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Thursday, April 26, 2007
What are some characteristics that Millennials want to see from the Church? Here are a few that they have shared with me:
- Small is good but it's Community they want.
- Challenging, relevant, authentic teaching from the Scriptures.
- Engage the world around them with the Gospel.
- Experiential and meaningful worship.
- Humility with non-believers.
- Avenues for them in leadership (decision making opportunities).
- Big isn't bad but Relationships are a must.
- Multi-generational, multi-cultural, multi-gifted.
 It seems very basic but really it's different from what most of us experience at church. All my best "research" is gathered when I'm talking with those under 25 years of age. The "characteristics" you've read are always the same to the question what do you think the Church should look like? Whether I go to a mega service or a small house community, Millennials have an idea of what they are looking for from the Church.
In the future, I want to go a little deeper into this subject for two reason; I love talking about the Church and I'm inquisitive about the future of the Church. Then, I like to discuss on where the Church might be heading, especially with young adults. Some times those of us who are "older" Christians (and if you are moving out of your mid 30's or are older, count yourselves in) don't like to talk about these things. We kind of like to hold onto the "church's steering wheel" when it comes down to what the Church should look like. Change is hard but it's not fatal. With the Millennial generation leading in the future, there are some good changes coming for the Church. For us Boomers, we just need to walk with them, listen to their views, and share the work of the Gospel together. Remember, as a wise young poet once wrote, for the times they are... well, you understand where I'm coming from. if you like to discuss more on this topic or others, you can email me at calibobble@yahoo.com
 
Monday, April 23, 2007
I wrote an article about key essentials in starting a college ministry, and one of those keys was teaching the Word of God. As I talk to more college pastors and hear how they teach their students, I want to share a little more on this topic. Here's what they said: - Book Studies. Most of those I've talked with do a majority of their teaching through the books of the Bible. They want to give their group a strong foundation of their faith, and what better way than to teach God's Word.
- Topical on occasions. Topics are good ever so often, but you don't want to be too dependent on them. What happens is that you start to teach in areas you feel comfortable with, but it's not helping your group grow as Christians if you only focus on relationships or certain doctrinal issues.
- Use but don't abuse technology. Use what connects for them. Websites, media, and anything visually stimulating are good ways to communicate Scripture. Just remember that you can overuse technology as well. Even notes on Power Point can become boring.
- Teach what you live. Remember that young adults value authenticity, so if you're not married but you want to teach them about the way God intended marriage to be, then maybe you need to find someone who has a godly marriage and can teach. It's either that or you need to work on that marriage thing.
- Do not teach "Easy-ism." Young adults know that life is not easy and that there are going to be struggles, so don't use the Bible as the "Easy Step To Happiness Book" that so many have done. They see life as a Journey and so did Jesus. Remember, He told the disciples the road would be rough if they were to follow Him.
- Connect Scripture to their world. I think I enjoy the Gospels so much because you see Jesus connecting Truth to their culture. Just as Truth came down as a Man, we need to help them see their faith as real and relevant for them today.
These are just a few insights, and I'm sure you can think of more on this topic. Other ideas expressed included being creative (i.e. change of location, etc...) or breaking your group into smaller communities. Whatever you decide to do, just remember that it's all about making disciples and not about the latest trends. Spend time listening and observing the culture that surrounds their world.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Once a week, I like to let you know what is happening around the country that you might find of interest concerning Millennials. Some of the information might be about new and innovating churches or about the latest trends in the twentysomething culture. I'll also mention certain books or articles that I think would be of help to you. There'll be other "stuff" that I'll add but I really don't have a category to put it under. You can think of it as your "one stop store" into the Millennial generation. So, here's what's going on.
Mega Gatherings:
Thirsty 07 This is a conference for college pastors and is put on by Passion Conferences. It's taking place in Atlanta starting May 2-4 th. Go to http://www.268generation.com/ for more information. The Buzz Conference 07 This conference is scheduled to be in the DC area June 28-29 th. Some of the fore-runners of understanding cultural shifts and creative church ministries will be there. You can find out about the conference at http://www.buzzconference.com/. Writings & Melodies:Outreach Magazine~March/April Dan Kimball talks about his recent book, They Like Jesus But Not The Church. I thought especially helpful was his insights about what unchurched twentysomethings would like to see the Church become (a full explanation can be found in his book on page 213).
Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled-and More Miserable Than Ever Before by Jean M. Twenge. A good balance to the optimistic view of the Millennial generation.
The Great Omission by Dallas Willard. One of my favorites on understanding the depth and joy of being a disciple of Jesus.
Truth and the New Kind of Christian: The Emerging effects of Postmodernism in the Church by R. Scott Smith. Probably the best book I've read on the Emergent movement.
David Crowder Band ~ A Collision Passion ~ Everything Glorious Phil Keaggy's band Glass Harp ~ It Makes Me Glad (a blast from the past that my twentysomething buds enjoy)
Monday, April 16, 2007
There seems to be a lot of discussions, conversations, and controversy about Emerging churches. This isn't a bad thing, but at times it gets a little confusing to separate opinion from truth. Some of the problem comes from misunderstanding the terms Emergent and Emerging. Here are a few things to remember. - First, there's a difference between Emerging and Emergent and at times they can be the same. The term Emergent is closely connected to a philosophy or theology (for clarification see www.emergentvillage.org, An Emergent Theology For Emerging Churches by Ray Anderson, Relevant Magazine July/Aug. 2006 article "Missing the Point" by Peter Walker, Emergent manifesto edited by Doug Pagitt). The word Emerging can be used as a term for the movement, but it is more commonly used to describe churches connected with the twentysomething generation.
- Second, not all who claim to be a part of Emerging churches agree with Emergent theology.
- Third, many of these Emerging churches are very evangelical in their theology.
- Finally, those that hold to Emergent theology do not always agree with some in their own movement. That, claimed by some in the movement, is part of the beauty of Emergent. It is an on-going conversation.
Because of the ministry that I'm involved in, I get the opportunity to talk with those in the Emergent movement. The people that I talked with really do love the Lord and the Church. That's why I'm sadden when some in the Christian community condemn these brothers and sisters without trying to understand how they came to their belief. It tears my heart to see emails or blogs warning of the dangers of Emergent without investigating. I have some issues with some of their theology, but I'm not afraid to engage in a conversation about our faith. I may not agree with their reasons, but I still want to be a part of their journey in life. I learn from them, and they have some great truths that the Church needs to hear today. So, the next time you read a blog, an article, or some letter that was emailed to you, stop before you put it away in your "against" file. Find out where that person got their information and do some research. Maybe you can start by taking someone who is a part of the Emergent group out for coffee. I hear they like domestic blends.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
 The other day a friend and I went to USC and watched the football team’s spring practice. I’ve been a Trojan fan ever since Bobby Chandler caught the winning touchdown pass against Michigan in the 70’ Rose Bowl game (hey, some things never change). What I love about spring practice is all the energy and excitement that every new season brings. Watching these players on the field, you see that they really love to play the game. It’s still fun for them and they don’t seem as jaded as the pros. Also, and this might be a surprise to you, but I learned some things. Pete Carroll is one of the most successful college coaches in the game today. What I enjoy about the practices is the movement and the flow of those three hours on the field. The players are never standing around. The coaching staff has the team moving from one drill to the next, substituting players freely so those on the sidelines have to stay focused on what is happening on the field. The competition for playing time is fierce and the numbing hits bring “Oohs” and “Ahhs” from the spectators. Some times they end their day with inter squad games. Maybe the O-line will go up against the D-line to see which side can catch the most punted footballs. Try to imagine a 290-pound tackle trying to catch a football kicked to him from 60 yards away. Funny. These practices are fast moving, energetic, highly competitive, challenging, painful, and from what I can tell, they seem to love it.
I think the reason they love practice so much is that Carroll understands this generation. I don’t know if he reads all the generational books or research the motivational factors for Gen Y but he “gets” them. So, in addition, here’s what I’ve learned from his practices. He understands that college students are:
- Multi-task oriented, but a short attention span. Some of this has been attributed to them being raised on video games. They are too over stimulated to focus on anything for very long. Keeping practice moving is a good way to keep their interest.
- High achievers and love to be challenged, but with results. They know they’ll get playing time, even as freshmen, because if you work hard and beat out the guy above you, there’s a good chance you’ll play that week. You are rewarded when you meet the challenge.
- Community Oriented with Fun being a strong building block. Going through a crisis together can draw teams closer (or tear them apart) but it’s not all about the struggles. Having fun and enjoying the moment of the “now” is a huge part of the college years. At least it was for me.
I try to learn something new every day and I look to those who seem to be successful in their field. Whether they are growing a school, teaching their kids good values, or a coach developing a winning football program, I want to take what I have learned from them in order to better myself in my field. And if that means I have to spend a few hours outside in sunny California, well then, I’ll do that. Someone has to.
Good question, don’t you think? I thought so. Our pastor presented that question to us the other Sunday morning during the start of a series in I Corinthians on the significance and importance of the Church. I’ve been thinking about that question and the meaning behind it for a little while now. It is the sort of question that makes you pause for a moment. Why bother with the Church? As if you are asking, “Why should I care if the Church is around or not?” I especially wonder how young adults see the Church. How would a 23-year-old sales clerk answer that question, or a graduate student from a local university? What is their perception of the Church? When I have talked with those in their twenties who are not part of any church, and I ask them what they think about Christians, their answers are more like a statement. They say something like, “I don’t bother with the Church, it doesn’t have any meaning for me” or “I have problems with Christians; they don’t act much like Jesus did and isn’t that the whole point?” You get a feeling that the Church has no relevance for many young adults, and when I say relevance, I mean the Church holds no importance for them.  In his book, They Like Jesus But Not The Church, Pastor Dan Kimball of Vintage Faith Church shares his conversation and interviews he has had with young adults on their perception of the Church. He gives six reasons why he thinks this generation of twenty to early thirty-somethings does not connect with the Church, us Christians. He calls them Common Misperceptions of the Church. Here they are:
- The Church is an organized religion with a political agenda.
- The Church is judgmental and negative.
- The Church is dominated by males and oppresses females.
- The Church is homophobic.
- The Church arrogantly claims all other religions are wrong.
- The Church is full of fundamentalists who take the whole Bible literally.
It sounds a little brutal, even harsh and you might not agree with their perceptions, but read it again. What do you see? Do you wonder why they see Christianity in this way? They must have gotten this idea from somewhere. Is that your church? Would you claim any of those points? I know the Church of Christ has done tremendous things, but some place in the past, we have communicated a wrong Gospel to young adults. They see something different in the Church than they see in Jesus. I want you to know that I’m still processing all this for myself and I am thankful that not all young adults see the Church in this way. Some of the fastest growing churches in America are started and filled by young adults, but it makes me think and wonder if a growing number of this generation perceives us in this way. Time will tell if we are more like the misperception young adults have of us or more like Jesus, who they like.
In the year 2000, the largest American generation of high school students graduated. In the next twenty years over 70 million of them will enter into colleges, tech schools, the work force, or other areas in our society. Some have dubbed this group the New Greatest Generation because of their potential to reach similar heights of their grandparents WWII generation. There are other names associated with this generation such as Millennials, Gen Y, Net Gen, YouTube Gen, and other descriptive names that connect with their culture. Whatever you call them, this group born from 1982-2004 will be the largest generation in American history, some estimating that they will reach to 150 million. So who are they? What are some key characteristics about this age group? Here are a few insights about them. Optimistic. They are high achievers. They believe they will “right the ship” of mistakes by previous generations (Leadership Journal, S/04). Community. They have been taught since pre-school to work as a team, and now they want to take that beyond school into post-college years (Millennials Rising by Howe & Strauss). Globe Trekkers. They see life as a “mosaic” and enjoy diversity of culture and thought, mainly because they see the world as connected. Technovores. Technology is not only a devise to use but also a way of life. They cannot imagine not having something plugged in or wired up so they can communicate with someone, do projects, or just relax. Relationships. They crave relationships. Parents rate high on their relational chart. The problem is that many do not know how to develop deep friendships. Some of that can be attributed to their “go-go” life style as children. Consumers. Much like their parents, this age group are consumers. They have no reason to believe that they will not be able to live the life style that their parents provided. Doers. They are not likely to go and protest in the streets like their parents did, but instead they form community service groups that clean the waterways of canals or help at the local shelter (U.S. News Report; April 23, 2001; Future Automations of America, Unite!). Spiritual. According to a study by UCLA, this generation is immensely open to spiritual conversation. They are seeking a straightforward dialogue about the mysteries of life and are choosing to go where these conversations are taking place. (For the complete transcript of this article, you can contact Bob Hetzler at calibobble@yahoo.com)
Over the past year, I have met, called on the phone, or exchanged email with a number of pastors who serve college students. One of the questions I have been asking is, “How do you start a college ministry?” What are those key essentials that make for a God-successful ministry? As I compiled the notes here, this is what I have found. I call them my “Eight Quick Tips for Starting a College Ministry.” Eight Quick Tips for Starting a College Ministry 1. The Key is Leadership
Along with our Lord leading the group, whoever leads the ministry can either sink it or make it steam ahead. There are probably two key qualities for leading a college ministry: being relational and being authentic. Chuck Bomar, of Cornerstone Community Church, is emphatic in that, “the leader must be relational.” Brian Rottshcafer of ROCKHARBOR adds that he or she must be authentic, “ honest, and real…don’t bleed on them but show your scars.” If you are going to start a college ministry, you have to build your group through authentic, relational leadership. 2. Stick to the Word
You think it’s about the hype? At ROCKHARBOR they try to stay away from being too topical and focus on getting into the Word, “We like to do book studies because they keep us on the right track without getting into agendas,” says Rottschafer. Long Beach Grace attracts many students from the surrounding arts community with a very traditional service. When you ask the students why they come, many will tell you they like the depth of pastor Lou Huesmann’s teaching. As one student put it, “I got tired of the wishy-washy, emotional stuff I was getting. I want depth.” 3. Build Through Relationships
This was touched on in The Key is Leadership but it can’t be overstated. College –age students are relational. “It’s what drives them,” says Bob Wriedt from Grace Community Church of Seal Beach, “It helps them in forming their identity.” If you like to hang out (meaning: you are fine just sitting and drinking something caffeinated, talking about girls, sports, future, or dirty laundry) then you might be a great candidate to lead college students. Young adults want to be known and want to know if you’re in it for the “job” or if you really do care. Trust comes in inches and you need to earn it before you give insight into their lives. 4. Engage in the Culture“Culture means more to them than Church dogma,” says Greg Stump, a Resident Director at Biola and college leader at his church. College – age students don’t want to run away from their world but to wrestle with it. They desire for their Faith to help them to decide for themselves about critical life issues. When Greg’s friend was starting a college ministry at the church, he asked Greg for his help. One of the first things their college group did was to go to Borders and Starbucks to ask other college students what they thought about the Church. They didn’t get too many positive responses but it did encourage the group to seek out how they could better share their faith with others and serve their community. 5. Nurture A Community Environment
Brian Rottschaffer points out that, “Community is not about pleasing you but it’s about serving others.” ROCKHARBOR is a large church with over 2,000 in their college group and around 1,500 in their community building Life Groups but it’s not about the size. They realize like other smaller college groups that community just doesn’t happen because you get together. It takes time to develop a group of young people to see outside their own world. That is why Life Groups do local service and border ministries and support ministries at their church. 6. Identify Your Core and Influencers
Josh Rollins, young adult leader from Columbus, Ohio, notes that every group will start to have a core emerge from within the group. They’re the ones you can always count on being at any event the group puts on. But not every core person is an influencer. You need to identify your influencers in your core to help establish the group. Remember, that your college ministry will reflect those that are influencing your group. 7. Be Consistent
Hey, they’re college age. It is the first time for many new things, like making choices about their time and money, shaping their identity, and forming new relationships. So have patience. You need to be consistent with them. Do not start a midweek study and then drop it after two weeks. They need an anchor, even if they don’t say so at this point. So, be consistent, even if they are not. 8. About Programming…
It was unanimous among college pastors that to set up a “program” at the beginning was killing it before it got off the ground. College ministry is pretty low maintenance and if you like a lot of structure, multiple meetings, charts, visional graphs, etc., then you probably need to look for another place God might have for you. Those things might come later but not at the beginning. “I started with a piece of paper with four names on it and we just had them over to my house for a bar-b-q and games,” says Bomar, “We hung out with them and just got to know them and now we fill out our main sanctuary. We didn’t grow because of programming. For us, programs are death.” And that seems to be the consensus with college pastors. These “quick tips” are not meant to be the final say in starting a college ministry. They are mostly my own thoughts and insights from observing college groups and interviewing the men and women who are involved with college students. My desire is to help churches who want to begin a college ministry but do not know where to start. I hope some of these “tips” will give you a good place to begin and encourage you to develop your own insights into college ministries.
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It seems very basic but really it's different from what most of us experience at church. All my best "research" is gathered when I'm talking with those under 25 years of age. The "characteristics" you've read are always the same to the question what do you think the Church should look like? Whether I go to a mega service or a small house community, Millennials have an idea of what they are looking for from the Church.
