The Don Newsletter

1) We used to live in a culture where churchgoing was a normal part of life, but no more.

Though almost all Americans still believe in God, official weekly church attendance hovers around 20 percent (that includes virtual attendance which still covers quite a portion of that 20%). Almost a third of Americans can be classified as “Nones”, those who have “no religious affiliation”. And millennials, or young adults, are leaving or staying away from church in higher percentages than any other generation. The younger you are, the less likely you are to have a connection to a church.

And so... We must adopt a missionary mindset and be bold and creative. Don Bosco was. We can assess the needs in our communities and respond. We can provide live and virtual opportunities for people to encounter Christ, to witness virtue and a sense of family. We also have to go out to where people are. Saint Paul, who understood that face-to-face relational presence was his biggest asset, went out to the marketplace and the gathering spots of everyday people. We can’t wait for people to come to us, we’ll be waiting for a long time.

2) Religious people are now seen as “haters”. Young people are growing up in a culture where faith in Jesus has been politicized or has become a shortcut definition for “judgmental” – it is no longer a universally admired (and expected) pursuit.

We are already at a cultural moment when “religious” crosses over into the territory it occupied when Jesus called its most fervent apologists “white-washed tombs” and “snakes”.

Half of Gen Z (young people ages 13 to 25) say they don’t think that religious institutions care as much as they do about justice issues that matter deeply to them – tolerance, compassion, acceptance, racial justice, gender equity, immigration rights, income inequality and individual freedom. Christianity is very much about justice, but because it’s also about devotion, it’s seen as invalid. And today’s world thinks Christianity not only has a fundamental disconnect – but that because it’s old and connected with an authoritative institution, they interpret that as having nothing to offer to present day problems and challenges.

And so... Witnesses of genuine kindness and charity are needed. There’s such a challenge here. We hold fast to the truth of the gospel regarding morality and at the same time we love people sincerely. Lord, give us that ability.

We can shift our focus to preparing children, youth and young adults for counter-cultural impact – WE HELP THEM EMBRACE A CHRISTIAN IDENTITY that the rest of the world will see, initially, as weird. How will they maintain perseverance in this identity? Only one way – lead them to an intimate relationship with Jesus. Only a deepening relationship with Jesus Christ can mark their identity enough to face the persecutions that are sure to come.

3) “Who needs religion to be a good person?” Young people are growing up in a culture where “religious” is not even in the vernacular – and it’s seen as an unnecessary prerequisite for “being a good person”.

We religious people have lost our visibility, our credibility and our voice with many young people. Sharing time and rubbing shoulders with them is very helpful but they don’t “get” the why we do what we do – with Jesus, through Jesus, in Jesus’ Name.

And so... We help young people shift their focus (and their standards) from clearing the low bar of “good behavior” to leaping into the high bar response to Jesus. When He asked if His disciples were going to abandon him like all the others, Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words to eternal life. We believe and we know you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). This is a proclamation from someone whose heart has been won over by the heart of Jesus, BEFORE his head understands or embraces all of the implications of that commitment.

4) “There’s no such thing as sin!” Young people are growing up in a culture where sin is a past invention of society and church to make people behave. It’s something belonging to ancient history. Today there is no shared definition of sin. There is no common morality.

If there is no reference point for human behavior, no North Star guiding us, then “sin” is quickly going to disappear from our spiritual reality. All is relative. A kind of behavioral pragmatism has emerged in the culture, where the end almost always justifies the means.

And so... We help them lay down the compass of cultural norms and pick up the compass of Jesus Christ. Sin needs to be preached. The temptations, distractions and lies that the evil one has promulgated in society are real. The destruction caused by sin is being exposed. We are all affected by it. Let’s call it out. Let’s help them see the damage caused by sin. We need Christ’s amazing Grace. As Paul said, “I say then, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves” (Galatians 5:16).