Dear Family and Friends,

“In 2023, the oldest Boomers turn 77, and the youngest will celebrate their 59th birthdays.”

This wake up call of a quote comes from a well known pastor, Carey Nieuwhof.

In his article he writes, “Boomers have been the heart of most churches for decades on end. Born between 1946 and 1964, Boomers have been the center of the megachurch movement. They not only led them, but they’ve served, given, and attended in droves.”

He further wrote, “Since 2020, Boomers have become the least likely demographic to return to church.”

Given the realities of aging, Pastor Carey predicted that in 2023, “the Boomer Church will decline and (eventually) disappear.”

To my Boomer friends, are you cringing?

I did. Not because I’m denying my graying hair nor what he hypothesized.

I cringed because Pastor Carey and others seem to suggest Boomers are leaving more than the Church; they’re leaving their faith.

I don’t agree.

Boomers haven’t left Jesus, they just entered a new season.

A wise king once wrote, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”  Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV

God’s word tells us to expect a life of seasons. Seasons determined and fixed by God; to be accepted, not questioned, as they come. 

Today, I will deviate from my little stories and talk instead about us and what a new season as Christ followers could look like.

Let me add that this new season is not just for Boomers, but for all followers including those who fall into a generation named after one of the last three letters of the alphabet.

Let’s begin with a discussion about attendance, because attendance drives serving and giving.

So, why have so many stopped going to church?

Experts suggest we have been turned off by the hypocrisy of Christians, clergy scandals, harsh legalistic teaching, and the questionable marriage of Christianity with politics and culture.

They missed several other reasons.

The response by many pastors and fellow church members to Covid protocols and vaccines unveiled a deep divide in values and beliefs within the Church.

Let’s face it, we all want a shepherd pastor who shares our values. We all want to associate with those who respect our personal health choices.

A second reason has to do with the reason why we go to church.

We have been trained to believe that the reason for going to church is to hear the sermon message. I can still picture the many who came just to hear the message, flocking into the sanctuary during the last worship song and leaving right after the amen.

The pandemic gave us alternatives – lots of them. And good ones too. Why hassle with going to church when you can get the same message (or an even better one) online when you’re free?

Am I suggesting this is how we spend our new season as followers – stay at home and watch online church?

Yes and no.

“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.” John 8:31 NLT

Yes, absent going to church, we all need someone to keep pushing us to learn and understand what Jesus taught. 

No, because the message is just one of many reasons for going to church.

Included in the prologue to the Gospel according to John (John 1:1-18) is a verse we tend to gloss over.

“Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”  John 1:16 NIV 

What does – grace in place of grace already given – mean?

God gave us grace when He gave us His Son. He gave us salvation we did not deserve.

But He didn’t stop there. We continue to receive His grace as He conforms us to the image of His Son.

Reflect for a moment on where you received the grace that started transforming your life. Were you in fellowship with other followers?

Where is the best place to practice loving our neighbors? With fellow followers.

Where is the safest place to practice Jesus’ other teachings, such as giving and receiving grace and forgiveness? With fellow followers.

Interacting with fellow followers is where we put into practice what we learn from the messages.

None of this is possible while sitting at home on a couch.

A gathering of followers can be so much more than a good teaching, if we allow it. 

Let’s make our own prediction for 2023. That this year be the start of a new season, one where we return to gathering with other followers. 

If you are you looking for a new family of followers, may I make a few suggestions? 

Love was a focus of Jesus’ ministry. And when Jesus prayed for us, He prayed for unity and love.

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  ‭‭John‬ ‭17‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ NIV

Perhaps a good place to start is by looking for a church family with similar values. 

One where commUNITY is a cornerstone value. 

And LOVE is definitely in the air. 

In love always,