WASHINGTON, DC (ANS) -- The leaders of World Magazine, the American Bible Society (ABS) and the Barna Group not only have great hope for the next generation but they are putting their show on the road. Their message to Christian leaders, “Avoid the elder brother mentality and help this prodigal generation learn how to be ‘in but not of’ the world.”

Billed as a “Dinner and Discussion” with the CEO’s of their organizations, the glittering reception and banquet premiered here in the nation’s capitol in a hotel penthouse overlooking the Pentagon last Thursday. Featured were World Magazine founder Joel Belz, publisher Nick Eicher, Simon Barnes of the Bible society and David Kinnaman, president of the Barna Group. Barnes is Executive Vice President of the ABS.

From here the invitation-only “hope road show” will go onto San Diego (March 25), Chicago (April 9), Atlanta (May 18), Boston (June 17) and New York (September 16). In attendance were assorted journalists, clergy, board members and supporters of the non-profit corporations which underwrite World Magazine and the ABS.

The chief executives from ABS and World Magazine gave their hopes and concerns in response to a keynote address from David Kinnaman of the Barna Group on the so called “mosaic generation.” Kinnaman described them as nomads and exiles who seem to have abandoned the institutions that make up the world of journalism and Christian outreach but are actually ready and willing to engage a world in rebellion against the faith of their parents.

Their talks were laced with grim facts about institutional decline and failed goals, and there was a lot of self-criticism. Yet, the program ended with the introduction of three successful local “next gen” outreach ministries. They plan to repeat this format in each city on the coast to coast tour. The presidents then entertained questions from the floor.

In Washington, the chosen examples of “next generation” hope were STEPdc (a Christ-centered mentoring program for at risk youth), Access Ministries (an outreach to special needs families) and Cornerstone School (K-8 Christian Education).

While the message of hope was powerfully presented, it was painted against a dark background of postmodernism and crumbling institutions struggling to reinvent themselves. The statistics, graphs and charts were stark portrayals of a Christian culture in decline.

Both the journalists and the Bible publishers were unsparing in their self-criticism of their own enterprises. It was a refreshing night of intellectual challenge. One kept waiting for an emotional appeal for funds from what was a very wealthy and influential audience, but it never came. The audience was left to decide for themselves what personal action they would take to reach out to their grandchildren.

Bill Bray, 63, is a retired foreign correspondent and frequent contributor to ASSIST News Service. He specializes in covering international student ministries and foreign missions. He has traveled to over 65 countries as a missionary journalist to report on missions and development ministries, returning to some countries as many as 30 times over the years. He can be contacted by e-mail at: bray.william@gmail.com.