While we are not the only generation to feel this way, we are unique in a few ways. We are one of the first generations where no significant movement for social progress has been led by the church. Before his death, Michael Jackson said he planned to do his final series of concerts so that his children could see him perform. They were not old enough to have witnessed him in his heyday. Similarly, our generation has not seen the glory of the church in action. We are also one of the first generations where the church didn’t heavily influence the music we grew up listening to. It’s now popular culture that has a greater influence on the music of the church. You must admit that times are changing. So are people. While I believe the church, at its core, should remain the same, there are some things she should consider as she tries to attract wayward youth and young adults — and to keep the ones she has.
1. We Are Searching for Relevance and Meaning
Pastors should not be concerned about confusing our generation. It’s already too late for that. Provide a safe and loving place where we can dialogue about what we are confused about without being condemned to hell. Also understand that the threat of hell is not as potent as it used to be. Overuse of anything tends to increase the tolerance one has for it. Additionally, preach the unadulterated truth. It is embarrassing for me to hear someone from another faith preaching truth and being more relevant than the Christian minister. The pendulum is swinging. The preach-me-happy sermons are overrated and overdone. We want truth. Unadulterated and naked.
2. We Are Looking for a Place to Belong.
Just the other day, I saw one of my friend’s Facebook status which said something like, “I have to deal with enough drama from hypocrites in the world as it is. When the church starts acting like the church, let me know – then I’ll return.” While I understand that the politics of human relationships inevitably means some sort of drama, the expectation of people in my generation is that the church should be less stressful than the workplace. If the people there act like the people in the world, the conclusion is, why go? If I still have to wear masks and put on an act around other people wearing masks, what’s the point?
Beyond that, if nothing more, the pastor should be someone who is respectable, caring, and available for spiritual counsel. Unfortunately for the church, however, there are too many impostors in the pulpits, and our generation can see through the façade! If the preacher is not seen as someone who is trustworthy and genuinely concerned about my spiritual growth and development, it reflects on that local church — and if there are enough stories, the whole institution. A pastor who is interested in attracting/keeping young adults should be invested in making sure people feel welcomed. S/he should be available for spiritual advice, and warmth should emanate from their countenance. It’s important that a pastor lives the life s/he preaches about. That alone will do wonders for the church.
3. We Are Seeking Work to Do and a Team to Work With.
Personally, I am not interested in sitting in a pew from the time I enter until the time I leave. I like to feel like my presence at church matters, and that I have a meaningful contribution to offer to the flow of the service besides my financial offering. I also want to meet people who are like minded and work with them in a meaningful ministry. Not just a group of people who meet every two or four weeks to talk about ministry, but a group of people who come together to minister. We want to meet needs, we want to make a difference, we want to change the world.
A pastor who is interested in attracting/keeping young adults should make sure there is work for us to do — and not just busy work. Small groups/teams comprising other people in our demographic are especially attractive because it can meet a social need and a spiritual need simultaneously. Pastors should also be open to us “reinventing the wheel.”
4. We Are Looking for Solutions.
I often wonder whether or not the church is equipped to deal with the realities its parishioners are facing in these modern times. In many cases, it is a turn off. The picture churches are painting, whether they intend to or not, is onemof a bunch of powerless people begging and pleading to a Suffering Servant to come down and help us navigatemthrough this mean and cruel world in these last and evil days. It’s almost hypocritical. There’s an all-powerful Godmthat Christians claim to know personally, and yet they are poor (in too many cases), unfulfilled, and worst of all, powerless to change the horrid conditions in which they find themselves.
In addition to preaching and praying, a pastor who is interested in attracting/keeping young adults should be active in looking for real-life solutions. The church has resources to the extent that they can be the answer to many of the prayers people are sending up. It must become more intentional about reaching out beyond the walls of the church to serve the people, and more creative in finding ways to address other needs and empower youth and young adults to tackle the problems they face each day.
All of the characteristics about my generation may not be good. We can be selfish, impatient, and shortsighted, no question. Good or bad, though, we are who we are. Knowing this going in is always better, because teaching and training then can be informed rather than ill-informed. One has to know whom they are working with if they are going to reach them. As Paul wrote, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” I love the church. I love people. And it saddens me that two of the things I love don’t love each other. Let’s see what we can do to change that.
Written By: Tim Lee
Why this image to portray this message? Love what’s being said but the pic with it… uhhhhmmmm, not getting it. Seems to take things in a different direction. Help me understand.
Hello!
Thanks so much for visiting Zoe Life Magazine and taking the time to comment. Why the pic? I chose the pic because I thought the model expressed the priorities for so many young women that are turned off by church and “church folks” and more interested in what they can do for themselves, leading with their sexuality. Hope that clears it up for you!
Sincerely,
Niya Allen
Editor in Chief