What if...?

For the last decade, I’ve been watching a generation walk away, some from the church and others from the faith altogether. And it feels a bit close to home, because it’s my generation.

Earlier this summer, I spent time speaking at a Christian camp in southern New Hampshire. It’s a very meaningful place for me as it’s the plot of ground where God solidified my faith and called me to be a pastor.

As I spent the week there, I reminisced about all the relationships that I made with peers from all over the Northeast who are now scattered all over the country. As different names came to mind, I was reminded of how many of them, who once had a seemingly vibrant faith, have walked away or, at the very least, demonstrated that their faith isn’t as important as it once was.

The theme of deconstruction in the Christian world is a hot topic right now. Some might say it’s just the latest angsty millennial faith fade. But trend or not, it’s definitely happening.

For some in the church, the thought of a generation deconstructing and walking away, at best, makes them shake their head and, at worst, fills them with disappointment and anger.

But I found myself sad when I recounted all the names of those who have or are deconstructing their faith. Sad not so much for them, but for the church. Perhaps this recent movement should cause the church to reflect and ask the question: does this generation have good reason to deconstruct? Has the church failed to pass down a faith that is worth clinging to? A faith that truly helps to make sense of the complex world in which we live?

As an individual deconstructs and walks away, perhaps they are like one of the soils Jesus talks about in the parable of the sower. The soils that seem to bear fruit, flourish, and grow, but never were rooted in the right place. Could that be the case? Maybe. 

But what if there’s hope for this generation? What if their story isn’t over? What if there was a movement of God that could call them back and reroot them in the love of Christ His church?

For those shaking their heads in disappointment over those walking away, what if we start to reflect and ask whether or not the faith we possess has actually captured how Jesus’ heart breaks for the world? Or does our faith only provide cheap answers, simplistic cliches, and misapplied Scripture passages that have been ripped from their biblical context? 

What if we started to move toward those who are leaving the faith? What if we built relationships with no agenda, but sought to listen to their questions, understand their struggles, and hear the pangs of their heart? 

Maybe then we’d have perspective on how to reach out in love. 

What if…