Generations in the Church
I am a young female minister. I’m a member of Generation X. This last Wednesday evening at Fairview Community Church we held an event that focused on Generations. Each Generation sees the world through its own particular lens based on the circumstances that affected that generation as it has grown up in the world. Gen Xers, like myself, see the world very differently than say, The GI Generation. It’s as though we come from different cultures. We have very different approaches to work, relationships, even church! So clearly this affects how we worship. Gen Xers tend to have a suspicion towards institution –well, that is authority in general. So a Gen Xer isn’t going to a respect a minister, just because she’s a minister. Whereas, another generation might have respect for a minister because of the title itself, and what it took to become a minister, that is, the qualifications necessary to be in the position. Some generations see the minister as someone who should strive to be without fault –while Gen Xers find authenticity in vulnerabilty. Obviously, we are all unique human beings, so we can’t make blanket generalizations about whole generations –but it is interesting to see how each generation relates to the other –and for our case, how they relate to worship in the church. As a church we really need to consider the generation factor as we continue to live out our lives as Christians in the 21st century
More on this to come… your thoughts?
- Rev. Sarah Halverson's blog
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good questions
I think that the generational theories are good to consider. I pastor a church looking to grow again. I am 36 and the youngest person in the congregation. It is liberal, progerssive and protestant. And as the lone Gen X-er in the joint, I find that people do not often understand the respect given to vulnerability, or the generation's love and need for authentic worship...how that is central and feeds the charitable work etc that is done.
Here's a question...As a generation, do you think Gen X goes to church looking for their core group of friends, etc?
anglobaptist.org, Community Church, Reconciler, One of the Girls
Welcome Rev. Halverson
Rev. Halverson,
First welcome to CrossLeft. I hope you find the community engaging and that you find some new parishioners through us. Your struggle is of particular interest to me.
One of the things that bothers me as a Gen-Xer is that the most politically conservative churches have engaging and progressive services. Meanwhile, most politically progressive churches have staid and boring services. As an Episcopalian, I value tradition, the liturgy and the hymns. But I also enjoy churches that modernize their services including different types of music and a more expressive faith.
Those are some initial thoughts that I have.
take care,
steve