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God calls each generation to mission:
Okay, I confess. I’m a baby boomer! Sometimes I feel guilty about that. Sometimes I feel misunderstood. I especially don’t like stereotyping people. All my life, I’ve struggled against stereotypes that fail to do justice to real people, that are used to categorize people or that sometimes even are used as the basis for legislation that limits and diminishes people. I recognize, however, that my tastes are different from my Generation X and Generation Y sons (take music, for example). Moreover, I have learned through research that there are differences between my sons and me in the ways our generations relate to mission. My parents’ generation relates in yet another way to mission—out of a sense of profound obligation, trust and loyalty. They wrote mission into their DNA and their mission budgets. They trusted their agency to do mission in ways they could affirm. For my children (Gen X and Y), mission is much more relationally based. They function out of relationships with people who affirm their sense of call and see themselves as integral partners in the mission. Both my parents and my children are passionate about mission. My parents’ passion emerges out of a sense of being the blessed and privileged recipients of the gospel, with a calling to share that privilege with others who are not participants in the blessing. My children are impassioned by a desire to give meaning and purpose to their lives in a world where physical and material blessings are less predictable and satisfying and where ultimate questions are much more urgent. My own generation seems to have a much more ambivalent sense of commitment to mission. Of course, here’s where stereotypes break down. Many who served through voluntary service assignments or are mission alumni are deeply committed. What’s more, they are chagrined that their peers aren’t more energized about their role as instruments and signs of God’s reign in the world. My generation holds accountability in high regard. They want to be connected much more closely to where they direct their passion, their contributions and their interest. For them, partnerships are meaningful and desired. They can shape the mission engagement in a way that responds to their passion and commitments. Their parents, sometimes called the Second World War generation, are comfortable contributing to a line item in the budget because it is important to them that mission happens. They also believe that agencies can be trusted to make it happen in the way the community believes it should. My kids care only that there are meaningful relationships that undergird the initiation and implementation of the engagement. Effective mission is predicated on trust, accountability and relationships. Each of these is a vital component of mission that has value and produces fruit that remains. As a mission agency, we are convinced that we must respond to each of these interests and preferences if we are to remain relevant. We also are convinced that we need each of these groups and the interests they represent for God’s mission through us to flourish and remain strong. None of these preferred ways of being in mission is better than another. Each complements and strengthens the other. So, whether you are of the Second World War generation, a baby boomer like myself or of Generation X or Y, you bring an important contribution to God’s mission. I invite your participation in the way that corresponds to your particular passion. We are here to serve you! And we are served by you through the uniqueness and particularity of your interest and passion. You, however, may not fit the stereotype. You may be a loyal Gen X-er or Y-er. You may be a trusting baby boomer. You may be of the WW II generation that is interested in partnership and accountability. We welcome those who break the stereotypes. Wherever you locate yourself in terms of demographics or interest and passion, we feel privileged to be partners with you in God’s mission. I believe it will take all of us in every generation and across the spectrum of interests and passions to make God’s vision for healing and hope in a broken world a reality. I invite you to consider the unique way God has called you, and others in your generation, and to respond today to that call to invest your time and talents in the world. Also in this issue: Features Highlights Highlights |
