National Pastors Conference

Like any true Gen Xer I am a cynic. Skepticism has infiltrated the blood in my veins and when I talk often it is with a critical bent and sheer bitterness. I am put off by anything or anyone that is "popular"--particularly in the church. If a person or an idea is embraced by the masses than it must be watered-down dogma that has been commodified to sell to another generation (but not mine--we are too aware for that). Either way, I have managed to avoid most of evangelicalism--most of mainstream Western Christianity and needless to say, in my cynicism, I am proud of that. Then...I went to the National Pastor's Conference last week.

At this conference Pastors from all over the United States, across denomination, gather together to be encouraged. Big name speakers like Rob Bell, Shane Claiborne, and Bill Hybels are the line up for the week. The author of The Shack was interviewed. Free books are given out in handfuls by Zondervan and Intervarsity Press. And music gods like Sons of Korah and Tommy Walker lead us in worship. It is a joyous occasion for most pastors and yet, as a cynical, bitter Gen Xer the entire event makes we want to hurl. Instead of being encouraged, I found myself twisting in my seat every time we had to "gather together". When the were told to "give a hand clap offering for God" I wondered what business coined that phrase. When free books were placed on my seat I thought to myself, "this must be the book nobody wanted to read so they decided to give it to us for free". And when Bill Hybels, pastor of Willow Creek, the mecca of my disdain, got up to speak, I folded my arms across my chest ready for a nap...the nap never came.

Instead, I was confronted by a humble, toned-down, serious, man who cared not about mainstream Christianity but about Christ and the things Christ cares about--like racism, inner healing, community, and obedience. This man, that I had refused to turn an ear to, embodied failure as success and offered an encouraging word to a roomful of pastors that were on the verge of burn-out. He encouraged listening, silence, rest, and "being". Things that I have not heard much about from the pulpit of evangelicalism. He knew who he was, he was not a man duped by the system of Christian marketers. And, I was not only impressed, but I was moved, and confronted with my own pride and disdain.

I still might not easily submit to mainstream Christianity but I am encouraged knowing that I am not the only one that feels this way and that there are men like Bill Hybels leading and influencing mainstream Christianity with humility. May I be so bold as to release some of my Gen X cynicism and lead the same.