GENERATIONAL CONFLICT

A wise preacher once said, “Church fights are ten percent doctrine and ninety percent personality.” Another variation on this perceptive slogan is “Church fights are ten percent doctrine and ninety percent generational.” Generational conflict could be at the source of numerous disagreements in congregations. This age-generated dispute might be cloaked as doctrinal, traditional, or personal, but the root problem is foundational differences between the generations. In fact, William Strauss and Neil Howe published a landmark book, “Generations: The History of America’s Future from 1584 to 2069, “highlighting four different generations in America.” These authors clarified the patterns and roles that each of these four distinct generations play. Strauss and Howe spotlighted which generations function well together and which generations constantly contend with each other. Understanding the trends in generations can help Christians today maintain the bond of unity in the church.

The Younger Generation

There is a certain sense of rebellion with the younger generation in the church. Many young people are boldly seeking to cast off traditions of the past and replace them with modern patterns. There seems to be disrespect for the old paths of yesterday. Some young people are willing to retire many of the older songs and replace them with the more modern devotional songs. This behavior manifests a lack of sensitivity because these older songs edify the generation before and are comforting to them. Instead of being sensitive to the feelings and concerns of the older members, the younger generation is attempting to bully change within the church. This attitude of rampant change demonstrates disrespect for the accomplishments of the past generation. Instead of brushing the older members to the side, younger Christians should honor the mature saints for their contribution to the church.

The younger generation must refrain from seeing the older members of the church as worn out and fragile. Instead, the mature members must be treated with respect for the contribution they make to the betterment of the church. Older men in the church model Christian living to the younger members. “Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance” (Titus 2:2NASV). While the older women have the important role of teaching the younger ladies to be strong Christian women: “Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips, nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored” (Titus 2:3-5). Without the older members of the church, the church of Christ would lack the wisdom and patience that experience through age can bring.

The Older Generation

The older saints in the congregation are many times the backbone of the church. This generation provides instruction, leadership, wisdom, and encouragement to the future generation. Unfortunately, sometimes this powerful role can lead to stubborn pride. In 3 John, the Apostle had to deal with entrenched leadership in the congregation. “I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and he forbids those who desire to do so, and puts them out of the church” (3 John 9-10). Diotrephes used his prominent position as an occasion for power and pride.

The older generation must be sensitive to the younger generations needs. Since the older generation typically holds the leadership positions in the congregation, there needs to be a desire to adapt to non-doctrinal preferences of the coming generation. The older members do not have to accommodate every whim but should be open to improvements in the congregation. The problem arises between the generations where there is resistance to change in matters of opinion based not on doctrinal truth but on personal pride which leads to stubborn behavior (1 John 2:16). A sad commentary is written in the pages of history when the older generation refuses to sing some of the scriptural modern devotional songs. This attitude demonstrates a lack of love for the future leaders of the church. This mindset states that the older generation cares more for its needs than for the needs of the younger generation.

Regardless of which generation one occupies, the same biblical instruction is given to both generations to maintain the bond of unity (Col. 3:14). Each generation must possess an attitude of deference toward the other generation. Will-wars and power struggles are of the flesh and are opposed to the mindset of Christ. The Spirit states, “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:3-5).