unChristian experiences
Jesus told us to expect hostility and negative reactions, but he didn’t tell us to dismiss them, and he certainly did not tell us to cause them.
Last month The Brana Group released a study that tells us what the youth of our country think of Christianity. Here’s the most important parts…
They think Christianity is judgmental, hypocritical, and old-fashioned. Is that how we are supposed to be?
They think Christianity is judgmental (87%) / Jesus tells Christians “Do not judge, or you will be the one judged.” - Matt. 7:1. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you. - James 2:13. If you criticize and judge others, then you think you are the judge rather than God. Our job is to obey the law, not to decide how it applies to others. - James 4:11
They think Christianity is hypocritical (85%) / Jesus tells Christians (Matthew 23) what will happen when we “shut the door of the Kingdom of Heaven in people’s faces” by making rules that “crush people with unbearable religious demands.”
They think Christianity is old-fashioned (78%) / Jesus tells Christians (Colossians 4:6) to make our message “taste good” as food is “seasoned with salt” so that we make the most of every opportunity. Do you know how most of our youth get their “messages” today? (Hint, there isn’t much organ music playing in the background)
I think we need to say what we are and be what we say we are. We need to take obvious steps to make sure people in our community know that we are not judging them, that we don’t pretend to be something (perfect/impostors) we are not, and that we aren’t their grandma’s church. This sometimes means giving up what we “like” in order to make our message “taste good.”
So… what is “whatever is necessary?” What will it take to change the perceptions of our youth?