Loyalty

Today on NPR's Morning Edition, Steve Inskeep reported that a recent survey shows that number of Americans "swap faiths." (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19354039)

"According to the study, more than one-quarter of American adults (28 percent) have left the faith in which they were raised in favor of another religion — or no religion at all. If change in affiliation from one type of Protestantism to another is included, 44 percent of adults have either switched religious affiliation, moved from being unaffiliated with any religion to being affiliated with a particular faith, or dropped any connection to a specific religious tradition altogether...Among Americans ages 18 to 29, one-in-four said they are not affiliated with any religion."

This isn't surprising to me, but it is troubling. With so many religious options, freedom of religion in America, and a "do it yourself" society, such findings aren't surprising. But what doesn't show up in the findings is the fact that while people might switch or give-up on religion, there is a desire for "spirituality." A couple of examples: the book The Secret remains on the top ten list of many best-seller lists and Oprah recently promoted "A Course in Miracles," by Marianne Williamson...both examples are new age, not Christian, moves toward spirituality.

In October, the Wall Street Journal ran the story, "Teaching My Son to Respect The Boss." Journalist Steve Stecklow shares his experience sharing his love for Bruce Springsteen with his 14 year old son. When Springsteen showed up in Hartford, Stecklow took his son to pass on, one generation to another, his passion for the Boss' music. Jesse, Stecklow's son got the full experience of a Springsteen concert including beer spilled on his shirt from another concert goer. Much to Stecklow's delight, Jesse purchased a concert t-shirt after the concert and wore it to school the next day. A new generation of Springsteen devotees? Time will tell.

There is something to learn for Christian parents about passing on their passion for our Lord (boss) Jesus Christ (a.k.a...the man upstairs). Instead of leaving Jesse with CDs of Springsteen's career or bombarding him with renditions of "Born to Run" or "Born in the USA," and sharing stories of days gone by why dad likes Springsteen...Stecklow gave Jesse an experience with Springsteen. The experience was the turning point.

For Christians, unless our faith in the living Christ (not religious practice) is real, vibrant, authentic, and grace-filled...and our children experience the blessing of it, our children will continue to walk away from or "swap faiths." The Christian movement is precisely that...a movement propelled forward by the Spirit, grounded in Christ, informed by centuries of theologians to help us keep on the right road and not falling into the ditches.

Bottom line, if you want to teach your children to "respect the Boss" (love and experience Christ), then show don't tell. Take them to the weekly gatherings of Christians in the public space. We don't have t-shirts to sell, but we will have blessings to freely share.