Sex, drugs, rock n’ roll … and religion

What in the world is going on with the younger generation?  They’re just so – so religious!

The Wall Street Journal addressed this issue last weekend in the article, Religion’s Generation Gap by Katherine Rosman.  It seems that some youth in the USA were really frustrating their parents because they were just so … devout!  And it’s not just happening in the States, it’s Canada too.  Perhaps it’s a growing trend around the world.

I was asked by a staff member at CAM International about giving in Canada (ie donations to charities).  I wrote about some of the negative aspects in my previous post, Think you’re generous, eh?  But there’s another side to the story – an interesting trend we’ve noticed.  There really does seem to be a younger generation rising up which is very committed to giving, and to committed to praying.

Kevin Ellstrand, a 16 year old mentioned in the Wall Street Journal Article, has done such shocking things as attending a weekly Bible Study and going on a mission trip to Mexico (go Kevin!).  And yet things like this are really causing problems with parents.  Dr. Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, talked about this issue at the beginning of his radio program on Friday.  He said that he was told by a pastor that one of his (the pastor’s) challenges was angry parents – angry that their kids were going into ministry and missions.  “I didn’t spend $60,000 on my daughter’s education so that she could go throw it away as a missionary in Africa”.

Having worked with youth at vti, I can say I’ve seen the same encouraging trend – people on fire for the Lord at a young age.  People who – *gasp* – actually want to live what they say they believe!  And it’s not only frustrating parents, it’s frustrating older partners in ministry who suddenly have to face issues they once avoided.

Is this really something new?  After all, we know that time and time again a younger generation has come with new passion to rewrite history, Christian history too.  Students have been the grassroots force to press on to new mission frontiers.  Is this just the Wall Street Journal being shocked that educated youth could really be religious?  Maybe, but I do think there is something unique going on here.

This doesn’t mean that youth are flooding into Canadian, or American, or Mexican churches.  They aren’t.  But in a very “secular” society (particularly Canada), increasingly hostile toward religion, to be a Christian is a more serious thing than ever.  It can have serious repercussions, in both Canada and Mexico.  So if you’re willing to stand as a 16-year-old believer, you’d better be willing to stand strong.  Arguably, it’s a tougher thing today than it was 15 or 30 years ago.

And many are standing strong, in spite of parents, and in spite of peers.  That means personal faith and choices, and an increase in public action (take for example the young Canadian believers at My Canada who are praying for and engaging in the political process).

So if you’re a young man or woman, wanting to take a stand for Christ – you’re not alone!  Let God keep the fire hot in your heart.  And if you’re wondering what the younger generation of Christians is so passionate about — pick up a Bible to read and ask yourself if you really believe what you say you believe.  Otherwise – why bother?

My days are like a shadow that lengthens, And I wither away like grass.
But You, O LORD, shall endure forever,
And the remembrance of Your name to all generations.
Psalm 102:11-12