What will your congregation look like one generation from now?

A generation’s about 25 years. So in 2045 your St. Paul’s or Summit or Sojourn…what will it be like when your now-3 year old is bringing her then-3 year old? Or will she?

I like the question because it forces us to consider how today’s church will welcome today’s kids as tomorrow’s adults. Or won’t.

Not because Jesus isn’t welcoming. Most likely because your congregation forgot it’s about Jesus and not about your congregation.

Most likely because we wrongly wrapped so much history and tradition around Jesus that from all outward appearances Jesus chants liturgy and genuflects every 10 minutes whether He needs to or not.

Most likely because we wrongly wrapped so much intelligent lights and smoke around Jesus that from all outward appearances Jesus is doing a show on the strip every hour on the hour whether He needs to or not.

To not paraphrase the Greeks in John 12:21 – “Sir, we want to see some lights and liturgy.”

(Please don’t email me. I like liturgy. I like lights. I’ve done my fair share of genuflecting. I’ve done my fair share of preaching in jeans with cool-back lighting. But they’re not Jesus.)

It shouldn’t be hard to find Jesus in Church.

Consider this when worshiping this weekend: What did I hear about Jesus? How did I experience Jesus? Did what I learn or experience about Jesus make me more afraid of Him or more attracted to Him?

Jesus will still be here for the next generation. Your church should be, too.

“Sir, we want to see Jesus.”