A Snapshot of The Young Adult People

Group

Cris LoweryEmerging Generations SpecialistBGCO

Five basic milestone to Adulthood:

1. Completing school2. Leaving home3. Becoming financially independent4. Marrying5. Having a child

In 1960, 77% of women and 65% of men had passed through all five milestones by the time they turned 30

According to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, less than 50% of women and around 33% of men had passed through all five milestones by age 30

One third of people in their 20’s move to a new residence every year.40% move back home with parents at least once.They go through an average of seven jobs during their 20’s.Two thirds spend at least some time living with a romantic partner without being married.Average age for marriage is 26 for women and 28 for men.

Two major influence on Young Adults as they grew up:

1. Hyper Inflated Ego

Two major influence on Young Adults as they grew up:

1. Hyper Inflated Ego2. The world has always been at their

fingertips

“It is imperative that someone studying this generation realize that we have the world at our fingertips – and the world has been at our fingertips for our entire lives. I think this access to information seriously undermines this generation’s view of authority, especially traditional scholastic authority.”

Some Characteristics of Young Adult Culture

Are turned off by criticism of other people’s beliefs

Have a basic understanding of who Jesus is.

Love things and people who are authentic

Longs for community

Very relationally driven, but likes to control the environment

Service oriented.

Strong sense of social justice.

Desires mentoring relationship.

Drawn to shared leadership styles more than autocratic.

Some Simple Suggestions:

Create Sunday School or small group settings that focus on discussion and discovering truth together.

Build relationship with the young adults that are already in your circle of influence.

Add a “handle” or element to each worship experience that will be specifically targeted toward young adults.