5 Millennial Challenges – A Response to Rachel Held Evans, p. 2

Earlier this week I began a response to Rachel Held Evans’ CNN Article, “Why Millennials Are Leaving The Church.” If you haven’t read it yet, click here. In response to my response, some fellow Millennials (well, I consider myself part Millennial, part Generation X. Maybe a Millenniaxe…or X-Millennial?) have asked me how to go about handling the challenges they face when they stay in church. Let’s discuss five of these potential challenges.

1) The Already, Not Yet Tension

The main dilemma I see in our generation is a lack of patience. We want everything NOW. If we see something we don’t like in the church, we want it changed immediately. If it drags on and on with no end in sight, we leave. I’m encouraging those who stay with the church to have patience. It’s a virtue.

At the same time, there’s a pressing urgency to move this call forward. The truth is, we are leaving churches. So those currently in leadership need to hear the voices of those of us still committed to the church if they want to survive. We’re still here because we want the church—and our leaders—to succeed.

We don’t want to replace anyone. We don’t want to take your seat or your paycheck or your livelihood, we just want a voice. There’s a problem that needs to be addressed, and we think we can help. Leaders, don’t just listen, but take action based on our advice. What have you got to lose? (other than the next generation)

2) Strategically Speaking

I’ve mentioned before that I work in the international headquarters of a Christian denomination. But as with any Christian body, there are issues even within these offices. I see them, but I rarely say anything because I’m often still the youngest one in the room.

I don’t feel all that young–I’m 34. But I’m typically still viewed as young, which means I don’t have the same voice as those around me in leadership who are a bit more aged and mature. (It might help if I didn’t constantly remind my co-workers of how old they are.)

For this reason, I try to pick my battles strategically and carefully. If there’s something I disagree with, or that I believe can be better, I don’t always chime in on the topic. If I’m constantly grating against those currently in leadership I will lose my voice to negativity. But, when I support my leadership in areas of less significance even when I disagree, it makes the moments I do speak all that more effective. Speak strategically, not haphazardly.

3) Pull Up a Chair

In the last post I wrote that we should get plugged into positions such as teacher, pastor, singer, etc. Someone wondered why I didn’t say “serve at a soup kitchen” or “feed the homeless.” If your church is already doing such things, then by all means, join them! But if they aren’t, get plugged into what the leadership is already doing.

When they see you working to help them in the areas already provided, you’ll strengthen your voice. I believe if we want a voice at the current church table, we have to pull up a chair. If they don’t invite you, invite yourself by showing your willingness to be a part of the team. Then, WAIT. IT. OUT. Your time will come, young grasshopper. Your time will come.

4) The Trust Factor

The most important thing the younger generation needs to do is–and I say this with all the conviction I can muster–TRUST GOD. The current leaders have been placed there by God. And if you’re not in such a position yet, it’s because God doesn’t want you there yet. There’s safety under the covering of mature spiritual leadership. Those leaders face hardships we are completely unaware of and have years of experience we’ve yet to obtain.

Sure, there are times when they “just won’t get it” but there are also times when we’re the ones who “just don’t get it.” Try to remember this the next time you don’t see eye-to-eye. There’s a chance you might just be the one who’s (gasp) wrong.

5) The “S” Word (ugh)

Submission (ugh) is a biblical mandate. It’s been abused by many power-hungry leaders over the years, but that doesn’t give us an excuse to do our own thing at all times. And if you submit (ugh) to the authorities in your life now, when your time of leadership comes, you’ll find that people will then submit to your authoritative voice.

It’s a strange thing, but submission (ugh) leads to authority in God’s kingdom. God has a really weird way of doing things. He always gets stuff backwards. In His kingdom up is down and down is up. I hate that about God. I’m sure we’d all be better off if He’d just take my advice once in awhile.

But I guess a small piece of me (must be that Generation X part) kind of hopes that never happens.

On the other hand, the Millennial in me wants it to happen right now.