Young adults...the elusive demographic: just light the candles and they will come

The church is not unlike film and television.  We all are looking for that 18-35 demographic aren't we?  I was at the Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly (big Lutheran business meeting of like 540 pastors and lay leaders) over the past few days and had the chance to hostess a lunchtime conversation about the emerging church (at breakfast I told Mr. SL that I really was hoping at least 8 people would show up because with less than that, it would just be awkward) there were 45 folks who showed up! - many of whom had to sit on the floor.  I was amazed at the interest so I started out by asking folks to say who they were and why they chose this out of 20 so other options for lunch conversations.  Many were just curious about EC, some were there because the tall tattooed lady was leading it and they were frankly curious about me, and many indicated that their churches were looking at starting an alternative worship service or a second campus geared toward the "younger generation".  Here are my 2 reactions to this last group: 1) I am amazed and pleased at how much these "traditional" church folks want to reach those who are not already coming to their churches and that's a good sign that they are not entirely self-centered, which is great.  2) I unfortunately have yet to really see this work, especially if these churches are trying to reach post-moderns.  If you are reading this and you know of exceptions to this statement, please let me know, especially if these churches have managed to bring in post-moderns who are de-churched or un-churched.  I tried to lovingly tell of what I had seen across the country without being too defeatist about the whole thing.  One red flag that goes up for me when a church wants to try and attract young adults is that there is the implication that traditional congregations are normative Christian communities which everyone SHOULD want to be a part of.  I tend to resent the idea that the current manifestation of traditional church (building, pews all in a row, nicy-nice people, hymns, organ, Sunday worship, aurality as the primary sensory experience of the liturgy etc...) is NOT a single cultural expression of Christian community but the normative expression to which all deviations are judged.  My friend Annie spoke up during the conversation and said that people need to try and not see the emerging church as a resource which can be duplicated in your congregations resulting in young adults joining your church, instead folks should see these new communities as the growth of the church in a bigger sense, not simply a way to try and grow your own congregation.  To this she added that established churches should support the people who are native to the  postmodern culture and then walk away.  Pray for the people who are appropriate to and equipped for this culturally specific ministry, see that this is a needed and vital ministry that you are likely NOT equipped or appropriate for but which is in need of resources....give them money, prayer and blessing...tell the kids who grew up in your churches, but who no longer are in Christian community to check it out.  This is so needed.  Now, is that it?  No.  What trad churches can take from the emerging church is to pay attention to the questions that the EC is asking and then ask those same questions in your community.  Please don't try and have your Easter vigil in a Goth club like Church of the Apostles.  Please don't try and have a "Tomb Show" during Lent like Mercy Seat.  That would be just as silly as them trying to start a "Dorothy circle" (sorry - if you're not Lutheran, that may not make sense), or start a quilting circle because it works for your community.  But DO ask "is our worship service culturally appropriate to our context?"  and "does the language we use in our community reflect our core values?" and "are we noticing where God is already at work in our lives and in our neighborhoods, and are we willing to join in that work?"  This is what you can take form the EC: a renewed focus on mission, context and praxis.  But seriously, I have no starter kit with candles, a glue on goatee and an icon for $49.95 which will attract young adults like flies on shit, and if anyone else claims to, please never stop smacking them.

Comments

[Matt Rees]

yes - spot on!

[Nina]

Thank you for the work you do.

[towanda]

A tall tattooed chick? Cool, I'd like to meet her...

;-)

Missed you last week...

[LP]

I think in some ways you have identified why a great many folks are skeptocal of the EC: it seems like one more church growth movement among many. It may not be a fair assesment, but it exists. I think educating people about it will help, but I am not sure if it will help in the long-term. the good news in all this is that your synod has actually invited some conversation on the topic, something that is not going on everywhere.

Keep up the good work.

[Jason Emerson]

Snake Oil salesmen receive God's grace too; therefore smacking them may not be the best way to express the love of God. All that being said, I agree that one should not purchase the Emerging Church starter kit, even if one does exist. Your questions are a much better starting point.

[David Worley]

Good job Nadia, I think your comments are right on and I look forward to seeing what type of identity emerges in the ELCA church you plan to start next winter.

[Karlene]

Well spoken Nadia. The EC is not a seeker model with younger, more hip seekers. I'm so glad you are having opportunity to speak out on this.

[becky]

I am going to Book Expo next week in New York City. I know there will be some semblance of EC starter kits for sale giving the publishing deals going on as well as the general Christian crapola. Here's my Q - what should I use to smack these people with when I find their stuff (and I will trust me). I am thinking a copy of Phyllis Tickle's Divine Hours might do the trick.

[Sarcastic Lutheran]

Becky,
I just belly laughed, thank you... I needed it today.

[Diane]

Thank you! I just found your blog! I'm here in Midwest (lutherville) but did my internship in Rocky Mtn Synod. But "chasing the young adult" demographic is what everyone wants and no one knows what to do. They called me to do "young adult Ministry" among other things here, but really meant "why don't our kids go to church?" so it's interesting

[Sarcastic Lutheran]

Diane,
welcome. i'd be interested to hear about you experience. you can email me from the blog.
thanks,
Nadia

[becky]

Glad I made you laugh - people tend to find religious satirists funny UNTIL we shoot their sacred cow. Then holy cow ...

[becky]

BTW-Despite all the "buzz" about emerging church - these books are barely visible at Book Expo. I did pick up a galley of Brian's latest from Thomas Nelson and it looks fantastic - but that isn't being marketed as "emergent" per se.