- Sep 20, 2018
- 4
- 2
- 34
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
- Faith
- Christian
- Marital Status
- Single
Hello All,
Recently I have become a little more reflective on the church I am going to and whether or not I should be spending my time here.
The pros are as follows:
The crux of the issue is that I am becoming more disillusioned with my church. The congregation is primarily elderly (and I wonder some days if that is most of the Church and switching would not make much of a difference). This has been GREAT (contrary to what some say) as it has benefitted me by being able to learn from older and more experienced Christians about life and godliness.
However, as I am a younger gentleman, I feel I may be missing out on communion with peers my own age (I am twenty-seven, single, and unmarried). Though I have had time to speak into others lives in my college group, there is a noticeable age/maturity/life difference. Sometimes I have felt pressure from some leaders in the Church to become friends with these younger gents and spend more time with them. Ordinarily, I would not mind doing so, but I am finding a lot of people this age are more interested in staying up late, watching movies, eating junk food, etc. (none of my interests) and that is what spending extended time with them would entail (pardon me for labeling you as such if you are this age and not like this...it could just be the people where I am located). In my already limited time, I do not have the option of attending two churches to find more like-minded peers. Perhaps I am being too picky and should attempt to understand the interests of others a little more?
One final note. My pastor and other leaders in the church are happy as I am one of (probably three) young college-aged people that attend (more people show up to the college group) this church. Like a church I have been to before, the older generation are often concerned that if they do not have young people in the church that their church (and additionally THE Church) will die. They want to cater to the elderly (who indeed have most of the funds to support the church), but also know that the upcoming future is the younger generation. I feel I want to help this church and benefit it since the people have offered me so much. I understand that younger people will walk away if they do not see other young people there, but I think this is happening already for other reasons beyond my control.
What are others opinions on this type of situation? Do you feel pressure from your Church to stay? Do you share similar struggles with regards to your decisions on where to attend?
Recently I have become a little more reflective on the church I am going to and whether or not I should be spending my time here.
The pros are as follows:
- A few great, key people in the church.
- A college group (albeit small)
- My parents attend here.
The crux of the issue is that I am becoming more disillusioned with my church. The congregation is primarily elderly (and I wonder some days if that is most of the Church and switching would not make much of a difference). This has been GREAT (contrary to what some say) as it has benefitted me by being able to learn from older and more experienced Christians about life and godliness.
However, as I am a younger gentleman, I feel I may be missing out on communion with peers my own age (I am twenty-seven, single, and unmarried). Though I have had time to speak into others lives in my college group, there is a noticeable age/maturity/life difference. Sometimes I have felt pressure from some leaders in the Church to become friends with these younger gents and spend more time with them. Ordinarily, I would not mind doing so, but I am finding a lot of people this age are more interested in staying up late, watching movies, eating junk food, etc. (none of my interests) and that is what spending extended time with them would entail (pardon me for labeling you as such if you are this age and not like this...it could just be the people where I am located). In my already limited time, I do not have the option of attending two churches to find more like-minded peers. Perhaps I am being too picky and should attempt to understand the interests of others a little more?
One final note. My pastor and other leaders in the church are happy as I am one of (probably three) young college-aged people that attend (more people show up to the college group) this church. Like a church I have been to before, the older generation are often concerned that if they do not have young people in the church that their church (and additionally THE Church) will die. They want to cater to the elderly (who indeed have most of the funds to support the church), but also know that the upcoming future is the younger generation. I feel I want to help this church and benefit it since the people have offered me so much. I understand that younger people will walk away if they do not see other young people there, but I think this is happening already for other reasons beyond my control.
What are others opinions on this type of situation? Do you feel pressure from your Church to stay? Do you share similar struggles with regards to your decisions on where to attend?
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