I read the text below on Tony Morgan's blog. Even though I have never met him, I have a ton of respect for Tony's ministry and influence through his blog. What he wrote here really resonates with me. Older generations must be willing to be uncomfortable so that future generations can be reached. Some read this from me and from Tony and say that this will never happen. Well, I disagree. It will happen and does happen when we see God reaching people. We will give up our preference for his presence and activity all day long.
Last Sunday at our Greenville campus, we had
an older couple, probably in their sixties, accept Christ. That’s worth
celebrating. I love to watch life change happen. Here’s what’s amazing about
stories like that. Our services in Greenville aren’t designed for people in
their sixties. Our services are designed for a much younger audience. It’s an
audience that loves loud music. They are comfortable with video teaching,
because video is already a huge part of their lives. They love the coffeehouse
atmosphere. Here’s what we’ve learned. If we design our service experiences for
a younger audience, we’re more likely to reach that younger person and we’ll
also reach older folks. The reverse is not true. If we designed our service
experience for an older audience, the younger crowd would not show up. Now,
here’s the reality. Most churches in America are designed for an older audience.
In fact, the more-seasoned folks in those churches are sitting on committees
telling the students and young adults how they can and can’t do ministry. The
result? Younger people
are leaving churches in droves. Here’s what I know to be true. If the church
is going to continue to reach the next generations: I have to be willing to give
leadership to people younger than me…and let them make mistakes. I have to be
willing to let younger folks lead me in worship…even when it’s not my favorite
style of music. I need to embrace new methods of ministry…even though it makes
me uncomfortable. I need to pray and encourage and finance the next generation
church…and stop trying to make church a place that I like to attend. It’s not
about me. It’s about the people who desperately need to know the hope, love and
forgiveness found only in Jesus Christ. For the ministry of the local church to
remain effective, I need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable.
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