It's Time to Let the Younger Generations Lead! - Page 4

AmericanAngel · #31 06-16-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I had an epiphany this weekend.

I visited a church where I was music director from the late 70's to late 80's. I really helped the church by starting a choir and bringing the music quality level up! We brought in drums, bass guitar to go along with the piano and organ.

We were suddenly attracting a younger crowd because we had music that they liked. The older folks didn't like it at first, in fact some of them left.

The bottom line is that the Lord blessed and moved in our congregation in a new way.

When I visited the church again for the first time in twenty years, things had changed. They no longer had a choir, and (gasp!) the acoustic piano was traded in on two keyboards! They had taken the pews out of the choir loft to add a drum cage and space for the different guitars. I was thinking that the music had gone to pot after I left!

When church started it sounded like a rock concert with songs on the screen that I was not familiar with. But.......the spirit of worship was extremely strong with praising and dancing before the Lord. It used to take a really good black choir song to get people that exciting in worship!

As I looked around, I noticed that 3/4ths of the congregation were probably under the age of 30! They had found a way to connect to the younger generations. I was impressed with the way the youth were on fire and worshiping God.

I asked about the church attendance, and they told me that attendance had doubled in the last two years since they changed the worship type and format! They are now running about 800 in two Sunday services. (400 each)

I realize that the style of church music that I like usually attracts folks that are my age. My daughter (age 27) that was with me loved their music!

Maybe it's time to let our young leaders (age 30) take the lead in reaching this new generation. As long as our older preachers are leading, nothing will change! Please let our younger leaders take the reigns before we lose a generation and get closer to extension.

Folks my age may not be comfortable at first, but they'll get used to it once the power of God starts moving in the church like never before!

Hey, that's awesome....I would love to be there.
I thought of this scripture when I read your post...come to think of it, I have thought this before on here several times.
1Cor 9 19-23-

19For although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ].

20To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the Law, though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law.

21To those without (outside) law I became as one without law, not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him, but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.

22To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment) that I might win the weak and overscrupulous. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].

23And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel), in order that I may become a participator in it and share in its [blessings along with you].

Times change. By influences,the way we look , talk, & conduct affairs change. medicine and tecnology advance. Music is revolutionary...we are constantly changing, culture is diversifing. We as christians win souls to Christ, not by being ...ummm(this is difficult for me to find the words...), unreachable, unprepared, unproductive,& unreal, but by being attainable, ready to roll, creating, and genuine.

StillStanding · #32 06-16-2008, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmericanAngel

Hey, that's awesome....I would love to be there.
I thought of this scripture when I read your post...come to think of it, I have thought this before on here several times.
1Cor 9 19-23-

19For although I am free in every way from anyone's control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ].

20To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the Law, though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law.

21To those without (outside) law I became as one without law, not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him, but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law.

22To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment) that I might win the weak and overscrupulous. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].

23And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel), in order that I may become a participator in it and share in its [blessings along with you].

Times change. By influences,the way we look , talk, & conduct affairs change. medicine and tecnology advance. Music is revolutionary...we are constantly changing, culture is diversifing. We as christians win souls to Christ, not by being ...ummm(this is difficult for me to find the words...), unreachable, unprepared, unproductive,& unreal, but by being attainable, ready to roll, creating, and genuine.

Excellent post!

It's time to untie the hands of our most creative and talented young ministers! They have a calling to win their generation!

Rico · #33 06-16-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoman

There has been some excellent discussion on this thread. This is very serious!

If you really think about it, the late twenties or early to mid thirties is when our most creative juices are flowing. That is the time-frame of Jesus' ministry. I'm not sure, but I would guess that was the age of most of the preachers that came out of the Azuza St. revival and started the Pentecostal revolution!

Yes, we need the wisdom of the older generations, but older generations tend to hold on to their comfort range. The older they get, the less that they are open to any change!

The Apostolic church of today needs to be rocked by the Holy Ghost, and I'm convinced that there are young men and woman out there right that can usher in a new revolution!

One thing I noticed about most older folks in the church: They end up going along with everything once they see the results. The church I visited had older folks dancing in the spirit along side the young people. It was a beautiful thing!

I can agree with you to a certain extent, Pianoman, but I don't think our most creative years are behind us after our 20s and 30s. I've read where certain skills we have get better as we get older, like writing skills. It takes a balance between the exuberance of youth and the wisdom that comes with age to make this thing work.

dizzyde · #34 06-16-2008, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoman

There has been some excellent discussion on this thread. This is very serious!

If you really think about it, the late twenties or early to mid thirties is when our most creative juices are flowing. That is the time-frame of Jesus' ministry. I'm not sure, but I would guess that was the age of most of the preachers that came out of the Azuza St. revival and started the Pentecostal revolution!

Yes, we need the wisdom of the older generations, but older generations tend to hold on to their comfort range. The older they get, the less that they are open to any change!
The Apostolic church of today needs to be rocked by the Holy Ghost, and I'm convinced that there are young men and woman out there right that can usher in a new revolution!

One thing I noticed about most older folks in the church: They end up going along with everything once they see the results. The church I visited had older folks dancing in the spirit along side the young people. It was a beautiful thing!

This is true, and it can really impede the work of God. I respect any older pastor who is willing to admit that maybe some of the old ways aren't that productive anymore and there might be better, more productive ways to reach this generation.

One of the key things that has helped our church through significant change is to examine each situation individually and honestly ask ourselves, do we do it this way because of tradition and habit, or because it is based on biblical principal. When you look at it from that perspective, change is a lot easier to take.

StillStanding · #35 06-16-2008, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rico

I can agree with you to a certain extent, Pianoman, but I don't think our most creative years are behind us after our 20s and 30s. I've read where certain skills we have get better as we get older, like writing skills. It takes a balance between the exuberance of youth and the wisdom that comes with age to make this thing work.

I think our late twenties and thirties are our most creative years, but we refine our gifts as we get older. The problems is by the time we have refined everything, things have changed!

The most successful businesses are those that are constantly adapting to changes in the everyday habits and expectations of the people in our culture. The ones that hang on eventually will be outdated and out of business! When the generation that they are reaching dies, they die too!

Rico · #36 06-16-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I think our late twenties and thirties are our most creative years, but we refine our gifts as we get older. The problems is by the time we have refined everything, things have changed!

The most successful businesses are those that are constantly adapting to changes in the everyday habits and expectations of the people in our culture. The ones that hang on eventually will be outdated and out of business! When the generation that they are reaching dies, they die too!

Whatcha sayin, that I'm past my prime?!?!?!?! That done it!

clgustaveson · #37 06-16-2008, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pianoman

I think our late twenties and thirties are our most creative years, but we refine our gifts as we get older. The problems is by the time we have refined everything, things have changed!

The most successful businesses are those that are constantly adapting to changes in the everyday habits and expectations of the people in our culture. The ones that hang on eventually will be outdated and out of business! When the generation that they are reaching dies, they die too!