MINISTRY TO A NEW GENERATION
Leith Anderson
October 1, 1987
It was the first crisis of my first pastorate. I had challenged the people of that Colorado church to make a "faith promise" of increased giving for world missions. To my delight they committed an additional $5,700 per year, a 50 percent increase over the existing missions budget.
I practically floated to the missions committee meeting, where I recommended we draft a revised budget. But there wasn't even a second to the motion. As one committee member said, "Pastor, when the money actually comes in, we'll decide how to spend it."
I was hurt and angry. God, missions, and I had suffered a terrible defeat.
Seventeen years later, I see the episode very differently. What I then thought was a spiritual issue I now understand to be a generational issue. The difference was not that I trusted God and they did not. The difference was more that they had lived through the Great Depression and I had not.
Projections of perceptions
We all tend to project our own experiences, perceptions, goals, and values upon others. We assume that what is valid for us is valid for everyone else.
Twentieth-century perceptions have been largely shaped by two significant events: the Great Depression and the Baby Boom. Even those not born in the 1910s, 1920s, and 1930s or the decades after World War II have been greatly influenced by these monumental eras of social change.
The Depression generation was small compared to those before and after. Only 24.4 million live births, for example, were recorded in the United States in the 1930s (which explains why many churches today have proportionately fewer members aged 49-57). They married younger, and more of them have stayed married than have their children. Women bore children younger and had more of them.
Economic ...
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
