What will we call the emerging generation?

If it were up to you, what name or label would you give the new generation of young people?

Recently I read an article on this very topic. Some suggested labels included “Generation Net” or “iGen” because most have grown up online. Another suggested label was “Homelander” because they have grown up with public emergency at home and globally (like September 11 and the ongoing war on terror around the World.) Another idea was around the theme of the “Silent Generation” taken from the Great Depression because of the recent economic downturn.

The potential labels elicited three themes that are marking young people:

• Internet and Technology
• Home and Public Emergency
• Economic Volatility and Uncertainty

How do you think those three themes are marking the souls of young people? Take a minute and respond. Journal or simply write a few words about that question.

Below the article, I noticed a multitude of comments about the new generation.

I estimate 90% of the comments were negative about perceived qualities and other possible harsh labels of the new generation, therefore demonstrating what I see as a major problem:  Every generation looks down on the next, and instead of developing them, they condemn them prematurely. Thus, setting the new generation up to fail in a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So, how can we respond positively to these markings on the new generation?

• Mentor or share your wisdom in any platform to this new generation. (A mentor can change the trajectory of a young person’s life!)

• Train them now on how to care for their souls. (Habits begin and form in young people)

• Encourage others to build into the new generation. (Who do you know that could inspire young people?)

I think we all know deep down that this new generation will not respond to negativity, but will respond to being empowered and believed in. Think back to a time when you were young and someone gave you an opportunity, spoke uplifting words to you, or simply believed in you.  Who was it and what did that person say or do?

The need for encouraging leaders, shepherds, mentors, group leaders, and hope givers to this generation is massive and urgent.  Young people are our hope, our future and current leaders, and our greatest long-term investment. Let's teach them all we know!  Your words, intentionality, and life can make a difference of a lifetime. Take some time to pray or journal a response to this question: How will you make a difference in the lives of the new generation?

(The article referenced, “Kids labeled 'generation next' before they grow up,” is via)

Guest blogger Tara Rumler is Student Ministries Group Life Director at Willow Creek and a freelance writer. She can be found at www.twitter.com/taraumler where she shares about life and her likes - leader development, coffee, reading, coaching, community, finance, and working out. 

What makes a fire burn
is space between the logs,
a breathing space.
Too much of a good thing,
too many logs
packed in too tight
can douse the flames
almost as surely
as a pail of water.

So building fires
requires attention
to the spaces in between,
as much as to the wood.

When we are able to build
open spaces
in the same way
we have learned
to pile on logs,
then we come to see how
it is fuel, and the absence of fuel
together, that make fire possible.

We only need to lay a log
lightly from time to time. 
A fire
grows
simply because the space is there,
with openings
in which the flame
that knows just how it wants to burn
can find its way.

San M. Intrator and Megan Scribner, Editors, Teaching with Fire: Poetry that Sustains the Courage to Teach. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 2003, p,89. 

Today my Spiritual Director read me this poem in response to my sharing how I am, for the first time in my life, operating with space—with margin—in my schedule.  I now have time not only to accept a last-minute call for a coaching meeting—as happened yesterday, but also space to Be, reflect, and do some of the creative work that each of us crave to do, but often gets squeezed out by the sheer quantity of the stuff we try to do or the number of people we feel we have to see.  I am still wrestling with the issue of stewardship—What is enough? What is effective stewardship of my life as a faith-supported missionary?, and those issues and questions we all face from time to time.

This week a couple of Soul Care friends are "stopping by" for conversation that reminds us to step outside our own situations, think, pray and listen.

Today is a post from Mac Lake, who is the Development Pastor at Seacoast Church in Charleston, South Carolina, a multi-site church with thirteen campuses. You can find him blogging ideas and insights on leadership at www.maclakeonline.com.

Compelled by the grace of God spiritual leaders serve selflessly, love extravagantly, and give sacrificially. But frequently it’s their untiring efforts for the cause of Christ that bring exhaustion physically, emotionally and spiritually. Isn’t it ironic that serving the God we love can cause us to feel distant from the God we love to serve? That’s why it’s essential that the leaders greatest priority is the care of his or her own soul.

There have been plenty of times my spiritual tank has been so low I can’t seem to get myself back into a healthy place with God. It’s in these times I need someone else’s perspective, wisdom, and faith to boost my own. That’s why I value Soul Care Conversations as a vital part of my spiritual regimen. These discussions with trusted spiritual friends nourish my soul and keep my perspective in alignment with God’s perspective.

Even the most mature leaders need these types of conversations. King Hezekiah was the most spiritually mature king Israel had known in years, yet when the King of Assyria threatened to destroy Israel, he found himself under a tremendous amount of stress. As his soul began to weaken under the weight of the situation he sent word to Isaiah informing him of the situation. Hezekiah’s words reflect his concern, as he put on sackcloth and ashes he said, “This day is a day of distress and rebuke and disgrace, as when children come to the point of birth and there is no strength to deliver them.” (Isaiah 37:3)   

Sensing his weariness Isaiah spoke God’s truth to Hezekiah saying, “This is what the LORD says: Do not be disturbed by this blasphemous speech against me from the Assyrian king’s messengers. Listen! I am going to put a spirit in him so that when he hears a certain report, he will return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with the sword.” (Isaiah 37:5-7).  Isaiah’s words in this soul care conversation helped Hezekiah see the situation from God’s perspective and  infused him with the hope, faith, and courage he needed to move forward.

If you’re finding that your soul is weary maybe it’s time for some soul care conversations.  Here are a few questions that might help stimulate the discussion.

• What’s the freshest thing God has been doing in your life lately?
• How full is your emotional, physical and spiritual tanks? Empty, quarter filled, half, three quarters or full.
• What theme does God seem to be emphasizing in this season of your life?
• If you could see God do one thing over the next 30 days what would it be?
• What’s God been saying to you through His Word recently?
• What passion is God stirring in your soul recently?
• What season best describes your spiritual life right now: Winter, spring summer or fall?  Why?
• What’s exciting you the most in your spiritual journey these days?
• What are you most excited about what God is doing in, through or around you?

This Weeks Leadership Challenge: Seek out a trusted spiritual friend and have a honest open soul care conversation.

• Intentionally take conversations to the topics that really matter
• Wisely discern friends who are willing to “go there”
• Swallow our pride in order to share the real stuff of our struggles
• Share our “growth edges” where we sense God is doing a new thing in us