It's All About the "D" Word
"I just don't get college-age," was a plea more than a statement from my pastor friend. I took a bite out of my grande burrito and managed to get out a question, "What do you mean?" "Well," he continued, "they just seem so flaky and selfish. If you don't have a band leading worship or candles and incense burning, they go some place that does. And I don't understand their postmodern thinking or whatever you call it." As he dug into his fries, he made a sad conclusion, "Maybe we're just a church that can't reach them or maybe it's me." As we finished our meal, I tried to encourage him that his church isn't the only one struggling to reach a younger generation. In fact, they might be the perfect church to reach this age group. With that statement, he gave me a puzzled look and asked me to explain.
"It's all about the D Word," I told him. The look on his face meant that I did not connect. "I meant discipleship." I shared with him how this age group desires to have mature believers in their lives, walking along side them as they move into adulthood. For this generation, discipleship is not merely meeting once a week going through a workbook; rather it's investing in a relationship. I find that trust is key for this age group. Can they trust me? Do I live a life of integrity? Does what I say match up to how I live? If it does, then they give me the right to disciple them. I'm welcomed into their network of friends and invited to hang out with them. They get the chance to observe my life as a follower of Jesus, to see how I handle certain situations in everyday life (when the cashier gives back too much change, do I return the money?). In short, discipleship is 24/7. I'm open to house calls, phone and text messages, and personal questions. I am open to being watched and observed, and to sharing myself in a mutual relationship because my life is not my own. I am to be like Jesus.
I have noticed that when churches are focused on discipleship, it doesn't matter if you have a great worship band or if you're a "relevant" church, young Christians want to know their faith. They enjoy and need older Christans to pour into their lives, to guide and lead them as they enter adulthood. Ed Stetzer, one of Christianity's leading researchers on young Christians in America, stated, "Too many youth groups are holding tanks with pizza. There's no life transformation taking place." Stetzer continues, "People are looking for a faith that can change them to be a part of a changing world." Disciples of Jesus are changed people, and what draws college-age people to church is no different from what drew people to Christ in the first century. It's all about the D Word.
"It's all about the D Word," I told him. The look on his face meant that I did not connect. "I meant discipleship." I shared with him how this age group desires to have mature believers in their lives, walking along side them as they move into adulthood. For this generation, discipleship is not merely meeting once a week going through a workbook; rather it's investing in a relationship. I find that trust is key for this age group. Can they trust me? Do I live a life of integrity? Does what I say match up to how I live? If it does, then they give me the right to disciple them. I'm welcomed into their network of friends and invited to hang out with them. They get the chance to observe my life as a follower of Jesus, to see how I handle certain situations in everyday life (when the cashier gives back too much change, do I return the money?). In short, discipleship is 24/7. I'm open to house calls, phone and text messages, and personal questions. I am open to being watched and observed, and to sharing myself in a mutual relationship because my life is not my own. I am to be like Jesus.
I have noticed that when churches are focused on discipleship, it doesn't matter if you have a great worship band or if you're a "relevant" church, young Christians want to know their faith. They enjoy and need older Christans to pour into their lives, to guide and lead them as they enter adulthood. Ed Stetzer, one of Christianity's leading researchers on young Christians in America, stated, "Too many youth groups are holding tanks with pizza. There's no life transformation taking place." Stetzer continues, "People are looking for a faith that can change them to be a part of a changing world." Disciples of Jesus are changed people, and what draws college-age people to church is no different from what drew people to Christ in the first century. It's all about the D Word.
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Bob:
You say "People are looking for a faith that can change them to be a part of a changing world." What is this nonsense? Such a warm-fuzzy, "it takes a village" left-leaning, and entirely pragmatic perspective, which is nowhere found in scripture without some radical twisting and stretching by emergent "pastors". Such a notion is, however, everywhere found in politics today--the whole globalization bit. In other words, you are saying: "forget about thoughts of heaven in the great bye and bye; I want some kingdom-come in the here and now". This is such an entirely horizontal and/or secular perspective, my friend. You also state: "I am to be like Jesus". Of course, you are aware that this means taking a direct course towards Jerusalem, making statements along the way that will most certainly repel those who love darkness more than light, that will not be condusive to MaClaren's "new kind of Christian" whatsoever. Also, Paul made countless statements that were not exactly aimed at some sort of ecumenical bliss towards societies embedded in dark, pluralistic paganism to which he preached the TRUE gospel. He was beaten for declaring truth, as were the other apostles, and Jesus warned us that we will be hated by the world for identifying with him. I'm sure you know your Bible well enough to recognize this simple imperative to declare truth amidst scorn for the glory that is to come (which shatters "kingdom-now" nonsense) Nowhere in scripture are we instructed to be a part of the world and its changes. If you say it does, then by default you must then be willing to call every wonderful martyr for the faith throughout history (including the apostles who shed their blood) silly, misguided, and ignorant. Gee, if only they had MaClaren's pearls of wisdom, then they too could have been "new kinds of Christians" as well....and lived longer!
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