Landscapes are changing - hast thou not seen?

The recent General Election in Singapore has caused many people to conclude that the political landscape is changing and that the PAP could no longer reach out to citizens and handle politics the way it has always been doing in the past.

It took the loss of a GRC with "heavyweight" ministers and a drop in total votes to wake them up. I ask, "What about the churches in Singapore? Have the leaders been listening to the ground? Or do they want to wait for some major upheaval before they start asking the right questions and engaging the people at their level."

While I recognised that the world is changing very rapidly and no one can keep up with the times, it does not give the people of God, especially leaders/ministers, the leeway to say that we do not need to know what is happening. It is overly simplistic to say "I know better. I have been a youth once. I have more experience. I know what is going on." if a minister would not listen to what the young people are facing, what the world is dishing out, and what are the waves that are coming.

Leaders of the church can no longer afford to give themselves excuses that they belong to a different generation who do not use ipod, ipad, msn, facebook, google and hence, they don't need to learn what these are. They need to take more public transport and go to places where the youth/young people hang out to see more of the current moral/spiritual/emotional landscape. What do you see?

1. I see more affections and sexual inklings expressed in public between members of opposite sex AND same sex.
2. I see more rantings, expressions of personal views, and a different person on Facebook than the person I see once a week in a "you-must-be-a-goodie-good-person" church.
3. I see more influence and faith placed on the advice of peers than the Bible when it comes to choosing vocation, prioritizing studies, spending money and what to wear.

The list can go on and on. If we have lost touch, admit it, say "Sorry" and back it up with actions. People say the church always tend to be reactive than proactive. Perhaps we can be proactive than reactive for a change.

From what I see, there is a need to engage the youth/young adults in:
1. Homosexuality and the Christian faith - there is much to discuss, explore and debate. This "wave" is coming, if you have not noticed. What does the Bible say? How do we love someone with a different sexual inclination? Can someone be a Christian even if he/she has an inclination to remain liking the same gender?

2. Sexuality and the Christian faith - let's not kid ourselves. A large % of young boys and girls have been exposed to pornography and for some, sex from a much earlier age. Those who are addicted or struggle with porn and masturbation are crying out for help, but are afraid they'll be condemned and cast away like lepers. The shame and fear can be overbearing. Is there a healthy and loving platform to talk about such things? Is there a place to discuss what the Bible talks about sexuality, sex and marriage in a real way?

3. Wisdom and the Christian Faith - okay, Wisdom is a big word. What I really want to say is that we need to help the younger folks to think. The "you-do-what-I-say-because-I/the-Bible-says-so" is not a helpful method for this generation. They need to understand why, to dig the Bible and think what it says, and to become wise. The world is becoming increasing post-modern(or already is) and we need to help them to think and to live wisely. They have too many choices, too little though process, too used to getting spoon-fed in school, too reliant on the words of church leaders, and too resistant to opinions different from theirs. We need to engage their mind with the Word and real lives and relationships.

So I hope we get slap in the face and wake up before we once again become reactive. May the Lord give us all wisdom and patience to listen, engage, and do what is pleasing to Him for His glory. Amen.