The Modern Church – A Pretty Picture?

The director of LifeWay Research is encouraged by the 15% of ‘Millennials’ that appear to be deeply committed Christian believers. That may be interesting data. But what about the rest?

Cathy Lynn Grossman of USA TODAY says of the other “72%" that they are just more spiritual than religious. Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources sites that a new research file reveals that most young adults today don't pray, don't worship and don't read the Bible. They just claim to be ‘more spiritual than religious.’ It’s not fully clear what that all means, but it does reveal that many of these self-proclaimed Christians are either mushy in their beliefs or Christians in name only. Rainer says, "Most are just indifferent. The more precisely you try to measure their Christianity, the fewer you find committed to the faith.” He also states that “If this trend continues, the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships.”

His findings and fears were also confirmed by the answers from a phone survey in August.*65% rarely or never pray with others.*38% almost never pray by themselves either.*65% rarely or never attend worship services.*67% don't read the Bible or sacred texts.*Many are unsure Jesus is the only path to heaven: Half say yes and the other half say no!

These findings parallel a 2007 study of teens and young people in February by the Pew Forum On Religion & Public Life. The statistics were equally troubling showing that young adults are dropping out of church at an alarming rate. This age group claims to believe in Christ and that they will probably go to heaven. But over 2/3 never mentioned faith, religion or spirituality when asked what was really important in life. Half do not attend church even once weekly. Then too, 36% rarely, or never, read the Bible. Also, a shocking 60% stated that it is not their responsibility to share the views of their faith with others.

Then on top of these disappointing statistics, a recent LifeWay study reported, “Seven in ten Protestants ages 18 to 30, who went to church regularly in high school, said they quit attending at all by age 23. The organization also learned that 34% of this group had not returned, even sporadically, by age 30.”

It is true that entrance to heaven comes through faith in Jesus Christ alone. (Ephesians 2:8-9) But it is equally is true that the local church, as an organization, was instituted by God for the good and grounding of His own people. When someone is called out of the world by faith, they are immediately called into finding a local church where then can serve and expand the knowledge of their fragile new faith. That concept is stated clearly in Hebrews 10:24-25. The author writes, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” It is hard to love, help, motivate, or stir up people that you barely know or rarely see.

The churches addressed in New Testament times were always in various physical locations attended by the specific people there. An example would be Paul’s mentioning of such a church in Romans 16:5. He wrote, “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house.”

Again, attending a local church has never been the requirement for salvation. Forgiveness of sin is all about personal faith and trust in Christ. (John 3:16) But the local church is the instrument of God design and meant to help believers grow, worship, serve, and share their faith with others. Colossians chapter three puts it this way. “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." (Colossians 3:15-16)

Scripture also gives very specific qualifications for those who would be leaders in a local body of believers. (1Timothy 3:1-7) In addition, the Bible describes repeatedly the variety of spiritual gifts given to Christians that are to be used effectively in the context of a local church setting. To not attend, or to not use a God-given gift, is to negatively impact a local church ministry and leave a gap there that others must then try to fill. This too is serious business in God's mind.

Whether one labels himself as ‘spiritual’ or ‘religious’ it is fully meaningless if one is ‘Christ-less’. According to 1 John 5:11-12 it is all about, and only about, personally knowing Jesus Christ. “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” That is not at all unclear and should not take some great level of theological knowledge to grasp.

And when someone is in God’s family by faith, then regular communion with Him in the form of prayer, becomes highly significant as 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 reminds. ”Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

It is true that when someone is a new believer it is extremely difficult to become more 'spiritual or religious' without fellowshipping with and serving others of the faith and spending adequate quality time in God’s word. The importance of knowing the Scriptures well cannot be understated. In John 14:23 Jesus said, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. And in John 17:17-18 He declared, "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” You cannot be sanctified by, or even impacted by, what you do not value enough to learn anything about! Perhaps the best description of the purpose and power of Biblical truth is stated in the second letter to Timothy. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

America is in a serious spiritual decline and one that will surely strip the nation of her greatness in every imaginable area unless a serious revival occurs. And a revival in America will require the same precise thing as it would for any nation that has lost sight of God’s goodness and His saving grace. It is a principle often read, talked about, and preached on - but rarely really acted upon. If that was not true, then most things would be vastly better and the nation's decline not as sudden nor so very serious.

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:13-14)

Bill Breckenridge