24 The End of Pretend Christianity
Pretend Christianity has three main features:
- Attendance replaces transformation
- Agreement replaces obedience
- Emotion replaces repentance and change
Gen Z hates all three.
They don’t want:
- pretend depth
- pretend purity
- pretend community
- pretend worship
- pretend passion
- pretend relationships
- pretend discipleship
They want the real thing.
Pretend Christianity says:
“Come as you are and stay as you are, just participate enthusiastically.”
Real Christianity says:
“Come as you are—then you are invited to take up your cross, and die.
Be made new.
Walk in the Light.
Repent truly.
Live daily.
Be transformed.
Be a priest.
Love fiercely.
Follow Jesus without excuses.
Pretend Christianity is safe.
Gen Z does not want safe.
Pretend Christianity requires no change.
Gen Z is desperate for change.
Pretend Christianity hides sin.
Gen Z is tired of secrets.
Pretend Christianity uses people.
Gen Z demands relational integrity.
Pretend Christianity is powerless.
Gen Z is starving for power. They will not settle for fake Pentecost when the real Spirit is available.