Why are Young Adults Leaving the Church?

Every pastor in the Northern Hemisphere knows that young adults are leaving the church in record numbers.  I’m not saying that to scare you.  I’m just pointing out the fact so that I can point to the reasons why, in my opinion, it’s happening.  I’ll only share two here.  

1.  The church tends to make faith in Jesus a mental exercise rather than a spiritual experience.

Most young adults I know have a deep respect for the scriptures, are orthodox in their beliefs and serious about doing theology.  But they know that faith is trusting in someone, not believing some things.  Most of the young adults I know are drawn to Jesus, sometimes almost irresistibly so.  But they insist that faith in him is about more, much more, than our attempts to explain him.

Intuitively, young adults know that faith in Jesus is deeper than being convinced that what the church teaches about Jesus is empirically true.  In fact, some young Christians I know have huge doubts about some of those teachings.  And yet, they love Jesus and are fully devoted to following him.

If we want to connect with young adults, the church must become a safe place for them to question and doubt and live out a messy faith.  We must give them permission to believe in their hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9), even while they struggle to reconcile that belief in their heads.  I think if we’re really honest, we’re all living out a messy faith.  Young adults are just not afraid to admit it.

2.  The church proclaims Jesus as the divine Son of God, yet often neglects his most basic teachings.  

Young adults are drawn to the church’s insistence that Jesus is the way, yet pushed away by what they perceive to be the church’s weak commitment to follow the way of Jesus.

Some of the core teachings of Jesus, such as caring for the poor and oppressed, love for our enemies, refusal to retaliate against those who harm us and extreme generosity seem to be watered down, casually dismissed or actively opposed by the church. 

Many young Christians I know point out that the modern evangelical church seems to chase after riches more than giving them away.  They are bewildered by the church’s endorsement of military campaigns.  And they don’t understand how we can say we love our neighbors but insist that they stay on their side of the border.    

This is not just empty rhetoric.  Many young Christians are embracing a different way, what they would describe as the way of Jesus.  And they wonder why they do it in the face of opposition from the Christian church.  Some choose to leave, not because they are giving up on the church, but to embrace it more fully in a friendlier context.

If the church is going to give these Christians a home, we will need to rethink our understanding of Jesus and repent of the ways we have failed to take his teachings seriously. 

In naming these two reasons I’m not taking pot shots at the church.  I’m a pastor who loves the church deeply.   I’m committed to being part of the church in my community.  I’m quite hopeful that the church is making great progress toward becoming a more beautiful bride of Christ in our world.  I’m convinced that young adults need the church.  That’s why I’m praying that the church becomes the kind of place where they feel safe and free to live out their faith.  I’m praying that prayer not only because they need us, but because we need them.  They have much to teach us. 

Laser Tag and Spirituality

Tomorrow I’ll take my three grandsons to play laser tag…

I’ve been told I enjoy doing things like playing laser tag and Marco polo.  And I’m not saying that I don’t enjoy doing these kinds of activities, it’s just that I know myself well enough to know that I won’t actually realize that I enjoyed doing them until sometime after I’ve done them.

Somehow in the afterglow of a rousing game of “wrestle Pa Pa to the floor and tickle him till he can’t breathe,” it dawns on me; hey, that was a lot of fun!  I feel better now!

It’s a little bit hard to explain (or for that matter understand) but an activity that doesn’t appeal to any of my senses and doesn’t feel like fun somehow becomes fun afterward…typically after I take a nap.

You may be able to relate to the phenomenon I’m trying to describe.  You engage in some activity that possesses virtually no energetic appeal during the course of the event but then, inexplicably, sometime later (depending on how soon you get to take the nap) you say to yourself, that was really fun, and mean it.

And it’s not just physically demanding activities you do with your children or grandchildren.  It works for things like lifting weights or going to a museum.

I’m thinking there might be a lesson about spirituality here…

What if healthy spirituality (specifically, Christian spirituality) works like playing laser tag with my grandsons or spending thirty minutes on an elliptical machine or reading poetry?  What if, sometime after engaging in a spiritual discipline (sometimes quite a while afterwards) you say to yourself, hey that was good for me.  I can feel it!

The ancient tradition of practicing spiritual disciplines is based on this idea.  The church fathers and mothers, including people like Augustine, St. Francis and Teresa of Avila understood and taught that practicing spiritual disciplines has this same kind of after effect.  (For a good list and explanation of spiritual disciplines read Richard Foster’s classic work, Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth.)

As we begin a new year you may want to seriously give this some thought.  A tool that I have found helpful is The Daily Office (“office” comes from the Latin “officium,” meaning “duty, service or function.”)  The Daily Office is a prescribed set of scripture readings and written prayers that you simply incorporate into your daily routine, kind of like exercise.

The process of practicing The Daily Office may not be thrilling.  It may even be boring.   But over time you find yourself saying hey, this is good for me.  I can feel it! 

One Pastor’s Reflections on ISIS and Peacemaking

The ruthless and barbaric acts of the Islamic jihadist organization known ISIS are incomprehensible to most of the people on this planet.  What has been done to further their cause is nothing short of repulsive. On this we might all agree.

What to do in response to ISIS might generate more differing opinions.  Some advocate a swift and comprehensive military response.  Some prefer a more limited and precise retaliation.

I’m a pastor.  I readily admit that the complexities of global security are beyond my grasp. I do not claim to be knowledgeable about foreign affairs and I’m not a military strategist. 

In addition, I don’t want to be argumentative or offensive to those who disagree with me.  However, as a pastor my responsibility is to bring a different perspective…what I strongly believe is a perspective based on the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, about war, peace and becoming peacemakers.

That said, I believe the current military strategy of pretty much every developed nation on this planet, including mine, is unwise.  I'll give you two reasons why…

1.   It won't work.

It has never worked.  It will never work.  Violence in response to violence doesn't work.  The cycle of retributive violence is, by its very nature, an endless cycle.

The night before the second Iraqi war began I had a conversation with a friend and posed this scenario.  Imagine a ten year old boy standing in the street of his village somewhere in Iraq.  Suddenly, before his eyes, his house is blown to pieces.  His parents, his grandparents, his siblings all killed; unintentionally, of course.  Nevertheless, they are dead.  This ten year old boy buries the body parts of his family members somewhere near the home where he grew up.

Ten years later who do you think will most likely win the allegiance of that little boy.. the nation who dropped the bomb or the terrorist group who promises to avenge the deaths of his family members?  

That conversation happened eleven years ago. One might argue that we are now engaged in combat with that ten year old boy.  And one might argue that years from now we will be doing the same thing again with his son.  Respectfully but passionately I would argue that there must be a smarter way for the nations of the world to use the nearly three billion dollars a day we currently spend on our weapons of warfare. 

There must be a better choice, but so far we (the empires of the world) have consistently chosen to perpetuate the cycle of retributive violence.  I think we can choose a better way.  Someone taught us to choose a better way, which brings me to my second reason. 

2.   It is not consistent with the teachings of Jesus.

I know that reason won’t mean much to politicians, but it should carry some weight with those who actually profess faith in Jesus Christ.

I believe that an honest reading of the New Testament brings the reader to the conclusion that Jesus chose to die for his enemies rather than kill them.  And he invited his followers to do the same.  He said things like…

     “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other cheek also.” 
      “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” 
     “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
     “Those who live by the sword will die by the sword.”  
     "Take up your cross and follow me." 
     “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.”

For the most part, the Christian community has chosen to promote some other way than the way of Jesus.  Stop and let that statement sink in.  Apparently some pastors believe that Jesus is the way we gain eternal life but they obviously do not believe that Jesus actually taught us how to live.  

Is it not illogical to separate the person of Jesus from his ideas?  

Is it not irrational to believe in Jesus but not actually believe Jesus? 

Is it not inconsistent to teach our congregations that “Jesus is the way, the truth and the life,” and yet reject the way of Jesus, that is the truth and leads to life?  

A personal appeal to pastors from a pastor

To people who, like me, are responsible for preaching the way of Jesus Christ, I would issue a personal appeal.

Entertain the possibility that the example and teachings of Jesus are superior to our own wisdom.  After all, how well has our own wisdom worked for us so far?

Then courageously teach the way of Jesus to those for whose spiritual development you are, at least partially responsible.  Your words are influential, especially to those who are part of the next generation of Christ followers.  Who knows?  If you bravely teach them the way of Jesus perhaps they will believe you.  Perhaps they will believe Jesus and become peacemakers.  

A Pastor’s Plea for the Gospel of Jesus Christ

I’m a pastor and I have a pastor’s heart; which means I care about the spiritual formation of people.  It means I care about discipling each person under my pastoral care.  That’s why I preach and write.  Because I hope that my efforts, empowered by the Spirit of God, will actually help people embrace Christ’s invitation; “Come, follow me.”

So I attempt to “explain” things... like, for instance, the Gospel.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, I’m afraid, has been reduced in evangelical Church circles to less (much less) than it really is.  John Ortberg says that many Christians think the Gospel is “the minimal entrance requirements to get into heaven.”  That is unquestionably not what the Gospel is.

The Gospel is the announcement (the good news) that Jesus Christ is Lord.

The biblical writers hijacked the word “gospel” from the political world of their day.  In the Roman world the “gospel” was the official announcement of the birth or coronation of a new Emperor.  The Emperor was given the title of “Lord.” 

The gospel writers are announcing the birth and coronation (through crucifixion and resurrection) of the true Lord of the world.  Peter and Paul both made the highly controversial and politically charged claim that the titles of “Messiah” (a Jewish title for the anointed one) and “Lord” (a Gentile title for the one with ultimate authority) now belong to Jesus.  Read Acts 2:29-36 and Philippians 2:9-11.  (Rome didn't execute these men for telling people how to get saved.)   

So to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is to believe that Jesus is Lord.  To share the gospel of Jesus Christ is to invite others to believe that Jesus is Lord. 

In a world that operates under the misguided perception that presidents, dictators and demagogues are the “lords” of the world, I think we need the gospel that is actually true to the scriptures, the gospel first proclaimed by the apostles, the gospel that is more than a spiritualized version of Star Trek, a “beam us up” theology. 

We need the proclamation that, “God raised this Jesus to life… Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit… Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” (Acts 2:32-36) 

As a pastor, I’m delighted when we actually believe this central proclamation of the Church; when we live in this world as citizens of the kingdom of God; when we love our enemies, when we share our possessions, when we care for the poor and oppressed, when we speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves, when we joyfully make great sacrifices for others, when we give full allegiance to the Lord, when we follow the way of Jesus, the Christ!  That does my pastor’s heart good! 

The Sanctity of Human life… and Undocumented Immigrants

Human life is sacred.  No faith tradition believes this more strongly than mine.

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Christians believe that this poetic verse contains a deep and mystical truth.  Every human being is precious.  Every human being is valuable.  Every human being is sacred.  Somehow, every human being carries the image of his or her creator.   

That’s why Christians have historically spoken out against abortion.  We have taken the politically incorrect position against the elimination of the unborn because the scriptures teach us that all human life is sacred.  We call this a pro-life stance. 

You may be familiar with Mother Teresa’s passionate plea.  “Please don't kill the child. I want the child. Please give me the child. I am willing to accept any child who would be aborted, and to give that child to a married couple who will love the child, and be loved by the child.”

Like Mother Teresa, other Christians have a deep compassion for the little children.

So I’m encouraged that many Christians are responding to the recent influx of undocumented immigrant children the same way they have responded to the unborn children.  Like Mother Teresa, many Christians are saying, “Give me the child.” 

These children are being sent here by desperate parents who are forced to choose between the danger of keeping them in a violent war zone and the danger of sending them on a long arduous journey to a strange place.  Like a terrified teenage mother, they can’t take care of them so they give them up to adoptive parents in hopes that we will.

These are real children.  They are like your children.  They get hungry and sick.  They are helpless and vulnerable.  They have hopes and dreams.  They need love and protection. 

The collective Christian voice echoing the words of Jesus Christ when he said, “Let the little children come to me,” must drown out the voices of those shouting, “Send them back.”

I don’t claim to have any political solutions to the problem of immigration.  But I do claim to have some insight into the heart of Jesus Christ when it comes to the value of human life, born or unborn, native or immigrant.

Every human being is sacred.  I’m grateful that many Christians can see the sacred in the little human beings coming to us for help.  This too is a pro-life stance.

Lessons from my Father

My father sleeps almost all the time now.  In the final stages of his disease he spends his time, I think, reliving the good times and anticipating better times, in the world of his dreams. 

On Monday mornings I sit beside him reliving the good times and anticipating better times.  This past Monday I spent some of my “reliving time” thinking about the lessons I've learned from my father (I call him Pop).  I thought Father’s Day would be a good time to share some of them.

The most recent lesson Pop attempted to teach me was how to shoot pool.  In his younger years, from what my cousins told me, he was quite the pool shark.  (Pop would never speak about such things when I was growing up because “pool-sharking” wasn't one of the lessons he wanted me to learn.)  When times were hard his pool stick put food on the table more than once; again, according to my cousins.

I’m afraid this lesson was wasted on me.  I was never good at geometry and it is evident when I attempt to line up a shot.  The last time we made the trek out to the garage to shoot a game Pop used a walker to get there, could barely hold the stick, shook like a leaf and still beat me handily.  He was frustrated because he thought I threw the game to make him feel better.  By the way, when you shoot the best you can and it still looks like you’re throwing the game, it’s a real blow to your ego. 

Almost all the other lessons are much older; some almost as old as I am. 

Pop taught me to hunt.  Hunting is an indirect way to learn patience and he seemed to want me to master patience more than bagging game.  From “hunting lessons” I also learned to respect all God’s creatures.  “If you shoot it, you eat it.  If you won’t eat it, you don’t shoot it.”  So I shot squirrels, skinned them and gave them to my mother who reluctantly, painstakingly turned them into delicacies.  I don’t hunt much these days.  

Pop taught me how to work.  For Pop, work was not an undesirable but necessary part of life; work was a gift from God.  God put the man and woman in the garden to work it, take care of it and eat from it.  So Pop put me in the garden to learn the blessing of a hard day’s work, to toil over a task all day long, so at the end of the day I could look at it and see the results, go to bed and sleep well…the sleep of satisfaction.  That lesson took many years of repeated sessions.

Pop taught me to respect and care for all human beings no matter their ethnicity, economic or social standing.  Some of our neighbors were tenant farmers living on someone else’s land (a modern version of sharecropping).  Pop shared produce with them from our small farm along with pies and cakes from my mother’s kitchen.  He taught me that every living creature on God’s good earth has intrinsic value.  Humans are created in God’s image and all of them are equal and equally loved by their creator.  This is a lesson our world is slow in learning. 

Pop taught me to love.  He taught me what love is.  Of course my mother participated in all these lessons as well (except shooting pool).  Pop taught me love not so much with his words but with his work.  He got up before daylight and fed animals.  Then he went to his job (carpentry most of his life) and worked all day.  Then he came home and fed animals again, again in the dark.  Only then did he sit down with us to a good meal, provided by his own calloused hands.  Somehow I never wondered if I was loved.   

These are the kinds of things I think about on Mondays these days.  These lessons and others, many others, I think about when I sit by Pop’s bedside, when I scramble an egg and try to get him to eat a few bites, when I moisten his dry mouth, when I help my sister bathe his frail body.  These lessons and others, many others, are the reasons my siblings and I do not consider doing these things a burden.  Like all the other lessons he taught us, this final lesson, a lesson on how to grieve well, is a gift.  

Is the Evangelical Church Hopelessly Lost? – Part II

In my last post I asked the question, "Is the Evangelical Church Hopelessly Lost?," I attempted to argue that we are, indeed, lost and to explain (at least in part) how we got lost.

The critical word, I think, is “hopelessly.”  Some are already planning the funeral service for the Evangelical Church, but maybe that’s a bit premature.  I would argue that we’re not hopelessly lost but hopefully lost.  We’re still lost, but I think we’re beginning to follow the biblical bread crumbs that will lead us back home to Jesus.

From my perspective I see (and feel with a part of me that maybe can’t be categorized under one of the five senses) that there is a grassroots movement in the church.  It is definitely not being initiated by any of the major denominations (especially mine), but it is happening.  It is being led primarily by millennials (young adults), although many from older generations are glad to see it growing and want to be part of it. 

Maybe we could think of it as a series of shifts or movements within the church; kind of like the shifting tectonic plates imperceptibly moving beneath us a millimeter (or less) at a time, until finally there’s an earthquake.  I think we could talk about a lot of these shifts but I will only discuss two.

A shift from Biblianity (or Biblicism) back to Christianity

One of the fall outs of Fundamentalism is the elevation of the Bible to “god status.”  In short, the “inerrancy” fundamental claims that the entire Bible is equally authoritative. 

In a recent article entitled "Why Christians Should Support the Death Penalty," Al Mohler argues that they should.  (You may support the death penalty.  I’m not arguing that issue one way or another here.)  My point is not that Mohler argues for the death penalty but how he does it.  In the article he never mentions Jesus; not once.  He uses the Old Testament teaching about capital punishment (a great advancement in the ancient world for sure) and applies it authoritatively to today’s society.  He simply doesn’t wrestle with anything that Jesus said.

Jesus, however, audaciously claimed that his teachings outranked the Jewish Torah.  Repeatedly he said, “You have heard it said [in Torah]… but I say to you…”  May I suggest you read Matthew 5:38-48.

What I sense, particularly among young people, is a return to a more orthodox understanding of the scriptures.  They agree, I believe, with the "The Baptist Faith and Message" which says, “The criterion by which the Bible is to be interpreted is Jesus Christ.  The Bible is the written Word about the living Word.  Therefore, any interpretation of a given passage must be made in the light of God’s revelation in Jesus Christ and his teachings and redemptive work.”  (page 30 in the 1971 edition)    

A shift from Arrogance to Humility

I would like to be able to describe this shift in more diplomatic language, but I don’t think I can.

By its very nature, Fundamentalism seems to gravitate toward arrogance.  We tend to be intellectually arrogant about our theology.  We seem to be unable to entertain the idea that we might get it wrong and someone else might get it right.  We tend to be morally arrogant.  So we point out those sinners and their sin instead of acknowledging that we are all sinners.  In a word, this is called moral superiority.  In another word, it’s called judgmentalism.

But I sense a shift away from this kind of arrogance.  These days I talk to more and more Christ followers who are humble and gracious.  They have this refreshing spirit about them that is respectful of people who are different from them.  They have the wonderful ability to disagree with someone while seeing that person as the offspring of God, created in his image.  They don’t need to portray themselves as less sinful or less broken than others.  They genuinely believe that every human being is loved by God and they possess the uncanny ability to extend love to all of God’s beloved, which means everyone.   

I think a lot more “shifts” could be listed.  We’re seeing young Christians shift from consumer Christianity to contributor Christianity, from maintaining the institutional church to embracing the beautiful, comprehensive mission of the Church, from being politically hyperactive to being communally interactive; the list could go on.

The result is that our lost Evangelical Church is becoming more and more hopefully lost.  We don’t claim to know exactly how or when we will find our way back home to Jesus, but we are confident that we’re moving in the right direction.  We feel him in the air.  We smell his sweet aroma.  His beauty is beginning to shine through.  And, in my opinion, the beauty of Jesus is practically irresistible.