Three ACTUAL Reasons Why Millennials Are Leaving the IFB Church

I know it is dangerous ground to walk on when you step out to speak for a massive group of people. I do not wish to misrepresent anyone by blatantly broad brushing either millennials or those in the Independent Baptist Movement. I merely want to express the feelings of myself, personally, and reflect on what I have gathered from conversations with others who grew up in the movement. I hope this article is an honest representation of those who have left the denomination or are questioning it’s importance to their lives. 

I also want to say that I understand there are many articles and websites devoted to tearing down and talking poorly of the IFB movement and all churches associated with it. This article is not intended to do such things. I have many friends, family, and acquaintances who attend very good churches led by Godly men, which happen to identify with the IFB label.

I do not deny that there are extremist IFB churches, however, there are extremists in every denomination, so they will not be the “straw men” for attack.

This article’s purpose is twofold. First, it is to encourage those who may have left or are considering moving on from the movement, not necessarily to leave, but rather to realize that their identity is not a denomination or a church, but the person of Jesus Christ. Secondly, it is a call to pastors, ministry workers, and laymen, to consider the potential flaws within the movement, and seek God, not man’s opinion, to provide direction for the church. Ultimately, I pray for the reform of any areas within a movement that has left Scriptural roots.

There are many articles on the future of the movement, the hearts of the people leaving, the hearts of the pastors in the movement, however I haven’t seen many which honestly reflect either side.

Long disclaimer aside, here are three ACTUAL reasons why I believe millennials are leaving the IFB church.

I. Apathetic Worship

Notice I didn’t say old-fashioned, or out of date, or traditional to describe the style of worship. It’s not the style which really irks me, or most others I’ve talked to. It is an apathetic, dead, careless, unenthusiastic style of “worship” (if it can even be called worship) which is very frustrating. The style of music is much less important to me than the spirit of worship. I have been to über traditional IFB churches where the singing is just saturated with a love for God and a heart of worship. Likewise, I have been to hip, trendy neo-IFB churches where they have a guitar and a set of drums, playing the latest Hillsong track, and the spirit of worship is for all intents and purposes, non-existent.

I find that in most IFB churches, much of this lackadaisical attitude toward worship stems from a lack of understanding what most of the late eighteenth-early nineteenth century words actually are saying. (To be fair, some modern songs don’t say much at all.)

While there are some amazing worship songs out now, I do understand the hesitation of some churches to jump into a new format of unfamiliar music. If you are in this category, at least consider having your worship leader share a scripture or even explain a verse of the hymn you are singing. This will help keep people’s minds focused on the beautiful truths of whatever song is being sung, rather than wondering why we want to “let angels prostate fall.”

II. Story Time, Not Teaching Time

This killed me attending services, revival services, and conferences growing up, and it still does.

Perhaps my biggest complaint about the majority (excuse my broad-brushing) of the IFB movement is the lack of legitimate expository preaching by most of the leadership. To sit in services where a speaker would get up and throw out opinions for 45 minutes, with a sloppy eisegeted text thrown in every couple stories to back themselves up became downright irritating.

When doctrine was presented, it rarely was communicated well. Sometimes I wondered if certain speakers even understood what they were teaching themselves.

But regardless of how sketchily the doctrine or belief was presented, it was to be held to and defended. I grew up an arminian, KJVO, pre-trib, dispensationalist without having one idea why I was any of those things, or even what they meant. All I knew was that everyone else was wrong except for Baptists. The seeming lack of education among IFB leadership was the biggest thing that drove me away from the movement.

I was monumentally refreshed by the intelligent and studious teaching found in the likes of R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, John Piper, and many prominent teachers outside the movement.

III. Non-Answers

This is probably the number one reason that many are growing agitated with the IFB movement.

When a disagreement, question, or lack of understanding is brought to a leader in the movement, typically it is met with anger, resistance, or even accusation of a wrong spirit.

To ask questions is to open yourself up to attack, rebuke, or ridicule. And in an environment that is not open to new ways of thinking, Biblical reformation, or questioning tradition, a growing Christian will have a very hard time staying.

If you are a church, even if you are a non-IFB church, always take questions, thoughts, or disagreements with consideration. If they are valid, seek God for reformation, change, and sanctification in that area. If it is not valid, greet it with grace, kindness, and most importantly, a studied Scriptural response rather than a response of tradition.

If you are a person bringing complaint, disagreement, or a question, approach the leadership with love, a gentle spirit, and ears to listen to a response. If you are certain you have a strong Biblical basis for your disagreement, and the leadership does not see eye to eye with you, then you may need to consider moving on from the church. If it is a secondary issue, seek God for patience and love for your church family. Remember they are growing too.

If the next generation and the former generation can have open, honest dialogue, we will see fewer leaving the church, and fewer churches remaining the same.

I hope if nothing else, this article provides some honest thoughts and critiques. I pray for both sides to understand my spirit, and that together, we can all grow to be more like Christ as we assist and chasten each other.

Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. -Proverbs 27:17