For instance, it was once true that most people would accept the judgment of their religion without much rebellion. I can remember when some ultra-conservative congregations, for instance, would hold regular services to pray for the backsliders and rebels.

Sometimes the backsliders would even be brought to the front of the church with their heads hanging and their eyes rolling in agony, and they would willingly receive condemnation. If you tried to judge and punish sinners publicly in a faith community today, not only would the sinner leave for good, but most of the members would never darken the door again.

The world has changed, and no amount of preaching can alter reality. Religion has to find a way to connect with the young without destroying the historic doctrine - and without looking foolish in the process.

The first thing religious power brokers must know about young people is that they like entertainment. Of course, young people in every generation have enjoyed being entertained. But the current generation and those that follow will redefine what it means to be entertained.

The other day I was talking with a group of Christians, and one person talked about a daughter who was a member of a conservative Christian group. The daughter invited her parents to worship with her, and they accepted. The service was almost entirely entertainment, and except for a couple of hymns, the people in the congregation did nothing but enjoy the music.

The parents' concern was this: Why do so many churches just try to entertain people? Why isn't there more to Sunday morning? And my mind was saying, "Yes, such as a boring sermon, terrible choir music and a liturgy that puts everyone to sleep?"

I answered the woman honestly. Some churches are reaching out with entertainment because this generation has been shoved in front of the family television, carted off to Disneyland, taken to dozens of parks and venues where children are delighted and given almost every pleasure known to humankind. We have taught them to expect to be entertained.

The second thing we can expect from future generations is that they will not sacrifice willingly. They must be persuaded and coaxed into committing a portion of their incomes to religious causes. Yes, I know that all generations have had a difficult time giving away their hard-earned dollars, but these new generations will find sacrificial giving a greater challenge.

Some congregations have been able to plumb the depths of young people's wallets, and they do it through a low-key approach with an emphasis on trust. It's one of the most critical elements that younger generations long for: a connection with authentic people.

Too many young people distrust the authority figures in our culture. They might believe teachers are lazy, cops are corrupt, the media is only after sensation and preachers are egomaniacs. But then they come to worship, and they meet genuinely grace-filled people who do not judge them, who offer wonderful opportunities, who understand the challenge of living in the world and who expect little in return.

Then a reasonable, possible request for money is announced, and they see other people their age making large contributions, and it becomes second nature to give themselves, and their money, to the cause.

I've seen it happen, and it is beautiful to watch.

As the years slip by, religion survives. The challenge for older generations - like the woman who was concerned about her daughter's entertaining church - is to have the courage to move aside and trust the health and future of religion to those who understand the next generations of God.

Clark D. Morphew