Questions
I’ve yet to meet a single person who didn’t struggle with faith somewhere along the journey of life.
While I’d agree there is a big difference between doubting God’s existence and doubting His good and sovereign will, doubt is a part of the life of faith for all of us at some point.
I’ve seen the movie The Way two times now, and each time, I’ve been struck with how much we give the Christian idea of unwavering faith a platform. With this picture of an ideal faith in one hand and our own reality of faith as an unending journey with struggles, doubts, and mistakes in the other hand, it’s no wonder we walk away to somewhere else that meets our needs instead.
The religious environment most of us have come to know is a rules-driven, legalistic, head disconnected from heart, sit up straight, and pay attention, religious type of duty.
Disparaging statistics about the faith of Millennials aside, if we’re going to push for a Christian faith that doesn’t encourage the questioning of faith within life, I believe we’re only further alienating people who are searching for a place to share in the struggles and questions of life with others.
Millennials have often known church to be a place where put-together Christians put on their happy faces to fake their way through life. We need church to be a place where we engage the harsh realities of life.
Searching
People are constantly searching for hope, for love, and for someone to genuinely care for them right where they are.
The bad news about the lack of faith among Millennials is that we don’t see it as an opportunity.
I’m not advocating for passing off blame from Millennials. We have much to learn when it comes to navigating faith and life.
I’m just asking that you stop blaming Millennials and start getting to know them.
By engaging others in personal relationships, you’ll change statistics without realizing it.
Don’t throw around survey statistics; extend a hand instead.
Tyler Braun is a pastor from Portland, OR, whose first book, Why Holiness Matters, releases this week. You can find Tyler on Twitter and his blog manofdepravity.com. 
