Christianity 2009: Preface

These posts are going to be a huge collaboration of my frustrations, opinions, and my "state of the union" for our faith currently.  It will encompass numerous posts and probably take us into the new year. 

I have been extensively researching this topic as this is one of my biggest issues and concerns with Christianity currently. 

"What has happened to Christianity and why are we seen as the enemy to many of the younger generations."

Please understand, I am going to quote a lot of data and research from people looking at our faith from the outside and much of it will make you feel uneasy and even angry. I am not writing this as a means to anger my fellow Christians but as a wake up call from the generations that most need our help and support.

It's time we got honest and looked in the mirror.

If we want to reach the younger generations and moreover our own children, then we need to look at this data and make some decisions about how we are going about our faith and how our churches are projecting their image to the world.

I have been frustrated in 2008 by the amount of people I have met that were former Christians, raised in a Christian home or those who view Christianity in a negative light mainly because of the Christians they have encountered or how they were treated by other Christians.

Some will look at this post and say it is blasphemy.  Some will simply let it cross their computer screen and not give it a second thought.  But, I hope a few of you will really read these posts and empathize with the thoughts of people looking at Christianity from the outside and why they think present day Christians are very far from the early church and the teachings of Christ. 

We, the believers, are the ones to blame and we need to wake up if we want to reach our children and their generation.

Much of the research and opinions are based on the data from two generations:

Generation Y - born between 1984 and 2002.

Generation X - born between 1965 and 1981

These posts are not Black and White, meaning that I will quote research but it, of course, does not represent each person or Christian but a majority of opinions and views.  If the shoe fits.

This work is not all my own but the labor, research and foresight of many Christians and Christian leaders.  Here is a list of all those involved:

David Kinnaman
Jim Henderson
Rob Bell
Andy Stanley
Gabe Lyons
George Barna
Dan Kimball
Thom Rainer
Michael Fletcher
Ed Stetzer
The Barna Group
The Fermi Project

Thank you all for your guidance, help and research.  May God help us change lives.

Part 1

Comments

[Andres]

I'm glad you are tackling this issue.

I used to be a fervent christian. Then, I just got tired of the people around me telling me all the time that everything I do is a sin. No matter what, everything is a sin. It was like it was impossible to enjoy being a Christian.

If all I have to get from being one is the heat and hatred of my sins, and nothing of the compassion and brotherly love then how can I raise my children to be real Christians, if I don't have the joy in my heart any longer?

Why are we Christians just wishing for the rapture so all of them unfaithful remain here while we enjoy God's presence? Where is the love then?

Again, thanks for talking about this issue, I think it is very important to discuss it openly.

[Andres]

Oh, and I just remembered this video... check it out.

http://brandautopsy.typepad.com/brandautopsy/2008/11/what-if-starbuc.html

[Lance]

Andres,

Keep tuned in, I am going to attempt to tackle this issue. I think it's time we looked at Christianity wort's and all and started taking the reins for a change in the church and taking back a Christianity based on Peace, Hope and Love for ALL people.

Lance

[Kurt]

Lance,

Great topic. I look forward to reading the rest.