Reaching the Next Generation

Five best
practices of reaching the next generation

Churches everywhere including mainline denominations are waking up to the
need to reach the next generation. Whether you’re a pastor, elder, campus
ministry leader, small group leader, or volunteer, here are five best practices
when it comes to reaching the next generation:

1. Look for opportunities to engage in culture. Whether it’s
   music, movies, or modern technology, there are countless ways to help young
   adults bridge the chasm between the ancient world and today. Look for
   opportunities to dialogue or teach from the latest headlines, technological
   developments, and best-selling artists and authors. Consider hosting events with
   local artists who can speak on issues of art and faith. Invite a professional
   movie critic to talk about films. Remember that engaging in culture isn’t about
   being in on the latest or greatest as much as it is about engaging in the
   culture that’s all around you. And don’t forget that you can become so relevant
   that you become irrelevant. Never lose the core message of Christ in your desire
   to be hip or trendy.
   
   
   
2. Allow room for the tough questions. The next generation has
   tons of questions – many of them lacking instant or even easy answers. And
   that’s a good thing! One of the beauties of the next generation is their hunger
   to wrestle with the difficulties, complexities, and even the mysteries of the
   gospel. They don’t want an easy-to-follow program as much as they desire real
   relationship. They don’t want all the answers as much as they want to embrace
   the struggle and wonder of the journey. So don’t be afraid to tap into their
   natural desire to know God, and challenge them to pursue him on their own
   through personal times of study and worship.
   
   
   
3. Be yourself. Yes, be your real, flawed self. Though the
   very nature of pastoring, teaching, and leading will try to transform you into a
   spiritual superhero, make every effort to resist the pressure. Instead, be
   honest about your struggles, weaknesses, and failures. The most compelling
   stories you will ever share with those you minister to are ones where you admit
   your struggles, mistakes, and the tough lessons you’ve learned – in your faith,
   your family, and your personal life. Your transparency is a connecting point for
   this generation. Don’t miss out on the valuable opportunity to be
   authentic.
   
   
   
4. Don’t try to compete with the world. Though it’s important
   to engage in culture, allow for tough questions, and be vulnerable, never try to
   compete with the latest brands, trends, and fashions in order to get your
   message across. In addition to coming across as inauthentic, you’ll distract
   those who are trying to follow Christ from what’s truly important. Though the
   world may offer shinier, skinnier, and trendier offerings, the message you’re
   delivering is powerful, eternal, and truly transformative. Instead of responding
   to every whim of pop culture, create your own culture and remain true to the DNA
   of how God has built you and your community.
   
   
   
5. Pray, pray, and pray some more. Prayer is the foundation
   you’ll need for life and ministry – particularly when reaching the next
   generation. Carve out time between the countless needs and demands to connect
   with God. Ask for his wisdom and his strategies. Ask God to bring the people
   alongside you that you need to reach the next generation. Ask God for leaders
   that you can pour into and raise up to minister to others. And watch what God
   does!

The enemy still lives

A PBS Special covering the events that led up to the "Battle of the Bulge" in
WWII revealed some interesting insights. It was the autumn of 1944,
and Germany had been beaten back behind its borders. The Nazi war-machine
was in tatters, and repeated bombing raids by the Allies all but assured
that Hitler's forces would never rise again. Around the perimeter of
Germany's borders, the Allies spread a thin line of forces that one person
observed was so scattered that a man could slip between its lines without
being observed. All across Europe, there was celebration: parties,
dances, speeches, all rejoicing in Germany's defeat. The war was effectively
over.

The only problem was that somebody forgot to tell Germany. Even as
his forces were being shattered and driven back, Hitler was devising a
plan for one last onslaught. Underground factories churned out more
weapons,
armament and ammunition; more of Germany's young and old men
were conscripted and trained for war, and as Europe rejoiced, Hitler
planned. His goal was not to drive back the Allies as much as it was to
divide the British to the North and Americans to the South, and so demoralize
them that they would sue for peace on his terms. Hundreds of men died
because somebody forgot that the enemy still lived, and that the war was not
over.

Team, I don't believe we've forgotten that the enemy still lives, but we must never allow ourselves to drop our guards in that respect either. The devil is alive and well and he's still taking people to hell. It's our job to do all we can to prevent that from happening.

THANK YOU for being part of the team!!!!

A Key Element - Listening

Got this from Seth Godin's blog......and he has a GREAT point!

I had published a book about a political issue. An
activist's handbook. I had 20,000 copies in my garage when I found out about a
large march in Washington. I bought an outdoor booth and trucked the books down
to DC. I stood on the Mall in my little booth and watched more than 250,000
people walk by in less than two hours. Every single one an activist. Every
single one a demographically perfect match for my handbook. After 100,000 people
had walked by and we'd sold only one book, I lowered the price from around $10
to $1 just to prove my point--that it wasn't the book and it wasn't the price,
it was the ability of the audience to listen that mattered. This group, in this
moment, was there to march, not to shop.

The misconception we often have is that people don't care or people are rejecting Christ. This may not be the case. It may simple be that we are overlooking
the single most important issue: is the person you're talking to ready to
listen?

That's a huge question. If they're ready to listen, great. If they're not ready, how can we help get them ready? We never change the message, but we must constantly be changing the delivery........if we want them to listen, that is!

Simplifying.....and Prioritizing Life

In Richard Foster's book of discipline he divides discipline into
three parts:


Inward, Outward, and Corporate discipline. He places
simplicity under the category of the Outward Disciplines. Here are his nine
ways to order our world so that we can create simplicity in our
life.

First, buy things for their usefulness rather than their
status

Second, reject anything that is producing an addiction in
you.

Third, develop a habit of giving things away.

Fourth, refuse to be
propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry.

Fifth, learn to enjoy
things without owning them.

Sixth, develop a deeper appreciation for the
creation.

Seventh, look at a healthy skepticism at all "buy now, pay later"
schemes.

Eighth, obey Jesus' instructions about plain, honest
speech.

Ninth, reject anything that will breed the oppression of
others.

Tenth, shun whatever would distract you from you main goal: "Seek
first the
kingdom of God."

[Wow, do I have some growing to do!]

What If....

From Perry Noble:

I had some “what if” thoughts the other day that I wanted to share…

• WHAT IF the church really believed that Jesus was as powerful as Scripture
  says that He is?
  
• WHAT IF we were not afraid to BEG GOD for ridiculous things, knowing that He
  is able?
  
• WHAT IF we REALLY believed that Acts
  2:41-47 was actually the starting point of all that God wants to do through
  the church and NOT the watermark?
  
• WHAT IF we really believed that a life dedicated to Christ means that we are
  completely His…not just on Sunday?
  
• WHAT IF every church became a cheerleader of other churches and not critics?
  
  
• WHAT IF we really believed the church existed to CHANGE the world and not
  just to “meet my needs!”
  
• WHAT IF we really believe that teenagers and children are worth the
  investment and poured resources into them instead of making them sell doughnuts
  in front of department stores?
  
• WHAT IF we really believed God’s Kingdom should grow through the church
  instead of being stagnant?
  
• WHAT IF we were willing to lay aside our personal preferences for the sake
  of reaching those who are far from God?
  
• WHAT IF we refused to participate in slandering and tearing down another
  person?
  
• WHAT IF we sought to embrace God’s plan for our lives (and churches) instead
  of trying to get Him to bless ours?