Most American churches do well with two groups: kids and adults over 40. Somewhere between teenager and parent, an entire demographic just disappears. Most pastors notice it, but most don't have a solution for it. Brian Dye is the founder of the Legacy Conference and has a theory that could help the church navigate this problem. Is it possible that the church has formed itself around the wrong age group. Instead of optimizing church attendance based on those who can meet budget, could it be that the audience we should pay more attention to are likely teenagers. Not only because its like that the disciples were teenagers (other than Peter), but even brain science suggests that young people are actually more wired for risk and mission. So if the demographic the church keeps losing is the one Jesus actually built his ministry around, is it possible that much of what we understand about ministry is wrong? We talk about this and more in this episode of the Unsilent Church podcast.
Legacy Conference: legacydisciple.org
Legacy Disciple programs: Thriving Minds, Hood Heroes, J29 Homes
2025 Legacy Conference cities: Phoenix (Dec 5), Chicago, LA, Miami, Houston
Mentioned voices: Sue "Soup" Campbell, Dan Ball, Lecrae, Eric Mason, Preston Perry, Jackie Hill Perry, KB, DA Horton, Brian Loritts
Scripture: Matthew 17 (temple tax), Mark 5 (the demoniac), Isaiah 61, Ephesians 5, Hebrews 10, Genesis 3, Leviticus 25 (Year of Jubilee)