What once was the norm — joining a church by membership and putting your name on the roll — may be morphing into more of a “covenant relationship,” experts say, where involvement in mission and meaningful participation, instead of “joining” an organization, is more important to churchgoers. The theory holds true especially for Millennials (those born between 1980 and the 2000s) — research results tend to pit younger and older generations against each other.
But has that concept become a part of how Millennials in Alabama view church membership?
According to Josh Sammons, pastor of Hillabee Baptist Church, Alexander City, there is a difference between younger and older generations when it comes to how they view and value membership.
Sammons, 40, said the division between viewpoints might stem from Postmodernism.
Strong commitment
“There seems to be more of an understanding of commitment from the previous generations … than from the younger generations,” Sammons said. “Previous generations were very committed to the cause that they undertook. We see this played out in church life for instance in attendance and tithing. … They are steadfast and unmovable. … However, the postmodern generation displays a great deal of emphasis on personal experience … tending to favor more of a subjective approach to life.”
In a recent Baptist News Global (BNG) article, Travis Collins, director of mission advancement for the United States operation of Fresh Expressions, an international movement to help churches navigate postmodern culture, said churches today might need to be creative in finding alternatives to traditional membership, noting that improved language may do the trick.
“Some really good churches now talk about something like ‘covenant relationships’ instead of ‘membership,’” Collins said.
Seeking to understand
Sammons said his church has not changed the way it does membership but it does reach out “to both (young and old) generations by seeking to understand both generational tendencies.”
According to the BNG article, the tendency is for older generations to see membership as a critical measure of success, logical and necessary, where younger generations see it as pointless and even hypocritical, noting that members often do not participate or even attend the church where they are members.
Sammons said in any cultural setting he believes there will be members, both young and old, who do not participate at all and “those that attend once and want to jump in and serve.”
Terry Sutton, pastor of First Baptist Church, Montevallo, said his church also utilizes traditional membership but he does see the potential need for an alternative term, depending on the situation and ministry.
“The (motto of) our church is ‘The Connecting Place.’ We really try to connect,” said Sutton, who is 71.
Relational connection
And that approach has served the church well over the years.
“A good first contact helps ensure a good relational connection,” said Sutton, who personally mails a card or calls new visitors.
He makes that small gesture each week because he sees the special emphasis Millennials tend to put on relationships.
Kaley McDonald, 24, attends Cottage Hill Baptist Church, Mobile, and has been involved in multiple churches in the past few years. Why? Because, she said, she’s a believer who wants to be a part of a community and serve through the Church, wherever that may be.
She grew up at First Baptist Church, Monroeville, served as an intern at Eastwood Baptist Church, Monroeville, in 2012 and served as interim music leader at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Monroeville, in 2013.
When it comes to traditional membership, McDonald said she thinks it can be a great aspect of a church but doesn’t think it’s vital for a church to thrive.
She said membership can “ensure commitment, stability and accountability” but that, over the years, many churches have “lost focus of the purpose of membership and in some cases it has become more of a competition of which church has the most members” — something that is a deterrent to her and others her age, she believes.
McDonald thinks the best thing a church can do to help Millennials with the idea of membership is to explain it more thoroughly.
“Explaining membership as a commitment and backing it up with Scripture rather than expressing, ‘It’s just what you’re supposed to do because that’s what we’ve always done,’ could ensure a better outlook on membership through the eyes of a younger (person),” McDonald said.
The BNG article reflected a similar idea.
Wanda Kidd, a college ministry coordinator in North Carolina, said young people “want to know what the advantage is (of membership).”
“If you tell them they can teach Sunday School or be on the finance committee that is not a good rationale for them.”
Josh Cook, pastor of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, Hueytown, agreed.
“Younger people don’t see much value in membership for membership’s sake. If we could clarify what it means to be a member it would be more valuable to them,” Cook said.
At his church, Cook, 36, makes sure church leaders clarify what membership looks like by demonstrating what discipleship looks like.
“If you’re a member then you’re confirming that this is what a disciple looks like and what discipleship ought to be. And this membership allows this discipleship process to take place,” Cook said.
“Church membership gives other people permission to hold us accountable and be part of our lives. It’s important to be officially part of a group … with everyone growing in the discipleship process together.”
Sammons agreed.
“Church membership is about joining a faith family to engage in discipleship and fellowship in order to grow in a relationship with Christ. Church membership is about serving Christ and serving others, not being served.”
Kendall White, a member of The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, also thinks membership is important.
“I do believe that the type of life-giving, encouraging, sanctifying Church that the Lord intends and desires for His people is best accomplished through traditional church membership,” said White, who is 24.
‘Mental commitment’
“As human beings we are so prone to wander. Being officially ‘on the dotted line’ committed to something is a relatively small act but it creates a huge mental commitment. … Even if a person is very involved and a ‘member’ in their own mind but not a member in the traditional sense it still allows for some distance, like a safety net if things disappoint.”
Ultimately church membership is “not a biggie,” Sutton said. “It’s your relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ that matters,” a sentiment that rang true with the others interviewed, regardless of stance on membership or age.
“What follows is a commitment to the Church,” Sutton said. “That’s why Christ has empowered and equipped the people of the Church to accomplish the task of the Church.”
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