Maybe you can all help me, that is if you respond to these thoughts. How does a church reach emerging generations? I can't get this out of my frontal lobe. Do you "cater" to the younger generations in terms of musical style, preaching style, etc. at the risk of ostrasizing the rest of the body? If you don't reach the younger ones though, the church will die...is that so bad though? Jesus promised the church universal would stand, not the local, particular congregations. Meaning, do you go and start a new church with a younger generation in mind in order to reach that group? But then this church grows old and we still have no answers and we are forced to start another church. Viscious cyle I tell ya. Is the answer then to offer different worship gatherings for different people--i.e. Traditional, Contemporary, Emerging--you get the idea. But does this break up the church into something less than what the body is designed for? I don't know what to make of the comments by Mark Driscoll, in the book I just read, that advocates not offering anything for particular groups--how far do you take this...should there be no student ministry then? I could be out of a job. How does a church, like Orangewood, which is not dominated by 20 somethings, reach that generation? I have a lot of questions and very few answers. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Maybe I just need to get off my lazy butt and start bringing 20 somethings to church, but that would entail me getting to know some God-forsaken pagans. I think I suck at that. What to do?
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This is an easy problem, Jamie.
ReplyDeleteWhat you do is the following:
1) Music by James Taylor. At a JT concert in '96 I realized that the crowd was made of those over 50 AND under 20.
2) Show episodes of the Simpsons. 1988-2004+? That's unheard of. And the humor reaches elderly and pre-teens. Usually a redeeming message somewhat.
3) Associate Pastor: Bob Dylan. See #1
4) Pastor: You. Only with the goatee, hip clothes, and the lowercase sermon notes.
5) And the Call to Worship should be led by Heather: everybody loves her, all ages, from Grampa Brink to Sydnie. Although, as you mentioned in your earlier article, women have no place in the church. Heather can just concentrate on the Thanksgiving turkey.
6) Ushers: John the Checker, Gintz, Yeast, Q, Cherneski, and Jeff Foxworthy
I'd show up.
7) Deacons: All 5 Eckerts; let them make all the important decisions, especially considering that most Sundays these days will be 'Days After Notre Dame, Indiana, & West Virginia Losses.'
8) Finally, following each servise, have a Dunk the Clown booth set up outside church as people are leaving with Colby Arrow and the Giant Broccoli Chunk in his teeth sitting in in a zubaz speedo ready to be just pasted.
Jamie-
ReplyDeleteI know we talked about this a bit last sunday, so i'll just elaborate. You say that it may not be so bad an idea to let a church die, i agree. In my past experiences i have not attended a church that was focused on the preservation of our faith more than it was focused on the preservation of its image. The get in, get "saved", and get out your checkbook mentality that seems to dominate our churches makes me wonder how it got this far. I think part of the solution has to be reminding christians that God does not exist only within the confines of the church building. It is sadly amusing that i know many people who consider themselves bad christians for lack of attendance rather than lack of morals.
That being said, i have also not yet been in a youth group who's leader did not think that something needed to change. I wonder how many people had similar views before Martin Luther got out his pen. Why, if we are supposed to be one of the pinnacle examples of a christian society, are foreign churches now sending missionaries to the U.S.? I think Christians need to realize that this is not a book club. I'm not sure how this can be done, but barring Jeff Foxworthy and a dunking booth, maybe a hammer, some nails, and a list of disagreements would get the point across.
Jamie-
ReplyDeleteI just realized that i forgot to include something in my last comment. I think that the sunday night meetings are an example of one of the better ways we can reach younger people. So far you guys (and girl) have done a great job of creating an environment that is both christian and welcoming. In the past i have been slightly hesitant to invite people to church because i felt it had no appeal. The sunday night meetings are much more likely to have impact on friends who do not know christ.
Gabe
Gabe, thanks for your thoughts. Let's keep chating. Glad to hear you are feeling at home in the Sunday night gathering. Looking forward to seeing you there tonight!
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