Reaching Millennials

The most recent edition of the Reporter, the official newspaper of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), included a front page article on a research project on young-adult retention.  You need look no further than most local Lutheran congregations to see the void when it comes to Millennials (in the article are defined as those ages 22-37).  This is not a problem that is limited to one denomination.  Every mainline Protestant Denomination is experiencing a decline.  The LCMS has probably done a better job of retaining their young adults than most, but there is still a noticeable void when it comes to actively engaged young adults. 

While it might be easy to just write-off Millennials as the lost generation and focus on today’s teens and college students, I am not ready to give up on young adults.  My experience is that many Millennials who have drifted away are now searching for a church once they get married and start families.  Unfortunately they are often affiliating with large non-denominational churches where they can hang out with their peers.  This troubles me.  As I shared in my book Relevant: The Church as it Relates to Millennials, sacramental theology speaks to much of what Millennials are looking for. The problem is creating a welcoming environment.  

The afore mentioned article does reach some conclusions on Millennials.  They are based on both research and focus groups.

1) There is a desire to connect at church with people in their own peer group, but an even higher priority for many Millennials is good theology.  This does create a dilemma for most Lutheran churches.  We have the theology, but lack the young people.

2) They are interested in building relationships, receiving advice from and being mentored by church members who are outside their age group.  In my mind the challenge here is to get older adults engaged in such relationships.

3) They want the church to talk about the difficult issues such as mental health, sexuality and the environment.  This might require us to listen and accept their opinions, even if we do not agree with them.

From my perspective, this presents a challenge within the context of our current faith communities.  I still maintain the church of the future will look vastly different than the church of today.  I see more alternative ministries like coffee houses and internet café’s.  I see churches being in the community through apartment and community ministries.  I think the future lies in connecting with people through their mobile devices, instead of in the pew.  All this requires church members who are open to change, willing to listen and prepared and equipped to be Jesus in a changing world.  

What are You Doing December 26th?

As a child I had a problem with December 26^th.  I was probably typical of many kids.  You anticipate the holiday and there is a natural letdown once the celebration has passed. On two different occasions I distinctly remember being sick on the day after Christmas.  The second time I distinctly remember my mom blaming it on too many sweets the day before.  As I reflect back, I think it was more “post-Christmas syndrome.”  

Our children have taken care of any post-Christmas letdown this year.  Our family celebration is scheduled for December 26^th.    Since all three of our kids are involved in full-time ministry scheduling family events is a bit of challenge.    That will make it a three day celebration.  Christmas Eve Barb and I will be involved in the worship services at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church; she playing keyboard with the orchestra and myself in the bass section of the choir.  Christmas Day we will spend wrapping gifts and in other preparations.  Our youngest Son, Mark, and daughter, Katie and her family will stop by in the evening for some family time.  Then the big day…

For Christians who observe the church calendar, it is not supposed to be this way.  Christmastide is a twelve day celebration.  It begins on Christmas, December 25^th, but extends to Epiphany, January 6.  Orthodox Christians traditionally have celebrated Christ’s birth on January 6^th, the day we celebrate the visit of the Magi. 

I would like to propose the celebration of Christ’s Birth should be observed 365 days a year.  The same should be said for Easter.  If Jesus is the Immanuel, “God with us,” should not he be part of our lives 24/7 every day of the year.  Simeon caught the message.  He was the man who is mentioned in Luke 2, “It had been promised to him that he would not die before he had seen the Christ.” (Luke 2:26).  Simeon proclaims that he could now die in peace because, “my eyes have seen your (Jesus') salvation.”  (Luke 2:29)  It does not end there, however.  Simeon goes on to state, “which has been prepared for all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for the glory of your people Israel.” (Luke 2:30)  Following in Simeon’s legacy we are to be proclaiming that good news through our words and action every day of our lives. 

Pew Research released some disturbing statistic in 2017 regarding the decline in the celebrating of Christmas as a “religious” holiday.  While 90% of those polled reported celebrating Christmas, only 46% viewed it as a “more religious holiday,” down from 51% in 2013.  Perhaps the reason for the decline is rooted in the unfortunate fact we have done a poor job of “proclaiming that message of peace.”   We need to be people of hope in the midst of a world and culture that so desperately needs to hear that message. That message needs to be lived out on December 26th, and through the rest of the year.

Christmas Carols: Give me The Traditional Contemporary

One of joys of the Christmas season is the music that serves as the backdrop for my celebration.  Unlike some, I do try to maintain some parameters.  The first Sunday in Advent, not Thanksgiving, marks the beginning of the season.  And I will continue to enjoy the music of the season right through to Epiphany.  It seems like each of the traditional carols has a memory attached to it.  Years of caroling with church youth groups and singing in a choir on Christmas Eve probable have something to do with that.  I still get moved singing Silent Night by candlelight on Christmas Eve, and Joy to The World is always an  appropriate way to put an exclamation point on that service.   I guess I have taught my children well,  Both carols are on the schedule to be sung at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church this Christmas Eve.  I will be singing bass, while our daughter, Katie, directs the orchestra and choir.  

I have grown to love many of the contemporary Christmas songs as well.  The message of the birth of the Christ Child knows no bounds when it comes to hymns of praise.  Here are five of my favorites.   I hope you will find time to listen to them. 

Emmanuel/Hallowed Manger Ground, by Chris Tomlin and Ed Cash

While Chris Tomlin is known for some of his upbeat songs like Your Grace is Enough, he also has the ability to take the traditional and make it new.  Chris Tomlin also seems to have  with a sense of Church history.  Consider this verse:

“What fear we had in the silent age,

400 hundred years, could he be found.

Then broken by a baby cry,

Rejoice in the hallowed manger ground.

Emmanuel, God incarnate here to dwell”

Breath of Heaven, by Amy Grant and Chris Eaton

Amy Grant’s lyrics give us some insight into Mary’s feelings and thoughts as she carried the infant Jesus in her womb.

“I have traveled many moonless nights

Cold and weary with a babe inside

And I’ve wondered what I’ve done Holy Father,

You have come and chosen me to bear your son….

Breath of Heaven

Welcome to Our World, by Chris Rice

One of my fondest memories is listening to our three children sing this song.

“Wrap our injured flesh around you,

Breath our air and walk our sod.

Rob our sins and make us holy,

Perfect Son of God.

Welcome to our World.”

Manger Throne, by Julie Miller

To my knowledge this gem can only be found on the City of a Hill Christmas Time CD.  On the album it is sung by Mac Powell of Third Day.

“What kind of king would leave his throne,

In heaven to make the earth his home.

While men seek fame and great renowned

In lowliness, Our King comes down.”

All is Well, Words by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Music by Michael W. Smith

One of the anticipated highlights of this Christmas Eve is singing this song with the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church choir and orchestra.

“All is well, all is well.

Let there be peace of earth.

Christ has come, go and tell,

That He is in a manger. 

Sing Alleluia.”

A Blessed Christmastide to you and your family.

Pass the Torch.

George Herbert Walker Bush and Legacy

We have spent the last week reflecting on the passing of President George Herbert Walker Bush.  In particular I appreciated the “Christ –Centered” focus and the traditional liturgical worship of the Episcopal Church.  Over the last couple of decades I have drifted more toward contemporary music when it comes to worship.  It was nice to hear the traditional hymns.  It took me back to my roots growing up at St. James Lutheran Church in Grosse Pointe, Michigan and my early ministry years at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Downers Grove, Illinois.

It is well known that President Bush #41 did not like the “L Word.”  Yet, there is no doubt that he did leave a legacy.  When you watched, and listened to his friends and family you could see the imprint he had left on their lives.  I suspect some of his disdain for the “L” word is rooted in the fact that it implies that our earthy mission is accomplished.  If we humbly believe it is God’s desire that we live each day as his disciples, our mission is not accomplished until we take our last breath.  Only then will others have a full view of our lives.  Those who follow us will define our legacy.

With that in mind, here are some things I have learned from President George Herbert Walker Bush.

Love your enemies.  President Bush gained a reputation for being able to work with people who disagreed with him and perhaps even disliked him.  I need to do a better job of building bridges rather than walls.

The expedient thing is not always the right thing.  He had promised, “no more taxes” but when it was clear that raising taxes was the best option he went ahead fully knowing it might cost him an election.

Learn to laugh at yourself.  POTUS 41 did have some quirky mannerisms.  No one capitalized on them more than comedian Dana Carvey.  Instead of ignoring or even criticizing those who poked fun at him, he embraced them.  He and Dana Carvey had a great friendship.

Embrace the hope that we have in Jesus.  George H. W. Bush knew his Savior.  He believed that Jesus had died for his sins and rose again from the dead.  He looked forward to the eternal reunion that awaits those who die in the Lord. 

Rest in peace George Herbert Walker Bush.  Mission accomplished.

Hersey: Maybe We Have Something to Learn from Millennials

I often hear comments from some of my older adult peers that young folks have lost their way when it comes to holding traditional Christian beliefs.  The criticism is that even teens and young adult who have been brought up in the church have not been properly instructed in basic doctrine.  And even if they were taught the core doctrines they have diluted them as they have tried to blend Christian believe with the world view.  I recently read a new report from Ligonier Ministries that examined the state of theology in the United States.  The survey was conducted by Lifeway Research and based on interviews with 3,000 Americans.  This is the third such survey, with previous studies done in 2014 and 2016. 

What is especially troubling, to me, is that many Evangelical Christians are “deeply confused” about some core Christian doctrines.  Overall Jesus is still viewed as the Savior of the World.  For example, a majority agreed that Jesus died on the cross for their sins and that he rose from the dead.   On the negative side, they rejected the Bible’s teaching on (1) the gravity of man’s sin, (2) the importance of the church’s gathering together for worship, and (3) the Holy Spirit,”  More than two-thirds (69%) of Americans disagree that the smallest sin deserves eternal damnation—and 58 percent strongly disagree. Ligonier finds this “alarming.”  A majority of US adults (58%) said that worshiping alone or with one’s family is a valid replacement for regularly attending church. Only 30 percent disagree.  A majority of US adults (59%) say that the Holy Spirit is a force, not a personal being.

Other disturbing findings include:  “Most people are basically good” (52%) and “God accepts the worship of all religions” (51%).  Strangely, while most evangelicals strongly believe in justification by faith alone, they are confused about the person of Jesus Christ. On one hand, virtually all evangelicals express support for Trinitarian doctrine. Yet at the same time, most agree that Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God, which was a view espoused by the ancient heretic Arius.

Surprisingly, Millennials provided one of the bright spots.  The number of Americans ages 18 to 34 with evangelical beliefs (as defined by LifeWay Research) “rose significantly” from 14 percent in 2016 to 18 percent in 2018. Ligonier also noted a “large increase” in Millennials affirming that salvation is found in Christ alone (62%, up from 53% in 2016) and that Jesus Christ will return to judge the world (64%, up from 55% in 2016).  “There has been a significant change for the better among Millennials across a range of questions when compared to previous State of Theology surveys—so much so that they score higher than any other age group in several areas,” stated Ligonier. “Whether this is an anomaly or will continue unabated in future years remains to be seen.”

If there is a message here, it is in the need to be constantly in the word, checking our personal beliefs against what God actually tells us in the Bible.  Additionally there is the need to be in constant conversation with others on issues of faith.  “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17).  Perhaps some of that conversation needs to be across generation.  Maybe we have something to learn from Millennials.