Church

The Next Christians

by Gabe Lyons

The Christian faith is at risk of losing significant traction throughout Western culture. This is not only a result of unChristian behavior—as significant as that has been—but because many Christians haven’t recognized their new reality and adapted. While this can be disconcerting for some, many Christians are optimistic, looking for direction about what it means to truly follow Jesus in this new context. The question is, “How?”

What is the church’s mission in America in the twenty-first century?
How should the message of the gospel go forward?
What does it mean to be a Christian in a world disenchanted with our movement?
Can we stay grounded in the gospel, yet winsome and credible to wider society?

All generations must ask these questions as they seek to confront the unique challenges of their own eras. In modern times, thinkers like Richard Niebuhr, C.S. Lewis, Francis Schaeffer, Os Guinness and Lesslie Newbigin have reflected on the relationship between Christians and culture. Today, a diverse group of leaders is engaging in new ways and offering insight into how a new generation might navigate our current cultural waters.

Synthesizing a never–before–heard analysis of the dynamics underway, Gabe Lyons carefully articulates what he has learned from years of interviews, research and focus group conversations about this next iteration of cultural engagement. Although set in a postmodern, pluralistic, post-Christian culture, Gabe is optimistic as he shares a few of the marks of a new generation of Christians which is turning the unChristian perception problem on its head.

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Comments

Jeff

Very, very stimulating Gabe. The idea that Next Christians do not identify themselves as a sub-culture, but instead choose to engage the world as Jesus did, through authentic personal relationships that seek the 'common good' for all human kind, is moving. It seems like Next Christians are returning to a more biblically-based, authentically-rooted, relationally-focused relationship with God and others that is couched in a simplistic and honest spirituality. Very refreshing.

I've just begun to read your latest book on my Kindle (which I love I might add), The Next Christians, but am already being inspired and encouraged by it. I'll provide a short review when I'm finished on my personal blog -- http://jeffkclarke.com

Keep up the important work!

Jeff

Peter

The reason why people are dissatisfied with the Church is because it is not based on the Truth of Torah; it is based on the lies of Constantine--it is based on pagan "holy" days and customs which are not in Scripture. Ask yourself: where in the Bible does it say that the Sabbath has been switched to Sunday? Answer: nowhere. This change is a "tradition of men" which is rooted in paganism (i.e. the "sun" god). Sound far-fetched? Google something like this: the pagan origins of Christianity.

What is the solution? Explore Messianic Judaism which is based on restoring the Jewish Roots of the Faith.

Andrew Himes

This is a profoundly important and inspiring message. I've just published a book that sums up the past history of American fundamentalism that laid the basis for the new possibilities that Gabe points to. Here is the quote I chose from Gabe's book to sum up the point:

http://andrewhimes.net/content/do-religion-and-politics-mix

My book is: "The Sword of the Lord: The Roots of Fundamentalism in an American Family".

http://swordofthelordbook.com

Dirk Bond

This video is awesome. THIS is THE CHURCH!!! This is the message I try to give in the consulting work I do with non-profit organizations. Thank you so much for your work. Dirk Bond

Lon Snyder

Gabe, I am most of the way through "Next Christians" - thank you.

The basic premise of the book, that God is restoring all things, is quite the departure from the idea that culture is a sinking ship and we need get as many on the lifeboats as possible before it all goes asunder.

In the book the premise is assumed. Can you direct me to a book or two where the premise is developed and defended?

Thanks

Mark Gomez

Are you serious Peter? This is not about Messianic Judaism, else Paul would have promoted it instead of fighting against it and the various legalisms attached to it. This is not about traditionalism either. This is about the Church remembering its roots in the book of Acts and doing what the early church did.

The Church was Spirit-led and empowered within their culture. Yes, they fumbled about a bit, else we would not have much of the New Testament letters of correction. They lived where they were, they engaged in their world and bettered it because of being the Church. They brought healing, help, and the refreshing wind of salvation. Through the work of God in the church, the world was changed in a matter of a few decades.

Chuck Colson, Os Guinness, James Emery White, and others are speaking and writing about the current condition of the American Church. There is a lot of exploration taking place right now as many are trying to better understand what this should look like in our own culture, location, and time in which we live. God help us.

TRR

Christianity has and will live outside of main society at many points of history. We are called to be the 'salt of the world' and rest assured that the 'gates of hell will no prevail'.

Yet I do worry about our Western society, as it spurns the fabric of Christianity. One must understand that individualism as presented in popular culture is making oneself as god and as such a direct challenge to Him. The consequence of this is illustrated by the "Tower of Babel" episode in the Genesis. The loss of a common understanding of good and evil will render our society feckless to react to future challenges because, using the Tower of Babel image, we cannot speak to each other anymore.

But I take Jesus's words of "be not afraid" to heart and will carry on with confidence..

Melinda Johnson

First, Gabe, thank you so much for this book! I read it in only two or three days because I literally couldn't put it down! This move within Christianity reminds me so much of the early days of the Jesus movement in the 1970's (yes I am old enough to remember it well!), before it became institutionalized to the point that the life was squelched out of it!

TRR: Maybe what we should be much more concerned with is the individualism promoted by so much of the church around us today. So much of what is out there floating around is a counterfeit gospel of how Jesus can benefit me, rather than how He can transform me to be a blessing to others! The culture is careening downhill because we gave up being the salt and light of the world to play church and to live the suburban good life decades ago thus neutering our witness to the world around us.

Peter : All the law in the world won't do anything but bring the death that Paul promises it will in the book of Galatians! Even Jesus said that man was not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for man! Haven't we beaten each other and the world around us to death with the law enough?! What we really need is to realize, that what we and the world have always needed is the grace Jesus brings! We can't keep the Law that is why we need a Savior! Mr. Gomez is right. Pau,l himself, rebuked people for wanting to return to the Law take a lesson from him.

Lon: There are tons of books out there some that the traditionalists condemn but well worth the read anyway Brian Mclaren's The Secret Message of Jesus is one of my personal favorites along with Deep Chruch by John Belcher.

Melinda Johnson

Sorry guys! After watching the interview with Brian Mclaren and Scot McKnight on this site, I am not as sure of Brian's orthodoxy as I once was. Deep Church which was written by Jim Belcher (forgive my mistake) I a very balanced approach between business as usual in the traditional and seeker friendly churches and the extreme emergents. It is well worth the read and appeals to all of us to find a third way the way of the deep church described by C. S. Lewis in his day. It fits in with this site fabulously! God bless us everyone as we seek to draw closer to and become more conformed to the image of the Lover of our souls!

Bryan Gibson

I have just completed my first year as lead pastor of our church in GA. I fought against God's calling on my life to become pastor for a long time...too long. I was raised in the church all my life. My father was a pastor for most of my life. What I saw from the different parts of the body of Christ over the years caused me to have a great distaste for, what I call, "churchianity". However, it was because of the ministry of Catalyst in 2007 (thank you Gabe for helping start this wonderful ministry) and the message like this one shared by Gabe in the video above, that I tangibly saw in person what was stirring in my heart for quite sometime. I had no previous exposure to this fresh move of the Holy Spirit other than what He was trying to reveal to me in my own heart and mind. Now I am so pumped to be a servant of the Most High God to reach His creation with His unconditional love and to help train the congregation God has called me to shephard to do the same. Gabe, your many years of hard work are helping me in ways I could only express to you when we see each other in Heaven. Can't wait to have a cup of heavenly java with you, brother. Thanks Again!

Mark Adelhelm

Gabe:

Just finished "The Next Christians" on audiobook (from Audible.com) - wow. Thanks so much for this practical and inspiring book. My family listened to it as we drove from Florida to visit our family in Chicago for Christmas. It really got us talking and thinking about Christ and what he calls us to be. What a special Christmas gift you've given us!

I chair the church council at my local church and we are in the midst of discerning what God's plans are for us as a community over the next several years. Your book really helped me crystallize how we should be approaching the opportunities that lie in front of us.

At 50, I sometimes fear that my generation is not doing enough to lead and inspire the Christians that will follow us. Your writing gives me the optimism that its first and foremost up to God, not us, and his plan (as always) is perfect. Beyond that, the people you profiled in the book reassure me that "under 35" Christians are doing just fine, thank you, and have much to teach and share with all of us.

I'm glad you chose the title "Next Christians" not "New Christians". This vision touches me personally. Its the path towards calling I've felt my whole life, but was conflicted and confused about at times. As a business person and entrepreneur, I spend way more time "in the world" that I can ever hope to inside my church. I'm often challenged to reconcile the roles and decisions I confront there with my faith and convictions. Your book reminds me that discipleship is a 24/7 proposition and I need to continually look for ways to live out my calling in everything I do. Even at the "tender" age of 50, I'm excited to be a "Next" Christian and get even more focused and passionate about the work of restoration in our broken world.

There was so much packed into the book that even though I enjoyed the audiobook I had to go out yesterday and buy a hardcopy to reference and share. Thanks again for this valued contribution and tool!

Marc Hagman

Gabe: Awesome 18 minutes! Great information and very conversational delivery. Your concluding story of what you and your wife did was nothing short of inspiring. I'm sure that book and phone line have brought a huge, real-life impact to the lives of many parents (and is a stirring example for the rest of us in the way we engage culture). Thanks for sharing with us.

John Van Sloten

Great vision. But I wonder if it could be even better. It's one thing to dream about Christians finding their place in every one of those good God given channels. That's a start. But what if they did their cultural engagement with the knowledge that Jesus was already there; his Spirit already moving in the halls of the academy, inspiring good governing principles at city hall, and moving in the offices of commerce? You said Gabe, that we would bring the gospel there. Yes and no. Jesus is already there. What we bring is the capacity to name experience and enjoy the fact of his presence, to humbly follow where Christ is already at work, to help people discover that what's already meaningful, significant, true and alive in what they're doing, is from God. Imagine the difference this would make.

Patti Lehman

Phenomenal message. I also agree with the comment above mine. Let us all seek to follow and obey loving God with all that we are and our neighbor as ourselves.

Gabe, I so admire the approach and stand you took for the unborn with Down's Syndrome!

Randy Heffner

Gabe - Thank you for being among the leaders pointing out important correctives for Christian life and interaction with the world. Your work resonates deeply with me. The video paints a strong picture of Christian engagement with the world and highlights important changes in attitude that garner new reactions from those of other belief systems. It's a wonderful call to love, yet I believe two adjustments of focus could sharpen the influence of this "short form" presentation of http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385529848?ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0385529848&tag=piertothehear-20" target="online_refs">The Next Christians. It's not that something's missing; I'm talking here about the focus and structure of the video's narrative.

First and most significantly: It would add strength if, throughout, the video more prominently and crisply brought explicit focus to how "next Christian" attitudes and perspectives counter the perceptions elucidated in http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0801013003?ie=UTF8&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=0801013003&tag=piertothehear-20" target="online_refs">unChristian. In the video, such discussion is there, yet muted. The most important and fundamental "next Christian" transformation is to make our love for others more true, and learning from unChristian perceptions is critical to this. Clarity on key heart-level changes that embody "next Christian" ways is primary, whereas examples of "next Christian" actions follow from and illustrate the fruits of "next Christian" internal transformation.

Second, and following from the first: In describing the talk's core diagram, acknowledge the diagram as non-distinctive and focus instead on how "next Christian" heart-level change results in the diagram being lived differently. Both "next Christians" and "current Christians" are provoked to action, create cultural good, talk of their calling, immerse themselves in the Word, recognize the importance of community, and speak of their work as countercultural. The distinctives are in the adverbs — how these things are done and the "from-to" changes in attitude and perspective that change one's relational context with the world. IOW, acknowledge that there is much good in the actions of "current Christians" but that certain correctives are needed to more fully embody God's Beauty. To paraphrase Solzhenitsyn, "The line dividing current and next Christians cuts through the heart of every Christ follower."

I understand that my suggestions might be addressed within the full text of The Next Christians, but I believe these focal points are critical enough that they deserve more prominent emphasis even in short, Q-length presentations.

Blessings and prayers and godspeed for your work. Thank you.

Byron

"countercultural for the common good!" Awesome...

Steve P

It is so sad to keep hearing "this generation" over and over. It appears that the generational divide is just one more divide in the body. More and more young people are indulging themselves with their own style of music and their own style of worship in their own newly formed churches. Meanwhile they miss the point that worship is not about what they like it is about worshipping God. It seems that worship itself has become the god and the focus.

Our elderly who are in the old church on the corner need the young people to serve them and help them. The body of Christ does not need any generation to separate from another generation. We need to encourage our young people to go back to those old churches and help those churches to revive.

The generation that you, Gabe, are speaking about has been indulged enough. They now need to learn to indulge others, care for others, and sacrifice what they want for the service of our Lord.

Gracie

I love you

Nancy

Yes! It is great to hear what not only believe, but see! The church is not dying and the church is active today! We are not taking a back seat. Engaging has always been my way of life.

What?

What moment? What are we supposed to being prepared for? Why can't people, Christians, be satisfied with just themselves believing in Christianity. Why do they feel the need to make others believe in it too? Do they feel like their faith is not justified, correct, valid, if their neighbors do not believe. The reason why Christianity has lost respect is because the believers have to force it on others, they do not have their own strength in it themselves.

I just do not get it. Why do you have to push Christianity? Shouldn't religion, faith be there no matter what. It should not have to change to fit the culture. If it is truth, it does not need to change to fit the upcoming youth. People will find truth in Christianity, if it truly is truth. If you have to push a religion this hard, on people who have yet to discover it, then what is the point.

If you want to follow God, it should not take a man on a stage being paid to do so. It should come from with in, at any time at any place and in any context. If Christianity is something to believe in, then it should stand the test of time, with out a man on stage doing a bid.

Christianity seems to be out to be a product that needs to be sold. And people are tired of being sold to.

If Christianity, God, is real, then let it stand on it's own, with out people telling others to push it on others, and without the endless need of Jesus (a man) to save you.

Don Painter

In session 1 of the DVD series Phyllis tickle states that while Christian America is decreasing more people are practicing the christian faith. What research is she referencing?

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