Ernest Smith

The Future is Now…

Over the last 7 months, I have had the privilege of speaking at many different places and to many different groups.  I have decided to take time to just evaluate those opportunities and to see what God has been teaching me.  The first three lessons that I have learned can be found in my previous posts.  I could stop with three, but I thought I would give one more…one that should encourage many, while challenging others.

A fourth lesson that I was reminded of, is…the “Future” of the church is really the “Now “ of the Church.  

Besides the privilege of speaking on the main weekend at Seacoast Church, every speaking opportunity I have had this year has been with a crowd that was either in middle school, high school, college or was a young adult.  I love these opportunities because I believe what many sociologists say and that is that the younger generation has the ability to make a greater impact than any other generation.

Whether it is because they have fewer responsibilities, more time, spend more money on non-essentials or just because they have a flair for the passionate, the younger generation has the means to make an impact that the world has rarely seen.  Yet, for some reason, it seems that many in the church disregard this generation and treats them like a pot that holds chilled vegetables, storing them on the back burner for a time ready to be cooked.

God reminds me every time that I speak to a group of young people that this generation is not the Church of  TOMORROW, but rather the Church of TODAY.  The future of the church is not in the hands of a generation that is sitting idle, waiting for a coach to call them up to the Big Leagues.  Rather, the future of the church is in the hands of a generation that is activating itself, hoping the leadership and culture of the church gives them an opportunity to make a difference.

So what does this mean for you and me?

Well, if you are a part of the NOW generation, then press on and use your giftings and strengths to make an impact in God’s Kingdom.  Serve your church faithfully and honor your leaders.

If you are a Pastor or leader or volunteer within the church, take time this week to invest in the life of a young person.  They are craving for your affirmation, trust and wisdom.  Don’t disregard the younger generation until they get older, but influence them now, knowing they are the greatest influencers for your church.