Ask the Expert and that Randy guy
Questions for Margaret on her book or Randy go here
posted by Randy | 11:24 AM
What the Heck Blog for 2006 Interns
We'll use this to interact on the book we're reading
- Myths of Impact
- Passion - Fruit, Fuel or Failure
- Calling
- What's Stopping You
- Welcome to the Discusssion
8 Comments:
MARGARET: First I must say that I think it's fantastic that you are pursuing your talent/joy of writing! I too, think that it's great that you are reaching out to young adults...but WHY young adults? Where is this passion for our generation coming from?
Wow! Elizabeth--great question. I think the passion that comes, first and foremost, is God-seeded. It's something that's innate in who I am. When I travel, I see and experience a lot of different people at all stages of life. But when I'm around the people of my own generation, something naturally resonates. And the thing I've seen time and time again, is people in their twenties and thirties all across the country struggling and dealing with issues and feeling like they're the only ones..not realizing that in many regards, we're all wrestling with the same issues. So I think there's a need to begin speaking out about the issues that are on many of hearts. I am not the only one. There are many...and the numbers are still growing. It's an exciting time.
The second reason I have this passion is that I think we're in a crucical time in history. The baton is being passed between generations. Boomers are raising up and blessing Gen Xers (and Yers) to assume roles of leadership and take the message of Jesus into the twenty-first century. I think that there's a lot at stake. We are the future leaders (whether we want to be or not). We are the plan. We will shape what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus for the next generation. Will we look more like our culture or more like Christ? We will be motivated by love or legalism? Will we be able to communicate clearly the profound, beautiful truth of who Jesus is to our world (which looks radically different than our parents)?
We will answer those questions one way or another through the way that we live, our actions, our reactions, our willingness to sacrifice. Our answers will be displayed in the way that we interact with one another... in the way we follow the call Jesus has placed on our lives and the passions he has instilled in our hearts.
What is your passion???
Haha, that's a good question! I asked you to elaborate on your passion for young adults b/c I too, feel very much the same as you do toward this generation. Many young adults are oblivious to the fact that we're all in the same boat. (I've been guilty at times!!) While growing up,"they" tell us that we're going to become older, get a job, get married, and have a family...but what "they" never tell us is HOW to appropriately do those things or which steps we must take to SUCESSFULLY get there!
Whew! To truly answer your question, I don't know; At least I don't know specifically what MY passion is...I do have passion though...lots of it.
Behold!! I find myself in that, "I'm not sure exactly what I should do in life" stage. Amazingly, I'm having a lot of FUN trusting in God and doing as he says!!! :0) I'm more comfortable with not knowing what's to come NOW, than I ever have been before! I am thankful and excited for that.
margaret:
what are some of the issues that aren't being spoken about but you feel are on the hearts of those in this generation--and--how would you say we could speak Life and Truth into the hearts that dwell on those issues?
wow. Art. let me thinking on that for a bit.
I think two issues that are sparked in the hearts of many in our generation are social justice and the environment. These are two areas that evangelicals have let go in favor of contending on other fronts.
But I think that we as followers of Jesus are called to care for the poor. I think we are the salt, the light, the plan... and we have left that front to defend others over the last few decades. It's time to return to the mandate to love and care for the poor.
As far as the environment, this is another area that many evangelicals have had a weak showing. I think many in my generation want to do their part in being environmentally responsible.
Those are two themes I think will be making their way through Christian publishing, music et. and are being awakened in the heart of this generation.
I also feel like I'm part of a generation who really wants to know Jesus. We hunger to know him free from all the additives of what this world tries to infuse us with and know him for ourselves. We long for that which is authentic.
What do you think????
(my computer's been crashed, so sorry for the time delay in responding)
I think you're right, Margaret. We're searching for authenticism and for justice.
I also think we are more globally minded than we have ever been. We see what happens in other countries, and it is finally dawning on us that we should and can do something about it. Telecommunications has brought us closer than we have even been only to allow us to realize that we are more segregated than we ever imagined.
We do want something real as well. People around me are tired of legalism, however this leads them to non-commitment to the church. They have a hard time committing to something that isn't perfect after they have the idea of what perfect (Jesus) is. This then throws them into God-without-church mode and destroys the growth God intended for and through His body.
How have you helped people in this latter situation in your life?
Art,
That's a tough question. Helping people realize that they need the church... it's like bringing a dehydrated pup to water.... in some regards.
I think some requires patience for maturity. Just as teens often go through an angst period, I think twentysomethings often go through a angst with the church period. I don't flinch as much when I see this, but just try to gently encourage. But it is bothersome when people don't grow beyond this... any frustration with the church should become a place of action... becoming part of the solution not just joining the ranks of the disdaining.
Even my own frustrations become a point of action. If I see something at church not getting done and I'm really passionate about it, then I look at it as an invitation to get involved and do something about it.
For example, last fall we realized our youth pastor needed support and the youth room looked tired and worn. So we put together a team and some money and went to IKEA and did an Extreme Makeover for our own youth room. It was great. Everyone bonded, the youth group was encouraged, the youth leader felt appreciated and loved and everyone benefited. It was a rich portrait of what church life can be like!
So maybe frustration can be an invitation to rich, fun, creative ideas!
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