The "A" Word

"Young people today are apathetic." That often heard refrain is usually followed by self-centered and self-absorbed and always spoken as though it were some new insight on the state of society - and I don't believe it for a moment.

First, I'm not much of a fan of the "A" word. I believe it's my job to inspire the next generation. I need to introduce them to the love of Christ and spur them on to love and good works. Most of all, it's my job to introduce them to Jesus himself so he can reveal the hope his grace brings. That's not always easy and, sure, there will be the occasional slacker or-dare I say-sinner, but if the overall effect of my ministry is reflected in an apathetic response, then I need to re-evaluate what I'm doing. I don't allow myself or my co-workers the cop out of blaming student apathy for a lack of fruit.

Second, these words have been used to describe every group of teenagers from the mid-fifties to the present. Each generation seems to make the pronouncement forgetting that it was once made about them. The wisdom of descriptive cliches is questionable at best.

But the biggest reason I don't accept this time-worn description of today's youth is that I have spent time with them. This is not an apathetic bunch. It is true that they don't protest in the streets or make a big noise to make their demand heard but don't mistake that for apathy. The generation that is just now coming of age, just now entering our colleges and universities is a generation of builders.

They understand that the world is screwed up, but they lack faith in the ways previous generations have addressed the problem. Their solution is to quietly roll up their sleeves and work for change. This is a volunteer generation. Organizations such as Peace Corp have more volunteers than ever before. Students on campus are at work getting clean water and food to emerging nations. Many take their spring breaks to do physical work to improve the lives of others. I know students (many students) who have waited in line two days (two full days!) to get into one of the spring break relief trips that are organized by the university. Some high schools are offering after school clubs to write grants for the needy. Many schools now have volunteer clubs that do work within the community.

They don't spend a lot of time on protest, because they don't believe other people will fix the problem. If they want to see change, they must be responsible and act. Today's student is looking for more than moral philosophy and upbeat worship services (neither is bad). They want to see the church making a real difference in the world. They need activities that allow them to roll up their sleeves and serve. They need to experience their faith as more than study, as a way of life, as an investment of love.

The danger of describing any generation is that it will be a generalization. You will find many exceptions. The danger in ignoring the trends within a generation is that you may miss that generation and even alienate them.

Most of today's student want to make a difference. If your depiction of the gospel begins and ends with personal salvation and does not change the world, then don't expect it to be inspirational for today's students. The question I am most often asked is, "What difference does God make in the world?"

Jesus has come to establish his Kingdom. What does that mean? Personal salvation is the starting point of our discipleship, but our discipleship itself is the act of following Jesus as he continues to fulfill the work that was initiated with his resurrection and Pentecost. That work will not be finished until Jesus returns, but that doesn't mean that we can't make progress today

Jesus calls us to stop complaining and grumbling and, instead, roll up our sleeves and act through love and serve both those inside and outside the church. We need to include students in the work of bringing the Kingdom of God into this world. We need to be doing the kind of work we can ask students to roll up their sleeves and join in with. Then they will see what difference Jesus makes in the real world.