When the Next Generation Speaks, Will We Listen?

by Rachel Collins

Every generation, it seems, feels the younger generation is [you fill in the blank.] Whiny? Annoying? Entitled? Clueless? The BBC put this article out several years ago that humorously cited this phenomenon dating back several generations. It’s easy to feel defensive when we hear their complaints. It sometimes feels like an indictment of our parenting or pastoring of them. And yet? In the church, we are called to something greater than hand-wringing. We are called to listen and to receive. 

In the Old Testament, God sometimes called the prophets to perform actions that appeared ridiculous at best and were painful at worst. I don’t imagine Ezekiel particularly enjoyed laying on his side for 390 days. I’m sure it occasionally crossed Isaiah’s mind that it was a bit excessive to walk naked and barefoot for three whole years. Elisha probably felt somewhat silly shooting arrows out the window. And I bet Jeremiah’s heart broke as he smashed pottery to represent the destruction of Jerusalem. 

But all of these acts vividly communicated important messages to the religious powers of their day. 

John the Baptist, as both a prophet and a disciple, prepares the way for Jesus, announcing the Kingdom of God. He wears weird clothes. He eats weird things. He cries out in the wilderness for repentance. 

Young adults are telling us: 

• We are no longer willing to participate in spiritually abusive systems. 
• We will not turn a blind eye to top-down discipleship that elevates power over laying down one’s life for the sake of the other. 
• We will not participate in spaces if they are not inclusive. 
• We don’t want a show. We want to show love. 

 So what do we do? 

1. 1. Take their message seriously. Do not be afraid to let the light shine in the darkness and bring to light unhealthy practices in your own faith community. 
   2. Educate your congregants to facilitate intergenerational relationships. 
   3. Nurture good listeners in your ministries. Teach them to say, “Tell me more,” instead of shutting young people down when they speak up. 
   4. Tell good discipleship stories. Following Jesus together is beautiful. 
   5. Empower young adults to lead. They want to be involved. And then trust them to lead. 

The exodus of the next generation might be the prophetic act the church needs today. Are you willing to listen? 

About the Author

Rachel has worked as a chaplain, a religion professor, and a chapel director between three different universities. Her work in higher education focuses on the ways spiritual struggle contributes to the spiritual formation of emerging adults. She holds an MDiv with an emphasis in Christian Ethics from Fuller Theological Seminary, as well as an MBA with a certificate in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University. She co-founded Emerge Collaborative, with Falon Barton, in order to equip parents and pastors to care for the young adults around them.