Many pastors lament the absence of a certain demographic in church, namely people in their twenties and thirties. For a variety of reasons, this age group has largely checked-out of the local church and is likely to stay checked-out for a lifetime unless something changes.
In a recent study conducted by Lifeway Research, young adults reported at least four categories for lessened church attendance: 1. Life changes; 2. Church or pastor-related reasons; 3. Religious, ethical, or political beliefs; 4. Student and youth ministry reasons.
It seems that the church has been unsuccessful in helping individuals transition from adolescence to adulthood. Whether addressing the change young people feel as relates to new responsibilities such as higher education, marriage, or child-rearing, to participating in pastoral selection, to navigating oneself in a secular society, or to connecting people beyond youth groups to young adult groups, the church has had few answers.
In part, it also seems true that the difficult questions of faith and practice are often given staid and formulaic dogmatisms that do little to satisfy a seeking audience. As shallow as some would have us believe the younger generation is, the fact is that the necessary wrestling with the nature of God, sin, suffering, and pain are deeply important to this group; therefore, blind faith will no longer do regarding the importance of spirituality.
This emphasis on substance is seen in the hunger young people have for deep truths. The most successful speakers and teachers are those that confront the listener with the need for personal responsibility and point-out the absurdities and pitfalls of nihilism, hedonism, and narcissism.
The generations behind most of us have seen the fruit of these types of philosophies and lifestyles. Many witnessed their parents’ divorces, their involvement in substance abuse, the mismanagement of domestic monies, the destruction of familial relationships, the exploration of non-traditional family models, and generally divest their interest in child-rearing to preschools and daycare centers.
As a result, the message of trust Jesus and “all will be well” simply does not resonate. They have seen the messiness of humanity and want reasonable explanations from God as to the meaning and purpose of such childhoods. To me, this seems a fair request, and, sadly, our churches are struggling to create a platform for exploring the complexities of modernity.
All is not lost, perhaps. As there are people, there will always be a desire to understand fundamental questions of existence, purpose, meaning, pain, suffering, injustice, and so forth. What is needed are well-grounded individuals and teachers who have a proverbial finger on the pulse of the new societal norms present, and an ability to communicate truth, however uncomfortable, to those hungry to listen.
While the answers may be true to the Lifeway Research study, is it possible the wrong questions were asked? Everyone moves, changes, and encounters new leadership, but the eternal questions do not change. The questions have never changed.
Wrestle with these and the church will gain relevance with all audiences.
Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church in Kingman, AZ.
