The Millennium Crunch

No, it’s not a new candy bar or ice cream flavor.  It’s the startling new attitude that we are facing in the “Millennium” generation of students rising today.  The Pew Research Center recently released a large survey about this generation entitled “Millennials, Confident, Connected, Open to Change.” [About PRC: a nonpartisan “fact tank” that provides information on the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It does so by conducting public opinion polling and social science research, by analyzing news coverage, and by holding forums and briefings. It does not take positions on policy issues.]  For the purposes of this article, we will not look at everything in this survey but focus on the religious aspect in applications to what I would like to call the “Millennial Attitude” and the urgency to which our spiritual leaders must address this issue.  It’s Millennial Crunch time!

In the pages of the survey, they set out to compare the values, attitudes and behaviors of Millennials with those of today’s older adults. And, to the extent that they could, also compare them with older adults back when they were the age that Millennials are now.  It’s too easy because most readers don’t need a team of researchers to tell them that the typical 20-year-old, 45-year-old and 70-year-old are likely to be different from one another. People already know that.  It’s too difficult because, try as we might, we know we can never completely disentangle the multiple reasons that generations differ. At any given moment in time, age group differences can be the result of three overlapping processes: 1) Life cycle effects. Young people may be different from older people today, but they may well become more like them tomorrow, once they themselves age. 2) Period effects. Major events (wars; social movements; economic downturns; medical, scientific or technological breakthroughs) affect all age  groups simultaneously, but the degree of impact may differ according to where people are located in the life cycle. 3) Cohort effects. Period events and trends often leave a particularly deep impression on young adults because they are still developing their core values; these imprints stay with them as they move through their life cycle. ¹

The new generation of teens, and twenty somethings, who are speeding their way into the new millennium are more ethnically and racially diverse than their predecessors.  Typically, you will find them to be confident, self-expressive, open to change, and positive.  On the one hand, this is surprising given the economic & world turmoil into which they have been released.  On the other hand, this information is not so surprising because previous generations became closed off when faced with similar circumstances.  With the “Global” views of today and the advent of social media attitudes, times are changing.  This generation finds itself to most likely be the highest educated generation in American history, with the highest number who have served in the military, and who have radically reduced desires for religion.

This generation overwhelmingly embraces social media and rarely can be found without their personal PDA which is relied upon and almost viewed as a 5^th appendage.  This has spawned self expression on almost limitless levels.  Blogs, social sites, pages, tweets, flicker, text messaging, and more are used to the point that email is no longer considered main stream.  The Millennial Generation desires user friendly, instant information, and instant action.  Therefore, if information is not delivered in this manner, it will most likely be overlooked.

The Millennial Generation (MG) are increasingly less affiliated with a specific faith.  When compared to past generations at the same age, fewer are involved, attend, or claim a specific religion or faith.  “Fully one-in-four members of the millennial generation are unaffiliated with any particular faith.” ²  Of the MG'ers who do believe they maintain the tradition of their parents "and" grandparents in terms of life after death, God, heaven, and hell, the survey indicated that the pray less often.   On the other end of the spectrum, they are much more open socially and politically.  This would tend to indicate to the author that while MG’s hold many of the same spiritual values or traditions, these views do not necessarily have a great influence over their social or political decisions.  Though they may acknowledge religious practice or theology, they may not apply them effectively.  This is indicated by a greater acceptance of homosexuality, “Hollywood” values, evolution, and the Government- set morality standards. 

“Compared with their elders today, young people are much less likely to affiliate with any religious tradition or to identify themselves as part of a Christian denomination. Fully one-in-four adults under age 30 (25%) are unaffiliated, describing their religion as “atheist,” “agnostic” or “nothing in particular.” This compares with less than one-fifth of people in their 30s (19%), 15% of those in their 40s, 14% of those in their 50s and 10% or less among those 60 and older. About two-thirds of young people (68%) say they are members of a Christian denomination and 43% describe themselves as Protestants, compared with 81% of adults ages 30 and older who associate with Christian faiths and 53% who

are Protestants.” ³

Revealing statistics:

• 25% of people under age 30 classify themselves as atheist, agnostic, or nothing in particular
• 68% of MG’s claim to be members of a faith denomination
• 18% of MG’s say they were raised in religion but are now unaffiliated
• 42% of MG’s subscribe to a Christian Protestant or Catholic faith following
• 18% of MG’s say they attend a worship service at least once a week.
• 45% of MG’s say that religion is very important to their lives

While some of these statistics differ slightly among the MG’ers to the previous Gen X’ers the trend remains the same.  From generation to generation, God, Christ, and religion are becoming less valuable to our lives.  The statistics above are alarming.  The most alarming to the author is that only 42% claim a Catholic/Protestant Christian faith.  While we may initially take comfort and say that 68% are affiliated we must realize there are faiths other than Christianity and many are classified as Christian by followers, i.e. Mormon, Jehovah’s Witness, Orthodox, etc.

We must begin to develop strategies that MG’ers can and will identify with and that will cause them to apply what they receive in Christ to their daily living.  It is becoming increasingly alarming and revealing through life allowances, tolerances, lack of personal judgment, and refusal to draw lines, that while MG’ers may take part in occasional religious practice it is not necessarily pouring over into their daily living.  This is a statistic that is revealed when it is noted that only 45% of MG’ers say that religion is important to their lives but only 18% attend services regularly.  Both numbers are alarmingly low, but when only 18% of the whole is compared to the 45%, it is apparent that life application is sorely lacking.

At a glance it would appear that the MG’s see the global view and acceptance of the day and are gobbling it up like candy.  To fix the problem, it will take a total overhaul and change.  not the kind of change that is being held up today.  Rather, it is the opinion of this author that this trend will continue, provided ministerial leaders of various denominations cannot come to some type of universal agreement and strategy to create a unified front.  We need a multi-denominational pledge of unity, strategy, and application to develop a real working evangelistic movement to save this nation one person at a time.  I dream of a day when we see a real ministry summit to target this very idea and begin to go to work and create this unity.  Sadly, far too often pride and ego will not be set aside long enough to allow something of this nature to take place.  It’s not too late.  There is hope, but it will take the working hands of the most influential people in ministry today --or will it?  Quite frankly, it should start right in your own home town.  Honestly, we don’t need another program or campaign.  Though it would be wonderful to generate funding on a national basis and simply campaign for Christ, we can influence a culture by influencing individuals who transform cities, then states, then nations.  I encourage you to find a way today to unify your spiritual community and begin to transform your city.  Join me in prayer to see this happen before the next generation climbs even further into the abyss of sin and despair. 

II Chronicles 7:14 “if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land.” nkj

The author Bryan Taunton is Executive Director of FootWash Ministries and is available for speaking upon request.

Serving Christ by serving You……..

The author recognizes these contributions:

¹This portion is partially excerpted from the preface of Pew Research Center report series that looks at the values, attitudes and experiences of America’s next generation: the Millennials.  Find out how today’s teens and twenty-somethings are reshaping the nation at:

www.pewresearch.org/millennials.

²Direct quote taken from ch. 9 pg 92 pr 1 pewresearch.or/millennials

³Direct quote taken from ch. 9 pg 93 pr 3 pewresearch.or/millennials