The religious beliefs of Millennials are certainly different than the generations that came before them. We know that Many Millennials are leaving the church. As Millennials pull out of the church, will Megachurches falter, or will they alone stand after the Millennial Exodus?
Skye Jethani discusses how Millennials distrust large institutions, and how their beliefs will cause the fall of megachurches. (We actually attended the same seminary around the same time!)
Skye predicts that megachurches will not feel the affect due to the strength and support of Babyboomers, but as they age – the bubble will eventually burst.
Here are areas to explore:
1. Do we have proof that Millennials are really avoiding megachurches in particular? We are currently lacking in statistics that prove this – and this is why more research needs to be done.
2. We must understand that while Millennials might distrust institutions, Millennials who are religious today, more than likely grew up in a megachurch environment. Their religious history (with large youth groups, polished presentations, and hip worship bands) may keep them seeking a large church experience.
3. The main thing to remember is that God is not dependent on the megachurch movement, or any faith movement that we notice in our culture. The future of His Church is not at risk.
Skye is ordained in the Christian & Missionary Alliance, a Protestant denomination established in 1887. He earned a Masters of Divinity degree in 2001 from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois.
