Outsider Interviews, The: What Young People Think About Faith And How To Connect With Them - Softcover

Henderson, Jim

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801014247 ISBN 13: 9780801014246

Publisher: Baker Books, 2012

Synopsis

According to statistics, young adults are more disenchanted with the church than ever. Beyond the statistics are the stories--real people with real opinions and real experiences. What if we took the time to listen to the voices behind these statistics? What if we sat down and talked face-to-face with some of these people and really heard what they had to say? That is exactly what these authors do in The Outsider Interviews. Journey with them as they travel the country interviewing young adults, listening to their candid stories and probing questions about Christianity.

About this title

From the Inside Flap

EXCERPT FROM CATALOGThe three of us hit the road in the fall of 2008. We wanted to interview some Outsiders and Insiders in four different cities in America. Truth be told, we were just as interested in hearing from Insiders, particularly about where they find points of agreement with Outsiders. We also wanted to know what enabled them to call themselves Christians while still disagreeing with some of the main cultural ideas their spiritual elders fought so hard to establish over the past thirty-five years.Even though we talked with both groups, we decided to call this The Outsider Interviews as a way of erring on the side of the people Jesus misses most. Dietrich Bonheoffer said, "The church is only the church when it exists for others." When it comes to connecting with Outsiders we think the church has much to learn. We have not sought them out for their opinions or asked them to help us become a better church. Instead we often have marginalized them and, worse, objectified them. We only need to look to our own lexicon for evidence of this trait. Here's a few of the names we've come up with to keep them in their place: Lost, Unbelievers, Unsaved, Unrepentant, Unregenerate, Heathens, and Reprobate. We wanted to change this bad habit. We wanted to let Outsiders know we really did value their opinions and insights. We also wanted to model to the church the ancient practice of honoring the Outsider. The Old Testament is filled with the stories of one famous Outsider after another becoming central to the story of God. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Namaan, the entire city of Nineveh, and Gentiles (like me) just to name a few.As you will experience, this ancient approach continues to make an impression in the twenty-first century. More than one Outsider told us they were shocked Christians were actually listening to them. Klarisa, an Outsider in Kansas City, tore our hearts out when she said, "If Christians would listen and show some interest in me, I would be very open to their story." What if evangelism in our time is more about listening than speaking?

From the Back Cover

According to statistics, young adults are more disenchanted with the church than ever.

Beyond the statistics are the stories--real people with real opinions and real experiences. These people are more than just numbers. They are your son or daughter, the barista at your favorite café, a young co-worker, the college student you sit next to at church.

What would happen if we took the time to listen to them?

Listening and trying to understand someone's perspective is time consuming and often challenging. And we may never agree with those other perspectives. But as friends, parents, grandparents, and mentors, we must find ways to bridge the gap and connect with young people.

The future of the church depends on it.

Enhance Your Experience of the Book with Videos Online: www.OutsiderInterviews.com

About this edition

• Publisher: Baker Books
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0801014247
• ISBN 13: 9780801014246
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192