That's right, as my dad, one of the Silent Generation turns 98 on December 20th of this year; myself a Boomer from 1948 with a crossovers GenX/ Millennial daughter born in '81. Then there is the futher mix of GenY, Z and Alpha's, if I count my two grands now 7 & 9. I find life exhilarating as try I converse across that expanse almost daily.
I am always intrigued toward futher pursuit of understanding of my "Church in Foreclosure" Word from 2008, by then having been fully immersed in church-life since 1974, which was when I began leading an Interdenominational Prayer Breakfast and later a more expansive and inclusive monthly dinner.
My early immersion was primarily among rural Methodists, Baptists and a smattering of Pentecostals. Then later, given the growth, the more curious from the old-line First Church folk, most generally wealthier and more educated began attending.
By then the Charismatic movement had begun to rattle through multiple denominations, with credibility offered by way of marketplace leaders via the Full Gospel Businessmen's (and women) from even C-level corporate leaders, unlike the early Pentecostals from my lineage, often referred to by those same folk as, Holy Rollers! God has a way!
When that had caused enough ruckus within the more staid of denominations, a movement fostering the so-called Interdenominational "Denomination" began to grow as more and more of those experiencing renewal decided "to come out from among them".
Other pre-existing denominations more open to this tidal wave of renewal, such as the Assemblies of God began to grow in numbers, along with multiple church plants and even a few burgeoning Mega Churches.
My wife and I, likely given the influence of my prior three generations with Pentecostal roots, were soon invited into fellowship with the Assemblies of God. Though it took a "Spirit-filled" Presbyterian to persuade her, given her Missouri Synod Lutheran heritage. She soon was more charismatic than myself, and I'll say more discerning of leaders.
Of course being male, though the AG has always been open to female ministers, I was soon offered leadership roles from the local to the national level, though now it seems that limiting ceiling of gender has been dissolved, as is the case in most all denominations desiring to survive!
It's interesting how slow we are to come around, given our profession of intimacy and open communication by way of the Holy Spirit. Just a thought!
Back to this multi-generational moment in which we live. There seems once more a window open for change, as more churches compete for attendance, soften on hard line doctrinal opinions, given the critical revenue necessary for their campus support. Again, God has a way!
There is also a growing expectation for engagement beyond the pew, especially among the younger generations who measure Christlikeness more by inclusion and impact, rather than one's ability to defend dogma.
As I listen to the younger generation, whom surely God loves as much as my own, as well as reflecting on the numerous shifts that have occured in my 50 years in the church, I am compelled toward a deeper study of institutional history.
Now having recently passed the 500 year mile marker that we are told have provided such reformation moments, first backing up to Luther, then 500 years before him the great divide between the Eastern and Western Orthodox movements, The Great Schism of 1054.
Before that, divisive struggles were occurring in the 4th & 5th centuries around the physical nature of Christ, "Fully Human, Fully Spirit or Fully Both".
All that on the heels of the Nicene Council, by then the organism referenced by Paul as the Ecclesia, the "Called-out ones", had long since become rather organized, even politically sanctioned for Emperor Constatine's purposes.
So given the moment and the history of human nature, where do we go from here, especially in terms of the transfer of the faith, when it seems grace is criticized as cheap and yet the demonstration of the Spirit's power, which so followed the 1st Century Church, seems so often absent?
At least the Early Church had fewer divisive debates over the Canon, for its compilation and sanctioning was still 300 years away! Still yet, the movement first called, Christian only at Antioch, swept across the nations, revolutionizing cities and cultures, with little access to the multiple volumes of scripture over which we debate and little academics training!
For me, more and more it is my daily life that provides spiritual blessing, though my Boomer mindset still enjoys a good church service! Yet moreso, the moments of divine intervention when I blunder even professionally, as well as the joy that comes when I align my life and resources with those who struggle even to survive.
Also, finding the time, now a little better at it than in my earlier years, for loving my family, as well as time with those friends and acquaintances that choose to love on me. Trust me, that latter thing can be difficult at times difficult given my nature.
All this, more than religious ritual and evangelistic fervor is the new measure of my intimacy with the I Am!