Millennials and the Metaphysical
The Barna Group recently reported research it conducted to ascertain the spiritual profile of millennials:GOP 376.6
Much ink has been spilled in recent months over what social analysts are calling the “rise of the Nones.” The trend describes the seeming surge in people who claim no faith or say they are unaffiliated with any belief system. The term rose to prominence when a Pew Research poll found that the number of Americans who are religiously unaffiliated rose to almost 20%—a nearly 5% leap in just the last five years. In the subsequent months, a Gallup poll showed similar numbers, and most recently, in March 2013, a poll from UC-Berkeley and Duke University similarly found religious affiliation in the U.S. is at its lowest point since it began to be tracked. One common thread in every survey has been the significant number of Millennials among these “Nones.” GOP 377.1
According to the Pew Research Center report on millennials, “about three in ten (29%) say they are not affiliated with any religion. These are at or near the highest levels of . . . religious disaffiliation recorded for any generation in the quarter century that the Pew Research Center has been polling on these topics.” GOP 377.2
Consider another study of this generation, this one conducted by the LifeWay Christian Resources group: “Most young adults today don’t pray, don’t worship and don’t read the Bible, a major survey by a Christian research firm shows. If the trends continue, ‘the millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships,’ says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources. In the group’s survey of 1,200 18- to 29-year-olds, 72% say they’re ‘really more spiritual than religious.’ ” GOP 377.3
“More spiritual than religious.” Increasing numbers disconnected from organized religion, yet still curious and open to spirituality, is the growing reality the church as organized religion faces in seeking to connect with the young adults of this generation. In fact, the Barna Group estimates that already 8 million once-active Christian millennials “have given up on church or Christianity.” GOP 377.4
And yet the choice of this generation to focus on spirituality over religion provides a significant opportunity to establish the relevancy of Ellen White and her writings for third millennials. We must connect their openness and desire for spirituality with the writings of one who arguably is the most prolific American writer on the theme of spirituality and personal spiritual growth. From her short classic, Steps to Christ, to her monumental book on the life of Jesus, The Desire of Ages, to her commentaries on His parables, Christ’s Object Lessons, and the Sermon on the Mount, Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing—no other writer of her time or any subsequent generation has written more comprehensively on the themes of the love of God, the life of Christ, Calvary, conversion, Christian growth, the life of the Spirit, holiness, prayer, study of the Word of God, Christian witnessing, and faith.GOP 377.5
Her writings—devoted as they are to the hallmark quest of millennials for a deepening spirituality—offer a timeless connect for any generation of seekers who “hunger and thirst after righteousness” (Matt. 5:6).GOP 378.1
It is the right time for the Seventh-day Adventist Church to package and present Ellen White to the growing number of “Nones” who have rejected religion but who remain open to God and the quest to know Him.GOP 378.2