Churches today are attempting to reach out to the growing number of Generation Y adults. Common marketing studies use the birth years 1978-2000 to describe the generation (Ygen) that follows Generation X.
More than four out of five members of Ygen (Generation Y will be referred as Ygen from here on out) say they have attended church for at least two months during their teenage years. According to various studies, 61% of today’s young adults have been churched during their teen years but are no longer spiritually engaged. Only about 20% of twentysomethings still attend church on par with their active teen years. The Church has also failed to reach approximately one-fifth of the young adults in the United States. That’s a grand total of 81% of young adults in America that are spiritually disengaged. That’s astounding. In a few years, those born in 2000 (the ending year of Ygen) will be entering their teen years. Approximately 70 million Americans are considered Generation Y. If the trend continues that will equal about 56.7 million Americans that are going to be disengaged from the church. That’s also about 15% of the entire population of the United States.
What gives?
Imperfection. Whether church leaders want to admit it or not, we all screw up a lot and we know it. Although I have no statistics to prove it, I strongly believe that Myspace, Facebook and other forms of networking have a lot to do with Ygen’s odd capacity to accept imperfection. It’s easier to connect with people and have many more conversations. It’s also a lot easier to get caught messing up. However, instead of hiding, Ygen has grown more accepting of the imperfections. It’s somewhat of a “Whoa, you too?!” moment when a Christian college student realizes another one struggles with the same thing. I don’t think we are so much stating that sin is acceptable for people as we are stating that people sin.
Wax dolls. This point is somewhat of a continuation of the above subject. I’m not sure about everyone else, but it’s a lot easier for me to connect to someone who is flawed. I’m flawed, but I try to do better. Someone else is flawed, but is trying to do better. Together we are stronger, but it’s also a connection and an understanding. Maybe it’s a sociological thing. It’s comforting to know that you aren’t the only one that screws up. The problem a lot of college students and young adults run in to in church is that a lot of congregations seem to have been stolen from a wax museum and placed in their pews each Sunday and Wednesday. It’s almost like reading over the Jedi Code is a requirement before attending church:
There is no emotion; there is peace.
There is no ignorance; there is knowledge.
There is no passion; there is serenity.
There is no death; there is the Force.
It’s kind of frightening to see it that way, simply because it’s very close to how many people view the church. People in church only get mad and fall to the “Dark Side” when something goes against their doctrine or theology…not when there are hurting, crying, dying people in the world. People in church like to pretend they know everything and have all the answers and if you don’t know the answers…well. “But there’s passion about Jesus in the church!” you say? If I hear “Amazing Grace” sung one more time in a monotone voice, I will begin wearing earmuffs to church despite the warm weather. Death is scary. People like say cliche things like “Well, your loved one is with God now.” and expect you to just get over it and go back to being a wax doll. That’s pretty hard to accept from an institution that is supposed to love.
Judgment. I can’t count the times someone has commented, in a rather dry tone, about the need for me to purchase new pants. “Actually,” I joyfully respond, “I purchased them this way just for church. They’re holey jeans.” I suppose one gets used to it after a certain amount of time around those of a higher Christian caliber. However, if I were a first time attendee of church I might be forced to land a right hook to someone’s face. Tattoos, earrings, and other such “frowned upon” styles are a lot more prevalent among today’s youth and young adults. It’s not a social stigma and I’m yet to come across a convincing argument about why someone can’t be a Christian and have an earring. I have heard a lot of convincing arguments about why PDT (Public Display of Tithe) should be banned, though.