Like, Maybe That’s It!

In the name of hate, twenty-one-year-old Dylann Roof went on a deadly shooting spree in Charleston, South Carolina, and amidst the grief and shock we wonder, “Is there something we can do to reach the Dylann Roofs in our community before it’s too late?” There just might be.

Michael W. Smith had already founded Rocketown, a safe place for teenagers to hangout in Nashville, Tenn., when he was asked to take part in the memorial service after the Columbine High School shootings in 1999. The experience increased his zeal to show young people that they are loved and valued, leading him to expand Rocketown into a

36,000 square-foot building that houses a concert hall, and indoor skate park, a coffee bar, a recording studio, and dance studio.

Come Chill

“I think the most important thing that we offer: healthy and nurturing relationships,” says Youth Engagement Coordinator Stephanie Grant. “Our desire is to create an environment where kids feel safe being themselves, but also feel empowered to try new things and to pursue growth and education.”

Sixteen-year-olds Josh and Spencer are Rocketown regulars. “My friend told me about it, and we both walked up here and started hooping and I actually kind of enjoyed the place,” says Josh. “I was like, ‘it’s pretty cool’ and the more I came, the more I liked it.”

Spencer grew up at Rocketown. “My dad looked up ‘skate parks’ in Nashville when I was three, and he brought me here,” he says. When Spencer, who now works in the facility’s skate shop, invites a friend to Rocketown, he can sum it up in about two words: “Come chill.”

Light on the Hill

Skate boarding, snow boarding, and other extreme sports have provided teen outreach opportunities to churches and Christian organizations across the country, especially when it comes to teen boys.

In an interview with WOTV earlier this year, Ezra Heethuis, a sophomore at Cornerstone University (Grand Rapids, Michigan), talked about how snowboarding consumed his life and as a Christian, he knew he had to make a change in his priorities. “God’s given me this passion for snow boarding, and I’m okay at it, so how can I use that to glorify him?” he explains.

He discovered Snow Boarders for Christ and it changed his whole perspective. “I’m like, maybe that’s it,” Heethuis says. “Now snow boarding is a fun activity that I get to do instead of something I worry about. We concentrate on getting people, growing people in their faith, and holding each other accountable. We’re just about being friendly on the hill.”

Good Vibrations

The Underground Skatepark started with a group of boys just killing time together in the basement of Celebration Community Church in Dillsbury, Pennsylvania. While their parents went to Bible study, the boys played floor hockey and skateboarded. The basement became “the” place for teens to hang out, and has turned into a major teen ministry for the church.

In a video on the Underground Skate Park’s website, a teen skater explains it’s appeal. “It’s just a good space to come and relax—it just has a good vibe,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how bad you are, or what your style is. Everyone is accepting of one another.”

Check It Out

A surprising number of Christian extreme sport organizations already exist, and many are actively looking for new areas to plant a club or chapter. Search online for “Christian extreme sports” and “Christian action sports,” and you’ll find an abundance of information on these topics that will bring anyone up to speed. And be sure to check out the books listed below for even more ideas and inspiration.

Hosoi: The Rise, Fall and Redemption of a Legendary Skateboarder

Fire in the Core

Live Out Loud

Spiritual Adventures in the Snow: Skiing and Snowboarding as Renewal for Your Soul

Soul Surfer

After the Fall: A Climber’s True Story of Facing Death and Finding Life

A Young Man After God’s Own Heart: Turn Your Life Into an Extreme Adventure

Judy Bumgarner is a freelance writer in Nashville, Tennessee. She also works at Brentwood United Methodist Church in the church’s Caring Ministry

Who Will Care? Whatever.

If parents could eliminate one word from their kids’ vocabulary it might be “whatever.”  Will our kids outgrow this seemingly disdainful disregard? Will they learn to care? Can we teach them to care?

We had a chance to ask Dr. Terri Manning, Associate Vice President for Institutional Research and Assistant to the Executive Vice President at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an expert on the topic of Millennials, children born between the early 1980s and early 2000s.

Dr. Manning:
It’s true that Millennials take for granted many of the things that we, Baby Boomers, cared passionately about, but that doesn’t mean they are not passionate about issues like ridding the world of prejudice—they care about that.

Some estimate that as many as 25% of millennial children have at least one parent from another country. Many have pen pals around the world. So while the world seemed big to us, it seems small to them. They were raised with a sense of fairness and therefore really believe all men are created equal and that we should not judge people based on race, gender, and religion.

Cokesbury Commons:
Then they may very well be extremely supportive of church mission work and giving to others. What will trigger this support?

Dr. Manning:
They are definitely “hands on.” They got involved in community service as kids and would rather work at the soup kitchen or build a Habitat Home than write a check to United Way.

Tell them the purpose of the mission at the forefront and let them know why it’s important—what happens if they don’t deal with this issue.

Include a social media person in the planning—someone who knows the best way to communicate and consider a different method of delivery. Not necessarily a different message but a different way of engaging members.

Cokesbury Commons:
So what can churches to do now to prepare for this new kind of church?

Dr. Manning:
A church today would be wise to conduct some focus groups with both their Gen X and Millennial members and talk about things like attracting new members, the layout of the services, the best way to educate members, how the church can use technology, etc.

They have been consulted by adults their entire life. They have been allowed to be involved in family decisions so this would seem totally normal to them—plus they love giving input into things. If you liken the way a church deals with its members to how schools deal with students—we have a lot to learn.

Cokesbury Commons:
And what trends are you seeing in education?

Dr. Manning:
“Flipping classrooms.” The teacher creates video lectures and places them on YouTube or the university’s server. Students are told which videos to watch and are instructed to bring notes to the next class. Then they can spend the entire class in “hands on” activities. It has proven to be a far superior method of teaching, especially with some subjects.

I wonder what would happen if the preacher sent all church members articles and information about the subject of the sermon before Sunday. Then spent the first 20 minutes of the service in discussion with the congregation.

Dr. Manning received her doctorate in Higher Education from Oklahoma State University. She was a graduate faculty member at Tulsa Community College, Oklahoma State University, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte prior to accepting her current position at Central Piedmont Community College in 1998.  She has consulted with multiple colleges on institutional effectiveness and serves on visiting teams for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. To date, she has made 90 keynote presentations at national meetings, colleges, and local businesses. For more information on Dr. Manning’s research on the Millennial generation, visit her website at http://www.cpcc.edu/millennial.