I read something very good and interesting on Mark Batterson’s blog Evotional today. Here’s the opening:

I see a generational trend that I want to address.

It seems to me that emerging generations don’t want watered-down, dumbed-down, or soft-sell versions of the truth. I think they want to be challenged and confronted. I’m not talking about Bible thumping. We need to do it persuasively and thoughtfully and prayerfully. But I have this growing sense that the people I pastor want me to get in their face more often.  [Source]

I’m not so sure if this is a generational trend or not, but it could be. Starting in the 1980’s and running through most of the ’90’s, it seemed to be true that the way to grow a church was to avoid being too harsh or “negative.” That was said just about everywhere, and the boom in Mega Churches seemed to back this up as well.

This still seems to be in force today too however. Just look at Joel Osteen’s church, Lakewood. If there’s ever been a guy who refused to tackle tough doctrinal or cultural issues, it’s Osteen. I’ve written about that before, and he pretty much admits it, in a positive way of course!

So if this is a trend, then at best it’s a small and growing one.

But I don’t think it’s limited to the emerging generations either, though they probably have a larger percent of population predisposed to engaging in wrestling with challenging truths. I know plenty of Baby Boomers, and WW2 generation people, as well as Gen Xers etc. who feel that way too.

But if this turns out to be a generational characteristic, then we all ought to give thanks for it. It just might be the salvation of the church in America. The church continues to decline as a percent of the population. The long term solution to this problem isn’t going to be found in cute little positive thinking messages ala Shuller, Osteen, et al.

Instead a return to intelligent, thoughtful presentations of Scriptural truth is really our only hope. So let’s raise a cheer for the emerging generations! And even if you’re as old as I am, why not try emulating them just a little bit?

Preachers – let’s man up and skillfully challenge our people to move out of their comfort zones and into some real discipleship for Jesus!