James Emery WhiteBesprekingen

What group does Generation Z encompass? What is the dramatic cultural shift taking place in the world today and how does it affect this young generation’s attitudes toward religion and God? Do Christians and the Church need to change the way they do things in their mission to reach this generation? Generation Z, compromising 25% of the US population and born between approximately 1997 and 2010, is described by author and pastor, James Emery White, as “recession marked, Wi-Fi-enabled, multiracial and sexually fluid.” He discusses how these characteristics have affected their attitudes, values, and views of religion and life. This cultural shift will affect and challenge the Church in their mission to teach Generation Z about God. White introduces the counter cultural model of the early Christian Church and its implications for the mission practices of the Church today. Pastor White relates many personal experiences that will resonate with pastoral staff. Meet Generation Z, a recommended reading for pastors and church staff, is also endorsed for any reader who seeks to understand and effectively communicate with these young adults.

A great primer for the marriage between Christianity and intellectual thought and pursuit. Includes practical advice on beginning / honing reading skills, as well as helpful suggestions for those who need to start their journey or supplement their current path.

57877

Summary: The book profiles the generation born since 1993, describing them as the first "post-Christian" generation, and what the church in the US must do to reach this generation.

I was a boomer. During my years in ministry I've watched books come and go about ministering with boomers, X-ers, millenials (my son's generation), and now generation "Z" (those born after 1993). It's tempting to get a bit jaded with this succession of "generation" books, but the contentions of this book, which I've seen on the ground, persuade me that its message is worth heeding.

Fundamentally, White argues that what distinguishes this generation is that it is the first truly "post-Christian" generation in the U.S. He notes the research that the fastest growing religious affiliation in this age group is "none." This is a group that is marked by the Recession of 2008 with an entrepreneurial spirit. They are wi-fi-enabled, multiracial, and sexually fluid. They have been "under-parented" (compared to the helicopter parenting of millenials) and robbed of childhood, growing old younger. Pornography has a pervasive presence in their lives and is wreaking havoc. (I will vouch for this. When I meet young men, I assume that pornography is an issue in their lives and am surprised when it isn't.) And the church has lost its voice by and large, caught up in the politics and culture wars of a past generation. He likens this to a verse from the calamitous twelfth century speaking of "when Christ and his saints slept."

White devotes the second half of this book to how a church awakened might engage and reach the rising generation. He argues that the church must recover a sense of its own identity as a distinctive counter-culture, one, holy, catholic, apostolic, and shaped by its mission to call a deeply fallen world back to God. The answer is neither withdrawal or efforts to grasp political influence, but "to pioneer new ways to bind ourselves to Scripture, to our traditions, and to each other.... " In short, his call is for the church to recover what it means to be Christ-like.

What does this call for in our efforts to engage generation Z. It means recovering a voice of evangelism and a prophetic voice that does not veer into heresy. It means translating the gospel without transforming it. It means re-thinking our communication for a generation with eight second attention spans, who think in terms of texts and tweets. It means using the awe and wonder of both art and science in our apologetic. And fundamentally, it means developing a church that says, "it's about them" -- hiring staff from this generation, reaching its men, welcoming their children, developing an invitational culture, and providing for the discipleship of those who follow Christ.

The book concludes with three messages given at the author's church that model the kind of communication he believes is necessary. One is on gay marriage, one on the spiritual world, and one appealing to science in an argument of why believe in God. The style is both engaging and direct, and unapologetic about Christian beliefs on any of the questions engaged, but also in touch with prevailing concerns.

What's fascinating to me is that I think White is simply commending the work that the church, if it is to remain vital, must do in every generation, while applying that very specifically to the context of this particular generation. Yet if White is right, it is also the case that this may also be a singular moment. He writes at the beginning of the book of Christopher Dawson, and the six ages of the church, where the church rose to the challenges of transition to a new epoch. He considers us at another one of these moments. White articulates how he is seeking to lead his own church to rise to this moment, which he considers one of both great peril if we miss it, and great opportunity if we will seize it.

So what will it be?

____________________________

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

A primer on the upcoming generation and the challenges of evangelism in a post-Christian environment.

This is another book in which the subheading is more productive than the title: the book is very light on "Generation Z" (which makes sense, since its oldest members are just entering the teenage years, and its youngest members are yet to be born) and much more about the attempt to understand where people are at in our post-Christian culture these days.

The author does well at explaining the new reality: many Millennials and those who follow have little to no experience with Christianity, know very little about it, and maintain an idea of Christianity more based on cultural assumptions than any personal experience. The author takes a bit more of a sensationalistic route to explain where we're at, but we'll see as things play out over time whether the sensationalism is warranted.

Nevertheless, the trends he describes are real, and it is important to recognize the gap which exists between church and those in culture, and seek to bridge it whenever possible. The second half of the book provides strategies based on the author's experiences as to how to more effectively reach Millennials and those who follow after them: serving effectively as truly countercultural and serving Jesus, thinking of evangelism in terms that work with post-Christian generations and where they are now, and how to more effectively communicate the Gospel message. He concludes with some of the messages he preached at his church regarding difficult cultural issues: gay marriage, the paranormal, and reasons for belief in God.

The author often references other works he has written; the book is representative of the genre but could prove useful to those who seek to communicate about Christianity with others.

**--galley received as part of early review program

White's book divides crises facing 21st century Christianity into five broad categories--faith, mindset, marriage and family, media and technology, and mission. He has five challenges under each category. Many of the studies that he cites are from public opinion polls from organizations that are not necessarily known for their neutrality. The writing of the book is a bit choppy in places. Some of the author's assertions are not adequately documented. I see this as a book that pastors might use for sermon fodder more than as a book that will be enjoyed by the masses or by academics. There is a lot of redundancy within the chapters. The biggest weakness of the book is the author's decision to not offer solutions. It leaves the reader despairing of the current state of affairs. This could have easily been addressed in the afterword which seemed to be an inadequate conclusion to the book.½

Which is job one for today's pastor? Shepherd or Leader? Shoudl a pastor be an entrepreneurial leader or loving shepherd? A person who casts vision or who cares for broken people?

Many an ordination counsel has lamented the examination of a young Pastor fresh from seminary. Often the critique from either these counsel's or search committees, is the evidence of book but not heart driven ministry. The local Church must be the developing environment for new pastor's, what White calls the "Farm League"(p.29). But what if the young Timothy does not have a Paul mentor?

James Emery White's experience as a seminary professor, former president of a seminary, and senior Pastor helps him deal with those things the Seminary did or could not convey. The personal examples, stories and specific warnings give an informal, personal feel to his writing. This is both the strength and weakness of this book. The introduction should put the theological student on notice of what Churches are looking for.

The general concepts for church growth and concern often come without explicit biblical basis or specific steps of achievement. When Scriptural citations are given from "The Message", there are more conversational, than instructive. The cutesy/vague titles in the table of contents show you that this is not a theological tome or Biblical examination of how to pastor but a collection of various observations after years of ministry.

Even from the first chapter on "Emotional Survival" White's advice to "develop a way of life that protects, strengthens and replenishes you emotionally" (p.21), as well as having "Clear Boundaries Regarding Giftedness", reflects his focus on the personal life of the pastor. Chapter two deals with what to look for in staff and volunteers.

Chapter three is a good example of what is right and wrong with this book. White warns of the lure of the new and that "churches are successful because they know why they do certain things" (p.34). The big problem is any lack of what specifically "successful" means. I appreciate the value of advancing ministry but the advice that "this means you are the originator, the creator, the one who is fashioning new solutions and opening new vistas"(p.36) is dangerous. We are not the originator, for God established the expectations and procedures from scripture. Although, I suspect White would argue that this is implied, the relentless drive of pragmatism is the very danger he is warning against. Tying finances with overall kingdom objectives in chapter four, brings this back on track.

Chapter five: "It's the Weekend, Stupid" is one of the few aptly titled chapters. The contents on what people are looking for Sunday: (friendliness, children's ministry, music, and building) is pretty basic. Moving right to "Sexual Fences" in chapter six, this is a good example of my continual wonderment of transition. A good editor would have mentioned to White to group or transition the topics in a more logical manner. Instead of another anecdote of sexual failure a simple verse of 1Cor. 10:12 "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall" was screaming out to be added, like at many, many other times in the book.

Chapter seven on envy takes one of the few opportunities to actually define, but not cite, an appropriate standard: "Crowns in heaven will not be based on numerical attendance, growth, acres or even decisions to follow Christ. For pastors and churches, it will be based on faithfulness to the vision of the church as cast by the New Testament" (65). Having zero tolerance for the quarrelsome (chapter eight), is one of the few "hard lined" approaches that White takes. Personal experiences of loss and devastation from the quarrelsome were especially informative. The need to involve young adults of chapter nine is straightforward enough, yet once again, chapter ten on "Hills to Die On", lists some helpful church practices (it is not on the essentials of the faith by any means) but by in large lacks scriptural reference which would show why they should be hills to die on. Chapter eleven on Vision would have tied in better with the practices of chapter ten. Likewise, dealing with the disgruntled who leave their church and arrive at yours (and talking to their old pastor) would have tied in better with dealing with the quarrelsome of chapter eight. Once again, chapter thirteen on the pastor's personal spiritual life, should have been tied to emotional survival of chapter one and sexual fences of chapter six.

Chapter fourteen on Church growth was probably the most refreshing of the book. White seemed to turn his approach around. On why the church must be different than the world: "People already have these things. They do not need to go to church to find them" (p. 107). His treatment of Acts 2:42 on the Lord adding to the church, yet us not being passive, struck the right balance. The rest of the chapter and self-test could be an excellent book in itself.

I appreciated the time considerations of chapter fifteen, yet the chapter lacked a Christ like sensitivity that Jesus would have shown in searching for the wandering sheep. The Bystander effect of inaction is true enough in chapter sixteen, yet curiously, White does not deal with the solution.

Committee structure and responsibility of chapter seventeen is linked well to the story of Numbers 13 (not directly referenced) with the spies sent into Canaan. It is a good link to the dangers of majority rule. Yet, the issue of confrontation with chapter eighteen would have a better link to the quarrelsome of chapter eight.

Chapter nineteen has an excellent quote on personal responsibility and expectations: "it's not about whether you got anything out of the service but about whether you gave God anything of service" (p. 138). We then deal with preaching (Chapter twenty) then with the personal issues of having a confidant (twenty-one) and our children as fellow ministers (twenty-two).

"What a leader does" (chapter twenty-three) is the single best chapter I've read on leadership. Twenty-four is an intriguing look at Phil. 2:25 linking our interpersonal, purpose and functional roles, and closes with the tyranny of the urgent with time considerations in twenty-five.

All in all, pastoral ministry is very much like the triathlon that White closes with in the afterword. His subject matter was broad, yet not deep, practical, not theological. His treatment on leadership (chapter twenty-three) is worth the price of the book itself. The reader who wished to be mentored by Dr. White, will indeed make "the most of the time" (Ps. 90:10).

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

I came to this book with low expectations. The reputation of the author drew me in but that alone was not enough to overcome the skepticism which the title engendered. Then, add to that a subtitle which promises a list leading to success? Oh boy…

By the time I was finished this book, however, my opinion was completely reversed. What did overcome my initial skepticism, swiftly and completely, were the wise and considered words of James Emery White. His discussion ranges from leadership and administration issues, to words about soul care and family. White truly runs the gauntlet of difficult issues pastors face in their positions. In most chapters he is sincere, wise, and helpful. Naturally there were a few chapters that I found to be less so, but they are hardly worth mentioning next to amount of just plain good advice in this book.

In the introduction White discusses how the U.S. Army is changing its training program in order to prepare soldiers for what they actually face in war. With that analogy in mind he summarizes his book: “So from someone who loves and appreciates what a seminary education offers but who’s been deployed in the war for a while, here’s what they never taught me there – and in fairness, never could.” This is, indeed, what you will find within the pages of What They Didn’t Teach You In Seminary. Here is a book worth reading.

Conclusion: 4.5 Stars. Conditionally Recommended. This book was written for pastors, and so if you are one then you should read it. If not, you can still learn from it, especially in terms of understanding more clearly what your pastor goes through and needs.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".½

Discusses the foundation concepts of true spirituality and offers biblical insights on how to talk to God, how to spend time with God, how to find spiritual community and support, and how to read and understand the Bible.

White gives excellent coverage to divergent voices in several hot-topic social and cultural issues.

White follows a well-trodden path through the Lord's Prayer as a framework for developing our own prayer life.

My disappointment with the book is the same that I feel with most of his books. He does quite of bit of research and ingestion before writing. However, the book sometimes feels as if it is a highlight reel of the stuff he has read. It is more of a research paper than an original work. Of course, I have read many of the same books, so it feels very stale to me at those moments.

My delight with the book is also the same as I feel with most of his books. Occasionally, he will be himself. And when he does, the results can be breath-taking. A theologian who has the advantage of pastoring a start-up church (he is not holding the fort down for previous generations), he brings the research around to bear on real-world feelings in a very fresh way.

Recommended