A friend recently forwarded a Rutherford Institute opinion blog about the Millennial generation, also called Generation Y or Generation Next. While I do not agree with many of John Whitehead’s conclusions, I think the article is a worthwhile read for anyone interested in the global church’s future.
Millennials were born between the mid-1970s and the early 2000s. Whitehead argues that they are products of a dysfunctional education system, have been “institutionalized” and sheltered from an early age, and lead social lives that are defined by technology.
This is not to say that all Millennials are disconnected and oblivious. But collectively, they’re shaping up to be a generation of compliant, uninformed citizens who will be inclined to go along with most things as long as the corporate state can keep them happily hooked to their gadgets.
Defining generations by supposed common traits is always problematic, but I believe it is fair to recognize new trends and attitudes among younger people. Whitehead is troubled by a lack of seriousness, vigilance, and civic engagement among young adults. On the other hand, in The Meeting of the Waters I call them the Mercy Generation, and I commend their entrepreneurial passion in serving others all around the world.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this subject. Feel free to submit comments below!
Here is the link to the full text of the article: http://www.rutherford.org/articles_db/commentary.asp?record_id=639
I feel as though each older generation bemoans the short comings of the next generation coming up, so there is nothing new in that. What is new however is the impact gadgets, Facebook et al are having on this upcoming generation. With 5 kids aged between 8 and 16, the difference between my upbringing (b. 1969) and theirs is for many overwhelming and undecipherable.
Me?, I’m up for the challenge of defining Christ to them in a real and positive manner and it’s encouraging to have guys like yourself putting down the signposts for us ‘oldies’ to follow! Keep it coming, cheers!
Appreciate the post Fritz…I saw there was an article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch about your book. I’m interested in engaging your idea of “social justice” and the mercy generation more fully. I recently had a buddy from college email me wondering what I thought about Glenn Beck telling folks to leave their churches if the church is teaching “social justice”, because it is merely veiled Marxism. Now, of course, this is a classic talk radio oversimplification/generalization, but what you warn Christians to be wary of in the “social justice” movement?
The contrarian in me wants to know, is my generation really a “mercy” generation, or are we simply a “soft-soap tolerance” generation, afraid to take sides and tear the log out of our own eye (so we go to Africa to fix them…or maybe we vote for a political candidate instead of giving our time and efforts to help others directly)?
To say that “social justice” is code language for liberal politics is a crass oversimplification. It’s proof, too, of the Global Current of Mediation: that pundits of all stripes are seeking bolster their ranks and boost their ratings by demonizing “the other side.”
I don’t think the name of Jesus is honored by minimizing justice and mercy– issues to which He devoted so much time and teaching. I believe that social justice was a big part of Jesus’ heart for the world during His ministry here.
At the same time, many Christians are concerned that we not give short shrift to proclamation. Jesus declared Himself as the way, truth, and life, and He told us to bear witness to that Truth. That’s very difficult in this time when the world is generally so intolerant toward exclusive truth claims. Social justice and Mercy come naturally to younger generations, I believe, but their biggest challenge may be standing boldly for Truth.