Social Media Revolution

In the genre of the Did You Know videos, here is The Social Media Revolution:

Had you seen this one already? What did you think?

What are the implications for outreach and evangelism?

Chilean Miner T-Shirts

You may have noticed on the news coverage of the trapped miners that many emerged wearing a tan t-shirt over their coveralls. If you didn’t notice, then at least CNN did. Here is an “investigative” article about it:

The Story Behind the Chilean Miners' Jesus T-Shirts

But we already knew the backstory, because the shirts were part of a gift from CCC in Chile. Here is a fuller picture of how it happened:

Chile Ministry Helps Trapped Miners

Isn’t it amazing how God works?

Wouldn't you love to hear even more of the stories of how God worked in individual lives in the mine and beyond?

Facebook's Backstory

Having just posted GenY's usage of Facebook, it may be of interest to consider a bit of the backstory of Facebook -- Hollywood style along with social commentary. Here to do that, is Chuck Colson, in his Breakpoint for the day, "The Social Network: A Crisis of Ethics in America".

GenY: Social Networking

GenY, that is those born between 1982-2004, are "the first generation in human history to, as children, be more technologically advanced than their parents." So writes Dan Coates, President of Ypulse, in his Engage GenY posting, entitled "Social Network Disconnect". He provides a good summary of GenY social networking preferences, including:

• 94% of GenY is on Facebook spending 11.4 hours/week there
• 78% prefer connecting to their preferred social network by mobile phone
• 55% prefer texting as their primary means of connecting with friends; Facebook (in second place for primary connecting) comes in at 24%

While there may be nothing surprising, it always good to have some of the latest research facts and figures at hand.

Thanks, Dan.

I Once Was Lost

I was recently loaned Don Everts and Doug Schaupp's book, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus, (IVP, 2008).

Though I am just in the process of becoming familiar with the book, I like what I see already. First, it starts with the audience. Perfect for the CoJourner paradigm (think, Explorer) and much preferable for our audience, as well!

Second, they emphasis the "path" to faith. How much more CoJourner-esque can you get. "Everyone is on a spiritual journey".

But the really valuable contribution is "the five thresholds" that mark similar "seasons of growth" or stages on the path to Jesus. Here is the essence:

1. The move from distrust to trust.
2. The move from complacent to curious.
3. The move from being closed to change to being open to change.
4. The move from meandering to seeking.
5. The move across the threshold of the kingdom itself.

Note the progression. Understanding the path helps create true empathy and understanding.

Can you see your own path to Christ through these "thresholds"?

I identify with 2-5.

The Explorer's Invitation

If you are familiar with the CoJourner paradigm, you know the first role in conversational witness is that of the Explorer. Your ability to help someone progress in their spiritual journey will be tied to your understanding of who they are, where they are and what they have experienced.

So what's the key to effective exploring? Asking questions and listening.

The primary questions (phrased in different ways in different settings) are really variations of a simple invitation, "Tell me about yourself."

• Did you have any church or religious background growing up? How was that for you?
• What have you tried in your spiritual life or journey?
• Where are you at now spiritually?
• What do you wish were true for you spiritually?
• Etc.

The key is empathy - listening to genuinely understand. Exploring is taking a genuine interest in the other person and their spiritual experience. Its not just finding a transition to a different subject. You will discover that good exploring will open the door to a deeper relationship and often lead to a conversation about your story and the gospel.

Keep sharpening your skills as a CoJourner with others in spiritual journey.

Radical: Whose Reading it?

Just posted a blog ("Radical: Whose Reading It?") on the newly deployed CruPress Green. I would copy and paste it here, but hey, its just a click away. Plus, you will get to explore all the goodies at CruPress Green, at which new goodies are being added each week.