Are We in the Next Jesus Movement? John Avant

A New York Times columnist recently interviewed David Shor from Blue Rose Research, a Democratic polling firm. Shor was stunned by the sudden change in the young people of our day: "It is a real shift," Shor said. "This is the thing I am the most shocked by in the last four years — that young people have gone from being the most progressive generation since the Baby Boomers … to becoming potentially the most conservative generation that we’ve experienced maybe in fifty to sixy years."

Fifty to sixty years ago would have been the era of the Jesus Movement, the remarkable revival that brought me to faith! And millions of others.

Shor is most concerned about the political change of this young generation, but a far more important change is taking place. George Barna has conducted a massive research project on this generation.  He has determined it to be the most spiritually open generation in decades. Two-thirds of Gen Z is highly or moderately open to the Gospel!  This has led Barna to rename Gen Z “the Open Generation!”

This should not shock us.  Throughout history, revival has occurred somewhat predictably. The late Dr Roy Fish said “Revival is like the tide. When it is all the way out, you can expect that soon it will come back in!”

Revival among young people today might seem surprising because of how far from God culture has moved. Much of that has risen to new extremes, but is not actually new. Just before the Jesus movement, there was a sexual revolution, racial tension, riots, political corruption, antisemitism, and the mocking of all things holy.  And here we are again. 

But if you swim in a sewer long enough, you might decide to look for clean water!

And that is what is happening now. This young generation is sick enough of depravity and hopelessness to look for something better. And they are finding the Gospel to be an oasis!

So what should the church in America be doing about this right now? 

–Rejoice!  Many of us have prayed for decades for this! God is answering! “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭That’s what we should do!

–Be Revival Proponents Not Opponents!The sad thing about every movement of revival in history is that the biggest opponents were in our churches! Revival is new life!  It is different. It changes many of the forms and functions of corporate life with Jesus. It doesn’t change the DNA of the gospel, but it can change almost everything else. The Jesus movement could have been a much more powerful tool for cultural transformation if churches had not opposed it so vehemently! 

It is a frightening thing for me to think about how many believers will have to give an answer one day to the Lord of why they opposed what he was doing because it changed their comfort zones!  The music may be different. Worship services may seem strange to you.  If you’re over 40, the revival may not actually be for you! 

This is your opportunity to serve others! As a pastor the worst thing I ever heard Christians say is “ I’m just not being fed!” The truth is most of us have been fed so long we are spiritually obese! If we still need others to feed us, that is a dangerous spiritual place to be.  In this time of revival among young people, it’s time for us to become spiritual chefs, not fast food drive-thru Christians. It’s time for us to serve others from the banquet we’ve been feasting on for years.

Donna and I do a lot of ministry on university campuses. And without exception everywhere we go students line up just to ask questions. We have come to believe that most of them are desperately in need of “spiritual moms and dads.” You have the opportunity to do that if you want to. But you’ll have to decide that it’s more important than just getting your own needs met. 

–Help the Next Generation Fulfill the Great Commission  The Lord doesn’t send revival to make us feel happier. He sends it to empower us anew by His Holy Spirit to do what He told us to do! He told us to finally take the gospel to all the peoples of the Earth, and then He would return!  All over the world, wherever the church is persecuted, it is exploding in growth! 

For the first time in history, we have the ability through technology, rapid communication, and transportation, and now through the fresh power of the Spirit of God, to finish the task we were given 2000 years ago. This is why this growing revival movement matters so much. Now, this very day, each of us gets to decide what we will do about it!