Most young adults I know aren’t looking for a religion that answers all their questions, but rather a community of faith in which they feel safe to ask them.
Rachel Held Evans
My Commentary:
Perhaps one of the greatest mistakes religion can make is to become afraid of questions.
Many young adults are not necessarily walking away from God. They may be walking away from places where they feel they cannot express their doubts, disagreements, fears, or uncertainties without being judged.
Christianity should never fear an honest question.
The Gospels are filled with questions. The disciples constantly questioned Jesus. Thomas doubted the Resurrection. Nicodemus came to Jesus at night trying to understand. Even from the Cross, Jesus cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Faith does not mean having every answer. Sometimes faith means trusting God while we are still living with the questions.
Perhaps our churches need to become places where a young person can say, “I’m not sure I believe that,” and hear in response, “Tell me why.” Places where someone can question Church teaching, wrestle with Scripture, wonder about suffering, sexuality, science, injustice, or the existence of God — and still know there is a place for them at the table.
Jesus rarely began by giving people a theological examination. He began with a relationship. He listened. He ate with people. He walked with them. He allowed them time to discover who He was.
Young adults do not need a Church that abandons its convictions. They need one secure enough in its convictions that it is not threatened by questions.
The opposite of faith is not always doubt.
Sometimes doubt is faith searching for deeper understanding.
Perhaps the Church’s invitation should be:ring your faith.
Bring your doubts.
Bring your questions.
Bring yourself.
There is room for you here.
And we will search for God together.
Do YOU know young adults who aren’t looking for a religion that answers all their questions, but rather a community of faith in which they feel safe to ask them? Hopefully you can guide them to find such a community of faith.
WHEN YOU’RE TEMPTED TO LOSE PATIENCE WITH SOMEONE. THINK HOW PATIENT GOD HAS BEEN WITH YOU ALL THE TIME!
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