Pastor's Message

June Spirit Steps 

A front page article in USA Today cited a survey of young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 and said that “they were less devoted to faith”.  The survey indicated that 72% of those who responded said that they were more spiritual than religious.  This is not really surprising for the Christian church that has been aware of declining membership and declining involvement of its young adults for some time now.  There are many Christians who would no doubt point to this as a sign of the moral decay of our society.  It seems to me however, that the fact that 72% identify themselves as “more spiritual than religious” is a positive sign and a reason for hope.

Certainly there is a rejection of the moral absolutes and rituals that were and are a part of the established church.  We need to remember, however, that the “established church” for a long time accepted slavery, the domination over women, prejudice toward a variety of people, and more and more we are finding out, the abuse of children.  The “established church” has not spoken out strongly against laws that discriminate against minorities nor has it provided full support for the rights of the poor.  The established church has voiced a concern about the way we abuse God’s creation but has a long, long way to go in putting that concern into action.

Aware of these aspects of the institutional church, the USA Today survey may be viewed in a positive light.  The young adults are not rejecting spirituality; they are rejecting an institution that proclaims one set of spiritual values while practicing another.  The survey result can be viewed like spring flowers bursting forth through the decaying mat of last year’s foliage. 

The institutional church still has a lot to offer.  The history and theology of the church is a solid grounding from which a fresh spirituality can spring forth.  The decaying past supplies the nutrients for the growth of a fresh spirituality.  Leaders in the established church need to go back and recognize the mistakes of their history so that they can serve as guides to the young adults who want desperately to root themselves.

The message of the church is as relevant today as it was when Peter and Paul proclaimed it nearly 2000 years ago.  We do, however, need to struggle to proclaim that message in a way that it can be heard and understood in today’s context.  We need to sort through our beliefs and be willing to examine and discard those that no longer fit with how we understand things today, while holding tight to the message of God’s unconditional love.  We need to be consistent in what we say and do.

There is a garden of new life is springing up all around us, let us rejoice and be glad in it and help to tend that garden.

May you have peace in your day.

Pastor Bob