Good morning MABC family,
We are embarking on one of two greatest seasons in the year for followers of Jesus. No, football season is not one of them! The two seasons are Advent and Easter. Again, those are the two times of the year that people are open to an invitation to join you in a worship service. Who are the people around you that don’t belong to a church family? Who are the people around you that aren’t followers of Jesus? Who are the people around you that say they are Christians but don’t participate in church life? Those are the people each of us need to build relationships with so that we can encourage them to think about their relationship with Jesus or lack of a relationship with Jesus.
Last week I mentioned our aging population. I hope you didn’t take too much offense to that statement! The fact is that Sherry and I, as retirees and AARP eligible citizens are in that population. Sometimes I fight it hard but the aging process always seems to come out just slightly ahead. And so it will be with Meridian Avenue Baptist Church. Unless we reach the next generation the honest truth is that one day we will age out. We all need to be conscious of the future because God was concerned about the next generation…and the next…and the next. Psalm 78:5-6 tells us it is our responsibility to make sure the next generation knows the Lord…even those who are not yet born.
If we consider yesterday’s message about being thankful for our church family, then this family has a responsibility to make sure the next generation learns about the Lord. We need to think about the next generation and help them to become disciples that make more disciples. And we must understand that we may not be here to see it but that shouldn’t matter. Scripture says that the next generation – even those not yet born – are our responsibility. The generation of those born between 2000 and 2015 – from 9 yrs. to 24 yrs. old today – are said to be the largest demographic group in the world today. And also the largest generation to turn from the church and organized religion as well as the largest demographic proclaiming no religious affiliation. The Kingdom Church has a lot of work to do.
Barna Research has revealed some interesting statistics regarding our evangelistic efforts. Once a person reaches adulthood, accepting Christ becomes increasingly rare. Evangelism is most effective in the childhood and teenage years. Two-thirds (2/3) of Christians came to faith before the age of 18. Less than one-fourth (1/4) of current believers came to Christ after the age 21. Less than 5% of those who identify as Christians made that decision after age 30.
Are we, as MABC, prepared and willing to do whatever it takes – short of sin – to reach the next generation of people? Are we willing to sacrifice some of our comfort, our likes and even our traditions to reach those in the next generation? Or will we be content to be the generation that closes shuts the doors for the last time. We have some new people attending who have gone through that in the past year. Visit with them if you get the chance and ask them what that was like. I will be doing so as well because that is not the legacy I want to leave behind.
Have a great week and may your Thanksgiving be one of many blessings.
Pastor Rick
