A recent study from Pew Research Center of 18-to-29-year-olds has shed light on a spiritual generation that is seeking connection to the unseen. While 54 percent of those surveyed reported that they never attend religious services of any kind, and only 21 percent indicated that they only attend a service once or twice a year. This group has rejected the more traditional expression of faith that happens in a church, but they have not rejected the reality that we are spiritual beings with souls that have an eternal destination.
In this same study, more than 70 percent of those born between 2000 and 2006 noted that they believed there was more to this life than what we can see with our eyes. Even a larger percentage stated they believe that people have souls, 76 percent believe in a sort of God or universal spirit, and 60 percent shared they felt the presence of something unexplainable many times over the course of a year.
This younger demographic is searching. They are willing to connect with the spiritual world through a variety of means and often all at once. A singular cohesive spiritual narrative is not what they are hoping for, they are searching for an encounter with the divine. Nature, crystals, paganism, mind-body wellness focused spirituality, and so much more are all a part of this eclectic spiritual journey that many 20-somethings are taking. They have given up on organized religion in favor of a-la-carte much more individualistic spiritual identity. Their hearts are open to anything that will bring meaning to this temporal existence.
In this same study, we see that those 65 and older make up the vast majority of the more traditionally religious crowd. Seventy-eight percent of this demographic reported to be Christians and that religion is important to them. They make up the majority of the American church. This group is keeping the percentages of those in America that identify as Christians stable. It is predicted that as they pass on, the numbers of those in church will decline quickly as the generations coming up are avoiding anything that feels like traditional Christianity. But hope is not lost!
As we investigate this trend of those in the younger demographic abandoning the church, we do not see a rising group of atheistic individuals growing in our country as many may have falsely prophesied. What exists is a generation that is open to encountering the supernatural. This could explain why in recent times we have seen a wave of revival moments across the country at a variety of colleges and universities. When this seeking generation finds the One-True-God, they are not hesitant to dive right in, following God’s Spirit’s lead towards a relationship with Jesus.
What Is the Difference between Being Spiritual and Religious?
Those who we would classify as religious are those actively engaged in organized religious activities, attend church regularly, and would self-identify as being a part of a particular religious group or denomination. Traditional practices, gathering in a faith community, and allegiances to organized religion are valued in this group of people. In America, 62% of the population identify themselves as Christian, and 23% of this group are Protestant Christians.
Spirituality is gaining in popularity in those who identify as the religious ‘nones’ in our country. When surveyed this group reported that they believe in God or another higher power but do not attend religious services. They believe religion does some harm but can also be beneficial. Generally they are not anti-religious. This group sees that science cannot explain everything, but tends to align with science more than the religious do. Those that are spiritual in this non-group believe in animals, human spiritual energies, and find connection to the higher power through nature.
What Do the Spiritual and Religious Have in Common?
The more recent Pew Study found that this new spirituality that is more common in the younger generation while eclectic does share some similarities with those who identify as Christians. This group prayers and sees value in prayer. Many of them believe we have souls that have an eternal destination. It is reported that they find deep wonder in creation.
This commonality offers us a bridge to connect our knowledge of Jesus as our one and only way to Heaven with this open but less conventional generation. Prayer is an easy point that these groups can connect on. If we believe we can converse with the Creator, this is a great starting point for spiritually focused conversations. When Jesus becomes a part of this spirituality then true peace, transformation, and joy can begin to ignite the hearts of the young and wandering.
God Is Desiring to Reach All Those Who Are Seeking
1 Timothy 2:4 reminds, “who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” It seems that those who are growing up and into adulthood may have to be reached outside of the walls that traditionally make up the church. They are looking for the Divine in places that God says he can be found. Romans 1:10 says, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.”
God can be discovered when we take time to behold his beauty in creation. When through meditation we calm our minds and bodies to open them to what he has to say to us. God wants to be found.
The Pew research is important to those who have a heart to share the gospel because it tells us that the people we rub shoulders with daily, that we may see as “unchurched,” likely have more in common with us than we would have imagined. It is at the gym, coffeehouse, in our workplaces, on those hikes, and more than we have the opportunity to point those who are open to spirituality to Jesus. If we wait for our kids, grandkids, neighbors, and more to come to church with us for them to hear about Jesus, they may never make it through those doors.
Their distrust, hurt, and disengagement with the institute of religion often will stop them from moving closer to God. But a heartfelt shared prayer, a note of true encouragement, a generous act of love, and even an encounter with the Holy Spirit can transform their view of who God is and what he wants for their lives. They are looking for the real deal, for an encounter with God, and for the people around them to genuinely live what they believe. You, not the church, are the best testimony and witness to those in our lives that are searching for Truth.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ABEL MARQUEZ
