ARE WE A PEOPLE AT HALF TIME? - Leadership Network

More documents

Recommendations

Info

“BABY BOOMERS AND RELIGIOUS CONSUMERISM — Who Is Shortchanging Whom” by James Bell The Age Of Rationalism Is Ending The belief that science and reason provide ultimate answers to the big questions of life is being overturned. Spiritual matters remain important for many in our culture. The age of the church that began with Constantine has ended. Christians in the Western Hemisphere now find themselves constituting a cognitive minority. If it is true that we now live in a post- Christian world, then the adult catechumenate process must be aimed at helping individuals develop a Christian world view. Small Groups Many congregations are discovering that small groups create unique opportunities for dismantling the various walls that separate people from people, and consequently people from God. Through such simple acts as eating and playing, studying and praying in groups less than twelve, permission is subtly given that enables people to give and receive, to love, to risk, to trust, and ultimately, to grow. Baby boomers are now asking, “How can I build lasting friendships, and where are such trustworthy friends to be found” For some, this search takes them to malls, restaurants, bars, fitness clubs, and selfhelp groups while others are turning to the church in search of community and friendship. Instruction Ideas Naturally, Bible study is essential, given that most boomers possess an elementary knowledge of the Bible and are doctrinally illiterate, but a concerted effort must be made to bridge the historical/cultural gap between the ancient Near East and the complexity of contemporary life. Matters of specific interest to boomers may include such topics as: What are distinctively Christian values What does it mean to follow Jesus Christ in a pluralistic society How does technology affect our faith How much should Christians contribute to the common good At a more pragmatic level, matters of specific interest to boomers include topics addressing issues of lifestyle, interpersonal relationships, sexuality, family, parenting, finances, career, stress and so on. The following lists provide some suggested outlines for small group instruction: World Views The importance of cultural awareness; secularism; existentialism; humanism; pragmatism; pluralism and relativism; and hedonism. Global Issues Basic human needs; economic justice; environmental stewardship; multi-ethnicity; people and technology. The Christian in Society World economics; Christianity and science; Church and state; Christianity and social justice; just wars and pacifism; racism; ethics and human rights. Personal Issues Stress; success; transitions; career; family; and money. Since boomers clearly expect life-related preaching and teaching, every effort must be made to bridge the gap between the lofty expressions of our pedagogy and the earthly realities that people struggle with in their daily lives. Finally, we must make every effort to engage them in a well rounded and fully comprehensive catechumenate process. James Bell is a pastor, teacher, author (Bridge Over Troubled Water, 1993) and student of baby boomers. The full text of this article appeared in the February, 1996 issue of The Clergy Journal and these excerpts are used with permission of the author. BOOMER ISSUES ON AMERICA ONLINE (AOL) The top ten Boomer Issues on AOL (as of March 15): ✔ Abortion ✔ What Do Men Want ✔ Childless by Choice ✔ Attention Deficit Disorder ✔ Prozac/Zoloft ✔ Infidelity and Marriage ✔ Buchanan’s View ✔ New Parents/Parenting ✔ Infertility ✔ Death of a Parent 6
With this issue of NEXT, we are introducing a new feature called “WEB.watch” that will highlight outstanding web sites that are useful and informative to 21st-century church leaders. Exploring the Internet requires a good search engine, and our first recommended site is Opened March 18 by the computer magazine, c|net, the site gives you access to over 200 search engines. Using 20 categories of topical interests, you can access specialized search engines in addition to the major popular engines such as Lycos, Yahoo, excite, and Alta Vista. In addition, you can create your own personalized search engine list that will search subject areas in which you have a particular interest. A second site on the Web that is a must stop for book lovers is Bookwire located at This site includes access to Publishers Weekly, several very good book reviews, links to booksellers and book publishers, as well as on-line reading of books and book excerpts. Watch for the announcement of Leadership Network’s own Web Site in the Summer issue of NEXT. The site will include: Schedules, information and notes about the forums and all other Leadership Network learning events NEXT, Into Action, NetFax and other Leadership Network publications “INFORMATION CENTRAL” which includes the latest on issues and trends affecting the 21st-century church, resources for leaders, and links to the most useful sites on the Web 7
Page 1 and 2: V O L U M E 1 , N U M B E R 1 M A Y
Page 3 and 4: world that wishes to assert that th
Page 5 and 6: good aspects of following Christ. T
Page 7 and 8: Repacking Your Bags, Lighten Your L
Page 9 and 10: F R O M L E A D E R S H I P N E T W
Page 11 and 12: Leadership Network Recommends Execu
Page 13 and 14: THE FIRST THING TO UNDERSTAND about
Page 15 and 16: uilds trust.” 9. Leadership devel
Page 17: GENERATION X SUB-CULTURES NOT ALL X
Page 21 and 22: L EADERSHIP N ETWORK R ECOMMENDS Ex
Page 23 and 24: ■ Back Issues of NETFAX are avail
Page 25 and 26: NEW! FAMILYMINISTRIES FORUM In resp
Page 27 and 28: Leadership Network Survey P.O. Box
Page 29 and 30: THE 21 st CENTURY is going to be mo
Page 31 and 32: What Churches Discover When They
Page 33 and 34: “Make Room for the Boomers” by
Page 35 and 36: I n the previous issue of NEXT, we
Page 37 and 38: Drucker, James Collins, John Gardne
Page 39 and 40: http://www.pitt.edu/~malhotra/inter
Page 41 and 42: ■ BACK ISSUES OF NETFAX ARE AVAIL
Page 43 and 44: The NEW 1997 Leadership Network For
Page 45 and 46: “THE NEXT CHURCH” was the cover
Page 47 and 48: e breeding grounds for personal ren
Page 49 and 50: sage one day. “We form local cong
Page 51 and 52: the right track, as indeed they may
Page 53 and 54: National Evangelistic Association 1
Page 55 and 56: The 1997 Leadership Network Forum S
Page 57 and 58: N E T F A X B A C K I S S U E S D A
Page 59 and 60: After you visit Leadership Network
Page 61 and 62: Last December, over 30 senior minis
Page 63 and 64: 1-800-521-1227 or http://www.soundv
Page 65 and 66: 5) Worship music for this generatio
Page 67 and 68: The Organization of the Future Fran
Page 69 and 70:
N E T F A X B A C K I S S U E S D A
Page 71 and 72:
The 1997 Leadership Network Forum S
Page 73 and 74:
“A revolution is transforming Ame
Page 75 and 76:
It is apparent that the cultural re
Page 77 and 78:
W ith the 1995 publication of his b
Page 79 and 80:
Curious things happen when you conn
Page 81 and 82:
to trouble in order to ascend again
Page 83 and 84:
World Pulse 24 issues annually $26.
Page 85 and 86:
Organizing Genius, The Secrets of C
Page 87 and 88:
The New 1998 Leadership Network For
Page 89 and 90:
According to author and consultant
Page 91 and 92:
We’re a “Network of Networks”
Page 93 and 94:
First Ideas, Then Results Is there
Page 95 and 96:
Five Windows Into the 21st Century
Page 98 and 99:
We are launching a reconfigured NEX
Page 100 and 101:
discipleship in that we don’t bri
Page 102 and 103:
Gene Appel far-reaching implication
Page 104 and 105:
1 9 9 8 L E A D E R S H I P C O N F
Page 106 and 107:
it h@iem IrabitMsn: four points of
Page 108 and 109:
Four Key Points, continued from pag
Page 110 and 111:
The Young Leader UnivePBe BECAUSE M
Page 112 and 113:
Reinvehg Your Church Brian D. McLar
Page 114 and 115:
In terms of achievement and complex
Page 116 and 117:
(Continued from page 2) the “spec
Page 118 and 119:
Ministry on the New Edge Over the p
Page 120 and 121:
Recommends LEADERSHIP NETWORK Empow
Page 122 and 123:
The young woman spoke convincingly
Page 124 and 125:
A with LARRY CRABB, JR. NEXT: How d
Page 126 and 127:
The challenge for young church lead
Page 128 and 129:
Recommends LEADERSHIP NETWORK The C
Page 130 and 131:
From coast to coast, something is h
Page 132 and 133:
NEXT: What a powerful image of reco
Page 134 and 135:
The question for churches doing min
Page 136 and 137:
Recommends LEADERSHIP NETWORK Out o
Page 138 and 139:
From our beginning, Leadership Netw
Page 140 and 141:
changing anything, and the danger t
Page 142 and 143:
I’ve just returned from the Young
Page 144 and 145:
Recommends LEADERSHIP NETWORK Diffu
Page 146 and 147:
Post-denominational churches. The n
Page 148 and 149:
Multiplying Ministers Organizations
Page 150 and 151:
Silicon Valley Learning Adventure n
Page 152 and 153:
Recommends LEADERSHIP NETWORK Encou
Page 154 and 155:
1999 Large ChurchFORUMS Starting in
Page 156 and 157:
September 26-29, 1999 Municipal Aud
Page 158 and 159:
The New Edge Our world, in the mids
Page 160 and 161:
The Reevaluation Forum brought toge
Page 162 and 163:
What is Christian mysticism Author
Page 164 and 165:
“The emerging new culture demands
Page 166 and 167:
CREED INTERVIEW One of the hottest
Page 168 and 169:
eclectic and great and they will as
Page 170 and 171:
The days of the “Lone Ranger” l
Page 172 and 173:
Ultimately, it was decided not to a
Page 174 and 175:
Leading the Team- Based Church by G
Page 176 and 177:
Recommends LEADERSHIP NETWORK Co-Le
Page 178 and 179:
Personal thoughts from Doug Pagitt,
Page 180 and 181:
September 26-29, 1999 Municipal Aud
Page 182 and 183:
The creative arts ...p oetry, music
Page 184 and 185:
'% d ' \* W.41. r rrches are findir
Page 186:
NUCT: Why are we seeing changes in
Page 189:
I They say the first step is the ha
Page 192 and 193:
LEADERSHIP FEATURING author, The On
Page 194 and 195:
Leadership is about being and doing
Page 196 and 197:
Warren Bennis, well-known leadershi
Page 198 and 199:
The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinar
Page 200 and 201:
Recommends AQUAchurch, Essential Le
Page 202 and 203:
Young Leader Networks Should We Use
Page 204 and 205:
Testimonials from participants cont
Page 206 and 207:
VOLUME 6, WINTER JANUARY • FEBRUA
Page 208 and 209:
RESOURCES R E X M I L L E R Rex Mil
Page 210 and 211:
World View / Perspective Nature of
Page 212 and 213:
“ The key to impacting the cultur
Page 214 and 215:
Q: How can you improve upon an even
Page 216 and 217:
in his words, “The trees move the
Page 218 and 219:
The Corps of Discovery from GRACE C
Page 220:
Events LARGE CHURCH NETWORK EVENTS
show all

ARE WE A PEOPLE AT HALF TIME? - Leadership Network

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?