There is much talk among many different groups about the next generation,
from Lincoln owners who are one step from the grave to churches with a dwindling
attendance, all are wondering how to get the young people involved. Even in
motorcycling it seems that too many great bikes are wasted on us older guys,
Harley has done numerous studies trying out find out how to get the younger
generation to buy its product, and no product is exempt from it. It seems that
with each generation their values and desires change, mechanics are now techs,
janitors are environmental controllers, and no one goes to personnel, but to
HR. Based on human resources, we all may be at a standstill and don’t know it,
just treading water as the background changes and we don’t move. We were part
of a focus group once about a new Chrysler car to compete with the Japanese, al
cars had their badges removed, and you couldn’t tell one brand from the other.
How sad. A Toyota was a Nissan was a Mazda. Look at today’s cookie cutter
SUV’s, a market even Ferrari will be entering next year, and they all look
alike, a box to carry the goods, people. Tradition in our buying may be a good
thing, but it has gone on too long. Just because is not a good reason anymore.
If it ever was.
Just as Harley is selling a warmed over version of a 1936 engineering
exercise, others have jumped on the so-called retro theme. Triumph continues
the Bonneville from where it left off, and it is their best seller, still a
Bonne. Honda tried to sell a new CB1100, and still has 2014 models, new ones at
dealers for sale. Kawasaki is selling a new Z-1 styled ZR900, which looks a lot
like the old one, and is what they would look like as they evolved, getting
great reviews, and talking to those who rode them, tell me it is a great bike
and fun to ride. Maybe that is the one thing missing from too many products
today, trying to be something they aren’t, where the product cannot match the
advertisement, and once the word gets around, it is doomed. How long can we
continue to market an old product in a new package? The only place I see it
some changes are within organized religion, where they are trying to market
Christ, via crusades, festivals, special church events, and kid’s programs,
using all the human resources except that of the holy spirit. Will a new
generation buy into the same old gospel message? Like that old time religion
that was good enough for Mama and Poppa, is it good enough for you? Yet we see
how the holy spirit grows us still as he did the first church.
When a raging Paul sought to destroy Christianity on his own, the spirit
blinded him and he was told to meet a man named Judas, who would take him to
Ananias, who was praying for him. Just think of the two names the spirit used,
Judas who betrayed Jesus, and Ananias who was the first priest to openly mock
Christianity. What a first test for Paul. But with no human relations
involved, via the spirit he was taught, attended to, and fed and watered in the
name of Jesus. Maybe the first ministry outside of the apostles in action.
They both had to be a bit reticent to encounter a man who was dragging
Christians from their homes and throwing them in prison, but based on what the
spirit revealed to them, they obeyed. How different his new life in Christ
began, maybe a little more dramatic than ours, but really the same way, drawn by
the spirit, confronted by the spirit, acknowledging the spirit, and trusting the
spirit.The same spirit Jesus said he would leave for those who believe and who
still is alive today and well. If only disorganized religious denominations
would see that. Talk about revival.....
There was a time when I attended so-called Christian crusades or rallies.
I stopped because they turned out to be mostly Christian get togethers, with
very few unsaved at them. And if the numbers they brag about are true, why
aren’t the attendance numbers in local churches growing? I know many get saved
at these, but where is the follow up, where are the Judases and Anaiases of the
church to minister to a new believer when they are most vulnerable? Or are we
too busy getting our picture taken with a famous person than spending time with
the new nobodies? We all were new once, who came beside you? Who are you
leaning on now? Is your Christian experience just a photo op? Where is Jesus
in the picture? Did not Jesus tell us to go and make disciples, to educate and
minister to the newly saved, or are we too proud and only brag on the number of
salvations? Are they really saved, and if so they really need help now. Which
Judas are you? Which Ananias are you? One photo op may be worth a thousand
words....
Alfred P. Sloan the architect of General Motors once explained “you can
sell and old man a young man’s car, but you cannot sell a young man and old
man’s car.” Marketing at its purest. We need to ask, are we marketing Jesus,
or true ambassadors of him? If the thousands that go forward on Easter are
really saved and welcomed, why aren’t the churches overflowing the next week?
A quick examination of where we are is needed. Where is the holy spirit in your
life? Do you need a Judas or do you need to be one? Mine was Larry Peoples,
who killed 27 for profit and 8 for revenge, and Jesus saved him and sent him to
me. Young and stupid, I needed the spirit’s help and he didn’t disappoint. I
was just following what God put on my heart.....so what about the new
generation, the new Christians to come? Maybe it all can be found in the
hardest prayer you will ever ask, remembering all things begin in prayer. THY
WILL BE DONE. The shut up and listen, and become part of a winning team. Where
the spirit of the Lord is, and watch as we all grow in grace. The vacant lot
was sure empty and lonely after the circus left town, don’t miss what the spirit
is saying to those who are new to Christ. Be the mentor, the discipler, maybe
invite them to church. But they have already met the holy spirit, now it is
time to get to know him. Any takers?
Some have the t-shirt and photos, I rather have the spirit. What you do
the day after knowing Jesus may make all the difference. Ask me, I know...you
probably do too.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com