Who does the church of today belong to?

“Young people are the church of tomorrow.” is a phrase I have often heard repeated over and over again. In a way, this phrase is true. After all, unless the Lord calls them home, the young people of today who have received faith in Jesus Christ will also be the church of tomorrow. But young people are also so much more than “the church of tomorrow,” they are the church of “today.” And to say “Young people are the church of tomorrow” presents at least a couple of problems.

 

The first problem with this phrase is that it implies young people have no place in the church today, but they most certainly do! Yes, some young people are so young that they haven’t been confirmed in their faith yet. But does not having completed Confirmation make someone less a part of the body of Christ? Certainly not! Some young people have been Confirmed in their faith but are still too young to vote per most church constitutions. But does not having the ability to vote make someone less a part of the body of Christ? Certainly not!

 

The second problem with the phrase “young people are the church of tomorrow” is that it accidentally implies a person is only part of the church due to what they can contribute to the church. Young people, particularly those under 18, cannot vote, probably don’t put much or anything in the offering plate, can’t serve on a board or committee, and, since they’re in school and oftentimes sports, are less likely to volunteer less at the church. But this is true of other demographics as well.

 

There are times in our lives when we can contribute very little, such as when we are young. But that’s okay! The rest of the body of Christ steps in; parents do their best to raise their children in the fear and love of the Lord, pastors teach children in Confirmation Class, and, hopefully, adults in the church take note of young people and make them feel noticed, welcome, and loved in the church.

 

There are times when people go through with an illness or a death in the family. During these times, people may need to step away from some of their responsibilities in the church for a time, and that’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with taking a break from responsibilities to focus on what you need to focus on at home.

 

There are times when people, as they continue to age and their body wears out, find it necessary to move into an assisted living facility or a nursing home. When one moves into a care facility, it increasingly becomes more challenging to gather with other believers in their local church. As a result, the pastor takes a trip to the care facility to minister to this person one-on-one with Word and Sacrament.

 

What about those who are elderly and can’t leave their home? What about the single mom or single dad working two jobs just to pay the bills? What about the person with cancer who is unable to regularly gather with the rest of the body of Christ or volunteer at the church due to the treatment they must undergo? Would we say they are the church of tomorrow? Would we say they are the church of yesterday? Of course not! All those who have received faith in Jesus

 

Christ are the church of today; no matter their age, their ability to volunteer, or the amount of money they can contribute to the offering plate.

 

We had the wonderful blessing of baptizing a new baby during church not too long ago, and what a joy that was! Romans 6:3-4 says, “Don't you know that all of us who were baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Even a young child, just a few months old, who can do nothing and contribute nothing, has received a new life in Christ and is just as much a part of the Body of Christ as we who can contribute.

 

Consider this: when you have a young baby, must they wait until they turn a certain age to be considered part of the family? Must that child wait until they are old enough to clean the dishes or complete some other task to be part of the family? No, the family takes care of the new baby, teaches it, and helps it grow and become independent. Does your grandma or grandpa, or perhaps your mom or your dad, become less part of the family as they age and can no longer host family gatherings? No, the next generation takes up the mantle to host family gatherings.

 

As the Body of Christ, we are called to care for one another. There will be times when you are the one who is in need of care and there will be times when you are the one who is able to provide care for those in need. 1 Corinthians 12:26 says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” And of course, there’s Galatians 6:2, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” How wonderful it is to be part of the Body of Christ, to love, serve, and care for one another, with Christ as our head!