I have a little bit of a commute to get to work. I drive past sprawling trees and sun soaked highway to get to my early morning coffeeshop destination. The standard drive is filled with NPR, broken prayers, and scattered throwback tunes. Today I heard a classic from The Who that made me think of the Church. Of course with my trade, all of culture, regardless of it’s ridiculousness, becomes fodder for theological exposition. “My Generation” is a staple for those interested in the history of rock. It is the quintessential rebellion track. “I hope I die before I get old” is belted out with abandon before a furry of explosive Keith Moon provided drum fills. On this particular morning, I think about generational ministry. How well do we do at understanding the next set of adults who are bursting with ground shaking ideas and envelope pushing thoughts?
While we know some form of the Church will always be around, I do believe we are one generation away from complete irrelevance if we haven’t already reached the breaking point. Currently America lives in a post-Christian/Church dynamic. While it is highly suspect that this country was founded with anything resembling honest Christian faith, the Church has had a voice at the table since it’s founding. Of course, this voice was often used for corrupt means, but it was the people who craved a Christ centric spirit within it’s culture. Today, that spirit is on life support. It was never based on political power or prominent figures, but always steadfast in the shadow of the larger culture and expression of the generation at large. I imagine the best expressions of Church within our history was due to an honest field for culture to thrive in. New ideas and preferences were honestly considered within the walls of a safe church.
Currently I am researching culture and coming generations for my new job title, and I’m finding some reoccurring themes. It has become painfully clear that millennials and generation Z crave to be heard. They are done with smoke and mirrors and simply want to know what Jesus is about. We are free to express the being of Christ without the fear of always needing to entertain. While everything in the current world are always kinetic, always changing, these generations long for consistency and substance. This is a great reminder that the Church is always to be counter-cultural. We are to be able to provide what the world cannot.
Jesus will assuredly move in this generation. We simply have to release our death grip and let Him proceed into the great unknown. The future of the Church is now.
Matt simon blog 