NextGenKent

I was wondering today about how I could start meaningful, spiritual conversations with others whom I know are not Christians but perhaps once were. I wondered how I would come across if I was deep in thought and he or she asked me, "What are you so deep in thought about?" and I replied, "I was just thinking about Jesus." I wouldn't want it to be annoying, just bridging. I was reading over an article adapted from The Evangelism Study Bible, that explored responding to people who have had a bad experience with Christianity. I found their five reminders worth repeating and good for keeping in the back of your mind, once practiced in your "holy imagination" (aka, spiritual reflection). 1. Don't be defensive. Remembering that it isn't so much that you do not agree, but HOW you disagree that will stick in their minds when they walk away. Take into yourself their comments as if you were the one who did them wrong and then reflect it back to the...

This is my initial thesis idea which will involve the issue of: --2nd and 3rd generation conversion experiences; --interviews of late adolescent youth and college age; --interested in discovering if the way the church has handled conversion and its experience among those raised in the church/Christians homes has had any impact on where they are today; --especially interested in if this has any reflection on the "exodus studies" have indicated is taking place among this age away from church. Initially I will develop a biblical theology of conversion. This is year one. This will involve a biblical, historical and theological look at conversion. Then I will settle into understanding how the church has handled conversion. I want to understand how the church addresses children and youth raised in their congregation about conversion. Hypotheses:: 1. The study of individuation has led me to believe that perhaps young people have left the church in search of a truer c...