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We’re Loosing Them!

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2010/01/01
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: , . 1 comment

There’s something happening in our culture that has been so gradual it’s often hard to detect….but clearly evident! We’re loosing our young people in the church!  The (college age) 20-30 something’s have watched the church closely (and for most), have decided it’s not for them.  Recently I sat down with several students (20, 21, 24, and 28 year old students) and they all independently told me the same thing.

WARNING…you won’t like what you are about to hear.

The common theme (word) that came up in all my discussions was “fraudulent Christianity.”  For one reason or another they have watched us closely…and seen us as “fraudulent.”  They have heard (over their lives) what we refer to as “biblical principles”….which upon closer examination (by them) has been nothing more than personal preferences.  Our young people have examined our position on some issues and have objected….and many want nothing to do with us or the church.  They have heard the message of victorious living only to watch defeated Christians move among them at church.  They have heard the harsh talk in the hallways of the church and were repulsed.  They observed people who came into church looking (or acting) differently than the “norm;” and saw how they were treated.  They have seen what they refer to as “country club spirituality.” Here’s what I believe….we must not ignore them, we must “engage them!” We must listen to their questions, their concerns, their complaints. They don’t hate the Lord…they just don’t like the church! I believe if we listened to them (did you catch that?  Listen to them…not instruct them), we might actually learn something more about our own journey with the Lord as well as better understand where they are coming from.  These are your sons and daughters, your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews, your neighbors.  They are the now and the future! These are some of the brightest people I have been around…in my LIFE!  They don’t see through our eyes (nor do they want to).  Legalism has killed them and they want to know why the church seems to be so judgmental? They want to know why it was necessary for Jesus to come if (we as Christians) continue to “tip the scales” towards judgement and justice rather than mercy and love?  It matters not to them whether someone wears a tie or teaches a Sunday School class…they want to know why there are people around us that go hungry…that feel unloved…that don’t feel accepted?  They will ask some tough questions…and every question deserves our attention!  Leaving them behind and ignoring their issues/concerns will do one thing…eliminate the church after we’re gone (because they will not carry forward what they don’t believe in)!  How exciting it would be to have them return and be a vital part of the Christian community!  God loves them just the way they are…shouldn’t we?


Careful!

Posted by pastorsteveg on 2009/11/17
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , . 2 comments

After some lengthy discussions with some of the finest young people I know, it has become apparent that (at least for many), Christianity has been reduced to an image of our traditions…which at times seems void of “relationship” and steeped in rules. It’s often easy to cite scripture to back our own understandings or feelings, yet today’s young people are asking deeper questions (and deserve better answers). They aren’t looking for a “mature Christian” to give them advise any more than they are looking for the janitor at their school to teach them algebra. What they want to see is the same overriding love that Jesus expressed…over & over & over again (without prejudice or judgement).  The kind of love He gave in the NT…to those who society shunned. We take words from scripture (that at first glance) seem to have clear definition, but when we place them into “context” we often find that we are wrong.  Be advised…our young people see and question this and become frustrated with us and the church.  Somehow, we take “executive privilege” when attempting to guide people to Christ.  We question, require, instruct, expect, and behave in ways that make us feel good, but perhaps may not be the (only) biblical way to live? In fact, the only real way to guide anyone to Christ is to love them as Christ did. If we are not careful, our efforts to rebuke, admonish, teach, or train could be perceived as a sense of judgement (which none of us has the right to do).  So here’s the question…(now really think about this before you answer)…Could anyone (especially a young person evaluating Christ as an option for their life) construe your concern as a desire to “fix” what you may think is wrong with them? Or do your actions reveal the great, the broad, the amazingly deep love that only comes from knowing Christ?  It’s just a thought…but one that needs to be pondered if we REALLY want to see our young people experience Him.  My wife always poses the question: “Are you building a wall, or a bridge?”  Our young people are the greatest “Kingdom”commodity there is…let’s be open to their questions without judgement! Love will pull them into a relationship with Christ…anything less will push them away.