Mind the Generation Gap

While we were in London this summer we traveled everywhere on the London Underground. On the platform of every underground station you can read the words "Mind the Gap". This is a reminder and a warning to pay attention as you get on and off the train. For those who don't see these words on the platform, there is a clear announcement from speakers that say "Mind the Gap". With all this warning people still trip and get injured because they don't listen to the warning signs.

Since coming back to Kansas City we have continued to build more relationships with the leaders of the Ivanhoe Neighborhood Association. We have also been asked to lead the Teen Council, which we are looking forward to. Good things are definitely happening, but there is something I am learning in the process. There is a generation gap between the leaders of the community and the youth. There seems to be a generation gap across so many areas...in communities, churches, and homes.

The question we have to answer is "How do we bridge this growing generation gap?" We cannot ignore or disregard our youth just because we don't understand their style, language, music, etc. I believe in the youth, and I believe they are a valuable asset to our communities. The media will continue to show negative images of black teens on the plaza, but I have been told by some of those very teens that they have no place to go in their own communities, and they don't feel like anyone is listening to them.

So here are a few questions for us all to ponder:

• What if the teens were not the problem?
• What if there were more safe places for young people to go?
• What could happen in our communities if we stopped focusing on the symptoms of deeper issues?
• What if we as adults took the time to listen to the youth and were role models for them to follow?
• What would it look like if the Church left its buildings and was a tangible expression of the Gospel in these communities?

There are people who are working hard to bridge the generation gap, but we need many more who will join this movement of raising the next generation of young leaders to be change agents within their communities.

Will we listen to the warning signs..."Mind the Gap".