Millennials value Authenticity. However, what does this really mean? People have asked me about what the Millennial’s meaning of authenticity, and how their perception is different than other generations.
There is a difference.
According to Karl Moore, in an article on Forbes called, “Authenticity: The Way to the Millennial’s Heart”, he states that “We must better understand the postmodern worldview to effectively work with Millennials.”
I completely agree.
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I believe that many problems faced by the institutional church are based on the inability of modernistic leadership to lead, communicate, or attract those with a postmodern worldview. The gap between these two ways of viewing ourselves, our world, and our God have erupted into multiple problems for church unity, and the Kingdom of God. Unfortunately, many Christians believe that the Christian faith can only exist within a modern mindset, and therefore those who speak about postmodernism are enemies of God.
However, God is neither Modern nor Postmodern.
The Christian faith can flourish within both the failings of modernity and the weaknesses of postmodernity. I don’t have time to go into all these differences; however, let’s take a look at the concept of authenticity.
A Postmodern View of Authenticity
Modernity valued science and system. Postmodernity reveals that science is limited, and systems are always lacking.
Modernity gave us answers as reason reigned on high. Postmodernity gives us perspectives as diversity reigns.
Authenticity has always been marked by a consistency between declared beliefs and actions. It is a personal resiliency in the face of changing environments. This aspect of the word remains the same.
The difference between the authenticity of a Millennial and those of other generations is often due to scope. Millennials understand their limited perspective, and are hesitant go beyond those borders.
Photo courtesy of Aaron Robert Photography. Copyright 2014. www.aaronrobertphotography.com
Authenticity is limited to the essentials of firm personal beliefs rather than an array of causes and meanings that they are called upon to support from a church, a political party, or other clamoring institutions. Those who call Millennials to adhere to set dogma will lose them. The louder the clamor, the faster they run.
It does not mean that they are against personal beliefs, but they are reluctant from having their beliefs be institutionalized. Comprehensive theological systems are suspect, while individual freedom is applauded. When the individual makes a commitment to an institution, they feel as if they have sold your personal perspective out. (Maybe this is why church membership is declining? Source)
According to Moore, “Postmoderns want to be able to be themselves. They are not interested in playing “the game” their parents once did.” I am not a Millennial, but I remember growing up that our church used to condemn the playing of cards because they were a devise of the devil. It was part of the community’s dogma; however, our family always played with Euchre with cards. When we attended church, we were sworn to secrecy. Millennials are not interested in this lifestyle; therefore, churches should only hold on to doctrine that is essential to their identity.
True authenticity doesn’t try to build a complete theological system, but acknowledges the gaps in their perspective. It is not fearful of the holes in its worldview, and can be at rest with problems unresolved.
Millennials do not run from the truth. I believe they are ruthless searchers for truth. They are not fearful of different perspectives. They value the input of others. They feel the stories of others enrich their lives rather than threaten them.
Authenticity is holding strictly to your individual beliefs rather than following an institution and adopting theological labels (such as premil/post-trib/Calvinist).
A call to authenticity often requires us to lead with the broken, the challenging, and the lacking in our lives. Not in order to find healing or fullness, but to acknowledge the humanity within each of us. It also requires us to support the perspective of others.
What do you think about authenticity?
Dr. G. David Boyd is the Founder and Managing Director of EA Resources. He provides resources for parents, churches, and emerging adults.
Dave will you define dogma for me with an example. I am trying to understand what you are saying but for my mind there are too many unpoken assumed understandings in your article. From what you have written is dogma wrong according to the Millenial?
Also what is meant by individual freedom being applauded? Do they believe in absolutes? Are they all about grace exclusively?
I am not trying to argue I am sincerely trying to understand what they believe and whether they are applying it biblically to their relationship with the body of Christ.
Thanks for considering my questions and helping me to understand.
Thanks for your questions.
Dogma is a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true. It serves as part of the primary basis of an ideology or belief system, and it cannot be changed or discarded without affecting the very system’s paradigm, or the ideology itself (from Google Web).
In postmodern worldview, any person or institution that presents a complete belief system is suspect (especially those who claim to be without gaps, problems, or possibility of being incorrect).
As a church, what are you asking Millennials to believe (either officially or just by your community’s culture) as they enter your church and become apart of your community? Millennial Christians are willing to state their beliefs on the essentials, but do not want a church to give them the entire “theological system” by which they must live their lives. They also do not want the church’s dogma to include how they should vote politically, and how they perceive other social issues.
Unfortunately, some people respond to allowing freedom of belief within a community as “dumbing down” or “watering down” the faith. A statement that I find demeaning in order to win an argument.
What freedom do you allow within your community for them to express individual beliefs and expressions of their faith? Is unity in the church expressed only through uniformity, or through something more powerful?
Being postmodern does not require that you have no absolutes. (Although some are – which would make them believe that all truth is relative). Postmodern Christians hold to truth, but hold that absolute truth is known only by God.
As for grace…, that question will have to wait for now. I hope to work on a series on how Postmodernity affects various aspects of our Christian faith (I will try to include grace).
Thanks again for your questions. I greatly appreciate them.