The more relevant question for the church may be where are the people of Generation X? Tim Celek and Dieter Zander with help from Patrick Kampert have explored this question in Inside the Soul of a New Generation. Celek and Zander have combined their insights after being pastors to the spiritual longings of Busters in two locations: Celek at Calvary Church in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Zander, at New Song Church in Covina, Calif. (He's now teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Ill.)
After reading this book, it's clear that they are not advocating new methods to reach Busters. This generation is very sharp at seeing ploys and plans that do not value them as individuals. They have been run over too many times.
One chapter alone, "The Four R's: A Buster Primer," helps Christians know what they must do if they hope to make Jesus relevant to Generation Xers: Be Real, Rousing, Relevant, and Relational. These basic principles may work in different ways in different churches, but they are the only ways to gain the trust and attention of this generation. Surely nothing meets these four criteria more than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor at the Willow Creek church, says in his foreword, "Jesus challenged his followers to observe the 'signs of the times.' We would do well to heed his warning, because the future is upon us."
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