When you look at the decline of church attendance in America, or

"When you look at the decline of church attendance in America, or when you look at the decline of millennials that are not going to church in America, you want to have the conversation that a lot of times people are hit more with religion and rules and the systems than they are with the love of God and having a personal relationship with Christ." – Kirk Franklin.

In these words, Kirk Franklin speaks to a profound truth about the nature of faith and religion—that in the modern world, the essence of spirituality has often been overshadowed by rituals, rules, and systems. Franklin reflects on the growing disillusionment many people, especially the millennial generation, feel toward organized religion, suggesting that what is often lacking in these institutions is a personal relationship with the divine. Instead of feeling the warmth of God’s love, individuals are too often confronted with a legalistic system, where the focus is placed on rules and regulations, rather than the transformative power of love and faith.

The ancients understood the power of love and the necessity of an authentic connection with the divine. In Greek philosophy, Plato spoke of the ideal of the Good, which could only be truly understood by a direct connection to the eternal truths that govern the cosmos. Similarly, Aristotle taught that the highest form of human flourishing was found in a life lived in alignment with virtue, but also in connection with others in a community of love. For these philosophers, the pursuit of truth and goodness was not found merely in following a set of rules, but in a deep, personal engagement with the higher principles of the universe. The idea of a personal relationship with the divine was, in many ways, foundational to their teachings.

In Christianity, the importance of a personal relationship with God is underscored throughout the New Testament. Jesus Christ often spoke of love as the central commandment, urging followers to love God with all their hearts and to love their neighbors as themselves. He did not demand rigid adherence to rituals or systems of religious law, but emphasized compassion, forgiveness, and a heartfelt connection to God. In the Gospels, Jesus chastises the religious leaders of his time for placing too much importance on the letter of the law, while neglecting the spirit behind it. For Jesus, faith was not about external acts of piety, but about a heartfelt relationship with the divine that transformed one’s actions and way of being.

In modern times, this tension between love and rules has played out in countless stories of individuals feeling alienated or disillusioned by religion. Kirk Franklin, a prominent gospel singer, is deeply attuned to this shift. His words reflect a concern that for many young people, the experience of church has become one of ritual without relevance—a place where one is expected to follow rules without understanding the deep, personal connection that faith can offer. This disconnection is often felt by those who seek authenticity in their spiritual lives and are turned away by religious institutions that focus more on external compliance than on fostering an internal, personal transformation.

The lesson from Franklin’s quote is a call to return to the foundational purpose of faith: to experience and share the love of God. The religious systems and rules that are often emphasized in modern institutions can sometimes create a sense of disconnection, as people focus on external obligations rather than the internal relationship that should be at the heart of spiritual life. Jesus Christ’s life and teachings emphasize that love—unconditional, transformative love—is at the core of faith. Faith is not about rigid compliance to systems but about an authentic connection that transcends the laws and touches the very heart of human existence.

In our own lives, we must reflect on how we approach our spirituality. Are we more focused on the rules and rituals of our religion than on the love and personal connection with the divine that it should foster? If we find ourselves disconnected or alienated from our faith, it may be time to reassess and return to the heart of our beliefs. Just as Jesus taught, it is not enough to follow religious systems without understanding the meaning behind them. A true faith is one that is alive with love and is grounded in a personal relationship with God, transforming not only our actions but also the way we see and engage with the world.

Thus, the practical action is clear: we must seek depth in our spiritual lives, focusing not only on the outward rituals of religion but on the personal and transformative experience of love and connection with the divine. We must return to the essential teachings of compassion, forgiveness, and love as the core of our faith. In doing so, we can create a spiritual practice that not only brings us closer to God but also nurtures a deeper, more authentic relationship with those around us. By shifting our focus from the rules to the relationship, we can breathe new life into our faith, making it a source of growth, healing, and community.