Generation to Generation

Generation to Generation

‘AWord from the Pastor’ By Clayton Adams

There are at any given time in our nation at least five different living generations.

The oldest generation has frequently been termed the Greatest Generation born between 1920 to about 1945. Having endured the Great Depression and World War II as their formative events. This generation built this country, worked very hard, saved their money and attended church regularly.

The Baby Boomers were born between 1946 -1964, this is the generation my wife and I belong to. We both were born in the sixties and the Vietnam War, Woodstock, President Nixon resigning and the Arab Oil Embargo are highlights of our generation. Boomers attend church less regularly than their parents did.

The Busters or Generation X (Gen X) were born between 1965 through 1984 according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. This generation is the first to consumer technology and they do like their gadgets. On average Gen X will have at least 7 career changes in their life.

This generation attends church less than the boomers.

The Millennials/Generation Y was born between 19812000 or so. They have never known life without cell phones. Millennials see themselves more “spiritual” more so than “religious.”

Millennials attend church far less regularly than boomers.

Generation Z/Boomlets (the final name or label has not yet been determined) were born after 2001. The Center for Generational Kinetics, (www.genhq.com) said, “Z's are still largely kids and adolescents, many of their adult characteristics are yet to be vetted.” Early indications are that they are increasingly self-aware, self-reliant, innovative and goal-oriented. This generation desires to bring change into the world and the greatest formative event in this generation was and continues to be 9-11 and the war on terror. For the most part, church for Z's is a novelty or a place to attend a special event.

In the Latin language, the word pastor means “shepherd” or “herdsman.” A pastor shepherds people, guiding, encouraging, challenging, strengthening and even providing correction for people to follow after Christ.

The greatest personal challenge I have is to pastor people from each of these unique generations. From generation to generation it is my goal to teach and demonstrate how the Bible applies in every individual's life.

Each generation asks the same questions and has the same quest for truth. For example, each deals with the questions of origin, purpose, accomplishments and the end of life. Perhaps the greatest question every generation asks is the same question Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:38 “What is truth?”

Attempting to discover truth is often met with responses such as, “What difference does it make…” or what is true for you may not be true for someone else. It seems as though everyone wants truth to fit ones predetermined definition. Perhaps this is why it is easier to take what the Bible says or doesn't say and make it fit a particular narrative or point of view.

Everyone knows it's easier to make the Bible fit our lifestyle than to make our lifestyle fit what the Bible states. To each generation the Bible says; “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

(Genesis 1:1) Before everything there was God, He was neither made nor created – this is truth and I accept this in faith.

“There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1) There is a Creator and there is purpose and value in everything that happens. I do not always like what happens, but I accept it, learn from it, hopefully change, improve and move on. I can live with unanswerable questions and faith.

“He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart…” (Ecclesiastes 3:11) Everyone in every generation thinks of eternity and what happens after this physical life. Everyone has faith, call it what you wish but even the atheist believes there is nothing before or after this life – that's faith!

What is important? “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14) From generation to generation, the search for truth continues. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:3-4) Who are you listening to? Always compare what you see and hear to what the Bible says.

Every generation searches for truth and many “turn away” because it's not what they want to hear. A good church will help every generation discover truth, accomplishing what God created, purposed and designed us to accomplish.

Find a good church, get involved and help the next generation to find truth in faith.

Clayton Adams is pastor at Earle First Assembly of God.