Saturday, October 27, 2007

Sermon on 20-something generation

So what would a sermon designed to help other generations understand the unique aspects of being a 20-something look like? Isn't it interesting that we have a record of Jesus as a baby and a 12 year old. Then it picks up with his public ministry at about age 30. But we have nothing about his twenties. I wonder what he was like as a 25 year old?

Help an old baby boomer preacher be your advocate. Tell me what others need to know about your generation.

dave

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

A Vision for Students Today

My graduate student daughter sent me this video about college life today. Pretty interesting video essay. I wonder what will change as a result of the igeneration. What do you think?

http://www.glumbert.com/media/visionstudents

dave

Monday, October 22, 2007

Change

In worship on October 21 we talked about change and the need to move from our left brain to our right brain. In other words, fact and information alone are not enough to motivate us to make changes in our lives. We need a story, an identity, something that elicits emotion.

If we are to reach young people in today’s modern culture we simply must find ways to translate the gospel message to a language 20-somethings will understand. It’s not unlike missionaries who learn the language of the people they want to reach. It is clear that young adults understand the language of the internet. With the encouragement of my 25 year old daughter I have begun a blog page. Its purpose is to engage young people’s questions. I hope to create brief video clips to post on the page that will respond to their questions. All of this is a step to help them transition into the doors of our church and discover this wonderful, grace-filled community of faith.

It’s all part of expanding our story, reframing our reality to include a new generation. I hope you will join me in making the necessary changes to continue our mission to make disciples of Christ and to be a welcoming family joyfully sharing God’s light.

Dave

Friday, October 19, 2007

My first blog post

Thomas Merton wrote a great prayer:

MY LORD GOD, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this you will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

I really don't know what I am doing with this blog, but my 20-something seminary daughter believes I should have one. I have a desire to have a conversation with young people and hopefully this will facillitate it. It's all about nurturing our desire for God, for Love. You have the desire. It may be buried deep in the ground of our being, but it is there. Discovering it is part of the wonder of the spiritual life.

Dave