But why?

They're not just disagreeing on a few things, as young people's view of the world is changing, including the places where they invest their time and faith.

Today, we're looking at 25 reasons why young people aren't sticking with the Church anymore.

Stuck in the past?

When it comes to things like LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality, many young people see the Church as outdated.

They're living in a far more inclusive and progressive world, so they expect the same from any institution they're from.

Many young people think the Church doesn't represent them, and they'd rather just call it quits.

Not enough likes

If it's not online, does it even exist? Young people are glued to the screens, and the Church hasn't quite caught up with this.

They're looking for interactive and digital-friendly ways to connect, meaning that weekly service in a physical building isn't cutting it for them anymore.

If it wants to keep up with the times, the Church needs a digital makeover.

Damaging scandals

With all those abuse and corruption scandals, a lot of young people are questioning the morality of the Church and its leaders.

After all, you can't exactly stand by an organisation that preaches one thing and does another.

This kind of hypocrisy is a major turn-off, especially for a generation that cares a lot about accountability.

Keeping it real

Likewise, a lot of young people crave authenticity and real connections, which they think the Church lacks, thanks to its formality.

Young people are drawn to places with genuine relationships, just without all the rituals. Instead of just going through the motions, they want to feel a personal touch.

Money matters

Similarly, younger generations want more transparency about where their money and donations are going.

Anything less than that feels like a betrayal to them. They want to be part of institutions that show where every penny goes and use their contributions effectively and ethically.

Too much fundraising

Nobody likes to feel like they're constantly being asked for money. When young people think churches are focusing on fundraising too much, they're happy to ditch the whole thing. They don't think money should matter most, but spiritual growth and community support. Can you blame them?

Science vs faith

We're living in the age of science, and when the Church questions science, it doesn't sit right with the younger generation.

For example, some churches don't believe in evolution and actively teach their flock the same.

Young people are strong supporters of science, and they can't sit by something that seems to be the opposite of this.

Show me the proof

Facts and data reign supreme in today's world, meaning that faith-based beliefs are a hard sell for the younger crowd.

They don't mind believing as long as it comes with some reason and proof. Most Churches encourage their flock to believe blindly instead of looking for evidence. For a lot of young people, this isn't good enough.

Love knows no bounds

America is a melting pot, but so is the rest of the world, and many people young people are in relationships that cross traditional faith lines.

When some Church leaders speak out against interfaith marriage or relationships, it doesn't vibe with young people.

They believe that love should come first. Read more

• Andrew Parker is a writer for Because Mom Says.

Its success to date has generated optimism for similar future investments under a National-led government.

Since its inception six years ago, the Genesis Youth Trust-run programme has reduced youth offending notably.

Compared to a similar risk group, participants of the Genesis programme showed

• a 30 percent lower re-offending rate,
• decreased hospital admissions,
• a reduced need for mental health services and
• a 40 percent increase in tertiary education enrolments.

Despite these successes, the programme faced challenges.

Political changes and reduced departmental interest in social bonds had an ongoing effect on enrolments and referrals.

Where the Trust's original goal was to recruit 1,000 young people to its programme, only 607 were ultimately enrolled.

One contributor to this shortfall was the COVID-19 pandemic, which lead to under-utilised funds.

Genesis Youth Trust, impacted by the funding shortfall, had to reduce its staff.

Chair of the 'G-Fund' Carl Bakker, author of a report about the social bond's impact on Trust participants, says the report's publication timing was crucial - coinciding with a National government coming into power.

Nicola Willis of the National Party has shown interest in such social investment schemes.

Dean Spicer, ANZ Sustainable Finance head, stressed the government's role as a key social impact investor.

He noted that while funding is necessary, measurable outcomes are crucial for success.

Since the bond's launch in 2017, there has been a shift towards responsible and impactful investments, reflecting growing public expectations, he says.

The report highlights a positive shift in investor attitudes towards social investments.

The National Party campaigned for the use of social bonds to tackle the emergency housing crisis, proposing a $50 million bond to help families transition from emergency housing to stable long-term homes.

This movement towards innovative social investment strategies represents a significant step in addressing social issues in New Zealand, highlighting a collaborative and outcome-focused approach, Spicer says.

• Source: Newsroom