Why ancient faith matters

From the Pastor to you:

I recently came across a very interesting set of survey findings. According to research by Barna and Cornerstone, among worshipers ages 18–29, 67%—more than half—preferred traditional worship over a trendy contemporary style. Even more striking, 77% said they would rather worship in a “sanctuary” than an "auditorium", and 65% preferred a worship atmosphere that is “quiet and sacred” rather than “loud.” In the wave of recent revival movements across U.S. college campuses, additional surveys noted that more than 78% of young adults were drawn to traditional worship services rather than modern ones. This tells a powerful story. They are seeking liturgy, historic prayers, the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, classic hymns, and a worship life rooted in the practices of the early church.

It seems like something much deeper is taking place. Modern culture, for all its creativity and noise, has not been able to satisfy the spiritual hunger of a generation searching for truth, roots, and reverence. These young believers are not simply seeking something new—they are longing for something enduring: a sacred faith that did not begin with us, but has carried the church safely across centuries and generations. In their rediscovery of ancient worship, they are reminding us of something important: that the church is at its strongest not when it is merely current, but when it is faithful—anchored in the holy traditions and testimony of the saints who have gone before us.

For decades, churches have worked hard to become relevant, modern, creative, and technologically excellent. In many places, the sanctuary now resembles a movie theater without a cross, the lighting feels like a concert stage, and the worship songs follow the trends of the moment—catchy, contemporary, and culturally polished. None of these are necessarily wrong, as long as they serve as tools that help us proclaim Christ more effectively. Yet, a new generation is reminding us that relevance alone is not enough. Their hearts are longing not simply for something new, but for something true—something that did not originate with us, but has been tested, refined, and preserved through the centuries. There are moments when I deeply miss the hymns that carry the voices and testimonies of holy saints who endured dungeon, fire, and sword for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I miss the majestic sound of the organ filling the sanctuary while an acolyte carried the flame to the pulpit, symbolizing the presence of Christ entering His holy space. There is something profound, sacred, and deeply rooted in these ancient expressions of faith—something that reminds us who we are, where we come from, and the holy story we have been entrusted to carry forward.

Many young believers today have grown up in a rapidly shifting world. Everything changes—technology, media, trends, values, and even identity. And in a world where so little is stable, the ancient church offers something that is solid, rooted, and time-tested. The creeds do not move. The liturgy does not depend on personality or performance. The sacraments remind us that God meets us not just emotionally, but sacramentally, covenantally and faithfully. The historic faith gives a worshipper a place to stand—whether life feels triumphant or painful. Young people are not turning to the ancient church because they want to “go back,” but because they want to move forward with something deeper. They want mystery in an age of over-explanation. They want reverence in a world overflowing with noise. They want transformation, not just inspiration. They want a church that is not reinvented every few years, but one that is connected to the saints, martyrs, and worshippers who have followed Christ for more than two thousand years.

We inherit doctrines, liturgies, and sacred practices that were handed down “from the apostles,” and with humility we carry them faithfully into the future. When a young person kneels to pray a prayer that Christians prayed a thousand years ago, they discover that faith is not only personal—but communal, historical, and global. They realize they are part of a story bigger than themselves. This is why we must not lose the beauty of our tradition—not in order to reject the modern world, but so that the modern world can be evangelized with something deeper than marketing or relevance. The ancient faith gives us a holy anchor. It allows us to speak with continuity, depth, and authority. It reminds us that the church’s power has never been in being trendy—but in being faithful.

May we therefore embrace the future with confidence, but also hold tightly to the sacred history God has entrusted to us. May our worship be creative, but also rooted. May our technology serve the gospel, but never replace the presence and majesty of God. And may the generations after us inherit a church that is not merely contemporary, but holy—one that carries the living faith of the saints who came before us, and faithfully passes it to those yet to come.

(Recommended book - Ever Ancient, Ever New: The Allure of Liturgy for a New Generation by Winfield Belvins)

Blessings,

Rev. Won D. Kim

Lead Pastor of RockSpring Church.