Not All Millennials Want a Trendy Church, Says Young Christian Author

[bonnie]

Not All Millennials Want a Trendy Church, Says Young Christian Author

BY JESSICA MARTINEZ , CP REPORTER

July 25, 2014|6:15 pm

Millennials are not necessarily inclined to attend a church that mixes sacred tradition with secular trends, says Christian writer and author Andrea Palpant Dilley.

Dilley, who is familiar with being a member at both a mainline Presbyterian church and a modern, non-denominational congregation, advises churches to carefully consider their outreach strategies when trying to attract young adults.

"Across America today, thousands of clergy and congregations—even entire denominations—are running scared, desperately trying to convince their youth that faith and church are culturally relevant, forward-looking and alive ... proceed with caution ...with thoughtfulness and deliberation. What young people say we want in our 20s is not necessarily what we want 10 years later," writes Dilley on ChurchLeaders.com

While the number of Americans under 30 who do not identify with any religion continues to increase, according to a Pew Research report, Dilley argues that there are millennials who do care about being in traditional churches over much trendier congregations that embrace an "unchurchy" feel.

She notes that modern churches are effective in luring in young adults, especially those who would never step foot in a church. Oftentimes, young adults complain about church politics, wanting authenticity and openness and they demand a particular worship aesthetic, she says.

While congregations tend to make changes to cater to those demands, Dilley says being trendy may not always be the answer. People generally want to find God in a church that has substance and tradition, she notes.

"Consider the changes that people go through between age 22 and 32. Consider that some of us, in time, renew our appreciation for the strengths of a traditional church: historically informed hierarchy that claims accountability at multiple levels and historically informed teaching that leans on theological complexity ...," writes Dilley.

She adds, "Some of us want to walk into a cathedral space that reminds us of the small place we inhabit in the great arc of salvation history. We want to meet the Unmoved Mover in an unmoved sanctuary."

Dilley draws the conclusion that not all millenials want a relevant church based on her own experience. She left a mainline congregation only to return to it as an adult after spending two years at at a modern church that had "an air of informality."

Though she says it was "the perfect place" for her and her husband at the time, she was not entirely fulfilled as a Christian.

"I felt homeless in heart, I missed intergenerational community, I missed hymns and historicity, sacraments and old aesthetics and I missed the rich polity—even the irritation—of Presbytery," writes Dilley.

While she acknowledges that some may consider her experience unconventional, she still thinks it's important to share her church journey.

"Critics might say I'm an anomaly. My story, they would say, isn't typical of most young people.But that's not the point. I can't alter statistics or trends. I can't tell congregations or their pastors what they need to change, if anything," writes Dilley. " ... What I offer instead is a word of encouragement that reminds the church to take the long view."

Dilley is the author of "Faith and Other Flat Tires."

[Gregory Matthews]

Of course. The Christian world, as is the SDA denomination, is divided and not in unity on those issues.

[bonnie]

GREGORY

that is a good point

dgrimm60

[hch]

...

"Across America today, thousands of clergy and congregations—even entire denominations—are running scared, desperately trying to convince their youth that faith and church are culturally relevant, forward-looking and alive ... proceed with caution ...with thoughtfulness and deliberation..." writes Dilley...

When the message and mission are lost, the people frequently turn to formalism and theatrics.

[Gregory Matthews]

Of course the Church must have boundaries. "Anything goes" is not acceptable.

God did not create all human life the same any more than God created all flowers the same. There is beauty in the orchards that I raised when I lived in Panama and in Skunk Cabbage.

So also in our spiritual life there can be some diversity in how we worship and approach God.

[bonnie]

Of course the Church must have boundaries. "Anything goes" is not acceptable.

God did not create all human life the same any more than God created all flowers the same. There is beauty in the orchards that I raised when I lived in Panama and in Skunk Cabbage.

So also in our spiritual life there can be some diversity in how we worship and approach God.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

There is beauty in the orchards that I raised when I lived in Panama and in Skunk Cabbage.

**off topic**

why did you live in Skunk Cabbage? I didn't even know there was a place named that...

[Gregory Matthews]

Quote:

. . . why did you live in Skunk Cabbage? I didn't even know there was a place named that...

Pam, you are priceless. Thanks for being here. Would it have made a difference if I had said that I once lived in Red Dog. I have not lived there, but, I could have as it is an actual place in my home State.

However, to enlighten you as to the geographic location of Skunk Cabbage:

1) Skunk Cabbage Spring is located in Grant County Oregon.

2) Skunk Cabbage Ridge is located in Columbia County Oregon.

3) Skunk Cabbage Trail is a 7.5 mile trail located near Orick, California.

So, it is possible for one to live in/on/at Skunk Cabbage.

Always glad to increase your knowledge.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

LOL

[Gregory Matthews]

You are welcome!

[JoeMo]

On the other hand, not all Millennials who want a relationship with Christ want a structured, organized denomination. We should work to meet the needs of both groups.

[bonnie]

On the other hand, not all Millennials who want a relationship with Christ want a structured, organized denomination. We should work to meet the needs of both groups.

So what should the church look/be like for those that don't want a structured, organized denomination?

[JoeMo]

Quote:

So what should the church look/be like for those that don't want a structured, organized denomination?

Difficult question to answer. Our church has struggled with how to have unstructured worship while maintaining some reverence and decorum. How long does praise music go? How crazy can praise be without "crossong a line"? Sermons, testimonies or both? Sabbath services, or both Sabbath and Sunday services? Inreach, outreach, or both? Accept all as they are, or set standards for membership (if we have "formal" members vs. visitors)? Proclaimed SDA Church or "closet" SDA's disguised as a non-denominational church?

[bonnie]

Quote:

So what should the church look/be like for those that don't want a structured, organized denomination?

Difficult question to answer. Our church has struggled with how to have unstructured worship while maintaining some reverence and decorum. How long does praise music go? How crazy can praise be without "crossong a line"? Sermons, testimonies or both? Sabbath services, or both Sabbath and Sunday services? Inreach, outreach, or both? Accept all as they are, or set standards for membership (if we have "formal" members vs. visitors)? Proclaimed SDA Church or "closet" SDA's disguised as a non-denominational church?

Inreach, outreach, or both? If I understand what you mean by this,shouldn't outreach to the

community and inreach to members that attend your church be

done? Is it written somewhere that it must be one or the other.

"closet" SDA's disguised as a non-denominational church? Sorry,I don't even come close to understanding this.Why would SDA's even consider "hiding" what they believe?

[CoAspen]

Quote:

Proclaimed SDA Church or "closet" SDA's disguised as a non-denominational church?

Had to chuckle at that one!

Made me stop and think and yeah I can see where someone might not want others to know their background. I would imagine they want to check out how they are accepted by those around them. Their past experience could be such that other SDA's didn't feel they 'measured' up to a perceived standard. I can think of some churches like that from my past....way past!

[bonnie]

Quote:

Proclaimed SDA Church or "closet" SDA's disguised as a non-denominational church?

Had to chuckle at that one!

Made me stop and think and yeah I can see where someone might not want others to know their background. I would imagine they want to check out how they are accepted by those around them. Their past experience could be such that other SDA's didn't feel they 'measured' up to a perceived standard. I can think of some churches like that from my past....way past!

Just SDA churches? Over the years I have personally had past experiences with those of other faiths that have left a lot to be desired. I married into a Catholic family,my husband converted to

the SDA denomination.Now that was fun! Would it be even reasonable to believe that all Catholics were like the family I married into? Or would I expect a catholic church to disguise itself as non -denominational?

[JoeMo]

Quote:

Why would SDA's even consider "hiding"

There is precedent. Most of the major evangelistic outreaches I hear about do not advertise themselves as SDA sponsored. Furthermore, many are held on "neutral ground" rather than at an SDA Church because of fear people won't come to the church.

[bonnie]

Quote:

Why would SDA's even consider "hiding"

There is precedent. Most of the major evangelistic outreaches I hear about do not advertise themselves as SDA sponsored. Furthermore, many are held on "neutral ground" rather than at an SDA Church because of fear people won't come to the church.

Maybe where you are.We have had many evangelistic services over the years in local churches.There has never been any confusion as to what church it was.

There have been a few "generic" evangelistic services that have been well attended but there still wasn't any confusion as to the denomination sponsoring the services.

I can see some may be more comfortable in a neutral setting,but a neutral setting doesn't mean you hide who you are.We have held healthful living in other area's but never hidden who is sponsoring.

One of the most attended has been the Rev evangelistic outreach held at SDA churches.

We did have one that was held in a rented building,again SDA ownership was very plain. The reason for the rental was to hold it in a place where there were no SDA churches locally.Turned out to be a good thing because of the large number that attended night after night

[bonnie]

Our church has struggled with how to have unstructured worship while maintaining some reverence and decorum. How long does praise music go? How crazy can praise be without "crossong a line"? Sermons, testimonies or both? Sabbath services, or both Sabbath and Sunday services? Inreach, outreach, or both? Accept all as they are, or set standards for membership (if we have "formal" members vs. visitors)? Proclaimed SDA Church or "closet" SDA's disguised as a non-denominational church?

Why would we want Sunday services by a denomination that claims the 7th day sabbath?

set standards for membership

What standards do you consider unbiblical?

Can't you accept people as they are,treat them in the manner you should without "membership"?

Once you have accepted/professed Christ as your personal savior

is there a implied belief in the instruction we have been given?

The bible is pretty plain on lifestyle choices those that follow Christ. Should we grant membership to those that say,"I love the Lord and that is enough",I see no reason to follow the instruction given?

Maybe an over simplification but shouldn't step one lead to step two?

[JoeMo]

Quote:

Why would we want Sunday services by a denomination that claims the 7th day sabbath?

In order to meet everone's needs. A lot of non-Adventists think it's weird to go to church on Saturday. Sunday service would be in addition to Sabbath; not in lieu of.

Quote:

What standards do you consider unbiblical?

None of them; but I've been a Christian for 40 years. Most new Christians have to work into them. Standards are also kinda subjective. Some people are obsessed with the "legal" standards of the law; others by grace; some with health laws; some with purity; some with history, some with eschatology.

Quote:

The bible is pretty plain on lifestyle choices those that follow Christ.

Is it really? Then why are ther 35,000 different Christian sects? Why are some Christians OK with social drinking, smoking, dancing, eating pork, Sabbath vs. Sunday, the immortality of the soul, etc., etc., etc.... while some are not?

I'm not trying to be flippant here; it's just that the answers are more complicated than your questions make them sound. It's not unanimously black and white out there. Look at the apostolic church and the turmoil it faced as Gentiles, with their radically different culture and word view, started overrunning the Jewish Church. Honestly, I don't have the answers. That's one reason why I'm not a pastor.

[bonnie]

In order to meet everone's needs. A lot of non-Adventists think it's weird to go to church on Saturday. Sunday service would be in addition to Sabbath; not in lieu of.

[JoeMo]

Bonnie,

For the first time, I really appreciate you engaging me. You are asking very meaningful questions. I don't have a specific answer for all of them because - really - because I don't have answers. I struggle within myself for the answers. But I will tell you what I firmly believe:

-It is more important to introduce people to a relationship with Jesus than to indoctrinate them with our view of Bible truth. If they embrace a relationship with Jesus, are filled with His Holy Spirit, and heed the lessons in Sabbath (or Sunday) School and sermons during worship, they will learn and grasp the doctrines as well. I've seen it happen.

-God looks at the heart, not the outside. Just like an earthly father would see it, an open and loving relationship covers a lot of sins. I know it is that way with my sons. They were pretty out-of-control as teens; but they loved their dad and showed it by hanging out with him and confiding in him. That helped me see through a lot of their indiscretions. No matter what went on, there was always a "truce" and good fun on family nights. They are all decent, productive people now.

-If we are honest, open, and accepting of others, they will view us as "safe", and be more open to what we are saying. People will only care about our beliefs and concerns if they know we care about theirs.

I've seen people literally move from Sundays to Saturdays, fully accept the conditional immortality of the souls, and follow follow healthy life styles without a single formal Bible study by acting on these general beliefs. But it doesn't work for everyone.

[bonnie]

-It is more important to introduce people to a relationship with Jesus than to indoctrinate them with our view of Bible truth. If they embrace a relationship with Jesus, are filled with His Holy Spirit, and heed the lessons in Sabbath (or Sunday) School and sermons during worship, they will learn and grasp the doctrines as well. I've seen it happen.

[LifeHiscost]

Quote:

It is more important to introduce people to a relationship with Jesus than to indoctrinate them with our view of Bible truth

If one is not introducing a person to the Truth, it would be axiomatic they wouldn't be introducing them to Jesus.

"Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."John 14:5,6 KJV

God is Love! Jesus saves!

[bonnie]

Chruch should be informative,interesting,members,kind and caring with everyone.However it is now almost as it must be the entertainment of the week or we can expect our young people to leave.

I didn't raise my sons in the church to be entertained. That was for church socials,parties etc.

They enjoyed the sabbath school lessons and generally listened to the sermon.But never have they had any problem accepting those that do not believe as they do. They can have some lively discussions,even among themselves,but they don't attempt to force

their beliefs on anyone.

I have a hard time accepting the negative view of SDA's so often shown here by SDA's.

Far from perfect and we have as many that cross the line as anyone else. But you get past the "love the Lord and help the poor" into the rest of the story and that pretty much deter mines a legalist