Surprised by the older generation

When my church began talking about renovating our church building back in 2001, some members supported it. Others wondered, why should we undertake a major project, including expansion of the foyer and turning the sanctuary around 180 degrees, when everything was fine just the way it was? As the decision was deliberated, some interesting dynamics emerged.

Demographically, Fairview MB Community Church in St. Catharines could be considered an older church. Of some 350 adherents, more than 200 are over age 50, with more than half of these over 70. As a 23-year-old university student, raised in a postmodern society where generally all things old are respected (but sometimes just in a starry-eyed, nostalgic way) and where new things are readily accepted, I expected a generation gap to emerge as our church worked through this decision.

I suppose I felt that those of us who were “younger” (meaning anyone adolescent to about 35!) would support the renovations, and that the older generation would be opposed. I recognize this is stereotyping, but since I agreed with the idea of re-doing the church, I figured my opinion must be a direct result of my age, and that someone older would naturally counterattack my view.

It turns out I was wrong! I was surprised to discover that some young people had serious questions about the renovations. But even more unexpected were the views of the older generation, and their willingness to accept the proposed changes with joy.

Solely for the future

It wasn’t that the younger people’s doubts weren’t valid – I fully agreed that anyone with questions was seeking answers in order to determine whether this was the right thing for Fairview. But I was literally shocked that so many of the older people in our church were so ready to look towards the future of our church with such a giving attitude. I was amazed they could be so incredibly selfless. These people, obviously, were not pouring their time and money into this project for their own benefit. They were looking solely towards the future of our church, even though they wouldn’t be around to see everything come to pass.

The renovations were launched and are still underway. Most people try to arrive early Sunday mornings so they can explore the progress of the past week. As for me, I’ve enjoyed dropping by in the middle of a busy week. That’s when I can walk around and see people much older than I am working on a building that will foster future growth in our church and God’s Kingdom.

Volunteers at work on the renovations at Fairview MB Church, St. Catharines

Cara Pauls is a student at Brock University in St. Catharines, in her final year of an honours linguistics degree. She is a member of Fairview MB Church.