Monday, July 23, 2007
Not So Different
Writing at MMI, Earl Creps looks at the current state of spirituality in youth culture. Things don't sound too different to me than when I was "that age." The expressions may have changed, but the basic realities are remarkably similar. The post does contain this one absolute winner of a pull quote:
I would submit to you that the answer to those questions is because that is what we are giving them. We cannot make genuine disciples unless we are first disciples ourselves - that's how it works. Cats cannot beget dogs, neither can the Church of Laodecia produce deep and abiding discipleship.
Why does the church always look to the external to get better when what we really need to do is some serious and deep self-evaluation? It's like treating an Alzheimer's patient with memory exercises. Unless we attack the illness that is rotting the brain, the exercises will slow the rate of decline, but the patient will die nonetheless.
Somehow I think Christ said it best
Where are you focusing today?
Related Tags: youth, discipleship, beget, speck, plank
I concluded from Josh’s observation that at least some young adult spirituality is less of a static state of mind and more of a more of a floating experience of faith.There are volumes in that statement, but I want to concentrate on one aspect. Why do you think the situation described exists as it does? Why would something that is supposed to form the core of our existence, when passed on to the next generation, be experienced by them like the latest fad? Why would the one permanent and unchangable thing is all existance appear transitory and effemoral?
I would submit to you that the answer to those questions is because that is what we are giving them. We cannot make genuine disciples unless we are first disciples ourselves - that's how it works. Cats cannot beget dogs, neither can the Church of Laodecia produce deep and abiding discipleship.
Why does the church always look to the external to get better when what we really need to do is some serious and deep self-evaluation? It's like treating an Alzheimer's patient with memory exercises. Unless we attack the illness that is rotting the brain, the exercises will slow the rate of decline, but the patient will die nonetheless.
Somehow I think Christ said it best
Luke 6:42 - Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother's eye.If we want a better world we have to start by making ourselves and our church better.
Where are you focusing today?
Related Tags: youth, discipleship, beget, speck, plank
