I come from the Bible Belt, a place where everyone is at church on Sundays, and if you weren’t, everyone noticed. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church and you never showed up in less than your best. I accepted Christ into my life when I was in the sixth grade and never once did I question that decision until I moved away for college. As a young Christian woman in a brand new city, I desired the church family I had back home. I visited church after church, trying to find somewhere I felt at peace. After multiple tries at finding my perfect fit, I found myself questioning my own Christianity. All of these church plants were full of this new, modern version of something I thought I had known for the last seven years of my life: Christian hipsters. Some of my thoughts were as follows:
- Why is there a literal coffee shop outside of the sanctuary?
- Why does everyone look as if they walked straight out of Altar’d State and Urban Outfitters? Are skinny jeans the new Sunday best?
- Are aged, leather journals required for note taking? Because I honestly just use my bulletin.
- Why is everyone wearing name tags? Did I miss the part where we shake hands and introduce ourselves?
Here are ten reasons why I am not a Christian Hipster:
1. I don’t feel the need to take photos of my quiet times and then proceed to post them on social media.
2. I don’t use the hash tags #BeStillMyHeart or #MyHeartIsSoFull or #Blessed or my all-time favorite, #TakeMeDeeperThanMyFeetCouldEverWonder
3. The local coffee shop is not my go-to hangout spot.
4. I didn’t become a Christian, and all of a sudden have the need to buy Chacos (although I do own them) or Birkenstocks or TOMS.
5. My Instagram bio isn’t “Lover of Jesus and Coffee || My heart is in (insert foreign country name here)”
6. I wasn’t a YoungLife leader or a camp counselor.
7. I don’t take candid photos with arms wide open toward the sunset captioned with my favorite Bible verse.
8. I don’t have anything tattooed in Hebrew on my body.
9. Hillsong, Elevation Worship and All Sons and Daughters are not the only artists on my Spotify.
10. Christ met me exactly where I was. I don’t think I was wearing boyfriend jeans and a flannel, but he loves me just the same.
That’s the beauty of Christianity. We have a savior who meets us exactly where we are in the exact state we are in. Christian hipster or not, Christ wants to love us. My salvation and story are of just as much value, even if I never participate in the things listed above. I understand churches are becoming more modern and that’s awesome. I love it. Let’s move forward. However, in this move that we are making, let’s not get caught up in this whole Christian hipster trend. We should not let this become yet another stereotype that holds back the spread of God’s unending love to everyone.
I have friends who fall under the category of Christian hipster. They are amazing and some of the most Godly men and women I have ever met. In no way am I degrading or judging anyone who does the things listed above. However, we must remember that Christ’s forgiveness is given to those of all shapes and sizes who ask for it. Coffee isn’t the equivalent of holy water. And we love only because the God of our universe loved us first.
