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Great response to my previous post

April 10, 2008 in Uncategorized with 2 Comments

Neal Locke has written a great post responding to my previous post on the Millenials and some of my thoughts as they relate to the PC(USA).

I actually agree with pretty much all that he has stated. He tends to have a more hopeful and positive outlook for the PC(USA) than I do. But most of my cynicism is fresh off my bad experiences with the ordination process. Not with my local, church CPM comittee, but the overall process as a whole.

Some of Neal’s points are these:

The gay issue has been decided: Evangelical Conservatives decided to exclude, and at least the PC(USA) is still wrestling with it.
When it comes to the gender issue, where are women going to go, but to denominations that empower them. Traditionally, non-denominational, Bible churches and many Evangelical churches have not empowered women to serve in all positions of leadership in the Church.
Millenials do not desert their elders, even when they “live by crazy books of order, ‘perhaps’”….as he puts it.

You can read his post here.

What is the Millenial Generation About?

April 10, 2008 in Uncategorized with 20 Comments

Here are some observations on the Milennial Generation from the Hugh Hewitt interview with Morley Winograd and Michael D. Hais….authors of Millenial Makeover: MySpace, You Tube, and the Future of American Politics.

Whether you care about politics or not, this generation is already influencing and will be transforming everthing they interact with.

And whether you agree with them or not, they bring some much needed ideas. I’m especially interested in how they are influencing the Church, which is not talked about here. But that’s for other posts. Just know that what is discussed here is obviously influencing the Church.

Now here are some very brief observations on some of the summaries that authors make in the interview. I didn’t really organize it…but peruse the observations made by the authors. Very interesting.

Millenials are people born between 1982 in 2003 (at least as defined in the US).
Largest generation in American history. 1 million more than the previous largest generation…the Baby Boomers.
Twice as many Milennials as Gen X’ers
Most ethnically diverse generation in American History…40% are either African American, Asian or Mixed Race; 20% have at least one immigrant parent.
Generation “least bound” by gender and role restriction.
Half of Millenials that are in college are female; first time in history.
Highly socially tolerant generation.
“Civic Generation”…lineal descendants of the last Civic Generation the GI/Greatest Generation (i.e. Depression, WWII, etc.)
See a need for a greater economic equality in the country…respond to economic injustice. Will be interested in re-distribution policies to make economic inequality to go away. Continue Reading…

Let’s All Be Honest With Ourselves…Can We?

March 18, 2008 in Uncategorized with 7 Comments

If you read or watch the news for any length you are bound to come across Christians who make pretty demonstrative statements about how voting for one candidate or another would be wrong as a Christian.

Examples:

There are those who say that if you vote for Obama, who is pro-choice, then as a Christian you are not acting in good faith or conscience.
There are those who say if you voted for Bush, or will vote for McCain, then as a Christian you are not acting in good faith or conscience because they support the war in Afghanistan, Iraq, and possibly other places, etc.
You get the point….right?

That voting is not always, and probably never has been a black or white, cut and dry issue. Anytime you vote for a candidate, whether it be Hilary, Obama, McCain, they will enact policies and make choices that at some time or another will go against your views….whether you are a Christian, Agnostic, Atheist, etc, etc.

I wish it were that simple, but it is not. Some of you may take the pro-life/pro-choice issue as your main issue, and that’s where you will lay your stake. Others may take a gay/lesbian’s couple right to marry/not marry as your main issue, and that’s where you will lay your stake. Others may say that marching into war is the main issue, and you will stake your claim there based on the candidates view.

It is not always cut and dry. There have been candidates who are Christian who have cut taxes and eliminated community health programs, sending many to the street to struggle away in poverty.

What I’m saying is that when we hold the ethics of Jesus up against a candidate, no candidate will match those completely. I wish that were not true, but it seems to be. So until someone fits that bill, then we as Christians should not go around claiming that others are not Christians, or are acting in bad faith or conscience because they voted for one of the candidates over another.

The choices we are presented are sometimes grey, and if we play out the long tail effect of each decision, then we would see that everything is not always black and white.

In Matthew 5, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus presents to us a way of life that is so radical and counter-culture that it makes no sense to our rational minds….it is so counter-intuitive. So as a Christian, as long as I know I’m struggling to live out those teachings, then I know others are as well. And no candidate is going to be a savior, whether they are Christian or non-Christian, whether they claim to be or not be.

Continued Series–Non-Political Observations on Why I Think Many in My Generation and Younger are Voting for Barack Obama: Reason #3

March 10, 2008 in Uncategorized with 4 Comments

I could probably post a few more reasons, but as I mentioned before, I tend not to post much on politics. So this is reason #3, and the final posting in this series (you can read the other two reasons below).

Reason #3: Hope

This is the one word that I hear more often than not surrounding the Obama campaign and it’s supporters. It’s definitely the number one reason that I hear among college students that I work with as well. What this hope looks like, or the expectations behind it probably differ from person to person, but here is my general sense. Most people have become disillusioned with politics today, and therefore, anyone new who enters the race stands for some kind of hope that did not previously exist. Now I know Obama is not new to politics, but his name is not one that we have heard of for years like McCain and Hilary. Being new to a presidential race ushers in a sense of hope and anticipation for many.

Though this last week has been a pretty rough one (relatively speaking) for the Obama campaign, I think most young people admire his attempts to keep the politics from turning into mudslinging. Whether you think this has been accomplished or not is really besides the point, because he tends to be the one to at least verbally acknowledge the desire to stay above the fray. Trying to do politics differently has ushered in a sense of hope as well.

Last, I think that many younger people see the possibility of having the first ever African-American in the presidential office as a hopeful sign for our country. It brings a sense of hope that any odds can be overcome and that our country has maybe gotten past some of the racism that has existed. Now we all know that racism exists and will continue to exist, but I think Obama’s presence in the race signals a new day for America that many people are excited about.

As I mentioned before, I could go on with more and more posts on this topic but I’m going to bring it to a close.

#1: Openness

#2: Experience/Inexperience

#3: Hope

These are just three of the non-political observations that I have made, and I’m sure you might have add to more, and I would love to hear from you.

Continued Series–Non-Political Observations on Why I Think Many in My Generation and Younger are Voting for Barack Obama: Reason #2

March 5, 2008 in Uncategorized with 7 Comments

You can read my previous post and reason #1 (openness) below. Just a reminder. These are non-political observations that I’m making, based on my experience in working with the typical young adults demographic and under (35 and younger).

So if you want to read all my caveats about me not typicall writing on politics, or about how all candidates and parties play a very shrewd and political game, often leaving the voter with less than a clear picture of the reality behind the campaign machine, then read the beginning of post number one. Otherwise, let me just jump in to the next reason.

Reason #2: Experience/In-Experience

Kyle, the first commenter in my previous post actually made an observation that was one of the ones I was going to state. Kyle, therefore, I agree with you.

Inexperience sometimes does work in favor of someone in the 35 and younger crowd. And to many of the voters, pundits, news outlets, etc, this is one area that Obama is constantly being criticized over. What most of them don’t realize though, is that many younger Americans aren’t looking for the person with always the most experience, hence making this debate between the candidates about who is better equipped to answer the White House phone in the middle of the night somewhat irrelevant to many.

Let’s first talk about experience. There are people who have no experience in something. Here we often think of your freshmen out of college, or your incoming high school student into college who has never worked. If they are wanting a job, say in some organization (whatever it may be) they are probably truly inexperienced.

Then you have people who have done all kinds of things. Gone to college. Worked in several different fields, experiencing both success and failure. They may come to a new line of work, but you can’t really say they are inexperienced. They may not have all the expertise or knowledge in that one field, but they have experience in other areas.

Again, I’m in vocational ministry, so let me put it in those terms. Often in the Church you see people getting hired who come from other successful careers (i.e. businnes, finance, administration, community development). That person may have not been in ministry professionaly before, but that doesn’t mean they lack experience.

“Okay Rhett, get to the point!” Obama has experience in other careers, and just because he has never worked in the White House doesn’t mean he lacks experience. This is where Kyle is right I believe. Younger generations actually have a backlash towards the idea that someone has to have lots of experience or even a lifetime of it in one area to do that job properly. Also, if so many younger Americans are disullionsed with American politics, then want they really don’t want to do is to put someone in office who has tons of experience in the system that they feel is not working. Why would they put McCain or Hilary in the Presidential Office if they are not happy with the political system, or what the parties have done? Rather, what they are looking for is someone with a new and fresh perspective. And for many, Obama fits this bill. Some may call him inexperienced, but that would be missing the point. He is experienced, just not in the ways that previous generations have equated experience with.

I know that is quite a rambling mess of a post above. Bottom line: People who are often not part of a system, or rather who have not been born and raised within a system, often come into a position looking at new and imaginative ways to do a job differently. This is where Obama’s experience/inexperience pays off for him.

Recap so far:

#1 Openness

#2 Experience/Inexperience

Non-Political Observations on Why I Think Many in My Generation and Younger are Voting for Barack Obama: Reason #1

March 3, 2008 in Uncategorized with 11 Comments

First of all, let me say that I never write on politics. I just never have. The topic is obviously very important and interesting, but it just doesn’t interest me and fire me up like some of my friends and family. Second, I don’t consider myself an expert on politics. I watch the news, read a lot, follow the candidates to a degree, but not to the extent that many of you. Third, these are just some observations that I have made and have talked to others about. I’m totally open to you then disagreeing/agreeing, debating me, showing me where I’m wrong/right.

But what I really want to do is just point out a couple of things that I have noticed recently. I wasn’t sure if I was on/off base, until I started talking to others, and they totally agreed. So I realize I’m not alone in these observations then.

Here is what I’m trying to point out basically: I think many of the main reasons that Barack is so popular among people have nothing to do with politics, his policy, his experience, etc. That may be shocking to many of you, but I don’t think it should be. Hence why these are non-political thoughts.

So over the next week I’m just going to point out several reasons why. Nothing extensive. Not lots of research on this. Just some observations. Also, I’m just looking specifically at my generation (I’m 33 yrs. old) and younger generations since I have more experience in working with them and more opportunities to observe them and be in conversation with them.

Therefore, I would be curious of your thoughts, and would appreciate your interaction.

Reason #1: Openness

This is one of the biggest and most important reasons I believe. First, let’s all agree that the political machine and campaigns of all the candidates can spin anything, in anyway that they want. So though many will blame the media’s spin on why candidates appear one way or the other…let’s just admit that Hilary Clinton, John McCain and Barack Obama are all quite adept at the political game. And that what we may see is not the true reality. So let’s all agree there.

Of all the candidates Barack appears to be the most open. And by open I mean lots of things. He appears more transparent in his debates and speeches. More vulnerable. When attacked, he seems to admit to making mistakes. No matter if you agree with him or not, you don’t get the impression that he’s in the back room shredding documents. This sets him apart from the suscpiciousness that the “old guard” and its candidates bring to the table.

His campaign is also seen as a more “open system” He was really one of the first to be all over Facebook with groups and interactive forums, and Facebook is very much an open system, allowing input and feedback by others. His place on Facebook and MySpace, etc, endeared him to a generation that has felt disengaged from politics as a whole.

And have you seen his website? Wow! He just gets it in ways that other candidates don’t get. He and his campaign understand the importance of the web and social networking in making people feel connected and important. His web presence presents a much more open image than the others (I know Clinton and McCain have websites also…but not to the same degree), and that speaks to younger generations in some powerful ways.

I have experienced the power of this openness in our own ministry. Facebook for example (which I will point out in my upcoming chapter in The New Media Frontier in Sept.) is an open, non-hierarchical network that allows input from others without having to go through the traditional “gate keepers”, etc. This is very important, and I think Barack’s savvy online has allowed younger generations to look at politics in a different way, and get involved without having to go through the traditional “old guard” in politics.

Barack’s openness signifies to many a new way of doing politics and allowing those who have felt excluded to be a part of the process, no matter how small or how big the contribution is. Whether or not a forum on Facebook has a great impact is not the point. The point is that people feel empowered, especially at a grassroots level. And that is what online social networking sites are all about. They are about disabling the traditional systems of “closed systems” and “gatekeepers”, and about giving voice to communities of people. It is a collaborative effort that has excited new generations.

And if you are going to capture the younger generations, then you have to understand this view. I work in a church, and so I understand it better from a church perspective….and churches that don’t understand that younger generations are now bypassing the traditional “gatekeepers” and “red tape” of the church, are going to be in a lot of trouble. It’s happening in Church, and it’s happening in politics and it’s going to pervade other areas of life as well.

This generation (my generation and younger) wants transparency to such an extent that it may not comfortable to some generations. With Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Digg, Delicious, Reddit, Google, etc. people’s lives are more of an open book than before, and Barack and his campaign seem to understand this.

Thoughts?

A Must Read

February 26, 2008 in Uncategorized with 1 Comment

Check out my latest post at Leadership Network. I posted on the new book Jesus for President by Shane Claiborne, Chris Haw and the design team of Ryan and Holly Sharp.

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