Alright, since I have gotten through chapter 3, I am beginning the discussion. No pressure for the rest of you, seminary has taught me to not linger with my reading. Just do it.
Anyways, every missional church book out there has a good introductory chapter that basically says the church in North America has lost its influence and needs to rediscover its mission. First of course is the idea of a "glocal" reality (p. 5). This is such a key concept that describes the diversity of the North American context. We can't assume our neighbors are of the same culture, people group, sub-culture, etc. as our church. In addition, Christianity is not on people's list for the first place to go for spiritual advice. Therefore, as Christians we need to wake up and realize we have been sent as God's missionaries right where we are. I have heard it said, and I think it is so true, God is bringing the nations to us. What an amazing time we live in, I pray we take advantage of this tremendous opportunity.
The author puts forth many troubling statistics, many of which I think are more telling than other statistics I have seen.
1) Number of Christians is down 9% from 1990-2001 (p. 8)
2) Number of unchurched has nearly doubled from 1991-2004 (ibid.)
Friends, we need to really examine what kind of growth we are truly experiencing in our churches. If there are few people making a genuine commitment to become disciples of Jesus, we are a generation away from an empty building.
The author essentially calls us to figure out what kind of population segment lives in our community. Jesus became flesh for us (Jn. 1:14), so we too, need to learn their language and customs to effectively love them and communicate the gospel to them. The example of Jesus is incredibly profound.
A few observations on our community and church:
During my six years as a radio frequency engineer I have looked at a lot of statistics and a lot of databases. Overtime you figure out how to quickly see how the data came to be what it is. A few months ago, I saw a chart of our church's demographics broken down to 20-35, 35-50, and 50+. I knew immediately the chart was misleading and showed 30% of our church is 20-35. As it turns out, 50% of them were over 30. Just yesterday I reviewed a list of all the people in Bear Valley Church's database from the age of 20-30. The list had 319 names. We also have about 900 people who come through the doors every Sunday. Anyone with two eyes who walks into the sanctuary on a Sunday morning knows 30% of BVC is not between 20-30. I looked through the list and realized most of the people in Regeneration are not in the church's database. I reviewed an old list of people who subscribed to our weekly email and found not even half of them were in the church's database. There were 72 people on the list last I counted, yet we probably have around 25 people we would consider regular attenders. A closer look at the list of 319 people revealed 70 pairs of people have the same last name and phone number. Conclusion: 140 people of the 319 were kids of parents in the church or married couples, some of whom I personally know have not attended BVC since they were 18 (and one person is now 29). This now tells me why when we sent over 200 postcards with our Sunday service time and small group information to the same people on this list last fall and it yielded ZERO results. Those 200 letters went to the parents of children who have long left the church, many whom likely left Jesus too. One thing is for sure, we need a more informative database. However, we must examine whether our community actually has a substantial population of singles between 20-30. Though, I believe two things: the numerous apartments in the area have tons of singles, and 2 colleges within 10 minutes and 4 colleges (Auraria counts as at least 3) withing 15 tells me there are plenty.
Here are some statistics of Lakewood. It appears I am not too far off, though sadly, there is a very small percentage of minorities in Lakewood. However, I think our mission is bigger than Lakewood.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
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8 comments:
I've heard it said (and it motivated our staff, of a church I previously worked for, in it's young adult group) that the most missing demographic of any church is between the ages of 18-35. This is due either to kids who have left their parents' religion in the freedom offered by the age of 18, or because they left the sheltered Christian life offered through the protection of their parents and get sucked away by the world unbeknownst to them. Only later in life, do they come back to the Lord (if at all) and back to the church.
My experience in reaching the college/young professional aged to be welcomed into the church (either for the first time or once again) is to meet them where they're at. To not be afraid to extend yourself outside of the Christian sub-culture and meet, hang out with and truly befriend those who won't step foot within 50 yards of a "religious building".
Great post and good reminder; it's nice of you to add the stats for the area as well.
I think what Chapter 1 really illustrates well is that culture varies. Culture changes over time, and culture varies over several dimensions (for example, ethnicity/nationality, environment, and experience). In the U.S., culture is generally shifting toward increasing ethnic diversity and toward "post-modernism" (whatever that is).
On page 7, it says, "Evangelicals have struggled with responding to these new realities, finding reasons not to respond. It is important to note that the shift to postmodernism has not happened everywhere—it has not yet impacted many in the church culture because the church culture acts as a protective shield, unmolested by a secular culture's music, literature, and values." On one hand, I agree that evangelicals do have a sub-culture that isolates them in some ways from the broader culture. On the other, I disagree that the church is unaffected by secular culture. They can close their eyes and pretend that culture isn't changing, they can react against the shifts that they see and fight the current, they can be oblivious and be carried along in the tide, or they can be aware of the culture around them and respond with discernment, but in any case they are part of a culture that is shifting. Too often we fall into one of the first three categories, and Stetzer and Putman push us in the right direction of pursuing the last option instead.
I wish better definitions of "modernism" and "post-modernism" had been given. The shift from modernism to post-modernism was one of the key characteristics of the changes in culture that Stetzer and Putman describe, yet postmodernity is defined "basically" as a rejection of modernism, which is not defined at all. Then we are asked to figure out if we are living in a modern community or a post-modern community. My questions would be
1. What is modernism?
2. What would characterize post-modernism positively (as opposed to just negating modernism)?
3. How do we see these two worldviews played out in our culture (USA and W. Denver metro)?
(I'll try to get to the "Breaking the Code Challenge" questions later....)
I forgot to add this shameless plug to my comment! I am giving away a copy of the Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament over on my blog. Even if it sounds boring to you, maybe you know someone who would love a gift like that. Anyway, cruise by and show my blog some love! :)
It seems generational worldviews usually shift every 50-60 years (in the States) and I think the States are only about 15 years behind Europe in it’s digression from belief systems. James W. Sire’s book, “The Universe Next Door”, does a tremendous job of illustrating this digression from “theism” to “nihilism”.
Modernism is usually the term used to describe the worldview which peaked in the late 1940’s-50’s defined by their moral fabric; either religiously, culturally, politically, behaviorally, etc. It’s the era when belief in God was the basis of decisions, when family roles were well defined and practiced, etc.
Post-modernism is usually associated with an increase of raised questions about those behaviors and practices based on Biblical values. Post-modernism is also the term that most closely defines our generation, who certainly investigates the “Why/How/What/Where/Who” questions and this was promoted by the shift throughout the late 60’s-70’s in raising questions of the current social behaviors; this also set the stage for the introduction of eastern philosophies and other forms to find purpose; it is the start of a declination from a belief in a Supreme Being to a belief that all things stem from “Man” (or humanistic philosophy).
In my own study and experience with non-believers who hold more of a “post-modern” or “post-Christian” mindset, the old ways of evangelism hardly apply because the person is extremely effective at reasoning out and arguing the tenets of our faith by presupposing that no objective truth exists, truth is relative for every person; while Christians (hopefully) come from a stance that not only does it exist but it’s vital for a correct view of the world, man, God, purpose, etc.
Francis A. Schaeffer discusses this very topic in most of his books, he’s one of my favorite authors, but I recommend either “The God Who is There” or “How Should We Then Live” if you wanted to read his assessment of this shift in culture within the US.
Anyway, I’m sure I’m not as concise and thorough as I’d like to be but it’s a start.
Good comments... but... I don't think the whole post-modern/modernism or the relationship between the church and the surrounding culture has much do to with the author's intent. Important issues yes, but to focus on this "theory" related issues misses the "practical" focus of this book. He probably deliberately did not give a huge discussions on these issues since the philosophical underpinnings of our society has been addressed by many other books. Our problem is knowing this, "how shall we now live". One of these days Holly, I want to read more Schaeffer, the dude was ahead of the curve.
Anyways, great comment about the age gap in churches. Its the same in our church too. I have realized recently that most of the motivation does not come from a love for the lost, but from the pains of parents seeing their children not walk in the ways of the Lord. I think one of the reasons I had to check stats is just because their are colleges near our church does not mean younger people live in the community. I also believe that building a strong young adults community in a church should begin with students (even though that has not been the case for us personally). I think kids are fleeing the suburbs when they leave for college. Most young adults are moving into the city, near the jobs, near the "action". They are also the main contributors to gentrification. When they have kids, then they move back to the 'burbs. Thus, this is one of the fears I have that we can go to them as much as we like, but they will never come to us. We face a practical problem. We gather in a building on West Jewell. If they are Christians, they want a church in their neighborhood. The hope is that if the ministry is strong enough, and the need is great enough (which it is), they will come regardless. I hope and pray we can achieve this, as we go to them, so also we they come to praise the Lord.
I suppose an idea to get into their communities, so they don't have to travel to the 'burbs, would be to have small groups around the city, meeting in coffee shops and what-not, be visible where they're at. It may make them feel more welcome to join and grow if people get out of buildings and into hang-out shops.
Though, at the same time, with as many colleges as we have around, and in my own apartment complex, I see a vast amount of single college aged folks. They are here, and there's a lot of them, the question would be: How can we let them know WE'RE here?
I spent some time pulling data from the 2000 US Census, and (as we would expect) Chris is correct about young people (20-34) preferring to live near the city center rather than in the suburbs where we are. Of the 36 zip codes I looked at, the zip codes with the highest percentage of young people are 80203, 20246, 80218, 80231, and 80206, ranging from 49.9% down to 34%. Zip codes with the lowest percentage of young adults are 80004, 80033, 80207, 80232, and 80215, ranging from 16.3% up to 19.8%. Mean is 27.5. (See a zip-code map / download the data)
Book question: Describe specific people groups, population segments, and/or cultural environments that make up your geographical context.
Population segment: cultural Christians (grew up in church, may or may not actually believe)-> these are the ones who wander in on their own
Population segment: young, single (is there a reason why they live here rather than closer to the city core?)
Cultural environment: apartment dwellers
Cultural environment: professionals
People group: Ethnically white majority
People group: Significant latino/hispanic minority, especially east of Sheridan (like an enclave?)
People group: every other kind of ethnic group imaginable (see North America People Groups Project)
What else?
Awesome research Paul!!! Now that is information that tells us something! (It also stinks to know I live in one of the least populated zip codes for young adults, although I am not surprised. ugh...)
One thing we need to think about: With a lack of ethnic diversity in West Metro area, shouldn't we focus on Stetzer description of "population segments", (p. 12-13) i.e. people with similar tastes and habits.
Therefore, white-collar vs. blue collar, Jim has said BVC is made up of "Engineers and Plumbers." I think he is pretty much on target. Republicans, democrats, neo-democrats? Scum of the Earth has a unique personality, the urban "outcasts". Pathways is young urban professionals and an upper class artsy crowd. TNL is "pooristas" Essentially, young people working at Starbucks. (I got that from one of their pastors, Brian Gray).
If we were a reflection of young adults in the SW Metro Area, what would we be...?
My suspicion is a practical and "heady" crowd. In the same vein as Jim's comment, we have two influential schools nearby: Red Rocks which has many great "trade school" programs and my alma mater, Mines.
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