Young American men are becoming more religious. Actually, everyone has a religion, but “becoming more religious” means they are more interested in spiritual things.
For decades, we’ve been observing a downward trend in church attendance and religious affiliation, particularly among young people. But that trend seems to be reversing, especially among young men (Republicans in particular), according to a new Gallup poll. Their latest research found that 42% of young men (ages 18–29) say religion is “very important” in their lives. This is up from 28% just two years prior!
What’s interesting is this increase is only seen among young men, not among older men or among women of any age. (Only 29% of women ages 18–29 say religion is “very important” in their lives, and that number has stayed steady. They are considered to be “by far the least religious women.”) Gallup noted: “With the recent surge in their attachment to religion, young men have returned to the high point of their expressed religiosity of the past 25 years, roughly tying the 43% found in 2000-2001. By contrast, women of all age groups and older men are at or near their historical lows.”
What’s caused this leap in young men’s interest in “religion”? Well, some people are calling it the “Charlie Kirk effect”; others are pointing to popular podcasts, like Joe Rogan’s, that are spiritually curious and have often hosted Christians. While we don’t know for sure what’s causing it, the rise in men interested in faith means that you may have some new young male faces in your church—so what should you be doing to make sure they are being discipled well?
I have three suggestions for you:
- Get them into God’s Word. Young men need more than Joe Rogan hosting a few Christians on his podcast—they need a daily diet of Scripture to build them up in the faith and point them toward Christ. Make sure any new young men visiting your church have Bibles and encourage them from the pulpit, and in personal conversation, to read it cover to cover. Start men’s Bible studies or gather for breakfast to discuss Scripture. Nothing is more important than grounding them in the Word of God.
- Teach them biblical worldview. Many of the men influencing young men online are ungodly and prideful, portraying masculinity in ways that run contrary to Scripture and God’s design for men as humble, loving leaders in their homes and churches. Anti-biblical ideas are everywhere, and many specifically target young men. We need to be teaching biblical worldview in our churches (for everyone!), including a biblical view of masculinity and sexuality. If you’re a pastor, be up on what young men are listening to and, as your sermon text gives opportunity, address these errors. Even consider hosting a weekend conference or men’s retreat to discuss these unbiblical teachings in depth and help young men build a more biblical worldview.
- Give them meat. No, not literal meat (though they may like that too). So many churches teach “fluffy” messages and focus more on experience than teaching God’s Word. Often times, there will be long times of worship and only a short message that may or may not have much Scripture in it! Worship is great and honors the Lord (when aligned with his Word), but people also need to hear the Word preached faithfully. Don’t be afraid to teach theology, doctrine, apologetics, and worldview—the world certainly isn’t afraid to disciple young men in their version of these things! Give them the meat they need to anchor them in truth.
We praise the Lord for this renewed interest in spiritual matters among young men. We pray it reaps a harvest of righteousness and that many of these young men come to saving faith in Christ.
