Winning Back Generation Y

An article at The Root asking the question why so many Generation Yers are abandoning the church caught my attention this week. Written by a member of my own Gen-Y or Millennial generation (born in the 1980s and '90s), the piece attempts to explain the restlessness and dissatisfaction many young adults are feeling regarding the church. While I disagree with several of the author's points, it's obvious that the church's appeal among younger generations has decreased.

I've been in the church all my life. I've been interested in activist organizations that speak to the plight of the disadvantaged and underprivileged for as long as I can remember. I see much value in church and in many of these organizations.

Much of my talent was honed in the church. Most of my gifts were developed in the church. I was afforded opportunities to lead, speak, sing, and express myself in ways that have distinguished me from my peers who did not have as many opportunities in other places. I was also affirmed in the church which gave me a sense of confidence and pride I would not have had otherwise.

I am naturally disappointed, then, when I see the decline of participation of my generation and the generations around mine in church and other social organizations. Interesting as it may sound, I can understand many of my peers who are tired of "church as usual." I can sympathize with their desire to take a break from the weekly routine of going to church to sit in the pew for a few hours, often fighting sleep.

While we are not the only generation to feel this way, we are unique in a few ways. We are one of the first generations where no significant movement for social progress has been led by the church. Before his death, Michael Jackson said he planned to do his final series of concerts so that his children could see him perform. They were not old enough to have witnessed him in his heyday. Similarly, our generation has not seen the glory of the church in action.

We are also one of the first generations where the church didn't heavily influence the music we grew up listening to. It's now popular culture that has a greater influence on the music of the church.

You must admit that times are changing. So are people. While I believe the church, at its core, should remain the same, there are some things she should consider as she tries to attract wayward youth and young adults -- and to keep the ones she has.

Everybody, at some point in life, will get to the place where they ask the timeless questions of purpose and meaning: Why am I here? What am I to do while I'm here? What will happen once I die? Though I cannot speak with authority about the degree to which people in past generations sought answers, I get the sense that people in my demographic are interested and willing to travel across traditional, denominational, and even religious lines to collect information. Keeping in mind the fact that we have been trained to be critical thinkers, this quest is very important. The answers that the church provides, though truthful, come off as inadequate because they do not satisfy the quest.

We are also looking for someone to speak to us where we are and help lead us to living our best lives. In my opinion, the church is a great place for this to happen, but pastors and church leaders need to know that it's not the only place. Oprah is doing a great job where the church is failing. I think a compartmentalized Jesus is part of the reason. Preaching, in other words, should be more than Sunday school stories told from an adult perspective. Church should teach more than Jesus and salvation. We are interested in day-to-day ideas about diet and lifestyle, maintaining healthy relationships, getting a promotion at work, and even understanding the mental and spiritual mysteries.

A pastor who is interested in attracting or keeping young adults should make room for questions and critique. Pastors should not be concerned about confusing our generation. It's already too late for that. Provide a safe and loving place where we can dialogue about what we are confused about without being condemned to hell. Also understand that the threat of hell is not as potent as it used to be. Overuse of anything tends to increase the tolerance one has for it. Additionally, preach the unadulterated truth. It is embarrassing for me to hear someone from another faith preaching truth and being more relevant than the Christian minister. The pendulum is swinging. The preach-me-happy sermons are overrated and overdone. We want truth. Unadulterated and naked.

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