(Post by Renewal's Co-Coordinator, Anna Jane Joyner)

Growing up in my family, youth group gatherings were encouraged because they were safe. They were (at least perceived) to be removed from the big, bad secular world “out there.” (Never mind that my first kiss happened at youth group during a game of “truth or dare.”) Church activities were meant to be insulated, removed, safe. And to some degree they were (sans the occasional game of truth or dare ;)

Today’s Christian youth are encouraged to stay in safe little Christian cocoons. We’re subtly instructed not to ask scary questions, or challenge the status quo.

But when did Christianity become safe? The Jesus I’ve read about was anything but scared to challenge the status quo. In fact, his whole life was a challenge to the status quo. He did not stay holed up in safe and detached synagogues. Jesus ventured out into the world. With love, he exposed societal ills and offered a new hope, a vision of a renewed creation. In fact, he was so committed to needed change that he died living for it.

As followers of Christ, shouldn’t we also boldly, humbly and lovingly stand up for needed change? I hope that most of us won’t be asked to die for this vision. But we’re all called to live for it.

During a recent creation care talk at a prominent evangelical university, my colleague begged the following questions:

What are the challenges?

What needs to change?

What is the role of Christians?

The students were able to answer the first question- water shortages, climate change, environmental justice, loss of biodiversity, and on and on... But when it came to the next two questions, the room was silent. As Christians, perhaps we need to start asking some new questions. And start living the answers.