wow — even time magazine is jumping on the bandwagon. not a bad article, really — one of the better i’ve seen. no article like this seems able to please on every point — but this one sure is better than the ny times piece!
here’s a taste:
Youth ministers have been on a long and frustrating quest of their own over the past two decades or so. Believing that a message wrapped in pop-culture packaging was the way to attract teens to their flocks, pastors watered down the religious content and boosted the entertainment. But in recent years churches have begun offering their young people a style of religious instruction grounded in Bible study and teachings about the doctrines of their denomination. Their conversion has been sparked by the recognition that sugarcoated Christianity, popular in the 1980s and early ’90s, has caused growing numbers of kids to turn away not just from attending youth-fellowship activities but also from practicing their faith at all.
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i’d love to poke holes into the article, ie. ‘when chris reed failed to convert a single youngster…’ we are not people who convert, not to mention that it uses a one case/church example. still, i moved away from the gaming/amuzement ym years ago for not a “bible” ym (i know i’m a heretic), but a congregational ym that brings everyone & everything into the fold shaping discipleship.
it’s nice time has done something on this, but i don’t find this newsworthy in the least.
Comment by gavin 11.01.06 @ 4:18 pmgavin — i hear ya. i noticed many of the same things. however, i did feel this article was so much less destructive or harmful or un-helpful than some of the others recently (ie: the ny times piece).
just heard (minutes ago) that the cbs evening news with katie couric is going to come to the NYWC tomorrow and friday and do some filming to consider a piece. i have an interview with them tomorrow morning. that could be interesting!
Comment by marko 11.01.06 @ 4:31 pmi must have missed the nytimes piece. good luck with the possible interview piece. agreed, the article wasn’t harmful in any matter. more flushed out & comprehensive is what i would have rather seen.
Comment by gavin 11.01.06 @ 5:16 pmI just got my Time magazine yesterday and read the article today. I’m not real good at commenting on articles but I was glad to see it in there and know that students are looking for depth and something they can chew on more and more. I’m praying that the interview goes excellent! May God use you, Marko, to make a differnece in the media! Be Blessed
Comment by mick 11.02.06 @ 11:37 amLeave a comment
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Mark-o,
Blast from the past, circa Dominican Republic probably in the early 1990’s. Did student ministry for about 10 years and 5 years ago planted Ordinary Community Church in Cincy, a network of house churches. just surfin’ blogs while handing out halloween candy in my garage and came across yours. Hope all is well, bro and maybe our paths will cross again.
peace,
Comment by Chris Marshall 10.31.06 @ 8:47 pmChris Marshall