The Hood is Not Impressed

The future of the American Church is urban, diverse, and anchored in small community. Our problem seems to be that we have not included these voices in national conversations surrounding the future of the Church. Thus, resulting in curriculum, resources, and “help” that doesn’t move the needle within these communities. Perpetuating shallow popular Christianity and the widening of the chasm between various groups within our nation.

The urban, immigrant, and small-midsize churches are a major key to cultural, political, and social transformation for the Church in the US. I still scratch my head at the lack their participation in national conversations concerning the future of the American Church. Especially when it comes to Next Gen ministry.

They are the 99%. They are the reality of Gen Z.

This was the pulse of Jesus’ focus in the Gospels and will be the strength of the future of Christian culture in America.

While we play patty cake with each other at the “successful” church “level” we neglect the people who serve in places where, arguably, the purest, most profound and powerful expressions of the Gospel are being demonstrated.

This is not to say that big is bad and that the amplification of the Gospel by means of the platforms created by highly notable churches and movements aren’t good, but there is a troublesome absence by far and large of those living, serving and representing a lower socio-economical class and or smaller local church body.

I am grateful for the resourced church that gives inspiration, curriculum, and other resources to ministries that may be “lacking”, but perhaps a more holistic and ecumenical approach (of which the new paradigm of missiology is heading) can usher in the change that everyone is looking for.

After all, the greatest enemy of man is pride and nothing amplifies this temptation more than a culture that perpetuates “winning” on a scale designed to measure success with shallow numerical value.