Reconnecting with young adults, science mike, and a good day

Thursday was a good day for me. I survived my third day in a row of starting work at 5 am (and my first time having to unlock the doors of the Y), and I also had the pleasure of attending a Center for Congregations workshop with "Science Mike" (Mike McHargue). While I was celebrating my last day of early rising for the week, I was much more excited about my first "church-y" workshop in quite some time. As a double bonus, it was held at our church (Come2Go Ministries), and I was invigorated and inspired.

I have attended Center for Congregations workshops in the past. I've only recently been introduced to "Science Mike" through his work as part of 'The Liturgists' (with Michael Gungor). The Liturgists are a revolving cast of thinkers and creators hosted by Michael and Mike who discuss topics through the lenses of science, art, and faith. While some might consider them a tad irreverent, it is raw, honest, and pretty darn deep stuff as far as I'm concerned. So I was quite excited to be invited to this event by my pastor.

Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike) is an author, podcaster, and speaker who travels the world helping people understand the science of life's most profound experiences. I look forward to getting a copy of his debut book, Finding God in the Waves. He was raised as a "believer," then became an atheist, and finally found a way back to faith again. While he is highly intelligent and experienced as a former advertising executive, I found him to be a kindred soul with a heart for those feeling left out and left behind by what passes as "the church" in the western world today. I like how he says,
  

"Everything I do is about helping the spiritually homeless and frustrated find peace."

While there is much I could say - and even more once I am emailed the slides from the workshop - I simply want to record some of the few (very few) notes I took at this workshop entitled "Reconnecting With Young Adults."

Notes:

• Millennials were defined (by Mike) as those born between 1980 and 2000. They currently make up 25% of the population - more than baby boomers (and they will continue to outgrow boomers as the older die off).
• The new "social" is not social, it is digital. However, the human brain is designed for connection. Both extroverts and introverts need to be around people - the difference is the amount of activity.
• Heavy social media use increases depression risks 27%. Heavy smartphone and tablet users are 35% more likely to have suicidal ideation.
• CHURCH ATTENDANCE IS A PROVEN SOLUTION TO MILLENNIAL DEPRESSION AND ISOLATION (as well as sporting events).
• Great stuff about the difference between HOSTING a community, rather than LEADING a community.
• Social identity is what drives human belief.
• ***'The Rise of the New Copernicans' (book or blog).
• A change in reference frames can revolutionize a society (which we are experiencing in a negative way right now).
• "New Copernicans"... 1) Reject tribalism or "us vs. them" thinking; 2) Reject "left vs. right" and "sacred vs. secular"; 3) Reject categorization.
• Mystic - someone who has experienced God but can't explain it to you.
• 'The Golden Circle' - See reference sheet/video. Start with "why," then "how," then "what." The opposite of how we use to advertise/influence.
• Think of reconnecting with young adults as HERDING CATS. 
• Make churches SAFE SPACES (the dignity of everyone must be respected)
• Communicate and act based on purpose rather than programs
• Get off campus (engage people in work they care about)
• Host, don't lead. Participate in a co-journey, rather than inviting people to follow you
• Spiral Dynamics - *did not take notes on this but it is profound stuff! Should be receiving more info

RESOURCES:

• The Rise of the New Copernicans (John Seel) - explores the difference in how millennials view the world and social consciousness. It provides helpful insight into some of the prominent features that set the new generation apart from earlier generations.
• New Copernicans - video series exploring how millennials see the world and how this is different from other generations.
• The Golden Circle (Simon Sinek) - 18 minute TED Talk from Sinek's new book "Start With Why" that articulates the difference between value-based and feature-based communication. This difference is important as it relates to understanding how people view and relate to organizations.
• Finding God in the Waves (Mike McHargue) - book