Young Christians Value Missions, but Question Its Ethics

COVID-19 has radically changed the way international missions work is happening this year. The worldwide fight against the pandemic has caused summer trip cancellations, visa difficulties and social and financial hurdles for both short-term and full-time missionaries.

Many churches and organizations are now reimagining the practical aspects of global ministry—but, even before the pandemic, other cultural shifts have demanded a new vision for missions. This is especially apparent when we focus our research on Millennials and Gen Z, who are not totally convinced of missions’ urgency and efficacy. The Future of Missions, a brand new Barna report conducted in partnership with International Mission Board, takes a closer look at what’s keeping young Christians from wholeheartedly engaging with global ministry. Centered on 10 conversations all church leaders and parents should be having with the next generation, the report analyzes Christian generations’ past and present perspectives of missionary work.

In this article, let’s take a look at current perspectives of international missions across the age groups.

Generations Agree That Missions Is Valuable, But Views Diverge by Ethnicity
Most engaged Christians’ views of missions work are influenced by at least some exposure to real-life missionaries; in fact, young adults aged 18 to 34 are more likely than teens and older adults to say they personally know at least one missionary “well” (58% vs. 47% adults 35 and older, 36% teens 13 to 17). This fact accompanies a belief that overseas missions is important. A strong majority of engaged Christians in every generation says missionary work is “very valuable.” Statistically speaking, the three age cohorts are indistinguishable on this point.

Among Americans under 35, however, black engaged Christians (61% teens, 62% young adults) are more reluctant than the white majority (74% teens, 73% young adults) to say they value missionaries’ work. Given the Euro-American Church’s historical entanglements with colonialism and African slavery, and the growing cultural awareness of that legacy’s ongoing impact, it’s not surprising that young black Americans would express deeper ambivalence. (Check out the Q&A with Barbara Jones for more insights on this vital thread of the missions conversation.)

Young Adult Christians Wrestle More Than Other Age Groups with Missions’ Past
Although there are many examples of the transformative value of missionary work around the world, there are also aspects of its history—and sometimes its present—that are difficult or even impossible to defend. Anyone who dreams and plans for the missionary future must grapple with these realities.

Overall, engaged churchgoing Christians 18 to 34 appear to be more concerned than older adults with problematic aspects of the past. (It’s worth mentioning here that, in Barna’s experience, teen responses often look like their parents’; when they move into young adulthood, however, their views start to diverge more from previous generations’ as they form their own opinions.) One-third of young adult Christians (34%) agrees that “in the past, missions work has been unethical,” compared to one in four adults 35 and older (23%). Two in five (42%) agree that “Christian mission is tainted by its association with colonialism” (vs. 29% older adults 35+, 31% teens).

Clearly, even as young Christians still value what missionaries do, many also have significant and often valid questions about international missions. In fact, analysts found a group of engaged Christians who both express reservations and, at the same time, either financially support a missionary or have been on at least one overseas mission trip themselves. You can learn more in the report about these individuals Barna is calling “supportive skeptics.”

So, what can church leaders do now to prepare for a new era of missions? As the response to COVID-19 continues, the Church has opportunity to join young adults in closely examining both the how and the why of missions work.

For more insights from The Future of Missions, get the Church Kit including both print and digital copies, the presentation slides and a downloadable infographic on how missionaries’ roles have evolved and changed over time. To get every Barna report and actionable resources, subscribe to Barna Access Plus and stay on top of the trends that impact your organization.