We know that many churches in the U.S. are struggling with dwindling membership and that most congregations in our own Illinois Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church only occasionally receive new members or have baptisms. We’ve heard about the “Nones” (not affiliated with any religion) and are aware that many young persons today aschew organized religion.
In that bleak landscape, something rather remarkable is happening at First United Methodist Church in Evanston. Seventeen persons participated in our most recent Inquirers Class — an opportunity to explore the church, its people, and ministries — and seventeen chose to become members of First Church. Notably, this group of new members includes seven people under 30 and nine under 38. On top of all that, the 2025 Winter Inquirers Class was the most diverse class yet.
Young Adults: A Growing Demographic in the Congregation
Who are these newest young adult members, and what bring them to First Church? They are graduate students studying at Northwestern University or Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and young professionals. All but one are relatively new to the Chicago area; they eager to make connections with others who share similar values and happy to find a welcoming faith community that embraces their questions. Of course, having the campuses of Northwestern and Garrett, a United Methodist Seminary, just blocks away is partially responsible for the presence of these 20- and 30-somethings in the pews. Our location in Evanston with easy public transit to downtown Chicago also helps. And, course, it doesn’t hurt that First Church has a vibrant young adult ministry with opportunities to gather several times each month. (Triva, anyone? How about a potluck where everyone brings something orange?)
A year ago, we received into the congregation our youngest adult new member in at least 15 years – an 18-year-old student in his second semester of college. As our church members know, our practice is to nurture and onboard adult new members through one process and to nurture youth confirmands (i.e., youth new members) through a different one. First Church’s two-year confirmation process is created and led by our Youth and Young Adult Ministry Director Sydney Harkrider.
Zach, the 18-year-old new member last year, was the youngest of 14 Inquirers in his class– but only by a few years; 29% of that class was under 30. The Inquirers Class just before Zach’s, also in 2024, included seven twenty- and thirty-somethings –one third of that class.
These 20- and 30-somethings bring energy, fresh ideas, and counter-cultural commitment to living their faith in the world. We are grateful for their witness, have much to learn from them, and celebrate their presence. At the same time, we realize the downside of receiving young new members who are preparing for or just starting careers: they are more likely than their older counterparts to relocate in the next two to five years.
Inviting All People: New Members and Diversity
Our most recent new members are also the most diverse group to participate in the Inquirers process. Forty-one percent of our 2025 Winters Inquirers Class are persons of color, which is double that of our membership as a whole. (This group of 17 persons collectively speaks 10 different languages; just wait until Pentecost Sunday worship!) The previous Inquirers Class last spring was 29% persons of color, again noticeably more diverse than previously.
In addition to this racial and ethnic diversity, our new adult members further enrich the congregation with persons who identify as queer. Our newest members are part of the LGBTQIA+ community speak of First Church as a safe place, a place to begin a new chapter on their faith journey, and a place where they are motivated to show the kind of inclusive welcome they have felt.
Finally, these new members come from a wide variety of church backgrounds, having been baptized in nine different Christian denominations: African Methodist Church (1), United Methodist Church (5), Catholic Church (4-in DR Congo, India, and NJ), Baptist (1-in India), Nondenominational (1), Evangelical Free Church (1), Missouri Synod Lutheran (1), Presbyterian (1), and Mennonite Brethren Church (1). As Inquirers discuss Methodist connectionalism, the Wesleyan theology of Grace, and how these markers of United Methodist are so different from other Christian churches, the conversations are rich and eye opening for many.
Next Inquirers Class Begins April 27
As we continue to celebrate the most recent new members class, planning is in the works for the next Inquirers Class, which at this point includes more retired persons who have relocated to Evanston to be near adult children and grandchildren, parents of youth and college-age children, and, yes, another twenty-something.
Want to learn more about the Inquirer Class and/or membership process? Please contact Mary Taylor-Johnson, Director of Membership an Engagement, at mary@faithatfirst.com or (847) 864-6182.