Are you responding to me? 'Cause the standards I described were low.
Anyway, I'm not trying to say my generation is better than yours. Your generation makes more money, and that's got to count for something, morally speaking. Redleghunter just asked how Christian churches could attract more young people, and it's hard to contribute an answer to that question without making some criticisms of your generation and its spirituality. If he asked, "How could evangelical atheists attract older people?" I might be pointing out some flaws in the strategies of young atheists.
I agree, self examination and external examination are very important in the church Christian, frankly any organization.
I propose we all have a good conversation as if we were sitting down with a cup of coffee. Let's 'lower the shields and beam on board."
I'm a retired Army officer (late 40s) and now teach young active duty Army Soldiers, NCOs, and Officers. What we call a grey beard job where I give back all I learned over the years. Most of the students I mentor and coach are in the 20-35 year old range. One of the best ways to mentor these great professionals is to get to know them and have them get to you know me.
It is interesting seeing your generation navigate a profession like the US military. Your generation is truly more compassionate on average, thoughtful to others, respectful to others and either don't let anything bother them, or the flip side they let everything coming their way bother them. This is probably the greatest personal imbalance I've seen, which I cannot explain. Frankly, in many ways Millennials are no different than any other generation making their way through early adult life. The scene and settings may be different, but I still see the zeal and optimism I had and my peers had.
The younger end of the Millennial generation seem to be a bit more confused on their future direction. I've spoken to quite a few given when you work 6 months with some of these professionals they tend to come to me and others here like we are uncles and aunts. Another adult to bounce things off of and get opinions and life experience. Of course regardless of age gaps, we all do have something in common. We are Soldiers either old and retired Soldiers or on current active duty. There is something which transcends time which bonds us, and that is the unspoken entry argument into any discussion we have.
Now that this old middle aged man rambled on, here's my point.
We can do the same in the Church. There is much that transcends times and seasons. The article
@TX_Matt posted had some very good things to unpack. Meaning, the Christian faith in the NT and early church after that was a church of action....Faith for Christians is a verb. Faith implies faithfulness. We are living in this fallen world but not of it...we are pilgrims seeking the Kingdom of God. Our main mission statement given by Christ was to preach His Gospel and make disciples. So Matt's article hits the mark in most of the presentation.
However,
@Tull makes a good point as well. The tone of the article seems to be 'you need to do this or else.'
Call it persuasive language, I got the hint from the article. Older folk need to listen. Not only do they need to listen but be able to say 'no' when it is warranted and to explain why sometimes the answer is 'no.' Not just say 'no' because the statement of faith/catechism says so, or the Bible says so, but give everyone with ears that hear, the 'why' of 'no.' This is the most important part of being an elder (not just the ones with the title) in the faith. We must provide guidance and direction, and we never outgrow elders. I currently listen to the sage advice of Christian men and women elder to me in age and faith. The mentorship-student relationship never ends. Perhaps my generation has been woefully inadequate in that department.
Which leads into the part where the article speaks of 'gospel' but truly does not explain what this gospel means to those outside the church. Taking the article at face value, without giving exceptions that the author is a mature Christian, if I was not a Christian I would conclude the gospel spoken of in the article was ministering to the poor and getting involved in community activities.
Why do I mention this? Because ministering to the poor and getting involved in the local community is not the Gospel which saves souls. It is frankly what Christians do, or are supposed to do to emulate and walk as Christ and His apostles walked. And I agree we walk and DO what is in our hearts. Those hearts are changed by God. Christianity is a faith of redemption, the selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ leading to His death for us. Christianity is also a faith of the Resurrection of the dead as Christ conquered death and then Rose over it. That is what Jesus told us to preach to the ends of the earth. What the article addresses is the outcropping of this faith in the Risen Lord.
How do we learn about our Christian faith? We do learn it from the Bible where we find the direct words of Jesus Christ, but not only the words but His works of miracles and actions of His death and Resurrection. The Christian faith is one of Miracles proving the words spoken are of God and Truth. The works we do profess this faith make others not in the faith 'wonder' 'curious' or 'convinced' of the Truth. Helping and ministering to the physical needs of others is professing the Christian faith, however, if we don't bring the salve or ointment of the Gospel of Christ's shed blood for the forgiveness and repentance unto salvation, we are an incomplete Christian Church. We are frankly missing the mark and not doing as Christ commanded (Luke 24:44-49) and His apostles preached (1 Corinthians 15).
I'm listening what did I miss?
