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secular vs. church

This past weekend, I had a lot of fun with a bunch of fellow young adults at our annual Young Adult Conference in the Capital Area. The questions that came up were deep and difficult, and yet we had fun too and got some sun. Still, for someone who cares deeply about our denomination and church (in a local and global sense), there were things that stick out at you... like hearing, during the welcome and introduction time, most young adults say... "Well, back when I attended church, I attended ."

I know, on one level, that many young people go through a period where we take a break from church in order to figure out who we are and what we believe. Sometimes, we come back and find a place to fit in... but sometimes, we don't. It could be because we may not feel welcome, but it also could be because we don't find church necessary anymore. It's simply a social network, circle of friends, and culture that loses any real value in our lives, when there are other ways to connect, learn about issues, and impact our world.

I find that sometimes, after not being at church for a few weeks in a row due to travel or whatever, it feels somewhat like I have to pause in front of the big double doors and get ready to plunge back into the "church mentality." It's not a natural thing. It's this whole other culture that requires a lot of investment to keep up with, but is it really worth all that energy?

Religious folk often label the secular world as this lifeless, shallow, deceptive entity that combines cheap thrills with great marketing. The church is the giant bulwark against it - a walled community in the midst of the enemy. (We supposedly have depth but poor marketing.) And yet... the church can be pretty lifeless and shallow too - from racism, sex abuse scandals, lack of vision, ministers living in denial of their own sexuality, poor ethics, money worship... the list can go on.

I'm just continuing to get this idea that here in the 21st century we really need to free up that word "church" again. What makes that corner congregation "church" when faithful people are asking deeper questions on a Friday night at the corner bar? Is church just when people gather in an assigned place for a linear order of devotion, or can it happen anywhere when folks gather to try to make meaning of their lives? When will church admit that it no longer has a stranglehold on what is spiritual, divine, and uplifting?

I guess I am more and more becoming ready, in some ways at least, to say goodbye to that classic church culture and embrace a different view... a view where church can happen over a cup of coffee with a fellow pilgrim in the span of a short conversation.. where church begins out in the community where people walk, talk, and curse... where participation is more than following the leader... where everything can strengthen and challenge what I set my heart on... where justice isn't a program... where churches are dependent on their communities... where we all are treated like immigrants in search of better lives... where there is no divide between the secular and the church.

It could be another chance to "die, be dissolved, and sink into the Body of Christ at large."

It might free us up for some new visions of church where our young adults don't ever have to leave anything - church will meet them and go with them wherever they are. And we will know their challenges because those are our challenges too.

At least, that is something of what I have been thinking.