Thursday, August 16, 2012

Why We Don't Go To Church

What's Up:
More than any other group, Millennials (those born after 1982) are not participating in religious organizations: we’re not attending church services and not praying regularly. Does this mean we’re a generation of ruined heathens? No.

By studying statistics and conducting interviews I have found that millennials are goal-oriented – we identify short and long-term goals, then attempt to achieve them. But, for a variety of reasons, Religion doesn’t serve our goals like it did for previous generations. We have been quick to replace it and move on without loss.
The Point:
The goal of this blog has been to re-imagine faith and religious experience in the 21st century, looking forward with the help of statistics, interviews, and current events. I've solidified a few points:

1) Discard the strict hierarchy, insofar as it prevents some from full community.
2) Discard our nostalgia so that we are free to evolve as a group.
3) Discard the judgment that often precedes empathy, comfort, and loving relationships, which are the cornerstones of community.

1) Preserve a sense of ritual, remember to recognize the specialness (sacredness) of particular events in our lives so that we can share that specialness together.
2) Preserve serious study and expertise in theology, including sacred texts. This also means the recognition and promotion of leaders to inspire and guide communities.
3) Preserve prayer, both public and private, because communication is the hallmark of the 21st century, and we can do it together.


I hope you can download my manifesto:
It's called "Why We Don't Go To Church." I have summarized why millennials are not that interested in religious organizations, and what millennials and religious organizations should do about it.

If you like it let me know! I'm producing a book-length version that would include all sorts of fancy statistics and charts, biblical references, and theological citations.




1 comment:

  1. Wow, impressive depth for a manifesto. Appreciate the humanity of your personal stories as well.

    I'm curious though, the millennial cosmology section seems to hint at an argument for why churches can still matter, and then stops short of convincing me.

    Would the ideal church for the millennial just do away with the whole pesky question of god all together?

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