Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Reaching 20-somethings/Millenials

Millenials are Americans born between 1980-1991.  Likely they are missing from your church plant.


This study looks at why.


For example, "When looking for information or advice about two-thirds of American 'Millennials' prefer to talk with a variety of people who have personal experience rather than one individual considered to be an 'expert.'"


The researcher, Lifeway's Ed Stetzer asks, "Does this change in the way a new generation seeks advice and sees influence make an even greater argument for small groups and missional communities in the church?"


Check out the whole thing and see what you think.



Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Alan Hirsch: Church Growth Model Reaching Only 40 Percent of Americans


"This is a problem because 95 percent of American churches are using a model that even if successful will reach less than half the population, said Alan Hirsch, an internationally recognized missiologist and founding director of Forge Mission Training Network."

Here's the whole article.


My wife Kristi and I got to spend the day with a group of ten others and Alan Hirsch last November.  He has some interesting and challenging things for all kinds of churches to consider.  What I like most about him, though, is his frequent references to following the Holy Spirit in finding the way to best express the Good News to various types.  Some expressions might be really different from what we're used to.