There are a few things that have been worrying me for quite some time now. But, before I start, here's a little background: I am a Methodist, I live in the Bible Belt of the South, and I am naturally a more reserved and contemplative person than others might be. However, even with all of these things in mind, knowing that my denomination and personal dispositions might be different than many of my peers, I am still troubled. "Well, Skye, what is it that's bothering you?" It's this, friends: The language (and some practices) that many Christians, particularly millennial Christians, have adopted in recent years.

1. Describing yourself as "broken," "incomplete," "unworthy" in a manner that is clearly boastful, yet you end up sounding jubilantly heartbroken.

This first one is the one that gets me the most, and I don't know if it is because it is so inherently negative or if because it comes across as not entirely genuine. I cannot tell you how many times I have heard this particular tome the last few years. "I was/am just completely broken." "Before I truly accepted Christ, my life was incomplete." The sentiment is there. I get it. We, as Christians, need Jesus to be whole, to be better, to be alive. But I think you all know what I'm talking about. The person standing there, hands in front of them, seemingly grasping onto nothing, sounding so downtrodden you can’t help but want to help them.

But the problem with this is that it is too common. I don't think we, as a generation, really know what brokenness is anymore, because we think that anything, anyone struggling even the slightest is broken or incomplete, when that just isn't so. Life isn't easy, friends. The struggle is the good part. That does not mean that you are now or were ever unworthy/broken/incomplete. It just means you walk away stronger, and yes, salvation and God's grace is a huge part of this strength. But instead of being so quick to claim your place in the pit of society, rejoice instead. Recognize that you are alive and struggling, and that your daily struggle is a blessing. You're not broken, you're thriving.

2. Choosing to speak about your personal beliefs, "walk in faith," etc. in front of a group of people that is gathered for another purpose.

I am all for discussion of religion, personal beliefs or walks in faith. What isn't cool, though, is taking it upon yourself to evangelize to a group of people/person there for another purpose. If I am at a meeting to hear announcements and plan events, I want to hear announcements and plan events. I begin to feel very uncomfortable when you start talking of your personal struggles, using negative language (see #1), saying you have failed when you were dealing with things that I may have dealt with myself recently. If you do not know the intimate details of each individual in your audience, or your audience is not there to intentionally and voluntarily hear your story, I urge you to ask if everyone is willing. Read the room, as it were. There is a time and a place. Religion is deeply personal and wonderfully unique for each and every person walking this planet right now. Don’t assume that simply talking about Jesus, especially the way you think is right, is the right thing to do all the time. (I also suggest googling Christian inerrancy.)

3. Telling people that you are going to pray for them.

This last one is probably just me, but I get really bothered when people tell me they are going to pray for me. I know that it is often meant to be a sign of goodwill, but to me it feels like an intense invasion of my privacy, and as I mentioned before, I am a deeply private person. I don't like people in my "personal space" unless invited in. When you tell me that you're going to pray for me, I can't help but feel like you have now assumed to know me on levels that you very likely do not. My faith, my relationship with God and with the church, are still developing anew all the time. The people I have invited to share these experiences with me not only know who they are, but know the things that I have deemed important to be invited to share in this part of my life. Everyone has secrets. Everyone has things about him or her that you can't possibly know, if only because there isn't time to learn them. But it is my opinion that you need to know most of these most intimate details before you can truly and wholesomely pray for someone.

These are just my opinions. You might disagree, and that's fine. But if I leave you with nothing else, please take this: Religion, faith and Jesus all mean something different to each and every person. You are just as wrong as you are right. Continue to live open-mindedly and seek to further your education. Don't be afraid to stand up for your beliefs, but understand that someone who disagrees might be just as right. And be positive.