Research is a very complex discipline, but a very necessary one. Recently, two studies became available that I’d like to point you to. They both have to do with “Millennials,” which is a nice way of talking about this new generation of kids who are 14-26 (roughly) right now. This is the age that is growing up without knowing what a rotary phone is and has trouble understanding life without the microwave.

The first study was done by USA Today and LifeWay research and targeted the generation in regards to faith and religion. The study is extensive and is worth reading. The research brought the president of the LifeWay to say this:

“We have dumbed down what it means to be part of the church so much that it means almost nothing, even to people who already say they are part of the church.”

He said this as a reaction to this data that they uncovered: Most Millennials (65%) don’t pray with other people, don’t read their Bible/Sacred text (67%) and don’t go to any type of worship service (65%). BUT 65% of all of them claim to be a Christian.

The other study I wanted to point out was done by the Universtiy of Maryland and targeted college and high school students’ relationship with technology. The researchers asked the students to give up all technology for 24 hours: no TV, no computer, no cell phones, no social media or MP3 players. They found that “without digital ties, students feel unconnected even to those close by.”

I do not post this to scare any of you, student or parent. I post this because I believe it is important for us as Christian people to have an accurate picture of the world we live in, to understand it as best we can. So often we can hear these statistics, throw our arms up in the air, and say, “I give up!” But this is not depressing to me, rather it is somewhat encouraging because I now know a little bit more about the context God has placed me in.

The Apostle Paul went in to most cities discouraged by the idols so blatantly worshiped by the citizens. But this did not cause him to give up, instead in his knowledge of the reality of the city he was able to preach best into it.

Do not demonize technology or critique everyone’s faith. Rather, understand that through this research we know that we are communicating differently and that just saying you’re a Christian doesn’t really make you a Christian. With this understanding, let’s love our neighbors fully (and not just online), preach the good news to all, and strive to know God better than anything else.