Religion must learn to connect
with youth without destroying doctrine
American religion is entering into a new
age that will define faith and practice for at least the next
generation. For the next 40 to 60 years, religious people will
be approaching their church, synagogue, temple or mosque with
different expectations and beliefs. For instance, it was once true that most
people would accept the judgment of their religion without much
rebellion. I can remember when some ultra-conservative congregations,
for instance, would hold regular services to pray for the backsliders
and rebels. Sometimes the backsliders would even be
brought to the front of the church with their heads hanging and
their eyes rolling in agony, and they would willingly receive
condemnation. If you tried to judge and punish sinners publicly
in a faith community today, not only would the sinner leave for
good, but most of the members would never darken the door again. The world has changed, and no amount of
preaching can alter reality. Religion has to find a way to connect
with the young without destroying the historic doctrine - and
without looking foolish in the process. The first thing religious power brokers
must know about young people is that they like entertainment.
Of course, young people in every generation have enjoyed being
entertained. But the current generation and those that follow
will redefine what it means to be entertained. The other day I was talking with a group
of Christians, and one person talked about a daughter who was
a member of a conservative Christian group. The daughter invited
her parents to worship with her, and they accepted. The service
was almost entirely entertainment, and except for a couple of
hymns, the people in the congregation did nothing but enjoy the
music. The parents' concern was this: Why do so
many churches just try to entertain people? Why isn't there more
to Sunday morning? And my mind was saying, "Yes, such as
a boring sermon, terrible choir music and a liturgy that puts
everyone to sleep?" I answered the woman honestly. Some churches
are reaching out with entertainment because this generation has
been shoved in front of the family television, carted off to Disneyland,
taken to dozens of parks and venues where children are delighted
and given almost every pleasure known to humankind. We have taught
them to expect to be entertained. The second thing we can expect from future
generations is that they will not sacrifice willingly. They must
be persuaded and coaxed into committing a portion of their incomes
to religious causes. Yes, I know that all generations have had
a difficult time giving away their hard-earned dollars, but these
new generations will find sacrificial giving a greater challenge. Some congregations have been able to plumb
the depths of young people's wallets, and they do it through a
low-key approach with an emphasis on trust. It's one of the most
critical elements that younger generations long for: a connection
with authentic people. Too many young people distrust the authority
figures in our culture. They might believe teachers are lazy,
cops are corrupt, the media is only after sensation and preachers
are egomaniacs. But then they come to worship, and they meet genuinely
grace-filled people who do not judge them, who offer wonderful
opportunities, who understand the challenge of living in the world
and who expect little in return. Then a reasonable, possible request for
money is announced, and they see other people their age making
large contributions, and it becomes second nature to give themselves,
and their money, to the cause. I've seen it happen, and it is beautiful
to watch. As the years slip by, religion survives.
The challenge for older generations - like the woman who was concerned
about her daughter's entertaining church - is to have the courage
to move aside and trust the health and future of religion to those
who understand the next generations of God.
Clark D. Morphew
Posted For June 3, 2000