Does Today’s Church Want You?
One of the really compelling questions we found while on the road working on the beginnings of Threads was one from a minister at a church in Charlotte, N. C. It’s been gnawing at me for awhile.
He related a conversation with a 20-something guy who was disillusioned with the churches he had visited. Here’s what he said: “It seems like everybody in the world is interested in this generation. Big companies want us to buy their products,” he said. “The Army wants us. Politicians want us. The only organization that doesn’t want us is the church.”
That statement is like a bullet to the heart — because he was right in so many ways. Look around. It seems like everybody is courting this generation. A number of presidential candidates launched their campaigns online a few weeks back because they were interested in the generation that lives on the web. Recruiting for all of the armed services for the same people seems to be a continuing theme on all media. The big television networks who have been hurt so badly by the proliferation of cable channels are obviously zeroing in on younger Americans with their attempts at sit-com and dramatic programming.
But does the church in America really open its arms to this generation?
I think the answer in many churches, sadly, is “not intentionally.”
Jesus was intentional about everything he did. He opened his arms to every person he met. He set up situations intentionally where the people could come to him. It worked.
He didn’t sugarcoat the truth. Sometimes, he even made the truth tough to take.
But he always intentionally sought out people — of all ages.
Isn’t it time we did the same?
Isn’t it time we made this generation feel wanted in Jesus’ New Testament church?
About the Author
Jim Johnston has worked in a variety of roles, ranging from marketing to publishing to Internet development. Prior to coming to LifeWay, he worked as a reporter and editor for the Montgomery Advertiser and also as an adult-in-missions editor at the Brotherhood Commission in Memphis. Jim and his wife Tammy have been married for 23 years and have two sons, Spenser, 17, and Ethan, 10.
There have been 6 replies so far
I’m just so glad someone else feels this way. I haven’t felt wanted by a church since I was a teenager, except for my college small groups. I really miss it and could use the support of a church during this time in my life. It is hard enough being a young adult with a stressful career and a single person looking for a godly companion. Already feeling odd enough, you go to church and have the option of joining the over 40 divorced women’s group, the young married couples group, or heaven forbid the youth/college group. You just end up feeling more lonely than ever!
1 | dellarey
Saturday, February 17, 2007, at 12:37am
There are tons of people in this camp. You are definitely not alone. Our mission with Threads is to help our churches clearly see YOU and all of the people like you. Don’t lose heart! Our churches really do want to make a place for you. Many of them just don’t know how. I hope, pray and believe, through God’s wisdom and leadership, we are going to be able to help. Hang in there and thanks for chiming in. jj
2 | Jim Johnston
Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at 1:53pm
I agree that everything in our culture is telling this generation they are valuable, but our churches try to shave away the identity of this vastly diverse and energetic group to force it to conform to the traditions of those who have gone before. It is my passion that our churches, beginning with my own, search and find a way to reach this exciting and important generation without wavering from the Truth that has set us free. When we do this, the reality of our actions will match our hearts’ cry that we not only want you, but we need you!
3 | la pastor ron
Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at 6:00pm
Just to add the flip side of the coin, I have been a single adult leader for several years in different churches in different cities. My wife and I started a single adutl ministry with 20-somethings last April and have poured a lot of effort and time into it. I make the Bible lessons relevant to their age, and we spend time outside of class with activities. We also stay in touch by e-mail and I send a lesson review each week to those who were absent on Sunday. I have yet to see a spirit of commitment from these 20-somethings to own the group; to make it theirs; or to even attend on a regular basis. So here is a church who wants the 20-something age group of single adults, who makes a strong effort to attract them and offer them a quality, caring ministry, and what we get back is a low level of commitment. Anything else that comes up usually takes priority over the group. Do any of you have any suggestions for us? One question to whomever wants to respond… Do you think 20-something single adults want to be included in the same group with the same age of married couples all mixed together as “young adults” or do single adults want to be with other single adults in a group ministry. Just curious as to your thoughts. Thanks!
Sheepdog (because we have one)
4 | sheepdog
Tuesday, February 20, 2007, at 11:14pm
Sheepdog, I am grateful for your commitment. I am even MORE grateful for you because you are not giving up or giving in, despite this kind of response. I have had an experience like this or two myself. It’s a tough place to be. In small groups, it’s probably better to have a married group and an unattached group ( a lot people tell me they really hate the word “single”) so everyone has more in common, but it works either way. You might try separating by guys and gals and see how that works as well. My friends at FrontLine at McLean Bible Church have great success with their groups set up in that manner. I do have one or two suggestions: 1) Try doing a service project together. Helping stock a food bank. Working together at a homeless shelter. Doing a Habitat for Humanity project together. There’s nothing like a service project to bind us all together more tightly and get us in touch with God’s plans for our lives. My small group built a Habitat for Humanity house together for a great lady and her child a while back and our folks still talk about it. It was a tough, but great experience for us all. 2) Give a retreat a shot. Take everyone to a cabin out in the woods and do some intense Bible study, discussion and planning together. It might up the energy and get everyone more connected and committed to each other. I took a group of folks from our church off together several years back and it really bound us together. We overpacked a van to see to late-night movie, we joked around with each other and we generally had a blast. Again, we still have folks talking about that outing. On a totally random matter, I love sheepdogs and dogs in general. Dog people are good people. I am not sure I trust cat people at all <GRIN> jj
5 | Jim Johnston
Wednesday, February 21, 2007, at 9:11am
I think this is a great issue to be addressed. I was excited when the pastor that i serve under wanted to start a saturday night church service for this age group. I think in order to step out and connect with this age group the church as a whole needs to change and take that difficult step. It takes guts to step out and change but much kudos to those that do. I believe God will bless us if we take this step.
6 | Dan The Man
Thursday, February 22, 2007, at 3:16pm
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