I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up, not me!
The week after Christmas is, to me, the greatest week in the year. It seems as if time stops from December 26th until January 2nd. Most people care a little less about the bottom line at their job. Everyone seems glad the holiday rush is over and the pace of America slows down for just that one week. I usually take the week to reflect on a few things in my personal and ministry life. For instance, what did I not accomplish this year that needs to be accomplished in the next year? What did I accomplish that I intended to accomplish this year? What did I learn this year and how can I apply it? I take a little time for introspection.
I spent a lot of time this year blogging about the Emergent Church Movement. I discovered much that I did not know and have come to the conclusion that I can agree with very little that the EC represents theologically and philosophically. Things are quiet on the EC front and if things stay that way you will not here much about them from me in 2006. Here is what I have learned about the EC in the last six months.
I remember as a teenager being in a fantastic youth group. There were about 65 of us in this church of 700. We were a close group and though we had our internal problems, like all families, we could talk bad about our brothers and sisters, but no one else could do the same. I remember the Sunday we decided as a group to move from the back row to the front during the main worship service. It was all the talk in the church. “Look how much the youth are maturing,” I would hear, “They want to sit where they can see and hear better.” Because of the leadership we did mature and grow and a lot of us are actively serving the Lord as Pastors, Deacons, Sunday school teachers, missionaries and the like.
I left this church, went to college, met my wife and began traveling and singing in itinerant evangelism. I began to notice a trend in the churches I would sing in. The youth building began to become an entity unto itself. The youth at first had their youth worship service then they would move to the more antiquated worship of the adults. They were taught youthy things like be nice to nerds, don’t do drugs, and sex is bad but you can talk to us if you get pregnant; lessons that sound more like MTV public service announcements than biblical instruction in how to live.
Then the adults realized they could really get big numbers if they just moved the youth completely out of “big church” all together. Why should they have to come to “big church”? We all know they don’t really like it. The numbers sky rocketed. Then the youth began to discover, like all youth do, that the adults really didn’t know what they were talking about. “Youth church was the way to go.” “We have the right answers.” “After all, we are wiser than the adults.”
Unfortunately, there is a very sad day in youth group life. It is the dreaded 20th birthday. The 18 and 19 year olds have hung on and around as much as any 15 year old can tolerate; so with much external pressure and one too many “old man” jokes, the 20 year old feels compelled to leave nest of the "youth group" So what do they do? Well, they could go to “big church”, pay their dues, grow up and serve the Lord; but that is no fun and it takes a lot of work. So they find themselves jumping from bed to bed like a rebellious Peter Pan singing “I won’t grow up, I don’t want to go to “big church”. With nothing left to do they decide, “Hey, if I can’t go to big church I will bring big church to me.”
So you may ask, “Scott, what’s your point?”. I believe the fruit of a lot of churches' total segregation of youth from the actual comings and goings of church have reaped a harvest of 20 year olds who don’t want to grow up and go to “big church”. “Big church” is no fun, because it has rules and structure and order and accountability. “Big church” requires more than just subjective feelings and if it feels good then it is good. “Big church” makes us decide right from wrong on our own. So the 20 year olds say, “Instead let’s start our own church, but not call it church; let’s call it a conversation.” The Emergent Conversation is no different than any other teenage rebellion towards his/her parents or “society” or “the man”. In this case, the adult just refuses to grow up.
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I didn't grow up with that model, but have seen it elsewhere.
I've seen it where you have people in their mid to late 20's who don't know where & how they fit in.
They certainly hang into youth in various ways.
Some may be young at heart & childlike in good ways--some are childish though.
While I would not presume to say all of these experiences are bad--and every youth in them turns out like that, or that it is always the case in every Church, I prefer the model where the Church minsiters to youth, but doesn't segregate them.
Many churches try to dumb down the gospel to their children and that is one of the primary reasons for the rebellion against big church. When church is dumbed down, it gets even dumber when they try things on their own. For example, the permissiveness of cursing in the emergent movement is one sign of rebellion. Now the Emergent church has a symbol to represent it and they have become just another denomination albeit a strange one. Nut isn't that redundant regarding all denominations?
Having grown up in a similar setting, I think you've got a good connection here...
Wow.
I think you nailed it, although those on the other side of the camp will deny it, that is EXACTLY what has been nagging at me.
It's a "Youth group" for grown ups who can't go back to never-neverland.
Spot-on, you nailed it.
I have to agree with Roger above me.
Right on. An additional point that I’ve noticed is that the services are very ADHD friendly. In other words, worship services are constructed to keep your attention – just like children’s services. Personally, I find this an insult to the intelligence of the audience.
Scott,
Good post. I know that we haven't always agreed here in the blogosphere, but (at least regarding your comments about the pitfalls of youth ministry) I think this is an important post.
I believe, and I think that most mature people will probably agree to one extent or another, that the purpose of adolescence is to learn how to function as an adult. So how then can a teen learn to be an adult if they surround themselves solely with other adolescents?
I wish that you'd spend some more time on this issue instead of feeling the need to put in the overgeneralizations on "Emergents".
The marketing strategy which is coming to be called the Emergent Conversation, as you referred to it, in many ways has just taken the same consumeristic approach to Christianity that we've had all along and added some candles and ancient music. That doesn't mean that candles, ancient music, or a conversation about whether or not we're actually speaking gospel language to the world is inherently bad.
I am not any more in favor of the Emergent Churches than you are. Like you've pointed out they take on their own identity of "taking-my-toys-and-going-home". But if we're honest, there are lots of "conservative" churches which have been doing the same thing for a long time. The difference is that those who don't completely buy into everything that is said are told (overtly or covertly) "YOU-take-YOUR-toys-and-go-home"
Now before there is a string of responses telling me to change my last name to McLaren or whatever I have 2 things to add. 1) Go ahead and say it because I'd hate for you to get a tummy-ache holding it in...I'll still be your brother if you'll be mine. 2)Let it be known that while I sympathize with aspects of the "conversation" I have not retreated to a camp surrounded by cronies who agree with everything I say. On the contrary my desire is to bloom where I am planted and hope that all of us who call on Christ as our strength and salvation, regardless of our conservative/liberal slants, can discern those things of value that the Church in ancient times, during the Enlightenment, in orthodox/traditional/conservative strings today and even in the Emergent realm has to offer.
In closing - I agree with you about many of your concerns regarding "postmoderns". I think that "youth worship services", be they part of a youth group or a young adult church, are not only dangerous but not necessarily faithful Christianity (though I hesitate to condemn all situations). Where we part company is in the blanket condemnation of something (ie: anything postmodern or emergent) that could very well help to shake us out of the anti-faith slumber that Empiricism and Enlightenment thought have forced on our increasing consumeristic churches.
Anyway, sorry for the rant - I do like your thoughts on youth ministry and would love to hear what you think is a valid alternative.
Thanks
Well put Bret. I do know that sometimes it sounds like I generalize, but sometimes for brevities sake I assume that most people have read my other emergent church posts. The candles, dim lights, cursing, beer drinking, ancient music, ornate alters, chanting, I could care less about.
My biggest issue with the EC is still its position on scripture, or rather its non position. Same with sin. I understand the desire to "not be offensive to the culture" but at what price. Also I am finding more and more that the Gospel message of the usual emergent group is weak at best. I am surprised more and more with what seems to be their constant need to not take a stand on when asked if there are other ways to heaven besides faith in Jesus Christ.
I don't know where the "retreating to a camp of cronies" comment was directed, but I can assure you that none of the guys I hang out with have any trouble disagreeing with each other. We just happen to agree on this issue, and will always have a united front regardless of what goes on behind the scenes.
I am just here blogging and pointing out where I think the EC is not only wrong, but potentially dangerous. I have some things in common with Satanists, but it is not a group I look to for wisdom.
Good response - two comments then I'll shut up.
1)the "cronies" comment was not directed at you guys. Rather it was a proactive statement based on my experience that whenever I suggest that not everything postmodern is bad, some genius (usually a lurker) decides to label me as living solely in that camp.
2)While I will admit that there are dangers to be found in the EC - some very serious ones that I too shudder at - I'm not convinced that a comparison to Satanic cult is warranted. I recognize that it was to make a point, but it does exhibit our tendency to "demonize" those with whom we disagree. Not all postmoderns or even Emergents have a low view of scripture or sin...and not all conservatives have a very healthy view of these things themselves, they just live in the other ditch.
Again, to keep from being too negative, let me restate my appreciation for your post.
...And If they decide they don't want to start their own church, they just hang around and wait to volunteer as Youth Group 'counselors'.
Scott, Great post. Like your emerging “hippies” post, really captures the attitude of the emerging crowd. Every time I ever get into a debate with someone from the emerging crowd, they seem to exhibit an attitude like a rebellious teenager. They always seem to hold Scriptural truth in contempt.
No LSU victory post?!?! What up wit dat?
SEC . . . SEC . . . SEC . . . SEC . . .
Great post! Yes, you nailed it. My wife and I visited a church today (we are looking right now because we've recently left our church of five years). Anyway, we got there early to put our kids in the nursery and we had a chance to speak with the children's pastor. He took us to his office...to chat...I did not miss the certificate for MDiv from TMS posted on his wall. He impressed me with his desire to see children learn the Word of God. Then he stunned my wife and I. He noticed we were young....and suggested that we definitely stick around as the church was thinking about adding another service or two on Saturday nights geared towards the younger crowd. I almost threw up on his carpet. But instead I smiled and gracefully thanked him for his time and found our way to the sanctuary for worship.
On the drive home my wife and I discussed how youth group is creating a bunch of immature young adults that cannot or willnot adjust to "Big Church".
Pathetic. Sad. Ridiculous.
And this is a "MacArthur" church with plenty of TMS and GCC dudes. Hence the reason for our visit...
I doubt we will be back to that church.
Well said. Is there any Scriptural example of youth groups or family segregation?
Bret Wells, you asked for an alternative. Simply follow the Master's example: disciple them! Consider Ephesians chapter 4. "... we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ..." Jesus walked closely with His disciples teaching at every opportunity (Deuteronomy 6). The disciples watched and learned, thus we see their ministry in the book of Acts resembling the ministry of Christ in the Gospels.
Go and do likewise! (Starting with you own family first.)
It's not just the youth who are segregated in many churches today. When I was in the singles group many years ago, our classes were located in a portable building behind the church. We were treated as though we had a disease like leprosy, but instead, our disease was singleness. I wanted to be with families, not my peers all of the time.
In the last church my family and I attended, the children were segregated in children's church. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone we didn't know bent down into one of my children's faces and asked, "Why aren't you in children's church?" My children weren't disrupting the service, mind you. Some people in churches today can't comprehend a family staying together in church!
Deborah D.
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