Church Invitations Young People Appreciate
by Mark Tidsworth
Part 2 of a 2 Part Series
April 21 - Church Invitations Young People Reject
April 28 - Church Invitations Young People Appreciate
Before even considering reaching out to younger people, churches have to decide how willing they are to love like Jesus. This means clarifying the purpose of church. From here, it appears as if we are called to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (second commandment is like the first). This means deciding whether we love younger people without trying to use them to resolve our institutional angst. After this kind of significant church soul-searching, they may come to the conclusion that the purpose of church is not to please those inside the church (even with good motivation) but rather is to love like Jesus loves. When they can get there, then churches can extend healthy and life giving invitations to younger people and their families. Here are a few I’ve collected over time.
Come join us in pursuing the Way of Jesus
There is great respect and admiration in our culture for Jesus and his teachings (See Dan Kimball’s informal research on college campuses in The Emerging Church). Younger people who discover the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew) or Sermon on the Plain (Luke) often come away with great hopefulness, recognizing a way of life therein which could radically change (for the better) themselves and this world. This kind of spiritual seeking raises questions like, “What’s it mean to be immersed in the Way of Jesus?” Churches who are open to pursuing this kind of honest spiritual quest are enlivening to people of all ages while especially firing the spiritual imaginations of younger persons.
Come help us form a community that cultivates and supports personal transformation
Contrary to popular belief among older people in churches, many younger people are not looking for consumer-istic preference-pleasing from church. Well, let me modify that…many younger people who are not already in church are not looking for their consumer-istic religious preferences to be met. From where I sit, the people (of all ages) who demand their church preferences be met are already insiders; the ones who know to ask for and demand things in church go their way. Those not involved have no idea that church leaders will cater to their whims in exchange for their offerings, participation, and membership.
Instead, younger people are hungry for a way of life, a way of being that can address their deepest struggles and wounds. They are looking for a way of life that may be hard, yet is powerful enough to address their angst. They don’t want to be spiritually coddled. They want a faith that is bold enough to challenge them and call them out and up to a better way. Yes, they need a God who’s big enough to help them address the big challenges in their lives. They don’t want religious organizations to help them feel good about themselves without actually becoming better people. Churches who view following Jesus as quest, including comfort and challenge, can extend powerful invitations to younger people. The mindset of these churches is that God may not be safe, but God is very good. As a result of participating in church, we are transformed into different people. Younger people appreciate the invitation to personal transformation, recognizing this is inherent in the Way of Jesus.
Come engage this faith community with deep, ancient roots finding expression in substantive worship
No, I’m not advocating worship styles here. This is way beyond the surface stuff. What I am noting is that younger people (along with the rest of us) inhabit a world of rapid change and high volatility. The volume of technological advances during their short lives staggers the mind. Life disruption is more common than life stability. Therefore, younger people often carry a need for connection to something enduring. The simple fact that the Church has been around over 2000 years brings comfort and encouragement to our transient existence.
Even more, churches who bring forward ancient ordinances or sacraments (wording depends on theology) while updating their expression help younger people connect to ancient roots of our faith while living in this Postmodern world. On the one end of the spectrum, the exact same worship service every Sunday likely won’t engage them for long. On the spectrum’s other end, trendiness will also drive them away, seeming too much like the transient world we inhabit. Innovating with tradition may strike the balance, serving as a strong invitation to younger people, while invigorating entire congregations.
Come help us discern the connection between the Way of Jesus and the issues of our day
As we observe churches, it seems like many recognize the emotional charge connected to the many issues of our day, avoiding them like the plague. Topics like racism, gender, gun control, political participation, climate change, sexuality… there are several generations of churched people who know to avoid these topics as much as possible, fearing the potential divisiveness in their fellowship.
Younger people don’t know to be afraid of such things, growing up in this volatile world. These are issues they engage every day at work, school, and on social media. When churches nervously avoid these topics, younger people are left to make several assumptions. First, they may think the Way of Jesus has nothing to do with these issues since the church is largely silent on them. Second, they are led to assume the church is irrelevant to everyday life since it avoids these topics. Third, when they are told how to relate to these issues by church leaders, rather than engaged in conversation, they tend to drop out.
On the other hand, churches who recognize that the Way of Jesus does provide ways forward in this broken and hurting world are willing to go there. They invite people of all ages into sacred conversations, exploring the intersection and faith and life as we know it. Younger people respect churches who courageously engage reality, facilitating spiritual exploration and connecting faith with life. Sure, this takes high respect and strong commitment to pull off, yet younger people are looking for genuineness and authenticity more than perfection.
Come help us cultivate wholeness and transformation in our community
At one time, the fear of eternal damnation motivated people in our culture to participate in churches. Can you even remember those days now? For many younger people, that’s like a foreign language they don’t understand. Instead, they are highly interested in a movement that’s designed to transform the brokenness in our communities. Sure, there are many community organizations doing good works. The difference for the church is our perspective and power source. We believe God will ultimately bring the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven. In the meantime, our calling as churches is to join God’s mission. There is an eternal quality and exceptional meaning to the church’s transformation work.
At the same time, the church is connected to the ultimate power source. Have you been involved with justice, peace, or basic needs ministries lately? They are draining, requiring long term commitment and ongoing presence. Through the sustaining power of God is the only way I know to maintain that course. Younger people are hungry for that kind of spiritual power that sustains community transformation. These kinds of churches are not afraid to invite their people to serve, pushing them out of their comfort zones. They recognize a primary tool of our faith is the towel (Jesus washing feet). Younger people appreciate and respect this kind of robust invitation to community transformation through church community.
I hope this two part series has raised awareness about how we are church. Loving like Jesus, without an eye on what it might do for us, requires spiritual courage. At the same time, this is why we are in it anyway. We all, regardless of our ages, want to be part of robust, invigorated churches who are moving forward in mission and ministry. None of us are drawn to desperation. We are irresistibly drawn to the beautiful Way of Jesus, loving that invitation.