I thought this way partially because I have blogged for John Saddington before (he is the owner/manager/blogger of Tentblogger.com). Through his video coaching chats, his writing and the brief times we have communicated, he has taught me so much about blogging – both in terms of best practices and principles.

It was nearing the deadline for his decision and so I tweeted at him wondering if he had chosen yet. I was so embarassed when the next day, I realized that he indeed had chosen, I just didn’t make the cut.

I’ve learned a few things from this…

Nothing is a sure thing

Looking back, I probably would’ve made a better application video had I thought more realistically about my chances. My confidence, usually a help, proved to be a hindrance.

As I was processing this, I realized that one difference between pride and confidence is that when we are prideful, we don’t work as hard. I think I was guilty of this. Okay, I was but it is hard to admit.

When I think about it, this is scary but also really fun. If everything were a sure thing, we would miss out on spontaneity, adventure and surprise endings. How fun could that be?

Being told no is never fun

I think because it surprised me, it hurt a little but more but regardless, none of us like to hear that unforgettable, two letter word.

The thing is, if we are in a season where we have been told no several times in a row – it’s easy to begin to avoid situations where we would hear those words. We fight against being involved in situations where we can’t control the outcome. We trick ourselves into thinking that we would rather not ask, then being told no.

Thus, we stop trying all together.

Of all people, I tend not to go to the sports illustration.

But.

The fact that Michael Jordan was cut from his varsity high school team and then went on to become the greatest basketball player of all time, makes me feel hopeful.

In fact, I think he would agree with the next lesson I learned:

It’s what we do next that matters

After getting cut, he clearly didn’t give up the game.

Why?

Because he loved the game. And because he was competitive, he wanted to excel.

I am going to keep writing and continue blogging. Because I love it and because I want to excel at it.

It’s not that I want to prove anybody wrong. As if I would work twice as hard just to prove to John that he should’ve chosen me. Sure, that could be motivating, but just for a little while. It would wear off quickly.

I want to do it for myself, my craft and with the hope, it could help someone else.

How do you normally react when you are told no? Any practical tips for bouncing back? 

And I know that I have a lot of work to do. I have been sporadic, inconsistent and slightly unfocused. But I want to give it a go. Why? Because I love writing. I love the concept of blogging. And I have something to share and more importantly, something to learn.

For me personally, it helps to put structures in place so that I write and blog even on the days where I don’t feel like it. I know, you probably can’t picture me having a day where I don’t want to talk but let me assure you, these days do exist.

I found out several days ago that I was one of ten official bloggers selected for The 7th Year and I am so humbled by this opportunity! My friend Kera, whom I work with at Chi Alpha at American University, is also an official blogger! What is The 7th Year? I am so glad you asked! It is an initiative created by Alicia Chole (speaker and author of several books including Anonymous: Jesus’ Hidden Years and Yours). It is an intensive, small group curriculum that focuses on discipleship, the spiritual disciplines and a holistic approach to faith.

This video does a great job of explaining the concept:

So, the other day I saw that Michael Hyatt was recruiting community leaders to moderate, facilitate and generate discussion via the comment section on his blog. I was thinking about doing it and right when I was about to decide to apply – he closed the process. So when I saw my blogging hero, mentor and friend John Saddington offer up a similar opportunity – I decided to go for it.

@tentblogger I’m throwing my hat in the ring. “I Want to be a Community Leader at Tentblogger.com” [Vid] ow.ly/8WdqJ

— Blane Young (@blaneyoung) February 8, 2012

I just sent him that tweet a few minuts ago so, maybe it will work out and maybe it won’t. But I think there is power in putting ourselves out there. Placing ourselves in situations where we have to be disciplined, where we can grow and where we can be stretched.

This all goes back to a handful of conversation that my wife Hannah & I have been having. Every year, we strategically and prayerfully choose a theme that will drive our actions, commitments and relationships. Last year, it was The Year of Relationships. This year, it is The Year of Discipline.

I guess what I am saying is that I am all in. And perhaps, you should go all in to.

What do we have to lose?

So I attended the You Lost Me LIVE one-day conference led by David Kinnaman and Mark Batterson with some regional Chi Alpha staff and it was a great day. I blogged my notes but be warned, there is a lot o’ content.

Engaging Culture

“The days are done when it’s okay to get an A in biblical exegesis and an F in cultural exegesis.” – Mark Batterson

This is one of those things that I wish I thought of so that I could’ve tweeted it. It is spot on. And I love the term, “cultural exegesis” because it indicates that we must be serious and studious when it comes to how we handle culture.

This means two things. First, we cannot ignore culture. I feel that in te 90s, we all did this. Second, we cannot simply emulate culture and throw in a little Jesus. This is an easy but harmful temptation. And perhaps I have been guilty of this…

The Importance of Prayer

“Prayer is the difference between you fighting for God and God fighting for you.” – Mark Batterson

Both at the conference and on Sundays, Pastor Mark has been talking about prayer and he recently confessed that he had failed as a leader in the past 15 years because he didn’t lead NCC in this as much as he should have in a corporate setting. (He blogged about that here)

Not only do I love his authenticity but this quote says it all. I have all too often been content and honing my skills, using them and then saying, that was all you Jesus. But now, I am imagining how God could use me if I let him fight for me.

Christine Caine (in a recent message at NCC) said something that I will never forget. It was something to the effect that Moses, in his own strength, saved one but with God’s help, he freed an entire generation.

The Problem of Inoculation

“We’ve given them enough Jesus to be bored, but not to be transformed.” – David Kinnaman

Wow. What a statement. And I think that it is so true. And even more, he went on to postulate that he believes that the way we have approached church, has actually caused this.

When I reflect on this, I am sobered by our call as followers of Jesus. The way we lead can shape people’s idea of God and faith. We have to balance this idea of inviting people that are seeking truth and then, challenging people to live in discipleship which is often stretching, difficult and painful.

What About You?

If you attended the conference, I am curious as to what stuck with you. As you have processed, what have been your biggest takeaways? Drop a comment and let me know!

I am also giving away a hardcover edition of the book You Lost Me and two issues of Bittersweet*zine. How do you win? Simply share this post via Twitter or Facebook and drop a comment with why you want to win! It’s that simple. I will pick a winner on Thursday, February 2nd at 4:00PM (EST).

INTRODUCTION

by Mark Batterson // @markbatterson

“The days are done when it’s okay to get an A in biblical exegesis and an F in cultural exegesis.”
“My greatest failure has been that I have failed to lead our church in prayer corporately…”
“It’s not about relevance, it’s about incarnation.”
“I’m done brainstorming, it’s about prayer-storming.”
Arthur Mckenzie Story: battering ram vs. camping outside the walled city
“I’d rather have 1 God idea than 1,000 good ideas.”
“Prayer is the difference between you working for God and God works for you.”
“Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you. Game over.”

CULTURE: WHERE WE ARE 

by David Kinnaman // @davidkinnaman

1. It’s Complicated – David Kinnaman
“It is an era of participation, an era of complexity.”
“This next generation looks at the Church and they don’t see answers to the complex issues.”

young Christians view of Church
culture, overprotective
sex, repressive
science, anti-science
peers, exclusive
mind, doubtless
church, shallow
lifestyle, rigid

“Growing up, I had to eat angel eggs not deviled eggs. ” – Katy Perry
“We aren’t only trying to invent a new form of Christianity…”
“I’m hopeful about this generation but I am not necessarily optimistic.”
Millstone Passage
“What if the consequences of the way we have been doing our work, has contributed to what we see.”

59% Ever dropped out of church after attending regularly
38% Went through a period of significant doubting their faith
32% Went through a period of rejecting their parent’s faith

“Split-soul mentality: how someone is living in at church and how they are living online.”
“I think that Jesus is getting lost in the data-stream.”
“This is a culture of distraction.”
“This generation doesn’t just need an experience of spirituality but an experience with Jesus.”
“We’ve given them enough Jesus to be bored, but not to be transformed.”

one: cultural Christianity or superficial Christianity
- 83% of Americans identify as Christians
- 69% of Americans say they have made a personal commitment to Christ that still matters to them

two: churchgoing actually matters
- church fluency: stable family, donate money, volunteer your time

three: our kids
- UnChristian was about outsiders, this research is about our families
- lack of resources: how do we help or parent our 20somethings.

four: shared leadership
- Numbers 8:24-26 NLT | youth group bouncers
- “There are challenges with generational transitions.”
- “We need this next generation more than they need us.”

2. We’re Different
- “Non-Christian in the Mosaic generation are much more liberal than their boomer parents.”
- “There is a large gap between our peers.

Access
- 1960s: three channels on TV | Today: multi-dimensional, niche markets, social media, tons of channels, Netflix, Google, etc.
- Today’s teenagers consume over ten hours of media per day.
- “Access: changes the way we think about the world (interactive, empowered)”

Authority, Skepticism of
- Dick Meyer Chart, Confidence in Leaders: 66 to 07
- religion: 41% to 27%
- 2 of 3 of the Mosaics openly say that the Bible is sacred literature
- “Pop culture is this next generation’s religion.”
- “Playing a video clip in service is just not enough for cultural exegesis.”
- In a poll, a good number young Christians said that the most famous Christian is Angelina Jolie.”
- The future is boots on the ground, local churches not the big name pastors.
- “Young Christians don’t see digital piracy as a moral issue.”

Alienation
- % of people who have launched: 77%/65% in the 1960s; 46%/31% in 2000
- “Most churches aren’t good at working with non-conventional young adults.”
- young urbanites, digitally connected tribes is the new normal
- % of live births to unwed mothers: 5% in 1960; 41% today

Our Response…
- Vocation
- Authority (Not just responding to strengths finder, but to God’s Revelation)
- Renewed Commitment to Relationships

(CoDMW3 outgrossed Harry Potter 8, biggest movie of last year, in one day)

3. You Lost Me
- There are three journeys that people take…

Nomads: Lost to Church, 4 in 10 (Examples: Katy Perry and Justin Bieber)
Prodigals: Lost to Faith, 1 in 10 (Examples: David Bazaan)

“We have to understand the way people leave, so we can help them stay.”

Exiles: Lost between culture and church, 2 in 10 (or higher)
- “Does my faith match where I am called to live?”
- Apologetics: how do we live faithfully in a complex culture

“The best biblical metaphor for complexity of our times…exiles in Babylon.”
Daniel, Esther: they fit vocation, revelation and relationship

Exiles are important in cultural changes…prodigals and nomads are everywhere.

CHURCH: WHERE WE GO

by David Kinnaman // @davidkinnaman

1. Is This It?
- review: “negative perceptions of the church slide/chart”
- “This generation is pushing the Church to be healthy in so many ways although they may not come to the right conclusions.”

Two Narratives about Sexuality
Traditionalist
- Sex is about the rules
- Don’t talk about sexuality
- End: procreation (women: walking wombs)

Individualist
- Sex is about me
- Express yourself, enjoy it
- End: gratification (women: objectified)

Note: some churches have responds to this in a way that is compatible with the world’s view which he thinks is negative

Relational
- Sex is about us
- Humble, conscious of others
- End: interdependence

“We need the next generation to help us – it’s the idea of reverse mentoring.”
“Your best sermon on sex is just a talk.”
“Reverse mentoring: younger Christians can help point the church toward new practices and approaches to faithfulness.”

Lessons from the Past 15 Years

by Mark Batterson // @markbatterson

- “My philosophy of ministry in Matthew 10, I call it the original commission.”
- “Everything is an experiment. If the kingdom of God had departments, we would want to work in research and development.”
- “This buys you a lot of latitude as a leader. You have the latitude to fail and try new things.”
- “Don’t tell me there isn’t a barren fig tree in your church. We kill dead things. Saying yes to one thing is saying no to another.”
- “Authenticity is authority…your authenticity lends to your authority.”
- “Nothing in the first five years of NCC was noteworthy in terms of growth.” Share struggles instead of victories.
- “People will only be authentic to the level of leadership.” ***
- 2 Chronicles 7:14
- “Your greatest opportunity as a parent is when you have to apologize after messing up. How will they know how to forgive without modeling?”
- “I think excellence honors God.”
- “With low expectations about the church, anything above clip art means you are a creative church.”
- “1% of change can make 99% difference.”
- Story of Ted’s Bulletin and homemade pop tarts
- “Let’s work on the majors.”
- “Let’s go to seminary, but make sure we are spirit-filled.”
- “I’ve never met anyone who has a defense mechanism to the genuine love of God.”
- “Let’s not just criticize by criticizing, let’s do it by creating.”
- “The screen is post-modern stained glass.”

CHURCH: WHERE WE GO

by David Kinnaman // @davidkinnaman

2. What’s My Calling?

- 52% of young Christians desire to be in science related industries
- <1% of youth leaders said they spoke about any issues of science, technology in the last year
- “How can we be so silent on these issues that are so front and center?”
- see page 119

Vocational Guidance?
- 11% received helpful input from a church leader about my education
- 3% received a college scholarship from the church
- 16% learned how the Bible applies to my field or interest area
“Any wonder why Christianity is struggling with young, science-minded and creative types?”

- “There is a huge opportunity to recast a vision of vocation…reconnecting faith and work, and faithfulness in the complexity of life.”
- “We need a richer theology of vocation.”
- Jeremiah 29:4-7

3. What’s Our Future?

Measure success broadly
- attendance > attitudes
- conversion > apprenticeship
- involvement > calling
- adult helpers > helpers
- beliefs > love for Scripture

- “We need to measure things that matter for lives of depth.”
- Original idea: church exists to minster to new generation
- New idea: church is a partnership of generations working for God’s purposes
- “Of all the places that shouldn’t be talking about target markets, it’s the Church.”
- Luke 14: 99 and 1

As many of you know, Hannah and I have been fundraising to join students on a spring break missions trip to Mexico. I have actually never been to Mexico and we had never been on a mission trip together. I was looking forward to brushing up on my Spanish and anytime I can eat carnitas and it counts as part of ministry, count me in! As we all got back on campus, we began to discuss the trip and the details.

Unfortunately, we ran into some obstacles. We didn’t have as many students sign-up as we had expected. Our team’s skill set didn’t match the projects available. There were more staff going than there were students.

As a team, we decided that it would be best to join up with other the spring break missions trip which is going to NYC to serve with the Dream Center. It was clear that we could make a bigger impact in one location than in two and that our resources would go a lot further. So, we are not going to Mexico. And that’s okay. Why? It’s less about the plan and more about the mission.  The plan was going to Mexico. But the mission is to serve, love and minister to people.

I will be the first to admit that I struggle when plans change. I like stability and I tend to become uncomfortable when an audible is called. As I think back over last semester and even my time at Family Life Church, the opportunity to choose to be flexible occurs often. And when I shy away from that, I am admitting something: I want to be in control. Planning is not the problem. The problem is when we serve the plan instead of allowing our plans to serve the mission. The mission is unchanging, but the way we go about it within a certain context of circumstances, may require us to change.

The thing is, if you and I refuse to be flexible, then we can miss out. I think about Philip and his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch. It wasn’t an appointment in Philip’s iCal. It was a seemingly spare-of-the-moment opportunity presented by an angel. What if he hadn’t listened? What if he hadn’t changed his plans that day?

When we are inflexible, we make this thing about us. And so not only do we miss out, others may as well.

Support Raising Update

One of the positive side effects of this change, is that the amount of money we need to raise has drastically decreased. Originally, we had to $2,600 but now we only need to raise $1,400.  Due to the generous support of friends and family alike, we have raised $1,000 and only need $400. Thank you!  If you are interested in giving, you can do so online.