College-Aged Millennials – You Lost Me!

The Public Research Institute recently released their study titled “A Generation in Transition: Religion, Values and Politics among College-Aged Millennials“ It is filled with interesting findings for campus ministers, or anyone who is connected with, college students. *They are generally independent but lean towards the Democratic party. *There is a move towards no affiliation with [...]

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Recent Reads

This semester our theme for Thursday nights is “God Questions?”  We are looking at questions people on campus have about God, religion, the Bible and so on.  Last night we discussed the Bible and slavery.  Modern-day slavery, human trafficking, is an issue that more and more Christians are learning about and taking steps to end. [...]

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Recent Reads – College Mindset List!

Each year Beloit College releases a “mindset list“.  The goal is to provide “a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall”. I love reading this list each year as it provides a window into the world incoming freshman have grown up in.  Some of my favorites from [...]

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Almost Christian 8- Hanging Loose: The Art of Detachment

“The soul needs amazement, the repeated liberation from customs, viewpoints, and convictions, which, like layers of fat that make us untouchable and insensitive, accumulate around us. What appears obvious is that we need to be touched by the spirit of life and that without amazement and enthusiasm nothing new can begin” – Dorothy Soelle   [...]

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Almost Christian 7 – Going Viral for Jesus

Drew Dyck writes the following in his article “The Red Bull Gospel: Over the past year I’ve conducted dozens of interviews with 20-somethings who have walked away from their Christian faith. Among the most surprising findings was this: nearly all of these “leavers” reported having positive experiences in youth group. I recall my conversation with [...]

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Recent Reads

My Kindle is getting a workout as Junia sleeps a lot, like many newborns.  I enjoy holding her in one arm, and reading the Kindle in my other.  There are loads of free books available on the Kindle, old books that are now public domain.  The Kindle is perfect to hold in one hand, while [...]

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Almost Christian 6 – Parents Matter Most

Two weeks ago my daughter, Junia Elizabeth, was born. Other parents know what the last two weeks have been like for Emily and I. In a word, CRAZY! By the way, I am typing this while holding Junia. I don’t think there is anything more beautiful than holding your baby daughter in your arms! What [...]

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Almost Christian 5 – Missional Imaginations: We are Not Here for Ourselves

Kenda Creasy Dean begins the fifth chapter of Almost Christian with a beautiful story from Texas. It is about a high school football coach who encouraged the fans from his wealthy district to show love and blessing to a team on their schedule made up of juvenile offenders from a local youth prison. You can [...]

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Almost Christian 4: Generative Faith

One of the central questions the NSYR gives input on is what factors in a teenager’s life put her on a path to being a committed religious adult? It would be tempting to read a book like Almost Christian looking for the “key” to making teenagers into lifelong people of faith. If that is what [...]

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On Campus at Penn State Berks – Unity!

Over my nearly six years at Penn State Berks, CSF has always had a diverse group of Christians.  We have had, and still have today, students from all kinds of backgrounds and denominations: Methodist and Mennonite, Presbyterian and Pentecostal, Catholic and Calvinist (and now I am at a loss for other doublets I can make [...]

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