Post Christian Kidz

A recent survey done by Pew Forum on Religious and Public Live has revealed some startling statistics. The number of Protestants living in America has dropped below 50 percent for the first time. This same survey revealed that the number of people who are not affiliated with any religion or faith has risen four percent in the past four years. We now live in a society where 20 percent of American citizens claim no faith at all let alone Christianity.

So much for being a "Christian Nation". We are now a "Post-Christian Nation". The evidence is all around us that at one point in our nations history, the majority of us aligned ourselves with a Christian world view. As we drive on our way to work we see a church every block or so. Sometimes on every street corner. As we scan the stations on our radios we pick up a Christian radio station. During our weekends off as we are out shopping we notice the occasional Christian book store here and there. It is evident that at one point in our nations history, Christianity was a big deal.

That all has changed. While the shadows of a "God Fearing" culture remains, a new irreligious culture is on the rise. The voices of post-modernism, secular humanism, cultural pluralism, and relativism has replaced the voices of our spiritual heritage. This culture finds our Christian world view irrational and out of touch. At times they cannot decide what is more irrational; the doctrines of our faith, or the mere fact that we feel the need to institutionalize it in an organized social system that we call "church".

The result is that we live in a world where Christianity is no longer the standard brand when it comes to world views. It is now only one of many. The Church is going to have to make an adjustment in the perception of it's role in society. We are so used to seeing ourselves as the moral and spiritual authority in society. Perhaps this is the reason we think we have so great a influence when it comes to controversial social issues such as abortion and gay marriage. We incorrectly assume that society as a whole generally understands that when it comes to social issues, the view of the Church is the dominant and more adhered view. That simply is not the case in Post-Christian America. Our views on issues such as abortion, homosexuality, origins of life, etc are one of many competing views in this country. We have often heard that America is a melting pot of diverse cultures, races, and nationalities. This melting pot paradigm now applies to religions. We are no longer the dominant voice and world view, just one ingredient in the pot.

One of the consequences of this world view shift in our nation is that we now have "Post-Christian Kidz". Twenty years ago it would have been strange to encounter a kid who had never heard of common Bible stories such as Noah, David and Goliath, Moses, etc. Now, I am meeting kidz like this more and more often each year. Religious education is simply not a priority for the parents of this generation. It is no secret that adults from 20-35 are an endangered species in the church today, so naturally their kidz are rare as well. The reality we face is that in just a couple decades, Christianity's dominance and presence in society will be all but gone due to the lack of putting into application of the spiritual principle found in Deuteronomy 6:6-9:

"These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

If we continue to fail to put into practice the discipling of our children, we will loose a generation... unless of course there is revival. It is my belief that God will not let this upcoming generation be lost. I believe we are on the dawn of the greatest revival in church history and I believe it is going to greatly impact the children. In Kidzville we have seen in the past couple months many kidz Baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in other tongues. Kidz are becoming more expressive and free in their worship. We have experienced real encounters with God in the midst of praise and worship. Over the past couple weeks, kidz are starting to operate in the supernatural gifts of the Spirit especially the gift of prophecy. 

I believe there are two elements to this coming move of God that are important. One is that this young generation has a hunger for the supernatural. This is evident by their obsession with Harry Potter, Twilight, vampires, ghosts, etc. They desperately want to experience something beyond the human range of perception. The Holy Spirit satisfies this need with a purpose. Secondly, kidz through a supernatural encounter with God will find their identity in such an experience. The result is that as this generation matures they will not be swayed by the many competing world views they will face because their identity as a follower of Christ is not rooted in philosophy or doctrine, but with an encounter with the Living God.

I believe that in the coming years as society eagerly awaits the diminishing influence of Christianity, it is going to be blind sided by a new generation that has not gone along with the herd mentality of society. They are Christian, they are passionate, and they are radical. They are unashamed and they are armed with the supernatural. As the intellectual society tries to reason with this generation with their lofty high sounding ideas they will quickly learn that a man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. Yes, I believe God will have this generation but He desires for us to do our part. That is to pray, pray, pray and then pray some more. And to put into application Deuteronomy 6:6-9. Studies have shown that whatever a child religious, moral, and ethical beliefs are by the age 13 they will keep those belief for the rest of their lives. They will not change. We have short window. Lets be part of God's work and reach a generation in Post-Christian world.

Build My Throne!

"God inhabits the praises of His people". This is a very popular verse amongst Pentecostal circles. A more accurate translation of Psalm 22:3 however would read, "Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel." ESV

Praise and worship is a very important ministry in Kidzville. We don't believe it is just another part of "Kids Church" that we need to have, we believe that praise and worship is essential to leading kidz to an encounter with God.

God spoke to me very clearly concerning this verse as it relates to our praise and worship ministry. God showed me that His throne is the place from which He reigns. From the place that He reigns He also sends out judgment, redemption, restoration, and healing. It is from the place that He reigns that He sends out His Spirit. It is from the place that He reigns that He raises valleys and lowers mountains. From the place that He reigns He breaks strongholds and tears down walls.

If God is not seated on His throne however, He will not act on our behalf.  God showed me that the praises of His children are His throne. As the verse says, He is enthroned on the praises of Israel(His people). God is calling on us tell the kidz that God says, "build my throne"(His praises). When the kidz build His throne, He will come and sit and send out decrees, mobilize angels, and defeat their enemies.

Psalm 8:2 says that God has ordained praise to come from the mouths of children in order to stop the enemy. How does this happen? When the throne of God (His praises) is created He can sit on the place from which He rules and fight on our behalf from that place. But none of this will happen if the children do not first build His throne.

This is why in the atmosphere of praise and worship we see healings, miracles, signs and wonders. During these intense moments of worship prophetic words are given out, kidz are set free, filled with the Spirit, delivered, called into the ministry. etc. It is because God's throne has been built and He sits on the place from which He reigns and acts on their behalf.

Praise and worship is not simply another part of a kidz service that we need in order for us to have all the parts of a Kids Church service. It is the ministry which God has ordained for the releasing of His power in the lives of the little ones we serve. Let us all inquire of the Lord as to how He desires for us to build up this ministry and as a result, Build His Throne!

Why is an Encounter with God so important?

Why is an Encounter with God so important?