Zack

http://zackblaisdell.wordpress.com

[If anyone wants more of my thoughts--oh mercy!--then the Pepperdine lecture mp3 on this site gives an opportunity. I discuss why the social dynamic of our churches requires intentional cross-generational leadership.]

1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,[a] 8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.[b]

I don’t know if I’d call it rebellious. I’d say that young folks (like myself – 29 years old) are strong-willed, fired up about God, and tired of the older members in the church constantly quenching our Spirit. Jesus was a young adult (in my mind 30′s is still not old) when he started his ministry. He often “rebelled” against people who were “supposed” to be teachers. By rebelled, I mean that he stood up for what was right despite what others thought of him. To Christians, this shouldn’t be considered rebellion, but rather a revitalization of the Truths of the Bible, but to the world, he was definitely a rebel. Those holier than thou guys who were teaching incorrect things and couldn’t recognize Jesus (The Savior and Messiah) when he stood right in front of them! Many leaders in the church today are just like this. So don’t be surprised when young people look at Jesus example and decide to follow Jesus instead of the stuffy guys in the church who are just like the Pharisees in the Bible. So yeah, the older people say the younger one’s are rebelling because we won’t do things their way (meaning the older people’s way). I do believe the Bible tells of only one WAY to live and it was Jesus’ WAY, not the way of the older people in the church.

It’s the idea of stifling/quenching someone’s desire to follow God. Many young folks look at the older guys and wonder what happened to their zeal. Where is their desire to follow God?

There are some older members who have encouraged me to keep my zeal and I am thankful for them, but there are far too many out there who just want young people to hurry up and get old and complacent just like them. It’s frustrating, and it’s sad.

I love this blog and I hope that Mark continues to speak out. As a young adult (with a family) searching for a church home where we’ll be respected and accepted rather than put down, I can definitely relate to the issues presented in this blog. There’s no wonder that so many congregations are dying or have only 50 or so members. One reason is that the young people go where they are loved.

Lots of young adults (ages 18-30) today have their own families. Do you really think we need to have our children grow up in the same environments we are dealing with? It’s not going to happen for my children, that’s for sure. After working in foreign missions and seeing the freedom that exists in Christ, there’s no way we can come back home to a stifling environment. There’s so much work to be done and we can’t waste our time with people who have lost their zeal to actively serve God and try to keep others from doing so too.

There is a way for all ages to worship together and work together for the Father. Many churches out there have found that common thread and are growing like wild fire, while the ones who haven’t are growing stagnant.

So, anyway, a big thanks to Mr. Mark Parker for speaking out for the young folks out here. Stay strong in your convictions and keep being a voice for the young people out there. We need you!