From a Baby Boomer to an X-er/Millenial

Wow, what a powerful letter, and what a wise response, Jordan. This is an Issue, I am currently in the midst of figuring out as I work as a youth director at a church. This church has gone through times of being a spiritually dry place, and is primarily 'boomer' and follows those conservative boomer trends.

I recently graduated from a large, liberal state school and saw my faith progress through much of what you and Scotty mention. I went through the stage when I made sure people new that I was a "Christ follower" and different than "those Christians". I have since realized that for me to distance myself like that is to distance myself also from the greatness in Christianity's history. Anyway, I think as I wrestle with these issues, I think some things we may have to apologize for are being so reactionary and forgetting that God uses "stale, boomer Christianity" to introduce many to the Living God of the Universe (I say this because i notice it in myself). I have also herd criticism of our generation's lack of discussion about sin. I have noticed that the word sin has essentially lost meaning in our society, but there must be discussion about what happens when we violate God's laws.

These aren't any sort of comprehensive list by any means, but they are things I notice as I wrestle through my own personal faith.
Thanks for the letter, both Jordan and Scotty. Thanks for asking the tough questions about our collective faith; and big thanks to the BWC for providing a place to talk about real issues for Christians outside of the mainstream.
JD

Thank you Scotty! Having grown up in a small, conservative church in the South, I spent most of my life with at church because that was what you were supposed to do.
Through high school I began to have a hunger for something more and a great dissatisfaction with the Church as I had experienced it up until that point, but I had never seen anything more of the Church than my little church. After college and a few years exploring and experiencing God and His Church for myself, I saw my home church with different eyes, the way Scotty describes it. Going home occasionally to see my parents, I still visit that church.
In response to Jordan's caveat to not turn a blind eye to our own problems, I agree with JD. I have caught myself, upon visiting my home church, thinking how much disappointment God must feel for that church, how far it has come from His intentions for His body on earth, how little it actually fulfills his calling of love, service, etc. God gave my pride and arrogance toward that church a nice slap in the face the other day when He genuinely moved in sincere hearts in a big way. I had given up on the Holy Spirit in that church, on Christ moving in people in any real way, because my pride said that Christ only moves in churches that are getting it "more right" than that church. But Christ doesn't care. God brought life to a bunch of dry bones.
His body is exactly that, HIS BODY, and just because it doesn't work for me doesn't mean it doesn't work for Him. I think that God wants me to see and know that truth and not to judge His body by my standards, and to know that just because I had pretty much given up on that church and other churches like it, didn't mean that He had.

one word....wow

Dear Scotty,

I forgive you.

I'll say it has been very difficult growing up without more comprehensive or holistic instruction as to what it means to follow Christ, to be human, to worship God with my whole being. I'd like to think I would have appreciated an inheritance rich in spiritual discipline. But I can be thankful at least for the sheltering and inhibitions that have protected me instead. More recently, I have left behind the security of my apologetic-for-obedience-gospel and engage the frighteningly dynamic and fearlessly loving God in a drama that devastates my assumptions daily.

I often feel overwhelmed, as though so much of my time here has been lost, and I sometimes I still feel lost, and catch myself interacting with God through distorted modern lenses that inhibit our intimacy. I wonder if you ever feel this way. I'm trusting that the Lord will make up for the years the locusts have eaten (Joel 2), and that His blessings will come fast on the heels of the judgment we have brought upon ourselves (Amos 8-9). I want you to know that I am finding my way to the remnants of faithfulness that are preserved by some from your generation. I have discovered the kingdom of God all around me, and have heard Jesus summons to follow his simple ways into abundant living.

Thank you for your letter. It is refreshing to speak openly about these things. Actually, I had been wondering when you and your friends might join my group of friends and allow God to do a new work in all of us, but it is difficult when some of our fathers insist on bringing their old wine skins. You know, I had forgiven you some time ago.

Peace,
Michael

Awesome letter!
Thank you Jordon for being tender of heart enough to recognize the gravity of what Scotty wrote. I think a lot of us mid-forties dudes and dudettes are very aware of our need to "change wineskins" . It is so hard to dicern what is foundational and needful to hold onto and what is "religious" . Some things are obvious, but the call of Christ to live Holy and walk in relationships of sincereity where we are able to live as a body and hold one another accountable...at imes feels like a knife edge...not much room to stand on and pretty easy to fall off. I love you guys for your candor and passionate desire to be real and relevent as lovers of Christ.
Thanks again! I would love to have coffee with Scotty or Jordon...I am sure they have it more right than I do.
Brad

Hey Scotty,

I'm 59 so I'm by no means a GenXer. I'm a boomer. Very well stated brother. Very well stated!

Bob Havey

Thank you. To all those who are truly interested in this subject, you need to read a book by David Kinnaman called "unChristian." It sheds a who new light on this situation, statistically. Please read. Thanks again!

Thanks to all for your responses to my letter! I too recommend the book 'unchristian'. I'm leading a book review of it in our church on Sunday nights - awesom!