Everybody listens to someone. As parents, we teach our children to
listen and comply with what we tell them. As employees, we follow the
guidance of those in authority over us.
However, as ministry leaders, we may wonder from whom we should take
our instruction. Our theology tells us to look to God, but can we also
find any insight listening to people outside the Church?
In our latest LifeWay Research book, Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them
(B&H), we studied young adults' views of religion, spirituality and
the Church. We used those findings to provide instruction and examples
of how best to connect this generation to God and church.
As good as research can be, some question the idea of doing this type of
analysis, saying we're surveying the wrong crowd. Let's agree on this:
God, through His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, is the
unequivocal authority on ministry and church. But the next questions
are: "Do the beliefs of the unchurched really have value? Should their
ideas and perspectives inform our evangelistic strategy?" Here is my
answer to both: YES.
A Hopeful Response
I believe that God is honored when we listen to the longings of the
unchurched because it is mercy and mission that compel us to listen. We
pay attention to the longings of the lost because we care for them
(mercy) and desire to make the Gospel known to them as clearly as
possible (mission). Knowing the people we hope to reach allows us to
better address their concerns, articulate the truth and apply the
Gospel.
Some believe this generation is disinterested in the things of God
and thus, demand the Church alter its beliefs and mission. Our research
indicates quite the opposite.
A Spiritual Generation
Spiritual interest is high among the younger generation. Although
being spiritual does not always equate with being religious, only 18
percent said they were neither spiritual nor religious.
A majority (81 percent) of younger unchurched adults in America
believe that God or a higher supreme being exists. Research also shows,
that the theological beliefs of unchurched people in their 20s are
closer to historic Christianity than the beliefs of older unchurched
generations.
Young adults certainly are more interested in Christianity than many
think. Almost 90 per- cent of the unchurched in their 20s would be
willing to listen
if someone wanted to tell them about Christianity. Three out of 5 would be willing to study the Bible if a friend asked them.
Asking the Church to Be the Church
Our data showed that the younger unchurched see Christianity as
relevant and viable, but more about organized religion than loving God
and people. They believe the Church is full of hypocrites and is
unnecessary for spiritual development.
However, much of what they are looking for can be found in God and
His Church. Our churches should be embodying authentic community, a life
of depth, a responsibility to serve others and the desire to connect
with other generations. Our research revealed these are the very things
that the younger unchurched deemed important.
The younger unchurched don't need us to re-create our message to
accommodate their needs. Rather, what they are often seeking is what we
need to be doing for the Church to actually be the Church.
Ed Stetzer is president of LifeWay Research (LifeWayResearch.com) and co-author (with Richie Stanley and Jason Hayes) of Lost and Found: The Younger Unchurched and the Churches That Reach Them (B&H). You'll find Ed's research blog at OutreachMagazine.com.
