A recent post by Tony Morgan (click here to read it) raised some interesting questions and thoughts. I blogged about it here and had some responses to it which you can read. Then yesterday I read the following news item that got me to thinking some more about something Tony said and one of the responses (DesertJim) also mentioned. Here are Tony’s words:
Here’s what we’ve learned. If we design our service experiences for a younger audience, we’re more likely to reach that younger person and we’ll also reach older folks. The reverse is not true. If we designed our service experience for an older audience, the younger crowd would not show up.
Now here is the news item:
Young Adults Struggle More with Morality, Survey Finds
The Christian Post reports that new study from the Barna Group finds that Americans are talking about moral issues more and more, and that talk is redefining acceptable action, especially for young adults. Adults under 25 are more than twice as likely to cross traditional standards, according to the survey. “The moral code began to disintegrate when the generation before them – the Baby Busters – pushed the limits that had been challenged by their parents – the Baby Boomers,” director George Barna noted. “The result is that without much fanfare or visible leadership, the U.S. has created a moral system based on convenience, feelings, and selfishness.” More than 1,000 adults surveyed were asked if they had engaged in any of eight morally questionable behaviors over the past week, such as lying, using profanity in public, and having sex with someone to whom they were not married.
I will be the first to admit that I don’t put a whole lot of stock in surveys-religious, political or otherwise. All in all I think they are incredible waste of time, money and effort. However, if this is true, then we must ask ourselves if we are reaching the demographic we say is so essential to reach. And if so, what are we reaching them with? I was reading just recently about a pastor who received a call or note asking him about marrying a couple who were living together. The sad fact he brought out was that they had been attending the church he pastors and had heard him say that “marriage between a man & woman is the only acceptable way to go.” But he lamented the fact that they didn’t get it. Perhaps even worse (in my eyes) is when we don’t tell the truth. We feed our people a pack of lies about morality or Biblical teaching that is straight out of the post-modernist handbook. “Anything goes.” “There are no absolutes.” “Do whatever makes you feel good.” Ad infinitum. Ad nauseum. I would even go so far as to say that we need to teach more than mere moralism. Anyone, any guru, can teach that. It takes a man of God willing to stand upon the truth of God’s Word to boldly declare the truth of “righteousness, faith and self-control.” Please don’t get me wrong here. I am not talking about brow-beating or using a 2×4 but a rational, controlled explanation of the Scriptures. We don’t need to compromise to reach the current generation or the next one. Love them deeply. Teach them humbly.
What do you think? Are we reaching them? Does your fellowship have an effective outreach to this generation? Keep in mind what Tony said. “We program to reach this generation and the older one will come along. Program to reach the older generation and we will lose the younger ones. Let me hear from you.
Thanks Tony for you comments. I too agree it takes time, relationship and effort. That is why it is so important for small groups or mentoring relationship to happen. Good point about the surveys.
Christ’s great command was that we go and make disciples. The issue is clear… we aren’t discipling. We bring people to the foot of the cross and ask them to make a decision and then wipe our hands clean of them because they now have the life preserver.
Somebody needs to teach them how to climb into the boat and throw the preserver out to other people. That takes relationship, time, and effort. Jesus spent 3 and a half years teaching His disciples.. and it wasn’t 20 minutes once a week.
I can understand your distrust of surveys because statistics can be stacked to present false findings…however, when the divorce rate among Christ believing people is at the same level as non-believers, that is a statistic that is very telling.
Sometimes statistics are a mirror that presents what we have become.
Good post and points.
This is a difficult subject for me. I want the church to be relevant, but not to the point where we ignore discipleship and growth among Christ followers.
I may have shared this comment here, I don’t remember, but Billy Graham often said that he hoped his preaching was seen this way: That he had his Bible in on hand and a newspaper in the other!
To me, that’s the secret to reaching this generation or the next. Preach Jesus. You can’t go wrong there!
I think the idea of reaching out to the young group and the older will follow along is probably right.
I’m 27 and grew up in a small, traditional baptist church. They played the piano, we sang hymns. That is what I thought church was, and I enjoyed it. I resisted a move to more contemporary services.
Now that I have been a part of contemporary services, I can’t go back. I honestly feel more “moved” when we turn out the lights, up the volume, and just rock the place out for God.
My only fear is that churches will change the message of God to appeal to young people. As long as the Word is presented in a way that doesn’t change its meaning to fit a new generation, then I am ok with doing things the way us young folk like (i like to think im young).
DesertJim: my point exactly. Morality is not enough. Even non-believers can be moral but missing the right compass will eventually lead to nowhere. Reach the youth with the truth and the results will come.
I think the true question is how do we get young adults to see morality as an expression of worship and devotion to their God? Heck, how can I do that? That’s really what I want. I want the things of this world to grow dim in the light of Jesus (I think that’s a song).
In the Mormon community here, the youth are quite moral, on the surface anyway. But, I believe it is out of fear and obligation. Some would say that is enough, but I think eventually that facade crumbles away and the things of the world become more important than trying to keep your family name pure. As soon as someone falls, they are pushed away and shunned by family and their church. Then the gossip starts – its nasty.
I believe you reach the youth by welcoming them as they are and showing them Jesus loves them now with no strings. I think the good morals come as people see what Jesus has done for them and that’s their expression back.
You are right DJ about the young adults haven't been taught. That then filters down.
I think Tony is right. We gear our service towards younger people and we have a lot of mature folks because they want to be where the young people are.
One more thing…
We as the church need to realize that many young adults have not been taught right from wrong and there needs to be a format to teach that once they have made a decision to follow Christ.
But, not is a religious way. How’s that for a challenge?
Steve: you hit the nail on the head. It is so hard to be “relevant” and make sure you are not compromising at the same time. I think some already are and may be enjoying the fruits of it right now but will reap the whirlwind in the farther future. Good quote by BG. Hmmm same initials as yours truly.
Kevin: I think that is one way to tell a person’s spiritual maturity. Are they willing to put aside their rights and wants for the good of the church.
It's interesting when I see people debating, wondering and stressing over the way to effectively reach a younger demographic. It seems so simple to me, and it's almost clear why people, especially the older ones (sorry guys) have a hard time reaching young adults. It's because all too often students don't think that older generations or members of the church care about them as people and are far too judgemental. Here is the punch in the gut, it's true.
Students all too often are talking to Christians about their lives and may throw in a profane word and the average christian will be quicker to call them out on their language than listen to what they are saying.
I am in youth ministry myself, and when I visit students at the local high school and we are talking and they use certain colorful four letter words I let it go and don't call them out. My mother takes issue with this and insists that I should tell them that their language is offensive and shouldn't be used. Offensive? Offensive to who? When you interrupt students to tell them to watch their language, they feel that they are being judged and that you're not really listening to what they are saying but how they are saying it.
The language thing is but one small example but in my experience the church always preaches that Jesus loves you as is, but the church does a poor job of being an example of that. And if we are so unwilling to build relationships with students based on the way they speak, why would we expect them to open up to us when it comes to the deeper levels of garbage in their lives. "He can't handle my language, I'm not going to tell him about my abusive father, or my drug addiction, or that I'm thinking about committing suicide." Students don't want to be preached at, they want to be listened to.
You might be thinking that we must tell them about Jesus so they can be saved. Sure, I can agree with that, but take the pressure off yourself. The relationship has got to come first, then the rest will take care of itself.
Tony Campolo a well known speaker and writer once once stood up in front of a large crowd and said this, "Everyday people are dying and going to hell and you don't give a shit. I know this because I just said that everyday people are dying and going to hell and all you can think about is that I said shit."
You make a very good point Jx. Admittedly, I know I sometimes bristle at the language I hear by adults (not just the students) but have chosen not to say anything about it. I figure there are more important things to talk about than his/her language. I also agree about relationship coming first. Relate first. Speak next.
Do I need to correct you for your language? 🙂