Spirituality vs. Church

A trend that just won't go away.

Mark Galli

Old news is not interesting. Unless it keeps repeating itself. And then, like a defective CD that keeps sticking at the same place, it's time to do something.

An article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune announces:

Here's the steeple; open the door, and where are the young people?
A survey finds that many youths draw a line between being spiritual and participating in an organized religion.

The story is based on the release of a survey conducted by the Minneapolis-based Search Institute, in which nearly 7,000 people were queried about their attitudes towards religion and spirituality.

"Spirituality is bigger than religion," said Peter Benson a co-directors of the Institute's Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence. "One of the things we have to focus on now is disentangling spiritual development from religious development."

And this Colorado Springs, in a story about a new congregation called Amplify Church:

The church also ignores traditional Christian rites and rituals in favor of an ultracasual atmosphere. It's just young adults with Bibles, hanging out to rap about their faith.

"Churches have become corporations," [The Rev. Dan] MacFadyen said. "We are trying to take away the corporate baggage and be real."

Being real apparently amounts to meeting in a bar, sitting "at bar tables in near darkness while blinking lights bathed the musicians in bright hues," "where Miller Lite and Budweiser posters, not crosses, hang on the walls," and where the pastor is "forgoing suit and tie in favor of worn jeans, sandals and T-shirt."

Again, not much new or creative here, and yet it speaks to an ongoing distrust among many people (and not just youth) of the church. Then again, we know from other stories, there is a counter-movement towards traditional churches with rich and even complex liturgies.

Actually both movements--away from mere religion and toward liturgy--may be driven by the same thing, something the Minneapolis survey tries to quantify: "The good news for faith communities is that 93 percent of the young people surveyed believe there is a spiritual aspect to life."

Despite rumors to the contrary, we don't live in a secular age. People remain hungry to know God. To me it is silliness to abandon the rich history and tradition of the church. At the same time, it is foolishness for churches to carp at the shallowness of so much spiritual searching.

Comments

That "spirituality is bigger than religion" is apparent at the college where I work. Students seem to think of God as a buffet, mixing and matching differing aspects of several religions to fit an acceptable mold. We have Buddhist-Christians, Zen-Christians, Taoist-Christians, etc. One student ("Wiccan-Christian," she said. Straight-faced, too) explained the reasoning behind this: God is too big to fit into one faith. I suspect, however, that by mudding the spiritual waters and refraining from organized worship, they effectively distance themselves from the responsibility of their beliefs.

In my experience "spiritual but not religious" and similar formulas really mean that faith just doesn't play a role in the person's life.

It's like that phrase you hear in other contexts, "Follow the money."

In this case it's as much "Follow the power" as "Follow the money." Who has the power? Organized religion often becomes another organization that consolidates power in the hands of a few.

Spirituality allows people to find God without having someone else have "power-over" them. Jesus taught that the greatest should be the servant of all but people rarely see that played out.

It's like that phrase you hear in other contexts, "Follow the money."

In this case it's as much "Follow the power" as "Follow the money." Who has the power? Organized religion often becomes another organization that consolidates power in the hands of a few.

Spirituality allows people to find God without having someone else have "power-over" them. Jesus taught that the greatest should be the servant of all but people rarely see that played out.

Readers may also be interested in the original study, which is posted online. It involved almost 7,000 young people (ages 12 to 25) from 17 countries. The news media picked up the religion/spiritual angle, but there's also a lot to be learned from young people about where and how their spiritual life is nurtured. You may download the study at: www.spiritualdevelopmentcenter.org/reportintro

We welcome the ongoing conversation. A key hope in releasing the study is to open up a conversation about spiritual development between young people and adults.

Gene Roehlkepartain, co-director, Center for Spiritual Development in Childhood and Adolescence, Search Institute, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Today John would be told to go back to the desert, to get a hair-cut, shave, wash, wear a three peice suit and to 'conform'. Revival will begin first within the church and its not going to be nice. Those that don't 'conform': well....

I just ran into to a book, Unchristian (2007), which spoke to the spirituality of twentysomethings; it was interesting!

Perhaps that for which these young people are searching is ritual, rites and practices (ie the Wiccan-Christian). What is missing from our worship services? What is understood? What is worship?

As a member of the clergy, I know that the practices and rituals of my church are ancient, but perhaps their meaning has been lost in translation for this new generation. Devotion is something that is not taught in my denomination!

I think 'churches' are often too caught up in rituals and sticking to the clock, and that stifles the Spirit a lot. That said, a lot of these young people are cobbling together the philosphies of different religions to shape a belief that allows them the behaviors and thoughts they want instead of seeking God's guidance to shape them to Him.

"To me it is silliness to abandon the rich history and tradition of the church. At the same time, it is foolishness for churches to carp at the shallowness of so much spiritual searching."

I think that sums it up well. One thing that I think could help connect the two is Christianity's venerable contemplative tradition. Instead of relegating it to monastic life, it seems to me that we'd do well to emphasize contemplative prayer as fully as petitionary prayer. Yet many of today's megaministers, like Rick Warren, appear woefully uninformed about this dimension of Christianity and even somehow threatened by it.

dear sir; im in difficalty situation; im face a lot problem in life; what can i do to be berther;; thanks

The internal digestion of what religion tells me, through instructions, power, individual or organizational interests, rules and conditions given. Many people reach the point of searching and making a decision to respond to no power, not individual interest, no rules and no conditions to act or do what we should do to serve our neighbors, others and most of all God. Ensuring that we are trying our best to follow the Lord's footsteps.

Religion, spirituality or christianity created us history which is important in any form of development and point of references. Not forgetting that the life after death has never been confirmed to human kind by any other person apart from what the bible teaches us.

Thank you for this opportunity.

It's been so many days since the disaster took place but the Haitians still bearing the horrible crisis created from that terrible moment.
It's really your superhuman determination. I thank you whole heartily for being besides Haiti on that horrible moment.
I think at this moment HAITI really needs help to be rebuild.Outgoing Haitian President René Préval has set the presidential elections for Nov. 28, 2010.
According to ma justification,
Charlito Henri Baker(born June 3, 1955) should be under consideration as a deserving personality,
who can supply the best support and leadership as a president.
Thank you.

Christianity Today Gleanings

What Is Gleanings?

Free Newsletters

Spirituality vs. Church

Comments

Archives