After the first trip, including the visit to Frontline, I performed a wedding for a friend who lives in Washington D.C. and works as a lawyer. His former law professor and current employer was seated with me at the reception. In making conversation, we talked about the “Interview Project” and my recent visit to the Washington D.C. suburbs. Very interested in the project, the older gentleman asked if it was necessary to be younger to reach the younger generations. Most American churches interested in attracting and retaining significant populations of twenty-somethings either explicitly or implicitly respond to that question. Many churches do not seem to notice the missing 18-35 year olds in the church or dismiss it as a temporary situation. The churches that do notice and take action mostly respond by hiring a young, cool, hip guy to reach twenty-somethings, thereby implying that it is a job best accomplished by a younger generation. While hiring a younger person often means there will be a common culture, Read More→
The start of many churches contains unique elements. 
Why do so many young adults (18 to 22) leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back? This important question is examined and duly answered in Essential Church? with his son, research expert Sam Rainer.
The book is based on a study of one-thousand so-called “church dropouts” who were interviewed about why they left. Their answers are quite surprising, having less to do with “losing their religion” and more about the desire for a community that isn’t made stale by simply maintaining the status quo.
In turn, the Rainers offer churches four concrete solutions toward making their worship community an essential part these young people’s lives again:
Simplify – develop a clear structure and process for making disciples.
Deepen – provide strong biblical teaching and preaching.
Expect - let members know the need for commitment to the congregation.
Multiply - emphasize evangelism, outward focus, and starting new churches.
About the Authors
Thom S. Rainer is president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, one of the largest Christian resource companies worldwide, and the best-selling coauthor of Simple Church. Rainer and his wife, Nellie Jo, have three grown sons and live in Nashville, Tennessee.
Sam S. Rainer is a senior pastor, writer, and the president and CEO of Rainer Research. He also blogs and writes a column for Outreach magazine and lives with his wife, Erin, in Floyds Knobs, Indiana.
Sunday School at 
Finding good, well-written, easy to follow, creative curriculum is always a challenge. When involved in youth ministry, there were many options, but I rarely found material I really liked. I often bought material and spent as much time modifying it as it would take to write my own!