Young Christians Name Personal Faith as Top Concern

By Jennifer Riley, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, January 08, 2008

More than 2,000 young Christians said their personal faith was the top concern in their life, according to a report by the Lutheran Church Monday.

"My own faith" was chosen over available options of "the future," "family relationships," and "college" by the 2,152 participants who took the multiple-choice Lutheran Youth Fellowship poll conducted at last year's National Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Gathering. Nearly 80 percent of the attendees at the youth gathering were under the age of 20.

Poll results found that 28 percent cited their personal faith as their top concern while 23.8 percent listed the future; 23.3 percent, family relationships; 23.1 percent, college; and 16.3 percent, unbelievers. Other top concerns included the issues of terrorism (9.4 percent) and war (7.9 percent).

Dr. Terry Dittmer, director of LCMS Youth Ministry, commented that youth "seem to recognize – albeit perhaps unconsciously – that their faith is under siege and threatened" by a culture that has less respect for religion, the many spiritual "options" available, and the many changes in society's moral code.

"It's easy to see how a young person might feel like their faith is threatened," he said. "Like it or not, our young people seem to be trending with society on issues like sexuality, homosexuality, the war in Iraq, woman's ordination, church fellowship, and so forth," he added.

The survey found that 58.4 percent of respondents said pre-marital sex is always wrong – down from 63.3 percent in 2004, when the poll was conducted last.

Also, 60.8 percent claimed to have never engaged in sexual intercourse.

"This data falls dramatically by age," Dittmer noted. "With 15-year-old at 77 percent; 16-year-old at 67.4 percent; 17-year-old at 59.3 percent; 18-year-old at 52 percent; and 19-year-old at 48.3 percent."

Another concern is the youth's view on homosexuality, with 65.8 percent saying homosexuality is always wrong – down from 70 percent in 2003 and 75.8 percent in 1995. Interestingly, males (75.8 percent) were more likely than female (62.5 percent) students to say homosexuality is wrong.

On the issue of same-sex "marriage," 14.5 percent indicated support for the practice, while another 11.7 percent said they support gay civil unions. Only 57 percent said marriage should be reserved for one man and one woman – down from 70.5 percent in 2004 and 85.9 percent in 2001.

"These values and concerns are important to the church," Dittmer responded. "So, the church and its local congregations must become more proactive and engaged in teaching their young. A Youth Gathering every three years can't do it alone."

Additionally, only 39.9 percent said they can recite the Common Doxology, compared with 42.6 percent in 2004 and 48.7 percent in 1998. Nearly a third (32.2 percent) checked "What's the Common Doxology" and 24.8 percent said they can't recite the doxology. Among adults, 70.7 percent said they could recite the doxology.

Dittmer concluded, "The poll is another encouragement to the church not to abandon its youth but to take responsibility for sharing the great truths of our faith. Most important is sharing the 'One Message' of Jesus Christ with them."

The poll has been taken every three years at all 10 National LCMS Youth Gatherings since 1980. It is sponsored by Lutheran Youth Fellowship, the Synod's national youth organization.