What is a second-generation Christian?
Second-generation Christians are Christians who were raised in a church environment by Christians parents. This group naturally also include people further down the generations. My primary focus for this essay would be on youths, ranging from upper primary to university students. This is the key period for many of them as youths tend to leave the church where they grew up in.
Being a second-generation Christian and a youth leader leading other second-generation Christians, I would like to take this opportunity to share about the struggles I faced or have observed second-generation Christians are facing.
The struggles
Growing up in a Christian environment, I learned that Sundays are always reserved for church. How God is the creator and a judge that will send us, sinners, to hell unless we believe in Jesus who will save us…. Blah blah blah. I was taught how to sing worship, how to pray before eating, how to memorise verses over and over again and most importantly just so that I would earn treats and sweets. I hope you understand the picture I am trying to paint, of this mindless routine.
No personal connection/relationship towards God.
Going to church every Sunday became a habit and second nature. Learning about God remained as just mere facts and bible stories as somewhat like fairy tales. Everything is just superficial, a weekly routine of going thru motion. That was me back then, and what I observed in my youth currently. Not knowing why they are in church for or why they do what they are doing. Coming to church for wrong reasons like following of parents, solely on friendships and for fun. The lack of meaning in church as it does not affect them on a personal level. They call themselves Christian by name but hold no significance to it, being what we call a ‘Sunday Christian’. They lack a personal relationship or connection to God and their lives do not reflect any changes with God. They think they do not have that ‘transformation’ moment they needed. I believe that this is the root of most struggles faced by second-generation Christians today; Not having a proper personal relationship or connection to God.
Finding more ‘meaning’ elsewhere
Naturally, the wrong reasons for attending church will fade away and the lack of meaning starts affecting them. As they slowly grow out of their parent's influence over them and leaving the church to find friends that have a higher significance and provides more “meaning” and fun in their lives. Especially in this day and age, where information and entertainment are so readily available at their fingertips, youths are very easily influenced. In addition, the fast-paced society in Singapore fuels this process too, as youths are constantly being kept on their toes, always being occupied, entertained or distracted. Not taking the time to slow down and really think about what they are doing.
Living up to expectations
As a second-generation Christian growing up in church, they are bounded by certain expectations from other people and ultimately themselves. Having expectations is a double-edged sword and it might either motivate the youths or destroy the youths’ faith. Many times, youths are ashamed of sinning, not doing their daily quiet time or the rejecting of serving opportunity because they do not feel ready. This shame causes them to withdraw from others and ultimately God. This is the period where youths start to question their faith and relationship with God. They realize that they are actually unsure of how to pray, how to read the bible and ultimately what are they believing in. Whether would they be saved or not. However, the fear of disappointing their leaders and parents when they admit their weakness in faith or their lack of relationship with God is too much to bear.
In addition, the various testimonials presented to them by new, 1st generation believers and how they experience God and changes in the lives adds on to the burden on these youths. The doubt and disappointment slowly creep up on them leading them further and further away from God.
I understand that there are many other different struggles, however, I personally feel that these three points are the foundation of all other struggles.
Second-generation Christian struggling to find a personal/relationship with God and the lack of a relationship resulted in them being distracted and enticed by the world first. Moreover, their search of meaning is often hindered by the expectations of others and the disappointment with themselves.
So how can we help them?
Firstly, we would need to help them break out of their ‘habit’, Or as how the SAF would put it “better wake up from your idea”. They need to start thinking for themselves to start questioning “Why are they doing what they are doing?” “what is their reason for attending church”. They need to realize that they have been going through the motion and need to stop to find the right reason. Reassurance must also be given to them, helping them understand that they do not need a life-changing ‘transformation’ like many of the first-generation Christian may have experienced it. The ‘transformation’ they require is the change in mindset.
We need to help them understand that it is their own personal responsibility to establish a relationship with God. To see how God has shaped their lives from the very beginning and how God is in their everyday lives around them caring for them. By Making it personal for them, to take charge of their own faith. Reminding them of how privileged they are and to not take it for granted. Showing them how God is reaching out to them or has already reached out to them. Electing them from the start, and that HE has a plan for them and HE will sustain them.
Secondly, we would need to create a safe place to question and doubt their faith. A vulnerable place with no ‘judgement’. And in order to do that, we must first throw out all expectations and start listening to them, normalized their feelings of weakness and doubt Allowing them to express their struggles and what they are feeling. Let them know that it is ok to doubt God occasionally and that it is normal that we are struggling as we are sinners in a sinful world trying to be Christ-like. And these struggles that they are having are testimonies of God in their lives. They need to understand that all testimonies from God are equally good and should not be compared to those of the first-generation Christians.
Lastly, we would need to encourage them to find an identity in the church. To create a sense of belonging in the church. Be it serving in the church, taking up a leadership role or learning the history of the church or the denomination that they are from. For example, I am from a Presbyterian church, learning what Presbyterian means and know what makes us unique from other denomination and most importantly our doctrines. Finding an identity in the church would reduce the chances of leaving the faith as you would have a sense of belonging.
In conclusion, the age 12 – 24 is a very vulnerable stage for second-generation Christians. Therefore, it is important for Church to understand and be understanding of the struggles that they face. This can either be a turning point or a breaking point of these Christians as they start to search for meaning, understand their relationship with God and tries to meet up with their expectation. Therefore, leaders need to aid in their search for meaning by breaking their routine and challenging their faith in a non-judgement and encouraging manner and to assist them in the creation of their own personal relationship with God and identity in church.
References
Vania Tan.
(2016, May 25). 5 Challenges Second Generation Christians Face. Retrieved from https://ymi.today/2016/05/5-challenges-second-generation-christians-face/
Written by
Ellen, China, originally in Traditional Chinese. (2016, May 16). My struggles
as a second generation Christian. Retrieved from https://ymi.today/2016/05/my-struggles-as-a-second-generation-christian/
Sean
McDowell. (2016, April 19). How Do You Minister to Second Generation Christian
Students? Retrieved from http://seanmcdowell.org/blog/how-do-you-minister-to-second-generation-christian-students
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