A new study from LifeWay Research (branch of the SBC) reveals that more than two-thirds of young adults who attend a Protestant church for at least a year in high school will stop attending church regularly for at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22.

• According to the study, 70 percent of young adults ages 23-30 stopped attending church regularly for at least a year between ages 18-22.
• The paths toward college and the workforce are also strong reasons for young people to leave church: “I moved to college and stopped attending church” (25 percent) and “work responsibilities prevented me from attending” (23 percent).
• In addition to moving to college, others simply “moved too far away from the church to continue attending” (22 percent) and, it can be assumed, did not find a closer church.
• Many of those who drop out do eventually return. Among church dropouts who are now ages 23-30, 35 percent currently attend church twice a month or more. Another 30 percent attend church more sporadically. Thus, about two-thirds of those who leave do return at some level.

Read the article here.

It’s another reminder why integrated family ministry is so important, and a sign of the effectiveness of life-stage segregated ministries like that of youth ministry.

(HT: Said at Southern)