Will the 2020 Pandemic Accelerate Loss of Faith Among the Next Generation?

This week, Barna is presenting a five-part daily video series featuring Barna president David Kinnaman and Director of Insights Mark Matlock, as they discuss Five Essential Conversations About Ministry to the Next Generation. First, they explored why half of Millennials have stopped streaming digital worship services during the pandemic.

Now, Kinnaman and Matlock look at the present moment through the lens of some of the research they shared in Faith for Exiles. Specifically, they focus on data about young people they describe as Prodigals—who do not identify as Christian, despite having attended church or having considered themselves to be Christian in the past.

What can the Church do to reach out to this segment of young adults and keep individuals from leaving the Church during this crucial time? Watch part 2 of 5 below to find out.

Reaching out to the next generation is of key importance, especially in a season of uncertainty and rapid changes. The first step Matlock recommends to welcome Prodigals back into the Church and encourage all young people to stay engaged is to forge deeper connections. These stronger ties will yield insights into how pastors can best support and disciple these young adults.

Throughout the rest of the week, tune in daily for a new video in Five Essential Conversations About Ministry to the Next Generation. Get the extended videos in a Barna Access Plus subscription, which gives you unlimited access to Barna Next Gen content, including Barna courses, labs and emerging data on younger generations to fuel your next gen ministry strategy. An Access Plus membership also includes access to all our research reports and six additional curated content channels for just $19 a month.

Or, get the Making Resilient Disciples course, now just $99 (or free with a Barna Access Plus subscription), and receive the extended video conversations as an added bonus—this week only.

Five Essential Conversations About Ministry to the Next Generation:
Part 1: Why Millennials Aren’t Watching Your Streamed Worship Services
Part 2: Will the 2020 Pandemic Accelerate Loss of Faith Among the Next Generation?
Part 3: Why You Might Be Aiming at the Wrong Target in Your Ministry to the Next Generation
Part 4: How Mental Health Is the New Domain of Ministry to the Next Generation
Part 5: Why 2020 Might Be Good News for the Church

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez from Unsplash

© Barna Group, 2020.