Is Christianity in America in Decline?

The following observations provide an underpinning for why Oakhaven’s mission regarding young adults is such a passion for us. You are welcome to join in on the conversation. This blog is intended to be a dialogue. Leave a comment, voice an opinion, rant, rave or react…..just keep it respectful. – Gary C

Christianity in America is in decline.

Many main line denominations are witnessing a decline in membership. Congregations are graying and fading ever so slowly but ever so certainly. This phenomenon is being evidenced in main line denominations, evangelicals, liturgical and fundamentalist groups. Within my own fellowship of the Churches of Christ/Christian Churches, recent studies indicate our membership as having plateaued about 1980. Click here to see a recent article offering this and additional insights and observations.

So, what is happening?

Young adults/young professionals are not engaging Christianity in the same way as did previous generations. Surveys indicate a desire to address spiritual concerns but Church seems to have little appeal. An element of one of George Barna’s recent research projects underscores the need for Christians to be alert to what is going on around them.

He observes:

As young adults, teenagers and adolescents have become accustomed to radical individualism, they have introduced such thinking and behavior into the faith realm, as well. Faith is an acceptable attribute and pursuit among most young people. However, their notions of faith do not align with conventional religious perspectives or behavior. For instance, young people are still likely to claim the label "Christian," but the definition of that term has been broadened beyond traditional parameters.

In fact, the values that young people are prone to embrace are often consistent with Christian beliefs but are not based on biblical foundations. For instance, while young Americans have adopted values such as goodness, kindness and tolerance, they remain skeptical of the Bible, church traditions, and rules or behaviors based upon religious teaching.

If you are interested in more, read Barna’s full article regarding “Four Mega-Themes in Recent Research

As I see it, we can wring our hands and bite our nails but that won’t help. We can refuse to adapt our methods and we will disengage a generation, who, surprisingly enough, are actually open to spiritual development.

We can jettison our theology in an attempt to be popular but this will lead to a jaundiced spirituality. Or we can seek to engage people where they are and provide them time, space and pace which allows for growth. Those of us who are “old hands” at this church thing, can learn from those who understand this post modern age better than we. Those of us forty years of age and older need to realize that our younger counterparts are inviting us to be a part of the conversation. Most twenty something’s I have spoken with over the last few months are impressively authentic and purposeful. They are seeking a life that has meaning and is not just a lifestyle to be articulated but one to be experienced.

I believe there is a world waiting, not so much to hear the gospel, but they are waiting to witness it. They are skeptical of Christendom which is too long on sermons and deficient in service. Perhaps this is a result of the hatchet job the media has done on Christianity in recent years. Whether there is truth to the perception or not, if it is being perceived, it is being believed. We won’t change it by more rhetoric, we will see it change only with authentic lives centered on Jesus.

A final word by Barna is both instructive and hopeful:

"It is a well-established fact that our society is continually re-inventing itself. The outcome of such innovation and change, however, is largely dependent on the guidance provided by cultural leaders," Barna noted. "It is the core function of a leader to help people apply their creative ideas and energy to reinvigorating society in alignment with a positive and preferable vision of the future. Without a shaping influence that produces a common good, we devolve into anarchy.

"Each of us has an obligation to do what is best not just for ourselves but for others in the world, too," Barna cautioned. "Our society is running the risk of becoming so independent and self-absorbed that we will abandon our responsibility to society and to making the world a better place. 2008 will be an important year as America chooses future political leaders, pursues new spiritual forms, and shapes critical social policies. The choices will greatly influence the character of America for years to come. Hopefully, Americans will choose to apply their levels of personal influence in ways that generate social good, not just personal security and satisfaction. Identifying what each of us can do to avoid radical self-interest in favor of a more compassionate and collaborative society should find a place on everyone’s list of New Year’s resolutions."