We Are The Ones... So Step Up
Some of my thoughts resulting from conversations and life experiences from the past few months.
.
I have a new song. It’s called We Are the Ones by The Orion Experience. You can listen to it on their myspace profile here and here are the lyrics:
.
We Are the Ones
.
We are the ones you thought you owned.
We are the ones you said were stoned.
We are the ones that you wish would go away
(we’re here to stay ).
Yeah, we are the ones that are gonna run the world some day.
.
We are the ones you can’t control.
We are the ones that won’t be sold.
We are the ones that you can’t get to look the other way
(we won’t obey )
Yeah, we are the ones that are gonna run the world some day.
.
You might laugh, and you might doubt it,
There’s nothing you can do about it,
.
We are the ones you can’t ignore.
Every day we’re more and more.
We are the ones who believe in the Un-American way
(hip hip hooray ).
Yeah we are the ones that are gonna run the world some day.
.
You might laugh, and you might doubt it,
There’s nothing you can do about it,
Cause we are the ones we’re gonna run the world some day.
.
You are the rich, the white, the old.
Selling your children’s blood for gold.
Lie to the world and you act like it’s O.K.
(no f***ing way ).
Yeah we are the ones that are gonna run the world some day.
.
You may laugh, and you may doubt it,
There’s nothing you can do about it,
Cause we are the ones we’re gonna run the world some day.
Yeah we are the ones, we’re gonna run the world some day.
.
I heard it on a friend’s bebo profile as it played as pictures of the last day of school were shown. It has some words which are incredibly true for my year at school and others. We are the ones that are going to rule the world some day! Scary, huh?
.
Our age group will have the politicians, the doctors, the pastors, the priests, the business people, the youth leaders, the social workers, the psychologists, the writers, the teachers, the sports stars, the musicians - and even the mummies and the daddies (which are perhaps more important roles than any of the ones I named before – think about the huge influence you could have on many future generations through the way you raise your children!)!
.
What a massive responsibility this all will be! Although, it has to be said, I’m kind of looking forward to it. Well, not looking forward to it in the sense that I’m wishing away these years that will be mortgage and kid free! But think of all we can change!
.
You know that thing that annoys you in a certain area of life? Well, you can be the one who changes it! It was Gandi who said “Be the changes you want to see in the world.” If you want to see something changed what is stopping you?
.
Oh, I know. Age. I said “We are the ones who are going to rule the world someday.” Well, as someone who has been saying for weeks now that she will get out of bed at 8am and revise before lunch time someday is always one day away!
.
This is that attitude I have encountered in various church organisation social settings. We have got started talking about going to church and, guaranteed, there will be at least one person who says “I don’t like going to church – it’s so boring!” But when was the last time they were there? Christmas? Easter?
.
This attitude really annoys me. Don't get me wrong, I’m not judging them for not going to church – there are people who don’t go to church who are more Christian-y (for want of a better term!) than those who do turn up faithfully every Sunday. But how can they sit there and say how boring church is when they only go several times a year?
.
I’m not saying that church is always oh-so-fun and I’m not saying that there haven’t been sermons I could have easily slept through (though I’m not going to name ministers or dates…). I’m saying that unless people are willing to give things a chance they’re never going to be able to give an honest and valid criticism of the place. The saying is “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes” – you can rarely comment on an organisation you are merely a bystander in.
.
The other thing I hear about church is how the “old people” don’t give the young people a chance. Now, I realise that in many cases that is very true but in the past couple of years I have gotten to know some of the older people in my church. And in those relationships I have found humour, fun and fellowship.
.
It wasn’t an overnight process but slowly these relationships have been built upon. Now, yes, I do still endure the sermons where teenagers are cast into the typical Kevin and Perry roles. But largely I have felt appreciated by the older people in the church. And there are several I know I could go to if I needed help with something.
.
You can’t come to church non-commitedly several times a year and say what a crap place it is. Let the people know that we are the ones who will not be sold, who won’t conveniently look the other way, who cannot and refuse to be ignored, who seek honesty and transparency.
.
If people are not willing to step up to the plate – to be committed to go to church so they can see what happens, so they can form relationships in which they can delicately suggest ways of changing what is done, so they can make the changes they want to see – nothing will happen or advance. Church will remain the same old thing that will never attract the young, vibrant demographic that is so desperately needed to keep the place alive.
.
It takes work. It takes commitment. It takes a passion for honesty and incredible endurance. But we are going to be the ones who will be running the world someday. While it is important to respect our elders and respect tradition (don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying storm the local elder meeting and overthrow them, although…) many of the older people I know realise that unless something is done soon there will be no one left to do it.
.
So, get involved. Start building relationships. We’ll be here for a while… so don’t be afraid. Think church is boring? Get involved and change that. Think old people don't give young people a chance? Give them a reason to give you chance when they hear so many bad things about the "terrible youth" of today. (Older people: listen to young people and give them the chance!)
.
.
.
I heard it on a friend’s bebo profile as it played as pictures of the last day of school were shown. It has some words which are incredibly true for my year at school and others. We are the ones that are going to rule the world some day! Scary, huh?
.
Our age group will have the politicians, the doctors, the pastors, the priests, the business people, the youth leaders, the social workers, the psychologists, the writers, the teachers, the sports stars, the musicians - and even the mummies and the daddies (which are perhaps more important roles than any of the ones I named before – think about the huge influence you could have on many future generations through the way you raise your children!)!
.
What a massive responsibility this all will be! Although, it has to be said, I’m kind of looking forward to it. Well, not looking forward to it in the sense that I’m wishing away these years that will be mortgage and kid free! But think of all we can change!
.
You know that thing that annoys you in a certain area of life? Well, you can be the one who changes it! It was Gandi who said “Be the changes you want to see in the world.” If you want to see something changed what is stopping you?
.
Oh, I know. Age. I said “We are the ones who are going to rule the world someday.” Well, as someone who has been saying for weeks now that she will get out of bed at 8am and revise before lunch time someday is always one day away!
.
This is that attitude I have encountered in various church organisation social settings. We have got started talking about going to church and, guaranteed, there will be at least one person who says “I don’t like going to church – it’s so boring!” But when was the last time they were there? Christmas? Easter?
.
This attitude really annoys me. Don't get me wrong, I’m not judging them for not going to church – there are people who don’t go to church who are more Christian-y (for want of a better term!) than those who do turn up faithfully every Sunday. But how can they sit there and say how boring church is when they only go several times a year?
.
I’m not saying that church is always oh-so-fun and I’m not saying that there haven’t been sermons I could have easily slept through (though I’m not going to name ministers or dates…). I’m saying that unless people are willing to give things a chance they’re never going to be able to give an honest and valid criticism of the place. The saying is “Don’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes” – you can rarely comment on an organisation you are merely a bystander in.
.
The other thing I hear about church is how the “old people” don’t give the young people a chance. Now, I realise that in many cases that is very true but in the past couple of years I have gotten to know some of the older people in my church. And in those relationships I have found humour, fun and fellowship.
.
It wasn’t an overnight process but slowly these relationships have been built upon. Now, yes, I do still endure the sermons where teenagers are cast into the typical Kevin and Perry roles. But largely I have felt appreciated by the older people in the church. And there are several I know I could go to if I needed help with something.
.
You can’t come to church non-commitedly several times a year and say what a crap place it is. Let the people know that we are the ones who will not be sold, who won’t conveniently look the other way, who cannot and refuse to be ignored, who seek honesty and transparency.
.
If people are not willing to step up to the plate – to be committed to go to church so they can see what happens, so they can form relationships in which they can delicately suggest ways of changing what is done, so they can make the changes they want to see – nothing will happen or advance. Church will remain the same old thing that will never attract the young, vibrant demographic that is so desperately needed to keep the place alive.
.
It takes work. It takes commitment. It takes a passion for honesty and incredible endurance. But we are going to be the ones who will be running the world someday. While it is important to respect our elders and respect tradition (don’t get me wrong – I’m not saying storm the local elder meeting and overthrow them, although…) many of the older people I know realise that unless something is done soon there will be no one left to do it.
.
So, get involved. Start building relationships. We’ll be here for a while… so don’t be afraid. Think church is boring? Get involved and change that. Think old people don't give young people a chance? Give them a reason to give you chance when they hear so many bad things about the "terrible youth" of today. (Older people: listen to young people and give them the chance!)
.
"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
1 Timothy 4:12
.
PS: I hope I haven’t offended anyone in this post – if I have be sure to get in touch. I just had to get these thoughts “onto paper” as they are continually in my head when I’m attempting to revise – despite lack of sleep, concentration and motivation to work!
.
posted by Rach @ 11:59 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
loveitloveit!
As someone whose lifes work revolves around church, I want to say a loud AMEN! I've worked with young people for 15 years, I often heard the comment this is boring - often from the people you have identified - the least committed and the most frequent to complain (funny that). My response is simply Yeah I agree, sometimes I feel its boring. But be the change, at least I'm (with others) there to effect change, to be a catalyst. Standing on the sidelines dissing has never changed a damn thing!
From a youth ministry perspective... things are not where I want them to be in our church, I have a vision, a dream that I want to see realised. As things are maybe if I were a teen I'd right it off too, I dunno, but on the other hand, I think I'd want to be the kind of teen who says I'm gonna help build this thing, get off my arse and make a difference.
In many ways it comes down to two types of people Givers & Takers or put it another way consumers or activists. So many people in church are consumers... its all about 'me' what I want, when I like it, at my convenience.
I got news for you folks... you're not called to be a consumer... church is not about you! You are no big deal! But Jesus is, and it is all about him! So to the naysayers, the complainers, the criticisers, those taken up residence on the sidelines what are you gonna be? What are you gonna be known for? Are you gonna step up, and build something that lasts... its called the Kingdom.
What will your generation be known for... will you be agents of social & spiritual change...
or will you be agents of social & spiritual control (if you stay on the sidelines, with your 'me' 'me' attitude and your constant dissing, that is exactly where you're headed.
If you are the ones... show me... step up, be the change! if not, sit down, shut up and let us get on with it.
here endeth my rant!
great post duvet... got my blood pumping.
The other Paul here :-)
My brother's a youth leader in his church, and he gets annoyed when people talk about the young people as the church of tomorrow.
"They are the church of Today!" he says.
Go for it! Make the difference in church or society soon - before things have been bad for so long that you can't imagine them any other way!
Post a Comment
<< Home