Gun Control: A Child Shall Lead Them

Mass shootings are becoming too common an occurrence.  Most recently it was Parkland, Florida.  Each time there is a new tragedy there is an immediate outcry for more gun control.  The Second Amendment guarantees the rights of Americans to bear arms.  Gun right activist will be quick to remind us that gun ownership is an entitlement that is guaranteed.  Still the uproar created will result in an appeal of restrictions on weapons of mass destruction.  An additional challenge becomes how to keep any firearm out of the hands of those who should not have them in the first place. 

In most case the public outcry quickly dies down until there is another tragedy when the cycle repeats itself.  Somehow, I hope this time it is different.  Immediately after the heartbreak in Florida the students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School immediately took their protest to the State Capital in Tallahassee.  Other students protested in front of the White House and Capital.  Now almost two weeks later, students from Parkland, Florida are appearing around the country calling for change.  They seem determined to not let the issue disappear.

Today’s teens are members of Generation Z.  This is the cohort that was born since 1999.  They have grown up in the shadow of 9/11.  As a result, security is a big deal to them.  In addition to the threat of a terrorist attack, now there is the danger of someone entering their school environment with no purpose other than to inflict harm.  In the same way that we cannot deny their insecurity, we cannot negate their passion to put an end to the violence.  We can add to this the reality that they are the largest and most diverse generation ever.  As they age, they will also become the biggest voting block in history.  They will determine the future direction of our country.  In time, I believe their voices will be heard.  If there is to be an end to gun violence and mass shootings, I have hope this generation will lead us. 

Faith Without the Resurrection... No Way.

How can you be a Christian and not believe in the Jesus’ Resurrection?  That is what I contemplated as I recent read an article on a study of Canadian churches. The study of 22 mainline congregations in the province of Ontario, Canada offers an interesting perspective.  The survey involved 2,200 clergy and the members who they serve.  The study seems to indicate that Conservative Protestant theology, with its more literal view of the Bible, is a significant predictor of church growth while liberal theology leads to decline.  Belief in the resurrection was a significant factor.

The study focused on 13 declining and nine growing congregations from Canada’s four mainline Protestant churches — Anglican, United, Lutheran and Presbyterian — and asked clergy and members the same set of questions about traditional Christian doctrine and current congregational characteristics. Those included how much emphasis is put on youth programs, the congregation’s mission, and what members fought about internally.

When it came to the Resurrection they found 93 percent of clergy members and 83 percent of worshipers from growing churches agreed with the statement “Jesus rose from the dead with a real flesh-and-blood body leaving behind an empty tomb.” This compared with 67 percent of worshipers and 56 percent of clergy members from declining churches. Furthermore, all growing church clergy members and 90 percent of their worshipers agreed that “God performs miracles in answer to prayers,” compared with 80 percent of worshipers and a mere 44 percent of clergy members from declining churches.

The Jesus’ resurrection victory is the cornerstone of my faith.  My experience reinforces that.  I work a couple of days a week doing hospital visitations for a chaplaincy service.  Ten years ago when first started visiting acute care hospitals I quickly discovered that people who know Jesus handle crisis differently.  Even when faced with death, people of faith are not afraid.  Those left behind might cry and grieve, but they do so with a sense of hope as they anticipate a joyful reunion.

When it comes to sharing our faith with teens and young adults it happens best without words.  We need to allow them the joy that comes from being people of hope.  That hope is always found in Jesus and His Resurrection victory.  We do not need to wait till we are facing death.  That joyful spirit should be part of our everyday walk.  The clerk at the convenience store, the mechanic who works on our car and each one of our co-workers should sense the hope that lies within us.

We are always Resurrection People and “hallelujah” should always be our cry.