Tuesday, May 20, 2008

A special thanks...

To my new friends at First Baptist. I enjoyed our dialogue tonight. Thanks for receiving me so warmly! :)

Monday, May 19, 2008

20-somethings: MIA on Sunday mornings

We all know the rhyme, ‘Here is the church. Here is the steeple. Open the doors and…’ waitwhere are all the 20-something people? According to recent studies, you won’t find us in the pews. Take a look at these numbers from the Barna Group:

Six out of 10, 20-somethings were involved in a church during their teen years, but are now spiritually disengaged.

'Twenty-somethings continue to be the most spiritually independent and resistant age group in America,’ the study concludes. Director of the research, Barna President David Kinnaman, says ministries are missing the mark with this demographic. The current state of ministry for the 20-somethings is woefully inadequate to address the spiritual needs of millions of young adults. These individuals are making significant life choices and determining the patterns and preferences of their spiritual reality while churches wait, generally in vain, for them to return after college or when kids come.”


I would HIGHLY encourage you to read this report. So, check it out:
http://www.barna.org/FlexPage.aspx?Page=BarnaUpdateNarrowPreview&BarnaUpdateID=245

Along the same vein, a Lifeway survey finds ‘churches are losing young adults in sobering numbers.’
Seven in 10 Protestants 18-30 (evangelical and mainline) who went to church regularly in high school quit attending by age 23.
The trend caught USA Today’s attention. I think it will catch yours, too. You can read the article here: http://www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-08-06-church-dropouts_n.htm

Why is my generation leaving the church? Will we return when the kids come? And what does all this mean for the future of the faithful? re:Generations blogger Dawn Vargo will tackle these questions and more next week. In the meantime, I’d love to hear YOUR thoughts.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Descending from the mountain, a re-cap of the Family Policy Council National Conference


I had the great honor of traveling to beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado, last weekend to speak with leaders across the country who, day in and day out, promote family ideals in the public square.

My trip started with a sweet surprise: a visit with one of the most outspoken advocates of the family, Focus on the Family Founder, Dr. James Dobson! (Thanks, VP!)



The Lord used one of Dr. Dobson’s recent broadcasts, ‘Who will answer the call?’ to affirm my calling to help equip my generation with Biblical truths. (Check it out: focusonthefamily.com, 12.30.07 daily broadcast)

I was so impressed by the hard-working individuals who carry out that call at the state-level. This is where I insert a shout out to my new Family Policy Council peeps!






We learned a lot about the rising generation and discussed tangible ways to message Millennials, like me. The consensus? We have a GREAT opportunity to reach my generation with God’s truths and the initial contact starts with appropriate messaging. So remember...

Step one: Meet us where we are: online. (Facebook, blogs, podcasts, ect.)
Kudos to Jeremy Dys, Executive Director of the Family Policy Council of West Virginia. He already created a Facebook group for his council and has 10 members! Nice!

Step two: Speak our language. (Short and sweet, appeal to the feel, etc.)

Now you are positioned for...

Step three: Educate. Articulate. Mentor!
It was a pleasure to be on the mountaintop with you; a group of like-minded friends committed to stand for righteousness. I hope you were inspired; I know I was. The challenge now, at least for me, is the descent back to my valley where I am called to live-out that stand. And so I leave you with a few words of encouragement from Oswald, ‘Ozzie,’ Chambers from ‘My Utmost For His Highest.’ Enjoy!
"We have all experienced times of exaltation on the mountain, when we have seen things from God’s perspective and have wanted to stay there. But God will never allow us to stay there. The true test of our spiritual life is in exhibiting the power to descend from the mountain. If we only have the power to go up, something is wrong."

"We are not made for the mountains, for sunrises, or for the other beautiful attractions in life— those are simply intended to be moments of inspiration. We are made for the valley and the ordinary things of life, and that is where we have to prove our stamina and strength."

"The mountaintop is not meant to teach us anything, it is meant to make us something."


http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/my-utmost-for-his-highest/10/01/devotion.aspx?year=2008

If I can serve you in the future, let me know!


Ps- To learn more about the Family Policy Council in your state, click here: http://www.citizenlink.org/fpc/

Friday, May 9, 2008

From generation to generation...


We’re on the verge of one of the greatest generational shifts in history. As the Boomers’ reign nears its end, a new generation marches forward, to the beat of a different drum, to assume the throne.

Welcome, the Millennials. (Born between 1977-1998, according to the U.S. Census Bureau)


















Based on size alone, the Millennials are bound to be an influential generation. Not just in the future; in the now. The oldest Millennials, the 20-somethings, are springing up in boardrooms across the country, electing public officials and making significant life choices that impact your world and mine. So, it’s imperative to ask: Who is this generation, and what do they believe?

I know a little about the Millennials because… well… I’m one of them! (Yes, I text often, move often, and update my Facebook profile more than often. That’s an entirely different post!) Through personal experience, and tons of research, I’ve come to the conclusion that my generation is completely confused, disconnected from the generations above us and, most sadly, detached from God and His truths. My passion is to help bridge those divides for the Kingdom’s sake.

And so I write to you: a parent longing to understand your young adult child, a church desperate to see our faces in your congregation again, a 20-something just trying to figure out where you fit in the uncertain world of life post-college.

From spirituality to spending habits, we’ll take a look at my generation’s lifestyle trends and worldviews. Guest bloggers representative of each generation will be featured monthly, sharing their personal experience and words of wisdom.

I pray this blog offers insight into my generation, and provides a forum for intergenerational dialogue. No matter what your age or stage, we’re in this together so that the ‘I AM’ will be remembered from generation to generation. (Exodus 3:14-15)