So What’cha Want …. In Church?
“What is the next generation of North American church-goer looking for?”
I’ve been dwelling on this thought a lot recently. Mainly because I work with young people day-in and day-out. Like most people in church leadership today, I find myself scratching my head, wondering. Vexed!
So I flip the question to you: What are they/you looking for?
- Megachurch? Minichurch?
- Lutheran? Baptist? Both? Neither?
- Hi-tech? Low-tech?
- Communal? Missional? Theological?
Tell me where you’re at, what you’re hearing, what you’re seeing. What’s working and what’s not working?
Questions like these always demand a context, but I’m wondering if there’s a theme (or two) in the midst of it all? Something tangible that transcends context.
I just want to meet cool people on my journey. If that means High tech – cool. If not, that is OK to.
I don;t like to get caught up in the denomination game, I just like to hear people's story. The real stuff, their life – its great.
I'm interested in purpose & relationships.
If this looks differently in different places, I'm okay with that. I'm okay with a large church or a small church. A church that utilizes technology and a church that's a little slow with it. A church that is simple in ministry programs and a church with a complex system of programs.
I have opinions about all but if I believe in what we're doing and a healthy community is present, I think I'd be willing to overlook a lot.
Just had a meeting with a lady who grew up Greek Orthodox and is looking for a faith community that allows her to be herself and make her own decisions when it comes to faith issues.
In Winston-Salem, we have seen a longing for churches to be unassuming and transparent. People see through the show, and know that we (church leaders) don't have it all together no matter how hard we pretend to. They are looking for leaders who are willing to admit that.
Just had a meeting with a lady today who grew up Greek Orthodox and is interested in finding a faith community where she can be herself and make her own decisions.
One thing we have found in Winston-Salem is a longing for a church that is unassuming and transparent. People see through the show, and they know we (church leaders) don’t have it together even when we pretend out hardest that we do. They are looking for leaders who are willing to admit that.
I want to be part of a community. I want to be in the groups and courses I am meant to be in, meeting the people God intended me to meet in hopes of having a positive impact on their lives or receiving the impact from them that will help me better fulfill His plan for my life.
Right now that's in KQ and a killer small group from ALPHA.
Their looking for a community of people they can trust… not trust because they are perfect, but trust because they are real. Ministries need to make a way for younger singles to connect with others, and then point them to connect with their creator! I think they are also interested and moved by stories of people helping people.
Peace
Tony
Oh I forgot one thing… they want to be in a place that makes it safe to ask questions and find a faith of their own… often the church is guilty of trying to cram trite answers into spaces not able to contain them!
We talked about a model of faith with Tiger Mcluen yesterday that I loved… John Westerhoff's
1. Experience
2. Joining
3. Searching
4. Owning
I think Young adult ministries must be ok with, and even encourage the searching!
Tony
Story is where it's at. It's amazing what happens when you hear where people have been in life. It can change everything!
So relationships trump the “how-tos” of doing church? Interesting.
Smells and bells, Sammy!
Hopefully you mean “killer” in the metaphorical sense!
I'm sensing a relational trend here. . . . . .
That's a great list, yo. I'm stealing it.
I want to be a part of a church where people passionately pursue Jesus through discipleship and sanctification (not implying I don't attend one). And doughnut holes.
I want a church that isn't trying to do “Sunday service” the best, but cultivating the spirit of Jesus whole heartedly.
How about a church that's actually friendly?
I mean, think about how churches always want the lost to come to church and then a guy who's more used to going to the hardware store on Sunday morning shows up at church and … no one even attempts to hang with him or befriend him. Too often, not too friendly, in my experience.
And conversely, when a Christian who may be further along in their walk comes to your church, do you try to squelch or box the person up? Do you get all nervous and try and make sure he's inside the box you've created for your fellowship's walk? Or do you accept the person for where they are at and prayerfully discern?
These are reasons why church on-line (iBethel.tv , ihop.org) are burgeoning so much.
To preface, I'm 16 years old, and currently not in North America.
For me, a church has to give me opportunities to expand and grow, especially in leading others. I believe that the idea of church layed out in the new testament is one where as each 'member' grows, they lead others.
I'm not too bothered by what denomination a church is, as long as they don't have any really crazy beliefs.
And most importantly, I want a church that is teaching from the word of God.
A friendly church is a growing church. Although, not TOO friendly. If you know what I'm sayin'.
Didn't know we had some iBethel fans roaming around!
Welcome to the priesthood of all believers! Where in the world are you from?
Discipleship…and it would be nice to have if I could learn and grow with true, good, long-term, committed friends.
Discipleship…and it would be nice to have if I could learn and grow with true, good, long-term, committed friends.