Maybe it's my stubborn arrogance, or perhaps it is 20 + years of pastoral counseling, but sometimes I look around at my peers and ask, "Is anyone listening?" It has become increasingly apparant to me that our current generation operates on a very different paradigm than the one I grew up with. And with the risk of offending some of my more "established" brethren, I think there is a tremendous need for change in our churches.
Now before you call me a change agent, apostate, or a reprobate, stop and listen for a minute. Not all change is evil! Innovation is not necessarily the work of the devil and it would suit us at times to stop, listen and learn from the generation that is rapidly moving into leadership roles in our churches.
I don't know what the correct term is for the 20-40 year olds in our society. The baby boomers are getting ready for retirement, Generation X is now running Corporate America, so whatever the correct term is, we need to start listening to the NEEDS of those 20 and up. They are dealing with problems, issues and struggles we never faced. Pornography is epidemic, pedophiles walk the streets of our neighborhoods and our 10 year olds learn what oral sex is before they know the most basic Algebraic formulas.
So what am I hearing and what would I change? I believe there is a resurgence of faith in our country. Young families are seeking a deeper spiritual understanding and relationship with God. We rightfully spend time teaching on doctrines and commandments, but if we fail to address the relationship side of our faith, we are missing an opportunity to serve this community. How can we develop a more intimate and meaningful relationship with God? How can my prayers trascend the rote recitation of "give us this day our daily bread," and stir deep, meaningful exchanges with God? I hear cries for help in understanding the Spirit's work in our daily lives.
There is a longing and yearning to know God. As I read the Psalms I sense much of this same spirit as David opened his heart and cried out for understand, fellowship and intimacy with the Most High. When we learn ourselves how to better connect with the eternal Godhead and then communicate that to the world we may just stir the next great awakening.
1 comment:
I see it. I know for a fact there are families in Spring Hill who are starving for Christ, but for whatever reason, they aren't coming. We've got to get them to church, then figure out how to help them. And 'we' includes 'me'!
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