According to a study by The Barna Group based in California, American Christians in their 20s are likely to put the religion 'on the shelf', despite their spiritually active teen years.
Most twenty-somethings disengage from active participation in the Christian faith during their young adult years - and often beyond that, the research found.
In total, six out of ten twenty-somethings were involved in a church during their teen years, but have failed to translate that into active spirituality during their early adulthood.
The study shows that teenagers tend to thrive on fresh experiences and new perspectives. The spiritual dimension gives teens a fertile ground for their explorations. Half of teens attend a church-related service or activity in a typical week, while more than three quarters discuss matters of faith with peers, and three out of five teens attend at least one youth group meeting at a church during a typical three month period.
One third of teenagers say they participate in a Christian club on campus at some point during a typical school year.
Still, one of the most striking findings from the research is the broad base of opportunities that Christian churches in America have to work with teenagers. Overall, more than four out of five teens say they have attended a church for a period of at least two months during their teenage years (81 per cent). This represents substantial penetration and significant prospects for influencing the nation's 24 million teens.
At the same time, the Barna research underscores how fleeting that influence may be. Twenty-somethings continue to be the most spiritually independent and resistant age group in America. Most of them pull away from participation and engagement in Christian churches, particularly during the "college years." The research shows that, compared to older adults, twentysomethings have significantly lower levels of church attendance, time spent alone studying and reading the Bible, volunteering to help churches, donations to churches, Sunday school and small group involvement, and use of Christian media (including television, radio and magazines).
David Kinnaman, the director of the research, pointed out, "There is considerable debate about whether the disengagement of twenty-somethings is a lifestage issue - that is, a predictable element in the progression of people's development as they go through various family, occupational and chronological stages - or whether it is unique to this generation. While there is some truth to both explanations, this debate misses the point, which is that the current state of ministry to twenty-somethings is woefully inadequate to address the spiritual needs of millions of young adults.
"These individuals are making significant life choices and determining the patterns and preferences of their spiritual reality while churches wait, generally in vain, for them to return after college or when the kids come. When and if young adults do return to churches, it is difficult to convince them that a passionate pursuit of Christ is anything more than a nice add-on to their cluttered lifestyle."