After returning home from The Idea Camp I was overwhelmed with a lot of thoughts. I felt compelled to share my ideas in a blog post since so many people asked me how it went and what I got out of it. However, so much came about that is going to shape my future that I felt it was best to make multiple posts and share in small snippets.
My first takeaway from The Idea Camp is that when pastors in my generation look at the world and evaluate ministry, I don’t think we quite get it. Collectively we have lots of theological training, hands-in missionary work, and tons of ministry experience. However, we seem to always scratch our heads (some publicly, but mostly privately) and wonder about our effectiveness. We believe there must be more than this.
I am one of those people that know there must be more than this, yet I know that it isn’t up to my generation to find the answers. I believe it is up to my generation to build up and encourage future generations and empower them to go out into the world and share their anger at social injustice and their passion for their fellow man. The transition of power from Generation X to Generation Y is going to be a truly amazing sight to see! This new generation truly gets it, but just needs a hand in finding their voice. The Idea Camp was a way for some Gen Y kids to have that voice heard.
Taking the stage on Saturday morning were two guys: Zach Hunter of Loose Change to Loosen Chains and Conner Cress of Dry Tears. These two teenagers shared their hearts and passions for social injustices and were living examples that things can get done even without having resources, experienced leadership, or an office, or even a car. That at the age of 15, someone such as Zach Hunter can be so stirred to take a small action that grew into a huge organic movement of changed lives.
Want to know the most powerful word I received from The Idea Camp? It’s when I heard Zach Hunter say that he believed he would see the end of human slavery in the world during his lifetime. That is the biggest vision I have ever heard of, yet a vision that already has been put into action by a 15 year old teen that after two years (Zach is now 17) is still being cast to us seasoned older people that didn’t quite get it. It’s a dream that hasn’t died and one that reveals the beautiful hope we can have as we entrust and empower the younger generations to rise up and take a stand in the name of Christ. It is so powerful that I threw out my notes for a message I was giving to a youth group the day after returning from The Idea Camp. At 9:00am Sunday morning I tossed out my notes, prayed for a scripture that would illuminate the cause of social injustice and inspire the teens to take action, and at 10:30am shared my newly-changed heart with a group that has the keys to the future in their hands. I share the video of the message with you below in the hopes that it may speak into your life and give you the hope that the world will be a better place through all that God is doing to raise up a new generation of his people to destroy the works of the enemy and take back what is his.
Dave Ingland shares a message on social justice to a youth group from Dave Ingland on Vimeo.
Note: Even though the video screen is blank, the video is working correctly. It takes a moment to queue up once you hit play, so please be patient.
Related posts:
- The Idea Camp: Post-camp thoughts…Q&A with Charles Lee
- The Idea Camp: Post-camp thoughts…art of networking
- The Idea Camp: Post-camp Thoughts…Technology And Social Media
- The Idea Camp…changing the shape of things to come!
- Why The Idea Camp?
Tags: conner cress, generation y, next generation ministry, the idea camp, zach hunter
Thanks for the comment back. That was really encouraging, knowing someone actually read and processed my thoughts xD But yes, I must agree with your post about the older generation encouraging the younger generation. There is major need of cultivating the talents of the youngsters. Sometimes we think this race is something that we finish on our own but we forget that we must pass the batons or else the race will be incomplete. There’s a deep desire from the younger generation to be mentored but church leaders often times neglect those small voices thinking, ‘their time will come,’ forgetting that if the youth has to ask for mentorship, maybe their time has already came.
I hope all goes well with your ministry. I didn’t know you’re form nor cal!? OMG! 510 all the waayy! YAY AREEAAA!!
Hi Ellen! Thanks for visiting my blog and sharing your thoughts. You’re so correct in that the younger generation (including you!) needs to be empowered to go out and make a difference. With our organizational skills and your hearts for social justice, we could see the world become a much better place! Just like Zach Hunter said at The Idea Camp, at the age of 17 he believes that he will see an end to human slavery during his lifetime…so awesome!