Adventist Millennials: Measuring Emerging Adults’ Connection to Church

Abstract

Numerous research studies have demonstrated an exodus of emerging adults from Christian denominations. The Adventist Connection Study examined how emerging adult graduates of Seventh-day Adventist universities in the United States connect with or disconnect from Adventist churches in the context of identity, community, orthodoxy, and orthopraxy. Through a two-phased mixed methodology approach, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with self-selected focus groups of recent college graduates, developed an inductively generated survey instrument, and then electronically distributed the survey via email to recent Adventist college graduates. The results suggested several themes for further discussion. Particularly notable is the influence personal religiosity has on the sample’s acceptance of Adventist teachings and faith practice, as well as the negative impact participants’ media usage and transitory lifestyles have on their connection to local churches. Overall, the majority of the sample identified as connected to the Adventist Church, and many who appear to have disconnected from the Adventist Church remain engaged in a variety of nontraditional ways.