It’s Time to Put David in the Game – The Case for Millennial Leadership Part III
Before reading today’s blog, the reader is encouraged to read the Introduction to the series as well as Part II.
2. The people of God are hiding from reality – I Samuel 17.11, 24
Goliath. Philistine armies. Open challenge of the armies of God. Saul. Israel’s armies. Hiding from reality while maintaining the illusion that they are soldiers and they are actually fighting.
In the face of the of surveys mentioned yesterday, the we in the church continues to post self-congratulations to ourselves.
Social media overflows with the superlatives we post about our churches, our programs, our youth ministries, our worship, our services, our outreaches, our events, our ________ – everything we do is “awesome,” “amazing,” “incredible,” “unbelievable,” “astounding,” “mind-blowing,” “miraculous,” “breathtaking,” etc.
Meanwhile, the church is having little impact on people in America. The church is having little effect making disciples of Jesus, little success in the paramount mission Jesus gave us to give ourselves to until He comes, the one unfulfilled mission that keeps Jesus from coming again.
Instead of making disciples, churches make consumers. The Gospel has been traded in for Moralistic Therapeutic Deism. The life of the church is centered in consumer-focused events and “worship experiences,” otherwise known as feelings therapy.
And no, the future does not appear to be any brighter than the present. A member of our ministry, a Millennial minister, forwarded the results of a new study on Millennials and their view on church and religious organizations. Over the last five years, the Favorable rating has dropped 18%. Even more enlightening are the comments of Millennials who comment on the study results.
Meanwhile, the culture is having incredible impact on the church. Boston College professor, Alan Wolfe, writes, “American faith has met American culture—and American culture has triumphed.”
Rome is burning and the church is fiddling – fiddling away its call and its commission, its mandate and its mission. With great fanfare it fiddles for its “worship experiences,” not knowing it is fiddling for its own funeral.
We can object, but the numbers don’t lie: Survey says 8 in 10 Americans aren’t even a part of a local faith community, Gospel preaching or otherwise. Survey says – 93 of every 100 people are living without Jesus, and living without Jesus they will die without Him forever. Forever. Survey says 45% of Millennials have a favorable view of religion in America and the number is falling, not rising.
But aren’t our buildings beautiful? Wasn’t Sunday’s worship experience awesome? Didn’t the lights and fog machines create an amazing ambiance? Isn’t our pastor’s preaching so relevant? Could anyone possibly imagine events that are more exciting than ours?
Aren’t we simply unbelievable, I mean incredible?
It’s time to pull our heads out of our comfortable sands.
It’s time to face reality.
It’s time to put David in the game.
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Saddled with large student debt, just beginning to set up homes and start families, and serving in low paying first and second positions, Millennials are those who most desire but can least afford to pay for pastoral coaching.
We are able to do so thanks to the faithful and generous support of individuals and churches like yours who want to see young leaders not only enter the ministry, but remain in the ministry.
Now, more than ever, we need your help.
If you or your church would like to help Millennial ministers across the US and overseas build strong for a lifetime in ministry, please click here to support Journey monthly or with your one-time gift. Thank you.
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