Our Young Adult ministry is going through a season of evaluation and last night a market analyst came in to lead us through 2 focus groups. Here are some statements I highlighted in my notes while I sat at the observation table, a.k.a the table that you’re told to shut up and just listen at.Here's some of what I heard:
“I felt isolated because I didn’t know how to plug in, there was not an obvious entry point”
“Environment is EVERYTHING to me and it shows that this is IMPORTANT to you, and I appreciate that, even if you get it wrong at times”
“Form doesn’t matter as much as real encounters with God”
“Our Generations doesn’t want church, they want God, so give me real encounters with God”
“if you want to create a comfortable environment just put your gathering where all our friends naturally hang out”
“I felt no accountability to the church because no one seemed to notice when I wasn’t here?”
“When someone stands up to teach me, they better shoot straight, not beat around the bush, and be real! Cause the one thing I’m looking for the most is an authentic faith, I'm sick of pat answers”
“I want to know where YOU have screwed up, and how God was there!”
“I don’t go to events to meet new people, I go to events with my existing friends, I don’t leave my comfort zone, and I’m considered to be an outgoing person”
“Always have food!”
“What I mean by wanting “deeper teaching” is more historical context”
any insights? feel free to share
1 comment:
Umm? Where do you go from there?
These are great insights and something I've been wrestling with a lot. Community is complex. Some want it deeper, I mean more historical context and others just want to be noticed, and others just want food?
I think sometimes we get so caught up in trying to be everything for everyone that we chase our tails and lose what we are there for - which isn't to appease everyone. But, we do want to reach them - where they are - so it becomes a balancing act. I remember when I was a youth pastor constantly evaluating and trying to reach the kids. I felt stuck always trying to be relevant, cool, bla, bla - but then on a missions trip, the missionary said, "you pastors in America are always trying to make God relevant, sometimes you just have to let God be God." That's profound.
I think part of the answer, or an answer is not trying to make one gathering for everyone. We're in a free market, people like options - so maybe the answer lies in various gatherings around targeted goals. But at a minimum, you're asking good questions. One consistent thing echoing in each statement seems to be self-centered needs, in their defense they were probably asked what they like/don’t like. We, you – the church – needs to implore people onto to the Kingdom stuff, which has nothing to do with self comfort. Which is another awesomely complex topic, how do we battle the consumerism of our culture?
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