Trevin Wax addresses the evolving challenges of discipleship in a post-COVID, secularized landscape. He argues that the Christian tradition is a robust “castle” capable of weathering modern storms, such as declining institutional trust and a shift toward “intuition-based” religion. Central to his talk is the need to fortify the local church by moving beyond mere content delivery to fostering deep community. Wax emphasizes equipping households as primary sites for robust spiritual formation, rather than relying solely on Sunday programs. By correcting myths regarding “online church” and identifying that youth disengagement often begins in high school rather than college, he calls leaders to intentionally strengthen the church’s institutional health to ensure long-term mission effectiveness.
Key Takeaways
Institutional vs. Intuitional
Society is moving from “institutional religion” to “intuition religion,” where individuals remix spirituality based on personal feelings rather than traditional forms.
Equipping the Household
Because families often view the home as the primary site for spiritual formation, churches must prioritize equipping parents to hand down a substantive, orthodox faith.
Community Over Content
Leaders must guard against the perception that church is merely “content” (sermons and music) that can be downloaded; it must remain a vital community of deep relational connection.
The High School Departure Myth
Data suggests that many young people disengage from the church during high school (ages 16–17) rather than upon entering college, requiring earlier intentional intervention.
Migration and Frequency
Post-COVID attendance drops are often due to “migration between churches” or decreased frequency of attendance among regular members rather than a total abandonment of faith.
