Maureen Langdoc (M.Div.,Duke Divinity School), one of the sharpest young leaders in the Free Methodist Church, recently addressed a group of Southern California pastors and leaders and gave -- what I believe was -- the most articulate explanation I've ever heard of why younger adults (and younger evangelicals in particular) are increasingly being drawn to ritual and other faith practices long abandoned by evangelical protestants.
Maureen's ability to effectively communicate on this topic to those largely unaware of the sweeping paradigm changes underway in today's culture, is too good not to share! So... enjoy part 1 of her presentation on "Holy Habits."
Listen to: Maureen_Langdoc_Holy_Habits_1.mp3
And... OF COURSE I'd like for you to share your thoughts and reactions right here!
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Great talk. I especially like the point she makes about Christianity becoming "instinctual". Just as a martial arts move is only effective when it becomes an unthinking act,a product of muscle memory, so prayer and the Christian life should be instinctual.
Posted by: FrMatt | February 02, 2008 at 08:27 AM
FrMatt--
"Instintual" - yes. Why does it all now seem so common-sensical?
Do you think in coming years/decades we'll see a rise in distinguishing between "practicing" and "non-practicing" Christians?
Blessings,
Chris
Posted by: Chris | February 02, 2008 at 08:52 AM
is it just me, but when I play the mp3, the voice is weird, like if it was played a lot too slow. I'm on Mac Leopard.
Posted by: phil | February 02, 2008 at 12:35 PM
"Do you think in coming years/decades we'll see a rise in distinguishing between "practicing" and "non-practicing" Christians?"
Truly insightful and thought provoking question. I suppose we have to ask "practicing what"? I think part of the problem is that there are so many interpretations as to what the essentials are. some will opt to be "missional communities" that value communication and community over structure and "holy habits". There are others who are returning to the shape of historic Christian faith. In the context of this conversation I suppose I would say "yes. We will see many return to practicing traditional Christianity, and others practicing something else. I am not even sure I would call it Christianity. Only because I think it is precisely these Christian disciplines and rituals that truly make a Christian (assuming they have been born from above).
Posted by: FrMatt | February 03, 2008 at 07:12 AM
Email them directly. That's what I did. The voice from the link above was garbled up on my Mac and my PC.
The talk was powerful. I've been saying this all along about the younger people. I think most have had enough of the contemporary services and five step messages. Most younger people are longing for a pastor to simply open up the Word and talk about Christ. A powerful and meaningful liturgy will draw people to Him, not a service which resembles a weekly psychology class.
This was one of the best videos I've seen.
Posted by: Larry Osweiler | February 13, 2008 at 12:58 PM
Phil, Larry, all...
Sorry about the problem with the mp3. I've been on vacation and unable to fix until now.
I've uploaded a new version of the audio file which seems to work fine now.
Blessings,
Chris
Posted by: Chris | February 13, 2008 at 03:38 PM