Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.
On The Rise: Why young adults go to church + Patrick Lencioni on what AI can’t do
Published 1 day ago • 4 min read
Welcome to the On The Rise newsletter, where I feature fascinating, helpful, and sometimes curious content that caught my attention this week.
Today, fresh Barna data on the reasons young adults like attending church, Patrick Lencioni weighs in on AI at the office, answers to where is God when you don’t understand, and the most popular baby names the year you were born.
The Social Reasons Young Adults Go to Church
New Barna data reveals what young adults want out of church.
What are young adults wanting to get out of attending church? Well, again and again, it looks like community.
Barna recently released some datashowing that to connect with other Christians, make friends, and to learn from other people are among the top reasons.
Listening to sermons didn’t make the list, but then again that wasn’t what Barna was asking people about.
Still, more confirmation that the church’s future direction is human connection.
Thank You
You've had an overwhelming response to AI and the Future Church.
Thanks to many of you, AI and the Future Churchis nearly sold out of our first print run, and our team is working hard to fulfill backorders.
My prayer is that this book launches a thoughtful, informed and faith-fuelled conversation across the church and it's happening.
Here’s what some of our earliest verified readers are saying:
“I purchased this book over the weekend and could not put it down! It has been some time since I read a book that has intrigued, challenged, and inspired me as this one has.” - Brad
“Historically the American church as a whole has not been ready for the technological and culture changes that have happened since WW2; it has missed the boat on almost every one. Let's not repeat that mistake with AI. Thank you Carey for writing this, especially out of both your heart for church leaders and out of a deeply painful time in your own life...” - Anonymous
“Carey's book hits home. It is timely, thoughtful, highly quotable and intensely practical. I got copies for my staff as well, and it's forming a framework for important conversations.” - Anonymous
In a day when we are delegating more and more to AI,Patrick Lencioni makes the argument (as he has his whole career) that the most important factor in team success isn’t intelligence, it’s in all the soft-skills and people skills. And yes, AI can give you decent EI advice, but it can’t replace empathy, kindness or the tough decisions leaders must make. An interesting perspective on what you should delegate to AI and what you shouldn’t.
Free Webinar: Designing Spaces That Intentionally Form Disciples
How your church space is designed actively shapes the discipleship of your congregation.
Join David Kinnaman, CEO of Barna Group, and Derek DeGroot, President of Aspen Group, on November 3rd for this free webinar—5 Theological Frameworks of Spaces that Intentionally Form Disciples.
Discover powerful design frameworks, mistakes that unintentionally create barriers, what people actually want from a church space, and more.
Filled with Barna stats, high-level concepts made simple, and practical ideas, you’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how intentional spaces can shape discipleship, strengthen community, and support your church’s mission.
Well, let me disclose my bias upfront, but my wife has a brand new book out this week. Co-authored with John Ortberg, Ann Voskamp, Jennie Lusko, Amy Groeschel, Mark Batterson, and many other incredible authors, the book is a series of short reflections, stories, and devotionals aimed at addressing how to trust God when you don’t understand - a perennial issue for church leaders and the people we shepherd alike.
I love how personal the authors get. But it’s no spiritual lightweight either. Tara-Leigh Cobble does the biblical exegesis throughout the book.
My favorite part: This book is a personal charity project for Toni and I. Every author has donated their writing, and none is taking royalties.
100% of the profit will be split between Compassion and Convoy of Hope’s well-established programs to educate and train young adults for vocational work. It’s giving teens and young adults a hand up out of poverty. We’ve visited their development sites first-hand and believe in the work.
The book makes a wonderful Christmas gift, too. By ordering off this website (here’s the link), you get the hardback edition, and your dollars go much further in supporting the cause than they do on Amazon.
If you were born between 1950-2010,find outthe most popular baby names for the year you were born. Guess I should have been a Michael, but as my other friends with unusual names agree, Carey Nieuwhof is pretty easy to own on the internet.
Cheering for you,
P.S. Weekend Watching
Andrew Hopper
Andrew Hopper saw his church plant grow to 1000 in two years, and almost nobody understood how hard that actually was. Especially when you planted at 28 years-old. In this conversation, he tackles church growth critics and he opens up about the tightrope of leading crazy growth in public.
Carey Nieuwhof Communications, PO Box 160, Oro Medonte, Ontario L0L 2X0
Carey Nieuwhof
Where 100,000+ leaders get top insights to thrive in life and leadership.
Don’t settle for an impact smaller than you’re called to make. It's time to unlock your potential and lead confidently into a future filled with growth — for yourself, your church, and your mission. Get access to some of my best leadership content, only published in my newsletters.
