Has God Left the Window Open?

It is easy to be discouraged about the future when we hear some of the statistic when it comes to today’s teens.  The social group identified as Gen Z’s does seem to do most of their communicating through their mobile devices.   Their world also seems to revolve around social media.   Their values often do not match up with what we view as God’s desires.  While it is true that less than 4% of today’s teens have a biblical world view, what happens if we focus on the minority who do believe in Jesus and have made a commitment to follow him? There is a pretty good chance these are the teens that attend our church and participate in our youth group. 

The research on Generation Z done by the Barna Group indicates church-going teens are holding to traditional Christian beliefs.   Ninety nine percent (99%) of engaged Christian teens believe that “Jesus is the divine Son of God.”  They also believe that “Jesus was a real person who was crucified by Rome and was actually raised from the dead” (94%).  The also hold to the belief that “faith in Jesus is the only way to God” (96%).  They also share some of the same beliefs on moral issues as older adult Christians.  In response to the statement “Marriage should be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman” 91% agreed.  On the issue of abortion, 80% of engaged Christian teens agreed.  They also believe that “lying is morally wrong” (77%) and “Sex before marriage is morally wrong” (76%).  As a point of comparison, only 14% of unchurched teens viewed “sex before marriage” as wrong and only 35% believed that “marriage should be a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman.”

There are some other things that we know about this generation of teens. 

Having grown up post 9/11 they are driven to make a difference.  They want to make the world a better place.

Many are already charting their future education and careers beginning in middle school.  They often have a vision of where they want to be in five years.

They value history and want to learn from previous generations.

Unlike previous generations, they enjoy hanging out with their parents and families. 

As a result we have a unique window of opportunity.  Over the next ten to twelve years we have a chance to change the direction of the church.  I truly believe this is the generation of teens who could potentially reverse the years of decline.  The challenge comes in how we equip engaged Christian teens to be disciples .  I am not just referring to training professional church workers.  We are going to need young people to move into all kinds of positions from lawyers to plumbers.  I think the future lies in equipping them to be disciples of Jesus wherever they serve.  It involves training them to not only defend their faith but to relate to the world in an evangelical manner that leaves unbelievers want to know more about what makes us tick.  Where exactly is our hope found?   They need to see the Jesus in us.

I recently previewed a new presentation: Why I am Excited about the Future of the Church.  My target audience is older adult Christian.  My challenge to them is to step up and pass the torch of faith to this generation of teens.  Get to know them.  Listen to them.  Focus on building a relationship that will allow us to share our story and mentor them in their faith.  It also means making sure youth and children’s ministry remains a high priority within our congregations.

God has left the window open.  I am praying for a fresh wind of change will blow through the church.  Pass the torch.

Thanksgiving Prayer

Mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, turkey and dressing,

            desserts as far as the eye can see.

It’s a spread worthy of this

            stuff’em-till-they-drop-in-front-of-the-TV holiday.

For a day that started with such a noble purpose,

            we’ve certainly managed to pervert it.

Lord, I’m confronted by the fact that Thanksgiving

            no longer has much to do about giving thanks.

The focus is on gluttony and sports and

            only momentarily on You.

For some people, the question may even be

            “Why say thank You?”

            I work hard for all this.

It’s so easy to overlook You in

            the good times, Lord.

But you never forget us.

You send the rain on the just and the unjust,

            whether we say thanks or not.

Our tables overflow and bank accounts bulge

            whether we remember you or not.

What a great God You are.

And nowhere is Your greatness more apparent

            than on the cross.

You sent Your only son to save us-

            a  gift freely given with no expectation of repayment.

Nor can repay the great price-and

            Our thanks Yous seem insignificant.

But thank you Lord, for the

            bounty on our table,

            for family and friends,

            for possessions and jobs,

            and for the extras to numerous to count.

A special thank You for the gift I treasure most,

            my salvation.

Words cannot express my gratitude.  Amen.

Real Men Pray: Prayer Thoughts for Husbands and Fathers

Thomas Couser

CPH, 1996

Millennial Monopoly

One of the most talked about items last Christmas was the Millennial Nativity.  There was an attempt to not offend that generation by marketing it as the “Hipster Nativity” but there were too many cues referencing Millennial culture.  In case you missed it, Mary was holding a Starbucks cup and Joseph was taking a selfie on his iPhone.  The Magi were riding Segways and came bearing gifts packaged in Amazon boxes. 

Now, just in time for this Christmas Hasbro has released "Monopoly for Millennials."  The cover encourages players to take a break from the rat race because "adulting is hard."   Instead of collecting as much cash as possible, players are challenged to rack up the most Experiences to win. Players travel around the game board discovering and visiting cool places to eat, shop, and relax. They interact with other players via Chance and Community Chest cards, (which are super relatable).   There is no Boardwalk or Park Place in this game.  It says on the front of the box, "Forget real estate. You can't afford to buy it anyway."

I’ve been reading the online comments regarding this game that are coming from Millennials.  They are more than a little bit offended.  I cannot image many of them investing in the game.  To be honest, I cannot blame them.  Millennials have perhaps become the most decried and lampooned generation ever.  There are countless videos on Youtube that mock Millennials and their culture.  Perhaps, it is time to say, “Enough is enough.”

Has they have aged; Millennials have kind of blended in.  Many have married, started families and purchased homes.  Some of them have even found their way back to church, although most still prefer non-denominational mega churches to mainline congregations.  While they still can seem a little self-absorbed, as I look around I see the same characteristic in some of my peers. 

Monopoly for Millennials; let’s stop playing games and embrace them for who they are.  Learn to know them, love them and pass the torch to them.

Students Living in Fear

The most recent mass shooting took place in a country and western club in Thousand Oaks, California.  The affluent community of Thousand Oaks has a reputation for being one of the safest cities in the United States.  Once again many of those inside the Borderline Bar and Grill were young adults celebrating the weekly College Night.  The event only reinforces the conclusion reached in The Barna Report on Generation Z: Real Safety is a Myth for this group.  

This is the cohort that has grown up post 9/11.   The threat of domestic and international terrorism is all they have known.  We are coming up on the 10^th anniversary of the Columbine Massacre.  At the time it seemed like an isolated tragedy.  Unfortunately school shootings have become almost weekly occurrences. 

  

The November 5, 20188 issue of Time Magazine focused on the issue of gun control.  One article referenced the experience of a middle school music teacher in Dallas.  Each year Beth Poquette Drew asks her students to create a “respect agreement” outlining how they would treat each other. This year in addition to the “listen to each other” and “respect each other’s space” one of the first things to come up was “Don’t shoot each other.”  A reality is both kids and their parents live each day in constant fear.

An obvious response for the Christian community is to offer our children, teens and young adults a safe place, but it needs to go further than just an increased sense of safety.  We can keep the doors locked, provide our staff with training, and install security cameras, but the security measures need to only be the beginning.  We need to covey the peace and confidence that can only come through faith in Jesus Christ. 

Living in fear is nothing new to the church. First Century Christians lived in constant fear that the next knock on the door might mean they were headed to prison.  Many of them were martyred but still they not only kept the faith but shouted it from the rooftops.  The scriptures are full of reminders that as Christians we are to live fearlessly.  “The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid.  What can man do to me” (Psalm 118:6).  Yet to today in parts of the world Christians meet in secret because to do so publicly would put them at risk. 

Paul reminded Timothy, “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, love, self -discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7).  As adults we need to not only provide a safe place but model that fearless spirit and live boldly and confidently without fear.   

Election Day 2018: A Reason for Hope

Today was midterm Election Day.  I took advantage of early voting. I can do that at our local City Hall.  It is a matter of convenience; for some unknown reason I have to drive past another voting location to get to my assigned polling place. Voting in advance did not mean I avoided some Election Day politicking.

Our current State Representative, Matt Rinaldi, has the reputation of being the most outspoken conservative in the Texas House.  Obviously, he is a Republican.  His Democratic opponent, Julie Johnson, has made it clear she takes a more liberal view of all the issues.  Matt Rinaldi is strong border control, gun right and school vouchers.  Julie Johnson’s stance is the exact opposite on all the issue. 

My encounter with Election Day electioneering took place when I stopped by our local library, which just happens to be the polling place I pass should I choose to go to my assigned spot. Today I was greeted by a young man representing Matt Rinaldi and two women who were supporting the efforts of Julie Johnson.  Surprisingly, they were all smiling and standing in close in close proximity. 

The conversation began with me assuring them that I had already cast my vote. They all thanked me.  My next question was how it was going?  I was curious on the overall mood of the voters. They all agreed that people were more passionate then they had anticipated.  It confirmed my opinion that there is a lot of emotion on both sides of the issue.

I did leave the conversation with a bit of hope.  Even when another Julie Johnson campaign worker showed up, making it 3-1 in favor of the Democrats, the tenor of the discussion stayed positive.  We all agreed that we were troubled by the deep divide when it comes to key issues.  Like me they are concerned about the anger and bitterness expressed by our leaders. 

Oh yes, I had to pass by the same campaign workers on my way back to my car. They were engaged in friendly conversation and I smiled and thanked them.   I can only pray the atmosphere is contagious.  It is amazing what happens when we smile and listen to each other. 

The Lost Souls of Honduras

In 2001the United States was heavily involved in addressing a humanitarian crisis.  The potential tragedy was created by a Civil War in the African country of Sudan. Thousands of young boys were displaced or orphaned during that war.  Many of them traveled a great distance across Africa to reach refugee camps. The Christian community responded to the plight of the Lost Boys of Sudan. Lutheran Social Service and Catholic Charities were two of the organizations that took part in ministering to the need. Over 3,800 Sudanese were placed in 38 different cities around the U.S.  Local churches took a key role in the process by sponsoring Sudanese Refugees and helping them become oriented to life in America.

I mention the story of the Lost Boys at this time because we are our country is facing another humanitarian crisis, but in this case I am afraid the welcome mat is not out. I am referring to the throng of refugees who are traveling on foot across Mexico. Most of them are fleeing the hostile political environment and the difficult economic situation in Honduras.   This time instead of organizing a response to minister to their basic needs and ultimately a desire for a better life, the goal is to turn them away.  There is a plan in place to send federal troops to the border to prevent them from entering our country.

It leads me to ask the question: What would Jesus do if he were the one meeting them at the border?  I am confident he would welcome them, make sure they were fed and provided with shelter.  That is the kind of Savior he is.  The Gospels are full of examples of his compassion and mercy for those who are lost.   Since the church is called to be the hands and feet of Jesus, I would hope our sense of compassion and charity would compel us to treat the Central American refugees much like the Lost boys of Sudan. I am not suggesting an immediate free pass.  Obviously there is a need to interview each adult and vetting process to weed out the troublemakers.  Once cleared for entry the immigrants would then  the matched with a local church  who would take on the responsibility for getting them integrated into our culture. 

I also see a secondary benefit to organizing a welcoming party.  We are not only sending a message to the world that we are a benevolent nation, but we are showing the teens and young adult around us an example of compassion.  A majority of teens and young adults hold a more open perspective when it comes to immigration.  Millennials and members of Generation Z are often more tolerant of those who  come from different cultures and even belief systems.  Perhaps this is an opportunity to work along-side them to solve a humanitarian crisis and be Jesus in a very broken world.

Election 2018: The Taylor Swift Effect?

Taylor Swift created quite a stir a few weeks back when she openly endorsed several Democratic candidates in the mid-term election.  She also encouraged her 112 million social media followers to register to vote so that their voices could be heard as well.  If you are over sixty you might not even be aware of who Taylor Swift is. She is a very popular singer who presents a pretty clean image. Some in the media have labeled her "America's Sweetheart.”  Michelle Obama presented her with a humanitarian award while she was First Lady.  She also noted that her daughters were big fans. Taylor Swift is also a Millennial whose audience is a mix of her peers and members of Generation Z.

While it is hard to measure the exact impact, in the less than 48 hours after Swift's post, Vote.org saw more than 105,000 new voter registrations through its site.  During a typical twenty-four hour period Vote.org sees an average of 14,078 visitors. In actuality, the “Taylor Swift effect” might be the tip of the iceberg.   The Associated Press recently reported that since July there has been an increased interest in this year’s mid-term election among those ages 18-35.   The research showed a remarkable increase in interest from July, 2018 to September, 2018.  In July 41% of those polled said they were interested in the midterm election but that number had swelled to 64% in September.  There also seemed to be increased optimism as the percentage of those who were “hopeful” increased from 40% to 55% in the two month period.  Those who felt “helpless” regarding the midterm election declined slightly from 40% to 36%.

Millennials have an inconsistent track record when it come voting.  They showed up strong in support of Barrack Obama but for the most part they ignored the 2016 Presidential Election. Now we will have to wait until November 6^th to see if they will show up at the ballot box. Either way, there is no denying that they have the potential to change the political direction of our country, and their passions and interest are vastly different than anything we have seen before.  It is only a matter of time till we have our first Millennial President.