Making sense of the generational shift in the church + what we can do about it -- I’m stuck in the middle of a generational existential shift, hundreds of years in the making. Somehow, I feel both perfectly suited for the moment and I really don’t like it. As our older generations age out of leadership and active participation in organizational life, I feel their anxiety as they look around wondering who is going to pick up the baton that’s about to fall out of their hands. Their grief is palpable. Of course it is. This is a major life transition to journey.
This idea of rethinking how we "do church" is something I have also been pondering for awhile. I recently encountered a situation where the response to the question "how can we bring more people in?" was to remember what was done in the 1970's, and my first thought was "if we did that now, people would run for the exits!". Times have changed, but for those of us in the "senior" age bracket, it is hard to envision what meaningful worship would look like and feel like if it wasn't in a sanctuary with a structured (i.e., comfortable) service and music that we have sung our entire lives. I see the value of the approach many churches are taking to help address the unhoused crisis by tearing down their buildings and creating a multi-purpose space that primarily provides affordable housing and social services, and my heart warms at the thought that churches are helping their communities in this way. I also feel a pang of grief at the thought of so many beautiful sacred spaces being taken down, and the disappearance of recognizable houses of worship in our landscape. I guess maybe I need to reset my own vision of what God is calling us all to do and be in this world: not a building or a process, but a light.
Jenny, I enjoyed what you wrote and what the Bishop said. Letting go of control means letting go of outcomes and that is scary. We're afraid that one day we'll come back and there will be weeds in the yard, holes in the roof, and squatters occupying the building. We want to control our heirs from the grave. We lack faith that God will bless the path of generations that follow us like we believe he did ours. In the end love trumps buildings, and methods, and committees. and egos. Even though I'm afraid, I agree..."Here’s to making room for Love to do new things for new people."
Hi Jenny, this is an insightful piece and forward thinking. The last 24 hours I have been looking back at the experience of my 54 year old daughter. At 10 she went to a conservative Christian camp in Alaska. They had wonderful resources at the camp but little did I know that in the middle of the night they would be pushing kids to get "saved." When she came home she said she let Jesus in her heart. I said, "He was and is already there, tell me more." I was ticked that my daughter had been manipulated. But that had a huge impact and I remember trying to convince her how the UMC was different. She did not quite buy that later. I am not into blame game but her generation saw Christian Nationalism growing. Many just plain did not like it. She was a real pioneer in multicultural teaching when she taught school and remains a progressive thinker. She has the deep compassionate values. I do think rethinking mission in the UMC is important but I also think music, the arts, creative visions of how to implement spiritual practices that hold the guidance of Jesus as high value (Love God, Love neighbor) are still worthy of exploration for any generation. Also, learning about other spiritual and cultural traditions. I was moved by Kift's recent writing of being with Native Americans and his insights. Anyway, I have great empathy for where you have landed in ministry but also great hope. I think we are in a time where the grief is intense and though that is messy stuff when I witness your presence and writing I feel such deep hope. I am delighted in what I witness in my daughter, your presence and those in the next generation coming along. Grace and peace!
This idea of rethinking how we "do church" is something I have also been pondering for awhile. I recently encountered a situation where the response to the question "how can we bring more people in?" was to remember what was done in the 1970's, and my first thought was "if we did that now, people would run for the exits!". Times have changed, but for those of us in the "senior" age bracket, it is hard to envision what meaningful worship would look like and feel like if it wasn't in a sanctuary with a structured (i.e., comfortable) service and music that we have sung our entire lives. I see the value of the approach many churches are taking to help address the unhoused crisis by tearing down their buildings and creating a multi-purpose space that primarily provides affordable housing and social services, and my heart warms at the thought that churches are helping their communities in this way. I also feel a pang of grief at the thought of so many beautiful sacred spaces being taken down, and the disappearance of recognizable houses of worship in our landscape. I guess maybe I need to reset my own vision of what God is calling us all to do and be in this world: not a building or a process, but a light.
Right? It’s such a curious tension. The buildings are still useful and can be stewarded well. But they also can feel like an albatross at times.
Jenny, I enjoyed what you wrote and what the Bishop said. Letting go of control means letting go of outcomes and that is scary. We're afraid that one day we'll come back and there will be weeds in the yard, holes in the roof, and squatters occupying the building. We want to control our heirs from the grave. We lack faith that God will bless the path of generations that follow us like we believe he did ours. In the end love trumps buildings, and methods, and committees. and egos. Even though I'm afraid, I agree..."Here’s to making room for Love to do new things for new people."
Beautiful comment. I feel that fear in people. Thank you for naming it out loud.
I love this a lot; you are speaking truth here!
Hi Jenny, this is an insightful piece and forward thinking. The last 24 hours I have been looking back at the experience of my 54 year old daughter. At 10 she went to a conservative Christian camp in Alaska. They had wonderful resources at the camp but little did I know that in the middle of the night they would be pushing kids to get "saved." When she came home she said she let Jesus in her heart. I said, "He was and is already there, tell me more." I was ticked that my daughter had been manipulated. But that had a huge impact and I remember trying to convince her how the UMC was different. She did not quite buy that later. I am not into blame game but her generation saw Christian Nationalism growing. Many just plain did not like it. She was a real pioneer in multicultural teaching when she taught school and remains a progressive thinker. She has the deep compassionate values. I do think rethinking mission in the UMC is important but I also think music, the arts, creative visions of how to implement spiritual practices that hold the guidance of Jesus as high value (Love God, Love neighbor) are still worthy of exploration for any generation. Also, learning about other spiritual and cultural traditions. I was moved by Kift's recent writing of being with Native Americans and his insights. Anyway, I have great empathy for where you have landed in ministry but also great hope. I think we are in a time where the grief is intense and though that is messy stuff when I witness your presence and writing I feel such deep hope. I am delighted in what I witness in my daughter, your presence and those in the next generation coming along. Grace and peace!
You name so many of the dynamics well. I’m with you! ❤️