A Generation Y's Response to 'Belonging'
If you believe what we believe and behave the way we behave, then
you will eventually come to belong. Unfortunately, for some Protestants, this
formula no longer works.
It’s not because the variables are wrong – they’re just out of
order for some of us. Instead of “Believing. Behaving. Belonging,” Bass argues it
should read “Belonging. Behaving. Believing.”
This re-ordering is a way to reach those in “Generation Y” from
whom belonging is crucial.
As a member of Generation Y, and as someone who works daily with
future church leaders, here is my take on this ideological shift.
Too often we’re picked on as being narcissistic, entitled and
disengaged. The reality is we carry a deep longing to be held, to be fulfilled
and to belong.
We’re in search of identity and therefore have created online
personalities, connected to thousands over Twitter and redefined what it means
to be spiritual (without being religious).
Therefore, emphasizing belonging is important, as it may just make
the difference on whether or not churches lose their moral influence on those of us for whom belonging is central.
But the motive for belonging needs to be parsed out.
If the primary expressed purpose is to recruit us in order to
increase church attendance or stabilize financial burdens, you can count
Generation Y’s out.
We don’t want to belong to something just so we can contribute to
numerical and/or financial growth. We want to belong to an organization that
deepens, strengthens, and challenges who we are as individuals. This is why
(unfairly, but perhaps rightly) we are called narcissistic.
But don’t read this as disengagement. We are, rather,
disenchanted.
We want to belong. We want meaning, purpose and hope. We care
about justice, and want to participate in acts of self-sacrifice.
And we want to contribute a portion of the little money we have,
but we want to know that our tithes will be used not only to maintain buildings
but also to enact justice, mercy and compassion in our neighborhood and beyond.
Sure, the reality is buildings need maintenance, insurance
premiums, electricity and running water. Generation Y’s understand that these
are essential, but we want to know that our giving is contributing to a larger
mission that shapes and informs how we maintain our church facilities.
But there are two glaring catches.
First, the church will be inviting Generation Y’s to the table who
most certainly think differently. This is ok. Church can be (and should be) a
beautiful tapestry of God’s people working out their salvation – together.
Everybody understands God differently. Everybody carries
preconceived notions of what the Divine looks like. So why not share them and
invite others to do the same?
Every generation has something to offer. If churches can create space
for the several generations to sit down and dream together, then the church
will not die – it will thrive.
So my take on belonging is this:
Generation Y’s want it, but it has to be for something bigger than
ourselves (which is going to be hard since we’re so narcissistic).
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This article was originally published at EthicsDaily.com.
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