Out of Touch

I wanted to include a key part of the discussion Tony Campolo had with Kara Powell of Fuller Theological Seminary.

"You asked me earlier what books I was writing. What we [Campolo and Mary Darling associate professor of communications at Spring Arbor University] are very fascinated by is how much mystical experiences with Christ transform young people into ardent social activists and into evangelists. We have to recognize that we need More than just a social conscience youth worker who has a program. We need for young people to be invaded by the Holy Spirit and inwardly motivated. I really do believe that the Holy Spirit is a transforming force in peoples lives, and that when the Spirit of Christ is alive in people, they become very aware of injustices. They become very sensitive to the needs of the poor and oppressed. And I don't want the church to simply become another social activist group. I want it to be filled with people who are imbued with the Holy Spirit that has sensitized them to the injustices in the system and to the sufferings of the poor. Increasingly we are finding that as we nurture intimate spirituality, that one of the consequences is not this 'me and Jesus' thing where Jesus becomes my boyfriend. But a process where by Christ becomes a motivating force within people that drives them into ministry to needy people."

I feel completely disconnected from the Holy Spirit in the way he is talking about. I am not just referring to my current level of spiritual zeal. I mean I have never really interacted with the Holy Spirit in such a manner. How the heck am I supposed to know how to teach it or create the mystical experiences he is talking about for myself and the teens I lead? It's a lot for me to think about.