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How Do We Foster Sustainable Faith in Young Adults?
1.
What ministries exist at your church for reaching young adults? (Check all that apply)
Middle School/Junior High
Senior High
College Ministries
Young Adult Ministries
Parent Ministries
Family-Based Ministries
Other (please specify)
2.
Approximately, how many Middle School students attend your church?
0-20
21-50
51-70
71-100
101-150
151-200
201-250
251-300
300+
3.
Approximately, how many High School students attend your church?
0-20
21-50
51-70
71-100
101-150
151-200
201-250
251-300
300+
4.
Approximately, how many College Students/Young Adults (age 18-25) attend your church?
0-20
21-50
51-70
71-100
101-150
151-200
201-250
251-300
300+
5.
How many people attend your church on average each week?
<150
151-200
201-500
500+
6.
Recent studies show that nearly 75% of Christian young people leave the church after high school. Has your church made any changes in response to this cultural shift? (Check all that apply)
Yes, we have revised our church mission statement and/or approach to ministry
Yes, we have revised our youth/young adult ministry mission statement and/or approach to ministry
Yes, our church has made significant staff/leadership changes in response
No significant changes made to programs or mission statement
Not yet, but we are praying and planning to make adjustments
We would like more information and opportunities to connect with other churches to exchange ideas
Other (See below to detail your ideas, thoughts, current or planned approaches)
Other (please specify)
7.
Studies also indicate that one of the key reasons young people leave the church is "intellectual skepticism" - they head into college with unresolved doubts and unanswered questions. Ministry leaders and parents are faced with the challenge of staying informed on numerous complex issues, so they can pro-actively engage students in the very areas of their doubts and questions.
What type of training opportunities would best support your leaders and parents? (Check up to 5, that would best serve your church)
Personal coaching/mentoring
Cohorts - training/coaching in community
Online book studies and courses
Webinars and Videos on Website
Presbytery Training Meetings for Leaders
Regional Training Meetings for Leaders
National Training Meetings for Leaders
Parent Training Online
Parent Training at Presbytery Meetings
Parent Training at Regional Meetings
Parent Training at National Meetings
Other (please specify)
8.
Does your church set aside funds as part of the annual staff development budget, for the professional development of youth leaders and/or college/young adult ministry leaders? Does it set aside funds for training and supporting the parents of young adults? (Check all that apply)
Yes, we set aside funds for training youth leaders
Yes, we set aside funds for training college/young adult ministry leaders
Yes, we set aside funds for training parents of young adults
Leaders may use some of the youth or college/young adult ministry funds for their training
No, not at this time
I don't know
9.
What new resources would you like to see on our web sites?
(Select up to 5)
New Youth Leader Training/Resources
Volunteer Training/Resources
Webinars for Leadership Training
Webinars on Addressing Doubts/Tough Questions
Videos to Show Students
Clearinghouse for Exchanging Ideas with Leader/Parent Uploaded Videos (i.e.TED Talks)
Curriculum/Bible Studies
Parent Training/Resources
Leader-to-Leader Resource Sharing/Connecting
Parent-to-Parent Resource Sharing/Connecting
Expand our Current Recommended Resources (Books/Websites/Mission Trips/Models of Ministry)
Other (please specify)
10.
Further studies show that more than half of college professors view Christianity with hostility and take opportunities in the classroom to express this viewpoint. Does your church have a "College Transition" program in place for students, parents and/or ministry leaders? (Check all that apply)
Yes, we have training/resources for students
Yes, we have training/resources for parents
Yes, we have training/resources for ministry leaders
No, not at this time
Other (See below to detail your ideas, thoughts, current or planned approaches)
Other (please specify)
11.
Would you like a copy of the final survey results sent to your email address?
Yes
No
12.
Name and Email Address
13.
Church/City/State
14.
Presbytery (if known)
15.
What role do you play in your church? (Check all that apply)
Pastor
Teaching Elder
Ruling Elder
Parent of Teen or Young Adult (age 12-25)
Director of Student Ministry
College/Young Adult Ministry Leader
Senior High Youth Leader
Middle School Youth Leader
Full-Time Staff
Part-Time Staff
Volunteer
Intern
Other (please specify)
16.
Your ideas and insights are extremely important to the Student and College Ministries Committee. We want to continue this dialogue and discussion. If you have any further thoughts, please share them with us below.
What other ideas do you have for reaching young adults (age 12-25) in your church and across the EPC?
How Do We Foster Sustainable Faith in Young Adults, in the church and across the denomination?
How do you think Student and College Ministries can best serve ministry leaders, parents and the next generation?
Other (If we haven't asked the question that is pressing on your mind, feel free to ask/answer below - we recognize that we must ask the right questions, in order to arrive at the best answers).
The space below is open for your continued ideas and thoughts.
Other (please specify)