80% of all conversions to Christianity take place before the age of 24.
The average age of conversion in the USA is 15, with just under 70% of all conversions taking place before age 18.
A study by Stanford University neurobiologist Robert Sapolsky found that after the age of 23 it is highly unlikely a person will change their taste in music, food or fashion.
What we must recognise is that teenagers, of all age groups, are the most receptive to new things. The teenage years provide the church with a narrow window of opportunity when an individual is ready and willing to make pivotal life changes that will shape their future hugely.
People in their teenage years are like wet cement, who once set in a course of life are then very resistant to any change.
I refuse to build a youth group. EMPIRE is a youth ministry committed to bringing the gospel to the most opportune demographic on earth!
May 12, 2009
May 11, 2009
Shame & Addiction
Today's Courier Mail ran an article titled 'Cure Addiction at Source', written by retired Uniting Church minister Rev John Tully.
The key point of the article is that most addictions, whether drug, alcohol, gambling or sex, are actually caused by shame and guilt within an individual.
Tully introduces the article:
"...Addiction reduces pain by temporarily making bearable deep-seated, negative feelings. But it reproduces shame and constantly reactivates the shame cycle."
If we are to live free in life, what we need is not a just a program to separate us from our addictions, but in fact something (or someone) to separate us from our guilt.
Thank God that Christianity is more than a behaviour modification program. In His wisdom, God does not instruct us to get a new lifestyle, but instead to get a new heart! (Ezek 36:26). The beauty of the gospel is that it offers more than just motivation for a life change. It goes far beyond that and provides us forgiveness and cleansing from sin and the associated guilt. (1 John 1:9).
The article concludes:
Disgrace shame requires healing. It is overcome only when the original unity within the self is restored. This is governed by our willingness to make confession of our shame and accept our need of a holistic experience of forgiveness that is rarely, if ever, gained in isolation from others. Some form of help or appropriate therapy is essential."
Rev Tully has echoed the words of James 5:16, 'Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed (cured & made whole).'
The key point of the article is that most addictions, whether drug, alcohol, gambling or sex, are actually caused by shame and guilt within an individual.
Tully introduces the article:
RENOWNED US clinical psychologist Gershen Kaufman once wrote: "Whenever feelings of shame are encountered, they can be reduced by becoming addicted to something."
After more than 40 years of dealing with people who have been suffering from addictions, I say: "Shame is the engine that drives all addictions.""...Addiction reduces pain by temporarily making bearable deep-seated, negative feelings. But it reproduces shame and constantly reactivates the shame cycle."
If we are to live free in life, what we need is not a just a program to separate us from our addictions, but in fact something (or someone) to separate us from our guilt.
Thank God that Christianity is more than a behaviour modification program. In His wisdom, God does not instruct us to get a new lifestyle, but instead to get a new heart! (Ezek 36:26). The beauty of the gospel is that it offers more than just motivation for a life change. It goes far beyond that and provides us forgiveness and cleansing from sin and the associated guilt. (1 John 1:9).
The article concludes:
Disgrace shame requires healing. It is overcome only when the original unity within the self is restored. This is governed by our willingness to make confession of our shame and accept our need of a holistic experience of forgiveness that is rarely, if ever, gained in isolation from others. Some form of help or appropriate therapy is essential."
Rev Tully has echoed the words of James 5:16, 'Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed (cured & made whole).'
May 9, 2009
Berlusconi: The Italian Mirror
Earlier today I read a great article by Beppe Severgnini from last week's TIME magazine on Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.
In short, Severgnini makes the point that Berlusconi (and his much publicised antics) do not provide a poor representation of Italy, but in fact a truly accurate representation!
In his last paragraph Severgnini sums it up beautifully:
The truth is that Berlusconi is not only Italy's head of government, but the nation's autobiography. He combines generosity, inconsistency, acting talent, stamina, tactical lapses of memory and loyalty. He promises things he doesn't do, and does things he's never mentioned. His Italian opponents — even the best, the most honest and lucid — are right to worry. Not about Berlusconi himself. But about the Berlusconi inside them.
In short, Severgnini makes the point that Berlusconi (and his much publicised antics) do not provide a poor representation of Italy, but in fact a truly accurate representation!
In his last paragraph Severgnini sums it up beautifully:
The truth is that Berlusconi is not only Italy's head of government, but the nation's autobiography. He combines generosity, inconsistency, acting talent, stamina, tactical lapses of memory and loyalty. He promises things he doesn't do, and does things he's never mentioned. His Italian opponents — even the best, the most honest and lucid — are right to worry. Not about Berlusconi himself. But about the Berlusconi inside them.
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