Since I've been encouraged to post more (thanks beth),   I thought I'd re-post something I wrote in response to a comment asking my opinion on " what the church needs to do to recapture . . . hearts of the next generation? " .   Here are my (albeit very brief) thoughts:

Honestly, I think that the church needs to try to be the church Christ would have us be.  That is the ultimate tool that would move -- and is moving -- the Church towards relevance in the lives of young people.

Authenticity is something that 'captures' the hearts and minds of young people today; to be 'real' draws people in. We (as young people) are looking for folks to be honest and open about their lives and about Jesus. I believe that many more young people than one would think 'know' the Gospel or what the Gospel is about. But, like Gandhi, young people don't have so much a problem with Christ. It's those -- or many of those -- that call themselves Christian that present a problem.

I don't think we desperately need new songs in worship or new leadership,  necessarily.   We don't need newly developed programs, or "hip" teachers.   Although, certainly these things and others surely would not be unwelcome.

I think the key thing ( and, as Thomas Merton said, "Here I stand. But, I may be wrong!")  is not to worry so much about 'pleasing young people' or attracting young people' as much as we as the church worry about pleasing our God.

Our God is real and alive. Our Christ lived on our Earth with us. The Holy Spirit is present. That, is what young people want to hear.   And they/we know what a radical thing that is. We want to see it lived out by those who say they Believe.

Seeing real authentic people -- with all of the struggles that come along with being in sin-- meet Christ -- with all of the joy, atonement, Love, and glory -- in every day life would and is capturing the hearts and minds and souls of the "next generation".

Comments

[Melissa]

Hi, I came in through Beth's tip.

I think this is the *biggest* thing that churches don't quite get...and it's something that should be common sense.

I think what's going on is that there's a huge shift going on in our culture, and all people can see is the generation gap rather than the cultural gap. They think that by targeting the generation, they're solving the problem. What's really needed is a radical shift in how we view ourselves, each other, the church, the ministry of Christ, God, and the relationships between those things. And the majority of it all comes down to: authenticity.

Nice to "meet" you, and looking forward to reading more!

Melissa :-)

PS - The first book on your list is on my reading list for my systematic theology class next semester, and the last two books on your list I totally want to read!

[beth]

Natalie - another good post. I think many churches try to appeal to young people by getting caught up in the "fix-all" solution of more technology and newer songs. Those things might appeal to some, but I've noticed they seem to appeal more to the 40/50 somethings than the teens/20s/30s. I think young people are looking for something genuine, authentic, challenging, and most of all, something that doesn't seem hypocritical.

PS - I read She Who Is in seminary too (I went were Melissa is currently - Drew) and I'm impressed you're reading it now! I'm currently reading one of McLaren's other books - I like it.

[Becky]

This definitely has merit, I totally agree. I think the last thing we need is a new worship song or a new way to be relatable... We need more people like Faith Hawkins, who simply are relevant. She knows what it is that adds drive to our wanting the world to be a better place.

[guy]

Great thoughts.

Henri Nouwen wrote in his little book on Christian Leadership, "In the Name of Jesus," that we need to be irrelevant in order to be effective Christian leaders. What he was tapping into is that in our desire to be "relevant" we sometimes cease being authentic people. The drive for relevance sometimes leads us to put on a facade that makes us appear cooler and better able to relate than we actually are. But if we will offer not our relevance but our "vulnerable selves" to people, then they will see Christ in us. Besides, everyone needs a place to open up and have permission to be vulnerable in order to be transformed. Authentic Christian community would be a good place for that.

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