The Missing Generation
Here is an article I wrote about our generation:
The Missing Generation
Picture this, hundreds of people, between the ages of 18-25, kneeling before the altar, so that each one could lay down the dysfunctions in life. Picture this, hundreds of college students and young adults standing before the communion table, acknowledging that someone died for them, making a commitment to remember the weight of the pure fact that someone died. Picture students coming forward to share their prayer requests for Ecuador, Sudan, Skid Row, India, and Burma. Picture this, a generation coming together, singing, praying, learning, and playing. Picture this, a generation ready to step into the forefront of Kingdom work.
It’s difficult for us to picture this scene. It’s difficult for us to see that this generation is even present, because for the church, for many churches in the United States, this generation is missing. Look around you on a Sunday morning or Wednesday evening and you won’t see them. They are not hidden behind the pews, nor are they the ones who just peek in the doors. They aren’t even coming to church, but they are following Jesus.
During a meeting with college directors we discussed the issue of this missing generation. Why aren’t they coming to church? How can we get them to come to church? How do we actually do our jobs?
Then, it occurred to me, maybe we’re asking the wrong questions.
Over 600 participants, ranging in age between 18-25, gathered together at Forest Home during the Labor Day weekend. It was here that I actually got the chance to see people kneel before the altar as they set down their dysfunctions; it was here that I saw them take communion in remembrance of Jesus’ death; it was here that they shared their prayer requests for the broken world around them; it was here that I got to see them sing, pray, learn, and play; and it was here that I saw them begin to step into the forefront of Kingdom work. I wish you could have all seen it. I wish you could have all been there, and I guarantee that (unknowingly) they did as well.
When I was a little over 2 years old, we flew out to the United States from Indonesia. During that trip, we stopped over in Hawaii for a layover. My dad went to make a phone call and I decided to follow him. Along the way, I lost sight of him and found myself alone in a very unknown place. I was scared, but didn’t know where to go or who to go to. Then, this man came up to me and helped me find my way to my parents. This story teaches us two things: the first thing is that so often we lose the clear sight of the One we are following and need people to help us find our way back, and the other has to do with the fact that the entire time, my parents were looking for me. They did not wait for me to look for them. They came after me. The church puts its hands up in the air with this age group and wonders why they aren’t stepping in through the doors, but maybe instead of asking why they aren’t coming, maybe we should put our hands down and start looking for the missing generation.
In the book of Deuteronomy, the writer calls the people of Israel to teach the next generations of the commandments of God. This passage was a vital passage in the lives of the Israelites. They understood the need to teach the generations to come. They understood that teaching meant walking with them; they understood that this was a big responsibility; they understood that this job was not just meant for a select few, but for all.
So maybe, our questions should really be, “How can the church be truly present to this missing generation? How can we all teach the next generation? How can we move from actually picturing this generation, to truly seeing them?”
It was a great conference. One that I will carry with me for a long time and I really do wish you could have been there.
“At Briefing, I got the chance to learn that we need to get out of the cycle that keeps us from living life. This weekend changed my life completely and pushed me to break the cycle.” (Jaya Loo, Freshman, Saddleback College)
Too Much Stuff
On Tuesday, August 18th we will meet in the youth room and bring our excess stuff. Have you ever looked through your closet and wondered when the last time was that you wore that blue jacket? Are there times when you can't even remember why you bought what you have?
In the last few weeks, I have found piles of unnecessary things. The crazy thing about having so much stuff is that there are people with very little stuff. So, this Tuesday, we'll gather our stuff, take inventory, and then bring it over to South County Outreach.
