BRCC Internal Assessment
Young Adult Ministry Readiness — Church Data and Young Adult Voice
This document addresses the internal data gaps identified in CRITICAL-ANALYSIS by combining leadership knowledge with early survey responses from BRCC young adults. It complements the external research (Docs 01-12) with an inward look at BRCC’s current state, capacity, and the perspective of its own young adults.
Data Sources:
- Leadership knowledge and estimates (February 2026)
- BRCC Young Adult Survey — 6 responses collected February 13-16, 2026
Note on survey data: The survey sample (n=6) is too small to draw definitive conclusions. Responses are included as early directional signal, not as statistically representative findings. Themes that align with external research carry more weight than isolated responses.
Part 1: Current Young Adult Presence and Engagement
Estimated Young Adult Population
- Estimated percentage of BRCC members ages 22-32: ~20-30% of 1,000+ members
- Geographic distribution: Mostly within 5-10 miles of the church
Current Engagement Beyond Sunday Services
BRCC already has informal young adult activity happening, primarily through athletics and one small group:
| Activity | Format | Frequency | Estimated Participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softball | 2 teams | Summer season | ~20-30 |
| Basketball | Open gym | Tuesday nights (school year) | 10-15 weekly (37 in GroupMe) |
| Volleyball | Open gym | Friday nights | 15-30 weekly |
| Young men’s Bible study | Small group | Weekly | ~10 |
These are largely self-organized by young adults rather than church-led programming. There is no formal young adult ministry, no dedicated gatherings, and no structured pathway connecting these activities to spiritual formation.
Why Young Adults Attend BRCC
Early survey responses point to a few consistent themes:
- Community and genuineness — respondents described BRCC as “close-knit,” “genuine,” and a “safe place”
- Biblical teaching — multiple respondents specifically valued expository preaching and willingness to address difficult topics
- Existing relationships — several attend because of family connections, history with the youth ministry (UTurn), or volunteer roles (HSM, safety team)
- Athletics as connector — sports ministries were mentioned as both a reason for attending and a way peers stay connected
Do Current Young Adults Feel Served?
Unknown. This was not directly assessed. However, survey responses suggest a gap: one respondent noted feeling “too young for those adult groups” despite wanting community, and another observed that young adults “are not going to the welcome center, downloading the app, signed up for the newsletter etc.” — suggesting current communication channels aren’t reaching this demographic.
Part 2: What BRCC Young Adults Want
The following themes emerged from early survey responses. Where themes align with findings from 05 National Young Adult Research, that convergence is noted.
Small Groups and Bible Studies
The most consistent request across respondents. Specific variations mentioned:
- Gender-specific studies (young women’s group, young men’s group)
- Co-ed options
- Shorter-term study options (not just ongoing commitment)
- Small groups for non-married young adults
- Intergenerational mentorship component (older women mentoring younger women)
This aligns with external research identifying small groups as the foundational model for young adult ministry.
Consistent, Church-Supported Programming
Multiple respondents distinguished between self-organized activity and church-supported ministry. One respondent cited College Park Church’s “Fireside” program as a model — a young adults ministry with worship, a 25-35 minute message, small group discussions, and monthly community nights. Key elements mentioned:
- Worship + teaching + community time in a single gathering
- Worship nights as both spiritual formation and easy invite for friends
- Regular rhythm and sustainability (not one-off events)
One respondent specifically cautioned: “It would have to be a sustained group that isn’t heading towards failure. I don’t want to send friends to a group I wouldn’t go to myself.”
Dedicated Young Adult Leadership
One respondent directly requested a dedicated Young Adults Pastor, noting: “Too often, the responsibility of organizing events and connection falls solely on the young adults themselves, but with a full-time leader, this age group could be better shepherded and prioritized.”
Expanded Athletics Ministry
Athletics already serve as a significant connector. Suggestions included expanding into outdoor volleyball, pickleball, and basketball leagues. One respondent noted that “several friends say they attend or stay at BRCC largely because of the softball team.”
Direct Communication
One respondent wished the senior pastor would “speak directly to young adults during the service telling them about opportunities,” noting that current channels (welcome center, app, newsletter) aren’t reaching this age group.
Part 3: Organizational Readiness
Budget
| Question | Current Understanding |
|---|---|
| Total annual budget | Not immediately available |
| Allocation to other age-group ministries | Unknown |
| Budget flexibility for new initiative | Yes |
| Reallocation required | No — new funding, not reallocation |
| $60-90K investment realistic | Believed to be feasible |
Staffing
| Question | Current Understanding |
|---|---|
| Current staff who could lead | No one on staff has capacity; youth pastor Trey is closest fit but is not available |
| Hiring process and timeline | Can be long, but with the right person and clear vision, decisions could move quickly |
| Salary range for staff positions | Not assessed at this stage |
| Supervision structure | Young adult pastor would likely report to the executive pastor |
| How new ministries get staffed | A staff member serves as primary leader/sponsor; remaining roles are volunteer |
Leadership Alignment
| Question | Current Understanding |
|---|---|
| Elder board perspective | Generally supportive |
| Concerns or hesitations | At least one elder has suggested an organic approach rather than formal programming |
| Senior pastor stance | Supportive, though not yet actively championing |
| Competing ministry priorities | None identified |
| Decision-making process | Senior and executive pastor make decisions with elder board support |
Cultural Fit
| Question | BRCC Profile |
|---|---|
| Worship style | Contemporary |
| Preaching approach | Expository — typically walking through a book of the Bible |
| Handling of contemporary issues | Addressed through biblical application in Sunday sermons; no dedicated topical studies or programming |
| Congregation demographics | Consistent with surrounding community demographics |
| Digital presence | Some presence but not a strong emphasis |
| Dress code / atmosphere | Casual and relaxed |
Survey respondents consistently validated the cultural fit: they value BRCC’s biblical teaching, genuine community, and willingness to engage difficult topics. One respondent specifically noted preferring “the Bible directly” over topical preaching, suggesting BRCC’s expository approach is a strength rather than a liability for this audience.
Facilities
| Question | Current Understanding |
|---|---|
| Availability | Flexible — space and rooms available |
| Existing commitments | Some nights committed, but capacity for more |
| Suitable spaces | Large gym, several large gathering rooms, multiple classrooms |
| Scheduling constraints | Sunday nights not ideal (youth ministry conflict); flexible beyond that |
Part 4: Competitive Landscape — Young Adult Perspective
Survey respondents identified the following churches their peers attend:
| Church | Mentions | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| College Park | 3 | ”Fireside” young adult ministry, structured small groups |
| Real Life / Realife | 3 | Higher number of young adults |
| Northview | 2 | Topics that resonate with young adults, strong 20s-30s presence |
| Traders Point | 2 | Young adult-focused ministries (The Porch), engaging worship |
| Harvest | 2 | More offerings for young adults |
| Soma | 1 | — |
| Mercy Road | 1 | — |
Why Peers Choose Other Churches
Respondents identified consistent reasons their peers attend elsewhere:
- Young adult-specific programming (Fireside at College Park, The Porch at Traders Point)
- Critical mass of people in their 20s and 30s — peers want to be around similarly-aged people
- Engaging worship experiences
- Topics that resonate with young adults
- Proximity to where they live
This aligns with the competitive analysis in 11 Church Landscape Analysis, which identified these same churches as drawing young adults from across central Indiana. The key takeaway: BRCC’s competition for young adults is not primarily local suburban churches but regional churches with established young adult ministries.
BRCC’s Competitive Advantages
Based on both survey responses and organizational data, BRCC’s differentiators include:
- Existing young adult community already connected through athletics and informal networks
- Expository biblical teaching valued by respondents — distinct from topical approaches at some competitor churches
- Genuine, close-knit community repeatedly cited as a core strength
- Intergenerational culture — respondents valued “all different ages coming together”
- Facilities and flexibility to launch programming without major infrastructure investment
- Budget capacity to invest in new ministry
Part 5: Gaps Still to Be Addressed
Historical Context (Unanswered)
The following questions from the critical analysis remain open:
- Why have young adults left BRCC in the past?
- What feedback have departing young adults provided?
- Are there patterns in who stays vs. who leaves?
- What previous attempts (if any) have been made at young adult ministry?
Additional Data That Would Strengthen Planning
- Actual attendance count of 22-32 year-olds (vs. current estimate of 20-30%)
- Total annual budget and age-group ministry allocations for context
- Expanded survey sample — current 6 responses provide directional signal but not representative data
- Young adults who left BRCC — surveying or interviewing former attendees would reveal retention barriers
- BRCC’s current young adult count at competitor churches — how many BRCC-area young adults are driving to College Park, Traders Point, etc.?
Sources
- BRCC Young Adult Survey, 6 responses collected February 13-16, 2026
- Leadership knowledge and estimates, February 2026
- CRITICAL-ANALYSIS — gap identification framework