To some extent, I think that the study is a lot like looking at a distant star through a telescope. Much of what we are seeing is really just a scene from the past. It is a reflection of a large segment of people who previously self-identified as Christian because of family history or other reasons, but who never really followed Christ. For these folks, identifying themselves as Christian was once convenient and costless -- and at times maybe even advantageous. But, for these same people the label now, if anything, has become a negative. And so, it was just time to let go of the pretense. (In November of last year I wrote a blog called "Reflections from Scotland" which you might want to check out).
For others, however, and particularly for the younger generation, the decline in Christian affiliation (and church attendance for that matter) is the direct result, at least in part, of a culture war that has raged for decades. The fact is that our young people have been inundated with a fundamentally anti-Christian worldview through the media, arts and entertainment, public education and elsewhere. As a consequence, most young people have adopted a fundamentally secular worldview which will not easily be shaken.
One concern I have is that while the statistics tell us vividly about the reality that young people are opting out of Christianity in increasing numbers, they tell us little about the young people who are staying in church -- at least for now. It is a generation that is experiencing unprecedented pressure from the increasing disconnect between traditional Christianity and changing American cultural and moral norms.
My suspicion is that many of the young people who do remain in the church have silently, or in some cases not so silently, already abandoned traditional Christian values (and perhaps traditional theology). It is a generation that I fear increasingly sees Christianity as a buffet from which they can take what they want and leave the rest behind. It is a generation that finds itself in search of a Jesus more aligned with post-modern America than the one they read about in the Bible.
Rachel Held Evans may not be a household name, but she just might be a paradigm example of this shift. This young woman recently left evangelicalism (whatever that means) for the Episcopal Church (coincidentally, the tradition I grew up in). Explaining her decision to make the move from contemporary worship and the other trappings of many nondenominational churches, Ms. Evans said:
"I felt drawn to the Episcopal Church because it offered some practices I felt were missing in my evangelical experience, like space for silence and reflection, a focus on Christ’s presence at the Communion table as the climax and center of every worship service, opportunities for women in leadership and the inclusion of LGBT people."
I am not at all suggesting that we will see a mass movement of young people out of evangelical churches and into more liberal traditional denominations. Indeed, the numbers tell us that these traditional denominations are losing people at a greater rate than evangelical churches. Instead, I think we will continue to see greater numbers of young people just opt out entirely.
So, what is the solution?
First, I would say that since God is in control we should start there. Like most things, I think it starts with prayer.
Second, if we want to have a real impact on the next generation I think the key word is "authenticity." Authenticity is far more important, in my opinion, than church production, programs, events and the like. Those things may draw people in, but loving people will keep them there. People of all ages need to see a church that is authentically in love with Jesus and authentically in love with people. They need to see genuine followers of Christ who are, to the very best of their ability, living it out -- and not just talking about it.
Third, the American church these days seems somewhat fixated on some pretty narrow issues -- gay marriage for example. I personally think there are a number of far more pressing issues for us to deal with. These include (not necessarily in order of priority -- but maybe in order of priority): (1) the great challenge of every generation -- which is to disciple believers into becoming genuine followers of Christ; (2) to continue to focus on reaching the unchurched and the under-churched with the gospel; (3) to reach out to the disenfranchised and hurting world -- to the hungry, the homeless, to those in prison, etc. (4) to support through prayer and in more tangible ways those who are truly persecuted for their faith around the globe; and (5) to eliminate racial tension and division in the American church.
I am sure there are other priorities to add to this list.
Just my thoughts.
