Generational Gaps

I would argue that the world cannot continue to change at its current pace.  Interestingly enough the generational gaps are widening, while the generations are narrowing.  A look over the last 15 years has brought remarkable change to technology, relationships, and life as we know it.  While I do think the rate of change can quicken, I believe that at some point the pace will cease to be improved upon, such as the natural limits for a sprinter in the 100 meter dash (The record can still be improved upon, but will never be 7 flat).  Along with technological advances, generations have been mutating faster than we could ever have imagined.  From the 1830’s to the 1930’s roughly the same style of dress was worn and the same values adhered too.  Likewise, there was little change prior to 1830.  Fashion and values have change greatly over the last decade, at constantly increasing rates.  Technology, in the same way, has slowly been changing quicker and quicker over the last decade.  Cassette tapes held on for 20 years, CD’s are becoming obsolete after 15 (kind of makes you rethink the $300 you dropped on your new ipod, knowing that it might be obsolete in 5 years).  VHS tapes went strong for a long while until usurped by DVDs, only to be supplanted by Blue Ray (if you don’t know what that is, ask your kids). 

            Why the sudden influx in advances and the constant need for change?  Walt Mueller in his book Engaging the Soul of Youth Culture, would attribute the change to a fateful day, November 22, 1964, when Kennedy was assassinated.  Between the atom bomb and Kennedy’s assassination, the world (and most prominently America) no longer believed in the rise of civilization and the upward trend of humanity.  He accredited the rise of postmodern thinking to this twenty year period in America. 

            I say all this for this very reason, the generations are changing at an ever increasing pace due to a lack of respect for truth and a constant Technological advancement.  If the church is unable to keep up and stay applicable; our churches are one generation from dying.  The search for answers; hope; and meaning are what the very church was created for.  

Just something to think about.