We Don't Care, Tithe, or Act Concerned

The latest buzz from the postmodern, millennial group in Baptist life is that “they don’t care about the conservative resurgence.” There is also a growing feeling that says, “They don’t care about the institutional church.” Perhaps a third reality is emerging saying, “I’m spiritual, but I’m not religious.” I realize these are generalizations but I’d be surprised if you disagree with them.

Fueled by a desire to ‘hang with the herd,’ these young adults refuse, reject, and rebuff denominational loyalty for fear of causing separation or marginalization. Words like “community,” “intentionality,” and “ecumenicism” are mentioned way before words like “doctrinal,” “controversy” or “resurgence.” And it appears that this is happening on both sides of the aisle.

Millennials cannot bear the thought of intentionally ostracizing a group. They tip their caps in appreciation to denominational bodies like CBF or SBC but do little to strengthen, to support, or to foster solidarity with them. In short, whether millennials appreciate the theology of a particular denomination or not, it is increasingly apparent that feelings of ennui are emerging.

Likewise, this inactivity is affecting the financial stability of denominations. Millennials don’t tithe. They’re finding alternative and creative forms of giving while rejecting traditional church offering. Both the CBF and the SBC are losing members, losing financial resources, losing missionaries, losing educational curriculum, and losing cultural relevance while organizations like Bread for the World, HisNets, or World Vision continue to sustain their annual budgets.

On a similar note, millennials are building foundational beliefs about faith and morality based on experiential truths as opposed to doctrinal or creedal statements. And this is happening outside of Sunday School. They are more likely to say that Jesus is the “fullest expression of God’s love . . . but not the only expression” just as much as they are likely to say, “I’m spiritual but don’t go to church.” In other words, one can find God in a Benedictine prayer ritual just as easily as a Muslim mosque or on top of a mountain. In short, organized religion is no longer the norm.

Since faith for millennials is less about doctrine or institutional fellowship and more about experiential learning, beliefs such as wholeness over segregation, love over hate, commonalities over discrepancies, activism over bitterness, shared story over division, and missional engagement over doctrinal supremacy become their heart’s cry. They carry a sense of optimism and are constantly on a quest towards wholeness.

In my opinion, millennials have a lot to offer the world. Their optimism, need for reconciliation, and attitude towards the sanctity of all life make them marketable. They are motivated, not offended. They care about creation, people, worldviews, religions, art, creativity, sexuality, and beauty.

But on the other hand, I’m weary of their effectiveness. If they aren’t mindful they will live in a world were liberal art colleges don’t exist, churches are boarded up or sold to the government, and missionaries are nothing more than a storied past. Giving up on financially supporting denominational bodies or larger institutions is a risky hope. It’s a hope that something new will emerge. But since this group doesn’t like division, corporate advancement, or institutions I wonder what could ever create enough momentum to have longevity?

I’m critical of this behavior because I'm a millennial. And in my opinion we don’t care, tithe, or act concerned about this reality. I guess we should. But we don't.