The 21st century has brought many trials and struggles to the Christian faith. Students following Jesus have been faced with new difficulties and new mindsets that question and doubt their beliefs. The North American culture has produced an influential number of postmoderns (people who believe that truth is relative and that Christianity can be shaped and molded according to a person's specific needs). It seems like Christianity has been turned into a customized product where any consumer can add and eliminate features that they don't like, almost like a new customized computer. As a result, a consumerism mindset has formed where people clash and argue over different issues, nothing much to do with following Jesus or fulfilling his mission, but simply a debate over what features should stay and be added to feed our consumption our religious product.
But following Jesus wasn't meant to be about consuming. It's about being fulfilling Jesus' mission. I want to ask two questions:
1. Are you missional?
2. Do you know what being missional looks like?
In the simplest terms, "missional" means "missionary" So the questions arises, are you being a missionary? Are you engaging the culture around you and bringing them a message of grace or are you content with a me-focused consumer-driven religion?
Following Jesus in the 21st century means getting back to the basics, getting back to the mission, and intentionally reaching out to those that don't know Jesus and extending grace to them. It means putting others' needs before our own needs. It means loving and accepting people before they choose to follow Jesus. It means entering the mission field of Durham and your high schools with a heart full of grace ready to live life with others.
At King Street Youth, we are striving to be a missional community that's creating missional followers of Jesus who will engage the culture around them and bring a message of grace to people who may not otherwise hear such an impactful message. We are striving to be a community that is known for extending grace and loving people that no else might love. We are striving to be a community where life-change happens in people that we influence.
Following Jesus in the 21st century is simply participating and believing in Jesus' mission and watching the world change one person at a time.
So students... BE A MISSIONAL PERSON...
Pastor Josh
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