Evolution
I had interesting conversation with my grandmother this morning. It all coincides with a thought I had during the services yesterday at church and the article I read in Matt's magazine, Relevant. She told me she was ultra-conservative, and I told her I was moderate. We discussed the meaning of those two descriptions and how they applied to our views of the church. She has an issue with being liberal and forgetting the more traditional aspects of the church. She told me that the older generation feels offended by the change to using more contemporary music in church services. I like how our church mixes old and new as a compromise; however, I also realize that there's always going to be some group that is "offended."
I thought a little more about the older generation's feelings. It seems to me that even the generation in between old and young is no longer attracted to traditional church. I don't believe that the older generation should be forgotten because they can offer a wisdom that no one else can claim. I told my grandmother that I believed that the church was starting to evolve into something kinda different, and she told that the word "evolve" scares her. Olive is a big church that adds new members pretty steadily; however, it also loses members to indifference. We can't be scared of the word "evolve." I know why she fears the word-- she fears change.
The ultra-conservative churches sometimes seem to be afraid of change; but, the world around us is changing. There's a new mindset, especially in America, and the old ways have a hard time reaching out to the new crowd.
The more traditional older generation should not be left out. I believe there should be a mutual respect on both sides of the spectrum: the younger members need to recognize the years of experience and wisdom the older generation can offer, and the older members need to respect the movement of the younger members. Neither side should be left out and forgotten, but they both need to help each other out.
Anyway, this week is going to be crazy but fun! Erin's graduating this Friday... I can't believe it! We have a ton of family coming to celebrate Erin's achievement, which also means that Mom's gonna go crazy getting ready. I also start my internship at the church today! I am really excited!
I thought a little more about the older generation's feelings. It seems to me that even the generation in between old and young is no longer attracted to traditional church. I don't believe that the older generation should be forgotten because they can offer a wisdom that no one else can claim. I told my grandmother that I believed that the church was starting to evolve into something kinda different, and she told that the word "evolve" scares her. Olive is a big church that adds new members pretty steadily; however, it also loses members to indifference. We can't be scared of the word "evolve." I know why she fears the word-- she fears change.
The ultra-conservative churches sometimes seem to be afraid of change; but, the world around us is changing. There's a new mindset, especially in America, and the old ways have a hard time reaching out to the new crowd.
The more traditional older generation should not be left out. I believe there should be a mutual respect on both sides of the spectrum: the younger members need to recognize the years of experience and wisdom the older generation can offer, and the older members need to respect the movement of the younger members. Neither side should be left out and forgotten, but they both need to help each other out.
Anyway, this week is going to be crazy but fun! Erin's graduating this Friday... I can't believe it! We have a ton of family coming to celebrate Erin's achievement, which also means that Mom's gonna go crazy getting ready. I also start my internship at the church today! I am really excited!