I think above all, whether they know it or not (they may not agree) the average 20 something wants genuine community. Programmed community is a major turnoff. In genuine community, we can live out the Gospel, which many churches lack. In genuine community, we join in living out the Kingdom of God on earth. Everything can be traced back to genuine community. So, genuine community. That's my answer. Genuine community genuine community genuine community. :)

something to keep me interested. nothing is wrong with the "older version" of praising god but something new and fresh to really get the message out!

What would that "interesting" thing be? Judging from your comment, you're not talking about something gimmicky or kitschy, but something "fresh"? Is that fair?

I am 21 years old. Now, as I have found from speaking to many of my friends and through crazy personal experiences, young people desire more of a personal touch. Most of the people I talk to have struggles rooted in the past pains of important, broken relationships. Relationship is the basis of knowing God, and living a life like Jesus on this earth. I believe the practical teachings of building relationships with people and with God will increase the growth in the church. Practicality is key. I feel very unfulfilled when I walk into a church, and hear the words, "Love God and love people," without any practicality behind it. Love and relationship are learned practices, not just concepts. Many people growing up haven't had the privilege of learning them to a great extent. My mentor defines it as the practice of making the person we are spending time with feel as if they are the only one in the room. Also, I would love to see the church really emphasize the accessibility of knowing God as a friend. So many people are schooled in knowing that Jesus is their Lord and Savior, but as I have seen it, not very many people approach the Holy Spirit walking with them as a friend always. Now these are things I would love to see, but I'm not sure I can speak for a whole younger generation.

If there are three words to sum up my statements, here they are: relationship, practicality and accessibility.

"The practice of making the person we are spending time with feel as if they are the only one in the room." Love that. Great comment.

As a young convert to the Catholic Church, the main thing I was looking for was an encounter with Jesus Himself, which I found in the scriptures and in the sacraments, most especially the Eucharist. I wanted the truth about what the early Christians did, believed, behaved. I feel like it was incredibly counter cultural then, and authentic Catholicism still remains incredibly counter-cultural.
Basically, the Catholic Church offered me the faith of history, the faith of the early Christians, I feel the faith of the Scriptures, all in the power of the Holy Spirit.

So to sum it up: what draws me to the Church? Jesus, the relentless insistance of the truth of the Word, the Sacraments (especially the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist), the liturgy, the ancient way of doing things, the timelessness of it all, and again, truth.

Unique perspective, I'm sure.

I was just reading the other day about the resurgence of young people into liturgical settings. 8-years-old or 80, all people on the same page in a worshiping environment. Very powerful.

I'm kinda leaning towards what the average 20 something persons I've met seem to really want from the local church is "my will to be done." I know, it sounds really bad, and I apologize for stating it, but let's unpack that a little...behind this thing are some wounds and a hope of a centered life around "thy will be done" that they need but don't yet realize it as a need. It's possible that the average 20 something this age doesn't know. I think of Matthew 9:36...the 20 somethings are confused, helpless, and like sheep without shepherds. What they want is probably not what they need and what they think they need is probably not really what they want...most of time and especially in the end...until Jesus, full of a revelation of compassion, shows up and starts breaking away these hindrances to true freedom and relationship. And if the little sheep get a glimpse of anything, they say in their lil' wounded heart...."Wooow...I want yooouu."

Once you get people's primary desire for Jesus...now there's basis, a foundation...and they will go anywhere to get more of him...they'll participate in community (to be near him), they'll go to church (to be near him), they'll get mentor (to be near him), they'll pursue healing (to be near him), they'll refrain from or enter into marriage (to be near him), they'll pray without ceasing (to be near him)...etc. Motivation is love.

If you ask Jesus..."Jesus, why does the apostle Paul do the things he does and suffers as he does. What is it that he wants." I think Jesus would reply, "Me." But Jesus...how? I think Jesus would reply, "Because I loved Paul and revealed myself to him. I gave him new eyes to see. Now he reveres me and gives me glory (the eternal gospel Rev. 14:7)."

Thy will be done.

"Thy will be done." AMEN.

A community that looks different on the outside and inside from the rest of the surrounding culture but not in terms of a "GAP (God Answers Prayer)" T-Shirt or a group of couples that talks primarily about their kids soccer tournaments. A community that is open to being transformed by God's love and open to being honest with eachother throughout that process.

I think they might be looking for a place that values what they bring to the table in such a way that it's natural to get involved because their gifts/talents are both needed AND desired as part of the body of Christ.

I can understand where Chad is coming from though. Our church recently had its annual outdoor festival and even as a married couple we felt out of place without kids at our side since the whole event seemed to be geared primarily towards them. I wouldn't blame singles from wanting to stay miles away from an event like that but I also understand the importance of ministering to growing families.