Over the last few months I have had the privilege of spending time with the younger generation of 20+ year olds and boy, have I learned a lot! \u00a0Not only are they very aware of what is going on in the world at large but also what their generation needs to find purpose and fulfilment. \u00a0As I pondered the things they have told me, the activities they’ve invited me to, and watched their giftings in action, I have been inspired! \u00a0So here are my top 5 reasons why you should go out and connect with the younger generation and I’ll label it as SMART.<\/p>\n
1) While we often plan goals that are Safe – they look for Sensational! \u00a0So many times I have been in meetings where we are looking towards the future and we set goals that are achievable and boring and safe. \u00a0Goals that anyone could accomplish. \u00a0Goals that really don’t require much faith at all. \u00a0The younger generation long to see the power of God at work in their lives, in the lives of their friends and family, and in the community. \u00a0They don’t want Safe — they want Sensational! \u00a0And why shouldn’t they? \u00a0Why shouldn’t we? \u00a0We serve and awesome Sensational God!<\/p>\n
2) As we get older we want to Make God in our own image – they desire the Mystery of a God who is bigger than their own problems and challenges before them. \u00a0Modernity has brought us many marvelous advances in society. \u00a0It has also brought a spiritual rot to the church. \u00a0Everything must be quantifiable and understandable – especially God. \u00a0For thousands of years the Mystery of God and His “higher ways” were accepted with faith. \u00a0Today, unless a person can understand God in their finite mind or have His ways explained so they are acceptable to the individual, there is either a) no God or b) because He cannot be contained we don’t want to acknowledge Him. \u00a0The next generation is thrilled that our Creator God sees them, loves them, and wants to be with them in REAL WAYS! \u00a0Reason 1 and 2 create what they crave the most in 3…<\/p>\n
3) Adventure. \u00a0Its not enough for them to look for our Sensational Mysterious God but they want to actively test Him by obediently moving forward in an adventure of faith. \u00a0As we read the book of Acts we see the early New Testament church responding in the same way! \u00a0They came face to face with the grace and power of God, received the Great Commission to go out to the ends of the earth to make disciples and they did it! \u00a0Everywhere they went people came to know the healing and life-giving power of Christ! \u00a0The next generation wants to see the sick made well, demons cast out and people brought out of darkness into a life of light! \u00a0They are willing to risk the secure religious life for one of anticipatory adventure walking alongside of God!<\/p>\n
4) What resonates most for them in this adventure is seeing Restoration brought to our world for the glory of God. \u00a0Most middle class suburban churches are consumed with buildings, inner politics and keeping “the flock” happy (and their denominations) that they rarely have the time, energy or resources to look outside of their own congregation and get a world view of people and where they are at…what they need. \u00a0The younger generation sees no discrepancy between partnering with an effective secular organization in order to best meet peoples’ needs be it clothing, clean drinking water or food. \u00a0When this gets married with their faith and desire for people to meet and believe in a powerful God who loves them there is an amazing effectiveness. \u00a0Since the Fall of Creation God has been working to restore the world and people back to Himself. \u00a0The younger generation gets this, understands they are called to participate in this and they desires to make this a major focus and priority in their lives. \u00a0They don’t have the desire or time to waste on church politics…perhaps we shouldn’t either.<\/p>\n
5) Temptations and Trials…it is no secret in our congregation that I love our women’s ministry and want to see it flourish BUT my heart is to see men reached for Christ and young men grown up with a love and commitment to God. \u00a0Men are a priority for me. \u00a0In watching our church grow in the past few months I have been excited to see my prayers being answered by God…we are getting more and more young men! \u00a0Young men who are seeking God, seeking to grow and develop in their own lives. \u00a0But what they have really been teaching me…is they are driven to deal with their Temptations so they are holy before God. \u00a0They are teaching me that every Trial needs to be covered in prayer through sharing these things with each other as they “walk along the road” with each other and seek God’s heart with each other. \u00a0There is an transparent honesty that is inspiring and it develops a humility between each other allowing them to truly be iron sharpening iron. \u00a0They have realized its safer to share and support each other then to hide their sin and shame and struggle in isolation. \u00a0And to them I say, “Bravo! \u00a0Well done! \u00a0Keep going! \u00a0And thank you for including me in your adventure of spiritual development!”<\/p>\n
For a generation many have written off as lazy and without work ethic, I can say with enthusiasm that what I see is a generation who will set our world on fire for God. \u00a0So if your spiritual embers are barely glowing. \u00a0If you are tired of hiding behind a facade of spiritual perfection while internally you are struggling…ask a member of the younger generation if \u00a0you can pray with them, be a part of their prayer walks and hear their ideas to grow God’s Kingdom. \u00a0I know you will be as inspired as I am by their testimony and witness in their lives. \u00a0To God be glory both now and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Over the last few months I have had the privilege of spending time with the younger generation of 20+ year olds and boy, have I learned a lot! \u00a0Not only are they very aware of what is going on in … Continue reading