There have been a lot of different opinions surfacing since Lifeway research published their results regarding the church dropout rates of students between 18-22 years old. I have yet to comment on the findings myself, and probably will in the future, but I wanted to give attention to one response to the results that is troubling to me — a response that only seems to perpetuate the very problem that the research has pointed to.
According to a press release, Dr. Ted Baehr, publisher of Movieguide® and chairman of the Christian Film and Television Commission® has said,”Movieguide® has the tools to help parents and churches prevent teenagers and young adults from leaving the Christian faith. We can even help them strengthen their faith.” Dr. Baehr goes on to explain:
“Not only do we have books like THE CULTURE-WISE FAMILY, THE MEDIA-WISE FAMILY and FRODO VS. HARRY: Understanding Visual Media and Its Impact on Our Lives, we also have excellent articles and teaching materials. Also, my staff and I are willing to come speak at your church, talk to people on the telephone and in person, or write letters and emails to help protect you and your children and grandchildren from toxic cultural messages, and to help them defend their Christian faith.”
Without having reviewed the books, articles, and teaching materials, I want to be careful when being critical of what they may represent. But, I do want to comment on the statement that is made in the press release regarding the notion that we need external books and study materials to help “protect you and your children and grandchildren from toxic cultural messages, and to help them defend their Christian faith.” I take issue with this comment because I believe that one of the problems present in student ministry (and the entire church for that matter), is the position of cultural isolationism. We can certainly fall off both sides of the cultural engagement wagon, but despite more recent discussions regarding missional, contexualized ministry, much of the Church continues to be anti-culture and very antagonistic toward anything that is not distinctly Christian. For many years the results of this have been shown in the production of Christian t-shirts, bumper stickers, music, art, movies, and even toys for children. Not all of this is bad, but a lot of it is tacky at best, and turning skeptics and non-believers to be even more opposed to the gospel at worst. Why do we insist on referring to the culture as toxic?
The Church needs to shift its focus (and in some places it has) from being anti-culture to being counter-cultural for the common good. Essentially, instead of labeling culture as “toxic” or “bad”, we need to look at it with a different lens. Culture is neither good or bad — it is where we live — it’s our surroundings in everyday life. Certain elements of culture are beautiful and right and worthy of close attention, care, and enjoyment. Other elements of culture have been corrupted or have grown stale and are in need of redemption. We must embrace the beautiful and good elements, and work to change the corrupt and stale. Instead of an embrace and change mindset, most local churches have taken on a reject (culture) and isolate, thus creating a sub-culture that is completely void of a DNA that drives them to serve their communities and love their neighbors. I picture a group from a local congregation standing in front of their church sanctuary yelling to the people in the homes across the street: “Come and join us!” But never would they cross the street and join them — Christian sub-cultures have been the response to the “in the world, not of the world” conundrum that we struggle with on a daily basis.
What does this have to do with student ministry? A lot! Most students are living their lives on the internet, in movie theaters, or with headphones on their ears, yet when they get to church they hear that all these things are evil and will cause them to sin. Unfortunately, instead of helping these students develop the needed discipline of discernment, the church has thrown a blanket of condemnation over every aspect of student life, thus leaving them with more questions than answers. I compare this to treating a bullet wound with a bandage — it may stop the bleeding for a time, but infection will soon set in and the problem will grow worse and worse inside the body. Likewise, we can condemn various aspects of culture with a simple label of “evil” or “bad”, but until we teach students how to discern for themselves what should be embraced and what should be changed, we have only bandaged the giant wound. There ought not be any condemnation without biblical support — likewise, we must always use biblical discernment in determining not only what is permissible, but what is helpful and right. When all a student hears is that everything they are doing in life is bad or evil, they’ll find acceptance elsewhere.
Are there certain elements of culture that cannot be redeemed? Do we spend too much time and money bandaging wounds instead of performing the necessary surgery to get at the root of the problem?
HT: Ed Stetzer
I don’t beleive there are any elements of culture that cannot be redeemed. The problem is just as you have stated: It cannot and will not redeem itself and we have been taught that we must keep the world at arms length in order to have an effective witness. This mindset just doesn’t produce effective evangelism and the bad fruit is on the tree, in the pew, and perpetually across the street. It is time to take an axe to the roots of our practice and re-evaluate the truth concerning how we are to live out the great commission.
This is my take:
Just as Jesus came in the flesh and suffered through temptations and various trials and affliction including death on a cross, we must be willing to go into all the world and proclaim the good news of Jesus’ finished work on the cross. We must stop stiff-arming every person who needs Jesus and start embracing them.
1 cor 9
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
yep yep… Jesus was accused of being a drunkard because he hung around drunks… you can’t be accused of something like that if you stay in your clean little bubble and never get outside and get a little dirty.
Luke 5:29 And Levi made him a great feast in his house, and there was a large company of tax collectors and others reclining at table with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”
Good fight Nick! keep up the good work
Bobby and Jessica: Thanks for the comments — agreed. As Christians we must walk the fine line between engaging culture and remaining unstained from the world. It’s very easy to jump on both bandwagons. As with most issues, it seems best to me to take the middle ground and realize that there is an important element to both polar opposites that needs to be considered.