(Congratulations to Kristine Stutsman for winning Betsy Tachella’s book!)

There’s been a lot of talk lately about Baby Boomer Victoria Osteen’s statement that worship is for self and not God. There’s a lot of talk about the self-centeredness of the church. My friend, Ingrid Lochamire, wrote a great post about Boomers and Millennials leaving the church.

The Me generations are having a faith crisis.

I’m part of the generation sandwiched between the Boomers and Millennials. I don’t know if we’re Generation X or Y. We’re the Lost Generation.

I was born in 1968.

The year Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were killed.

The year of riots and the Tet Offensive.

The year all hell broke loose in the nation.

The year before Woodstock, where conflict and pain was subdued by sex, free love, and mind-altering drugs. When “if it feels good, do it” became the new religion and the accepted norm.

I was raised Old School by parents born during the Depression. I was taught to respect my elders, God and country. I wasn’t given trophies just for participating. When I did win, I got a pat on the back and reminded I had chores to do. I was spanked, grounded or had my mouth was washed out with soap when I did something wrong. I wasn’t damaged, demented or traumatized.

During VBS we sang “Do Lord” and played Red Rover. Childhood indulgence included staying  up until 10:00 to watch Fantasy Island when my parents had Bridge Night. If I didn’t like the meat and two vegetables we had for supper, no one made me something special.

Because it wasn’t about me and things didn’t have to feel good.

News stories aren’t reporting that the Lost Generation is leaving the church. I wonder why? As one of that generation, I’m honestly tired of the mess that’s happening in the Body of Christ.

The arguing about worship.

The down-sizing of God and glamorizing of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The masses worshipping false theology like Aliens in Toy Story.

The seduction and sex appeal of the Church, the holy bride of Christ.

I really don’t care about The Osteens because they alone have to answer to God.

People leaving the church? It’s their deal. That’s between them and God.

You see, we were created to glorify the Creator. It’s that simple. It’s a love affair. When you seek Jesus Christ and let go of self, He fills you with a peace that passes all understanding. You receive His love that’s immeasurable. You don’t have to worry about worship or going to church because you do it as an overflow of your love for Him.

Church services and programs will fail you. Superstar faith icons will, too. I probably will. But you see, it’s not about me or the Osteens or Boomer/Millennial friendly programs.

It’s about Him and you. It’s a relationship. That’s it. When you seek Him, you’ll find something greater than any human can provide.

And then there won’t be a debate about who or what or whether it’s about you or not. Because His love will satisfy and you’ll want it to be all about Him.

It’s that simple.

Ephesians 3: 14-21 (NIV)

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. 

Amen, Come, Lord Jesus. (Rev. 22:20)