Bob's Blog

A few years back, I attended Talbot Seminary in pursuit of a graduate degree. It lasted all of three semesters but it did get me a life time subscription to Biola's magazine. I rarely know anyone the magazine writes about but I do come across an article that grabs my attention, and this past Fall issue was just one of those articles. The lead story covered the topic of modern worship in our churches (Weightier Worship; Fall '10). I think for some Christians the subject of worship can be a divider but as a Boomer generation grows older and music styles between Gen X, Millenials and Boomers merge as one, the worship "wars" have seemed to lessen and the conversations seem to center more on worship itself and not so much on musical styles.

The article was written by Brett McCraken, Biola's managing editor and author of the recent book Hipster Christianity, a book that I recommend for anyone who ministers to university and college students. The article has a distinct regional viewpoint (most of the worship leaders who were interviewed are from the Southern California/Biola area). It still touches the core of what all worship leaders are trying to do and that is to lead fellow believers into a true posture of worship. There are some great extras in the article (online sources) and should stimulate thoughtful conversation on whether Christian worship is "articulating what we believe" or simply programming an attractive music style to draw people into our morning service. If you would like to receive the article you can contact Biola Magazine at www.biola.edu/biolamag.

Chuck Bomar has a new book out for those who are looking to start a college ministry. The name of the book is called College Ministry From Scratch and is a great resource for college leaders who have many years of experience or for those who are just beginning. The book is broken up into two sections. The first deals with "focusing on what's really needed" in order to lay a solid foundation that will help in building a strong group, while the second section talks about key issues and needs that will confront every college-age. Very practical for those who are getting their feet wet and are searching for the basics. It's a quick read (about 190 pages) with a concise overview at the end of each chapter. You can look for more of Chuck's materials on his web site at www.collegeleader.org.

If the title of this post reminds you of the Who song with the same name, then you are most likely from my generation or you like listening to "classic rock." It has nothing to do with The Who, that iconic rock group of the 60's & 70's. Actually, it's a new TV show that will air tonight on ABC describing the lives of a handful of twenty-somethings. The tag-line that ABC is hoping will draw viewers to its program is put this way, "It's not where they've been but where they are going." A little cheesy but it gets the main point across.

And what is that main point? Trying to give a generation, who are known as Millennials, it's own voice in the wonderful world of TV. How is ABC doing this? Through hipness (look on ABC's web page and count how many times they allude to journey), technology (interact with the show on your ipad during the premiere), music (lots of it on the show), and friend them (they have their own Facebook page). You're even invited to walk with them on the journey they call young adulthood by watching a video they made of the cast move to Austin. This show could be a great insight into how young lives transition from post-adolescent years into becoming adults, but something tells me it'll be more of a Melrose Place meets reality TV. I could be wrong but I've seen some of the previews and I'm not too hopeful.

It all begins tonight at 8pm (that's Pacific coast time) on ABC. Maybe I'll play The Who's My Generation to get myself ready for it. I think I have a tie-dyed T-shirt somewhere?

A new school year is starting or has already begun for many college-age around the country. Some will stay close to home to attend school while working a part time job but for those who will travel to another state, staying connected to church can be a challenge. What can your church do to help their student continue to grow in their faith while being away from home? Here are a few things some churches are doing.

• Keep Them Informed On What Is Happening Back Home. With so many ways to keep in contact and connected, you should use all available technology to make them feel like your right down the street. Some churches have set up accounts (tweeter, etc...) that provide easy access for their student to stay connected with the news from back home.
• Does Your Church Have A Facebook Page? Most people are Facebook users and it's a fun way to communicate back and forth. One church post pictures of their events and encourage their college students to post pictures of what events that are taking place at their school.
• Care Packages. This is old school but it still works! Whether it's from the 6th grade class or from the college group back home, a care package is always a welcomed surprised. And be creative. I don't know any student who wouldn't love gift certificates to a local fast food restaurant that is a few blocks from their dorm.
• Road Trip. Go on a collegepalooza road trip. I know of youth pastors and youth workers who have done this and have had a great time of encouragement with their student. One youth worker connected with 15 from his college group over one weekend...and that was hitting 5 campuses!
• Keeping A Personal Touch. It's important to keep it genuine and personal. My church use to call me "live" during the church service when I was attending college. Share prayer requests, God's word, or just to listen to what he/she is encountering at school, and you can do this via tweeter, texting, Facebook, or over the phone. Just be consistent.

There are many other ways to help that student remain connected to the Body of Christ, so start thinking and be creative with your college ministry. Just because they've left your group physically doesn't mean that they can't be a part of the group spiritually.

Never heard of this term before? A little strange putting these two words together. Kind of like combining "Cubs" and "winning" as one. That seems even more of an oxymoron. Well, no need to look for it in Webster or Google the term, you can just buy the book by Brett McCraken called hipster christianity. Brett is a self described hipster who happens to be a Christian. Hipster is a term pretty close to "cool" but is better understood in the context of a subculture. According to Brett's definition, hipster is seen as "fashionable, young, independent-minded, contrarian." It is a growing subculture among mostly white, middle/upper class, educated young Christians, that doctrinally sways from Reformed to Emergent, and congregate around Christian colleges in urban centers.

What's important to know about this group is the impact they are having on new and younger urban churches. Some of our fastest growing and largest churches in America would be consider hipster churches (RockHarbor, Mosaic, both Mars Hill churches, and others in this vain). Culturally, hipster Christians are no different then others who run in this group. They are passionate about the arts, love fashion (think "skinny" jeans), indulge in drinking and taking the occasional drag from a cigarette, indie music (Jars of Clay is playing in my office as I write this), and somewhat active concerning social issues. Add Jesus to the mix and you have Christian Hipsters.

The book begins by taking us through a history of "hip" that at times leaves you to wonder where he is going, but eventually he zeroes in on his point. And what exactly is that point? The question of whether or not Christians could be or should be hip? The book centers around the Church's crisis of defining who we are (identity) and of how much should we as Christians be relevant to the culture we live in. McCraken, with a keen and thoughtful insight into a world of young culturally sensitive Christians (he is in his twenties), hashes out the problems and struggles of a modern Church trying to connect to a generation who lives in relevancy. You might be surprised in the direction he takes you as he evaluates his generation, church culture (both modern and postmodern), our search (the Church) for significance in the 21st century, and his answers to the questions he raises.

A great read for those of us who are interested in His Church. It's nearly 250 pages but I read it in three days, and that's including taking breaks listening to Over the Rhine and Bob Dylan. In a time when our country is going through so much upheaval, we as His Body and Bride can be pointing to a Hope that will never fade. Or as Brett would put it,"True relevance...does not fear unpopularity. Because it clings to eternal truths, relevant Christianity doesn't hurt when people don't smile and nod affirmingly at everything it says. It doesn't flinch when accused of being "out of the loop" or "behind the times." Accusing something eternal of being behind the times is, of course, laughable." And that makes me smile.

About ten years ago, a book was written about a generation graduating from high school and the impact this group would have on the cultural landscape of our nation. Millennials Rising:The Next Generation, written by Neil Howe and William Strauss, was a groundbreaking work that introduced us to the first youth generation of the 21st century. Since that time, other books have been written, research conducted, news programs aired, and TV shows have all highlighted the positives and negatives of the generation we know as Millennials, Gen Y, Netgen, Generation We and countless other names that have been given but have all been rejected by this age group.

Now, ten years since Millennials Rising, we are seeing the first youth generation of the 21st century move into the middle of their young adult years. They are in their late twenties, some married, a few with children, and all are doing their best to make these rough economic times as painless as possible. We are finding that they have similar aspirations as their parents but with their own twist. They expect to be home owners before their first child is born. A well paying job that they enjoy going to every morning. Family (whether their own or connection with parents) is extremely important to their overall adult experience, and they are hoping to achieve, if not more, as much as their parents did at their age.

What are they finding? Well, this isn't their parent's world. Owning a home is not as easy as the Home & Garden channel lets you to think. Jobs? Highest unemployment since the Cubs won the World Series. The family is still important, especially since many have had to move back home because of financial difficulties. And that "living better" then mom & dad dream is quickly turning into a nightmare. What they are finding is the feeling they are in a rut. Moving forward is a little tricky right now and they sense that it's not going to get any easier. What they really are looking for is a way through all this unknown. A guide to walk them through the tough times. Someone to be a sounding board of their thoughts. A Yoda.

As we move into a new century with all its perplexing world views, the Church is debating its role to a younger group of adults and its significance it has in their lives. With the continuing urbanization of America's suburbs, the decline of religion in our country (we do see an increase in going to church but that tends to rise during crisis), and the shifting ethnicity of our culture, the Church is changing and giving young America many options of "doing & being" church, but not many of these options seem to be sticking. To be sure, not all that they believe is necessarily right, and they know this. They are searching for answers, even if the way they search is new to an older generation of church goers.

I have a very deep love for this age group. It mostly comes from knowing so many of them because of my youth pastor years, college staff days, and high school ministries I led. It's all coming full circle for me. Many of them are in their mid twenties and early 30's. Some of them are very close friends. All of them are adults and I can relate to much of what they are going through. I don't think it is up to me to create the church for the 21st century, their Church, and even if I did, once I leave this planet they would redesign it to fit their world. I do believe that it is my responsibility to walk along side them and to help them to walk deeper in Christ. College-age ministries has a shelf life. We can only stay in that time of life for a short period and then we move on to adulthood. The Church needs to be a part of that time of transition for this age group. We can help them through their college years into the next phase of their lives. Call it what you want, passing the torch, handing off the baton...how we mentored and discipled a younger generation will be clear to see for generations to come.