My congregation is trying to engage the 20 and 30-somethings in conversation about God. This group is mostly absent from Church. I would like to hear from you if you have insight about why you're not interested in "Church". If you under 40, I especially want to hear from you....

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Maybe if God was in High Definition, pocket sized, added them as a "friend" and sent regular text messages.........
The "X" & "Y"ers are currently too busy worshipping their false idols. They'll come when they need to, as long as you're there when they do.
Mind you, I'm 36 and have always had strong opinions on church and matters spiritual. I don't believe in the pointless collection of "stuff" (which probably explains being drawn to CBG's) so I'm really not the ideal person to answer your question. I do know, however, that if you try to make/ lure them, they won't come. They're "busy" they need a pretty darn good reason to put down the playstation. Unfortunately that is usually a tradgedy and they find themselves totally unprepared for dealing with it. Anyway, I'll cease and dessist before my "Rant Filter" fails completely.
Hope I helped - doubt I have
Love & Light
Ray
Ray,

That's my experience too, but I think it's also a problem with the culture of the church that tends to be "take it or leave it" it was good enough for me. I don't think anything's wrong with the Gospel, but maybe we just are communicating it... (and like you said, not getting a chance to)

the best,

Sam


Jawbone said:
Maybe if God was in High Definition, pocket sized, added them as a "friend" and sent regular text messages.........
The "X" & "Y"ers are currently too busy worshipping their false idols. They'll come when they need to, as long as you're there when they do.
Mind you, I'm 36 and have always had strong opinions on church and matters spiritual. I don't believe in the pointless collection of "stuff" (which probably explains being drawn to CBG's) so I'm really not the ideal person to answer your question. I do know, however, that if you try to make/ lure them, they won't come. They're "busy" they need a pretty darn good reason to put down the playstation. Unfortunately that is usually a tradgedy and they find themselves totally unprepared for dealing with it. Anyway, I'll cease and dessist before my "Rant Filter" fails completely.
Hope I helped - doubt I have
Love & Light
Ray
I agree with Jawbone that people don't think that much about seeking God, until they experience something they think that the can't handle for themselves. I always found it interesting that when couples started having children, they decided that the needed to bring/take them to church. They didn't realize that a relationship with Jesus would not only be the best thing for them, but it would also guide them as parents, making things even better for the children they are concerned about in the first place.

As far as seeking the 20 and 30 somethings, continuing to preach/teach the truth of the Bible, while making sure that the language is clear and not too full of the terms that only those that have been in church all their lives will know is as good a strategy as any!
Whats wrong with church? plenty I'd say..indeed, it'd be hard to know where to start.
Its somewhat disingenuous,imo, to imply young people aren't interested cos it aint in hi def.Young people can smell bullsh*t a MILE away.
Lets take my experience as say,a 14 year old.At that age I was dating a girl who couldn't take me to meet her folks-I was banned from ever visiting their house-my crime? I was in the 'wrong' church-she being Catholic and me being Church of England.I was brought up turning the tv on and seeing people bombing each other over there in Ireland every single week.You pick up history books,a Catholic queen'd get on the throne and burn the Protestants, then a Protestant queen'd get on the throne and burn the Catholics.sheesh! and still it goes on-now I see Islam dudes sawing off another guys head whilst proclaiming 'God is great'..you dont need a potted history from me to see humans have a done a pretty crappy job of representing something wonderful, no matter what the denomination.
I have only recently had a little of my faith in clergy restored when I saw vicars taking on the cops at various anti war marches-now there was a dude whose church I'd visit.
You've probably gathered by now I dont attend church.Apart from this one.
I believe in God and I know Jesus is real (we met once-but thats another story).
If I sound angry its because I am.It aggravates me when neat things get screwed up.
Laters HB
Thank you for your clear, experience based response. We share the same frustrations with the church. My dilemma is that I'm seayng the same kind of things from the inside, because when I met Jesus, I complained about my wasted years (33 years of life as a child of the church) on the inside seeing the kinds of things you're talking about and more. All I wanted was out!!!! To me, he said, "If you leave, you can't complain, why not stay and be a force for change???" Well, 25 years later I feel like the king trying to beat back the tide. But, it's my "mission", so I'm recruiting anyone who can give me "fresh eyes" to see the problem in this post-modern world....

Again, thanks and... blessings,

Wichita Sam
chaplain

HOLLOWBELLY said:
Whats wrong with church? plenty I'd say..indeed, it'd be hard to know where to start.
Its somewhat disingenuous,imo, to imply young people aren't interested cos it aint in hi def.Young people can smell bullsh*t a MILE away.
Lets take my experience as say,a 14 year old.At that age I was dating a girl who couldn't take me to meet her folks-I was banned from ever visiting their house-my crime? I was in the 'wrong' church-she being Catholic and me being Church of England.I was brought up turning the tv on and seeing people bombing each other over there in Ireland every single week.You pick up history books,a Catholic queen'd get on the throne and burn the Protestants, then a Protestant queen'd get on the throne and burn the Catholics.sheesh! and still it goes on-now I see Islam dudes sawing off another guys head whilst proclaiming 'God is great'..you dont need a potted history from me to see humans have a done a pretty crappy job of representing something wonderful, no matter what the denomination.
I have only recently had a little of my faith in clergy restored when I saw vicars taking on the cops at various anti war marches-now there was a dude whose church I'd visit.
You've probably gathered by now I dont attend church.Apart from this one.
I believe in God and I know Jesus is real (we met once-but thats another story).
If I sound angry its because I am.It aggravates me when neat things get screwed up.
Laters HB
Ray,

I agreed that part of the problem is with the young people and the culture, but that doesn't motivate the church to change. I tell my congregation over and over "If there's a problem, it's our problem!"

thanks,

Sam


RayTheOtherRay said:
I agree with Jawbone that people don't think that much about seeking God, until they experience something they think that the can't handle for themselves. I always found it interesting that when couples started having children, they decided that the needed to bring/take them to church. They didn't realize that a relationship with Jesus would not only be the best thing for them, but it would also guide them as parents, making things even better for the children they are concerned about in the first place.

As far as seeking the 20 and 30 somethings, continuing to preach/teach the truth of the Bible, while making sure that the language is clear and not too full of the terms that only those that have been in church all their lives will know is as good a strategy as any!
OK, so tell me... if most of the 20/30-somethings don't care about "church", how do we engage them conversation about things spiritual? I'm wondering if we have to take it to them... to the streets... to their homes... I have a congregation getting really hungry to reach this group (and for good, selfless motivation), but we're getting frustrated about putting together a plan....

all help/comments appreciated
well Sam I dunno-its a tall order for sure-I think maybe to be there for them, but unconditionally (like God is).Now as a teen I was always looking for a place to rehearse loudly with my band-lets say you had a church hall and you let me play there for a nominal fee or whatever-never saying its the 'devils' music or judging me in any way..that'd make a mark on me.I'm not saying open up your hall and let kids hang out taking drugs and ridiculous stuff, obviously, but you know..I think the softly softly approach might work-kids are very smart-they'll get repelled by a hard sell, as well they might.dunno its just an idea..
Hollowbelly,

I'm almost thinking that the "church" has such a bad rap with 20 somethings that maybe, not only reach out, but go to them... problem is our neighborhood has no "hangouts" so, I dont know. But, it think it's going to be a one at a time, expect nothing, but to offer love and respect.... tough...

keep me/us in your prayers.... these kids need God and God needs these kids....

Sam

HOLLOWBELLY said:
well Sam I dunno-its a tall order for sure-I think maybe to be there for them, but unconditionally (like God is).Now as a teen I was always looking for a place to rehearse loudly with my band-lets say you had a church hall and you let me play there for a nominal fee or whatever-never saying its the 'devils' music or judging me in any way..that'd make a mark on me.I'm not saying open up your hall and let kids hang out taking drugs and ridiculous stuff, obviously, but you know..I think the softly softly approach might work-kids are very smart-they'll get repelled by a hard sell, as well they might.dunno its just an idea..
Melissa and I have found ourselves rather lazy (indifferent?) about attending church. I know all the advantages of going...the lessons, the support and most of all, our duty to SERVE. But we moved a couple two years ago to this new neighborhood which has a church ACROSS THE STREET. Yet, with young kids (4 and 7), we always have to be well prepared to have things planned out, figuring out what the sunday school schedule is and whatnot. And then with ourselves, its also a matter of feeling like outsiders coming into an established congregation with families that have been attending for generations.

I'm probably not making much sense or just babbling. I guess the biggest hindrance is that feeling on Sunday morning of "I don't feel like being social with people I don't know." I'd like to just be with others like me, get 'fed' and have my kids learn Bible stories as a foundation.

We've attended a newer church that was very contemporary and modern...and found it lacking in depth. They seemed to take the whole service from pre-packaged Purpose Driven Life-type lessons.

Give me something deep to think about each week and inspire me to serve. Give it to me in a way that doesn't insult my intelligence. Encourage original art/music within the church (not canned Maranatha music) and make it relevant. Oh, and no plastic smiles.

shane
Shane,

Yours is a typical experience that hands the church a real delimma. From the inside we say that "We welcome Everybody" and for the most part really try to be, but as you say to someone from the outside it just feels different....

2 Questions:

Did you try going to that neighborhood church 3 Sundays in a row? If not, what would it have taken to have gotten you to do it?

and, Have you ever thought of hosting a home based Bible Study so that you could set the agenda and "go deep"?


I've done everything but stand on my head (literally, we've pretty much stood the program of our church on its head to make it more inviting with little/no success). Let's keep talking... every generation needs a close encounter with God.

Blessings,

Sam

Shane Speal said:
Melissa and I have found ourselves rather lazy (indifferent?) about attending church. I know all the advantages of going...the lessons, the support and most of all, our duty to SERVE. But we moved a couple two years ago to this new neighborhood which has a church ACROSS THE STREET. Yet, with young kids (4 and 7), we always have to be well prepared to have things planned out, figuring out what the sunday school schedule is and whatnot. And then with ourselves, its also a matter of feeling like outsiders coming into an established congregation with families that have been attending for generations.

I'm probably not making much sense or just babbling. I guess the biggest hindrance is that feeling on Sunday morning of "I don't feel like being social with people I don't know." I'd like to just be with others like me, get 'fed' and have my kids learn Bible stories as a foundation.

We've attended a newer church that was very contemporary and modern...and found it lacking in depth. They seemed to take the whole service from pre-packaged Purpose Driven Life-type lessons.

Give me something deep to think about each week and inspire me to serve. Give it to me in a way that doesn't insult my intelligence. Encourage original art/music within the church (not canned Maranatha music) and make it relevant. Oh, and no plastic smiles.

shane
Didn't try going three Sundays. With the two kids, it always seems like Sunday has become our sleep-in day. It's the day we totally decompress. Going to a new church is the opposite of decompression.

Never thought about hosting a home bible study. Don't know if that's my gig...
***secretly prays "God, don't make me start a church...don't make me start a church... ;) ***


Wichita Sam said:
Shane,

Yours is a typical experience that hands the church a real delimma. From the inside we say that "We welcome Everybody" and for the most part really try to be, but as you say to someone from the outside it just feels different....

2 Questions:

Did you try going to that neighborhood church 3 Sundays in a row? If not, what would it have taken to have gotten you to do it?

and, Have you ever thought of hosting a home based Bible Study so that you could set the agenda and "go deep"?


I've done everything but stand on my head (literally, we've pretty much stood the program of our church on its head to make it more inviting with little/no success). Let's keep talking... every generation needs a close encounter with God.

Blessings,

Sam

Shane Speal said:
Melissa and I have found ourselves rather lazy (indifferent?) about attending church. I know all the advantages of going...the lessons, the support and most of all, our duty to SERVE. But we moved a couple two years ago to this new neighborhood which has a church ACROSS THE STREET. Yet, with young kids (4 and 7), we always have to be well prepared to have things planned out, figuring out what the sunday school schedule is and whatnot. And then with ourselves, its also a matter of feeling like outsiders coming into an established congregation with families that have been attending for generations.

I'm probably not making much sense or just babbling. I guess the biggest hindrance is that feeling on Sunday morning of "I don't feel like being social with people I don't know." I'd like to just be with others like me, get 'fed' and have my kids learn Bible stories as a foundation.

We've attended a newer church that was very contemporary and modern...and found it lacking in depth. They seemed to take the whole service from pre-packaged Purpose Driven Life-type lessons.

Give me something deep to think about each week and inspire me to serve. Give it to me in a way that doesn't insult my intelligence. Encourage original art/music within the church (not canned Maranatha music) and make it relevant. Oh, and no plastic smiles.

shane

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