The Silent Become Relevant

The other day I wrote an article on the “excessive growth” of Christianity. In that article I touched on the silent generation (1928-1945) and its feelings and relevancy in this time frame. I received phone calls, emails and Facebook messages about that article. One of the key questions from this older group was “how do I become relevant?”

I have been around the church long enough to see the attempts and tries to become relevant. It has touched worship, preaching, hospitality and how “churches” are built. Relevance is defined as “the ability to retrieve material that satisfies the needs of the user”. That says volumes as far as I am concerned.

My “advice” to many was take something you know well and share it with the younger. It might be cooking or painting, but it “belongs” to you so begin to share it.

In the post the other day I was talking about finance. The Silent Generation is also considered the “luckiest” financially. Perhaps it was lower birth rates, rising industry in the USA that lead to this being the richest generation ever. I said the other day that this generation has the incredible ability to share what no others could. Most were out of the workforce by 2008 and missed many of the “bullets” that so heavily affected others. (Big differences! At a similar age and education level, someone born in 1970 earns 27 percent less and has 43 percent less wealth than a person born in 1940.)

I said that we need the silent to step up. One of the greatest “recognizers” of age and wisdom is the church. The church of all places ought to be pulling in the wisdom of the past. (I understand we are not going to make VCR’s or Model T’s but wisdom ALWAYS has relevance. Education may not but wisdom is a pillar. Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding.)

As I speak to the “silent” I am encouraging them to share their histories (Not the “snow up to their neck stories”…) of goodness. Of the way it was. Funny, in the church we recognize the simplicity of the gospel more and more, yet so often we walk out into life and return to the ever chaotic life styles. Simple is better on so many levels.

A generation is rising up against GMO‘s and crying out for better quality food. Who do you think knows this? Who did “organic gardening” before it was popular? I get they did not do it all “right” but I want you to think about that.

Is the Bible relevant? Or is it “antiquated” pages? Your answer is important. If you believe it is just a book, you lose.

To the Silent Generation, I offer this thought from a few days ago.

While walking this morning I was thinking about the word the Lord revealed to me. I shared it earlier. It included thoughts of a “silent generation”. I thought about the potential of the grape. But I also thought how many older folks want to share the stories of the abundance and stronger times we have known. At that moment a little “twister” erupted blowing dirt and debris into a “tornado”. Right then I felt that many have the words, but like that twister there is a truth of peace in the midst that will be lost by the presentation. You or I may have the words to change lives but if the presentation is not palatable the food may Never be eaten…

Presentation is 9/10ths of the words.

I am calling in the “silent generation” and calling them to be silent no more. I am declaring that wisdom has never lost its relevance. That we are on the cusp of world shaking and the shakers include this older people. (Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless…” You are still SALT!) I am speaking out to younger people to reach out for the wisdom of your elders. We are ONE generation!

Wisdom NEVER loses its relevance.

I call in the gifts and the callings of this silent generation and I declare your mouths are unstopped and your minds, oh so restored. Wholeness and health I declare over your lives. I declare your lives are made whole and you are valuable to God and to man.

“Hear this, you elders; listen, all you inhabitants of the land. Has anything like this ever happened in your days or in the days of your ancestors? Tell your children about it, and let your children tell their children, and their children the next generation” (Joel 1:2-3)

Today, there is an uprising. Hands are held high and hearts are with joy.