Brian Lowrey has an interesting comment in his post reflecting on the recent Basics Conference:
Speaking of attendance, the spike in attendance at Basics matches what we’re seeing at other gatherings like Gospel Coalition and Together 4 the Gospel. I find that interesting. More and more people are flocking to conferences that are passionate about exposition, theology, particular theological frameworks and so forth. Again, very interesting and exciting in many ways.
This is, I think, the crowd that Collin Hansen has called young, restless, and reformed.
One pastor told me that when he preaches on tough issues, the older people argue with him. The younger people are prepared to be contradicted by Scripture, and they don’t seem to fight back as much.
Another older pastor told me he’s not putting much hope in the baby boomers, but he puts a lot of hope in the younger group that goes to conferences like The Gospel Coalition.
These two pastors were into exposition and theology before it was popular. They’re just not used to having so much company.
Even Bill Hybels is advising pastors to stop trying to entertain twenty-somethings. Instead, he says, engage them.
Every generation has its weaknesses, and this is only a small segment of the whole. Still, it is exciting to see a group that is interested in theology and willing to be challenged, not just entertained. Just a fad? Hope not.
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From personal experience, I believe the church as a whole has sold its teens and twenty-somethings short for a long time. We have consistently attempted to compete with the world in terms of “holding their interest” through entertainment and activity. In terms of God though, we have far too often simply dictated to them. Essentially we have said, “We’ll give you fun if you don’t ask us troubling questions and simply believe what we tell you to.” As always there are exceptions to this – I owe my existence as a follower of Jesus to people who cared enough to spend time with me and challenge me to believe – but I think the “entertainment focused” attitude has been by far the majority one.
What we haven’t stopped to consider is the possibility that our children and their friends might honestly be interested in seeking God, His plans, and His meaning for their lives. I currently have a group of around 20 teenagers from several different churches that meet in our living room on Monday nights. All we do is talk about God, the Bible, and their lives. I asked them a couple of weeks ago what they would like to see added or changed to our Bible study, and the consistent answer was “nothing.”
I don’t believe this is a fad. I think it’s always been there. I was one of those teenagers seeking God once. What I wanted, and what they want, is people who care enough to realize that the questions they have are valid, and answer them like adults so they can find faith themselves. I think that the church has failed far to often to recognize that God is speaking to our children, and we should validate that, not drown it out.
Jesus said, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” That means He’s drawing our children too.
P.S. I’m no relation to Brian so far as I know, but you never can tell.
Thanks Darryl. I would consider myself part of this group. It is indeed interesting. I find that when solid biblical doctrine, even the hard stuff is presented to people my age they like it, but people in their 40s and 50s think that one is too judgmental or fundamentalist or not tolerant enough or divisive or breaking unity in the body, etc. I really believe that young people are hungry for solid meaty doctrine. They are tired of fluffy anti-intellectual pragmatic program orientated Christianity. We want doctrine, we want community, we want to be on a mission.