I love the idea of missions, i have been a couple of short term mission trips myself and i believe they are life-changing. In the last few years we as the Australian Nazarene church, have not had or promoted short term overseas mission trips. I wonder why this is? Do we not value what missions can do in the life of young people? or have we just lost that 'passion' to see people transformed by a stretching experience? or maybe just not enough 'time'.
I am sure it isn't quite as simple as that, but anyway.
When it comes to short-term mission trips, often it is the lives of the missionaries that are impacted the most. The Barna Group recently published research that explores how short-term mission trips affect those who take them. Here are some highlights:
Who takes short term mission trips?
•9% of American adults
>> only 3.5% of American adults went in the last 5 years
•11% of churchgoers
•23% evangelical Christians
•12% of Mosaics (ages 18-24)
•9% of Busters (ages 25-43)
•7% of Boomers (ages 44-62)
•9% of Elders (ages 63+)
How do short-term mission trips affect those who go?
•75% say the experience changed their life in some way
•25% say it helped them become more aware of other people’s struggles
•16% say it taught them more about poverty, justice, or the world
•11% say it increased their compassion
•9% say it enriched their faith
•9% say it broadened their spiritual understanding
•5% say it boosted their financial generosity
How have short-term mission trips affected your congregation?
What would happen to our people if we were a sending church?
Just some thoughts...
Showing posts with label Mission. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mission. Show all posts
Friday, November 27, 2009
Monday, November 9, 2009
Why i gave up serving the poor (Claudio Oliver)
I hope the title of this post is a little provocative — thankfully it’s not my title but that of Claudio Oliver a Brazilian Pastor and long term worker and advocate amongst the poor, who is one of SURRENDER:10’s keynote speakers, so I’ll leave him to do the job of explaining just what he means. Safe to say, the concept that Claudio is writing about in this article goes right to the heart of the message of SURRENDER. To read more click below:
http://www.surrender.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/why-I-have-given-up-serving-the-poor.pdf
http://www.surrender.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/why-I-have-given-up-serving-the-poor.pdf
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Even Sweeter: Locals welcome new coffeehouse ministry in Poland
By Gina Grate Pottenger on Sep 29, 2009Poznan, Poland––When they opened the coffee shop for a test run on September 19, Everett Tustin and his wife Rhonda didn’t know what to expect. The missionary couple in Poznan, Poland, along with their eight volunteers, hadn’t been able to advertise the event, but had simply mailed 100 invitations to friends and acquaintances, baked trays of sweets, scheduled several musical artists and prayed.
“Everybody was so happy, there was so much laughter in the rooms and so much talking,” said Mission Corps volunteer Katie Fitch, who served as a barista for the night. “We had neighbors that didn’t know each other at all just sitting around tables talking and laughing and having a good time.”
It wasn’t long before the team ran out of clean serving cups, glasses and trays. Tustin washed load after load of dishes to keep up with the orders. By the end of the night, an estimated 200 people had sampled drinks, desserts and enjoyed the conversation and live music that continued until 10 p.m.
The first Sweet Surrender coffee house opened for ministry 10 months ago in Gdansk, Poland, designed to build relationships and minister to the needs of people in the neighborhood with the love of Christ. In Poznan, those relationships were brewing well before the soft opening.
One young Polish woman poured out hours of volunteer time as the shop’s business manager. Another woman who knew the mayor’s wife put in a good word for the coffeehouse when its paperwork got hung up in red tape.
An accomplished musician who performs throughout Europe agreed to play at the soft opening, and asked if he could appear there again. A local coffee house supplier offered to train the staff for free.
A woman in Rhonda’s ladies’ fellowship had recently closed her own coffee shop and sold her coffee machines and serving pieces to the ministry for half-price. Much of it was less than a year old.
“It’s neat to see how each person who’s become connected with the shop has really just been lit on fire about volunteering and helping in any way they can,” said Mission Corps volunteer Lindy Bennett. “They’re drawn to Christ in this place.”
Lindy Bennett (left), a Mission Corps volunteer from Bryan College Station, Texas,
performed for Sweet Surrender guests on Sept. 19.
Coffeehouses, pubs and restaurants are where many of Europe’s young people meet with friends to talk about life and sometimes spirituality and faith, no matter what faith they do or do not claim. To the team, it offers a natural venue for sharing life and faith with Polish neighbors.
“The coffehouses present a non-threatening method of presenting the gospel,” said Northern Euope Field Strategy Coordinator Philip McAlister. “They give opportunity to make contact with people and provide a pleasant atmosphere in which to have spiritual conversations.”
Housed in the ground floor of a 100-year-old apartment building, Sweet Surrender is located a block from Poznan’s central crossroads. One of the main tram routes passes close enough that the building shakes when the trams go by.
“It’s obvious in the faces of people that we see on the tram or walking on the street that nobody looks happy and there’s a lot of hurting people,” Fitch said. “I think that if we can get to know them we can share with them the answer to their pain.”
Katie Fitch, Mission Corps volunteer, Pittsburgh, California, was overwhelmed
with drink orders at the soft opening.
In the city of 600,000 people, there are no other coffee houses near Sweet Surrender, although they are numerous in the city square about 20 minutes away. Sweet Surrender is also one of the few coffee houses in Poznan offering live music, conversational English classes, art exhibits and Christian worship services on Saturday evenings.
Formerly an apartment, the coffee house has four different rooms, so it will remain open during worship services. Guests can relax in adjacent seating areas or slip into the service where a dozen people meet each week. There’s room for about 25, so when the worshippers outnumber available seating, they’ll add services on weeknights.
“There’s been a lot of curiosity and buzz about this shop,” Bennett said. “They’re just curious… about how odd it is to hear that the church would come in the form of a coffee shop. They have been truly receptive to what is going on here. That’s what’s making this really effective.”
This article is from Engage magazinehttp://www.engagemagazine.com/Home.aspx
Do you think this model would work as we seek to engage with our communities?
Monday, September 28, 2009
Envisioning a Replant: Leadership, Mission, Values - Prt 4 (Scott Thomas)
Define Church LeadershipIdentify the top three or four lay leaders of the church.
What will each of their roles be in leading change?
What resource or encouragement do they need to more effectively help guide the ship?
Do they fully understand the vision for replanting a missional church?
How could they lead organized groups of men as you work through this process of change? Try to identify at least six key positions of leadership.
Staff Leadership
Does the staff (if applicable) need to redefine their job descriptions to accommodate the changes desired?
What role will they play in the leading of the body?
What knowledge or encouragement do they need to be effective in their redefined roles?
Does the staff (if applicable) need to redefine their job descriptions to accommodate the changes desired?
What role will they play in the leading of the body?
What knowledge or encouragement do they need to be effective in their redefined roles?
Board, Officers, Elders
Identify the governing structure of the church. Is it congregational rule, elder rule, deacon/trustee rule, pastor directed?
Determine if the structure is a biblical model and if it is functionally healthy.
Examine the qualifications of the church officers according to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5. Work through the process for purging the existing appointed leadership if necessary.
Whom do you believe God has appointed as lay leaders in your church?
Identify the governing structure of the church. Is it congregational rule, elder rule, deacon/trustee rule, pastor directed?
Determine if the structure is a biblical model and if it is functionally healthy.
Examine the qualifications of the church officers according to 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, 1 Peter 5. Work through the process for purging the existing appointed leadership if necessary.
Whom do you believe God has appointed as lay leaders in your church?
Establish a Clear Mission (Prov. 29:18)
Write (and rewrite) a mission statement that is easily understood and easily repeated, and that reflects exactly what will guide the church when determining the value of ministries (establishment and continuance). An example of a mission statement is adapted from Willow Creek: "Turning unchurched people into fully devoted followers of Christ." Another example is "Making True Disciples" (our former statement) and "Penetrating the Darkness - Sharing the Light" (our current statement).
What are the values of the church that could be incorporated into a mission statement (evangelism, discipleship, worship, etc.)?
Write out a first draft:
Can it be recited easily?
Is it easily understood by non-theologians?
Who could be given the responsibility of forming the mission statement?
Write (and rewrite) a mission statement that is easily understood and easily repeated, and that reflects exactly what will guide the church when determining the value of ministries (establishment and continuance). An example of a mission statement is adapted from Willow Creek: "Turning unchurched people into fully devoted followers of Christ." Another example is "Making True Disciples" (our former statement) and "Penetrating the Darkness - Sharing the Light" (our current statement).
What are the values of the church that could be incorporated into a mission statement (evangelism, discipleship, worship, etc.)?
Write out a first draft:
Can it be recited easily?
Is it easily understood by non-theologians?
Who could be given the responsibility of forming the mission statement?
The mission statement acts as a filter for all ministries. Is this specific ministry contributing to or taking away from the God-given mission statement?
How will ministries be dissolved without creating division among the body?
How open are the leaders of ministries to exploring other ways of doing things to be more effective in your mission?
How will ministries be dissolved without creating division among the body?
How open are the leaders of ministries to exploring other ways of doing things to be more effective in your mission?
Communicate your mission statement often in as many avenues as you can.
Publish it on everything (bulletins, business cards, letterhead, websites, pens, etc.)
Preach the mission statement in detail at least once a year. Exegete every word. Include it in preaching regularly.
Determine Core Values
Your core values are the foundations which allow you to build all other ministries. Core values are expressed by the term "We will," not "We might." For instance, we will worship God passionately. We might have communion.
Think of ways you could creatively and visually express those core values to the body.
Publish it on everything (bulletins, business cards, letterhead, websites, pens, etc.)
Preach the mission statement in detail at least once a year. Exegete every word. Include it in preaching regularly.
Determine Core Values
Your core values are the foundations which allow you to build all other ministries. Core values are expressed by the term "We will," not "We might." For instance, we will worship God passionately. We might have communion.
Think of ways you could creatively and visually express those core values to the body.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Life After Church: God's Call to Dissillusioned Christians
So i finished reading this book a few months ago and as i was tidying up my book 'collection' i came across it and it got me thinking about dissilussioned christians (once again)
It is worth a read.
Life without Chruch. It's getting easier to imagine.
And maybe you already left. A leaver, one among a growing number of them, committed to Jesus, not an institution.
Whether Sunday mornings find you alone in a bedroom or isolated in a church of thousands this book is a call to a unifying task, to be the church. A church that Lives and Breathes, a church that births breathing and Living to the fullest.
I am longing for a church that facilitates and imparts life to all that are apart of her.
I am desiring a church that is more than a place for worship on sunday but a dynamic organism inspired and guided by the Holy Spirit.
A church that does not use holiness as a weapon of judgement and power over people, but a cup of cold soothing water for a parched, sin dryed soul seeking somethin more than an institutional lip service.
There are dissillusioned christians sitting in our pews each sunday, some of them we would never suspect.
May the Gospel draw each of us dissilussioned or not into something deeper than cliche words and meaningless verbage towards another level of love and service for Jesus.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Excellence - Why don't we believe in it?
Over the past 18months or so i have been thinking about about the idea of 'Excellence in Ministry' and why in the church of the Nazarene we do not believe in it...well, at least we do not practice it.
I have attended many other churchs where they pay attention to every detail of ministry including the worship service, and how things look, feel, and 'communicate' to the people who are present.
Hillsong Conference is one example of many where excellence in ministry is something that is high on the agenda. They want to do everything they do the best they can with what they have. This means that timing, mood, feel, brand and 'presentation' is important in promoting the gospel. They also believe that when they 'do' ministry that they do it with excellence, excellence of attitude and spirit.
So why does the church of the Nazarene in Australia shy away from and in fact neglect this important aspect of ministry?
Why is it that we seek to do things 'on the cheap' every time?
Why do we not feel it is important to make sure we do everything with excellence?
Why do we feel that it is not important to do things right even if it cost us something?
my answers is this:
1. I think we continue to have an inward, brethren like mentlity where weare seeking to exclude ourselves from the reality fo a changing world and thus are in denial.
2. We shy away from things that cost money and thus alwasy skimp on prmoting the gospel with excellence.
3.We have never allowed ourselves to be 'taught' a better way, in reality we suffer from arrogance...thinking we really do have the best message and so the 'message' should be enough.
4. We are stuck in a time warp.
Maybe these are possible answers...no....maybe?
If we are to call ourselves a holiness people we must realise that a holy life is a deep life where we seek that Jesus be lifted high in all we do, where we want to do our best in all we do, where we want to shine the love of Christ and the good news in a way that glorifies God with our best not our second rate offerings.
It is time for us to evaluate the way we 'do' ministry and the way we use mediums such as the Web, facebook, twitter etc etc and get with the times.
I have passion for this and i pray we all would come to a place where we see excellence as more than a grade but a way of life for the church in service.
Peace
I have attended many other churchs where they pay attention to every detail of ministry including the worship service, and how things look, feel, and 'communicate' to the people who are present.
Hillsong Conference is one example of many where excellence in ministry is something that is high on the agenda. They want to do everything they do the best they can with what they have. This means that timing, mood, feel, brand and 'presentation' is important in promoting the gospel. They also believe that when they 'do' ministry that they do it with excellence, excellence of attitude and spirit.
So why does the church of the Nazarene in Australia shy away from and in fact neglect this important aspect of ministry?
Why is it that we seek to do things 'on the cheap' every time?
Why do we not feel it is important to make sure we do everything with excellence?
Why do we feel that it is not important to do things right even if it cost us something?
my answers is this:
1. I think we continue to have an inward, brethren like mentlity where weare seeking to exclude ourselves from the reality fo a changing world and thus are in denial.
2. We shy away from things that cost money and thus alwasy skimp on prmoting the gospel with excellence.
3.We have never allowed ourselves to be 'taught' a better way, in reality we suffer from arrogance...thinking we really do have the best message and so the 'message' should be enough.
4. We are stuck in a time warp.
Maybe these are possible answers...no....maybe?
If we are to call ourselves a holiness people we must realise that a holy life is a deep life where we seek that Jesus be lifted high in all we do, where we want to do our best in all we do, where we want to shine the love of Christ and the good news in a way that glorifies God with our best not our second rate offerings.
It is time for us to evaluate the way we 'do' ministry and the way we use mediums such as the Web, facebook, twitter etc etc and get with the times.
I have passion for this and i pray we all would come to a place where we see excellence as more than a grade but a way of life for the church in service.
Peace
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Building Compassion in Jamaica
The island nation of Jamaica sets aside one day a year for the purpose of serving communities. On the National Labour Day, May 23, Jamaicans are encouraged to put aside any spirit of divisiveness as they participate side by side in local community projects and selected national projects — everything from planting trees to painting or refurbishing hospitals, schools, clinics and homes for the aging. This year the Burnt Savannah Church of the Nazarene in Jamaica's West District, decided to show their community what it really means to serve.The Burnt Savannah church, in keeping with a spirit of compassion that comes from Christ and under the direction of pastor and district superintendent, Rev. Lionel Brown, decided to labour together by constructing a house for a brother in need. Several members gave cash and other items, and the church gave a major contribution for the purchasing of material. As early as 7:30 a.m., the atmosphere was filled with excitement and a flurry of activity as some 30 brothers and sisters, including youth and children, picked up tools and jumped into their various roles in the construction work. The day’s event was punctuated with Jamaican work songs and hymns, such as “To the Work, to the Work ... Toiling On.” The NYI sponsored and prepared lunch for the day. And when it came time to dall it a day, no one wanted to stop. At nightfall, they finally went home, and the home was 90 percent complete.As the day progressed, a number of onlookers gathered to investigate what was happening and eventually even a few unchurched neighbours joined in the labour of love. Several of them could be overheard commenting on this practical outreach and the demonstration of love and compassion they observed. They realised that the Church of the Nazarene ministers to the total person.Today our brother, whom we will call “Bro D,” is a step closer to fulfilling his dream of owning his own home and caring for his young family. The Burnt Savannah church sees this gesture as a ray of hope in what is often an uncaring, callous world. The spirit of compassion is alive and well on the Jamaica West District, and the Burnt Savannah church continues to find renewed energy as together they serve the community outside their four walls.
— Submitted by Jennifer Brown, Global NMI President
— Submitted by Jennifer Brown, Global NMI President
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Church Planting - thoughts and views
Hi all,
I have a deep belief that the Australian church of the Nazarene needs to 'plant' new churches. How we go about this is the million dollar question.
What are your thoughts regarding our current church situtaion and should we be intentionally seeking ways to start new churches?
I know we dont have the pastors, and maybe we could say we dont have the 'money' but i do believe we have a mission to fulfill.
How many people would be interested in starting a new church?
How would you go about doing it?
where abouts in Australia do you think a new church plant is needed and would work?
Thoughts, ideas, rebukings?
I have a deep belief that the Australian church of the Nazarene needs to 'plant' new churches. How we go about this is the million dollar question.
What are your thoughts regarding our current church situtaion and should we be intentionally seeking ways to start new churches?
I know we dont have the pastors, and maybe we could say we dont have the 'money' but i do believe we have a mission to fulfill.
How many people would be interested in starting a new church?
How would you go about doing it?
where abouts in Australia do you think a new church plant is needed and would work?
Thoughts, ideas, rebukings?
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Why people 'pick' a church
Top 13 Reasons that Unchurched People Choose a Church(research conducted by Ranier)
90% - Pastor/Preaching
88% - Doctrines
49% - Friendliness of Members
42% - Other Issues
41% - Someone Church Witnessed to Me
38% - Family Member
37% - Sensed God’s Presence/Atmosphere of Church
25% - Relationship Other than Family Member
25% - Sunday School Class
25% - Children’s/Youth Ministry
12% - Other Groups/Ministries
11% - Worship Style/Music
7% - Location
Top 9 Reasons that Church-Attenders Choose a Church(research conducted by the Barna Group in 1999)
58% - Doctrine/Theology
53% - People Caring for Each Other
52% - Preaching
45% - Friendliness
45% - Children’s Programs
43% - Helping the Poor
36% - Denomination
35% - Like the Pastor
26% - Sunday School
Top 6 Things that Keep the Formerly Unchurched Active in the Church(research conducted by Ranier)
62% - Ministry Involvement
55% - Sunday School
54% - Obedience to God
49% - Fellowship of Members
38% - Pastor/Preaching
14% - Worship Services
The statistics speak for themselves. Overall, doctrine, the pastor and his preaching, and the friendliness and fellowship of the congregation are the most influential qualities.
http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/archives/2009/07/why_people_pick.html
90% - Pastor/Preaching
88% - Doctrines
49% - Friendliness of Members
42% - Other Issues
41% - Someone Church Witnessed to Me
38% - Family Member
37% - Sensed God’s Presence/Atmosphere of Church
25% - Relationship Other than Family Member
25% - Sunday School Class
25% - Children’s/Youth Ministry
12% - Other Groups/Ministries
11% - Worship Style/Music
7% - Location
Top 9 Reasons that Church-Attenders Choose a Church(research conducted by the Barna Group in 1999)
58% - Doctrine/Theology
53% - People Caring for Each Other
52% - Preaching
45% - Friendliness
45% - Children’s Programs
43% - Helping the Poor
36% - Denomination
35% - Like the Pastor
26% - Sunday School
Top 6 Things that Keep the Formerly Unchurched Active in the Church(research conducted by Ranier)
62% - Ministry Involvement
55% - Sunday School
54% - Obedience to God
49% - Fellowship of Members
38% - Pastor/Preaching
14% - Worship Services
The statistics speak for themselves. Overall, doctrine, the pastor and his preaching, and the friendliness and fellowship of the congregation are the most influential qualities.
http://www.churchmarketingsucks.com/archives/2009/07/why_people_pick.html
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Church Blesses Fathers with Beer!
Something worth a quick read, maybe they are a little more progressive than i thought? :)Here is the Link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/5587035/Church-blesses-fathers-with-beer.html
Peace (or should i say 'cheers' *burping and clinking of glasses*)
Why young adults leave the church part 5 of 5 - Mark Sayers
Reason #5 -Commitmentphobia
Last time we spoke about the effect of the worldview of consumerism on the spiritual lives of Young Adults. One of the flow on effects of the worldview of consumerism is that it has a caustic, corrosive effect upon our ability to commit. I remember asa kid seeing a shirt that I wanted to buy, I had my money, and was ready to head to the cash register, when my mother taught me a key tactic known to every shopper, that is shopping around for a better bargain. We headed off to the others stores to see if the same shirt was on sale for a cheaper price. Hyper-Consumerism has taught us all to be good shoppers in almost every arena of life, we have learnt to not commit and hang on for the better bargain. For consumerism tooperate effectively as a system, it needs a low commitment environment.
We only have to look at the arena of human sexuality to see how the world view of consumerism has shaped our behaviour. Consumerism shapes our civic life, and our community habits. In all areas we are taught to hold off, and not commit. In my book The Trouble With Paris I write,
"We run from those promises and covenants that humans have made to each other for thousands of years because they frighten us to death. Many today fear such commitment-based social institutions because self now takes precedence over commitment. As the worldview of hyperconsumerism has taken hold of our imaginations, everything has become shopping. We must not become entangled in commitments, because they could limit our options on finding something better. This constant search for something better means that the supershoppers of hyperconsumerism are still waiting for a better deal after the mall has closed and then are forced to return home empty-handed. Or we find ourselves always on the move, searching for a home that shifts and shimmies over the horizon. We keep up this restlessness as our fears of not being stimulated take over.
The key to life, we are told, is to keep holding out for that perfect bargain. But the less we commit, the more we become passive. We never make a move; instead, we simply stand and watch life go by. Our fear of commitment has turned us into passive consumers."
Of course this deeply effects how we view church. In my experience most young adults would view staying in a church for three years as a long term commitment. Most seem to re-examine their commitment to communities of faith on a rolling 12 month basis, this contractual view of church attendance is based on a fear of ‘missing out’ on something better. I would say that this level of commitment is pretty standard wherever I go. Needless to very few churches or denominations are taking this issue very seriously despite the obvious devastating effect on our churches both now and in the future.
Last time we spoke about the effect of the worldview of consumerism on the spiritual lives of Young Adults. One of the flow on effects of the worldview of consumerism is that it has a caustic, corrosive effect upon our ability to commit. I remember asa kid seeing a shirt that I wanted to buy, I had my money, and was ready to head to the cash register, when my mother taught me a key tactic known to every shopper, that is shopping around for a better bargain. We headed off to the others stores to see if the same shirt was on sale for a cheaper price. Hyper-Consumerism has taught us all to be good shoppers in almost every arena of life, we have learnt to not commit and hang on for the better bargain. For consumerism tooperate effectively as a system, it needs a low commitment environment.
We only have to look at the arena of human sexuality to see how the world view of consumerism has shaped our behaviour. Consumerism shapes our civic life, and our community habits. In all areas we are taught to hold off, and not commit. In my book The Trouble With Paris I write,
"We run from those promises and covenants that humans have made to each other for thousands of years because they frighten us to death. Many today fear such commitment-based social institutions because self now takes precedence over commitment. As the worldview of hyperconsumerism has taken hold of our imaginations, everything has become shopping. We must not become entangled in commitments, because they could limit our options on finding something better. This constant search for something better means that the supershoppers of hyperconsumerism are still waiting for a better deal after the mall has closed and then are forced to return home empty-handed. Or we find ourselves always on the move, searching for a home that shifts and shimmies over the horizon. We keep up this restlessness as our fears of not being stimulated take over.
The key to life, we are told, is to keep holding out for that perfect bargain. But the less we commit, the more we become passive. We never make a move; instead, we simply stand and watch life go by. Our fear of commitment has turned us into passive consumers."
Of course this deeply effects how we view church. In my experience most young adults would view staying in a church for three years as a long term commitment. Most seem to re-examine their commitment to communities of faith on a rolling 12 month basis, this contractual view of church attendance is based on a fear of ‘missing out’ on something better. I would say that this level of commitment is pretty standard wherever I go. Needless to very few churches or denominations are taking this issue very seriously despite the obvious devastating effect on our churches both now and in the future.
Why young adults leave the Church Part 4 of 5 - Mark Sayers
Reason 4 -Consumerist Spirituality
Today young adults worldview is deeply shaped by consumerism; it shapes how we purchase, how we relate, and howwe shape our identities. In my research into why young adults leave church,I found consumerism to be one of the most dominant themes to emerge again and again. Many people had written excellent books on how Christians should be responding to theeconomic and justice issuesraised byconsumerism. But very fewChristiansseemed to be examining how consumerism wasaffecting out spirituality.
The worldview of consumerism deeplyinfluences our spirituality. It creates an exchange were we expect instant returns for our investments. I constantly hear from youngleaders who have left church after spending years volunteering their time. They tell me that they feel ripped off, that they have given and gotten nothing back, they view discipleship not as self-sacrificing service but rather a consumer exchange, in which instant gratification is sought. I kept finding youngadults who when pressed were happy to follow Christ as long as he delivered a kind of consumerist heaven on earth. When this kind of heaven did not arrive, people became very disillusioned. Of course theadvertising industry did not get the blame, God did, and active faith was ditched. In my book The Trouble With Paris I write,
"In a scene in Kevin Smith’s irreverent religious satire Dogma, the Roman Catholic Church decides that the crucifix is an irrelevant symbol for today. They believe that the image of a half-naked man dying on a cross is not an appealing brand logo. Instead, they come up with what they call "Buddy Jesus." Buddy Jesus looks like a cross between a Sunday school picture book image of Jesus and an action hero. He is cartoonlike, winking and giving a thumbs-up sign.… My friend Darryl Gardiner says this is Jesus as something like a "cool waiter" in some hip café. He doesn’t get too caught up in rules and simply wants
you to have a good time. Research done in both the United States and Australia is backing up this view, revealing that young adults view God something akin to a "cosmic butler" to be called on in times of strife or need, but who then quietly exits so as not to cramp our style. Such a Jesus ultimately becomes subservient to us and our agenda. We rob him of his divinity, instead placing it upon ourselves. Jesus thus becomes the herald of lifestyle improvement; we follow him because he might be able to deliver us the consumer dream."
When we follow God because we are expecting a kind of consumer pay off; we have invested in a faith that cannot last, you can only church shop for so long. When we worship a God who we believe will make our dreams come true we are not following the God of the bible. Believers who live out their faith through the matrix of consumerism will end up almost definitely outside of the church and very disappointed.
Today young adults worldview is deeply shaped by consumerism; it shapes how we purchase, how we relate, and howwe shape our identities. In my research into why young adults leave church,I found consumerism to be one of the most dominant themes to emerge again and again. Many people had written excellent books on how Christians should be responding to theeconomic and justice issuesraised byconsumerism. But very fewChristiansseemed to be examining how consumerism wasaffecting out spirituality.
The worldview of consumerism deeplyinfluences our spirituality. It creates an exchange were we expect instant returns for our investments. I constantly hear from youngleaders who have left church after spending years volunteering their time. They tell me that they feel ripped off, that they have given and gotten nothing back, they view discipleship not as self-sacrificing service but rather a consumer exchange, in which instant gratification is sought. I kept finding youngadults who when pressed were happy to follow Christ as long as he delivered a kind of consumerist heaven on earth. When this kind of heaven did not arrive, people became very disillusioned. Of course theadvertising industry did not get the blame, God did, and active faith was ditched. In my book The Trouble With Paris I write,
"In a scene in Kevin Smith’s irreverent religious satire Dogma, the Roman Catholic Church decides that the crucifix is an irrelevant symbol for today. They believe that the image of a half-naked man dying on a cross is not an appealing brand logo. Instead, they come up with what they call "Buddy Jesus." Buddy Jesus looks like a cross between a Sunday school picture book image of Jesus and an action hero. He is cartoonlike, winking and giving a thumbs-up sign.… My friend Darryl Gardiner says this is Jesus as something like a "cool waiter" in some hip café. He doesn’t get too caught up in rules and simply wants
you to have a good time. Research done in both the United States and Australia is backing up this view, revealing that young adults view God something akin to a "cosmic butler" to be called on in times of strife or need, but who then quietly exits so as not to cramp our style. Such a Jesus ultimately becomes subservient to us and our agenda. We rob him of his divinity, instead placing it upon ourselves. Jesus thus becomes the herald of lifestyle improvement; we follow him because he might be able to deliver us the consumer dream."
When we follow God because we are expecting a kind of consumer pay off; we have invested in a faith that cannot last, you can only church shop for so long. When we worship a God who we believe will make our dreams come true we are not following the God of the bible. Believers who live out their faith through the matrix of consumerism will end up almost definitely outside of the church and very disappointed.
Why young adults leave the church Part 3 of 5 - Mark Sayers
Reason # 3 -The Pornification of ChristianResources
Recently an Otaku(Manga Fan) wrote a book which has sold like sushi in Japan. His book was addressed to the millions of young Japanese men who live their lives online and who immerse themselves in the fantasy worlds of Japanese animation. His thesis was that advances in technology now mean that young men do not need RL (real life) relationships with real world women. He argued that with the advent of ‘mistress programs’( virtual girlfriend computer programs, kind of like Tamagotchi’s but featuring attractive young women), no longer did men need to bother with ordinary women. He also argued that with the growth of the internet and with widespread availability of pornography, young men could enjoy a kind of virtual sexual relationship with the women of their dreams.
We see the same thing in thein the West, less people are getting married than ever before in history.With the casualization of sex, young men do not need to commit to long term relationships with women, because these days you can sleep withthat girlwho you just met at a party and still be home in time to join the FIFA 2008 tournament with the boys on the playstation.
A kind of similar phenomenon is occurring around church. I am constantly meeting young adults who are still passionate about their faith, but are no longer part of a faith community. When I ask them why, they tell me that there is no need. I ask them how they grow as Christians? They will tell me that they download podcasts from some of the worlds best preachers, they watch sermons on line from cutting edge churches, they read books from well known Christian writers, and attend all kinds of conferences and worship seminars. Some even regularly go on ‘mission trips’ to the third world. Many now choose to not go totheir local church because every Sunday they can roll out of bed at midday and turn on Christian cable and watch services from the world’s most successful churches.
They read blogs and frequent Christian chat rooms to connect with other believers. Like the Japanese Otakuthey feel that technology has superseded their need for real world -real time relationships.
In many ways I feel sorry for local pastors who nowhave to’compete’ with thecreamofthe world’s bestspeakers; that they have to explain to their young adults why their worship service cannot compete with thelarge convention that is run with a giant budget, and who feel that they have to apologise as to why faithful old Agnes on the organ is not up to the standard of the professional worship band on the album they just downloaded. I can’tbut help thinking that they must feellike a forty something mother of two who has to compete with their husbands obsession with a twenty year old Brazilian supermodel.
Now of course I think that it is great that all of this stuff is available, technology has brought all kinds of brilliant resources and influences into reach. Yet technology always cuts both ways. When technology replaces our need for real time community we suffer as humans. My friend and colleague Dave Fuller once said to me ‘Church is important because it forces us to be in community with people who are not like us’. Philip Yancey once said that ‘Marriage is not about finding happiness it is about character development’. I think it is the same with church.
Without community the mere consumption of Christianresources can be a kind of pornification.Pornography is a one way exchange, it is a consumptive sexual act that is divorced from relationship. Devoid of human connection, it turns both the viewed and the viewer into an object. In contrast relationality humanizes, it moves us towards what the great Jewish theologian Martin Buber called an I-Thou encounter. If I consume pornography it requires nothing of me,I remain static; however my relationship with my wifeinspires me tobe kind, caringandunderstanding;it prompts and provokes
me towards growing as a human being. It is dynamic, it makes me want to be a better man. When we only consume Christian resources,it may challenge us, it may add to our knowledge, but nothing challenges us towards actual lifestyle change like Christian community. When you are in church and that guy with schizophrenia who yells in public wants to come outto Starbuckswith you and your friends after the service, it is good for you! God is teaching you something that mere information cannot. When you sit and worship and nut out the gospel with people who were born indifferent cultures to you, who vote different to you, who you don’t understand, who you would never normally make friends with; it grows you spiritually in ways that mere information gathering and teaching cannot.
So go nuts, download, read blogs and books, watch teaching DVD’s, go to seminars, whatever; just remember however these things cannot give you the medicine for your soul that only covenantal Christian community can.
Recently an Otaku(Manga Fan) wrote a book which has sold like sushi in Japan. His book was addressed to the millions of young Japanese men who live their lives online and who immerse themselves in the fantasy worlds of Japanese animation. His thesis was that advances in technology now mean that young men do not need RL (real life) relationships with real world women. He argued that with the advent of ‘mistress programs’( virtual girlfriend computer programs, kind of like Tamagotchi’s but featuring attractive young women), no longer did men need to bother with ordinary women. He also argued that with the growth of the internet and with widespread availability of pornography, young men could enjoy a kind of virtual sexual relationship with the women of their dreams.
We see the same thing in thein the West, less people are getting married than ever before in history.With the casualization of sex, young men do not need to commit to long term relationships with women, because these days you can sleep withthat girlwho you just met at a party and still be home in time to join the FIFA 2008 tournament with the boys on the playstation.
A kind of similar phenomenon is occurring around church. I am constantly meeting young adults who are still passionate about their faith, but are no longer part of a faith community. When I ask them why, they tell me that there is no need. I ask them how they grow as Christians? They will tell me that they download podcasts from some of the worlds best preachers, they watch sermons on line from cutting edge churches, they read books from well known Christian writers, and attend all kinds of conferences and worship seminars. Some even regularly go on ‘mission trips’ to the third world. Many now choose to not go totheir local church because every Sunday they can roll out of bed at midday and turn on Christian cable and watch services from the world’s most successful churches.
They read blogs and frequent Christian chat rooms to connect with other believers. Like the Japanese Otakuthey feel that technology has superseded their need for real world -real time relationships.
In many ways I feel sorry for local pastors who nowhave to’compete’ with thecreamofthe world’s bestspeakers; that they have to explain to their young adults why their worship service cannot compete with thelarge convention that is run with a giant budget, and who feel that they have to apologise as to why faithful old Agnes on the organ is not up to the standard of the professional worship band on the album they just downloaded. I can’tbut help thinking that they must feellike a forty something mother of two who has to compete with their husbands obsession with a twenty year old Brazilian supermodel.
Now of course I think that it is great that all of this stuff is available, technology has brought all kinds of brilliant resources and influences into reach. Yet technology always cuts both ways. When technology replaces our need for real time community we suffer as humans. My friend and colleague Dave Fuller once said to me ‘Church is important because it forces us to be in community with people who are not like us’. Philip Yancey once said that ‘Marriage is not about finding happiness it is about character development’. I think it is the same with church.
Without community the mere consumption of Christianresources can be a kind of pornification.Pornography is a one way exchange, it is a consumptive sexual act that is divorced from relationship. Devoid of human connection, it turns both the viewed and the viewer into an object. In contrast relationality humanizes, it moves us towards what the great Jewish theologian Martin Buber called an I-Thou encounter. If I consume pornography it requires nothing of me,I remain static; however my relationship with my wifeinspires me tobe kind, caringandunderstanding;it prompts and provokes
me towards growing as a human being. It is dynamic, it makes me want to be a better man. When we only consume Christian resources,it may challenge us, it may add to our knowledge, but nothing challenges us towards actual lifestyle change like Christian community. When you are in church and that guy with schizophrenia who yells in public wants to come outto Starbuckswith you and your friends after the service, it is good for you! God is teaching you something that mere information cannot. When you sit and worship and nut out the gospel with people who were born indifferent cultures to you, who vote different to you, who you don’t understand, who you would never normally make friends with; it grows you spiritually in ways that mere information gathering and teaching cannot.
So go nuts, download, read blogs and books, watch teaching DVD’s, go to seminars, whatever; just remember however these things cannot give you the medicine for your soul that only covenantal Christian community can.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Why Young Adults Leave the Church (by Mark Sayers)
5 Reasons why young adults leave the Church....
Reason #1
Choice Anxiety
Well here we go, in no particular order, reason number one why Young Adults are leaving the church. Ladies and Gents introducing…(drum roll please)…Choice Anxiety.If you live in the West you are rich, not just financially, but you enjoy an affluence of options and choices.
On one hand this is fantastic, we have access to millions of opportunities and experiences that our forebears could never dream of. But the flipside of this abundance of choice means that we become paralysed in the face of a million possibilities, choices and variables. Barry Schwartz in his book The Paradox of Choice notes that the more choices we are given, the more our well -being and happiness deteriorates. Why? Because whatever choice we make we are always comparing our decisions to the myriad of other possible choices. Thus we can never be at peace with the paths that we take, we are always comparing and fretting, we are stuck with a constant gut level anxiety or angst over our choices.
Add to this the fact that daily we are confronted with thousands of advertising messages all of which are designed by experts and marketing psychologists, and each has the purpose to make us feel discontent with our lives in order to make new purchases, and you can see why we are stuck in choice anxiety.
Churches are now seeing a similar marketing driven form of choice anxiety. As churchesstruggle to make inroads missionally in Western cultures, churches are becoming more and more sophisticated and competitive in their marketing to believers, thus many churchescontribute toChristians feeling less satisfied where they are. Iremember catching up with a Young Adult pastor of a large and successful young adults ministry. He was absolutely beside himself with worry over a rumour thatwell known church wasgoing to plant in his suburb. He told me that he estimated that if this happened he could losehundreds of his young adults.
How does this play out in the faith lives of young adults? Christian young adults are stuck with a constant splinter in the mind, the never ending nagging feeling that they might have made the wrong decision. Maybe they have chosen the wrong church to attend? Should they be at the hip contemporary mega-church down the road? Or maybe they should try the small emerging church in the next suburb? Or should they rejoin their friends and family at the traditional church that they grew up in? Did they even makeright choice in following Christ?Maybe they should move Cities, States, Countries? Should they change partners, careers, lifestyles, ethics?
All of these factorscreate a constant and nagging feeling that young adults must leave their churches in order to find fulfilment. However as soon as you move and set your tent down, that nagging feeling returns. Sadlymore andmoreyoung adult believers areexperiencing aharried, exhausting and restless spiritual homelessness.
Any thoughts on Sayers views? (by the way Sayers is an Australian)
Reason #1Choice Anxiety
Well here we go, in no particular order, reason number one why Young Adults are leaving the church. Ladies and Gents introducing…(drum roll please)…Choice Anxiety.If you live in the West you are rich, not just financially, but you enjoy an affluence of options and choices.
On one hand this is fantastic, we have access to millions of opportunities and experiences that our forebears could never dream of. But the flipside of this abundance of choice means that we become paralysed in the face of a million possibilities, choices and variables. Barry Schwartz in his book The Paradox of Choice notes that the more choices we are given, the more our well -being and happiness deteriorates. Why? Because whatever choice we make we are always comparing our decisions to the myriad of other possible choices. Thus we can never be at peace with the paths that we take, we are always comparing and fretting, we are stuck with a constant gut level anxiety or angst over our choices.
Add to this the fact that daily we are confronted with thousands of advertising messages all of which are designed by experts and marketing psychologists, and each has the purpose to make us feel discontent with our lives in order to make new purchases, and you can see why we are stuck in choice anxiety.
Churches are now seeing a similar marketing driven form of choice anxiety. As churchesstruggle to make inroads missionally in Western cultures, churches are becoming more and more sophisticated and competitive in their marketing to believers, thus many churchescontribute toChristians feeling less satisfied where they are. Iremember catching up with a Young Adult pastor of a large and successful young adults ministry. He was absolutely beside himself with worry over a rumour thatwell known church wasgoing to plant in his suburb. He told me that he estimated that if this happened he could losehundreds of his young adults.
How does this play out in the faith lives of young adults? Christian young adults are stuck with a constant splinter in the mind, the never ending nagging feeling that they might have made the wrong decision. Maybe they have chosen the wrong church to attend? Should they be at the hip contemporary mega-church down the road? Or maybe they should try the small emerging church in the next suburb? Or should they rejoin their friends and family at the traditional church that they grew up in? Did they even makeright choice in following Christ?Maybe they should move Cities, States, Countries? Should they change partners, careers, lifestyles, ethics?
All of these factorscreate a constant and nagging feeling that young adults must leave their churches in order to find fulfilment. However as soon as you move and set your tent down, that nagging feeling returns. Sadlymore andmoreyoung adult believers areexperiencing aharried, exhausting and restless spiritual homelessness.
Any thoughts on Sayers views? (by the way Sayers is an Australian)
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Emerging Nazarenes 'White Paper' (long but a GREAT read)
it is self explanatory when you read it...
http://ragingbhull.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/emerging-nazarenes-white-paper/
Peace
http://ragingbhull.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/emerging-nazarenes-white-paper/
Peace
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Radical Reformission - Reaching out without selling out
This book has some really great points to make and i recommend it to get us thinking missionally. Yeah, we don't have to agree with everything it says, but hey, i am sure many people do not agree with what the GS sometimes says either, so we take it, look at it, examine it, reflect on it and then take what we can from it.Pick up yourself a copy and give it a read. If you want to read some reviews that will do a better job than me rambling on.....go to this link:
http://www.amazon.com/Radical-Reformission-Reaching-without-Selling/dp/0310256593
and scroll down to the reviews.
Peace out people. If you have read this book already let us know what you think.....
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