Mantra: Seek to understand before being understood
I cannot remember a time where our nation has been divided on so many fronts. Much of the polarization does stem from generational differences, but not all. In talking to the next generation, one does however, need to be cognizant of the generational gap or disconnect. Recent sports talk has highlighted how old-school NBA players view current NBA players and vice versa. Charles Barkley, an NBA superstar in the 80’s called this generation of players “AAU babies” and too sensitive. However, another 80’s tough guy and ex-NBA player Charles Oakley was kicked out of Madison Square Garden this week after placing his hands on security. Have we stopped to consider that both sides may have a valid point and that we may not have to choose sides or to the point, choose generations?
I was recently discussing the Super Bowl Halftime show featuring Lady Gaga with a student of mine. We entered the discussion with two different viewpoints. For starters, he loved the show and I hated it. My problem was not with Lady Gaga as much as it was the image of America she portrayed as she sang “God Bless America” and “This Land is My Land.” Lady Gaga is a sex image and I understand that she portrays America to a tee in 2017. What I wanted my friend (from the next generation) to understand was that these songs took on different meanings in 1987 and America would not have allowed Lady Gaga to sing these songs thirty years ago before a Super Bowl began. As the country has become secularized, it makes perfect sense that Lady Gaga would be America’s choice to represent the country to the world today.
What my friend wanted me to understand was that Lady Gaga did the opposite of what he expected. She was not overtly political and was conservative compared to past Super Bowl performances (remember Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction). I told my friend that I did not think Lady Gaga’s dance moves were that conservative (and the picture you see above is not from this year’s Super Bowl).
Here is what I want you to take from my encounter. My friend and I did not get in an argument. We both heard each other’s viewpoints and walked away with a better understanding. We were both right. The America I grew up in is not the America he grew up in. While I grew up in the 80’s singing the same songs at PTA with a nationalistic pride, he grew up in country where not recycling is viewed as worse than looking at porn (don’t believe me, just read Barna).
I find it disheartening that our nation’s morals have plummeted over the past thirty years, but let’s not blame the next generation for all of our generation’s failures. And in fact, it wasn’t all of our generation’s failures that are to blame either. Every generation inherits sinful natures, attitudes, and behaviors from the generations preceding. Let’s help the next generation understand we all have a sin problem and we all need a Savior!
Anthem:
I see your generation standing on the truth In each and everyday saying God is on the move Anytime the Gospel stirs a searching souls And someone says “send me, here I go
I know, I know, I know, I know God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah God is on the move In many mighty ways God is on the move, on the move Hallelujah God is on the move On the move today
I recently heard this song on the radio and the first line that I wrote above rang in my ears as clear as a bell. This is NGM’s anthem! When someone from the next generation responds to personally fulfill and advance the Great Commission (Mat 28:19-20), God is on the move! NGM is all about gospel advance and reaching the nations. To do so, the next generation must stand on the truth. The anthem is missional, but it is also theological. Missions without theology or theology without missions creates an off-kilter balance that ends up awry from the start. The next generation must both be crazy about going but just as crazy about the truth!