Belief without Borders Inside the Minds of the

Belief without Borders: Inside the Minds of the Spiritual but not Religious By Linda A. Mercadante (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014. ) Recommended by Project Advisor: Dr. Helen Jin Kim Project: Beginning a new connection with Young Adults in our church.

The Interviewees: Generations • The Greatest Generation (1901 -1924) • Generation of joiners and rebuilders. • The backbone of the churches • Hesitant to reveal any dissatisfaction with organized religion. • Some may not believe in God but still carry on the activities of the church for community’s sake – and because it’s what they do. • The Silent Generation (1925 -1945) • Raised in a time when religious affiliation was primary to one’s identity. • Rule followers. Went to church because they were supposed to. • Some became bored with religion, but gave in to the teachings. Not emotionally attached to religious teachings.

The Interviewees: Generations • The Baby Boomers (1946 -1964) • 1/3 of the total group of volunteers • Raised in religious organizations. • Some remembered it fondly; to others it meant nothing but a “show” for the previous generation. • To some it was awkward & filled with “code words” • Open to learning about other religions (media, news from around the world). • Gen X (Born 1965 – 1981) • No more “Blue Laws” • Many had Baby Boomer parents who didn’t want to impose religion on their children. • Less than half had religious upbringing • More of an openness to world religions and mixed religions; no denomination loyalty • Religiously confused so abstain from all. • Some had no family exposure to religion

The Interviewees: Generations • Millennials (Born after 1981) Greater % had divorced parents Many never exposed to religion Some had “holiday attendance” Believe or practice as they wish … or not Openness to alternative spirituality, blending more traditional practices with yoga, meditation, interfaith practices • Many struggle with “theodicy” problem: (Where was God when…? Why does evil exist? Proving God. ) • Some have religious heritage but no exposure • Many turn to alternative lifestyles as an ethical decision, such as veganism/vegetarianism, standing up for animal rights, environmentalism and social change (human rights) as the focus of their energy and belief in a social cause larger than themselves. • • •

The Interviewees: Generations • Gen Z (Born after 2001) • Do not remember 9/11/2001 for themselves. • Most come from divorced or blended families so they are less likely to marry, but many have long-lasting relationships • Visual and Aural learners – most have always had some kind of technological device in their hands. • Learn best by watching videos on Youtube & Ted Talks. • Same general beliefs as Millennials • Many never exposed to religion • Believe or practice as they wish … or not • Look at practices of yoga and meditation for health benefits rather than spiritual. • Many turn to alternative lifestyles as an ethical decision, such as veganism/vegetarianism, animal rights, environmentalism and social change (human rights) for physical or health benefits. In general, not as dogmatic about this as Millennials.

Why is Knowing the Generations Important? • To connect with someone, you need to know how they learn. • If you’re going to try to connect with Gen Z’ers and you aren’t planning to use technology, you should rethink your plan. • To connect with someone, you need to know what’s important to them. • If you’re going to try to connect with Millennials and you don’t plan some kind of social action piece, you’re going to miss the mark. • To connect with someone, you need to know their generation’s past with religion. • If you’re going to try to connect with Baby Boomers and you expect them to be joiners or sign contracts, think again.

The Interviewees: Types Across generational lines, 5 types of similarities emerged: • Dissenters • Stay away from organized religion – mostly for theological reasons. • Protesting Dissenters – have been hurt or offended about an experience or aspect • Drifted Dissenters – drift away and never return. • Conscientous Objector Dissenters – suspicious overall about religion

The Interviewees: Types Across generational lines, 5 types of similarities emerged: • Casuals • Engage in spiritual practices to help them feel better, have better health, and are focused on personal well-being. • Create “generic” spiritual disciplines, such as yoga, tai chi, meditation, etc. • Engage in 12 -step programs for addiction management and spiritual guidance and discipline.

The Interviewees: Types Across generational lines, 5 types of similarities emerged: • Explorers • “seem to have a spiritual wanderlust” (58) • “enjoy the spiritual journey but do not want to settle anywhere. ” • Go from one good feeling to the next, touring rather than looking for spiritual practices. • Willing to mix beliefs, techniques, practices from many cultures/religions/spiritual practices; syncretic

The Interviewees: Types Across generational lines, 5 types of similarities emerged: • Seekers • Looking for a spiritual home, a place to belong. • Seekers more common with people who have had positive past religious experiences. • Look for believable beliefs, trustworthy group, “rituals that consistently provide ‘liminality’. ” (60) • Taking bits and pieces of beliefs to construct a spiritual reality and path - “very salad bar, very a la carte” – Smorgasboard, syncretic • Some seekers continually seek; others land, if only for a short time. • “Have a quiet longing to commune with something Ultimate, starting in childhood and continuing into adulthood. ” (65)

The Interviewees: Types Across generational lines, 5 types of similarities emerged: • Immigrants • Have moved to a new spiritual place and are adjusting to a new identity and community. • Try on new identities, but are not fully at home there • Not prevalent among any one generation • Find adopting a new religion difficult because they have an inherent SBNR ethos – they don’t affiliate or commit.

The Interviewees: Types Some Commonalities across Types: • Often a crisis gets their attention • Often there is much experimentation for what “feels right” • This group or these practices do not last long. • Beliefs play a part of their moving on (either they found the beliefs unbelievable or found that members were not living up to them).

To connect with someone, you need to • …their attitudes toward Religion. • Dissenters, Casuals, Explorers, Seek Immigrants all have different attitu things. Know your audience! • …their patterns of behavior. • For example, seekers are constantl will not land for long in your court. personally! • …what drives them to action. • Watch for crises in the world and c generation based on what’s import

Questions?

Status of Many District Churches What’s most Compelling? What do you want People to Experience or Become? What Does a Win Look Like Need to invite and retain new people; struggle to see a future 1, 3, 5 years out. 2 -3 missing generations; inability to replace lost people who used to be engaged and or moved, etc.

The 3 D Journey is a process for church transition. The first step begins with helping the church’s rediscover its values in order to DREAM of a vision for the future. The next step is to DISCERN the church’s engagement through assessing its strengths and the community needs. The final step is to DEVELOP healthy systems to help the church make a positive community impact.

The outside world is constantly changing. But the church is slow in making the internal transition to respond to the outside culture that is changing.

When the church is slow to make the transition the church becomes stuck in two ways: 1. Church is held captive and continues to live in the past (can’t let go) 2. Church starts transition but stops it for various reasons (nostalgia) *Reasons can be due to key deaths, loss of members, and/or financial struggles

GETTING UNSTUCK BEGINS WITH A VALUES & VISION. The Church Needs To Discover It's "Why" (Values) In Order To DREAM About "Where" God Is Leading The Church (Vision)

GETTING UNSTUCK (moving from Lower Room to Upper Room*) Lower Room – Focuses on Doing Church The lower room is where people come and encounter all the “stuff” of church life. Churches often get stuck in this room and people believe that it’s the only room. 4 P’s Place: the church facility Personality: pastors and staff Programs: events, services, groups and classes People: relationships of familiarity and comfort *See Acts 1: 2 -8, 2: 1 -4

GETTING UNSTUCK (moving from Lower Room to Upper Room*) Upper Room – Starts with Values and Moves to Vision The upper room is where leaders serve through a vision that builds a deeper connection and sense of identity with the church. It’s where the congregation can rediscover and communicate it unique identity as a church. 5 Questions Why do we do what we do? How do we live out our why? What are we doing? When are we successful? Where is God taking us? *See Acts 1: 2 -8, 2: 1 -4

Start with Why to move to Where Values – Answers why we do what we do? (values) Sample of Values (Starbucks) • Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome. • Acting with courage, challenging the status quo. • Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity and respect. • Delivering our very best in all we do, holding ourselves accountable for results. • We are performance driven, through the lens of humanity.

Start with Why to move to Where Vision – Answers where is God taking us? (vision - future picture) Sample of Vision (Asbury UMC, Raleigh, NC) Engaging people in relationships where Christ transforms. In the next five years, every person who calls our church home will be linking arms in difference-making relationships. We will focus efforts on two needs—hunger and education—in the three concentric-circle ministry areas.

Values & Vision the church needs to discover it's "why" (values) to dream about "where" (vision) God is leading the church Honoring God reflecting God's love through actions WHY why we do what we do? (values) Engaging Relationships putting people before programs Inspiring Others sharing our faith stories of connecting to something bigger HOW Changing Lives how do we accomplish our mission? (strategy) investing in our communities one person at a time Vision Church Culture WHAT WHEN WHERE Engagement Systems Assessing Church & Community Church Health Equipping churches to imagine new ways of connecting people with Jesus what are we doing? (mission) Risk-taking to Reach New People when are w successful? (measures) so that churches become relevant and influential where is God taking us? (vision - future picutre) Pastors/Laity Leading by Listening so that people are connected through relationships Leaders Saying Yes to Vision/ Mission so that churches are healthy and growing Cultivating 500 leaders to reach 5, 000 new people tocreate a better future for East Metro Atlanta © 2018 Quincy Brown All Rights Reserved

WHAT what are we doing? (mission) HOW how do we accomplish our mission? (strategy) WHEN when are we successful? (measures) WHY why we do what we do? (values) WHERE where is God taking us? (vision - future picture) Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World Works of Piety and Works of Mercy Prayer, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness Do No Harm, Do Good, Stay in Love with God Spreading scriptural and social holiness © 2018 Quincy Brown All Rights Reserved

VALUES & VISION The church needs to discover its “why” (VALUES) to dream about where God is leading the church (VISION). WHY HOW why we do what we do? (values) how do we accomplish our mission? (strategy) WHAT what are we doing? (mission) WHEN when are w successful? (measures) WHERE where is God taking us? (vision - future picture) © 2018 Quincy Brown All Rights Reserved

Training experiences for Healthy Churches