Young Adults in the Church
This is some thoughts and writing from a few years ago and I am placing it here so I can remember where I put this conversation.
About 4 years ago I did some studies about young people and the church - And why they seem to stop attending when they graduate from High School and don't come back until they have children of their own; if they come back at all. I started forming a list of questions that I would love to ask pastors if given a chance, and they didn't come to defensive about the topic - and here they are.
Do you think that it is unreasonable for young people to think that they should have a seat at the table when it comes to church leadership?
Do you think that, given the choice, any of the young people that you know are interested in church leadership? Do you still think they would be interested if nothing changed in the church?
Have you ever set down and had in dept conversations with young people about church – and not tried to correct them and their way of thinking?
Do you think that it is OK for church to change? For church to not have the look & feel that you think it should have?
Does it frighten you to know that in 50-75 years you may not recognize the church – that it could change so dramatically that you might not know it if you saw it?
Do you think that a young person needs to "pay their dues" or "climb the ladder" before they are given authority? Do you think that Paul was thinking that when he talked to and about Timothy?
Would any real harm come if you allowed one of your own young people complete freedom to have a Sunday Morning worship service on their own and do it the way they feel is meaningful? Would you be able to take the heat if everyone hated it – yet still love, respect and encourage that young person? Would you be able to take the heat if everyone loved it and wanted to continue to do some of those things?
Do you feel that the most appropriate way to conduct spiritual formation is to have a lecture style teaching? Or have some of the most important spiritual lessons been taught to you in conversation and watching peoples lives?
I know that these are big questions – but think about them; ponder them, let them role around inside you. Try to remember what it felt like when you where 20-30. Did you feel like there would every be a place for you? Did you wonder why no one wanted to listen to what you had to say?
I know that older adults feel that young people think that they know everything but really know nothing. What if the reality was that young people really do know a lot about some things, it’s just that they know different kinds of things and one is not better or lesser than the others it’s just different; like vanilla and chocolate ice cream; one isn’t better than the other – but some people prefer one kind of knowledge vs a different kind of knowledge
My whole point is this - give the young people some credit - they won't dress, talk and act like you. But they are serious and important and if you don't allow them to have some kind of meaningful leadership - they will leave and as you know many already have. The point is - allow young people to take ownership and leadership in a authentic and meaningful way.
About 4 years ago I did some studies about young people and the church - And why they seem to stop attending when they graduate from High School and don't come back until they have children of their own; if they come back at all. I started forming a list of questions that I would love to ask pastors if given a chance, and they didn't come to defensive about the topic - and here they are.
Do you think that it is unreasonable for young people to think that they should have a seat at the table when it comes to church leadership?
Do you think that, given the choice, any of the young people that you know are interested in church leadership? Do you still think they would be interested if nothing changed in the church?
Have you ever set down and had in dept conversations with young people about church – and not tried to correct them and their way of thinking?
Do you think that it is OK for church to change? For church to not have the look & feel that you think it should have?
Does it frighten you to know that in 50-75 years you may not recognize the church – that it could change so dramatically that you might not know it if you saw it?
Do you think that a young person needs to "pay their dues" or "climb the ladder" before they are given authority? Do you think that Paul was thinking that when he talked to and about Timothy?
Would any real harm come if you allowed one of your own young people complete freedom to have a Sunday Morning worship service on their own and do it the way they feel is meaningful? Would you be able to take the heat if everyone hated it – yet still love, respect and encourage that young person? Would you be able to take the heat if everyone loved it and wanted to continue to do some of those things?
Do you feel that the most appropriate way to conduct spiritual formation is to have a lecture style teaching? Or have some of the most important spiritual lessons been taught to you in conversation and watching peoples lives?
I know that these are big questions – but think about them; ponder them, let them role around inside you. Try to remember what it felt like when you where 20-30. Did you feel like there would every be a place for you? Did you wonder why no one wanted to listen to what you had to say?
I know that older adults feel that young people think that they know everything but really know nothing. What if the reality was that young people really do know a lot about some things, it’s just that they know different kinds of things and one is not better or lesser than the others it’s just different; like vanilla and chocolate ice cream; one isn’t better than the other – but some people prefer one kind of knowledge vs a different kind of knowledge
My whole point is this - give the young people some credit - they won't dress, talk and act like you. But they are serious and important and if you don't allow them to have some kind of meaningful leadership - they will leave and as you know many already have. The point is - allow young people to take ownership and leadership in a authentic and meaningful way.
posted by Tera Yakel | 10:00 AM
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