The "M" Word
I don't want to say it, because I hard eye roll at the overabundance of blame-shifting and down-playing of the Millennial Generation. Every generation has its faults. Every generation is, to some extent, a bi-product of the former generation (y'all, everyone is responsible for their own decisions. Just know I believe that with my whole heart, so calm down). Every generation is impacting the next generation way more than they probably realize.
However, I am going to just put a little rant out there about my generation. More specifically, I am speaking to people in Christian circles. I don't know about you, but I have seen a fair share of articles posted out there along the lines of "Dear Church, this is how you have failed me". Maybe it's coming from the perspective of a "forgotten" single. Maybe it's coming from the perspective of a jaded, ultra-conservatively raised kid.
A lot of these articles that I have read have valid points. Some organized churches have over-looked single people and all that they bring to the Body of Christ. Some organized churches have been greatly mis-guided and hurtful in their embracing of law vs grace. I get it, the organized church has failed. Do you want to know why? Because it is made up of a bunch of individual sinners, who are, by the grace of God being sanctified. But it's messy. That's what growth looks like. It's not always beautiful and comfortable and awesome. Mostly, growth looks a lot like being uncomfortable and maybe crying and some misunderstanding and getting hurt. And true, maybe these churches being written about are actually unhealthy.
But, you guys? Maybe the problem doesn't lie on the organized church. Maybe the problem -AND the solution- lies on YOU.
We can't go into our local church looking to be consumers. We can't go into our local church willing to point out all the problems without offering or being part of the solution. Shoot, we shouldn't even go into our local church just waiting around for someone to tell us how to be involved. I recently heard someone say that their mom's mantra growing up was "See a need, meet a need" (I love that reminder. I need it every day. Now it's on my fridge). Maybe you aren't qualified to meet every need. Maybe you have a rough relationship with church leadership. Regardless, stop laying the blame at the feet of everyone else and start taking some ownership in your church. If you don't know what your gifts are, find some mature Christians and ask them. If you don't know where to start serving, ask your church leadership. If you see a need that you can meet (especially those behind the scenes needs), meet it! If you are in an unhealthy church that is not teaching the truth or not practicing the truth, and there is no willingness to grow or change, maybe it's time for you to find a new church.
The bottom line is, dear Millennial, please stop blame-shifting onto the Church and start getting involved.
This is all surface thoughts that can for sure be delved into deeper, and I would love to talk more about it with whoever wants to holla at me. By all means, if I am in the wrong, please correct me! (But do it graciously and not in all caps, pretty please? ;) )
However, I am going to just put a little rant out there about my generation. More specifically, I am speaking to people in Christian circles. I don't know about you, but I have seen a fair share of articles posted out there along the lines of "Dear Church, this is how you have failed me". Maybe it's coming from the perspective of a "forgotten" single. Maybe it's coming from the perspective of a jaded, ultra-conservatively raised kid.
A lot of these articles that I have read have valid points. Some organized churches have over-looked single people and all that they bring to the Body of Christ. Some organized churches have been greatly mis-guided and hurtful in their embracing of law vs grace. I get it, the organized church has failed. Do you want to know why? Because it is made up of a bunch of individual sinners, who are, by the grace of God being sanctified. But it's messy. That's what growth looks like. It's not always beautiful and comfortable and awesome. Mostly, growth looks a lot like being uncomfortable and maybe crying and some misunderstanding and getting hurt. And true, maybe these churches being written about are actually unhealthy.
But, you guys? Maybe the problem doesn't lie on the organized church. Maybe the problem -AND the solution- lies on YOU.
We can't go into our local church looking to be consumers. We can't go into our local church willing to point out all the problems without offering or being part of the solution. Shoot, we shouldn't even go into our local church just waiting around for someone to tell us how to be involved. I recently heard someone say that their mom's mantra growing up was "See a need, meet a need" (I love that reminder. I need it every day. Now it's on my fridge). Maybe you aren't qualified to meet every need. Maybe you have a rough relationship with church leadership. Regardless, stop laying the blame at the feet of everyone else and start taking some ownership in your church. If you don't know what your gifts are, find some mature Christians and ask them. If you don't know where to start serving, ask your church leadership. If you see a need that you can meet (especially those behind the scenes needs), meet it! If you are in an unhealthy church that is not teaching the truth or not practicing the truth, and there is no willingness to grow or change, maybe it's time for you to find a new church.
The bottom line is, dear Millennial, please stop blame-shifting onto the Church and start getting involved.
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