Reality Check
What a new generation really thinks
about Christianity
… and why it matters
Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com
Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com
PowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality
Sheltered
16-29 year olds
Unfavorable Image
Outsiders
Churchgoers
Boring
68%
27%
Old-fashioned
78%
36%
Out of touch with reality
72%
32%
Insensitive to others
70%
29%
Not accepting of other faiths
64%
39%
• Current perception
– Christians are boring, un-intelligent, old-fashioned and
out of touch with reality
• Goal perception
– Christians are engaged, informed and offer
sophisticated responses to the issues people face
Culturally relevant
• Sheltered individuals are disconnected from the culture
they are attempting to influence
• Of all the perceptions we’ve talked about, we feel this
is the one which has historically impacted our
congregation the most
– As perceptions go, the Church of Christ starts off down in
the count here
– We have seen, and continue to see, the departure of
young families & young leaders
• We contend that, to continue to have impact, Cordova
must address some of the perceptions we’ll talk about
today
Sheltered
16-29 year olds
Unfavorable Image
Outsiders
Churchgoers
Boring
68%
27%
Old-fashioned
78%
36%
Out of touch with reality
72%
32%
Insensitive to others
70%
29%
Not accepting of other faiths
64%
39%
• Our church, like all churches, must be cognizant
of the fractured sub-cultures which define the
modern mission field
• Our reach needs to touch a broad spectrum –
from the intellectual elite to the overlooked
– We must empower culturally relevant leadership
Empowering the next generation
We have an image problem
• A sinking ship unaware of its fate
• A powerful amplifier with poor wiring & weak
speakers
• A pack of cats looking like they are thinking
deeply when in fact they are just waiting for
their next meal
• An ostrich with its head in the sand
• A hobby that diverts people’s attention
Re-branding Christianity
• Like it or not we have been branded
– McDonalds, Apple, Starbucks, Disney, Pepsi
• Christians have been simplified to something that
can be used or consumed
– Christianity is not seen as a product that can
transform this world
– Christianity is not seen as something desirable or
needed
• Young leaders are our key players in this mission
Why this perception?
• Christians are out of tune with real-world choices,
challenges, and lifestyles outsiders face
– 80% of outsiders do not believe that an active faith
helps people live a better life
– Outsiders see Christianity & the Bible as behind the
times and not relevant to today’s society
• Faith reduced to attendance & not sinning
– We’ve separated ourselves from the spiritual realm
– Outsiders’ experiences with Christians do not
translate to an experience with a living God
– Christian faith seems dull, flat, and lifeless
Why this perception?
• Christians are not willing to think
– We stifle curiosity, encouraging brain-dead
followers
– Christians are unwilling to face doubts & questions
• Christians live in a bubble
– We surround ourselves with other Christians & are
not interested in trying to understand outsiders
– We are part of a club and you’re either “in” or
“out”
A faith that doesn’t make sense
• The young thrive on unexpected experiences & enjoy
searching for new sources of input; willing to try
almost anything
• They grew up as one of the most “protected”
generations & enjoy defying the “safe life”
• They resist simple answers, favor mystery, and are OK
with ambiguity
• They enjoy spending time with those who believe
differently, as a way to push & expand their opinions
• A faith that is not willing to address thorny issues is not
useful or attractive
A painful contrast
• The fact that Christianity does offer so much
makes this perception hurt even more
– Christianity does offer a sophisticated, livable
response to the nature of the world
– Christianity does offer a fulfilling, contextualized life
• Outsiders don’t see Christian contributions
pushing culture forward through arts, literature,
science, social justice, music, government, etc.
– We are not meeting cultural expectations
The “good old days” are gone
• Today’s youth do not lead what we’d consider
to be “conventional” lifestyles
– But they have no less needs; perhaps even greater
• The cultural environment has changed more
than we can comprehend
– Responding with, “Every generation faces this
gap; we toughed-it out & you should too,” doesn’t
acknowledge the scope of this shift
– Businesses are adapting & changing; schools are,
our government is. The church must also.
The Buster & Mosaic normal
• Non-traditional family structure (1:20 vs. 1:3)
• Sex: earlier, more partners, marriage not
required, widespread divorce
• More frequently use drugs, alcohol, profanity
• More feel lonely, unfulfilled, & stressed-out
• Desperation & suicide more prevalent
Next week
• Special-guest speaker & Judgmental
• Feedback & resources
– Kevin Bowman, kevinb@cordovachurch.com
– Dave Davis, daved@cordovachurch.com
– PowerPoint download, www.cordovachurch.com/reality