That 20s Group - take 2

Thank you for your comments on the last post. They very much helped me as I am mulling over the milieu of this whole issue. My brain has been churning very much on culture/role of church questions. Poor Audi has had to listen to much of my questions/thoughts/rants.

While I am still in the midst of the conversation very much, here are some conclusions I have come towards.

1. I believe that the local church is God’s intended change agent in every generation. I believe Bible says it. I believe history affirms it. To abandon the organism (thanks Lisa for your post on this!) would be similar to getting rid of doctors and hospitals if many were getting sick, or to remove teachers and schools when tests scores are down.

2. I DO think we should emulate the trend of the boomers in our upcoming generation.

This conclusion surprised me. Yet, I have come to believe that God used the baby boomers as much as any generation in American history to continue His Name and cause. I have done some more research into the baby boomers and it is amazing how far God has moved the church through their generation. Bible reading is higher than it has ever been. Evangelical statistics on life, discipline and holiness are improving in a myriad of ways. 90 years ago the American church was at danger of becoming something of the past. The many truths we hold strong to now were threatened. Few held on. Then more. Then, with the boomers, it appears that God really established – anew – His church in America.

Also - with caveat - I believe many baby boomers have sought to understand and serve their culture in the way they do church. I believe this is the way that Paul helped the world and that Jesus Himself entered the world. It was in the idioms, vernacular, communication style and culture of the people. My generation needs to learn and apply this very much.

3. I DO NOT think we should emulate the trend of the boomers in upcoming generation.

While I think the boomers have done so much good upholding truth and engaging culture, I think they have created such a strong “church culture” which deifies tradition over truth (at times). Have you noticed that we call many things “biblical” which are not?

For example.
Smoking cigarettes is sin. Gun control is stupid. Caring for our environment is unimportant. Capitalism is God’s form of government. Perpetuating consumerism in the church is fine. Drinking alcohol is for less committed Christians. Taking care of the poor is not that important. Style of music is more important than content of music in worship. The bigger the church, the more it honors God.

I think that the reason many in the 20s-30s group are disenfranchised is because we have seen the baby boomers do/say/dogmatize these and other things. Something that I am really pondering is “how to avoid the mistakes I already see, feel, rationalize that are characteristic of my generation in the church?”. I believe among these are pride, entitlement, hybrid hypocriticalness, reactionism and criticalness.

4. I think change is necessary.
I dont know exactly what that means. But, as our generation and the generation of youth is coming up, I believe the church will be called to change. Now, that does not mean I believe that we have to throw out truth, Bible, etc. I do believe it will mean throwing off some of the tradition of the generations before us. I know many have thoughts and I do as well which I prolly will toss out there soon, but this entry is long and would rather here others talk now.