Today's Generation Hungry for Real Christianity
Monday, January 4, 2010 at 4:00AM My latest column at Christian Week:
I started pastoring in the early 1990s when church growth principles and the seeker-sensitive movement were big. A decade later, beginning soon after 2000, the emerging church seemed to take off. We're now beginning a new decade. What does the future hold for the Church in Canada?
According to John Neufeld, senior pastor of Willingdon Church in Burnaby, B.C., it won't be another fad. "People are hungry for a Christianity that is real, lasting, and historic," he says. Neufeld believes that many, especially younger people, have grown tired of a methodologically driven church-growth movement, and that the emerging church will not last because it doesn't offer people enough certainty. "It's the old mainline liberal movement with ripped jeans and guitars," he says. But he's noticing that younger people, as well as new immigrants to Canada, are hungry for a deep understanding of classic, orthodox Christianity. "My real hope is in the next generation," he says.
For decades, Neufeld seemed out of step with the times. A friend tells me that he first heard Neufeld preach as a guest in a seeker-sensitive church. The topic? Hell. Neufeld preached on topics that many seemed to ignore, and stressed expositional preaching when others were stressing preaching geared to seekers.
Now Neufeld finds himself popular. He teaches a theology class for people in their twenties, and so many are interested he can't fit them all. He notices them reading John Piper and Tim Keller, even centuries-old authors John Calvin and Jonathan Edwards. He's never seen this before.
Neufeld is clear that seeker approaches are not completely dead. Some, especially baby boomers and some in the Bible belt, are still attracted to the movement. "The seeker movement played well with those who were bored with Christendom," he says. "But it has not made inroads into the secular mainstream." Secular communities like Burnaby are more interested in the hardcore message of Christianity rather than a watered-down version.
Neufeld finds this exciting. "We have a secular generation that is almost completely ignorant of the gospel. We live in a mission field. We can introduce them to Christ for the very first time. We're actually proclaiming something that people have never heard, and it's a message that's exciting, offensive, and world-changing."
Willingdon, the church Neufeld pastors, has started an organization called reFocus Canada, "dedicated to bringing biblical refocus to Canadian churches." It is "is a gathering of individuals and churches who agree to stand together on a common theological foundation, to strive together side by side in developing skills and tools that will extend the impact of the Gospel, and to suffer together with those engaged in a conflict that comes for the sake of Christ." Most members live in western Canada.
I asked Neufeld what advice he would offer to churches and pastors. Neufeld was clear that they should begin with committing to expositional preaching. "Learn how to exegete the text. Make it meaningful and relevant. Preach through books of the Bible. Reclaim the message that has been neglected. Lead people to the historic Christian faith rather than the latest fad."
He also believes that pastors need to focus on the biblical role of elders: to teach and disciple. "I'm not throwing rocks at methodology," he says. "We need to learn skills. But we haven't studied 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus enough. We need to return to the biblical model of leadership rather than the CEO model of business leadership."
Neufeld also believes that we need to focus on the large Canadian urban centers, which are predominantly secular. "Plant churches in them. Preach the Bible there."
He also believes that we need to recover a biblical emphasis that we've lost: suffering. "Anyone going into pastoral ministry must see suffering as part of the package. When they realize that suffering is part of ministry, they can cooperate with grace. Do not pray for suffering to be removed." The theme of reFocus Canada's next conference in May is "Suffering for the Gospel."
People are hungry for substantial ministry, and the church has an opportunity to return to its core. Neufeld finds this exciting, and he's glad to know that he's not alone.
Reader Comments (10)
I have difficulty believing that the answer to the slow death (in many cases a rapid death) of Evangelical Churches is move to the right. Especially in Canada, that seems to fly in the face of all the data we're seeing on the new generation.There are a few studies that say the 'Younger Evangelicals' are more conservative. Frankly, that's because there are so few of them. They are certainly not reaching the culture at large. This is the most educated generation in History and Reformed Theology won't stand up to critical thought, especially around pre-destination, origins, heaven and hell.I've seen this far right (Reformed) movement coming for 3 - 5 years in response to the Emerging far left. Within the next few years with this group you'll be debating a 'purge' of the casual Christians in your churches. Litmus tests for church leaders and pastors on far right darlings like Evolution, Heaven and Hell etc. There will be no room for moderate or left thought in evangelical circles. Certainly no room to question.Rob
Rob:I think this group is not just a return to the past. They are critiquing the church just as some in the emerging camp have, but are coming up with different solutions. Many are also dealing with issues like social justice and the arts. Deep Church by Jim Belcher describes some of this as a third way beyond emerging and traditional churches.I'm not a prophet, so I don't know what will come in the future, but it is my sense that the emerging church has withered quite a bit. I don't think any movement is the answer, but I think Neufeld is right in pointing us to recapturing the historic Christian faith.
Hey Darryl,To clarify I'm not defending the Emerging Church. I appreciated their critiques of Church models and in the interests of full disclosure I represent the left (probably the far left in this debate).However, the title of the post disturbs me and is an example of the dangerous lurch to the right I think is happening in Evangelical circles. What does "Real Christianity" mean? I've also heard that this movement includes Social Justice. I hope you're right and they come through on that.Rob
"The title of the post disturbs me and is an example of the dangerous lurch to the right I think is happening in Evangelical circles. What does 'Real Christianity' mean?"Rob, I can understand that. I don't mean that there is a version of Real Christianity out there and that everyone else is missing out. I'm trying to describe a hunger among younger people for the real thing straight up, in contrast to some previous generations that may have stressed packaging and presentation a bit more.
"Real" Christianity is Biblical Christianity.John Lofton, Editor, TheAmericanView.com Communications Director, Institute on the Constitution Host, “The American View” Radio Show Recovering Republican JLof@aol.com
As someone in my early twenties, I have to agree with the post. I want to be challenged in my Christian faith, not be presented with a watered down version of Christianity.I think that it is interesting that you mention suffering as a lost biblical emphasis, I just blogged about suffering for the gospel of Christ. Suffering for Christ and the gospel is definitely a theme presented in scripture.
As a 22 year-old, I wholeheartedly agree with this statement as well. Every since high school, my friends and I have been fed up with the shallowness that we've been presented and have sought Christianity with a deeper meaning, significance, and history. We've been diving into John Piper, Tim Keller, the Puritans, Calvin and Luther and Augustine, and singing hymns and getting into liturgy.As for the conversation in the comments to the article, I have to disagree with Rob that it is a move to the right. I grew up in a family and a church that fits right into the mold of the Moral Right and Christian conservatism down here in the US. I don't subscribe to that - nor do I subscribe to what the Left has to offer. Many people are realizing that there is a third way. Many people are realizing that the gospel trumps the Left and the Right.Which is one reason that Tim Keller is so attractive to me (and I'm sure others). To quote something I just read by Keller last night: “There’s this foolish idea that if you believe in God and Jesus is the Son of God, you’re going to be against gun control. Actually, I think you simply can’t get orthodox Christianity into one political mold." That's what I've realized, which is why I am concerned about the environment and abortion and social justice, and think that homosexuality is a sin, but am leery of the government legislating morality and struggle with the role of the State in such a matter. To quote Shane Claiborn, I don't follow a donkey or an elephant, I seek to follow the Lamb.And I think a lot of my peers are feeling the same way. We want a Christianity that is theologically rich, philosophically complicated, and politically nuanced. We don't want simple answers.Which is why I love so much the tongue-in-cheek lyrics of Derek Webb's "A New Law":don’t teach me about politics and government/just tell me who to vote for/don’t teach me about truth and beauty/just label my music...don’t teach me about moderation and liberty/i prefer a shot of grape juice
"This is the most educated generation in History and Reformed Theology won’t stand up to critical thought, especially around pre-destination, origins, heaven and hell."I also have to disagree with this statement by Rob. That is one reason Tim Keller's Redeemer Presbyterian is flourishing so much in Manhattan. He is presenting an orthodox (and Reformed) Christianity to the educated professionals of Manhattan and many are buying it. He believes in Heaven and Hell. He believes in predestination. He believes we originated from a Creator (although he also believes in an Old Earth and evolutionary biology). It is standing up to critical thought.
I'm with Neufeld. And, I'm one-hundred percent in agreement with the premise of this post. I'm not sure if I've come out of a "methodologically driven church-growth movement," or even a "seeker sensitive" church, but this much I can say: Since coming to understand Scriptures in light of Reformed Theology, never before have I been on such solid theological footing. I attend a church where the preaching is expositional. I am learning doctrine like I've never learned it before. I have a new appreciation for the rich heritage that the Puritans left us. I like pastors like John Piper and frankly, all I want is the historic Christian faith. So, if you ask me, I think this post is spot on.
To all who have responded to this thread; thank you. You have brightened the day of a middle aged man, with your thoughtful observations and inquiries. The search for holiness continues. May God bless your efforts.I suspect that the world has heard from enough believers. It needs to see a lot more apostles daring to become saints.