There is a lot of uncertainty in Christianity today, especially among the younger generation. Church is frustrating, whether you come from a more traditional background or a progressive one. Either it’s full of ritual and stringent practice or obsessed with growth and modern advances.
People want more; but they’re scared.
You see, the church has a pretty messy history. Every so often unique groups arise with the goal of changing the status quo to what they feel is more right. However, they tend to make devastating mistakes and cause more problems than they solve.
Groups desperate for community become cultish when people begin to feel pressured to stay and never leave. Churches longing to see spiritual life become heretical when they develop formulas for calling down the Spirit of God upon people.
In their ambitious attempt to change they either add or subtract from God’s Word. They change their understanding of scripture to fit their perspective of life around them instead of changing their perspective of life to fit scripture. Because of this, when a new group arises the question is whether or not they value God’s Word. Therefore, unless you’re willing to come under suspicion, it’s best to keep your questions and desire for change secret.
So what do you do when things feel remarkably out-of-order? How are you supposed to handle it when church is not as you are studying about in the Bible? Do you sit passively by and accept the things as they are? Do you campaign for reform, start a radical movement, and subject yourself to critical suspicion? Or do you simply walk away?
This generation is walking away. Quietly.
Whenever someone in this generations verbalizes their frustrations, those old enough to remember former movements quickly assume we are headed the same direction, that we too don’t value God’s Word. Unfortunately, for many us that’s not the case. It is precisely our appreciation of scripture leading us to question whether church is really being done right—whether or not the church as we know it today is even as Christ intended.
What this generation wants most is the confidence that others won’t write us off as soon as we express what we’re feeling.
We don’t have to be right. We know we’re young. We know there are things from the past we’re missing. We just also know something is wrong, now. We need gently mentored; not viciously ostracized.
And many viciously ostracize. Few truly mentor. Most assume they know what we want. Few pause to hear our concerns. So, many of us simply leave.
What else are we supposed to do when it feels like people in the church are only going through motions, that there’s no life or authenticity in their worship? Where do we go when we feel uncertain about faith, but to verbalize such would bring about stronger preaching and less sympathy?
When doctrine is overemphasized and relationships nearly neglected, who can help us sort through the maddening tension we feel?
We don’t want to be written off, discredited or ignored. We want to know it’s safe to express our disappointments in the church and the frustrations we feel. We want assurance that our hopes and dreams are valid and not rebellious because what we deeply want (and need!) is life as God intended. We want men to love each other instead of vie for position and influence. We want leaders who truly care about hearts and not the opinion of the multitude.
Ultimately, we want someone who cares enough to walk us through change that brings the church closer to God’s design so we don’t make the devastating mistakes of those who’ve gone before us.
