The Exvangelical Narrative Is Overblown (What the Actual Numbers Reveal)

When speaking with Christian parents, I often sense a quiet anxiety about the faith journey their children might take. Many of them, especially those who are very active members of an evangelical congregation, worry that they might do or say something that causes their children to abandon their Christian faith and join the growing number of people who identify with no religion. I believe they are concerned, of course, about the eternal souls of their children, but they also worry about the social scorn they could face from other parents once it becomes known that their children “fell away” from the church. 

There are notable examples that highlight this concern. Tony Campolo, a sociologist, was renowned for his passionate sermons about God’s grace and the importance of forgiveness. However, one of his sons, Bart, became a prominent secular humanist as an adult. Similarly, John Piper’s son Abraham gained a significant