Tag Archives: Culture
Don’t raise well rounded, well educated and happy kids
Posted on 03. May, 2012 by Kenny.
I’ve been working alongside parents now for fifteen years, but I’ve only done this from the perspective of actually being a parent for the last five. Having kids of your own certainly changes your perspective. We all have hopes and dreams for what our kids will grow up to be. Every time we host a child dedication class, we ask the question, “What does parenting success look like to you?” We also ask another question that hits the same issue from a different angle asking, “If you could pass only one thing to your child by the time they become an adult, what would that thing be?” I know that we put parents on the spot with these questions, but I’m amazed how often parents give answers like, “I want my son to be happy” or “I wan’t my kids to be successful” or even, “I want my child to have respect for all people.” I’m not going to say that these are wrong things, but if these is the greatest hope this generation of parents have for their kids… well there’s no wonder we’re seeing moral and spiritual decay. My goal is that by the end of the baptism class, I’ve either convinced them or at least built a case for wanting an authentic relationship with Jesus for their kids.
I absolutely loved Craig Groeschel’s talk at Orange this year. He essentially communicated many of the philosophical and strategy positions behind Orange, but from his own personal perspective and experience. His shocking statement was that we should not aim to raise well rounded, highly educated and happy children. That’s what our culture communicates as a need, but this doesn’t line up with the scriptures.
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Small is the new BIG!
Posted on 22. Mar, 2010 by Kenny.
I’ve recognized something in recent years. It seems like so many things are getting smaller. I find myself using the phrase “it’s a small world” more an more. People who make products and providing services are finding niche markets where even though they seem to do well, they remain small from the customer’s standpoint.
In the last few years I connected personally with the owners, developers or staff of several products and services I buy. Twitter, the web and email have allowed me to get beyond the product and service and actually talk to someone. For several services, I no longer call support or submit tickets, I just call or email one of the developers. When I have a really cool idea for a product enhancement, I just send my contact in that company an email.… Read the rest
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Star Trek geeks and Children’s Ministry
Posted on 12. May, 2009 by Kenny.
Last Thursday night I went to go see Star Trek with some buddies. I had a blast! It was a great movie! Now, let me set the record straight. There are some people out there (Jonathan and Sam) that would like you to believe that I am a Trekkie. No. I’m not even a closet Trekkie. I can’t draw the schematics of the Enterprise or speak Kingon. However, I do love the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genre. I love it! I’ve seen most of the Star Trek movies and have watched a handful of Next Generation episodes.
I think that one of the things I love the most about Star Trek and some other Sci-Fi in general are the fans.… Read the rest
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Western Christian culture may vanish in our lifetime!
Posted on 08. May, 2009 by Kenny.
I just came across the most eye opening information. As a Christ-Follower in Western society, you must pay attention! According to this information, European culture as we know it today will vanish within our lifetime and there isn’t anything that can be done to stop it. The United States is standing on the brink, but it doesn’t look positive for us either.
Here is what I am talking about.
In order for a culture to maintain itself for more than 25 years, they must have a fertility rate of at least 2.11. That’s 2.11 children per family. Historically, no culture has ever reversed a 1.9 fertility rate. A rate of 1.3 is impossible to reverse.
Here are the fertility rates of some European nations:
- France: 1.8
- England:1.6
- Greece: 1.3
- Germany: 1.3
- Italy: 1.2
- Spain: 1.1
The European Union has a fertility rate of 1.38.… Read the rest
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Kids these days…
Posted on 20. Aug, 2008 by Kenny.
I’ve got a few new posts coming out the next few days (over the weekend) that kind of relate. I feel like an old man even saying these words. “Kids these days are different.”
A lot has changed! This is totally not the teenage kids just 5 years ago and especially not the teenage kids 10 years ago. The merger of technology and adolescence has changed just about everything.
I don’t profess to know a whole lot about teenage culture… I feel like I’m really out of touch. That’s why I work with people who really know this culture. I feel like I have a much better feel for the younger kids. So the posts over these next few days are more of my observations that I’ve made these last few weeks about the teenage culture.… Read the rest
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A new pet peeve
Posted on 27. Jun, 2008 by Kenny.
Okay, I just came across a new pet peeve of mine. I was hanging out in the check-in area on Sunday and it was about 15 minutes after the service started and I mentioned something about shutting down check-in. Someone responded that it was too early and people here are on Gateway time. That was the second time I heard that since I’ve been here. The last time was a few weeks ago. I was sitting in morph (a new discipleship program) and the speaker said something about only having a handful of registrations a week before, but now there were more than 60 people participating. He said something about this being the Gateway Way. All this sounded familiar.
However, I put 2 and 2 together today.… Read the rest
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Wow, everyone really is trying to embrace the culture, huh?
Posted on 26. Jun, 2008 by Kenny.
Yesterday I was doing a little research. I have a phone appointment in a week with someone who is attending our church and has left her Catholic roots. In the past, Church was always a “thing” to do…and not really enjoyed. But now she and her family look forward to coming to Gateway every week and they are growing in their relationship with Christ. She has two kids and she in a bit of a precarious spot. They know they’re in the right place here at Gateway, but due to her deep rooted past, she’s really nervous about not having her kids observe the sacraments (ie. Confirmation, Communion etc…). It’s just that part of letting go, but still being concerned with the “what if I’m wrong… am I screwing up my kids’ eternity?… Read the rest
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Indiana Jones 4: A long time coming!
Posted on 16. Mar, 2008 by Kenny.
Certainly this movie will be all the buzz this summer
summer, I’d be all over this as a theme. The timing is perfect.
In case you haven’t seen it already, here’s a trailer for the movie.
Technorati Tags: Indiana Jones,VBS,Summer Outreach… Read the rest
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