Well so I haven't finished my thoughts from a couple of blogs ago. I wanted to pick up on something I was eluding to: the FORWARD THINK idea. In specific I want to talk a bit about churches. I am both scared and excited about the future of churches reaching the next generation of believers. Now by believers I don't mean current church goers only. I mean those that go to church and those that don't and those that have but don't now and those that never did.
Why am I scared? Because I am afraid that churches just don't get that the next generation of believer can not be reached in the same way we have done it for years and years and years and years. I don't know how many times (as a youth minister) I heard the phrases: "I just don't understand this generation" or "Things aren't like this when I was their age. I was respectful to others when I was their age." or "Why don't you just have a devo?" or "These kids just don't know their Bible" I could go on and on and on. Let me say here that I agree and have felt each one of these questions coming out of my mouth as well. I have become more patient with folks when they ask these questions or make points about their teen and their friends teen. But I am now beginning to see that we have to get beyond these comments to the heart of what is going on with teens. We need to get into their world and their friend's world and to their friend's family's world. It is not just about having another devo or another shaving cream fight or another bible class--those have their place and need to be part of healthy programs. But we can't keep doing what we have done for the past 20 or 30 or 40 years and expect for this generation to come around. Right now most stats will tell you that around 6 out of 10 teens will not only not go to church after high school but most of those will leave God altogether. that is a staggering number of folks. Add in the fact that the age group of 18 - 30 is the most neglected group as far as evangelism right now in America. I am afraid and scared that if current trends hold, we will have lost millions of teens in the next 20 years.
Now, why in the world would I be so excited after saying all that negative stuff. There are 2 reasons. One, Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday and tomorrow (Hebrew 13:8--actually the writer says Jesus is the same today, yesterday and FOREVER). Isn't this something to be excited about. THE one constant throughout all generations is that Jesus is God's Son sent to save the world. Because of this I am very excited about the future. I have not always been this way. I can get pretty cynical at times but that doesn't change the fact that Jesus is still the healer of hurts, savior of sin, and lover of all people no matter who they are or what they have done. We have got to grab a hold of this and bring this message of hope to this next generation. This generation has witnessed (not just heard about) so many crazy, sinful, hurtful, and unbelievable things in their short life time. They need hope. They need reconciliation. They need people willing to walk beside them, listen to them, mentor them, love them NO MATTER WHAT.
Secondly, I am excited and hopeful because I believe this generation is ready, willing and open to this message of hope. I believe they are looking for someone to come in and love them for who they are. Why would I say this? Well lets take a look at the current political campaigns going on right now. Living in the DC area, I get plenty of politics and have become a bit numb to it all. However, there is something I have noticed lately. I actually heard MSNBC talk about it the other day. In the Democratic party there are 2 choices for Presidential candidate--Barack Obama or Hilary Clinton. I have already said I am a supporter of Barack and this is not a shout out to him or anyone. What I want to point out is that his campaign has struck some chord in the hearts and minds of young voters. Young voters have been coming out in droves. They have wanted so badly to have their voices heard. But why? I think its because Barack has hit a chord with them. He stands for change. Change in the political system, military, congress, white house, etc. Now we can debate 'til the cows come home if this will work or if its just empty words. I don't really care right now. Time will take card of that. My point is this: His message is resonating with a generation that is so callused and hardened and has the uncanny ability to sense UN-authentic messages. In other words he is offering a message of HOPE to a very hopeless world. Haven't we heard that message? Don't we know the originator of that message?
I get very excited talking about this. I wonder what you guys think? Let's hear it.
1 comment:
Chris, really enjoy your blog. It sounds like you really are excited about talking about this. I enjoyed this post especially and agree that the message never changes but the delivery does. Here is a comment/question - what about the churches that have caught this idea and are reaching tons of young people. For example, Tony's church is full of young people and testimonies and changed lives. They are doing what you are talking about here. Could it be that there are churches out there that are offering this hope and loving people (especially young people)NO MATTER WHAT?
Love you guys.
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