As a follow up to the 3 articles I shared on Monday, I thought some of you might be interested in diving deeper into the Millennial generation and their views on church and faith by exploring these books (I’m more familiar with the first 2 but all 3 look good):
- You Lost Me by David Kinnaman
Millions of young Christians are disconnecting from church as they transition into adulthood. They’re real people, not just statistics. And each one has a story to tell. Now the bestselling author of unChristian trains his researcher’s eye on these young believers. Where Kinnaman’s first book unChristian showed the world what outsiders aged 16-29 think of Christianity, You Lost Me shows why younger Christians aged 16-29 are leaving the church and rethinking their faith. Based on new research, You Lost Me shows pastors, church leaders, and parents how we have failed to equip young people to live “in but not of” the world and how this has serious long-term consequences. More importantly, Kinnaman offers ideas on how to help young people develop and maintain a vibrant faith that they embrace over a lifetime.
- The Millennials by Thom Rainer & Jess Ranier
At more than 78 million strong, the Millennials—those born between 1980 and 2000—have surpassed the Boomers as the larger and more influential generation in America. Now, as its members begin to reach adulthood, where the traits of a generation really take shape, best-selling research author Thom Rainer (Simple Church) and his son Jess (a Millennial born in 1985) present the most comprehensive research project on Millennials from a Christian worldview perspective ever undertaken.
Research, which began in early June 2009, is based on 1200 interviews members of the Millennials that aim to better understand them personally, professionally, and spiritually. Chapters report intriguing how-and-why findings on family matters (they are closer-knit than previous generations), their desire for diversity (consider the wave of mixed race and ethnic adoptions), Millennials and the new workplace, their attitude toward money, the media, the environment, and perhaps most tellingly, religion.
The Post-Church Christian by J. Paul Nyquist and Carson Nyquist
You’ve heard the stats by now: the Millennial generation is leaving the church. Walking away in disillusionment and frustration, they are looking for new communities to welcome them. As they seek to follow Jesus, they are leaving the churches they grew up in to find a new way. In an attempt to exemplify the story of Millennials and seek answers for the future, Paul Nyquist, President of Moody Bible Institute, has teamed up with his son, Carson Nyquist, to share an honest and thoughtful conversation on this topic. As father and son they’ve experienced this generational disconnect, both personally and in the church. Hear their story as they converse about the experiences of the Millennials in the church and share thoughts for how to move forward.
Your turn… What are some other good books that focus on the millennials and their view of church and faith?
Related articles
- Three Articles Focusing on Why Millennials Are Leaving the Church (resourcesforus.wordpress.com)
ResourcesForUs 