From Generation to Generation: A Qualitative Single-Case Study of A Pentecostal Church in Central Arkansas' Successful Growth and Retention Programs Involving Young Adults

In 1945, church participation in America started to decline, despite the efforts of many Christian church leaders, the problem continues to escalate (Jones, 2021; Inglehart, 2020). Research reveals that the most dramatic decrease in church participation occurs in Generation Z young adults (born 1995 to 2012; Jones, 2021; Twenge, 2017). This problem culminates into one of the most significant challenges facing the Christian church today. Until now, Pentecostal churches fared better than many other Christian denominations (Wilson, 2016). However, the phenomenon of declining church participation does not preclude Pentecostal churches. If Pentecostal churches hope for continued growth, the church leaders must proactively approach the problem of declining church participation. In this study, I used a qualitative single case study design to examining a Central Arkansas Pentecostal church's successful practices of engaging Generation Z young adults aged 18-25. The study focused on the innovations the church's pastoral leadership implemented to engage young adults. Therefore, the study centers on three distinct categories adapted from Gopalakrishnan and Damanpour's (1997) innovation research theory framework: new technology, administrative structures, and new member processes. This qualitative single case study's research findings proved the need for church leaders to employ specific innovations to engage Generation Z young adults. The participants asserted that the implementation of new technologies, administrative structures, and new member processes assisted the First Pentecostal Church of North Little Rock, Arkansas, in opposing the trend of declining church participation among Generation Z. As digital natives, Generation Z young adults find the standard practices of the church uninspiring (Twenge, 2017; White, 2018). Though Generation Z young adults thrive in digital environments, the findings of this study proved that regardless of how large a church grows, young adults desired personal interaction of church leadership. The results of this case study research offer insights into engaging Generation Z young adults using specific innovations successfully. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]