I'm currently at the Church Unbound Conference in Montreat, surrounded and humbled by a leadership I like to call the "Presbyterian all-stars." Plenary, worship, and discussions have centered around talking about the future of the church. This hope-filled talk is very encouraging and fulfilling, though also very confusing and vague. However, we keep going back to the beauty of being amidst the 'chaos' of the world in which we find ourselves and the church at-large. Somehow, these moments of chaos are the times in which we can really find ourselves.
So what is emerging? Generation X and Y are taking hold of this world more and more. They are angry at systems of this world that have lied to them and held them to systems which are now dying out. The traditional suburban church, as we all know, is losing its appeal among these youth and young adults. If we take a surface look, we see kids bored to tears with church and unmotivated in their faith who go to college and are lost and gone forever. The deeper level is that these generations DO want a church. However, the church must meet them where they are. THIS is what is emerging. These generations are leading the way in taking a post-modern approach to what we have known about the traditional church. They want honesty, open-mindedness, authentic community, dedication to service, life in deep relationship with one another.
And honestly...they do NOT often find this in the churches they grew up in.
So where will they find it?
thus begins the conversation amidst the chaos...
