Evidently my last blog struck a vein and there's some interest in exploring the question: "How can the church be relevant in an age where the church is increasingly perceived as irrelevant?"
Again, I'm not sure I have answers, but the question is important and vital to explore.
Here's an insight: In the most recent issue of the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Denmark author and substance abuse expert Sebastien Tutenges explores the prevailing phenomenon of the "Night Life" (nightclubs, pubs, dance clubs, etc.) experience that has swept through Europe's younger generation. There are differences between Europe and America as far as religion and history is concerned, but there is no doubt that nightclubs have now become a huge draw for the under-30 set. His observations, however, hint at a search for meaning and relevancy . . . and the relationships that younger people find in nightclubs that they do not find in the church/religion.
Some of his insights?
Younger people, especially, are looking for friendship and connections that they cannot find through social media and technology. Being with, partying with, and having fun with friends is paramount. Inside this atmosphere there is both an affirming grace (honesty, transparency, friendships) and darker elements (drugs, sexual promiscuity, law-breaking).
As Tutenges suggests, the church has not yet figured out how to bridge over to younger people, especially . . . those who are indeed looking for meaningful connections and a meaningful life. If there is anything, of course, that the church has to offer it is meaningful relationships/friendships. But perhaps the church has not demonstrated this in our outreach or friendships. In America, we are still waiting for young people to come to the church without being proactive and offering exciting alternatives to the nightlight environment.
Tutenges doesn't provide answers, necessarily, but he does point out that younger people are searching for meaning . . . but they will not tolerate phoniness, judgmentalism, shallowness, or rote answers to life's problems that smack of fundamentalism or certainty at the expense of wonder. In short, relevancy is everything.
Are we facing challenges as a church in meeting these strict demands? Absolutely! But this is also an exciting time to be the church. Perhaps never before in human history have there been so many questions about God, about meaning, about the future.
Perhaps the next question is: are we up to the task of reaching out?
Again, I'm not sure I have answers, but the question is important and vital to explore.
Here's an insight: In the most recent issue of the Harvard Divinity Bulletin, Denmark author and substance abuse expert Sebastien Tutenges explores the prevailing phenomenon of the "Night Life" (nightclubs, pubs, dance clubs, etc.) experience that has swept through Europe's younger generation. There are differences between Europe and America as far as religion and history is concerned, but there is no doubt that nightclubs have now become a huge draw for the under-30 set. His observations, however, hint at a search for meaning and relevancy . . . and the relationships that younger people find in nightclubs that they do not find in the church/religion.
Some of his insights?
Younger people, especially, are looking for friendship and connections that they cannot find through social media and technology. Being with, partying with, and having fun with friends is paramount. Inside this atmosphere there is both an affirming grace (honesty, transparency, friendships) and darker elements (drugs, sexual promiscuity, law-breaking).
As Tutenges suggests, the church has not yet figured out how to bridge over to younger people, especially . . . those who are indeed looking for meaningful connections and a meaningful life. If there is anything, of course, that the church has to offer it is meaningful relationships/friendships. But perhaps the church has not demonstrated this in our outreach or friendships. In America, we are still waiting for young people to come to the church without being proactive and offering exciting alternatives to the nightlight environment.
Tutenges doesn't provide answers, necessarily, but he does point out that younger people are searching for meaning . . . but they will not tolerate phoniness, judgmentalism, shallowness, or rote answers to life's problems that smack of fundamentalism or certainty at the expense of wonder. In short, relevancy is everything.
Are we facing challenges as a church in meeting these strict demands? Absolutely! But this is also an exciting time to be the church. Perhaps never before in human history have there been so many questions about God, about meaning, about the future.
Perhaps the next question is: are we up to the task of reaching out?
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