22 December 2008

Innovation "critical"

The Christian community is not adapting or innovating enough to face generational challenges says best-selling author and researcher, David Kinnaman. Young people must think outside the box and lead the way in shaping the future of evangelical Christianity, was the message at an Evangelical Alliance event for younger leaders at Warwick University on 11-12 December. 

David Kinnaman said, “Small is the new big.  If young people can grab hold of their personal calling, even if it is small, then deeper, more lasting change can occur.  Sometimes in trying to change everything, leaders end up changing nothing.  Young leaders have the chance to focus their ambition on sustainable projects, not merely those that produce fanfare and little long-term influence.”

Using research on young adults’ perception of Evangelical Christianity today, David led a discussion which inspired those present to re-imagine evangelicalism for the next generation. Inspired by these conversations the Evangelical Alliance is facilitating younger leaders to network together and look at these issues in the UK context.

Younger leaders urged to pave the way at an Evangelical Alliance conference

22 December 2008

The Christian community is not adapting or innovating enough to face generational challenges says David Kinnaman. Young people must think outside the box and lead the way in shaping the future of evangelical Christianity, was the message at an Evangelical Alliance event for younger leaders this week.

David Kinnaman, president of the Barna group and co-author of the best-selling book unChristian – a study into young peoples’ view of Christianity –  came to Britain from the USA to urge a diverse gathering of younger leaders to be ‘spiritual entrepreneurs’.

David Kinnaman said, “Small is the new big.  If young people can grab hold of their personal calling, even if it is small, then deeper, more lasting change can occur.  Sometimes in trying to change everything, leaders end up changing nothing.  Young leaders have the chance to focus their ambition on sustainable projects, not merely those that produce fanfare and little long-term influence.”

David highlighted examples of people who have started up small projects such as a woman who set up mentoring for people in prison, a man who set up a charity to support those who self harm and a guy who blogs to build bridges among people groups.

Using research on young adults’ perception of Evangelical Christianity today, David led a discussion held at Warwick University, which inspired those present to re-imagine evangelicalism for the next generation. Inspired by these conversations the Evangelical Alliance is facilitating younger leaders to network together and look at these issues in the UK context.

Andy Croft, Associate Director of Soul Survivor said: “Learning from other leaders is a necessity and not a luxury. The day was stimulating and challenging”

Andy Frost, Director of Share Jesus International, said: “This has been a superb opportunity to gather together to dream and scheme for God’s Kingdom.”

This event is another expression of the Evangelical Alliance’s commitment to next generation leadership and evangelicals in the UK uniting in mission. These themes are addressed in Slipstream, the Evangelical Alliance’s leadership resource at www.eauk.org/slipstream