The Next Christians: Gabe Lyons

The Next Christians: How a New Generation is Restoring the Faith

Gabe Lyons

"I hope this won't shock you, but I don't call myself a Christian anymore.I follow Christ as faithfully as I can, but I don't ever want to be associated with what that word, or that "brand", has come to represent in the world."

"Maybe you haven't left the faith altogether, but you find yourself increasingly uncomfortable with what it has become."

"… some churches have become a convenient location where Christians can drop in without interrupting their normal routines."

…low volunteerism

Amanda doesn't want to be an insider.

Amanda can sometimes be a culture warrior.

Evangelizers, in this definition, don't do anybody any good.

"His good intentions fell short of any real, substantive progress."

"they shout their views at the world and huddle safely with each other- far away from the world they believe is literally going to hell."

Religion can be a generational hand-me-down.

"Complete with a Starbucks-style coffee shop, Disney-like children's programming, and a worship experience that rivals a Coldplay concert, weekend services attempt to emulate the cultural competition."

"The critique of these churches is their neglect of historic church practices, like regular taking of the Eucharist and emphasis on Bible teaching and personal disciplines like prayer and confession."

For restorers… "Telling people about Jesus is important, but conversion isn't their only motive."

"The Next Christians claim that the beginning and the ending of the greater story have been conveniently cut out, leaving modern day Christians with an incoherent understanding of the Gospel."

"Creation and Restoration are the bookend of Christ's earthly work"

Exactly, Because I didn't understand Jesus until I heard the entire story. Until I read the entire story, what was the point. Jesus was nonsensical.

"Half-story versions begin abruptly in Genesis 3, where the separation of humanity from God is the opening scene. This story starts with everyone as corrupted sinners, with little rationalization given for non-Christians who still do good works. … it begins with a judgmental tone."

We are "left with no real story at all"

"Shouldn't we be faithful to recount and live out the whole story?"

"… partnering with God to breathe justice and mercy and peace and compassion and generosity into the world."

Minnesota Starvation Project

"…see the world in terms of how things ought to be"

"God's love extends to ALL people"

"Christians must not neglect their own pursuit of the very One they follow. Nor should they become detached from the encouragement, support, and accountability that only a local community of faith offers. After all, offering redemption and restoration is only possible when one is rooted."

"learn to discern good from bad."

"…offended Christians have held those who never claimed to follow jesus to a standard they haven't signed up for. They expect non-Christians to conform to the same moral code as a Christ follower."

"meet people where they are."

Some claim…"no Christians should place themselves in the middle of such wickedness"… I say… then who will, and why not?

We are running out of time to run away. He's on his way back.

"the power of the holy spirit seems to work far better that our own vain attempt to "make it happen" We are not in charge of the salvation of anybody.

"If they don't fill the gap, who will?"

"No other institution regularly convenes people who work within the other six channels on a weekly basis"

"Then they are sent out, dispersed to support one another and to work within the sphere of society God has gifted and called them to in order to carry out his restoration work." But do we do the work?"

"Relocating from city to city, trying to find a place to call home."

"On each rung of the Hollywood ladder, Jason had made small spiritual compromises: no consistent time listening and talking to God; no connection to the community of faith; no tie searching the Scripture for God's wisdom; and no priority to protect his family."

"… he just couldn't do it without Cynthia. He has spent too many years enjoying rich experiences like this without his wife and he was determined never to do it again."

"Relational intimacy often comes only after people show willingness to be vulnerable about who they really are: tier mistakes, bad habits, grandest dreams, and worst fears."

"Their true friends call them out… healthy critique and accountability."

"Do goo to those who hate you."

"sacrificial service to ALL people."

"You can't get second things by putting them first; you get second things only by putting first things first."

"…second things for the church. They seek to DISTRACT, compete for the center, and manipulate us into believing they're really the main thing. But they're not. The restorative work of Jesus as displayed throughout the GOSPEL is the main thing…"

"Where the church is faithful to its Lord, there the powers of the Kingdom are preset and people begin to ask questions to which the Gospel is the answer."