Will tweeting in worship, sex talks, and metrosexual makeovers draw young adults into churches? Brett McCracken raises the question in an article today in the Wall Street Journal. He talks about “a mania in recent years, as baby-boomer evangelical leaders frantically assess what they have done wrong (why didn’t megachurches work to attract youth in the long term?) and scramble to figure out a plan to keep young members engaged in the life of the church.” Check out the article: “The Perils of ‘Wannabe Be Cool’ Christianity.” Is he right?
His conclusions are right on. While I think some of the churches he points to as “wannabe cool” are actually seeking some new ways to be missional, we are quickly coming to a crossroads in the American church. I am sure that the debate will rage over what is “real” and whose “real” is better, but the press to impress is leaving us hollowed out, distracted and unable to hear His voice. I am greatly encouraged as I read through Ed Stetzer and Thom Ranier’s book “Transformational Church”. Authenticity may be mounting a come back.
On a related note…did anyone pick up on the announcement from Anne Rice about “quitting” Christianity. It’s not just the kids….
The non-denominational mega churches which are “pulling” young Christians from the churches they grew up with, scare me. “Anything goes” with regard to law and sacraments, isn’t right. In fact, it seems more like a disregard of law and sacraments with some, if not most. Wide the path that leads to destruction and many follow it. I hate that how to do church is even a subject of contention! ~ especially within my own family. Let us pray that many (or even a precious few) are not lead astray while believing they are doing it right, because after all, it is “church”.
I think we can seek to make our churches either cool or loving/sacrificial/real etc. It would take a miracle to make me cool and a miracle to make me loving, but I’m praying for the latter.