The Barna Research Group did a study from 2001 to 2006, which showed half of the nation's 24 million teens attended some sort of church-related activity. Ministry among teens is thriving.

However, David Kinnaman, research director with the Barna Group, also said that by the time teenagers turn into 20-somethings, they tend to lose interest in religious activities. He recently wrote the book "unChristian," released in September 2007, on his research of what 16- to 29-year-olds think about religion, their skepticism and points of spiritual openness.

"Much of the ministry to teenagers in America needs an overhaul. Not because churches fail to attract significant numbers of young people, but because so much of those efforts are not creating sustainable faith beyond high school," Kinnaman said of the study that surveyed more than 2,000 teenagers across the nation.

"A new standard for viable youth ministry should be, not the number of (those attending), the sophistication of the events or the 'cool' factor of the youth group, but whether teens have the commitment, passion and resources to pursue Christ intentionally and wholeheartedly after they leave the youth ministry nest," he said.

Sheila Smith can be reached at sheilas@herald-review.com or 421-7963.

Worship habits

* About 72 percent of teenagers pray in a typical week

* About 48 percent of teenagers attend a worship service at church

* About 35 percent of teenagers attend Sunday School

* About 33 percent of teenagers attend some youth group

* About 31 percent of teenagers read the Bible.

- Source: The Barna Group survey released in October 2007 in which a random survey was done of teenagers between the ages of 13 to 18 nationwide.