Last week, I had a conversation with a lady I've known for years. During the conversation, she stated, "The younger generation just doesn't go to church anymore." I've had a few hours to think about her statement and here's what I've come up with.
Although the statement is a bit over-generalized, I think she's on to something. Based upon the context, I assumed what she meant was the "thirty somethings and younger", when referring to the "younger generation." I've been in churches where that group is well represented and others where the group seems non-existent.
Books that have gained popularity the last few years include titles such as I Love Jesus But Hate the Church, Reimagining Church, and every title you can imagine with the word "organic" included. These are just a few of many that point out issues with the "younger generation" having a problem with the Church or any church structure. Sometimes, there are valid concerns. Other times, it seems the writer can't be a follower. For that reason, they choose to do their own thing (house churches, church plants where they're in control, etc.).
One other thought: It seems to me that there's a greater need for the younger people to feel something (sadly, myself included from time to time). In other words, after attending a church, I've heard friends say, "Wow! Was that awesome or what?" They're referring to a particular song, a dynamic speaker, or something else that sets their emotions "on edge." So if there's nothing to get the hair on the back of one's neck to stand up, they don't see a need to meet.
I think of the mega-church who has the popular music artist leading worship. "The worship team at my church just realeased cd number twenty-four. What does your church do for worship?"
The need for the latest fix seems to be greater and greater. "Whether it's a drama, the number one song on the charts, or a human video, I need something that mooooooves me! And if it doesn't happen, if four out of five people aren't crying by the end, did God really show up?"
So what do you think? Am I totally off-base or is there something to the warm fuzzies? Do people need to see, to touch, and to feel, to sense the power of God? Or does God show up, even if we don't entertain?
Any thoughts?
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8 comments:
Hi Mike, good post. I have a few thoughts on this. :)
First, I think our country is in the process of turning away from God. This is the biggest reason why people don't attend church.
Second, people are all different. Some prefer one style, some another. We all have our preferences, it's difficult to please everyone.
Third, we are seeing a generational "Changing of the guard". Keith Drury has written about this, and I think he's on to something. Two generations ago, everyone wanted to sing hymns. One generation ago the boomers started pushing for 'contemporary' worship. Now a new 'emergent' generation has come along, and they aren't satisfied with what the boomers put in place. So there is another round of "out with the old, in with the new".
Wow I've been part of this discussion before!! First lets answer the last question...He always shows up....he said He will and He always does.
The rest gets a little complicated. Jesus even used a little theatricts to get folks attention. Whether it was an individuals eyes or thousands. I'm a guy that thinks that you have to have them in church if you want to preach to them. We all need to hear the word? But what is church? Two or more gathered together? Personally I have enjoyed church while brewing a batch of beer, the discussion, teaching and learning were marvelous. While cooking for folks I love and discussing the loves and the fish and why that miracle was important. Sitting around my kitchen table listing to a friend trying to open the ears and heart of a niece I love dearly.
All church.
It seems to me that Jesus set the example and he changed as the need changed. He loves us all and told us that corporate worship is important.
So says Mike
i think that just as we "each" are being changed by the Holy Spirit, i think that "all of the body" of Christ that is living on earth at, any "given time", is being changed for God's ultimate purpose.
but, the thing is. i do not think that any of us can see, with our eyes, the true make up of the church of Christ Jesus.
it seems to me that gathering together with other believers is a good thing. but, i do not think that it is called "church".
i think that the believers are the church no matter where they are. the Holy Spirit living through us is the church.
believers getting together is a gathering, a time to share the Love of God and wash each other's feet, break bread, laugh, cry, sing, pray. i think that we are to gather for our own good in God. God knows that we need this.
but, it is not all there is to church. it is much more, more that we can see.
i think the church is something different than what we have made it out to be in our own heads instead of realizing it lives in our own hearts. and only God can see what is in our hearts.
Hey Kev!
Thanks for stopping by. You bring up a good point. It seems to be a systemic problem. However, has the 20 somethings ever attended church at a large percentage? I don't think so (at least in the last few decades).
I also agree with people are different. But as society changes, the church changes. I believe in the methods changing but not the (yada, yada, yada). However, because the corporate worship changes so often, what's the danger there?
Thanks again for the thoughts and the link.
Anon/Mike,
Ministry happens everywhere (even around a batch of beer). I love you man! We're still waiting on a visit.
Nancy,
Plenty to think about in your comments. Community has much to do with restoration. I definitely think gathering together is important.
Is "church" something different than what God intended? I think your on to something friend.
I'm not a fan of entertainment, though it's perfectly good to want to do something well, in fact that's always important.
Is God's presence at the forefront or certainly evident? that to me is where it's at. The rest is secondary to that.
There is a lot of truth to that. As much as I love dramas and human videos they entertain yes, however we should use them as a spring board.
The issue at hand I think boils down to what we as society have come to accept as a norm. Life has changed and sped to the next century. It seems a short time ago we were a much more patient audience working on a 486 computer while we waited for DOS to boot up windows 3.1 oh the simple days. Now we have phones with faster processing chips then our computers of yesteryear, we want new information and we need it now. Generation X and those following (especially those following) have been brought up in this ever changing was of doing life.
So of course my church has to change. It has to be bigger, better, louder!
Can God still get to us through all this noise? Depends on how we use said noise, but yes.
God is often better found in the silence in that quite breeze. Maybe if we took time and cranked the amps that are resting at 11 down to at least 5 or 6 maybe we find God in one another again. Come back to a place where it's okay to go for a Sunday drive and slow down.
It's not about how fast I'm going somewhere but what I did to get there.
Building relationships, listening, waiting, and sometimes waiting even more.
With all this information that is ready and willing to say. USE ME! Why can't we just go back to the simple days?
We don't need all these fancy ways to have a relationship, to reach others to reach the world. What about getting together with a friend and having lunch at the local diner and talking with Jesus, not just about Jesus.
Life is fast and it's hard to keep up, it's hard to hold on. But if we step back and let God guide us along the path, the road slows down to the pace He chooses.
So let's have fun, enjoy the new ways of sharing God, but keep our feet on the ground while we do it.
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