Faith Generation

The recent Church Growth Research (see www.churchgrowthresearch.org.uk) identifies that the successful transmission of faith to children and young people is a key factor in stemming decline and promoting growth. This book explores the cultural and theological reasons as to why this is the case and makes research-based recommendations for the faith formation of children and young people. The central argument is that church communities need to engage in deliberate strategies that help foster ‘intentional Christian Communities’ within which children and young people can form and sustain Christian identity.

Reveals the deep and pervasive search for meaning that haunts Generation X. This book is must reading for anyone who would understand the spirituality of young people at the turn of a new millennium.--Robert A. Ludwig, author of Reconstructing Catholicism for a New Generation In Virtual Faith, Beaudoin explores fashion, music videos, and cyberspace concluding that his generation has fashioned a theology radically different from, but no less potent or valid than, that of their elders. Beaudoin's investigation of popular culture uncovers four themes that underpin his generation?s theology. First, all institutions are suspect -- especially organized religion. Second, personal experience is everything, and every form of intense personal experience is potentially spiritual. Third, suffering is also spiritual. Finally, this generation sees ambiguity as a central element of faith. This book opens a long overdue conversation about where and how we find meaning, and how we all can encourage each other in this central human searching. Tom Beaudoin earned his Master of Theological Studies from Harvard University School of Divinity in 1996 and is currently working toward a Ph.D. in Religion and Education at Boston College.

Young people aren’t walking away from the church—they’re sprinting. According to a recent study by Ranier Research, 70 percent of youth leave church by the time they are 22 years old. Barna Group estimates that 80 percent of those reared in the church will be “disengaged” by the time they are 29 years old. Unlike earlier generations of church dropouts, these “leavers” are unlikely to seek out alternative forms of Christian community such as home churches and small groups. When they leave church, many leave the faith as well. Drawing on recent research and in-depth interviews with young leavers, Generation Ex-Christian will shine a light on this crisis and propose effective responses that go beyond slick services or edgy outreach. But it won’t be easy. Christianity is regarded with suspicion by the younger generation. Those who leave the faith are often downright cynical. To make matters worse, parents generally react poorly when their children go astray. Many sink into a defensive crouch or go on the attack, delivering homespun fire-and-brimstone sermons that further distance their grown children. Others give up completely or take up the spiritual-sounding “all we can do is pray” mantra without truly exploring creative ways to engage their children on matters of faith. Some turn to their churches for help, only to find that they frequently lack adequate resources to guide them. This is where Generation Ex-Christian will lend a hand. It will equip and inspire parents, church leaders, and everyday Christians to reawaken the prodigal's desire for God and set him or her back on the road to a dynamic faith. The heart of the book will be the raw profiles of real-world, young ex-Christians. No two leavers are identical, but upon close observation some categories emerge. The book will identify seven different kinds of leavers (the postmodern skeptic, the drifter, the neopagan, etc.) and offer practical advice for how to connect with each type. Shrewd tips will also intersperse the chapters alerting readers to opportunities for engagement, and to hidden landmines they must sidestep to effectively reach leavers.

Second-generation Korean Americans, demonstrating an unparalleled entrepreneurial fervor, are establishing new churches with a goal of shaping the future of American Christianity. A Faith of Our Own investigates the development and growth of these houses of worship, a recent and rapidly increasing phenomenon in major cities throughout the United States. Immigration historians have depicted the second-generation as a transitional generation--on the steady march toward the inevitable decline of ethnic identity and allegiance. Sharon Kim suggests an alternative path. By harnessing religion and innovatively creating hybrid religious institutions, second-generation Korean Americans are assertively defining and shaping their own ethnic and religious futures. Rather than assimilating into mainstream American evangelical churches or inheriting the churches of their immigrant parents, second-generation pastors are creating their own hybrid third space--new autonomous churches that are shaped by multiple frames of reference. Including data gathered over ten years at twenty-two churches, A Faith of Our Own is the most comprehensive study of this topic that addresses generational, identity, political, racial, and empowerment issues.

Focusing on spirituality as an inherent component of effective nursing care, this text presents an unbiased view of the nature of human spirituality apart from religion. The text offers a unique interdisciplinary and inter-religious perspective—representing a range of Eastern and Western religious traditions—while addressing lifespan considerations and belief systems within the nursing process framework. Readable, interactive chapters apply the content clinically and highlight timely research on spirituality and health. Each chapter includes case studies, critical thinking questions, and personal reflection questions. Website references are also included.

The Everlasting Gospels are the Holy Words spoken directly from God's mouth. The voice of The Heavenly Father transcends from His High throne to all mankind to adhere to. The Word, which created the world in the beginning, is now to recreate, reconstruct, and reform the entire world and humanity according to The Father's Will as it is done in heaven. The kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdom of our Lord and His Christ and this Working Document is the only Constitution of the New World. The contents of this Everlasting Gospel is a testimony to the fulfilment of the promise of Our Lord Jesus Christ, that the Comforter will come to teach all things, lead people to the accurate knowledge of the truth and inform of things to come (John 16: 7-14), which has in truth materialised. The Will of Our Heavenly Father is done on earth as it is done in heaven. John 16: 7-14 “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” His Coming was revealed to many prophets, both past, and present. Astrologers and scientists are aware of His Omnipotence, Omnipresence, and Omniscience. Some try to conceal or ignore the truth, while others are confused, disturbed, and without the capacity to comprehend. The purpose of this compilation is to reveal the Truth for the salvation of the entire world. The Holy Spirit is personified and His Everlasting Gospels, in this Divine Document, expatiates and shines greater light on many issues affecting our lives and environments physically, socially, and spiritually. The gospels provide answers to questions that have remained unanswered, challenge misconceived doctrines, corrects entrenched wrong believes, and reframes questions that were, hitherto, wrongly asked. The maxim which says that “a tree is known by its fruit' is germane to the Everlasting Gospel as the unparalleled wisdom in its contents affirm that God, the Quickening Spirit, is on earth directing all the affairs in the world, setting the captives free, and fulfilling His promises. God has answered the plea in the Lord's Prayer as nominated in the Holy Bible, i.e. " Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven". That Kingdom has come. It is the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, a Kingdom in reality and in practice with God Himself as the foundation and Head of the Monarchy. The government is theocratic and Love is the law. The Holy Spirit is warning everyone about the need to turn a new leaf and begin to love one another and all creation of God to escape the impending predicaments and calamities already befalling the world, and, especially, the final judgement of God. The Everlasting Gospel Volume 1 is a collection of some of the numerous Gospels and Bible Lectures delivered daily, and sometimes twice daily every day of the year, by the Holy Spirit personified in Leader Olumba Olumba Obu over a period spanning over forty years. The Gospels are delivered in the Efik dialect and interpreted into other languages, including English, by human interpreters. Interpreting Efik to English is a challenging task as Efik is a complex language with a lot of nuances and contexts. The priority of the interpreters is to, as much as possible, provide the English equivalents of the gospels being delivered and not try to contextualize or second guess the meaning.

As a young reporter in Uzbekistan, Bagila Bukharbayeva was a witness to her countrys search for an identity after the collapse of the Soviet Union. While self-proclaimed religious leaders argued about what was the true Islam, Bukharbayeva shows how some of the neighborhood boys became religious, then devout, and then a threat to the country's authoritarian government. The Vanishing Generation provides an unparalleled look into what life is like in a religious sect, the experience of people who live for months and even years in hiding, and the fabricated evidence, torture, and kidnappings that characterize an authoritarian government. In doing so, she provides a rare and unforgettable story of what life is like today inside the secretive and tightly controlled country of Uzbekistan. Balancing intimate memories of playmates and neighborhood crushes with harrowing stories of extremism and authoritarianism, Bukharbayeva gives a voice to victims whose stories would never otherwise be heard.

The rise of African Pentecostal and Charismatic churches in the West has become a growing phenomenon and a starring feature in many social, religious, and political conversations. Most of these discussions are generally centered on the first-generation churches and their missionary attempt to evangelize the West. In this book, Caleb Nyanni offers a fresh insight into the African diaspora church from the perspective of the growing second-generation members and their contributions to the life of the church. He explores the changing nature of the African diaspora Pentecostalism by paying close attention to the Church of Pentecost in the United Kingdom, which serves as a case study. The book explores the frustrations, challenges, opportunities, and culture of the second generation and examines what they bring to Pentecostalism in general.