Cultures (and generations) collide, as we know so well. Perhaps the clearest evidence of this in the church is in the arena of music. Music is, at the heart, an expression of culture. That could give us insight into why when the music is changed or rejected, people experience loss and even feel criticized.
Cultures collide, but they also connect, either in extension or correction. Sometimes both collision and correction are happening!
When we take two cultures and/or two generations and compare how one’s actions affect the next, it can tell a story and give great insight. Let’s compare Baby Boomers to Generation X and beyond:
Baby Boomers (1946-64): A loss of authenticity and trust leads to a lack of commitment and high divorce rate.
Generation X (1965-1980, raised by the Baby Boomer’s and their culture): Place a high value on being authentic. They trust people that are “real” with them. When it comes to commitment, they either haven’t experienced a need for it or have felt the pain associated with a break. Therefore, they keep all of their options open. However, keeping options open destroys the devotion (commitment factor) essential to spiritual power that we find in Acts 2.
The culture of “keeping options open” so that “I can do what is best for me,” although a response to a previous generation, becomes a block for spiritual development! Commitment must now be taught and developed. People must now be led to commitment as a high challenge and a deep love for Christ. And as we know, commitment will often be resisted. You are not alone in your challenge to develop commitment in this generation!
Not paying attention to such dramatic swings in a culture has huge implications on the Church. It is crucial that we study the culture, not just critique it.
I Chronicles 12:32 talks of the men of Issachar who understood the times and (then) knew what to do. Acts 13:36 “…David had served God’s purpose in his own generation.” You are placed in history at this cultural moment; why? How do you connect the dots?
The Kingdom of God is God’s culture! How does the Kingdom of God answer the heart cry of the culture that we are in? The Kingdom of God is a call to authenticity (confession). It is also a call to commitment that we might know the Lord and discover His destiny for us. The wonder of the Kingdom is that it is always connects to the deeper needs of the hearts of people if we connect the dots!
Our culture is hungry for community. People are desperate for friends, for relationships that matter. Most people are experiencing the dark side of the scripture, “It is not good for man to be alone.” What our culture seems oblivious to is that commitment is a key factor in community! Sacrifice is essential to community. Can you see it? The very factors of culture that are a response and rejection of previous cultures are now keeping the world we live in from what they are so desperately desiring!
The Kingdom offers the Body of Christ and brings with it significance in connection. As we know, in the body everyone matters and everyone has significance (I Corinthians 12, even those with gifts that are hidden matter). Are you ready for this? The resistance to commitment and sacrifice is actually keeping us from experiencing community, keeping us from a sense of significance and impact. What we know is that when we do not just go to church on Sunday, but actually are the church (and members, functioning members), have connections that matter, play a God given role in the lives of others, we discover community and significance!!