Crossings in the Pacific Northwest

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them forever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7 Praise the LORD from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps,

8 fire and hail, snow and frost, stormy wind fulfilling his command! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds!

11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and women alike, old and young together! 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

Characteristics: “Spiritually inclined” despite lack of ties Mostly white Slightly more than half married and 40+ years old Their children are over 17 years old Majority men, employed full-time 7 in 10 own a home

More characteristics: 9 out of 10 have high school degree 4 out of 5 registered to vote (79%) Politically liberal (may mean libertarian) Republic, 14% Democrat, 31% Independent, 46%

Well educated, white, middle-class, male baby - boomer living in metropolitan area with wife and no young kids. ()

1. Spiritual but not religious 2. Rugged individualism 3. Land of new beginnings and imagination 4. Non-institutional or anti-institutional 5. Open and ambiguous religious culture leads to religious extremes (not moderation) 6. Entrepeneurial and enterprising religious experiments can thrive

FOR DISCUSSION: Which characteristic surprises you? Which characteristic do you personally exhibit? Which do you not understand, if any? If you have traveled in the Pacific Northwest what do you notice is different (in church, in malls, in the way people dress, carry themselves, etc.) ? How might these characteristics intersect with church life?

1. Spiritual but not religious 2. Rugged individualism 3. Land of new beginnings and imagination 4. Non-institutional or anti- institutional 5. Open and ambiguous religious culture leads to religious extremes (not moderation) 6. Entrepeneurial and enterprising religious experiments can thrive 1.Lutheran worship is a ritualized expression of spirituality; organized institution 2.Emphasis on group and relationship 3.Belief in new beginnings; experienced in ritual, dramatic 4.Pro-institution (local, regional, national)—the “devil we know” 5.Confessional/creedal; but willing to live with and recognize ambiguity 6.Entrepeneurship not discouraged, but not necessarily nurtured either

Romans 10:14 14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?

NONES Step 1: External Problem Nones aren’t connected to the Church Priorities are with mountains, sea, and all the creatures that dwell therein CROSSERS Step 1: External Problem Other people don’t believe in Christ, let alone call on him.

NONES Step 2: Internal Problem Inherent distrust of institutions = rejection of hearing the Word (Romans 10: They don’t believe because they haven’t heard) CROSSERS Step 2: Internal Problem God has called us to proclaim Christ to Nones, but we aren’t listening Worse: We know we’re supposed to, but we’re too uncomfortable to cross that boundary We don’t trust Christ more than we fear our culture’s rejection

NONES Step 3: Eternal Problem No faith= Damned if you don’t (trust Christ) CROSSERS Step 3: Eternal Problem No trust = no Christ for us (we drown with the Nones we haven’t taught to swim) Left alone in the silence (where a Word had been spoken before)

NONES Step 4: Eternal Solution Christ is for the damned; “descends into the abyss” of death (10:7)--willing to walk with damned through hell Father is pleased with a Son who is so dedicated to his creation; gives Jesus the “beautiful resurrection feet” to bring good news, by walking out of the grave and bring new friends with him CROSSERS Step 4: Eternal Solution Silence of the Cross borne by Jesus; hiddenness of God endured by Christ there Breaking the silence: Jesus speaks our names (like he spoke Peter’s and Mary’s from beside the grave), reminding us to whom we belong. Jesus has already proven his dedication to Peter, who fell silent his own relationship to Christ

NONES Step 5: Internal Solution Any God who is willing to go to hell and back for you is worthy of your attention; so you listen; when you listen you hear more about Christ who walks with you—and not just you—through hell CROSSERS Step 5: Internal Solution When you’ve heard the Word, and then experienced the silence of God (as it echoes through your pews), you long for and treasure the beautiful feet that bring good news; and the reality that others can’t believe unless they hear, becomes your calling

NONES Step 6: Eternal Solution Once you’ve heard, it’s hard not to be noticed; and it’s hard not to notice the people around you who haven’t heard CROSSERS Step 6: External Solution You speak the good news, not because if you don’t “this church will die,” but because you’ve been given beautiful feet—by virtue of having them washed by Christ

Making Sense of Religion in the Pacific Northwest Religion and Public Life in the Pacific Northwest Bridging the Gap with Young Adults Tribal Church: Ministering to the Missing Generation They Like Jesus but Not the Church: Insights from Emerging Generations Surprising Insights from the Unchurched After the Baby Boomers: How Twenty- and Thirty-Somethings are Shaping the Future of American Religion

How did they meet Jesus? What do they love about Jesus? How does the church help (or hinder) them as they seek to follow Christ? What can Calvary do to make room for this fresh experience?

5 You, O LORD, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth. 6 Upon you I have leaned from my birth; it was you who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you. 7 I have been like a portent to many, but you are my strong refuge.

8 My mouth is filled with your praise, and with your glory all day long. 17 O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. 18 So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to all the generations to come.