We all know the rhyme, ‘Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the doors and…’ wait… where are all the 20-something people? According to recent studies, you won’t find us in the pews. Take a look at these numbers from the Barna Group: Six out of 10, 20-somethings were involved in a church during their teen years, but are now spiritually disengaged.
I would HIGHLY encourage you to read this report. So, check it out:
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=245
Along the same vein, a Lifeway survey finds ‘churches are losing young adults in sobering numbers.’
Seven in 10 Protestants 18-30 (evangelical and mainline) who went to church regularly in high school quit attending by age 23.The trend caught USA Today’s attention. I think it will catch yours, too. You can read the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-08-06-church-dropouts_n.htm
Why is my generation leaving the church? Will we return when the kids come? And what does all this mean for the future of the faithful? re:Generations blogger Dawn Vargo will tackle these questions and more next week. In the meantime, I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts.
1 comment:
This entry got me thinking about a question that nags in the back of my head. Wanted to get your thoughts on it.
Do you think that 20-somethings are leaving church b/c it lacks the theological rigor they are looking for?
Now, mind you, I do not believe any of them are going to answer Barna’s question that way, but, if read between the lines, I sense it would come close to that. We have created a half generation of adults that have known nothing but “seeker-sensitive” churches, entirely devoid of doctrine, it seems. In fact, many churches refuse to generate any theological statement for fear of being exclusive – as if Christ wasn’t. Theology, they say, is the stuff of old men and boredom, not youth and “experience.” What is left, is the Church competing against every other experience this world has to offer – most of which are decidedly more exciting and (let’s face it) pleasurable than most Churches.
So, my theory goes, if given the choice, the 20’s are going to jet for the door. In a last ditch effort to block their exit, Churches are going out of their way, often, to win them back. They add robotic lights, 3 or 4 more guitars to the stage, the pastor sheds the tie and goes grunge, and Sunday School shucks the catechism for a Starbucks.
While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with guitars, lights, thread-bear jeans, and over-priced coffee, it seems what Churches have done is create a false environment. They have created the illusion of worship, but not seen to the substance of it. The 20’s, like Pinocchio and the lost boys, have seen the glimmer and glam of the lights, not realizing the façade has no backing. It seems we are using “stunts” that are little more than worms on hooks to attract the 20’s and others to church. Should we be surprised when they run from the pain in their mouths? Is the gospel unattractive?
What the 20’s crave - correct me if I’m wrong - is substance far and against the emptiness that every other “experience” has to offer. While they talk a good game about “meaning, feelings, and justice,” all are but catch-words for post-modern emptiness – which itself cries for an absolute answer when pressed!
Sure, the church will not live or die by man-defined theology or catechism; but, I would think if we would take a lesson from the Reformers and re-grasp the doctrine of the Bible (sola scriptura), even the 20’s would be excited at the challenge.
I think they’re smarter than those who would have them be attracted by the lights and other shiny things give them credit for.
Thoughts?
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