In the popular TV series, "Touched by An Angel" we see three generations of angels working as a team on special God-given assignments. They are confronted with human beings in difficult but common life situations that beg for someone to communicate the love of God to them. The angels are sent in to roll up their sleeves rather than show off their wings. They risk getting involved with people. As a result we not only see human lives change, but the angels growing in their understanding.

What is most noticeable about the series is that, from a Biblical perspective, the angels are doing the work God has assigned to the church. While the Scriptures teach that angels do play an active role in human lives, it is the people of God who are called to demonstrate and declare the love of God to the world in which we live.

The older angel, Tess, serves as a coach and mentor to the middle aged team member Andrew and the rookie Monica. Now, I am told, there is an even younger angel on assignment, Raphael. Tess represents the older generation, like The Builders in America, many of whom experienced the Depression or experienced the World Wars. Andrew is a boomer, Monica, a Buster, and Raphael, a bonafide Generation Xer.

The Western world is being shaped by a new generation. The Baby Boomers born in the post-war age of affluence are now in their middle age. The 44.6 Baby Busters born in the post-contraceptive era between the 1965 and 1976 are now in the work force, with 72.4 million born since that time, ready to follow behind. The 'Baby Bust' title of the newer generation not only referred to the fact that most came from smaller families, but that an unprecedented number of them experienced the fracture of their homes through divorce. The reputations of long trusted institutions such as family and government were clouded with broken promises and shattered hopes. Many felt that their outlook was not as promising and that for them the American Dream had gone 'bust'. The unknown factors determining the future of this generation earned them the title of "Generation X". Although there is still much uncertainty in their future, they are proving to be Generation X-traordinary.

Many of them are finding the missing X factor in their lives is Christ. He offers a vision for their lives that transcends the American Dream or the materialistic mirage of Wall Street. He offers them a greater purpose than to an impressive financial portfolio.

One international missions board reported, "Tens of thousands of young people are searching for a cause that is larger than themselves - and they are finding it through God's vision for the world."

Although they have an inherited proclivity to materialism and self-indulgence, they demonstrate some remarkable hidden strengths:

• RELATIONAL FOCUS - They have a passion to spend time with people. Many of them enjoy just hanging out, getting to know their friends.
• HONESTY - They despise masks. When they like something, they let you know it. When they don't like it, they will be frank. They value honesty. What they find refreshing about the Bible is that it paints people honestly, warts and all. They don't like hype. They want the honest-to God truth.
• PRACTICALITY - "Just do it" is their motto. They are not into theorizing as much as implementation. They want to take action. Tradition is not good enough for them. They want to be a part of Christianity that works. They learn primarily by doing, seeing and touching.
• SENSITIVITY - Experience of abuse has made them sensitive to the hurts of others.
• OPENNESS - They are more likely to admit their hurts. They are more likely to share their vulnerabilities in order to promote the process of healing.
• TEAMWORK -They believe anything worth doing is worth doing together. They hunger for community and love to see the body of Christ functioning like a healthy body, with all the members interacting properly.
• FLEXIBILITY - They have had to adapt to new homes, new families, new technologies, and new methods.
• CREATIVITY - They have a desire to fully develop and utilize their gifts and talents.
• OWNERSHIP - Blind trust is offered to no one. They are slow to make commitments. But when their trust level grows and they feel safe and can fit in well, their commitment may even surpass that of previous generations.

The New Testament encourages the older generation to coach the younger and the younger to respect the older (1Timothy 5:1-2; 1 Peter 5:5). In the workplace and in our communities we are to embrace the new generation. Builders need to encourage and mentor the Boomers. Boomers need to coach the Busters. Busters need to show the way to Xers. God often does a new thing with a new generation. Like David, we want to serve God's purposes in our generation, while encouraging the generation to come.

"The counsel of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation." (Psalms 33:11 NASB) What are you doing to pass on the counsel of the Lord to the next generation? The time has come for us to roll up our sleeves, team up with other generations and dare to get involved.