Here is an interesting review of David Kinnaman’s You Lost Me, featured in The Englewood Review of Books and written by Josh Wallace (a personal friend) about the reasons American youths are leaving the church in their 20s. Of particular interest to us at Relief, I think, are the categories of the Nomad and Exile – people, in the former case, who wander away from Christianity without really abandoning spirituality, or, in the latter, who do not feel at home within the church. I would like to think that Relief appeals to these folks as a place where faith is still vital to real-life experience.
You Lost Me – Millenials and the Church
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It’s a good review, and the book looks intriguing. I converted from rock-and-roll, seeker-sensitive evangelicalism to the liturgical intensity and mystery of Greek Orthodoxy, under the idealistic and innocent assumption that my four Millennial kids would be as sucked into the Eastern Church’s vortex as I was. Now in their late teens and early 20′s, two love the Church, and two are currently uninterested: “The Church doesn’t apply to my everyday life.” “God is bigger than how He’s presented in church.” So, people can be wounded and disillusioned within any tradition, and part of Christian humility is being willing to listen to and learn from those who have been disillusioned.
I love Relief for this, and do believe this and a few other publications like it are providing a much-needed break from the squeaky-clean and tidy versions of the Christian life too often presented in both Christian fiction and nonfiction, that clearly haven’t met the needs of many. Then too, we have an unseen enemy, who encourages doubt and separation from the Church, and capitalizes on its many imperfections. We don’t factor him in enough; this IS a battle ground.