OK, some useful stuff here. Thom and Jess Rainer believe their research suggests that this generation of young adults (they only surveyed the older haOK, some useful stuff here. Thom and Jess Rainer believe their research suggests that this generation of young adults (they only surveyed the older half of the millenial generation) is family-oriented, relationship centered, and color-blind (not their word). They also see them as interested in making lots of money, feeling like they are bursting with unused potential, and being "spiritual but not religious."
The two major problems I see with this book may have to do with the popular nature of it. It seems to be one of those books that reveal someone's opinion, but mascarades as research. They talk a lot about their findings, but they say nothing about how it relates to other research. This raises several significant issues. Like, how can you state that the things they identify are different for this generation, when you do not demonstrate how other generations responded to similar questions. They also seem to make lots of inferences that seemed like a stretch to me.
Of course, part of my concern about these things may grow from my own suspicion about Generational Theory. Hard research seems to only support these issues if you use the widest possible brush. No person would actually be the typical representative of the generation because the forming issues of people are simply too personal for that.
One other odd note about this book. The Rainers make the assumption that the parents of millenials are boomers. That is so strange to me. By definition, the parents of one generation should be the previous generation . . . not Boomers, but Xers. OK, a lot of Boomers did have kids later in life. So maybe some of the Millennials will be children of Boomers. Perhaps with current trends, most of those in the sample would be Boomer kids. But, this sort of calls up a need to talk about "cuspers." The older Millenials should (if the theory holds out) have many characteristics in common with Xers. And the Boomer parents tauted by the book would also be "cuspers" having similar relationships with Xers. THis complicates the simplistic conclusions the Rainers made quite a bit I think. Perhaps it is important to ask who the parents of Xers were. Of course, by and large, the parents of Xers were Boomers. So, how does the discussion of Boomers' influence on Millenials make sense? In the end, I don't suppose that changes the results of the Rainer's research . . . just their interpretation. ...more
The theological approach is not biblical theology, but a brand of practical theology that seeks to determine God's movement through observation of humThe theological approach is not biblical theology, but a brand of practical theology that seeks to determine God's movement through observation of human behavior informed by "tradition." There is a hunger, I think, in the discussion of youth ministry for a "theological turn," but this book disappoints. It is a series of warmed over journal articles with some added discussion suggestions that are more offensive than helpful. It has occasional inspiring moments, some passages that generate thought, but more platitudes dressed in academic language (worn much like the Emperor's new cloths) than anything else. Unless you are interested in the academic discussion of a narrow view of youth ministry, give this book a pass. ...more
Intriguing read, though I had a hard time getting past the first chapter. Something of a classical tragedy. Gatsby is an intriguing figure as a tragicIntriguing read, though I had a hard time getting past the first chapter. Something of a classical tragedy. Gatsby is an intriguing figure as a tragic hero. So flawed, and yet so passionate. The heroine (I guess you would call Daisy a heroine) was such a week person . . . but an intriguing character. After all of these years, still struggling with intimacy issues.
I was actually hoping to get a better since of young adulthood in the early part of the last century through reading the book. As Fitzgerald portrayed them, young adults seemed much more independent (at least from their parents) than young adults today, but still dealt with much of the same angst. ...more
Despite how much we hate the games, Collins can't seem to keep the story going at the same fevered pitch without them. So, she continually tries to coDespite how much we hate the games, Collins can't seem to keep the story going at the same fevered pitch without them. So, she continually tries to convince us that the war is the third round of the games. Doesn't quite work. Still, I cared about how the story turned out. For my taste, Collins spends too much time wallowing in the brokenness of the main character, but I suspect some will view that as genuine. The happy ending was much too late coming and much to shallow. But, all in all, this was an engaging read. ...more
Katniss is back in the Hunger Games again. Troubling. While lacking some of the force (and the horror) of the first book, the continuation of the storKatniss is back in the Hunger Games again. Troubling. While lacking some of the force (and the horror) of the first book, the continuation of the story was compelling enough. ...more
The Hunger Games was a troubling book to me. Still, I gave it four stars. I couldn't put it down. I was talking to a friend about it and he asked me iThe Hunger Games was a troubling book to me. Still, I gave it four stars. I couldn't put it down. I was talking to a friend about it and he asked me if it had a Lord of the Flies feel to it. That may be it. What environment do we put teenagers in that would make them feel okay about killing their peers . . . for a game. OK, it scares me that this question doesn't seem as far-fetched as I'd like to think it is. See what I mean? Troubling. ...more
Interesting book on spiritual growth. I found it personally helpful. However, it felt pretty clinical for the uses that the authors suggested . . . inInteresting book on spiritual growth. I found it personally helpful. However, it felt pretty clinical for the uses that the authors suggested . . . in church small groups and Bible studies. ...more
One warning: Smith uses graphic descriptions including violence and sensuality. There are a lot of parts the reader would do well to simply skip. ThisOne warning: Smith uses graphic descriptions including violence and sensuality. There are a lot of parts the reader would do well to simply skip. This novel asks us to stretch our willingness to go with him into the supernatural enough that you can't really call this historical fiction. Nevertheless, Smith is an amazing story-teller and I got totally lost in the story. ...more
Jay's call to churches to make every member a minister sounds like too many other folks . . . until you see how serious he is about it. My students wiJay's call to churches to make every member a minister sounds like too many other folks . . . until you see how serious he is about it. My students will be reading this in the spring....more
So, if you were concerned about all the things non-Christians don't like about biblical Christianity and you wanted to make the faith a bit more palatSo, if you were concerned about all the things non-Christians don't like about biblical Christianity and you wanted to make the faith a bit more palatable to them, you might begin by explaining away some of the scarier bits like hell, justice, and judgment, and make God someone who loves us so much that he would never do anything to discipline us--just wait for eternity for us to come around. You would reinterpret biblical teaching and re-write history. Then, package it as a Christian message that has always been the way it is, just been missed by so many who try to make themselves feel better by claiming exclusive rights to God. That could really make Christianity more acceptable for good Americans who would never just accept the Gospel the way it is taught in the Bible....more
Wow! This book paints an ugly face on a preacher who is trying to do the job without any real commitment to Christ or any real calling. It is set in tWow! This book paints an ugly face on a preacher who is trying to do the job without any real commitment to Christ or any real calling. It is set in the early part of the 20th Century and offers an interesting indictment on pioneering religion. I suppose Lewis intends to paint preachers with a rather black brush because he offers us no characters that are truly remarkable men of God. While the book could serve to anger those of us who are in ministry, perhaps it is a important look at how "human" spiritual leadership can be. I actually think the book is worth a read by anyone trying to following God in a ministry position....more
Interesting book on the importance of understanding culture in communicating the message of Christ. At first, I wasn't sure where the author was goingInteresting book on the importance of understanding culture in communicating the message of Christ. At first, I wasn't sure where the author was going, but I found many of the things he said useful in understanding cross-cultural communication . . . and understood communication with people in the states too. Fairly dense book, but all in all worth the read....more
So, I found this book in a stack of paperbacks I had bought on a close-out sale years and years ago. For some reason, I decided to read it. The story So, I found this book in a stack of paperbacks I had bought on a close-out sale years and years ago. For some reason, I decided to read it. The story is like a carnival ride. Quirky. Inane. I suspect Rucker spent way too much of his adolescence watching Monte Python....more
This book raises great issues for working with teenagers in an urban setting. I guess that's why they gave it that subtitle. It is a compilation of maThis book raises great issues for working with teenagers in an urban setting. I guess that's why they gave it that subtitle. It is a compilation of many voices, something I don't usually like. But it seemed to work in this book. While simplistic at times, the book has a passion that comes from the practitioners who are writing. Definitely worth the read....more
Good primer for folks who are preparing to do ministry across cultures. The author deals with issues such as event time v. clock time, high v. low vulGood primer for folks who are preparing to do ministry across cultures. The author deals with issues such as event time v. clock time, high v. low vulnerability, goal orientation v. people orientation. His call to "sit at the feet of the culture" is inspiring. The author seems to talk a lot about his experience in Yap; he does not do much discussion about the variety of cultures, but perhaps that is not the purpose of the book....more
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