GENERATION NEXT

What are you and I doing to shepherd the next generation? To prepare our churches to thrive after we’re gone?

Think about all we do for our families to set them up for the future: We have wills, life insurance, heads of estates, we spend quality time with our families building legacies, teaching our kids, grandkids about Christ, training them up in the Lord. It is very important to us to not leave our families in bad shape. Why then, do so many churches, particularly in America, struggle in the area of preparing for the next generation?

The Apostle Paul strongly emphasized this to the church at Corinth- 1 Corinthians 9:19-23: “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. Now this I do for the gospel's sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.”

When Paul says ‘I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some’ does he mean change the message of the Bible to be more politically correct with the times, or to become seeker sensitive so we just do whatever it takes to get ‘em in? Of course not! The gospel never changes! We’ve seen the drastic, horrific effects of the liberalization within the church of Jesus Christ as many have exchanged the Truth for a lie just to attract people, specifically the next generation. At this point, it’s no longer a church is it? Doctrine and Truth are NON negotiable.

Nevertheless, like Paul points out to the church at Corinth, believers must be willing to adapt with the times without compromising the gospel if we are going to shepherd the next generation. If the answer to a question in our churches is “because we’ve always done it that way,” we seriously need to examine our motives.

Thom Rainer is the author of “I am a church member.” In his study, Rainer describes churches that must change or they will eventually die (in fact the statistic is almost 1 out of every 3). Here are a few key items of note:

- Self-entitled: Another name for these churches are “country club” churches. The members demand the church serve them. They have to have things done their way, or they will leave. After all, they pay their “dues” (offerings) for their perks and privileges.

- Ignorantly idolatrous: It’s easier to get away with heresy in these churches than to make certain changes. No one can use the parlor. We can only have a certain style of music. We better not mess up my service by adding another service. In each of these cases, the members have idols, though they would deny it vociferously.

- Evangelistically anemic: The Great Commission is the great omission in these churches. Church members no longer share the gospel. There are no new Christians in the church.

Here's the big idea- Shepherding the next generation is critical in the life of every church. We must put aside our preferences and get to work!