(2019 Congregational Survey)
As we look at the survey results, we see some interesting differences in how high school students and young adults answered questions compared with other adults in the congregation. Here are a few interesting findings:
- High school students were the only group to choose “be bigger and smaller” as the most important goal (the congregation chose “ministry in times of transition”).
- High school students chose “giving back” as the most important reason they value connection to church. Other groups ranked that last or close to last.
- Young adults chose “life struggles” as the most important reason they value connection to church. No other groups ranked that so high.
- High school students and young adults were significantly less connected to worship than all other age groups.
- High school students were the most likely of any age group to feel as active as they’d like to be at SOTV. Young adults were the least likely to be as active at SOTV as they’d like.
- High school students and young adults highly valued personal invitation and knowing others as reasons to participate at SOTV.
- High school students said the primary reason they are motivated to give is to impact the community. That reason ranked very low for all other groups.
So, what does this mean? How can we use this information to help us pass on faith (the most important reason that people over 30 listed for why they value connection to church)? We will be trying to answer these questions over the next few months. Do you have ideas to share? Let me know at kari.slotten@sotv.org.
