A millennial explains why she left the church. In a nutshell: “We’re not leaving the church because we don’t find the cool factor there; we’re leaving the church because we don’t find Jesus there.”

Then Rachel explains the reasons why she came back. They include: baptism, confession, healing, communion, confirmation, union with Christ.

Serious practitioners of Christianity have become a minority group in the United States. Searching Christians are driven away by the lack of sacrifice in a gospel that emphasizes material success for following Jesus. They are equally repelled by the lack of love evidenced in legalistic congregations.

Those Christians who have returned to the church after a departure may lead the church into a community more kin to its vibrant beginnings. This Christianity celebrates covenant community based on Christ’s love and discipleship. A minority community of committed “subversives” within the broader culture works likes yeast within dough.