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Hey Bobby, you don't have to say anything when talking about the next generation, "Now some of you will say, "what about the older folks" ". God has put it upon others to go to the 'older folks', He doesn't expect any of us to do everything for everybody. He gave/gives us different gifts and has had us go through different life experiences so He can reach people in all ages and places in life.
As far as the music, I don't know if louder is what's needed, I've been on WRBS and WGTS for years to do at least a 1/2 hour Hip/Hop or something to that effect. Now I know some young people love Rock, my youngest son has always listened to newer groups whose music sounds just like the groups I listened to but I also know a lot of younger people listen to other types of music. A group (Christian) called Cross Movement had the sound that my oldest son and his friends listened/listen to, the difference being the lyrics of course.
Now realize, this is a 45 year old saying this knowing I may have to listen to that at LifeBridge sometime..., well, there's always the lobby till after:-)

You are so right on with what you said Bobby! If EVERYONE, no exceptions. doesn't get on board to reach the next generation, we are missing the boat!

How in the world can anyone not see the importance and need to pass the "torch" on to the younger generation? (It's not a matter of ignoring the older generation, it's a matter of getting them off their excuse laden butts to do something other than complain or brag about where they've been in life!)

I see churches full, (well, not full, but the small crowd there is dominated by) older folks, slowly dying as they think only of their own selfish interests and comforts. It's a bunch of old selfish people that never really grew up. They didn't ever get responsible enough to understand that what they have was a temporary loan from God that they should pass on to the next generation, no matter the cost to them! Now their church is slowly dying with them.

I am speaking as part of the "older" generation in years. I am nearly 53. That's old enough to start getting settled in and looking for the comfort zone of "I've earned my status in life, now serve me" mentality. However, I am running as hard as I can from that crowd! God keep me young at heart, and white hot for the next generation! If, in the process, I offend or lose some selfish, immature older folks like me that should know better, it's a price worth paying to pass the torch on!

Mike, what a shame. To a point I understand your message however, you made yourself sound like a bitter OLD man. Reach the next generation, YES. Your message makes it seem that you are forgetting 'The Body', a message that you teach many times. Different parts of the body do different things, the same Gifts are not given to everyone. People helping young parents, marrieds, older singles, the poor and so on, is what they do any less important? Hey, I give it to Bobby and all the others who serve the next generation but to infer, which your comment did, that older folks who don't help in the next generation effort are just people who need to get "off their excuse laden butts to do something other than complain or brag about where they've been in life" is a bad generalization.
I know churches that don't go for the next generation do die off, I saw a few churches doing just that 4-5 years ago, I also know that all generations are needed for a successful church and people with different gifts serving in different areas are also.
Still love ya and LifeBridge, just a slight difference in overall view.

Very good point to make Dave. Us older folk are still around loving and serving JESUS. We are all seeking to point the loss to JESUS, very young, next generation and older. Praise the Lord.

Just trying to stir up the older generation to see the need to reach the younger generation. I plead guilty to being older now, but I assure you, I'm not bitter.

I am thankful for "Older Sister", whoever she is, that is seeking to point all generations to Jesus. I am thankful for Dave's heart to reach all generations. I know he wants to see his own next generation reached. (which we are trying to do)

However, as a leader in a church, I am responsible to see beyond what others tend to see, to lead us to move forward. What usually happens in churches is the tendency to gravitate towards the comfort zone. The comfort zone tends to be a place of familiarity. Do what makes me happy, hang out with those that are just like me, etc. If we do that, we will become another social club, not a rescue mission for the lost. Our natural tendency, (and I know I'm generalizing a bit), is to feel uncomfortable around new people and younger people, those who are a bit different than us.

I truly hope that LifeBridge Church becomes known as the church that loves kids, teenagers, and younger singles and couples just getting started in life.

I don't want that to happen to the exclusion of anyone else, especially older people. I want our middle aged and older people to be mature enough, and loving Jesus enough, to not make it about them. I want them to lead the way in reaching out to the next generation, taking responsibility for passing on the torch.

I think of Barbara H., a sweet sister who is definitely of the older generation. She is an example of someone well over 60 who has remained young at heart, loves to serve, and gets it when it comes to doing what it takes to reach the younger generation. She's a part of doing it! She doesn't feel left out or put down because she is older. She understands that her life on this planet is mostly over and she is doing what she can to pass on the torch. I really respect this little bundle of love and energy!

I hope that clarifies what is in my heart.

:-). I never and would never question your heart and yes, I believe whenever an opportunity is given to us by God to reach someone we better take it because if you wait until you are completely comfortable you will never do it. Every time, except with family, I've never felt comfortable until after my conversation with the person, it seems it's then that God allows me to see that it/I wasn't bad and it lets me know every time that it wasn't really me there. It doesn't bother me if people laugh about it afterward or cut me short when speaking of Christ, I still let those things worry me in almost every other phase of life though.
After my comment I did think that you could mean that all of us need to seek the next generation no matter if we feel comfortable doing it or not and not just that all of us should be part of the Youth Group or Kids Kingdom at LifeBridge so that's on me.
Talk of funny, within 5 minutes of me posting my comment you (Mike) called about the LifeGroup.., yep, I thought it was about this :-).
Hey, I think that at the very least this is the most active post Bobby's ever had on his blog.

Dear Pastors Mike & Bobby ~ It took me so long to respond to your blogs, because my "excuse laden butt" only wanted to complain and grumble about your comments. Fortunately, my 56 year old, still active mind, torched my typing fingers into action. As Christ's followers, we are commanded to go into the world and preach the gospel to ALL ...not zero in on the "next generation". Gee, from your views, I feel like every young person has a bulls eye printed on their forehead so us older generation can have "witness target practice".

Pastor Bobby questions, what can be done to reach the next generation??? Should the style of music be changed? What style do you have in mind? You already have an upbeat, talented worship team. Do we need louder music in our Sunday services and pass out ear plugs as Pastor Bobby mentioned? No, that's probably not a good idea, because us older people are so "settled in our comfort zone" that we just might get so comfortable in our seats that we'll forget to remove those ear plugs and miss the preaching!

You are correct, Pastor Bobby, in saying that you cannot change the mindset of the people. Nor can any of us change your mindset. Both would only be accomplished by the awesome power of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if our mindset is the result of our interpretation of God's leading us to share the gospel with whomever He places in our path, why would you feel compelled to change that? Though I do appeciate your enthusiasm and understand the desire to speak your heart.

However, I do take offense at the generalization that the older generation is comprised of "selfish, immature older folks who should know better". Now, Pastor Mike, you said if you offend us, it's a price worth paying. Wow, that's a pretty strong statement to make considering you are not discussing a flat-out, no room for interpretation, biblical truth, but YOUR desire to reach the youth of today. I AM on board, Pastor Mike. I boarded the ship bound for eternal life back in 1980...but not just to reach the next generation, but all people whether they are young, old, red, green, black or yellow.

Hmmn, if we are to concentrate our efforts on the next generation, what happens to the now generation? Unless we are out there "doing whatever it takes" to reach the next generation, do we just put ourselves on a shelf until we become the past generation?
Perhaps I am misreading your statements, but I fail to see your efforts to have a balance in your congregation. I don't know about you, but my "selfish" period was my childhood and teenage years. I couldn't see beyond the next school day. It was as I matured that I realized life was short and I needed to focus less on me and more on God and others. Our churches, like biological families, need a balance. Imagine a family of strictly sixteen year olds or one comprised of strictly sixty year olds. Both would be at a handicap in facing every day life. In our church families, the young people are providers of excitement, youthfulness and vitality, yet the older folks are providers of wisdom, prayer, and financial support.

While I applaud your passion to reach our youth, I am clearly and unequivocally stating that I am NOT in the "serve me" mode because reaching the youth is not our primary ministry. Nor does being around young people make me uncomfortable. For many years I served in youth ministry and found children/teens to be a wonderful source of encouragement, intelligence, brutal honesty, a desire to love and serve God and just an absolute delight to be around! But sometimes God chooses to move us around to use our gifts in other directions.

Look around your church, Pastors, and imagine if all those "older folks" you generalized as lazy or bragging were suddenly gone. Sure would affect the body wouldn't it?

I've known you many years Pastor Mike, so I hope you know my comments are seasoned with love.

Blessings & Joy Because of Him,
Terri Reinhardt

Yes as Dave said "The older Generation are needed" but not to contstantly complain about changes to reach unsaved people. When you become a believer of Christ your number one goal should be to see unsaved people come to Christ. I'm a newer beliver (almost 3 years now) and if I went to a church that was centered on just catering to their "Older Generation" and their church was ignoring Gods pull to reach the unsaved younger generation boy would I be in trouble.

When you are filled with the holy spirt you are supposed to put yourself aside to reach the unchurched. The church in no way is going to forget about the older generation or older non believers but think about it...why are you really complaining and apposed to an idea of reaching a younger generation which is contantly getting hit by todays culture? It's harder then ever to reach the new Generation and a church should want to do whatever it takes to get their attention. I don't care how old you are but members of a church being opposed to a change in church to reach young unsaved people is just rediculous and it's having a negative effect on what the church is tryin to do. If I was a non believer and I saw all the older generation not wanting to help me or opposing every new idea the church has I wouldn't want any part of it. Stop worrying about petty differences and being self centered and do what God wants us to do...be deciples. Today's church is focusing on matters that don't need to be argued about when you can be sharing the gospel.