GenMin Connection

The need for hope

2011-12-09T10:19:00.002-05:00

If there is one thing youth need it's hope!

Concerning this important topic, see my post about eschatology on The Surprising God blog. I'd be interested in your comments.

As I note on the referenced blog post, the source of true hope is not empty wishful thinking, nor is it an ability to predict the future. Rather it is confidence about the future that is grounded in ultimate reality - the reality that Jesus Christ is indeed the Son of God incarnate, who for us all lived, died, rose, ascended and is coming again. That you can "bank on."

May this Advent season powerfully remind you of that truth!

Youth Worker as Theologian

2011-11-22T09:53:00.010-05:00

I see a positive movement afoot in youth ministry circles. Theologian and youth ministry professor Andrew Root refers to it as the "theological turn in youth ministry." For some of Root's helpful insights (from his new book), click here.

The demise of guys

2011-11-09T07:19:00.007-05:00

Philip Zimbardo

Psychologist Philip Zimbardo describes drug addiction as "wanting more," but guys today have what he calls arousal addiction, always "wanting something different." This never-ending stream of stimulation is behind the growing failure of males to connect with women socially or to succeed academically. They're dropping out of life.

Zimbardo cites excessive internet use, video gaming, and online porn as causes of this new addiction. By age 21, boys spend 10,000 hours gaming, two-thirds of that time in isolation. The average young man watches 50 porn clips per week. According to Zimbardo,

...boys' brains are being digitally rewired in a totally new way, for change, novelty, excitement, and constant arousal. They're totally out of sync in traditional classes, which are analog, static and interactively passive. And they're totally out of sync in relationships, which build gradually and subtly.

According to Zimbardo, this is creating a generation of young men who do not connect well in traditional teaching situations and who lack social skills especially with women.

For a video recording of a lecture from Zimbardo on this topic posted at TED.com, go to http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/zimchallenge.html.

How to help teens not lose their faith

2011-10-24T11:48:00.002-04:00

Ed Stetzer (of LifeWay Research) recently interviewed Kara Powell (of Fuller Youth Initiative, pictured at right) concerning how we can build faith in high school students that will last during the transition from high school to college and beyond. Here are excerpts:

Stetzer:
Your new book series, Sticky Faith: Everyday Ideas to Build Lasting Faith in Your Kids, was inspired by your six year research study called "The College Transition Project." Tell us, why you did the research and how you compiled it.

Powell:
A handful of great studies...suggests that approximately 50% of teenagers who graduate from youth group drift from God and from the church after high school. As a mom, a leader, and a follower of Christ, I'm deeply disturbed by that trend. So we at the Fuller Youth Institute received a grant from the Lilly Endowment that allowed us to study over 500 youth group graduates during their first three years in college. Our goals were to figure out what that transition from high school to college was like, and to identify steps that parents and leaders could take to give kids a faith that lasts, or what we call Sticky Faith.

Stetzer:
So overall, what have you found in your Sticky Faith research? Why are young people drifting from the church and from their faith?

Powell:
...There are a host of reasons that teenagers and young adults drift from their faith. For some, it's because they lose touch with the youth leaders, family, and friends who were so meaningful to them in high school. Without these relational ties, their faith seems more like part of their "high school days" than a present reality.
For others, it's because they are overwhelmed with the changes and choices they face as they enter college. So many teenagers graduate from high school with a faith that hasn't really affected their identity, or their view of themselves. For them, faith is more like a "Jesus Jacket"--a jacket they can take on and off whenever they feel like it. They don't understand the real gospel, largely because the adults in their lives are modeling and teaching not the gospel of Scripture, but a false gospel.

Stetzer:
Let's explore that idea of a "false gospel" a bit more. You've said in Sticky Faith that many teenagers unknowingly adopt the "gospel of sin management". What does that mean and how does that affect youth group graduates when they go out on their own?

Powell:
The students in our Sticky Faith research tended to equate the gospel to a list of "do's" and "don'ts" - to a list of behaviors. That list of behaviors resembles what Dallas Willard calls the "gospel of sin management," which is really no gospel at all.

Stetzer:
We asked the college juniors in our survey (all of whom were youth group graduates) what it meant to be a Christian. We were surprised, and disturbed, when one-third of those who answered that question didn't mention Jesus in their answers. They mentioned behaviors.

Powell:
As my co-author, Dr. Chap Clark, describes in the book, the gospel that Jesus and Paul taught certainly involves behaviors, but it doesn't start with behaviors. It starts with a sense of God's grace, and the transformative power of that grace. I like to explain to teenagers that we obey God not in order to make God like us more or to feel better about ourselves, but because we're so grateful for God's grace that we want our lives to be great big "thank you notes" back to God.

Stetzer:
How does this behavioralist gospel contaminate students' experiences in college?

Powell:
The tragedy is that when students fail to live up to those behaviors (note that I said when not if), students whose faith relies on behaviors end up feeling so guilty that they run from God and from the church just when they need them the most. Based on our Sticky Faith research, I'm trying to tell every young person I know (including my own kids) that Jesus is bigger than any mistake. If Jesus can't handle a little doubt or a little partying, we need a new Jesus.

Stetzer:
In your book you also stress the importance of creating an intergenerational group that surrounds your child. Why is that so important?

Powell:
Of all of the youth group participation variables we examined, intergenerational worship and relationships was one of the strongest correlates with Sticky Faith, both in high school and college. The tragedy is that as youth ministry has become more professionalized, we have segregated (and that's not a verb I use lightly) kids from the rest of the church, and that can sabotage their faith.

We're tracking with a host of churches around the country who are moving more toward intergenerational youth ministry. Sure, there's a time and place for 16 year-olds to be together, but we have swung too far in the direction of siloization. Creative churches and ministries are connecting teenagers and adults in worship, mentoring, service work, and other programs. Interestingly, not only do the teenagers benefit from intergenerational relationships, but so does the entire church!

Stetzer:
What advice would you give parents who want to take some baby steps toward Sticky Faith with their kids, whether that be in the minivan or over a meal?

Powell:
The typical family conversation about faith involves the parent interviewing their child, asking them questions like: How was church? What did you learn? What did you study? Depending on your child's mood, personality, and your relationship with them, you might get real answers but you might also get very short answers or even just grunts.

Our Sticky Faith research suggests that we should keep asking these questions as parents, but what is as important is that we also share about our own faith journey with our students, and that is much less practiced by parents today. Instead of interviewing teenagers or lecturing them, wise leaders and parents will share their own spiritual journeys, both past and present. What has God been teaching them? What doubts are they struggling with? How did they come to devote their live to Christ? These are all questions that parents can and should be answering with their teenage children.

Stetzer:
How has your research changed you as a parent?

Powell:
Every day I am a different and better parent because of our Sticky Faith research. Tonight the way that my husband and I talk with our three kids at dinner will be different because of what we have learned. We've been sharing "highs" and "lows" (the best and worst parts of the day) together since our children were young, but because of our Sticky Faith research, we now have added two questions. The first is What mistake did you make today? Given youth group graduates' tendency to run from God and from the church when they make mistakes, we want our family to be a safe place to discuss struggles and problems.

The second question we have added because of our research is How did you see God at work today? Some days my kids don't know how to answer that question, and that's OK. At least every day we are talking together about God, and they are hearing my husband and me talk about how our faith impacts our lives.

Does cohabitation work?

2011-10-04T22:23:00.002-04:00

One of our callings in family ministry is to help build marriages. This becomes increasingly important as the culture at large devalues the very idea of marriage.

Many fear that if they marry they'll end up divorced, and the antidote is to cohabit. However, a study by Rutgers University's National Marriage Project finds couples who live together before marriage are 46 percent more likely to divorce and significantly more likely to experience domestic violence within their relationships (referenced in OneNewsNow 1/8/07).

Is the faith of your teens like a jacket?

2011-09-20T11:37:00.002-04:00

According to a recent FYI blog post, research suggests that around 45% of students from high school youth ministries toss their faith aside when they get to college. FYI likens this kind of faith like a jacket: it’s easy to take on or off given the situation, as opposed to a faith that becomes integrated into every part of a student’s life. To learn more, watch this FYI video:

Do churches really want young adults to return?

2011-08-25T14:25:00.004-04:00

Steven Argue

It's often noted that young adults leave the church when they move from home. Of course, many churches desire to see them return. But as a former teacher of mine, Steven Argue, asks, Why do they want them to return? In a recent post on the Immerse Journal blog, Steven challenges churches to examine their motives and tactics:

If your church wants emerging adults to come back because you eagerly desire to understand the pressures they face in their complex and unstable worlds, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back because you believe that each generation’s (each person’s) journey toward Jesus is a unique path that will likely challenge and expand your own understanding of God and gospel, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back because you want to expand your idea of community with people who may hold varying social, political, and faith perspectives from you, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back in order to help you connect your church with the globe rather than just your country, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back because you want to seriously reorient the way you invest your ministry resources, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back so that you can learn different ways to teach, learn, and process the biblical narrative, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back because you need them to help you explore the gray-area issues, in order to take risks on behalf of those viewed as outsiders, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back so that you can use your power to advocate for them rather than getting them to conform, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back to introduce you to their friends—both straight and gay—that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back so that you can listen very closely to what good news means for them (rather than you prescribing it to them), that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back in order to hear them prophetically point out (often with honest questions) your congregation’s contradictions between right thinking and right practice, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back because you’re willing to let go of some traditions to create new ones, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back simply to be with them, letting go of grand ideas of reforming them, that’s a good reason.
If your church wants emerging adults to come back so that you spend more time laughing, crying, wondering, and changing with them, that’s a good reason.
If you don’t want many of these things, then it’s better to be honest. You may not really want them to come back quite yet.

Cross generational ministry

2011-08-10T12:33:00.000-04:00

For an interesting perspective on the importance of older adults being active in ministry with teens, read the Immerse Journal article, A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN: TEENS AND OLDER ADULTS.

Understanding Millennial Donors

2011-07-25T06:35:00.011-04:00

What are the donation habits of the Millennial generation? Millennial Donors 2011 answers with recent research (for a related Christianity Today blog post, click here):

93% of surveyed Millennials gave to nonprofit organizations in 2010, with 10% giving $1,000 or more during the course of the year, but the bulk of giving was distributed in small increments to many organizations. 58% of respondents said their single largest gift was less than $150.
57% of Millennials gave in response to a personal ask and 49% gave online. However, when Millennials were asked how they prefer to give, online giving took the top spot, being identified as the method of choice by 58% of respondents, with personal requests dropping to 48%.
84% of Millennials said they are most likely to donate when they fully trust an organization, and 90% said they would stop giving if they do not trust an organization.
85% of Millennials are motivated to give by a compelling mission or cause, and 56% by a personal connection or trust in the leadership of the organization. Only 2% of Millennials were motivated to give by celebrity endorsements.

Here are findings related to communicating with these younger donors:

71% of respondents get information about nonprofit organizations through web searches, 62% want to receive information by email, and 56% get information from peers. 33% of Millennials said they use Facebook to gather information on an organization.
On an organization’s website, 70% of Millennials want to find information about the organization’s mission and history, and 56% want to learn about the organization’s financial condition.
65% want an organization’s website to provide giving guides that explain how support will make a difference, and 52% want to learn about volunteer opportunities.

Here are findings about engaging Millennials in volunteers service:

79% of respondents volunteered for organizations in 2010, with the primary obstacle to volunteering being a lack of time, which was noted by 85% of participants who did not volunteer in 2010. 45% of the non-volunteers said they simply were not asked to volunteer.
19% of people who gave $1,000 or more volunteered once a week or more, while only 11% of people who donated less than $1,000 volunteered that often.
40% said they would be interested in joining a young professional organization, and 44% were unsure. Of those interested in joining such groups, only 40% said they would be willing to pay a fee or donate to join.

Avoiding moralistic therapeutic deism in children's ministry

2011-07-09T17:26:00.059-04:00

Sadly, our well-intentioned ministry to children can fall prey to moralistic therapeutic deism (MTD), where instead of the gospel of grace, the focus is on helping kids lead moral, happy lives (John Ortberg calls MTD America's most popular religion!). A common way this occurs is in using Old Testament stories to illustrate lessons about building moral character. What's wrong with that? Two things: It overlooks the immediate context of the story, then fails to teach its Christ-centered, gospel-focused meaning and application.

I saw this happen at a childrens ministry conference a few years ago. The featured speaker described the five stones that David picked up to use in defeating Goliath (1Sam 17:40-50) as representing five aspects of Godly character (implying that David defeated Goliath because of his moral strength). I was saddened, not because I think it's wrong to teach children positive character traits, but because the speaker failed to use the story in a way that points people to Jesus, who is represented by David. It is Jesus (not our personal moral character) who defeats our Goliath's. Kid's need to be encouraged to trust Jesus, not their own strength.

For more on this topic, check out a recent blog post from Matt Rawlings. In his post he recommends The Jesus Storybook Bible as a good resource for reading all the Bible (Old Testament stories included) in ways that are fully Christ-centered. I also recommend this beautifully illustrated book.

The image of God: men and women together

2011-06-29T14:58:00.004-04:00

Check out my latest post at The Surprising God blog for a discussion of how the image of God (imago Dei) is reflected in the cohumanity of man and women together.

A trinitarian-relational vision for Family Ministry

2011-06-22T09:40:00.002-04:00

A trinitarian, incarnational theology births a new vision for family ministry in and through the body of Christ. For thoughts about this important topic from Dennis Guernsey, click here.

Using technology in youth ministry

2011-06-14T10:11:00.001-04:00

Are you a 'techie' who is skilled using all sorts of electronic gadgetry in ministry?

If not, click here for a helpful article in YouthWorker magazine that discusses use of electronic media in youth ministry (and elsewhere too!).

GenMin Life small group curriculum

2011-06-10T09:23:00.004-04:00

GenMin produces GenMin Life - a curriculum for use in teen and young adult small groups (also great for personal Bible Study). The curriculum is free and includes downloadable video discussion starters and written guides for group facilitators.

Also, if you're interested in leading a small group with unchurched adults and/or older teens, check out GCI's Faithtalk equipper.

Gospel Light curriculum

2011-06-01T05:33:00.002-04:00

GenMin recommends the Sunday school curriculum for elementary grade children produced by Gospel Light. They have just published a new version. To order a free sample on CD, click here.

For other recommendations about teaching curricula, books, etc. see the resources page on the GenMin website.

Youth group fundraising ideas

2011-05-03T08:12:00.011-04:00

As the summer camp and short term missions season approaches, many youth groups are thinking about fundraising. Here are some resources:

Click here for a list of fundraising ideas from buildingchurchleaders.com
Click here for an index of fundraising opportunities (note, we do not specifically endorse any of the organizations referenced)

Interview with Andrew Root

2011-04-28T15:08:00.005-04:00

Click here to watch an interview with Andrew Root who discusses how a "place sharing" youth ministry involves entering into the full humanity of young people.

God's call to young leaders

2011-04-05T06:10:00.002-04:00

The following video is of a discussion held at the 2011 Generations Ministries leadership summit. It addresses God's call to young leaders to share actively in ministry with Jesus.

Generational Distinctions

2011-03-30T06:15:00.005-04:00

In Boiling Point: It Takes Only One Degree, George Barna asks...

What’s the significance of generations? First, they tend to think and act in unison on many matters. And those decisions influence the nation and entire culture as a whole. As Christians, what can we learn from these generational distinctions so as to better attract them and serve their needs?

Click here to read more from an article reviewing Barna's book at ChurchLeaders.com.

Intergenerational ministry

2011-03-14T15:19:00.011-04:00

For insights about the importance of intergenerational ministry, see the series of posts on the blog from Mark Oestreicher:
episode 1 (searching for the right way)
episode 2 (discipleship, barriers)
episode 3 (intergenerational ministry)
episode 4 (parents)
episode 5 (re-weird-ifying christianity)
episode 6 (the system is broken)
episode 7 (a little bit o’ sunshine)
episode 8 (less siloing)
episode 9 (conclusion)

Connecting parents to your youth ministries

2011-03-08T09:34:00.003-05:00

One of the challenges of ministry to children and teens is to make these ministries "family ministries" by connecting parents. For some ideas on doing so, click here to read a helpful article from Becky Arthur at BuildingChurchLeaders.com.

Favorite Youth Worker blogs

2011-02-22T10:43:00.006-05:00

Click here for an article from Youth Worker that links some of the blogs and websites that are favorites of youth workers in the U.S.

A challenge to baby boomers: mentoring the next generation

2011-02-06T23:09:00.011-05:00

A mistake often made in ministry with young adults is to view them as commodities to be utilized, rather than as people to be valued, mentored and set free.

Yes, young adults bring new life and energy to a church; but they also can bring a youthful edge and a certain amount of angst - asserting their own views of how church should be done. This often causes older members a certain degree of discomfort and even resentment. This situation must be managed with love, wisdom and a commodity often in short supply these days: trust.

When I was growing up in the 50s and 60s, the mantra of my generation was, "trust no one over 30." And we didn't. But now that we're way over 30, our mantra seems to be, "trust no one under 30" (or maybe 40?).

How ironic, unfortunate and short-sighted.

My boomer generation, now in the leadership of many churches, needs young adults - but not merely for what they bring to our churches, but to serve the world by living out their calling from God to contribute to his Kingdom mission.

It is important for us "olders" (sorry boomers; I know we hate to be called that!) to understand that young adults, both by nature and cultural context, are pioneers wired to look for new ways to solve old and new problems. Rather than settling into an established program, they typically prefer launching their own. This is as it needs to be in a rapidly moving world where programs have particularly short shelf lives.

While many young adults strongly desire to be active in the community of faith, many bristle at the first sign of a controlling approach by established leaders. We can interpret that as rebellion, or see it for what it more likely is - a new generation facing a whole new world of issues and problems armed with new technologies and capabilities.

Rather than being intimidated or even disgusted by this, let us open new lanes for entrance into leadership. Let us share our leadership and then step aside for them to rise to the top. Doing so is a huge challenge for my boomer peers. Will we rise to the challenge? Time will tell; but I'm hopeful.

Let us move from a mindset of 'dominate-and-control' to 'train-and-release.' Young adults don't need us to tell them what to do and how to do it. What they need is a healthy model of spiritual leadership that they can trust and then emulate. They also need intentional training, mentoring and discipling that is liberating, not controlling - that seeks to give away power and position; not hold on to it at all costs.

As we train young adults to be spiritual leaders and then set them free to lead, we'll earn their trust and admiration. I've seen it happen many times, and I hope to see it many more.

The Next Christians: Restorers

2011-02-01T05:34:00.008-05:00

Gabe Lyons

In a recent ChurchLeaders.com blog post, Gabe Lyons (co-author of UnChristian) observes among younger generations the emergence of "The Next Christians," who he refers to as "Restorers." Gabe sees that they are approaching the faith of Christ in a way quite different than the two views of Christianity that were prevalent in 20th century North America:

The Separatist view urged Christians to spend time and money among their own—venturing out too far from the fold could have dire consequences. The goal was to protect oneself from the corrupted nature of the world. Culture was sinful, and our job was to man the fort, fight those who opposed it, and in the pursuit of being faithful, win over as many converts as possible.

The Cultural view...saw the label “Christian” as an important part of...cultural identity. [These Christians]...were generally good people who identified with a form of religious Christianity. In some cases, their connection to faith was no more than a genealogical hand-me-down, something they were born into. For others, their understanding of being Christian meant being good citizens—volunteering their time in schools, hospitals, and neighborhood community groups. They attended church on holidays and for special occasions, but never quite personalized the work of Jesus as the main motivator for the life and work they did.

Gabe notes that in both of these views, the intent was good, but each misses the holistic mark to which the Gospel calls us. Gabe sees this mark being hit by an emerging younger group of Christians he refers to as the
Restorers. They are taking their faith much more seriously:

...Bringing a much-needed gravity to what the Gospel demands from a follower of Christ in the West. [These restorers]...hold tightly to Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross and his resurrection as the main motivator for why they give their lives to bring God’s transforming love and renewal into every area of the world. These restorers exhibit the mindset, humility, and commitment that seem destined to rejuvenate the momentum of the faith. They have a peculiar way of thinking, being, and doing that is radically different from previous generations. I call them restorers because they envision the world as it was meant to be, and motivated by the Good News, they work toward that vision. They are purposeful about their careers and generous with their time and possessions. They don’t separate from the world or blend in; rather, they thoughtfully engage. Fully aware of the sea change underway, they are optimistic that God is on the move—doing something unique in our time.

How do teens view religion?

2011-01-17T11:39:00.004-05:00

Kara Powell

Citing research set out in the National Study of Youth and Religion, Kara Powell notes in a recent post at http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/ that the viewpoint of US teens toward religion (Christianity in particular) varies from race to race. Here's part of her informative comment:

African-American teens show a “personalistic absolutism” regarding their religious beliefs and commitments. They show a strong belief in the absolute truth of Christianity and Scripture. They were the most likely to see God as someone demanding something from them and a strong authority figure.

White teens show a “therapeutic individualism”. More than any other group, white kids tend to view God as someone who exists to help them with their problems and make them happy. Religious organizations are not authorities per se, but are viewed by white teens as institutions geared to meet their needs.

Latino teen religiousness can be described as “religious familism”. Latino teens often report strong religious beliefs but more than any other racial group, this was tied to family relationships rather than a personal commitment.

Asian-American teens manifest a “relativistic instrumentalism". Religious involvement and beliefs are expected by parents, and Asian-American teens balance their acquiescence to parental desires with their own beliefs, feelings, and desire (or lack thereof) to participate.

Young adult ministry: common mistakes

2010-12-30T12:58:00.002-05:00

Tony Welty

Here's an important comment from Episcopal rector Tony Welty (click here for the original at buildingchurchleaders.com):

The easiest mistake for churches to make with young adults is to view them as commodities to be utilized, rather than people to be valued. Yes, they bring energy and freshness to a congregation, but they also introduce a youthful edge and a certain amount of angst into the life of the church. As young adults organize themselves and begin to offer their gifts for ministry, they will begin to assert their own sense of 'how things should be done,' causing more established members of the congregation to feel a twinge of anxiety and perhaps alienation. This dynamic must be managed lovingly and wisely.

By virtue of their age, young adults are pioneers who look for new ways to solve 'old' problems. Rather than settling into an established program, they will typically prefer charting their own course, creating their own turf and changing things up. They seek answers to questions they and their peer group are asking, which may be quite different than the questions we've been trained to address. While young adults strongly desire to be active in the community of faith, many of them will bristle at the first sign of a controlling approach by established leaders.

In order to fully engage young adults and combat this commodity-based approach to young adult ministry, church leaders need to make a philosophical shift in the way we think. The shift is from 'dominate-and-control' to 'train-and-release.' Young adults don't need us to tell them what to do and how to do it, but they do need us to model for them healthy spiritual leadership. They need intentional training, mentoring and discipling from more experienced, mature spiritual leaders.

The key to success is in the approach. If we approach young adults as partners in a new venture, engaging them in a mutual process of prayer, listening and learning, we'll earn their trust and respect. When we've trained them to lead as spiritual leaders and set them free to do what they do for God's glory, I believe they'll earn our trust and admiration. Saddling them with an 'old' list of unwritten rules and regulations will simply quench their spirits and kill their desire to belong - at least to our congregation.

A new approach to youth ministry

2010-12-16T14:16:00.001-05:00

In a recent blog post, David Fitch warns about typical youth ministry approaches:

I think youth groups often do things that work against the formation of our youth into life with Christ and His Mission. They also soak up huge time and resources in ways that are a detriment to the community life of the church.

He concludes by calling for a cross-generational approach to youth ministry:

I believe the youth ministry of a church is vitally important. But we must discern carefully what we are doing. Whether we have three youth or fifty, we need youth leaders to do things to foster authentic adult relationships with the youth. Let us make the community aware that we ARE A COMMUNITY and we have to treat our youth as among us and indeed take responsibility to love them, pray for them, watch over them, initiate them and model Christ before them and with them. Let us foster safe spaces for them to ask all their questions and learn how to listen for God in their lives.

On a similar note, my friend and youth minister Jeffrey Swartz told me about a book by Drew Dyck and an interview with Timothy Eldred that both call for a new approach to youth ministry. Both decry the reality that young people increasingly are leaving the church once they become adults. To help stop the bleeding, Dyck advocates intentional adult relationships with adolescents and Eldred advocates adults mentoring youth, particularly in ways that help them become leaders in their own right.

In Generations Ministries, represented on this blog, we've been practicing a new type of youth ministry for several years. We seek to foster authentic, enduring, cross-generational relationships - not merely to keep young people in church, but to join Jesus in the "place-sharing" relationship that he, in the Spirit, has with each person, young ones included. This place-sharing with Jesus is not a church-growth strategy - it's our participation in the Triune Life that, in Jesus, is united to all humanity. To participate is our privilege and calling.

Family Ministry

2010-12-05T09:05:00.003-05:00

The following post excerpts a thought-provoking article from Christianity Today titled, "Shifting Family Values."

A recent survey asked pastors to share insights on the changing relationship between churches and their constituent families, and to examine the larger question of the church as "family." The results suggest that the ties that bind people together as a church family are looser these days. A key concern is the over programming of kids' schedules. This leads to an overall busyness of families that is keeps them away from church attendance. One pastor complained about this problem in his own life - he had to choose between preaching the Sunday morning sermon and attending his child's Little League playoff game. The reality is that people with all sorts of roles are more regularly opting for non-church activities on Sundays.

Pastors surveyed say that kid's activities trumping church time is a big problem. A related problem is that church activities are not seen as family friendly, and thus families look elsewhere for their "family time." As one pastor noted, "We...bring [families] to church and then put mom and dad in this room, the high school kids in that room, and the elementary kids down the hall. It's no wonder families are spending more time doing family things [outside of church] than they are spending at church." One researcher concurs, noting that, "in the past, spending family time and going to church were the same thing...now, family time and church time are not compatible ideas, because families are rarely together when they are at church."

What should churches do? A good strategy has a two-prong attack: accommodate the sports schedule and then seek to keep families together while they're at church. As one pastor noted, "I try to meet families and parents where they are. If I know that Tuesdays and Thursdays are big soccer or baseball practice nights, then I won't try to pull off an event on one of those nights...When I plan a season of programs, I get the school calendars and try to plan around school openings, closings, and holidays. We try not to create situations where a family is forced to choose between a church event and a school event. That's where I think some churches get in trouble; they don't take into account what's going on in the community."

Churches can help this situation by cutting some of the age-graded segregation during church. One congregation has family-focused dinners. The pastor noted: "I don't want families to feel like they have to give up something else to come to church."

But having a "family focus" must be carefully handled, because 43 percent of the U.S. adult population is single and thus the definition of "family" is changing—half of all family units are non-traditional, non-nuclear—and the church must adjust to this reality.

For many congregations, the answer is to avoid programs targeted at narrow demographic segments and bring all segments together as one cross-generational, cross-cultural "family."

Where should children worship?

2010-11-21T08:58:00.001-05:00

Where should children worship - in "big church" with the rest of the congregation, or in a separate "children's church"? There are pros and cons both ways. Read about them by clicking here.

Free sneak peek: Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

2010-11-10T11:32:00.001-05:00

Pastors, youth leaders and other ministry types can get a free "sneak peek" of the new Narnia movie, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. For information click here. Taking a youth group with unchurched friends to this movie followed by a time of discussion would make a great outreach (seeking) event.

Avoiding burnout in ministry

2010-11-02T08:38:00.001-04:00

A common problem among ministry types is adrenaline addiction. The result is often physical, emotional and spiritual burnout.

For a helpful article on this topic (on the Fuller Youth Institute website), click here.

Everything is Spiritual - Rob Bell

2010-10-19T06:43:00.003-04:00

Rob Bell

Trintiarian/incarnational theology rejects the dualistic idea that reality is divided into "spiritual" and "non-spiritual" compartments. The truth is that all things are united to Christ, who is Creator and Redeemer of all.

God. in Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit gives to all created things a transcendent, spiritual significance. Rob Bell helpfully addresses this in his Nooma presentation, "Everything is Spiritual."

You can view this program in several segments on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JePLJbqlbEU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu4nPwA7G-g&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a871D2HpUlY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMaz0CivB0s&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lLc7mydYJ8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsOu-2ccXYA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqgveu7vSLI&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gOU6Q7RgMQ&feature=related

GenMin website updated

2010-10-05T09:22:00.005-04:00

GenMin website - home page

A companion resource to this blog is the Generations Ministries (GenMin) website.

This website has recently been updated, adding GenMin Life - short videos with discussion guides that are great for youth groups and young adult small groups. Play the video, then discuss what is mentioned using the discussion guide questions. Additional videos with discussion guides will be posted soon - check back as the GenMin Life catalog grows.

We've also updated the GenMin website Family ministry section, which links recommended resources useful for ministries to children, teens, young adults, older adults, parents and marriages. If you know of other helpful resources in these categories, please post your recommendation as a comment on this blog.

Helping young people understand their sanctification in Christ

2010-09-19T08:09:00.002-04:00

Jeff McSwain

In a recent You're Included interview, Jeff McSwain notes how young people often struggle to understand their sanctification in Christ. They go to a church camp or other "mountaintop" event and experience the joy of being a "new creation in Christ." But then they return home, and experience what seems to be a different reality. The apparent contradiction is the subject of Jeff's interview. I encourage you to watch it. It will help youth ministers address the issue of our sanctification without embracing the "moral deism" we've criticized on this blog.

Review of Relationships Unfiltered

2010-09-09T15:27:00.007-04:00

For a helpful review of Andrew Root’s book, “Relationships Unfiltered” see

http://emergingyouth.wordpress.com/2009/10/15/relationships-unfiltered/.

Decrying Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism

2010-08-30T14:17:00.003-04:00

One of the real dangers faced by Christian youth ministries is the temptation to focus on helping teens behave well and feel good; what often is referred to as "moralistic, therapeutic deism."

Click here to read a CNN report on one author's take on this issue.

In my view, it is critical that Christian discipleship for all age groups help people embrace and appropriately express the Real Life that is theirs with God, through the Holy Spirit, in union and communion with God's Son, Jesus Christ. That approach to discipleship is not about helping people do good (moralism) or feel good (a therapeutic orientation). Rather, it's about helping them participate in the love and life of the one who is the Life, the Way and the Truth. That's discipleship that flows from the gospel of God's grace in Jesus Christ.

To Save a Life

2010-08-24T12:03:00.003-04:00

The movie To Save a Life addresses challenges faced by teens. Your youth group might want to show the film and discuss it. This would make a great outreach to unchurched teens.

Click here to download free related leader resources.

Cruising for Christ

2010-08-20T05:53:00.000-04:00

GenMin announces Cruising for Christ: travel from Florida via cruise ship to a short-term mission project in the Bahamas (December 27, 2010 - January 2, 2011).

Reality Ministries

2010-08-19T09:54:00.001-04:00

See a recent post on the Surprising God blog for a recap of the trinitarian, Christ-centered gospel presentation that Jeff McSwain of Reality Ministries uses in teaching his campers.

Mindset of the class of 2013

2010-08-17T10:14:00.003-04:00

Many of us minister to and with young adults. What's their mindset? The following list compiled by Beloit College provides helpful input. The group addressed in the list entered college in 2009 (and most were born in 1991). Jesus meets them where they are. Do we?

Martha Graham, Pan American Airways, Michael Landon, Dr. Seuss, Miles Davis, The Dallas Times Herald, Gene Roddenberry and Freddie Mercury always have been dead.
Dan Rostenkowski, Jack Kevorkian and Mike Tyson always have been felons.
The Green Giant always has been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables.
They never have used a card catalog to find a book.
Margaret Thatcher always has been a former prime minister.
Salsa always has outsold ketchup.
Earvin “Magic” Johnson always has been HIV-positive.
Tattoos always have been very chic and highly visible.
They have been preparing for the arrival of HDTV all their lives.
Rap music always has been mainstream.
Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream always has been a flavor choice.
Someone always has been building something taller than the Willis (née Sears) Tower in Chicago.
The KGB never has officially existed.
Text always has been hyper.
They never saw the “Scud Stud” (but there always have been electromagnetic stud finders.)
Babies always have had a Social Security Number.
They never have had to “shake down” an oral thermometer.
Bungee jumping always has been socially acceptable.
They never have understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.
American students always have lived anxiously with high-stakes educational testing.
Except for the present incumbent, the president never has inhaled.
State abbreviations in addresses never have had periods.
The European Union always has existed.
McDonald’s always has been serving Happy Meals in China.
Condoms always have been advertised on television.
Cable television systems always have offered telephone service and vice versa.
Christopher Columbus always has been getting a bad rap.
The American health care system always has been in critical condition.
Bobby Cox always has managed the Atlanta Braves.
Desperate smokers always have been able to turn to Nicoderm skin patches.
There always has been a Cartoon Network.
The nation’s key economic indicator always has been the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Their folks always could reach for a Zoloft.
They always have been able to read books on an electronic screen.
Women always have outnumbered men in college.
We always have watched wars, coups and police arrests unfold on television in real time.
Amateur radio operators never have needed to know Morse code.
Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Latvia, Georgia, Lithuania and Estonia always have been independent nations.
It’s always been official: President Zachary Taylor did not die of arsenic poisoning.
Madonna’s perspective on sex always has been well-documented.
Phil Jackson always has been coaching championship basketball.
Ozzy Osbourne always has been coming back.
Kevin Costner always has been Dancing with Wolves, especially on cable.
There always have been flat-screen televisions.
They always have eaten Berry Berry Kix.
Disney’s Fantasia always has been available on video, and It’s a Wonderful Life has always been on Moscow television.
Smokers never have been promoted as an economic force that deserves respect.
Elite American colleges never have been able to fix the price of tuition.
Nobody has been able to make a deposit in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI).
Everyone always has known what the evening news was before the evening news came on.
Britney Spears always has been heard on classic rock stations.
They never have been “Saved by the Bell.”
Someone always has been asking: “Was Iraq worth a war?”
Most communities always have had a mega-church.
Natalie Cole always has been singing with her father.
The status of gays in the military always has been a topic of political debate.
Elizabeth Taylor always has reeked of White Diamonds.
There always has been a Planet Hollywood.
For one reason or another, California’s future always has been in doubt.
Agent Starling always has feared the Silence of the Lambs.
“Womyn” and “waitperson” always have been in the dictionary.
Members of Congress always have had to keep their checkbooks balanced since the closing of the House Bank.
There always has been a computer in the Oval Office.
CDs never have been sold in cardboard packaging.
Avon always has been “calling” in a catalog.
NATO always has been looking for a role.
Two Koreas always have been members of the UN.
Official racial classifications in South Africa always have been outlawed.
NBC’s “Today Show” always has been seen on weekends.
Vice presidents of the United States always have had real power.
Conflict in Northern Ireland always has been slowly winding down.
Migration of once independent media such as radio, TV, videos and compact discs to the computer never has amazed them.
Nobody ever has responded to “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
Congress never could give itself a mid-term raise.
There always has been blue Jell-O.

GenMin Great Commissions Trips - Bahamas 2010

2010-08-06T13:48:00.000-04:00

To watch the progress of our GenMin, Great Commission Trips (short term mission) to the Bahamas click here.

Here's a picture of the group:

GCI International Conference videos and pictures

2010-07-30T07:04:00.000-04:00

Anthony Mullins addresses young adult group

GCI just completed its triannual International Conference - held this time in Orlando, FL.

We were blessed to host a large contingent of children, teens and young adults. For videos and pictures go to IT LOOKS LIKE THIS... and click on "Orlando Conference."

Trends in spiritual formation among young adults

2010-07-14T09:00:00.002-04:00

One of the challenges faced by all churches is assisting young adults in their journey of faith formation. Their journey is typically quite different than that of the generations preceding them. The difference has to do with huge societal/cultural changes that impact all aspects of life, faith formation included.

To help us understand the nature of these changes, and their impact on faith formation (particularly among younger generations), I recommend two documents from the Faith Formation 2020 national initiative of LifeLong Faith:

The joys (and tribulations) of summer camp

2010-07-13T11:27:00.002-04:00

Many of you who read this blog have summer camp expreience. I thought you'd enjoy reading the following fictitious letter from a Boy Scout camper sent home to his mother (from Preaching.com).

Dear Mom,

Our Scout Master told us all write to our parents in case you saw the flood on TV and worried. We are OK. Only two of our tents and four sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily, none of us drowned because we were all up on the mountain looking for Jeff when it happened. Oh yes, please call Jeff's mother and tell her he is OK. He can't write because of the cast. I got to ride in one of the search and rescue Jeeps. It was neat.

We never would have found him in the dark if it hadn't been for the lightning. Scoutmaster Webb got mad at Hector for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Hector said he did tell him, but it was during the fire so he probably didn't hear him. Did you know that if you put gas on a fire, the gas can will blow up? The wet wood still didn't burn, but one of our tents did and some of our clothes. Larry is going to look weird until his hair grows back.

We will be home on Saturday if Scoutmaster Webb gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked OK when we left. Scoutmaster Webb said a car that old you have to expect something to break down; that's probably why he can't get insurance on it. We think it's a neat car. He doesn't care if we get it dirty; and if it's hot, sometimes he lets us ride on the tailgate. It gets pretty hot with 10 people in a car.

He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the highway patrolman stopped and talked to us. Scoutmaster Webb is a neat guy. Don't worry, he is a good driver. In fact, he is teaching brother Doug how to drive, but he only lets him drive on the mountain roads where there isn't any traffic. All we ever see up there are logging trucks.

This morning, all of the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scoutmaster Webb wouldn't let me because I can't swim and Jeff was afraid he would sink because of his cast, so he let us take the canoe across the lake. It was great. You can still see some of the trees under the water from the flood. Scoutmaster Webb isn't crabby like some Scout Masters. He didn't even get mad about the life jackets. He has to spend a lot of time working on the car so we are trying not to cause him any trouble.

Guess what? We have all passed our First Aid Merit Badges. When Rob dove in the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Also, Bruce and I threw up. Scout Master Webb said it probably was just food poisoning from the leftover chicken; he said they got sick that way with the food they ate in prison. I'm so glad he got out and become our Scout Master. He said he sure figured out how to get things done better while he was doing his time.

I have to go now. We are going into town to mail our letters and buy bullets.

Don't worry about anything. We are fine.
Love,
Dave

Preparing for a Boomer "hurricane"

2010-06-29T12:04:00.000-04:00

One of the challenges and opportunities facing the church is the coming transition of the Baby Boomers ("Boomers") into their retirement years. Following are some helpful thoughts from the lead article in the current Boomers and Beyond newsletter:

As we entered the 21st century we noticed two things happening: One, existing senior adult groups began dying out - literally. Saints were going home, and those left behind began asking, "How can we get the next generation to get involved in our group?" At the same time, that next group of "up and coming seniors" [the leading edge of the Boomer age "wave"] was running as hard and as fast away from becoming a part of the seniors group as one could imagine. No way were Boomers going into the same group where, potentially, their parents still attended. In fact, Boomers don't seem to want to be segregated into a group at all!

...We are beginning to see [that] the whole aging demographic is more comparable to a hurricane than to a wave. And surprisingly we are actually in the eye of the storm! If you have experienced a hurricane, you know the storms typically have a first eyewall, then the eye of the storm, followed by a second eyewall or series of concentric eyewall cycles. The church has experienced the first eyewall of the hurricane. For 40 years, beginning in the '60s and edging up to the new millennium, we've witnessed the development of "Senior Adult Ministries." Churches segregated this life stage into Berean and Hilltopper classes, sent folks on bus trips and sponsored potlucks....The winds of [senior adult] ministry were strong.

Being in the eye of the storm can be deceptive. The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) offers this description of the eye: "The hurricane's center is a relatively calm, clear area. People in the midst of a hurricane are often amazed at how the incredibly fierce winds and rain can suddenly stop and the sky clear when the eye comes over them. Then, just as quickly, the winds and rain begin again, but this time from the opposite direction."

It's not unusual for people to want to leave their shelters during this time, thinking that it's all over and it's safe to go back out. That's what we see leaders doing today. Surely it's so quiet - the old seniors groups are self-sustaining, Boomers are not joining in, so what's the fuss? Why have church staff designated for this age group?

We believe we are in the lull, truly the calm before the storm. Just because it's quiet and the skies are blue, remember the "eye" signals to us to be ready. Things are changing! In an actual hurricane, this is when the winds are chaotic and are blowing in every direction. It's when one eye-wall absorbs the energy of the first one and becomes even stronger and more powerful.

So, how do we prepare for the full force of the hurricane?

We begin by not trying to conform the second eye-wall to the standards and expectations of the first. Then we do all we can to help the individuals in that second wall become equipped to hit the ground with a force that makes a constructive difference in the world, not a destructive one. We find creative ways to help Boomers find their personal calling for the second half of life. We unleash the power of age and then watch a generation make impact!

The church's ministry to young families

2010-06-10T13:21:00.004-04:00

A recent issue of "Building Church Leaders" from ChristianityToday.com quotes from "Collaborate: Family + Church" by Michael Chanley in discussing how the church can best support parents in shepherding the spiritual development of their children. Below are some of the book's recommendations:

1. Communicate. Let parents know on a regular basis what is taught in church: Send take-home papers; project children's ministry teaching information on the screen during the main worship service; offer information on your church website; teach in conjunction with the adult curriculum to create family discussion.

2. Create family events. Make children's events family-oriented. Ask that a parent be present at every teaching or social event. This brings families together with other families in the church.

3. Discontinue the kids-only VBS. Instead, have a family VBS so parents are involved. This approach brings parents into the VBS teaching and gives families a hands-on, shared experience.

4. Dedicate parents. When you have a baby dedication (blessing of the little children), also include a blessing/dedication of the parents. Consider giving the parents a special parenting class before the dedication to educate them about their responsibility to teach their child about matters of faith.

5. Start a backyard Bible Club. The idea is for a member family to provide a Christ-centered outreach to children and their parents in the neighborhood where they live. It creates a way for families to work together to invite neighbors.

6. Organize family teaching. Use whole families to teach a Sunday school class together. This is yet another opportunity for parents to be spiritual role models in service and attitude.

7. Mark spiritual growth. Celebrate spiritual benchmarks of children. This communicates what the church expects children to learn and acknowledges these steps when they are accomplished.

New approach to children's ministry

2010-06-04T05:30:00.000-04:00

For discussion of a helpful relational - experiential approach to children's ministry, click here to read a review of Ivy Beckwith's new book, "Formational Children's Ministry."

An exponential world

2010-05-19T12:38:00.000-04:00

What world are we preparing our youth for? Here are some realities to consider:

Moralistic, Therapeutic Deism

2010-05-13T08:07:00.014-04:00

According to the research of Christian Smith, in his book, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, most teens raised in Evangelicalism within North America have been taught a "be nice" gospel that is no gospel at all. Smith refers to this non-gospel as "moralistic, therapeutic deism" - a body of teaching that proceeds (often unwittingly) along the following lines:

1. A god exists who created and ordered the world and watches over human life on earth.

2. God wants people to be good, nice, and fair to each other, as taught in the Bible.

3. The central goal of life is to be happy and to feel good about oneself.

4. God does not need to be particularly involved in one's life except when he is needed to resolve a problem.

5. Good people go to heaven when they die.

In this view, the Bible is seen principally as a source-book of moral instruction. The goal of Bible teaching is to preach the rules, and thus help people live the moral life ("be nice").

Jesus is viewed in this teaching as a great moral teacher, and our calling as his followers is to emulate his good example. A key question is "What would Jesus do?" (WWJD). We seek to find the answer in Scripture and then go out and do that, asking God to give us the Holy Spirit as the rather impersonal "power" that aids us in doing so.

Note that this teaching is human-centered and rules-based. This is in direct contrast to the Gospel taught by Jesus, his Apostles, and the early church fathers, which is God-centered (Trinitarian, Christ-centered) and grace-based.

To hear Michael Horton talk about the problems with moralistic, therapeutic deism, click here.

LifeWay Research on Millennials

2010-04-27T08:42:00.004-04:00

According to a recent phone survey of 1,200 Millennials between the ages of 18-29, most young adults don't pray, don't worship together and don't read the Bible.

If the trends continue, "the Millennial generation will see churches closing as quickly as GM dealerships," says Thom Rainer, president of LifeWay Christian Resources.

Though the findings of this survey can be disheartening, there is also a great opportunity to participate with our missional God to help the Millennials see how their spirituality must connect with the body of Christ, the church. To read further click here for the article in USA Today.

Formational Children's Ministry

2010-04-16T10:07:00.006-04:00

One of the challenges we face in ministry to and with children is helping children relate to the Bible for what it is - God's story. Click here to download a Children's Ministry article on using storytelling in children's ministry. And watch here a video about using storytelling in ministry with teens.

On parenting teens

2010-04-06T09:30:00.003-04:00

Following are excerpts from a Fuller Youth Institute interview with Dr. Walt Mueller about parenting teens (Walt is pictured at right).

Why do we tend to assume that peers are more influential than parents?

One reason is that we are prone to draw conclusions from the visual evidence that we see. For example, most teenagers, if given the choice to spend a quiet evening at home with their parents or a night out with a group of friends, would quickly choose the latter. We assume that because that’s where they increasingly want to spend their time, there is a consequent decrease in parental influence. Then there’s the verbal and behavioral push-back we see coming from so many kids in their responses to their parents’ attempts to provide guidance and direction. Add to that the willingness of so many kids to quickly and impulsively give in to the push and pull of peer influence, and we are easily led to believe that the onset of adolescence brings a loss in parental influence.

How do you talk with parents about the differences between peer and parental influence?

I tell parents the truth. On the one hand, their teenager’s normal social development includes a very natural shift that usually manifests itself in less time spent with the family, and more time spent with the peer group. I tell parents that if they allow it to, this shift could rock their world significantly, especially when they see who they are being replaced with. But I also tell them that appearances can be very deceiving. While it may appear that their kids are pushing them away, what’s really happening is a natural and needed move towards the independence of adulthood. And if you as a parent misread these signs as a “dismissal” from their lives and walk away, your kids will hurt deeply. In the midst of all this, they want and need your presence, guidance, nurture, and input, perhaps now more than ever. Yes, peer influence is strong. But kids are always looking back at mom and dad to get their bearings, even though they may have wandered far away. Parental influence remains strong!

We only see parents a few minutes a week in our ministries at best. What other struggles are parents facing during their week that we might not be aware of?

What we sometimes forget is that parents are no different than anyone else. They are living lives filled with pressure, problems, confusion, and self-doubt that come at them not only as a result of being the parent of teens, but from the other roles they assume in their lives (spouse, employee, etc.). Youth workers should go out of their way to be sensitive to parents. In fact, it’s sometimes safe to assume that the parents who give you the most problems are the very parents who are dealing with the greatest amount of struggles themselves.

While there is no tried-and-true guaranteed method for parenting teenagers, what 3-4 principles would you say are most important?

In my own journey as a parent, I have developed the habit of reminding myself of what I call the “this I knows.” I’ve realized that just when I think I have it all together, God not only reminds me that I don’t have it all together, but he uses my self-doubt, confusion, and difficulties to remind me that my dependence must be solely on my heavenly parent. This is the list of “this I knows” that keep me grounded, that give me perspective, and that I communicate to parents wherever I speak:

My children are a gift from God, given to me to steward. They were gifts the moment they were given to me. They remain gifts through their adolescent years.
“Success” is not what we’ve been led to believe it is. The “success” I should pray for and pursue for my kids is faithfulness to God, obedience to God’s commands, and the pursuit of a faith in God that is integrated into all of life.
Like everything else in life, parenting isn’t easy.
Perfection? There is no such thing. There are no perfect parents. There are no perfect kids.
Adolescence is a process. . . and the process is long!
Independence is the goal of adolescence.
Helpless is a good place to be. That’s where God gets hold of me and does great work. The path to going deep in the things of God is a path that winds through the wilderness.
Like all of fallen creation, my teenagers groan for redemption...they cry out for a relationship with God.

Odyssey magazine article on GenMin camps

2010-03-30T10:25:00.001-04:00

To read an article in Odyssey magazine about GenMin camps, click here.

Preaching that connects with a younger audience

2010-03-23T15:13:00.007-04:00

I often hear comments about how a pastor's preaching connects (or doesn't) with young people. Over the years, I've been privileged to preach to young audiences and have a learned about what connects and what doesn't. Perhaps you're interested in knowing. Following is a list of some of the things high school age youth cite when giving "thumbs up" to preachers that connect with them. The list is from an article by Kent Hunter of Church Doctor Ministries (click here to read the full article).

• The pastor is "real." Pastor speaks like a real person, is transparent and honest about the joys and challenges of life as a Christian.

• The use of humor. It's great that Christians can hear a message that has a little fun at some point. Even a serious message can have some element of joy at some part, especially at the end so you leave with hope.

• The use of story. Instead of just lecturing at us, the main points of the message are put into a story. (This reflects the importance of narrative in postmodern culture.)

• The use of visual aids. PowerPoint - not just words, but pictures and symbols as well; video clips; visual aids that are part of the message and brought into the communication at the appropriate time.

• The pastor interacts with the congregation. This can be a show of hands, dialogue or text messaging. It's great when the listeners can give input or feedback.

For more about this topic, click here for an article I wrote about preaching that connects with young people.

Elation! 2010 GenMin camps

2010-03-15T14:12:00.005-04:00

We're thrilled to announce Elation!! as the theme for many of our 2010 GenMin camps. Check out our theme song here. For information about individual camps, click here.

GenMin track for youth and young adults at the GCI International Conference in July

2010-03-01T15:14:00.004-05:00

GenMin is excited to announce that we will be hosting a special track during the GCI International Conference in Orlando, FL on July 22-25, 2010. Teens and young adults are encouraged to participate in special activities, meetings and recreation. Please help us get the word out.

Click here for the conference website with information about the youth/young adult track; follow the links to conference information, registration, etc.

Click here to download an information flyer, which addresses the youth/young adult track at the conference.

How much to you have in common with millennials?

2010-02-24T07:22:00.000-05:00

How much do you have in common with the Millennial Generation?

Find out by taking an online quiz from Pew Research.

Portrait of GenNext

2010-02-19T13:15:00.000-05:00

The Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life has issued a study titled "Religion Among Millennials." It shows that this age cohort (now 18 to 29) is less likely to be affiliated with a particular religion. However, the group has high levels of spiritual interest, and their religious views tend to be fairly traditional (to read the full report, click here).

The study suggests a strong spiritual openness among millennials, but it also suggests that they have very little loyalty to traditional church institutions and programs. Perhaps our response should be to help them see (read "experience") Jesus, and share meaningfully in a community of Jesus-followers, without the traditional church "packaging." Though such packaging may be appropriate and helpful for other age groups, it is not essential to being the church as it is biblically defined.

Something to think about.

Discussing Relationships Unfiltered – Chapter 4 (and beyond)

2010-01-26T14:25:00.005-05:00

May this year be one of greater awareness of the beauty and rhythmic flow of our Triune God in the world. Bless you as you continue to teach and reach young people and help them to see the awesome realities of their identity as children of God.

Root asserts, alongside Bonhoeffer, that in faith, "Who?" is a better question than "How?" Would you agree with this viewpoint and explain some implications for youth ministry?

On p. 71, Root writes that the goal of youth ministry "is to be human beings who seek to be human with and for others in the power of God who has become human for us all." How does this compare to the goals for youth ministry in your context?

Root states, "I fear that we've made the incarnation a pattern of ministry rather than a confession of a God who comes so near to us that our suffering becomes God's own." How do you articulate to students that Jesus is much more than a model to follow but rather the very presence and power of God who is with them and for them?

Discussing Relationships Unfiltered – Chapter 3 (and beyond)

2009-12-26T12:23:00.003-05:00

Your feedback has been invaluable. Thank you all for taking the time to participate in this online forum. I have found myself reading your comments and shaking my head in agreement and thanking God for you as trusted friends and fellow servants to His kids. What an awesome privilege we have to love and minister to young people and their families in our churches and camps!

~Anthony

Much of the Christian world celebrated the birth of Christ this month. The Word became flesh and he pitched a tent in our neighborhood. Jesus came for his own as one of his own. We celebrate the Incarnation and the undeniable display of love by the Father, Son and Spirit toward humanity. With this in mind, we read Root talk frequently about incarnational ministry. What is incarnational ministry? Is it just a snazzy theological label or is there something much deeper about the way we approach relationships and ministry?

Root states, "A relational youth ministry of place-sharing is a richer picture of the incarnation and the koinonia of the Trinity." Agree? Thoughts from your experience?

In the Chapter 2 discussion our friend and brother Karl Reinagel brought up an issue that has touched all of us. Teenagers grow up fast and soon become college students and full-time workers. We have all seen the research statistics that state the vast majority of teens that were brought up in a healthy church environment soon walk away from the "holy habits" they recently celebrated. They no longer pray consistently, attend church regularly or spend time in Bible study. As a youth worker, how do you balance being a place-sharer to teenagers and fight the urge, as many of us do, to put a "full-court blitz" of selling Jesus to them? Coupled with that question, how has a trinitarian understanding enhanced your relationships and ministry to young people?

Discussing Relationships Unfiltered – Chapter 2 (and beyond)

2009-12-07T15:40:00.006-05:00

Thank you for the lively discussion on Chapter 1 of Andrew Root's book Relationships Unfiltered. Based on feedback I received, we are going to speed up the process a bit. Most of you have read ahead, understandably, and want to dive into the chapter discussions more than once a month. I will begin posting on a bi-monthly basis and will include questions not only from the chapter at-hand but questions from subsequent chapters that will fit the context of our discussion. Feel free to bring up topics, in your comments, from other chapters that add to our conversation. Bring others into this online meeting place as well. It's a joy to have this dialogue with y'all, especially during the season of Advent. We celebrate the arrival of God in the flesh - powerfully and relationally displaying His solidarity with humanity in Jesus.

~Anthony

1. What is your response to the following discussion from the movie The Big Kahuna? Breaking into the thought, "That means that you preaching Jesus isn't any different than Larry or someone else preaching lubricants. It doesn't matter if you're selling Jesus, or Buddha, or civil rights, or how to make money in real estate with no money down. That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to someone honestly as a human being, ask him about his kids, find out what his dreams are. Just to find out. For no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to stir it, it's not a conversation anymore - it's a pitch. And you're not a human being - you're a marketing rep." Root says this in response, "When influence (seeing relationships as a means to another end as Root would define it) is the objective of our relationships, the relationships become secondary to moving the product." Thoughts - especially as it reflects on ministry?

2. What is your ministry to young people and how do you describe and define it?

3. How does the reality and relationship of the Trinity with humanity effect how you "do" ministry?

4. Root talks about place-sharing as "sharing (bore) each other's messiness" in relationships. How can we effectively and appropriately share in this type of relationship with young people?

Non-Family Adults in a Kid's Life

2009-12-03T13:18:00.002-05:00

This blog entry from Fuller Youth Institute is a quick reminder of the role that non-family adults (youth ministry types, camp staff, etc.) can play in the life and growth of young people. It's being available and developing trust relationships through life-on-life sharing.

http://fulleryouthinstitute.org/2009/12/my-initial-concern-about-reggie-joiners-orange/

Discussing Relationships Unfiltered – Chapter 1

2009-11-10T10:07:00.010-05:00

With this post we begin an online discussion of "Relationships Unfiltered (by Andrew Root). We start with questions flowing out of chapter one. We encourage you to post your answers to the following questions as comments (click on "comments" below - note that you must first register with blogger).

1. In your own words, what is relational youth/camp ministry?

2. In the camp ministry setting, what is the point of the relationships we have with young people? How do we know when these relationships are successful?

3. Influence and leverage are words we commonly use in business relationships and partnerships. Can these approaches in relationships be an issue, especially in a ministry setting? If so, how?

4. Can you recall a time in your life when a mentor, coach, teacher or pastor stepped into your personal world and was there for you by sharing in your dreams, joys, pains and fears? If you are willing, please share your story.

Ministering with Jesus in post-Christian, post-modern urban settings

2009-11-02T06:43:00.000-05:00

One of the challenges we face as Christians on mission with Jesus, is to join the Father, Son and Spirit in the ministry they are doing within our cities - places that rapidly are becoming both post-Christian and post-modern. For ideas on joining Jesus in this urban ministry, click here to download the November issue of GC2 equipper.

2010 GenMin camps and events

2009-10-25T20:54:00.001-04:00

We have now posted the 2010 dates for GenMin camps, family events and mission trips (view the list by clicking here).

I'm thrilled to note the addition of another mission trip to the GenMin camp & event family - the mission organization is called Great Commission Trips. In 2010 they are offering a short-term mission trip to the Bahamas. Check it out by clicking here.

The emerging (postmodern) church

2009-10-01T10:54:00.001-04:00

GenMin seeks to help churches bring together the various age groups to be what we truly are in Christ - one family. Doing this is no small challenge. As noted in the last post it means ministering cross-generationally. But, increasingly, it also means ministering cross-culturally - reaching across the cultural divide between modernity (which is waning) to post-modernity (which is ascending). It also means reaching across the divide between a culture dominated by Christendom (the institutional church as a dominant cultural influence) and the emerging culture where institutional Christianity has little influence.

A book that discusses these challenges (and suggests the way forward) is Emerging Churches (creating Christian community in postmodern cultures) by Eddie Gibbs and Ryan Bolger. For video interviews with both authors click here. To download a paper (in Word) from Gibbs that summarizes the main points of the book click here.

I'd appreciate your comments concerning our calling as churches to minister cross-culturally and cross-generationally.

More about the demise of age-segmentation in churches

2009-09-22T16:48:00.001-04:00

We have written several times in this blog about the growing trend in churches to integrate the different age segments as one family within the church. Experience tells us that the radical age segregation of the past has not yielded the hoped-for fruit.

Now there is a strong trend toward age group integration.

Christianity Today has a new article on this issue. It's an interviews with Kara Powell (pictured above right), executive director of the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI). FYI is (in my opinion) doing some of the best work in investigating this issue and suggesting meaningful approaches for the journey forward.

Read the full article by clicking here.

Interview with Ted Johnston

2009-09-19T09:27:00.002-04:00

Click here for an interview with GenMin director Ted Johnston concerning the trinitarian theology that under-girds Generations Ministries and the ongoing discussion in this blog.

A Church in the Intergenerational HOV Lane

2009-09-14T13:20:00.011-04:00

Fuller Youth Institute has a helpful blog post (click here to view) that takes a candid look at a local church that has engaged itself in intergenerational ministry. The blogger, David Fraze, interviews the senior pastor, Dr. Tod Bolsinger, at San Clemente Presbyterian Church about the church's intergenerational iniatives and how that has radically reframed their youth ministry as well as their church-wide programming. Dr. Bolsinger talks about how the notion of intergenerational ministry begins with the understanding of the Trinity and how that relationship flows into an atmosphere and reality of community. As Dr. Bolsinger states, "Once you recognize the essence of God is community, believers relating to one another in community makes perfect sense. The incarnation of the triune God is the people of God, the body of Christ relating with one another in the Spirit of Christ."

Wrestling with the generation gap

2009-09-01T15:03:00.001-04:00

John Ortberg (pictured left) has written a helpful article titled "The Gap" - it discusses the challenges churches face in embracing and then connecting together all the generations to form one church family. Click here to read the article at ChristianityToday.com. I like Ortberg's points about intergenerational worship and older adults mentoring younger adults and teens.

Preparing teens for college

2009-08-27T14:58:00.008-04:00

Do you have a teen at home or in youth group who enters college this fall? What will you do to help them prepare? A helpful Bible Study is provided by Threads (it's free!). Click here to download "Freshmen Re-orientation."

Interview with Andrew Root

2009-08-26T13:23:00.006-04:00

Check out the You're Included interview with Dr. Andrew Root (shown right). Dr. Root is assistant professor of youth and family ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. He discusses trinitarian youth ministry concepts from his book, "Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry" - I recommended this excellent book in a post on The Surprising God blog.

This coming Spring (2010), Greg Williams and I will be team teaching an online class through Grace Communion Seminary (GCS) - the class is titled "Trinitarian Youth Ministry." We will be using Root's book as a primary text. If you're interested in taking the class, watch for future details on this blog and on the GCS website.

A trinitarian view of human sexuality

2009-08-06T16:27:00.004-04:00

A key issue in cross-generational, family-oriented ministries is human sexuality. I have found the work of Chistopher West to be of great value. He writes and lectures about this important, and often confusing subject from a trinitarian theological perspective. I find what he shares to be thoroughly biblical.

You will find helpful resources posted on West's website (click here) including a wonderful audio presentation titled "Theology of the Body" (go to the download page by clicking here).

A New Generation Demands New Categories for Theology and Ministry

2009-07-29T16:47:00.003-04:00

Lily Allen is a mostly unknown name in the United States, but in the UK she is ubiquitous. Her picture is plastered all over the daily papers, her pop songs blare from the radio, and gossip of her escapades fill the tabloids. Lily Allen is one the UK’s great paparazzi magnets because she is one of the UK’s most captivating celebrities. And the glow of her fame will soon be as white hot here as it is in the UK (just last month she sold out two shows in LA, her new album It’s Not Me, It’s You sits at 54 on the billboard charts, and the first single just appeared on VH1’s top twenty countdown).

Lily Allen’s celebrity is not only built on her talented song writing and vocal ability but also on her fast living and party girl antics. Lily Allen is the empowered twenty-year-old woman who is business savvy (using social networking like MySpace and Twitter to launch her career), and deep in her lyrical pop songs, and yet is nevertheless obsessed with fame, drinking, and easy sex.

Lily Allen represents the new world of a new generation; a generation that refuses to so easily be categorized, a generation that believes that smart and sexy are not competing realities, responsible and yet hedonistic not complete opposites. Lily Allen represents in her music and celebrity the categorical shifts that are occurring in our culture, she represents escape from old categorical dichotomies as the location for constructing meaning and identity.

By this I don’t mean the overstatement that this pop star somehow represents a radically different ideological or epistemological cultural shift. Rather, I mean something more slight, less dramatic. What I mean is that the categories in which we have often done theology and church have simply changed. Or to say it better, the categories people use to organize and make meaning in their lives are no longer the categories we have used to construct theology and do ministry.

To read more of Andrew Root's article, click here

Connecting with postmoderns

2009-07-15T14:56:00.013-04:00

A challenge faced by all churches is how to connect with postmoderns. Dr. David Wells, professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, addressed this topic in a lecture at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Wells noted that postmoderns are typically disenchanted by progress, suspicious of objective reason, and longing for community in a fragmented, shallow world. In this world they feel "dislodged," and thus seek what they sense they are missing - authentic community.

Then come modern, information-based, program-driven churches trying to connect with postmoderns by extending information (in modern or even postmodern packaging) and programs (with all the "bells and whistles"). But these things, no matter how well presented, are no substitute for real community.

Most postmoderns (and some moderns) aren't buying it. It isn't satisfying the inner hunger they are experiencing. They often see our modernistic approaches (no matter how well intentioned and beautifully executed) as inauthentic (not real) - more about church - as - program (institution) than church - as - community.

So what do we do? I suggest that we first acknowledge that Jesus already holds them close - already includes them in his community (communion) with the Father -Son -Spirit. This is what is "real" - this is the "truth of all truths," defined by the person of Jesus, who is God in union with all humanity (modern and postmodern; Christian and non-Christian). So we start by aligning our inner being - our core convictions - with this truth.

Then we align our doing with this truth. Or, said better, we seek to join Jesus in his on-going relationship (that's what he's doing) with postmoderns (and we should do the same with moderns). Our ministry to them is to be "place-sharers" - sharing with Jesus the "place" (relationship) that he already has with them.

What does that place-sharing look like? For one, I think it looks like helping groups of post-moderns celebrate the community they have (whether they know that Jesus is part of it or not). This "helping" doesn't mean insisting that they join our community. Rather, we help them form their own. Perhaps we provide a space; perhaps we provide financial support or food. Perhaps we just hang out and ask how we can be of help. We seek to support, to nurture and to facilitate the contiuninig formation of their community with Jesus.

This is a posture of humility, of respect, of seeking to help - not dominate. It's the way and ethos of Jesus - the God who is "with" us and "for" us. Who did not insist that we come to him, but came to us, and became one of us (and remains human with us forever).

So these are some principles. What will they look like as they are lived out in your setting? There is no "one-size-fits-all" program for you to implement. Rather, there is a dynamic, flexible (and sometimes "wild") journey with Jesus as he reaches across cultural and generational (and all other) divides.

I pray that your journey is fully with Jesus. Remember, he is with you!

Confessions of a youth minister

2009-06-23T14:15:00.002-04:00

Bigger is always better, or so I thought. For nine years I served as the lead youth minister in a metro Atlanta area church. We called ourselves REACH and our mission was to touch as many young lives as possible in the name of Jesus. It was great fun and we had activity-laden ministry that attracted many friends and family of teens in our youth ministry. We grew quickly from having four youngsters at my first Sunday School class to consistently having 40-50 teeangers at the Wednesday night group session to having over 100 kids at our popular activities. I would proclaim the power and name of Jesus, fire the kids up, invite them into a transformative relationship with their Savior, and ask them to bring their friends to the next gathering or event. It was an exciting time, and for someone who has a full-time career in sales and strives to be a "gatherer," I celebrated the growth in numbers as a great success.

Bigger is always better, or so I thought.

So what was the issue...isn't bigger better? Is having ministry stewardship over a growing number of people something to get excited about - absolutely. Is is reasonable to celebrate having more people in the seats for our church services, camps and youth activities - of course it is. So where was the issue? The issue for me was this - we were an activity-centered ministry instead of a presence-centered ministry. I was great at showing wiz-bang videos, organizing fun group games and getting people involved with what we were doing. Not bad, but there is something better.

Whether your church, youth ministry or camp is large or small in numbers, I have come to believe that truly effective ministry can only be done by helping others see the presence of Jesus, by way of the Spirit, in their lives. That happens through life-on-life, moment-by-moment experiences that we share with young people. It's about relationship. I was a youth minister of influence...trying to leverage my personality and ability to gather people to win them for Christ. Now I want to be a youth minister of relationship...helping young people to experience the relationship and the power of the presence of Jesus already in their lives. As Andrew Root writes in his book Revisiting Relational Youth Ministry, "Relational Youth ministry is about suffering with adolescents. It’s about sharing in their place with empathy, sympathy, and commonality…We must reach out to their (teens) humanity even if it means the suffering of our own humanity, for this is the way of the cross…We have offered them trips to Disneyland, silly games and cool youth rooms, not companionship in their darkest nights, their scariest of hells.” Amen.

I still play silly games and like cool youth rooms and get excited about a large crowd. However, now I have come to see that every person in that cool youth room is a cherished child of the Living God - not to be won over, but to be loved. No agenda. No strings attached.

Opening the church to young adults

2009-06-18T18:03:00.012-04:00

Why do many young adults leave the church, and what will it take to bring them back? These questions are examined in Essential Church? by Thom and Sam Ranier. To read an excerpt, click here.

The book is based on a study of one-thousand "church dropouts" who were interviewed about why they left. Their answers have less to do with "losing their religion" and more about their desire for community that isn't made stale by simply maintaining the status quo.

The book offers four ways churches can make their worship community an essential part of these young people's lives again:

Simplify - develop a clear structure and process for making disciples
Deepen - provide strong biblical teaching and preaching
Expect - let members know the need for commitment to the congregation
Multiply - emphasize evangelism, outward focus, and starting new churches

I appreciate the insights of this book, and would add concerning its conclusions that what I think we are seeing in these young adults is two things:

A rejection of "Churchianity." By that I mean thy no longer see church attendance as a social advantage or imperative.
A longing for community. I believe this longling comes from an (often unknowing) experience of the union they have with God in Jesus, who unites all humanity to the "community" of the Father, Son and Spirit. This union is the basis of the "image of God" (imago Dei) that all humans bear (an image often distorted by sin). The church has the opportunity to make such community visible and accessible by being a loving community that is centered on Jesus and has doors wide open to include young people in their cultural setting. I hope we will do so.

The hopes of a new generation

2009-06-11T13:03:00.007-04:00

What do young people hope for? That's a huge question, and there are no simple or single answers. But listen deeply to the hopes and dreams expressed in a powerful short video titled "Lost Generation" - click here to download.

I believe that what is heard in this video is an expression of a generation that is sharing in the hopes and dreams that Jesus, through the Spirit, has for them and with them for their world and his. I pray that we will help them realize these hopes with and in Christ.

Building community after camp

2009-06-02T10:01:00.009-04:00

In a previous post (click here), I discussed approaching camps (and other short-term ministry events such as mission trips) as opportunities to build community that continues outside the event. In, "Living More Than Mission Trip to Mission Trip," Drew Sams offers tips for using social networking media to this end (click here to read his helpful article on the FYI website).

Better. Together. Forever.

2009-05-20T11:12:00.000-04:00

Hey gang –

We have two GenMin camps taking place this weekend – Crosswalk in Oklahoma City and The Mountaintop in Atlanta. Would you lift both camps up in prayer. Pray for the staff and campers…for safety and good weather…for new and renewed friendships…that all eyes would be open to see the flowing river of love of God in those places and spaces. Whether you will be attending one of these two camps this weekend or another GenMin camp this summer – let’s all come to these places with great expectation. My personal “theme” scripture for this summer is Ephesians 3:20-21 which says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” Do you believe it? He’s more than able to break down walls of division, to turn things that were meant for harm into good, to restore a soul that only seemed destined for heartache and trouble and to bring families together! The Apostle Paul also mention “glory…in Jesus throughout all generations…” That’s what our churches and camps are all about…cross-generational living in Jesus. Grandmas and grandpas, dads and moms, brothers and sisters, young and old – living life together and sharing in the blessing of the relationship we have in Jesus.

The relationship that God has as Father, Son and Spirit has illuminated the truth that we are all better together. I need you and you need me and we need we. Amen.

Have a great summer and find one any of the GenMin camps at http://genmin.wcg.org/campministries.htm.

In Christ,
Anthony Mullins

VBS ideas

2009-05-07T08:35:00.003-04:00

For some great ideas concerning running a Vacation Bible School (VBS) on a low budget, click here.

Churches before - during - and after camp

2009-05-05T06:37:00.006-04:00

The following post is based on a post at FullerYouthInstitute.org which is distilled from "Deep Justice Journeys: 50 Activities to Move from Mission Trips to Missional Living," co-authored by Kara Powell and Brad Griffin.

It's important to help teens who go to camp or on short-term mission trip to both be prepared for the experience and then to process the experience when they return. Sadly, many congregations do neither, and much of the value of the experience is lost to both the camper and the congregation.

Here are some ideas to help both the camper and the congregation take advantage:

Before

Discuss the event with the leadership of the congregation before it happens. You may want to invite a few teen campers to attend the meeting with you. Then invite the church to pray for the campers. Provide a list of specific prayer requests and pictures of the campers in the church bulletin.

Figure out creative ways to invite the congregation to support the campers financially. Some churches have started selling $25 or $50 “shares” congregation members can buy as a way to invest in their transformation.

Invite the camp director or a key camp staffer to come to your church and give a five-minute profile, or even an entire sermon, on the camp. Ask key adults in your congregation to volunteer to mentor one of the campers.

During

On the Sunday during the camp send a report to the congregation via cell phone - let them know how the campers they are praying for are doing. Have the congregation pray that Sunday for the absent campers and staffers. (When they get back, be sure to let them know how God answered those prayers!)

After

Be sure to report the work God did in and through the campers and staffers to the entire church when they return. Teach the church a new worship song they learned at camp. Show pictures from the camp. Set up a meeting in which the campers and staffers from the congregation can discuss their experience with leaders from the congregation. Make sure the agenda includes discussing next steps to more fully integrate the campers and staffers into the life of the congregation.

A theology of the child

2009-04-15T22:48:00.003-04:00

Click here for links on Per Crucem ad Lucem to short articles that address the theology of childhood. These articles address the theological vision of Calvin, Barth, Jensen and others.

Cross-generational worship blends old and new

2009-04-07T14:48:00.005-04:00

One of our challenges in reaching out to the younger, predominantly post-modern and post-Christian generations, is to engage them in the story of Jesus (the gospel) in ways they relate to. Its about telling the "old, old story" in ways that are faithful, but that are understandable in a particular cultural setting (post-modernity in this case). One church in New Zealand has done so in telling the Easter Story, interpreting the ancient "stages of the cross" motif in contemporary ways. Click here to read more in an article titled "Something Old, Something New."

Developing cultural intelligence

2009-04-02T10:43:00.003-04:00

Click here for an article from David Livermore (posted on the Fuller Youth Institute website) concerning cross-cultural intelligence in ministry. This is an important issue as we reach across generational divides, which in our emerging post-Christian and post-modern world are also cultural divides.

Using camps to build cross-generational congregations

2009-03-31T22:40:00.003-04:00

Generations Ministries camps, mission trips and other events are helpful tools for participating with Jesus in building cross-generational congregations. Click here to read more about this topic in the April issue of GC2 equipper.

What is Jesus doing in GenNext?

2009-03-27T13:48:00.007-04:00

We understand from Scripture that all humanity is included through Jesus in the triune communion of the Father, Son and Spirit. And this means that Jesus, in union with all people, is actively ministering to them, in the Spirit - even when they do not know who he is (and thus who they truly are).

This being so, a important question is this: What is Jesus doing in his ministry with humanity? And, more specific to the focus of this blog - What is Jesus doing in his ministry to, with and through GenNext?

Seeking answers to this question leads us to carefully examine what is going on in our culture. We look for the "fingerprints" of Jesus, even in the midst of a lot of brokenness and sin.

One of the places I see Jesus at work, particularly in the imaginations of young people, has to do with an emerging care and concern for the environment, coupled with a growing spiritual awakening. Note, for example, the following press release from the Pachamama Alliance.

"More than 12,000 young leaders converged in Washington, DC, for Power Shift 2009, from February 27 to March 2 [2009]. These young activists from every U.S. state and many other nations went there to get further educated and trained, to shine the spotlight on climate change, the need for green jobs, and to lobby and educate to hold our elected officials accountable for building a sustainable, equitable, green economy now.

"Two powerful Awakening the Dreamer Symposiums [conducted by Pachamama Alliance of San Francisco, CA] bookended this historic gathering, attracting 10% of the participants. The Symposiums grounded participants in the magnitude of what’s at stake, rooted them in the holistic framing of an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just future, and provided them a powerful context for all they learned, enabling them to be more effective with all they set out to achieve...."

Only time will tell what becomes of this post-modern awakening to a sharing in Jesus' love for his creation. But I suggest that we need to be aware of what Jesus is doing, in the Spirit that inhabits all people, in the emerging, younger cultures and seek to join him there in ways that meaningfully participate in what Jesus is already doing. That is our calling and privalege.

Helping high school students prepare for college

2009-03-20T07:47:00.002-04:00

I recommend a new video from LiveAbove.com that shows how we can help our high school students (soon-to-be graduates) prepare for their transition to college -both practically andspiritually. Check it out!

On YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8MwF6WRVaY

Or www.LiveAbove.com/ondemand

The Trinity and Marriage

2009-03-03T08:17:00.006-05:00

In his recent post on A Spreading Goodness (click here), trinitarian theologian Ron Frost blogs about God as Trinity and what that tells us about marriage. I commend Ron for his helpful summary of the history of Christian thought and the implications of a trinitarian theology for marriage relationships. Check it out.

Beware the "choking game"

2009-02-28T06:31:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine noted with concern a growing phenomenon among kids age 9-16. It is called the "choking game." Parents and youth workers should be aware and on guard. For more information check out the links below.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choking_game
http://chokinggame.net
http://www.stop-the-choking-game.com/en/home.html
http://www.telecomassociation.com/pubs/chokinggamereport/index.htm

Including young adults in the church

2009-02-24T20:07:00.012-05:00

I'm often asked, Why don't we see more young adults in church?

The answer is complex and includes understanding the huge cultural shifts ocurring in our world - from modernity to postmodernity; from a culture that is predominantly Christian to one that is predominantly post-Christian. Along with these shifts has come the exit of many young adults from active participation in the church.

What are we to do? There is no simple answer. But in my experience (including long discussions with young adults), there are recurring themes that suggest helpful steps.

I recently read the book, "Tribal Church, Ministering to the Missing Generation" by Carol Howard Merritt, a young female church pastor. Her book offers helpful ideas. While I don't agree with all of them, I think she understands the issues well and has found meaningful solutions - all having primarily to do with embracing young adults and including them in the life of churches that intentionally have become more cross-generational. Here are selected quotes:

We need to yearn for intergenerational connection [and diversity]... As John Austin says, "The healthiest islands are biodiverse." In our increasingly segregated culture, older generations, young families, and single people can learn to listen and care for each other.... Congregations can increase intergenerational hospitality through visible signs so growth can flourish and we can expand our biodiversity...[where] the old, the young, and everyone in between [is] seen and heard (pp. 20-22).

Merritt goes on to point out ways that churches inadvertently erect barriers to young adult participation:

Setting schedules and programs in ways that say to young people and young families, "not welcome here."
Decorating the church in ways that are unattractive to younger people
Treating young people as a "target audience" rather than as individual people with unique needs, who happen to be young.
Not providing child care for young families (our church functions often do not provide for children, leaving mothers out as well).
Not understanding the exceptional demands placed on the time and budgets of young people (young adults find themselves struggling in an enormous economic crisis not of their own making).
Not understanding the level of support young adults need, but usually hesitate to seek out.
Making our congregations bastions of conservative political viewpoints not shared by many young believers. Do we send the message that political progressives (of any age group) are unwelcome?
Related to the issue above, expressing an level of intolerance that is hard for a post-modern to stomach (and a level that seems quite uncharacteristic of Jesus).
Not acknowledging a variety of valid expressions of Christian spirituality - insisting on doing things, "the way we've always done it." Vital congregations learn to adapt their customs while keeping their traditions.
An unwillingness to share leadership with young adults (is there a young adult on your advisory council? On your ministry leadership team?).
Putting all the focus on the mind (being cerebrally focused) rather than embracing all of the senses in worship and teaching. Young adults, typically post-modern in their mind-set and preferences, tend to seek image-rich environments that involve all the senses.
Not addressing in our teaching and preaching the life issues that young people actually have to deal with. The issue here is one of relevance and respect.
Not using the resources of the church to provide places and spaces where young adults can build relationships with their peers and with other generations.

There are no "magic methods" for removing these barriers. And we must avoid trying to merely program our way through them - these issues are fundamentally relational. What young adults want, is what Jesus has created us all to need - cross-generational community - "places and spaces" where people of all generations are welcomed, appreciated, blessed and incorporated - communities of faith that live out of the life and love of God that is shared with us in our union with Jesus. Such places embrace young adults, along with people of all ages - helping all people experience true communion with God and his people.

Sex and teenagers

2009-01-31T14:33:00.002-05:00

For some thought-provoking commentary on the sexual behavior of Christian vs. non-Christian teens click here. I'd be interested in your observations.

Including whole families in your VBS

2009-01-27T11:48:00.004-05:00

Many churches conduct an annual vacation bible school (VBS) for children. A VBS is a wonderful tool for reaching out to both churched and unchurched kids, and their families.

In order to reach families, some churches are successfully turning VBS into a whole-family experience. Two general methods are being used:

1. A parallel track where parents attend a class while their children are in VBS. Often a meal is provided for the whole family. One church used for parents small group discussions from Chip Ingram's book, Effective Parenting in a Defective World. Another used CCBT's, Parenting with Purpose.

2. Integrating parents into the VBS with their children. One church used Group Publishing's 2008 VBS, "Jerusalem Marketplace" (you may be able to find a used one from a large church in your area). This year, Group's VBS curriculum titled "Rome" lends itself to full family participation.

Black History Month

2009-01-21T13:56:00.007-05:00

With the inauguration of Barak Obama, our nation has its first African-American president. This milestone adds additional focus and joy to our February celebrations of Black History Month.

To help your congregation celebrate, we've devoted the February GC2 equipper to Black History Month (click here to download in PDF). We hope you find this material helpful. And be sure to include the kids in your celebrations!

-Ted Johnston

Cross-Generational Ministry

2009-01-06T07:12:00.006-05:00

In Generations Ministries we emphasize the importance of sharing in the life and love of the Father, Son and Spirit through cross-generational ministry. Why? Because it is expressive of God's triune nature, and the extension of that nature in God's design for the human family at large, and for the church family in particular.

Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) has done significant research concerning the importance of cross-generational ministry. Their website includes several helpful articles on the topic (click here for a list). I recommend these articles to all who wish to structure ministries in the flow of God's cross-generational life and love. See, in particular, the article, Something is Not Right: Revisiting our Definition of Family.

Trinitarian Children's Lessons

2008-12-16T15:35:00.002-05:00

I'm delighted that Jonahan Stepp, WCG pastor in Nashville, has written a catechism and several Advent-themed Sunday School lessons for children (the lessons can be adapted to any season of the year).

Jonathan's lessons are kid-friendly (lots of games and illustrations) and also beautifully expressive of a Trinitarian (Christ-centered) theology. These teach pure gospel!

With Jonathan's kind permission I have posted his lessons (which he wrote for his own congregations) on the WCG Generations Ministries website. Download each lesson (in PDF) by clicking on the title below:

A Trinitarian Catechism

Jesus Holds the Whole Creation Together

Jesus Includes All People in His Life

Jesus is the Son of God

Jesus Will Keep Us with Him Forever

Teaching the whole gospel to a new generation

2008-12-13T10:09:00.003-05:00

In “Changing the Metrics: The Benefits of Measuring Devotion and Obedience, Not just Numbers” (Leadership Network, www.leadnet.org, pp 11-12), Pat Springle shares the view of Ken Fong, Pastor of Evergreen Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Ken asserts that many churches err in seeking to make people feel comfortable so they’ll come to hear about Christ. In doing so they have robbed the gospel of its power to transform lives. This is of particular concern in presenting the gospel to the emerging post-modern generations.

According to Ken, “We’ve been teaching a two-chapter gospel instead of all four chapters. We talk about the fall (chapter two) and the cross (chapter three), and people who listen think that being saved is the end of the story.” The two chapters that have been omitted are the first, that God created us in his image with innate value and an essential love of goodness and beauty, and the fourth chapter of the revolution of healing and transformation.

The problem is, if we omit the first chapter, we see people and the world only as fallen, and we fail to appreciate the arts and the dignity of all people. And by ending with the cross and salvation (chapter three), we make the revolution of healing and transformation optional, or perhaps, reserved only for “really radical” believers.

According to Ken, in our self-indulgent culture, our truncated gospel message gives people very little incentive to take the next step. Sacrifice and suffering for Christ aren’t even on the table. The source of many frustrations of pastors today, Ken observes, isn’t in their inability to be persuasive. One of the main reasons so few people are devoted Christ-followers is that we’ve made it an option they can take or leave. All they hear is, “We wish you’d follow Christ and obey him,” but they shrug and think, “I’m saved. That’s good enough.”

Many people today, especially in the younger generation, Ken argues, intuitively know that a truncated gospel is defective. As Ken notes, every generation looks for a cause. Sadly, the previous generation’s cause has been their comfort and ease, but today, more young people want to devote their lives to a cause that’s bigger than themselves.

Ken believes that if we talk only of forgiveness and deliverance from hell, we’ve done our people a grave disservice. We need to talk about the fact that we are God’s children whose greatest delight is to honor the one who bought us by following him. We need to teach that the world is God’s and all people are created in God’s image, and then these leaders can applaud every desire to help, to serve, and to protect others, even if the “others” aren’t believers. Respecting the dignity of all people builds bridges of trust. In this relationship, believers have ample opportunity to share the life-saving—as well as the life-transforming—message of the gospel.

On a personal note, I would add that the whole gospel centers on the adoption of all humanity in Jesus Christ. This Trinitarian gospel declares what God has done to reconcile all people, and, indeed, the whole cosmos to himself in Christ. The evangelical invitation encourages all to experience and embrace their true identity in Christ as God' dear children. The road forward is to live out of this true identity, sharing God's love and life with *all* people (believers and non-believers), and faithfully caring for all of God's good creation, which through Jesus, in the Holy Spirit is being recreated - leading inexorably toward a new heaven and new earth.

Reaching young adults from a small church

2008-12-04T16:39:00.003-05:00

Many churches find it quite difficult to reach out to young adults (Millennials). It's particularly hard for small churches - however, it's not impossible. For some helpful ideas from Jim Johnston (of LifeWay), on their Threads blog, click here.

Reality Ministries

2008-12-03T16:43:00.022-05:00

I admire Reality Ministries of Durham, NC. Led by Jeff McSwain, this youth ministry is a beautiful expression of a Trinitarian, Christ-centered theology. WCG has recorded two interviews with Jeff: Click here to download interview #1 and here for interview #2. Following is Reality Ministries' statement of Scriptural and Theological Grounding:

Christ-centered

Reality Ministries is founded on the scriptural precept that the Creator and God/man Jesus Christ is the only truth of the human race and that in his incarnation, life, death and resurrection he has embraced all persons at their sinful worst in order to redeem them for a relationship with himself and the Father by the Holy Spirit. All things were created by him and for him (Col. 1: 16). All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and have been justified freely by his grace through the redemptionthat came by Christ Jesus (Rom. 3:23-24)

The Trinitarian/Incarnational Model

Reality Ministries ministers to young people through a Trinitarian - incarnational model. The Trinitarian emphasis contends that we can trust the compassionate picture of God we see in Jesus Christ: in Christ all the fullness of deity lives in bodily form (Col. 2:9). In the incarnational emphasis we acknowledge a holy God who refused to be separate from us but who was Immanuel, God with us: The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (Jn 1:14). Through the Trinitarian - incarnational model we desire to treat others in the way of Christ embracing them at their worst and inviting them into friendship.

Congruence

While other youth ministries lay the groundwork in this same fashion, we believe a distinguishing feature of Reality Ministries is our conviction that this Trinitarian/incarnational emphasis should be maintained throughout the whole course of our ministry to young people. We strive for congruence between our proclamation theology and our practical ministry “on the ground.” For instance, we do not want to practice unconditional love, forgiveness and acceptance in our day to day interactions with young people only to later proclaim to them a gospel message that says God will love you, accept you and forgive you if….

Belonging and Presence

Reality Ministries believes that sharing the gospel involves declaring to adolescents the good news of the love and Lordship of Jesus Christ and their belonging to him by grace alone. As Jesus preached the good news in the gospels, we want adolescents to be aware of the real presence of the Kingdom of God – the constant nearness of Immanuel. We can’t wait to tell them; we don’t want them to miss it! (Lk 17:20-21). We want adolescents to know and love the One who knows and loves them on the most intimate level. Today’s adolescents are often cynical and untrusting. In their brokenness they may be reluctant to reach out to God. How exciting it is to sweep these loved young people off of their feet with the gospel, to surprise them with the grace of God and to make a strong claim on their lives that they belong not to themselves but to the Savior. At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2: 10-11).

Evangelical Repentance

We in Reality Ministries are convinced that a person cannot know who he is until he knows whose he is. We believe with many of the Church Fathers that forgiveness always precede repentance, and that a person cannot truly repent until he knows he belongs to God. God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Rom. 2:4 ), and by the Holy Spirit we are able to make a free personal response to God, entering a love relationship with the one who first loved us. Those who refuse to repent and believe, resisting the Spirit of grace, will not live eternally with God in heaven (Matt 12:30-32; Hebrews 10:29)

Inclusion

In Reality Ministries we look at every person as included in the redemption and reconciliation of the world accomplished by Christ; accordingly, we value all people with integrity and intrinsic worth because we know that because of Jesus Christ they are inside the blessing, not outside. Because God assumed human flesh in solidarity with all human beings, we believe we are meant to live our lives in solidarity with him. While Jesus Christ is the most inclusive Person, he is at the same time the most exclusive – eternal life is found only in him. I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by me (John 14:6). We desperately want our young friends to join us as we walk with Christ in the love of the Father by the Holy Spirit! We want them to participate in the Body of Christ. To reject a proper relationship with the Lord and Savior of the world can only destroy our relationship with God and our relationships with those round us (they denied the Sovereign Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves, 2 Peter 2:2).

One Truth One Message

We are convinced that the trajectory for discipleship is set in evangelism, and we believe preaching one message of truth to every person regardless of “category” (Christian, non-Christian, nominal Christian, high IQ, low IQ) pleases the Holy Spirit who is out to convict us of the futility of leading our own lives and convince us that we may find rest and purpose in the Faithfulness of God. It is a joy to watch as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, brings people to a saving knowledge of the truth and to a place of free personal response to the gospel. The assurance of knowing that God doesn’t change his mind about us when we change our mind about him, the knowledge that he was committed to us before we could ever commit to him under the sound of the gospel these foundational truths are worked through our minds and hearts by the Spirit, and as we are reoriented by grace we become believing, obedient, faithful disciples of Christ (Rom 12:1,2).

Reconciliation

In light of the truth of Jesus Christ for all human beings, we in Reality Ministries refuse to be satisfied with a world-view that separates humanity from God or human beings from one another: God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has given to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore ambassadors for Christ… ( 2 Cor. 5: 19). We believe there is no better place to begin a ministry of reconciliation than with the young people in our community.

GenMin presentations

2008-11-27T09:34:00.006-05:00

Generations Ministries leaders gave several presentations on sharing God's trinitarian life at the WCG-USA 2008 regional conferences.

Audio recordings of presentations given at the Kansas City conference site may be downloaded on the WCG Kansas City congregation's website: click here.