Perhaps most importantly, Lauren, these partnerships helped make the Christian faith more "hands-on" and concrete. You see, our generation came to be known as "The Disillusioned Generation," because we began to distrust political leaders, religious dogmas, the entertainment industry, or the capitalist economy, especially, whenever they tried to sell us some "new way or product" for the "authentic life." So, we wanted to see the work of God here on Earth, in real time. And, we began to support and emulate the ministries we looked up to, such as Homeboy Industries, the Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Center, and St. Peter's Episcopal's free health clinic. These were truly "missional" entities before that term even became popular.
Lauren, today, there are more people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s in worship attendance than those in their 50s, 60s, and 70s because our church made the sacrifice for young people like you. Today, there is no arguing over different forms of sexuality because our church decided to do the right thing and fully accept LGBT persons like you several years ago. And, today, our legislative sessions make decisions on how to better assist young pastors on the front lines of young adult ministry like you, instead of the downsizing that we discussed some forty years ago, because of people like you who have come and gone before you, who have faithfully responded to the call of proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor in the continuation of Jesus Christ's apostolic ministry.
But, I know for sure that the ministry that God has called you to serve is now asking for your sacrifice for the next generation. As one who thought of you as I made my own sacrifices in the church, and as one who only succeeded by the sacrifice of your grandparents, let me humbly ask that you think of your children and their future world as you take the baton from me in leadership of the church, to lead sacrificially. It is by the self-emptying sacrifice of our own God that we exist today. Lauren, continue this tradition with courage.
See you soon!
Love,
Dad
James J. Kang is the lead pastor of Greenhouse District, an Asian-American young adult congregation of the United Methodist Church in Pomona, CA. He proudly holds a Master of Divinity degree from Claremont School of Theology. And, he is currently a Certified Candidate in the UMC ordination process, on his way to becoming a third-generation Methodist pastor.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In