The New Classroom Style--Needed Now!

Rick Chromey, one of the best Christian thinkers I know, just sent me a link to this article about Generation Y: http://www.readwriteweb.com/archives/why_gen_y_is_going_to_change_the_web.php

Very intriguing from many angles, but the one that intrigues me, of course, is what are the implications for the Christian learning environment and children's ministry in particular?

The article states: "They're Plugged In: The term "digital native" applies to most Gen Y'ers. Those in Gen Y grew up around computers, the Internet, mobile phones, video games, and mp3 players. They are web savvy multitaskers, able to watch TV, surf the web, listen to music, and talk or text on their phones, often performing several of these things at the same time."

And, yet, when I think of the existing lesson structures in many Christian environments, I can't help but think of a monotone Ben Stein droning on and on about something listeners have tuned out long ago.

We have to change! The classrooms of the near-future must mirror the multi-tasking world of children. They must be more like a computer monitor with icons for kids to choose from (choice!) and engage with (interactivity) and have fun with (enjoyment). Kids must be in the driver's seat--instead of the teacher. And I mean completely and totally--not some pretend arena where the teacher throws kids a bone of choice every now and then but is still very much the lesson plan deliverer.

We're digging deep into what this looks like here at Group. And it's exciting! I think because it's so new, I'm at a loss for language--what's this called? Is anyone else doing this well? I'd be grateful for help in tagging this innovative learning environment--that hasn't yet come to life. Any thoughts?

I-Phone/Jesus Phone?

So I'm trying to figure out why many are referring to the new I-phone as the Jesus phone.

And here's what one guy says: "For the record though the Jesus Phone name is what the phone is being called by many, and I don’t think it’s unfair, the hype is probably getting close to the second coming of Christ. As for upsetting people’s religious views this is meant as a parody on the hype surrounding the phone and isn’t a parody on religion."

And another person posts..."This is bad. Using “Jesus” on advertising? This is really, really, really bad."

Hmmmm....it's created quite a stir. Take a look at the video: http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/06/08/3-weeks-until-the-iphone-goes-on-sale/ and let me know what you think.

Why So Many Churches?

Preteens ask this question--often. Why are there so many different churches? I read a great lesson yesterday that our very gifted Amy Weaver is editing about this very question. It was in the preteen Grapple curriculum. The anchor experience (designed to create cognitive dissonance in preteens and make them think about the question) had kids clumping together based on their favorite TV show. Then they had to find people who agreed with them about their favorite character from that show. The questions afterward did a great job of helping kids see that while people can agree on some things, they can disagree on others--perhaps that aren't key essentials to the faith. And that's okay. Then the kids get in teams and grapple with this issue by digging into the Bible. (And the takeaway is that while we may have disagreements about worship styles and/or other things, God calls us to unity as the body of Christ throughout the world.) I'm telling you...if you haven't yet checked out Grapple for your preteens, you need to. We're hearing from preteen teachers and ministers that their classes are doubling and tripling because preteens are loving it. And even better than that, preteens are grappling with faith issues and owning their faith like never before. Check it out at group.com/grapple today!

Bible-Less Children's Ministry?

Could the Bible illiteracy in our culture be the result of the absence of Bibles in our churches, and specifically in our children's ministries? Take a look at what Karl Bastian says at discipleblog (the June 6 posting)...

http://www.discipleblog.com/

Kummer's 68 Reasons

I'm catching up on all my Google Alerts from being out on vacation. You gotta check this out.

Tony Kummer's 68 reasons children's ministry matters: http://www.ministrybestpractices.com/2008/05/benefits-of-childrens-ministry.html

A Life Summed Up

My father-in-law passed away this last week and we had his service yesterday--complete with a 21-gun salute, folding of the flag, and more. It was very moving and very meaningful. Of course, it was sad for all of us to lose Grandpa, but we know he's in heaven with Jesus and is complete and whole.

Today, I'm exhausted from the emotion and activity of the weekend. And perhaps that's why my thoughts are more melancholy than usual. But I'm considering today how a long life can be summed up in a couple paragraphs for an obituary or a eulogy. Just the highlights. Not the details of a laugh or a conversation or a silly response to grandkids. Not the things that make up a person in our minds and hearts. All of those things will not be written down for generations to come--just the highlights.

And it makes me ponder the fleeting nature of life here on earth. One of my nephews read a great quote from the end of the Chronicles of Narnia that reminds me of what my friend RoseAnne once said to me: This life on earth is like a period at the end of a prologue. The rest--the real book, the real adventures are to come in heaven. They're eternal.

I can't help thinking that we're each a link in a long chain. We need to be faithful to do what God calls us to--not to be famous or to leave a legacy--but to keep the chain of faith going. There is something very powerful about passing on to the next generation what we've received from the generation before us. And for this period of time--this very short time--that's what matters most.

Our time is so fleeting. May we be found to be a faithful link in the chain!

Bearly Here

So, we're taking off tomorrow for an RV adventure to Yellowstone. I won't be blogging next week. Hope to see lots of bears--from a distance!

Have It Your Way

Remember the old Burger King slogan "Have it your way"? Today, more and more products are letting children have it their way.

Case in point: Iconoculture reported on Stardoll--a virtual environment where kids dress their avatar in the game. And now, Stardoll is partnering with Spreadshirt so kids can design their own clothes and have them created in the real world. Now that's customization!

The implications for ministry? Are we providing environments where kids are actively involved in making choices, designing their faith, and finding creative ways to wear it home? We have to move away from a linear lesson plan structure that's teacher-focused and instead create a network environment for learning where kids guide the process, make discoveries, and themselves make connections to real life.

You Never Know...

We've had a horrendous thing happen here in our town of Loveland. Marital dispute, separation, filed divorce and restraining order papers led to the father being served at their home. Before it was over, the father had killed the process server, hurt his wife who managed to run for help, and tried to kill his two children before the police stopped him. And he told his children as he choked them that he loved them so much he'd do anything to protect them. It's horrifying.

On the nightly news, neighbors said the same things, "We never would've thought it." "They were such a good family." "They put up a cross at Christmas."

Something else that shocks? This was a family that was active in church. And the process server was a member of the same church they went to. My church.

It is doubly grievous to think about why the gospel of peace wasn't more pervasive in this family's life--especially if they were exposed to it regularly. What do we need to do more effectively? I'm not saying it's our church's fault; in fact, our pastor is very good at reminding us that none of us is perfect in our church. But it just makes me wonder.

It also troubles me to think of children in families in our churches who are exposed to violence and are abused--and we don't have a clue.

I've been reading a lot of memoirs lately, and one I just read "Driving With Dead People" chronicled the aftermath of abuse that the children experienced from the hands of their church-going father and mother. The abuse happened years ago but it makes me wonder if our church culture has changed enough that families would feel safe enough to tell someone about the reality behind closed doors--before tragedy strikes. What would it look like if we could talk to children openly about being a safe place for them to come if they need to be rescued? For children who go home to living hells, it just makes me wonder if it's enough to tell nice stories and have great lessons. 

Subtle Signs of Stress

I'm a pretty calm person (which means I internalize my stress). And the telltale signs of that are I get this pain in my neck when stressed. Yes, it's an actual, not a figurative, pain. Doctors say it's an ulcer on my vocal chords. And it's baaaaack.

Why so stressed? My son just graduated from high school (yea!) so there was a lot to do, but that was pretty easy. Company came in; that was fun, but kind of high-maintenance.  (and we had tornado scares while they were here...an F-3 actually hit a nearby town, causing lots of damage.) So, here's the real stressor, Grant wants to join the Marines and go to Iraq. I'm not dealing real well with that one. I'm praying that God will help me to live life with an open-hand, and I'm trying, but I don't think the problem's in my hands--it's in my neck. Gulp.

Work has been busier than ever. The good thing is our managing editor had a precious baby boy. The tougher thing is filling in for her. She's fabulous so stepping back into a hands-on role (on top of other responsibilities) has piles of unfinished work and unanswered emails accumulating. And I think there's some kind of weird fungus on my keyboard. No time to clean it. Gulp.

We leave for vacation in a couple weeks--in a rented RV to Yellowstone--while gas is climbing over $4 per gallon. And I think it gets like two miles to the gallon. Big gulp. Looking forward to a break, but not sure it's going to be an easy trip. Packing, cooking, cleaning, unpacking. I'm adding to my stress just thinking of all the details.

So I'll just keep swallowing my antacids and trying to take deep breaths--not gulps. Say a prayer for God's peace to flood my life if you read this. That's what I long for.