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March 7, 2019
We don’t need “change for change’s sake” just to appease the culture, but maybe the bathwater for the baby does need to be checked.
October 4, 2018
We have been exploring over the last number of blogs new research documenting the trends and moral preferences of the Gen Z youth culture (those born from 1998-2015). We see that a sizable percentage of this new generation views the Christian Faith and absolute Truth (with a capital T) as out-of-date and unimportant. While that thought alone is alarming, what really strikes close to home in my review of this generation’s trends is the larger percentage of Gen Z males (over females) that see little pertinence and relevance in Christianity, the church, and morality. Using the good resources from the […]
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 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 […]
February 14, 2018
Last week, I began a new series of blogs highlighting the recently released research of the Barna Group and Impact 360 on our newest generation (born 1998 and after) called “Gen Z” and their beliefs, perspectives, and outlook on life. In this blog, I want to spotlight the shifting worldview that this new teenage and early-college era generation possesses, and what this means to reaching and discipling this new population (and by default, their parents and grandparents) with the gospel. I will first highlight the culture-at-large, then zoom-in to Gen Z. Of the total population, in Barna Trends 2018 (available at […]
October 18, 2017
“For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. […]
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. […]
May 8, 2017
Martin Luther, famed leader of the Protestant Reformation in Germany, once wrote: “Faith is a living, daring, confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.” In these days when fear is actively present in our society, one thing that captures the attention of many post-Christian minded people is the way real faith is displayed when challenging trials and heartaches come into Christians’ lives. People want to see in authentic ways how faith is lived out as they watch believers deal with grief, life-threatening illness, unforeseen catastrophes, and difficulty. […]
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 […]
January 25, 2017
“Jesus was a storyteller. He used the language of the day, agricultural language and fishing language, to connect with His followers and disciples.” -Drew Belz These words, from a recent article in byFaith, remind us that the changing mindsets of our times demand a form of communication that touches people where they live. People thirst today for relationships, meaning, hope, and encouragement to help them in the struggles that they face. And oftentimes personal storytelling and its real-life effects provide inspiration and courage along the way. Stories present us with the lives of real people who face real problems and […]