Why Mono-Generational Churches are Needed

Since I only get responses agreeing with my position on multi-generational churches, I will now present the reasons we SHOULD have mono-generational churches. (I am dusting off my high school debating skills for this one.)

1. Dude, stop being offensive and calling them “mono-generational.” They should be called “cutting edge” or “relevant.” Not like your small, dead, boring church services where they still sing hymns, probably.

2. Coffee.

Good coffee. And lattes. Like we like them. AND we can bring them into the sanctuary without worrying about some blue-haired old-type person looking funny at us and saying, “Don’t bring that into the house of the Lord!”

3. People OUR age.

It’s all that matters anyway. Who else knows what we’re going through? Like, get real.

4. Music WE like.

And we LIKE watching people perform those songs! Get off us if we don’t raise our hands! HELLO! If we raise our hands we could knock the latte out of someone’s hand! How rude!

5. Fall foilage tours

Don’t forget the 60-something churches! We don’t have to worry about screaming kids! We get our fall foilage tours and the more we have, the better bus rate we get!

So, get off the backs of churches that are meeting needs and actually attracting NUMBERS! Hello!

Tags:

Cutting edge, multi-site churches

Date:

April 26, 2011

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9 responses to “Why Mono-Generational Churches are Needed”

debbie

April 26, 2011 at 10:52 am

however sarcastic this sounds, it is on the mark you know. and that being sad, it is very pathetic for these reasons to have one. so self absorbed. I’m done.

Timothy

April 26, 2011 at 10:54 am

This is a poorly framed. I thought you were providing a counter argument:) I know it’s hard to argue for something that makes no sense but this is feeling like high school debate. What would a good defense attorney say to make a real case for mono-generational? (I’m asking you because I’m in the multi-generational camp myself.)

1. Dan
  
  April 26, 2011 at 1:32 pm
  
  Tim, in addition, I don’t make a defense for mono-generational. I am not compelled to think like a defense attorney in this case.
  
  As I think about it more, it’s also beyond that particular thing. It’s the overall sense of serving a “me” generation attitude that is simply not healthy. We feed it because it gives us numbers, but at some point there needs to be someone to stand up and say, “Hey! It’s not about YOU. It’s more, and you need to pay attention!” In other words, someone needs to be the adult. It needs to be said. It needs to be discussed. And we’re avoiding the conversations.
  
Dan

April 26, 2011 at 10:58 am

Tim, I’m only having fun. And mainly because no one is stepping up to make the case for mono-generational. I indeed DO want to frame it better, and certainly could. However, I would love to hear from someone who truly lives out the mono-generational model. In the mean time, I’m wanting some hyperbole for my own sake. It’s actually a cleansing process I am going through after listening to mono-generational presentations at a recent conference. 😉

Gary Zimmerli

April 26, 2011 at 11:08 am

You got me going with the coffee thing. I think all churches should have coffee; fine, rich, black coffee. And if people want cream and sugar and so on, that’s their prerogative. But please be careful so you don’t spill it on the new carpet! It’s bad enough that we get grape juice spots (I’m a Methodist) on our carpet up in the front of the sanctuary. (I guess that’s why we limit the coffee to the fellowship hall down in the basement.)

Seriously, your #3. Who else knows what we’re going through? How about the people who are older than you? That’s a major problem in this country today, we don’t learn from the older generation’s mistakes. That’s why certain people are in office…oh, never mind. The point is, we must not ignore the wisdom that comes with age and experience. Sure, the world is different today, but in many instances, those older folks have been there and done that.

Dan

April 26, 2011 at 11:09 am

Thanks, Gary. Enjoy your fall foliage tour! LOL 😉

Craig Benno

April 26, 2011 at 6:14 pm

I think there are valid reasons for mono culture churches / sub churches in some circumstances.
Our youth groups for instance are such a mono subculture within the church life.

Within the specific circumstances of a church though – university centred churches perhaps may have a more intellectual approach and specific methodology of preaching style then to use the term what a more universal specific type of church might have.

The question to ask is not whether its a valid expression of church – rather what is the fruit and if they are being effective in targeting the said people group with the Gospel.

1. Dan
  
  April 26, 2011 at 7:32 pm
  
  No doubt there are mono-generational subtexts. Youth groups. College groups.
  
  I am really riffing off of 1 Peter and the idea that we have this faith delivered to us by generations. We need to honor that rather than just think it all starts with US.
  
  PLUS I think there is a time for the CHURCH to take the lead and demonstrate the proper role of the “elder” and the role of the “younger” to learn for a time. It may not be culturally correct, but it is the model we need to hold to.
  
  1. Craig Benno
    
    April 26, 2011 at 8:40 pm
    
    I love 1 & 2 Peter and am glad to see someone else getting into it. On this subject I am in the process of talking with some of the young men in our church with the aim of starting a small group for guys who are entering into father hood / marriage.