How Churches Are Really Reaching Young People with Dr. Kara Powell

the best way to reach young people what the best way to reach young people what is it to disproportionately dedicate is it to disproportionately dedicate is it to disproportionately dedicate resources to them at least that's the resources to them at least that's the resources to them at least that's the thesis from Fuller youth Institute and thesis from Fuller youth Institute and thesis from Fuller youth Institute and an extensive research study they an extensive research study they an extensive research study they conducted more than 10 000 hours 1300 conducted more than 10 000 hours 1300 conducted more than 10 000 hours 1300 interviews and 250 churches this study interviews and 250 churches this study interviews and 250 churches this study was cataloged in a book they released was cataloged in a book they released was cataloged in a book they released called growing young and today we're called growing young and today we're called growing young and today we're joined by one of its authors Dr Kara joined by one of its authors Dr Kara joined by one of its authors Dr Kara Powell is the executive director of Powell is the executive director of Powell is the executive director of Fuller youth Institute and she joins us Fuller youth Institute and she joins us Fuller youth Institute and she joins us to discuss the research she conducted to discuss the research she conducted to discuss the research she conducted but also to answer the burning question but also to answer the burning question but also to answer the burning question that's on all of our minds if we must that's on all of our minds if we must that's on all of our minds if we must disproportionately dedicate resources to disproportionately dedicate resources to disproportionately dedicate resources to young people to reach them what does young people to reach them what does young people to reach them what does that leave for everyone else that leave for everyone else that leave for everyone else well well hey there and welcome to the well well hey there and welcome to the well well hey there and welcome to the pro Church tool show we're here to help pro Church tool show we're here to help pro Church tool show we're here to help you in your church navigate the biggest you in your church navigate the biggest you in your church navigate the biggest communication shift in 500 years I'm communication shift in 500 years I'm communication shift in 500 years I'm Brady Shearer your host I'm joining us Brady Shearer your host I'm joining us Brady Shearer your host I'm joining us always by my co-host Alexander Mills always by my co-host Alexander Mills always by my co-host Alexander Mills hello hello we're also joined today by hello hello we're also joined today by hello hello we're also joined today by Dr Kara Powell Kara pleased to spend Dr Kara Powell Kara pleased to spend Dr Kara Powell Kara pleased to spend some time together today some time together today some time together today oh I'm looking forward to a really great oh I'm looking forward to a really great oh I'm looking forward to a really great conversation Brady excellent so uh Cara conversation Brady excellent so uh Cara conversation Brady excellent so uh Cara in the book growing young of which you in the book growing young of which you in the book growing young of which you are one of the three authors you know are one of the three authors you know are one of the three authors you know one of my big takeaways uh from the book one of my big takeaways uh from the book one of my big takeaways uh from the book it's a bit of a provocative one at least it's a bit of a provocative one at least it's a bit of a provocative one at least when I've discussed it on our platforms when I've discussed it on our platforms when I've discussed it on our platforms with our audience uh I'll I'll quote the with our audience uh I'll I'll quote the with our audience uh I'll I'll quote the book here quote based on Research we're book here quote based on Research we're book here quote based on Research we're actually calling for churches to actually calling for churches to actually calling for churches to dedicate a disproportionately large dedicate a disproportionately large dedicate a disproportionately large amount of attention and investment in amount of attention and investment in amount of attention and investment in teenagers and young adults end quote so teenagers and young adults end quote so teenagers and young adults end quote so the keyword there of course to me is the keyword there of course to me is the keyword there of course to me is disproportionately disproportionately disproportionately which would have to necessitate that which would have to necessitate that which would have to necessitate that other age groups are getting other age groups are getting other age groups are getting disproportionately less attention and disproportionately less attention and disproportionately less attention and investment so can you elaborate on this

investment so can you elaborate on this investment so can you elaborate on this thesis for us just a little bit thesis for us just a little bit thesis for us just a little bit Brady I love how you're asking a Brady I love how you're asking a Brady I love how you're asking a hard-hitting question to begin with here hard-hitting question to begin with here hard-hitting question to begin with here so uh yeah growing young is the result so uh yeah growing young is the result so uh yeah growing young is the result of multiple years of research by the of multiple years of research by the of multiple years of research by the Fuller youth Institute and I I Fuller youth Institute and I I Fuller youth Institute and I I co-authored the book with Brad Griffin co-authored the book with Brad Griffin co-authored the book with Brad Griffin and Jake Mulder and we looked at over and Jake Mulder and we looked at over and Jake Mulder and we looked at over 250 churches that in the midst of so 250 churches that in the midst of so 250 churches that in the midst of so many churches aging and shrinking we many churches aging and shrinking we many churches aging and shrinking we wanted to find those that were growing wanted to find those that were growing wanted to find those that were growing young that were really engaging 13 to 29 young that were really engaging 13 to 29 young that were really engaging 13 to 29 year olds and as we did interviews with year olds and as we did interviews with year olds and as we did interviews with the churches and came up with the the churches and came up with the the churches and came up with the interview protocol one of my very interview protocol one of my very interview protocol one of my very pressing questions was okay when these pressing questions was okay when these pressing questions was okay when these churches invest more energy more churches invest more energy more churches invest more energy more resources in young people who loses who resources in young people who loses who resources in young people who loses who gets the short end of the stick because gets the short end of the stick because gets the short end of the stick because honestly that just made sense to me like honestly that just made sense to me like honestly that just made sense to me like if if one group is getting a bigger if if one group is getting a bigger if if one group is getting a bigger piece of the pie then surely other piece of the pie then surely other piece of the pie then surely other groups in the church have to be getting groups in the church have to be getting groups in the church have to be getting a smaller piece of the pie and so we a smaller piece of the pie and so we a smaller piece of the pie and so we were really ruthless with this Quest were really ruthless with this Quest were really ruthless with this Quest question question question um and and especially pressed senior um and and especially pressed senior um and and especially pressed senior pastors okay when you invest more in pastors okay when you invest more in pastors okay when you invest more in young people who loses is it senior young people who loses is it senior young people who loses is it senior adults is it women's ministry is it adults is it women's ministry is it adults is it women's ministry is it worship Ministry Etc and this was worship Ministry Etc and this was worship Ministry Etc and this was actually one of the bigger surprises of actually one of the bigger surprises of actually one of the bigger surprises of our research is as we spent time with our research is as we spent time with our research is as we spent time with these amazing churches what they said these amazing churches what they said these amazing churches what they said was when we invest in young people was when we invest in young people was when we invest in young people everybody benefits when we give young everybody benefits when we give young everybody benefits when we give young people a bigger piece of the pie it's

people a bigger piece of the pie it's people a bigger piece of the pie it's not that others get a smaller piece it's not that others get a smaller piece it's not that others get a smaller piece it's the whole pie grows everybody wins when the whole pie grows everybody wins when the whole pie grows everybody wins when we invest in young people because young we invest in young people because young we invest in young people because young people bring more passion more energy in people bring more passion more energy in people bring more passion more energy in many churches they actually bring more many churches they actually bring more many churches they actually bring more money because while young people money because while young people money because while young people themselves might not be huge givers themselves might not be huge givers themselves might not be huge givers they're all often attached to parents or they're all often attached to parents or they're all often attached to parents or caregivers who are there's often adults caregivers who are there's often adults caregivers who are there's often adults who really want a vibrant church and a who really want a vibrant church and a who really want a vibrant church and a lot of times what makes a church vibrant lot of times what makes a church vibrant lot of times what makes a church vibrant is young people and so more people are is young people and so more people are is young people and so more people are drawing onto your church because of the drawing onto your church because of the drawing onto your church because of the young people even if they're not young people even if they're not young people even if they're not directly related and that translates to directly related and that translates to directly related and that translates to more giving so yeah I mean Brady I'm more giving so yeah I mean Brady I'm more giving so yeah I mean Brady I'm glad you asked that question first glad you asked that question first glad you asked that question first because this is one of the big ahas of because this is one of the big ahas of because this is one of the big ahas of our research whether we invest in young our research whether we invest in young our research whether we invest in young people everybody gains people everybody gains people everybody gains okay so the when I read this book and I okay so the when I read this book and I okay so the when I read this book and I read it uh roughly you know five six read it uh roughly you know five six read it uh roughly you know five six seven years ago it feels like at least seven years ago it feels like at least seven years ago it feels like at least at this point I yeah it immediately at this point I yeah it immediately at this point I yeah it immediately resonated with me because I remembered resonated with me because I remembered resonated with me because I remembered at my church growing up the the youth at my church growing up the the youth at my church growing up the the youth group was was growing and it was growing group was was growing and it was growing group was was growing and it was growing fast and so then we would all go to fast and so then we would all go to fast and so then we would all go to church on Sunday morning and the youth church on Sunday morning and the youth church on Sunday morning and the youth would all sit in like the first two pews would all sit in like the first two pews would all sit in like the first two pews and I remember this being like a three and I remember this being like a three and I remember this being like a three to five year transformation we're like to five year transformation we're like to five year transformation we're like Sunday mornings just got more and more Sunday mornings just got more and more Sunday mornings just got more and more full there was more and more energy and full there was more and more energy and full there was more and more energy and we would hear like adults would come up we would hear like adults would come up we would hear like adults would come up straight to us and like we love this straight to us and like we love this straight to us and like we love this like youthful presence is that kind of like youthful presence is that kind of like youthful presence is that kind of like what you guys figured out when you like what you guys figured out when you like what you guys figured out when you were doing the research with these were doing the research with these were doing the research with these churches is that what we're getting at churches is that what we're getting at churches is that what we're getting at sure exactly and Bray it sounds like we sure exactly and Bray it sounds like we sure exactly and Bray it sounds like we went to the same church because my went to the same church because my went to the same church because my church you had some very similar church you had some very similar church you had some very similar experience yeah the word that Pastor

experience yeah the word that Pastor experience yeah the word that Pastor after pastor and again not just use after pastor and again not just use after pastor and again not just use pastors not just young adult pastors pastors not just young adult pastors pastors not just young adult pastors senior pastors executive pastors worship senior pastors executive pastors worship senior pastors executive pastors worship pastors the word that they used over and pastors the word that they used over and pastors the word that they used over and over again was Vitality that young over again was Vitality that young over again was Vitality that young people have a unique potential I just people have a unique potential I just people have a unique potential I just got chills when I said that word young got chills when I said that word young got chills when I said that word young people have a unique potential to bring people have a unique potential to bring people have a unique potential to bring more Vitality to the overall Church more Vitality to the overall Church more Vitality to the overall Church which again you know that translates to which again you know that translates to which again you know that translates to every part of the Church children's every part of the Church children's every part of the Church children's ministry to senior Adult Ministry ministry to senior Adult Ministry ministry to senior Adult Ministry discipleship to outreach young people discipleship to outreach young people discipleship to outreach young people bring more energy and vitality bring more energy and vitality bring more energy and vitality you know Cara I have been pastoring for you know Cara I have been pastoring for you know Cara I have been pastoring for 10 years and when I first started 10 years and when I first started 10 years and when I first started pastoring I was in my early 20s and I pastoring I was in my early 20s and I pastoring I was in my early 20s and I was young I was green and I'm part of a was young I was green and I'm part of a was young I was green and I'm part of a Minister's Network here in Canada that Minister's Network here in Canada that Minister's Network here in Canada that has these annual ministers conferences has these annual ministers conferences has these annual ministers conferences and so we get together as pastors and we and so we get together as pastors and we and so we get together as pastors and we talk about the state of our churches the talk about the state of our churches the talk about the state of our churches the state of the church and I remember in my state of the church and I remember in my state of the church and I remember in my early 20s one of the the preeminent early 20s one of the the preeminent early 20s one of the the preeminent conversations at those conferences were conversations at those conferences were conversations at those conferences were how do we reach young people and the how do we reach young people and the how do we reach young people and the young people back then uh by name were young people back then uh by name were young people back then uh by name were Millennials of which I'm one of them Millennials of which I'm one of them Millennials of which I'm one of them yeah so now fast forward 10 years uh I'm yeah so now fast forward 10 years uh I'm yeah so now fast forward 10 years uh I'm still a millennial I'm in my 30s now I'm still a millennial I'm in my 30s now I'm still a millennial I'm in my 30s now I'm in a different season of pastoring but in a different season of pastoring but in a different season of pastoring but the question Remains the Same how do we the question Remains the Same how do we the question Remains the Same how do we reach young people at the same reach young people at the same reach young people at the same conference as we're asking the same conference as we're asking the same conference as we're asking the same question but just of a different question but just of a different question but just of a different generation now we're talking about about generation now we're talking about about generation now we're talking about about gen Z and so I I guess my question is gen Z and so I I guess my question is gen Z and so I I guess my question is like when it comes to reaching young like when it comes to reaching young like when it comes to reaching young people people people seems to be a question we've been asking seems to be a question we've been asking seems to be a question we've been asking for a long time practice for sure for a long time practice for sure for a long time practice for sure pragmatically like what does that look pragmatically like what does that look pragmatically like what does that look like what does it look like to actually like what does it look like to actually like what does it look like to actually disproportionately invest more resources

disproportionately invest more resources disproportionately invest more resources in young people in young people in young people yeah so I'll tell you what I've told my yeah so I'll tell you what I've told my yeah so I'll tell you what I've told my church church church um to be super pragmatic is uh I would um to be super pragmatic is uh I would um to be super pragmatic is uh I would love based on our research if as you're love based on our research if as you're love based on our research if as you're looking at it as you as you're wrestling looking at it as you as you're wrestling looking at it as you as you're wrestling with any question with any question with any question any any aspect of the church one of your any any aspect of the church one of your any any aspect of the church one of your top three or or or even top five one of top three or or or even top five one of top three or or or even top five one of your top three or top five questions is your top three or top five questions is your top three or top five questions is what will this mean for our young people what will this mean for our young people what will this mean for our young people so you're planning ahead for Advent so you're planning ahead for Advent so you're planning ahead for Advent you're looking ahead to Christmas Susan you're looking ahead to Christmas Susan you're looking ahead to Christmas Susan how will our young people be engaged how will our young people be engaged how will our young people be engaged you're thinking about short-term you're thinking about short-term you're thinking about short-term missions this summer what does this mean missions this summer what does this mean missions this summer what does this mean for young people you're looking at your for young people you're looking at your for young people you're looking at your budget how is this going to impact young budget how is this going to impact young budget how is this going to impact young people so that young people are are just people so that young people are are just people so that young people are are just top of mind because often young people top of mind because often young people top of mind because often young people are kind of about question 10 and if a are kind of about question 10 and if a are kind of about question 10 and if a church wants to get serious about young church wants to get serious about young church wants to get serious about young people and what was interesting in our people and what was interesting in our people and what was interesting in our research is when it comes to Growing research is when it comes to Growing research is when it comes to Growing young we identified six core commitments young we identified six core commitments young we identified six core commitments that are crucial to churches making this that are crucial to churches making this that are crucial to churches making this shift and whether or not a church shift and whether or not a church shift and whether or not a church prioritizes young people is one of those prioritizes young people is one of those prioritizes young people is one of those and it's a hinge point that really is and it's a hinge point that really is and it's a hinge point that really is kind of a fork in the road and so the kind of a fork in the road and so the kind of a fork in the road and so the best way that I can say to my church how best way that I can say to my church how best way that I can say to my church how here's how we're going to prioritize here's how we're going to prioritize here's how we're going to prioritize young people is it's one of the ideally young people is it's one of the ideally young people is it's one of the ideally top three I'll Grant you top five top three I'll Grant you top five top three I'll Grant you top five questions that you're asking as you questions that you're asking as you questions that you're asking as you think about your Church's present and think about your Church's present and think about your Church's present and future future future now I I think one critique I can imagine now I I think one critique I can imagine now I I think one critique I can imagine and I and I can't just imagine it I've

and I and I can't just imagine it I've and I and I can't just imagine it I've seen it in the comments below the videos seen it in the comments below the videos seen it in the comments below the videos that we've made of an approach like this that we've made of an approach like this that we've made of an approach like this is that hey this is just way too is that hey this is just way too is that hey this is just way too pragmatic you know where's the soul pragmatic you know where's the soul pragmatic you know where's the soul where's the spirit behind this now I where's the spirit behind this now I where's the spirit behind this now I Kara yeah for context I am an empirical Kara yeah for context I am an empirical Kara yeah for context I am an empirical thinker perhaps almost certainly to a thinker perhaps almost certainly to a thinker perhaps almost certainly to a fault uh my sure Pastor across the table fault uh my sure Pastor across the table fault uh my sure Pastor across the table might say of me so for people watching might say of me so for people watching might say of me so for people watching and listening who might just be like and listening who might just be like and listening who might just be like okay like now we have to like decide okay like now we have to like decide okay like now we have to like decide which demographic to prioritize with which demographic to prioritize with which demographic to prioritize with budget and creative resources and it's budget and creative resources and it's budget and creative resources and it's like can we not just preach the Bible like can we not just preach the Bible like can we not just preach the Bible can we is the gospel just not enough can we is the gospel just not enough can we is the gospel just not enough what might you say to them what might you say to them what might you say to them yeah I love the bible let me be super yeah I love the bible let me be super yeah I love the bible let me be super clear on that I love uh the good news of clear on that I love uh the good news of clear on that I love uh the good news of Jesus Christ I think it's the the best Jesus Christ I think it's the the best Jesus Christ I think it's the the best news for all generations including young news for all generations including young news for all generations including young people and like I just mentioned Brady people and like I just mentioned Brady people and like I just mentioned Brady we identified six core commitments one we identified six core commitments one we identified six core commitments one of which is prioritizing young people of which is prioritizing young people of which is prioritizing young people which we've been talking about quite a which we've been talking about quite a which we've been talking about quite a bit up till now another one of which is bit up till now another one of which is bit up till now another one of which is the way that we teach Jesus's message uh the way that we teach Jesus's message uh the way that we teach Jesus's message uh what we found and this is good news boy what we found and this is good news boy what we found and this is good news boy this is good news is that young people this is good news is that young people this is good news is that young people love Jesus like they are drawn to Jesus love Jesus like they are drawn to Jesus love Jesus like they are drawn to Jesus one of the things that we said out of one of the things that we said out of one of the things that we said out of our research is that Jesus is compelling our research is that Jesus is compelling our research is that Jesus is compelling for young people now a lot of times and for young people now a lot of times and for young people now a lot of times and I'll say we because I know I make this I'll say we because I know I make this I'll say we because I know I make this mistake as a communicator a lot of times mistake as a communicator a lot of times mistake as a communicator a lot of times um I focus a little bit less on Jesus um I focus a little bit less on Jesus um I focus a little bit less on Jesus and a little bit more on shall we say and a little bit more on shall we say and a little bit more on shall we say Christian culture Christian culture Christian culture a little bit more on Christian doctrine

a little bit more on Christian doctrine a little bit more on Christian doctrine and you know some of that can be really and you know some of that can be really and you know some of that can be really good needed absolutely but what what good needed absolutely but what what good needed absolutely but what what really Drew young people was when really Drew young people was when really Drew young people was when churches talked about Jesus one of the churches talked about Jesus one of the churches talked about Jesus one of the most convicting interviews we did most convicting interviews we did most convicting interviews we did um of of a young person who was at a um of of a young person who was at a um of of a young person who was at a church that was growing young she was in church that was growing young she was in church that was growing young she was in her late 20s and a bunch of us as her late 20s and a bunch of us as her late 20s and a bunch of us as faculty at Fuller Seminary came up with faculty at Fuller Seminary came up with faculty at Fuller Seminary came up with an interview protocol and one of the an interview protocol and one of the an interview protocol and one of the questions that we asked was how would questions that we asked was how would questions that we asked was how would you describe Christianity you describe Christianity you describe Christianity and so and so and so um so the the PHD student at Fuller um so the the PHD student at Fuller um so the the PHD student at Fuller who's doing this part of the interview who's doing this part of the interview who's doing this part of the interview she asked this young person you know how she asked this young person you know how she asked this young person you know how would you define Christianity and the would you define Christianity and the would you define Christianity and the young woman said well uh I'm not really young woman said well uh I'm not really young woman said well uh I'm not really sure but can I tell you who Jesus is and sure but can I tell you who Jesus is and sure but can I tell you who Jesus is and how Jesus changed my life and like it how Jesus changed my life and like it how Jesus changed my life and like it was her drop the mic moment because was her drop the mic moment because was her drop the mic moment because again this was a mistake we made we again this was a mistake we made we again this was a mistake we made we asked about Christianity and she wanted asked about Christianity and she wanted asked about Christianity and she wanted to talk about Jesus so uh Jesus is to talk about Jesus so uh Jesus is to talk about Jesus so uh Jesus is compelling to young people here's the compelling to young people here's the compelling to young people here's the other thing that was so encouraging out other thing that was so encouraging out other thing that was so encouraging out of our research is that young people of our research is that young people of our research is that young people want to be challenged young people want want to be challenged young people want want to be challenged young people want to be challenged and you know one of the to be challenged and you know one of the to be challenged and you know one of the other of our six core commitments was other of our six core commitments was other of our six core commitments was the way that we are loving our world the the way that we are loving our world the the way that we are loving our world the way that we are being good neighbors and way that we are being good neighbors and way that we are being good neighbors and young people wanted to be invited to her young people wanted to be invited to her young people wanted to be invited to her I should say want to be invited into I should say want to be invited into I should say want to be invited into being Jesus's hands and feet locally and being Jesus's hands and feet locally and being Jesus's hands and feet locally and globally so it like let's double click globally so it like let's double click globally so it like let's double click on Jesus listen Double Down On Jesus and

on Jesus listen Double Down On Jesus and on Jesus listen Double Down On Jesus and ask ourselves are we really teaching ask ourselves are we really teaching ask ourselves are we really teaching about Jesus what version of Jesus are we about Jesus what version of Jesus are we about Jesus what version of Jesus are we teaching teaching teaching um and and that's a great question to um and and that's a great question to um and and that's a great question to ask others to give you input on as a ask others to give you input on as a ask others to give you input on as a communicator like if you were to hear communicator like if you were to hear communicator like if you were to hear this one message or this one series what this one message or this one series what this one message or this one series what do you think you think about Jesus and do you think you think about Jesus and do you think you think about Jesus and get feedback from people of all get feedback from people of all get feedback from people of all generations but especially young people generations but especially young people generations but especially young people because you might you might not be because you might you might not be because you might you might not be communicating what uh what you think you communicating what uh what you think you communicating what uh what you think you are people might be hearing something are people might be hearing something are people might be hearing something different than you think you're saying different than you think you're saying different than you think you're saying and when it comes to communication it and when it comes to communication it and when it comes to communication it was far more important is what people was far more important is what people was far more important is what people hear not what we think we're saying hear not what we think we're saying hear not what we think we're saying 100 I think was curious about the 100 I think was curious about the 100 I think was curious about the research is it's it's pretty paradoxical research is it's it's pretty paradoxical research is it's it's pretty paradoxical I think what you're describing is I think what you're describing is I think what you're describing is people's fears that this is like a people's fears that this is like a people's fears that this is like a zero-sum game and if we invest in young zero-sum game and if we invest in young zero-sum game and if we invest in young people that means that we're seeing uh people that means that we're seeing uh people that means that we're seeing uh young adults or perhaps even young young adults or perhaps even young young adults or perhaps even young families uh families uh families uh older Generations being neglected older Generations being neglected older Generations being neglected what you're describing though is kind of what you're describing though is kind of what you're describing though is kind of like no no this is actually a rising like no no this is actually a rising like no no this is actually a rising tide lifts all boats sort of scenario so tide lifts all boats sort of scenario so tide lifts all boats sort of scenario so absolutely because I'm curious about it absolutely because I'm curious about it absolutely because I'm curious about it maybe research you know didn't reveal maybe research you know didn't reveal maybe research you know didn't reveal this and so you can't speak definitively this and so you can't speak definitively this and so you can't speak definitively but does this mean hypothetically if you but does this mean hypothetically if you but does this mean hypothetically if you prioritized uh those in their 40s or you prioritized uh those in their 40s or you prioritized uh those in their 40s or you prioritized those in their 50s or prioritized those in their 50s or prioritized those in their 50s or seniors that there's just no reason to seniors that there's just no reason to seniors that there's just no reason to believe that in that situation Rising believe that in that situation Rising believe that in that situation Rising Tides would lift all boats yeah yeah so Tides would lift all boats yeah yeah so Tides would lift all boats yeah yeah so I have never ever been asked that

I have never ever been asked that I have never ever been asked that question Brady so I love I'm intrigued question Brady so I love I'm intrigued question Brady so I love I'm intrigued by that question I can't answer as a by that question I can't answer as a by that question I can't answer as a researcher researcher researcher um I I can't here's what I would say um I I can't here's what I would say um I I can't here's what I would say um not so much uh from Empirical um not so much uh from Empirical um not so much uh from Empirical research but just from you know my let's research but just from you know my let's research but just from you know my let's say my impression is somebody who's say my impression is somebody who's say my impression is somebody who's spent a lot of time with churches and spent a lot of time with churches and spent a lot of time with churches and leaders leaders leaders um and we actually uh we actually know um and we actually uh we actually know um and we actually uh we actually know churches who've done this where they've churches who've done this where they've churches who've done this where they've said look we feel really called to said look we feel really called to said look we feel really called to invest in 40 year olds 50 year olds 60 invest in 40 year olds 50 year olds 60 invest in 40 year olds 50 year olds 60 year olds well as they do so they're year olds well as they do so they're year olds well as they do so they're asking those 40 year olds 50 year olds asking those 40 year olds 50 year olds asking those 40 year olds 50 year olds 60 year olds who are you mentoring so a 60 year olds who are you mentoring so a 60 year olds who are you mentoring so a bit it's it's not just you know 40 year bit it's it's not just you know 40 year bit it's it's not just you know 40 year olds having fellowship with each other olds having fellowship with each other olds having fellowship with each other and enjoying each other in that life and enjoying each other in that life and enjoying each other in that life stage it's sure some of that absolutely stage it's sure some of that absolutely stage it's sure some of that absolutely we all need that but who are you pouring we all need that but who are you pouring we all need that but who are you pouring yourself into so what I would say to a yourself into so what I would say to a yourself into so what I would say to a church that wanted to invest and those church that wanted to invest and those church that wanted to invest and those over 30 is is great please do and part over 30 is is great please do and part over 30 is is great please do and part of that should include how are we of that should include how are we of that should include how are we investing in the Next Generation okay investing in the Next Generation okay investing in the Next Generation okay Cara I have a question that it's Cara I have a question that it's Cara I have a question that it's possible you're not going to be answered possible you're not going to be answered possible you're not going to be answered you're going to be able to answer as a you're going to be able to answer as a you're going to be able to answer as a researcher as well and I have the researcher as well and I have the researcher as well and I have the courage to have okay now because Brady courage to have okay now because Brady courage to have okay now because Brady we're going off already we're going off already we're going off already okay perfect so I read some research okay perfect so I read some research okay perfect so I read some research lately that said over the last handful lately that said over the last handful lately that said over the last handful of decades 40 years there's one of decades 40 years there's one of decades 40 years there's one denomination in America that has not denomination in America that has not denomination in America that has not experienced sustained experienced sustained experienced sustained um decrease in attendance decline um decrease in attendance decline um decrease in attendance decline exactly and that one denomination is the exactly and that one denomination is the exactly and that one denomination is the Assemblies of God church and one of the

Assemblies of God church and one of the Assemblies of God church and one of the hypotheses that I read for why that hypotheses that I read for why that hypotheses that I read for why that could be true is that they kind of could be true is that they kind of could be true is that they kind of remain hidden in the sense that you remain hidden in the sense that you remain hidden in the sense that you don't really hear much about the don't really hear much about the don't really hear much about the Assemblies of God for Better or For Assemblies of God for Better or For Assemblies of God for Better or For Worse in the popular headlines the way Worse in the popular headlines the way Worse in the popular headlines the way Christianity is covered Christianity is covered Christianity is covered um in in news for example and so I I I'm um in in news for example and so I I I'm um in in news for example and so I I I'm asking this question because what you asking this question because what you asking this question because what you just said about just preaching Jesus and just said about just preaching Jesus and just said about just preaching Jesus and and young people being attracted to and young people being attracted to and young people being attracted to Jesus Jesus Jesus um I'm just curious and I'm wondering if um I'm just curious and I'm wondering if um I'm just curious and I'm wondering if you can affirm this maybe in your you can affirm this maybe in your you can affirm this maybe in your research or in your experience as true research or in your experience as true research or in your experience as true that young folks may be in the that young folks may be in the that young folks may be in the Assemblies of God are more easily Assemblies of God are more easily Assemblies of God are more easily attracted to Jesus because unlike other attracted to Jesus because unlike other attracted to Jesus because unlike other denominations like the Catholic church denominations like the Catholic church denominations like the Catholic church for example or the Baptist Church where for example or the Baptist Church where for example or the Baptist Church where a lot of what we hear about those a lot of what we hear about those a lot of what we hear about those denominations in as covered by the news denominations in as covered by the news denominations in as covered by the news recently has been like some pretty recently has been like some pretty recently has been like some pretty negative stuff that possibly is turning negative stuff that possibly is turning negative stuff that possibly is turning off young people from those larger off young people from those larger off young people from those larger denominations but in the Assemblies of denominations but in the Assemblies of denominations but in the Assemblies of God this hidden practice of faith in God this hidden practice of faith in God this hidden practice of faith in America they're hearing Jesus and America they're hearing Jesus and America they're hearing Jesus and they're not being scandalized in the they're not being scandalized in the they're not being scandalized in the same way do you think that that could be same way do you think that that could be same way do you think that that could be a reason that the Assemblies of God a reason that the Assemblies of God a reason that the Assemblies of God seems to be growing Young seems to be growing Young seems to be growing Young yeah uh great question Alex yeah uh great question Alex yeah uh great question Alex um and I I should uh I shouldn't say I'm um and I I should uh I shouldn't say I'm um and I I should uh I shouldn't say I'm actually a licensed assembly is a god actually a licensed assembly is a god actually a licensed assembly is a god minister so minister so minister so um um um so it's perfect that you asked that so it's perfect that you asked that so it's perfect that you asked that question and and you know you are right question and and you know you are right question and and you know you are right that most denominations are experiencing that most denominations are experiencing that most denominations are experiencing decline it depends on how far you go decline it depends on how far you go decline it depends on how far you go back it depends on you know do you back it depends on you know do you back it depends on you know do you compare now to 10 years ago or year to compare now to 10 years ago or year to compare now to 10 years ago or year to year Etc and you are right that the year Etc and you are right that the year Etc and you are right that the denomination that in most analyzes seems

denomination that in most analyzes seems denomination that in most analyzes seems to be experiencing the most growth is to be experiencing the most growth is to be experiencing the most growth is the Assemblies of God it does stand out the Assemblies of God it does stand out the Assemblies of God it does stand out as noteworthy as noteworthy as noteworthy um I think I don't want to speak for the um I think I don't want to speak for the um I think I don't want to speak for the entire denomination it might be exactly entire denomination it might be exactly entire denomination it might be exactly what you're saying it might be that you what you're saying it might be that you what you're saying it might be that you know the Assemblies of God is know the Assemblies of God is know the Assemblies of God is um it's not it's not quite in the center um it's not it's not quite in the center um it's not it's not quite in the center of shall I say why evangelicalism or of shall I say why evangelicalism or of shall I say why evangelicalism or just evangelicalism in general just evangelicalism in general just evangelicalism in general um I think they've Assemblies of God has um I think they've Assemblies of God has um I think they've Assemblies of God has been very entrepreneurial and engaging been very entrepreneurial and engaging been very entrepreneurial and engaging communities that are marginalized communities that are marginalized communities that are marginalized immigrant communities use immigrant communities use immigrant communities use Spanish-speaking communities Etc I know Spanish-speaking communities Etc I know Spanish-speaking communities Etc I know that that's a fair amount of growth I that that's a fair amount of growth I that that's a fair amount of growth I think the Assemblies of God would say think the Assemblies of God would say think the Assemblies of God would say and this goes back to what we were and this goes back to what we were and this goes back to what we were talking about earlier talking about earlier talking about earlier um and and I don't think I know me when um and and I don't think I know me when um and and I don't think I know me when I say this it's not to critique anybody I say this it's not to critique anybody I say this it's not to critique anybody else okay so this is not a critique of else okay so this is not a critique of else okay so this is not a critique of other denominations this is just what other denominations this is just what other denominations this is just what what I imagine uh key leaders of these what I imagine uh key leaders of these what I imagine uh key leaders of these sillies that God would say is they sillies that God would say is they sillies that God would say is they really do focus on Jesus and and and and really do focus on Jesus and and and and really do focus on Jesus and and and and uh not just an intellectual Faith but uh not just an intellectual Faith but uh not just an intellectual Faith but also an experiential Faith as a you know also an experiential Faith as a you know also an experiential Faith as a you know more Pentecostal charismatic more Pentecostal charismatic more Pentecostal charismatic denomination and so and again that's not denomination and so and again that's not denomination and so and again that's not to say other denominations are not doing to say other denominations are not doing to say other denominations are not doing that but but that is one of the that but but that is one of the that but but that is one of the Hallmarks of the assemblies that God Hallmarks of the assemblies that God Hallmarks of the assemblies that God denomination so my hunch is it's denomination so my hunch is it's denomination so my hunch is it's probably multiple factors the one that probably multiple factors the one that probably multiple factors the one that you named being one of them you named being one of them you named being one of them um the way that uh that they've really um the way that uh that they've really um the way that uh that they've really welcomed a a very diverse population and welcomed a a very diverse population and welcomed a a very diverse population and been really strategic and engaging

been really strategic and engaging been really strategic and engaging leaders in diverse populations and then leaders in diverse populations and then leaders in diverse populations and then also just the uh the experiential also just the uh the experiential also just the uh the experiential worship that is the Hallmark of the worship that is the Hallmark of the worship that is the Hallmark of the Assemblies of God as a Pentecostal Assemblies of God as a Pentecostal Assemblies of God as a Pentecostal branch branch branch a great context hearing that Cara is I a great context hearing that Cara is I a great context hearing that Cara is I had no idea I didn't set her up for that had no idea I didn't set her up for that had no idea I didn't set her up for that AOG Minister yeah but for additional AOG Minister yeah but for additional AOG Minister yeah but for additional context that church that I was context that church that I was context that church that I was describing growing up in we don't have describing growing up in we don't have describing growing up in we don't have Assemblies of God AOG in Canada we have Assemblies of God AOG in Canada we have Assemblies of God AOG in Canada we have Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada the equivalent Pac and that was a paoc equivalent Pac and that was a paoc equivalent Pac and that was a paoc church growing up and I grew up Baptist church growing up and I grew up Baptist church growing up and I grew up Baptist so I go to this paoc church and they so I go to this paoc church and they so I go to this paoc church and they have drums and they had a youth pastor I have drums and they had a youth pastor I have drums and they had a youth pastor I was like well there's a pastor for youth was like well there's a pastor for youth was like well there's a pastor for youth like what is that yeah yeah and I go to like what is that yeah yeah and I go to like what is that yeah yeah and I go to this Retreat and like yeah like there's this Retreat and like yeah like there's this Retreat and like yeah like there's this thing where all the all the youth this thing where all the all the youth this thing where all the all the youth go up and this is Canada we go up into go up and this is Canada we go up into go up and this is Canada we go up into the snow right and it's cold and we the snow right and it's cold and we the snow right and it's cold and we sleep in cabins and then we we worship sleep in cabins and then we we worship sleep in cabins and then we we worship God and I was like what does that mean God and I was like what does that mean God and I was like what does that mean and then I was like and then I was like and then I was like uh yeah I think yeah I think if you're uh yeah I think yeah I think if you're uh yeah I think yeah I think if you're Church listening my fear is because we Church listening my fear is because we Church listening my fear is because we know that churches are aging up and and know that churches are aging up and and know that churches are aging up and and you could look out on a Sunday morning you could look out on a Sunday morning you could look out on a Sunday morning and you see no young people whatsoever and you see no young people whatsoever and you see no young people whatsoever so yeah conceptually a church agrees so yeah conceptually a church agrees so yeah conceptually a church agrees with this idea they're on board with this idea they're on board with this idea they're on board philosophically where do you actually philosophically where do you actually philosophically where do you actually start if you have like truly zero youth start if you have like truly zero youth start if you have like truly zero youth presence in your church presence in your church presence in your church yeah so great question and that's yeah so great question and that's yeah so great question and that's becoming more and more common even after becoming more and more common even after becoming more and more common even after this pandemic you know a lot of Youth this pandemic you know a lot of Youth this pandemic you know a lot of Youth Ministries a lot of churches have seen Ministries a lot of churches have seen Ministries a lot of churches have seen young families not return young families not return young families not return Etc and so um so here here's what we've

Etc and so um so here here's what we've Etc and so um so here here's what we've learned from amazing churches is learned from amazing churches is learned from amazing churches is um you know we can talk about percent of um you know we can talk about percent of um you know we can talk about percent of budgets and that's important we can talk budgets and that's important we can talk budgets and that's important we can talk about Staffing and that's important about Staffing and that's important about Staffing and that's important um but you know somebody asked me um but you know somebody asked me um but you know somebody asked me recently Kara can you summarize all of recently Kara can you summarize all of recently Kara can you summarize all of the Fuller youth Institute research in the Fuller youth Institute research in the Fuller youth Institute research in one sentence and so that's tough to do one sentence and so that's tough to do one sentence and so that's tough to do we've been doing research on young we've been doing research on young we've been doing research on young people for 15 years but roughly here was people for 15 years but roughly here was people for 15 years but roughly here was my sentence basically youth discipleship my sentence basically youth discipleship my sentence basically youth discipleship or youth Faith formation boils down to or youth Faith formation boils down to or youth Faith formation boils down to caring jesus-centered adults investing caring jesus-centered adults investing caring jesus-centered adults investing in young people in young people in young people boom boom boom um that that's basically what it boils um that that's basically what it boils um that that's basically what it boils down to and my hunch is if each of us uh down to and my hunch is if each of us uh down to and my hunch is if each of us uh and if our listeners took a little bit and if our listeners took a little bit and if our listeners took a little bit of time to think about how if they were of time to think about how if they were of time to think about how if they were part of the faith community when they part of the faith community when they part of the faith community when they were young what made the most difference were young what made the most difference were young what made the most difference um it probably wasn't a program and you um it probably wasn't a program and you um it probably wasn't a program and you know it might have been a retreat know it might have been a retreat know it might have been a retreat certainly was part of it I could I can certainly was part of it I could I can certainly was part of it I could I can relate to that uh Brady but it was relate to that uh Brady but it was relate to that uh Brady but it was probably a small group leader it was probably a small group leader it was probably a small group leader it was probably a senior adult in the church it probably a senior adult in the church it probably a senior adult in the church it was a youth pastor it was a mentor it was a youth pastor it was a mentor it was a youth pastor it was a mentor it was their mom's best friend who just was their mom's best friend who just was their mom's best friend who just took an interest in them and spent extra took an interest in them and spent extra took an interest in them and spent extra time with them so um you know I was just time with them so um you know I was just time with them so um you know I was just hearing recently about a church in the hearing recently about a church in the hearing recently about a church in the Pacific Northwest here uh in the U.S Pacific Northwest here uh in the U.S Pacific Northwest here uh in the U.S where where where um when the senior pastor was hired like um when the senior pastor was hired like um when the senior pastor was hired like they had only a few young people they had only a few young people they had only a few young people um church was about a hundred less than um church was about a hundred less than um church was about a hundred less than five were young people and he made a five were young people and he made a five were young people and he made a point that whenever a young person point that whenever a young person point that whenever a young person happened to visit he wouldn't go greet

happened to visit he wouldn't go greet happened to visit he wouldn't go greet them and get their name and contact them and get their name and contact them and get their name and contact information and so you know young person information and so you know young person information and so you know young person by young person he started building a by young person he started building a by young person he started building a list and he got to the point where he list and he got to the point where he list and he got to the point where he had like 30 young people who had come had like 30 young people who had come had like 30 young people who had come and you know checked out the church in and you know checked out the church in and you know checked out the church in the last number of months and he felt the last number of months and he felt the last number of months and he felt like it's time to lead a Bible study and like it's time to lead a Bible study and like it's time to lead a Bible study and so he started a Bible study it started so he started a Bible study it started so he started a Bible study it started slow but the Bible study ended up slow but the Bible study ended up slow but the Bible study ended up growing uh because he and his wife were growing uh because he and his wife were growing uh because he and his wife were investing in young people he ended up investing in young people he ended up investing in young people he ended up asking asking asking um the the young adult Bible study you um the the young adult Bible study you um the the young adult Bible study you know what do you want to see God do know what do you want to see God do know what do you want to see God do through you so this question of through you so this question of through you so this question of challenge what do you want to see God do challenge what do you want to see God do challenge what do you want to see God do through you and there were a lot of through you and there were a lot of through you and there were a lot of medical professionals in this young medical professionals in this young medical professionals in this young adult Bible study and so they said we adult Bible study and so they said we adult Bible study and so they said we want to offer a free a free medical want to offer a free a free medical want to offer a free a free medical clinic to the community the church board clinic to the community the church board clinic to the community the church board the skeptical of that you know they were the skeptical of that you know they were the skeptical of that you know they were concerned about liability concerned concerned about liability concerned concerned about liability concerned about cost all those really good about cost all those really good about cost all those really good questions but they were willing to take questions but they were willing to take questions but they were willing to take a chance on these young adults and so a chance on these young adults and so a chance on these young adults and so the young adults had this Medical Clinic the young adults had this Medical Clinic the young adults had this Medical Clinic on a Saturday over 300 people were seen on a Saturday over 300 people were seen on a Saturday over 300 people were seen and prayed for and that was a handful of and prayed for and that was a handful of and prayed for and that was a handful of years ago and and that medical clinic years ago and and that medical clinic years ago and and that medical clinic has not only become something that's has not only become something that's has not only become something that's meaningful to the community it's become meaningful to the community it's become meaningful to the community it's become this hub for young adults and so this this hub for young adults and so this this hub for young adults and so this church now that you know was a hundred church now that you know was a hundred church now that you know was a hundred was just five young adults is now a was just five young adults is now a was just five young adults is now a church of about 150 with 30 to 40 young church of about 150 with 30 to 40 young church of about 150 with 30 to 40 young adults coming regularly so like you know adults coming regularly so like you know adults coming regularly so like you know I feel like that story even encapsulates

I feel like that story even encapsulates I feel like that story even encapsulates a lot of what we've just been talking a lot of what we've just been talking a lot of what we've just been talking about it's prioritizing young people about it's prioritizing young people about it's prioritizing young people it's being focused on Jesus it's on it's being focused on Jesus it's on it's being focused on Jesus it's on adult it happened to be the senior adult it happened to be the senior adult it happened to be the senior pastor and his wife but it certainly pastor and his wife but it certainly pastor and his wife but it certainly doesn't have to be I can tell stories doesn't have to be I can tell stories doesn't have to be I can tell stories just as meaningful a 71 year olds Who just as meaningful a 71 year olds Who just as meaningful a 71 year olds Who start investing in young people and you start investing in young people and you start investing in young people and you know 35 year olds Who start investing in know 35 year olds Who start investing in know 35 year olds Who start investing in young people so so you know for your young people so so you know for your young people so so you know for your listeners like yes it's it's about yes listeners like yes it's it's about yes listeners like yes it's it's about yes it's about the percentage of budget you it's about the percentage of budget you it's about the percentage of budget you allocate to young people you yes it's allocate to young people you yes it's allocate to young people you yes it's about Staffing but fundamentally if I about Staffing but fundamentally if I about Staffing but fundamentally if I could weigh a wand in your church what I could weigh a wand in your church what I could weigh a wand in your church what I would want to do is how do we turn the would want to do is how do we turn the would want to do is how do we turn the dial on carrying jesus-centered adults dial on carrying jesus-centered adults dial on carrying jesus-centered adults investing in young people investing in young people investing in young people yeah that's great and we really yeah that's great and we really yeah that's great and we really appreciate appreciate appreciate real stories of life change and this real stories of life change and this real stories of life change and this happening in in churches which is of happening in in churches which is of happening in in churches which is of course what the research was initially course what the research was initially course what the research was initially based on anyway and you know what's based on anyway and you know what's based on anyway and you know what's great about research is that when you great about research is that when you great about research is that when you discover in this case what is effective discover in this case what is effective discover in this case what is effective uh that also means that you discover uh that also means that you discover uh that also means that you discover inversely what is not effective and you inversely what is not effective and you inversely what is not effective and you know throughout this three-year study know throughout this three-year study know throughout this three-year study you identify these these 10 traits that you identify these these 10 traits that you identify these these 10 traits that perhaps most of us would think are perhaps most of us would think are perhaps most of us would think are important in respect to reaching young important in respect to reaching young important in respect to reaching young people but simply just it didn't matter people but simply just it didn't matter people but simply just it didn't matter so a few of those I think there were 10 so a few of those I think there were 10 so a few of those I think there were 10 I got seven here being your Church's I got seven here being your Church's I got seven here being your Church's size location Uh current age demos your size location Uh current age demos your size location Uh current age demos your denominational affiliation that we did denominational affiliation that we did denominational affiliation that we did just touch on that interestingly your just touch on that interestingly your just touch on that interestingly your church is cool right oh yeah of course church is cool right oh yeah of course church is cool right oh yeah of course yes uh yeah your church is cool factor yes uh yeah your church is cool factor yes uh yeah your church is cool factor which you know that that's a big one uh which you know that that's a big one uh which you know that that's a big one uh you're building even your budget so I

you're building even your budget so I you're building even your budget so I mean you know take take your pick when mean you know take take your pick when mean you know take take your pick when you were going through this research the you were going through this research the you were going through this research the other two co-authors and the team at other two co-authors and the team at other two co-authors and the team at full youth Institute maybe like which full youth Institute maybe like which full youth Institute maybe like which one of those that was not a determining one of those that was not a determining one of those that was not a determining Factor reaching young people Factor reaching young people Factor reaching young people successfully surprise you the most successfully surprise you the most successfully surprise you the most yeah I like you know I love it when yeah I like you know I love it when yeah I like you know I love it when research destroys some of our myths research destroys some of our myths research destroys some of our myths research research often confirms our research research often confirms our research research often confirms our hunches but when it destroys our myths hunches but when it destroys our myths hunches but when it destroys our myths like that's that's when I love it all like that's that's when I love it all like that's that's when I love it all the more so I'm gonna pick two if I may the more so I'm gonna pick two if I may the more so I'm gonna pick two if I may Brady you said one but I'm gonna pick Brady you said one but I'm gonna pick Brady you said one but I'm gonna pick two uh because I think they are two of two uh because I think they are two of two uh because I think they are two of the most common ones and you know we the most common ones and you know we the most common ones and you know we literally looked at correlations of literally looked at correlations of literally looked at correlations of growth so this is this is Hardcore growth so this is this is Hardcore growth so this is this is Hardcore numerical uh correlational analysis numerical uh correlational analysis numerical uh correlational analysis um the first one that I want to point um the first one that I want to point um the first one that I want to point out is that size is not relevant that out is that size is not relevant that out is that size is not relevant that you know we study churches that were you know we study churches that were you know we study churches that were over five thousand we studied churches over five thousand we studied churches over five thousand we studied churches that were a hundred and all of them were that were a hundred and all of them were that were a hundred and all of them were able to connect with young people when able to connect with young people when able to connect with young people when we did everything that we've been we did everything that we've been we did everything that we've been talking about up until now so so talking about up until now so so talking about up until now so so whatever size your church is you can be whatever size your church is you can be whatever size your church is you can be effective with young people effective with young people effective with young people um I I would say a second myth that we um I I would say a second myth that we um I I would say a second myth that we tend to believe is that your church has tend to believe is that your church has tend to believe is that your church has to be cool or you as a leader have to be to be cool or you as a leader have to be to be cool or you as a leader have to be cool and we heard this so much when cool and we heard this so much when cool and we heard this so much when people would hear hear about our people would hear hear about our people would hear hear about our research you're studying churches that research you're studying churches that research you're studying churches that are doing well with young people doesn't are doing well with young people doesn't are doing well with young people doesn't it just boil down to having a cool it just boil down to having a cool it just boil down to having a cool senior pastor or a cool youth pastor or senior pastor or a cool youth pastor or senior pastor or a cool youth pastor or a Cool vibe a Cool vibe a Cool vibe and yeah certainly we came across a fair and yeah certainly we came across a fair and yeah certainly we came across a fair amount of coolness in some of the

amount of coolness in some of the amount of coolness in some of the churches but but by no means all so you churches but but by no means all so you churches but but by no means all so you know what I love to say to leaders is if know what I love to say to leaders is if know what I love to say to leaders is if you're a cool leader then great be your you're a cool leader then great be your you're a cool leader then great be your cool self but for the rest of us and I cool self but for the rest of us and I cool self but for the rest of us and I say us I mean my kids who are teenagers say us I mean my kids who are teenagers say us I mean my kids who are teenagers and young adults they say that even the and young adults they say that even the and young adults they say that even the way I say cool betrays that I am not way I say cool betrays that I am not way I say cool betrays that I am not cool so you know for the rest of us for cool so you know for the rest of us for cool so you know for the rest of us for the rest of us we don't have to be the rest of us we don't have to be the rest of us we don't have to be anything different than who we are anything different than who we are anything different than who we are because it's not about our coolness in because it's not about our coolness in because it's not about our coolness in fact this is one Senior Pastor said fact this is one Senior Pastor said fact this is one Senior Pastor said during our research when it comes to during our research when it comes to during our research when it comes to young people warm is the new cool when young people warm is the new cool when young people warm is the new cool when it comes to young people warm is the new it comes to young people warm is the new it comes to young people warm is the new cool so if I can just tell one story cool so if I can just tell one story cool so if I can just tell one story that's one of my favorite for this that's one of my favorite for this that's one of my favorite for this there's lots of them but I'll just pick there's lots of them but I'll just pick there's lots of them but I'll just pick one one one um we interviewed a lot you know many of um we interviewed a lot you know many of um we interviewed a lot you know many of these 250 churches uh all of them but these 250 churches uh all of them but these 250 churches uh all of them but then we did site visits at about 12 of then we did site visits at about 12 of then we did site visits at about 12 of the churches and when we did a site the churches and when we did a site the churches and when we did a site visit we really did a deep dive ahead of visit we really did a deep dive ahead of visit we really did a deep dive ahead of time so there was church in Pennsylvania time so there was church in Pennsylvania time so there was church in Pennsylvania we were doing a site visit for and we we were doing a site visit for and we we were doing a site visit for and we were interviewing teenagers and young were interviewing teenagers and young were interviewing teenagers and young adults ahead of time asking them what adults ahead of time asking them what adults ahead of time asking them what they love about the church and they kept they love about the church and they kept they love about the church and they kept talking about this guy named Bill talking about this guy named Bill talking about this guy named Bill Bill like Bill is part of what they love Bill like Bill is part of what they love Bill like Bill is part of what they love about their church and teenagers would about their church and teenagers would about their church and teenagers would say that bill would come to their say that bill would come to their say that bill would come to their basketball games and young adults and basketball games and young adults and basketball games and young adults and say bill came to their workplace and say bill came to their workplace and say bill came to their workplace and took them out to coffee and like you took them out to coffee and like you took them out to coffee and like you know we kept hearing about bills so we know we kept hearing about bills so we know we kept hearing about bills so we thought goodness we can't wait to meet thought goodness we can't wait to meet thought goodness we can't wait to meet Bill Bill Bill we get to Pennsylvania and it turns out we get to Pennsylvania and it turns out we get to Pennsylvania and it turns out bill is over 70 years old bill is over 70 years old bill is over 70 years old and Bill remembers an adolescent his own

and Bill remembers an adolescent his own and Bill remembers an adolescent his own adolescence when there was no adult adolescence when there was no adult adolescence when there was no adult sitting in the stands cheering him on sitting in the stands cheering him on sitting in the stands cheering him on and so he has said at his church there and so he has said at his church there and so he has said at his church there are going to be adults cheering are going to be adults cheering are going to be adults cheering literally and metaphorically for young literally and metaphorically for young literally and metaphorically for young people and so he not only he but he's people and so he not only he but he's people and so he not only he but he's mobilized other adults especially senior mobilized other adults especially senior mobilized other adults especially senior adults and there's often there's often adults and there's often there's often adults and there's often there's often unique tenderness between senior adults unique tenderness between senior adults unique tenderness between senior adults and young people he's mobilizing senior and young people he's mobilizing senior and young people he's mobilizing senior adult all adult but especially senior adult all adult but especially senior adult all adult but especially senior adults to show up at kids games to take adults to show up at kids games to take adults to show up at kids games to take you know to take adults out our young you know to take adults out our young you know to take adults out our young adults out for coffee to you know go by adults out for coffee to you know go by adults out for coffee to you know go by a dorm if they can a dorm if they can a dorm if they can Etc write letters to people in the Etc write letters to people in the Etc write letters to people in the military who are in their 20s and you military who are in their 20s and you military who are in their 20s and you know Bill told us that he's actually know Bill told us that he's actually know Bill told us that he's actually even written like a one-page description even written like a one-page description even written like a one-page description of how this works at their church and he of how this works at their church and he of how this works at their church and he uses this one pager to recruit people uses this one pager to recruit people uses this one pager to recruit people and so you know we said wow Bill we'd and so you know we said wow Bill we'd and so you know we said wow Bill we'd love to see that can you send it to us love to see that can you send it to us love to see that can you send it to us and so Bill and so Bill and so Bill faxed that one painter to us from the faxed that one painter to us from the faxed that one painter to us from the local public library like that is how local public library like that is how local public library like that is how Bill got the one pager to us and Bill is Bill got the one pager to us and Bill is Bill got the one pager to us and Bill is the magnet that is drawing teenagers and the magnet that is drawing teenagers and the magnet that is drawing teenagers and young adults to this church so it young adults to this church so it young adults to this church so it doesn't matter your church size it doesn't matter your church size it doesn't matter your church size it doesn't matter how cool you or other doesn't matter how cool you or other doesn't matter how cool you or other adults are warm is the new cool with adults are warm is the new cool with adults are warm is the new cool with young people I'm so glad that you shared young people I'm so glad that you shared young people I'm so glad that you shared that story with us and equally glad that that story with us and equally glad that that story with us and equally glad that your research is is proving this to be your research is is proving this to be your research is is proving this to be true because I think we know it true because I think we know it true because I think we know it experientially or anecdotally that yeah experientially or anecdotally that yeah experientially or anecdotally that yeah our our best relationships and

our our best relationships and our our best relationships and especially with with young people especially with with young people especially with with young people whether it's the young people in our whether it's the young people in our whether it's the young people in our church or our kids or our nieces and church or our kids or our nieces and church or our kids or our nieces and nephews any young person in our sphere nephews any young person in our sphere nephews any young person in our sphere the best relationships are built on the best relationships are built on the best relationships are built on authenticity authenticity authenticity um and so totally and so call it um and so totally and so call it um and so totally and so call it Warmness or authenticity if you will but Warmness or authenticity if you will but Warmness or authenticity if you will but if we if we're building an image or a if we if we're building an image or a if we if we're building an image or a Persona on false pretenses that like Persona on false pretenses that like Persona on false pretenses that like well I'm Not Cool by nature but I think well I'm Not Cool by nature but I think well I'm Not Cool by nature but I think the kids want me to be cool they're the kids want me to be cool they're the kids want me to be cool they're going to see right through that yeah and going to see right through that yeah and going to see right through that yeah and in fact in fact in fact um not be attracted to it so um not be attracted to it so um not be attracted to it so um a lot of the stuff we're talking um a lot of the stuff we're talking um a lot of the stuff we're talking about and the research for this book about and the research for this book about and the research for this book growing young if I'm not mistaken was growing young if I'm not mistaken was growing young if I'm not mistaken was was catered towards Millennials Brady was catered towards Millennials Brady was catered towards Millennials Brady and I are both Millennials but braids 32 and I are both Millennials but braids 32 and I are both Millennials but braids 32 now I'm 30. and so I by not very many now I'm 30. and so I by not very many now I'm 30. and so I by not very many metrics are we young people in our metrics are we young people in our metrics are we young people in our church anymore and so I guess what I church anymore and so I guess what I church anymore and so I guess what I want to ask is do you think that this want to ask is do you think that this want to ask is do you think that this research that we're talking about right research that we're talking about right research that we're talking about right now as far as this book is concerned is now as far as this book is concerned is now as far as this book is concerned is it proving to be true for a gen Z as it proving to be true for a gen Z as it proving to be true for a gen Z as well well well yeah so again I can't I can't fully yeah so again I can't I can't fully yeah so again I can't I can't fully answer that question uh through research answer that question uh through research answer that question uh through research because we haven't replicated the study because we haven't replicated the study because we haven't replicated the study 10 years later 10 years later 10 years later but what I can say is as we continue to but what I can say is as we continue to but what I can say is as we continue to have conversations like this the six have conversations like this the six have conversations like this the six core commitments and again we've talked core commitments and again we've talked core commitments and again we've talked about three of them prioritizing young about three of them prioritizing young about three of them prioritizing young people teaching Jesus this message uh people teaching Jesus this message uh people teaching Jesus this message uh being a good neighbor warm Community is being a good neighbor warm Community is being a good neighbor warm Community is a fourth so you know we've certainly uh a fourth so you know we've certainly uh a fourth so you know we've certainly uh touched on that so I guess we've really touched on that so I guess we've really touched on that so I guess we've really touched on four of the six but really touched on four of the six but really touched on four of the six but really all six we get nods from leaders today all six we get nods from leaders today all six we get nods from leaders today and we get nods from young people today and we get nods from young people today and we get nods from young people today from you know 20-somethings and from you know 20-somethings and from you know 20-somethings and teenagers who hear this and say yeah

teenagers who hear this and say yeah teenagers who hear this and say yeah this is what I want or this is what I do this is what I want or this is what I do this is what I want or this is what I do love about my church Etc I think you're love about my church Etc I think you're love about my church Etc I think you're quite so I would say probably the six quite so I would say probably the six quite so I would say probably the six categories are salience for you gen Z categories are salience for you gen Z categories are salience for you gen Z also also also um but what is unique about gen Z and um but what is unique about gen Z and um but what is unique about gen Z and some other research we did we we tried some other research we did we we tried some other research we did we we tried to answer that question and specifically to answer that question and specifically to answer that question and specifically how would we describe gen Z in just a how would we describe gen Z in just a how would we describe gen Z in just a few words few words few words um and so we looked at academic research um and so we looked at academic research um and so we looked at academic research we looked at popular research and and um we looked at popular research and and um we looked at popular research and and um and we landed on these three words this and we landed on these three words this and we landed on these three words this generation is anxious generation is anxious generation is anxious this generation of young people is this generation of young people is this generation of young people is arguably the most stressed depressed and arguably the most stressed depressed and arguably the most stressed depressed and suicidal generation that we've seen suicidal generation that we've seen suicidal generation that we've seen um I don't know a family with teenage um I don't know a family with teenage um I don't know a family with teenage girls that's not dealing with mental girls that's not dealing with mental girls that's not dealing with mental health challenges I know they exist health challenges I know they exist health challenges I know they exist because the research tells me they do because the research tells me they do because the research tells me they do but I can't name one but I can't name one but I can't name one um and boys are just a half step behind um and boys are just a half step behind um and boys are just a half step behind teenage and young adult boys and so this teenage and young adult boys and so this teenage and young adult boys and so this is an anxious Generation is an anxious Generation is an anxious Generation Um this is an Adaptive generation this Um this is an Adaptive generation this Um this is an Adaptive generation this is a creative I want to I want to change is a creative I want to I want to change is a creative I want to I want to change our world I want to make a difference our world I want to make a difference our world I want to make a difference generation it's some of what's so generation it's some of what's so generation it's some of what's so exciting about them and then the last exciting about them and then the last exciting about them and then the last thing we would say about gen Z is that thing we would say about gen Z is that thing we would say about gen Z is that this is a diverse Generation this is a diverse Generation this is a diverse Generation Um I don't have data on Canadian young Um I don't have data on Canadian young Um I don't have data on Canadian young people but in the U.S in 2020 in the people but in the U.S in 2020 in the people but in the U.S in 2020 in the midst of everything that happened in midst of everything that happened in midst of everything that happened in 2020 with the pandemic and lots of stuff 2020 with the pandemic and lots of stuff 2020 with the pandemic and lots of stuff um we crossed the line in the U.S

um we crossed the line in the U.S um we crossed the line in the U.S according to census data that now of according to census data that now of according to census data that now of over 50 percent of those who are under over 50 percent of those who are under over 50 percent of those who are under 18 are young people of color and the 18 are young people of color and the 18 are young people of color and the overall population it's about two-thirds overall population it's about two-thirds overall population it's about two-thirds white one-third people of color but for white one-third people of color but for white one-third people of color but for those under 18 we have crossed a line those under 18 we have crossed a line those under 18 we have crossed a line and the young people of color that and the young people of color that and the young people of color that percentage is just continuing to grow percentage is just continuing to grow percentage is just continuing to grow and so you know I think as we think and so you know I think as we think and so you know I think as we think about this anxious adaptive diverse about this anxious adaptive diverse about this anxious adaptive diverse generation let's look at warm Community generation let's look at warm Community generation let's look at warm Community like okay then how do we need to be like okay then how do we need to be like okay then how do we need to be extra empathetic with them extra empathetic with them extra empathetic with them um let's look at teaching Jesus's um let's look at teaching Jesus's um let's look at teaching Jesus's message as we think about their anxiety message as we think about their anxiety message as we think about their anxiety um as we think about how they do want to um as we think about how they do want to um as we think about how they do want to make a difference in the world what make a difference in the world what make a difference in the world what about the gospels what about the whole about the gospels what about the whole about the gospels what about the whole of scripture especially connects with of scripture especially connects with of scripture especially connects with that so you know I I would invite us all that so you know I I would invite us all that so you know I I would invite us all to look at these six core commitments to look at these six core commitments to look at these six core commitments and then think about the the three and then think about the the three and then think about the the three qualities anxious adapted diverse and qualities anxious adapted diverse and qualities anxious adapted diverse and you know kind of do a grid and ask okay you know kind of do a grid and ask okay you know kind of do a grid and ask okay how how do we need to how do we need to how how do we need to how do we need to how how do we need to how do we need to tweak how we embody these six core tweak how we embody these six core tweak how we embody these six core commitments based on these three commitments based on these three commitments based on these three characteristics of gen Z characteristics of gen Z characteristics of gen Z yeah it would make sense that the the yeah it would make sense that the the yeah it would make sense that the the research and the core commitments track research and the core commitments track research and the core commitments track to All General it'd be surprising to me to All General it'd be surprising to me to All General it'd be surprising to me if the cool if the cool if the cool is the new warm became true for Gen Z is the new warm became true for Gen Z is the new warm became true for Gen Z they just flip it like no no All We Care they just flip it like no no All We Care they just flip it like no no All We Care is that if you're not wearing relaxed is that if you're not wearing relaxed is that if you're not wearing relaxed jeans I don't want to hear it so anyway jeans I don't want to hear it so anyway jeans I don't want to hear it so anyway totally totally totally totally totally totally uh one of the common questions we uh one of the common questions we uh one of the common questions we received from our audience which received from our audience which received from our audience which unsurprisingly uh in many ways mirrors

unsurprisingly uh in many ways mirrors unsurprisingly uh in many ways mirrors our age demos so like the most uh our age demos so like the most uh our age demos so like the most uh popular or biggest uh portion of our popular or biggest uh portion of our popular or biggest uh portion of our audience is those is age 25 to 34. so audience is those is age 25 to 34. so audience is those is age 25 to 34. so the question they have is okay I'm the question they have is okay I'm the question they have is okay I'm convinced my senior leadership isn't um convinced my senior leadership isn't um convinced my senior leadership isn't um how do I go about pitching this uh it how do I go about pitching this uh it how do I go about pitching this uh it sounds a bit self-serving if I go in and sounds a bit self-serving if I go in and sounds a bit self-serving if I go in and and uh tips and best practices for that and uh tips and best practices for that and uh tips and best practices for that great I have two major thoughts and uh great I have two major thoughts and uh great I have two major thoughts and uh Brady we actually we have cohorts at the Brady we actually we have cohorts at the Brady we actually we have cohorts at the full youth Institute where we journey full youth Institute where we journey full youth Institute where we journey through our growing young research we through our growing young research we through our growing young research we journey through our next book that's journey through our next book that's journey through our next book that's coming out Faith Beyond youth group coming out Faith Beyond youth group coming out Faith Beyond youth group um and so we we've actually journeyed um and so we we've actually journeyed um and so we we've actually journeyed with over a thousand churches who tried with over a thousand churches who tried with over a thousand churches who tried to make these changes and that's that's to make these changes and that's that's to make these changes and that's that's one of the common questions one of the common questions one of the common questions um you know how do I how do I help the um you know how do I how do I help the um you know how do I how do I help the rest of my church understand this how do rest of my church understand this how do rest of my church understand this how do I lead up with my senior pastor with my I lead up with my senior pastor with my I lead up with my senior pastor with my church board Etc church board Etc church board Etc um and you know and we have months of um and you know and we have months of um and you know and we have months of training but if I was to just give like training but if I was to just give like training but if I was to just give like a two-minute answer the two things I a two-minute answer the two things I a two-minute answer the two things I would say is as you think about who you would say is as you think about who you would say is as you think about who you want to influence want to influence want to influence um what is their love language and you um what is their love language and you um what is their love language and you know I don't mean the Chapman love know I don't mean the Chapman love know I don't mean the Chapman love language or touch and words and all that language or touch and words and all that language or touch and words and all that but I mean like what's most important to but I mean like what's most important to but I mean like what's most important to them them them what Rings their Bell when it comes to what Rings their Bell when it comes to what Rings their Bell when it comes to Bringing about change so uh the previous Bringing about change so uh the previous Bringing about change so uh the previous senior pastor at my church he loved the senior pastor at my church he loved the senior pastor at my church he loved the Bible Bible Bible he did not care that much about research he did not care that much about research he did not care that much about research you know I'm a researcher he didn't care

you know I'm a researcher he didn't care you know I'm a researcher he didn't care that much about research he didn't care that much about research he didn't care that much about research he didn't care what other churches were doing it was what other churches were doing it was what other churches were doing it was all about is it rooted in scripture and all about is it rooted in scripture and all about is it rooted in scripture and so we all knew as Leaders okay if we're so we all knew as Leaders okay if we're so we all knew as Leaders okay if we're going to have a conversation with him going to have a conversation with him going to have a conversation with him we've got to start with scripture other we've got to start with scripture other we've got to start with scripture other senior pastors really do care about senior pastors really do care about senior pastors really do care about research really do care about what other research really do care about what other research really do care about what other churches are doing really do care about churches are doing really do care about churches are doing really do care about their denominational emphases Etc so their denominational emphases Etc so their denominational emphases Etc so think about you know whatever group or think about you know whatever group or think about you know whatever group or person you're trying to influence what's person you're trying to influence what's person you're trying to influence what's most meaningful to them and and think in most meaningful to them and and think in most meaningful to them and and think in those categories the second thing that I those categories the second thing that I those categories the second thing that I would say and Alex you actually made a would say and Alex you actually made a would say and Alex you actually made a comment about this already is the power comment about this already is the power comment about this already is the power of stories of stories of stories um so my colleague at Fuller Seminary um so my colleague at Fuller Seminary um so my colleague at Fuller Seminary Scott core mode he's got a definition of Scott core mode he's got a definition of Scott core mode he's got a definition of vision that I love and we train churches vision that I love and we train churches vision that I love and we train churches on all the time vision on all the time vision on all the time vision is shared stories of Future Hope is shared stories of Future Hope is shared stories of Future Hope shared stories of future hope so you shared stories of future hope so you shared stories of future hope so you know my hunch is uh if I was to ask one know my hunch is uh if I was to ask one know my hunch is uh if I was to ask one of your listeners a week from now like of your listeners a week from now like of your listeners a week from now like what do you remember about the interview what do you remember about the interview what do you remember about the interview that I did that I did that I did um they'd probably remember a story and um they'd probably remember a story and um they'd probably remember a story and so as much as we can how do we become so as much as we can how do we become so as much as we can how do we become story collectors and story sharers you story collectors and story sharers you story collectors and story sharers you know I I know that we we talk about know I I know that we we talk about know I I know that we we talk about research actually we talk about research actually we talk about research actually we talk about communication quite a bit in this communication quite a bit in this communication quite a bit in this podcast and you know you just can't beat podcast and you know you just can't beat podcast and you know you just can't beat the power of story when it comes to the power of story when it comes to the power of story when it comes to communication so I would say you know be communication so I would say you know be communication so I would say you know be very very very um be attuned to what's meaningful to um be attuned to what's meaningful to um be attuned to what's meaningful to those you're trying to influence and those you're trying to influence and those you're trying to influence and look for ways to gather and share

look for ways to gather and share look for ways to gather and share stories stories stories yeah yeah we are certainly big Advocates yeah yeah we are certainly big Advocates yeah yeah we are certainly big Advocates of that and talk about it a ton I one of of that and talk about it a ton I one of of that and talk about it a ton I one of the things that I'm passionate about the things that I'm passionate about the things that I'm passionate about Kara is uh bridging generational gaps in Kara is uh bridging generational gaps in Kara is uh bridging generational gaps in church you know at its best what makes church you know at its best what makes church you know at its best what makes church so special in many ways is that church so special in many ways is that church so special in many ways is that it's a gathering of people that you it's a gathering of people that you it's a gathering of people that you would otherwise not really ever see in would otherwise not really ever see in would otherwise not really ever see in the general population so totally we've the general population so totally we've the general population so totally we've talked a ton about hey here's what the talked a ton about hey here's what the talked a ton about hey here's what the church should do to serve us as young church should do to serve us as young church should do to serve us as young people and everyone benefits but it's people and everyone benefits but it's people and everyone benefits but it's still us kind of at the center of the still us kind of at the center of the still us kind of at the center of the focus so assuming I I don't care what focus so assuming I I don't care what focus so assuming I I don't care what Alex says I'm still qualifying myself as Alex says I'm still qualifying myself as Alex says I'm still qualifying myself as a younger person I guess I am a married a younger person I guess I am a married a younger person I guess I am a married dad with two daughters but you know what dad with two daughters but you know what dad with two daughters but you know what I will not receive that for me hang on I will not receive that for me hang on I will not receive that for me hang on to it so what can we as young people to it so what can we as young people to it so what can we as young people what can we as young people do ourselves what can we as young people do ourselves what can we as young people do ourselves to serve the older Generations in our to serve the older Generations in our to serve the older Generations in our church forget a moment about what they church forget a moment about what they church forget a moment about what they can do to bridge the generational Gap can do to bridge the generational Gap can do to bridge the generational Gap towards us what can what can we do for towards us what can what can we do for towards us what can what can we do for them them them yeah so you know one of my favorite yeah so you know one of my favorite yeah so you know one of my favorite exercises that we do with churches who exercises that we do with churches who exercises that we do with churches who are going through the change process who are going through the change process who are going through the change process who are in our cohorts is have them actually are in our cohorts is have them actually are in our cohorts is have them actually listen listen listen um and so you know we we tell the church um and so you know we we tell the church um and so you know we we tell the church teams to go through our research like teams to go through our research like teams to go through our research like spend your first weeks months listening spend your first weeks months listening spend your first weeks months listening to young people really understand and we to young people really understand and we to young people really understand and we give them specific questions especially give them specific questions especially give them specific questions especially related to Young people's uh sense of related to Young people's uh sense of related to Young people's uh sense of identity belonging and purpose which are identity belonging and purpose which are identity belonging and purpose which are three really big things in our research

three really big things in our research three really big things in our research um and and so you know I would say the um and and so you know I would say the um and and so you know I would say the same thing uh to a church or a leader same thing uh to a church or a leader same thing uh to a church or a leader who asked me you know how do I how do I who asked me you know how do I how do I who asked me you know how do I how do I really how do I really grow my really how do I really grow my really how do I really grow my relationships with older people is have relationships with older people is have relationships with older people is have you spent time with them really you spent time with them really you spent time with them really listening listening listening um and listening to their questions um and listening to their questions um and listening to their questions about identity belonging and purpose about identity belonging and purpose about identity belonging and purpose really understanding what keeps them up really understanding what keeps them up really understanding what keeps them up at night really understanding their at night really understanding their at night really understanding their insecurities and their dreams so many insecurities and their dreams so many insecurities and their dreams so many times in churches we create Ministries times in churches we create Ministries times in churches we create Ministries based on what we think people want based on what we think people want based on what we think people want without actually spending time with the without actually spending time with the without actually spending time with the people that's we have in mind and so you people that's we have in mind and so you people that's we have in mind and so you know I I know I I know I I we always recommend to churches don't we always recommend to churches don't we always recommend to churches don't act until you actually listened and act until you actually listened and act until you actually listened and spent time so so I I'm hesitant to make spent time so so I I'm hesitant to make spent time so so I I'm hesitant to make a huge um you know General a huge um you know General a huge um you know General recommendation because recommendation because recommendation because um because we haven't studied that but um because we haven't studied that but um because we haven't studied that but what I would say is listen and what I would say is listen and what I would say is listen and especially listen for things of identity especially listen for things of identity especially listen for things of identity belonging and purpose and how Jesus and belonging and purpose and how Jesus and belonging and purpose and how Jesus and how your faith community can meet those how your faith community can meet those how your faith community can meet those questions questions questions one of my favorite parts of this one of my favorite parts of this one of my favorite parts of this interview so far Cara is the repeated interview so far Cara is the repeated interview so far Cara is the repeated emphasis you've put on the limitations emphasis you've put on the limitations emphasis you've put on the limitations of research and how hey yeah this is of research and how hey yeah this is of research and how hey yeah this is what we researched we can't just take what we researched we can't just take what we researched we can't just take that and apply it beyond that uh yeah that and apply it beyond that uh yeah that and apply it beyond that uh yeah this is a bit of a departure from the this is a bit of a departure from the this is a bit of a departure from the focus on on youth but I I would love to focus on on youth but I I would love to focus on on youth but I I would love to hear because research matters to me and hear because research matters to me and hear because research matters to me and you yeah are a researcher what what

you yeah are a researcher what what you yeah are a researcher what what makes for good research and how should makes for good research and how should makes for good research and how should we be working to improve our own like we be working to improve our own like we be working to improve our own like literacy in this respect so that we're literacy in this respect so that we're literacy in this respect so that we're interpreting it properly and using it interpreting it properly and using it interpreting it properly and using it carefully carefully carefully yeah yeah yeah fascinating question so I mean the the fascinating question so I mean the the fascinating question so I mean the the fundamental criteria for research is is fundamental criteria for research is is fundamental criteria for research is is it valid and is it reliable and so you it valid and is it reliable and so you it valid and is it reliable and so you know that's kind of the quintessential know that's kind of the quintessential know that's kind of the quintessential questions about research you know what I questions about research you know what I questions about research you know what I would say is the good news is church would say is the good news is church would say is the good news is church leaders don't need to become researchers leaders don't need to become researchers leaders don't need to become researchers themselves they just need to know where themselves they just need to know where themselves they just need to know where to go for good research and so you know to go for good research and so you know to go for good research and so you know I think what I would love to do is when I think what I would love to do is when I think what I would love to do is when it comes to young people I can give a it comes to young people I can give a it comes to young people I can give a few recommendations if you if you want few recommendations if you if you want few recommendations if you if you want to stay in tune with research on young to stay in tune with research on young to stay in tune with research on young people I'd recommend the Fuller youth people I'd recommend the Fuller youth people I'd recommend the Fuller youth Institute go to our website Institute go to our website Institute go to our website fullyyouthinstitute.org and sign up for fullyyouthinstitute.org and sign up for fullyyouthinstitute.org and sign up for our free weekly email you'll get in your our free weekly email you'll get in your our free weekly email you'll get in your inbox uh the best of our research I inbox uh the best of our research I inbox uh the best of our research I would also recommend the Barna group my would also recommend the Barna group my would also recommend the Barna group my good friend David Kinnaman is a good friend David Kinnaman is a good friend David Kinnaman is a fantastic leader and they are doing some fantastic leader and they are doing some fantastic leader and they are doing some really important research on all really important research on all really important research on all generations generations generations um then I would thirdly I would um then I would thirdly I would um then I would thirdly I would recommend Springside Research Institute recommend Springside Research Institute recommend Springside Research Institute which is an newer research entity that which is an newer research entity that which is an newer research entity that studies 13 to 25 year olds and they studies 13 to 25 year olds and they studies 13 to 25 year olds and they study across faiths not just study across faiths not just study across faiths not just Christianity but but other faiths also Christianity but but other faiths also Christianity but but other faiths also which brings some unique texture to which brings some unique texture to which brings some unique texture to their research they've done a lot of their research they've done a lot of their research they've done a lot of work on belonging they've done a lot of work on belonging they've done a lot of work on belonging they've done a lot of work on mental health and so those are work on mental health and so those are work on mental health and so those are three sources where I would say all of

three sources where I would say all of three sources where I would say all of us all three of those offer free emails us all three of those offer free emails us all three of those offer free emails and um and let let us do the work for and um and let let us do the work for and um and let let us do the work for you and you can just read our results in you and you can just read our results in you and you can just read our results in your inbox those are great your inbox those are great your inbox those are great recommendations I'll make sure to recommendations I'll make sure to recommendations I'll make sure to include those in the show notes for our include those in the show notes for our include those in the show notes for our listeners but we've been talking about listeners but we've been talking about listeners but we've been talking about research that you have completed uh if research that you have completed uh if research that you have completed uh if you can and if you will can you tell us you can and if you will can you tell us you can and if you will can you tell us what you're working on right now at the what you're working on right now at the what you're working on right now at the Fuller youth Institute yeah yeah uh well Fuller youth Institute yeah yeah uh well Fuller youth Institute yeah yeah uh well in just a little bit in November we have in just a little bit in November we have in just a little bit in November we have a new book coming out called Faith a new book coming out called Faith a new book coming out called Faith Beyond youth group where we again spent Beyond youth group where we again spent Beyond youth group where we again spent a lot of time with real life churches a lot of time with real life churches a lot of time with real life churches and looked at when churches are able to and looked at when churches are able to and looked at when churches are able to uh have faith with young people be not uh have faith with young people be not uh have faith with young people be not just 90 minutes once a week but all just 90 minutes once a week but all just 90 minutes once a week but all seven days what is it that they did that seven days what is it that they did that seven days what is it that they did that caused that Faith to actually live caused that Faith to actually live caused that Faith to actually live outside of the youth room live outside outside of the youth room live outside outside of the youth room live outside of those 90 minutes and so we've of those 90 minutes and so we've of those 90 minutes and so we've identified five qualities there many of identified five qualities there many of identified five qualities there many of which overlap with the six that we've which overlap with the six that we've which overlap with the six that we've been talking about with growing young been talking about with growing young been talking about with growing young and so that's coming out immediately a and so that's coming out immediately a and so that's coming out immediately a year from now we have a book coming out year from now we have a book coming out year from now we have a book coming out uh I shouldn't say the title because uh I shouldn't say the title because uh I shouldn't say the title because we're still working on the title but uh we're still working on the title but uh we're still working on the title but uh but it gets at the question that I think but it gets at the question that I think but it gets at the question that I think Brady asked about how do you bring about Brady asked about how do you bring about Brady asked about how do you bring about change because it is so much research change because it is so much research change because it is so much research including what we've done is what needs including what we've done is what needs including what we've done is what needs to change to change to change and um and that's super important but and um and that's super important but and um and that's super important but for a lot of leaders and churches that for a lot of leaders and churches that for a lot of leaders and churches that how do we bring about change is actually

how do we bring about change is actually how do we bring about change is actually a tougher question so this new book that a tougher question so this new book that a tougher question so this new book that I'm writing with Jake Mulder and Ray I'm writing with Jake Mulder and Ray I'm writing with Jake Mulder and Ray Chang it's it looks at what we've Chang it's it looks at what we've Chang it's it looks at what we've learned from scripture what we've learned from scripture what we've learned from scripture what we've learned from great research on learned from great research on learned from great research on leadership and then research we've done leadership and then research we've done leadership and then research we've done with these a thousand churches who we've with these a thousand churches who we've with these a thousand churches who we've walked through a change process so so walked through a change process so so walked through a change process so so I'm I'm eager for both of those books to I'm I'm eager for both of those books to I'm I'm eager for both of those books to be out and so that we can keep be out and so that we can keep be out and so that we can keep discussing and serving leaders discussing and serving leaders discussing and serving leaders uh well we're very grateful for your uh well we're very grateful for your uh well we're very grateful for your time uh Cara we have been uh using your time uh Cara we have been uh using your time uh Cara we have been uh using your research in our content for a very long research in our content for a very long research in our content for a very long time and that's what prompted uh will time and that's what prompted uh will time and that's what prompted uh will the marketing manager at FYI to kind of the marketing manager at FYI to kind of the marketing manager at FYI to kind of slide into the DMS and say hey we saw slide into the DMS and say hey we saw slide into the DMS and say hey we saw this video like hey and which eventually this video like hey and which eventually this video like hey and which eventually led to this podcast so we cannot give led to this podcast so we cannot give led to this podcast so we cannot give you uh the highest recommendation 100 you uh the highest recommendation 100 you uh the highest recommendation 100 all the books that are coming out in the all the books that are coming out in the all the books that are coming out in the pipeline pipeline pipeline jump on the newsletter all that good jump on the newsletter all that good jump on the newsletter all that good stuff and uh thanks again for your time stuff and uh thanks again for your time stuff and uh thanks again for your time Karen for everyone that uh joined us Karen for everyone that uh joined us Karen for everyone that uh joined us today thank you for your time attention today thank you for your time attention today thank you for your time attention and Trust we will talk real soon and Trust we will talk real soon and Trust we will talk real soon and I know you wanna roll with the gang and I know you wanna roll with the gang and I know you wanna roll with the gang and I know you wanna run again thinking and I know you wanna run again thinking and I know you wanna run again thinking about it settling down about it settling down about it settling down going my way going my way going my way on it Own It own it