In July, the Church of England, in partnership with Theos (a think tank that stimulates conversations about the place of religion in society) released a report based on conversations with 30 people who had come to faith as young adults, and joined Church of England churches.
It’s a fascinating piece of research and well worth reading. What struck me most was the description of the faith journeys these young adults had been on, and the different influences that played a part in their journey along the way.
Steps along a journey
For many of them, their first encounter with Christian ideas came online. Influencers had sparked questions and opened up the possibility that Christianity might have something to offer; some of those influencers came from fairly right-wing corners of the internet. They weren’t necessarily the people who brought these young adults to church, but they were often the people who first got them thinking.
Alongside that was another important influence: ordinary, everyday Christians. Again and again, the report describes encounters with ordinary Christians who weren’t being overtly evangelistic, but who were available for questions and who lived lives that demonstrated that faith actually worked. These relationships mattered – they gave the young adults a chance to explore faith in a way that felt authentic rather than pressured.
Many of those interviewed discussed buying a Bible as a part of their faith development and significant part of their journey in understanding Christianity. Reading it, wrestling with it and trying to understand it became a significant part of their journey. Then, somewhere along the way, each person encountered God. For some, that experience was dramatic: a few described hearing God speak to them; more often, though, it was a quieter experience – a sense of peace, a feeling of God’s presence, or a deep conviction that God was real and near.
Taken together, it feels like another piece of evidence in a growing pile of research suggesting that Generation Z (people born between 1997-2012) are more open to faith than many previous generations have been. Some of those interviewed described moving away from a strongly atheistic worldview because they were searching for meaning, and they found that Christianity offered answers they couldn’t find elsewhere. Once they arrived in church, two themes stood out:
The first was an appreciation for tradition, depth and confidence. Whether they landed in Anglo-Catholic churches or evangelical churches, they weren’t looking for a watered-down version of Christianity – they valued churches that were comfortable with who they were. As they appreciated the profundity, mystery and seriousness of the tradition that they had joined.
The second was the importance of community. Many spoke about finding a place where they belonged, describing church as a loving and supportive community, with several linking that directly to improvements in their mental health and wellbeing. In a culture where loneliness is increasingly common, they found genuine connection.
So, what can we learn from this?
Remember young adults arrive already on a journey
It’s a reminder that when young adults arrive at our churches, they are rarely arriving as blank canvases. God is already at work in their lives. Many of those interviewed had explored other faiths, rejected beliefs they had previously held, or have been on a much wider search for meaning before they ever walked through the church door. Their arrival at church was often part of a longer journey rather than the start of one.
There is something profoundly powerful about community
The young adults in the report appreciated the diversity and, the oddness of church life. They didn’t need churches to become trendier or more polished; they valued communities that were authentic. Simply being welcomed, known and included made a difference.
Interestingly, the report also notes that participation in church communities often helped moderate some of the more extreme political views that a few had encountered online. The belonging, discipleship and relationships they found in a diverse church gave them a healthier and more balanced framework for thinking about the world around them.
We should resist the temptation to water down our faith
There was a real appreciation for serious Bible teaching, and churches that were willing to lean into the deep mysteries of Christianity. Sometimes we assume that these are the things most likely to put newcomers off, we worry that we need to simplify everything or hide the stranger parts of our faith.
This report suggests the opposite may be true: what these young adults valued was a church that took faith seriously. They wanted depth. They wanted honesty. They wanted a faith big enough to wrestle with life’s questions and mysteries, and giving them the opportunity to do that is valuable and worthwhile.
Taking the next step
If you want to support young adults in finding a way to serve their community, The Apprentice Programme aims to train up people within church communities to develop children and/or youth ministry.
The Children and Youth Ministry Team supports churches, workers and volunteers with practical advice, resources, training, coaching and opportunities to learn from others across the Diocese. Find support and resources for your children and youth ministry here.