While driving in Pennsylvania in their gas-guzzling SUV, a family caught up to an Amish carriage. The owner of the carriage obviously had a sense of humor, because attached to the back of the carriage was a hand printed sign: “Energy Efficient Vehicle: Runs on oats and grass. Caution: Do not step in exhaust.”
That is a very funny look at a clash of cultures. Something akin to this happens every day, though it might not be as humorous. Our world is quickly changing. So much so that the difference between generations is like the difference between cultures. One generation cannot relate to, let alone speak the language of, the next generation. Not only that, but within the emerging generations there is a ‘tribalism’ taking place that fragments them into multiple ‘mini-cultures.’
Kids from the same city today could be broken up into a ‘multi-cultural’ mix of dress, language, and behaviors, each distinct from one another: “Preppies,” “Metalheads,” “Goths,” “Geeks,” “Rappers,” “Cowboys,” “Rockers,” “Punk Rockers,” and “Jocks,” among other group names. Notice these do not revolve around ethnic identities. This is because these groups transcend ethnicity.
The overarching question for the church is this: How do we influence this generation? Many within the church would like to ‘bury their heads in the sand’ and just wait until Jesus’ return. Is that the way? Others throw up their hands in frustration and hopelessness and pronounce our world as beyond redemption. Is that true? What do you think? Do you think the Great Commission is irrelevant for today’s world? Do you believe that the Gospel message is impotent to affect today’s generation? Do you think that the promised power of the Holy Spirit is insufficient to confirm the Gospel’s message to today’s world? (Now, before you answer too quickly with words, what do your actions say?)
The danger in the Church among God’s people is to always see the generation following as beyond help, to persecute the next generation for its perceived moral decline and to scofflaw the attempts of the next generation’s leaders. History seems to indicate this pattern. Unfortunately, a generation that has nothing to offer to the future generation often grows nostalgic. For every generation, polished memories of the past become more important than hopeful faith for the future.
Some would like to encapsulate the Church and Christian faith within a particular time period and tell us that unless you practice your faith like a 19th century Anabaptist, or a 4th century orthodox, or a 1960’s or 70’s Pentecostal or Charismatic, then you’re not “genuine.” Others want to encrust the faith within a certain church fashion or practice so that unless your church service sounds or looks liturgical, Jewish, orthodox, Southern gospel, or “Pentecostal/Charismatic” then as such your are not “genuine.” For 2000 years, every “innovation” brought about through renewal and revival in the church has ended up becoming an untouchable “sacred cow.’
I believe none of these hold the complete solution for our future. They may help us discover part of the answer, but they will not bring us to a conclusive solution. Knowing our history is important to our identity and sense of historical theology. However, neither should it prevent us from presenting the Kingdom of God and the Gospel in a relevant and effective manner. Too often we have confused method with message.
Someone once said, “You can’t answer tomorrow’s questions with yesterday’s answers.” How true. Nevertheless, I believe the gospel message can transcend every language barrier, every cultural and ethnic wall, every era and generation and every human question. Truly, the Word of God is a “mighty two-edged sword.” The important thing is to keep the answer we present the same. The challenge is presenting it in a way that our generation and the one behind us can receive and apply to their lives.
Ice Covered Evergreen on Mountain Hike, July 2003 ©Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2009)
The question put before us is whether we still believe the empowerment of the Holy Spirit is here today to enable us to be witnesses of Christ to this generation and so fulfill his Great Commission. I believe that one of the toughest challenges to this generation of believers is regaining the “missionary mindset” that attempts to translate the gospel message into the culture and language of the generation following us. Will we attempt to encrust the gospel in a time and generational code that dies with us? Or, will we attempt to loose the power of the timeless gospel message into the new ‘cultures’ being formed around us in the next generation?
What will a 21st century Christian look like? What does a genuine follower of Christ look like in their daily lifestyle? What are his or her spiritual practices on a daily and weekly basis? How do we identify whether someone is really “growing in the Lord”? What journey or steps should people take toward spiritual maturity? Does the Church remain relevant with its timeless message?
One author claims the Church is in danger of becoming, “Islands of irrelevance in a sea of despair”. Is it too late? Are we so far gone into a post-Christian age as some claim that our generation is deaf to the Gospel and spiritually lost? I don’t think so. When the Apostle Paul was preaching the Kingdom of God in Christ in the first century, the odds looked grim. There have been spiritually bleak times since then in every generation and culture since. Yet, God continues to work and call people into his family. We are told in the Book of Revelation that at the of the end ages, all the kingdoms and cultures of this world will be the Lord’s and he will reign over them forever and ever. So, when cultures clash, Jesus’ Kingdom culture wins!
Our job is to effectively present that Kingdom culture to the generational cultures nearest us. We will only be able to successfully do this by:
1) Remaining positive in our actions and outlook concerning the next generation. Or, at least act like we are on the winning side!
2) Remaining grounded in the Gospel’s message and claims. Our message must never change. This also requires a vigilance about how our methods shape our message.
3) Remaining relevant to the needs and challenges of the next generation. This means meeting real needs and not the sentimental needs we have grown comfortable in meeting but that are not relevant anymore to the actual needs and challenges around us.
In these ways, we need no look behind us with worry but look forward with hope to the coming of Christ and his Kingdom to every culture and every generation.
©Weatherstone/Ron Almberg, Jr. (2009)
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