We live in the information age, and a large proportion of Gen Z people are getting their information from people who have acquired YouTube celebrity, sometimes without much substance to their work. We seem to always be looking to the next newest information, and we sometimes begin to act like any knowledge from former times is irrelevant to our daily lives. Therefore, it is important to help younger generations understand that although the Bible is an ancient text, it has a very high degree of reliability.

To that end, Chris shares five points to make about scripture to help younger skeptical individuals understand how best to engage it.

BurlapJanuary 16, 2018Comment

Pursuing truth--episode 38

Chris Abel hosts Bruce Nuffer in a discussion about how a Gen Xer uses a Millennial approach to his reasoning that causes him to reconsider long-held positions on environmentalism. While the thinking process described is not unique to Millennials, as a generation they are largely characterized by a similar pursuit of truth and wrestle with the findings of science and reconciling those findings with scripture.

discipleshipBurlapDecember 12, 2017environmentalism, scripture, science, faithComment

FOMO--episode 37

A cursory review of contemporary marketing indicates that advertisers are targeting Millennials by linking their products to experiences. But does this cause anxiety for Millennials who begin to feel like they are missing out on what life has to offer? There is even a new term to describe this (FOMO—fear of missing out). While the fear of missing out is not new, the use of social media heightens this sense and is at least part of why the use of social media can lead to depression.

BurlapNovember 21, 2017Comment

4 Steps for Change in the Local Church--episode 36

Every faith community has a story, and that story is shaped by the shared history of the people of the community trying to live together. However, sometimes we put the culture of our community aside when we are looking at what might need to change. But shouldn’t it be first instead of last? In this podcast, Chris and Chris discuss 4 steps for change in the local church. Of particular interest to many will be Chris Abel’s discussion of how Church of the Resurrection went about changing the style of music in one of their church services.

BurlapOctober 31, 2017Comment

Millennials and Gen Z In the News--episode 35

The world’s biggest problems today according to Millennials include:

lack of economic opportunity in employment (according to USA Today, they are making 20% less than their Boomer family members even after accounting for inflation—see https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/01/13/millennials-falling-behind-boomer-parents/96530338/),
safety, security and well-bring
lack of education, and
food

Chris and Chris discuss the things that Millennials list as their top ten concerns.

ResearchBurlapOctober 10, 2017Comment

Guest Sarah Heath--episode 34

Sarah Heath, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Costa Mesa, CA, joins Chris Abel on this week’s podcast. Sarah tells the story of the restart of a hundred year-old church where all six generations are now represented in one location. A church with a lot of history has weathered a lot of difficult times, and creating change must happen in the context of the experiences that members have carried for a long time. How does one create a new environment amidst individuals who have been bruised and burned over the years?

Church life, innovation, leadershipChris FolmsbeeOctober 4, 2017Comment

Practical ministry to young adults—episode 33

Strategy, leadershipBurlapSeptember 12, 2017Comment

Smart phones--episode 32

How is social media changing the depth of our relationships? Statistics indicate that the more social media a person has in his or her life, the greater that person’s odds of having depression. Research indicates that “all screen activities are linked to less happiness and all non-screen activities are linked to greater health.” Millennials have heard horror stories about their peers who have been vulnerable with their church communities and have been condemned or punished for it. It’s hard to imagine that Gen Z and Millennials are going to be making their way to a local church to find community, so what are we going to do to facilitate community and healing outside of our churches?

BurlapAugust 22, 2017Comment

"When I was your age"--episode 31

What do Millennials hear when someone says, “When I was your age…”? Today’s podcast focuses on a few phrases that Millennials sometimes hear from other generations, and how they may be interpreting those phrases regardless of what those who say them intend. Some of our responses just come from the fact that we are busy, stressed, or just don’t want to think about what has been suggested. What kinds of responses can we give to Millennials that will validate them?

leadershipBurlapAugust 15, 2017Comment

Are millennials "over" church?--episode 30

ResearchChris FolmsbeeAugust 8, 2017 Comment