Counter Culture Mission

In our digital and computer world we have increasingly become accustomed to 'copy and paste'.   Pictures, texts, podcasts, videos, and just about everything else.  On social media, for school assignments, at the workplace, and just about everywhere else.  Just 'copy and paste'!  Copy what you see and then paste it.

But this is not new!   As human beings we are prone to copy and paste.  We see what is happening around us in our culture, and we are inclined to adapt to our surroundings.  We copy what others are saying or doing!  The practices of others become commonplace in our lives.  We just copy and paste.

As followers of Jesus, living in a sinful world that is hostile to God (Romans 8:7), we ought to resist this tendency to 'copy and paste'.   In fact, "the Christian community, when it is most faithful, runs contrary to and is distinct from the systems and structures of power, sexuality, and money, among other things.  We are called to be a counterculture for the common good." (David Kinnaman, Good Faith)  Early in history God warned believers that we are to "Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name.  Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you."  (Deuteronomy 6:13-14)   "Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices." (Exodus 23:24)  "You must not do as they do...." (Leviticus 18:3)   In the New Testament we read, "Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." (Romans 12:2)  To not 'copy and paste' the customs of the world is at the heart of what it means to be countercultural.

In the current series of articles we have been discussing what we can do as churches to ensure that the next generation in our churches will become resilient disciples of Jesus.   What can we do to see our children and youth actively engaged with God's mission?  So far we have identified four priorities that should shape the next gen in our churches:

1. They need to experience Jesus, not just learn about God. 
2. They need to have discernment about the culture in which we live. 
3. They need meaningful relationships with each other, as well as others in the church. 
4. They need to know how faith intersects with school, careers, sports, and one's vocation in life.

The fifth and final priority has to do with joining God in his mission in this world that seeks to create a counterculture on display in this world.¹  What can we do to help our children and youth to resist the 'copy and paste' tendency and help them live differently from cultural norms?

The research done by the Barna Group shows that resilient disciples live with a sense of mission.  They want others to see Jesus reflected in them through their words and actions.  They feel strongly that they have a responsibility to tell others about their religious beliefs.  They believe that God is at work in this world and that he wants his followers to play a part in redeeming people and restoring the world to himself.

Given this research, churches can help the next gen to be on countercultural mission by building courage among the youth to live out one's faith in public and telling others what they believe.  Give youth the opportunity to understand the issues of the poor and marginalized in their community, and what biblical social justice is all about.  Provide opportunities for young people to live for the sake of others, especially to those who are in need.   Give the next gen access to leadership training for ministry and let them learn what it feels like to be part of a team.   Youth need to gain wisdom for how to live faithfully in a secular world and how to live in contrast to the secular culture around them.  Wisdom is especially needed today in the areas of sex, money, and power.

Kinnaman and Matlock¹ point out that "today's emerging generations, like all generations, desire to do something that really matters, something that lasts." (p. 200) They want to make a difference, to carve out a life well lived, for the sake of others.  They want to focus on what really matters in life.  Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and to set the captives free. (Luke 4:18)   This mission matters in life - today and for all eternity.  Equip the next gen to join in God's counterculture mission in this world, and they will become resilient disciples of Jesus.

¹ These priorities come from research done by the Barna Group and is summarized by David Kinnaman and Mark Matlock in their book Faith for Exiles - 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in Digital Babylon (Baker Books: 2019)