Stating the Problem, Part 1

After writing Dig That Trench, I was asked to write a bit more about the need for discipleship and especially the need for a multi-generational approach. We need to begin first by stating the problem or giving context for the current state of discipleship.

Over much of human history the family unit was not "nuclear" (mom, dad, 2.5 kids) it was extended. Extended families lived near one another. Typically, adding land near one another and working together. Children were deeply impacted by grandparents, aunts, and uncles. As we moved from a settled culture to a migrant culture the extended family broke down. What is left is the "nuclear family" which tends to be isolated.

As we moved from Modern to Post-Modern we also moved from communal to private. Few communities exist where parents look out for other people's children and have the freedom or wherewithal to <gasp> discipline them. We have become insular in our American and Western world inside our homes.

The impact that this has had on the Church is significant. As these general cultural shifts began to happen the Church seeking to fill a need in helping children to grow in the faith professionalized the "Youth Pastor". This is typically a person in their 20s who can "relevantly connect to our kids". We moved from catechism classes to youth groups. From Bible study to games. These are but surface issues, the real issue is that we moved from discipleship to evangelism when it comes to children of believers. 

This is a huge shift. The basic assumption in most American evangelical churches is that parents either will not or cannot lead their children to Christ. So, they must bring them to a professional who can "win them to the Lord". This shift has been catastrophic. It has led to parents "outsourcing" the spiritual development of their children. It has delayed the spiritual maturity of children well into their adult years.

Consider this, a child who has "grown up" in the Church will have been in and around the people of God for 18 years when they leave for college. In that time, on average, they will have been given little to no leadership, have had little to no expectations, and have been primarily evangelized.

If a person has been in and around the Church for 18 years we should have some significant expectations that they will be leading, teaching, and discipling. We should be assuming that they will be growing into significant spiritual maturity.

It is interesting that a 14-18 year old is given more responsibility at their High School than they are at their local gathering. Why? It's because at their high school they are considered an insider, a leader. At their Church, they are, fundamentally, considered an outsider.

More tomorrow...