Yesterday, I had the privilege of preaching at one of the “flagship” churches in the denomination I serve. I arrived early and participated in an adult Sunday school class. This was the best adult Sunday school class I ever been apart of. There were eighty or more adults (primarily seniors) who were actively engaged in the lesson. The teacher was articulate, animated and dynamic; so much in fact, I wondered to myself if he had missed his calling! It was amazing to me, in age when Sunday school is a dying breed, this church had it right! Or so it seemed.
Once I assumed the standard position on the platform for the worship service, I began surveying the congregation as they moved into the sanctuary from their respective Sunday school classes. I was attentively watching the rear doors to see how the sanctuary dynamic was changing with the arrival of the different age groups. As I watched, in walked a few children, some more youth, the Sunday school teachers and the typical late arrivals (as the Sunday school superintendent called them – signifying those who do not go to Sunday school). The congregation swelled slightly.
Typically, the moments prior to proclaiming God’s word are very exciting and euphoric (similar to my playing days on game day) but on this day my heart broke when the people stopped trickling in. And no it wasn’t due to pride or arrogance wanting a larger crowd (even though all preachers do want big crowds). It was because an entire demographic of people were missing. I found myself asking, “Where are they? Are they coming?” With my eyes, I scoured the congregation looking for anyone that shared my likeness and there was none! I very much, like Moses, felt like “a stranger in a strange land.” Incredible, in a large, “successful” congregation there were only handful of people age 18-35!
In the moments before I spoke, we had an elongated testimony time! In which, three testimonies were about wayward children. Below is summary of one such testimony that went something like this:
“Pastor, would you pray for my son and his family! Recently they purchased a camper. They weren’t happy with their church! So they left, but they didn’t look for another church. They just stopped going all together! Now they just travel, and camp on weekends! They are really going through some tough times. But, praise God they are selling that trailer! Maybe now they’ll come back to church. (Almost word for word)”
At the conclusion of each testimony the congregation gave some hearty amen’s. Is this a testimony we should amen? Should we pin our hopes on the selling of a camper for our children’s salvation? This is not an anomaly. In fact, at the vast majority of American churches, this demographic is missing entirely or greatly reduced! Why is this happening? Can we just chalk it up like some who’ll say, “well wander for while, but they’ll come back when they have children?” But is this acceptable? Is it even excusable?
What do you think are some of the reasons for this? How can we as churches overcome this crisis? I’d like to see your thoughts on this and dialogue.
1 comments:
About a week ago I wrote this incredible response to this post, Jake... so amazing was it that nothing in all literary history could compare... put it on par with Shakesphere's lost play manuscripts, the ancient writings of Homer or the infamous Dan Brown.
Okay, not really... but it was a pretty LONG response anyway! This will simply have to do.
I loved this post. Perhaps because it comes straight from life experience, I dunno... but I thought is brought a clear dilemna to the forefront. What are we going to do as a church?
This is where I do appreciate the emergent writers that are out there. They are at the very least attempting to remain relevant in a changing world. Their theology may be abominable and their doctrine skewed... but their methodology should be put to the fire, tested and refined... at least they're attempting to reach the coming age.
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