New poll finds most pastors are concerned about young people in their church

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A new study shows that 85% of pastors are very worried that youth and young adults in their church are spending too much time watching screens on electronic devices, CBN News reported Monday. The poll was released by the Barna Group, and aimed to examine how pastors should disciple young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 86% of churches that responded said they were concerned about their young people having increased online access, but have no strategy to manage the situation.

The Barna Group poll also found that young people believe the church must deal with social issues like racism. The study found 51% percent of millennials and 54% of Generation Z believe the US “definitely” has a problem with racism.

In regard to issues specifically arising from the pandemic, the poll showed that: 35% of millennials and 24% of Generation Z needed food and other essentials; 33% millennials and 25% of Generation Z wanted emotional support; 33% of millennials and 25% of Generation Z needed financial help. Moreover, 19% of young people said they were lonely “all the time,” with 25% feeling lonely at least some of the time, CBN News reports.
 
Asked about whether they would turn to the church for help with their needs, 59% of young people said: “Church is not relevant to me personally;” 48% said: “I find God elsewhere and 28% said: “I can teach myself what I need to know.”

A large percentage of young people said that community outreach and mission trips were helpful: 71% of teenagers and 72 % of young adults said such activities are useful.

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