Hippies & Robots
Jeanne and I saw The Jesus Revolution film, a true story of God’s love during the Hippie Movement (mid 1960’s-70’s). I was moved by those followers of Jesus who engaged with love and truth those “hippies” who were challenged by Timothy Leary to “turn on, tune in, drop out.” Fueled by a desire to be free of authority/rebellion (in part by Viet Nam) and changing values, thousands chose to participate in a drug culture, live in communes, drive psychedelic painted VW campers and wear tie-dyed clothing. Praise God for Pastor Chuck Smith and hundreds of believers who met this crowd right where they were at, with Jesus and agape love. Fifty years later, are you, am I, ready to engage in another revolution with the GenZ and Millenials (ages17-35) whom I am calling: The “Robotic Generation”
Robots are programmed to respond by humans. But millions of young men & women are being programmed, and values formulated, by the I-Phone, Google, various apps, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Whether making the big bucks in hi tech or living on the streets (or living at home), research indicates isolation, loneliness, and depression have replaced COVID as the dangerous epidemic. The hippies gathered together while the “Robots” have a tendency to retreat within themselves. Hippie drugs were dangerous, those in the Robotic Generation are deadly. The Asbury Revival of February, inspired by the Holy Spirit, may be the beginning of a revolution to offer purpose, love, truth and peace.
Faith-based organizations like Groundwire, HeGetsUs, and The Chosen are using technology to “interrupt” GenZ and Millenials in their thinking to introduce meaning and truth. Creativity is being applied to bring hope and Jesus and the “robots” are responding in huge numbers. The Big Question: Are you and I ready? Is your church ready? –to share our stories of faith, to mentor, and to bring God’s love in a new revolution. In Seattle, our initiative, PraySeattle, 40 days of prayer, community wide during Lent, is preparing pastors, congregations, nonprofits and businesses to share God’s love for us. We only have to show up, care and let God finish the job. website: PraySeattle.org
