The millennial generation’s much-talked-about departure from church might lead those of us over 30 to conclude that they have little interest in Jesus. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Unfortunately, their spiritual coming of age has coincided with many Protestant pastors relying on a consumer business model to grow and sustain their churches. This template for doing church and the millennials’ hunger for authenticity has caused an ideological collision.
Many churches gradually, and perhaps unwittingly, transitioned from being appropriately sensitive to the needs of their congregants to becoming–if you’ll permit some pop-psychologizing–co-dependent with them.
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Interesting & well written article. As I have watched the church adopt the seeker sensitive model I can’t help but wonder for my own kids what the future of Christianity will look like. I remember as a teenager coming to Christ and finding my relationship with and faith in my Savior coming out of a deep void I felt within my life. Hearing the Gospel “preached” and having the scriptures become alive, sermons that were centered around those scriptures brought new meaning to how they were to be lived out in my faith.
In raising our kids it has been interesting to see the church change. In some services scripture is easily replaced with the “topic” of the week, Sunday sermons replaced with sharing out of the latest book floating around the Christian world. Attending the big church on the corner is actually very acceptable because that’s where you can basically drive in & out quickly to fit your schedule, sing your 3 contemporary rock beat songs and feel good about the topic.
I fear that my children and many in their generation will look back and wonder where the depth was, why the conviction of the scriptures was not preached and perhaps more importantly, why we ever thought a “feel good” approach would be the key to raising a generation desperately in need of real answers to fill the longing in their spirits for truth?
Hello, Dorothy. I can relate all too well with everything in this article. However, I have to say that I’ve found it’s not only those in the millennial generation who are leaving…at least in the churches in my area….but those in their 40s and 50s, and even older (I’m 56 years old). I’ve lost count of how many times recently that I’ve stepped out into the parking lot of the church I’ve attended for over 13 years and once sincerely considered my ‘second home,’ and felt like I’d just attended a conference/rock concert/corporate meeting, complete with marketing schemes, product placement and subliminal messages via the ever-present video blasts on The Big Screen. I know that change is necessary and even good, but to be honest, in the mad rush to be cool, hip and relevant, I feel that Jesus is getting trampled underfoot. I’m both angry and sad, and currently searching for another church.
This is an excellent article!
Pam, thank you for reading and for taking the time to comment. It’s painful isn’t it? The gospel in and of itself is so powerful and so appealing. It does not need the church equivalent of MSG! I wish pastors and leaders could see this, even as they work to make church a vibrant and compelling place. May God meet you and lead you regarding this issue.
I was reading your article amen-ing all the way thru – clipping stuff for my blog – and then what name do I see – yours! I laughed. it was many years ago but we met through Beth Frawley. So can I surmise that all is not well in Vineyard land? It is the same in my church. I made comment about it on her.meunitics. The freakiest thing is the biblical illiteraccy. At this church, almost all the mid mangmnet/ small group leaders got their Bible training at another church, christian school, family or para church organization. When I pointed this out – to my husband -no less who is also head of elders – there was silence. When I pointed out to the head of our women leaders that maybe the heavy realiance of the groups using video teachers was preventing the growth of teachers in the body – she cried. Once I forced my eyes open, I saw so much wackiness and institutional sin I had to leave. Sundays were becoming Hell for me. So now I don’t have a church home. My husband is still at the church. it is inexplicable to me but I’ve made some peace with it. One of the things i did to make myself feel better was make a pinterest board of women pastors and seminarians. here is a link: http://www.pinterest.com/artforjoy/women-pastors-and-seminarians/ I would have wanted to have women elders but it was impossible to find photos I could pin. if you know of any women pastors or elders, could you send me their names? Thanks and I am sending blessings your way. (Th is the blog i was clipping for: http://www.scoop.it/t/christian-woman-sharpens-iron )
Hi Winifred. Of course I remember you. Nice to be reconnected. I am sorry that church has been a tough spot for you too. We left the Vineyard over doctrinal and relational misfires. A sad loss for us but necessary. I am part of a woman’s writing guild which has many excellent voices: http://www.redbudwritersguild.com/. (Some of my favorite voices in the group are Leslie Leyland Fields, Marlena Graves, and Karen Swallow Prior). Also check out Carolyn Custis James if you are not already familiar with her. And if you like my FB pages (www.facebook.com/DorothyGrecoPhotography) you will often get some of the best feeds from there too. Hope to run into you sometime. Thanks for writing.