MU 301 Christ Alone in a Coexist World

Transcription

1 MU 301 Christ Alone in a Coexist World The Road to Coexist Back in the Day In God We Trust Patriotic 60 s Peace Don t trust the man Today Mother Earth Equality 1

2 7/9/2013 Sit Down vs. Buffet Buffet Appeal Variety Pick what you like Economical No limits No absolutes 2

3 It s All Relative. Truth is relative. Whether you are Muslim or Christian, you will attain your believed outcome. The Concept: One God, many paths to reaching him. It s All Relative. The Bible says there is onetruth. John 14:6. Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Christ is the way, the truth and the life the onlyway to heaven The one who has removed our sins. 3

4 How do we share Christ Alone in a Coexist world? How? Relate to your audience. To discover how, learn who they are first. 4

5 How? When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some (1 Corinthians 9:22). The Generational Plate CATEGORIES BUILDERS Defining Events World War I, II Pearl Harbor Great Depression Atomic Bomb View of Family Close, married once BOOMERS Cold War Civil Rights Space Race Vietnam Television Dispersed, divorce and remarriage Gen X Roe v. Wade Fall of Wall Gulf War AIDS Challenger Watergate Computers Latch key kids Single parent and blended Gen Y /11 OklahomaCity Bombing Internet Globalization Desert Storm Technology Loose structure Single parent Blended View of authority Honor and respect Never trust anyone over 30 Ignore don t be one Respect not awe Team Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services 5

6 CATEGORIES BUILDERS Characteristics Hard workers Savers Patriotic Loyal to institutions Private Dependable BOOMERS Educated Desire quality Independent Cause-oriented Fitness conscious Groomed to explore inner world Gen X Neglected by parents Loyal to relationships Serious about life Self-reliant Skeptical Highly spiritual Survivors MTV Generation Gen Y Cherished by parents Decade of the Child Groomed to achieve and excel Entrepreneurial hard workers who thrive on flexibility Fun Law abiding Socially conscious Educated minded High volunteerism CATEGORIES Core values BUILDERS Dedication Hard work Conformity Law and order Respect for authority Patience Delayed reward Duty before pleasure Honor BOOMERS Optimism Team oriented Personal gratification Health and wellness Personal growth Work Involvement Gen X Diversity Think globally Balance Techno-literacy Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatism Gen Y Optimism Civic duty Confidence Achievement Sociability Morality Street smarts Diversity 6

7 CATEGORIES BUILDERS BOOMERS Gen X Gen Y Religious characteristics Committed to church Enjoy Bible study Loyal to denominations Worship in reverence Committed to relationships Want to belong Supportive of people Want experiences with faith Committed to family Local causes Short attention span Denominations not important Want faith that meets needs Want less structure Committed to family Biblically illiterate Spiritually hungry Multiple expressions of worship Faith is a thing Judge not so you won t be judged Highly tolerant and open Reflection/Discussion How can understanding generations help open doors to relationships? dialogue? faith sharing? 7

8 The Stoop Modern Modern: Facts, absolute truths Biblical, cultural standards Fixed sexual roles and identity Right and wrong is standard Creeds Unity Christ alone Postmodern Postmodern: Assumptions, no absolutes Create your own values Choose your own sexual identity Right and wrong is agreed Stories Diversity Other gods 8

9 Modern Religious Beliefs Separate Identifiable Absolutes A Shift to Postmodernism Realities are only social constructs and are therefore subject to change. There is no absolute truth. The way people perceive the world is subjective and emphasizes the role of language, power relations, and motivations in the formation of ideas and beliefs. -Wikipedia 9

10 Postmodern Religious Beliefs Pick and Choose Relative Absolutes Every belief equal No Loyalty Pick Your Own Religion Religious Tradition Increase/Decrease Mainline Christian 32,784,000 29,375,000-3,409,000 Baptist 33,964,000 36,148,000-2,184,000 Generic Christian 25,980,000 32,441, ,461,000 Christian Unspecified 8,073,000 16,834, ,761,000 Non-Denom. Christian 194,000 8,032, ,838,000 Mormon 2,487,000 3,158, ,000 Jewish 3,137,000 2,680, ,000 Eastern Religions 687,000 1,961, ,274,000 Buddhist 404,000 1,189, ,000 Muslim 527,000 1,349, ,000 No Religion 14,331,000 34,169, ,838,000 Agnostic/Atheist 1,188,000 3,556, ,368,000 American Religious Identification Survey 10

11 In Canada: Religious Tradition v or- Roman Catholic % Protestant % Christian Orthodox % Muslim % Jewish % Buddhist % Hindu % Sikh % No Religion % Other % TOTAL Pop (millions) % Canadian census data - Statscan Reflection/Discussion How can understanding Postmodern culture help open doors to: Relationships Dialogue Faith sharing 11

12 New Christian Menu How have beliefs changed over the years? God as ruler of Universe? Real Satan? 60% agree Jesus sinned? 39% agree Living Holy Spirit? 42% agree Bible accurate? 78% agree 78% agree Bible, Book of Mormon and Koran are all the same spiritual truth? 41% agree What is on your Plate? Have your beliefs changed over the years? If so, how? Why? 12

13 Connections Listen for values Clarify Ask to hear their story Permission to share yours Clarify What do you mean by that? I hear you saying... Would you tell me more about...? 13

14 Your Story Do you mind if I share... May I share with you... Is it OK if I share... Points of Connection Life stages Marriage Birth of child Conflict Death Loss of job Relocation Children in school Empty nest 14

15 Remember Age counts Modern is not Post-Modern. Religion is not universal. Same word may have different meanings. Remember Connections take time. Seek permission. Listen actively. Follow-through. 15

16 TO VIEW UPCOMING WEB TRAINING DATES, TOPICS AND SPEAKERS, VISIT To find out about hosting a Mission U in your congregation or circuit, contact Sarah Guldalian or C.C. Brown at