29 March 2012 ~ 11 Comments

Is The Modern Church Losing a Generation?

Christian Life Leadership

Photocredit: Jonathan Pearson

For awhile now, I have noticed a trend in many churches. As the years go by, my generation is slowly fading away. High school and college kids no longer desire to be in church. I have personally talked with many people I know who are in this “lost” group. Some of the major reasons that they do not attend church relates to authenticity. It sad to say, but I do not see much authenticity in churches today. It seems to me like the same routine.

I read a post today from Jonathan Pearson that has encouraged me to write this. He wrote about why the church is losing this generation. I really encourage you to read his post.

In his post he mentions that this generation is:

  • Interested in spritual matters
  • Interested in working together
  • Interested in relationships
  • Interested in making an impact
  • Interested in helping others…

but we’re not interested in what the majority of churches are doing.

I really encourage you to check out his post here for all the other great things he has to say.

God does not desire a routine or a way in which things “have always been done”. He desires a real relationship. The reason many of these individuals are frustrated with church is because they do not see church as a place to grow and share with others. Instead, it is more of a place that everyone comes together to do the “usual” on Sunday’s and Wednesday’s. It is really sad. This generation is lost. Nothing is going to bring them back unless the church shows some authenticity. My generation is not looking and searching for the most awesome church programs. We are searching for authenticity.

This generation does not want to stand in church and sing hymns that superficially get us “through” the worship part of the service. This generation wants to encounter God.

Maybe if the “church” would reach out to this generation by stepping out of the normal “routines” of church to show what Jesus desires from us, this generation could make a turn around.

What do you think?

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  • http://loopyloo305.wordpress.com loopyloo305

    I wanted to let you know that I like your blog so I nominated you for the Very Inspired Blogger Award! You can pick it up by visiting My Blog at http://loopyloo305.com/2012/03/29/very-inspired-blogger-award/
    God bless!

    • http://bigb94.info Brandon

      Thank you! I appreciate it!

  • http://tcavey.blogspot.com/ TC Avey

    Great topic! I hope the word gets out there, we need to retain our youth!
    We must remember that the church is an organism not an organization. I think many churches have grown too corporate. we are the body of Christ, living- breath body that should grow and move!

    On a related note: I think this is why the Islamic religion is growing in popularity and in numbers. I’ve heard it projected that they are converting more people than Christianity and will overtake Christianity in a few decades. I’ve also heard a recent stat that says it is a major movement in our prison systems. I think people are looking for something to believe and those of the Islamic faith are disciplined, they believe in their God and they obey their God- unlike many Christians who act little different from the lost and dying world.

    People want something to believe- either we will give it to them or they will find it elsewhere.

    • http://bigb94.info Brandon

      I agree with you! The church is all of Christ’s followers orking together to accomplish God’s will. Unfortunately, many churches have become consumed by numbers or programs.

  • http://www.woodystonedotcom.wordpress.com Woody Stone

    Thanks Brandon. You have a great insight, and this is the major motivation behind everything I write. Great point.

  • http://tomraines.wordpress.com Tom Raines

    B, thank you for sharing from your generation’s standpoint…I agree and I think the current routines of the church are losing people from all generations. What can we as Jesus followers do to live the church as He intended it?? I am afraid the routine became the god somewhere along the way we lost the purpose of the generation….

    it was never about the the church the “church” was just a place for the generation to gather and share….not gather to be taught…what is next??

    • http://bigb94.info Brandon

      Definitely! What’s next is a great question!

  • http://sparksofreformation.wordpress.com Savannah

    Hi Brandon! I have two thoughts on this post–or rather, two questions.

    First is this: what exactly do you mean by “authenticity”? And then, what does “stepping outside the normal ‘routines’ of church” mean? (I go to a somewhat “abnormal” church, anyways, without any of the programs at all…but I’m not sure that just that is what you are referring to…)

    What is it that you–and our generation–are looking for from/in Christianity–and not finding? I would be very interested to know what you mean by “encountering God”–is one of the things that young people are looking for the standards (and, thus, the stability) that their grandparents threw away?

    For the Kingdom!
    Savannah

    P.S. What’s next? Revival and Reformation, God willing! The Spirit is already working in the Middle East, according to what I’ve heard….

    • http://bigb94.info Brandon

      Great questions!

      By authenticity, I am referring to transparency. It seems that church has become a place to be reserved. Instead, it should be a place people desire to come to worship God without any bounds. It seems that sometimes it is too formal…and unfortunately, that is what drives many people away from God. That is certainly not what God desires.

      The normal routines simply refer to what goes on in many churches today- it could be a variety of things. It could be the order of service, typical sunday school programs, etc. Instead, we as Christians, should step out of the normal routines to bring church to life. This is what Jesus would desire. He does not want church to be boring…because God is not boring. I often feel like there is an unhealthy respect for church. A good example of this would be prayer. God wants us to just talk to Him. He doesn’t want anything fancy or “churchy”. He wants a real, sincere communication. So often prayer time has just become a “thing to do” instead of a time to seek God.

      I believe that if some of these things are looked at in a different manner, the modern church will see positive changes.

      I hope this clears up some of the questions. If you have anymore or anything, feel free to comment again! I love discussion!

      Thanks again for stopping by!

      • http://sparksofreformation.wordpress.com Savannah

        Thanks!

        Though I personally like an element of formality in corporate worship–after all, when we gather with other believers on Sunday morning, we are there to worship the Sovereign of the universe–I think I know what you mean about the “bounds” that can be there if we think of our pilgrim walk in this world primarily in terms of church activities. This all reminds me of when Jesus spoke of the Pharisees thinking they would be heard for their long prayers. Yet, as you put so well, He taught us to pray explicitly, openly, freely to God as to our Father–and then go out and live like Christians–i.e. people redeemed by the blood of Christ from God’s just curse on sin–in every single thing that we do–every day of the week! So, in one respect, all of life involves worship…. We have an all-powerful Father in heaven who is Lord over all–so why do so many Christians not live like it??

        Is it this sort of transparency–being open with God and with one another about the realities of sin, suffering, and joy–that you are talking about? (Sorry if I am repeating a question–I just want to make sure I really understand you before I go away and quit bugging you about this topic :-) )

        At the same time, do you really think it is the litergy–or a weak message–that drives people away? I was just puzzling about that…because I would think it would be the weakness/uselessness of the message…anyways, thanks for responding to my questions!

        For the Kingdom!
        Savannah

        • http://bigb94.info Brandon

          Yes. That’s exactly what I am referring to. The transparency is important. You mentioned a good point about weak messages. I think this is another thing that drives people away. Individuals (especially this generation) does not want to hear cliche messages. They want to hear applicable messages that will bring them closer to God.

          You mentioned some great points. Thanks for sharing!