The Church Unknown: Reflections of a Millennial Pastor
The church in America is facing a bleak future, or so it seems. People are staying away from congregations in increasing numbers, especially Millennials. The world has changed dramatically in a very short amount of time, leaving the church at a loss for what tomorrow holds. In The Church Unknown, Rev. Seth Nelson explores these challenges and shares his perspective on what younger generations are looking for from the church as we all move into a future unknown.
The Church Unknown looks at the reality of church decline in the present, exploring how generational divide, changes in the wider world, and dynamics in church history have resulted in lower church attendance among Americans today. Offering a perspective on what Millennials are looking for from the church, Rev. Nelson argues that a lot of young adults struggle to relate to other generations in the church – and the same is true the other way around. The increasingly digitized world that Millennials grew up in has made for a generational divide that is unique to our day and age. The effect is that many Millennials are not able to connect to others in multi-generational communities, nor do other generations seem well suited to relate to Millennials. Technology, globalization, and culture in the wider world have all shifted very rapidly, leaving the church at a loss about how to relate to an era that has changed much faster than it expected or was ready for.
This book explores how there is still hope for the church moving forward. Though Millennials are coming to church fewer numbers than previous generations, many of them still identify as Christian. More than that, this book explores how there will always be need for the church in our world because many of its age old-aspects will never be outdated. Challenges the church is facing in this day and age may not be signs of its impending death, but of its impending resurrection.
The Church Unknown looks at the reality of church decline in the present, exploring how generational divide, changes in the wider world, and dynamics in church history have resulted in lower church attendance among Americans today. Offering a perspective on what Millennials are looking for from the church, Rev. Nelson argues that a lot of young adults struggle to relate to other generations in the church – and the same is true the other way around. The increasingly digitized world that Millennials grew up in has made for a generational divide that is unique to our day and age. The effect is that many Millennials are not able to connect to others in multi-generational communities, nor do other generations seem well suited to relate to Millennials. Technology, globalization, and culture in the wider world have all shifted very rapidly, leaving the church at a loss about how to relate to an era that has changed much faster than it expected or was ready for.
This book explores how there is still hope for the church moving forward. Though Millennials are coming to church fewer numbers than previous generations, many of them still identify as Christian. More than that, this book explores how there will always be need for the church in our world because many of its age old-aspects will never be outdated. Challenges the church is facing in this day and age may not be signs of its impending death, but of its impending resurrection.
Praise for The Church Unknown
"As a Baby Boomer praying the church remains relevant, Pastor Nelson's book is a good starting point for conversation." - Ray Hemman
"I have had some of these same thoughts in one way or another and Seth does a great job of expanding and organizing this topic from both sides in a clear fashion that spreads more light on the conversation. A conversation and discussion that I now feel more empowered to participate in because of the greater understanding this book gave and the personal reflection that it challenged me to conduct through critical thinking." - Amazon customer
"Rev. Nelson successfully voices the thoughts and opinions on church from a Christian Millennial's perspective. What he describes are feelings that I've had for years but have never been quite sure how to articulate. He hit the nail on the head and provided food for thought for both sides of the generational gap. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking to participate in the running dialogue on the topic or simply wants to understand more about the thought-processes or social identity of what society labels "Millennials"." -Holly
"This was an excellent book for all church-invested people who work to bring God's word to the masses. Pr. Nelson has defined, clearly, the thinking of the millennial age group--and how spiritual leaders are going to have to develop their approaches to this group."
- Amazon customer
- Amazon customer