How can “church” appeal to a younger audience?

The goal within my church is to make it an "experience" for the younger generation rather than a traditional typical boring Sunday service most of our parents/grandparents grew up with ... What does the younger generation like/dislike about attending church? What are some ideas that may make church more enjoyable? etc, etc ...Thanks!

How can “church” appeal to a younger audience?
Do what my church does.. BE RELEVANT!





If you are seeking guidance in how to go about this, they have a conference every year to help other churches learn to reach more people. In the mean time, check out the website, that should give you some idea. Also many of the past messages are available online.





http://www.eaglebrookchurch.com
Reply:From what I can tell christian rock is what all the cool kids listen too!
Reply:As with any marketing study, I suggest you figure out your target market (which it seems that you have) and then focus your surveys to that particular market.
Reply:We have alot of young people in our church. But our church doesn't do things to appeal to people per se. What we do is preach the word of God day in and day out. The pastor teaches right out of the bible. We begin in Genesis and go through to Revelation. It takes about eight years of Sundays. Then we start all over again! Our church has great praise and worship music...and every night of the week bible studies in different books. We have singles groups, teen groups, older groups, everything.





I think what is most important is to have a church that is constantly seeking God's will and His guidance, who above all things teaches His word truly...without compromise. That in itself will draw a seeking heart.
Reply:Try puppet shows. That's what they always did when I was stuck in church as a kid. Teens perform the show, and the younger kids watch, so both age groups have something to do.
Reply:They could give up on that God thing. That'd make it more appealing to the young'uns.
Reply:music from now...um skits that show it in real life...icebreakers games to get to know eachother. thats what i like and i just left jounior high
Reply:applying the bible to real life situation, more contemporay music
Reply:Our local church runs a toddler group, which is free play with toys, playdough, colouring in etc. Then for the last 15 mins they do a singing session which always includes some easy hymns, and a bible story.





For the older children the do a youth group, which as well as doing voluntary work also takes them on trips.





As for the whole Sunday service thing, the biggest problem with younger children is they are bored after 10 of sitting still, and some of the regular worshippers can find this annoying, which in turn makes you feel unwelcome. Some churches have a seperate service in a side room, which can be scaled down and more informal. However this isn't always practical.





Even some of the older kids can be intimidated because they don't know what to do when. When I first started going to church half of it was in Latin! Our church community group has started a choir. Offering singing lessons for members as everyone seems to want to be on TV.
Reply:I liked the Buddy Jesus idea from Dogma.
Reply:Cool role models that love Jesus, and are able to still experience their cool lifestyle and love Jesus/show others Jesus' love at the same time. Most kids just want to be accepted for who they are and have a safe place where there's something to do. Kids today also want adults to be adults. Adults trying to be kids is just dorky. They don't want adult "friends". They want cool role models. So in conclusion: Have bands/ speakers/ events that get the kids excited about God, and make these events diverse so you reach a spectrum of styles. And above all else PRAY for them. Nothing is more impacting than prayer.
Reply:applying bibical stories to real life . having shorter gosipil preaching. having music and fun activties after and before churhc services.
Reply:Not so much money grubbing.