Teen Influences on Church Dropouts

1
Teen Influences on Church Dropouts
Spring 2007
2
Report Contents

• Methodology Terminology 3
• Key Findings 5
• Teen Church Attendance 12
• Family Influences on Teens 15
• Church Investment in Teens 24
• Teen Church Involvement 28
• Teen Views of the Church they Attended 36
• Teen Impressions of Church Members 41
• Influence of Education on Teens 45
• Combined Impact of Influences 49

3
Methodology

• Survey of Young Adults ages 18-30 in April-May
  2007
• Sample size of 1,023 provides 95 confidence that
  sampling error does not exceed 3.1
• Eligible respondents attended a Protestant church
  regularly (twice a month or more) for at least a
  year in high school
• The web survey utilized a representative national
  panel of Americans
• Panels have been utilized by research firms such
  as the Gallup Organization and National Family
  Opinion (NFO) for over 60 years
• Online panels have been heavily utilized by
  Gallup, NFO, Harris Interactive and others for
  over 10 years
• Panels facilitate accurate sampling and high
  response rates and ensure that emerging
  generations without telephone landlines are
  included

4
Terminology

• Dropouts Church Dropouts are defined as those
  who stopped attending church regularly for at
  least a year between the ages of 18 and 22
• Statistically Significant If this population
  were randomly surveyed over and over, the noted
  difference in responses would be repeated almost
  every time (in technical terms the difference
  cannot be attributed to random variation alone).
  Note the fact that statistical significance is
  detected does not always mean that practical
  significance is present.
• Regression A predictive equation developed
  using applicable past data. One dependent
  variable is being predicted, in this case
  dropping out of church. Other independent
  variables (the past data) are tested and included
  in the equation based on their ability to predict
  dropping out of church correctly in this young
  adult population. The regression does not show
  cause and effect, but does show the level of
  dependence on this past data for an accurate
  prediction.

5

• Key Findings

6
Key Findings

• Characteristics with the greatest combined impact
  on the ability to predict if a young adult will
  drop out or continue attending church
• Teens wanting the church to help guide their
  decisions in everyday life
• Teens who at age 17 have parents who are still
  married to each other and both attending church
• Teens who find their pastors sermons relevant to
  their life
• Teens who have had at least 1 adult from church
  make a significant investment in them personally
  and spiritually between the ages of 15 and 18

7
Key Findings

• Families have a large role to play being
  proactive and consistent
• Those who stayed in church compared to those who
  dropped out
• 20 more of those who stay indicate they had
  parents or family members who provided them with
  spiritual guidance (79 vs. 59)
• 20 more of those who continue attending indicate
  their family regularly discussed spiritual things
  (50 vs. 30)
• 20 more of those who stay indicate their family
  prayed together regularly (42 vs. 22)

8
Key Findings

• Families have a large role to play being
  authentic examples
• Those who stayed in church compared to those who
  dropped out
• 22 more of those who continue attending indicate
  that at age 17 their parents attended the same
  church (58 vs. 36)
• 19 more of those who stay in church indicate
  that at age 17 their father attended church (51
  vs. 32)
• 19 more of those who stay in church indicate
  they had parents or family members who actively
  served in the church (50 vs. 31)
• 18 more of those who stay in church indicate
  they had parents who expressed that they expected
  them to continue attending church after age 17
  (57 vs. 39)
• 18 more of those who continue attending indicate
  they had parents or family members who genuinely
  liked church (85 vs. 67)

9
Key Findings

• Churches must prove the value of church to
  teens demonstrating importance, relevance, and
  a welcoming environment
• Those who stayed in church compared to those who
  dropped out
• 22 more of those who stay indicate they agree
  that their church was important in their life
  (76 vs. 54)
• 21 more of those who stay in church indicate
  they agree the pastors sermons were relevant to
  their life (63 vs. 42)
• 20 more of those who continue attending indicate
  they agree the worship style was appealing to
  them (69 vs. 49)
• 19 more of those who stay indicate they agree
  their church was a welcoming environment for
  people in their life stage (73 vs. 54) and that
  they felt at home at church (69 vs. 50)

Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which
1 Strongly Disagree and 5 Strongly
Agree.
10
Key Findings

• Churches must prove the value of church to
  teens applying truth, investing time and giving
  responsibility to teens
• Those who stayed in church compared to those who
  dropped out
• 30 more of those who stay in church indicate
  they wanted the church to help guide their
  decisions in everyday life (76 vs. 46)
• 20 more of those who stay indicate they had an
  adult who spent time with them regularly to help
  them grow spiritually (55 vs. 35)
• 18 more of those who stay in church indicate
  they had 5 or more adults from church who made a
  significant investment in them personally and
  spiritually between ages 15 and 18 (46 vs. 28)
• 16 more of those who continue attending indicate
  they had regular responsibilities at church (47
  vs. 31)

11
Key Findings

• Other characteristics also have influence
  school, Bible reading, and church members
• Attending a Christian school corresponds to lower
  dropout rates than other types of high schools
  (51 drop out vs. 65 of all 18-30 year olds
  surveyed)
• Attending home school corresponds to lower
  dropout rates than other types of high schools
  (56 drop out vs. 65 of all 18-30 year olds
  surveyed)
• 19 more of those who stay in church indicate
  they spent regular time reading the Bible
  privately (61 vs. 42 of dropouts)
• 15 fewer of those who continue attending
  indicate their impression of church members was
  that they were disapproving of those who didnt
  meet their expectations regarding jobs, school,
  marriage, etc. (19 vs. 34 of dropouts)

12

• Teen Church Attendance

13
In middle school, dropouts indicate they attended
church twice-a-month just as often as those who
stayed in church
Consistent twice-a-month attendance does result
in lower likelihood of dropping out of church,
but among 18-30 year olds who did so from under
age 14 through age 17, 55 still dropped out
(vs. 65 total)
Q1a. At which of the following ages did you
regularly attend church (by regularly attend,
we mean attend at least twice a month for three
or more months)? Base All (n1,023 through age
18)
14
Fewer dropouts indicate twice-a-month attendance
beginning at age 16
Half of dropouts still attend twice a month at
Age 17
By Age 18 the difference in attendance between
dropouts and those who stay is dramatic
Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q1a. At which of the following ages did you
regularly attend church (by regularly attend,
we mean attend at least twice a month for three
or more months)? Base All (n1,023 through age
18)
15

• Family Influences on Teens

16
Family Influences

• Among ALL young adults, most indicate they had
  positive family influences, prior to turning 18
• 76 indicate parents or family members attended
  church regularly
• 73 indicate parents or family members genuinely
  liked church
• 66 indicate parents or family members provided
  spiritual guidance

• Not surprisingly teen attendance mirrors their
  parents
• Only 19 of teens who regularly attended worship
  indicate their parents/family did not attend
  church regularly
• Only 8 of teens who had parents/family attending
  church regularly indicate they did not attend
  worship regularly themselves

Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
17
Dropouts are less likely to say they had direct
spiritual guidance and a genuine example from
their family as teens
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
18
As teens, 20 fewer dropouts indicate their
families had positive attitudes toward church
than those who stayed
Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q9. Which of the following describe your parents
attitudes toward religion/church attendance
through your teenage years (prior to turning
18)?Base All (n1,023)
19
Prior to age 18, more dropouts indicate their
families were negative examples about church than
those who stayed
Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q9. Which of the following describe your parents
attitudes toward religion/church attendance
through your teenage years (prior to turning
18)?Base All (n1,023)
20
Parents harmony in marriage and church is more
common among those who continue attending church
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q10a. At age 17, which of the following applied
to your parents?Base All (n1,023)
21
While more mothers attend church, the fathers
attendance makes a bigger impact on the decision
to stay in church
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q10a. At age 17, which of the following applied
to your parents?Base All (n1,023)
22
Parents expectations matter

• My parents or family members expressed that they
  expected me to continue attending church after
  age 17

• Examples of how parents expressed their
  expectations
• They encouraged me to join a church when I went
  away to college.
• They came right out and said it.
• They bought me Bibles as graduation presents and
  talked about me meeting a future spouse at
  church.
• They encouraged me to be active in church for
  the rest of my life.

Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q9. Which of the following describe your parents
attitudes toward religion/church attendance
through your teenage years (prior to turning 18)?
Base All (n1,023) Q9a In what ways did your
parents/family members express that they expected
you to continue attending church after age 17?
Base Q9Parents expected
23
More examples of how parents expressed their
expectations

• We talked about the importance of church.
• Prior to age 18 I attended church youth
  activities 4-5 days a week, so I expect that they
  expected me to continue doing so after age 17.
• They didnt say anything in particular, I just
  knew that they expected it.
• They expressed it by raising me up attending
  church.
• It was implied, because they do.
• They asked continuously if I was still attending
  church.
• When I went off to college, they checked up on
  me in a loving way to make sure I was attending
  church.
• They continuously asked me to go and why I
  wasnt going.
• The rule was as long as youre living under our
  roof you will go to church on Sunday.

Q9a In what ways did your parents/family members
express that they expected you to continue
attending church after age 17? Base Q9Parents
expected
24

• Church Investment in Teens Between Ages 15 and 17

25
Adults investing time in a teens spiritual
growth
42 percent of young adults indicate that prior to
turning 18 An adult spent time with me
regularly to help me grow spiritually
Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
26
Adults from church investing in teens

• Based on the indications of young adults the
  investment of multiple adults from church in
  their personal and spiritual life as teens
  directly corresponds with a lower likelihood of
  dropping out of church

Adults Making a Significant Investment in
Teens Life Between Ages 15 and 18 None 89
dropped out 1 76 dropped out 2 68 dropped
out 3 or 4 59 dropped out 5 or 6 57
dropped out 7 or more 50 dropped out
Among young adults indicating
Q6a. How many adults from church do you feel made
a significant investment in you personally and
spiritually between the ages of 15 and 18?
Base All (n1,023)
27
Adults from church investing in teens

• When less than two adults make a significant
  personal and spiritual investment in a teen
  between ages 15 and 18, he/she is more likely to
  drop out when 5 or more adults invest, a teen is
  less likely to drop out

Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q6a. How many adults from church do you feel made
a significant investment in you personally and
spiritually between the ages of 15 and 18?
Base All (n1,023)
28

• Teen Church Involvement Prior to Age 18

29
Attendance and participation prior to age 18
among ALL young adults
Although inclusion in this study only required
that young people attend a Protestant church for
at least a year in high school, a large majority
indicate church activities characterized their
life prior to turning 18

• I regularly attended worship services 86
• I participated in church youth group activities
  74
• I attended a small group, Sunday school, or
  discipleship class 66
• I attended a Christian camp 53
• I participated in service projects through church
  52
• I consistently gave financially to the church
  41
• I participated in mission trips 29

Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
30
Friends and responsibility at church prior to age
18 among ALL young adults

• My group of friends respected peers who attended
  church 58

While the majority of young adults indicate they
had positive peer pressure to attend church as
teens, a significant minority lack any positive
influence from friends to attend

• I had regular responsibilities at church 37
• I held a leadership position in my activities at
  church 25

In contrast to high levels of attendance and
participation, relatively few young adults
indicate they were given regular responsibility
within church as teens
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
31
Personal desires and activities related to church
prior to age 18 among ALL young adults

• I had a strong personal belief system in
  place 71
• I spent regular time in prayer privately 64
• I wanted the church to help guide my decisions in
  everyday life 57
• I spent regular time reading the Bible privately
  49

Among those teens who had confidence in their own
beliefs, only a third did not want the church to
help guide their decisions 83 of these dropped
out of church between ages 18-22
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
32
More of those who stay are involved in church
activities (before age 18) than those who dropout

• Those who stayed in church compared to those who
  dropped out
• DESIRE 30 more of those who stay indicate they
  wanted the church to help guide their decisions
  in everyday life (76 vs. 46)
• BIBLE 19 more of those who stay indicate they
  spent regular time reading the Bible privately
  (61 vs. 42)
• RESPONSIBILITY 16 more of those who stay
  indicate they had regular responsibilities at
  church (47 vs. 31)

Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
33
More of those who stay are involved in church
activities (before age 18) than those who dropout
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
34
Dropouts had less responsibility at church and
less positive peer pressure than those who stayed
in church
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
35
Thirty percent more of those who stay wanted the
church to help guide their decisions in everyday
life as teens
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q6b. Please indicate whether each of the
following statements applies to your life prior
to turning 18 and whether it applies to your life
through ages 18-22. Base All (n1,023)
36

• Teen Views of the Church They Attended Prior to
  Age 18

37
Among ALL young adults, at least half viewed the
church they attended positively prior to age 18
Similar Perspective Agree I agreed with
beliefs taught in my church 69 My church was
important in my life 62 I agreed with my
churchs political perspective 52
Attractive Worship Agree The worship style was
appealing to me 56 The pastors sermons were
engaging 54 The pastors sermons were relevant
to my life 50
Complementary of Atmosphere Agree My church
was a welcoming environment for people in my life
stage 60 Other people like me attended the
church 60 My church offered appealing activities
or small group studies for people in my life
stage 58 I felt at home at church 57 My
church was a source of support during personal
crises 48
Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which
1 Strongly Disagree and 5 Strongly Agree
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with
each of the following statements about the church
you attended as they pertain to your perceptions
prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to
your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base All
(n1,023)
38
The perspective on church (prior to age 18) is
more positive among those who stay in church than
among dropouts

• Those who stayed in church compared to those who
  dropped out
• IMPORTANCE 22 more of those who stay indicate
  they agree that their church was important in
  their life (76 vs. 54)
• RELEVANCE 21 more of those who stay indicate
  they agree that the pastors sermons were
  relevant to their life (63 vs. 42)
• WORSHIP 20 more of those who stay indicate they
  agree that the worship style was appealing to
  them (69 vs. 49)
• WELCOMING 19 more of those who stay indicate
  they agree that their church was a welcoming
  environment for people in their life stage (73
  vs. 54) and that they felt at home at church
  (69 vs. 50)

Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which
1 Strongly Disagree and 5 Strongly Agree
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with
each of the following statements about the church
you attended as they pertain to your perceptions
prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to
your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base All
(n1,023)
39
Young adults perspective on church attended
prior to age 18
Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which
1 Strongly Disagree and 5 Strongly Agree.
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with
each of the following statements about the church
you attended as they pertain to your perceptions
prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to
your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base All
(n1,023)
40
Young adults perspective on church attended
prior to age 18
Selected a 4 or a 5 on a 5-point scale in which
1 Strongly Disagree and 5 Strongly Agree.
All differences in percentages between
dropouts and those who stayed are
statistically significant
Q7. Please indicate your level of agreement with
each of the following statements about the church
you attended as they pertain to your perceptions
prior to turning 18 and whether they apply to
your perceptions through ages 18-22. Base All
(n1,023)
41

• Teen Impressions of Church Members Prior to Age 18

42
Among ALL young adults, twice as many indicate
positive impressions of church members than
negative prior to age 18

• Impressions of church members in general prior to
  age 18
• 65 Welcoming (made me feel like part of the
  church)
• 64 Authentic/Real 25 Hypocritical
• 62 Caring 21 Insincere
• 48 Inspirational (like role models) 16
  Legalistic
• 45 Politically conservative 15 Lenient
• 36 Cliquish 13 Politically liberal
• 36 Judgmental
• 29 Disapproving of those who didnt meet their
  expectations regarding jobs, school, marriage,
  etc.

Q8. Please indicate which of the following
statements describe your impression of church
members in general prior to turning 18 and which
statements describe your impression through ages
18-22. Base All (n1,004)
43
Dropouts indicate less positive impressions of
church members before age 18 than those who
stayed in church
Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q8. Please indicate which of the following
statements describe your impression of church
members in general prior to turning 18 and which
statements describe your impression through ages
18-22. Base All (n1,004)
44
Dropouts indicate more negative impressions of
church members before age 18 than those who
stayed in church
Difference in percentages between dropouts and
those who stayed is statistically significant
Q8. Please indicate which of the following
statements describe your impression of church
members in general prior to turning 18 and which
statements describe your impression through ages
18-22. Base All (n1,004)
45

• Influence of Education on Teens

46
College attendance has no impact on the church
dropout rate of young adults

• Among 23-30 year olds, there is no significant
  difference in the church dropout rate between
  those who attend at least some college and those
  who do not

Stopped attending church for at least a year
between ages 18-22
S3. Did you stop attending church regularly for
at least a year between the ages of 18 and 22?
Base Ages 23-30. S4. Highest level of
education Some college or higher (n413), High
school graduate or less (n319)
47
Types of high school attended can have some
impact on the likelihood a young adult drops out
of church
There is no statistically significant difference
in the dropout rate for those attending a public
high school, but the dropout rate is lower for
those attending home school or a Christian school
(other than Catholic)
Type of high schools attended Public 65
dropped out Private (not Christian) 69
dropped out Catholic 63 dropped out Other
Christian 51 dropped out Home school 56
dropped out
Among young adults ages 18-30 indicating
Difference in percentages between those who
dropped out and the total dropout rate for
18-30 year olds (65) is statistically
significant Note Respondents could indicate
attending more than one type of school
Q14a. Please indicate the type of
schools/colleges you have attended?Base Public
(n830) Private (n64) Catholic (n53) Christian
(n93) Home School (n104)
48
Types of college or university attended can have
some impact on the likelihood a young adult drops
out of church
There is no statistically significant difference
in the dropout rate for those attending a state
colleges (the largest group), but the rate is
lower for those attending Christian
colleges/universities (other than Catholic)
Type of college or university attended State
69 dropped out Christian 46 dropped out
Other private 70 dropped out Catholic
Small sample size Other religious Small
sample size
Among young adults ages 18-30 indicating
Difference in percentages between those who
dropped out and the total dropout rate for
18-30 year olds (65) is statistically
significant Note Respondents could indicate
attending more than one type of school
Q14a. Please indicate the type of
schools/colleges you have attended?Base State
(n302) Christian (n92) Other Private (n67)
49

• Combined Impact of Influences on Teens

50
Many aspects of a teens environment, behavior,
and attitude correspond to dropping out of church
between ages 18-22

• Many of the characteristics of teens tested show
  strong statistical correlation with the decision
  to later drop out of church
• However there is much overlap (correlation)
  between these characteristics combined, each
  contributes only a little more to the ability to
  predict whether someone will dropout of church
• Clearly, these factors do not dictate what young
  people will decide, but their influence calls
  parents and the church to faithful action
• Statistically, the factors identified in this
  study alone predict 32 of dropout behavior
  plenty to affirm that investment in teens
  matters!
• The outcome goes beyond what people can control
  and depends on Gods grace
• Regardless of the external factors involved,
  students are ultimately responsible for their
  decisions

Based on stepwise regression analysis. 26
independent variables and 816 observations were
used in the model. Linear regression results
R20.316, Adjusted R20.293 F value14.01
Probability gt F.0001
51
Together, the characteristics tested predict
about 32 of the variance in dropout behavior
When combined, the following characteristics are
most predictive of continuing to attend church

• I wanted the church to help guide my decisions in
  everyday life (prior to age 18)
• At age 17 my parents were still married to each
  other and both attended church
• The pastors sermons were relevant to my life
  (prior to age 18)
• At least 1 adult from church made a significant
  investment in me personally and spiritually
  between the ages of 15 and 18

Based on stepwise regression analysis. Listed in
order of their loading/ contribution to the
predictiveness (R2) of the model. 26 independent
variables and 816 observations were used in the
model. Linear regression results R20.316,
Adjusted R20.293 F value14.01 Probability gt
F.0001