When it comes to churches, we all want to be "vital", but we tend to measure it according to polling standards (popularity). Real "vitality" is not the same thing as popularity. Contrary to our natural inclination, it is not Biblical to think of an old person as less vital spiritually. In most cases, it's not even helpful in a physical sense . But sticking with the Biblical, there are three specific things wrong with the pursuit of youth and modern culture to the exclusion of an older generation with traditional culture:
- Leads to being blown about by every wind of teaching. - Eph. 4:14
- Dishonors the older generation. - 5th Commandment
- Dismembers the Body of Christ. - 1 Cor. 12
The battle of generations is not even fairly fought, for while older people tend to welcome young people with enthusiasm, their hospitality is less often reciprocated. Many congregations have even segregated their young and old into separate services of traditional and modern? Churches that follow the practice end up not merely with generations that don't understand each other's culture, but also with a younger generation that does not know from whence they came in terms of both liturgy and doctrine.
The pursuit of relevance vis-a-vis modern culture is bad practice, and it's very common in today's Christian churches of every denomination, especially if I may say in the so called "evangelical" movement.
What do you think?
