Today’s “nones” may not be as anti-religious as you think

According to a Pew Research article published in January of 2024, about 28% of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated. Researchers call them NONES because they describe themselves as atheists, agnostics, or “nothing in particular” when asked about their religion.

Ryan Burge, a researcher and American Baptist pastor, estimates that number to be about 30%. However, secularization is not advancing at equal rates in the United States. While 74% of the Silent Generation (born 1925-1945) identify as Christians (protestant and Catholic), the numbers plummet to 38% for Gen Z (born 1997 to 2013).

If you lead or serve young adults in your church or ministry, these numbers can seem alarming. But if you dig a little deeper, you’ll find a glimmer of hope. Pew Research shows that most “nones” do believe in God or a higher power. Though most say religion does some harm, many also think it does some good. The “nones” are not always anti-religious.

In addition, findings from Springtide surveys and interviews completed in 2022 show that 68% of young people, ages 13-25, consider themselves at least slightly religious. On top of that, 77% say they are at least slightly spiritual. Though young adults may not be streaming into church, these figures suggest they remain interested in developing their faith.

Call me an optimist, but this gives me hope.

How can ministry leaders address the unique challenges and concerns today’s young adults are facing?

My friend and colleague, Steve Argue, often reminds us that the third decade is often the most turbulent season in life. Whether it’s graduating from college without a clear career path, financial instability, lack of deep relationships, or all of the above, young adults often experience high levels of stress and anxiety.

Through research, Fuller Youth Institute has confirmed that young people (both youth and young adults) spend a lot of energy trying to answer questions surrounding their identity, belonging, and purpose. As young adults go through their 20’s, they are working to discover the answers to questions of “Who am I?”, “Where do I fit?”, and “What difference can I make?”.

Unfortunately, sometimes the journey leads them to find false narratives.

For example, if a young adult believes the world is competitive, then being a competitor becomes their identity. They adopt the false narrative that only their accomplishments allow them to fit into groups and sense belonging—and winning becomes their only purpose in life.

Or, if a young adult experiences life as being lonely, then their identity can be tied up in relationships. Their sense of belonging is only satisfied by the people they hang around with—whether the relationships are healthy or not. And their sense of purpose is only found when they help others in order to feel accepted.

Let’s help young adults replace false narratives with Jesus-centered ones

What if we can help young adults to know and experience the better story—a narrative that is centered around their value and worth in Jesus?

Rather than seeing the world as competitive or lonely, we can help young adults to know:

They’re enough because of Jesus.

They belong with God’s people.

They’re invited into God’s greater story.

Young adults can live Jesus-centered lives rather than being filled with stress and anxiety. They can experience the abundant life Jesus promised in John 10:10. They can see themselves as God’s beloved, who has gifts to offer the body of Christ, and experience God’s kingdom on earth as it was intended.

What do young adults need from church?

Young adults don’t want or need another youth group experience. Instead, young adults need:

• People they can rely on to model what it means to be a Christ-follower in today’s culture.
• Adults willing to help them navigate the complexities of work, relationships, and faith.
• Reassurance that they don’t have to have their lives figured out by age 30.
• Opportunities to hear older adults talk about struggling at work, having ups and downs in relationships, and making the wrong decisions at times.
• A community who will keep reminding them of God’s love and God’s unwavering faithfulness in their lives.

Yes, the numbers are grim, but I’m an eternal optimist. Yes, I wish more young adults would find their way into healthy churches, place their faith and trust in Christ’s saving grace, and experience the abundant life in Jesus.

There is hope because I know of churches that are reaching young adults where they are. There is hope because there are adults who are relationally investing in young adults. There is hope because we live in the unshakeable kingdom of God.

Join our Young Adult Ministry Cohort

Let us help you take the guesswork out of young adult ministry. When you join our 4-week online cohort, you’ll gather with leading young adult ministry expert Steve Argue and FYI’s senior director of training Chuck Hunt for weekly 90-minute online workshops unpacking our latest research. You’ll unlock innovative insights that will help you connect intentionally to the young adults in your church.

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