I Don't Care Anymore
This is the sentiment of my heart! Young people are important to me and it's important that they not be ignored! Time and time again I run into leaders from all sects who have no clue as to what this generation is up to. Well, my first question to the leaders (so called) is who is following you? If the only people who are following you are the folks from your club (church) or organization then what kind of leader are you? For real tho! A thought that I want you to ponder on is who will be following you in the 10-15 years if you don't spend any time trying to understand this present generation?
You see, I'm tired of the bullsh** that goes on continually with leaders always coming to me acting like they know the real deal when, truth be told, they don't know a thing about what they are professing to know about "this" generation. It's funny in one aspect cuz they really don't have a clue (but they THINK they do)!
So here's my dilemma. How do I show them if they never listen to me? I don't know, maybe someone out there reading can help me show these "leaders" how to reach the next generation because honestly, I'm tired as hell of the same ole stuff! I'm tired of my young people being ignored and treated like second class citizens or step children and you know what? They are tired too!
Just yesterday, I found myself at the store purchasing more CD's because it's important that I educate myself on what my young people are listening too. I know the church establishment doesn't give a damn and chooses to shake their heads but I'm one that will go to my grave before I give up on this generation. So, today, I'm sayin' to everyone out there that I don't care anymore about what people think about me. I'm here to do a work. I was sent to this earth and put in this flesh to reach this present generation...And I'm doing that through my love...My unconditional love. I'm doing this by listening and changing my plans and what I want so that they can see that they are important to me.
Oh well, I'm gone for now but if I sound pissed off, I AM...And that's because I'm tired of people talking crap about what they want to do for our youth and then changing the game up in the middle of the quarter...As someone said in the comments section from the last blog...What kind of crap is that? Let's stop talking crap and lets walk a mile in the shoes of this generation...I guarantee you when you do that, you'll change your opinion of this "lost" generation! But whether you choose to or not, I'm going all the way in order to reach them WITHOUT compromising the Gospel...But as for what many think of me? I don't care anymore.
Now that's straight up talk...
posted by Pastor Rich at 8:15 AM
10 Comments:
As a Bishop in the church, I find that your words are fresh Pastor Rich. I have been quite guilty of not listening to those who have an ear to my young people. In the last year, I recommitted myself and my church to going after our youth. I don't take offense at all to anything that you have said because your words are potent and cutting! This issue needs to be addressed over and over again! I applaud you man of God for being on the cutting edge and going after our youth. I'm praying for you and please know that you are exactly what the body of Christ needs! Direct and sometimes offensive because at the end of the day, sometimes offense is the only thing that will wake us up!
Be Blessed man of God!
Bishop W
Pastor Rich,
GIVE ME DETAIL. As far as reaching and supporting our youth I'm with you all the way. Tell me! Give me EXAMPLES of the specific type of programs, studies, worship service inclusion, or WHATEVER is needed to truly get and hold the attention, and impart into our youth on terms THEY embrace and grasp? Understanding that whatever is done has to be done with unconditional LOVE and ongoing COMMITMENT. But I think leadership needs to be taken step by step to by someone with your anointing for them to ‘get it!’ YOU are the bridge God has established. What type of programs have you put forth and what has been rejected/reasoning? What do your readers suggest? I’m tired too. Thought provoking insight is definitely needed – but that’s only the FIRST step. Otherwise it all becomes just thought provoking rhetoric.
I love you!
Minnie Lee
TO MINNIE LEE
MY RESPONSE IS IN CAPS
GIVE ME DETAIL. As far as reaching and supporting our youth I'm with you all the way. Tell me! Give me EXAMPLES of the specific type of programs, studies, worship service inclusion, or WHATEVER is needed to truly get and hold the attention, and impart into our youth on terms THEY embrace and grasp?
OKAY MY RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE IS FIRST AND FOREMOST LISTENING TO THEM. THE YOUTH HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY BEHIND THE ANGER AND THE RHETORIC AND SOMETIMES IT TAKES TIME TO GET TO THE CORE OF WHAT IT IS THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY BECAUSE MOST OF THE TIME THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO SAY...LOL AFTER THAT, ESTABLISHING DISCUSSION GROUPS IS ANOTHER WAY I FOUND THAT WORKS. GETTING THEM AWAY FROM THE "CHURCH" ENVIRONMENT INTO A DIFFERENT VENUE IS ALWAYS HELPFUL BECAUSE THEY ARE USED TO THE FACADE OF CHURCH. NOT TO LABOR THIS TOO LONG, EMAIL ME AND I CAN GO FURTHER.
Understanding that whatever is done has to be done with unconditional LOVE and ongoing COMMITMENT.
WHATEVER YOU DO HAS TO BE DONE WITH A LEVEL OF COMMITMENT AND CONSISTENCE. IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BE CONSISTENT OR WORK WITH A GROUP THAT WILL CONSISTENTLY BE CONSISTENT AT BEING CONSISTENT THEN ALL THAT YOU'RE DOING IS A WASTE OF TIME BECAUSE THE YOUTH WILL LOSE INTEREST.
But I think leadership needs to be taken step by step to by someone with your anointing for them to ‘get it!’ YOU are the bridge God has established. What type of programs have you put forth and what has been rejected/reasoning?
DO YOU REALLY WANT ME TO GO THERE? AGAIN, EMAIL ME PERSONALLY, MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS ON THIS SITE, AND I CAN GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT I'VE TRIED TO DO THAT HAVE BEEN SHOT DOWN BY THE "LEADERS" IT'S BEEN A TRIP!
What do your readers suggest? AS READERS RESPOND VIA COMMENTS WE'LL ALL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT THE READERS SUGGEST!
I’m tired too. LOL WELL I'M GLAD THAT I'M NOT ALONE!
Thought provoking insight is definitely needed – but that’s only the FIRST step. Otherwise it all becomes just thought provoking rhetoric.
MY THEME THAT I GOT FROM MY YOUTH IS "DON'T TALK ABOUT IT BE ABOUT IT" AND THAT'S WHAT I'M DOING!
I'm a youth pastor and I too am tired of the rhetoric from my pastor! They're too old to log on so I know they'll never see this but I'll remain anonymous...just in case. But thanks Pastor Rich because I thought I was all by myself. I've tried time and time again to talk to my pastor about different avenues to reach our kids but he's so stuck on doing it the way he did it back in (get this) 1960. I mean my god! Are you for real???
I tried to take a song that the kids were listening to on the radio and change the words so that the kids could do a presentation during youth service. Oh my, you would have thought they were dropping it like it's hot with the response from the old school. From the response and the open rebuke from the pastor, we lost half of the youth group because they don't want to come back to an asenine church (in their words) Wow, this is the first time that I vented from this...thanks for having this venue. I would like to talk with you personally to find out what things you've tried that the leadership at your church has "shot" down! Again, I'm going to keep on trying but it gets hard! Your blog is refreshing to those of us who want more out of the same ole crap that is going on in the church because believe it or not, the warfare has increased and because the church is so busy having church, we've refused to upgrade our arsenal. It's going to take more than prayer and tongues to reach our kids in 2006. If you don't know you better ask somebody!
Voice Crying in the Wilderness
As a rep of the old guard...or at least I think with my age that I'd probably be considered the old guard, I must admit that you make some valid points! One of the main reasons why I've been rigid is that no one ever showed me another way or approach to go about doing things...I guess what I'm trying to say is that I read your blogs all the time and I've found myself being the target on many occasions when you're discussing "walls" that have been set up in the church. I got saved as a young boy and I guess I never looked at it from the approach that many of these kids don't understand what church is all about. I don't know, I'm rambling right now because the dialogue that has transpired for the past week or two has really unnerved me-in a good way.
If you were to ask the youth in my church how they feel about me, they'd probably tell you that I could go to hell as far as they're concerned because I've done a horrible job representing Christ to them. I'm challenging myself to do better! Thank you for even bringing this issue up. I don't know what church you're a part of but if they don't want you or appreciate you, we'll sure take you here in Illinois where I live! Be Blessed!
Deacon Neil Greene
Now this is a really good one! As a matter of fact, I agree with one of the others...your blogs have been off the hook for the past couple weeks. I don't know if somebody, in particular, pissed you off or what but this is the Pastor Rich that I like. Welcome to the party :) I hope you stay a while! Holla if you hear me!
I thank you for being so brutally honest! I know you are often misunderstood. I attend your church and I stay in the background and I see how our youth gravitate to you. I also see much envy from the leaders because the youth love you so. You have remained faithful even in the midst of the persecution that you have had to endure from not just the leaders from our church but from leaders PERIOD! You could have left if you wanted to, but you remained faithful and have served the youth of the church. Now you are ministering on a global level through this blog site. Elder Brown, oh, excuse me, Pastor Rich, I'm proud of your growth and although you may not hear it from others, I'm telling you as a layman in the church that our youth need more people like you! Thank you for your sacrifice and keep reaching our youth...and don't forget us older folks cuz you sure are helping us understand a lot better than if we had been left on our own! Thanks again!
Pastor Rich,
All I can say is I got yo back! You ministered at my church over a year ago and the youth and adults are still talking about how "real" you kept it! My Bishop has now started being "real" with us on Sundays and the church is growing! I hope you don't take this wrong or anyone else who reads this but F*** people! Especially preachers or other people who don't want to grow or to take time to listen! We listened and even our bishop listened to you and dang...I can't even tell you how fun going to church is now over in this part of the country! I talked to my youth pastor the other day and we're going to be asking you to speak again this summer so heads up for that email, okay?
If you want to stay, we'd love for you to remain with us Pastor Rich cuz you are going places whether the old guard respects you or not! I don't give a damn, the youth and young adults across the country feel yo passion! Thank you for not caring about what other people think cuz u saved me cuz i was sure contemplating suicide the sunday you preached! And I'm still here! Now take that!!!!! Whoever fights u is cursing themselves u better believe it! Can't wait for you to come back out here cuz we are going to pack the church out!
holla
Dave
I mean is it really that serious? I guess I don't deal with youth enough to understand but I applaud your efforts, for real. I'm learning a lot about youth issues from you so thanks!
Elaine
Great blog this is so true! Especially the one about the definition of a fool! I mean damn the church is going to have to come down off of its high horse and get real with our youth, otherwise we're going to lose them. Its the same damn way at the church I go to and it used to be flourishing with youth and then adults came in and took over and before you know it, we have nothing now for our kids. We used to have the jumpin' youth choir, now it's more like an ensemble because they put the wrong person over it. We used to have a power packed rap session entitled, "Tuesday Night Rock" and now that has amounted to nothing so please Pastor Rich keep hittin' us with the real. Prayerfully those who have the power to make some change will wake up before it's too damn late! I'm sorry if I offended anyone with my words but I'm tired of the games!
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