Building Your Credit – As two become one.

build credit togetherAs I talked about to young couple starting marriage, one of their main concerns was building their credit score.  Credit scores are important for couple who are considering borrowing money for larger purchases like a car or home.  After two people say, “I Do.”  Your credit score affects both of you.

I searched around the web and found a great article for those who are in the process of building their credit score.

The only part that I don’t appreciate is there assumption on Point #6, “All relationships end.”  While divorce is common even among Christians, what a terrible outlook on marriage!  If you assume that your relationship is going to end, you will not fully give yourself to the marriage.  Marriage relationships require both partners to fully commitment themselves to the long-haul.

May God guide and strengthen your marriage.

 

 

11 Things Millennials only do in Articles about Millennials.

Hate cars with every fiber of their being.

Millennials hate cars with every fiber of their being. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock.

Here is a great humorous piece that I found that illustrates how Millennials are often wrongly characterized in media.

The article’s main point:  “Stop your millennial trend pieces. We don’t all act the same way and love the same thing. Well, except when it comes to Game of Thrones.”

Statistics are helpful as we try to understand and relate to other generations.  Unfortunately, sometimes articles are written using skewed statistics, unreliable statistics, or no statistics at all.

Have a good laugh, and may it cause you not to judge another person by the statistics of their generation.

Your Church is Not Alone…

churchIf your high school student are disappearing after graduation…

If having “more youth” means having more babies…

If your congregation is greying…

If you are still confused by what a Millennial is, let alone how it matters to your church…

If you pray, and pray, and pray, and see no change …

If the young know what is wrong with your church…

If the old know what is wrong with your church…

If these two sides cannot agree on anything…

If your parents of emerging adults are suffering in shame over their kids…

If your emerging adults are suffering in shame over themselves…

If your parents of high school students are scared of what lies ahead…

If you have a passion to see the generations united…

If you no longer want to fear what lies ahead…

If you want to make a difference…

 

You are not alone, but normal.  Welcome to normal.  We can help.

EA Resources is dedicated to helping churches understand the world of Emerging Adults.  We hold seminars on parenting emerging adults, preparing adolescents for emerging adulthood, and helping churches understand Millennials.  If we can help your community, please contact Dr. G. David Boyd at gdavid@earesources.org.

Engaging Gamers within the Church

video gamer stats pictureOne principle of writing is to write about what you know about.  While all writers sometimes break that rule, video gaming is one topic that I know very well.  My gaming began in the early days with Pitfall, Pacman, and Frogger.  It became an obsession when my mother bought me a Nintendo for Christmas (she still regrets that day).  Currently, my favorite games include:  Marvel Legos, Clash of Clans, Game of War, and Skyrim.

In my life, I have often used my love for gaming to build relationships with other gamers within the religious community.  However, many churches do not know how to engage this segment of our society.  I actually find that church communities are hostile to those who enjoy gaming.

Why do we celebrate when people watch hours of sporting events a week (and even fantasy sporting events); and yet if someone spends that same time playing video games, they are labeled as immature, nerdy, and lazy?

If your community is ready to embrace and engage gamers, here are few things you should know.

1.    The gaming industry is not something to ignore. 

About two-thirds of Americans (211.5 million) play video games in the U.S (statistics).  This means that your church is filled with gamers, but many of them are afraid to admit it due to the negative stereotypes placed on gamers by judgmental Christians.

Not only are gamers influential by numbers, but many gamers have financial resources.  Although I do not spend much money on this hobby, most gamers are willing to spend money.  (I buy clearance used games, and never pay for game up-grades)  Consumers spent 20.77 billion dollars in 2012 on this industry.  In my small clan of 100 people in Game of War, the group probably spends approximately $8000 a month.  This is not in subscription fees to play, but for added game bonuses.

I do not think that the church should start producing Christian video games, or provide gaming counsels during the worship services.  I am not saying that the church should hold HALO tournaments (a top-grossing game), or promote Grand Theft Auto.  However, the church needs to begin discussions about the ramifications of gaming on our society, our faith, and the church.

2.     The gaming industry is breaking stereotypes.

The gaming community is not a nerdy, reclusive segment of our society.  While there are people who are both nerdy and reclusive in this community, gamers can no longer be stereotyped.  Most people would envision the gaming community to be composed entirely of adolescent and emerging adult males.  However, the statistics show a much broader image. Only 25% of gamers are in high school, while 26% are over the age of fifty.  (This statistic shocked even me, because this group didn’t grow up on Nintendo.)

video gamer stats 2The gaming community is not restricted to men.  Statistics show that 40% of gamers are females.  On-line gaming communities are FILLED with women, who are not trying to pick-up dates, but are serious about gaming.  Stereotyping gamers reveals a person’s ignorance about our culture, and a lack of relevance to culture today.

The church can engage gamers when negative stereotypes are removed from the activity.  We don’t shame people from watching television, playing sports, or watching sports.  Why are gamers mocked publicly in messages and characterized as immature?  I believe this causes many gamers to not share who they are at church because of their fear of being publicly shamed.  Discernment should be used as to what a person is allowing into their thoughts, but gaming is not inherently evil.  Just as other hobbies are not.

The church has the opportunity to show the gaming community that they are an important part of our society, and that their faith matters in our world.  Look for opportunities to share examples and stories from the gaming world.  Video games examples can be found that cover a range of topics including:  purity, values, bullying, teamwork, and courage.

3.     The gaming community can be mobilized the                  Kingdom. 

Gamers can be mobilized not because of their love of games, but because they are followers of Christ who have the Spirit working within them.

Gaming is not my life.  It is a hobby.  When I engage my hobby, I want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to this community.  In the last month, our gaming community has discussed:  death, drugs, alcohol, cancer, and unemployment.  Although we live all over the globe, these connections and conversations are real.

A new message can be conveyed to gamers.  I will be excited when the day comes and I hear someone talk about their gaming experience from the pulpit.  I will be excited when gamers are challenged alongside other hobbyists to lay aside their recreation for the sake of the Cross.  I will be excited when gamers no longer feel isolated or shamed within the church.

I am advocating for an area of culture that needs the Light.  May this simply be the beginning of a discussion as to how to engage gamers for the sake of God’s kingdom.

All Statistics can be found – http://www.esrb.org/about/video-game-industry-statistics.jsp

Is this Normal? Assessing our Children’s Behavior.

 

 

IsthisnormalAs a parent, you will often look at your child’s behavior and wonder whether it is normal.  You begin to ask this question so much that you begin to wonder if your behavior is normal.

It is normal.

Changes within our society have delayed the development of our children and adolescents. In this seminar, we will examine how to understand and identify your child’s development needs, and how to begin equipping them for adulthood.

This Seminar will cover:

•  An overview of the stages of human developmental (Social, Cognitive,                                      Emotional, Spiritual, Physical).

•   How to establish goals for your child’s development.

•   Help identifying normal and abnormal emotional and social behaviors.

•   How to help your child survive in a technology-saturated society.

•   Practical Tips for handling daily decisions and the pressures of parenting.

The conference is free, and is open to the public.  It will be held at Bethany Academy in Bloomington, MN.  If you would like to attend, please register on the link below.

http://bit.ly/1ls2l3m

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.  If you cannot attend, but you are interested in bring a conference to your school or church, let me know at gdavid@earesources.org.

I hope to see you there.

Death is Wrong – A Children’s Book on Death?

I have the perfect Christmas gift for you!  Actually, Christmas is too far away.  How about buying it for a birthday present, or maybe simply buy it as soon as possible.  (I am totally kidding.)

A recent children’s book was published by philosopher Gennady Stolyarov II.  This children’s book tries to show that death is wrong, and should be defeated through medicine, science, and technology.  According to Amazon, “You will learn about some amazingly long-lived plants and animals, recent scientific discoveries that point the way toward lengthening lifespans in humans, and simple, powerful arguments that can overcome the common excuses for death.”

Remember this is a fully-illustrated children’s book.  One that almost seems humorous if it were not so sad.  This book is an attempt to explain death apart from life in God.

What perspective should we be teaching about death?  If we are honest, we rarely teach anything.  Few of us think about it, and even fewer are willing to talk about it.  When is the last time that you heard a sermon about…death.  It is almost considered a taboo subject – too depressing, and too morbid.

However, a healthy perspective of death leads us to a healthy perspective of life.

Is death wrong?  The answer to this is yes.  Death is the result of something that has gone wrong.  In the beginning, God created a perfect world, and made man and woman to have fellowship with Him in the garden.  Death was a result of sin.

Death is truly wrong. 

But death is now also right.

Death is right because death will mark the end of this life, and the beginning of everlasting life in heaven.  Death is right because it will mark the end of our battle with sin and satan.  Death is right because it was defeated by Jesus when He rose again, and secured a way for us to be reunited with God.

A healthy perspective of death calls us to embrace life.  A healthy perspective calls us to embrace aging.  A healthy perspective calls us to embrace our future as finite humans – not with fear, but in faith.

LA TIMES Article on Millennials – A response to Generational Bashing

MillenialsI came across a new article on the Millennials (those born approximately 1982 to 2004) which I thought was worth sharing.

Not because it was incredibly insightful, research-based, or even because it is right.  I am sharing it because it shares a positive perspective of the strengths of our youngest generation.

Yes, take a breath.  It is a POSITIVE article about the Millennials.

According the author, here are a few of their strengths:

 They are inherently more adaptive, they are idealistic, they are tolerant of differences.  They are aspirational in all the right ways. At our prodding, they worked harder in high school than we ever did in college.

As a result, the older ones (26 to 33) are the best-educated segment of young adults in American history, according to a Pew Research Center study of millennials that was released in March.

Unfortunately, the author knows that he has to apologize again and again for being so foolish as to see them as positive force within our society.  I wish there were more people who would speak up, and defend them.  The Millennials shouldn’t be defending them by proving that they truly are the best.  The Millennials shouldn’t be defending through proving “such and such” statistics are wrong.  We shouldn’t be defending them because individually they each deserve it.

We defend them because it is the right thing to do.  We defend them because there is no positive result from bashing another generation.  We defend them because they are not a group of “others,”  but they are part of us.  They are humans, and they are our offspring.

Why is it so hard for us to grasp the destruction that comes from generation bashing?

I am not a fan of generation wars.  Tom Brookaw’s book The Greatest Generation is a great tribute to those of that era; however, the title and concept that other generations are not as great is unfortunate.  Maybe some people deem inter-generational conflict and competition as healthy and makes a society (and the church) more productive.  This is only true if you value productivity (if that is even truly an outcome), over unity.

It is work to understand and appreciate other generations.  However, bridge-building between generations is essential to the health of our society.  I know that it is essential to the healthy of the church.

 

What voice have you had in this conversation?

What jokes have you made about Millennials?

What assumptions do you hold against other generations?

As we reject ageism (judging others based on their age), we will become a healthy society and a healthier church.

 

How Millennial are you?

Do you sometimes feel as if you identify with Millennials more than your own generation?  Is it because you are “young at heart”?  Or do you simply have different values than your peers?

I came across this on-line test, and thought it helps explain to some people a few of the clear variables that exist between Millennials and other generations.

I took the test and scored 78 as a Millennial.  I would have scored higher, but my mother (being of a much earlier generation) would cry if I got the tattoo and earring that I have always wanted.

This test simply measures the common characteristics of Millennials.  If you would like to read a few more characteristics of Millennials –  click here.

howmillareyou

 

10 Ways Millennials Are Creating the Future of Work (and the Church)

pew and hymnalI recently read this article by Dan Schwabel.  He is the founder of Millennial Branding, a Gen-Y research and management consulting firm.  Dan’s research and predictions about the Millennials are changing the workplace can also be applied to the church.  Using his predictions, here are some ways that Millennials will change the church in the future.

  1.  Millennials will force churches to be transparent. Authenticity is a high value for Millennials.  There is a need for honesty in all activities.  If a church asks for money, then describe the needs.  If someone leaves the staff or community, then tell them the reasons why.  Attempts to cover-up the truth display inauthenticity, and will cause Millennials to flee.
  2. Millennials will choose meaningful work above everything else. Allow Millennials to do meaningful work.  They don’t want to be relegated to tasks because they are young.   Find out what they love to do, and remove the roadblocks.  Don’t make them fit into your pre-planned program.  Listen to who they are before you ask them to volunteer.
  3. Millennials will build a collaborative church. I think that this has ramifications for how a church does small groups.  Some groups connect better through collaboration, and sharing a common project.  Churches need to move beyond small groups simply doing “Bible Study.”
  4. Millennials will make worshipping from home the norm.  Millennials will continue to attend church, but they will also want to watch on-line when they are not available.  Many millennials have jobs that force them to work weekends; therefore a church that wants to appeal to this demographic must have a variety of attendance options, including on-line services.
  5. Millennials will recruit based on results over degrees.  They have been told since they entered education that they had to have a degree.  They have seen the positive and negatives of education, and realize that often education is just a useless gate that keeps capable people from work and leadership.  Millennials will look beyond the degree.
  6. Millennials will change the meaning of “face-time”.  Virtual church was once mocked by the Christian community as being unrealistic, and not real church.  Innovations in technology have made it a reality.  Although I believe in the importance of human-interaction,  technology is changing how this is accomplished.
  7. Millennials will encourage generosity and community support.  A church that wants to engage EA’s will go to the community rather than ask the community to come to them.  Emerging adults are very generous when it comes to the greater community.  They are not usually interested in supporting a larger church staff or programming.
  8. Millennials will eliminate the annual performance review.   Churches don’t do annual reviews,  but Millennials want their voice to be heard in the direction of the church.  A church will attract EA’s when they ask them questions and respond to their answers.  
  9. Millennials will turn work into a game instead of a chore.  The Gaming Industry is huge.  Instead of mocking gamers as immature men and women, a church should engage gamers by building community around them.  The church has embraced men’s sports activities for years, so why do churches frown upon one leisure activity, and yet spend money on the other?
  10. Millennials will level corporate hierarchies.  Already many churches are dropping the title “Senior” Pastor, and instead turning to “Lead” Pastor.  However, the changes have yet to begin.  Hierarchies will disappear within the church (especially those dominated by rich, male babyboomers).   This will only be done by conscious deliberate action.  

I welcome the changes – as part of God’s refining process to the Bride of Christ, and the furtherance of His Kingdom.