ome striking mile markers appear on the road through young adulthood: leaving for college, getting the first job and apartment, starting a career, getting married?and, for many people today, walking away from the Christian faith. A few years ago, shortly after college, I was in my studio apartment with a friend and fellow kid. After some small talk over dinner, he announced, not a Christian anymore. I know what happened. I just left An image flashed into my mind from the last time I had seen him. It was at a Promise Keepers rally. I remembered watching him worship, eyes pinched shut with one slender arm skyward. How did his family react to his decision? I asked. His eyes turned to the ground. up I had an uncle who a Christian, and we prayed for him all the he said wistfully. sure they pray for me like About that time, I began encountering many other a basketball buddy, a soft-spoken young woman from my worship team, a friend from youth group. In addition to the more vocal ex-Christians were a slew of others who had simply drifted away. Now that in my early 30s, the stories of apostasy cultural trends Leavers More than in previous generations, 20- and 30-somethings are abandoning the faith. Why? By Drew Dyck Winter 2011 I ST IAN I TODAy a i