unchristian

I've started reading a new book...here's some opening thoughts from the first chapters.
"For most [people between 18 and 29], relationships are the driving force. Being loyal to friends is one of their highest values. They have a strong need to belong, usually to a tribe of other loyal people who know them well and appreciate them. Still, under their relational connectedness lies a strong individualism. Even though they esteem fair-mindedness and diversity, they are irreverent and blunt. Finding ways to express themselves....is an endless pursuit...skeptical of leaders, products, and institutions...They do not trust things that seem too perfect, accepting that life comes with its share of messiness and off-the-wall experiences and people."

"Our studies explored the nature of the perceptions about Christianity - not just pro or con but the substance of how people feel...not if people feel negatively but why... Christians are primarily perceived for what they stand against. We have become known for what we oppose, rather than who we are."

One "outsider's" comment- "entrenched-thinking, antigay, antichoice, angry, violent, illogical, empire-building, convert-focused people who cannot live peacefully with others...known for an us-vs-them mentality."

"[outsiders] feel minimized- or worse, demonized- by those who love Jesus."

From reading the first couple of chapters, I think they've done a pretty good job in defining what my age group thinks about life and about christianity. Heck, it's what i think about life and "christianity". So i'm proud of these guys for recognizing it- and it's interesting how they write as though they know it's going to shock some people. And yes, it probably will. I know it would at the church I go to every sunday. The sermon last week did indeed demonize outsiders and skeptics and called christians to more us-vs-them arguments with others.
Let me make a point i've been on for a long time...there is a generational shift going on that the church has ignored. It must learn how people think, their priorities, their lifestyle- and learn to care about all of it. It's just a part of loving others as Jesus did.
"Young people today" don't want fame or money or the american dream. We, the new generation of adults in America and the modern (or perhaps postmodern...) world are after knowledge (of self and of everything else), expression (of our individualism, community, knowledge, and beliefs), and community (acceptance, love, and support). And the church must learn how to accept this and deal with it. In fact, our job could be easier than before. We no longer have huge layers of systems and methods to undermine. Rather, we have skeptics who are willing to accept "radical", "different" lifestyles and are accepting of things that Jesus taught of (community, love, nonviolence, giving). There's a huge opportunity here.
Good book. More thoughts later.
UnChristian, Dave Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons, 2007, Baker, Grand Rapids.