Reaching this Generation

Pastor Dave Monreal, Lead Pastor

I have been in ministry for 28 years. I started out in a church that had an average age of 78 in the congregation. There were a few administrators who attended with their families and a couple of residents kids and grandkids, but by and large, the congregation was a sea of grey hair as far as the eye could see. From there I became a youth pastor and primarily dealt with middle and high school kids. The two churches following that were all ages but mostly baby boomers and generation Xers with some college-aged millennials thrown in. For five years after that I taught middle school Bible class (to Generation Z students)! I have never worked with smaller children, but one thing has struck me that I am sure holds true with that age is, people are people.

Wow! That was underwhelming. You read the whole previous paragraph only to find out that, “People are people”? My point is this, in spite of the differences in ages, finances, experience, education, and outlook on life, fundamentally people want the same things. They want “something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for.” (Alexander Chalmers). People want to be known. They want to be accepted. They want to be loved. They want to be productive and make a difference with their lives. They have hopes, dreams, and aspirations. And the crazy thing about kids is, they become adults! (I know, aren’t you glad you read my words of wisdom.) Kids from my first two churches are now in their 30s and 40s! They are doctors, lawyers, dentists, architects, homemakers, business owners, and blue-collar workers.

We can all agree that Jesus never sinned, and he never compromised his convictions. Everything he did without fail always pleased the Father. His choices were orchestrated and guided by the Holy Spirit. Jesus was the friend of sinners! They liked him and HE LIKED THEM! They were drawn to him. In the midst of their sinful mess, they knew they could run to him. He never condoned their sin or minimized their mistakes. He never called wrong, right or right, wrong. He didn’t tell them what they wanted to hear but what they needed to hear. So, what made him so attractive to sinners was that he loved them!

So how do we reach this generation that seems so messed up by our standards? (Of course, the previous generation said the same thing about us!) Here’s what you do…are you ready for it? You love them! Crazy, huh? I know that just blew your socks off and you are mesmerized by my brilliance. Okay, I know it’s not that. This seems pretty obvious, right? But try doing it. Now I don’t mean ACT like you love them. I mean to have such a change in your heart that your heart genuinely goes out to them in love. In the midst of their sin. In the midst of their sexual preferences. In the midst of their gender identities. Regardless of who they voted for or whose lawn sign is still in their yard. It isn’t about acting like you love them it is about LOVING THEM FROM THE HEART. You don’t have to agree with them. You don’t have to approve of their choices. Loving them is not compromise. Loving them is being like Jesus to them.