By Robert Cocheu
The Church–the global Church that is charged with spreading the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ–is in trouble. For the first time in American history, the number of so-called “Nones,” those who describe themselves as having no religious affiliation, are larger than those who claim faith in Christ. This is exacerbated by generational differences.
Conventional age demographics divides U.S. adults into five major generations. These are:
· Traditionalists, roughly aged 75 and above, born between 1930 and 1945 (in major decline)
· Baby Boomers – 56-74, born between 1946 and 1964 (approximately 73 million)
· Generation X – 40-55, born between 1965 and 1980 (approximately 65 million)
· Millennials – 26-40, born between 1981 and 1994 (approximately 78 million)
· Generation Z – 25 and under, born 1995 and later (approximately 84 million)
Obviously, the Traditionalists are declining and Generation Z is just now coming into adulthood. Of the groups in the middle, Boomers are in decline as far as cultural influence goes and Gen X is wildly outnumbered by the Millennials and Gen Z — 65 million to 162 million. With that in mind, the Biblical Recorder Website provides some disturbing data:
· 17% of Generation Z and 21% of Millennials describe themselves as practicing Christians.
· 47% of Generation Z and 45% of Millennials describe themselves as non-practicing Christians.
What does this mean? If you look at the size of the last three generations, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, there is a significant portion of the population, the part that is on the upswing in power and cultural significance, for whom Christian faith holds little meaning or influence. In addition to this data there has recently risen a group sometimes referred to as the #Exvangelicals. They have pointed out, rightly so in some cases, that there is a segment of American Evangelical Christianity that has damaged people emotionally and psychologically. They are leaving the church, loudly, and encouraging others to leave as well.
What does it mean for the church if it loses its influence over culture? How are we to engage in a culture that doesn’t recognize the importance of faith? What does this mean for the church and from the Man Up perspective, men of faith?
Scripture calls us to engage the culture. One of the verses we often discuss is Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” When considering the data above, how do we that?
In our next two podcasts we are going to be looking at the Future of the Church. Given our different backgrounds, I expect each of us to have different perspectives. On Podcast 223, coming on Tuesday, Sept. 28, we will talk about that future in view of the culture. I’ll post a new blog the day before (Monday, Sept. 27) to set up the topic. The following week, on Podcast 224, we will discuss that future in view of theology, doctrine, church liturgy and polity. Again, a blog post on Oct. 4 will set up the topic.
We encourage our readers to review these posts and listen in. We expect an exciting, engaging discussion as we examine how today’s men of faith, with Christ’s guidance, should be building tomorrow’s church.
