intentionally investing in their lives because the church flourishes when disciples are being formed.

Comments