Page 11 - Digital Church in a Lonely World

T O MISREAD IS T O MISDIA GNOSE

A misreading about younger generations is that they are shallow, lack substance and want everything
faster and easier. Out of this misreading, pastors can easily buy into the idea that church services need
to be more entertaining, stages and production sleeker, sermons shorter, everything more excellent.
It leads to what I call “cool church fatigue.” Personally, I love excellence—who wants average or
substandard? But even excellence needs to be situated within a broader ideal of what a biblical
community in the 21st century looks like.

I’m not just describing our programs, facilities and weekend services. I am talking about how the very
ethos and culture of our church reflects our beliefs and assumptions.

How we do community should not coddle new generations.

Rather, it should challenge them. It should raise the bar
of what it means to be a contributing part of a biblical
community.

If we start to see Millennials and Gen Z through a different lens, it may influence our decisions and
the culture we cultivate in the soul of our church. What if we started to see these new generations as
a movement of people in search of significance and authenticity? What if we saw them as thoughtful,
considered, spiritual and hungry for a mission? N. T. Wright says, “There is also an increasing cultural
gap between the church and Millennials—who are looking for purpose, community and authenticity in
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faith communities.” He describes it very well: a cultural gap.

As a result, how we do community should not coddle new generations. Rather, it should challenge
them. It should raise the bar of what it means to be a contributing part of a biblical community, not
remove any personal responsibility in order to attract the disaffected. Attract them to what? Attract
them to something so diluted they walk away after a few years, because it didn’t feel real?

What if we swung the wheel, turned dramatically in the other direction and instead pursued a culture
of depth with everything we do? What if we intentionally confronted the mindset of comfort and

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