RELEVANT - Issue 100 - July/August 2019

F A I T H , C U LT U R E & I N T E N T I O N A L L I V I N G

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RACHEL CRUZE

BANNING LIEBSCHER

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CONTENTS C E L E B R AT I N G 1 0 0 I S S U E S

A S P E C I A L E DI T IO N O F R E LE VA NT: LO O K I N G B AC K AT W H AT S H A P E D O U R G E N E R AT IO N A N D LO O K I N G A H E A D TO W H E R E W E ’ R E G OI N G

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THE FAITH MOVEMENT

THE LIFE MOVEMENT

THE CULTURE MOVEMENT

THE JUSTICE MOVEMENT

Carl Lentz, Annie F. Downs, Tedashii, Jen Hatmaker and others join our discussion on the faith trends that got us where we are today and what they think the next era might look like.

Work. Dating. Money. Tech. Mental health. Jamie Tworkowski, Sarah Bessey, Jon Acuff and more discuss the trends that shaped the way we live and where we’re going to go from here.

Is “CCM” over? Can faith-based film transcend God’s Not Dead?

What’s next for TV? Lisa Gungor, Jon Foreman, Derek Minor and others put our pop culture era under the microscope.

How did social justice come to be viewed as a key part of the Gospel? Jenny Yang, Jeremy Courtney, Shane Claiborne and more discuss our evolving theology of justice.

Features Top 100 Moments

Top 50 albums

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p.88

A look back at the moments and movements that shaped how we understand the world and what God is doing in it from Kony 2012 to the rise of Netflix to, yes, the DC Talk cruise.

Boiling down the most important albums of the last 100 issues is no mean feat, but here’s the music that has been the most vital to RELEVANT’s coverage over the last 100 issues.

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1 0 // FIRS T WORD Our founder Cameron Strang on his vision for

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the next 100 issues of RELEVANT.

9 6 // L AS T WORD Christine Caine on why the way forward from here might be more simple than we think.

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

T H E M A G A Z I N E O N FA I T H , C U LT U R E & INTENTIONAL LIVING

July/August 2019, Issue 100 Keeping it 100.

Publisher & CEO | CAMERON STRANG Content Director | JESSE CAREY Senior Editor | TYLER HUCKABEE Senior Writer | TYLER DASWICK Copy Editor | KATHY PIERRE Creative Director | JOHN DAVID HARRIS Designer | CRISTIAN DONOSO Video Editor | CLARKE FLIPPO Audio Editor | CHANDLER STRANG Web Developer | NATE TRAVIS Contributing Photographers: Hillsong Channel, Andrea Morrison, Gavin Batty, Fabio Diena , Jeremy Cowart Account Executive | FELICHIA WRIGHT Account Executive | RACHEL DOUGLASS Traffic Manager | CAROLINE COLE Marketing Director | AME LYNN FUHLBRUCK Operations Manager | JESSICA COLLINS Operations Coordinator | GABRIELLE HICKEY Finance Director | MICHAEL BOWLES

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: www.RELEVANTmagazine.com/advertise

RELEVANT MEDIA GROUP 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801 RELEVANTmediagroup.com TO SUBSCRIBE RELEVANTmagazine.com/subscribe Rates: 1 year (6 issues) U.S. $26.99, Canada $36.99, International $45.99 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES RELEVANTmagazine.com/subservices Phone: 866-402-4746 EMAIL: support@relevantmagazine.com TO BUY PAST ISSUES AND MERCHANDISE: RELEVANTmagazine.com/store BULK DISCOUNTS: 866-402-4746 RETAIL DISTRIBUTION Michael Vitetta, Curtis Circulation Company mvitetta@curtiscirc.com

Issue #100 July/August 2019 (ISSN: 1543-317X). RELEVANT is published 6 times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November for $26.99 per year by RELEVANT Media Group, Inc., 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801. Periodicals postage paid at Orlando, FL, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to RELEVANT Magazine, P.O. Box 531147, Orlando, FL 32853.

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FIRST WORD a letter from the publisher

issue represents a significant moment in

voice to what God is doing for

that journey. So, you’re holding an edition

these last 16 years. It’s been a lot of

unlike any we’ve done before.

hard work—I don’t know if you’ve

To reflect on all that God has done over

Celebrating RELEVANT’s First 100 Issues got the idea for RELEVANT

I

when I was 19. There wasn’t a

heard, but being an independent

the last 16-plus years, we invited a diverse

media company isn’t the most stable

group of friends into the conversation.

career path to choose—but every

The process has actually been a reminder

late night, stressful deadline and

of one of the values that I think has made

tight budget has been more than

RELEVANT unique over the years. We’ve

worth it.

tried to be intentional about building

Putting together this hundredth

bridges and giving voice to a wide

issue has been a fun reminder of

spectrum of voices. A lot can be learned

how much things have changed

by sitting down with people who are

(please don’t laugh too hard at some

outside of the bubble we live in. Exposing

of those early covers), but even

our readers to diverse perspectives they

more so I’m excited about what’s to

may not encounter otherwise has been

come. The winds are shifting, and I

an intentional effort from day one. You

can’t wait to see how things change

might see Richard Rohr in an issue next

all over again.

to Christine Caine, or Jerry Lorenzo next

Whether you’ve been with us

to Rick Warren. We’ve always felt though

since issue one or 99, I sincerely

there are many streams in the body of

appreciate you connecting with us.

Christ, there’s just one river. And we

You’ve literally made my dream

want RELEVANT to represent that wider

come true.

spectrum.

I hope you enjoy our special

So, to mark our 100th issue, we’ve

100th issue. The RELEVANT team

platform then that gave voice

curated conversations reflecting back on

and I kind of view it like a halftime

to the things God was uniquely

the major milestones and things God has

moment. It’s good to pause, reflect

doing in our generation.

done in faith, culture, life and justice. And

on the journey and then look

There wasn’t a place that

maybe more importantly, we look forward

forward to what’s coming next.

wrestled with the big questions or got outside

as well and talk about the challenges and

of the Sunday bubble and explored the fact

opportunities in front of us.

God is relevant to all aspects of our lives—

Seasons change, formats change and

from how we engage culture, to justice, to our

styles change. God is always doing a new

relationships, careers and more.

thing, and it’s important we never get

So, I had a dream to create something that

comfortable staying where we are. Putting

would do that. It took 8 years of learning, hard

this issue together was a reminder of just

work and failure until we were finally able to

how much God has done and how much

release the first issue of RELEVANT in March,

things have changed since those early

2003. It’s crazy to think that was 100 issues ago.

days, but it was also a clear reminder that

Like everything else, RELEVANT has evolved

we’re not done yet. No matter the format

a lot since then. But no matter the format,

or method, RELEVANT will stay committed

topic or style, we’ve tried to not stray from that

to giving voice to what God is doing today,

original mission.

wrestling with the big questions and showing

Pausing to mark milestones doesn’t come

that a relationship with Christ is relevant to

naturally to me. I always tend to look ahead and

all aspects of our lives. Culture may change,

chase the next thing we’re supposed to do. But

but the need for that dialogue doesn’t.

we’ve seen issue 100 on the horizon and knew

I can’t wait to see what happens in the next hundred.

I’ve spent the majority of my life now

we wanted to do something unique. It’s been

chasing this dream. It has been a great

C A MER ON S T R A NG

a long road to publish 100 magazines, and this

privilege to play a small part in giving

Founder & Publisher

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THE 100 MOMENTS THAT SHAPED RELEVANT’S FIRST 100 ISSUES The moments, events and releases that shaped faith and culture during RELEVANT’s first 100 issues.

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THE INVASION OF IRAQ BEGINS

BEYONCE STARS IN THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS

// MARCH 2003

// SEPTEMBER 2003

24/7 PRAYER GOES GLOBAL // MARCH 2003 [SEE PAGE 27]

LOT HAS TRANSPIRED SINCE the first

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RADIOHEAD DROPS HAIL TO THE THIEF

issue of RELEVANT was released back in 2003. From global conflicts and

// JUNE 2003

environmental crises to groundbreaking

Radiohead’s most hyped album was also their most divisive.

album releases and paradigm-shifting conversations, the world is a different place, culture has evolved and the Church has shifted.

SWITCHFOOT BLOWS UP

Here’s our reflection back on the 100 moments

// JUNE 2003

that defined the first 100 issues of RELEVANT.

In the summer of 2003, “Meant to Live” was released to radio becoming a massive “crossover” hit.

Before she was crowned queen, Beyoncé saw a possible future for herself as a bonafide movie star.

SERMON MOVIE ILLUSTRATIONS BECOME INESCAPABLE // DECEMBER 2003

Thanks to Return of the King and movies like The Matrix, Gladiator and Braveheart, every Sunday featured cringe-inducing movie references.

BLUE LIKE JAZZ // JULY 2003

Don Miller’s bestseller sparked a series of memoirs that dealt with wrestling with doubt and questions about faith.

[SEE PAGE 34]

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THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST SPARKS A BIBLE MOVIE TREND // FEBRUARY 2004

Mel Gibson’s controversial Bible movie became the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time, leading to a wave of faith-based films.

[SEE PAGE 63]

FAIR TRADE CHANGES RETAIL // MARCH 2004

The first International Fair Trade Summit helped lend credibility to the new conscious consumerism trend.

KANYE WEST EISLEY DAVID CROWDER BAND WYCLEF JEAN DOVES

FEATURES:

DON MILLER | APOCALYPSE REVEALED! | A NEW APPROACH TO SUCCESS | THE GUY’S GUIDE TO MANHOOD

GOD. LIFE. PROGRESSIVE CULTURE.

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ISSUE #13 | MARCH_APRIL 2005

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE EMERGING CHURCH

HOLY TRINITY BROMPTON BEGINS PLANTING CHURCHES AROUND THE U.K.

// AUGUST 2004

The movement, partially inspired by Brian McLaren’s self-described “manifesto” A Generous Orthodoxy sparked theological debates before fizzling out years later.

// JANUARY 2005

The church is credited with fueling a revival in England.

COMMON ARRIVES // MAY 2005

His album Be, featuring Kanye, Jay Dilla, John Mayer and others becomes a critical and commercial success for its jazz roots and thoughtful lyrics.

BOUND 4 LIFE BEGINS PROTEST AT THE SUPREME COURT // OCTOBER 2004

MASE RETURNS // AUGUST 2004

After becoming a pastor, Diddy’s sidekick released a new album, which in hindsight, was not all that great.

Known for protesters with red-tape over their mouths with the word “life” written on them, the silent prayer protests have persisted for years outside of the Supreme Court building.

HURRICANE KATRINA // AUGUST 2005

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN’S “HOW HE LOVES US” CREATES THE “SLOPPY WET KISS” “CONTROVERSY”

KANYE WEST RELEASES JESUS WALKS

// NOVEMBER 2005

// DECEMBER 2004

Crowder later released a version that replaced the lyric with the weirdwhen-you-think-about-it line “unforeseen kiss.”

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NETFLIX LAUNCHES ITS STREAMING SERVICE // FEBRUARY 2007

Years after delivering DVDs (!) through the mail (!!), Netflix unveiled its streaming video service so you can watch reruns of The Office while waiting for new episodes of Stranger Things.

THE ISRAEL–HEZBOLLAH WAR // JULY 2006

The 34-day conflict near the Golan Heights area claims more than 1,400 before a ceasefire is signed.

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[SEE PAGE 48]

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BONO FORMS THE RED CAMPAIGN

FRANCIS COLLINS’ THE LANGUAGE OF GOD CHANGES THE LANGUAGE OF FAITH AND SCIENCE

// MARCH 2006

It united some of the world’s leading brands, creating products that help in the fight against AIDS.

// JULY 2007

Collins, a renowned geneticist, is a devout Christian who led the Human Genome Project.

[SEE PAGE 76]

TOMS SHOES CHANGES BUSINESS // MAY 2006

The footwear company popularized “the buy-one, giveone” commerce model.

[SEE PAGE 75]

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH MAKES PEOPLE REALIZE THE EARTH IS GETTING HOTTER // MAY 2006

Al Gore’s controversial documentary helped bring climate change into the national dialogue.

JULY-AUG

THE STEM CELL BREAKTHROUGH

CHARITY: WATER LAUNCHES

// NOVEMBER 2007

// SEPTEMBER 2006

ARCADE FIRE RELEASES NEON BIBLE

The revolutionary clean water nonprofit perfected a model that ensured all donations went directly to fund projects—not overhead.

// MARCH 2007

Fueled by church organs and giant anthems, the acclaimed album turned the band into indie-rock superstars.

THE TED HAGGARD SCANDAL

Scientists discovered a way to reprogram skin cells to mirror embryonic stem cells, alleviating ethical concerns about stem cell research and treatment.

// NOVEMBER 2006

The renowned pastor resigned from New Life Church and from his role as the President of the National Association of Evangelicals amidst prostitution and drug-use accusations.

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YOUVERSION LAUNCHES ON THE IPHONE

// APRIL 2008

// JULY 2008

The controversial “outpouring” purportedly saw signs and wonders and drew thousands from around the world.

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The massive earthquake killed more than 100,000 and mobilized humanitarian efforts.

JoHn MArk McMIll An

FANS SAVE CHUCK AGAIN

DOVES

tHe Hold steAdy

beyond blockbusters our summer movie guide

FuTure oF F o r e s T r Y

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god. life. progressive culture.

// MARCH 2010

Fans of Zachary Levi’s

action comedy help it stave off cancellation (again), as NBC renews the series.

[SEE PAGE 45]

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REFLECTION ETERNAL

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“SHOUT TO THE LORD” PERFORMED ON AMERICAN IDOL

THE GIVING PLEDGE // JUNE 2010

The Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet initiative has raised more than $500 billion for philanthropic causes through donations from some of the world’s richest people.

// APRIL 2008

STUDENT DEBT CRISIS // MAY 2008

THE LOST SERIES FINALE BECOMES A POP CULTURE PHENOMENON

THE NEW ATHEISM MOVEMENT // NOVEMBER 2008

The controversial selfpublished novel began its 70 weeks at the No. 1 Spot on the NYT Best Seller list in June 2008 and later became a movie.

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// JANUARY 2010

Financial institutions like Lehman Brothers collapsed as the subprime mortgage crisis sparked one of the worst recessions in history—with widespread economic fallout.

// JUNE 2008

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EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

// SEPTEMBER 2008

THE SHACK BLOWS UP

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// JANUARY 2009

THE FINANCIAL CRISIS

Mounting student loans and a struggling economy led millennials to become the most in-debt generation in history.

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BARACK OBAMA BECOMES THE FIRST BLACK PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

Today, the Bible app has been downloaded to nearly 400 million devices.

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LAKELAND REVIVAL BEGINS

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At the height of their literary moment in 2008, anti-religion authors including Sam Harris, Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett and Richard Dawkins openly debated religious scholars, thinkers and pastors.

ISRAEL/PALESTINE TENSIONS ESCALATE // DECEMBER 2008

More than 430 Palestinians and four Israelis are killed during a period of heightened violence in the region.

THE ARAB SPRING BEGINS // DECEMBER 2010

// MAY 2010

OBAMA ANNOUNCES MILITARY WITHDRAWAL FROM IRAQ // FEBRUARY 2009

KICKSTARTER KICKSTARTS CROWDFUNDING

The show helped usher in thoughtful conversations about faith, philosophy and the afterlife on primetime.

[SEE PAGE 69]

// APRIL 2009

The revolutionary site combined social media connection with entrepreneurism and generosity to help bring “crowdfunding” into the mainstream.

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THE LOVE WINS CONTROVERSY // MARCH 2011

KONY 2012

Rob Bell’s book, which questioned the existence of hell, led to accusations of heresy.

// MARCH 2012

The short film from the team behind the organization Invisible Children became one of the most viral videos in history, eventually leading to a public breakdown by cofounder Jason Russell.

[SEE PAGE 34]

[SEE PAGE 76]

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EISLEY’S HARD ROAD BACK | LUPE FIASCO | THE WORLD RACE | KYE KYE | WHAT IS WORSHIP?

THE RISE OF SIDE HUSTLE CULTURE

FACEBOOK PURCHASES INSTAGRAM

REL EVANTMAGAZINE.COM

OUR SUMMER MOVIE PICKS IS ROB BELL A

UNIVERSALIST? SOME STRAIGHT ANSWERS ON HIS VIEWS OF HELL

11 THINGS TO KNOW AT 25(ISH)

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

HOW TO MAKE YOUR QUARTER-LIFE CRISIS REALLY COUNT

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STEP OUT FROM

BEHIND THE MYSTERY

// APRIL 2011

// MARCH 2012

Books like Jon Acuff’s Quitter encouraged a movement of forgoing traditional 9 to 5s in favor of freelance entrepreneurism, side jobs and non-traditional professional paths.

TESLA RELEASES ITS MODEL S // JUNE 2012

THE FINAL CORNERSTONE MUSIC FESTIVAL // JULY 2012

Almost 30 years after it established itself as a “Christian Woodstock” and drew some of the biggest names in Christian music, Jesus People USA (the group behind Cornerstone) shuttered the festival.

THE FAMINE IN SOMALIA // JULY 2011

In July 2011, the U.N. officially classified the situation in Somalia as a famine. Millions are affected as the drought and food shortage spread across the Horn of Africa.

FACEBOOK BEGINS ATTRACTING ONE BILLION VISITS A MONTH

KIM JONG-UN BECOMES PRESIDENT OF NORTH KOREA

// OCTOBER 2012

// DECEMBER 2011

TEBOW TIME // NOVEMBER 2012

Known for his dramatic, down-on-one-knee sideline prayers, Tim Tebow led the Denver Broncos through a miraculous playoff— and was later released by the team.

Today, North Korea is home to the worst Christian persecution in the world.

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JIM GAFFIGAN BRINGS FAITH TO COMEDY // JULY 2015

The stand-up star brought insightful ideas about faith and culture to TV with his sitcom The Jim Gaffigan Show.

MENTAL HEALTH BECOMES PART OF THE NATIONAL CONVERSATION // JANUARY 2013

As suicide became a leading cause of death of young adults in the U.S., churches and communities began taking mental health seriously.

CHRISTINE CAINE | FALL TV GUIDE | THE MOUNTAIN GOATS | DIVORCE IN THE CHURCH | MATTHEW MAYFIELD | CRISIS IN QATAR FAITH, CULTURE & INTENTIONAL LIVING

R E L E VA N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M

HILLSONG YOUNG & FREE

THE ROCK BAND YOU’LL BE TALKING ABOUT THIS FALL

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LECRAE’S ANOMALY

c h r i s t i a n s a n d a d d i c t i o n fa l l t v p r e v i e w t h e c i v i l wa r s d u c k d y n a s t y

gungor over the rhine fitz & the tantrums jon acuff on christianese

// SEPTEMBER 2014

The rapper’s album is still the only one to ever top the Gospel Albums chart and the Billboard 200 at the same time.

// MARCH 2013 i honestly thought i was never going to lead worship again. how joel houston and

went from the brink to having their biggest year ever

steve carell

on cynicism, family and finding the good in every role

alan chambers

why he apologized and then shut down exodus international

relevantmagazine.com

does it matter what you watch?

ideas for navigating the cultural gray areas

ISSUE 65 / SEpt_OCt 2013 / $4.95

“OCEANS” BEGINS 61 WEEKS ATOP THE BILLBOARD CHRISTIAN CHARTS // AUGUST 2013

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS // APRIL 2014

The abduction of 276 girls from a Christian school in Nigeria by Boko Haram militants sparked international outrage.

[SEE PAGE 84]

EXODUS INTERNATIONAL CLOSES

RISE OF THE “COOL” PASTORS

// JUNE 2013

// SEPTEMBER 2014

The ministry, known for its controversial gay “conversion therapy” methods, closed with its founder Alan Chambers apologizing for the hurt it had caused.

BIGGEST YEAR YET ISSUE 77 | SEPT_OCT 2015 | $4.95

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Thanks to Fixer Upper, the church-going, shiplap-obsessed, home-renovating Waco couple became media darlings.

THE ANTI-HOT POCKET COMEDIAN

// APRIL 2014

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// MAY 2013

HAS IT ALL FIGURED OUT

O N FA I T H , FA M I LY A N D H I S

// MARCH 2013

CHIP AND JO BLOW UP

jim gaffigan

FLINT WATER CRISIS BEGINS

FRANCIS BECOMES POPE

Mark Burnett and Roma Downey’s biblical miniseries became one of the most-watched shows.

FOALS

ON SELMA, CAPTIVE AND ROLES THAT SERVE A BIGGER PURPOSE

[SEE PAGE 51]

THE BIBLE‘S PRIMETIME TAKEOVER

MEET THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORSHIP

DAVID OYELOWO

Thanks to profiles in The New York Times and GQ exposes, the world comes to know “cool” pastors like Carl Lentz, Rich Wilkerson Jr., Chad Veach and Judah Smith.

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FERGUSON UNREST // AUGUST 2014

Following the police shooting of unarmed black teenager Michael Brown, protests erupted and a violent, televised crackdown ensued.

[SEE PAGE 80]

UNDER ARMOR RELEASES STEPH CURRY ONES

THE ENNEAGRAM MOVEMENT

// JANUARY 2015

The NBA superstar’s first signature shoe features Philippians 4:13 inside the tongue, and UA shoe sales increase over 700% for the quarter.

Meyers-Briggs who? The nine enneagram types become the trendiest way for Christians to talk about their strengths, weaknesses, fears and desires.

CHRISTIAN MINGLE APP LAUNCHES

THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT

// APRIL 2015

// DECEMBER 2015

// NOVEMBER 2015

The U.S. is among dozens of nations who sign a pledge in Paris to reduce carbon emissions.

WHITE SUPREMACIST KILLS NINE AT EMANUEL AME CHURCH

[SEE PAGE 83]

// JUNE 2015

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE BECOMES LEGAL ACROSS THE U.S. // JULY 2015

SERIAL PODCAST BECOMES A PHENOMENON // OCTOBER 2014

THE CATHOLIC TAKEOVER OF LATE NIGHT // SEPTEMBER 2015

Stephen Colbert took over The Late Show, joining Kimmel, Conan and Fallon as late night’s Catholic hosts.

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CHANCE THE RAPPER RELEASES COLORING BOOK KENDRICK LAMAR’S TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY WINS FIVE GRAMMYS

N.T. WRIGHT | PHANTOGRAM EMPIRE STATE OF CHANGE | PAUL RUST F A I T H , C U LT U R E & I N T E N T I O N A L L I V I N G

KIRK FR ANKLIN IS REVIVING HIP-HOP

// MAY 2016

// FEBRUARY 2016

THE FALL OF MOSUL

BEYONCE’S LEMONADE // APRIL 2016

Martin Scorsese The faith (and doubt) that compels Hollywood’s most iconic filmmaker

MAR-APR 2017 // $4.95 US

// JULY 2017

U.S. and Iraqi forces take back the ISIS stronghold of Mosul, signaling the weakening of the terrorist group.

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THE “POKEMON GO” MOMENT // JULY 2016

The gaming fad’s inescapability still has us wondering about the potential for augmented reality’s integration into daily life.

PRES. TRUMP SIGNS REFUGEE BAN

THE DC TALK CRUISE

// JANUARY 2017

The long-awaited DC Talk reunion finally happens … aboard an overpriced cruise ship.

Fans aren’t exactly thrilled.

PRES. TRUMP ANNOUNCES WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT // JUNE 2017

// JULY 2017

THE ARK ENCOUNTER // JULY 2016

Ken Ham builds a giant Noah’s ark replica in the middle of Kentucky.

MILLENNIALS REFUSE TO LEAVE HOME

SIMONE BILES DOMINATES OLYMPICS

#METOO MOVEMENT

// MAY 2016

// AUGUST 2016

[SEE PAGE 79]

For the first time in more than 130 years, Americans ages 18-34 become more likely to live with their parents than in any other living situation, according to a new analysis by the Pew Research Center.

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// OCTOBER 2017

The gymnast, who is also an outspoken Christian, takes home four gold medals at the Rio games.

GLOBAL CHRISTIAN PERSECUTION REACHES AN ALL-TIME HIGH // NOVEMBER 2017

Watchdogs say they’ve never seen Christians face this much widespread persecution.

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THE “SOCIAL JUSTICE GOSPEL” CONTROVERSY // SEPTEMBER 2018

Hundreds of pastors cosign John MacArthur’s statement warning about the “dangers” of mixing social justice and Bible teaching in churches.

@PREACHERSNSNEAKERS // MARCH 2019

The Instagram account outs the glamorous style choices of some of the nation’s most prominent faith leaders.

JOSH HARRIS’ APOLOGY // OCTOBER 2018

The author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye recalls his own book, and churches enter a new dialogue about what “purity” means.

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“NONES” OFFICIALLY BECOME AMERICA’S BIGGEST RELIGIOUS GROUP // APRIL 2019 [SEE PAGE 33]

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BILLY GRAHAM DIES AT 99

KANYE WEST BEGINS HIS WEEKLY “SUNDAY SERVICES”

TORI KELLY & LAUREN DAIGLE

// FEBRUARY 2018

// JANUARY 2019

// FEBRUARY 2019

NEWSPAPER EXPOSES SBC SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL // FEBRUARY 2019

BIEBER’S PUBLIC FAITH GOES VIRAL // APRIL 2018

Justin Bieber, fueled by new friendships with Judah Smith and Chad Veach, leads a worshiptouched service at Coachella.

CHRIS PRATT AND CELEBRITY CHRISTIANS

FEAR OF GOD

An exhaustive Houston Chronicle report reveals an abuse scandal (and cover-up) in the SBC that claimed over 700 victims.

With a pair of Grammy wins each, Daigle and Kelly bridge the popular and worship music genres in the mainstream … just months after appearing on the cover of RELEVANT. Coincidence?

#BECAUSEOFRHE TRENDS FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF RACHEL HELD EVANS // MAY 2019

The author’s death launched thousands of online testimonies to her special influence among young Christians.

// DECEMBER 2018

The Nike Air Fear of God 1 sells out in minutes.

THE METHODIST SCHISM // FEBRUARY 2019

The denomination sees a major split among church leaders who disagree about policies regarding LGBTQ issues.

PC(USA) CLOSES HUNDREDS OF CHURCHES // MAY 2019

// JULY 2018

Chris Pratt delivers a sermon at the MTV Movie Awards.

[SEE PAGE 67]

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WORLD WAS a different place in 2003

when RELEVANT published its first

issue. The U.S. had just invaded Iraq, Rob Bell was known as that hip pastor who did NOOMA Bible

content hasn’t

videos, The Lord of the Rings was preparing for its

wavered.

third box office takeover, Donald Trump wasn’t

We set out

a reality TV star yet, Lauren Daigle was a middle

to explore the

schooler and the world hadn’t heard of Instagram or

intersections of

Twitter. Simpler times.

faith and culture, and challenge our readers to change

But as the world and pop culture

the world, build the Church

evolved, so did the scope of

and push the boundaries of art,

RELEVANT’s coverage. In the

activism, entrepreneurship,

early days, global concerns

music, entertainment, service

like the AIDS epidemic and

and influence. It’s been a wild

the conflict in Darfur—and

ride, but we’ve never been more

the Church’s response to

inspired to put voice to the

them—were major focal points.

passions of this generation.

Twentysomethings were

As we look ahead to the next

embracing prayer and worship

100 issues of RELEVANT, we

movements. The lines between

also reflect back on the events,

“Christian” and “secular”

releases, people and happenings

entertainment began to blur.

that brought us here.

Today, the conflicts, social

Here’s a series of

issues, cultural figures and

conversations about the current

lifestyle concerns that fill our

era of faith, intentional living,

pages may have changed, but

justice and culture—and what

the heart and purpose of our

the coming era might look like.

T H E

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T H A T

THE

FAITH

PANEL

S H A P E D

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G E N E R A T I O N

CARL LENTZ

ANNIE F. DOWNS

EKEMINI UWAN

DAVID KINNAMAN

SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ

PASTOR, AUTHOR

AUTHOR, SPEAKER,

THEOLOGIAN,

PRESIDENT, BARNA

PASTOR AND PRESIDENT,

PODCASTER

SPEAKER, PODCASTER

RESEARCH GROUP

NHCLC

KARI JOBE

JEN HATMAKER

TEDASHII

LAUREN WINNER

WORSHIP ARTIST

SPEAKER, AUTHOR,

PASTOR, CHURCH

AUTHOR AND

PODCASTER

PLANTER

PROFESSOR, DUKE

BANNING LIEBSCHER PASTOR, AUTHOR

DIVINITY

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A LOOK AT WHERE THE CHURCH HAS BEEN AND WHY WE SHOULD BE HOPEFUL ABOUT WHERE IT MIGHT BE HEADED NEXT.

Since the beginning, RELEVANT has believed the future of the Church is bright—that God has a plan and there is always

community to speak I

the issues that matter most to people.

BANNING LIEBSCHER:

For example, people are

think it’s easy to forget

much less likely than

we are alive in one of

ever before to simply

the most unprecedented

mark “Christian” in our

moves of God in history.

surveys, and there’s been

Africa, not long ago

a corresponding rise in

a mostly unreached

spoke with 10 leaders,

the levels of religiously

continent, is now the

artists, pastors, activists

unaffiliated, or “none.”

center and future of

mistakes, we all can be a part of changing the world for good. We recently

Not feeling the pressure

and theologians about

Hillsong NYC draws

for the Christian

20 YEARS?

encouraging development.

by learning from past

Led by Carl Lentz,

That’s a great opportunity

CHURCH OVER THE LAST

cultural Christianity is an

can do better in, but

to get into church.

and do so pretty openly.

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE

think the decline of

of areas that Christians

around the block

to share their opinions

ENCOURAGING

DAVID KINNAMAN:

Yes, there is no shortage

people line up

time because people like

SEE AS THE MOST

clearly and openly about

reason to be optimistic.

In Manhattan,

WHAT DO YOU

I

Christianity. One out of

to say you’re Christian for

every four Christians on

what brought the Church

mere social desirability

the planet lives in Africa.

to where we are—and

is a good thing. Related

China is experiencing

to that, we’re able to talk

a supernatural revival

much more openly as a

that cannot be stopped.

society about issues of

Statistically more

sex and sexuality. For

believers gather every

example, people readily

Sunday in house

admit in our surveys

churches in China than

that they are struggling

in the United States. Latin

with porn. For a social

America is experiencing

researcher, it’s a great

dramatic renewal and

where God is taking us.

tens of thousands every week.

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transformation. These are

PAYING MORE ATTENTION

and sinful ideologies

days to be filled with hope,

TO?

going unchallenged

not discouragement.

from the pulpit. A JEN HATMAKER:

narrow and truncated

consistently distressed by

Gospel is producing

The Church as I know it is

the Church’s silence on

John Earnests all over

more likely to influence

white supremacy, abuse

the country. He is not

culture in positive ways.

within its ranks and

an outlier.

That hasn’t always been

the dehumanization of

the case. But now I see the

immigrants and LGBTQ

DAVID KINNAMAN:

Church being looked to for

people. Specifically, I’m

The lack of mercy

answers across the board,

concerned that the evil

within the Church:

and that is important.

embedded in these systems

Most Christians

is not challenged in the

say they struggle to

average church. These

forgive someone in

lot of trends that began 30

are deemed “political

their life, and one in

or 35 years ago have taken

issues” and left out of

four say they cannot

deeper root in the last 20

the Gospel’s reach. Not

forgive themselves

years—a great engagement

only are most pulpits and

for something

with the arts; a great

discipleship programs

they’ve done.

engagement with liturgical

silent on injustice, but

prayer and other once-

vocal advocates are often

is that Christians

dismissed-as-too-Catholic

punished with exclusion

aren’t always clear

prayer practices. I think

or group condemnation.

about what it takes

there’s also greater comfort

The way I read Scripture,

to be a resilient

with people publicly

Christians should be on the

disciple—that is,

naming doubt, questions.

frontlines of every injustice

how to live as a

and human rights abuse in

countercultural,

the world.

spirit-driven minority

CARL LENTZ:

Influence.

I am

LAUREN WINNER: I

SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ:

think a

A

Another challenge

multi-ethnic church-

within our society.

planting movement that’s

EKEMINI UWAN:

White

unprecedented [has] pushed

supremacy and the

SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ:

back on the notion of the

radicalization of young

Another red

most segregated hour

white men in white

flag is the uber-

in America. I do believe

evangelical churches. There

politicization of

the next 15, 20 years, all

are homegrown white

the Church. We are

things being equal, you

supremacist terrorists

more political and less

biggest change you will see

will be hard-pressed to find

sitting in the pews of white

prophetic when we should

in the American Church in

monochromatic churches

evangelical churches, like

be a lot more prophetic

the next five years will be

one way or another. Be

John T. Earnest, who opened

and a lot less political. By

the Church becoming an

it white, be it black, be it

fire at a synagogue in

the way, I don’t mean the

independent voting block,

Latino, whatever it may

Escondido, California, and

Church should somehow

and then arguably the

be, you’re going to see a

killed Lori Gilbert-Kaye and

aqueous and not be

most independent voting

lot more diversity as it

injured others. He also set

engaged as it pertains to

block of all. Millennials and

pertains to ethnic makeup

a neighboring mosque on

their civic responsibility as

Generation Z will not in any

in churches across America

fire weeks before his act of

individuals, my problem is

way, shape or form bow at

in the next 20 years.

terror at the synagogue.

when we walk lock step to

the idol of a donkey or

the rhythm of a particular

the elephant.

White supremacists should

JULY-AUG

WHAT ARE SOME RED FLAGS

never feel comfortable sitting

YOU WISH THE CHURCH WAS

in church with their wicked

ideology.

I do believe that the

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Pete Greig founded 24/7 Prayer in the U.K., encouraging thousands to pray for revival around the clock.

IN RELEVANT’S VERY FIRST ISSUE, we traveled to the U.K. to investigate a movement. There, a former youth pastor named Pete Greig had mobilized passionate young Christians who’d committed to praying for revival. Inspired by a prayer meeting that went unbroken for a century and helped usher in a Reformation, Greig’s 24/7 Prayer rooms eventually went digital—and global. People from around the world could connect to the “Boiler Rooms” through online streams, and pray alongside those who’d signed up for round-the-clock shifts. In the U.S., Mike Bickle’s “International House of Prayer” would draw thousands to its ministry school and nonstop prayer rooms. Today, the Burn 24/7 movement equips worshippers around the world to host marathon prayer and worship sessions, and events like The Call have drawn hundreds of thousands who commit to fast and pray.

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of the red flags I see is a

Christians to think they

generation of Christians

can take only the parts of

moving away from being

Jesus they like and throw

rooted in Scripture and in

away the rest, not realizing

community. I am concerned

that all they are doing is

about the line of thinking

worshipping themselves

that we can deconstruct

and creating a new version

Jesus from the authority of

of Jesus in their own image.

Scripture and faith from

The Church must come back

belonging to His people. The

to being a people submitted

end result is an unhealthy

to Scripture and growing

believer. There is a radical

in community. It’s in that

individualism in secular

place the Church can be

culture that has allowed

everything it is supposed to

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be and represent Jesus fully.

one the TV shows, the songs push

love to transform the world. The

on him. And yet he doesn’t find the

future of the Church is bright, and

HOW IS THE CHURCH OF THE NEXT

comfort, the peace, the substance,

as long as Jesus is the head of the

GENERATION GOING TO LOOK

that he does when he looks at the

Church I have no reason to believe

DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE WE WERE

freedom offered by Christ.

otherwise.

BROUGHT UP IN?

When I started going to church right before I went to college, all I

THE PAST 20 YEARS HAVE SEEN

heard about was behavior, behavior,

A HUGE REVOLUTION IN MUSICAL

the next iteration of the Church. I’m

behavior. But in my time being at

WORSHIP. WHAT DO YOU SEE

so grateful my kids will be a part of

church, it became a lot more about

COMING NEXT?

it. I think complicity by silence will

relationships. So relationship turned

be a thing of the past, and I predict

into what I knew in intellect, and I

DAVID KINNAMAN:

great integration between the faith

see him walking the same journey.

how Christians live out their faith

JEN HATMAKER:

I’m thrilled about

A revolution in

and lived experience of the next

I think there will be a difference

in the workplace—across a range

generation. They will reimagine

in how he’s having to engage these

of industries and professions. Call

a bunch of stuff we built, as new

topics, but I don’t see a ton of

it work as worship. Those who

wineskins do, and I hope to hold

difference in what he’s going to have

meaningfully integrate their faith

“The future of the Church is bright ... as long as Jesus is the head of the Church ...”

–Banning Liebscher

containers loosely knowing the wine

to face other than the way it comes

into their work will have a huge

will be preserved. May they not find

at him.

impact on the future witness of faith.

our generation rigid and brittle; I want to pass the baton with grace.

BANNING LIEBSCHER:

I will be delighted to see cultural

Church of the next generation

subcultures of this idea of “worship

Christianity fade, so the numbers

celebrating each other, rather than

music” becoming the niche thing

may be smaller but the power will

competing. We need to be a Church

that you see regionally, locally, more

be concentrated.

that is less focused on performance

so than I do this idea of this giant

and more focused on the power of

machine of worship music being

God to transform lives, empowering

the one thing you see happening.

true when they say there’s nothing

people to go make a difference in

I think there’s tons of examples

new under the sun. I was really in

their city.

of that.

TEDASHII:

I think the Scriptures are

my journey fighting some of the

I also see a Church where women

TEDASHII:

What I see happening is

Even where I live now, people

same battles that my parents were

are finally fully empowered to lead

are doing songs by Bethel, but now

fighting in a lot of ways.

and that racial diversity and unity

they’re also doing songs that they’re

will be the mark of who we are.

writing themselves. They have

While I know the Church is

started to kind of put their own

My nephew is wrestling with the faith. He just graduated high

JULY-AUG

I see the

school. He’s fighting for the identity

walking through difficult moments,

regional or local spin on that sound.

of freedom that’s presented to him

and I don’t minimize their power or

So if anything, Hillsong, Bethel, big

by the world and the identity of

importance, I believe what will come

movements like that, they really

freedom that’s presented to him by

from it is a community of believers

opened the door for these different

Christ. And one looks very enticing,

who stay faithful to Jesus, who are

churches to try to run their own

and it’s the one that all his friends

committed to biblical justice and

lane when it comes to music.

have gravitated toward. It’s the

walk with a supernatural power and

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It’s like, “Oh, we have musicians,

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Songs written by Hillsong United are sung in tens of thousands of

FAITH

churches around the world every Sunday.

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THE WORSHIP EXPLOSION IN 2008, THE MOST WATCHED TV SHOW

in the country, American Idol, had its finalists come together and lead 15 million viewers in singing the worship ballad “Shout to the Lord.” Worship music was no longer just for Sunday mornings; it was part of primetime. Over the course of the last 100 issues, worship collectives including Hillsong United, Jesus Culture, Bethel Music, Elevation and dozens of others, have helped make worship music mainstream.

Worship music has never been bigger. Even solo worship artists like Lauren Daigle have found crossover success leaning on their worship music roots while pop stars—including Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez—have led worship for fans.

IVAN & ALYOSHA | SANDRA MCCRACKEN | ECHOSMITH | CHURCHES BREAKING THE MOLD | 11 MUST-READ BOOKS

HILLSONG

UNITED

FAITH, CULTURE & INTENTIONAL LIVING

R E L E VA N T M A G A Z I N E . C O M

MARC MARON THE WAR ON DRUGS JUDAH SMITH THEY’VE SOLD MILLIONS

In 2014 and 2015, the Australia-based group’s single “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” spent 61 weeks on top of the Billboard Christian music chart.

OF ALBUMS & TOURED T H E W O R L D. ARE THEY READY FOR THE

PASSION

BIG SCREEN?

HILLSONG GOES H O L LY W O O D

With a goal of seeing “spiritual awakening in this generation” and an emphasis on worship, Passion conferences have drawn thousands.

ISSUE 75 | MAY_JUNE 2015 | $4.95

RLV_75_Cover3.indd 1

3/30/15 3:53 PM

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CULTURE

Jesus Culture Church’s worship team has become a genre powerhouse, launching artists like Kim WalkerSmith, Chris Quilala and others.

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THE GROWTH OF T H E YO U N G , GLOBAL CHURCH A COMMON REFRAIN AMONG MANY Christian leaders in

the U.S. is that young people are leaving the Church in record numbers and America may soon no longer be considered “a Christian nation.” However, even though there has been an exodus of young people from religion in the U.S., in some countries around the world, Christianity has been growing rapidly—especially among young citizens. The rise of the diverse, young, global Church isn’t just one of the major stories of the last decade, it will likely shape future decades for many nations as churches continue to flourish. In fact, according to the numbers, America isn’t the future of the Church. Here’s a look at the areas that are home to some of the largest up-and-coming Christian communities.

AFRICA Africa is home to some of the world’s youngest populations—and the most religious. Currently, a quarter of the world’s Christians live on the continent.

SOUTH

CHINA Even though the Chinese government is cracking down on

Just a few decades ago (1945),

unsanctioned congregations, thanks to passionate young

Christians made up just 2% of the

Christians, by 2030, China is expected to be home to the

nation’s population. Today, that

most Christians of any country in the world.

number is about to surpass 30%.

LATIN

JULY-AUG

KOREA

AMERICA

MIDDLE

EAST

Thanks to the growth of

Despite widespread persecution,

Pentecostalism, Christianity has seen

Christianity has seen rapid growth in

major growth and a major shift from

countries including Saudi Arabia, the

Catholicism in these countries.

U.A.E. and Qatar.

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“The Church will rise to the degree it is willing communities it has marginalized.”

–Jen Hatmaker

and we have writers, and we have

HANDLED WELL OVER THE LAST

greatest things I have seen the

our own talented people. Let’s

GENERATION?

Church do in this last generation

create something true to where we are.”

is genuinely empower everyday CARL LENTZ:

Putting an emphasis

on who Jesus is.

ANNIE F. DOWNS:

people to be missionaries in every sphere of society. It wasn’t long

A return to

ago that the mindset was only

some of the disciplines of Scripture

JEN HATMAKER:

that God laid out for us as tools to

encouraged by the important shift

used by God, but the Church has

use to enhance our faith. I wonder

away from “them” and “us.” This

truly caught a vision to raise up

if in the next 20 years we’ll see

has been an enormous departure

men and women of every age to

fasting return to a normal part of

from my religious childhood. I

bring transformation into society.

the Christian life experience and

was taught to fear culture and

God desires to raise up people in

prayer become a central power tool

remain set apart, which translated

every aspect of culture to bring

that we use not just as a talking

to judgmentalism and a toxic

the power and the presence of God

piece or in an emergency but as a

evangelicalism. The Church today

and the last generation has come

real, strategic tool to help us know

has become a good neighbor.

alive to this vision.

what to do next and to search through what God has for us.

KARI JOBE:

I think worship

I’ve been

pastors or missionaries could be

Some of the invented barriers have disintegrated between

WHAT IS AN ISSUE YOU THINK THE

people in and out of the Church,

CHURCH HAS HANDLED POORLY

and this is great progress. The

OVER THE LAST GENERATION?

music is stepping into a new

transformation it affects in the

level of honesty and authenticity.

hearts of believers alone is worth

SAMUEL RODRIGUEZ:

Removing the desire for a polished

the shift.

without a doubt. In the beginning,

song and returning to the passion

Immigration

it was the Church that was the

we first encountered when we met

KARI JOBE:

Jesus. There’s beauty in looking

corporate worship has evolved,

Church, [I mean] evangelical

back to remember the things God

and how excellently so many

America was very opposed

has done and remembering the

people are being led into the

to any sort of comprehensive

raw moments of love.

presence of God. There are so

immigration approximation.

many different displays of the

So, I’m glad it’s shifting and

forsaking our first love. To keep

beauty of God on the Earth

maturing, but in the past 20

God as our first love and protecting

through the various expressions of

years, that has been one issue

that from being crowded by apathy

worship and I believe it’s drawing

that hasn’t worked well.

and religion.

many people to recognize who

Revelation 2 talks about not

I love how much

Jesus truly is.

One more item would be the Church lacking a meta-narrative

WHAT IS AN ISSUE YOU THINK THE CHURCH HAS GENERALLY

staunchest opponent and by

of the imago dei, the image of God BANNING LIEBSCHER:

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One of the

in every single human being. We

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to own its failings and make amends with the

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become entrenched in political

matter to them.

consistent life ethic from womb

rhetoric rather than prophetic

to tomb that is rooted in a holistic

truth and loving in actions. We

JEN HATMAKER:

should have led the way with:

word David and Banning

“Every single human being is

said. Additionally, the Church

created in the image of God in,

has struggled with corporate

CARL LENTZ:

and out of, the womb, therefore

repentance for all the mentioned

of teaching on even what the

we should treat each others with

shortcomings and outright failings.

word “judgmental” means. Often,

mutual respect and love,” and

We’ve lacked the humility to say,

people who think the Church

we haven’t. We approach things

“We were wrong and we caused

is judgmental simply don’t like

through a political spectrum rather

immense harm.” I sincerely

being told “no.” That is a cultural

than a prophetic, loving narrative.

believe this repentance will be

reflection. On top of that, we are

the beginning of transformation.

called to judge. We are called

It is powerful, as is its omission.

to speak truth. But explaining

I believe much of the evangelical

The Church will rise to the degree

what that means is where the

Church has handled poorly is what

it is willing to own its failings

problem lies. We can change this

it means to be a people of justice

and make amends with the

perception by teaching people

and to be a culturally reconciled

communities it has marginalized.

who the Holy Spirit is. He is as

BANNING LIEBSCHER:

One thing

I cosign every

community.

egregious hypocrisy.

I think it’s a lack

much the “convicter” as he is THE MOST COMMON CRITIQUE OF

the “comforter.” This perception

hard realities around race,

AMERICAN CHRISTIANS IS THAT

can shift as people learn that

privilege and justice, the Church

THEY’RE TOO JUDGMENTAL. WHY

Christianity at its essence includes

has at best buried its head in

DO YOU THINK THAT IS, AND DO

major conflict.

the sand and pretended like

YOU THINK IT’S CHANGING?

Historically, instead of facing

nothing was wrong, and at

The word of God is judging our flesh constantly. Beyond that, there

worst perpetuated the problem.

EKEMINI UWAN:

I think this must change, and I

level, I don’t think people have

and misapplied this, and hopefully

believe we are actively watching

an issue with judgment, per se.

Christians will be smarter and

it change. The future of the

After all, saying that Christians are

better trained to immediately

evangelical Church is a racially

judgmental is a judgment, and all

know the right and the wrong

and culturally reconciled people

judgment is not inherently bad. I

spirit of judgment that can be

who walk in a powerful oneness

think what people are critiquing

present in churches.

that is only available through

is the blatant hypocrisy that

Jesus. We cannot repeat the

is prevalent among American

KARI JOBE:

mistakes of the past.

Christians. How can the very

to examine the imperfections in

people who claim to be pro-life

our own hearts before we look

weep for the unborn whom they

at anyone else. And in order to

reconciliation, for sure, has been

have not seen and not weep for the

speak the truth in love to someone,

a weak spot. How the Church has

immigrant children who are being

you have to have relationship.

addressed matters of sex and

sexually abused and are dying in

It’s impossible to speak that truth

sexuality is another. We’ve over-

detention centers in America? That

over social media when there’s

simplified things and not seen

is the question.

no relational equity. No one likes

DAVID KINNAMAN:

Racial

the many dimensions inherent in

JULY-AUG

gospel is the antidote to this

At a fundamental

Christians must always

are churches that have misused

As Christians, we have

being shouted at by a stranger.

these matters. We’ve also “lost”

remember that our orthodoxy is

I think the Church is slowly

many entrepreneurs, science-

proven by our orthopraxy. When

becoming better at accepting every

minded students and creatives

we fail to marry the two, we

person into its doors. Not just

because our theology hasn’t been

become a stumbling block and a

the doors of the building, but the

sturdy enough to cause them to

veil that dims the beautiful light

doors of our lives—giving every

believe Christianity could really

of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A

person from every background an

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FOR THE FIRST TIME IN HISTORY “nones” (people who don’t

claim any religious affiliation), are the largest single “religious” demographic group in the country. Making up more than 23% of the population, they are now a bigger group than both evangelicals and Catholics in America.

Disconcertingly, the trend is being led by young people, who are increasingly unlikely to consider themselves religious at all—in fact, according to Pew’s Religious Landscape Study, 35% of “nones” are between the ages of 18-29. However, even though they don’t claim any religion, they are open-minded about it. Other recent studies show that young Americans are more comfortable talking about faith than older generations.

FAITH

THE RISE OF THE NONES YOUNG

ATHEISM

Atheism is getting younger: Just half of 18- to 29-year-olds are certain about their belief in God; that’s the smallest portion of any age group.

BIG

QUESTIONS

Pew found that the most common reason people refused to identify with a religion wasn’t unbelief, but unanswered questions about faith.

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From megachurch pastor to church pariah, Rob Bell has asked big questions and caused big controversies.

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tweets of the last decade, conservative pastor and author John Piper tweeted the words, “Farewell Rob Bell” along with a link to the trailer for his book Love Wins back in 2011. The book asked big questions about hell and the afterlife. Eight years later, Rob Bell hasn’t gone anywhere. Though he’s no longer a pastor, he’s still publishing books and selling out theaters on his teaching tours because in some ways, his message has never been as popular.

Bell, like Don Miller and Brian

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McLaren, the late Rachel Held Evans, the emerging church leaders of the early 2000s, the people behind The Liturgists podcast and dozens of others have found large audiences by embracing doubts about traditional teachings, questioning the Bible and how we interpret it, and championing progressive social (and at times, political) causes. Yes, some of the figures and their writing have been controversial, but they’ve also opened the door to fresh conversations about the true message of Jesus.

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Don Miller’s ”non-religious thoughts on Christian spirituality” sparked a trend of memoirs about looking for faith and exploring doubt.

LOVE

WINS

By questioning conventional teachings about hell, Rob Bell’s 2011 book became one of the most controversial in a generation.

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in church. Helping God usher

abuse. Whether it’s more

people into church is only one

women or other races, or other

part of robust evangelism. If the

believed because the judgmental

socioeconomic groups, the

church isn’t catechizing people

ones are the loudest ones. I

way we protect from abuse is

once they’ve gotten engaged in

think that often the majority of

diversifying the voices who are

Christian community, we aren’t

faith people are less judgmental

holding the abusers accountable.

really evangelizing.

ANNIE F. DOWNS:

I think that is

and less noisy, which is really

changes when a woman walks

EKEMINI UWAN:

leader, I struggle with how do

in. So, if we can diversify who is

must not only be concerned with

you say the right thing at the

holding the person accountable I

the human soul, exclusively, it

right time but still love first?

think it will decrease abuse and

must also address the body. The

People want to love well but also

create a culture where secrets

Church must address the former

want to hold onto truth, and it

aren’t welcome. Where you don’t

without continuing to neglect the

seems like we are wrestling with

get an extra thumbs up when you

latter. That requires a holistic

what that looks like more today

keep a secret, but secret behavior

gospel that says, “I see your need

than we did 20 years ago.

and secret sin is cut off at the root

for salvation and shelter. I see

long before it turns into abuse.

your need for redemption and

HOW SHOULD CHURCHES ABUSE AT THE LEADERSHIP

are called by God to lead

LEVEL?

churches, there will be abuse of

to heed the wisdom of the Apostle

power, abuse of people, abuse of

James and the brother of our

everything at the highest level.

Lord Jesus Christ, “If a brother

accountability outside of the local

The question is, “What will we

or sister is poorly clothed and

church: Church policy matters

do about it when it happens?”

lacking in daily food, and one of

and because indwelling sin is a

What will we put in place to

you says to them, ‘Go in peace,

reality for all believers, we all

shine as much light as possible

be warmed and filled,’ without

need accountability. That includes

on leadership in the hopes of

giving the things needed for the

leaders. From the outset, there

saving a lot of people, leaders

body, what good is that? So also

needs to be a council that holds

and followers alike, from things

faith by itself, if it does not have

the local church and leaders of

that can be easily avoided with

works, is dead.” James 2:15-17

that local church accountable.

accountability, awareness and

As long as humans

The time is now for the Church

protocol that makes it very

BANNING LIEBSCHER:

hard to continue with abusive

question most church leaders

independent of the local church

leadership as opposed to what it

are asking right now. It is critical

and council that can hold them

has been?

we address the issue of meeting

accountable and protect the most

This is a

the felt needs of those in our

vulnerable within the church.

EVANGELISM IS ON THE DECLINE.

communities. We must look at the

These must be organizations that

WHAT ARE SOME

impact an authentic life has on

specialize in different types of

WAYS CHURCHES CAN BETTER

evangelism and how people long

abuse, be it sexual or spiritual

EQUIP CHRISTIANS TO SHARE

for authenticity and friendship.

abuse. In this way, those who are

THEIR FAITH?

But I would also add the

vulnerable have an organization

need for prayer and power

outside of the local church to turn

LAUREN WINNER:

to for support and protection.

need to devote attention to

disconnect the role the power of

evangelizing the pews: doing

God played in evangelism in the

basic catechetical—scriptural—

New Testament and a community

theological work among people

of believers who prayed.

I think

having diverse accountability

D

holiness and healthcare.”

an outside organization that is

ANNIE F. DOWNS:

E

reparations. I see your need for CARL LENTZ:

Additionally, there needs to be

R

Our evangelism

DO A BETTER JOB AT PREVENTING

Establishing

D

Every room of old white guys

concerning for me because as a

EKEMINI UWAN:

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in evangelism. You cannot

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I have such religious

metrics for discipleship, especially

baggage around this question, I find it

now in digital Babylon, have to be the

difficult to answer. I’m not interested

faithfulness and resilience of individual

in evangelicalism void of justice and

believers in those communities. Are we

tainted with colonialism. There has

being equipped to live a different kind

been such an impurity in so many

of life throughout all of life?

evangelical tactics. I struggle to separate its future from its past. I don’t

ANNIE F. DOWNS:

believe in a formulaic, transactional

with video feeds is a structure that has

Multi-site campuses

evangelicalism. I want people to know

worked for our culture currently, but

Jesus in His fullness. He has managed

as our culture continues to shift, and

to become known and cherished in

as what people long for is more face-

every generation with or without our

to-face connection and less connection

techniques. I hope we consider why

with their technology, there’s going to

evangelicalism has so greatly declined

be an increased need for local, smaller-

as a guide moving forward.

sized leadership even if the sermon is streamed from a different location.

MULTI-SITE CHURCHES AND VIDEO SATELLITE CAMPUSES HAVE BECOME

TEDASHII:

POPULAR. HOW DO YOU SEE THESE

if a multi-site campus church does

TYPES OF CHURCHES EVOLVING IN THE

not find a way to evolve, that it could

COMING YEARS?

potentially become stagnant. If we can

I am a firm believer that

try to look beyond ourselves, we’ll start CARL LENTZ:

It’s a double-edged sword.

to recognize most of these satellite

Of course, it’s practical and reasonable to

campuses have their own identity, their

reach culture where it is, but “how much”

own DNA, and aside from having to

is the question. Uber Eats is a brilliant

report to a board, having to report to

business idea. People don’t want to leave

some leader, they’re doing their own

their house to eat. But does that mean

thing in their own area.

sitting around a table at a restaurant

That idea of them growing into

for three hours has lost its value? In

becoming their own autonomous

that same way, what some people say is

place of worship has been one of

“antiquated,” to me, is essential. On the

the healthiest ways I’ve seen it

other hand, is it really? That is going to be

and considered it because you can

one of the defining factors for where the

really, really shepherd the flock well

local church as we know it is headed.

without having to create this idea that your identity is wrapped up in the

DAVID KINNAMAN:

I think multi-site and

video campuses have a lot of positives.

motherboard down the road.

It’s becoming less sending more

But I do wonder how much we’ll see a

gathering. Less equipping more

backlash against “big box” Christianity.

entertaining. And I’m wanting to hope,

More than ever, we’re hearing from

in some regard, we are optimistically

millennials and Gen Zers who seem

saying, “What’s the next step so we

to be building antibodies to the

continue the work of equipping and

professionalization of Christian worship

encouraging and sending people out so

services. This isn’t just a question

we can further the Gospel?”

for multi-site or video churches. The

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THE RISE OF THE N O N D E N O M I N AT I O N LAST YEAR ALONE, the Presbyterian Church USA closed 143

However, despite the decline in many mainline denominations, there are some churches that have flourished: nondenominational ones.

A Gallup poll found that between 2000 and 2016, the number of “nondenominational” churchgoers doubled. As large-scale scandals and cover-ups continue to be exposed in large denominational institutions (one of the primary factors experts believe to be at the root of the trend), unaffiliated churches are becoming the norm.

churches. That’s a year after they announced that membership had hit an all-time low. That same year, Southern Baptist Convention membership fell to a 30-year low (14.8 million) and they recorded the fewest number of baptisms in their history.

The United Methodist Church is on a steady decline, as is the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Even though 32% of Americans were raised Catholic, just 21% are now a part of the Church.

OUT

WITH

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OLD?

IN

WITH

THE

NEW

Before 2000, nearly half of all

Today, about one in six

Americans said they belonged to a

Americans consider themselves

mainline denomination; now, barely

nondenominational Christians—an

30% do.

all-time high.

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LOVE. WORK. MONEY. COMMUNITY. THE THINGS THAT MAKE US HUMAN ARE CHANGING. ARE WE CHANGING ALONG WITH THEM?

Every generation has struggled with what it means to live with intention.

Timeless virtues like charity

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST

believe or tell myself a

I came of age in an era

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN

story to make it all work.

when sacred work was

HOW OLDER GENERATIONS NIGEL CAMERON:

HOW THIS ONE DOES?

older generation wanted a

meaning primarily full-

steady job (and cared less

time vocational ministry.

about finding it satisfying)

The rest of us were there

point of differentiation is

and lived at a time when

to support them as they

the desire for integration:

that was easier to get and

did the “real work of the

I want to be able to

keep. Younger people tend

ministry.” My husband

integrate my beliefs, my

to place a higher value on

and I now jokingly call

unique story, my values

work they find fulfilling

it our Evangelical Hero

and my community into

even if it is also riskier.

Complex. We thought

and self-control will always have to find new ways to

of new technological advancements and social developments. RELEVANT recruited a panel of experts in the areas of finance, relationships, tech and professional development to talk about how intentional living has changed and what the future holds.

THE

LIFE

LIZ BOHANNON:

I think a

The

the work I am doing on

Important Calling”—

that we had to do big

a daily basis. I want my

SARAH BESSEY:

The only

life to be a narrative with

thing I would add here

things for a big God with a big vision—and so we

consistent threads that

is that I think one major

missed the truth that

weave throughout the

shift between previous

God is just as present in

story, not a series of silos

generations of believers

every sort of work, that

that require me to turn

and this one centers on

every work can be the

off and on true, core parts

what work is sacred and

real work of the ministry.

of who I am and what I

what work is secular.

There really is no division

PANEL

JO SAXTON

NIGEL CAMERON

LIZ BOHANNON

JON ACUFF

RACHEL CRUZE

AUTHOR, SPEAKER

CEO AND EMERGING

SPEAKER AND FOUNDER

AUTHOR AND DIGITAL

PERSONAL FINANCE

AND ENTREPRENEUR

TECHNOLOGY EXPERT

OF SSEKO DESIGNS

MEDIA EXPERT

EXPERT

BIANCA OLTHOFF

JOSHUA HARRIS

JAMIE TWORKOWSKI

BLAKE MYCOSKIE

SARAH BESSEY

SPEAKER, AUTHOR

AUTHOR AND PASTOR

FOUNDER OF TO WRITE

FOUNDER AND CEO OF

AUTHOR AND SPEAKER

LOVE ON HER ARMS

TOMS SHOES

AND CHURCH PLANTER

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operate within the context

understood as “The Most

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SOCIAL MEDIA COMES OUT OF NOWHERE OF THE NEARLY 4.4 BILLION INTERNET USERS on Earth,

almost 3.5 billion use some form of social media. That’s about 45 percent of the entire global population. It’s almost hard to believe that when RELEVANT’s first issue was published in 2003, Facebook hadn’t even been founded. To call social media a disruption in the way we live, then, is an understatement. It makes up the fabric of the way we interact with each other,

communicate and make decisions on the internet. Tech companies in the once-peculiar, now-shadowy world of Silicon Valley have articulated ad nauseum they’re trying to “change the world.” The one way they have is through social media: It’s helped overthrow totalitarian governments, expose injustice and connect humanity, while also forcing us all to grapple with issues like comparison, digital addiction and being “liked.”

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

TWITTER

Once social media’s flagship, the

The most popular social media app

The platform has evolved into the

company is more infamous now

among young people hasn’t stopped

primary avenue to read breaking

for raising unanticipated questions

growing since 2010. Will a deluge of

news, complain about TV series and

about data and privacy.

ads and spon-con yield its doom?

craft 280-character one-liners.

Mark Zuckerberg’s genius is mulled by his poor handling of Facebook’s data breaches.

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between secular work and sacred

our vocations and callings should be

individual. And we’ve internalized it

work for the Christian—and in fact,

devoid of joy, levity and pleasure, but

and applied it on a personal level.

the “Most Important Calling” and

if we chase those things as the ends

I’m not saying there isn’t a

heroic language isn’t super helpful

themselves, “finding our passion”

resonance there, but contextually

when discerning one’s path in life.

will become the new, albeit cleverly

it was to a people. I think it’s good

Disentangling myself from that false

disguised idol that we believe will

to say “Well Daniel, you’ll have the

division has meant inviting God into

fix our problems. Our “passion” will

calling to this thing.” Did he know at

every aspect of work, life, ministry

not save us. We are called to create

the time or was he just doing what

from a place of wholeness rather

and solve problems because we were

had to be done at the time? That’s

than division or hierarchical rankings

created in the image of the Divine to

one thing I often get people to think

in the Kingdom of God. I see this

create, to co-labor to bring Heaven

through. How much did they really

generation embracing that right from

to Earth.

know was their calling and how

the start, understanding that one can

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much upon reflection do people then JAMIE TWORKOWSKI:

A third “p” word

owner or a nurse or an activist

comes to mind and that’s “privilege.”

see the thread of God’s faithfulness building a way through.

or whatever—just as much as the

It is a privilege to be in a position to

I think we can get passionate about

traditional models of ministry—and

chase after our passions, to feel like

getting rid of our debt. I think we can

all of it is for the glory of God.

we get to bring our heart to work.

get passionate about paying our bills.

Because so many people don’t. So

And it’s not sexy. And it’s not exciting.

“Passion isn’t the same as enjoyment or pleasure.” –Liz Bohannon HOW DO YOU THINK WE FIND A

many people are struggling just to get

But it is liberating. It is freeing to put

BALANCE BETWEEN PRACTICALITY AND

by, doing whatever they can to pay

yourself in a healthy place.

PASSION WHEN IT COMES TO WORK?

the bills. I love to encourage people to

It may mean that not all of your

pursue work that they are passionate

passions are realized all at once, but I

about, but I think it’s also important

think again when we look at the arc of

word passion is “pati” which means,

to acknowledge that it’s not that

Scripture ... Jesus was in His 30s when

“to suffer.” I delivered that line in a

simple for millions of folks.

He started. We can see plenty of little

LIZ BOHANNON:

The Latin root of the

talk once and the audience laughed.

examples of people doing things for

I frankly believe that especially

JO SAXTON:

Balance is such a hard

over the past 10 years, the notion

word. And there is often a riddle to

There’s not many characters where we

of “passion” has been distorted.

it. I often encourage young adults

get to see the whole of their lives.

Passion isn’t the same as enjoyment

to consider that when we look at

or pleasure. It’s about believing so

the Bible we are looking at people

BIANCA OLTHOFF:

deeply in something that you are

who are often looking back on their

tension I see with people on my team

willing to suffer to manifest that

lives when it comes to calling, when

who are younger than me is a belief

vision of the future. You’re willing to

it comes to their destiny and their

that their passion should pay for

forgo momentary enjoyment for the

purpose ... When we look at Jeremiah

practical things. As in, let me find a

fruit of commitment and sustained

29:11, “I know the plans I have for

job that encompasses my “calling,”

effort. This doesn’t at all mean that

you,” that was to a people not an

my passions, allows me to have a

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The greatest

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be a writer or a teacher or a business

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flexible work schedule, paid

preparation—in policy and

to understand that all work is

time off, and pays me enough

personal terms. There’s no

spiritual and part of faithful

to cover all my expenses and

question that labor markets

service to God. This truth

have spontaneous vacations

will go through a series of

allows them to integrate their

and a membership to a

shocks in the next 15 to 30

faith into all of life.

boutique workout facility.

years, whether or not we

More often than not, we

emerge with enough jobs to

DATING HAS CHANGED A LOT

will have a job that will

go around. The survivors will

OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS.

be practical and requires

need to be entrepreneurs,

DO YOU THINK IT’S BEEN FOR

we live practically. Our job

and creatives, and have

BETTER OR FOR WORSE?

wasn’t created so we can live

interpersonal skills—the

out our passion, so why put

kind of things machines will

JOSHUA HARRIS:

pressure on ourselves or our

find hard to replicate and/

answer: I think my book

employers to ensure we are

or people would rather pay

[I Kissed Dating Goodbye]

fulfilling our passion?

people to do. Sadly, the idea

contributed to making things

that everyone needs more

worse. I think that imbalance

STEM education is baloney.

is being corrected by new

entrepreneur, I am driven by

Lower-end STEM jobs will be

voices and by pushback

passion. My advice to other

the first to go. Can the Church,

against a shame-based view

aspiring entrepreneurs is

the world’s greatest volunteer

of sexuality and inequities

to focus on your passion;

organization, set the pace in

between men and women.

nothing else matters. If

shaping non-paid-work roles

But relationships and dating

you’re passionate about your

that have meaning?

will always be complicated,

BLAKE MYCOSKIE:

As an

business, you’re doing it

and a place where we need

because you love it and you

JOSHUA HARRIS:

want to make a difference.

pastor for 17 years and then

and for others. If anyone

I went to seminary at Regent

tells you they have simple

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS

College (yeah, I know that

relationship solutions, they

CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE

was backwards). At seminary

are selling you something.

PREPARED TO THINK ABOUT

I decided I didn’t want to

Wherever we can embrace

THE FUTURE OF WORK?

be a pastor. Being at Regent

the messiness of relationships

helped me see that I had

and avoid easy answers, we’ll

a wrong view of “calling.”

be better positioned to grow.

NIGEL CAMERON:

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Short

There may

I was a

a lot of grace—for ourselves

be a crisis ahead. In my book

Jeff Greenman lectured on

on robots and jobs I argued

Luther’s vision of vocation

BIANCA OLTHOFF:

that we don’t know—we

and he asked the question,

dating is the blessed curse.

should seek consensus

“Do you believe there is a

The benefit is that with a

on a risk-based approach

spiritual hierarchy and that

swipe, a tap or a click we

to policy and workforce

ministry is a higher calling

can connect with compatible

preparation. Because there’s

than other work?” That

matches in our area we

a non-trivial chance that the

convicted me. I realized that I

otherwise would’ve never

“full employment” that has

thought of pastoring as really

known existed. That being

been the bedrock of modern

serving God and other work

said, so many of my single

economies (and democracies)

as less spiritually significant.

friends are dealing with

could be over. Whether this

I equated being a pastor

Analysis Paralysis and can’t

will mean heaven on Earth or

with being faithful to God. I

make a decision on who to

hell on Earth depends on our

think more Christians need

date in fear of missing out on

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T H E G R E AT R E C E S S I O N R O C K S A G E N E R AT I O N THE COLLAPSE OF THE U.S. REAL ESTATE MARKET

CRASHING Many millennials were too young and too stock market illiterate to recognize the ways the recession would shape their lives when it happened, but the bleak new reality set in soon enough.

OCCUPY

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STREET

Following the fallout from the collapse, frustrated young people took to the streets.

Though critics questioned the effectiveness (and goals) of the protest, they served as a reminder of the human toll of recession.

Celebrities like Russell Brand joined activists in protesting the economic policies that led to income inequality.

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paired with the global financial crisis of 2008 might have stunted a generation. While the economic effects of the Great Recession were immediate, the social ramifications are still coming to light. Most millennials were teenagers during the height of the recession, but it still made a huge impact on their decision-making as adults. Many millennials delayed major investments like homeownership or higher education. In a 2017 study from Merrill Edge, an astounding 85% of millennials said they “play it safe” with money. That’s changed their definition of success, too, with 73% saying success means providing for a family, while having a family itself and “making a difference” sit at just 52% and 41%, respectively. From finances to life, everything now is “look before you leap.”

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NEW TECH EMERGES

VIRTUAL

REALITY

In the mainstream, it still appears

WHEN POKEMON GO WAS RELEASED during summer 2016,

many iPhone users had never experienced augmented reality.

Google Glass (Remember that?) had failed to catch on, but the simple mobile game showed us what it was like to interact with digital entities placed in the real world. Along with the advent of consumer-level technologies like virtual reality, 3D printing and drones, augmented reality is forcing society to grapple with the ethics involved in privacy, bioethics and digital immersion, while also presenting the opportunity to make the world a better place by marrying innovation with humanitarian impulses.

most as a pop-up attraction, but VR is making strides into real estate, education and athletics.

3D

PRINTING

It’s revolutionized the way we engineer our world, but the ability to replicate almost anything, including flesh, carries dark, unexplored implications.

Ready or not, augmented reality is poised to be tech’s next big quantum leap.

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the bigger, better, brighter

romance, attraction and

simply marriage (in the

HOW HAVE THE RECESSION

option on another app,

the dangers of our popular

U.S., age of first marriage

AND STUDENT DEBT CRISIS

page or dating site. FOMO is

hookup culture. Instead

for women has risen from

CHANGED THE WAY THIS

real! Too many options are

of allowing magazines,

20 to 27 since 1970; age of

GENERATION IS THINKING

complicating scenarios and

movies, and media to define

first child from 24 to 28),

ABOUT MONEY?

allowing people to casually

what awesome sex and

but the overlap with career

test the waters rather than

relationships

jumping into the dating

should look

ocean and committing

like, I would

to get to know someone

love for

intimately.

the Church

TO THE “PURITY CULTURE”

awesome

MANY OF US WERE RAISED

(and even

IN. WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE

provocative)

ABOUT HOW THE CHURCH

narratives

TALKS ABOUT SEX?

we see in

E

D

pace in shaping non-paid work roles that have meaning?”

–Nigel Cameron

Scripture.

SARAH BESSEY:

The

Church’s conversations

WHAT DO YOU FEEL

development, especially in a

LIZ BOHANNON:

around sex have been

IS CAUSING DELAYED

society where there is little

think it’s the single

dominated by fear, power

MARRIAGE IN THIS

social support (childcare,

biggest impediment to

and control, which has led

GENERATION?

tax credits) for women with

social innovation and

small children. Perhaps

entrepreneurship. The

there are good models in

“capital” I used to launch

to destruction, wounding and even death. Instead,

NIGEL CAMERON:

I think that making a

simple question, since it’s

some churches for how

my company was my

shift toward a theology

the result of various trends;

volunteer efforts could

savings from nannying in

of care, of health and

aside from the opening of

make a big difference?

high school and college.

joy, of shamelessness, of

many more professional

inclusion, and of love,

opportunities to women,

JAMIE TWORKOWSKI:

savings in the first place

while also actively working

we also have a culture in

“Delayed marriage” implies

is—well, frankly, the first

to dismantle patriarchy

which we get more and

that marriage is coming.

reason is privilege; I came

from our understandings

more education before

For many, it doesn’t feel

from a financially stable

of those things, will be

we start a first job. And

that way. So many folks

family—but secondarily

active, necessary work for

of course we are mostly

feel alone. So many feel

because I chose to attend

us all. There will be over-

living a lot longer, so

invisible. I hope that

a state school with an

corrections and missteps

the trajectory of human

Christians will do a better

undergraduate tuition of

as we do that work, but

experience has shifted.

job at caring for singles of

$8,000 a year, rather than

even that is necessary as

Yet women’s reproductive

all ages, acknowledging the

go into massive debt to go

we carve out a path of

biology has not shifted

longing and loneliness that

to one of the private liberal

wholeness.

along with everything else,

so many people live with.

arts schools that I would

and one result has been

And I hope Christians will

have loved to attend. I went

increased dependence

help remind singles that

on to get a Master’s degree

pendulum has swung to

on assisted reproductive

they deserve connection

in journalism, but frankly,

the other side of the purity

technology, with all of

as well, that they deserve

the deciding factor was

culture, and it almost feels

its practical and in many

love whether they’re in a

that I was able to pay for it

like the Church has gone

cases ethical challenges.

romantic relationship or not.

through a graduate research

silent on topics like sex,

The issue of course is not

BIANCA OLTHOFF:

The

Not a

I

And the reason I had

assistantship. Graduating

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ON-DEMAND C U LT U R E DISRUPTS, WELL, EVERYTHING IT’S A LONG LIST OF CASUALTIES OF BRANDS WE KNEW 15 YEARS AGO: Payless, Toys ‘R’ Us, Claire’s,

GUESS?, LifeWay, Blockbuster, Bloomingdale’s, Family Christian—even the whole concept of the American mall. Thanks to online shopping giants like Amazon, consumers do the majority of their buying on their laptops rather than on a Saturday down at the outlets.

The brick-and-mortar store, and countless other industries, have been permanently upended by online access. People want things now, and the internet can give it to them. More than 12,000 stores are expected to close, and we now live in a more homogeneous, less specialized, experience-driven world of consumerism.

AMAZON

NETFLIX

Thanks to the online retailer’s

While the streaming-service business model

dominance, we’ve gone from

might have been a natural byproduct of

browsing bookstores and clearance

the internet, we didn’t expect the platforms

racks to browsing Prime Day deals.

to become outstanding, award-winning producers and distributors in their own right.

UBER

SPOTIFY

Uber and its copycat rideshare apps

iTunes (R.I.P.) started the death of the

are more than just an on-demand car.

physical music store, but Spotify put

It feels like a magic carpet that brings

the nails in the coffin.

new possibilities.

JULY-AUG

POP-UPS

POSTMATES

As storefronts close, the $50 billion

The dream of dinner without a stitch

flash retail industry has become a

of effort or human interaction is not

new, effective way brands create

yet reality, but Postmates has made it

short-term, exclusivity-fueled demand.

tantalizingly close.

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SARAH BESSEY:

and zero debt meant that

and the student debt crisis

when I entered into “the real

are not individual liberty

you. Your stuff can have you if you go into debt over it. It

world,” I had the freedom

issues—these are systemic

can have you if your identity,

to take the enormous risk

ways that our society treats

your happiness, your joy, your

of quitting a “safe” full-time

money and particularly

job with steady and upward

treats the most vulnerable in

contentment—who you think you are­—is wrapped up in that

earning potential and buy

our society. They happened

thing. There is a place as you

a one-way plane ticket to

on purpose. It’s damaging,

save up to pay for something

Uganda, knowing that, without

predatory and unequal. The

and you buy it with the

the burden of student loans, I could live simply enough to

survival of the fittest model is

motivation knowing, This isn’t going to bring me eternal joy and

survive while I was able to

especially vulnerable people, deepening divides not only of

happiness. It’s just a fun thing to

dedicate myself to learning, listening and eventually

money but of opportunities. Of

saved up the money. My heart

launching a social enterprise.

course the recession and the

is in the right place. There’s

debt crisis may (and probably

definitely times where you can

should) change our individual

buy some fun things.

I think it’s taught

E

D

get and I can do it because I’ve

us all to be more cautious and to be more creative when it

habits and choices but my hope is that we’ll lift up our

NIGEL CAMERON:

comes to how we approach

eyes to these larger economic

favorite schoolteacher who

what it means to get an

systems that make inequality

always encouraged us to

education.

purposeful.

remember what he called “the

I had a

law of the limited objective.”

HOW CAN CHRISTIANS

We have to focus, choose

would have thought it would

NAVIGATE THE ETHICAL

our targets and work at not

have made a bigger impact

CONSUMPTION QUESTION

feeling frustrated/guilty we

on people’s outlook for our

WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE JUST

aren’t doing everything about

generation, but it really

ABOUT EVERYTHING WE BUY

everything—because of course

hasn’t because we’ve seen

HAS A DARK SIDE?

such frustration/guilt simply

RACHEL CRUZE:

Honestly, I

paralyzes. I think we need

the debt levels continue to It’s not

to teach Christians to think

grow. Student loan debt has

BLAKE MYCOSKIE:

continued to rise, credit card

bad to want to be successful.

like this, quite consciously;

debt has continued to rise. My

The more you’re blessed with

to be prudent; to pick a

hope was, when it all went

commercial success, that

target or two or three. And

down, our generation would

gives you a bigger platform

to remember that it’s a fallen

look at our parents and have

to change the world and do

world. We shouldn’t be

a little bit of a hesitation

bigger things and inspire

surprised that everything is

thinking, “Oh, OK. Something

others. For TOMS, our impact

disordered, we should expect

bad could happen.” Factually,

isn’t just the 93 million people

it. And we should expect

we’re just not seeing that.

who we’ve helped with our

to be tempted to feel it’s all

We’re getting married later.

One for One giving, but the

hopeless! Yet it’s not.

We’re buying homes later.

hundreds of other businesses

We’re putting off a lot of life

that have changed their

HOW CAN CHURCHES

milestones because of our

business model and committed

BETTER ADDRESS EXCESS,

financial situation. That is

to giving back.

CONSUMERISM AND CONSUMPTION IN THE FUTURE?

immediately tied to debt— especially student loan debt.

RACHEL CRUZE:

I always say

it’s OK to have nice stuff, just

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don’t let your nice stuff have

in four years with two degrees

only drowning more people,

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think of when I hear this

conscious consumerism

do it in a way that is not

there’s going to be more

question is that Instagram

and generosity, it would

about our privilege and

opportunities for people to

account

be an incredibly powerful

power but is actually about

do their own thing. I think

@preachersnsneakers

testament.

humans flourishing and

we can have rose-colored

demonstrating good news–

glasses where things sound

being good news–I think

really great, and then we

where they post the prices of the shoes celebrity

BIANCA OLTHOFF:

pastors are wearing.

like we can integrate these

there’s massive potential

get two years down the

Whenever I look at that

questions and conversations

to go to people and places

road and it’s not working.

page, I feel both judgmental

on a more regular basis

that the Church never gets

You realize that running

toward their conspicuous

rather than relegating them

to. But also to do so in a

a business is a lot harder

consumption and jealous

to a missions weekend,

way that is holistic and

than it sounds. Those are

because I want those shoes!

social justice initiative or

healthy and empowering.

the two sides of the coin.

That’s a long way of saying

hot topic. The more we

I think it could be a

I think there’s incredible

I think we need more grace

speak about it, the more

wonderful opportunity for

opportunity. That’s one

toward others and to focus

we will be able to dialogue

us, but I think it will require

thing I appreciate about

about ways to engage and

resilience on our part.

our generation. It’s “What’s

address it.

I love seeing that creativity

your why?” behind why

because we need these

you work. Are you in a job

ideas. We need to think

that you love? We hold

moving beyond our “pet

not just how do we fix

value to that.

causes.” There are a

the world, but how do we

The extreme side of this is

handful of topics we love

empower people and how

not good, with millennials

to talk about and then a

do we make all things new?

walking around without

handful of topics we never

How do we be part of what

jobs because they haven’t

address. We have to expand

God is doing in the world

found their “dream job.”

the circle of things we’re

and how do we serve Him

But I think we value our

willing to discuss.

and serve others?

passions more than past

WHAT DO YOU THINK

LIZ BOHANNON:

THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL

what once made social

BLAKE MYCOSKIE:

ENTREPRENEURISM

enterprises special is going

excites me about the future

LOOKS LIKE?

to become the norm and

of social entrepreneurship

expectation. The great part

is not some huge new

is, it’s going to push us

idea but how we can take

JON ACUFF:

I feel

I think by

generations.

JO SAXTON:

1SSUE 51 JULY-AUG

My hope is that

I think What

on our own hearts and

it’s a way of us reclaiming—

toward higher standards

something that already

wallets.

because we’ve seen these

and better practices across

exists and just make

things in different periods

the board. This is amazing!

it better to work more

of history where we see

The downside is, inevitably,

efficiently, thoughtfully and

land somewhere between

the Church engage with the

there will be companies

be more consumer-oriented.

prosperity gospel preachers

world in a more tangible

who are merely selling a

Trying as hard as you can to

in sneakers and the “thrifty

way. If this can be a chance

story of social change and

build something that’s not

Christian” who thinks it’s a

for us to be the hands and

it will fall on the consumer

new but building it as if it’s

holy act to score 17 shirts

feet of Jesus, if this can

to try and decipher what is

never been done before.

on clearance at Kohl’s

be a chance for us to not

authentic and what’s really

When I started TOMS 13

for $13. If Jesus followers

just say, ‘You come to us,’

good marketing.

years ago, I had a revelation

got serious about leading

but we come to you, and

the conversation and

we do it in a way which

RACHEL CRUZE:

living out principles of

is not colonization, we

technology progresses,

LIZ BOHANNON:

There is a

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M E N T A L H E A LT H G E T S TA L K E D ABOUT not just led to a shift in how we relate to each other, but a shift in the way we view and treat ourselves. Data is conclusive that among millennials and Generation Z, people are lonelier, feel less understood and have greater feelings of isolation than any previous generation. While the mental health epidemic has been widespread, it’s far from an unknown threat, because more people and churches are talking about mental health, social struggles and recovery strategies

SUICIDE

RISK

than ever before. Thanks to organizations like To Write Love On Her Arms and individual highprofile testimonies like pop star Selena Gomez and NBA star DeMar DeRozan, vulnerability has become a sign of strength amid struggle, not an admission of weakness.

For the Church, it’s meant a paradigm shift about what makes for a healthy relationship with God, what defines a “season of trials” and how churches as institutions need to serve their communities.

As isolating devices evolve, the conversation needs to shift, too.

KILL

THE

STIGMA

Teenagers today have a lower

People suffering with a mental illness

homicide rate and a higher suicide

say they want to be known in the

rate than they did in 2007, The latter

Church as people first: 63% want the

actually eclipsed the former in 2011.

topic to be less taboo.

PASTORAL

THE

ROLES

CHURCH

GAP

A recent survey indicated 74%

While 68% of pastors say their church

of pastors know someone with

keeps a list of resources for people

depression, and 23% admit battling

struggling, just 28% of congregants

with a mental illness themselves.

knew about it.

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blessing and a way to honor God.

because it can make us more inclusive,

And what does it mean for

Business has a different possibility.

and social media can expand the

human freedom and dignity and

I am so proud that One for One

family of the church—but it’s easier to

accountability for corporations and

has grown far beyond TOMS as other

use it to create more celebrities and

governments—and any hacker who

companies have built giving back into

divisions instead.

can crack his or her way in—to know

their business models. A rising tide lifts all ships. But it’s also brought

so much about us, and be able to JAMIE TWORKOWSKI:

I would also add

exploit that knowledge to influence

about

that I hope churches will move beyond

how we think—and vote and buy?

business that

using social media as highlight reels

Should Christians be using these highly

uses giving as

for their influential pastors. Show me

sophisticated and subtle tools already

a marketing

other people. Tell me stories that aren’t

available to persuade social media

gimmick

about the guy on stage. I’m sick of the

users to believe?

instead of

marketing machines. I’m sick of the

authentic and

self-promotion.

WHAT EFFECTS DO YOU THINK GROWING UP WITH SOCIAL MEDIA WILL

core to their company.

WHAT TECH INNOVATIONS EXCITE YOU

Giving has to

THE MOST?

be integrated

HAVE ON FUTURE GENERATIONS? SARAH BESSEY:

The ability to organize a

I’m pretty invested in

into every

JON ACUFF:

piece of your

movement. My readers raised $30,000

four kids, and the difference between

business, it

in 18 hours to build a kindergarten in

my childhood and theirs in terms of

can’t just be

Vietnam. There’s a zero percent chance

technology is, well, immense.

a marketing

we could have done that without the

I think in many ways we’re raising

tactic.

power of social media.

the beta generation for this question.

Customers know the difference

this question right now because I have

And so this will be the baseline

1SSUE 53

and can sniff out a company that is

BLAKE MYCOSKIE:

I am currently

inauthentically giving back.

focused on consciousness and how

generation—we’ll figure out the ways we did it wrong and the ways we did

we scale the principles of modern

it well from this experience. I think

HOW WILL SOCIAL MEDIA AFFECT THE

neuroscience, psychology and

being aware, honest and keeping a

WAY CHURCHES WILL REACH PEOPLE

physiology to make our brains and

firm grasp on the things that make us

IN THE FUTURE?

bodies work better.

truly human will be helpful.

My hope is that we’ll see these tools

DO YOU FEEL LIKE CHURCHES ARE

of connection as opportunities and not

planter, we are shocked at how many

PREPARED TO ANSWER SOME OF

as overlords.

people online are engaging and even

THE SPIRITUAL AND ETHICAL

flying to come visit us. Our online

QUESTIONS THAT THE COMING A.I.

NIGEL CAMERON:

views are quadruple the size of our

REVOLUTION POSES?

smartphone combo is extraordinarily

BIANCA OLTHOFF:

As a new church-

church, and we have even had stories

recent—so projecting ahead is a

of people finding our messages online

NIGEL CAMERON:

and dedicating their life to Christ.

slew of reports and statements over

We have to assume we’ll devise

However, digital access is a poor

the past year or so. Elon Musk, who

practices that avoid the attention-

substitute for community and spiritual

is hardly a Luddite, declared that we

deficit habits we’re all fighting today (I

growth. We fear so many of our

might be “summoning the demon.”

love Tiffany Shlain’s simple notion of a

congregants are losing the value of the

There’s widespread anxiety about

weekly Tech Shabbat, for example) to

local church.

“rogue A.I.,” which led Bill Gates and

ensure that our devices and apps are

Stephen Hawking and a lot of not-

made for our benefit, and not, despite

normally-panicky people to sign on to

the techniques deployed by Facebook

an open letter of concern.

and the rest, that we exist for theirs!

S A R A H B E S S E Y : I’m

actually a huge

proponent for the opportunities here

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In HBO’s Insecure, creator/writer/ star Issa Rae navigates love in an evolving era.

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OUR LOVE LIVES CHANGED STRAIGHT UP: IT’S EASIER TO FIND LOVE THAN EVER and that’s all thanks to the

internet. Dating apps have made meeting someone as easy as a click and a swipe, and more involved platforms like eHarmony and Match.com insist digital dating spaces aren’t just for those looking for a fling. “How we met” stories might be shorter and less

romantic online, but the connections aren’t any less real, and besides, who wants to go back to the bar (or, fine, the church lobby) to meet other single people? Dating in the digital age emphasizes common ground, shared interests and aligned values, and for those open to a little more randomness, it’s been a game-changer.

ABSTINENCE

RING

Contributing factors like social isolation, lower marriage

Have larger dating pools made

rates, economic pressures and higher anxiety rates mean

us afraid of commitment? The

young people today have less sex than previous generations.

data says no. “Even if the grass

From 1991 to 2017, the CDC reports the number of sexually

is greener, happy gardeners

active high schoolers has dropped from 54 to 40 percent.

don’t notice.”

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Maybe no new artist this decade made people sit up and take notice like Kendrick Lamar.

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ARE CHRISTIANS FINALLY SEEING SOME REAL GAINS IN THEIR EFFORT TO MAKE RESONATING, THOUGHT-PROVOKING ART?

The first issue of RELEVANT debuted in March 2003 and included an article that said, “We

DEREK MINOR

LISA GUNGOR

RAPPER, ENTREPRE-

AUTHOR AND RECORD-

NEUR AND SCREEN-

ING ARTIST

WRITER

don’t need to label something Christian to the exclusion of the rest of the world for it to be good and pure.” That article made the case that the wall between “sacred” and “secular” was an artificial one, that all truth was God’s truth and the “Church” extends far beyond the buildings called churches. One hundred issues later, here’s where things stand.

JON FOREMAN

AMENA BROWN

WHAT MOVIE, ALBUM

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN:

in relation to the body.

LEAD SINGER OF

AUTHOR, SPEAKER

OR BOOK HAS IMPACTED

The films that continue

Body work has helped me

SWITCHFOOT

AND SPOKEN WORD

YOUR OWN FAITH

to haunt me over the

become more free in the

JOURNEY OVER THE LAST

last three years are

body while Be Here Now

FEW YEARS?

Scorsese’s adaptation

has helped me realize

of Silence and the 2016

who I am.

JERON SMITH:

Kirk

POET

sci-fi film Arrival. To me, Silence was such a

AMENA BROWN:

album ignited an

brilliant commentary

And Other Surprising

evolution for me. The

on the nature of “belief”

Invitations of Advent by

album was released in

itself. Arrival is a story

Enuma Okoro. I had been

OF SOCIAL CLUB

1998 at a time when my

of beauty versus pain.

looking for an advent

MISFITS

parents were adamant

It sort of asks us this

book written by a woman

about gospel being the

question: If you knew

of color and was happy

primary music in our

life/love would be painful

to find Enuma’s book. She

home. Prior to The Nu

would you choose to

writes daily devotions

Nation Project, gospel

live it anyway? Also,

during advent from a

music wouldn’t have

I’ve maintained a steady

unique perspective. I

been my preference,

balance of Richard Rohr

want to read her book

but Kirk Franklin

and Jordan Peterson.

every advent!

orchestrated a sound that

Silence FLEURIE

FERN MIRANDA

RECORDING ARTIST

RAPPER AND MEMBER

JONATHAN BOCK

JOHN MARK

AUTHOR, PRODUCER

MCMILLAN SONGWRITER AND

Also Beyoncé’s

was vastly different from

LISA GUNGOR:

I have

anything heard in the

been profoundly

Homecoming. The music!

gospel genre previously

impacted by the Be

The artfulness! The

and I loved it. Kirk used

Here Now audiobook by

Blackness! The soul! The

a popular secular sound

Ram Dass and The Body

spirituality! The joy! The

to put the medicine in the

Keeps the Score by Bessel

lament! The love!

candy, which is still an

Van der Klok. The Body

The heartbreak! I really

effective method today.

Keeps the Score helped

don’t have enough

me understand trauma

exclamation points to

MUSICIAN

Lemonade and

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JERON SMITH

NATALIE MANUEL

CO-FOUNDER & CEO

LEE

OF UNANIMOUS MEDIA

TV HOST AND FASHION INFLUENCER

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

CULTURE

Franklin’s Nu Nation

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Lauren Daigle made history as one of the most successful Christian crossovers ever.

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charts, finding actual success without compromising a stitch of their spiritual content. These days, genre lines are more fluid than ever, and “crossing over” is fairly commonplace, which is only a testament to just how critical and effective those first few attempts actually were. The walls they tore down were never really rebuilt.

IN THE BEGINNING, IT WAS A HYPOTHETICAL PIPE DREAM.

Could an artist break out of the Christian music sphere to have a broader impact on the culture at large? Or was the CCM bubble more of a wall? But then, a few pioneers like Switchfoot, Underoath and Kirk Franklin started charting on mainstream

JULY-AUG

SWITCHFOOT

UNDEROATH

KIRK

They weren’t first, but they were

Lots of Christian acts found

Franklin has been on the same

One of the more recent success

the beginning of the wave, dar-

crossover success in the post-

hip-hop gospel scene for years

stories but also one of the big-

ing their fans to move and lead-

hardcore scene, but few were

now, both as an individual artist

gest, an artist who got where

ing by example.

more influential than Underoath.

and an iconic collaborator.

she is with zero compromise.

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express myself here!

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others. It’s the clamoring for the idea

LISA GUNGOR:

that America has had this clean and

dualistic terms like “spiritual” and

TO WHAT DO YOU ATTRIBUTE THE RISE

resolute history that has somehow

“secular.” Anything that tries to label

OF FAITH-BASED MOVIES LIKE GOD’S

descended into chaos as opposed to

one thing as God and another as

NOT DEAD?

America has always been a messy

outside of God furthers harmful belief

and chaotic place with shifting

systems. Anything that has an “us vs.

morality that fits its agenda. It’s a

them” mentality furthers tribalism

very profitable niche.

and oppression. I think there is an

JERON SMITH:

I think faith-based

movies are on the rise because we live in a world where horrible things

D

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I’m not a fan of

awakening happening, a realization

are constantly happening all around

JON FOREMAN:

“Faith-based films”

us. People want to be uplifted. Faith-

implies that there’s some other kind

that all wells lead to the same water.

When this happens, our tribal

based films, and stories in general,

of film. For me, all great art wrestles

instincts can kick up the urge to draw

are about connection. They have

with belief. Of course, we know the

deeper lines in the sand, defining who

the ability to engage us through

moniker refers to American Christian

is right and wrong, in and out. I’m all for stories of love and hope, but those stories are everywhere, not just

“‘Faith-based films’ implies that there’s some other kind of film.”

–Jon Foreman

within the Christian framework. It’s all spiritual.

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN:

It’s hard to

market anything these days. The way people consume media is very fragmented now. Meaning there are few central places to message to large audiences at one time.

films that fit a specific criteria. But it

However, the Church is still a place

Stories allow people to see different

feels a bit small-minded and bigoted

where people of similar interests

perspectives, look past differences,

to ignore the faithful yearnings of the

and beliefs can be messaged fairly

and so much more.

rest of humanity with our title.

easily. Also, the Christian market will

The adjective “Christian” refers

often rally around ideas or values

I think movies like

to the loving, self-sacrificial actions

alone while other communities

God’s Not Dead fill the same space

of following a Savior, not products.

require a little more work to earn

that the Christian music industry

Perhaps a commercial product is

their trust. Don’t get me wrong, I’m

occupies. It’s primarily a business

mislabeled when “Christian” is

not at all saying that Christians are

of selling hope—real or fake—and

stamped on top.

“simple-minded,” but I do believe

DEREK MINOR:

selling art is the secondary objective.

Most people are not OK with life

large groups of believers consume JONATHAN BOCK:

I think films

media for different reasons than

resolving in a messy way and media

like God’s Not Dead are essentially

other communities. I think Hollywood

like this tells them that there’s a clear

Christian porn. They thrive on

sees this as a big opportunity in a

resolution to

our worst instincts as believers—

day when it’s hard to get people’s

the craziness

promulgating tropes like “us vs.

attention. I wish I had a more

of life. It’s the

them” theology, and the ever-popular

“spiritual” answer, but I think this is

same reason

“American Christians are under

the case.

why the term

attack!” victim status. Watching

“Make America

films like these is like eating two

HOW CAN CHRISTIAN FILMMAKERS

Great Again”

Big Macs in one sitting—might taste

ENGAGE FAITH IN THEIR WORK IN WAYS

is so hopeful

good going down, but there’s zero

THAT ARE HONEST INSTEAD OF HOKEY?

for some and

nutritional value.

problematic for

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Truthfully, the

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emotions and connect us to others.

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THE REVERSE VERSION OF THE CROSSOVER artist

THE

MAINSTREAM MUSIC GOES GOSPEL narrative is almost more compelling: What happens when an artist with lots of mainstream success starts to veer into the Christian lane? Historically, such stories were viewed with a “What’s-your-endgame-herepal?” suspicion by Christians, but the bumper crop of honest theological questions married to some truly superb art has rendered such skepticism old-fashioned.

These are acts in which faith comes across as forceful instead of forced, and honest instead of awkward. True, sometimes it also comes with an explicit sticker, but that’s just how spirituality operates in the real world sometimes. It doesn’t fit neatly into any box at all.

KANYE

WEST

Love him or hate him, Kanye West’s beautiful, dark, twisted portrait of his spiritual walk has been one of the decade’s most fascinating.

MUMFORD

&

SONS

Mumford is not a subtle band in many ways, but they learned the value of a delicate touch when it came to their spirituality.

THE

JULY-AUG

AVETT

BROTHERS

CHANCE

THE

RAPPER

They predated and outlasted the

It feels like blessings keep falling in

folk boom on the strength of some

Chance’s lap, probably because he’s

great songs, an excellent live set and

so persistent in asking for them via

supreme spiritual content.

his worshipful hip-hop bars.

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Chance the Rapper made sweet goofiness as vital to his brand as worship.

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2009 SUMMER READING GUIDE: LIFE OF PI’S YANN MARTEL + THE DAILY SHOW’S LARRY WILMORE + OUR 18 FAVORITE BOOK PICKS

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JON FOREMAN’S NEW FAMILY

TOMS SHOES THE HEART BEHIND THE MOVEMENT

JUST WAR NOW PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

IS THERE SUCH A THING?

SEX GOD &ROCK ‘N’ ROLL THE CONTROVERSIAL SPIRITUAL & MUSICAL JOURNEY OF

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problem lies not with

tell me something directly but are

the filmmaker, but the

a springboard for psychoanalysis.

audience. Historically,

A nuanced story is a truer story

there hasn’t been much

because there never really is just

market for honest

a good person and bad person, a

Christian films. But with

good moment and bad moment.

the demise of LifeWay and

Every person struggles with the

Family Christian stores,

complexity of being human. Let

that’s going to change. In

that struggle breathe.

the past, every model of a financially successful

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BEST

Christian film required

EXAMPLES YOU CAN THINK OF?

robust DVD sales through Christian bookstores, so

JERON SMITH:

their 50-plus-year-old

an incredibly compelling storyline

conservative evangelical

with A-list talent involved. I doubt

female audience held a

most viewers would categorize the

disproportionate sway

film as “faith-based” but why not?

over what got made. But

The Book of Eli is a compelling

now, without the Christian

case study on the enigma of what

bookstores and their

constitutes a faith-based film. A

pocket veto on content,

faith-based audience traditionally

I think we will start to

requires biblically sound themes,

see a new, bolder era in

exaltation of God/Christ and

Christian film.

The Book of Eli was

general biblical references. The Book of Eli checks all of these boxes.

JON FOREMAN:

One of my heros DEREK MINOR:

lawyer, your job is to be honest.”

is amazing to me. Growing up

The movie Logan

watching Wolverine claw his way FERN MIRANDA:

By engaging

out of so many situations just in

people from the culture and not

time for the credits to roll with

just people playing roles or acting.

him being the hero was very

Authenticity is key, people want

enjoyable. Logan paints him as a

the real.

jaded hero who has lost faith and made some critical mistakes. He

DEREK MINOR:

Stop resolving

doesn’t have the answers. I think

things that don’t resolve. Be brave

he’s a picture of many of us. He’s

enough to tackle issues that are

done so many cool things. He has so

messy. Diversify your stories to

much potential but he realizes that

include the narratives of other

he can only change so much. We all

people in America besides the

deal with that reality in different

white evangelical. The only

ways and that’s the tension.

problem with those suggestions are they are at odds with the core

FERN MIRANDA:

base of that media.

for his Fear of God campaigns, he

Jerry Lorenzo

uses everyone from Jared Leto LISA GUNGOR:

I like stories that

give space, stories that don’t just

061

to you name it, and conveys a beautiful gospel message through

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once told me, “God doesn’t need a

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“Stop resolving things that don’t resolve. Be brave enough to tackle

against the grain of culture

It’s just reflective of its base.

and could be problematic

It will rise and fall with the

for a largely populist

evangelical.

industry like feature film.

I can’t say

AMENA BROWN:

issues that are messy.”

–Derek Minor

WHAT KIND OF STORIES

it’s dead to me. It’s more

DO YOU HOPE CHRISTIAN

like someone I knew in

CREATIVES WILL TELL IN

high school and only see

THE FUTURE?

on Facebook every now and then.

NATALIE MANUEL LEE:

excellent visuals and

mainstream audience in a

Truth. Nothing watered

JON FOREMAN:

authenticity. His art and

way we haven’t seen before.

down to protect the

you’re talking about is a

Christian world. Films

death of capital, right? A

that will make some of

financial death? Which

a faith-based initiative.

us uncomfortable while

isn’t really that sad. Money

People make films because

portraying the Word of

comes and goes, and can’t

hard. Countless movies

they believe it’s going to be

God. Films that meet the

be a means unto itself.

do this successfully. Harry

worth it; it’s going to give

lost right where they are,

Potter—it shows how Harry

them a sense of artistic

not where we want the

is my faith and not a

struggles with his own

satisfaction. Or it’s going

“perfect” Christian to be.

genre to be sold, then it

“evil,” Lady Bird, PEN15 (not

to make them money. Or

We cannot be concerned

lives on in many, many

a movie, a TV show), Silence,

maybe it’s going to get them

about offending anyone

beautiful ways. Many of

Arrival, About Time, Easy.

invited to sit at the cool

with God’s truth, we need to

my “contemporaries” are

kids’ table.

be concerned about doing

making truly heartfelt,

the task at hand that He has

aching, reaching songs that

called us to do.

I would argue are every

film production is the best example right now.

LISA GUNGOR:

JON FOREMAN:

Oh, that’s

DO YOU THINK HOLLYWOOD

A film is

Who can know why we

This “death”

But if “Christian”

WILL CHANGE IN THE

do what we do? The heart

COMING YEARS TO BETTER

of man is deceitfully wicked

ACCOMMODATE FAITH-

above all things. But again

JERON SMITH:

CENTRIC AUDIENCES?

... This is America we’re

with Natalie, authenticity

talking about: It’s money

and honesty is my hope. I

FLEURIE:

that makes the monkey

think you can still create

is necessarily attracting

I believe they are doing so

dance. In a capitalistic

a powerful and feel-good

people under the age of,

now. Hollywood is starving

society, people live out their

faith-based film that is not

let’s say, 30—you know,

for truth. Hollywood is

faith with what they deem

unchallenging—we should

people who didn’t grow

searching for it. It is our job

worthy of purchase. The

be acknowledging truth

up in its peak. The sound

to feed it to them in a way

films that make money get

and exploring the duality

hasn’t necessarily evolved

that they can digest it.

made again.

of faith.

much, whereas the sound

NATALIE MANUEL LEE:

Yes.

bit as alive as any genre I agree

present or past.

I don’t think CCM

of—and I’m being careful JERON SMITH:

JULY-AUG

Yes.

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN:

Not

FERN MIRANDA:

More

with what I say because

Hollywood responds to the

to be a cynic, but I think

biopics based on true stories

so many people I love are

box office and as faith-based

Hollywood will follow

of our favorite stars and

in that genre—but these

films continue to command

the money. So if they feel

heroes and their testimonies.

bands have found a sound

the support, the more

like there’s a way to make

That would be huge.

that connects with their

these films will continue

movies that believers want

to be made. I also think

to see, they will continue.

IS “CONTEMPORARY

bands haven’t necessarily

we’re starting to see a bit

However, I think much

CHRISTIAN MUSIC” DEAD?

ever evolved that sound.

of a trend of faith-centric

of what it means to be

films appealing to a more

a “believer” often runs

audience and a lot of these

DEREK MINOR:

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It’s not dead.

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN:

As I

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STORIES

CHRISTIAN MOVIES BECOME A THING IT WAS MEL GIBSON’S FAULT. When Passion of the

Christ smashed box office records in 2004, it ushered in a resurgence of the Christian-movie subgenre, and this time, it looks like faith flicks are here to stay.

While many might associate Passion with Biblical epics like Ben-Hur and Ten Commandments, it made way for more preachier, faith-forward fare. These movies emerged on a spectrum of messaging, from the warmhearted Fireproof to the hot-blooded God’s Not Dead. And thanks to Christian audiences’ surprisingly voracious appetite for movies marketed just to them, Christian filmmaking is a legitimate component of Hollywood.

IMAGINE

THIS

When a movie based on a song makes $83 million and lands in the top three on opening weekend, it means

PASSION

CULTURE

anything can become a movie.

HITS

With a $370 million domestic take, Passion of the Christ is still the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time. Its combination of historical emphasis, overt spirituality and lack of compromise changed the industry forever.

NARNIA

REIGNS

Maybe they’re not exactly faith

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movies, but the three Narnia movies between 2005 and 2010 each made over $100 million.

GOD’S

NOT

DEAD

The movie’s aggressive messaging helped make it the highest-grossing indie film of 2014, establishing Pure Flix as a major voice in the faith-film space.

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THE MOST WANTED MAN IN CHINA | GROUPLOVE | PRISCILL A SHIRER | IS EDUCATION FIX ABLE?

GUNGOR N.T. WRIGHT 5 FILMMAKERS CHANGING HOLLY WOOD ANDY STANLEY

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FAITH, CULTURE & INTENTIONAL LIVING

JENNIFER LAWRENCE

FOREST WHITAKER

THE BIGGEST ROLE OF HIS CAREER ISN’T WHAT YOU THINK

LOUIE GIGLIO

SITTING DOWN WITH THE ‘HUNGER GAMES’ STAR

THE PURPOSE BEHIND HIS PASSION

the next generation’s music.

Once you go through the

in general. I think most

The next generation has to

infrastructure of Christian

people in the past who

music, you’re marked for life

signed to a Christian record

for better or worse.

label were—whether they

MALCOLM get their chance to say what GLADWELL CCM is. No matter what,

ON FINDING FAITH

it’s a natural progression.

were told this or they

Eventually batons will be

JON FOREMAN:

passed, and gatekeepers

will set you free. We all

this or whatever— focused

will be replaced with

want that. We see someone

on creating music that

others who will know how

saying it like it is and we

would inspire people to

said with film, Christian

to communicate with this

want to hear more.

faith. Their mission wasn’t

audiences will often rally

generation and easily cater

around values and ideas

to their wants and needs

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN:

may have told their story

above the work itself. This

because it will be us. Who

First of all, the music is

at moments, but personal

doesn’t mean that the

knows us better than us?

great, and Chance is super

creative expression wasn’t

music or film isn’t good.

It’ll be so beautiful when

likable. More importantly,

king. It was secondary. It

That’s really not for me

CCM starts playing this

Chance is “believable.”

wasn’t, I just have a song

to say. But it means that

generation’s music, and

Not sure how to quantify

burning in my heart and I’m

people consume it for

hip-hop is more accepted

“believability,” but that’s

just going to put it into the

different reasons. The CCM

as a norm. That will be a

the difference in artists

world and see what happens.

audience, more so than

beautiful day.

like Chance and some

I don’t think that artists

other faith-based artists.

like Chance and Kendrick

ISSUE 67 / JAN_FEB 2014 / $4.95

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The truth

instinctively felt called to

11/27/13 4:04 PM

to tell their story. They

others, consume music for the message and meaning.

WHY DO YOU THINK

Personally, I don’t care

are worried about pastoring

Because of this, they get a

FAITH-CENTRIC (YET STILL

about your faith if I don’t

people in any way. I don’t

lot of support from church

MAINSTREAM) ARTISTS LIKE

believe you first. Some call

think they were going into the studio saying, “My mission is for people to see

“I don’t care about your faith if I don’t believe you first.”

–John Mark McMillian

Jesus illuminated and for them to know who He is and for them to believe.”

I think they’re like, Hey, this is my faith and if you resonate with it, that’s awesome. If not, have a great life.

AMENA BROWN:

CHANCE THE RAPPER ARE

this honesty or authenticity.

music, many mainstream

and from places that other

HAVING SO MUCH SUCCESS?

I’m not sure what it is, but

artists incorporated

it’s the foundation for any

their faith into their

decent work, in my opinion.

music whether they were

genres can’t depend on.

This is a huge benefit in a

DEREK MINOR:

day and age where music

dope! What’s made him

can’t be monetized for

popular isn’t his faith. His

FLEURIE:

its own value. So for this

faith is an additive and is

think artists like Chance

so Chance is following a

reason alone, I think CCM

secondary. People tolerate

and Kendrick are singing

long-held tradition in Black

will prevail.

that from him. I think the

about their lives and their

music. I think music that

majority of people don’t care

stories and it’s relating to

incorporates the holistic

about his faith at all. Also,

a lot of people, but I think

human experience becomes

think it’s dead. It’s just

his path never went through

it’s a different mindset and

successful because it

naturally transitioning into

Christian infrastructure.

motive behind creating

resonates with people’s

FERN MIRANDA:

JULY-AUG

In Black

organizations, donors, etc.

I don’t

Chance is

Christian, Muslim, Five

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I don’t know. I

Percenter or other religions,

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Ira Glass’ This American Life was a podcast back before there was really a word for it.

THE

DEFINING

STORIES

PODCASTS SOUND OFF

OUR FLAGSHIP SHOW NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION, but the podcast

SERIAL

HOMECOMING

REVISIONIST HISTORY

THE JOE ROGAN EXPERIENCE

NPR’s examination of Adnan

The most successful fiction-

Sometimes it’s good everyone

Some hosts are less productive.

Syed’s murder charges became

al podcast to date felt like a

has a podcast. Experts like Mal-

The Joe Rogan Experience cov-

a global obsession. None of its

classed-up audiobook and be-

colm Gladwell are more acces-

ers fringe beliefs and conspira-

successors have surpassed it.

came a terrific TV series.

sible than ever before.

cies, not always responsibly.

065

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movement as a whole has made impacts both seen and unseen since opinionated minds first sat behind microphones and released their thoughts onto the internet.

The podcast world was a Wild West until the hyper-produced, meticulously researched Serial brought urgency and import to the form. From there, we saw not just a true-crime boom, but a dearth of long-form imitators, an influx of deep-divers and a new show to meet every niche interest, from Gilmore Girls to pizza to the ways we rewrite history. Podcasts enrich us, even if in the digital age they’re another way we stay plugged in.

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humanity and is able to

hop in CCM and don’t make

address the holy, the sensual

authentic music usually are

and the mundane without

rejected and become jaded

compartmentalizing them.

by that base. It’s just a niche

People want to see their

market.

humanity reflected in music: faith, love, sex, heartbreak,

JON FOREMAN:

spirituality, grief, doubt,

your story. Live out the self-

Be honest. Tell

happiness, questions.

sacrificial love of The Friend, Your Maker, Your Savior.

LISA GUNGOR:

His music is

Spend time seeking the

honest, vulnerable, he is a

Kingdom of Heaven rather

likable person, his lyrics are

than chasing after the fool’s

funny, it’s a fresh sound. As

gold of any finite game.

far as him having success in the faith-based world goes:

IS THE ERA OF

Christians like it when people

“PEAK TV” DEAD?

from the “outside” speak about God.

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN:

When we see someone

no idea. But I will say that

I have

speaking faith language in

my kids don’t know what a

mainstream music, we like

commercial is.

claiming them as our own, we

DEFINING

STORIES

THE RISE OF CELEBRITY CHRISTIANS & CELEBRITY PA S T O R S

like seeing the “light in the

JONATHAN BOCK:

darkness,” it strikes a chord.

seen “Peak TV” yet. Just wait.

We’ve not

It validates our beliefs. Also,

There are still another dozen

some faith-based circles just

TV platforms getting ready

really want Jesus to feel cool,

to launch. And until some

EVER SINCE CONSTANTINE SLAPPED A

so Chance does that for them.

of those platforms implode,

cross on his soldiers’ shields and called it a Christian army, Christians have been able to find some representation among their culture’s rich and powerful. Sometimes, this has worked out well, such as when President Obama led a packed-out crowd in a lovely, rowsing rendition of “Amazing Grace” at a funeral for one of the Emanuel 9 in Charleston. Other times ... well, let’s focus on the positives. Today, it’s not just the celebrities who are vocal about their faith that make headlines; Their pastors end up in the news, too. “Celebrity pastors” at big churches in influential cities draw scrutiny for their WASPy social circles, soft spirituality and, yes, sneaker collections that cost more than your laptop. But some of these “hypepriests” are also making headlines for their bold stands, tireless justice work and advocacy. Not everyone is called to be a celebrity. But some celebrities are definitely called.

every one of them will need WHAT LESSONS CAN

more content, not less.

CHRISTIANS IN OTHER CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

FERN MIRANDA:

LEARN FROM HOW

favorite internet producers

NATURALLY CHRISTIANS IN

said that YouTube is gearing

THE MUSIC INDUSTRY HAVE

up to be Gen Z’s TV. That

INCORPORATED THEIR FAITH

means all the content creators

INTO THEIR WORK?

that don’t fit within their

One of my

guidelines will no longer DEREK MINOR:

Good

be allowed on the platform.

question. Going back to God’s

2020 marks the year when

Not Dead and Christian films,

Gen Z will represent a large

I think many Christians in the

portion of the world’s buying

Christian space are naturally

populous. So basically, if

doing what others in

content creators are not

mainstream spaces are doing.

also creating their own

The music or thoughts that

platforms, they will die with

many of the most popular

the commercialization of

artists make in CCM is true to

the internet.

who they are. The guys that

JULY-AUG

THE

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BEYONCE Bow down, but never

figuring out how to utilize Pratt’s uncanny comedic timing to far more intriguing

forget that Beyonce has

effect in later seasons, Pratt himself was figuring himself out. Doubling down on

always been open about

his religious beliefs caused no small uproar for his public brand and was rumored

her own faith, Illuminati

to be part of the reason

rumors be hanged.

his longtime marriage to Anna Faris ended. These days, Pratt is leading a

THE ERA PROVED JUST WHAT AN ODD FIT FAITH IS FOR THE SPOTLIGHT.

JUDAH

few different billion-dollar

SMITH

franchises but he’s stayed refreshingly candid about

There are lots of “celebrity

his faith journey too.

pastors” but Smith, pastor of Churchome in Seattle, feels most representative of the whole.

SELENA

GOMEZ

KIM

AND

KANYE

Gomez has been in the

On the one hand, they’re avatars of opulance. On the

spotlight for most of her

other, the two attend and even host famously lovely

life, which explains her

worship services, and Kim has started leveraging her

natural dexterity in talking

fame for justice in the prison system. Their spiritual journey

about her faith publicly.

has been a wild one to witness.

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At first, he was just the goofy guy in Parks & Rec, but even as the show started

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WHAT TV SHOW FROM

otherwise. I love this show!

would actually urge people

THE LAST 10 YEARS HAS

Catfish is worth a study in

to consume content that

BEYOND SHOWS ABOUT THE

ENGAGED FAITH IN THE

its correlations to how and

might be outside of their

ACTUAL BIBLE, HOW CAN

MOST INTERESTING WAY?

why we “believe.” Thanks

typical comfort zone—

CHRISTIAN ARTISTS AND

for coming to my TED talk.

sometimes it can open eyes

FILMMAKERS PRODUCE

to other realities. Stories

CONTENT THAT WILL

can help us to understand

CONNECT WITH TV VIEWERS

ourselves and each other

IN THE FUTURE?

AMENA BROWN:

Greenleaf

engaged a lot of church

LISA GUNGOR:

and faith nuances, and

The Office.

Crashing.

particularly Black Church

better and help to find

and faith nuances, in an

HOW CAN PEOPLE NAVIGATE

interesting way. I also

THE OVERWHELMING

thought Mary Mary’s reality

NUMBER OF OPTIONS FOR

JON FOREMAN:

show engaged faith in some

TELEVISION?

not a hater. I’m sure there’s

interesting ways as well.

In certain ways, the series

JULY-AUG

JERON SMITH:

There’s a lot

commonality with others.

JON FOREMAN:

Tell the

truth! Self-sacrificial love is Not sure. I’m

the story again and again.

a lot of great stuff to watch,

LISA GUNGOR:

I just find so many other

big. People are tired of one

Inclusion is

things to love!

kind of person filling the

Catfish engaged the ability

of clutter out there but also

to want to believe and have

a lot of quality storytelling

faith in someone even when

that is educational,

Take a walk! Pray! Spend

show the complexity of the

the odds were telling us

inspiring and time-worthy. I

time with your family!)

human condition.

(Turn it off and meditate!

068

screen. Nuanced characters

2019

I S

THE

DEFINING

GAME

STORIES

OF

S

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THRONES

The most popular show of the past decade ultimately cared more about

TV HAS ITS GOLDEN ERA

its own popularity than it did about meditations on power.

BREAKING

BAD

Breaking Bad was, at times, a black comedy, at other times a nail-biting

THE AUGHTS MADE TV BETTER THAN EVER, but when the

thriller, but in the final analysis, it was

ensuing decade saw the number of platforms multiply and the amount of star power crank up, we went from prestige TV to peak TV. Everyone used to know what to watch. Now, everyone watches different things, and it’s all great.

The bloated landscape also means TV shows can focus on things other than entertainment without losing viewers. Niche audiences want shows that engage with ideas and social issues, and that means quality has risen with quantity.

one big, gobsmacking tragedy.

THE

GOOD

PLACE

One of the most surprising products of TV’s “anything goes” ethos, few shows are more curious about the meaning of life than Mike Schur’s comedy.

MAD LOST

MEN

People came for the suits, the glamor and, well, the sin. They stayed to see

Known most for its polarizing ending, Lost’s true legacy lies

how the wages of those sins unfurrled

in its honest engagement with themes of spiritual fate and

in riveting, masterful fashion.

cosmic purpose. It expanded the popular notion of what kind of themes a TV show was allowed to explore.

THE

WIRE

David Simon’s Baltimore epic compelled viewers to think critically

STARS | joAnnA newSom | gungoR | The Civil wARS | ARCAde fiRe

about criminal justice, public education and law enforcement.

47

is facebook killing your soul? p. 72

Black reBel motorcycle cluB p. 44

the guiding ethic of john c. Reilly p. 70

is the oil spill really Bp’s fault? p. 48

more people would change

NATALIE MANUEL LEE:

THEY STRIVE TO TELL

the way we consume.

Creating truthful content

THE TRUTH?

that is inclusive to all. I agree with Jonathan, we

FLEURIE:

provided us the model to

need to start to see the Bible

thing is just quiet the noise

deliver the message of God

as a conversation-starter,

and get away with God.

and salvation by speaking

not a conversation-ender.

Not just to ask What’s my

in parable and metaphor.

We don’t need to create

calling? Learn how to be

Up until now, we’ve tended

fantasy content of what

in solitude. Turn off your

to use faith as a sledge-

“should be,” we need to

phone. Turn off all the

goes, we need TV that urges

hammer. We have to be wise

create content of what is

screens. Learn how to be

us to take care of this planet

as serpents! To paraphrase

now and then what should

intimate with God in a way

or TV will be the very least

Rachel Held Evans, we need

be. And what should be is

that you’re quiet enough,

of our concerns. Many

to start to see the Bible

the Word. Let that be [what]

that He can share with you

faith-based circles still

as a conversation-starter,

defines our time.

His heart and what He’s

don’t believe our climate

not a conversation-ender.

is changing. If there was

That holds double true for

WHAT DOES THE NEXT

what He wants to use you

content showing the changes

entertainment audiences.

GENERATION OF ARTISTS

for. And also just so that He

NEED TO KEEP IN MIND AS

can fill you.

now prIntEd on rEcyclEd papEr

JONATHAN BOCK: 10

7

25274 63696

9

(Yes, Kyle Chandler’s Friday Night Lights is one of them)

ISSUE 47 | SEpt_oct 2010 | $4.95

And as far as the future

in a creative way, maybe

Jesus

I think the first

seeing in the world and

069

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AS THE WORLD HAS GOTTEN MORE CONNECTED, WE’VE BECOME MORE AWARE OF GLOBAL SUFFERING AND JOINED THE FIGHT TO END IT.

Even as “SJW” has been wielded like an insult, the term itself is useful. The people who find ways to fight for justice in the social sphere have become heroes around the world—not just to those they’re helping, but to those of us who see them in action and are inspired by their stories and their courage. RELEVANT gathered a few such “social justice warriors” to get their thoughts on the last few years of global justice, and how things need to change in the future.

JULY-AUG

OVER THE LAST 15

this table play a role

than laws must be

RON SIDER:

YEARS, WHAT HAVE

that has transformed

changed. It’s not

are some indications

YOU SEEN AS THE

millions of lives. What

either/or—it’s both:

of increased

BIGGEST CHANGE IN

a difference 15 years

Both hearts and laws

concern: frequent

HOW THE CHURCH

can make!

must change in order

justice conferences;

for us to have a more

wonderful growth

just society. And the

of groups like

Church has a role to

International

play in both.

Justice Mission;

HAS ADDRESSED JUSTICE ISSUES?

KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR:

Becoming

There

JEREMY COURTNEY:

a pro-life activist

Now, we care. At

awakened my heart

least, more of us do.

and mind to the

GARY HAUGEN:

adoption by the

Fifteen years ago, a

prophetic role of the

There was a time

National Association

huge proportion—

Church in the culture.

when justice work

of Evangelicals of

especially those of

What has changed

was viewed as a

their public policy

us in the majority—

in the last 15 years is

distraction from

document, “For the

didn’t. Today,

that it seems many in

the “real” Gospel,

Health of the Nation.”

churches are leading

the Church—in the

as something that

It affirms a broad,

the way, in many

face of other issues—

was political and

biblically balanced

cases, in giving their

claim now that this

secular, as an extra

agenda including;

time and money and

prophetic, world-

credit option or as

abortion, marriage,

platform to educating

changing role is not

a pet issue of a few.

religious freedom,

and empowering

what the Church is

Now, the Church has

economic and racial

others. It’s an

about. In the past 15

rediscovered justice

justice, peacemaking,

indivisible part of

years, the cry of the

as a core passion

and the environment.

how we understand

Church that laws must

of God and His

But in spite of

“mission” now. That

be just and justice

calling to us to be His

that, 81% of white

wasn’t the case for

must be pursued

hands and feet in the

evangelicals voted

a lot of us 15 years

has sadly quieted in

world actually doing

for a presidential

ago and RELEVANT

some corners. They

the work.

candidate that long-

helped those of us at

say hearts rather

072

the unanimous

time Republican

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education accessible to women and children who had to spend time retrieving water for their families.

JUSTICE

Wells make

D

T H E

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S H A P E D

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G E N E R A T I O N

evangelicals (e.g., President

is that today—after Trayvon

authoritarian leaders across

United States, I believe that

Bush’s speechwriter,

Martin, Michael Brown,

the globe and his continued

justice cannot be cast aside

Michael Gerson, and

John Crawford, Tamir Rice,

support from white

as a side issue but is really a

Southern Baptist leader,

Sandra Bland, Ferguson,

evangelicals—after all of

core part of the Gospel.

Russell Moore) said was

Baltimore, Charlottesville,

this, the evangelical church

“We must move from charity to justice.”

WHAT ARE SOME WAYS

with the question of race and

THE CHURCH AS A WHOLE

gender hierarchy impacts its

CAN BETTER ADDRESS THE

witness in the world.

NEEDS OF THE WORLD’S MOST VULNERABLE

JENNY YANG:

Fifteen years

PEOPLE?

ago when I started working

–Jenny Yang

on immigration issues,

BRITTANY PACKNETT:

the white evangelical

can begin by recognizing

We

church was hesitant to get

that there is only one

engaged too deeply, but

Savior—and none of us

since then, we have seen

are Him. Our superiority

racist, sexist, dishonest

Donald Trump’s boast

pastors preaching about

and savior complexes do

and unfit to be president.

that he grabs women’s

immigration from the pulpit

nothing to end injustice—

It is discouraging that the

genitalia, the unwavering

and churches developing

only our solidarity does.

vast majority of white

evangelical base of support

immigrant legal services.

Solidarity requires two

evangelicals failed to

that led to the election

Having relationships with

critical shifts:

follow the agenda of the

of Donald Trump, the

people [who are] affected as

First, that we are led by

NAE’s official public policy

Muslim ban, brown babies

well as developing a biblical

those who are most affected

document.

in cages, the nomination

worldview with a deepened

by an injustice. We do not

and confirmation of Brett

theology about tough issues

get to dictate the mode or

Kavanaugh despite his

can be transformative in a

the medium of freedom for

most significant change

likely sexual abuse of

person’s justice journey. As

others—we can only follow

in how the Church has

women, Trump’s support

the Church becomes more

the lead of the vision they

addressed issues of justice

of white nationalists’

diverse globally and in the

set for themselves, asking

LISA SHARON HARPER:

THE

understands that how it deals

JUSTICE

The

PANEL

JEREMY COURTNEY

SHANE CLAIBORNE

BRITTANY PACKNETT

JENNY YANG

LISA SHARON HARPER

FOUNDER OF PREEMPTIVE

AUTHOR OF IRRESISTIBLE

ACTIVIST AND CO-FOUNDER

SENIOR VP OF POLICY

SOJOURNERS’ SENIOR

LOVE COALITION

REVOLUTION

OF CAMPAIGN ZERO

AT WORLD RELIEF

DIRECTOR OF MOBILIZING

RON SIDER

KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR

GARY HAUGEN

KRISTIN WRIGHT

KYLE MEYAARD-SCHAAP

FOUNDER OF

AUTHOR, PROFESSOR AND

FOUNDER OF

DIRECTOR OF

SPOKESPERSON

EVANGELICALS FOR

PRO-LIFE ACTIVIST

INTERNATIONAL

ADVOCACY AT OPEN

AND ORGANIZER

JUSTICE MISSION

DOORS USA

FOR Y.E.C.A.

SOCIAL ACTION

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With TOMS Shoes, Blake Mycoskie showed how justice can be a core element of a business model.

THE

DEFINING

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SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURISM M A K E S I M PA C T S U S TA I N A B L E WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF YOU COULD combine

culture’s love of consumerism and young generations’ passion for supporting causes that are making an impact? The answer is the modern phenomenon of social entrepreneurism. Thanks to buy-one-give-one companies like TOMS and Warby Parker (which give to those in need for every product sold) and brands like KNOWN SUPPLY and Sseko Designs that support communities in the developing world, even major brands have made supporting causes a part of their business models.

TOMS

SHOES

In 2006, Blake Mycoskie came up with a novel concept: Buy a pair, give a pair. It’s hard to explain just how revolutionary the idea seemed then.

WARBY

PARKER

For every pair of glasses sold by the eyewear brand, communities in the developing world receive optometry services and even glasses.

7

Specializing in uniquely-flavored

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snacks and gum, Project 7 supports

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organizations making a difference in seven strategic impact areas.

075

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PROJECT

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INDIE NONPROFITS S TA R T MOVEMENTS WHEN YOUNG NIGHT CLUB PROMOTER Scott

Harrison decided he wanted to leave the world of nightlife and make a difference in the real world, he decided to do something radical and use his entrepreneurial skills for good. After a season of volunteering, he went on to found charity: water, an organization that has provided water to millions. Since 2006, stories like Scott’s have become commonplace, with young activists going beyond just using their personal platforms to help others, but putting their skills to work, launching whole indie nonprofit organizations, committed to making a difference.

CHARITY:

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WATER

Scott Harrison’s unique business model and entrepreneurial savvy made charity: water the model to beat.

ONE

CAMPAIGN

The nonprofit has mobilized celebrities, religious figures and political leaders against poverty and preventable diseases.

INVISIBLE

CHILDREN

Before Invisible Children’s YouTube documentary about Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony, people didn’t know just how viral a video like this could go. It garnered millions of views overnight. However, capturing a warlord in a region rife with geopolitical tension proved more difficult than the video led on. Today, Kony remains on the run.

A21 Founded by evangelist Christine Caine and her husband Nick, A21 works to free women and girls from trafficking and sex slavery.

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permission to be useful

cities, even our own

they will do to us that

in the movement and

neighborhoods), we

is most dangerous. I’m

spending our privilege

learn firsthand the

more afraid of what

to achieve the win.

needs of the world’s

we do to others when

most vulnerable—

we, the people with

love beyond charity.

and we have the

the money and power,

Charity is food and

opportunity to respond

traipse through refugee

has its place—people

both as a friend and

camps or slums in the

need to be fed, housed

as a neighbor. Pope

name of doing good. We

and fueled in the here

Francis recently

do great harm when

and now. But charity

discussed not just the

we try to live out our

is only concerned

“why” of giving to

values “over there” in

with feeding 500

the poor but also the

a way that is totally at

people on a single day;

“how.” In an interview

odds with how we live

solidarity is concerned

with Scarp de’ Tenis,

at home.

with replacing the

translated as “Tennis

systems that leave 500

Shoes,” a monthly

KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR:

people hungry in the

publication with a

Our perspectives

first place. Solidarity

focus on the poor and

as Christians need

is concerned with

marginalized, the pope

to be more global,

recognizing the power

said the way a gift is

more historical, more

inherent in those who

given is as important

holistic and more

are marginalized, and

as the gift itself. He

biblical. It can begin

supporting them in

challenged readers to

simply by listening

exercising it to achieve

give to the person who

to the vulnerable.

justice and liberation.

asks—and when we

It’s ironic for anyone

give, to touch the hands

who declares belief in

than solidarity is a

of that individual and

absolute, objective truth

paternalistic exercise

look with kindness into

to rely so heavily on

to save people who

their eyes. In other

their own individual,

don’t need saving—

words, this act of giving

subjective experience

they simply deserve

isn’t simply about the

in assessing the needs

our support.

gift—it’s about restoring

of our culture.

Second is that we

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something precious that is too often lost in

LISA SHARON HARPER:

order to address the

the midst of poverty

When we shift from

needs of the world’s

and vulnerability:

a view of the Church

most vulnerable, one

human dignity.

that is fundamentally

KRISTIN WRIGHT:

In

practical step we can

located in the affluent JEREMY COURTNEY:

is to intentionally

need to live it out in our

westerners to the

expose ourselves to the

own neighborhoods. It

reality of the Church

realities of injustice

is dangerous to bop into

that it is fundamentally

and poverty. By being

some poor countries

located in the Southern

present in some of

or places like Iraq and

Hemisphere in the

the darkest, most

Syria in the middle of

brown and black hands

difficult places in the

war—but not for the

of the oppressed, then

world (often these

reasons that first come

our presupposition

places are in our own

to mind. It’s not what

about who is vulnerable

077

We

hands of white

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each take in our lives

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would change. We would

place to fish and being able to fish

like this cultivates

understand it is the Church, itself,

in clean, unpolluted water as an

mutual influence

that is the most vulnerable—not

example. We must alter systems

by which we can

people to be saved by the Church.

and structures that often impact

all learn and grow

poor people disproportionately,

with one another.

SHANE CLAIBORNE:

Often

our biggest problem is not a

that goes beyond meeting that person’s physical needs.

RON SIDER:

compassion problem, but a

If

every person ABORTION REMAINS AN IMPORTANT

is made in the

we don’t care about the poor,

ISSUE FOR MANY CHRISTIANS. HOW

image of God

it’s that we don’t know the poor.

DO YOU HOPE CHRISTIANS WILL

and is immeasurably precious,

We are good at talking about

EXPAND THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF

then respect for the sanctity of

people but not as good at talking

WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PRO-LIFE IN

human life dare not start and end

to them or with them. It’s true

THE FUTURE?

with abortion and euthanasia

on almost every social issue, we

(although we must work to reduce SCHAAP:

As people

both). Millions dying of starvation and diseases we know how to

“It’s not that we don’t

made in the image

prevent is a pro-life issue. So is

of a life-creating

millions dying prematurely of

care about the poor...

God and followers

tobacco smoke. Black Lives Matter

of a Savior who

has called our attention to the

proclaimed that

terrible fact that many African-

He came to give

Americans get killed by the police

abundant life, it is

without any justification. That,

right for Christians

too, is a pro-life issue.

We don’t know the poor.” –Shane Claiborne

66

KYLE MEYAARD-

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proximity problem. It’s not that

to be concerned about abortion.

HOW CAN CHRISTIANS MOST

Somehow, though,

EFFECTIVELY ADDRESS THE ISSUE

a large portion of

OF ABORTION?

the Church came talk about people we don’t know

to believe that a commitment

LISA SHARON HARPER:

—immigrants, Muslims, exploited

to protecting life means being

has shown the way to decrease

workers … if we truly care about

concerned only about abortion,

abortions is through poverty

the issues of social justice, then the

rather than all other injustices

alleviation. According to a 2014

issues have names and faces.

that diminish and destroy life like

report of the U.S. Conference

the death penalty, euthanasia,

of Catholic Bishops economic

poverty, climate change, lack

hardship was a prime driver of

from charity to justice. Charity

of affordable healthcare, mass

abortion rates in their 2005 study:

can meet someone’s immediate

incarceration, police brutality,

“73% of women undergoing an

needs but justice is about power.

a broken and inhumane

abortion said not being able to

Giving money is important and

immigration system and more.

afford a baby now was a reason

JENNY YANG:

We must move

is needed as a part of charity, but

JULY-AUG

Research

for the abortion. That number

giving is often done out of our own

KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR:

Tackling

convenience and comfort, without

something as pervasive as abortion

federal poverty line. And while the

it actually impacting how we live

requires a “big tent” approach

abortion rate for American women

out our lives in relationship to

that encourages many joining

declined by 8% between 2000

others. It’s not just about teaching

together in common cause despite

and 2008, among poor American

someone how to fish, but making

disagreements on other issues. At

women it increased by 18%.”

sure that person has access to a

the same time, working together

Overturning Roe would not

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#METOO EMPOWERS ABUSE SURVIVORS ALYSSA

EVERYONE KNEW HARVEY WEINSTEIN WAS BAD NEWS. The rumors had spread far beyond

Hollywood and even into the consciousness of the casual celebrity gossip circles. But there wasn’t much anyone could do about it. Weinstein’s power was immense—his role in the film industry nigh invincible, until a few brave women chose to hold hands and jump.

Few could have predicted the ripple effect, which overturned power structures far, far beyond Hollywood. The wave of #MeToo reached the political sphere, the newspaper industry, the celebrity food scene and, yes, even the church world—which saw some of its most prominent leaders under the spotlight of women who were suddenly, finally, being taken seriously.

MILANO

Few actors were more vocal, and harder to ignore in their condemnation of Hollywood misogyny than Milano, who’d been talking about it for years.

#CHURCHTOO In the wake of #MeToo, Emily Joy and Hannah Paasch started a churchcentric hashtag as a space for women to share their own stories.

KESHA After a trial in which Kesha sought release from her contract over allegations of abuse, she released “Praying” as an ode to the movement.

#MeToo was the rare social media movement that took on a life far beyond the digital space.

JUSTICE

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BLACK LIVES M AT T E R MOBILIZES A MOMENT FOR SOME, IT STARTED WITH TRAYVON MARTIN, who was shot and killed by

George Zimmerman. For others, it was Sandra Bland, who was found dead in her jail cell. For still others, it was 12-year-old Tamir Rice, shot dead by police while holding a toy gun. For many, it was the protests in Ferguson that resulted from the death of Michael Brown. In all these cases, no one was held accountable for the deaths of young, black, unarmed men and women, whose awful deaths led to a national wakeup call about the ongoing racism lingering in U.S. institutions. There have been more names, and there will still be more, but no one can say they don’t know about it. They never truly could.

FERGUSON In 2014, Ferguson became the beating heart of the Black Lives Matter movement, as grief and rage boiled over following Michael Brown’s death.

TRAYVON

MARTIN

Martin’s death was an eye-opening moment for the U.S., not the first and certainly not the last, but a headline that anticipated a movement.

CHARLOTTESVILLE A group of white supremacists responded to the perceived threat of growing racial diversity with a nationalist march in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Colin Kaepernick ignited a movement by protesting police brutality on his knees.

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GUNGOR | SCOTT AVETT | OF MONSTERS AND MEN | REVIVAL IN EUROPE | THE NEW ADULTHOOD

REL EVANTMAGAZINE.COM

2012 NE W MUSIC GUIDE ILLEG AL IMMIGR ATION:

A CHRISTIAN RESPONSE

JASON SEGEL

created this fragmentation

the necessary steps to

are also the ones that have

prevent likely disaster

JENNY YANG:

helped bring about rapid,

for our children and

believe an unwillingness

dramatic changes for

grandchildren.

to engage in political

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

example, the #MeToo and

THE LEGENDARY GROUP ON GOD, FALLON AND WH Y HIP-HOP IS AN IMPORTANT VOICE FOR JUS TICE

ISSUE 56 / MAR_APR 2012 / $4.95

I also

issues for fear of being

#ChurchToo movements

LISA SHARON HARPER:

seen as too partisan or

that were fueled by

How does it change how

connected to power is a

social media and online

we understand Jesus

hindrance for churches

communities.

Himself to understand that

engaging in justice. It

Rome explicitly believed

swings both ways, where

in the supremacy of

power can indeed corrupt

GARY HAUGEN:

A major

end abortion. It would

barrier is the way

Western culture and white

and distort our view of

ISSUE

only send the decision

Christians get thrown

able-bodied men. In this

the world, but choosing

back to states. States most

back and forth between a

political construct, Jesus

not to engage at all in

likely to outlaw abortion

paralyzing obliviousness

was physically brown

systems and structures that

56

already have the lowest

and a paralyzing despair.

and politically Black. Yet,

determine how our society

populations and lowest

Our busy, distracted lives

the locus of evangelical

is ordered means we are

abortion rates. States less

can leave us knowing next

church authority to define

often not addressing the

likely to outlaw abortion

to nothing about a major

orthodoxy is centered in

root causes of what causes

have highest populations

justice issue like modern

the social location of the

poverty, vulnerability and

with corresponding high

slavery. Then suddenly,

empire—within the abled

violence in our world.

abortion rates. Abortion

we catch a graphic media

bodies of white men.

Choosing to be apolitical

follows poverty. To

exposé on the issue, we

diminish abortion, we must

feel overwhelmed and

KRISTIN WRIGHT:

diminish poverty.

despairing—and we do

is everywhere in the

do not have. We have to

not know where to plug

world, and paralysis can

engage politically without

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS

in to make a tangible,

certainly arise from being

becoming partisan and be

HINDERING THE CHURCH

meaningful individual

overwhelmed by the

willing to work with people

FROM EFFECTIVELY

contribution.

magnitude of the problems

across the political aisle to

we see. I know that feeling!

accomplish common goals

That paralysis can make

for the common good.

is a privilege that some of

ADDRESSING MAJOR JUSTICE CONCERNS?

RON SIDER:

The ghastly

Injustice

(sinful) failure of many

us feel like walking away

the most broken people

white Christians (especially

forever ... instead of

WHAT’S A JUSTICE

white evangelicals) to

staying, standing alongside,

ISSUE THAT CHRISTIANS

one that is fragmented

know, listen to, live with

speaking out.

SHOULD BE MORE

and atomized. It’s

and go to church with

But when we stop staring

CONCERNED ABOUT IN

therefore easy for us to

black Christians means

at the size of the problem,

THE COMING YEARS?

be momentarily outraged

that white Christians

and instead look—-as

by cases that flit across

do not understand and

Pope Francis mentioned

LISA SHARON HARPER:

our screens but lack the

work to end ongoing

in his guidance on giving

For things to be made

framework required

racism in our country. The

to the poor—into the eyes

well, two things must

to understand isolated

intellectual dishonesty that

of the person directly in

happen: We must reconcile

situations within their

enables many Christians

front of us, the work of

America’s competing

broader, systemic contexts.

to deny the science about

justice becomes more

narratives and we must

This leaves us feeling

human-induced global

about the action we take

repair what race broke in

overwhelmed and helpless

warming both undermines

in the moment, wherever

the world. Truth-telling

to make meaningful

respect for Christians

we are, and less about the

and reparation are both

change. But the same

and contributes to our

overwhelming magnitude

biblical concepts. They are

media and technology that

country failing to take

of injustice globally.

not partisan. Reparation

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JUSTICE

KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR:

The modern condition is

T H E

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JoHn MArk McMIll An

DOVES

tHe Hold steAdy

beyond blockbusters our summer movie guide

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god. life. progressive culture.

is fundamentally about

in Matthew 25 that when

what it takes to repair what

we welcome the stranger,

PRIOR:

the hierarchies of human

we’re indeed welcoming

is no longer

belonging have broken in

Jesus Himself. To take His

taking our

the world.

commands seriously, we must

plastics,

do more to create a culture of

landfills are

BRITTANY PACKNETT:

welcome and hospitality, and

reaching

Poverty. If the love of money

fight against the easy tropes,

capacity,

is the root of all evil, we

stereotypes, and denigrations

some cities

know that poverty is the very

of people who are leaving

are no longer

manifestation of evil. Poverty

everything behind to find

recycling, and the thrift

kills, poverty hurts. Poverty

safety elsewhere.

stores are refusing donations.

KAREN SWALLOW

aligns itself with systemic

now prIntEd on rEcyclEd papEr

China

08

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with stuff. Whether out

CHRISTIANS WILL START TO

of necessity or awareness

constant. That is not of God.

SEE CLIMATE CHANGE AS AN

or both, I believe people

ISSUE THAT THEY SHOULD BE

are beginning to see the

CONCERNED WITH?

consequences of our excess.

also have a problem with KYLE MEYAARD-SCHAAP:

begin to embrace a lifestyle of

is one of the demons that

Yes! And they already are,

reducing and reusing, I think

continues to haunt America—

because faithful Christians

we will no longer have the

it goes all the way back to

across the world are wresting

defensive need to be in denial

our foundation. Our country

the conversation away from

about the impact our actions

was built on violence—the

the realm of partisan politics

have on the environment.

slaughter of natives and

and placing it in the realm

Regardless of one’s views

the forced enslavement of

of faithful discipleship.

on climate change, it’s hard

Africans. It’s hard to get our

Climate change is a threat

to deny the mountains of

future right until we get our

to our neighbor’s well-being

garbage we can’t get rid of.

history right.

and to God’s good creation, which means it also presents

HOW CAN CHURCHES

an opportunity for us to

GET MORE INVOLVED IN

migration. More than 60

love God and our neighbors

ISSUES RELATED TO RACIAL

million people in our world

better. Climate action is a

INJUSTICE?

today have been displaced

tangible act of evangelism

by conflict, persecution

because after all, Jesus told

KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR:

and natural disaster. We

us that His message was

need to go out of our way to

are witnessing the greatest

especially good news for the

equip and empower different

migration the world has

poor, the imprisoned and

people: men, women, black,

experienced since World War

the oppressed. Our witness

white, brown, disabled, etc.

II—and issues such as climate

to that good news is only

Sometimes that will require

change and hostile borders

enhanced when we take

us to move over or give up

are only complicating it.

actions that result in things

our seat at the head of the

that are good for the poor,

table in order to make room

the marginalized, and the

for other voices. I had many

His comfort and privilege to

oppressed. And clean air to

men do that for me, as a

enter into our brokenness,

breathe and a sustainable

woman, and I need to do that

we have a responsibility to

future is definitely good news

in turn for others who have

do the same for others. Jesus

for all!

been underrepresented.

JENNY YANG:

If Jesus left all

n.t. WrIGHt

on Living in The in-beTween p. 66

As we face that reality and

violence, and I think that

Forced

REFLECTION ETERNAL

Everywhere we are overrun

make cyclical suffering

KRISTIN WRIGHT:

tAlIb kWelI & HI-tek’s

p. 54

DO YOU THINK MORE

We

9

ISSUE 46 | JUl_aUg 2010 | $4.95

racism and oppression to

SHANE CLAIBORNE:

FuTure oF F o r e s T r Y

Experts now say climate change threatens many

We

major cities in coming years because of sealevel rise.

was a refugee and told us

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THE WORLD WA K E S U P TO C L I M AT E C H A N G E OF THE MANY ISSUES facing

the next generation, few feel more urgent than climate change. The issue itself is twisting like a vice around almost every other issue.

Concerned about disease overseas? The plight will only be worsened by a rapidly warming Earth. Have a heart for refugees? Their numbers will swell exponentially as extreme weather patterns become the norm, driving a scarcity of resources. Or maybe you’re concerned about global poverty? The first victims of climate change will be those

AN

living in poverty. In fact, they already are affected.

Climate change has become a needlessly partisan issue in the U.S., but it doesn’t have to be. The science is well-documented and even the most cynical skeptic must now reckon with photographic evidence of shrinking ice caps and vanishing animal species.

The next generation is taking the reality of climate change for granted—it remains to be seen whether their elected leaders will take their jobs seriously and start funding proposals that can make a difference.

INCONVENIENT

TRUTH

Al Gore’s documentary put real words and stats to a phenomenon that had, up to that point, been poorly understood.

CLIMATE

ACCORD

JUSTICE

PARIS

IPCC

In 2016, the United Nations signed

The Intergovernmental Panel on

a major greenhouse-gas-emissions

Climate Change released a landmark

mitigation, adaptation and finance

report in 2018, highlighting the fast

agreement.

approaching deadline for change.

083

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T H E

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T H A T

S H A P E D

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G E N E R A T I O N

TOM HANKS | THE RISE OF HAIM | BOB GOFF | NEEDTOBREATHE | 7 LIFE-CHANGING QUESTIONS FAITH, CULTURE & INTENTIONAL LIVING

REL E VA N T M AG A ZINE.COM

THE STATE OF MUSIC 2014

THE

DEFINING

FEATURING The Black Keys, Frank Ocean, Propaganda & Grimes

STORIES

G L O B A L V I O L E N C E TA K E S C E N T E R S TA G E WAR. WHAT IS IT GOOD FOR? The

INVASION

OF

IRAQ

ISSUE 68 | MAR_APR 2014 | $4.95

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2/3/14 7:35 PM

In 2003, a U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq and toppled the government of Saddam Hussein, beginning a war that continues to this day and

1SSUE

shows few signs of abating.

#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS

68

answer depends on who you ask, but there never seems to be a shortage of powerful people spoiling for armed conflict, and the last 15 years have seen grisly advances in military technology.

As the United States’ war in Iraq has continued to drag on, the use of drones has come under increasing scrutiny. Estimations on just how many lives the Iraq War has claimed vary widely. Most experts agree the number of civilians killed easily exceeds half a million people, though

the number of deaths that have occurred as an indirect result of the spiraling unease in the Middle East is impossible to determine.

After the second World War, our planet enjoyed a few decades of relative peace, and it’s only the last few years that armed conflict has started to see a small uptick.

Perhaps it just took a few generations to forget how grim and grueling war can actually be. Hopefully this next one will remember and start looking for more peaceful solutions.

BATTLE LINES IN THE HOLY LAND HAVE BEEN DRAWN FOR DECADES. BUT IF THERE’S A REAL PATH TOWARD PEACE, WILL THE CHURCH TAKE ACTION?

As terrorism has become increasingly visible, so have the social media means of fighting back and asking for help.

TRAVEL

BAN

In 2017, the Trump administration ordered a controversial “travel ban” which barred immigrants from Muslim-majority nations.

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programs combating

congregations across

justice and have no interest

reconciliation must start

poverty. And we need to

the U.S. are rejecting the

in a Gospel that doesn’t

small. We can’t expect

understand national and

arbitrary divisions that

embody God’s passion for

to have diversity in our

global economic structures

the Church has built up

that work.

worship services until our

so we can vote in a way

between worshipping Jesus

dinner tables and living

that promotes the right

and pursuing justice, and

RON SIDER:

rooms change. Racial

structural changes.

are doing it with creativity,

Jesus rose from the dead and

courage and joy.

is now King of Kings. And

SHANE CLAIBORNE:

Racial

S

reconciliation must begin in our homes and in our lives.

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

WHAT ARE WAYS THAT THE

INCREASED IN RECENT

always at work through

faithful Christians should

CHURCH CAN ADDRESS

YEARS. WHAT CAN

His people to restore and

be concerned both with

EXTREME POVERTY?

CHRISTIANS DO IN THE

redeem the brokenness of

evangelism and social action.

COMING YEARS TO

the world, and I see young

HELP THOSE WHO FEEL

people especially engaged

LISA SHARON HARPER:

THREATENED?

with a depth and a passion

find hope in the Scripture

The U.S.

learn from the global

God is

D

Christians just assume that

I

that I believe will help

and in the tide of history.

Church about how to

KRISTIN WRIGHT:

them run the marathon

I remember Scripture’s

address poverty. In

Religious persecution is

for justice.

Genesis 1:26 declaration

Rwanda, for example,

widespread and on the

World Relief started

rise against communities

BRITTANY PACKNETT:

us—created in the image

Church Empowerment

all over the world. We can

I’m made hopeful by

of God. In the same breath

Zones (CEZ) to empower

help stop persecution in its

the many voices of new

God declares all humanity is

and equip the Church

tracks by first addressing

groups of leaders. People

created to exercise dominion

to respond to poverty

the prejudice that spawns

like Michelle Higgins and

in the world—to steward the

holistically, moving from

violence. And we will never

Starsky Wilson and Traci

world, to protect the world,

interventions focused

be more successful at this

Blackmon take the ministry

to serve, cultivate and care

on community deficits

than when we honor those

to places others are

for the world.

and professional-client

who are different by giving

unwilling, and invite those

I remember how Jesus’

relationships to a model

our time, our attention,

in who would otherwise be

life affirmed the call of

that empowers the

and our efforts to love and

rejected. They, themselves,

brown colonized people to

community by building

protect them. That starts by

were once those rejected

defy the imposed human

on local assets and

getting to know those who

because they didn’t fit the

hierarchies of empire;

professional community

believe differently, and

archetype of leadership in

woman, slave, Jew.

partnerships. With the

advocating for all those

traditional spaces. But they

I remember Paul’s

building blocks laid and

who face discrimination

are willing to do the work

declaration that these

beliefs and values instilled,

and persecution.

of purpose beyond the

power differentials are

pomp and circumstance. I

obliterated by the cross—

that we are all—all of

technical interventions become rooted in powerful

WHAT GIVES YOU HOPE

like my leaders courageous.

that when we are baptized

scriptural support.

FOR THE FUTURE OF THE

The courageous ones

we are cleansed of the

CHURCH?

always give me hope.

lenses of hierarchy given to

live more simply in our

KYLE MEYAARD-SCHAAP:

GARY HAUGEN:

personal lives so we can

The young people I get

hopeful to see a generation

from baptism’s waters is

share more effectively with

to work with every day

of Christians emerging who

the image of God in all.

good non-governmental

on campuses and in

share God’s passion for

RON SIDER:

E

the fact that many younger JENNY YANG:

JENNY YANG:

R

The fact that

HAS DRAMATICALLY

Church has so much to

D

We need to

us by the kingdoms of men.

All we see when we rise

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085

It makes me

R E L E VA N T ’ S

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I M P O R TA N T

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ELEVANT has always abided by a few different metrics when it comes

1

2

3

to deciding whether or not an album is worth recommending. The first is obvious: Is it good? The second is more subjective: Does it promote a

healthy way of looking at the world, ourselves and the LOOK UP CHILD

COLORING BOOK

LEMONADE

LAUREN DAIGLE

CHANCE THE RAPPER

BEYONCE

No album has better in-

See that album cover?

First she told the ladies

habited the lanes of spir-

Chance looking down?

to get in formation, then

itual conviction, musical

That’s what you get to do

Beyonce

frightening clip, but for our 100th issue we wanted to

dexterity and that inef-

when you’re at the top

body, heart and soul

take a look at the albums we’ve covered that have—

fable x-factor of cultural

of your game, which is

out for them, crafting a

and will continue to—stand up to the test of time.

impact than Daigle’s in-

where this album found

confessional

stant classic.

Chance the Rapper.

the ages.

people around us? And finally: Is it important? Does it add something unique to the cultural conversation— something that wouldn’t exist if the album itself didn’t exist? This can be a little hard to determine on a day-to-day basis, when music comes and goes at a

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tome

her

for

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5

KENDRICK LAMAR Who’s gonna pray for him? Well, somebody must be doing it because gifts like this don’t come naturally. Truth be told, just about anything King Kendrick’s had his hands on is worthy of inclusion on this list, since few artists have married sheer talent to the spiritual journey with such thrilling results. And he’s just getting started.

17

TO PIMP A BUTTERFLY GOOD

4

6

9

10

KID,

M.A.A.D

CITY

11

BACK TO BLACK

IN RAINBOWS

SIGH NO MORE

RADIOHEAD

MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY

ELEPHANT

AMY WINEHOUSE

THE WHITE STRIPES

MUMFORD & SONS

It’s a testament to Wine-

Not many bands, least of

KANYE WEST

No matter how many

The Mumford moment

house’s

that

all this one, hit a whole

times you hear the “Sev-

would fall subject to a

tragedy

new creative peak over

No album more defined

en Nation Army” chorus

deluge of think pieces

and shocking death can’t

a decade into their ca-

what the next decade

chanted in soccer sta-

and hot takes, but there’s

overshadow the wonder

reer. That’s how good

would sound like than

diums, it never loses an

no denying the wizardry

of her creative talent.

Radiohead is.

this 2010 masterpiece.

inch of its primal power.

of their debut.

her

brilliance

personal

12

13

14

15

16

CHANNEL ORANGE

BARTON HOLLOW

T A K K ...

JAMES BLAKE

FRANK OCEAN

THE CIVIL WARS

SIGUR ROS

JAMES BLAKE

I LOVE YOU, HONEYBEAR

The world was supposed

Before the drama, the

You’d sing gibberish too

No

to end in 2012, but in-

rumors

if you crafted melodies

able to marry the sing-

Truth tellers will always

stead we got Channel

board gossip, there were

this

er-songwriter

of

be a welcome presence

Orange, which catapult-

just these two master-

simply can’t do the spir-

yesteryear to the new

in music, and few are as

ed us into a whole differ-

class songwriters at the

itual rapture on display in

aesthetic of today than

committed to the art as

ent way of life.

top of their game.

this album justice.

James Blake.

Father John Misty.

FATHER JOHN MISTY

and

message

089

heavenly.

Words

artist

was

better

vibe

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“AWAKEN, MY L O V E !”

A L B U M S

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21

22

24

BROTHERS

DEMON DAYS

I AM MOUNTAIN

THE BLACK KEYS

GORILLAZ

GUNGOR

THE BEAUTIFUL LETDOWN

One of the best Ameri-

Bringing rap and elec-

Gungor made worship

Donald Glover may or

can albums of its decade

tronica

music that didn’t feel like

Not the first Christian act

may not be able to “do

sounded like it came

still seen as a commer-

worship

which

to crossover to the main-

it all,” but he did this, and

from a whole different

cial risk when Demon

is probably the highest

stream but probably the

that’s more than most

decade, in the best pos-

Days dropped. Today, it’s

compliment you could

first one to leave the

people can say.

sible way.

commonplace.

have paid the band.

door open behind them.

CHILDISH GAMBINO

25

SWITCHFOOT

26

together

was

27

28

HOT FUSS

GIVE UP

BON IVER

THE KILLERS

THE POSTAL SERVICE

BON IVER

Of all the “the” bands

music,

29

SPEAKERBOXXX/ THE LOVE BELOW

GARDEN STATE SOUNDTRACK

OUTKAST

VARIOUS ARTISTS

From sad sack in the

that emerged in the ear-

Listening to The Postal

mountains to ‘80s-aping

“Hey Ya!” is the best pop

There won’t be any oth-

ly ‘00s, nobody has aged

Service today, it’s easy to

pop diva, Justin Vernon

song of the decade, and

er soundtracks on this

more gracefully than The

forget how radical their

truly can do it all, and

that’s just facts, but it’s

list, but we made an ex-

Killers, and this is where it

sound really was when it

make it all sound gor-

hardly the only reason

ception for this change-

all started.

first appeared.

geously human.

this album is a legend.

your-life amazing one.

23

ARCADE FIRE Less is less. That’s the Arcade Fire way. In terms of bandmembers, sound, thematic scope and even just in the sheer volume of their output, this is a band that has never met a sentence they couldn’t put into caps lock. They’re practically impossible to ignore, so it’s a good thing they’re nearly always worth listening to.

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SUBURBS

FUNERAL

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34

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TRANSATLANTICISM

BOXER

X & Y

LONERISM

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE

THE NATIONAL

COLDPLAY

TAME IMPALA

MODERN VAMPIRES OF THE CITY VAMPIRE WEEKEND

became

At their peak, Coldplay

Nobody’s

No band summed up the

the avatar of mid-class

was operating at a rare

when or how it hap-

With this album, Vam-

mid-’00s indie moment

ennui and white-collar

level of commercial pop-

pened, but at some point

pire Weekend went from

better than Death Cab,

existential angst, which

ularity and creative zest,

Tame Impala became

indie-rock curiosity to a

and Death Cab never put

would be insufferable if

wonderfully captured on

tasked with keeping rock

vital part of America’s

out a better album.

it wasn’t so, so good.

this album.

‘n’ roll alive.

cultural conversation.

The

National

quite

sure

HILLSONG UNITED

19

If the only thing Hillsong United did was transform the modern worship music scene, they’d still be on this list.

But this band’s imprint actually goes much deeper. Their keen interest in how their faith should impact the way they live has helped transform the world’s perception of what the next generation of Christians might look like.

BON

IVER ZION

36

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FLEET FOXES

GOLDEN HOUR

FLEET FOXES

KACEY MUSGRAVES

39

I’M WIDE AWAKE IT’S MORNING

40

BORDERLAND

PURE HEROINE LORDE

BRIGHT EYES

JOHN MARK MCMILLAN

The gorgeous harmonies

Call it country. Call it pop.

straight out of a 1970s

Call it Americana or even

Forget about the ste-

It took a little while, but

revolutionary, but few

meadow came to be a

“nu-folk” if you want. We

reotype of sad Conor

worship music’s “slop-

artists were more adept

definitive shorthand for

call it one of the freshest,

Oberst wailing into an

py wet kiss” guy finally

at bringing those revolu-

summer in the ear of

most

empty bottle. This album

found his sweet spot of

tions to the mainstream

many a Fleet Foxes fan.

bums of the era.

proved his worth.

excellent, artistic output.

than Lorde was.

invigorating

al-

Other albums were more

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SUFJAN STEVENS It would have been easy for Sufjan to be defined by his quirks. The crazy song titles. The fifty states thing. Christmas albums. His affection for birds.

But all it took was one listen to any of his albums to realize that this Detroit weirdo had something important to say, and an amazing way of saying it.

LOWELL

31

41

42

43

CARRIE

ILLINOIS

&

7

44

45

EMOTIONALISM

A COLLISION

KALA

TORCHES

TAKE CARE

THE AVETT BROTHERS

DAVID CROWDER*BAND

M.I.A.

FOSTER THE PEOPLE

DRAKE

A lot of politically en-

While this band’s calling

Given, well, everything,

The Avett boys both pre-

Crowder had little to

gaged,

con-

card will always be the

it’d be easy to forget

dated and outlasted the

prove by the time A Col-

scious pop music fans

song that needs no in-

Drake’s refreshingly can-

folk music boom by vir-

lision came out, which

can point to Kala as

troduction, Torches was

did beginnings, and how

tue of their work ethic

makes its creative verve

the first spark of their

also a huge leap forward

much it changed what

and great, great songs.

all the more impressive.

awareness.

for festival music.

pop could address.

46

47

ANOMALY

socially

48

49

LOST IN THE DREAM

A SEAT AT THE TABLE

UNSTOPPABLE LOVE

THE WAR ON DRUGS

SOLANGE

JESUS CULTURE

was an anomaly. But

Rock ‘n’ roll has never

Solange’s unique brand

Not many live albums

Cool Big Sisters of in-

nothing speaks to his im-

needed a savior, but it

of introspection rewards

rank as a band’s best

die-pop has been fun to

portance more than just

got one anyway with

repeated listens like few

work, but Jesus Culture’s

watch, but never more

how big the world he

this album, which made

other pop artists’ cre-

music is at its best in its

fun than here, where it all

created has gotten.

vintage sound radical.

ative oeuvres do.

raw, unproduced glory.

first started.

LECRAE

At the time, yes, Lecrae

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DAYS ARE GONE HAIM

Haim’s journey to the

094

2019

LAST WORD A Thought Before We Go

to be Good News before we

to follow the Jesus we see in

could proclaim it.

the gospels; they want to be His

At the same time, God was

The Way Forward Is Simple Ditching false dichotomies has set a clear path forward, and the best is yet to come.

BY C H R I ST I N E CA I N E

stirring the hearts of an entire

I have never been more

generation. Young people were

excited about the future of the

saying that if their Sunday

Church. We are a generation

worship experience did not

who love the heart of God and

impact lives outside the four

out of that love want to do

walls of the church, then they

justice. We understand that our

did not want any part of it. The

salvation is far more than a

pursuit of personal piety, or

prayer we prayed. It’s far more

religious behavior modification

than an assurance that when

was not going to cut it as a

we die, we’ll go to heaven. We

motivation to follow Jesus. This

have not only been saved from

generation wanted to make a

something, but also we have

real difference in the world for

been saved for something, and

the cause of the King and His

that is the work of the Kingdom

Kingdom. They did not want to

here on Earth.

prop up an empire, they wanted

The way forward is for us to

to see the Kingdom of God

always remember that justice

brought forth here on Earth as it

and evangelism are two sides of

is in heaven.

the same coin. We do not have

Today, I see a generation

T

hands and feet in the world.

to throw out one to do the other,

that is more in touch than ever

nor should we. We affirm what

he prophet Isaiah

did not believe that slavery still

about the needs facing a broken

we say by the works that we do.

reminds us: “Isn’t

existed. Some churches where I

and dying world. Whether

The way forward is simple and

this the fast I choose:

had ministered for years were

it’s teaching refugees a new

not complicated: “Mankind, he

to break the chains

hesitant to have me speak about

language, sponsoring a child’s

has told each of you what is good

of wickedness, to untie the

this issue because it was not a

education, fostering children

and what it is the Lord requires

ropes of the yoke, to set the

“family-friendly” subject for

whose parents can no longer

of you: to act justly, to love

oppressed free, and to tear off

Sunday mornings. I was even

care for them, facilitating racial

faithfulness, and to walk humbly

every yoke? Is it not to share

asked why I would want to

reconciliation, encouraging

with your God.”

your bread with the hungry, to

“jeopardize” my ministry by

someone recovering from

bring the poor and homeless

becoming a voice for the captive

addiction, initiating prison and

into your house, to clothe the

and vulnerable.

asylum reforms, or generously

naked when you see him, and

It was then that I realized

raising money to provide fresh

not to ignore your own flesh

there was a massive disconnect

water where there is none—I

and blood? Then your light will

between what we were reading

see a generation engaged in

appear like the dawn, and your

in our Bibles and how we

cultures and communities

recovery will come quickly. Your

were applying it in the world

up close and far away. I am

righteousness will go before you,

around us.

constantly aware of people

and the Lord’s glory will be your rear guard.”

The world was not listening

giving themselves professionally

to our message because we

to further the work of ministries

were not hearing their cries.

and NGOs around the world

slavery everywhere I went, I was

Our Good News was not

providing medical care, housing,

shocked at the initial resistance

reaching the trenches of pain,

education, and basic life skills

I encountered. Many people

suffering and injustice. We had

training. This generation wants

When I began to speak about

JULY-AUG

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CHR IS T INE CA INE Christine Caine is an activist, evangelist, author, and international speaker.

She is the co-founder of The A21 Campaign.

2019

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