5 Things You Can Do To Help Engage Young Adults

It’s not uncommon for churches to feel like they’re constantly losing their younger members, but one of the reasons they tend to leave is they don’t feel engaged. Some churches don’t seem to have any problems in this area. Why? They take actionable steps to engage young adults. Their strategies also work for bringing in new young adults. Master young adult engagement and you’ll continue building your church for generations to come.

1. Give Them A Leader

Sometimes young adults need someone who thinks like they do. Consider bringing on a young adult leader. It could be a pastor, ministry leader or any part of the staff. The idea is to show young adults that you take them seriously enough to give them a leadership position. Plus, that young adult helps to guide the rest of your church leadership in how to better engage young adults in the church.

2. Incorporate Things They Enjoy

Young adults have different interests than their parents and grandparents. While a peaceful choir and soft organ music might appeal to some members, young adults want to know you’re paying attention to what they like too. For instance, churches that use electric guitars often were twice as likely to have active young adult members. The same is true for incorporating technology. Having a website for them to interact with, posting and engaging with them on social media and even offering ways for them to participate in the church in a digital way (such as sending in questions via social media for next week’s sermon) helps to engage young adults and keep them coming back. Talk to the young adults currently in your church family. Find out what they’re interested in. From social networks to charitable causes, learn what they’re passionate about and you’ll be better able to engage them.

3. Put Spiritual Needs Above Flash

It’s easy to get carried away with light shows, projectors and loud music in an attempt to keep young adults attending every week. However, don’t forget about their spiritual needs. Young adults want to learn. They have questions and want explanations. In the past, many people simply accepted God’s word without question. Today, it’s more commonplace to express opinions and search for answers. While being more modern is a good thing, make sure you’re still teaching God’s word and making young adults feel comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance. It’s this type of community atmosphere and teaching that helps them find their spiritual path.

4. Create A Ministry For Them

If possible, create a ministry specifically for young adults. Whether it’s a paid position or volunteer, they need someone around the same age to help guide them. For instance, think about asking your parents a question or talking about an embarrassing topic. Sometimes the generational gap made this awkward and seemingly impossible. By having someone who is not only a young adult too, but comfortable in their faith, young adults feel more at a home. They’re more likely to talk about current issues they’re facing. The right ministry leader is also able to help teach by applying scripture to current events and problems that they face daily.

5. Give Them Opportunities

Finally, engage young adults by giving them more opportunities to be an active part of the church. Remember, this generation is tech savvy. Take advantage of that. Ask for volunteers for managing your church’s blog, recording podcasts, filming sermons, managing social media and more. This is also the perfect way to get more young adults to walk through your door since your younger members also know a thing or two about sharing content online. Even though they’re young, give them leadership opportunities. Let them take charge of a volunteer opportunity that’s close to their heart. Hear them out when they have an idea for raising money or helping in the community. The more you interact with them and give them chances, the more engaged they’ll be. Ready to start your journey in engaging your young adult members? Start with a professionally designed website today to give them an extra place to interact with you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do young adults leave the church?

The most common reason is that they don’t feel engaged. They show up, sit through a service that doesn’t seem aimed at them, and quietly drift away. This generation wants to ask hard questions, be taken seriously, and have a real place to contribute. Churches that give them a voice and a role tend to keep them; churches that treat them as spectators tend to lose them.

Do young adults want a more modern worship style?

Many do, and the data backs it up: churches using electric guitars and contemporary elements have been roughly twice as likely to have active young adult members. But style is only part of it. Don’t let lights, screens, and loud music become a substitute for substance. Young adults want depth and honest teaching just as much as a modern feel.

Should our church start a young adults ministry?

If you have the people to lead it, yes. A dedicated young adults ministry gives this group a place to belong and someone close to their own age and stage to follow. The generational gap can make hard conversations feel awkward or impossible, but a peer leader who’s confident in their faith bridges that. Whether the role is paid or volunteer matters less than finding the right person.

How do you give young adults real responsibility in church?

Hand them work that plays to their strengths. This generation is tech-savvy, so let them run the blog, record podcasts, film sermons, or manage social media. Give them genuine leadership over projects they care about, listen when they pitch ideas, and let them lead a cause close to their heart. The more you trust them with something real, the more invested they become, and they’ll often bring friends along.

How do I find out what the young adults in my church actually want?

Ask them. It sounds obvious, but most churches guess instead of asking. Sit down with the young adults already in your congregation and find out what they’re passionate about, which causes move them, and where they feel the church is missing them. Their answers will shape everything from your worship set to your ministry programs far better than assumptions ever could.