The 42-year-old Australian-American evangelist Nick Vujicic is raising concerns about the Western Church, which he believes has become “more like a country club and a social gathering” instead of the Body of Christ.
He also emphasizes the Church's crucial role in shaping the next generation amid rising issues of addiction and suicidal ideation.
“We are seeing the fruit of us not really disciplining the next generation or having accountability,” Vujicic told The Christian Post. He pointed out, “If we look at our country, there are youth pastors that are seen as babysitters, and 95% of the churches I've walked into, I would never attend because they feel more like a country club and a social gathering.”
Vujicic, who leads “NickV Ministries,” identified a cultural shift within American churches in the early 2000s, noting that many adopted an entertainment-focused approach to attract younger audiences. He stated, “A lot of Western churches in the USA changed their approach and actually started watering the Gospel and bringing a little bit more entertainment, a little bit more fun, a little bit more interaction; they went from meat to milk.”
He lamented the lack of serious discussions in churches, recalling a time when teachings included abstaining from premarital sex. “There were preachings back then about keeping your pants on until marriage. None of that’s really happening in 95% of the churches. Today, we have Gen Z swearing, saying the F word, sleeping around, and everyone knows it, but no one’s really keeping anyone accountable,” he remarked.
Vujicic highlighted the troubling trends among teenagers today, mentioning that many are creating “inappropriate photos of themselves” and noted the alarming statistics regarding sexual assault.
“Of the 25 million abortions in this country, many were carried out by women who regularly attended church. We don’t talk about the things that we need to talk about, and for as long as we don’t start healing the broken hearts that need healing, and for as long as we don’t bring in boundaries, as long as we don’t hold our leadership accountable, I am very afraid of what’s ahead,” he stated.
He also warned about the complacency he perceives in the wake of election cycles, noting that conservative Christians are “praying and fasting less” after their chosen candidate wins.
Vujicic asserts that returning to the fundamentals of faith—repentance, accountability, and unity—is essential, warning that the Church risks losing its spiritual authority and God’s protection without genuine repentance. “The first thing Jesus did was flip tables and crack a whip with the Church and correct the Church. And the last thing Jesus wanted, He expressed in prayer that we would be one,” he stated.
In November, Vujicic released “Arise Warriors,” a documentary filmed at the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana. He collaborated with former NFL player Tuff Harris, founder of One Heart Warriors, to deliver messages of hope and healing to Native American communities.
The documentary also explores the broader historical and spiritual context of Native American suffering. Vujicic called for a national reckoning with past sins, stating, “As a nation, we were established with blood on our hands. Eighteen million Native Americans were slaughtered. We need to repent for that.”
However, Vujicic emphasized that repentance is not merely about looking back; “It’s about engaging in dialogue, listening, and creating pathways for healing. It’s about letting Native Americans know they’re not forgotten.”
“Arise Warriors” is now available for streaming on the NickV Ministries YouTube channel.
