(ACNS) Young people have not inherited the rebellious hostility to the Church of their parents’ generation, although for many of them religion is irrelevant for day-to-day living. These are two of the findings of an informative new book The Faith of Generation Y, authored by Sylvia Collins-Mayo (sociologist of religion), Bob Mayo (parish priest in West London), Sally Nash (Director of the Midlands Centre for Youth Ministry) with the Bishop of Coventry, Rt Revd Christopher Cocksworth (who has five Generation Y children).
Reporting a study of over 300 young people in England aged between 8 and 23 who attended Christian youth and community work projects in England, The Faith of Generation Y (those born from around 1982 onwards) provides an empirically grounded account of the nature of young people’s faith ”“ looking into where they put their hope and trust in order to make life meaningful. The book goes on to consider whether Christianity has any relevance to young people, and asks whether the youth and community projects in which they participate foster an interest in the Christian faith.
The findings from the study ”“ which make essential reading for church leaders, youth workers, missioners and teachers ”“ suggest that for most young people faith is located primarily in family, friends and their selves as individuals ”“ defined as ”˜immanent faith’.
[i]suggest that for most young people faith is located primarily in family, friends and their selves as individuals[/i]
Then they are really hosed come the first strong wind (which is imminent). Lord have mercy!