Burlap Podcast

We live in the information age, and a large proportion of Gen Z people are getting their information from people who have acquired YouTube celebrity, sometimes without much substance to their work. We seem to always be looking to the next newest information, and we sometimes begin to act like any knowledge from former times is irrelevant to our daily lives. Therefore, it is important to help younger generations understand that although the Bible is an ancient text, it has a very high degree of reliability. To that end, Chris shares five points to make about scripture to help younger skeptical individuals understand how best to engage it.

Chris Abel hosts Bruce Nuffer in a discussion about how a Gen Xer uses a Millennial approach to his reasoning that causes him to reconsider long-held positions on environmentalism. While the thinking process described is not unique to Millennials, as a generation they are largely characterized by a similar pursuit of truth and wrestle with the findings of science and reconciling those findings with scripture.

A cursory review of contemporary marketing indicates that advertisers are targeting Millennials by linking their products to experiences. But does this cause anxiety for Millennials who begin to feel like they are missing out on what life has to offer? There is even a new term to describe this (FOMO—fear of missing out). While the fear of missing out is not new, the use of social media heightens this sense and is at least part of why the use of social media can lead to depression.

Every faith community has a story, and that story is shaped by the shared history of the people of the community trying to live together. However, sometimes we put the culture of our community aside when we are looking at what might need to change. But shouldn’t it be first instead of last? In this podcast, Chris and Chris discuss 4 steps for change in the local church.

The world’s biggest problems today according to Millennials include: lack of economic opportunity in employment (according to USA Today, they are making 20% less than their Boomer family members even after accounting for inflation—see https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2017/01/13/millennials-falling-behind-boomer-parents/96530338/), safety, security and well-bring lack of education, and food Chris and Chris discuss the things that Millennials list as their top ten concerns.

Sarah Heath, senior pastor at First United Methodist Church in Costa Mesa, CA, joins Chris Abel on this week’s podcast. Sarah tells the story of the restart of a hundred year-old church where all six generations are now represented in one location. A church with a lot of history has weathered a lot of difficult times, and creating change must happen in the context of the experiences that members have carried for a long time. How does one create a new environment amidst individuals who have been bruised and burned over the years?

In this episode, Chris Abel suggests three specific ways church leaders can make sure they are on the right track with young adult ministry. Those ways include: Pay attention to your environment—Be watching and listening to what is going on in your setting. You should be uniquely focused on the context of your environment, and understand that part of your environment is what people think about your church even if they do not attend. You must be a student of your specific culture. Distribute your leadership—Chris shares an experiment he has been pursuing in his own ministry setting to push the leadership responsibilities to members of the group. Every church leader is going to need a team; what are you doing to create your team? Tap into all generations—No one agonizes over young people like the parents of young people. Many young people will come to your church because of their connections with the older adults in their lives.

How is social media changing the depth of our relationships? Statistics indicate that the more social media a person has in his or her life, the greater that person’s odds of having depression. Research indicates that “all screen activities are linked to less happiness and all non-screen activities are linked to greater health.” Millennials have heard horror stories about their peers who have been vulnerable with their church communities and have been condemned or punished for it. It’s hard to imagine that Gen Z and Millennials are going to be making their way to a local church to find community, so what are we going to do to facilitate community and healing outside of our churches?

What do Millennials hear when someone says, “When I was your age…”? Today’s podcast focuses on a few phrases that Millennials sometimes hear from other generations, and how they may be interpreting those phrases regardless of what those who say them intend. Some of our responses just come from the fact that we are busy, stressed, or just don’t want to think about what has been suggested. What kinds of responses can we give to Millennials that will validate them?

Chris and Chris discuss an article about millennials and church (you can read that article here: http://www.recklesslyalive.com/12-reasons-millennials-are-over-church/). Items being discussed include the importance of listening, helping the poor, and talking about controversial issues.

In the past it appeared that churches were filled with a disproportionately large percentage of women. But today it appears that millennial men are more likely to show up at church than were their predecessors. Research suggests that millennial males express their masculinity differently than previous generations, and how they view church attendance is part of this changing view. So what does a 21st Century masculinity look like, and what does the local church need to do to appeal to this changing demographic?

Today’s podcast is about the importance of time management. How do we choose the right things as our priorities so that we can spend quality time trying to reach people and invest in their growth? Often our failures to meet our goals result from the errors of either thinking too large, or getting lost in the minutiae, and when we don’t get results we wonder why. How important is our physical and spiritual health in our efforts to grow the kingdom? 

It could be that mission experiences are the best starting points for engaging millennials at your church. In this episode we discuss the idea of using service projects as a launching point to connect with the desire of many millennials to gain new experiences while acting on their desire to make the world a better place.

Chris Abel shares what happened at a recent experience where a men’s group of gen X’ers and Boomers invited him to one of their monthly breakfasts. What happens when older generations don’t feel respected, and younger generations don’t feel loved? Ideas for millennial outreach include a financial course taught in public spaces, why weekend services matter, the importance of personal invitations, and the Alpha program. In part 2, Chris and Chris discuss whether it’s a myth or not that everyone leaves church in their 20’s, but always comes back later when they have kids. This week we also introduce a segment called “One Step” where we give just one step a church can put into practice to engage with millennials.

In our continuing passion for understanding the do's and don'ts of leadership to millennials and gen Z so that we can do a better job engaging them, Chris and Chris look at four areas--creativity, short-term success, comfort, and command--that can easily displace God as the object of our ministries.

How important is it that a church find a millennial to lead its millennial ministry? Also in this episode, are people interested in hearing the Gospel anymore?

In this episode, Chris Folmsbee talks with Chris Abel about what encourages and discourages him in his work with millennials, the importance of novelty and collaboration in ministry, and the need to choose one's words carefully. We also explore what appears to be a counter-intuitive trend of progressive young people gravitating towards conservative and neo-fundamentalist churches.

Generational stereotypes are not doing us any favors. Older generations often look down on those in the millennial generation and generation Z, and younger generations don't have the appropriate respect for the older generations. The resulting cycle of not giving respect because one doesn't get respect only increases the tension between the generations. This is one of the big issues facing churches today.

Paul Sheneman interviews Sara Blakeney, speaker and author of Ready For More: How Millennials Like You are Destined to Change the Church. Sara discusses the central thesis of the book, her hope in God’s work among the millennial generation and the church’s work to release this generation’s God given potential.

This week Paul Sheneman has Chris Folmsbee back on the podcast to discuss leadership traits that millennials want. This is a continuation of the conversation that we started on Episode 18. This week we talk about humility in leadership that millennials desire. At Burlap we are working on a series of eBooks to help churches and leaders reach millennials. These eBooks will be extremely affordable. They’ll also be highly practical, easily accessible and consumable – even on a short flight. Oh, and they are specifically designed for you to share with your teams and congregations in order to invite conversations and fuel your imaginations. We are hoping to have all the eBooks finished and available for purchase by July 1, 2016. This post and subsequent posts in the next few weeks are excerpts and/or ideas taken from the eBooks. As always, feel free to contact us at info@thinkburlap.com so that we can help you begin weaving new stories of faith and culture.

Paul Sheneman chats with Chris Folmsbee, found and chief creative officer of Burlap, to dig deeper into the ways millennials think about leadership traits. Paul tries to throw Chris some curve balls by having him to react to recent articles and posts about millennial perspectives. The results are a great conversation start for church leaders. Check it out. The post Paul asked Chris to respond to regarding Authenticity: http://www.churchplants.com/articles/11714-10-reasons-the-church-isnt-reaching-millennials.htmlThe tweet Paul asked Chris to respond to about collaboration and leadership:@karenedawson @GordonTredgold @Inc @ThinkBurlap Boy are they in for a surprise... #corporatelife— No, You Go First (@MudpieGames) May 3, 2016

Paul Sheneman sits down with Rev. Russ Ham, the pastor of UMC of Macedonia, to talk about his perspective on ministering to and with the millennial generation throughout his life. As a father to 3 millennials and beginning his ministry in the middle of the millennial generation, he shares his years of experience observing and relating with millennials. We discuss millennial faith, work, and family life.

Paul Sheneman chats with Billy Byler, the young adult pastor at Witchita Fist Church of the Nazarene. Billy shares about his ministry and helps us understand the value of moving from ministry with and to millennials from interruption to engagement.

On this episode, the host, Paul Sheneman, compiles some leadership traits that previous millennials guests have discussed to help pastor and church leaders gain perspective on what millennials value in a leader. You’ll hear millennials share about wanting authenticity, hospitable listening in conversation, and hope and care given through mentoring. If you want to have a longer conversation about these and other leadership traits that millennials value please contact us at info@thinkburlap.com

In this episode, Paul Sheneman talks with Rob Santel, a millennial and small church pastor in transition. Rob helps small church leaders and pastors get a grasp on the challenges and opportunities that come along with reaching and discipling millennials. Rob’s gracious and hopeful perspective on faith and life is a refreshing perspective and one that is sure to challenge and inspire you as you seek to reach millennials.Free eBook – Understanding MillennialsFree Teaching Series on the Lord’s PrayerPlease feel free to comment below and to contact us at info@thinkburlap.com to let us know what you’d like talked about on these episodes of the Burlap Podcast.

In this episode, host, Paul Sheneman, talks with Jen Hibben, pastor of Thrive Church, who shares her experience of trying to disciple millennials. Jen reveals that what works in one context may not work in another context. She also provides creative ways to engage the community in ways that draw millennials into relationship with a congregation.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, the second half of the conversation between Paul Sheneman, the host, and Grant Wood, a marriage and family therapist, regarding millennials, marriage and the church is shared. Grant provides some helpful advise to church leaders as they seek to engage millennials and marriage equality as a community. This will be a great conversation starter with other leaders in your church to begin moving your church toward engaging this important issue.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, the host, Paul Sheneman, talks with Maddy Fowler, a millennial who is passionate about sharing the Gospel. She specifically wants to see those who are nominal Christians in her generation come to embrace the Gospel as good news for them. Maddy shares how the key elements from her perspective are relationship, conversation and hospitality. Hear her story and learn from a millennial how to improve our work of reaching millennials with the Gospel.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, the host, Paul Sheneman, talks with Grant Wood, a licensed clinical marriage and family therapist. Grant works with millennials and people of all ages on couples therapy and marriage enrichment. Grant started working with millennials as a youth pastor in the 90’s and years later, after opening the Resonate Clinic with his wife, he continues to have a passion to serve this generation. Grant shares his experience and expertise with us on the topic of marriage and millennials and provides some tips on how churches can come along side this generation in their pursuit of life giving relationships.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, the host, Paul Sheneman, talks with Evan Palmer, a millennial Christian in Kansas City, who believes the church is missing the boat when it comes to her generation. Evan shares about her passion for mentorship, the impact it has made on her, and discusses how the church has a powerful gift to give in older generations turning around and mentoring younger generations.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, the host, Paul Sheneman, talks with Ben Simpson the Minister of Students at University Baptist Churchwhich is an intentionally intergenerational ministry across the street from TCU. Ben provides some tips for church leaders seeking to train a congregation in helping millennials connect with an intergenerational community.Connect with Ben on Twitter or BenjaminASimpson.comPlease feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, Chris Folmsbee and Paul Sheneman discuss some recent Burlap research on millennials and the Bible. Chris provides some insightful tips for us to engage millennials with God’s story. And we end with a list of resources that will equip church leaders desiring to dig into the insights shared.Some Stats from this Episode2 out of 3 millennials just think it’s another book.Over 27% of millennials think that the Bible is a dangerous book of dogma used to oppress people.In ThinkBurlap research, 28% of millennials see the Bible as fiction and not relevant for their life.Resources Mentioned in this EpisodeLesslie Newbigin : A Walk Through the BibleVaughan Roberts : God’s Big PictureDialogue Tip – Add a third person to a conversation and ask them at the end, “Was I having a conversation?”N.T. Wright : Surprised by Hope (Suggestion: Read it during Lent as a preparation for Easter and to help you engage millennials with the hope of the resurrection)Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, Paul Sheneman talks with Drew Froese, a pastor to the millennials in the San Jose, CA area. Drew shares his honest reflections on what his faith community has done to reach millennials and what’s “worked” and “failed”. Along the way he gives some great encouragement to all of us seeking to reach millennials with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, Paul Sheneman shares a story of a young millennial, Isaac, who discerns God’s call upon his life as to lead his peers to help others. In the process of Isaac describing what that looks like he actually describes the key characteristics that millennial’s use to describe “spirituality”.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, Chris Folmsbee and Paul Sheneman discuss some recent Burlap research on millennials definition of a spiritual person and religious person. Their descriptions of the difference between probably won’t surprise you. However, their definition of spiritual may just be the hopeful sign that your looking for in this generation.Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this Burlap Podcast, Chris Folmsbee and Paul Sheneman talk about their experience and research on millennial’s faith practices. What comes out of the conversation is an opportunity for all church leaders to connect with a common religious expression of millennials.  Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this episode of the Burlap Podcast, Chris Folmsbee shares Millennials’ surprising expectations of leaders. It may just free leaders from other generations to change their expectations of themselves. Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes.

In this first episode of the Burlap Podcast, Chris Folmsbee shares about how Burlap began, the purpose of it and upcoming resources to be released. Please feel free to comment below and share any questions or topics that you want addressed in upcoming episodes. [Photo: crunklygill/Music: Timbers]