The ongoing struggle to get young people in the pews at churches across Brooklyn is motivating some clergy in the Diocese of Long Island to develop new ministries that challenge the popular way of how churches reach out to 20-somethings.
Predominate tactics — a rock band, projector screens and altars stripped of traditional decors — have failed to resonate with 20-somethings. Instead, it’s the traditional aspects of the Episcopal faith and its liturgy that young people are now drawn to, clergy say.
The Rev. Robert Griffith, who has been working with St. Paul’s Church in Carroll Gardens, has created an initiative called Imago Dei, or Image of God, that is working to understand the Millennial Generation — those born after 1980 — and its views of faith in hopes of devising new ways to bringing them closer to Jesus Christ.
there it is again….the “Episcopal faith.” What exactly is that again?
BigTex AC
On a more positive note, this is an interesting article. The old “tactics — a rock band, projector screens and altars stripped of traditional decors — have failed to resonate with 20-somethings. Instead, it’s the traditional aspects of the Episcopal faith and its liturgy that young people are now drawn to, clergy say.”
I wonder how much this trend (if it really is a trend and not a sociological onesie) will be seen in the next ten to twenty years across the country. There’s some great preaching in neo-evangelical churches and all sorts of good programs, but there’s also often a lack of depth–even a failure to be vividly and consistently in touch with the core elements of a congregation’s own distinctive heritage and traditions.
Anyway, this priest seems to have his hands full, and I wish him well. He seems to have a good attitude toward the whole enterprise. It sounds as if he recognizes the challenges but will enjoy his work and not simply see it as a constant struggle. More power to him.
As a priest who is in my early 30’s, I can tell you that I don’t care for rock bands, projector screens and the sort. But what amazes me is that those who are a bit older than I are constantly trying to convince me that I should like all those things.
Honestly, give me a Rite I Eucharist with a little bit of incense, a solid mix of organ and piano, some time to silently reflect on receiving Christ in the Eucharist and sound Biblical preaching. That is the ideal Sunday for me as a 31 year old.
RE: “As a priest who is in my early 30’s, I can tell you that I don’t care for rock bands, projector screens and the sort. But what amazes me is that those who are a bit older than I are constantly trying to convince me that I should like all those things.”
Hear hear! I’ve noticed that those in TEC pushing the whole contemporary worship thingy are mostly baby boomers. I’ve no idea why — it’s just the trend I’ve noticed.
#3, as a 33 year old I have the same experiances. Granted, some of those most dumbfounded at my preferences are other 30-somethings, recently come to faith, who play in the aforementioned rock band. They think I’m odd cause I like that our chuch sticks to piano and organ (with orchestral support once or twice a year), and only complain that there isn’t more “stuffy” ceremony.
I do miss Episcopalian liturgy.
In the end, as padreegan said, if we stick to the core that has endured within the Church for centuries – through a myriad of cultures and languages over time – we will be well situated. Each generation will have a different aesthetical and pietistic sense that resonates with them, but the core of the Faith remains. If we, conservative or liberal, get sidetracked into other stuff, we’re in trouble. My humble opinion is that this is were we are in the Church these days, both conservatives and liberals.
The younger generations prefer primarily, as the research shows, those things that are more traditional because most have grown up with superficiality and vacuous trendiness concerning just about everything. The next emerging generation may prefer something completely different, yet the enduring Faith remains.
“Honestly, give me a Rite I Eucharist with a little bit of incense, a solid mix of organ and piano, some time to silently reflect on receiving Christ in the Eucharist and sound Biblical preaching. That is the ideal Sunday for me as a 31 year old.”
Amen. Plus good fellowship afterwards (preferably over food). 🙂
– Jonathan, age 27
I’ve been attending the early Rite 1 service lately because of our oppressive heat and have been delighted by the number of young people in attendance!