Generational Paradigm
One of the main problems facing the body of Christ today and affecting it’s future is that of generational paradigms.
par·a·digm - One that serves as a pattern or model. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.
Congregations are trying to be culturally relevant by creating assembly environments (assumptions, concepts, values and practices) conducive to specific generational thought. These paradigms can be from any generation, whether past or present. By doing this, churches are excluding those who do not fit the old or present paradigm or change to embrace the new patterns. This creates unbalanced groups that do not reflect the mature understanding of Christianity which transcends generational thoughts or mechanics. New converts to groups supporting generational paradigms will remain stuck in an environment that does not include the sacrifices needed in a diverse congregation. Always having your own way is a dangerous and deceiving environment. Members rally around the created environment and not around the central Christian doctrine of loving sacrifice.
This paradigm will change with every generation, leading to a continuing confrontation between the "old" and the "new." Generational paradigms are not exclusive to one age group and each paradigm will include those people from all age groups who are called to it’s pattern for one reason or another. The paradigm does, however, reflect the thinking of an old or new generation. The multi congregational areas that we now have can be a consequence of generational theology. Choices in congregational environments are indicative of the disunifying force of generational patterns. Generational paradigms cause friction to develop over church practices or doctrines that will continue to lead to congregational divisions.
Creating these environments is about seeking what you or the majority want and not about seeking the best for the body and everyone of its members. Jesus’ sacrifice and command calls for us to sacrifice our own wants for the good of others as he did. Paul reiterates this concept specifically in 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 14 and 15.
Church splits are abhorred by the mature but are even encouraged by the immature, claiming the Paul and Barnabas “clause” of disagreements, not wanting anyone to hold them back. "Go somewhere that you can be comfortable." A comfortable environment is the call of those who seek generational patterns and practices. Created environments are embraced by some but exclude others who will not acclimatize to the new environment. Jesus would never encourage his body to be generationally exclusive in their thinking or practice. His call to “love one another “ is a sacrificial call to surrender your wants for each other and this call will produce the unity that he calls for us to have. Unity is the product of an active love and is the identifying mark of a mature assembly of Christians.
Those leaders who encourage generational assembly paradigms are encouraging immaturity in their membership. Love and acceptance is only realized by those who choose to accept the specific paradigm of the group. Others feel unloved and excluded because the predominant practices of the group do not reflect their own. Each side considers it’s wants and desires to be what is important and not the building up of the entire body.
Mature church leaders will see that generational paradigms are far from the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers and seek remedies that produce real love and unity among a diverse cultural or multigenerational congregation. These remedies must not attempt to persuade one group to “give in” to another but focus on building up the entire group to love and good works which calls for sacrifice of everyone's wants. Members of mature congregations who “love one another,” will not divide. Loving the “least of these” is paramount. No one can be left behind and sacrifice must be made the order of the day. We cannot just love in words but must challenge ourselves to see how our actions affect others and putting love into action, cause the whole group to be encouraged and built up. The world will see and be called to this Christ imitating group. Love will be evident and unity will be it’s fruit.
Summation:
A generationally centered paradigm creates an environment with practices that exclude many of the group by accentuating and even flaunting generational differences. Generational differences can be mechanical practices or doctrinal professions. This paradigm breeds conflict over differences which result in community fragmentation and ultimately division of the body that Jesus died for. A Christ centered paradigm is one that encourages a community of Christians to love each other so much that it’s practices build each other up so that the group is perfected in it’s unity. This community will mourn the loss of any of it’s members and seek reunification.
People are not being attracted by the sacrificial call of Jesus Christ to love one another but by the cultural and generational call of assembly methodology that they believe is the sacrifice that glorifies and honors God. As a group, we are not seeking or calling others to a sacrificial life which produces the fruit that actually glorifies God but are accepting an environment of exclusion and selfishness and calling it religion. These paths that we’ve chosen are not conducive to a unified body of diverse people. If we have to divide to create these special environments, we have missed the call of Jesus.
One of the sad consequences of generational paradigm is that parents don’t go to the assemblies with their children and vise versa. It’s a deep-seated problem caused by the freedoms of groups that don’t understand the effect of their own desires, or understanding them, they flaunt their freedom wanting no one to hold them back. Leaders who make these distinctions are setting the future of people under their care. These reflect immature understandings of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.
We must receive the words of Paul in Colossians 3: 14 which echo Jesus’ teaching as recorded by the apostle John in all his writings. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Or, as William Tyndale translated in his new testament, “Above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.” No unique generational paradigm can ever take the place of the perfect love that God modeled for us in Jesus Christ and has commanded us to live by and be known by.
Don Campbell
par·a·digm - One that serves as a pattern or model. A set of assumptions, concepts, values, and practices that constitutes a way of viewing reality for the community that shares them, especially in an intellectual discipline.
Congregations are trying to be culturally relevant by creating assembly environments (assumptions, concepts, values and practices) conducive to specific generational thought. These paradigms can be from any generation, whether past or present. By doing this, churches are excluding those who do not fit the old or present paradigm or change to embrace the new patterns. This creates unbalanced groups that do not reflect the mature understanding of Christianity which transcends generational thoughts or mechanics. New converts to groups supporting generational paradigms will remain stuck in an environment that does not include the sacrifices needed in a diverse congregation. Always having your own way is a dangerous and deceiving environment. Members rally around the created environment and not around the central Christian doctrine of loving sacrifice.
This paradigm will change with every generation, leading to a continuing confrontation between the "old" and the "new." Generational paradigms are not exclusive to one age group and each paradigm will include those people from all age groups who are called to it’s pattern for one reason or another. The paradigm does, however, reflect the thinking of an old or new generation. The multi congregational areas that we now have can be a consequence of generational theology. Choices in congregational environments are indicative of the disunifying force of generational patterns. Generational paradigms cause friction to develop over church practices or doctrines that will continue to lead to congregational divisions.
Creating these environments is about seeking what you or the majority want and not about seeking the best for the body and everyone of its members. Jesus’ sacrifice and command calls for us to sacrifice our own wants for the good of others as he did. Paul reiterates this concept specifically in 1 Corinthians 13 and Romans 14 and 15.
Church splits are abhorred by the mature but are even encouraged by the immature, claiming the Paul and Barnabas “clause” of disagreements, not wanting anyone to hold them back. "Go somewhere that you can be comfortable." A comfortable environment is the call of those who seek generational patterns and practices. Created environments are embraced by some but exclude others who will not acclimatize to the new environment. Jesus would never encourage his body to be generationally exclusive in their thinking or practice. His call to “love one another “ is a sacrificial call to surrender your wants for each other and this call will produce the unity that he calls for us to have. Unity is the product of an active love and is the identifying mark of a mature assembly of Christians.
Those leaders who encourage generational assembly paradigms are encouraging immaturity in their membership. Love and acceptance is only realized by those who choose to accept the specific paradigm of the group. Others feel unloved and excluded because the predominant practices of the group do not reflect their own. Each side considers it’s wants and desires to be what is important and not the building up of the entire body.
Mature church leaders will see that generational paradigms are far from the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament writers and seek remedies that produce real love and unity among a diverse cultural or multigenerational congregation. These remedies must not attempt to persuade one group to “give in” to another but focus on building up the entire group to love and good works which calls for sacrifice of everyone's wants. Members of mature congregations who “love one another,” will not divide. Loving the “least of these” is paramount. No one can be left behind and sacrifice must be made the order of the day. We cannot just love in words but must challenge ourselves to see how our actions affect others and putting love into action, cause the whole group to be encouraged and built up. The world will see and be called to this Christ imitating group. Love will be evident and unity will be it’s fruit.
Summation:
A generationally centered paradigm creates an environment with practices that exclude many of the group by accentuating and even flaunting generational differences. Generational differences can be mechanical practices or doctrinal professions. This paradigm breeds conflict over differences which result in community fragmentation and ultimately division of the body that Jesus died for. A Christ centered paradigm is one that encourages a community of Christians to love each other so much that it’s practices build each other up so that the group is perfected in it’s unity. This community will mourn the loss of any of it’s members and seek reunification.
People are not being attracted by the sacrificial call of Jesus Christ to love one another but by the cultural and generational call of assembly methodology that they believe is the sacrifice that glorifies and honors God. As a group, we are not seeking or calling others to a sacrificial life which produces the fruit that actually glorifies God but are accepting an environment of exclusion and selfishness and calling it religion. These paths that we’ve chosen are not conducive to a unified body of diverse people. If we have to divide to create these special environments, we have missed the call of Jesus.
One of the sad consequences of generational paradigm is that parents don’t go to the assemblies with their children and vise versa. It’s a deep-seated problem caused by the freedoms of groups that don’t understand the effect of their own desires, or understanding them, they flaunt their freedom wanting no one to hold them back. Leaders who make these distinctions are setting the future of people under their care. These reflect immature understandings of the freedom we have in Jesus Christ.
We must receive the words of Paul in Colossians 3: 14 which echo Jesus’ teaching as recorded by the apostle John in all his writings. “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Or, as William Tyndale translated in his new testament, “Above all things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.” No unique generational paradigm can ever take the place of the perfect love that God modeled for us in Jesus Christ and has commanded us to live by and be known by.
Don Campbell
posted by Don Campbell at
10:33 AM
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