Reality Check

One of the greatest changes and challenges the church faces today is in the area of information, or more specifically, access to information. The continual emergency of digital tools and new technologies is moving at an unimaginable pace. “Well that’s o.k. If you’re into that sort of thing,” I often hear folks say.

Reality Check Number One: You may not be interested in this, but the vast majorities of people thirty and under are.

Reality Check Number Two: Personal computers, tablets, mobile devices, and smart phones are providing our society with almost unlimited access to people, information, and their ideas. This is especially true for generations of people born after 1960 (the last birth year for those who qualify as Baby Boomers).

Last year when I was preaching in a church in Wichita I gave a children’s sermon before the “real sermon.” In it I ask the kids what they enjoyed doing the most in their spare time. A very precocious little girl, about seven, answered with “I like to text me friends.”

Reality Check Number Three: Technology is fueling rapid change in our society and generational disconnections. This is especially true of the current generation (who have been labeled Mosaics) and the previous one (labeled Busters), to some extent. These generations have been born into and raised up in this age of overwhelming technological change. In fact, an argument could be made that the current generation not only continues to adapt to change but also now expects continual change. They look forward to the latest or newest version of a game, product, app, or technology.

Reality Check Number Four: In the midst of these new technologies and the access they bring, the church struggles to connect and minister. While our message of change, grace, and eternal life through Jesus Christ is alive and even viewed as “edgy” by many young people today, the church itself is often viewed as outdated, stiff, boring, and unable to change. Yes, it is here where the battle rages and challenges must be met.  

We know our message is relevant but we must also address the necessary changes that will allow others, especially younger generations, to see the church itself as vital and relevant in their lives. This might be the greatest challenge before us.

Technology, information access, and change are part of the current generations self-identity. It affects how they view the world around them and previous generations’ views on culture, politics- and especially their view of religion in general and Christianity specifically.

Bottom-line, the church today must address the necessity of change if it expects to remain relevant in a changing world or as the Apostle Paul would remind us, we must be in the world but not of the world.

RefRev