Christian Smith is a sociologist. His extensive research on emerging adults reveals a simple power. Regardless of sophisticated youth programming, mission trips, youth group and church busy-ness, kids adopt Christian values through two primary means: 1. The authentic life of their parents 2. Establishing a habit of prayer and bible reading The secondary helps of […]

In publishing, there are two types of authors. 1. Those who observe patterns 2. Those who create patterns The first group observes, takes notes, and searches for meaning. For example, a marriage counselor hearing the same thing over and over, keeping track, and noticing that these words, behaviors, or beliefs nearly always result in these […]

We met with a student over the weekend who has officially decided against the faith. Super bright, open, pleasant and polite — just doesn’t believe. Why not? 1. Questions. Sovereignty and free will, reliability of Scripture, boilerplate skepticism. 2. Evidence. Doesn’t see evidence at church or among Christians that there’s any difference between Christians and […]

Back in the 70’s I spent a summer in The Netherlands living with missionaries. One of them, a Vietnam-era veteran, was hugely influential. He was a New Yorker. No fear, in your face, and really funny. Saved out of pure godlessness, he was a powerful force for God. No kidding — if something in your […]