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Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation
Carol Howard Merritt, a pastor in her mid-thirties, suggests a different way for churches to be able to approach young adults on their own terms. Outlining the financial, social, and familial situations that affect many young adults today, she describes how churches can provide a safe, supportive place for young adults to nurture relationships and foster spiritual growth. There are few places left in society that allow for real intergenerational connections to be made, yet these connections are vital for any church that seeks to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ. Carol Howard Merritt, a pastor in her mid-thirties, suggests a different way for churches to be able to approach young adults on their own terms. Outlining the financial, social, and familial situations that affect many young adults today, she describes how churches can provide a safe, supportive place for young adults to nurture relationships and foster spiritual growth. There are few places left in society that allow for real intergenerational connections to be made, yet these connections are vital for any church that seeks to reflect the fullness of the body of Christ. Using the metaphor of a tribe to describe the close bonds that form when people of all ages decide to walk together on their spiritual journeys, Merritt casts a vision of the church that embraces the gifts of all members while reaching out to those who might otherwise feel unwelcome or unneeded. Mainline churches have much to offer young adults, as well as much to learn from them. By breaking down artificial age barriers and building up intentional relationships, congregations can provide a space for all people to connect with God, each other, and the world.
178 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 22, 2011
As a young pastor in a mainline denomination, I probably agree with Merritt in terms of theology and I definitely agree with her in terms of the need for young adult involvement in the leadership of the church. But that said, this is a poor book.
For one, this book is not theologically- or bibically- rooted. I was lucky to see the name of Jesus once in each chapter. The references to Scripture are fleeting and surface-level. Her notion of a "tribe" is a vague, unextrapolated theological one, although there is plenty of hermeneutical space for her to couch it in theological and biblical terms (for instance, from the OT notion of a tribe). Finally, I became quite frustrated with her repeated usage of the adjective "progressive", as if that is the goal of the Christian life. In short, I think she needs to reframe her entire discussion in Christian language and not just in bits and pieces with the majority coming out of a secularly political idiom.
Second, the book does not seem well- researched. She offers scant statistical data for support and does so from a thin array of sources. Most of her pathological arguments come simply from her experience and pet peeves. Her perspective seems to arise as a reaction to her childhood experience in the conservative evangelical milieu (a cateogory of Christians who, as an aside, are eating our lunch in "progressive" matters of racial reconciliation and stewardship).
Third, much of this book relays stories from her own life and the people she knows. A little bit of that is OK, but the massive amount of first-person narrative in this book was nauseating. Frankly, the stories were boring and sometimes downright kitschy.
Finally, Merritt offers very little in the way of practical solutions for "ministering to the missing generation", thus the subtitle is misleading.
I'm sorry to be so negative with this review, but this book was thoroughly disappointing in light of the other reviews I had read prior to reading this book. My suggestion is, if you would like to understand more about young adults and the church, then read Robert Wuthnow's "After the Baby Boomers".
For one, this book is not theologically- or bibically- rooted. I was lucky to see the name of Jesus once in each chapter. The references to Scripture are fleeting and surface-level. Her notion of a "tribe" is a vague, unextrapolated theological one, although there is plenty of hermeneutical space for her to couch it in theological and biblical terms (for instance, from the OT notion of a tribe). Finally, I became quite frustrated with her repeated usage of the adjective "progressive", as if that is the goal of the Christian life. In short, I think she needs to reframe her entire discussion in Christian language and not just in bits and pieces with the majority coming out of a secularly political idiom.
Second, the book does not seem well- researched. She offers scant statistical data for support and does so from a thin array of sources. Most of her pathological arguments come simply from her experience and pet peeves. Her perspective seems to arise as a reaction to her childhood experience in the conservative evangelical milieu (a cateogory of Christians who, as an aside, are eating our lunch in "progressive" matters of racial reconciliation and stewardship).
Third, much of this book relays stories from her own life and the people she knows. A little bit of that is OK, but the massive amount of first-person narrative in this book was nauseating. Frankly, the stories were boring and sometimes downright kitschy.
Finally, Merritt offers very little in the way of practical solutions for "ministering to the missing generation", thus the subtitle is misleading.
I'm sorry to be so negative with this review, but this book was thoroughly disappointing in light of the other reviews I had read prior to reading this book. My suggestion is, if you would like to understand more about young adults and the church, then read Robert Wuthnow's "After the Baby Boomers".
August 27, 2012
Meh. It was staggeringly uneven. As a minister in a mainline denomination I was extremely pleased to see a defense of mainline opportunities in the coming year. Contrary to popular opinion, the mainline tradition is not dead and I hope to see continuing revival. Further, I was pleased to see a strong charge to these churches to be open to young people. She encouraged us to examine ourselves and determine if we are in fact welcoming to people of all ages, especially young adults. Lastly, I think she did a good job laying groundwork for debunking myths concerning younger generations (e.g. they're bad with money, they're lazy, etc. Also for a better analysis, I've enjoyed Clay Shirky's "Cognitive Surplus")
And now the bad: theologically I don't align with Merritt. In the dubious liberal/conservative spectrum she's much farther to the left than I am. This is not a fatal flaw. I enjoy reading books by people who I don't see eye to eye with theologically. We have much to learn from one another. Beyond that, the ecclessiology of this book is non-existent. That is indefensible. There is very little mention of the rule of Jesus Christ in the Church. There is very little mention of the Spirit empowering the people of the church. There is very little understanding of the telos or purpose of the church. This is a serious lack that left me feeling "who cares?" far too often.
That being said, I do think there is much to wrestle with here. I think the study questions and rehabilitation of the image of young adults makes this worth a read if you minister to young adults in a mainline denomination.
And now the bad: theologically I don't align with Merritt. In the dubious liberal/conservative spectrum she's much farther to the left than I am. This is not a fatal flaw. I enjoy reading books by people who I don't see eye to eye with theologically. We have much to learn from one another. Beyond that, the ecclessiology of this book is non-existent. That is indefensible. There is very little mention of the rule of Jesus Christ in the Church. There is very little mention of the Spirit empowering the people of the church. There is very little understanding of the telos or purpose of the church. This is a serious lack that left me feeling "who cares?" far too often.
That being said, I do think there is much to wrestle with here. I think the study questions and rehabilitation of the image of young adults makes this worth a read if you minister to young adults in a mainline denomination.
October 18, 2013
It’s a very good book full of rich wisdom about 20- and 30-something spirituality and implications for ministry. Sometimes, it feels like CHM spends a little too much energy on certain topics. But that’s probably because the book’s themes are more widely discussed in the years since publication in 2007. Sometimes, CHM seems especially defensive of her generation. But, given the fact hers has represented a minority perspective in the mainline churches, I appreciate the fact that she needs to make sure she is heard. Chapter 3 “Encouraging Economic Understanding” seems especially valuable, as our congregations (and clergy like me!) still have a long way to go in synchronizing our ministries to the unique financial realities of post-Baby-Boomer generations.
September 16, 2008
Being the audience about whom the book was written, everything made perfect sense. Yes, my life is hectic. Yes, I want roundtable, shared leadership. Yes, I am attracted to places where the leadership and the participants are like myself. Yes, the issues that rage and engage the institutional church are non-issues for me. I wonder when the current leadership will look up and get it. But if they did, books like this one wouldn't be necessary.
January 21, 2016
An excellent book about what needs to happen to encourage the younger adults of today to attend mainline churches. The author deals with the issue of keeping young pastors, especially women, in the profession. Too many older people do not understand the issues that young adults deal with, nor do they understand the needs they have that will attract them to churches. Instead of being understanding, too many older people are critical and judgmental.
October 9, 2013
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and was instead seriously disappointed by it. Part memoir, part quasi-sociological analysis, part how-to, the book did not really address how, in fact, to minister to "the missing generation." I have some good ideas now for discussion questions, but would never ask a group at my church to spend their valuable time reading this book...
July 25, 2009
Carol's book relates to my experience at my first call and it encourages me to know that my instincts there had some relationship to what others are trying in mainline churches as the ground of being church shifts. Well-written, truthful, yet hopeful.
June 11, 2009
A refreshing reflection on healthy, inter-generational, mainline church ministry.
July 6, 2009
Great insights into the "nomadic" Gen. X/Y in regards to the church. A must read for all pastors.
January 28, 2011
This timely and awesome book is exactly what I needed thanks @carolhoward
December 20, 2014
Rereading in a new context.
September 21, 2012
I've posted a longer review here: Book Review: Tribal Church
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews