I’m back from two exhilarating weeks at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. The classes included teaching from Adonis Vidu, Duffy Robbins, and Walt Mueller with special guest Don Opitz and featuring two Skype conversations with authors Tony Jones and Jim Belcher. Wow. Here’s what our clay-footed cohort is after: How do we pass on the Christian faith to the emerging generations?
We first explored cultural changes that are taking place, with particular emphasis on the (supposed) shift from modernity to postmodernity. Whatever we may want to call it, here’s what seems to be going on: society has lost a moral center and moral compass. We were most interested in how the church has responded to the cultural malaise. Differentiating between method and message, we discussed traditional churches, seeker-sensitive churches and emerging (Emergent) churches. Jim Belcher’s third way proved most helpful. He joined the class from England via Skype, answering our pressing questions with deep insight and humility. If you haven’t read his book Deep Church: A Third Way Beyond Emerging and Traditional, it’s a good place to start!
The second half of class focused on adolescent development. I wrote this in the margin of my notebook at some point during a mid-week lecture: We created this thing called adolescence, and now we have no idea what to do with it! Adolescence is a modern invention. I guess there has always been some kind of “space between” puberty and adulthood, but I’m quite sure that the time elapsed between “life stages” is at an all-time high. In fact, it keeps getting longer. What’s more, if adolescent development is about anything, it’s about wrestling with the question “who am I?” Here’s the problem: young people are forced to wrestle with that question for close to 20 years! Not that we ever fully “arrive” and settle completely on the big identity question… but geesh, life shaping institutions like family, church, and school are being pushed considerably to offer prolonged support for young people caught in a youth culture gone wild. Paradox abounds. We want children to act like adults and then no one wants to grow up. Weird.
The good news is that we have, well, the “good news.” But the questions remain: How do we foster a gospel-centered life in a society that has lost a center? How do we nurture young people in the faith when society seems to have lost faith in its institutions? What does discipleship look like in a culture of busy-ness and apathy?
I’m pretty sure the answer is “42” but now I have to show my work. Seriously though, these are the questions we will be wrestling with for the duration of our program. Let the wrestling match begin!
What students should do to make college count:
1. One of the best pieces of advice I have heard is to major in the best profs. Find out who they are and take their classes, even if they are the hardest.
2. Chat with your profs. Most profs are more than willing to spend time with you especially if they get to talk about what interest them.
3. Ask for reading lists beyond what shows up on the syllabus. You probably won’t have such resources at your finger tips at any other point in your life.
J. Matthew Bonzo is assistant professor of philosophy at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is the co-author of Wendell Berry and the Cultivation of Life (Brazos Press). Read an interview with Dr. Bonzo about his excellent book on Mr. Berry.
More college student advice from: Gideon Strauss, Ned Bustard, Kara Powell, Roger Steer, Mark Bertrand, Rick Ostrander, Timothy Edris, Steve Miller, Stephen Nichols.
Last night our family celebrated Epiphany. My wife baked a delicious cake, we exchanged (one more) gift with the kids, and wore hats to make us look like kings. The night ended with me reading the story of the “Three Wise Men” from our favorite book, The Jesus Storybook Bible: Every Story Whispers His Name. It was simple and beautiful. And here’s a parenting secret: connect religious traditions with presents and sugary snacks and the kids are engaged! They looked very focused eating icing and ice cream, commemorating the visit of the Magi to Bethlehem. Piece of cake. Literally.
But there was another gift last night as well. After dinner, on Skype, I met my good friend Jeremy Wells from Baker Publishing Group. He had something to show me. Make College Count had arrived! I must say, it looks very nice. The picture was a little blurry and I wasn’t able to read much of the print, but it was aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Jeremy knocked on the hardcover, opened a few pages and showed me the back of the book. I can’t wait to hold a copy. And, of course, I can’t wait for others to read it. For the last 10 years I have been working with students to help them make the most of their time in college. In this little book, I provide some thoughts on what I have seen make a big difference. It starts with learning to ask the right questions before and during college. Hopefully, Make College Count will be a catalyst to spark meaningful conversations. Maybe we should sell it with free sugary snacks?!
I’m pretty fired up for the coming year. My calendar is already pretty full through March. There are still plenty of open dates for April, May and June for the College Transition Seminar. Let me know if you have any questions or, if you’re ready, fill-out the online request form today!
The new year kicks off with a trip to Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in the middle of January. I will be participating in my first residency, working toward a Doctor of Ministry to Emerging Generations. This program seeks to help those ministering to the emerging generations (youth pastors, children’s ministers, college/young adult ministers, and pastors) work through the practical implications of living obediently to the Great Commission of Jesus Christ in today’s rapidly changing cultural context. Wow. I can’t wait!
I’m also excited for my upcoming speaking engagements. Here’s a sampling: In February I will be speaking at The Summit Leadership Conference in York, PA; Malone University in Canton, OH; and the Jubilee Conference in Pittsburgh, PA. March features a Western Michigan Tour (Holland, Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids); an exciting event with the Connection Ministries at the State Museum in Harrisburg, PA; and a trip to San Francisco, CA to speak at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. April includes a one-day seminar at the Parish Resource Center in Lancaster, PA and a trip to Colorado Springs. Wow. I can’t wait!
Coming Soon: March 1st will be the official release of my new book Make College Count: A Faithful Guide to Life and Learning (Baker Books). I’ve been honored by the endorsements and believe the book can make a difference in the lives of students heading off to college. You can now read an excerpt which includes the foreword by my good friend David Kinnaman. Wow. I can’t wait!
