New Wine New Wineskins. F. Douglas Powe, Jr.

Transcription

1 New Wine New Wineskins F. Douglas Powe, Jr.

2 Genera&onal Categories (Strauss and Howe) Silent Boomer Thirteeners Millenial

3 African American Genera&onal Categories (Powe) Civil Rights Black Consciousness Integrationist

4 Cultural Shi<s in African American Culture The Civil Rights generation continues to be the most influential model for how we are currently during church. The black consciousness generation tended emphasize an Afrocentric Christianity still maintaining Civil rights assumptions. Many congregations start seeking African American Christian material.

5 Cultural Shi<s in African American Culture (con&nued) The Integrationist generation the first generation to experience busing. Housing patterns start to shift because African Americans are no longer confined to certain urban areas (church not necessarily in one s community). A distinction between Christian and Spiritual. The Hip Hop generation is more eclectic musically. Even the gospel music this generation listens to is commercial more than hymns.

6 Re- Thinking Church Many of our congregations have got to try some new things We have to develop new mindsets in our congregation Are we focused on God s business or just doing things are way

7 Discernment What do we have to offer? How will we help folk to experience what we have to offer? What are we willing to do differently to create an authentic experience?

8 Discernment Prayer Forming a group to be the center (open to all) Short term study Scripture focus Matthew 9:17 Take the time to really pray about how God is speaking to the congregation The goal is to develop a vision for what it is that the congregation has to offer

9 Discernment Go out and ask in the neighborhood can we pray for you today in service Learn names of Post Civil Rights folk in the community Start building a relationship with them

10 Entry Points Traditionally Worship Sunday School Post Civil Rights Mission Social Media Small group activities

11 Entry Points Speak to what we have to offer For example- - - sanctuary, connectedness and deeper spirituality It will be experienced in the way dialogue s and interactions occur when doing mission, social media and small groups Willingness to Listen

12 Rela9onship Building We have to build relationships with those from the Post Civil rights community to journey with us We have to make sure they have a voice Mission Community Clean- up Schools Social Media Honest discussion of challenging topics Issues facing the community Small Groups Sports outing Spades

13 Rela9onship Building Not just one activity Plan ways to build relationships over extended period Not give up if first event is not successful Must be authentic Must be true to the gospel Keep in the forefront that we are a faith community

14 Spiritual Conversa9ons Emphasis on dialogue Willingness to learn as well as share Dialogue away from the church may be helpful Many like intergenerational conversation

15 Hospitality New folk come to the church how are they treated? What is the experience I would have from the time I walk on the grounds Who greets at the door? Is there more than one entrance? What if I have children? Who helps me to follow worship?

16 Worship Who is your worship experience targeting? Is it constructed solely for those who attend? What is it that you want folk to leave with each week? What is the one thing I will walk with today? How can your worship experience be more invitational? Can you get more people involved?

17 Preaching How can people engage the sermon? Are people invited to engage the pastor through social media Is a Bible study constructed around the sermon Not simply giving information think more interactive

18 Empowering Jeff Bethke Post Civil Rights seeking God, but we are offering an institution We have to re- think how we relate, and empower them to participate with us We have to be willing to maintain the integrity of the gospel while doing things differently

19 Discernment What do we have to offer? How will we help folk to experience what we have to offer? What are we willing to do differently to create an authentic experience?