Changing Church Culture

For many years, faithful folk have sought to address the weaknesses of our church, primarily through education, regulation and mission studies. We lament the church doesn’t always reflect God’s vision for a redeemed humanity. Our common ‘church culture’ reveals that we are, in fact, all broken.

We’d like to suggest there is a different way to change church culture.

An approach that in 40+ years of our movement, has yet to be tested.

Want a more inclusive, affirming church? Appoint young leaders. (why would that work?)

Want a church seeking radical justice for creation? Employ young leaders. (why would that work?)

Want a church determined to be intercultural and racially just? Follow young leaders. (why would that work?)

Want a growing, all-age church? Ordain young leaders. (why would that work?)

Want your congregation to grow young? Listen to young leaders. (why would that work?)

Not sure what young means? For today, let’s imagine anyone born after 1977. Anyone younger than our denomination.

And if young, Christian, qualified women and men don’t want to work for the church, perhaps that raises more questions about our common church culture.

Bradon French – Synod Intergen Youth Ministry. Bradon writes at www.ucayouth.org.au