A (Very) Brief History

And yet again, I had much more planned for this last week than we were able to cover. We'll go over what we did cover here in this post, and then I'll update the links page on the blog to include a selection of websites, books, and other information that pertains media, consumption, and Christianity. We'll start with what we did get to:

Our Five Minutes of God Time song was City on a Hill by Casting Crowns

 I handed you a sheet with several bible verses from the book of Matthew and some quotes on it. We covered the bible verses quickly, as they're pretty self-explanatory (and I included some commentary on the page). But it also illustrates that materialism has been around for a LONG time. There are verses in the Old Testament, too, about sharing with the poor- so there have always been "haves" and "have nots." Whatever the OT says, Jesus has even stronger words to say about materialism and stuff (and how it distracts you from God and His purpose).








We talked a very little bit about the evolutionary theory for why humans have such a draw to stuff, namely that it's a survival instinct. We humans are pretty scrawny in comparison with some of our more feral foes (yes, yes, my example of a black bear might not have been the best. A black bear isn't that big of a bear- but I don't know how much differently I'd feel between a black bear and a grizzly if either one is charging me! I'm kind of OK with not having been up close to either...). So the evolutionary theory is that we've always reached for possessions to make us look and feel larger, stronger, more fierce. The one with more "things," weapons, distractions had a better chance of survival. Others would say it's a social distinction, always has been. We want more stuff to make us look better and have more respect in the community (and going back to that pesky evolutionary idea, so that we have a better chance of getting a good mate).

And then we talked a bit about Thoreau's Walden, which some of you have read. Thoreau questioned all of materialism and possession, even the things that we think of as basic to our survival. He pitied the basic farmer, who was tied down to his land and his horses, and thought very little of a society we now look back on as quaintly frugal. It might be a tough read, but I'd encourage you to take a look at it. And if you can't get through it right now, try it on and off as you age- you might just hit it at a time when you'll get something great out of it!

Our next jump took us to the aftermath of World War II. Up until that point, we Americans had a pretty frugal lifestyle, made even more frugal by rationing during both the wars and by a distinct lack of, well, everything during the Great Depression. But WW II brought about a lot of technological advances, and suddenly, we could produce a lot more "stuff" than we ever had before. So we converted bomb factories into fertilizer and cleaning product companies and sent our new technologically minded mechanical advances into the kitchen and the garage. But still, people held onto their frugality, having been freshly reminded of what truly mattered- and what was truly a need.

Enter the psychologists, retail analysts, and the switch from basic ads explaining what the product is/is made from/does to professionally constructed ads which sell intangible concepts, which play on emotions, insecurities, and fears, and which use goods and services as a way to make money, rather than fill a need. In fact, they'd rather not have their product fill a need- or at least, not a long term one.



There were many men and women who contributed to that era's huge culture shift, but Victor Lebow summed it up in 1955:

Our enormously productive economy demands that we make consumption our way of life, that we convert the buying and use of goods into rituals, that we seek our spiritual satisfaction and our ego satisfaction in consumption. We need things consumed, burned up, worn out, replaced and discarded at an ever-increasing rate. (emphasis added)

It boggles my mind how boldly he states it. But they did it. These fathers and mothers of consumerism created Black Friday, they created shopping as a recreation, they created planned obsolescence, and eventually they got to product placement- inserting advertising into new modes of delivery.  They understood, the same as the Apostle Paul did (Philippians 4:8- again!), that what we put before us impacts us. When I look at my computer screen, my brain processes it- it has to, in order for me to understand what I'm seeing, what I'm experiencing, whether I'm safe or should be worried, whether it looks different today than yesterday. It's basic to my understanding of the world- I use my senses to make value judgements that, in the case of my computer, might be mundane. Or, if my computer somehow were about to catch fire, might be very useful- it looks different than usual, it has smoke coming from it, I should probably stop typing and find a fire extinguisher.

 

We do the same thing with what we see- we make value judgements that we often don't even know we're making. We might not ever know we're doing it, because usually the end result is that it doesn't require any change in our actions. Our brain does it subconsciously, attempting to make sense of what we see and hear and experience. And so inserting products into media was the perfect opportunity to slip advertising into our minds- because we're being entertained, we're relaxed, we're not sifting it out like we do for commercials.

 

Product placement can be used in ways that are central to the plot or not, positive scenes or negative scenes, and in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. But in 2009, $360 million was spent to put particular products into movies- that doesn't include global figures, or the amount put into product placement in TV, video games, music, music videos, or blog/website/magazine promotional use. That figure has gone up every year, and will likely continue to rise. And they've even started paying people to promote products in real life- slipping short, positive "ads," into every day conversation with strangers.

 

But beyond product placement specifically, media is also used to sell in other ways. It sells values, norms, and standards. What you see helps you form your opinion on what the rich or poor do, what kind of relationships are acceptable, what other people's homes look like, how to interact with your friends, how many outfits we need, how to spend your time, what's fashionable. It might line up with what your parents or church teaches, confirming what you believe or have been taught. Or it might make you question it (for better or for worse- and it can actually be for the better, depending on what you're hearing/reading/watching). But there's no denying that it has an impact on you. That impact is lessened when you are aware of it, but make no mistake- what you put in front of your eyes or into your ears helps you understand your world. Whether that's a Christian song that inspires you or a Lady Gaga song that makes you want to dance, it enters your brain to be processed and to help you process. Did I make that point already? Hmm, must be repeated because it's important.

 

And then we were out of time. But the number one thing I want you to take away from this post/lesson is that Paul knew his stuff when he told the Philippians to focus on what is holy and good and right and worthy. Following Jesus is like swimming upstream- if you don't keep focus on him and fight against the current surrounding you, it is so, so  easy to ride along down stream with everything around you. The number two thing I want you to take away is to be aware of the reactions you have to media. If you're watching a show that makes you want something other than what God wants for you, don't tell yourself that it's OK to keep watching it- don't watch it! You're just making it harder for yourself to keep fighting against what you know is right. If a movie or show makes you want to go out and buy something new, make sure you really ask yourself why. If it challenges what the Bible says, go ahead and hash it out- figure out the whys and the whats, talk it over- but don't ever, ever decide to just let it pass and believe what the TV or movie screen or radio tells you without due consideration.

(p.s.- sorry about the picture formatting. I have no idea how to make it fit within the text parameters.)
 

All Consuming

This week, we didn't get to cover much other than our homework and what it all included. Yet again, I end up with much more that I want to talk to you about, but we run out of time!

5 Minutes of God Time Song: O Come, Emmanuel by the Piano Guys

So. The homework recap: Your job was to write down everything you own. Some of you did it, some of you sort of did it, and some of you thought about it. I still think it's really important for you to do this, and to do it fully. I know it's tough- that's kind of the point! So do it. Even if it takes you a month of two minute increments. Even if you don't ever tell me that you've done it. Even if it makes you uncomfortable to write that much, and it doesn't seem important to list out how many DVDs you own. When the day comes that Jesus asks us to give account of how we've lived our lives and how we've used our resources, do you think that the God who knows how many hairs are on our head won't care about those kinds of details?

As (or before) we're looking at all those details, though, we need to know what our bigger categories of consumption are. We listed out the categories that were included in your crossword puzzle, and brainstormed what might be included in them (and then discussed the consumption embodied in each of those choices of sub-areas).

• Transportation: planes, trains, and automobiles, bikes, skateboards, swimming, boating, walking, skipping, etc. The least consumption-intensive options are walking, swimming, skipping, etc. You're already eating food to keep yourself alive, it doesn't take much more to get you moving. Then come the options that are still human-powered, but require equipment- biking, skateboarding, etc. There's energy embodied in the manufacturing of the bike, but it doesn't require extra outside energy to make it move. The MOST energy-intensive options are the planes, trains, automobiles (and boats that use gas). They have LOTS of energy that go into making them, and then they have the energy in the gas that's used to power them (and the energy that it takes to get the oil out of the ground and refined into gas). Of course, buying new instead of used also has an impact, and continually buying and requiring new options (getting a new car every 6 months vs. every 12 years) also ups your consumption equation.
• Personal Care: deodorant, soap, shampoo/conditioner, toilet paper, lotion, makeup, hair goo, toothpaste, honey, bandages, etc. The things you use to make you not smelly and looking nice (or to keep yourself hygienic and healthy). The natural products like honey are the lightest on the consumption scale (and honey can be used to treat acne, retain skin moisture, and as a burn/wound ointment- among other things), and you can figure that things you make yourself require less consumption (particularly if you use local products and reused/reusable containers). There are all sorts of options and recipes out there if you want to try making your own- and as an added bonus, it'll help you cut down on your plastic consumption (which we're going to look at on the 23rd). And while you're at it, take a look at your current products- how many of the ingredients on there are things you can pronounce (or know what they are)? If you can't pronounce it (or have NO idea what it does), it's probably not particularly good for you. And for extra credit, you might want to check out how those ingredients rate on the Skin Deep Database- it can give you extra information on individual ingredients, as well as an overall rating on products. And guys, don't be fooled- even though cosmetics is in the sub-title, it's way more than just makeup.
• Drinks: Coffee, soda, tea, milk, water, eggnog, alcohol, etc. Water requires the least energy, and is the best thing on there for you- but don't buy it in a plastic bottle unless you're in a country/region that requires it for health reasons (like bacteria or chemical runoff)! Bottled water has FEWER restrictions on it than tap water- and it's waaaay more expensive, even considering a city water bill. Coffee requires more energy to produce than tea, and milk, even though it can be good for you, also takes a good amount of energy (and I might be biased, but it takes less energy to get a gallon of goat's milk than cow milk- goats, those scrappy little creatures, require very little energy for both meat and milk!). Alcohol is very energy and water intensive, though if you make it yourself it lessens the transportation/packaging impact (wine/beer, that is- don't decide at 21 that you're going to set up a still because your youth director told you it'd be better for the environment!).
• Waste: The stuff that you don't need- plastic wrap on cheese, plastic bags to get your food home from the grocery store, the little plastic tags on that shirt, soda bottles, etc. Waste has a very, very short useful life, and then is discarded. Some of it can be recycled or decomposed (like the cardboard box crackers come in), but some of it will stick around forever in a landfill or elsewhere (like the plastic bag holding the crackers inside of the cardboard box). We use it because it's convenient, but it's not necessary- and with a little planning, you can get around almost all of it!
• Clothing: We need clothes- legally, for our health and well-being, and to shield our innocent eyes from things we don't ever, ever want to see. So shirts, pants, skirts, accessories, shoes, underwear, socks, pajamas, slippers, etc.- all of those things have a purpose (or at least some kind of a purpose). But where do your clothing choices fall in the consumption spectrum? Not that long ago, men and women both had a lot less hanging in their closet- and that was OK. It's only been the last century or so that we non-royals had lots of options to choose from. And choose we do! We've gone beyond "need" to "self-expression," "fun," "creativity" (and not the make-your-dress-from-curtains kind!), "luxurious," "name-dropping," and "disposable fashion." I could go into an entire post on the differences in energy embedded into different kinds of fabrics, manufacturing methods, and the impact of fashion trends on human consumption, but I'll leave it up to you to email or talk to me in person if you're interested in that! As for this post, we'll just sum it up by saying that this is one area of consumption where our needs are well beyond being met.
• Gifts: In our culture, we often show our love and affection through gift-giving- a way to tell someone that we're thinking of them and value them enough to part with some of the thing we value most (aka "money") for their benefit. But it's not always something joyful and loving. In fact, it sometimes becomes an unnecessary obligation- "What on earth am I going to get this person who has everything?".  I'm not going to give lots of information on this, since it's covered in many other areas, but keep in mind how much and what kinds of things you give to others. Gifts are NOT a bad thing. But could you show your love and admiration just as well with something homemade or with the gift of time?
• Food: Nutella, meat, carbohydrates, packaged vs. homemade, fast food vs. packing a lunch, local vs. exotic. We all have to eat, and some of us put a lot of enjoyment into that need. But where do our food choices stand? In terms of consumption, local and organic is always best, and depending on how you purchase it and prepare it, it's often cheaper than pre-packaged foods. It also has the least amount of energy that goes into it. Eating conventionally (going to the grocery store to pick up non-organic and/or pre-packaged foods, like soups, broccoli, cookies, breads, etc.), each of us "consumes" about 400 gallons of oil a year in our food choices- industrial agriculture takes up about 17% of our nation's oil use (a close second only to vehicular use). That's 400 gallons per citizen- so my gardening is offsetting someone else's food choices already. And that doesn't count the energy we use to get to the grocery store, cook the foods, or keep them cool. Also, within the conventional food model, meat and dairy are pretty energy intensive, as are sweets (bummer).  I could give you an entire reading list of ways to reduce your energy and waste consumption with regard to food, and will do so upon request. The good news? This is an area where reducing consumption also comes with some very tasty alternatives. Your final "food for thought" (pun intended): The Mennonite faith has a "more with less" mentality when it comes to food, making very intentional choices with their recipes and daily meals in order to free up more resources to help their fellow humans who are happy with ANY sort of food. They view their meals as another way to serve. Just something for you to chew on the next time you find yourself in line at McDonald's or the coffee shop- maybe you can start by forgoing the shake or the fries and donating that money instead. Look at that- you're part Mennonite!
• Decor: Holiday decorations, furniture, lamps (lava lamps included), bedding, candles, curtains, etc. Decor, as I put it in your sugar-filled clues, is your personality on a shelf- or at least it can feel that way. It's the way people try to make their homes welcome them, or fit into a certain design category. Traditional, eclectic, modern, Mediterranean, or Pottery Barn chic- we each have something that appeals to our aesthetic sensibilities. There is no right or wrong aesthetic. But the same as with transportation (or any other durable item- e.g.: not food), buying new has more energy embedded into it than buying used. And buying and using more requires more energy than buying and using less, not least because more decor also tends to mean more house- which means more energy to build, heat, cool, and maintain.
• Technology: cell phones, DVD players, TVs, ipods, laptops, GPS, robotic-assisted surgery, microwaves, fridges, washer/dryer, dishwasher, even your stove! We have an ever-evolving tech category, and I'll be the first to admit that technology has made many things in life easier and safer. The fact that we have laptops and the internet allows me to send you emails to remind you about things (and it allows me to give you this information via a blog), and phones allow you to call me when you have questions about things. The question to ask yourself is whether technology is being used to better serve humanity, or whether technology is being used to better line the pockets of the wealthy (and yes, it can be both- but it isn't always). Is getting a new smart phone going to allow you to better serve your world? Or is it just so you can show how "cool" or wealthy you are? (Be honest- is there another, less-energy intensive way to do that same serving?). Multi-function technology is often a better choice, but only if you don't already have something that fills that need (don't go buy something just because it fills two roles if you already have two things that fill those two roles). And whatever you use/buy, make sure you look at the whole production and use cycle. How is it made? Who makes it and where? Are there any social injustices involved (chances are: yes!)? And what happens to it when it breaks, is out of date, or no longer needed? Where does it go and what environmental/social consequences are there? While technology is helping you, it might be hurting someone else. For war or peace, for fun or distraction, technology can hurt even more than it helps. Even way back before we had all the fun toys we have now, Albert Einstein himself once said, "It has become appallingly clear that our technology has surpassed our humanity." 
• Pets: Chickens (I love you guys for shouting that out!), dogs, cats, leashes, bowls, food, toys, vet bills, doggy daycare, pet beds, etc.. Pets give us love and companionship (and sometimes eggs), but they do represent a significant amount of consumption. Americans spend somewhere between $45-55 BILLION each year on their pets (and I'm pretty sure my farm animal pets don't count in that number), and if trends hold true, that number is set to rise about $2 billion more each year in the future. That's a LOT of money. I'm never going to tell you to get rid of pets, but I will ask you to be conscious of how much you spend on them and whether there are other ways to use that money. Does your dog really need the sparkly pink collar or will the basic leather/nylon collar suffice? The santa costume, the Packer jersey, and the hair bows? Do you need the genetics that a $500 dog from a breeder gets you, or can you get equal love and companionship from a dog adopted from a shelter, without the pedigree? You're the only one who can answer that, but I hope you at least consider it. $55 Billion a year is a lot of money.
• Entertainment: Concerts, plays, books, sports, hobbies. Experiences (like concerts and plays) can be pretty energy un-intensive (or they can be VERY energy intensive- it all depends on the group) in and of themselves- your consumption level depends on YOU while you take in this entertainment. Do you buy souvenirs? Travel to get there? Eat and drink specific foods with extra waste while watching the show? And sports and hobbies can require special equipment that increase consumption levels. Golf requires clubs- do you buy or rent them? Track and field can require special shoes, uniforms, etc. And a pick-up game of soccer with friends might give you fewer scholarship opportunities, but it also gives you fewer purchasing requirements (no special uniforms or cleats, and you're less likely to have to travel far for games). A hobby of building model cars requires more energy input into materials than a hobbyist who spends his free time watching migratory birds. But as with all things, there are variations- a bird watcher who loves seeing the birds in the local state park/ marsh requires much less energy than one who flies to Alaska and/or Mexico to watch the migratory birds each year.
• Energy: The energy you use by turning on the lights, driving in your car, powering your laptop to read this post, heating the water for your shower or washing dishes, mowing the lawn, etc. There are so many areas that we use additional energy that I can't even begin to go over them. Just be aware that many of our actions in our modern society involve extra energy input. If you'd like to decrease your consumption in this area, it starts with awareness. Then choose one thing and try to reduce your energy in that area. Shorten your shower, unplug your laptop when you're not using it, turn off the lights when you leave the room (those are all probably things your parents are telling you to do anyways!).
• Stuff: This is the category of things you have but don't know why. McDonald's toys, free pens, squishy cows from the state fair dairy booth, broken or unnecessary parts you've yet to throw or give away, old papers, backpacks or bags that are no longer your style. The first step in reducing this area is to "refuse" to take in stuff that you don't need or want in the first place. Do you need the squishy cow? Or the easily broken plastic toy? Will they improve your life? "Refusing" to take things reduces the demand- and can reduce your (and society's) consumption level. And can you give your "stuff" that's in good shape yet to someone who could use it? Could someone else use that bag that's just taking up space in your closet?
• Media: TV, movies, blogs, websites, books, magazines, radio, CDs, mp3s. Some of these are physical consumption- you buy a DVD vs. renting one. Some of them are time consumption- spending time on Pinterest or reading blogs. And some of them discourage consumption, though most strongly and unceasingly encourage it. It's how they pay for themselves (and it's not just in the commercials, as we'll see next week). It's buy this new album, live this lifestyle, look at these people who have it all "together". Again, we're going to cover media in greater depth, but be aware that it both influences your consumption and can be something you consume at the same time.

Alright, that very long list is what we covered in much greater speed during youth group. Your takeaway from this post isn't that we're all terrible people for our current consumption choices- just to be aware that everything uses some sort of consumption. If you're alive, you're consuming something- oxygen, food, water, heat, and maybe even things that are much less basic. You can't get rid of it all. Just be aware of what and how much and why!

We're going to continue on next week, but your homework from this lesson is to take that list you made (all the things you own) and mark it up with which things are Necessities and which are Luxuries. And then I want  you to further look at your necessities and mark which ones are needs filled in a basic way vs. needs filled in a want/luxury way (for example: we need a winter coat in Wisconsin. But how many winter coats do you own? And are they basic wool coats from Goodwill (thus filling a need) or are they designer coats from Macy's (thus filling a want)?). Get your list. Get ready... On the count of "Go!"....

Aaaaand... Go!

You Are Not Your Khakis (The Start to a New Unit)

After a three week hiatus from "normal" youth group, we're back in full force! I want to thank you guys again for helping out with the JAM Time mini-unit, and then again (again) for helping with the Advent decorating. I heard so many compliments about both JAM Time and the decorating, and how grateful our congregation is for how involved you are. You are very, very loved and appreciated!

So. December is our unit on Consumerism and Media. It's also a month that the Journey Jammers are performing for JAM Time! We'll spend a little time each day singing/playing/supporting before we spend the remaining time covering what promises to be an intense, but very worthwhile, topic.

But before we get to our summary of week 1, here's our 5 Minutes of God Time Song: The Well by Casting Crowns. It speaks of the story of Jesus offering the Samaritan woman living water, helping her to recognize that what the world offers will never satisfy her inner thirst. Plus, it's a really good song- the farm animals might even sing along with me one of these day! :)

We  continued with two (very different) clips:
Fight Club Speech (please note, there are a couple of swear words in this clip)
The High Price of Materialism

Despite my use of them in youth group, neither of these clips have anything religious in them- they are strictly secular reactions to what is becoming a much more obvious problem. Namely, that we as humans and as a society are continually searching for our meaning and happiness in things- and things will never actually satisfy our thirst (ahem, see the song notes above). So if people who have no great spiritual imperative are figuring this out, where does that leave Christians?

Well, we should be ahead of the curve on this one. "Should" be. I gave you a packet of bible verses (7 pages, front and back) that deal with material goods- and then I made you write down two more that didn't make the initial list. There might be even more (in fact, there probably are). I can summarize it pretty succinctly, though- we aren't to put faith or importance into material goods, because we aren't made for this world. Our true world is in Heaven, and "things" distract us from that reality. A short message, but repeated over and over and over and over again in the Bible. Think it might just be important?

Several of those verses in the packet also talk about another facet of this- following through. This is where we Christians tend to fall out of the lead on avoiding the consumerism conundrum. If we have that many verses about not valuing things that can break down or be stolen, it should be instinctive to us to place our time, effort, money, and intellectual power into other goals. But do we? Do you?

So I gave you a crossword puzzle (albeit one with rather silly clues- blame the sugar from the many, many cookies I ate!) and gave you some homework on the back. The crossword puzzle is intended to get you thinking about the different areas in which you might consume things. Some of them are going to be obvious, others might get lost in the mix. And then on the back of the page, I asked you to write down everything you own.

Because you guys weren't all super-thrilled about this idea, you had some qualifying questions. Here are the answers (to refresh your memory): If you own it, you bought it, or you'd consider it yours for the purposes of sharing it with your siblings, it counts. If you didn't buy it, but have a special attachment to it (a special mug that you don't like others to use, etc.) count it. You do not need to write down the family things you use (i.e. your couch), though it would give you a better idea of what you truly "consume," and you don't need to write down every individual item ("20 books" or "10 t-shirts" works fine).

But I want to see it that you did it this next week- I don't care what or how much you own, but I want to know that you put more effort into it than writing down 5 items and calling it quits. You have more than that on just your bed. This is for your benefit, so you can have a more honest picture of where you stand while we discuss the rest of the unit. Just try it- I think it will surprise you.

And that was all we had time for. I'm not posting the crossword puzzle (if you didn't get one on Sunday and still need one, see me). But I WILL look forward to seeing you all on Sunday

The Lock-In Midnight Worship Service

Only a month late, here are the bones of what we covered during our late night service (after the games, before the ice cream and movie).

Our Non-Bible Passage for the evening:

“But, first, remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs. And secondly, I give you a warning. Here on the mountain I have spoken to you clearly: I will not often do so down in Narnia. Here on the mountain, the air is clear and your mind is clear; as you drop down into Narnia, the air will thicken. Take great care that it does not confuse your mind. And the signs which you have learned here will not look at all as you expect them to look, when you meet them there. That is why it is so important to know them by heart and pay no attention to appearances. Remember the signs and believe the signs. Nothing else matters.”
― C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia


Our Bible Verse:

Phillipians 4:8
⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Shining from the Hillside- 11/4/12

Hurray for field trips! Not only did we get to leave the church basement, we ran into a friend at the coffee shop and we had a variety of tasty things to drink! So why did we do it (for the first time ever)? Mainly to get some practice talking about our faith in public (and to make sure you were all caffeinated enough to pay attention)!

To start, we had to answer why it was important for us to be talking about this topic at all. So we started with some scripture. Matthew 28:16-20, also known as The Great Commission, is Jesus telling the disciples to go and make more disciples, even though they're still working through their faith. 1 Peter 3:15-16 talks about the how: being prepared with an answer for those who ask about your faith, and discussing it with gentleness and respect. Colossians 4:2-6 asks for prayers that Paul might speak with clarity, making the most of every opportunity when interacting with those who don't know Jesus, and that he will have a ready answer for those who are seeking. And we'll end with the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:13-16, which calls for His followers to be the light and the salt of the world. I love those two metaphors. Salt can be used to bring out the best in food (intensifying flavors and giving needed electrolytes) but it can also be misused and over-applied. If you put too much into food, it can become disgusting and inedible. If you apply salt lightly to land, it can be used as a type of fertilizer; heavy, aggressive application can destroy the soil to the point that nothing can grow there again. And being the light of the world? You're offering a benefit to others, helping them to see more clearly. Too much light, though, can also cause blindness and burns. And Jesus doesn't tell you to be a wildfire or to chase people down with your candle- He calls for us to be a lamp on a stand and a city on a hill. Both of those options give people the choice to come closer and see more clearly or to look away- it's THEIR choice, you just shine on for whenever they're ready to use you.

But obviously, there are some barriers and concerns about sharing your faith that we have to acknowledge. Faith tends to be a hugely personal part of us, and discussing it opens us up to other people's opinions and possibly their derision. That's scary and nerve-wracking for anyone! Also, discussing faith (aka evangelism) tends to have really negative connotations in our society. We often think about it as aggressively brow-beating surprised strangers and friends into agreeing with a very discriminatory, barely lovable religion in the name of gaining organizational power through numbers (and of course, the offering plate). Right. Why wouldn't everyone want to share this world view with their friends?

But what if sharing your faith/evangelism/disciple-making were something positive, a light that glows rather than burns? What if we look at it in terms of sharing because it's so good that we can't truly love our neighbors as ourselves without offering them this opportunity? What if we're sharing because we want our friends and family to experience the same sense of love, belonging, purpose, and security? And what if we acknowledge that we get as much out of these discussions (because they should be just that- discussions!) as those we're talking with? Maybe then evangelism isn't so terrifying- to use a metaphor from the book we discussed, it's more like dance than assault.

When we were first getting settled at the coffee shop, I asked you if any of you were worried that our "Sharing your Faith" discussion meant I was going to make you go try to "save" strangers by "sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ" with them. None of you were scared that this was my plan. Why? Well, I'd guess it's a little bit because it's not a focus of our faith tradition in the UCC, but mainly, it's because we have a relationship. You know that I try to encourage you and stretch you, but that I also try to do it in a way that respects your comfort levels- and you've also gotten an idea of what my comfort level is, too, through our patterns of interaction. Had this been the first youth group that we ever had together, though, some of you might have decided that free coffee wasn't worth the potential risk of being a forced evangelist. And I wouldn't have blamed you.

But if you think of evangelism as simply being open to discussing your faith with someone you already know, there's a whole heck of a lot less pressure. And keep in mind, too, that you don't have to have all the answers (or have them all at once), and you don't have to have evangelism be an event. You can share your faith through your actions in a relationship, through ongoing discussions, through admitting that you HAVE faith. You don't have to push it, and you shouldn't assume that you'll ever see someone "get saved." You might be the one who plants the seed. Or the one who waters a seed that someone else planted. Or you might just get to see the plant and the fruit that was started before you came into the picture. Maybe if you're really lucky, you'll get to see all of those stages. But the gift is in being allowed to help someone else grow in their faith- no matter the stage.

Remember, though, that growth happens as part of a relationship, and as in any relationship, it's not all about you. Most people are already grappling with God in some way, shape, or form. That's good. First, it means that they might just want to talk to someone about faith (whether that person is you can be a whole 'nother question). Second, it means that the Holy Spirit is already at work. God already knows and loves that person, and knows what he or she needs. If you're open to it, He might just use you as the set of speakers to share the message they need to hear. I know there have been times in my life when I was discussing faith with someone and answers poured out of my mouth that I never thought about or intended- but they were the things that person needed to hear. So, allow yourself to be used! And third (finally!), it's important for us to remember that relationships aren't all about one-sided benefit. When you discuss faith, you also grow. Forming words forces you to clarify what your thoughts truly are. Presenting an idea helps you see inconsistencies and murky areas. Even if you're just talking about it to your dog, the act of putting faith into language helps you understand what you believe! But when you talk about God with another human being, you get their input, too. They might challenge and contradict. They might agree, add, and clarify. They might do all of that in one conversation! But when they share their experiences, questions, and beliefs with you, it gives you a deeper understanding of God, too.

Sadly, self-professed Christians can be rather ethno-centric at times- believing that we have the corner market on God, that we are the only ones who have ever experienced Him and that other people need to know OUR experiences because they're the truth. Our experiences are true, yes- but so are the experiences of others. God is not domesticated. He is not easily packaged or consumable. Saying we understand everything there is to understand about Him is like a toddler saying he knows everything there is to know about his mom- that she likes peas (since she makes him eat them), she's a giant, and sometimes she yells (like when he tried to pet that pretty, snarling raccoon). Those things might all be true, at least from his perspective- but there's soooooooooo much more about his mom that he doesn't know yet. An aunt might tell him what she was like as a child, or he might ask her about how she met his father. As he grows, he'll learn (and appreciate her) more. Same with us and God. I fully believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light, but that doesn't mean that I am the only one who has ever known Him.

And finally, we'll wrap this up with a REALLY long insertion of our three handouts. I don't get the whole Google Docs thing, so I can't link it. You can scan to the bottom of the page if you've still got your handouts and just want to find our 5 Minutes of God time song!

3 Realizations:

 

1.     Many people want to talk about God, but not just anyone is safe to talk to. More people than you think are thinking about God, but they might not have someone they’re comfortable talking to about those questions and thoughts. It’s important for people to recognize that you’re a safe, spiritual friend- not “just safe” (as in, nothing to really offer so you can’t challenge them) or “just spiritual” (know a lot, but pushy, threatening, or hypocritical). This is where spiritual friendship comes in- being open and authentic.

2.     You have to see, like, approach, and serve people to be a spiritual friend. If you don’t look around and see people who need a friend, you miss great opportunities. If you don’t like them, you’re condescending- and no one wants to be friends with someone who looks down on them. Clearly, you have to actually get close to them- you’re not friends with a celebrity, just because you know who they are. And finally, you need to serve. Help out. Smile. Buy them a coffee. Do something that makes them wonder what you have that’s shining out of you.

3.     Many people shy away from Christianity for good reasons. The biggest enemy of Christianity isn’t atheism or other religions- it’s bad Christianity. People’s skeptical questions often come from one or more of the following reasons:

a.     Our faith has too often become a set of rigid beliefs rather than a unique, joyful way of living, loving, and serving (which was the intent!)

b.     Our concern over getting numbers into heaven too often seduces us into neglecting the call for mercy and justice here on this earth.

c.      Faith has too often become a set of easy answers and cardboard explanations instead of a window into unfathomable mystery and a pathway into an awesome adventure

d.     We are hypocritical, without acknowledging our shortcomings.

 

8 Factors to remember:

 

1.    The Relational Factor: Count conversations, not conversions. Each time you discuss faith, you’re accomplishing what you’re called to do and you’re planting a seed. You may not ever see the plant or the fruit. Get out and interact with the world, and as you develop relationships, conversations will come on their own. Don’t worry about the content so much- just worry about getting the conversation started.

2.     The Narrative Factor: Listen to their story, share your story, share God’s story- not just propositions and formulas.  You are a story in progress, surrounded by other stories in progress. At any point in time, your story could intersect with another person’s story, which unfolds a new part of God’s story- because God’s story is completely woven into both of your stories. Stories are important in understanding how God works. If they weren’t important, Jesus wouldn’t have spoken in parables and stories.

3.     The Communal Factor: Conversions occur in the context of Christian community, rather than the context of information.  Spiritual friendship isn’t just about you- it’s as big as the whole Body of Christ. Introducing someone who’s questioning their faith to others who are strong in their faith offers more opportunity for growth and it takes the pressure off of you to have an answer for everything.

4.     The Journey Factor: Disciple-making is a holistic, unending journey, rather than a conversion event.  This is not an Insider vs. Outsider idea, in which the only achievement is in a definition. Everyone is traveling towards something- either closer to Jesus or further away, and self-identifying as a Christian does not indicate which direction you’re traveling.

5.     The Holy Spirit Factor: God is at work in EVERYONE, inside the church and out. Evangelism isn’t just the transmission of information, it’s the gift of being used in God’s mysterious workings. Don’t think you’re trying to share Jesus in a vacuum- that’s way too much pressure on you. You’re just helping nudge along what God already has in process.

6.     The Learning Factor- Evangelism is as much a tool for your own spiritual growth as it is for the person you’re talking to. We’re not called to be salespeople, trying to get someone else to buy our “product.” As Bill Nye said, “Every person you meet knows something you don’t.” When you discuss faith with another, you get the benefit of their observations and history and you get the clarification that comes with having to articulate your own!

7.     The Missional Factor: Evangelism is as much recruiting people to help bring about God’s vision on earth as it is about heaven. What being a follower of Christ has to offer is GOOD, so good that it’s worth others experiencing. As others experience that goodness, there’s a ripple effect- less greed, more generosity, less anger, less war, more peace, less hunger. More people being the hands and feet of Jesus. Isn’t that something worth discussing?

8.     The Service Factor: Evangelism is another facet of serving others. One of the best ways to improve the lives of those around you (which is the point of serving, no?) is to help them see the love of a God who died for them. To give them a sense of belonging, purpose, and respectability. We are called to serve, but we also have to consider that saying about giving a man a fish versus teaching him to fish.

 

4 Suggestions on “HOW?!!?”

 

1.     Listen to their story and pay attention. God’s been at work in their life since long before you came into the picture. As you get to know them, you’ll find opportunities to ask more questions about them personally- family life, interests, goals. And at some point, the question will likely come up naturally- “Do you believe in God?” “What do you believe in?” are two possibilities.

2.     Tell them your story. It can be something like, “Sometime if you’re interested, I can tell you why I believe…” or “When I started paying attention to what I believed in, I started to notice/question/feel….” Or it could be something as simple as posting a story about faith on Facebook (or a comment about a great sermon or Christian song). It lets people know where you stand and that you might be one of those “safe people.”

3.     Tell them God’s story. Some things you experience greatly parallel scripture. Maybe you help a friend solve a problem using biblical wisdom- and if they ask why you suggest that, you can tell them you read it in the bible or heard it at church.

4.     Be an inviter, bringer, includer. Whether they’re self-proclaimed “searchers” or not, including friends in activities like youth group, lock-ins, service projects, etc. can be a good way for them to try out what being a follower of Christ means. Whether they want to come again or stay away, it’s given them something new to consider in their faith journey. And don’t assume that someone who doesn’t attend church wouldn’t be interested in coming to something faith-based!

And, in case you want our 5 Minutes of God Time song from this week: Your Hands by JJ Heller