Everyone is saying that today's teenagers have different ideas about faith than people in their 20s (who are themselves different from GenXers and Baby Boomers.) What does the latest research show? And what does this say about evangelism?
Christian Smith, the Stuart Chapin Distinguished Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, is about to publish Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. Written with Melinda Lundquist Denton and based on the National Study of Youth and Religion (pioneering work done from 2001 to 2005) it's about American teenage faith, beliefs, and practices.The forthcoming book (from Oxford Press) sounds like a "must read," but in the meantime , here's an interview with Dr. Smith that presents some very interesting findings: click here
Want to know the "best practices" for vestries interested in evangelism? Want to know how to create an effective ministry to welcome newcomers? Want some help with Teens and evangelism? Just want some help???
"Groundwork" is the name of the Episcopal Church's latest local evangelism and condev support, and you can access all these things and more by clicking here
Much of these materials were mailed recently to congregations, with the idea that they can be used this Lent. But if your Lenten plans are already made, they are still VERY worthwhile. Check 'em out!
Now you can access the local demographic data about your local community directly from this Blog! Here's how:
All you have to do is click on "Your congregational stats" under condev demographics. You find the same access to the ten year stats you've had for the last few months, and at the bottom, you'll see "View Zip Code Profile." Clicking there will bring up PERCEPT's "FirstView" report -- for free -- for the zip code in which your church is located. Enjoy!