10 Reasons Millennials Are Sick of Church - JARRID WILSON CHARISMA MAGAZINE

Millennials don't need a lot of frills in a church service. They simply want authenticity. (iStock photo )

10 Reasons Millennials Are Sick of Church

11/24/2015 JARRID WILSON  charisma magazine

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There are literally thousands of articles online about why the millennial generation is disillusioned with church, church culture and church politics. And while I applaud the attempt to wrap one's head around the issue, I've noticed that most of the articles seem to be written by people who know nothing about the millennial generation. Weird.

I've talked with thousands of young people over the years who have told me, "I'm just sick of church." I've heard everything under the sun when it comes to one's reasoning for leaving, and I believe many of them carry a lot of heavy truth. Here are some of them ...

1. "It's not authentic."

2. "It's too corporate." 

3. "I don't like the political side."

4. "I feel like I can't be open about my struggles."

5. "I hate the cliques."

6. "It's too judgmental." 

7. "Their attempt at being relevant comes off as cheesy."

8. "They don't spend enough time outside of their building."

9. "They aren't really welcoming of people who are different from them." 

10. "They focus too much on what they know instead of whom they are showing love to."

And while I believe not all churches deal with the complaints I mentioned above, it's safe to say there are many who probably do. That's why I'm writing this. This needs to be discussed.

Authenticity Is Key

If churches want to see more millennials walk through their doors, they need to stop trying to entice them with free stuff, and instead allow their spaces to be filled with authentic relationships and transparent conversations. The Acts 2 church was a perfect example of this.

"They continued steadfastly in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in the prayers. Fear came to every soul. And many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common. They sold their property and goods and distributed them to all, according to their need. And continuing daily with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart" (Acts 2:42-46).

Some people say there is a decline in millennial church attendance, while others say they don't see much of a change at all. We must realize that just because millennials aren't showing up to church buildings doesn't mean they aren't part of a thriving community of believers, or are without a biblical relationship with God.

Millennials aren't looking for brighter lights. Millennials aren't looking for more free coffee. They want Jesus-founded authenticity, a safe-place to share burdens, real answers to real questions and a community of action. 

Jarrid Wilson is a husband to Juli, dad to Finch, pastor, author, blogger, founder of Cause Roast. He's helping people live a better story. For the original article, visitjarridwilson.com.

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Favor: Having It, Keeping It, Increasing It. - Robin McMillan

Favor: Having It, Keeping It, Increasing It. By Robin McMillan The favor of the Lord enables us to accomplish His purposes and live supernaturally blessed lives. Over the years I have seen favor ebb and flow in my life, in lives of others, and in different ministries. How do you get it, how do you keep it, and how do you increase it? Inquiring minds want to know. Ask How do you get favor? Every good thing comes from God: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). To have favor, we must ask: “Yet, you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2b).  My Favor is for You In the context of asking James also said, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:2b-3).  When we don’t understand that God gives us favor primarily for others, we are in danger of losing or diminishing that favor. Motives matter. Paul wrote in I Corinthians 14:1&12, “Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.” And, “Even so you, since you are eager for spiritual gifts, let it be for the building up of the church that you seek to excel”. In the context of the use of the gifts of the Holy Spirit Paul wrote the love chapter, I Corinthians 13. The ‘more excellent way’ Paul spoke of in I Corinthians 12:31 is using the gifts of the Spirit in expressions of love for the benefit of others.  My favor is for you, and your favor is for them. Being Thankful John the Baptist said,  “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven” (John 3:27). We thank God to acknowledge that what we have, what we can do, and what we are, He has given us as a free gift. Being thankful also has the potential to increase our favor. “…God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (I Peter 5:5).  Honest heart felt thanksgiving is manifest humility and attracts the grace of God. Loving People Period People know if we really love them. Peter wrote: “Honor all people…” (I Peter 2:17). Intentionally showing people honor is a very simple way to practically show them love. Then they are open to what we can bring them. Often we reserve our love for those we approve of or those who love us. Of that Jesus said, “…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?…(Matthew 5:44-46). We will ultimately only influence people we truly love. Bitterness Free Authenticity The proliferation of social media has tainted this current generation like no other, either by hype or hypocrisy. Many long for authenticity and authentic believers. Becoming authentic is often a painful and expensive process, and many who have suffered have become bitter. God isn’t interested in promoting people whose favor is soured by bitterness. Be real, but don’t be critical. That will certainly diminish your favor level. Imparting Hope The level of our influence will rise to the level of our ability to impart legitimate hope, the joyful confident expectation of good. Hope is one of the primary missing ingredients in not just the world but the church as well. If we don’t have hope we must realize we have bought into an inaccurate theoligical/cultural belief system. Hopelessness is its ‘witness’ that that belief system is false. Hope is the atmosphere where favor thrives. We are serving the ‘God of all hope’ and living inside us is Christ ‘the hope of glory’. Divine hope is part of our spiritual DNA. Let that hope arise in your heart now and may your favor increase. Read in browser »   BUY MOOSETALES  click here Mystic MooseTales: Redefining Wildlife My primary purpose for writing MooseTales is to impart two things to the current generation: love for Jesus and authentic hunger for the historic supernatural God of the Bible. I chose the allegorical style because it lends itself to creativity in a wide range of expression and humor. In my imagination there exists a world where animals walk on two legs, demonstrate all the attributes of humans, and live and interact together with people. In just such a world Theodore Conquest ‘Mystic’ Moose lives and does his exploits. Many of these tales are based on events that have literally happened to flesh and blood men and women. These people I know. Other events originate from lives of historic Christians I don’t know but have read about or heard their testimonies. click here to purchase Recent Posts: Creativity Risk and Endurance: Faith and Hope. Mighty Works: A Key to Saving Our Nation Announcing My New Store on My Website. Resurrection Implications Source: Robin McMillan robinmcmillan@me.com