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Why churches need to listen to younger generations

Thinking and acting in new ways is not safe for many congregations, according to Jasmine Rose Smothers and F Douglas Powe Jr in their book Not Safe for Church: Ten Commandments for Reaching New Generations. Some in the post-civil rights generations do not look like us. They wear different clothing, have various piercings, and are tatted up. They are not safe for our congregations.

The authors’ “commandments” for older church members include:

  • Thou shall chill (Be willing to let go)
  • Thou shall not front (Be authentic to God’s mission and calling)
  • Thou shall not trip (Be willing to discuss difficult subjects without getting upset)
  • Thou shall sample (Be ready to combine the old with the new)

The authors’ choice of language and the issues discussed suggest that the primary target audience for this book is leaders of African American churches. As a non-American reader I experienced difficulty in understanding some of the authors’ terminology and style, and many of the issues which they have raised are not ones which I have encountered. The overall message, though, is an important one in any context: churches need to keep listening to younger generations and including them in leadership in order to stay relevant.