Skye Jethani writes another great post about his (and my) generation, which he is calling The Jumbo Jet Generation…
“What they fail to realize is that my generation is not rejecting orthodoxy. We are rejecting the false dichotomy that the American church has perpetuated for the last century. We refuse to believe that the gospel is either social or spiritual, eternal or temporal. Earlier generations of evangelicals were more interested in saving souls than seeking justice because a cup of cold water would be little comfort in the flames of hell. But my generation cannot shake the global perspective imprinted on our minds from our childhoods. The gospel, we believe, must have relevance for this world and not simply the next.“
– Skye Jethani
(emphasis added)
Saturday night I talked with a woman at our Laundry Love effort about this very idea.
She works as a youth director in her community of faith and said that her teens were very active in helping the community.
I told her that the thing I’ve seen more than anything is that Gen-Xers, Gen-Yers and younger are all interested in getting involved and making a difference when they can see results.
They don’t like giving money to institutions without transparency, they don’t like getting involved in institutions that don’t seem to be making a difference.
The up and coming generations want to make a difference in the world — and they want to feel like they’re making a difference.
They want to change the world — but they don’t always like waiting around to see results (I think this is especially true for younger generations).
Sam Mahlstadt at Church Crunch writes:
The idea of showing up to a church service once a week, and passively observe is over – dead.
There is a growing sense that the generation beginning to take the helm in churches and in organizations like charity: water desire movement. They want to lead movements, be a part of movements and see results to their actions.
Which is why I believe charity:water has been able to raise $2 million so quickly — coming largely from younger generations.
From the beginning, charity:water has been uber-transparent about where their money goes.
Literally, from day 1, when the first fundraising party was held, charity:water took the money overseas and created videos showing everyone how the money was spent.
Jesus’ first “sermon” after his 40 days in the wilderness was simple. It was a declaration of his mission.
The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed,
to proclaim the year of Jubilee.
Good news for the poor? Freedom for the prisoners?
It must be more than just saving them from hell. It must have relevance for this world as well.
So here are a few questions I think we should be asking…
- Is your version of the good news good news for all, or just the select few who chose to accept it?
- Is your version of the good news about saving you from something – or saving you for something?
- How will you carry the good news to the rest of the world?
- How will you make it accessible, relevant and important to the generations to come?
- Will you be committed to bearing the burden of others?
