churches that embrace college-age people

Chuck on August 11th, 2008

I’ve been thinking lately (and most of the time it doesn’t even hurt) about churches that college-age people are attracted to.  I’ve been asking two questions: What characteristics does a church need to have in order to allow college-age people to feel a part of it?  and What are some ways in which churches reach out to college-age people, outside of a “college ministry?”

So, in other words, you can change those questions to ask: what is it about some churches that draw college-age people into them?  Again, I’m NOT talking about a college-age ministry – I’m asking this in regards to the church as a whole.

I would love to know your thoughts…what is it about your church that college-age people click with?  Or, if you’re bold enough, what is it about your church that they DONT click with – so we can make sure we don’t do it…

Discuss (2)

NYMC Feb. ‘09

Chuck on August 8th, 2008

Here is the promo video for the coming National Youth Ministry Conference.  I’ll be teaching there, doing an eight hour learning track with Kara Powell on transitioning and preparing high school graduates.  Should be fun!

Discuss (1)

New Article

Chuck on August 6th, 2008

I just wrote an article for Journal of Student Ministries called, “Indoctrinated or Educated?” that was just put on their website.  The basis of it is asking questions that, I think, every leader in the church should be asking.  It’s not an exhaustive list in any way, but I do think it has some questions that should be answered.  You can check it out here.  Here’s the beginning…

“Today church leaders have been bewildered about how detached high school graduates are from the local church.

What’s causing this detachment?

You and me. I’m convinced we’re a major part of the problem.

Self-Evaluation Needed
From my perspective there are many contributing factors to this epidemic of detachment, but here I want to discuss one that relates to all of us: How we define educated. It’s a major issue needing attention in most, if not all of, our churches.

So, to start the process…”

Discuss

The Power of YouTube

Chuck on August 4th, 2008

After dinner tonight we came back to the office here at Re-Think and talked.  Reggie told me about a radio interview he heard today with a 15 year old girl who posted a video on YouTube.  Apparently she was bored one night and started to put together a video about the soldiers overseas.  She was burdened for them and so randomly started piecing  video together and over 25 MILLION PEOPLE HAVE WATCHED IT!  Unbelievable how some things just catch on like this.  It’s a powerful video….but 25 million views!!!!?  Nuts.

Discuss

Long Trip to Atlanta

Chuck on August 4th, 2008

I left my house this morning at 4:30 am (pst) and headed to the airport.  Unfortunately my daughter, Hope, was up until 1:38 am (yep, I know it to the minute).  Not sure if it was gas, teething, or I gave her too many shots of espresso but she was awake and pointing to everything in the house saying, “Whoaw.”  She’s half way between “wow” and “whoa” at this stage.  Anyway, after a whopping 2 1/2 hrs of sleep I headed to the airport.  Park, walk to the terminal, and see this:

Don’t you love security lines!?  

Now, I’m here, thankfully.  I’m spending a couple days here brainstorming with a couple friends: Abbie Smith and Reggie Joiner.  We have some ideas about a few things and we’re having a two day “pow-wow.”  Details to come, but for now, I desperately need something to eat – that Vanilla Latte and blueberry muffin that probably had a 5 year shelf life at the Denver airport just isn’t cutting it.

Discuss (1)

1 2