Leaving my home church to find a new church was probably one of the hardest tasks to tackle. I was only 18, had just graduated high school, about to start college, and was in the very awkward stage of transitioning from the youth to adulthood. I visited many churches and was disappointed in 8/10 of them. It wasn't that they weren't fun, or didn't have good music, or a nice band, and so on. No, they actually had all that, but that wasn't what my spirit was longing for. After about nine months of searching, and almost giving up, I finally found what I was looking for in a church. It actually was not one that I considered trying at all, but the Lord lead me there one night during their revival and I am so thankful that He did.
However, I have something I would like to say to the churches that I tried, but didn't feel a connection to. Not that I think you should cater to my desires or anything, but I think you're missing the mark a little bit and here's why:
I am 21-years-old, Christian, conservative and female. I believe sin is sin no matter how much sugar you put on it. And guess what? I WANT MY TOES STEPPED ON. The problem I find with churches in 2016 is this: they are so focused on gearing their services towards the younger crowd, that they are not allowing the Holy Spirit to move and take over the lives of our next generation.
Church, I'm begging you, be careful. Coming from a young person, take my word when I say, the concert scene is not what I'm looking for in a church. Preach from the Bible. Preach the Word. Don't sugar coat it, don't tell me my sin is okay. Yes, tell me Jesus loves me, but tell me the truth. Tell me that if I don't live right there's a hell waiting for me on the other side. Tell me about heaven. Tell me how wonderful it will be to come face to face with my Savior and how rewarding it will be when he looks at me and says, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."
But most of all, please don't avoid offending me just so I'll stay in the church. Please don't use the "cool lights" or the best singers to lure me into a place that isn't going to invite the Spirit in because you're so consumed with your performance rather than leading your congregation into the throne room of God. Please, take your time. Know that I won't be upset if the band misses a note, or the sound starts skipping. Just allow the Holy Spirit to move and to take over. Let the Lord do His best work and the rest of it won't even matter.
