The Gospel: gone in 3 generations!


It’s funny, being a youth pastor and seeing the statistics of teenagers that leave the church, and the faith for that matter, I am constantly thinking about the generation I have been entrusted to teach, lead and guide. I have heard so much about Deuteronomy 6 and how it is the Christian family that has the responsibility to disciple the next generation; which I totally agree with whole heartedly. But with the divorce rate being 50% plus even within the church, it makes me wonder about the kids that are out their that don’t have that family in place to disciple them!

Are we to just limit the things of Deuteronomy 6 to kids that actually have a father and mother that still live together? If that is the case; what about the over 50% of kids that are lost and have no family structure to show them the way? How do we go about equipping the next generation of kids that have no model to follow within the "Christian Family?"

I’ve heard a preacher say that it only takes 3 generations to forget about Jesus. The first generation gets it, the second, hears it but wants something more practical, and the third generation forgets it and wants something completely different.

This is the thing that keeps me up at night!!! Not only do I think and pray about my kids. I also pray about my kids children. I now start to pray for my kids children's kids, if that makes sense!?! I heard that the great theologian Jonathan Edwards used to pray for the next 5 generations of his family. WOW!

I guess what I am trying to figure out is, how do we equip the 50%+ of kids who have no parents to disciple them, as well as the kids that don’t even come from Christian homes! Who’s responsible for teaching that part of the next generation? It’s easy to sit here and say that Christian families need to follow the Deuteronomy 6 framework. But, as the statistics show, that scenario or situation is not only the minority as a whole, but even a smaller sliver of what we are dealing with in the context of the church. Which, is just a whole other problem in and of itself! We really need to target the young men (I mean the guys in their 20's who are out of college, starting a career who define themselves as successfull by a bank account and adding to a list of sexual conquests) who think that woman are just nothing but objects and "dumpsters" for pleasure. I will definitely address this soon!!!!!

Again, I agree that it is the parents responsibility to disciple their kids. If you consider yourself a Christ follower, this is your responsibility. But that is only a part of what we are dealing with if we are talking about the next generation. It starts within the Christian family but it doesn’t end there. Especially, if we want to teach, lead, guide and equip the future generations with the RIGHT AND ONLY GOSPEL MESSAGE!!! JESUS CHRIST DIED IN OUR PLACE AND TOOK THE WRATH OF GOD INSTEAD OF US SO THAT WHEN GOD LOOKS AT US HE SEES NOTHING BUT JESUS (Gal 4:1-7, 1 Tim 1:15, Heb 12:2)

CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO. THIS IS WHAT THE NEXT GENERATION IS:

http://www.revelationstudios.com/portfolio/all/1.html

Not a Safe Band
By Jackie A. Chapman
posted 01/28/08

For many, the term "Christian heavy metal band" is something of a paradox, even after years of Petra, Stryper, and other bands as evidence to the contrary. Still, some feel that Demon Hunter appears scarier than most, from their symbolic skull on the album covers to their hardcore metal sound with guttural screams. And yet ironically, few metal bands have made as much an effort to vary their sound and make hardcore metal more musical, or taken as much to explain what the band is about—meeting young listeners where they are to share the love of Christ. Lead singer and songwriter Ryan Clark explains the thinking that went into the making of Demon Hunter's latest record, Storm the Gates of Hell.


http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2008/demonhunter-0108.html

Christian Politics

Well as we are in an election year I have been thinking a lot about the landscape of politics and especially how the “Christian Community” views it. When I say thinking a lot, I mean I have been hearing and watching what people think about candidates, policies, etc. There seems to be this trend with Christians and who and how they vote.

It’s funny because I think we Christians have this default mechanism that just votes for everything that they perceive is “Christian.” We think that this is our duty and not doing that is some how bad or “Un” Christian.

I was listening to a radio show by a Christian guy I listen to a lot. I think he brought up a valid point. We, or most people, would be the first to jump up and point the finger or argue that it is un intelligent and off base to vote for someone like Hillary just because she is a woman; or Obama just because he is black. So, why couldn’t those same people point at us Christians and say the same thing?

See, I think this “default” mechanism in us “Christians” is something that points to something deeper then just politics or how we vote. I think it is a direct product of the “Consumer” mentality that exists amongst the Christians in the Western world.

See, if you don’t know what a “Consumer Christian” is, it is the Christian that thinks the church exists for them and their comfort. That somehow following Christ is just showing up to church on Sunday, maybe attending a mid week service and throwing a check in the offering every so often. Essentially, it is living vicariously thorough other people doing what God commands and they some how are the same because they go to the same church.

Ultimately, what I have noticed is, just voting for the Christian candidate is the “Consumer” way of evangelism. Somehow if we elect Christian officials and they make Christianity law, that Atheists and the like will have to become Christian because it is law. Or, if Christianity is law, that somehow validates what they believe, therefore not having to defend or fight for what they believe; or simply making defense of the faith as easy as “ well a law was just passed…”

Now I am in no way saying you should vote for someone who isn’t Christian so you don’t become part of this problem. I think the issue is your motive. Thinking that a change of laws will somehow make people believe in God and His goodness or point people to Jesus are unbiblical. Before Jesus ascended into heaven he said ”go, and make disciples of all nations..” Not vote, and have other people make law that the things of me be followed. That was tried once and obviously God had to send His son to fulfill it.

Maybe this is just an incoherent rant, but ultimately what I am trying to say is, it takes a change of heart, not a change of laws that points people to the one true and glorious thing that is. Jesus Christ!