lutheran hour ministries presents

Lutheran Hour Ministriespresents

MISSION U School of Witnessing

Who we areOutreach ministry supporting churches worldwideFlagship program, The Lutheran Hour, began in 1930Programs proclaim the Gospel, equip Christians to share the Gospel and reach out to believers and nonbelievers

Visit www.lhm.org for more information!

http://www.lhm.org/

MU 301 – Christ Alone in a Coexist World

The Road to Coexist“Back in the Day”

– “In God We Trust”– Patriotic

60’s– Peace– Don’t trust the “man”

Today– Mother Earth– Equality

Sit Down vs. Buffet

Buffet - Have it Your Way

Buffet AppealVarietyPick what you likeEconomicalNo limitsNo absolutes

“It’s All Relative.”

“Truth is relative.”

Whether you are Muslim or Christian, you will attain your believed outcome.

The Concept:One God, many paths to reaching him.

“It’s All Relative.”The Bible says there is one truth.

Open to John 14:6.

Christ is the way, the truth and the life – the only way to heaven –

The one who has removed our sins.

How do we share “Christ Alone” in a Coexist world?

How?

Relate to your audience.

To discover how,learn who they are first.

How?“When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

The Generational PlateCATEGORIES BUILDERS

1925-1945BOOMERS 1946-1960

Gen X1961-1980

Gen Y1981-2001

Defining Events World War I, IIPearl HarborGreat DepressionAtomic Bomb

Cold WarCivil RightsSpace RaceVietnamTelevision

Roe v. WadeFall of WallGulf WarAIDSChallengerWatergateComputers

9/11Oklahoma City BombingInternetGlobalizationDesert StormTechnology

View of Family Close, married once

Dispersed, divorce and remarriage

Latch key kidsSingle parent and blended

Loose structureSingle parentBlended

View of authority

Honor and respect

Never trust anyone over 30

Ignore – don’t be one

Respect not aweTeam

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services

CATEGORIES BUILDERS1925-1945

BOOMERS 1946-1960

Gen X1961-1980

Gen Y1981-2001

Money Save Spend Hedge Spend parent’s

Heroes FDRChurchillMacArthur PattonEisenhower Babe RuthDi Maggio

JFK and JackieMartin Luther KingGhandiJohn GlennJohn Lennon

Television starsMusicians

Flight 93Mother TeresaBill GatesMark McGwirePrincess DiannaChristopher Reeves

View of Technology

Out live it Master it Enjoy it Employ it

Savings No sweat No problem No fear None

War Win a war Why a war? Watch a war War in Terrorism – home


BOOMERS 1946-1960

Gen X1961-1980

Gen Y1981-2001

Characteristics Hard workersSaversPatrioticLoyal to institutionsPrivateDependable

EducatedDesire qualityIndependentCause-orientedFitness consciousGroomed to explore inner world

Neglected by parentsLoyal to relationshipsSerious about lifeSelf-reliantSkepticalHighly spiritualSurvivors“MTV Generation”

Cherished by parents“Decade of the Child”Groomed to achieve and excelEntrepreneurial hard workers who thrive on flexibilityFunLaw abidingSocially consciousEducated mindedHigh volunteerism


BOOMERS 1946-1960

Gen X1961-1980

Gen Y1981-2001

Core values DedicationHard work Conformity Law and order Respect for authority Patience Delayed reward Duty before pleasure Honor

Optimism Team orientation Personal gratification Health and wellness Personal growth Work Involvement

Diversity Thinking globally Balance Techno-literacy Fun Informality Self-reliance Pragmatism

Optimism Civic duty Confidence Achievement Sociability Morality Street smarts Diversity


BOOMERS 1946-1960

Gen X1961-1980

Gen Y1981-2001

Messages that motivate

“Your experience is respected here.” “It’s valuable to the rest of us to hear what has, and hasn’t, worked in the past.” “Your perseverance is valued and will be rewarded.”

“You’re important to our success.” “You’re valued here.” “What is your vision for this project?” “We recognize your unique and important contribution to our team.”

“Do it your way.” “We’ve got the newest hardware and software.” “There aren’t a lot of rules here.” “We’re not very corporate.”

“You’ll be working with other bright, creative people.” “Your mentor is in his/her sixties.” “You are making a positive difference to our company.” “You handled that situation well.”


BOOMERS 1946-1960

Gen X1961-1980

Gen Y1981-2001

Religious characteristics

Committed to church Enjoy Bible study Loyal to denominations Worship in reference

Committed to relationships Want to belong Supportive of people Want experiences with faith

Committed to family Local causes Short attention span Denominations not important Want faith that meets needs Want less structure

Committed to family Biblically illiterate Spiritually hungry Multiple expressions of worship Faith is something Judge not so no one will judge you Highly tolerant and open

Reflection/DiscussionHow can understanding generations help

open doors to– relationships?– dialogue?– faith sharing?

The Stoop

Modern:– Facts, absolute truths– Biblical, cultural

standards– Fixed sexual roles and

identity– Right and wrong is

standard– Creeds– Unity– Christ alone

Postmodern:– Assumptions, no

absolutes– Create your own values– Choose your own sexual

identity– Right and wrong is

agreed– Stories– Diversity– Other gods

Modern Postmodern

Authority

The “Man”

Every man

The Net

Family Meals

5:00 PM – Family together5:00 – 9:00 PM – Family separated

Multi-tasking Meals

Modern Religious BeliefsSeparateIdentifiableAbsolutes

Pick and ChooseRelative “Absolutes”Every belief equalNo Loyalty

Postmodern Religious Beliefs

Pick Your Own Religion – 1990 - 2008Religious Tradition 1990 2008 Increase/Decrease

Mainline Christian 32,784,000 29,375,000 - 3,409,000

Baptist 33,964,000 36,148,000 - 2,184,000

Generic Christian 25,980,000 32,441,000 + 6,461,000

Christian Unspecified 8,073,000 16,834,000 + 8,761,000

Non-Denom. Christian 194,000 8,032,000 + 7,838,000

Mormon 2,487,000 3,158,000 + 671,000

Jewish 3,137,000 2,680,000 - 457,000

Eastern Religions 687,000 1,961,000 + 1,274,000

Buddhist 404,000 1,189,000 + 735,000

Muslim 527,000 1,349,000 + 822,000

No Religion 14,331,000 34,169,000 + 19,838,000

Agnostic/Atheist 1,188,000 3,556,000 + 2,368,000

American Religious Identification Survey

Reflection/DiscussionHow can understanding

Postmodern culture help open doors to:– Relationships– Dialogue– Faith sharing

Same - DifferentView on Peace

– Buddhists – attain through Four Noble Truths

– Jewish – completeness – Muslim – (peacemaking) godly act

worthy of praise and reward– Christian – gift from God – passes all

understanding – gift (Isaiah 26:3)– Non-religious – absence of war

Same - DifferentView on Love

– Buddhists – wanting happiness for others – detached

– Jewish – both interpersonal love and love of God – justice

– Muslim – must be for the sake of Allah – fruit of piety

– Christian – God is love - love others – charity and mercy (1 John 4:16)

– Non-religious – physical relationship

Same - DifferentView on Heaven

– Buddhists – temporary levels until Nirvana– Jewish – everlasting blessedness of the

righteous; the abode of departed spirits– Muslim – happiness and peace for believers– Christian – eternal walk with God (Matt. 16:19)

– Non-religious – doesn’t exist

Same - DifferentView on Deity

Same - DifferentView on Deity

– Buddhists – no personal god or divine being– Jewish – one, all-powerful God – Muslim – one god – Allah– Christian – Triune – Father, Son and Holy Spirit– Non-religious – whatever appeals from the

intellectual buffet

New Christian “Menu”How have beliefs changed over

the years?– God as ruler of Universe? – Real Satan?– Jesus sinned?– Living Holy Spirit?– Bible accurate?– Bible, Book of Mormon and Koran are all

the same spiritual truth?

78% agree60% agree

39% agree42% agree

78% agree

41% agree

What is on your Plate?Have your beliefs changed over the years?

If so, how?

Why?

ConnectionsListen for valuesClarifyAsk to hear their storyPermission to share yours

Listen For Values“Family”“Success”“Work”“Home”“History”“Religion”

Clarify“What do you mean by that?”“I hear you saying. . .”“Can you tell me more about. . .?”

Their Story“Will you share. . .”“May I hear. . .”“Is it OK if I ask. . .”

Your Story“Do you mind if I share. . .”“May I share with you. . .”“Is it OK if I share. . .”

Points of ConnectionLife stages– Marriage– Birth of child– Conflict– Death – Loss of job– Relocation– Children in school– Empty nest

Points of ConnectionEvents– Holidays– Elections– Disasters– Neighborhood gatherings– Festivals– Politics

Points of ConnectionMedia– Books– Magazines– TV shows– Movies

PracticePick an event important in your life.Find another person.Ask permission to hear their story.Listen for value words.Ask permission to share your story.Appeal to their values.

RememberAge countsModern is not Post-Modern.Religion is not universal.Words have different meanings.

RememberConnections take time.Seek permission.Listen actively.Follow-through.

More from LHM

Regional Outreach Conferences

Five14

International Ministries Partnerships

Project Connect

The Lutheran Hour

Men’s NetWork

JCPlayZone

Para el Camino

www.lhm.org

Outreach Resources Faith-Focused Resources

Ongoing Education

Web-based Training

Special Speaker Series– Monthly Webinar– Second Saturday of the month– August - May– 10– 11 AM CST

Web-based Training

MISSION U Web Office– Second and fourth Friday each month– 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. CST– August – May

Ongoing Education

TO VIEW UPCOMING WEB TRAINING DATES, TOPICS AND SPEAKERS, VISIT

www.whatsmissionu.com