Dear Partners in the Gospel,
One of the concerns raised in many of the books I read on Sabbatical, refer to the generational differences. Without going into too much detail, there are groups of people who, based on age, whose perspectives and interaction with the world, the culture and the church differ. Briefly (and the list and dates can vary) here is one listing. See where you fit.
- G.I Generation (1901-1924) – Experienced WW2 in adulthood
- Silent Generation (1925-1945) – Experienced WW2 in childhood, Civil Rights Movement
- Baby Boomers (1946-1964) – Space Exploration, First modern counterculture
- Generation X (1965-1980) – Experienced Vietnam War and the Cold War
- Millenials (1981- 1996) Rise of information age, internet, war on terror, rising gas and food prices
- Generation Z (1997- 2012-) – more information, internet, dot com bubble, digital globalization.
- Generation Alpha (2010 – 2024) Ai native, pandemic toddlers, social media, reality learning
- Generation Beta (2025 – 2039?) Ai tech developing, some will see 22nd century
You can read lots about these generations and their perspectives, but basically their life experiences differ. You know this based perhaps on conversations you’ve had at work or in your family with other generations. To take one example, the attitude varies by each of these groups concerning “institutions”. They can feel blessed by those (like government that saved the world for democracy) or distrustful of it (generations during the Vietnam war) or repulsed by it (avoiding anything institutional as much as possible as a negative in their lives). It makes for interesting and important reading if you are trying to communicate with each of these generations with something as important as the gospel (as we in the church are).
It ought not to surprise us (though it does still saddens me) when people avoid the church because of its institutional nature. An “institution” organizes itself around some principles and, for the same of the greater good and the “cause” of the institution, individuals sacrifice some of their own views and rights to accomplish the goals of the institution. I’ve noticed in my own ministry, across the generations, an increasing reticence for people to join the church or participate in the church or accept the idea that the church (or even God) can limit their freedoms to do what they want (or even to suggest those limits).
But we have the Word of God, the truth for life and the Way to live in our lifetimes and every lifetime. The command (expression of the will of the Father) that we love others, and the command of Jesus (that we love others the way He loved us) is not time specific (just for His day and age with His disciples then but for every age of disciples, including ours). So the will of God must be received (even cherished as truth) by each and every generation. Much as Christ died for all people (in each and every generation), the people in each generation are called to offer their lives as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is their (OUR) reasonable worship” (Romans 12:1). It is God whose intention it is to draw all people together as one and that includes people of all generations with varied life experiences confronting life with different eyes.
All of this ought to make us aware that “evangelism” (the spreading of the good news) will not be easy or automatic nor does one approach work with all people of all generations. We ought not hear more than they are saying when they reject or react to the good news in a negative way. They are not rejecting Jesus (who is love and the source of an abundant life now and eternal life after this life). They are just not hearing it (good news about Him). We must use other ways to present the same truth and the gospel message. We’re doing that these days, aren’t we? Who would ever have imagined using the internet (Facebook, YouTube, livestreaming, Messaging and who knows what) for people to “attend” worship.
There is another sadder aspect to the generational divides. For a variety of reasons, in a general way, each and every generation seems to beless interested and less involved and often less committed and has less resources (of time and finances) to participate in the life of the institutional church. There are (many) exceptions to this general rule of thumb and we know some of those people in our churches. But the reason I bring this up is to recognize where the work needs to be done even within our own churches.
The church’s attention on the younger generations is well placed. We (and I include myself in the boomer generation, having been born in 1949) ought to be working with younger generations to assist them in knowing and understanding and accepting the faith. I’m sure you’re aware that many in their twenties and thirties have “walked away” from the church and many of them (not coincidentally) have little Biblical familiarity. Their parents did not “force” them to church or Sunday school (as perhaps they were by their parents) and they don’t want an “argument” with them in any case.
So, despite the fact they would never allow their children to choose not to go to learn math and English in academic school, they will allow them to decide they don’t want to go to Sunday School and learn about eternal and salvific (saving) matters. Many just didn’t hear the Word. There are some indicators that youth as a group are more interested in spirituality and learning about the faith. It is wise to consider how disciples of various ages will participate and grow in the faith. At my church, study of the Bible happens daily through offered devotions but also in group study most days of the week.
And the need is more crucial than ever (if that’s possible) for those “of” the faith, to teach the faith. Please check your church and respond positively if there is a need for teachers to share the faith with younger disciples (elementary, high school, college, newly married, etc.). if you have a child or have neighbors or friends with children, don’t wait for a minimum number to offer classes but establish relationships with disciples of all ages. It is our calling (as more senior disciples) to share the faith with other younger ones. Truth is for some of us, “our generation” is passing away. The faith had better be firmly grounded in the next generation if they are to be the witnesses to the others.
Peace,
Pastor Johnson