(With the Youth Group of First Baptist Church, Pipe Creek, TX. - Summer of 2007)

     I'm not one prone to be startled and swayed by statistics, but every now and then a truth comes along that rattles me to the core.  While in revival this fall in Georgia, I came across an article in the Georgia Baptist paper, "The Christian Index."  It confirmed a suspicion I have held for a long time.  96% of the generation born between 1977 and 1994 are unchurched!  96%!  Only 4% of the generation known as "the Bridgers" are Christians!  In addition, 85% of those born between 1965-76 (the Busters), 65% of my generation (the Boomers, 1946-64), and 35% of "the Builders" (those born before 1946) are unchurched!  For the past 80 years each American generation has had a lesser percentage find new life in Jesus Christ.  96% - 85% - 65% - 35%!  Tell me, church. which percentage is acceptable?  The proof is before us.  We are not doing what we are called to do.  We are not cultivating relationships and sharing our faith on a regular basis.  We are not giving a consistent answer to the hope found within us!  And most disturbing of all, we don't seem to care.

     The same article went on to speculate about the next generation of kids born after 1994.  They are currently known as "the Millennials."  The Index author drew this conclusion:  "If the church does a good job of incarnating the gospel in a media-rich format the Millennials can understand it may pull itself back from the brink of extinction.  If it doesn't, this generation may very well grow up in a nation where churches are community centers, coffee houses, and restaurants like those found today in Europe."  Now I am definitely not opposed to fresh and creative forms of media.  But such a trite conclusion helps shed some light on why we are losing the battle.  I agree the gospel needs to be incarnated but it needs to be incarnated in us.  The generations among us need to see Jesus in His church as the church lives out among them.  Individuals come to Christ through relationships.  More often than not, persons lead persons to Christ.  For far too long, lazy Christians have foolishly thought that ministers, money, and media could share Christ in their stead.  And 96% unchurched is the result of such erroneous thinking.

     Christians claim to follow Jesus.  Congregations sing how much they love Him.  The American church boldly acknowledges Him as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  And yet the volume of an empty pretense cannot erase the frightening reality that only 4 sheep are in the fold while 96 have wandered astray.  How great a revival is needed indeed.