Reformation 500: Where Have We Gone Wrong

Where have we gone wrong?  It was a question I was moved to ask as I read the recent report from Pew Research.  As we get ready to celebrate the 500^th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation staff at Pew Research polled American to gain an insight into how people view the Reformation and the biblical perspective Martin Luther and other reformers espoused.   Obviously we have not gotten the word out effectively.  According to the poll only 17% of mainline Protestants believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  Even more shocking is the 53% associate good works with salvation.  While it is difficult to know what portion of those surveyed are Lutheran, it is still shocking to me that so many who view the Reformation as a historically significant event miss the whole point.

My experience tells me that even some “good Lutherans” get confused.  I remember my experience years ago with the Kennedy evangelism approach.   People I spoke with were quick to respond “yes” when asked about their hope for eternal life.  When it came to the question of “how” their response most often was, “I have tried to lead a good life.”  Many of those interviewed had grown up in the Lutheran Church but still were clinging to the idea that “I must have to do something.”

When writing curriculum, whether it was for a Bible class, Sunday school or confirmation, I was taught to make sure the Gospel was clearly presented in each lesson.  When I am asked to preach, I always make sure that the story of salvation is stated clearly.  You never know when someone might be hearing it for the first time.  In discussing faith with others I always err on the side of caution when talking about grace and God’s unconditional love for us.

I know a lot of Lutheran communities are planning special service to celebrate the 500 Anniversary of the Reformation.  I guess that is okay, but I think the best way we can celebrate is by being Gospel-Centered in our dealings with people, especially the lost and those who might be different from us.  

That Dreaded Jury Duty?

Maybe I am weird, but I actually don’t mind being called for jury duty.  I see it as my duty, and usually come home with some interesting stories to tell.  Aside from shopping at Walmart (something I do not enjoy), I can think of few places where I can see such a cross-section of society.  I know I am going to meet some interesting people while waiting to be called, and in those long waits in the hallway.  

After all the years of rejection, I actually got to serve on a jury a few years ago.  It was a memorable experience, and great study of group dynamics.  It took us one day to reach a verdict and then three days of deliberation trying to determine the sentence.  There might even be a book based on the case since one of the members of the jury was a retired police detective who now writes crime novels.  In spite of the tension and differences of opinion we left with a sense of accomplishment.  

I thought of all this yesterday when I read a new report from Pew Research.  According to a recent poll, 67% of Americans still equate jury duty with something you do as a civic duty.  Older adults (65+) are most likely (78%), while only 50% of young adults (18-29) held that opinion.  Around 70% of baby boomers and members of generation X view jury duty as a civic responsibility. It is estimated that only about 15% of Americans actually receive a jury summons each year, and only about 5% of us actually get to serve on a jury.

So if most of us see it as sign of good being a good citizen, why all the moaning and groaning when we receive that jury summons?  What message are we sending when we complain publicly about being called to serve?  That is especially the case when the audience might include children, teens and young adults.  I might add that our comments about paying taxes and obeying the traffic laws might also send the wrong message.  One concern about millennials and generation Z (those born since 2000) is that they do not have of sense of national pride as older adults.  It is not enough to just teach American history, we need to be underscoring the responsibilities that go with it.  Even out casual comments might sent the wrong message.

With Teens it has to be Personal

“How many kids showed up?”  It was a question I knew I would be asked after every event during my years in youth ministry.  Sometimes it was the senior pastor on Monday morning, other times it was my own family when I got home.  Youth ministry is not unique on that account.  We tend to evaluate a church based on the average Sunday attendance, but, lots of folks in the sitting in the pew does not always guarantee they are growing spiritually.  We can plan an event that attracts a flock of teens but if the experience does nothing to further their relationship with Christ it is hard to call it youth ministry.

It took me a long time to learn the lesson; high numbers do not mean success.  It is all about relationships; my relationship with the people and ultimately their relationship with Jesus.  That has become even more so in youth ministry today.  Contemporary teens are over-programed and frequently stressed.   Their lives can become so full that they have little time for regular youth activities church.  By the time they are juniors and seniors we might see very little of them, other than Sunday morning.  As a result the participation numbers are down.  We have fewer kids and less time to work with those that we do have.  Still the door is open even for a relationship with kids who do not attend youth activities.   

Youth ministry has always been about relationships.   Probably the only difference is that now relationships are often not face to face.  Social media and the ability to text and facetime make it possible for kids to contact us 24/7.  All of this makes me a little envious.  In the days of landlines and postcards, daily contact with the kids in the youth group was near impossible.  If I got a call from a teen in the middle of the day it was probably not a good things; it either meant there was an emergency or they were in trouble.  Now kids can text their youth minister just to tell them “Hi” or to let them know they “Aced” their biology exam. 

Come to think of it, we all should look for opportunities to stay in touch with teens this way.  I never thought the day would come when I would get text messages from my grandson, Andrew, but that day is here.  What an opportunity!  But our communication with teens and young adults should not be limited to our grandchildren.  If there are young people in our lives, we need to show them we care.  Part of that comes from connecting on social media and letting them know they can contact us.  Greeting them at church and showing an interest in their lives and interest is a great way.  Showing up at their sporting events, concerts and other activities is another.  

It should especially be the case for those involved in ministry.  Every student should have their youth minister, DCE or one of the volunteer leaders on their contact list on their mobile devices.  It starts already in confirmation class.  Do you have a question or concern?  Text me.  Facing a tough decision and need someone to talk to, let me know.   

How many kids showed up?  No, how many kids have you had contact with this week? That should be the way we evaluate our ministry to teens.

Honestly, Doubt is a Reality

One thing I appreciate about most millennials is their honesty.  Once they feel comfortable with you, they will tell you exactly how they feel about an issue. Unfortunately, that is often not the case with many adults.  Granted there are some people who are opinionated.  Those folks are quick to get on their soapboxes concerning issues they are passionate about. Regrettably, that is not the case with many adults.  Most of us are satisfied with surface conversations, talking about the weather or our favorite sports team.  Think about it.  When was the last time you had a deep, heart to heart, conversation with a friend.

A recent report from The Barna Group indicates that doubt and fear about their faith is more prevalent among adult Christians than we might think.  Almost two-thirds of the adults polled for the study indicates that they had experienced doubt concerning their faith and even the existence of God.  If that is indeed the case, there are a lot of us who are hiding our deepest thoughts and concerns.  We do not talk about those uncertainties because we do not want people to think less of us.  As a result we play the religious game.  We put on a facade that we are confident and sure of our faith, when in reality fears and doubt are buried within us. 

If we can just open the door to a discussion about those doubts and fears we might not just create an atmosphere of honesty but an environment where millennials would feel welcome.  It is time for us to change the image that young people have of the church.  God’s desire is not for a worship community that focuses on spirituality but on brokenness.  That is why confession and absolution are such an important element when we gather as a community of faith.  God loves us, even amidst our doubts and fears. 

Detroit 67: A Personal Reflection

Last weekend marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Detroit Riots.  I grew up in the Motor City and happened to be home for a friend’s wedding that weekend.  My family had spent the Sunday at a cottage on Lake Huron.  My plan was to have my dad drive me to the bus station downtown so I could catch the “red eye” back to Chicago where I was working that summer.  As we got in the car to drive back to Detroit we got our first radio reports about the unrest.  I convinced my dad to at least try to make the drive downtown but we were turned back by policeman before we had driven two miles. 

We did make the trip before dawn the following morning.  The streets were deserted as we drove down Jefferson Avenue.   We passed block after block of stores that had been looted.  Some buildings were on fire but there was not a fireman in sight.  I did make it to the bus station, where I was informed I would need to pay an extra $5.00 for insurance because of the situation.  The streets were deserted and smoke hung in the air as we weaved through downtown.  As I headed east on I-94, a convoy of National Guard vehicles drove past heading in the opposite direction.  I immediately sensed that the beautiful town of childhood would never be the same.

The neighborhood I grew up in changed over the next few years.  The shops and homes were never touched by civil disturbances, but fear drove people to the suburbs.  One by one the shops on Warren Ave. closed and soon the community was a shadow of its former self.  While most of our neighbors sold their homes and joined the exodus, my parents stayed.  They lived in the same house for another thirty-seven years until declining health forced them to move to a senior community.  They stayed because my dad had the attitude that it was his neighborhood and he would learn to get along with whoever chose to live there.  On summer evenings when I returned home, I remember him sitting on the porch and greeting all who would pass by.

This past Sunday, the Detroit newspapers published a special edition reflecting on the riots. A major movie has been released that focuses on one of the stories from the riots.  I read the news articles but think I will pass on the film.  If you want insights into the Detroit of the Sixties and the circumstances that led to the disturbances I would recommend the book Once in a Great City, by David Maraniss. 

Personally, I would rather reflect on the lessons I wish we had learned from the uprising.  Economic classes are an unfortunate reality.  Ethic and racial diversity are also a part of our American landscape.  In my mind the solution comes in being sensitive to the needs of others, and learning to listen.  We can try to blame the police, or our civic leaders, but the change needs to happen in our neighborhoods and in the workplace.  Each one of us must take ownership of the problem. 

Messy Grace

I just finished reading the book Messy Grace by Caleb Kaltenbach.  Thanks to my friend Paul Short for recommending it to me.  Caleb Kaltenbach has a very unique perspective when it comes to the LGBT community and the church.  He was raised by his lesbian mother and her partner.  As such, he joined them in marching in gay pride parades and in the process experienced the hatred of some individuals in the name of Christianity.  During his high school years he became involved in a Christian community and ultimately became a pastor.  Today he is married with a family and is lead pastor at Discovery Church in Simi Valley, California.

In the book, Caleb Kaltenbach takes us on his spiritual journey.  He credits the love and grace he experienced through his Christian friends for his faith conversion.  In the process he not only came to know the love of Jesus, but God’s expectations in terms of our sexuality.  I found little to disagree with when it comes to his Biblical perspective on the LGBT issue.  There is little doubt that it runs counter to God’s plan for His creation.  Still we are called to minister to that community.  In the process, things can get messy; hence the title for the book.

I found one key statement that captures Caleb Kaltenbach’s perspective: People are not the enemy.  They are the mission.  It is a reality that we live in a different world where the culture has shifted.  Unfortunately, as Christians we meet people who are different from us and immediately perceive them as adversaries.  It might be that they are gay or perhaps come from a different spiritual perspective.  That runs contrary to the example that Jesus established.  He seemed to seek out those who were not only lost, but whose lifestyles might run counter to the religious community of that day.  Consider his relationship with Matthew, Zaccheus and the women at the well. 

Messy Grace is a must read for those of us who desire to make a difference in our changing culture.  If we hope to pass on the torch of faith we, need to stop seeing those who are different as adversaries.  

America: From a Millennial Perspective

As we prepare to celebrate this Fourth of July, the Barna Group has released a new report on what Americans believe makes our country great.  Participants were presented with a list of choices with the option of selecting two.  The top response was “the opportunity to be what you want to be” (24%).  The Constitution and freedom of the press/free speech with the next most popular responses at 21%.  We still value the freedom of religion (21%) and our democracy (21%).

There was big variance between generations when it came to the perception of what makes America great.  Baby boomers and Elders hold the Constitution and Bill of Rights in higher esteem (29% and 22% respectively) as opposed to Millennials (16% and 8%).  Freedom of religions was not nearly as important to Millennials (19%) as opposed to older adults (33%).  Millennials, more than any other generation, seem to value our country being a “melting pot society” (16%) while Baby Boomers and Elders hold that characteristic in lower esteem (3%).   

Based on my experience, I am not surprised at this information.  Young adults and teens both value the fact that they live in a country where they are free to be what God created them to be.  This includes how they use their skills and talents, as well as how they express themselves.  More than other generations, they want to celebrate our cultural and ethnic diversity.  Today’s young people also have a strong entrepreneurial spirit.  More than any other generation they want to capitalize on the opportunity live out the American dream. 

There are two things I have learned from Millennials.  It is okay to dream and strike out on your own.  Secondly, not to see the differences in people as an obstacle but rather as an opportunity.