Why Church Attendance Has Increased Among Gen Z and Millennials: David Kinnaman

In 'You Lost Me', David Kinnaman presents research conducted by the Barna Group on why young Christians aged 18-29 are leaving the church. The book categorizes these young people into three groups: Nomads (those who leave church but not faith), Prodigals (those who turn away from faith), and Exiles (those who believe but feel disconnected from the church). Kinnaman identifies several reasons for this exodus, including the church being overprotective, shallow, anti-science, repressive, and exclusive. He also provides ideas for pastors, youth leaders, parents, and educators to help young adults maintain a vibrant and lasting faith in the face of cultural changes.

In 'The Anxious Generation', Jonathan Haidt examines the sudden decline in the mental health of adolescents starting in the early 2010s. He attributes this decline to the shift from a 'play-based childhood' to a 'phone-based childhood', highlighting mechanisms such as sleep deprivation, attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, and perfectionism that interfere with children’s social and neurological development. Haidt proposes four simple rules to address this issue: no smartphones before high school, no social media before age 16, phone-free schools, and more opportunities for independence, free play, and responsibility. The book offers a clear call to action for parents, teachers, schools, tech companies, and governments to restore a more humane childhood and end the epidemic of mental illness among youth.

In 'Good Faith', David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons address the challenges Christians face in a society that increasingly views Christianity as irrelevant and extreme. The book is based on extensive research and provides practical tools for Christians to navigate contentious issues such as sexuality, marriage, death, race, and prejudice. The authors advocate for 'good faith' by focusing on how well Christians love, what they believe, and how they live, encouraging a balance between holding convictions and treating those who disagree with respect and compassion. The book aims to help Christians be agents of change and create a positive impact in the public square while remaining true to their faith.

In 'Faith for Exiles', David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock present major new Barna research that identifies five practices contributing to the resilience of young adult Christians. The book helps readers make sense of chaotic cultural changes, recognize the biblical concept of exile as a framework for following Christ, and discover how to cultivate faithfulness in a world dominated by digital technologies. It aims to prepare young Christians for mission and empower Jesus followers of all ages to thrive in their current cultural context.