In 1989, historian David Bennington answered the perennial question about the nature of evangelicalism with a four-fold definition:
- Biblicism: a fervent belief in the authority and inspiration of the Bible
- Crucicentrism: a focus on the work of Christ on the cross
- Conversionism: a commitment to evangelism
- Activism: the urgency of living out the Christian faith by applying the gospel to social ills
This last mark has played out in an unexpected way among young evangelicals. According to recent research by the group Neighborly Faith, 42% of young evangelicals (18-25) are engaged in social and civic activity, compared to only 26% of non-religious people in the same demographic cohort. But this activity is not, as you'd expect, overt political activity, such as protesting, volunteering on political campaigns, or encouraging their friends to vote. Instead, it's a broad range of local social activities, such as community service, volunteer work, or work for nonprofit organizations meeting human need. This isn't to say they aren't politically involved, as the research shows that a majority claim to vote in elections. But it is not the substance of their public witness. The authors of this report say, "young Evangelicals are also translating their enthusiasm for civic engagement into action more than their peers of other Christian and non-Christian worldviews."
This defies a lot of stereotypes of evangelicals as obsessed with politics, frothing at the mouth every election, and hanging on every new poll. This caricature has become almost sociological gospel in recent years, the fuel for countless new stories, op-eds, and bestselling books. But the data and the reality on the ground show something different: evangelicals are motivated by their faith to shape the world around them, use their voices, and vote, but often this passion is translated into rolling up their sleeves and getting involved in acts of service that largely go unnoticed by cable news chyrons and six-inch headlines.
What's more, this new research shows that the voices that shape young evangelicals are often their local religious leaders. Just over 40% of evangelicals say their views on culture are shaped by their senior pastor, while 60% point to an associate pastor and a high percentage look to a small group leader, camp speaker, or prayer leader. And the messages they hear on a weekly basis are not, as many assume, political talking points or party messaging, but challenges to live out the gospel by helping the less fortunate in their communities. Young evangelicals report being shaped in this kind of activism by their religious leaders far more than non-religious people of the same demographic.
This is not to say that young evangelicals are not being shaped on politics and policy by their faith leaders, as only 16% say these figures are not influential on these issues. But political messages are not the primary exhortations they are hearing Sunday after Sunday, week after week.
So what does this research tell us about the next generation of evangelicals? First, it is clear that a belief in Scripture that drives them to move out of the four walls of the church and into the world. Second, far more than pundits and politicians, it is pastors who carry the most influence on their worldviews. Third, this generation cares deeply about politics, but it is not an obsession for them. Their votes cannot be taken for granted, but must be won through careful, biblical arguments. And lastly, this window into the hearts and minds of evangelical Gen Z should give us hope for the future of the church. God is at work among this cohort, if only we are willing to see it.