Blank Slate: Write Your Own Rules for a 22nd-Century Church Movement
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Leader’s Edge (Missions & Ministry)
Blank Slate: Write Your Own Rules for a 22nd-Century Church Movement
Lia McIntosh, Jasmine Smothers, Rodney Thomas Smothers
Abingdon Press 2019, 190 pages
Summary
The book is written by three generations of pastors, preachers, and leaders who seek to answers these questions: “Why are young adults, the most diverse in America, so difficult to reach by the traditional mainline church? What can be done about it? And how can we make ministry more effective?” The first two sections of the book contrast the “old rules” of mature generations (Traditionalists, Boomers, and Gen X) and the “new rules” of the Millennials and Gen Z. Section three highlights five innovative organizations (Facebook, Starbucks, Uber, Netflix, and Disney) that demonstrate understanding, relational ability, and impact with young generations. Section four uses the metaphor of “blank slate” (or tabula rasa) to shift mindsets, create new experiences, and shape the church of the future. The last section reflects on the relevant interfaith, multicultural, and intergenerational issues in relation to discipleship, mission, and reconciliation.
