Editor’s note: The original version of this post was published by Patheos.com. Click here to read it.
It is one thing to differ on music styles and wardrobe choices appropriate for Sunday morning service with your fellow church congregants. It is entirely another to disagree on the sacredness of sexuality, marriage, conscience, and life. One should be expected. The other is downright depressing. And yet, it’s an increasing occurrence within evangelical churches.
Last Friday, an acquaintance asked if I ever feel alone touting a Christian worldview in today’s culture and among my Millennial generation. She probably didn’t expect my answer. The times I’ve felt most alone were while defending my Christian convictions with members of my own church.
My worldview loneliness is not provoked by the awkward discomfort that comes from sharing the Christian faith with an unbeliever in secular culture. Which is not to say evangelizing is easy for this introvert. No, that challenge is different.
I expect a lost soul to find the Gospel offensive. The mocking, callousness and avoidance of the Gospel by unbelievers are understandable when in response to the Holy Spirit’s prodding at hearts and minds. Disagreements and withdrawals from lost souls does not usher in loneliness for the young conservative Christian, but merely offers perspective to the Great Commission.
Worldview loneliness manifests itself in the uninviting glares received after suggesting to a singles’ small group that abortion is a social justice issue too. Meanwhile, those you know understand the dignity of the unborn, silently lean in their chairs as far away from your direction as possible.
Or an alarming conversation with a youth minister who encourages you not to talk about sin, Hell, and the other traditional Christian teachings he labels as “legalism.”
How about the gloom that settles after a parent asks you and your co-teacher not to discuss the sin of same-sex marriage while her child is in your Sunday school class?
Then there’s the anxiety that creeps in when you defy the parents request and discuss the sacredness of marriage between one man and one woman with your Sunday school students. Only to be followed by despair after seeing said Sunday school students on Facebook arguing with each other over same-sex marriage.
This is what it’s like to feel alone because of your Christian worldview in the Church.
Friends, I’m not out to chastise the Church. There’s enough of that going around certain other blogs. Nor do I feel comfortable speaking on behalf of my entire generation nor denomination.
The bright spot is I am not an enigma among Millennials in the Church. Maybe outnumbered, but certainly not alone in the Church. Sometimes it just takes pausing to reflect on this truth. And I pray the Almighty helps me grow secure in my witness in the Church and emboldens those silent about their convictions to speak up.
What else? How can we overcome our feelings of loneliness when our worldview clashes with fellow congregants without giving up on our churches?
Comment by Patrick98 on February 9, 2016 at 11:30 am
My Dear Chelsen, I wish my words from across so many miles are encouraging to you. Yes, it can be very lonely to be an orthodox Christian in an unorthodox denomination. Here are my suggestions, I hope they help: 1. Use the contacts you do have with the people who love and support you using the telephone, email, even snailmail. Be in touch and encourage others. 2. Remember that the prophets were often lonely. You are doing what you are because God has called you to. 3. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Remember that you are loved and appreciated.
Patrick98
Comment by William Manning on February 9, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Dear Chelsen,
A day or so after Obergfell, a pastor tweeted the most accurate observation of all that I read. He said that the Court had just promised something that was not it’s to give. The churches, he wrote, must be prepared for the coming disillusionment. I recently asked a priest why, in the face of the coming apostasy, we should persist in witnessing to the truth. “We’re stalling for time” he said. “We have to maintain our witness, however we can, so that those who come to realize, hopefully sooner rather than later, that the world has lied to them and is not going to give them what it promised, will have somewhere to turn when disillusionment sets in because disillusionment can turn into despair.
You surely know that nobody really wants to give up what Christ asks of them and will mock or ignore witnesses to that truth like yourself. That’s to be expected. Nevertheless, persist; however modestly, however simply- according to the strengths God has given you- persist. You must be there for the lost, confused, and misled. That’s all any of us can do.
You have an audience. The One sitting in the front row is Christ.
Comment by Skipper on February 10, 2016 at 12:05 pm
While the world is filled with evil and disappointment, we can cheer ourselves up by beholding the glory of God in a starry night with the heavens above or waves crashing on the seashore.
We can also compare our situation to the trials of Jesus, Paul, Jeremiah or Job. That makes me feel better.
There are huge disappointments, like the whole Progressive Movement, following it’s False Gospel, declaring its “New Morality” and making itself an enemy of God. How we would like to help open the eyes of these, but often feeling powerless to do so.
General Patton rallied his troops: “When you put your hand into a bunch of goo, that a moment before was your best friends face, you’ll know what to do (fight back)! This is spiritual war and Jesus didn’t sit and wait for the enemy to attack. He carried it to them! Never a minutes rest for the Pharisees, Scribes and Teachers of the Law! He corrected, healed, and calmed the storm. He multiplied the fish!
Back at ground level, I would talk to that Youth Leader. That is misleading people and serious. He needs to know where he is messing up. At some point, we have to leave things in God’s hands and go on down the road and try the next field (sow or harvest). We can remember that in the end God wins and the King is coming!
Comment by Byrom on February 10, 2016 at 9:55 pm
Hang tough, Chelsen, and don’t give up! And it’s not just the Millennials who have your problem. Turnaround in many of our churches will not be easy, and will depend upon those of us who are willing to take a stand for the teachings of Jesus Christ and Scripture. Our God did not promise that we would always have it easy when we stand firm in our faith in Jesus Christ. When you are obedient to God’s calling, you have met your responsibility to Him. You cannot control the reaction to what you say. But, you may have planted a seed of faith or a seed of doubt which God can use for His purposes. And you may never even know that your stand for your faith and beliefs changed someone’s life for good and a true relationship with our Risen Lord. Be strong and of good courage, because God is with you wherever you go.