Time magazine recently wrote an excellent article on teenage spirituality. In this article, some disturbing trends are expressed; however, hope is also expressed.Take a moment and read the article. It is a good read. Let me know what you think? What are some positives we can take from Barna's research? Also, what do you think of Ron Luce's very ambitious plan?
7 comments:
I think Luce's plan works great for small youth groups ... however if you have a youth group of over 20 or so this doubling effect gets mighty difficult.
Also I always hear poeple quoting the "only 4% believe in biblical Christianity" from Luce, but I've yet to see that survey or what exactly Luce considered "Biblical Christianity"
That being said I recognize that there is a problem with attendance and commitment among the 18-38 demographic in most churches. Obviously the youth group is not working as well as a funnel as it used to.
So what's your fix mr. lee?
Relevance. I think teens and young adults want a relevant faith and they aren't find it in many of our churches. That's what I take away from Barna's survey.
I would also note that even conservative evangelicals seem more and more disillustioned these days. our leaders are failing us... just look at the Haggard scandal and other leaders like Dobson who is known for his temper, Falwell who is known for his dishonesty, and Robertson who is known for his radicalism. People are looking for something more.
As far as Ron Luce goes, I don't have a favorable impression of Ron him, myself.
The Time article was good and worth the read, thanks for the link.
Wow! Looks like youth night in Crystal
Springs during the tomato festival.For
the uninformed the " Tomato Festival" is
a cheap imitation of the "pumpkin Show"
so revered by OCU grads.
GED Candidate
Thanks for your comments. I don't know, Aaron, if I have a fix. Just a couple ideas that I am still trying to formulate.
I do believe that alot of this amazing drop off the last two decades in the 18-39 year old demographic is largely related to the major paradigm shift culturally.
I know everything is blamed on postmodernism, but I think there is some truth to it. These "emerging" generations like Doug mentioned are looking for lasting and authentic faith. In addition, they want to experience God, and not necessarily in the ultra ecstatic charismatic way nor the warm fuzzy way. Todays youth want signs, symbols and community that extends beyond themselves globally and into antiquity.
Most of the protestant movement during the 19th & 20th centuries divorced themselves from anything that could be considered "religious" or "mystical" and attempted to make every rational and practical in the church setting.
Just a few initial thoughts. let me ponder some more.
Thanks for the dialogue.
After rereading my previous response, I now realize how scattered i was in my thinking. In my defense, I was thinking, typing and watching Rutgers upset Louisville. I am the typical male who is unable to multitask.
that being said, all I was trying to say is that I think a main cause is that for the past several decades the church has missed the boat. That accompanied by this "postmodern" shift is really wreaking havoc on today's youth.
Here is the funny thing, they are hungry spiritually and they long for the that "Transcendent Other" that they can be "in communion" with.
We (the experts: pastors, youth pastors, etc.)have misinterpreted their actions or perceived lack of and interpreted into mean boredom or other things. In reality, it is cry for something more. They really want to know God, and experience him fully. We offer them activities galore, Christianity 101 class and one minute bibles.
To quote Kenda Creasy Dean, "postmodern youth believe they can best apprehend divine mystery throught events of personal significance - signs, symbols, and community actions related to the young person's own history. If God "happens," then God can only be grasped by experiencing what God does - especially, thinks the teenager, what God does to me."
Whether we agree or disagree with those remarks, we need to adapt our methods to meet this generation.
Also, in regard to Ron Luce, I love the idea of focusing on local youth groups. I think the strategy itself can work. However, I don't think Luce's personal methodology can work - too much of an 1970's young life model.
Luce is quite ambitious, indeed. I still think that the biggest help to young people isn't to make things more interesting for them...it's to pray for them. I venture to say that people run their mouths more about young people than they do pray for them...people in the church, that is. I think if the older people in churches would start to live the life they're called to live, it would effect the young people too. After all, we're all called to be contagious. In my few experiences, I've found that the older people tend to leave a bad impression for the young people...which in turn leaves a negative impression of God in some cases.
i attended Acquire the Fire.
Ron Luce and Teen Mania make me nervous.
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