Do Young People Desire Anguish?

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Do Young People Desire Anguish?

July 14, 2011 by Ed Bahler

They may frustrate you with their expectations or intimidate you with their social connections.

They’re “Digital Natives” while we struggle as “Digital Immigrants”. What they want from church is very different as well.

Here is research data from Dave Tonen regarding what the 18-30 year old crowd want from you and I at church:

Community
Authenticity
Mentorship
Passionate Leaders
Interactive Environment
Involvement
Relevant Engagement
Intellectually Challenged
Technology and Internet Presence

This is real stuff. Last week I experienced it first hand at an annual family camp we attend.

I had the opportunity to share a power point with video clips in an attempt to step into the world of the high school and college kids.

One of the videos was a passionate, tearful plea from pastor David Wilkerson (Author of the The Cross And The Switchblade). David poured out his heart about our lack of anguish.

Anguish:

Bearing God’s heart, passion and burden so deeply it provokes us to act.

I wondered if they would connect. Would they care? Could their hearts be stirred?

When we finished nobody moved. It felt like an hour of deep, quiet reflection. Tears were common throughout the room.

Does that surprise you? Have we underestimated our young people?

Check out Wilkerson’s video:

Posted in Empowering Leadership, Evolving Culture, Relevant Ministry | Tagged Authentic, building momentum, Empowering Leadership, Evolving Culture, Faith, Leadership, legitimacy, Purpose, Relevant Ministry, Valuable life goal, vision | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on July 15, 2011 at 7:44 am David Tonen

Thanks for the mention Ed. The research data was actually compiled by The Evangelical Fellowship of Canada…I just wrote about it because I (like you) would like to see church leaders engage this generation where they are at and encourage them to explore the life-change that a relationship with Jesus provides.
on July 18, 2011 at 10:48 am Kristin Ruther

This is so convicting, Ed. –Lord, help us to have your heart and burden.
on July 18, 2011 at 11:26 am Ed

Thanks for the statistics David. They align with what I feel from my seven kids ages 13-31.

Blessings,

Ed
on July 18, 2011 at 11:28 am Ed

Hi Kristin,

Thanks for sharing such a from the heart response. It is both provoking and convicting. It stirs me all over again each time I see it.

Blessings,

Ed
on July 19, 2011 at 7:46 am Katie

This is great material to use for our college mentor program here at ISU to challenge not only ourselves, but our students.

Blessings,
Arlan & Katie
on July 19, 2011 at 5:32 pm Ed

Hey Katie,

Good to hear from you and glad it could be of value.

Blessings,

Ed

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