Home
/
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
/
Study: How do millennial Christians approach faith, work, and calling?
Study: How do millennial Christians approach faith, work, and calling?
Mar 17, 2025 6:53 AM

Millennials recently surpassed Baby Boomers and Generation Xers to e the largest generation in the American workforce—a development that has likely led many to recall mon stereotypes about millennials as dreamy-eyed idealists or lazy, plainers.

But if we look past our various cultural prejudices, what does the evidence actually indicate? If the attitudes and priorities of Generation Y are, in fact, so strikingly distinct from their counterparts, what might it tell us about the future shape of economic order?

In Christians at Work, which is based on a new study from Barna, we get an in-depth look at all this, particularly as it relates to generational differences among employed Christians. The study explores a range of attitudes and beliefs—whether about professional fulfillment, calling, personal gifts, and more—seeking to identify meaningful trends and ways the church might rally to fill gaps in perspective or discipleship.

The findings indicate that such attitudes and beliefs do, indeed, differ between millennials and other generations, with Baby Boomers and Generation Xers aligning closely in most areas. Overall, one trend is clear: Christian millennials emerge as distinctly optimistic and ambitious, whether in the “tangibles” of their daily work and spiritual growth or in their general awareness of how or whether to apply their God-given gifts.

For example, when es to professional fulfillment, the study finds that “similar proportions of all working Christians, regardless of age, believe God gave them specific talents intended for his glory.” Yet that unified belief doesn’t necessarily translate consistently across age groups when applied to the context of economic labor:

Christian Millennial workers appear to be finding a place for themselves and their capabilities in the workforce—half (50%) strongly agree they feel made for the work they currently do—and they are hopeful about their future prospects.

Millennials tend to be very conscious of their talents (42%) as well as hopeful for a better understanding of them (37%). They are also motivated to be generous with their unique skills; more than two-thirds (67%) report that they hope to use them in service of others, 10 percentage points more than the proportion of Boomers (57%) motivated by this idea. Overall, Gen X tend to align more with Boomers than Millennials, with some exceptions. Though Gen X are relatively satisfied with how their current role is preparing them for future plans (44%), just 36 percent feel aware of gifts and talents God has given them.

Source: Christians at Work, Barna Group

These differences also manifest on the question of future growth and opportunities to embody or apply one’s God-given vocation. Again, while all three generations share a belief that God has given each of us unique personal talents and abilities, Boomers are far less eager to grow and improve in newly discovering or applying these gifts to daily economic life:

Boomers have less of a sense that they are “made for” their present work (39%) and they feel less urgency to deepen an understanding of their gifts (27%), but we shouldn’t assume that means they aren’t attuned to or using them. They express less enthusiasm about future opportunities, but that may be because they feel more presently secure, having already climbed (or grown skeptical of) the corporate ladder. And given that Boomers often tell Barna their identity is defined by family, we may simply be witnessing a natural shift in life priorities es with age. In other words, Millennials might expect more of their professional future because there is more of it, while Boomers are in a less exploratory, even stable, season of career. Regardless, they are similarly satisfied in their current work, and Boomers find purposes for their unique skills outside the office too (80% vs. 71% of Millennials say this is “very” + “somewhat” true), which bodes well for their golden years.

Source: Christians at Work, Barna Group

The reasons for such differences are numerous, and many of them may be related to different ages or life seasons more generally instead of generations specifically. But in addition to those explanations (which the study duly acknowledges), they likely have something to do with differing historical and economic realities at key generational “growth moments.” (This argument is shared by Joseph Sternberg, who’s new book, The Theft of a Decade, explores the economic conditions that have led to the current generation’s attitudes and outlook.)

“Though the economy has largely recovered from the recession, the working lives of many Gen X and Boomers have been marked byspells of unemployment or persistent debt, and the leading edge of Boomers is nowpreparing for retirement,” the Barna study’s authors explain. “Millennials, meanwhile, entered an ing job market at the beginning of their careers and are still dogged bylow earnings, even as general wages have caught up to pre-recession levels.”

But whatever we attribute for the shifts, the findings provide some hints as to where we might focus and how the church might best proceed in better empowering and equipping each generation in stewarding their economic futures and developing a distinctly prehensively Christian economic vision.

For Boomers and, somewhat less so, Generation Xers, we see an opportunity reinvigorate and re-inspire a sense of calling and vocational destiny across all spheres and stations. For example, regardless of our personal feelings about whether we are “made for” our present work, we know that we are made to create and trade, just as we are made to love and serve the least of these. This is our basic calling, and these are the functions of our daily work—whether within a formal job or the context of “retirement.” Whatever our age or season or history, we can push and learn and discover new ways of using our gifts and co-creating for his glory.

For millennials, on the other hand, we see more widespread energy and enthusiasm for embracing the “spiritual” side of work and using creative gifts in meaningful and authentic ways. Yet we also see a hunger for more discipleship and better education. For example, while millennials report hearing more sermons and guidance from the church on these matters, “less than half say their church gives them a vision for living out their faith at work (46% vs. 57% of Gen X and 53% of Boomers agree ‘strongly’).” How do we harness this ambition and optimism and channel it through a robust theology of work and a healthy philosophy of life?

“There is much to celebrate about Christians in the workplace!” the authors conclude. “Christians are tuned in to the idea of calling, and many feel that their current jobs are well matched with what they perceive as their calling,” write David Kinnaman and Bill Denzelin the study’s introduction. “But there are also warning signs all around our workplaces. We see some gaps between generations at work and a potential lack of vision for how generations can mentor and support each other.”

Whatever the areas or potential for growth, a positive shift among Christians is sure to have an influence on our culture, more broadly. If the church can work together across generational lines to empower believers in building a healthier, more holistic vision for economic activity and mon good, and if those same believers bear cultural witness in their respective spheres, society at large will surely benefit.

Comments
Welcome to mreligion comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
RELIGION & LIBERTY ONLINE
Conquering famine: 3 reasons global hunger is on the decline
In confronting the problem of global hunger, Western activists, planners, and foreign aid “experts” are prone to look only toward various forms of economic redistribution. Even among nonprofits, churches, and missions organizations, we see an overly narrow focus on temporary needs and material donations with little attention to individual empowerment and institutional reforms. Meanwhile, global poverty and hunger are on the decline—a development driven not by top-level tweaks and materialistic trickery, but by a bottom-up revolution of freedom, innovation, and...
The power of story in the economic imagination
In his 1958 essay,“I, Pencil,”Leonard Read took up the voice of a self-reflective pencil to tell a fictional tale that illuminated the nonfictional marvels of mundane economic cooperation. The essay went on to influence the hearts and minds of many, thanks in part to Read’s insightful mind, but also to his chosen medium:the story. “You may wonder why I should write a genealogy,” the pencil says. “Well, to begin with, my story is interesting. And, next, I am a mystery—more...
Lord Acton vs. the ‘New Socialists’ on Freedom
‘Lord Acton’ Public Domain Corey Robin, professor of political science at Brooklyn College and the City University of New York Graduate Center, wrote an interesting and troubling piece last week in the New York Times titled, “The New Socialists: Why the pitch from Ocasio-Cortez and Bernie Sanders resonates in 2018.” It is part chronicle of the recent rise of self-identified socialist politicians in the United States and part meditation on what people in 2018 mean when they talk about socialism....
Why Adam Smith is the self-help guru you didn’t know you needed
The Book: How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness by Russ Roberts The Gist: Roberts, a research fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution, explains the ideas behind Adam’s Smith’s forgotten classic, The Theory of Moral Sentiments. The Quote: “[Smith’s] view of what we truly want, of what really makes us happy, cuts to the core of things. It takes him only twelve words to get to the heart of the matter: ‘Man...
The lasting relevance of Wilhelm Röpke
The 20th century is considered one of the deadliest centuries in history. Collectivism and consolidation of power took flight, resulting in some of the most atrocious violations of human rights the world has ever witnessed. One economist was instrumental in analyzing the cause of such atrocities while offering an antidote to the worldviews in which they were rooted, in hopes that we might not once again be lured by similar false promises of socialism. Published in 1958 and later translated...
John McCain, the Hanoi Hilton, and public virtue
“Sen. John McCain, who passed away on Saturday, is undeniably the most famous prisoner of war held captive and tortured by the North Vietnamese,” says Ray Nothstine in this week’s Acton Commentary. “McCain was one of 591 Americans returned by North Vietnam over several months during ‘Operation ing’ in 1973. But in our current politicized era, McCain’s fame somewhat overshadows the leadership and lessons of many other great Americans tortured by their Marxist captors.” McCain often praised fellow prisoners as...
The church that lives by the State shall die by the State
In all the articles about last week’s 50th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Prague, few took note of one of its enduring scars: widespread and ubiquitous atheism. Some may be surprised to learn that the Czech people are the most irreligious people in Europe, not just because of decades of government-sponsored atheism, but because of centuries of government-enforced religion. When Communist officials first came to power in Czechoslovakia in 1948, undermining and eradicating religion became a top priority. The...
The arts of liberty: Education for image bearers
In the United States, there is a constant background critique of education. Complaints include the following: Teachers are too liberal. Professors are too abstract. Schools don’t do a good job of preparing students for work. Education costs too much, both for governments and the parents and students paying tuition. Yet despite all the dissatisfaction, we value education highly. When we are honest with ourselves, we recognize that an educated public brings with it all kinds of benefits. It is tremendously...
Why economic exchange need not be a zero-sum game
Note:This article is part of the ‘Principles Project,’ a list of principles, axioms, and beliefs that undergirda Christian view of economics, liberty, and virtue. Clickhereto read the introduction and other posts in this series. The Principle: #9B – Wealth is created when human beings creatively transform matter into resources. Because human beings can create wealth, economic exchange need not be a zero-sum game. (NB: This is a subset of the Acton Core Principle of Creation of Wealth) The Definitions: This...
Why financial intermediaries fail
Note: This is post #91 in a weekly video series on basic economics. Financial intermediaries serve as a bridge between borrowers and savers. When those bridges collapse the effects can be disastrous: businesses go bankrupt, workers get laid off, and people lose their homes. These negative effects show you how crucial intermediaries are to our lives. What exactly causes financial intermediaries to fail? In this video by Marginal Revolution University, economist Tyler Cowen looks at four reasons: insecure property rights,...
Related Classification
Copyright 2023-2025 - www.mreligion.com All Rights Reserved