Congrats, Class of 2017!

I've been doing commencement sermons for a long time now. This year's address is my 9th at FBCJ, and I can understand how our senior pastor must feel bringing new life into Easter and Christmas sermons each year for the last 27 years. I have yet to repeat an address, but I had to scour to find just the right information to express myself properly.  I will do something in this message that I rarely do - I am going to illiterate, Church, Challenges, and Charge. I'm going to describe a vision for the church, identify some challenges, and give a charge to congregations and graduates.

CHURCH

I found a pastor who used the perfect analogy I needed to express myself. Colin Hoover describes the church as a family during a big event, such as Christmas or Thanksgiving.  While growing up, my family was scattered, so I relished the opportunity to go to gatherings with extended family. In our household, there would be the different tables, the adults, the adolescents, and the kids.  In the discussions, the adults would usually be politics or current events, the teens would be popular culture, and the kids would be mayhem. Did anyone else have this experience?  It was always a rite of passage to move up to the next table. First from childhood to sitting with the "Big Kids." Secondly, from the teen table to the adult table. That is where we are today. Graduates, at your next holiday, you are a card-carrying adult, and you get to sit at the adult table. The transition may be rough. "What are they talking about?" or adults may keep asking what you plan to do with your life. Stay calm; you will get the hang of it. You may even enjoy the conversation. I remember getting called up to the "bigs." It's different. Sometimes, you look down at the teen table and wish you could stay there with the younger cousins. Some of you may get temporarily kicked down to the kid's table if the transition doesn't go as smoothly as planned. Either way, you will eventually grow into this new role, and you will find it rewarding and enjoyable.
This table is not just a metaphor for our families and communities; it is a picture of the Body of Christ found in 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 as well as the church.

CHALLENGE

There are, however, challenges to accomplishing this task. Studies indicate that emerging generations are leaving the church at an alarming rate. At least I know that is a popular narrative. When I examine the church's struggle to retain the upcoming generations, I can't help but think "They don't have a seat at the table." Hoover points out that it is almost as if the young adult leaves the teen table to sit at the adult table and there are no more places left. Through the years, I've seen students struggle to make their way in their new role and environment. If we as the church are not intentional about engaging these students, they walk away feeling like they are not needed or wanted.
There are many books written about the Millennials, who I saw all the way to adulthood. I came upon a familiar passage in my quiet time last month, and a couple of verses reminded me of this generation's struggle. If you remember, the Parable of the Talents, the master gives one servant five talents and he earns five more, he gives another servant three talents, and he earns three more. Finally, he gives the last servant a single talent. Many know how this story ends. Matthew 25:24-25 offers the servant’s reply that echo’s the sentiment of many graduates I have known through the years. This servant is so disillusioned and frustrated by what he sees as an inferior talent, that he squanders the opportunity to use and multiply his talent. While this parable is usually a tale to prevent sloth and laziness, I want to challenge our church family and find people convinced that their contributions here are inadequate or unwanted.

Graduates, there will be setbacks that will challenge you and make you want to give up on yourself or your faith. In these moments, cling to God and continue to follow his path. Do not let any experience or feeling prevent you from realizing your potential and serving the body of Christ.

CHARGE

My charge, first to the church, is to help welcome rising generations into our church family. They represent future deacons, teachers, and leaders growing up before our very eyes. As we set our vision looking forward, we need to bathe our young people in prayer, meet their needs, identify their giftings, and involve them in the life of our church. We must honor the past and look to the future so these young people can walk serve as the next generation of Christian leaders.
Graduates, regarding the church, you need to understand that you aren't finished yet. Adults still have much to teach you. Using the table analogy, you don't pop up to the head of the table and start carving the turkey. There is still much to learn. Take my advice and find a mentor or two who can walk you through life's challenges and build you up and prepare you for the road ahead. You are entering a new and uncertain world, full of obstacles and pitfalls. As you seek your identity as an adult, cling to your faith. Many identify themselves according to how they look, what they have, what they can do, or what they desire. Remember that your true identity is in Christ and he will see you through this transition.

Welcome to the adult table, Class of 2017. I can’t wait to see what is in store for you.

A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO GEN X

I am a proud Gen X, raised on television, movie theaters, shopping malls, and arcades. The late 20th Century was a unique time to spend my formative years. The world changed rapidly with the onset of the tech boom, end of the Cold War, and the evolution of American attitudes toward race and gender. There were challenges for my generation, many of which grew up as “latch-key” kids. “Work-life balance” was in its infancy and many Gen X took to cable television the way the Millennials take to their smartphones. MTV was a cultural phenomenon – a one stop channel that dictated the songs we heard, the movies we watched, and the clothes we wore.  For adults who grew up in that age, MTV served as the common ground and served as our “social media.” For the first time, popular culture came to teens and young adults 24-hours a day and a generation viewed the world’s happenings through MTV’s lens. From its campy inception to its musical heyday, to its scripted programming, to the pioneering of reality television, the network was there for pop culture events as well as historical milestones such as elections or 911. The musicians and celebrities featured on MTV took on a more intimate relationship with audiences because they grew up with us in our living rooms. They sparked our debates and inspired our creativity.

Today, I am attempting to write a note of encouragement to a generation that has lost many of its best and brightest at an early age. While the Boomers lost the likes of Hendrix, Joplin, Moon, and Morrison, Xers find themselves in similar grief over the passing of their childhood. River Phoenix, Cliff Burton. Brandon Lee, Easy-E, Tupac Shakur, Selena Quintanilla, Kurt Kobain, and Princess Diana tragically left us in their prime. As the 21st century unfolded, the stars of our youth continued to struggle. As the internet exploded, Xers became accustomed to the latest eulogy of our favorite musicians, artists, and celebs appearing on our morning homepage or news-feed. In recent months, Boomer Icons such as Prince and Robin Williams experienced tragic fates, and today, I heard the news that fellow, Xer, Chris Cornell left us as well. The Grunge Movement of my early adulthood that defined youthful angst had now lost arguably it's two most influential front-men to tragic causes. Cynics will blame the culture for this problem, but I see the humanity past the stereotype. Behind the celebrity and the hype, we identified with them as people who were experiencing the same cultural phenomenon. My heart goes out to Cornell's family as well as a generation who ushered Seattle culture and flannel into fashion.

Xers have defied the odds by shedding our “slacker” label to become hard-working families with work-life balance. In these moments, we need to comfort one another, reach out to the grieving families, remember the positive, offer hope, and remind ourselves to look for and reach out to those we suspect need help. These events do not define us. We must continue to defy the odds and prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening in the future.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/18/arts/music/chris-cornell-dead-soundgarden.html?_r=0

Welcome to my blog! This forum will allow me to offer cultural observations from decades of ministry, educational endeavors, world travel, and personal relationships. Posts will range from musings and observations to commentary on world events. Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to hearing from you.