Synopsis of Discussion – Week 2

We had another great night of fruitful conversation as we met to discuss why we don’t like church anymore.

The evening began with a recap of last week’s discussion. The intent was not to belabor the points (thought we did do a little bit of that!), but rather to clarify anything that was misunderstood or misinterpreted.


NOT SO SUPRISING

Looking again at the 61% church dropout rate of those in their twenties, we decided that this shouldn’t be such a shocking statistic. The loss of interest in church is a “natural” result of one leaving home.

When teenagers (who grew up going to church with their parents) leave for college or some other opportunity, they tend to leave behind (at least for a brief period) anything and everything associated with home—especially the ‘structure’.

By pointing this out, we actually take some of the blame off the church. It’s not all your fault! No matter what a church does, some people will leave when life calls elsewhere. The problem is: the church is not particularly doing a good job of “calling us back.”

As twentysomethings venture out into “real life”, there are now other options and different opportunities in which time and energy can be invested. Also, the years between 20 and 30 are typically characterized by increased travel (due to independence and freedom) and increased work (often insane hours, perhaps multiple jobs, to pay off debt and/or save for the future). These and other factors contribute to the lack of time and energy the typical twentysomething has to invest in a Christian community.

What can the church do to reach these people?


ANOTHER REASON

Another comment about “why I don’t like church anymore” was added to our initial list of ten:

11. Church doesn’t contribute very much to my spiritual development. Church doesn’t help me grow. I get more “spiritual nourishment” in places outside of the church.


FINALLY GETTING INTO IT

The remainder (and bulk) of our conversations centered on these next two questions: What is your ideal church? What is the church?


Question #1: WHAT IS YOUR IDEAL CHURCH?

This question addresses the stylistic preference of those in their twenties today.

1. College lecture style teaching with opportunity for Q&A
2. Less singing (not so long, doing anything for a half-hour is boring)
3. Don’t use modern worship songs. There is much “better” art to experience God through than the typical ‘worship’ songs.
4. Not too charismatic (don’t go overboard with the “expression”)
5. A close knit community – smaller groups, “home church” style. You know the people and they know you. You’re living life together.

We then asked “What makes a close knit community?”
1. Good attitudes are key
2. People really have to want to be there (a desire to participate)
3. Intimacy and honesty
4. Similar experiences help cultivate community


Question #2: WHAT IS CHURCH?

This question addresses the purpose and function of church. We’ll discuss this much more in the weeks ahead. Any discussion of church must begin with understanding it from a Biblical perspective. What does Jesus say about his church?

Thoughts on Church:
1. A place to develop faith and tangibly sense God. Church is meant to help us experience God and be sanctified as a people (character development)
2. Church isn’t solely a place; it is first and foremost a people. It is much harder (meaning there is more responsibility) to “be church.” It’s much easier to just “go to church.” By doing this you don’t have to contribute or put forth any effort. But to “be church” requires an all of life commitment.
3. In Scripture, church is referred to as “a Family,” “a Body,” and “a Temple.” These have major implications to the purpose and function of church.
4. To be in the church is to be a part of a great movement of God.
5. Church is a missional community—a people sent on mission by God to impact society, and bring about personal and cultural transformation. We are his “agents of transformation.” Jesus says in John 20:21, “As the father has sent me, so now I am sending you.”


MISSIONAL

What is missional?

As this discussion began, a comment was made that “Christianity is meant to be the backbone of society. If you feel a need, come to us. We’re not going to impose on you.” Should Christianity be the backbone of society? Is that what Jesus intends? Should Christians impose on other people? If so, how? and how much?

Also, talking about the church being missional—God’s missionary to culture (understanding the different subcultures in our society and planting a church for every people group, in each area of town), a comment was made that we need to be targeting the “intelligent” people in our community. Does the church need to be challenging these people? How is this to be done?

This carried us into another discussion…


DOCTRINE

Doctrine is often neglected in the contemporary church today. Is every Christian is called to be a theologian or only a select few?

Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz California was brought up as an example of a church that emphasizes doctrine and the study of God. Their purpose statement says it well: “We desire to be a Worshiping Community of Missional Theologians.”

I’d encourage anyone who is in this boat of “emphasize doctrine,” “teach me theology,” “make me think” to check out www.vintagechurch.org, www.covlife.org, and www.marshillchurch.org. These three churches highly emphasize doctrine, but not to the neglect of mission.

Until next time...