Ever feel like you need a “cultural translator” just to get through to your kids?
Yeah. Me, too.
But it sounds like I’m not the only one. In the past decade I’ve been noticing a disquieting trend among some parachurch ministries, and even churches themselves. Maybe you’ve noticed it, too. Follow my train of thought here:
- A ton of thriving ministries and churches have Baby Boomer-heavy populations.
- Rapidly developing technology (and hence, culture) is creating perhaps a wider communication gap than ever in history between generations.
- Boomers are beginning to retire.
- Ministries that cannot “transfer” their ministry skills and passion to younger generations are in danger of…aging out.
- Perhaps in part because of these phenomena, there is a mass exodus from the American Church. This study from 2015 suggests an 8% drop occurred in the last ten years. Business Insider reports that on a worldwide scale, “Islam is expected to catch up to Christianity midway through the 21st century,” as it is now the fastest-growing religion.
Maybe you’re a parent of teens like me—and can feel this in your home. I deeply, personally understand the challenge to compellingly “translate” our soul-hunger for Jesus to a largely self-satisfied generation.
Today I’m writing again for my friend Kristen Welch’s site, WeAreTHATFamily.com, on this topic of helping our kids to internalize their faith and keep loving Jesus after they leave home. Hop on over and check it out!
