We Have What They Want

This generation craves experiences; contemporary society is captivated by the paranormal, the superhuman, and the mystical. There’s a hunger for heroes and powers beyond the ordinary, drawing crowds to films like Spider-Man, Superman, The Lord of the Rings, The Avengers, Twilight Saga, and even Star Wars and Star Trek.

A generation yearning for experiences beyond the natural seeks power and is engrossed with the paranormal. From the brooding teenage vampires in the Twilight Saga to the inquisitive young wizards of Harry Potter, narratives of characters with extraordinary abilities flourish. While audiences might acknowledge the mythical essence of these stories, they are both entertained and inspired by heroes who transcend common challenges in an ever-changing, uncertain world.

All these myths hint at an incredible, yet true, story: A great King has come to rescue His people. A profound conflict endangers us all, but this King is the ultimate hero who sacrificed Himself for us. Thankfully, our story isn’t a fabricated myth. It is completely, absolutely, and wonderfully true! I believe this generation grasps an underlying truth—we acknowledge a reality beyond the material world and that a greater power is at work in the universe. They are primed for a transformative experience.

We should consider ourselves privileged to live in these times. More than drawing symbolic truths from mythical characters, as followers of Christ, we can experience a genuine presence and power beyond human capacity. We can be Spirit-empowered.

What this generation desires, we possess—and can experience daily. Even more, through Spirit-empowered discipleship, we can share this transformative experience with a generation eager for it.

Church leaders often discuss how to engage Millennials (those born after 1980), with many focusing on making church experiences more seeker-friendly. I believe the key to remaining relevant isn’t just modifying worship services but also fostering an environment where individuals can encounter the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are all seeking better answers; however, what we truly need are better questions. Our questions have been self-focused—centered on those within the church. The better questions revolve around those outside our churches, with whom we should be forming connections. These better questions will provide the answers we seek.

We must ask ourselves how effectively we are showcasing this experience and how actively we participate in it. We have what this generation yearns for, but do they know we possess it? Are we so preoccupied with being seeker-friendly that we hesitate to speak about the Holy Spirit, who should be our primary invitation to a generation hungry to experience His power?

(Writing influenced by Spirit-Empowered Church: Acts 2 Ministry Model)