Over the past couple of months, God has been teaching me several things about this up-and-coming generation.  Many of the things I am learning is simply having them — young people — as my teacher.  I am learning by talking with them.  I am learning by hanging out them.  I am learning by hearing their stories.  I am learning by watching what they do.  I am learning about their family backgrounds.  I am learning what it is they want to talk about, what they desire, and what types of questions they are asking.  Because of this, the pendulum swing in my philosophy of ministry has been tilting over to the relational side as of late.  And in all honesty, this is more of a let’s explore this idea together than for it to be a this is how it supposed to be type of post – RESOURCE: A helpful resource for finding classes that pertain to religion is Guide to Online Schools.

I have titled this post as Exploring the Relational Bandwagon because I want it to do just that — EXPLORE.   There is so much being said about relational evangelism and relational discipleship that many philosophies of ministry are changing to reflect this type of thinking.  I know mine has.  I definitely find myself leaning toward a relational and missional philosophy than a big program/event-driven and big evangelistic sermon type of philosophy.  The former reflects small groups in homes.  Authentic relational environments.  Using the word mission as adjective.  And probably wearing jeans on Sunday morning.  We use phrases like wanting to meet people where they are at and other phrases of the same nature.  The latter likes big programs, big events, big crowds, big heavy evangelistic sermons, alter calls, and probably Sunday School — that stuff.  I am not saying one is better than they other.  I am saying, however, that one definitely seems more effective than the other, especially as it relates to this generation.

In fact, the church I currently serve at as the Student Pastor and Missions Pastor heavily falls into the former category.  Our mission statement reflects this.  We desire to develop mature disciples of Christ in relational environments.  Obviously this type of mission statement champions relational evangelism and relational discipleship over the big events and programs, again, which I think is more effective for reaching this generation.  Why?  Because it is what they want.  It is what they crave.  It is how they operate.

I want to share two things that I think this generation is craving and one thing they don’t really want — with the purpose of exploring how we can best facilitate this as the church.  Remember, my purpose in this article isn’t to bash or be dogmatic.  If you think big programs and events are the way to go then I am happy to hear your reasons and I would love to learn from you as well.  But for the purpose of this article though, here are three thoughts I am currently having:

1.  This generation is craving real and authentic relationships.  

This concept, at first, seems to be mere common sense.  We know that young people desire to be in relational environments with other young people.  That is why ministries like Young Life here in East Tennessee are so big.  The weekday school experience is pretty much reduplicated into a Tuesday night hangout time with all of their friends.  As a student pastor, I constantly battling the non-profits who do well at recreating these weekday school types of relational environments.  There are 12+ schools that feed into my student ministry.  That means there are 12 FCAs, 12 Campaigners, and 12 Young Lifes that are taking our students time.  What’s more, that means there are 36+ ministries (not including other churches) outside of mine that are providing these relational environments as well.

HERE IS MY DILEMMA:  When it comes to a Wednesday night youth service, how are we creating a relational environment for them that is different from what they are getting at these 36+ ministries that they are getting throughout the week?  Are our Wednesday night programs merely functioning as programs?

HERE IS WHAT I AM LEARNING:  The Wednesday night experience for young people will only be a good experience if they have friends who already attend.  I could bring in David Platt or Mark Driscoll to preach the best sermon East Tennessee has ever heard but if that kid doesn’t have friends who already attend than they probably will not enjoy their time and they probably will not want to come back.

2.  This generation does not want to be around their parents.  

Yes, I am firm believer in family driven and family equipping philosophies of ministry.  I lean more toward a family equipping type of model myself; however, I am learning that no matter how you try to facilitate this, young people just don’t want to be around their parents in those types of environments.  Again, that is why these types of ministries — Young Life, FCA, Campaigners, YOKE, etc. — are all booming.  Now we can always ask how effective they are being once the students are actually there, however, we have to be honest with ourselves as well — they are doing a great job of providing these relational environments that kids want to be in.

HERE IS MY DILEMMA:  How do we couple relational environments that young people are craving and want to be a part of with intentional family equipping philosophies?  Are our philosophies of ministry actually driving students away?

HERE IS WHAT I AM LEARNING:  I am learning that you can equip the family without the student having to be a part of those family-equipping environments.  Think about it this way — you can be family driven or family equipping without having to take away relational environments for students.  You can have Wednesday night services, small groups in homes, camps and retreats, etc., all while equipping the family.

3.  This generation really wants to take part in loving their neighbor.

I am learning more and more everyday that this generation wants to be a part of change.  They want to make a difference in the world.  They want to be a part of something bigger than themselves.  In the analogy of the body of Christ, they want to be the hands and feet.  It is no different for middle school and high schoolers today.  They desire to take part in mercy ministries and things that allow them to love their neighbor.

HERE IS MY DILEMMA:  How do we begin to facilitate this for our students alongside of the relational and family driven stuff?  Do we maximize our efforts at all three or do we champion one over the other?

HERE IS WHAT I AM LEARNING:  I am learning to let students dream big.  I am asking thought-provoking questions, such as:  What do you want to do for Christ NOW?  If you could anything for Jesus right now then what would you do?  What are the top 3 things you want to do for Christ in your schools before you graduate high school?  And when they come to me with answers, I am learning to champion those dreams, help them think through them, equip them, and allow them to be the catalysts for making it happen.

One last thought…

I am sure that student pastors, much like myself, all over the country are asking some of these questions.  There has been so much stuff written on championing the family these days that stuff like relational environments and missional, love your neighbor stuff is kind of being put on the back burner.  Kids are desiring the relational and missional stuff more than ever today.  So, as we think through the development of youth culture and where it is continuing to evolve, let us not forsake what they are passionate about to the detriment of championing one philosophy of ministry over another.  Let us continue to explore, develop, and engage… for the gospel of Jesus Christ and his glory alone.

-GRG

John Piper stated about 15 minutes ago in a tweet, “Seriously, as before, may you fare well, Rob Bell.http://dsr.gd/otctwX.”  Bell is stepping down as the lead pastor of Mars Hill Bible Church, reports Christianity Today.  Click on the link above for the full scoop.

Interesting enough, Bell is stepping down as pastor right after he released his ever controversial book, Love Wins, this past year.  Should be interesting to see what Bell does now!  What books will he put out?  What speaking tours will he now go on?  What controversy will he find himself in while trying to stay as far away from debate as possible.  There is one thing for certain — whatever happens, Bell will probably happily find himself there.

-GG

I watched this video about 4 or 5 years ago for the first time.  At that point in my life, I had not really formulated my ecclesiology — or doctrine of the church.  Because of this, the question, “Should drama be practiced in a local church setting?” had not really crossed my mind.  Take a look at this video below.  Although done really well (in fact, this video alone has 17 million+ YouTube hits), should the church when gathered corporately together practice this sort of thing?  Although this was probably done at a youth camp or something, the question is still begged.

One side says, “Yes.”  They would fall under the Normative Principle side of things.

The other says, “Absolutely Not!”  This side would consider themselves to be those who practice the Regulative Principle.

Would love to hear some thoughts on both sides.

For many American churches, the Fourth of July is a chance to celebrate our country’s freedoms and Christian heritage. Congregations reverently and enthusiastically sing hymns such as “America the Beautiful” and “My Country ‘Tis of Thee.” Christians seem to have a greater degree of patriotism than non-Christians, especially if they’re 70 or older.

During my years growing up in church, I saw recurring tension between pastors and members of the congregation who felt the church did not show what they felt to be healthy patriotism. On a number of occasions, the pastor was confronted when he failed to place the American flag in “a place of honor.” At other times, parishioners complained that Memorial Day and Independence Day services marginalized veterans by not asking them to stand in recognition of their service. They asserted that the church was becoming “unpatriotic.” [...]

Until recently I was single (now I am engaged to be married soon!).  I spent my time with my single friends just like any other single guy should.  When talking with my Christian friends, I began to inquire where they went to church and how they were involved.  While most of them went to church regularly, only one or two of them were actually involved in the ministries of the church.  Most of them simply attended church weekly, gave their tithes and offerings, and that was it.   Instead of getting involved in the ministries of the church, they spent their time hanging out with friends outside of church, playing sports and video games, reading, shopping, going on vacations, and so forth.  Their perspective is that they are only single once, so they need to take advantage of the time they have.  What are we to think about this perspective?

The writers of the Bible assume that Christians are involved in local churches by using their spiritual gifts.  Every time a Christian individual is mentioned or addressed, it is in reference to or in association with a church.  The idea of a so-called Christian attending a church and yet not using their gifts was simply unmentioned.    Thus, perhaps we should question the perspective of my friends aforementioned.

Singles need to find time for both having fun outside of church and for having fun inside the church using their spiritual gifts.  I personally realize that doing both is easier said than done, especially when work and school schedules combine to make extreme busyness.  My friends I attended a rather large church, with a large church staff, and plenty of volunteers for each ministry.  What is a person to do in this circumstance?  Or, if someone has to work long hours at work just to pay the bills and has little spare time, then what?

I would advise a believer in one of these circumstances to find some small way to serve.  This person can do those necessary and small church tasks for which the church staff and other volunteers do not have enough time.  In addition, church leaders often need help calling and visiting members who have not been to church for a long time or perspective contacts.  And churches usually have older people who cannot leave home.  Singles could visit these people on a weekly basis.  Also, churches often need people to help set up tables and chairs.  So many countless opportunities exist for serving.  In fact, if someone is unable find any, he should just ask someone on his church staff or another volunteer and they will likely have something.  The position may not be a premier teaching position yet this person can still get involved.  A church could always use a group of evangelistic singles

Perhaps some believers could comment on other ways they know for singles to get involved in the ministry of a local church.  Feel free to comment below.  We at TVN want to see believers love the church so much that they cannot resist involving themselves in its ministries.  While singles should have godly fun outside of the church, perhaps they can fun serving in the church, too.

Does this video remind you of your church or small group? I hope not. Unfortunately, though, I think the attitudes described here are all too common in our churches.

A few months ago my church held a business meeting to decide whether or not to swap the traditional and contemporary worship times. It was proposed that placing the contemporary worship service at 11 A.M. instead of 9 A.M. would allow for a younger crowd, accustomed to sleeping-in, to make it to worship. The church eventually decided to go ahead with the move but not before some heated debate. Some of the senior adults felt marginalized by the switch. Apparently, switching service times to accommodate a group that wasn’t coming to church because of the early time demonstrated the church’s lack of appreciation and respect for its older members. At one point a woman said, “We seniors are the ones giving our tithes and supporting the church!”

Despite the misguided generalization (many young members give generously and faithfully) and pretentious sense of entitlement, there was some truth in what she said.

Younger people, especially the college-aged, typically give inconsistently or not at all to the church. There are a number of reasons for this, but I don’t believe any of them are biblically justified.

[...]

Basil Manly, Jr., “A Call to the Ministry,” The Christian Index [Georgia State Baptist Paper], 15 November, 1866.  

WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE FOR A MINISTER OF THE GOSPEL?

            It need be said that piety is essential. No amount of talent, no extent of education, no apparent brilliancy of fervor, should ever be allowed to gain admission into the ministry for one whose piety there is a reason to doubt, or who has not a more than ordinary active and consistent holiness. A Christless minister is as horribly out of place as a ghastly skeleton in the pulpit, bearing a torch in his hand.

            Good intellect, some facility in acquiring knowledge, and some capacity to speak, are obviously indispensable. If a man has not these, in some degree, at the outset, it is not likely he will acquire them, either during the process of education, or in the work of the ministry. A man, who cannot preach at all, before he comes to the theological seminary, rarely learns how afterwards.

            And then common sense is a very important quality, a practical tact, in which often god has been training some, whom he calls, comparatively late in life from the counter, or the lawyer’s desk, and who need not, therefore, count their time lost. Every one knows some persons who “are amiable in temper, and good in the intentions, but they never can do a thing right. The may be very laborious, but they bring little to pass. Some small, if not some great mistake, is found to mar the whole. But why it is they fail, they cannot imagine. Nor can you effectually teach them. To put them right in one thing, is, at best, to fix one more rule or precedent in the memory, which they will perhaps as blindly or fancifully apply in the next. You impart no practical wisdom; and consequently, though they may be very grateful, and very confident for the future, then are none the better. They are continually plunging into difficulties. Help them out of six troubles, and they are soon in the seventh. . . .” [...]

Every Monday night about 10 to 15 twenty-somethings come over to my tiny little apartment to eat a meal together, fellowship, and spend time in God’s Word.  We started with four people:  My wife, me, and another guy and gal.  Since we started, however, our group has been growing fast—both vertically and horizontally.  They are growing in their relationship with God through our weekly discussion of God’s Word (vertically) and closer to each other through our genuine and authentic fellowship with one another (horizontally).  It is pretty fun to watch.  At Foothills Church, this is the core of our philosophy of ministry.  We want to make mature disciples of Christ in relational environments, and we do so through small groups meeting in homes all over our city each week.

I have many relationships with persons all over the world.  Some are friends that I see or talk to only every once in awhile; some are friends I see everyday; some are family members; some are lifelong friends; some are friends that I would consider best friends, or part of my inner circle, who I would share prayers with and seek out for counsel; still others are just acquaintances.  My relationships are on many different levels, but none impact me more than the people with whom I spend my Monday nights. [...]