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August 31, 2018
We have been exploring in a series of blogs what our new youth culture, Gen Z (born 1999 to 2015) thinks about life, God, the world, gender identity, and truth. Today we take a few moments to see what they think about the Church. There are positive things that Gen Z’ers see in the Church, but there are also deeply disturbing issues within them about the Church that should sound the alarm for any church leader seeking to reach and to disciple them in the gospel. I’m grateful for the resources from the Barna Group (their book Barna Trends 2018) and Impact […]
August 23, 2018
In this rapidly changing, post-Christian culture, we are exploring in a series of blogs the world of the Gen Z (those born from 1999–2015), the earliest of which are now freshmen and sophomore students in college. In this “screenage” population where deep anxiety, diversity, gender-confusion, and personal safety/security are top issues, how have their Gen X parents attempted to parent them through life? More importantly, how has this parenting affected the Gen Z worldview and what does this mean for evangelism and discipleship of Gen Z’ers? As with past blogs, I continue to highlight research from two primary “think-tanks” in […]
August 16, 2018
In the last several blogs, I highlighted a number of key findings on the new Gen Z population (those born from 1999-2015) dealing with this new youth culture’s worldviews, obsession with technology and social media, and understanding of relationships with a new meaning of “family.” But nothing stands out greater in this new generation than their confusion over gender, sexuality, and personal identity. In this environment where misunderstanding and perplexity abound, the Church must speak with clarity about sexuality, evangelize with compassion, and disciple with intentionality. Impact 360 Institute and the Barna Group’s research (the books Gen Z and Barna […]
August 7, 2018
In previous blogs, I have highlighted some important new research on the Gen Z population (those born between 1999-2015) given to us by the Barna Group and Impact 360 Institute. They paint the portrait of a new generation that struggles with their own identity, swims in an ocean of moral relativism powerfully influenced by social media and YouTube, and often hides behind devices (phones, tablets, etc.) rather than connect directly with others in interpersonal ways. Today, we look at another central element that defines this culture: ANXIETY and how the Church can disciple them. Gen Z “screenagers” have never felt […]
March 7, 2018
My new series of blogs highlights recent research by the Barna Group and Impact 360 Institute on our culture’s newest population group: Gen Z (those born since 1998) with the prayer that we will be challenged to see gospel opportunities to reach this new youth culture (and subsequently, their parents and grandparents). In this blog, I want to focus on the prevailing persona of this culture that desires not to render moral judgments or opinions on controversial issues, whether they be social, political, religious, or racial. How do you impact a generation that prefers “safe spaces” (The World According to Gen Z, […]
July 24, 2017
Dr. Brené Brown said it well: “vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity and change.” In days when people mount up shields of defense and deflections to prevent others from getting to “the real you,” one mark of an effective gospel witness to post-Christian thinking people involves making yourself vulnerable, showing a life-openness that invites others to see how the truths of the Faith bring hope and wellness to the brokenness of daily life. As a general rule of thumb, I’ve found through the years that most people are attracted to admissions of brokenness: things like failures, mistakes, deficiencies, and shortfalls. […]
May 26, 2017
“I got problems. You’ve got problems. All God’s children got problems.” It seems that problems and difficulties are a common denominator in the human experience. But it is how those problems are addressed and resolved that gives Christians enormous opportunities for gospel witness and persuasive leverage towards post-Christian thinking people. A generation or two ago, our western society found many answers to their life problems either in their own nuclear family, broader family, or close-knit neighborhood relationships. Those were the days when far more marriages and families were kept intact, and where people received “community-wisdom” to the life issues challenging them. […]
March 15, 2017
I can still remember my father’s wisdom growing up: “Son, always remember that God gave you 2 eyes, 2 ears, and 1 mouth. Listen and watch twice as much, and speak half of what you should.” His words remind me then and now that listening—genuine engaged listening—is something practically everyone appreciates, but is especially an important element in connecting and reaching a world that has largely become post-Christian in thought and in action. What does engaged listening do to a relationship? Consider these quality benefits: • Engaged listening shows respect and trust. It reveals that you value the other person […]
February 15, 2017
Back in my youth group days, Sunday nights were regularly spent in gatherings known as “Singspiration.” One of the popular songs that we sang around the guitar was the familiar, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” I believe you can take that song line and have a robust discussion around a number of topics that could fill-in the blank: “They’ll know we are Christians by our ________.” To stimulate our thinking, let me suggest a BIG topic in our post-Christian times: passion and compassion. Post-Christian minded people often pay attention to people who have zeal for something/someone and […]
February 8, 2017
Mother Teresa, the late Founder of the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India said often: “Honesty and transparency will make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway.” Her words remind us that in an age of skepticism, criticism and doubt over motives, what post-Christian thinking people want is transparency, something that illuminates an open path directly to the human heart. The idea behind transparency is allowing light to enter freely so that people can see to the core with clear and unobstructed vision. In increasing ways, society has become more skeptical of the way advertising is presented and politics are played because people […]