Over the course of the last few days, I can’t help but be reminded of the seriousness, complexity, and head-spinning challenges of our times. When Bob Dylan sang to us way back in 1964, little did we or he know how fast things would be morphing as he told us that “The Times They Are-A-Changin’.” These words from his now-classic-tune are worth heeding for those who parent and minister in a world where the soup of today’s youth culture changes by the minute. . .
Come gather ’round people
Wherever you roam
And admit that the waters
Around you have grown
And accept it that soon
You’ll be drenched to the bone
If your time to you is worth savin’
And you better start swimmin’
Or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’
Our rapidly changing and challenging times came to mind as we recorded an upcoming episode of our Youth Culture Matters podcast where we chatted about understanding and responding to the dogmas of “wokeness” and how they do and/or do not mesh with the Christian faith. Change sat front and center again as our CPYU Faith and Culture youth workers cohort met to talk through matters related to sexuality, gender, and the Gospel. And as write these words, we are in the midst of recording two episodes of Youth Culture Matters where a panel of youth workers unpack Michael Kruger’s helpful stating of and response to what he calls “the 10 commandments of progressive Christianity”, all in his book of the same title.
As we work to navigate our times in faithfulness God and His Word, it’s always helpful to sit back and reflect on the best ways to walk these paths. Here at CPYU, we want to not only do that with care and great responsibility as a ministry, but we want to point youth workers and parents to do the same.
This morning I encountered some very helpful words of guidance in the latest edition of Touchstone Magazine and an editorial from Thomas S. Buchanan. The title of the editorial caught my eye because it captures in its words so many realities regarding life for the Christian in today’s world: “Life On The Edge: The Times Require Mercy For The Fight.” I invite you to read Buchanan’s short challenge and insights. . .
Society is on edge. We have seen friends turn against friends and churches split over preventive measures against a virus. We have seen colleagues lose their jobs for showing support for someone out of favor on social media. People have been assaulted for their political views, and religious liberty is dangerously in peril. Our young people are said to be easily triggered, as if they were guns ready to shoot and destroy unless handled very carefully.
Many of these problems exist because we have seen the Church weakened. It has lost its voice in society, as people turn away from the Living God and embrace false philosophies. (Continue reading here. . . )