This time of year churches set up nativity scenes to remind us to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, that God the Son was born in human flesh to a woman named Mary in humble circumstances, yet with concurring signs and wonders: an angelic choir announcing the Messiah to shepherds in a field, a bright star above, magi from the East. Emmanuel, God with us, born in a manger, the lowly, awaited, exalted true king.
Read MoreWe’ve seen the signs. Millennials and members of Generation Z have disaffiliated from organized religion. Even those who have grown up in church have become “nones” or “dones.”
Read MoreMicah 6:8 famously says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
But what does it mean to act justly, or to do justice?
Read MoreDoes your church have a social media strategy?
I hope so. While it isn’t necessary to be on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, or other platforms all the time, it is important to be familiar with the tools your congregation uses most and to discover ways that you can use those tools to communicate effectively with your people.
Read MoreIt’s a well known fact that Generation Z is highly adept at using technology, at times engaging online differently and with higher frequency than their Millennial predecessors. That trend is likely to continue and will have ramifications for how your church connects with emerging generations. How does your church presently use technology to connect with Generation Z?
Read MoreHow’s the website?
Do you overwhelm visitors with stellar graphics, electric guitar, and lightning strikes?
Or is your current template labyrinthine and nearly impossible to navigate?
Forbes reports Generation Z is finding new ways of connecting online.
Gen Zers are choosing avenues of social connection that differ sharply from Millennials.
Read MoreWords have power, and how we use words is vital in reaching out to Millennials and Gen Zers. We’re called to use our words well, which means we should never speak condescendingly. Never.
Want to hear something odd?
There is a tech startup in Silicon Valley that is seeking to meet the needs of the “spiritual but not religious” crowd, and their founder, Tara-Nicholle Nelson, thinks there is a big market for this kind of service, particularly among Millennials. Nelson doesn’t want to start a church, and her vision is not specific to any religious tradition, but wants her phone app to be a means of therapy, or “soul comfort.”
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