Church After the Baby Boomers
by Steve Watters on 01/30/2008 at 4:18 PM
"Baby Boomers are no longer the future of American religion. As they grow older, they are rapidly becoming its past. The future now rests with younger adults." This is how Robert Wuthnow kicks off his book called After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings Are Shaping the Future of American Religion. He continues:
Baby boomers are now moving past their mid-life crises, becoming empty nesters, and retiring. To be sure, their influence on American religion remains strong. With the graying of America, they will be the most numerous group in the typical congregation. They will have more time to serve on committees and more money to put in the collection plate. They will also be the members who lament that things are no longer as good as they were in the 1960s (or 1980s). They will not be so sure that change is a good thing, especially if it is being advanced by someone considerably younger than they are. Baby boomers will also increasingly be high-maintenance members. Besides populating the pews, they will require sick-visits from the pastor. As they die, or move away to retirement communities and nursing homes, they will leave the leadership of American religion in other hands.
Maybe you've already had a chance to dig into this book by Wuthnow, the professor who directs the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton University. I'm only just now starting it, but I'm finding it to be one of the most helpful for anyone who cares about the future of the local church. Wuthnow makes a good case that the generation coming behind the boomers is not very well understood--especially in the context of their faith and relationship to the local church. He writes:
In the absence of solid information, speculation about the religious needs and interests of the next wave runs rampant. Self-styled cultural experts have been arguing that young adults will be the leaders of a great spiritual revival. ... Other forecasters are placing their bets on technology. Persuaded that religion is somehow a function of gadgets and electronics, they predict an Internet revolution in which congregations will be replaced by Web sites and chat rooms. Still others see in their crystal balls that young adults will flock to jeans-and-sweatshirt ministries where everything is warm and supportive -- as if that were something new.
The truth is, these futuristic speculations make headlines, but seldom make sense. The reason is that they are the product of someone's imagination, rather than being grounded in any systematic research -- or, for that matter, a very good understanding of young adulthood and social change. Pastors and interested lay leaders can titillate themselves reading such speculation in religious magazines. But they need to realize how flimsy this sort of information is.
Only a few pages into this book I'm struck by just how significant this generational shift is going to be in the local church. How's your local church facing this shift?
1. Michelle said the following at 5:18 PM on Jan 30:
This book seems a little out of date. Wasn't this happening about ten years ago? Aren't these younger people the ones leading now? Why then do they seem so mysterious? Besides, people have been wondering for years how to get Gen Xers into church. Isn't that what the Emergent movement was a response to? Please let me know if you agree with my thoughts or if I'm just way off base.
2. brx said the following at 5:34 PM on Jan 30:
As these changes happen, we'll see which 'churches' are based on an institutional model and which bodies are based on helping people grow in a dynamic, life-giving relationship with the Lord and Saviour. Jesus is on the move!
We're trying to consider, what did average-joe followers of Christ do in 30 AD when the church was in its first formative years. And, how that might influence our relationships today.
Grace, peace & adventure!
3. Brantley said the following at 8:51 PM on Jan 30:
Why doesn't the church accept our new plastic nation. I put a note in the offering plate and gave my church a call asking how I can give electronically. I gave them several options of credit card, direct deposit, monthly withdraw, etc. I've yet to hear from them. Maybe I should start a non-profit that allowed Churches to register and even have a web page where people could leave their donations.
4. Mike Theemling said the following at 9:04 PM on Jan 30:
I foresee in the upcoming generations something which mirrors Western Europe: Where the Church is "there" but is essentially dead.
The fact is that more people than ever in the younger age group don't go to church on a regular basis even though they admit religion is important to them.
You will see in this and immediate generations an increase in church closings and existing churches will struggle to survive as their main source of income (middle aged married and older couples) pass away.
In some ways, the church is this country has invested in the present generation at the expense of the future. It's understandable. The young adult single demographic goes to and gives to the church the least, but they are the future. And by in large they have been ignored by the church leadership.
I also believe that the "delay marriage" message touted by culture but also reinforced in church has also hurt them. A married person is less likely in my opinion to be drifting from community to community (and thus church to church) and commit and be involved with their local church.
Of course, I could be wrong on everything and I hope I am, but that is what I see in much of the country.
5. brx said the following at 9:57 PM on Jan 30:
Brantley,
I think there's already an organization that provides that service with credit cards - don't recall their name though. Also, I think United Way might do it too - you give to them and direct the money to the 503(c) of your choice, which may include your church. [but I wonder if giving by various credit/debit card methods also gives up 1~3% to the card processing company?]
You could also use the on-line bill-pay service provided free by many banks to their checking account holders.
Really, if it's big of a deal for you, there are options you could pursue independent of your local church administration.
6. Laura said the following at 10:01 PM on Jan 30:
My church is what most people would call modern, which it is. However, the majority of the middle-aged and older members are just as involved today as they were years ago. Yes, we now have Eftpos and electronic banking as a means of giving tithes and offerings, we have a coffe shop in the foyer and we've had to employ someone just to handle the multi media side of things. But the church wouldn't have survived if the middle aged and older group hadn't taken the time to train up the younger generations! Yes, the older group is fading out, but if the younger generations have been trained well in the word of God, then I'm not overly concerned.
7. Beth Jacoby said the following at 10:18 PM on Jan 30:
I am just coming into the 20-something category, my parents are the last of the baby boomers and my church is straddling the line of kids/teens/young couples/elderly.. I'm one of the only 20-somethings in my church right now, but I know plenty of me that are in other churches doing the same thing I'm trying to do here. We aren't an elusive bunch of punk kids waiting to electronicize your church, we're passionate and interested in God and what He can do in OUR lives. What I'm imagining for the "next generation" church is committed young people stepping up and denying themselves to help save this world, growing up I've seen the church on the defense so much and I want to be on the attack. We need to be fighting the Devil rather than trying to avoid him. I see a lot of 12-18 year olds that have amazing potential for that too, this is such an impressionable age, and if we're taking over the church we should be training for battle. It almost seems like the adults there now are afraid of giving it to us!
8. Joseph said the following at 12:03 AM on Jan 31:
This is like a long term version of High School ministry. Whereas youth ministry, high school more specifically is always 4 years away from being extinct in every venue. I have seen my church be powerful instruement sheparding hundreds of high schoolers, and I have seen it shrink down to a handful in a matter of 4 years...
Like the youth ministry event, the burden is upon the staff and hopefully the upperclassmen to raise up the lower classmen to lead and continue the cycle. I would like to think that formula is so smooth when instead of classes it is generations apart, but that doesn't negate the principal. The older must be willing to shepard the younger.
The most successful youth ministry I have ever seen, had several hundred 40-50 year old men regularly leading the high schoolers, that I think was the way Church should be.
9. Bethany D. said the following at 12:40 AM on Jan 31:
Well I just moved to a new church, so I can't answer Steve's exact query, but if I put in my $0.02:
Even if a replacement number of young bodies are in the church, I think financial troubles will soon be biting at the heels of many graying congregations. It seems difficult enough to get young adults to give up their time in order to attend church; convincing them to hand over 10% of their wallet is going to be even harder. On the positive side, giving & activism seem to be important to this age group, so I think we can expect to see lots of funding for mission trips, outreach, and direct-to-charity giving - but not the boringly essential monthly checks to keep the church doors open. I think that churches open to credit/debit and/or direct-deposit giving will do somewhat better, simply because it will be easier for the impulsive urges to give to actually be translated into action.
10. Michelle said the following at 12:47 AM on Jan 31:
In response to giving electronically can you not set up a standing order (that's the UK name) like a monthly bill payment where you can put your tithe? I'd ask your bank and come up with options to present to your church. Maybe they've not had the time or resource to look into it?
Furthermore, in response to Mike T "I foresee in the upcoming generations something which mirrors Western Europe: Where the Church is "there" but is essentially dead."
first, that may be what churches in europe, were like, but that's not what they're becoming. Speaking from a North American living in Europe, the church is emerging in great strengths out here. Check out: http://www.hillsong.co.uk/hillsongconference/ In TWO years our conference doubled..it was incredible to see how thousands of people were so excited to see how they could buld their local church (based on Acts 2 and the Early Church) There were 45 nations represented (Our church put this on and I served on registrations, so I had the privilege of meeting a lot of these people). The church in Europe is yearning for growth, for God. I think that the rest of the world sees (and unfortunately media enforces this) old catholic churches going to ruin. But there are churches everywhere sprouting out.
Second, generally...I believe the key to this is remaining relevant. NOW relevant doesn't mean unbiblical it simply means being a bible based church where the tools that are used to reach a person meet that person at their level. IE the millenial (can't spell) generation...ages 24 and under...they're a sensory generation, very touchy feely...so how do we reach them. The church needs to continue to change the methods and it will continue to grow. The message of Jesus Christ and Salvation is everlasting and just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago...we just present now, in a slightly different way.
11. Annie Carter said the following at 5:20 AM on Jan 31:
This is a topic that I feel strongly about, having grown up in a Christian family and attended a variety of denominations.
Each generation there emerges a group of young, radical and seemingly enlightened people, who are zealously intent on putting things right in the Church and apparently getting her back to her biblical roots. This is a commendable mission, it is a worthwhile vision. Unfortunately I am convinced that each generation ends up overriding their original convictions and succumbing to popular demands - i.e. giving the people what they want.
So - the baby boomers began by making worship heartfelt and passionate; they have often ended up with predictable, slick and overly loud or pretentious worship. Likewise, the boomers began with small churches (often in homes) with convicting messages and the opportunity for everyone to serve and to contribute, but have since morphed into mega-churches that often resemble a profitable business whose main goal is to increase their consumer base (read: church membership) regardless of HOW they attain this increase, e.g. through slick advertising, fun programs and super social activites. Are such programs/events inherently wrong? No. It's just that the emphasis has shifted from seeking God and glorifying Him, to glorifying man and his own abilities and creativity.
Now we have the current 20s and 30s who are quickly turning their back on typical popular churches in search of something less commercial and perfect, but rather real and relevant. However I am concerned that - as with the generation before - they will become more motivated by appearance (this time "hip" rather than "slick") and doing what people want instead of what God wants.
I have been to a great variety of churches and denominations in the last 30 years or so, but in only a handful did I find leaders whose sole passion is to be obedient to Christ, to serve and to see people become saved and discipled. Many churches don't care where the growth comes from (other churches) and simply want to have a greater presence in their town or city. They seem to lose the vision that they once had in the early days and get sucked up into delivering events - events that are not wrong in and of themselves - they just take up a lot of time and energy - energy which would be better spent on pursuing your relationship with Christ, with your family, spouse - and importantly, with those who dont know the Lord.
If the Church's main purpose to exist remained SIMPLE - e.g. to build up believers in truth and worship, and to reach out to others (evangelism), we would all be changed individuals brimming with Christlikeness, eager to reach the world around us in a natural (not forced, or cheesy) way. We wouldn't need programs, because we would go about our daily life and have an impact on those around us, which in turn would lead to us bringing them to faith. And thus the church would grow - and then split to reach another area. Nowhere in scripture do you find Paul exhorting believers to build a large church (or even to build small churches) to accommodate believers. We have become too focused on external things and image, rather than changed hearts and lives.
So although I am aware that the Church needs shaking up, I sincerely hope that the new leaders will not just provide what the masses want - IMO - "trendy large churches" - but will return to their biblical convictions and raise up churches that are glorifying to Christ. Such churches will impact their communities without needing to spend lots of money, because the impact will come from each individual going about their daily life as a changed, Christ-breathing person. I am convicted that I need to be such a person, not someone who is so busy "serving at church" that I don't have time for my neighbour.
12. Steve Watters said the following at 6:38 AM on Jan 31:
Michelle:
To your question about the book possibly being out of date, I see your point. At first glance, it does seem like books from a decade ago that said, "Oh my goodness, there's a different crop of people about to step up in this church." What I see new in this book (that came out in 2007) is that Wuthnow is going way beyond the books that are still treating the next generation as their college ministry, their singles group or young married groups and instead is fully grappling with their rise toward primary leadership. As hinted at in the excerpt, Wuthnow also goes beyond wishful thinking and creative speculation to break down lots of studies that can give churches a more accurate assessment of this generation of church members and their spiritual makeup and motivations.
13. obewan said the following at 6:49 AM on Jan 31:
They have taken over the soundboard at our church. Now when I come in to get ready for worship, I am forced to listen to recordings of raucous hard rock with chain saw guitars and very heavy drumming. Don’t get me wrong, Christian rock has its place and I grew up on Petra and Striper and Servant and the heaviest Christian rock – but in the sanctuary when you are getting ready to meditate etc??? They really need to give it a rest. There are over 3500 people at our church and they don’t all like hard rock.
14. Carrie (the original) said the following at 6:54 AM on Jan 31:
"How's your local church facing this shift?"
By adopting a "Titus 2" attitude. Older women instruct and encourage the younger women and older men do the same. Also several young men in recent years have sought out the call to go to seminary. Our session has provided wise and sober council. As a church we pray for them while they are pursuing their studies.
We were blessed last night to be able to vote for an associate pastor who was one of the young men that we prayed for constantly while he was in seminary.
Also, we pray for babies. We are in a "dry spell" right now as we only have 2 pregnant women in the church. It's been as high as 10 and the list stayed at 10 for about 2 years. As soon as one couple was off the expectant couple list, another couple would be added on.
A year or so a deacon and I were talking about the baby boom in our church and he said he thought it was amazing that we have relatively few health problems. Any developmental problems that parents have had to deal with are minor. It's really a miracle.
My church is very good at knowing that their time here won't last forever. They seek to be good examples so that current leadership is on this earth no longer, the church will not be out in the cold.
I'm very blessed to be part of such a church.
15. Loris said the following at 7:26 AM on Jan 31:
My church is solidly thirtysomething or younger. I chalk a lot of its success up to an emphasis on community service. It routinely partners with other churches and some secular groups to feed the poor, tutor children, reach out to recent immigrants, etc. These are all ministries where younger people can take leadership. I have belonged to churches where the congregation was solidly boomers and they lacked the energy of my current church. Perhaps putting younger men in diaconate and having them head outreach projects is a good way to attract other young Christians. Of course, it takes a lot of grace on the part of boomers to partner with people their children's age, and I definitely see that humility in the elders at my church who mentor the younger leaders and are deeply concerned for the marriages and children in the church. As long as the older folks in the church are willing to work with the younger and the younger are ready to listen, a church can create an extremely effictive ministry.
16. Eliza said the following at 7:33 AM on Jan 31:
I live in a college town, so maybe my case is different, but I think my church has done an excellent job of "reaching out" to the new generation. Except when it comes to tithing with plastic, but I'll get to that;).
70% of the congregation in my church is under 40, and 49% are in their 20s. And I personally don't see that changing anytime soon, because that community has become so strong. There are little things that make it more convenient to younger people: a really great website, automatic podcasts of sermons, community "experiments" with reflections on Facebook, etc. But in the end I don't think any of those things are the reason young people come. They come because of the community and the teaching, which are both authentic, orthodox, and steady.
Here is an example of a sermon preached by the pastor at the "contemporary" service (which is in the evening, morning services are traditional). His topic was "giving", and he said that after the sermon they were going to take a second offering. Anyone who could give more should give more, but anyone who needed should take some out of the plate. That put a whole new spin on things! Some people did take some money out, I guess, but everyone pretty much realized that they could give a little bit more, and the church raised $8,000 over the regular offering.
Our younger crowd has been itching for an automatic payment system for tithing, but our "baby boomer" senior pastor is against that, for good reasons. 1) He is strongly against tithing on credit ;) and 2) he sees putting the actual money in the plate as an act of worship. But he's not going to stop anyone from setting up an automatic bill payment from their checking account.
In conclusion, I'm hopeful and happy with my community:).
17. Carrie (the original) said the following at 7:50 AM on Jan 31:
"Why doesn't the church accept our new plastic nation."
Because some pastors and elders want their congregants to think about what they are doing when they tithe. They don't want it to become "another expense". My pastor has actually told the congregation (on a Wed. night, not Sunday morning) "Shame on you if you treat your tithe like another bill".
18. Carrie (the original) said the following at 7:51 AM on Jan 31:
"Why doesn't the church accept our new plastic nation."
Because some pastors and elders want their congregants to think about what they are doing when they tithe. They don't want it to become "another expense". My pastor has actually told the congregation (on a Wed. night, not Sunday morning) "Shame on you if you treat your tithe like another bill".
19. kaj said the following at 7:55 AM on Jan 31:
I seriously considered bankcard-related giving at my current church, where it is an option. No more forgetting to write checks!
But friends who have run their own businesses, and are familiar with credit/debit card processing, told me that if I were to "e-give," the credit card companies actually charge the church processing fees, thus the church receives less money. My friends' recommendation: stick to cash and checks, which incur no processing fees, and the church will have more money to use for ministry.
20. michelle said the following at 9:13 AM on Jan 31:
In regards to credit cards...I would speak to your bank and see if you can do a direct transfer, sort of like paying a bill (we call it a standing order or direct debit in the UK). That might be an option! It wouldn't then cost the church anything...
I must say, having grown up in Canada, I was really proud of the British govn't moving here...they have a thing called gift aid where if you are a UK taxpayer then the government pays the tax to the church (or charity) that you would have paid on your giving. So, if my tithe is £100 then my church gets £28 extra on that! Our church ensures that we keep our staff bill around that percentage so in fact, the government then pays staff and all money goes back into outreach and day to day running of the church. Wouldn't it be great if American and Canadian government did that?
Also, i would like to agree with one of the above comments-i'm so blessed to be part of a church where, although we could be considered a mega church, the emphasis is still on the fact that we are a small church with lots of people, and while we remain relevant and spend lots of money on outreach (unfortunately london is expensive) we also care for the individual person, connecting them to the church (us, as individuals making up the body of christ) and always directing them to God and His grace. I'm priviledged to be serving in the environment and building the church in Europe.
I'm also thankful for discussions on boundless because they get us all thinking, discussing and reviewing what and why we believe.
21. DAnnieA said the following at 9:23 AM on Jan 31:
Tale as old as time...
we grow, we grow old and die, new generation takes over.
I don't personally see the hoopla over the "change" in people leading...I think it's just a cycle of our human life...I do believe that as long as the message is being preached there will be people who will be passionate about leading and serving and giving to the next generation.
22. michelle said the following at 9:28 AM on Jan 31:
just one more thing...i think that you can put your tithe in the plate every week or month or however you do that and it can be just as much of a "thing to do" rather than an act of worship as tithing by direct debit. I don't want to walk around with £££ in cash, when i'd rather have it come out and my church knows that they will receive £££ every month for consistency.
It's about your heart attitude not about how you give...about the why, not about the what...
23. John said the following at 9:51 AM on Jan 31:
obewan is right.
I have been to youth-oriented services (trying to reach out to those young people, doncha know) where the rock ("worship") band was loud and the words inaudible. Really, they could put in a cigarette machine and you'd think you were in a bar.
I grew up on (non-Christian) hard rock, but this is NOT worship music. It's the devil's music with "Jesus is my boyfriend" lyrics.
I belong to a church that still sings four-part hymns accompanied by organ. "How Great Thou Art," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," etc. It's better.
24. Tami said the following at 12:28 PM on Jan 31:
[This is not directed at anyone else -- just my general thoughts on the matter.]
It seems sort of self-centered and short-sighted to worry about the generation behind you *only* when you start worrying about who's going to take care of you! Of course, needing care in your old age is a genuine concern. But we should be planning and supporting Christian growth in believers of all ages, together, as we seek to grow (not just numerically!) as a church. And we should develop young leaders now. (Actually I'm an advocate for training all church members in leadership. You never know who God will call to step into a given leadership position, or how God will use those leadership skills in a different kind of setting, like work or school.)
I agree with those of you who have said that partnership and mentoring between older and younger members is, really, the way to go. And it's the way ordained by God! (See, the book of Titus.) Not that age/stage groups don't have their place; but I think maintaining the "this is my group" attitude in the whole church has done nothing but cause disunity.
My hope is that all churches would have a somewhat balanced "demographic" of older and younger, married and single, men and women. My hope for my church is not that we become "the church with the X ministry," but that we're growing in knowledge of our Lord, compassion, kindness, humility, patience, wisdom, grace, and so on, in all "ages and stages." A church of *any* size can strive for that! By living out the truth of the Gospel, we can encourage people to see the relevance of the church. Jesus working through your life = a life that's relevant, and which will minister to someone, somewhere.
Sorry, this is not really about the book.
25. Christina said the following at 12:56 PM on Jan 31:
There was a newsweek article not that long ago about the emergent church and getting back to tradtional worship.
From what I read, there are young adults that are seriously and actively creating new churches. And there are others that are pushing the drive to a more traditional and more biblical foundation.
It is happening, you just need to look for it.
26. Michelle (the first poster) said the following at 1:15 PM on Jan 31:
To Steve Waters - OK, your follow up comments make sense. My church is pretty young overall, so most of the leadership are in their 20s and early 30s. And to everyone who wrote about younger people not tithing - that's absolutely true. I recently started working as the bookkeeper at my church and am amazed at how few people tithe, or tithe so little and infrequently. And the whole floating from church to church thing is true too.
27. S said the following at 2:06 PM on Jan 31:
The church I attended as a kid went "new school" way too fast. My parents left and went to a different church that was more 'old school'. They have since started going back to their old church for a variety of reasons. That church now has a traditional service & a contemporary service. In the past, my parents stayed away from the contemporary service at all cost, however last week that's the service they went too. And my dad even wore jeans! Long story short, the church has found a way to meet the worship styles of multiple generations.
28. chris said the following at 5:41 PM on Jan 31:
I strongly believe that the churches which succeed the best are those that refuse to draw generational lines; rather they seek to connect the present generationS with generations past, and generations yet to come. The relay race analogy has been used since at least the time of the Apostle Paul, and it fits best. Each generation needs the one before it to run the best race it can, and must be vitally concerned that the baton be passed safely and swiftly. Likewise, each generation needs the one behind it to run the best race it can, or the whole match is lost.
29. Rachael said the following at 6:47 PM on Jan 31:
Annie Carter,
Thoughtful reflection. You wrote: "the impact will come from each individual going about their daily life as a changed, Christ-breathing person. I am convicted that I need to be such a person, not someone who is so busy 'serving at church' that I don't have time for my neighbour. "
--> It's important to remember that we need to love and serve God. Activities are not a substitute, though they might act as a venue. I am glad to currently have various commitments going on, but I am single, and I also am (perhaps increasingly) aware of the fact that God can work through the mundane aspects of life, and that "service" should be an all-encompassing "service to God in everything" -- not just the couple hours here and there. Do I serve God at all times? No. But we should remember the importance of loving Him and loving others over just going through the motions.
Have I ever mentioned Anna Waring on this blog? I feel like I may have...but there's a poem or song she wrote long, long ago that I just cherish. I think it's appropriate to put part of it here to end this post:
"I would not have the restless will
That hurries to and fro,
Seeking for some great thing to do
Or secret thing to know;
I would be trusted as a child
And guided where I go.
Wherever in the world I am,
In whatsoever estate,
I have a fellowship with hearts
To keep and cultivate"
30. Novagirl said the following at 6:56 PM on Jan 31:
Just a practical comment since we are getting into the US tax filing season. The IRS recently changed their rules and you must have a receipt for any charitable giving if you want to itemize those gifts on your taxes. Hence, you won't be able to deduct any cash that you give to your church (unless they give you a receipt for it). Better to use a check each week and then get an annual statement from your church so you know what you can deduct on your taxes for that year.
31. Matt said the following at 9:58 AM on Feb 4:
I am proud of the leadership of my local church for how they're facing this approaching reality. For the last 10+ years they've been investing in generations X and Y and it's bearing a lot of fruit - I'm one of them. They started as a gathering of 10 and now we're 2,500 strong weekly. Roughly, of those a quarter are mature, half are not yet mature, and the last quarter are seekers. [Mature here is used how Paul used it in his letters.] That kind of growth was facilitated by the long hours and hard labor of our elders as they trusted in the power of the gospel message to transform lives and in Christ to build his church.
On the topic of church, but off the topic at hand, I marvel at the work of Christ in regards to building his church in two specific ways. First, being involved in my community however large it may appear I know that we're just a drop in the bucket nationally and globally. Second, being as amazed at the growth and health of my community however fast and strong it seems I know the church began 1900+ years ago on Sunday as a gathering of 120 and grew to 8000 by the end of the week. If we were not reconciled to the Father through the Son's sacrifice then there would be no power for us. But as it is we are moving forward by the power of the Living Triune God to make disciples of all nations. We are the called out ones!
32. Stephanie K. said the following at 11:44 AM on Feb 4:
My understanding of current statistics that there currently is 6 billion people on the planet and around half of them are under the age of 25. In light of this, my pastor (whom I heard the statistics from) has worked to create a culture that everyone is celebrated. Within that "everyone" includes younger generations. We've worked to pour a lot of energy into our children's ministry and teens in light of the fact that the future of the church will rest upon how we respond to this younger generation. Will they find a church that is interested in what they have to offer and willing to sow into them?
33. Shawn said the following at 12:48 AM on Feb 13:
I am facing this in my Church right now. As a 23 year old single guy, looking around I see one other person in church under the age of 30 who is out of school. I can clearly see basic things the Church should do to be more attractive to other people our age (a modern sound system would help, as would music that wasn't released 25 years ago), but there is so much resistance because, "why should we change, we've done it this way for 30 years." I can tell you why, because the Church is getting smaller due to death and moving, and the majority of people my age in the area don't go to Church anywhere, we should be reaching out to them, not providing a Church where a non-believer will quickly bore and leave.