Letter to the Older Generation, Part One-Thoughts on the Mennonite Church

Dear older people,

Let me first say how grateful I am that God has put you in our lives. You provide inspiration, encouragement, and understanding that no one else can.

Despite what you may have gathered from our restless, seemingly relentless questioning and searching, we desperately want to learn from you.

Although our questions and new ideas may seem like a threat to the stability of your lives, it is not our intent to destroy anything.

As a young person myself (25), perhaps I don’t seem trustworthy to you, but I am begging you to help us. Your wisdom, experience, and devotion to God are vital to God’s Church.

May I say that our drive to grow, improve, and yes, even change, are also vital to God’s Church?

Think that over for a bit.

Our personalities, visions, and passions vary because God wants it that way. He knows His Church will not be healthy without growth, and that it won’t be able to maintain strength without stability.

Sometimes our meetings and fellowship can seem like a two-sided protest rally, with the younger people holding up signs that read “growth,” “relevance,”and “reaching the lost,” and the older people holding up signs that read “stability,” nonconformity,” and “safety.”

Here’s the thing: we’re both right.

Whether we younger people consciously know it or not, you dear older people are absolutely right to stand for stability and make the church a safe place.

And whether you realize it or not, our passion to see spiritual growth, to see every member invested in touching the lives of the lost around us, is vital to the work of the Church.

What a beautiful thing the Church is! We need each other. If we can only stop fearing and being frustrated by each other, we can build up the Church like never before.

Thank you for listening.

Love, the Younger Generation

To be continued.