94 ETHAN HAWKE | LISA GUNGOR | BISHOP BRIGGS ALV VAYS | BRIAN HOUSTON | R ACHEL HELD EVANS CORY ASBURY | M ATT CHANDLER | SUMMER GEAR GUIDE 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
Leon Bridges There is no such person as soul singer Leon Bridges—and that’s something he’s ready to change.
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IT’S TIME TO BE WHOLE. IT’S TIME TO BE FULLY ALIVE.
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CHRISTINE CAINE
JOHN MARK COMER
WILFREDO “CHOCO” DE JESUS
JON ACUFF
WORSHIP LED BY THE BELONGING CO.
featuring Kari Jobe + Meredith Andrews
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CONTENTS
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 2018 // ISSUE 94
July/August 2018, Issue 94 Building Bridges Since 2003
Publisher & CEO | CAMERON STRANG Brand Director | JESSE CAREY Managing Editor | ANDRE HENRY Contributing Editor | TYLER HUCKABEE Production Editor | KATHY PIERRE Senior Writer | TYLER DASWICK Editorial Coordinator | LESLEY CREWS Contributing Writers: Joseph Riggs, Matt Adkins, Sarah
38
Features
James, Rachel Givens Creative Director | JOHN DAVID HARRIS Production Manager | MARK JACKSON Designer | JORDAN WILLCOX Director of Web Development | DANIEL MARIN Audio Editor | CHANDLER STRANG
Leon Bridges
Video Editor | CLARKE FLIPPO Contributing Photographers: Bommy Kwon, A24, Michael
p.38
Newsted, Jack McKain, Märta Thisner, Jabari Jacobs, Arden Wray, Abby Young, Sherwin Lainez, Gabriel Rivera
The soul singer’s sound carries a timeless quality that belies his youth, but if you’ve come to his music looking for the truth of who Bridges is, that answer might be more elusive than you expect.
Director of Business Development | AME LYNN FUHLBRUCK Senior Account Manager | HEATHER VOORHEES Account Manager | FELICHIA WRIGHT Traffic Manager | CAROLINE COLE Operations Manager | JESSICA COLLINS
3 2 // SUMMER GUIDE 2018
Project Manager | BRIDGET DOMBKOSKI
As things heat up, we bring together all the gear you need to thrive this season.
Finance Director | MICHAEL BOWLES
58
4 2 // LESSONS FROM GEN Z Millennials have some things to learn from their savvy, conscious successors.
4 6 // LISA GUNGOR The worship singer has seen a lot of curveballs in her life, but still, she persists.
CORRECTION: In issue #93, we incorrectly stated that Rick and Kay Warren are the pastors of Saddle Creek Church, when obviously it’s Orange County, California’s Saddleback Church (just one of the
Ethan Hawke
largest and most influential churches in the country). We’re deeply embarrassed about the error and will be making it up to them for a
p.58
long time to come.
Americans idolize work more than almost any country. Have we forgotten to rest?
In First Reformed, the actor has delivered one of the year’s best performances. The role’s brought his mind to some age-old questions and a newfound mission.
5 4 // RACHEL HELD EVANS
6 8 // BRIAN HOUSTON
5 0 // THE SABBATH COMMANDMENT
How the writer and leader rediscovered the most important book in her life.
6 6 // ALV VAYS The guitar band set out to defy description, but then a label set them free.
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The Hillsong founder is ready to give you your next mission.
7 0 // SOMALILAND The massive crisis hiding in plain sight within the East African country.
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7 6 // RELE VANT SELECT S Our curation of the best in music, books and
1 4 // CURRENT In this issue, we tell you how to build the most ethical cheeseburger in the world,
film. Come for the names, stay to learn why Andy Mineo hated his new album.
Issue #94 July/August 2018 (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
plus, the latest with Woody Harrelson, NFL
8 4 // L AS T WORD
protests, student activism, Cory Asbury and
Matt Chandler on why there’s never been a
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deepest, most honest places of the soul— and my soul is always the richer—and moved closer to Jesus—for the listening.
—Ann Voskamp
Author of the New York Times bestsellers One Thousand Gifts and The Broken Way
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2018
How can a week-long text challenge disciple your congregation and change lives? Invite your people out of their comfort zones through a daily sacrificial challenge and bring to life Jesus’ call in Matthew 25
“There’s no question it engages the entire congregation in a way like we never have before around missions...I would say there’s never been a week like it in the church.” Steve Greene—Lead Pastor, The Point
Learn More at
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World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, we serve alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
FIRST WORD a letter from the publisher
a new look not only at what we do,
I WANT NOTHING
but why and how we do it.
BUT TO ONLY
Let’s admit, it’s easy to coast. In the beginning, when God sparks a
Passion, God Dreams and the Future of RELEVANT
BE IN HIS
dream in our hearts, more often
WILL, MAKING A
than not we have no idea how to
DIFFERENCE FOR
pull it off. We’re completely reliant
THE KINGDOM.
on Him, and He uses that. But somewhere along the way, we
I WANT TO
start to figure out what we’re doing.
CHALLENGE A
It works, it has impact and many
GENERATION TO
times we stay there. We start to live our lives not out
LOVE JESUS
of a place of dependence, but of
AND GO CHANGE
being able to do it on our own. Our
THE WORLD,
motives are good—we’re doing it for God—but that’s when things change. God is always doing something
WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE.
new. Are we pursuing His heart and following His lead? Personally and at RELEVANT,
L
ately, I’ve been having a lot of meetings
we’ve been dismantling everything
with our team talking about the future of
and seeking the Lord’s will all over
RELEVANT. We’ve been looking honestly at
again. I don’t want our future to
what we do, why we do it and how. We’ve
look like our past. I don’t want to
been taking a fresh look at our spiritual
look like my past either.
mission, the dreams God gave us and what He’s sparking for our next season. It’s been transformative.
I want nothing but to only be in His will, making a difference for
It all started because, if I’m honest, I’ve been in a season
the Kingdom. I want to challenge
where God has really been getting my attention personally.
a generation to love Jesus and go
Things felt off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.
change the world, whatever that
So, I started taking inventory. Was my heart honestly at a place of spiritual passion and intimacy? Was I growing spiritually? Was I serving and giving and loving others well? At RELEVANT, was my influence in our environment one that pointed people to Jesus? Was I leading from a place of dependence on Him? Was our company focused on our spiritual calling above all else? Being honest with myself, some things needed to change.
looks like. And wouldn’t you know, God is birthing some exciting (scary) new dreams. The best part? I have no idea how any of it will play out. But I’m continually reminded of one thing: Every day, in every season, God just wants our heart—
As it sometimes happens in life and work, areas had gotten
for us to listen, and be willing to
off-track, and it started with me. I needed to intentionally
obey when He speaks.
pursue the Lord with reckless abandon again. I needed to make Him the tangible top priority in my life. Everything
What happens after that, thankfully, is not really up to us.
else had to be secondary. The journey I’ve been on has changed everything. I’m spending time in His presence, in the Word and worshipping like I haven’t in a long time. I’ve embraced new spiritual disciplines. I’ve made changes, and I feel a spiritual passion and clarity I haven’t in a while. And, of course, it’s affected RELEVANT. God has been
C A MER ON S T R A NG
calling us out of our comfort zone, challenging us to take
JULY-AUG
Publisher & CEO
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2018
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CURRENT A B I M O N T H LY L O O K A T F A I T H , L I F E A N D C U LT U R E
Millennials Are Putting Their Money Where Their Mouths Are New research has found that millennials are changing the way society invests, works and gives.
A
S MORE AND MORE
socially responsible companies
MILLENNIALS take on
(compared to 70 percent of non-
influential jobs in the
millennials) and the marketplace,
workforce and become more
where they prefer to support
involved in their churches, a
“environmentally sustainable”
trend has emerged: They want to make sure
business practices—that’s a
their money is supporting causes that bring
significant increase compared to
about change.
just two years ago.
The group Nuveen recently released the
MILLENNIALS WANT TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES—AND CHURCHES— THAT ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING COMMUNITIES.
Research also suggests
findings of their Third Annual Responsible
millennials are more generous
Investing Survey and found that when it
when it comes to supporting churches.
they’re also more hopeful and spontaneous
comes to finances, far more millennials
The Evangelical Council for Financial
when it comes to giving. There is a catch: It’s
—a whopping 92 percent—say “I care
Accountability found that 92 percent of
important for younger churchgoers to know
more about having a positive impact on
the millennials in their network gave to
the Church is using resources to actually to
society than doing well financially.” Among
a church in recent years, and millennial
help people in need. A study by Barna Group
non-millennials, just 52 percent of people
attitudes regarding supporting charities and
and Compassion International found that
agreed with the statement. The same values
churches are much more positive than other
45 percent of millennials would be willing
translate to the workplace, where 90 percent
generations of churchgoers: They’re not only
to give more if their church became more
of millennials said they want to work at
more generous than previous generations, but
involved in alleviating poverty.
JULY-AUG
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2018
A CALL TO
ministry IS A CALL TO
prepare. Meet Southern Seminary and Boyce College professors and tour campus, whether at Preview Day or an individual visit.
Register now at
SBTS.EDU/PREVIEWS PREVI EW DAY
SEPT. 28
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Archaeologists Discover a City That Provides Evidence of King David SKEPTICS FREQUENTLY
question the Bible’s historical credibility, but a new discovery is providing further evidence that many accounts are true. Specifically, it suggests King David was a real figure. Researchers in Israel uncovered a large building that dates back to the time of David where no other “signs of statehood” had ever been found. Interestingly, at the time, it would have been a Canaanite town. Where would the Jerusalem-style building have come from? The evidence suggests the building style—which only exists in other parts of the country inhabited by the Israelites—matches the biblical timeline in which David united the entire kingdom, a biblical story that until now, there was little evidence for.
How Ashton Kutcher Freed 6,000 Trafficking Victims The actor’s nonprofit organization is using technology to save children around the world. THE ORGANIZATION THORN recently
make arrests. “What we do at our core
released an impact report that showed
is we build technology to help fight
just how effective their technology—
sexual exploitation of children,” Kutcher
which helps law enforcement find child
explained to 60 Minutes. “You can roll
victims of sex trafficking—actually is.
up your sleeves and go try to be like a
In 2017, they were able to identify 5,894
hero and go save one person, or you
victims of child sex trafficking. The
can build a tool that allows one person
group, which was founded by Ashton
to save a lot of people.” Kutcher and
Kutcher and Demi Moore, uses internet-
other advocates have brought the issue
scanning databases to find victims
to Capitol Hill, urging lawmakers to do
online and equip law enforcement to
more to help children and victims.
Is This the Solution for Urban Traffic? IF YOU LIVE IN a major city like San Francisco, New York or Washington D.C., you’ve probably noticed
small, electric scooters everywhere. Several start-ups like Bird and Lime are renting them to commuters for about $3 a ride as a way of cutting back on pollution and commute times. However, the scooters have been controversial among residents who see them as motorized nuisances, and there have been widespread reports of vandalism. Time will only tell if the trend can last, so enjoy the ride while you can.
JULY-AUG
016
2018
“Jesus didn’t say grow a church.
He said, ‘Go make disciples.’ When you figure out how to do that, that will start growth in others.”
E. Dale Locke Founder and Lead Pastor of Community of Hope Church, Florida. Asbury Seminary, M.Div. 1988, D.Min. 2001
THE NEW LOVE DOCTORS:
Visit asbury.to/voices to read Dale’s story.
ARE YOU CALLED TO JOIN GOD IN HIS MISSION? Download your free ebook YES!?, from Asbury Seminary. Visit: asbury.to/RE
Kentucky
•
Orlando
•
Memphis
•
Online
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THE HOT LIST Bimonthly Cultural Power Rankings
D O N A L D G LOV E R [Hottest]
He has the best TV show and most powerful music video of the year. What can’t this guy do? PHONE SHAME [Hotter]
Apple’s digital wellness update will let you limit your screen time. R E B O OTS [Hot]
Old Nintendos and ‘90s sitcoms: Here for it.
[ W E K N O W Y O U B U Y R E L E VA N T F O R G R I L L I N G T I P S]
How to Build a Cheeseburger That Can Save the World ON YOUR GRILL THIS SUMMER, A LOT CAN GO WRONG BETWEEN TWO HAMBURGER BUNS. Who
knows the real foundation of those frozen patties or the actual source of that neon yellow American cheese? With this handy guide, you can find burger ingredients that are guaranteed to be ethically sourced, sustainable and super tasty. Here’s how to make your summer’s cookout totally guilt-free. THE BUN:
THE PATTY:
FOOD FOR LIFE’S EZEKIEL
IMPOSSIBLE FOODS’
[Cold]
4:9 SESAME SPROUTED
IMPOSSIBLE BURGER
The viral audio clip that
GRAIN BURGER BUNS
YA N N Y A N D L AU R E L
Yeah, we’re suckers for the brand name, but what sets these burgerholders apart are their 100 percent organic ingredients (you can pronounce all of them, wow!) and vegan friendliness.
We know it’s not meat, but that’s sort of the point. By keeping things cowfree, Impossible cuts down on water use by 74 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 87 percent. And you know what? The burger still brings that hearty, satisfying flavor you want.
fines teams whose
THE CHEESE:
THE VEGGIES:
players who sit or kneel
ORGANIC VALLEY’S RAW
YOUR LOCAL FARMERS
SHARP CHEDDAR
MARKET
You could strain yourself for a bougie artisanal brand, but Organic Valley is readily available at most grocery stores. They keep things GMO- and antibiotic-free, and their cows are raised in pastures.
Come on, this is an easy one. Support a local grower. The freshness will pay dividends to your taste buds, too.
divided the internet proved that replicating “the dress” moment simply can’t be done. THE NFL [Colder]
The league’s owners passed a policy that
during the national anthem as a protest against racial injustice. PUBLIC SUSPICIONS [Coldest]
Maybe it’s not your job to say who “doesn’t belong” somewhere, K?
JULY-AUG
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2018
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5 Female Christian Leaders You Should Be Following BAYLOR UNIVERSITY’S RECENT list of the “12 Most
Effective Preachers” featured just one woman: Barbara Brown-Taylor. We thought an addendum was necessary. We didn’t limit our list to just preachers, but here are some women leaders definitely worth listening to. AUSTIN CHANNING BROWN Austin Channing Brown is a writer, speaker and practitioner who helps schools, nonprofits and religious organizations practice inclusion.
The Real Story Behind Cory Asbury’s Hit ‘Reckless Love’
@AUS TINCHANNING
The biggest worship song in the country took almost a decade to write—and then created controversy.
CHRISTINE CAINE A tireless advocate for the victims of human trafficking and a cracking good preacher to boot, Christine Caine can’t stop changing the world. @CHRIS TINECAINE
IF YOU’VE BEEN TO A WORSHIP
its critics: Some leaders have
SERVICE this year, you’ve
been uncomfortable with the
probably heard Cory Asbury’s
idea of God’s love being called
anthem “Reckless Love.” The
“reckless.” However, Asbury
song spent nearly three months
said it’s the song’s honesty that
NANCY FRAUSTO She’s not just the associate rector at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Long Beach, California. She’s also a Dreamer.
on top of Billboard’s Christian
makes it so powerful.
@THERE V_OLUTION
music charts and has become
“When I look at the Psalms,
a Sunday staple across the
I see David saying some pretty
country. Justin Bieber even
outlandish things throughout
covered it at Coachella. But, for
all the Psalms because he was
Asbury, it was a song that was
honest before the Lord. He
eight years in the making.
wasn’t censoring himself or
After first holding his
afraid of telling God what he
ANNIE F. DOWNS Author, speaker and podcaster Annie F. Downs uses her voice to inspire people to live courageously, and she’s a lot of fun to listen to. @ANNIEFDOWNS
newborn son (who is now 8),
actually felt. Because the truth
Asbury says he finally realized
is, God already knows, and He’s
what God “the father” truly
not offended by it. He’s just
meant—and the idea for
waiting for you to be honest so
“Reckless Love” was born.
that He can actually meet you
BETH MOORE You may be familiar with Beth Moore, but in recent months, she’s gotten even more outspoken about issues plaguing the Church.
in that place.”
@BE THMOORELPM
But the song isn’t without
MISC.
JULY-AUG
You may want to chill with all those
Researchers with evidently nothing else
Explaining that, “We will have to leave
vitamins. The American College of
to study have found that listening to
this planet,” Amazon’s Jeff Bezos
Cardiology found most supplements
loud music while hungry will lead to
is working on a project called Blue
(looking at you vitamin C) don’t do
unhealthier food choices compared to
Origins with the goal of colonizing the
anything to help your health.
listening to music at lower volumes.
moon. Umm, should we be concerned?
020
2018
MA IN THEOLOGY − Now Fully Online −
Fuller Seminary’s online MA in Theology is for those who want to learn from outstanding faculty practitioners—from anywhere in the world—to more effectively serve and communicate God’s word in any setting. Apply what you’re learning directly to your context of service, and tailor your program to an area of interest like theology and the arts, ethics, youth and culture, or many others. Whether you want to prepare for future advanced study or sharpen your theological understanding for any calling, the MAT’s respected formation is within reach.
Fuller.edu/MAT 021
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05/10
CURRENT
Woody Harrelson Was Studying to Become a Pastor
Pitchfork Festival’s #MeToo Moment
ON A GUEST APPEARANCE
How the summer
A MAJOR MUSIC FESTIVAL is responding to the MeToo
music festival
movement. Back in 2013, R. Kelly headlined Chicago’s
is now fighting sexual abuse
Pitchfork Music Festival. The decision to invite the R&B singer—who has faced numerous accusations of sexual abuse—was met with major blowback. And this year, they’re addressing it with action. Festival organizers now say that “it was wrong to book R. Kelly to perform at our festival,” and have partnered with RAINN, the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the country. The festival will help fund RAINN’s work, and they’ve invited trained counselors to be on site and available to festivalgoers. This year’s festival, featuring Tame Impala, Fleet Foxes, The War on Drugs, Lauryn Hill and many more, kicks off on July 20.
Bill Gates Wants You to Read a Book About Faith Healing JULY-AUG
TECH BILLIONAIRE Bill
Gates recently made a very interesting reading recommendation. He put the book Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved by Duke Divinity professor Kate Bowler on his summer reading list. In the
memoir, she writes about reconciling an illness with her then-belief that God would keep good people healthy. As Gates previously explained on his blog, his grandparents “believed that if you got sick, it must be because you did something to deserve it.
022
on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Woody Harrelson opened up about his stint at Hanover College, an Indiana school associated with the Presbyterian Church. He was there to study theology and ministry, and was even casual pals with now-Vice President Mike Pence. “I remember I actually quite liked him,” Harrelson told Kimmel. However, Harrelson said he had a sort of crisis of faith and decided to put his religious life “on hold.” He said he still believes in God but now studies other types of religion.
When one of my grandfathers became seriously ill, he struggled to figure out what he might have done wrong. He couldn’t think of anything, so he blamed his wife. He died thinking she had caused his illness by committing some unknown sin.”
2018
What does it look like to show up in times of fragmentation?
Our commitment to formation and interdisciplinary education is emboldening reective leaders, healers, artists, and pastors for a world in need of restoration. m.a. in theology & culture m.a. in counseling psychology master of divinity 023 theseattleschool.edu/admissions
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06/10
CURRENT
A Majority of Americans Believe in God as Described in the Bible AMERICA IS STILL A MAJORITY CHRISTIAN country—barely.
Letitia Wright Says Faith Changed Her Life–and Career A BREAKOUT STAR OF BLACK PANTHER
with God, and I became a Christian. It
(she played the tech-wizard Shuri),
really just gave me so much love and
Letitia Wright is becoming one of
light within myself.
the MCU’s favorite new faces. But the
“I felt secure, like I didn’t need
actress is crediting more than just the
validation from anyone else, or getting
role of T’Challa’s wisecracking sister for
a part. My happiness wasn’t dependent
her success: She says an encounter with
on that, it was dependent on my
faith changed everything.
relationship with God.”
Wright says before landing the role,
Now, it’s her newfound Christian
she had an unhealthy dependence on
faith that has reframed how she views
success—which led to an identity crisis.
her life, career and, most of all, her self-
“I needed to take a break from
worth. “I’m not perfect,” she said. “As a
acting because I really idolized it,” she
Christian, you’re not perfect, you know,
explained to the U.K.’s This Morning.
but you’re walking every day and trying
“So I came off from it, and I went on
to stay connected. I’m really grateful.
a journey to discover my relationship
I’m centered in who I am.”
Pew recently released the findings of new research that found 56 percent of American adults still believe in God “as described in the Bible.” Another 33 percent said even though they don’t believe in “the God of the Bible,” they still maintain a belief in some sort of higher supernatural power. Another interesting finding was about what Americans believe about God’s sovereignty: Nearly half of American adults said God determines what happens to them. [T H E N U M B E R S] ADULTS WHO BELIEVE IN THE GOD OF THE BIBLE
56% ADULTS WHO SAID GOD DETERMINES WHAT HAPPENS
48% ADULTS WHO BELIEVE IN THE SUPERNATURAL BUT NOT THE GOD OF THE BIBLE
33%
MISC.
JULY-AUG
Hybrid-electric planes are now
Another Star Wars hero is getting
Pew found that white evangelicals
on the market, and people are
his own origin movie. The director
were the least likely major
buying. A JetBlue affiliate has
of Logan, James Mangold, has
demographic group to say America
purchased 100 planes. Only catch:
signed on to helm a spinoff about
should welcome refugees (despite,
They only do private flights.
galactic bounty hunter Boba Fett.
you know, what the Bible says).
024
2018
05/14 07/10
CURRENT
Can This Be the Generation That Puts an End to School Shootings? The survivors of recent mass shootings are changing the way many Americans—including Christian leaders—think about gun laws.
DURING THE SPRING SEMESTER that ended in May, 27
while deployed. While all of the deaths are tragedies, for
children and four adults died in school shootings. It’s a
students who have survived the acts of mass violence,
number comparable to the police officers shot and killed
the fact that their classmates were killed while attending
in the line of duty in the same period (24) and military
school—a place that is supposed to be safe—has sparked a
service members who have died in non-training accidents
new kind of activism.
MISC.
JULY-AUG
Scientists are skirting laws forbidding
China may be home to a flourishing
Using 50 pounds of batter, a group
experiments on human embryos by
(though persecuted Christian church),
of friends in Denver set a Guinness
creating chicken-human hybrid
but it now has the highest percentage
World Record for the highest stack
embryos, possibly paving the way for
of atheists in the entire world,
of waffles, measuring just over two
prolonged fist fights with Peter Griffin.
according to new findings from Gallup.
feet (which seems pretty beatable).
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[T H E N U M B E R S]
Activists like students David Hogg and Emma Gonzalez—both of whom lost friends
2018 is already one of the deadliest years on record
in the shooting at Parkland, Florida’s Marjory
when it comes to school shootings in America.
Stoneman Douglas High School—are already
Here’s a look at the sobering numbers, as of May.
making a difference. Their efforts to pass stricter gun legislation have led to massive voter registration drives. Hogg has partnered with the
An average of 7 schoolchildren die every day from gun violence.
organization HeadCount to create drives at more
THE MORE THE CHURCH ALIGNS WITH POLITICS, THE LESS PEOPLE WANT TO BE ASSOCIATED.
24
DEATHS OF
31
DEATHS DUE TO
POLICE OFFICERS
than 1,000 schools in 46 states across the country. Their goal is to educate and equip young voters to make their voices heard in November’s midterm elections. And even though gun control measures have traditionally been politically contentious, the school shootings seemed to have galvanized some unlikely Christian voices. White evangelicals—a group known for their politically conservative leanings—
SCHOOL SHOOTINGS
now largely favor stricter gun laws, according to Pew. And following the Florida shooting, a group of Christian leaders including Max Lucado, Lynne Hybels, Joel Hunter and A.R. Benard launched the “Prayers + Action for Gun Safety in America” petition.
In 2018, there has been an average of 1 school shooting per week.
Their goal? To urge “the faith community to acknowledge their biblical responsibility to protect life amid the nation’s gun violence epidemic.”
Researchers have confirmed that a
Public policy advocates have proposed
Millennials are drinking less than
piece of Greek papyrus dating to
a new film rating: PG-15 for movies
older generations. Researchers found
around A.D. 150 is the oldest-known
that contain gun violence, raising
that the majority see drunkenness as
piece of text from the Gospel of Mark
the age to see movies that would
“embarrassing” and said they’d rather
ever discovered.
otherwise be PG-13.
not spend as much money on alcohol.
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09/10
CURRENT
MISC.
Three porn sites now get more web traffic in the U.S, than Instagram, The perfect way to one-up your vinyl snob friend.
Wikipedia, Twitter, Reddit, eBay and Netflix, making porn more popular than any social media platform other than Facebook and YouTube.
Millennials Support the NFL Protesters, Not the NFL The NFL’s new stand against protests isn’t sitting well with millennial fans. THANKS TO A NEW POLICY in the NFL, any player
that a majority of millennials were much more likely
who kneels during the national anthem could have
to support the demonstrations than older fans. It
their team subjected to fines from the league. The
shouldn’t be a surprise, as additional research finds
movement—started by former player Colin Kaepernick
that millennials are more socially conscious than
(right, above) to protest police brutality and racial
previous generations.
injustice—has been polarizing among some fans. However, there is one group that widely supports
To celebrate its anniversary, Ohio’s Victory Christian Center went to a local gas station and filled the tanks of 100 cars that happened to come through. Churches: more of this, please.
Hillsong NYC pastor Carl Lentz was a vocal critic of the NFL’s new policy. He tweeted: “The NFL is still
the players in their demonstrations: millennials. Not
talking about players ‘protesting the anthem.’ Still!
only did the league’s own polling efforts show that
Even though they are protesting inequality and want
the younger generation of fans supports the player
justice reform. At least get that right, while being
activists, but data from GenForward Survey found
wrong.”
Elon Musk announced that the
Alexa Wants to Lead You in Prayer The Church of England is using AI to get people praying.
JULY-AUG
AMAZON’S ALEXA
can now do more than help you buy groceries, turn on your lights and listen to music. Thanks to a new “skill” developed by the Church of England, it can help you pray. Along with
connecting users with local churches, by saying, “Alexa, open the Church of England,” users have the ability to ask Alexa to bless their meal, recite the Lord’s Prayer and lead them in prayers. A spokesman for
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the Church of England explained, “Daily prayer resources are central to the skill, with the prayer for the day, as well as morning, evening and nighttime prayers and a grace before meals all specially recorded.”
L.A. transit tunnels he’s planning to build under the city will cost only $1 for commuters. Now people will have no excuse not to be able to afford those $400 flamethrowers he also just released.
2018
Follow God. Live your passion for innovative ministry. Come to Washington, D.C. Be a Wesley Community Engagement Fellow.
Fellows has stretched my ability to listen, engage and work to meet the needs of the community. — Samantha Klipsch, Master of Divinity Student & Fellow
Become a faith leader and change maker for the transformation of the church and world. •
Engage with professionals in the political and advocacy spheres
•
Work in peer cohorts to engage your community-based learning
•
Have access to resources to further understanding & reach
•
Develop skills in areas of non-profit management, ministerial engagement and leadership
•
Design a contextual ministry project that speaks to your passion and God’s call
To learn more, schedule a one-on-one visit to Wesley Theological Seminary and our nation's capital. We could love to hear from you! Contact admissions@wesleyseminary.edu or go to wesleyseminary.edu/fellows
Wesley Theological Seminary: equiping exemplary teachers, preachers and leaders to be prophetic voices in the church and the world. wesleyseminary.edu 029
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
10/10
CURRENT
What Your Pastor’s Jeans Say About Their Theology Seven types of jeans and their important spiritual implications WHILE MUCH OF THE MEDIA is filled with troubling news, contentious debate and negativity, we at RELEVANT have decided to shine the spotlight on something that really matters. We’ve uncovered an issue the Church must address: the denim crisis. Our team of writers spent months of research and study to determine exactly what your pastor’s jeans say about their interpretation of Scripture.
TATTERED JEANS Unless the holes in the jeans are only found on the knees—a sign of a true prayer warrior— this pastor’s messages are probably just like their legwear: INAPPROPRIATE FOR SUNDAY.
JULY-AUG
JEANS WITH CROSSES
SKINNY JEANS
This pastor’s sermons are likely filled with lots of illustrations and clips from Braveheart, but they’re probably pretty conservative (despite what the bedazzling would have you believe).
Watch out for these heavy-on-the-IG hipsters. They might seem orthodox with their feel-good messages, but they’re probably reading Rob Bell books and listening to secular music on the side.
OVERALLS
DAD JEANS
Your pastor doesn’t care what other people think if they’re wearing overalls in the pulpit. It’s either a sign of a strong leader or a total lack of accountability.
Comfortable and practical for all occasions, for both the jeans and the sermons. Expect a lot of messages based on a quick seven points or some sort of acronym.
JNCO JEANS
JORTS
In their 1997 Acquire the Fire heyday, this minister was the coolest youth pastor in town. Their preferred mode of outreach is probably still free ska concerts in the sanctuary.
Heretic.
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R ELE VA N T S U M M ER G U I D E 2018
Want to properly equip yourself for an epic season? Here’s a look at gear that promotes sustainability, giving back and is also pretty awesome.
S
UMMER IS HERE. That means road trips, days at the beach, hanging by
the pool and spending time enjoying the long days under the sun, soaking in the wonders of creation. It also means looking pretty sweet on Instagram in your brand-new shades. In other words, it’s a good time to restock on the gear you’ll need to take your summer memory-making to the next level. This year, not only have we tracked down the best books to round out your summer reading list (what’s a day at the beach without a good book in your bag?), but we’ve also curated the apparel, electronics, outdoor equipment and quality gear that does more than just look great and function well. These items help fund meaningful causes, support sustainability and represent high-end craftsmanship and cutting-edge design. From bamboo skateboards to hammocks made by women in developing countries, here are the essentials to an unforgettable summer:
The Merry Spinster Mallory Ortberg ( I V P B O O K S)
Capital Sunglasses The ultimate summer accessory also supports young entrepreneurs: 10 percent of every sale goes into a fund for young people starting businesses. $95-$145 CAPITALEYEWEAR.COM
Bamboo Skateboards
Looking for another way to get around town? Pick up a longboard from Bamboo Skateboards. Not only is longboarding an easier alternative to skating, the bamboo used for these is actually way more environmentally sound than the usual maple decks. $42.50 BAMBOOSKATEBOARDS.COM
SWIMS Loafers These water-friendly shoes have an emphasis on comfort, and the company provides ethical, transparent sourcing. $160 SWIMS.COM
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Ortberg applies her dynamite wit and sly observations about millennial culture to well-known fairy tales, and the result is a laugh-out-loud funny collection of familiar short stories given endlessly droll twists. The book is like an expanded version of “Children’s Stories Made Horrific,” a fan-favorite column from her now-defunct website, The Toast. But there are plenty of writers doing the “darker” or more “woke” version of fairy tales. What makes Ortberg’s work stand out? Unlike many, she’s not trying to fix the old stories but trying to tease out what’s already there—things we normally miss. And it turns out there are deep, universal questions in those stories. And there’s a ton to laugh at at the same time.
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
R ELE VA N T S U M M ER G U I D E 2018
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
SLXTREME Case
Thousands Bike Helmets
These high-tech cases for your phone are dirt-resistant, waterproof and have a solar panel. They can also save you from having to buy a new phone every few months.
These are cycling helmets you’ll actually want to wear. And the eco-friendly company incorporates a Carbon Offset Program into the production process.
$99-129
$85-95
SNOWLIZARD.COM
EXPLORETHOUSAND.COM
Michelle McNamara ( H A R P E R C O L L I N S)
True-crime writer Michelle McNamara passed away before she got to see the Golden State Killer apprehended, but her writing was a key part in finally identifying one of America’s most notorious and elusive serial killers. Be honest: There’s something engrossing about a crime drama, hence the success of shows like Law & Order. But in McNamara’s book, the cases are real. And the way she writes about the people left in the killer’s wake is what makes her work most compelling—that and her decadelong pursuit of solving the mystery. In the book, she imagines her work turning the tables on the criminal: sneaking up on him to deliver him to justice, just as he sneaked up on his victims to deliver death. And knowing that even though she didn’t get to see it, her work accomplished that, makes the journey worth the emotional ride.
JULY-AUG
MoviePass MoviePass is as good as you’ve heard: unlimited trips to your local movie theater for one low monthly fee. Catch up on every summer blockbuster for a fraction of the cost.
Bearbottom Swim Trunks Bearbottom shorts aren’t just inexpensive, fun and appealingly preppy. Every time someone buys a pair, a child in need gets a pair.
$9.95/month
$30
MOVIEPASS.COM
BEARBOTTOMCLOTHING.COM
Corkcicle Water Bottle Not only does this line of high-end water bottles prevent you from buying a ton of disposable plastic ones, but Corkcicle donates a percentage of sales to a nonprofit that provides clean water. $19.95-$49.95 CORKCICLE.COM
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Beach’d Ethical Beach Tote
Beach’d specializes in versatile, durable, lightweight, heatproof bags that are great for a beach day or travel. $98 BEACHDSHOP.COM
A Pouch Couch
Olli’s Eco Fair Trade Sandals
Inflatable chairs are a pain and take forever to inflate. The pouch couch achieves the impossible: an easily transportable couch that inflates on its own. Trust us, you’ll never go back.
Keep your toes free and the soles of your feet clean at the beach with these biodegradable flip-flops made from chemical-free, natural rubber.
$39.99
$29
POUCHCOUCH.COM
OLLIWORLD.COM
An American Marriage Tayari Jones (A L G O N Q U I N )
A pair of newlyweds, Celestial and Roy, find their vision of the future upended when Roy is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, and that’s just the start of Jones’ deeply felt exploration of independence, intimacy and the ways the criminal justice system touches relationships. When Roy is unexpectedly released from prison early, he finds Celestial’s love has waned and that she’s been spending a lot of time with one of their mutual friends. Aren’t relationships fun? In this gripping novel, they sure are.
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R ELE VA N T S U M M ER G U I D E 2018
A Higher Loyalty James Comey ( M A C M I L L A N P U B L I S H E R S)
Political writing—well, political everything—is mostly bad these days, but Comey is a gifted wordsmith and his recounting of his time working with, and sometimes against, President Donald Trump’s administration is enlightening, regardless of your politics.
Firewire Surf
STATE Backpacks For every one of these killer-looking backpacks you buy, STATE donates one to a child in need, and they come loaded with helpful goods for the kids. Pack for your next bike day or beach trip and feel good doing it.
This surfboard company veers away from typical chem-based boards for something with a smaller impact on the environment and partners with a lot of ocean-centric humanitarian organizations.
$90-165
$350 - $900
STATEBAGS.COM
FIREWIRESURFBOARDS.COM
Yellow Leaf Hammocks
Made with sustainable materials by women in developing nations, Yellow Leaf Hammocks can turn your backyard into an island getaway. And the “triple-weave” construction means they won’t fade or get torn up in bad weather. $199 YELLOWLEAFHAMMOCKS.COM
JULY-AUG
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Nomadix Festival Towels They make beach towels from plastic bottles, and their towels are multipurpose for everywhere from the bathroom to the beach. $70 NOMADIX.CO
Rawganique Linen Rawganique makes cool linen clothes and home accessories, and they tell you where all of their products are made, none of which are sweatshops. PRICES VARY RAWGANIQUE.COM
Patagonia Fanny Pack
UE Boom 2
Yeah, fanny packs (or “belt bags,” if you’re on top of things) are back and nobody makes a better, more environmentally friendly one than Patagonia. Wear it loud and wear it proud.
No summer is complete without a portable speaker, and UE makes our favorite: quality, totally waterproof, (pretty) affordable and available in snazzy color schemes.
$29 PATAGONIA.COM
$179.95 ULTIMATEEARS.COM
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Leon Bridges Is Ready to Introduce Himself for Real BY T Y L E R H U C K A B E E
JULY-AUG
2018
L
eon Bridges isn’t real. Not in the way you think of him. The man is there, of course: the exceptionally gifted Texas native who burst onto the music scene in 2015 and immediately seemed like
he’d been there all his life. His debut album Coming Home felt familiar from the jump—the sort of songs that seemed so naturally and organically beautiful that you couldn’t believe nobody had come up with them before. It sounded like something written by the likes of Sam Cooke or Otis Redding, which is to say it sounded like something that’s just sort of always been there—like there were pages in the Great American Songbook purposefully set aside just for them. All this has lent Bridges an air of timelessness, as if he were an old soul in a 28-year-old’s body, rocking in his chair on the front porch, crooning about the bygone days that have come before and the women who have done him wrong. And that’s the person who doesn’t exist. “It really is a small percentage of who I am,” Bridges says. “I’m a young dude in modern times. And I grew up on modern R&B and hip-hop. A lot of people wouldn’t even know that my favorite thing to do is go out and turn up and party to Young Thug. I love trap music.” In fact, the first concert he ever went to was Christian rapper Tedashii’s. Bridges is a more complicated guy than Coming Home’s timeless vibe and the clean, mid-century suits would lead you to believe. That’s apparent on his new album, Good Thing, which pulls from a variety of eras and offers a more complex portrait of American music influences. And along with it, Bridges hopes, a more complex portrait of himself. “I definitely think in the beginning, I guess people expected me to be this kinda guy who ...” he pauses for a moment. “I don’t know; I loved the sound from [that era]. I wanted to make that sound. But to me, it wasn’t about going out and going to swing dances and sock hops.” So then, what was it about? LEON LIGHTS
Bridges’ ascent began in his native Fort Worth, where he honed his songwriting skills while washing dishes at a local grill. At first, his writing was inspired by ’90s R&B, but it was when he wrote a song about his mother’s conversion to Christianity called “Lisa Sawyer” that he discovered a knack for ’60s soul. The song’s theme is one he frequently returns to. In the 2015 single “River,” Bridges sings about being baptized: Take me to your river / I wanna know / Tip me in your smooth waters / I go in / As a man with many crimes / Come up for air / As my sins flow down the Jordan.
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Though he prefers not to discuss his personal faith in interviews, hints of
Being in that
his religious upbringing were found
bubble certainly
throughout his early music. But he
worked wonders
clearly does not want to be labeled.
for his creativity.
(When a fan asked him on Twitter if he
Bridges’ debut
considered himself a “Christian artist,”
album landed sixth
Bridges replied, “No, a Christian that
on the Billboard
makes art.”) But, earlier on, when he
200, netted him
was figuring out his identity as an
two Grammy
artist, things did seem simpler.
nominations and
“It was a special time, looking back
allowed him to
in retrospect,” Bridges says. “It was on
collaborate with
the cusp of when I was, I guess, I don’t
everyone from
want to say discovered, but I miss
Kacey Musgraves
the whole grind. At that time I was
to Lecrae. He
washing dishes during the day, and I’d
entered a realm of
get off and it was such a joy to be able
stardom very few
to go out and grind at the open mic
musicians ever
and play in front of an audience. And I
reach, and he did it
do miss that side of it.”
just a few months
It was at one of these open-mic
out from that
sessions that Bridges caught the
dishwashing gig.
attention of Austin Jenkins and Joshua
Getting that famous
Block, two members of the indie-rock
that quickly, he
outfit White Denim. They liked what
says, caused a bit of
they heard and invited him to record
backlash in Texas.
a few songs with them. Bridges took
“I didn’t
them up on their offer a short time
really have any
later and dropped two songs on
expectations
Soundcloud. One of them was “Coming
getting into it,”
Home,” which made it to a local radio
he says. “The
station. A few months later, he was
biggest thing for
fielding offers from 40 different labels.
me was when I
Looking back at that era of life,
did get signed and
Bridges sounds genuinely wistful. He’s
got a little bit of
not resentful of success, but there is a
notoriety, it was crazy to see people
cost to it, and in his case, that cost has
in my hometown who, of course, I’d
In fact, if his latest album is any
been pressure.
never met, say negative things like I
indication, things have never been
didn’t deserve the opportunity and
better.
“It was a little easier when I didn’t
JULY-AUG
creativity.”
everything’s good still,” he chuckles.
have all these eyes on me or any
all this kind of stuff and that was
attention,” he says. “It was nice to
surprising. And I have good intentions,
BRIDGES OVER TROUBLED WATERS
be in my own little bubble. And now
so it’s crazy to see the negative
It’s difficult when people have a clearly
that I’ve already established who I am
comments and everything.”
defined idea of who you are and what
and people know my work, there are
However, the criticism can’t
always expectations as to what I can
overshadow the incredible (and
into these ideas and allow fans to
do in the future. It definitely affects my
incredibly quick) success. “But
define their careers (think Coldplay).
040
you do. Some artists choose to lean
2018
“It was a little easier when I didn’t have all these eyes on me or any attention. It was nice to be in my own little bubble.” Others actively react
and working with a new producer.”
great learning experience.”
against it and seem
The music business’ infamous
to troll their fans by
sophomore slump grew into legend
THE REAL LEON
defying expectations
by being mostly true. There’s an old
So there is a real person named Leon
(think almost any
saying that you have your whole life
Bridges. He’s just not the person many
album Radiohead
to write your first album and just a
people think he is. And Bridges means
has ever released).
couple years to write your second, so
to continue to upset the apple cart. He
For his second
you’re naturally a little handicapped
says he recorded an album of ’90s R&B-
album, Bridges is
for the follow-up. That’s part of why
inspired “super vibey stuff” that didn’t
trying to do, well, a
Bridges decided to mix things up a
make this album, but that doesn’t
little bit of both.
little for Good Thing.
mean it’ll never be heard.
“I wanted to re-
He brought in some other
“That’s my plan in the future,” he
establish who I am
songwriters, expanded his sonic
says. “Just singing and releasing stuff
as an artist and how
palette to include other genres.
that is unexpected.”
people perceive my
There’s the exquisite first single “Bet
art,” Bridges says of
Ain’t Worth the Hand,” which is
everyone—one downside to releasing
recording his new
undergirded by peals of strings that
things that are unexpected is the
album, Good Thing.
sound plucked from Old Hollywood,
people who have expectations feel
“Of course, with my
while “If It Feels Good (Then It Must
betrayed, and feel obligated to vent
first album it was a
Be)” wouldn’t sound out of place on
that their feelings on Twitter, Facebook
very specific sound
a Pharrell album. Of course, neither
and Instagram. There’s still a hint
and was reminiscent
Pharrell nor anyone from Hollywood’s
of frustration when he talks about
of the ’80s R&B era,
Golden Era quite had Bridges’
people trying to label or define him in
but I just wanted
most potent gift: his voice, which is
ways he feels like aren’t true. But, he
to be able to take
smooth as they come, while marked
seems to be OK with people not fully
elements from that
by a graceful tenderness. It adds a
understanding the real Leon Bridges.
and move it forward.” In order to do that, Bridges utilized
vintage warmth to even the most
That hasn’t gone over great with
“I don’t understand how people
contemporary arrangements offered
get that energy to say negative things,
his new connections in the industry
by the album’s team—a team, Bridges
Bridges says. “People should just
to put together a collaborative team
says, that faced some contentious
really keep it to themselves. But most
led by red-hot producer Ricky Reed to
moments during the recording process.
everything has been super positive. It’s
help actualize his full potential. It took some getting used to, evidently. “I mean, honestly, I’m really proud
“I love the creative process,” he says.
all love.”
“But honestly, that was rough to be in a room for a whole day and having to
of myself. The whole process was a
contribute ideas around other people.
little challenging. This is my first time
But we were able to make something
collaborating with different writers
dope out of it, and it was definitely a
041
T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
4 THINGS MILLENNIALS CAN LEARN FROM GEN Z BY M AT T A D K I N S
JULY-AUG
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2018
For years, the word “millennial” was just shorthand for “young people.” But now a new generation is beginning to make its presence known, and they’ve got a lot to offer.
IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN. The gears of
traits of a younger generation, why not
life are creaking forward, the hands
see what you can learn from them?
of time tic their fateful toc and a new day is starting to dawn. Yes, the next generation is making their mark on culture, just like the generation before them, ad infinitum. No sooner have millennials started entering the workforce, voting in blocs and—well— killing off older, established industries
1.
YOU CAN GO YOUR OWN WAY Most Gen Zers are children of Generation X, and Gen X was raised to be wary of helicopter
than a new generation is sneaking
parenting. While many millennials
up underneath them with their own
have been accused of relying too much
unique, generational tics.
on their parents for financial and
Generation Z is coming into their
professional help, Gen Z is going to be
own, preparing to make millennials feel
far more independent. They’re confident
old and out of touch the same way Gen
and self-guided, comfortable with
Xers feel mystified by some millennial
motivating themselves. More than any
traits. It won’t be hard for them to
other generation before them, they’re
do so. Gen Z (loosely defined as those
confident in their ability to figure things
born between 1996 and 2014) make up
out on their own.
around 26 percent of all Americans.
“Their goal is not simply economic
That’s more than millennials, Gen Xers
security,” says Dr. James Emery White,
or baby boomers.
author of Meet Generation Z. “They are
But millennials have gotten pretty
marked by a strong sense of wanting
good at learning from the mistakes of
to make a difference and thinking
the older generations, and here is the
that they can. They want to be social
last, biggest and hardest lesson: Instead
entrepreneurs.”
of fearing and feeling alienated by the
Millennials have a lot of reasons for
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Kids These Days Generational science is a little shaky, but sociologists have been able to pull out a few trends. Here are some of the big ones.
1946 1964
leaning on their parents—a collapsed
big part of maintaining a healthy life
economy, ballooning student debt and
balance is having a job you can turn off.
an unfriendly housing market have
And sometimes, the best way to do that
resulted in plenty of valid reasons for
is to remember a job is just a job.
them to fly pretty close to the nest. But Boomers grew up in a time of relative financial affluence and a deep distrust of the government. They cherish independence and rebellion against societal norms, and are generally optimistic.
it might be worth ripping a page out of the Gen Z book now and then, and trusting your own instincts for a few decisions. Sure, it’s a risk. But you never know
3.
what’s waiting on the other side.
1981 1995
Millennials have a drive to make the world a better place through their professional lives. They’re convinced of their unique worth and harbor both an environmental and digital streak.
1996 2014
Gen Z are digital natives who deeply value inclusivity. They’re passionate about gender equality and acceptance.
JULY-AUG
Millennials are digital pioneers, a generation that came of age as the
1965 1980
Gen X came of age during MTV and a time of increasing global cynicism. They learned to rely on themselves instead of their parents and distrust those who seem to be looking for a “handout.”
NOT EVERYTHING IS MEANT TO BE SHARED
internet went from a dial-up novelty
2.
KEEP IT PRACTICAL
to an ever-present fuel on which life
The recession hit
runs. But Generation Z is made up of
millennials right as they
digital natives, who’ve never known a
entered the workforce,
life without the internet. That means
and they were more
Gen Z is savvier than many millennials
rocked by its ill effects
are, not just about how they use the
than any other group. This drastically
internet but also how they don’t. While
stunted their employment options,
millennials have flocked to social
delayed their saving and retirement
media sites to share every last thought
options and resulted in a generation-
that comes into their heads, Gen Z is
wide pessimism about work. The result
likely to be far more private, having
for millennials was a deep suspicion
learned from some of the mistakes of
of the workplace, and lofty ideological
older generations. They prefer content
goals for what a job should look like.
that disappears (like Instagram stories
Gen Z absorbed the recession through
and Snapchat) and 70 percent of
their parents’ eyes, and early research
them say they’d rather share personal
suggests it’s had a very different effect
information with their pet than with
on their perspective on work. Gen Z is
their boss.
likely to be more interested in stability
Millennials’ habit of oversharing
and have more practical expectations
extends beyond selfies and sexts. It
for what a job looks like.
involves sharing personal revelations,
This is worth remembering for
prayers and relational drama—far
millennials, who prefer their jobs to
more than anyone else needs to know.
come with not just a paycheck, but real
Just because you can share something,
emotional fulfillment. There’s a lot of
doesn’t mean you should. That’s
value in believing in your work, but a
something Gen Z understands implicitly.
044
2018
WE’VE GOT A LOT TO GIVE ONE ANOTHER
Generation Z is an intercontinental
unfold over Twitter and Facebook.
culture all to its own, sharing a
Gen Z is full of global participants,
common cultural vocabulary in a
engaging with each other with
Generation Z is
way millennials never did. More
little consideration for geographic
probably going to take
importantly, they share common
boundaries. A lot of millennials
things like diversity for
values like inclusiveness, acceptance
were raised hearing they shouldn’t
granted. Millennials are upset when
and justice for the marginalized. White
talk to strangers on the internet, but
they see an organization without
points to the Parkland School shooting
eventually got used to it. Gen Z will
gender and racial diversity. Generation
survivors as being “arguably the first
scarcely have a concept of what that
Z will be more likely to be mystified
time we’ve seen [Gen Z’s] natural bent
would even mean. On the internet,
by it.
toward being social entrepreneurs
none of us are strangers.
4.
In fact, their global connectedness
galvanize around a single event or
means many members of Generation
cause ... They aren’t going to wait for
Z have more in common with
someone to take care of this.”
generational peers in different
Millennials have largely been global
countries than they do with people
spectators, watching major world
older than them in their own country.
events like Arab Spring and Brexit
045
M ATT A DKINS is a freelance writer who lives in Seattle with his wife and son.
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
THE EVOLVING FAITH OF LISA GUNGOR Her husband said he didn’t believe in God. Her church said they had to go. Here’s how she survived.
BY T Y L E R H U C K A B E E
HERE’S A STORY YOU MAY HAVE
You probably know of Lisa and her
the church was exciting and the way
HEARD. The names and places change,
husband, Michael, as the Christian
of Jesus was revolutionary to me. And
but the plot points remain the same.
duo Gungor, extraordinarily popular
I had little questions, but you weren’t
Two young, attractive people fall in
musicians among a certain segment
really allowed to ask them.”
love with God and then, later, each
of Christians who take a critical—also
other. When they marry, they share
read “deconstructive”—posture toward
bother her. Or at the very least, she
a mutual understanding of what the
faith. As key members of the beloved
didn’t know it bothered her. But not
future will generally look like.
spiritually progressive podcast The
long after she and her now-husband
Liturgists and acclaimed songwriters,
started dating, the questions became
works out. There are more curveballs
Michael and Lisa are, as she herself
harder for either of them to ignore.
than they thought—there always
puts it, “professional Christians.”
And, for the most part, this basically
are—but the foundational elements
“God was the center of everything,”
And for a long time, that didn’t
“I think when we’re not allowed to ask these questions it creates
of the dream stay unchanged. God.
she says. “The center of our marriage.
this tension in our faith,” she says.
Family. A home. A job. It’s all very
God is the reason we got married. We
“When you finally are able to ask
straightforward ... until it isn’t. And for
sang worship songs to each other in
them, it collapses. Our whole lives
Lisa Gungor, there came a day when
a little practice room, and that’s how
revolved around [Christianity]. And
everything became decidedly less
we fell for each other—songs about
it was wonderful that as we began
straightforward.
God. It was all Christian romance. So it
to travel more, those questions that
was a huge shock when he said that to
we both had from a young age just
walking around in Denver, strolling
me. We were traveling the world and
kept gnawing at us, and we started
our little girl,” she says. “And we
singing songs about God, and he didn’t
digging to the bottom of them. In
were having some kind of theological
believe any of it.”
the tribe we were born into, these
“[My husband and I] are just
debate, and he just kind of went on
questions weren’t really allowed.
this rant, and I don’t remember what it
BEAUTIFUL THINGS
Doubt was the opposition of faith.
was about, but he did end it with, ‘And
“I loved the story of Jesus growing up,”
And so [if you doubt], you’re seen as a
so therefore, I don’t believe in God
Lisa says of her childhood. “We went to
bad person. So, I felt like I was a bad
anymore.’”
this very wild, charismatic church, and
person for questioning. That made this
047
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
perspective shift really difficult and painful. We ended up getting kicked out of the ‘Church’ for some of the beliefs that we had.” It’s not uncommon. Many Christians have dealt with the pain of being rejected on some level by their faith community for asking questions that fell outside whatever lines of inquiry their church found permissible. But for the Gungors, it was different. This wasn’t just the loss of friends or a place to be on Sunday mornings. This was their livelihood. “We were on the same journey, and there were times I told Michael that I don’t know if I can read the Old Testament,” she recalls. “I don’t know how I feel about this or the way we interpret it. And I was like, ‘I can’t even read the Bible now anymore.’ And he said, ‘Well, I don’t think you should tell people that because that’s kind of a huge thing for Christians.’” The dichotomy grew to be a stark
atheist would look different than this.’”
one. Playing shows and singing songs about faith while journeying through
PARTIALLY HEALED
others I thought, ‘Maybe all of this is
doubt and skepticism offstage.
“He didn’t become a different person,”
b*******,’” she says. And this wobbling
Lisa recalls. “I think there was this
continued back and forth, “good days
[the question], ‘How honest are we in
idea in my head that once you don’t
and bad days” until one experience
public?’” Lisa says.
believe in God, now he’s gonna cheat
in particular brought her to what she
on me and murder people. What [is he]
calls “rock bottom.”
“We then started to wrestle with
The answer, she says, was to be brutally honest. “We absolutely had to
gonna do? Have sex with everyone?
be,” she says. “Because [when you’re
And I was like, Wow, he is still a
her husband visited Auschwitz, the
not] it rips people apart and marriages
great father. He’s committed to me.
infamous concentration camp in
and their own selves apart in the
His moral compass didn’t break and
Poland and were feeling especially
process of trying to have this public-
disintegrate.”
aggrieved over the sheer amount of
private life.” This sort of honesty meant that
It’s easy to believe that a loss of
It came not long after Lisa and
evil in the world. A cousin was fighting
faith will mean a loss of not just your
a losing battle against cancer, and
when Michael finally opened up about
defining attributes but your own
the rest of the family was praying for
not believing in God anymore, it was
humanity, but Lisa says that was not
miraculous healing.
not totally out of the blue.
the case, and she found that hugely
“I knew his struggle,” she says. “I knew the leaders who failed him.” But it wasn’t expected. “I clearly remember looking at Michael and saying, ‘Gosh. I thought an
JULY-AUG
But even that was precarious. “Some days I would really believe, and
reassuring.
“And so I get this call one day, and my cousin is healed,” she says. “And
“But on the other hand, we were not
everyone’s rejoicing and saying, ‘Praise
in the same place,” she admits. “I still
God,’ crying. And I want to do that
believed in God because I had all of
and have that feeling because I miss
these experiences.”
that. I miss that rejoicing. God has
048
2018
“I’m trying to live in the way of love and the way of Jesus ... I know I don’t have it all right, but I love the way of Jesus. I don’t have a definition for that.”
NO DEFINITIONS
Lisa says she doesn’t quite know what she’d call herself now. “I think labels and definitions can be good and helpful sometimes,” she says. “But if there’s anything I’ve learned about having a child labeled as ‘Down syndrome,’ it’s that [labels are
atheist.’”
reductive].”
However, that declaration was
Because of that, she says she’s
short-lived. “And that lasted for a
moved away from having a term for
whole day for me,” she says.
her current belief system. “You can look at our life and the way that we’re
LIGHT
living and if you think that’s against
“I didn’t want my cousin to suffer with
the way of Jesus and love, OK, that’s
cancer. I wanted that to be different. I
your perspective,” she says. “My
didn’t want Michael to be an atheist. I
perspective is I’m trying to live in the
wanted that to be different. I wanted
way of love and the way of Jesus the
us to be fine and to keep traveling and
best I know how. I know I don’t have it
writing songs, and I didn’t want people
all right, but I love the way of Jesus. I
to hate us, which is what happens.”
don’t have a definition for that.”
This was rock bottom, the point in
Looking back at the crisis of faith
Lisa’s life in which she felt the most
remains difficult, but she says she’s
broken into the world and decided to
desperation. And she says the core
learning how valuable the experience
heal someone. This is amazing and I’m
question—the thing it all boiled down
was for her—and how it’s shaping a
so glad he’s healed. But also …” she
to was love. “What do I believe about
better future.
pauses here.
love?” she says. “Love is the whole
“This is really sh***y and unfair that other people are dying while they’re asking for healing,” she finally says.
“In the middle, it’s just painful,”
story that I’ve bought into about Jesus
she says. “But on this side of it, I think
Christ, so what do I believe in?”
it’s interesting that we have such
The answer to this question arrived
attachment to that. As a parent, I can
“So I’m the cynical person in the family
through a lot of labor. Lucy, the
understand that. I want to raise my
wrestling with questions of why, and
couple’s second child, was born with
kids with this idea of the world and
I didn’t want to be. I tried to just wash
Down syndrome. “And it was kind of
faith. In my mind, if they’re completely
away the questions I had. I was like,
this painful, epic, beautiful, wonderful
falling off the deep end, I interpret
‘I’m just gonna jump back in.’”
climax for me,” Lisa says. “This little
that as being a bad parent who didn’t
girl is born into a world that our
do their job well because my child is
phone call from another family
society says is broken, and needs to be
struggling. But I think that’s changing.
member explaining that her cousin
fixed and at the same time, I’m feeling
I’m so grateful for the tragedy of losing
had not been exactly healed. “‘Well,’
that within my self. I’m broken, and I
faith because I think it was a necessary
they said. ‘He’s partially healed.’”
need to be fixed because I don’t believe
path. It was a path we had to be on.”
And that’s when she got another
“And I lost my mind,” she says. “Like, what does that mean? I went on
like I used to.” The peace Lisa found in Lucy was
a finely worded rant, all in my head
not a resolution to her doubts but the
and with Michael. I was like, ‘This is
understanding that she could live with
garbage! This whole idea is garbage!’ I
those doubts and they didn’t change
said, ‘I don’t believe any of this, I’m an
who she was.
049
T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is a contributing editor at RELEVANT.
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
CATCHING A BREAK
BY R ACH E L G IVE N S
The secret to achieving everything you’re working toward might just be to stop working so hard.
A
mber Rae loves
re-anchor into my truest calls
destinies are achieved through
to work. It’s how
and desires, so that I remain
hard work and leaning on
she accomplishes
focused.”
your own ability to get things
so much, from
People often talk about how
done. He wrote, “It is easy to
her world-renowned art
much they love vacations,
see that a greater self-reliance
installation “The World
naps and thanking God it’s
must work a revolution in all
We Want” to her critically
Friday, but let’s be real: Work
the offices and relations of
acclaimed new book Choose
is our true obsession.
men; in their religion; in their
Wonder Over Worry. Rae has
In 2016, more than half
education; in their pursuits;
found a lot of success in doing
of American workers left
their modes of living; their
what she loves.
vacation days unused. In
association; in their property;
America, this fear of real
in their speculative views.”
So it may come as a surprise how she found a job she loves:
leisure goes to the heart of our
by quitting her old, promising
national perspective and the
can have a positive overall
job in Silicon Valley, selling
way we tend to view ourselves
effect on people’s sense of
everything she had and moving
and the world around us. The
well-being. But America has
to New York City.
truth is, many of us have been
tended to lean so much into
raised with an insidious fear
the value and dignity of work
I was trying to do it all and
of rest. And that fear runs
that it has neglected—and in
wasn’t very fulfilled, actually,”
contrary not just to reality but
many cases even disparaged—
she says. “I was balancing
to biblical teaching.
the value of rest.
relationships that I couldn’t do
THE PROTESTANT WORK ETHIC
GOD’S VACATION DAY
any of them particularly well,
Though few may be truly
“Hebrews 4 develops this
and I had this constant fear of
cognizant of it, the deep
idea of rest eschatologically,”
never having enough time.”
belief in the dignity of work
says Dr. Andrew Abernethy,
is uniquely American, hailing
associate professor of the Old
time away from what she was
all the way back to those
Testament at Wheaton College.
obligated to do and see what
industrious Puritans. John
“As believers head toward
time away from work would do
Smith famously told the
God’s rest that is found in
for her. Essentially, her work
colonizers of Jamestown, “He
Christ, Jesus invites the weary
didn’t take off until she learned
who does not work, neither
to find rest by taking His yoke
to rest.
shall he eat,” quoting a part of
on, by living according to His
a verse in 2 Thessalonians.
vision for life instead of the
“There was a time when
Research does show work
so many projects and
She wanted to take some
“I’m a high achiever, so there’s always this inclination
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s
burdensome types of living.”
to do more or go faster,” she
1841 essay, “Self-Reliance,”
It is probably notable
says. “Slowing down, even if
became a sort of manifesto,
that the very first thing the
for a few minutes, helps me
by propagating the idea that
Bible describes God doing
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A CULTURE ADDICTED TO WORK STACKED-UP VACATION
WORK-LIFE BALANCE
According to a 2017 survey, only 23 percent of American workers used all their vacation time throughout the year. It turns out, the average employee forfeits almost half of their vacation time.
Studies have shown many Americans who do take vacations will continue to work remotely, which is ineffective because there’s a certain amount of rest needed to actually be productive.
Working long hours can boost your mortality rate by 20 percent. And research has found that working more than 40 hours a week increases your risk of a stroke by 10 percent.
is creating—an activity you can
The Israelites themselves observed
true that being unemployed makes
probably describe as “work,”
very strict laws. The Jewish Talmud
people less happy, according to a
however loosely. But it’s also notable
explicitly forbids 39 specific
Gallup Poll, but those in blue-collar
that the second activity the Bible
activities on the Sabbath, running
jobs aren’t much happier. According
ascribes to God is rest. His only work
the gamut from baking bread to
to the study, the best professional
on that day, according to Genesis 2,
extinguishing a fire, even to save
predictor of real happiness wasn’t
was to “bless the Sabbath and make
your house (exceptions can be
work, but work-life balance. It seems
it holy.”
made if someone’s life is being
that in order for the intangible
threatened). One of the rules,
benefits of work to truly take root,
days of work that preceded it, that
which forbids harvesting, got Jesus’
they must be wedded to the benefits
would make an appearance in the
disciples in trouble when Pharisees
of rest.
Ten Commandments. “Remember
caught them plucking heads of
the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,”
grain. Jesus defended His disciples
of this. New parents are not
the fourth Commandment says.
with this intriguing phrase from
guaranteed time off from work to
Mark 2: “The Sabbath was made for
care for a new baby, and the elderly
man, not man for the Sabbath.”
in the U.S. are being forced to push
It was this action, and not the six
Whatever spiritual good there may be to work, God was determined to stress the spiritual importance of taking a Sabbath.
In early American history, resting
In America, there is no guarantee
back their retirement for lack of
on the Sabbath became its own kind
funds. This is to say nothing of those
of industry. Not only were Puritans
who work two jobs and still struggle
societies [can] learn the value of rest
forbidden from working on the
to make ends meet.
in these commands to align with
Sabbath, but they were forbidden
the rhythms of creation,” Abernethy
from playing, too. It was not to be
are the signs of a culture that
says. “Particularly in Deuteronomy
a day of rest so much as one of not
has elevated the virtues of work
5, societies see the need to provide
doing much of anything.
at the expense of the virtues of
“Although unique to Israel, other
rest for slaves, workers and even
The research suggests that these
rest, a culture that has become so THE SABBATH WAS MADE FOR MAN
fixated on the idea that jobs are an
Research indicates there is no clear
inherently good thing that we don’t
Sabbath” looks like has been a
cut line between having a job and
believe there’s anything valuable
matter of debate over the millennia.
a personal sense of well-being. It’s
about the alternative.
animals.” Exactly what “honoring the
JULY-AUG
OVERWORKING
052
2018
working in order to reorient around
allow this part of God’s Word to
overstressed and literally working
As a result, Americans are
God as creator and redeemer and
address them as Scripture and
themselves into an early grave. A
to take time to recreate within my
wrestle with what it would look like
nine-year study found skipping
family.”
to respond faithfully.”
vacation days raises your chances
This may seem obvious. Most
And this is what it means to rest
of a heart attack by 30 to 50 percent.
people in salaried positions are
well. Not to be dogmatic about a day
Working long hours can boost
already afforded a weekend,
of the week but to be disciplined
your mortality rate by 20 percent.
and despite the lack of federal
about building a rhythm of rest into
Working more than 40 hours a week
regulation, plenty of companies
your life.
increases your risk of a stroke by 10
do offer benefits like maternity
percent.
leave and vacation pay. Does the
By leaving a job that gave her no
United States really need extra
margin for a life with more built-in
encouragement to rest?
ways to step back from work and
Abernethy suggests that when God instructed people to observe the Sabbath, He did so not as a favor,
The research suggests the answer
“IN SOME CONTEXTS, K E E P I N G T H E S A B B AT H M AY L O O K A L O T L I K E THE JEWISH PRACTICE. ... F O R O T H E R S . . . I T L O O KS L I K E S E T T I N G O N E D AY A PA R T E A C H W E E K .”
That’s what Rae learned to do.
observe a Sabbath, she was able
is yes. You can’t really
to find even more reward not just
make the case that
in the rest but in the work, too.
attending an hour of
A healthy balance between rest
church on Sunday is
and work ends up benefiting both
what God meant by
aspects.
“keep the Sabbath holy.”
So, take a vacation. Set up some
We know the difference
strict boundaries around your job
between working hard
and stick to them.
and being lazy at our
If your career doesn’t give you
jobs. But there’s such a
margin to rest, then consider
thing as being lazy at
making some tough decisions. The
our rest, too.
Sabbath was made for you.
The Sabbath was
“We live in a culture of do more,
set aside for worship,
better, and faster,” Rae says. “The
and worship can look
emphasis is on speed and outcomes
like many things. Good
versus the journey there. ‘Success
conversations with
stories’ tell the overnight wins
friends, pursuing new
people created, but not the messy
but because it was good for them to
interests, exploring creative outlets
middle of getting there, [but] I see
have one. It’s a necessity.
or visiting with family members all
this shifting slowly as more people
bring honor to God in a distinctly
vulnerably share the highs and lows
Sabbath may look a lot like the
worshipful way. But they all take
of the journey.“
Jewish practice of observing Sabbath
intention, too.
“In some contexts, keeping the
from Friday evening until sundown
And for Rae, and for a lot more
“When I was in pastoral ministry,
of us, that journey starts to sound
on Saturday,” Abernethy says. “For
[Sabbath] was on Thursday; now, it
a lot better once you realize that it
others, akin to Isaiah 58, it might
is Sunday for me,” Abernethy says.
includes margin for rest.
look like ensuring that laborers
“We should not be dogmatic about
receive fair treatment and rest. For
what honoring Sabbath looks like
others ... it looks like setting one day
today, but church communities,
apart each week to refrain from
families and individuals should
053
R ACHEL GIVENS is a writer and editor living in Portland.
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
How author Rachel Held Evans—and many others—are reengaging the Bible
BY J O S E P H R I G G S
JULY-AUG
054
2018
W
hat you get out of Rachel
raised in, Evans has found that sturdier faith may
Held Evans’ writing largely
well await you on the other side. And she’s not alone.
depends on what you bring to it. Some people are bound
ENGAGED
and determined to see her as
According to a 2016 study from the American Bible
a rabble-rouser, ever ready to
Society and the Barna Group, Christian millennials
pick a fight, dragging identity
might be the most biblically engaged group in
politics (perhaps better defined here as “identity
generations. There may be fewer of them (just 27
theology”) where it doesn’t belong.
percent of millennials are “biblically engaged,”
But for others, she’s a breath of fresh air—a
compared to 31 percent of Gen Xers and 32 percent
courageous and curious amplifier of voices not
of boomers), but the ones who still consider faith
always tolerated within the mainstream white
to be an important part of their life are more likely
evangelical lane, gifted with a prescient BS detector,
to read their Bibles multiple times a week than any
a way with words and a knack for analyzing the
other generation, and millennials are also more
deconstruction of her faith in a way that makes
likely than older generations to say that the Bible is
others feel less alone. But to hear Evans herself talk
the literal Word of God.
about it, that part of her journey is, if not ending, then at least taking on a new element.
In other words, what millennial Christians lack in breadth they’re making up for in depth.
“I think I’m kind of in the process of, after years of really deconstructing my faith and wrestling with
“If you want to take the Bible seriously, you have to learn to respect the various genres that are there.”
doubts and questions, I do feel like I’m starting to rebuild a little bit,” she says. A big part of that rebuilding has been a rediscovery of the Bible. Like most Christians in her tradition, the Bible was a huge part of Evans’ childhood. She learned the stories and loved them, cottoning to characters like Jonah, Moses and Mary Magdalene. “I was and still am a huge Bible nerd—I was the president of the Bible club in high school, which made me super cool,” she jokes. “I memorized large portions of the Book of Romans before I was 11. I represented the Bible club on the homecoming court in high school. I was obsessed with the Bible and memorized it at all costs. I was really in it.” But as she got older, teachings about the Bible took on another layer: The Bible was under attack. “The message I got from the evangelical culture
So all the cries about the looming death of Christianity in America fail to really account for the whole picture. If faith was a numbers game, perhaps
was that the Bible was always being threatened,”
there’d be reason to be concerned. But if it is instead
she says. “The Bible was constantly in a threat, so
a matter of the heart, then things are looking up. At
the goal was to study the Bible, learn the Bible and
least they are if you take more Bible engagement as
defend the Bible.”
a positive sign, and why wouldn’t you?
But something interesting has happened lately in
“I think the critical turning point for me was
her life: Evans realized the Bible isn’t fragile, just
understanding that the Bible’s not just one book,”
certain interpretations of it seem to be. And if you’re
says Evans. “It seems pretty obvious, but the Bible
willing to rediscover the Bible through a slightly
is this big library of books; it’s a collection of stories
different lens than the one you may have been
and poems and letters and laws, philosophies,
055
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
The Four Senses of Scripture Ancient Christian tradition holds that there are actually four ways or “senses” the Bible operates in— sometimes individually, sometimes all at once—and the fullest reading of Scripture involves learning how and when to read it in which sense.
1
LITERAL:
in the Bible would end up weakening
put together as part of Scripture.”
belief in it. But for Evans, the opposite
This is not, as Evans notes, exactly a secret. The Bible as we know it today is
has proven true. It’s strengthened it. “If you want to take the Bible
made up of 66 books and a wide variety
seriously, you have to learn to respect
of different genres and perspectives. For
the various genres that are there,”
centuries, Christians held to a belief that
she says. “Just because [it has] poetry
some writings were divinely inspired,
and letters, that doesn’t make it
but there was no universal consensus
untrustworthy. It just means God chose
about which writings. Jewish scholars
to communicate through those genres,
had more or less agreed on 22 different
too.”
books for their Scriptures (which Christians would later chop into 39), but
INSPIRED
then a Greek translation of the Hebrew
When it comes to the idea of
Scriptures included 13 extra books—a
“inspiration,” Evans, like many
section Eastern Orthodox and Roman
Christians, falls into the camp that
Catholic believers still hold as divinely
believes not all of the Bible is meant
means exactly what it
inspired, even as Protestants dismiss it
to be read literally. “So for instance,
says about historical and
as the “Apocrypha.”
Genesis 1 is not supposed to be a
cultural events.
The canonization of the New
scientific explanation for how the
Testament was likewise fraught with
world and the universe came to be,”
drama. Some Christians didn’t care for
Evans argues. “It’s really much more of
3 John. Others thought Revelation was
a creation story meant to explain how
a little too out there. And a number of
Yahweh is different from the Babylonian
early Christians weren’t even aware
god, and how this God doesn’t need a
of Hebrews, a book whose anonymous
temple made of stone, He has an entire
like Revelation or some of
authorship has long been a sticking
cosmos as a temple.”
the prophets—should be
point for biblical scholars.
ALLEGORICAL:
Everybody knows that some parts of the Bible—
This is not a unique or even a new
Throughout the fourth century, a
interpretation of Genesis. It’s not even
number of synods haggled over the
particularly unorthodox. But for those
precise New Testament canon. The
of a certain strand of fundamentalism,
most notable of these was the Synod of
it represents a different way of thinking
Hippo, which probably was the first to
about the Bible—one that parses
accept the New Testament canon as we
nuances between what is literally true
Scripture is working in a
think of it today. Around 400, Jerome
and what is true, but not literal.
“moral sense” when it tells
produced a Latin version of the Bible in
a story with a practical
accordance with recent synods known
just 15 percent of religious people aged
as the Vulgate, which was instrumental
18-29 believe Scripture is the Word of
in cementing the biblical canon.
God and is intended to be taken literally.
interpreted as a metaphor for something else.
MORAL:
life application, like how the story of Ruth teaches trust.
4
acknowledging multiple vantage points
years written by multiple authors, all
for American Christians that the Bible literally
3
tried to hedge this fact for fear that
different genres spanning thousands of
The most common sense is also the most obvious:
2
proverbs, the traditions ... all of these
ANAGOGICAL:
This sense points toward
So the determination of which
According to a Pew Forum study,
By contrast, 24 percent of the same age
books, histories, poems, letters and
group agree that it’s the Word of God,
eyewitness reports were accepted
but don’t think everything should be
as divinely inspired and which were
taken literally.
rejected was, to put it mildly, a process.
The question then, inevitably, is
In the past, some fundamentalists have
which parts should be taken literally?
eternity—fulfilled prophecies and the coming Kingdom of God.
JULY-AUG
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2018
“The notion that God ... has to line up with our understandings of science and history is really just a self-centered way of reading the Bible.”
when Martin Luther advocated for everyone’s right to read the Bible. But according to Evans, over the ensuing centuries, many people have lost sight of the value of reading the Bible communally. “I reject the notion that the Bible was to be consumed individualistically,” she says. “It makes a lot more sense to be engaged
To take an easy example, even the most devoted biblical
in a community that challenges you to think about it
literalist will concede that certain dragons foretold in
differently. You’re going to read the story of Ruth differently
Revelation aren’t actual green-scaled-and-leather-winged
if you read it alongside a woman who’s been widowed.
dragons, and that Job’s friends did not actually converse
Particularly a widow in a developing country where that
with each other in poetic verse. Those sections seem easy
affects your status so significantly.
enough, but tempers tend to flare around the literal-ness of,
“Or you’re gonna read a story of Hagar differently if
say, the Creation story or the Second Coming. Interpreting
you read it from the perspective of a woman theologian. A
such passages as metaphor instead of journalistic fact is
black woman is going to read a story about an African slave
seen as minimizing their power and importance.
woman differently than I’m going to as a white lady.”
“The notion that God can only communicate truth through
All of this might sound like a slippery slope. After all,
the modern understandings of science and history is really
you’re opening yourself up to different interpretations—
just centering Western, typically white American, concerns
some of them dramatically different. Perhaps it’s unwise to
when reading Scripture,” Evans argues. “These passages
go swimming in such waters. Who knows what you’ll end
weren’t written for people like us. They were written
up believing? That is a point that Evans is actually willing to
for ancient people who had ancient assumptions about
concede.
cosmology and had different concerns than we have today.
“Absolutely, it’s a slippery slope,” she says. “But loving the
Which doesn’t mean we can’t still learn a lot from them
Bible for what it is and engaging it for what it is instead of
about who God is and what God is like, but the notion that
what you want it to be doesn’t mean you lose any sense of
God has to answer our questions about cosmology and has
its authority or power or significance to your faith. In fact, I
to line up with our understandings of science and history is
would say if you engage it honestly, it enriches your faith a
really just a self-centered way of reading the Bible.”
lot more than if you just pretend it’s all making sense.”
HOLY
Bible is going to depend on what you bring into it. You can
Evans’ other big revelation about the Bible involved how she
come to it thinking that it’s simply there to confirm all your
treats it in her personal life.
pre-determined beliefs and scuttle aside any tricky portions
And in this sense, a good deal of what you get out of the
“I don’t think the Bible is meant to be read as a quiet time,
that don’t line up with your worldview, or you can come at
30 minutes a day, get your personal takeaway and leave,”
it as a series of texts written by a variety of scholars, kings,
she says. “I think the Bible is supposed to be engaged with
prophets, poets and politicians, all of whom wrote about
people who think differently than you and who have a
God according to not only their own interactions with Him,
different theology or are from a different background.”
but their own perspectives on those interactions. It’s a more
For many Christians, the Bible is treated sort of like broccoli. You may not enjoy it, but if you just get a full
complicated, demanding read. But it might just also be the more powerful one.
serving every day then slowly, over time, it’ll make you healthier—possibly even in ways you’re not even fully cognizant of. This is a particularly popular belief among Protestants, for whom the notion of individual, spiritual growth remains ingrained from the days of the Reformation
JOSEPH RIGGS is a writer and editor living in Cincinnati, Ohio
057
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
JULY-AUG
058
2018
Hawke of Ages Starring in one of the year’s best movies, Ethan Hawke is ready to change America’s conversation about grappling with faith and doubt.
BY T Y L E R D A S W I C K
E
than Hawke is preoccupied with three ques-
formance: the actor’s own formative church upbringing, a
tions: why we’re born, what we’re doing here
deep-rooted artistic philosophy and a lifetime of occupying
and why we have to die. They’re eternal, es-
other people’s minds.
sential ideas. And in his latest film, the ac-
“My life has chapters in a way other people’s don’t,” Hawke
claimed First Reformed, Hawke is grappling
says. “It’s a [nomadic] lifestyle. For years, one thing that’s
with each of them. He plays a priest in an existential crisis.
been consistent is the non-stop change.”
The role is a new page for the actor. The eager energy
For decades, Hawke has been a vessel. But after years of
Hawke leaned on in Dead Poets Society and Training Day is
collecting ideas and perspectives, he’s full to the brim. It’s
gone. His posture is weary, and it shelters a desperation that
time for him to release something. His questions have been
pays off in jaw-dropping fashion.
answered.
Critics are calling Reformed, directed by Raging Bull and Taxi Driver’s Paul Schrader, one of the year’s best movies—
CHAPTER ONE: WHY WE’RE BORN
and Hawke shoulders almost the entire thing. As his strain
Hawke was born in Austin, Texas, on November 6, 1970. His
becomes evident, the viewer is forced to ask the same ques-
parents divorced when he was 5 years old, and his mother
tions as the character. There’s a lot behind Hawke’s per-
remarried when he was 11. The family moved to Princeton,
059
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
New Jersey, where Hawke was baptized into the Episcopalian Church. His mom and stepfather served with the local youth group, and Hawke says he was raised a Christian. He says his religious
upbringing
didn’t
confine his worldview. If anything, it expanded it. “Faith is a supple and moving
thing,
because
you see a lot of adults with different points of view,” Hawke says. “A lot of people turn off when you talk about religion because they think they’re about to be preached to or told they’re lost. My family never really did that. I grew up with a lot of different people who had very supple minds, and it made talking about why we’re born and why we’re here and why we have to die a lot more of an exciting conversation. I was raised in a dialogue of faith. I’ve always been trying to figure out how to integrate that aspect of my life into my creative life.” Hawke’s
JULY-AUG
and he’s curious. perspective
His
oriented outward. He’s a
1989’s
Soci-
In Poets, Hawke made
searcher. He talks in a hes-
ety, could be considered a
himself a catalyst for view-
itant,
almost
meandering
breakout
to the answers with all his
is
Dead
role,
Poets
in
might.
In First Reformed, Hawke plays
projection of his person-
ers. When you watch it, you
style, like he looks down
ality.
was
feel what his character feels,
every avenue of the conver-
18, he dropped out of Car-
and you align yourself with
sation before choosing his
negie-Mellon to play the
his experience. It’s still his
path, but when he finds that
bright-eyed Todd Anderson
greatest gift as an actor.
path, he takes it to the end.
opposite
He pauses when new things
It’s a stirring performance.
ie, Poets could have been
occur to him, and he inter-
Hawke looks younger than
Hawke’s ticket to stardom
rupts follow-up questions
he really is, but he also
(his debut, Explorers, was
when a new idea hits his
seems desperate to grow up.
lauded by critics but flopped
brain. He’s a deep thinker,
He asks questions and clings
at the box office). His con-
When
Hawke
Robin
Williams.
Only
060
his
second
a priest struggling with loss, depression, doubt and purpose.
mov-
2018
“I was raised in a dialogue of faith. I’ve always been trying to figure out how to integrate that aspect of my life into my creative life.”
questions about destiny and
what he was born to do.
ceptional, pairing. Training
identity. Hawke was a star
Day opened at No. 1 its first
but a minor one. He opted
CHAPTER TWO: WHAT WE’RE
for the emblematic parts
DOING HERE
instead of the blockbusters.
In 2001, Hawke appeared
a great movie and nobody
That church dialogue he had
alongside
Wash-
sees it, but sometimes you
started when he was young-
ington in the crooked-cop
make a great movie and ev-
er still played out in his
thriller Training Day. Wash-
eryone sees it,” Hawke says.
head, and it shaped the first
ington would take home the
“It’s an awesome feeling to
steps of his career.
Academy Award for best
connect with an audience.
“One of the great things
actor, but Hawke’s role as
It’s like a painting. You see
about going to church is you
the meek, fidgety, deer-in-
inside somebody’s eyes and
like
see yourself as a member
the-headlights rookie Jake
realize they probably feel a
Matt Damon, Edward Nor-
of a community,” he says.
Hoyt earned him an Oscar
lot of the same things you
ton, Will Smith and Mark
“I think it gave me a great
nomination, too (he has four
feel.”
Wahlberg—were still years
framework to survive the
total now).
from making their marks in
pitfalls of early celebrity. It
It’s
Hollywood, and Hawke had
teaches a fundamental hu-
Hawke
as
left a small mark on his
a chance to be famous—re-
mility. One of the problems
much as Jake Hoyt is a char-
worldview. Some actors can
ally famous.
of making it in the arts is
acter, Jake Hoyt is a vessel.
shed roles like costumes.
But instead of chasing
how it fans the flames of
Once again, Hawke’s feel-
Others have a harder time
the limelight, Hawke start-
your ego. It’s really easy for
ings are the audience’s feel-
extracting themselves from
ed chasing art. Reality Bites
young people to lose context.
ings. His reactions are their
the character. Hawke finds
arrived in 1994 as a Genera-
You need a sense of humility
reactions.
is
a paradox in it: As much as
tion X manifesto. 1997’s Gat-
to keep learning and keep
an unstoppable force, but
he acknowledges the poten-
taca, an artistic science-fic-
growing.” In acting, Hawke
Hawke fuels his momen-
tial dangers of this dynamic,
tion
found his purpose. This is
tum. It’s a bizarre, but ex-
he says the better the actor,
temporaries—actors
film,
wrestled
with
061
the
weekend. “Sometimes
Denzel
you
make
Across theater and film, perfect
part,
Ethan
because
Washington
each of Hawke’s roles have
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
“Silence is a tool to open up people. There’s a great line I remember: ‘The voice of our Creator is gentle and can only be heard in silence.’”
the more they’ll let the char-
When you play Macbeth, the
Unlike Dead Poets Society
ask yourself, ‘How do I feel
acter’s motivations, perspec-
evil that lurks inside man’s
or Training Day, there’s no
about that? Which character
tives and ideas “infect their
greediness for power finds
room for you in Hawke’s
is right and which character
psyche.”
its way inside you. When
performance. That means
is wrong?’ It’s a little bit of
But as Hawke grew older
you’re playing a priest in a
instead of going through the
work, but the impact is far
(and in the Before trilogy
full-blown existential crisis,
movie alongside him, you’re
greater because it’s asking
and Boyhood, the latter of
looking into the void of de-
opposite him, even in con-
you to participate.”
which was filmed over the
spair, it presents challenges
flict with him. And he stays
Hawke isn’t an empty
course of 12 years—we liter-
to your day. If you don’t let
back until the finale, when
vessel anymore. He’s here to
ally watched him grow old-
those feelings go, you’re not
he charges forward, and you
make an audience think and
er), he had to learn how to
going to live very long.”
realize that this time he has
feel things they could nev-
finds
the ideas, he has the mes-
er have conceived without
ters he possessed. The roles
Hawke again as that deep,
sage and he empties those
him. It’s his mission now, his
were opening up his mind to
hollow vessel. He channels
ideas out upon the audience.
orders. Instead of letting us
more parts of the human ex-
more convictions and ideas
It would feel traitorous if it
participate in someone else’s
perience, but he was starting
in this movie than in any
wasn’t so revelatory.
worldview, he’s asking us to
to lose parts of himself.
other role. There’s a lot be-
step back out of the charac-
“It takes a toll on your
Reformed
“One of the things that’s happened
body,” he says. “You have to
makes
performance
such a problem—they do
CHAPTER THREE: WHY WE
let these things pass through
remarkable is how Hawke
all the work for us,” Hawke
HAVE TO DIE
you. If you were to read The
keeps it all hidden. He buries
says. “They show a human
There are lines on Ethan
Bell Jar (a novel about de-
those ideas.
being with a tear in their
Hawke’s face now. They give
eye, and they play sad mu-
him history, and they allude
sic, so you feel sad, and you
to all the roles he’s borne
day for a month, you’re re-
the
It’s your job as the viewer, then, to start digging.
to
participate in his own.
neath the surface, but what
pression and suicide) every
JULY-AUG
First
movies—it’s
ally getting inside the head
For maybe the first time in
don’t have to do any work.
and shed. He looks like a
of someone who’s contem-
an Ethan Hawke movie, First
Silences leave room for your
veteran. He describes his life
plating taking their own life.
Reformed makes you lean in.
imagination. You have to
that way sometimes, like he
062
2018
063
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
In First Reformed, Hawke’s encounter with a pregnant woman (Amanda Seyfried) shakes his worldview.
was in battle.
JULY-AUG
munity: to provoke good
the exterior and toward the
Hawke says. They’re on a
“I’ve always gone to war
conversations and interest-
interior. That’s what a mov-
flat screen. Depth, literally,
for art,” he says. “I believe
ing dialogue, to entertain us
ie like First Reformed tries
has limitations.
the artistic dialogue of a na-
in a way that leads us some-
to do, but at the same time,
“The spiritual life is hard
tion, of a people, represents
where. That’s always been
it’s not easy to direct an au-
to dramatize,” he says. “Is-
its collective consciousness,
the thing I fight for.”
dience in 2018.
sues of faith have been om-
how much we connect with
Hawke has put himself on
First, that change asks
other people, how we expe-
the front lines. He believes
someone
being
and yet, very few of my mov-
rience compassion. It’s part
that as an actor, he can tap
passive to lean in, and sec-
ies are spiritual in context.
of our mental health. That’s
into those complexities. He
ond,
ideal
Film isn’t oriented toward
the role of the artistic com-
can move people’s gaze past
for showing the interior,
what makes us alive. It loves
064
used
movies
to
aren’t
nipresent in my waking life,
2018
“At its best, art has always made me feel the way I wish church did. It makes you feel like you don’t have to be ashamed ... like you’re not alone.”
girls taking their tops off. It
deal with a sincere adult
to have an experienced life.
loves guys pulling out guns.
relationship to the Divine,”
Opening yourself up to new
It loves Camaros. Things that
he says. He sounds disheart-
thoughts and new ideas is
we are desirous of—alcohol,
ened.
what we want to do to our
sex, love, power, money—
Perhaps to Hawke, they’re
children as they grow up, so
make a tremendous amount
a missed opportunity. He
they’re not provincial and
of noise, but in silence, we
says the culture now is quick
they have an openness of
often hear a more gentle
to hyperbolize, and we do
thought. Art is one of the few
voice inside ourselves.”
that because it’s easy. We
things that can really be that
It’s this silence that he be-
praise celebrities in one mo-
bridge for us.”
lieves is the key to helping
ment, but when we find out
Hawke’s spiritual founda-
people understand deeper
about their personal failings,
tion is strong enough to hold
truths. “Silence is a tool to
it shocks us. It’s too hard to
him up even when he looks
open up people,” he ex-
reckon with a person’s in-
over the edge, and he has.
plains. “There’s a great line I
herent contradictions or oth-
He’s become other people.
remember: ‘The voice of our
er complicated realities, so
“I believe in the value of
Creator is gentle and can
we shuttle them toward one
performance,” he says. “It
only be heard in silence.’”
extreme or the other. People
brings us together. It lets us
aren’t that simple.
see ourselves. When art is
Hawke has seen Christian movies. They repre-
“A lot of people spend
good, it’s connected to what
sent, to him, the opposite
their whole lives listening to
I would call a spiritual life.
of the broad, inclusive per-
the same music they listened
At its best, art has always
spectives he experienced in
to when they were 18 to 25,”
made me feel the way I wish
church growing up. He calls
Hawke says. “That’s placing
church did. It makes you
them “Hallmark movies,” su-
yourself in a formaldehyde
feel like you don’t have to be
perstitious and superficial.
of sorts. We have to remem-
ashamed. It makes you feel
ber to keep being alive and
like you’re not alone.”
“In my mind, they don’t
065
T YLER DASWICK is RELEVANT’s senior writer. He’s on Twitter @TylerDaswick.
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
A LV V AY How the indie outfit threw out their plans and decided to get personal
BY S A R A H J A M E S
W
HEN MOLLY RANKIN ENTERED THE STUDIO
on the actual music though, the producer noticed something:
to record her album, she had no intention
Whether the musicians realized it or not, they weren’t making
of making a record with a band that would
a solo project for Rankin. Their chemistry was bigger than that.
become Alvvays. “We went into the studio
They were forging new creative ground together and were on
at Calgary thinking this was going to be a
the verge of doing something totally new—as a band.
solo record for me,” she explains.
“[He] was the one who realized we were more of a band than
She brought along a couple of friends
JULY-AUG
we thought,” she says.
and fellow musicians, Alec O’Hanley and Brian Murphy, to
Three years and countless shows around the world later, it
provide some backing support. When they started working
turns out, the producer was right. The change in plans—from
066
2018
big indie-rock guitars. The vulnerability of the lyrics may be an
how close she and her bandmates have gotten since they first formed. After touring
unexpected direction for some fans, but for
together for years, they are very open during
Rankin, evolving with life’s unexpected plans
the creative process, constantly pushing
is a big part of why she is who she is.
each other forward. “Alec and I have always needed time in
***
YS
When Rankin was just 12 years old, her
just time to sit with something so you can
father was driving her brother and a couple
be as objective as possible,” she says. “Be
of friends home from a hockey game near
willing to throw out an idea that you’re
their home in Eastern Canada, when he lost
fond of, as painful as that can be, it’s pretty
control of the vehicle. They plunged off of a
necessary for us to be able to point out our
large cliff into waters below. After breaking
flaws in writing—and sonically as well.”
the windows, the passengers were able to
define, but that’s exactly the kind of album
musician himself, did not make it.
Rankin wanted. lazy, and people can be caught up in that,”
becoming an accomplished fiddler—just like
she explains. “But I think you’ll ultimately
her father—as a way of paying tribute to him
prevail if you keep chipping away at your
and keeping his memory alive.
goal, which is to be prolific and focus on
and began to collaborate with friends (a few of whom are now her bandmates) who
MacLellan
Yes, Alvvays is influenced by other bands.
after gaining buzz on the Toronto music
Strokes, The Replacements and The Smiths
scene, they inked a record deal and began
as bands they are fans of.) But they’ve
work on their 2015 debut.
always developed a unique sound that is all their own, without worrying about
but Rankin says they didn’t mind taking
comparisons or labels. With their bright
creative risks. “We went out on a few
guitars, poetic lyrics and catchy indie-pop
different limbs with the record,” she says.
hooks, they’re comfortable just letting the songs come naturally—adapting to new
and approaches to instrumentation, but her
plans and ideas as old ones change—instead
lyrics are also notably more vulnerable and
of trying to stand out for the sake of being
personal than Alvvays fans might expect.
different.
In the song “Already Gone,” Rankin opens
“I don’t know if I can define what makes
up about the death of her father in the tragic
us stand out from other bands,” Rankin says.
accident.
“I don’t really like to over-confidently tout
“I arrived at the scene, you were perfectly
things like that. Lyrics have always been
surrounded by pylons / When the crowd
a huge part of what Alec and I have done.
separated, the officer said you were already
That’s something we’re drawn to in other
gone / Appetite minuscule / Middle of the night
bands as well, smart lines and witty poetry.”
/ Drain the pool / The summer’s over.” recording a solo album, to forming a band
slap on you as a two-word easy sentence.” (Rankin includes artists like The Hives, The
They’re experimenting with new sounds
Rankin, Kerri
your output instead of what people want to
bonded over their love of indie-rock. Soon
Expectations were high for the follow-up,
O’Hanley, Molly
“Sometimes labels can be reductive and
Rankin committed herself more to music,
By 20, she’d become a talented musician
L to R: Brian
The result is an album that’s difficult to
swim to safety, but her father, an acclaimed In the years after her father’s death,
Murphy, Alec
between working on songs and recording,
It’s arguably the most personal song
With its mix of song types, sounds and lyrical content, Antisocialites sounds like a
and creating together as Alvvays—paid off.
Alvvays has ever recorded, but it’s far from
record from a band that is comfortable with
Just weeks after its release, Alvvay’s self-
an outlier on the album.
not sticking to a formula, but for Alvvays,
titled debut went to No. 1 on the U.S. college charts. Now, the band is back with Antisocialites,
The record’s big single “In Undertow” and difficulties of going through a break-up, and
a record that marks a serious evolution
the closing track “Forget About Life” finds
for Alvvays—particularly the songwriting,
Rankin taking on the stresses of life.
which interplays deep, personal lyrics with
that’s exactly what they’d prefer.
the standout “Not My Baby” are about the
The creative shift is partly thanks to
067
SAR AH JA MES is an artist and writer who lives in Brooklyn.
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
SI T T IN G D O W N W I T H
B R I A N H O U S T O N T H E M O ST IN FLU EN T I A L PA STO R IN T H E W O RLD H A S S O M ET HIN G H E WA N T S YO U TO K N O W.
JULY-AUG
068
2018
AS
THE SENIOR PASTOR
than our potential or God’s best. I feel
WHEN LINING UP THEIR CALLING
AT HILLSONG
we need to set ourselves higher and
AGAINST ANOTHER PERSON’S?
CHURCH, Brian
understand God has more for us. I’m
Houston is a walking
certain that as long as we have life,
Comparison is ugly. No one ever wins
testament to the idea that ambitious
God has us on an adventure, and like
when you start living your life in
goals and intentional purpose can lead
any adventure, it has its highs and
competition. There’s always going to be
to great achievement. In fact, each
lows, but Scripture says God can do
someone a little better looking, a little
week, more than 100,000 people attend
anything, more than we can imagine.
smarter, a little more gifted and more
a Hillsong-affiliated church, making
talented than you. So comparison’s a
it one of the world’s largest and most
IT’S EASY TO BE COMPLACENT AND
dangerous road to go down, and I think
influential churches. He’s literally one
GET COMFORTABLE, BUT SOMETIMES
the devil would love us to get involved
of the world’s biggest pastors.
WE’RE CALLED TO DO SOMETHING
in that world. But that’s a choice, and
UNCOMFORTABLE. HOW DO WE
it’s also a choice to realize God has
DISCERN THAT?
a goal for our lives. I’m going to run
In his new book, There Is More, Houston writes about how God breaks through the negativity of culture
my own race, and I’m going to be
to deliver enriching, open-minded
There are so many forces designed to
comfortable in my own skin. I’m going
encouragement, so others can
stop you from stepping into whatever
to be who God wants me to be, know
accomplish their own big dreams.
it is God has called you to and designed
He has more for me and I’m going to
you for. Comfort will never give you
continue toward that “more” no matter
to discuss how to overcome obstacles
the fulfillment that living your life
what it costs.
while chasing your own calling.
“called” will. God can bring you more
RELEVANT sat down with Houston
if you stay resilient and refuse to draw
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO ATTAIN THAT
COULD YOU ARTICULATE THE
back. God can open doors of possibility
PERSONAL OWNERSHIP OF YOUR
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WE
and opportunity you could never
CALLING AND STRIP THE COMPARISONS
OFTEN HEAR IN CULTURE AND WHAT
imagine.
AWAY?
SCRIPTURE TEACHES? SO HOW DO YOU MAKE SURE THOSE
It comes from a godly confidence.
The contrast is pretty clear. The world
POSSIBILITIES ARE THINGS GOD IS
You have to have a confidence, that,
around us is increasingly lacking hope,
PUTTING ON YOUR HEART INSTEAD OF
one, God is God. Two, you’re a child
a future and direction. There’s a lot of
SELFISH DESIRES?
of God. Three, He loves you, and He’s
pessimism about the future, whether
called you. And four, He has a plan
it’s in political, natural or social
Motivation is important. The Bible
and purpose for your life. If you just
fields. I think that gives the Church an
talks about self-ambition, and I actually
live with that certainty in your life, it
amazing opportunity to point people
looked up ambition in the thesaurus,
almost becomes inevitable that you’ll
to Jesus and point people to what God
and the words were great, like fire, zeal
move forward into the “more” God has
has for us. So as the world around us
and passion. I don’t think those words
for you. Don’t underestimate God.
becomes more pessimistic, it tells us as
are from the devil; I think those words
No matter where we’re at in life,
Christians what can’t be done and why
are from God. Jesus obviously had zeal
we can feel like we’re maxing out, and
it shouldn’t be done and tries to put us
and passion. There’s a force that would
we’re not as good as the next person.
in a box. But ... God can’t be boxed.
love for us to lose our zeal, but when
That’s exactly what the devil would
someone has the kind of resilience
have us think.
IS THERE AN AREA WHERE YOU THINK
to know God and they keep pressing
THE CHURCH ISN’T THINKING BIG
forward, God has more for them.
ENOUGH RIGHT NOW?
I understand the importance of not going down that road. I’m not going to do that to my spirit. I understand that
ANOTHER PITFALL IS WE LIVE IN A
my pursuit of “more” means less about
One of the great tragedies of the
CULTURE THAT FOSTERS COMPARISON,
me, a lot more about others and all
Church is we tend to settle for less
SO HOW CAN PEOPLE AVOID THAT
about God.
069
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT
S O M A L
JULY-AUG
070
2018
I L A N D BEHIND 72-YEAR-OLD HAHA AHMED BUNI,
the Gulf of Aden glimmers underneath the soon-setting sun. Despite the seemingly picturesque setting, desperation has begun to settle on the village of Lughaya. Like many women in the village, she helps care for dozens of children who live there with families in makeshift homes constructed from sticks, branches, old pieces of sheet metal and disregarded cardboard. It hasn’t rained in months. And though clean drinking water is accessible from a deep well that’s about 10 kilometers away, an eight-year drought in the region has caused almost all of the plants to die. The ones that do grow are invasive, thorny and poisonous if animals eat them. And with the village historically reliant on income that comes from herding goats and camels—most of those flocks are dead because of the drought—like most families in the Lughaya region, there’s little way for Buni to pay for food for the children she cares for. Lughaya is a remote village surrounded by open desert on three sides, and the sea on the other. But like many villages in rural Somaliland, it has seen its population swell as people who have been migrating herdsmen for countless generations have been forced to find more permanent places to settle as their
BUT WE CAN HELP CHANGE
herds slowly starve to death and their way of life dies alongside the animals they care for.
071
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
Until December of last year, Buni
doesn’t have enough representation
and Somalia. Now, experts say the
received $85 a month from the United
within the United Nations for its crisis
conditions that sparked that disaster—
States
to be recognized.
drought,
Agency
Development to
foreign
desperately
for
International
(USAID),
inadequate
government
but
cuts
Even though it is largely free from
resources, a lack of response from the
assistance
ended
that
the terrorism and violence that plagues
international community—may soon
needed
income
for
many parts of Somalia—during the
be replicating themselves.
countless Somaliland residents.
reporting of this story, the radical
Since then, Buni has taken out
Islamic group al-Shabab set off car
an informal line of credit from the
bombs that killed 38 people in the
closest market so she can still feed her
Somali
children and grandchildren (mostly
international
with canned foods). She says her hope
capital
of
Mogadishu—the
a
man
who
experienced
most
people
Somaliland to the same restrictions
community
have
never
is that the USAID program will be
as its neighbor. And even though
happening. He was asleep when a
reimplemented so she can pay off her
Somaliland
stable
jackal entered his hut and began to
quickly growing debt. But with the
politically, it is technically one of the
savagely attack him. With bandages
Trump
seven nations singled out by President
still covering his face and head, he
plans for deeper cuts to international
Donald
explains that he was able to fight off the
aid (eliminating as much as a third of
meaning the U.S. won’t accept people
its budget), that’s looking increasingly
from the region. Because it operates
You see, jackals in this part of the
unlikely.
within the borders of Somalia, there is
world typically don’t do this sort of
announcing
is
Trump
subjects
In a village not far from Lughaya, there’s
something
administration
community
People there know things may soon get very, very bad.
relatively
for
a
travel
ban,
in
the
heard
of
attack, but he’s still shaken by it.
Buni, like most people in Somaliland,
an extra layer of diplomatic complexity
thing. Usually, they eat things like
is Muslim. When asked where she
involved in the drought-starved region
bugs, berries, small birds, grass and
will turn if the USAID money does
receiving international foreign aid.
carcasses—they don’t attack full-grown
not return, with her back to the sea,
Even
though
Somaliland
isn’t
humans. But the drought has killed
she pauses and looks at the children
formally recognized, there is a high
many of the plants, grass, bugs, berries
sitting in the dirt around her feet. She
degree of pride within its borders.
and small birds, and the carcasses
points up, takes a deep breath and says,
The official travel documents instruct
of camels and goats claimed by the
“Allah.”
travelers and tourists to refer to it
drought simply don’t have much meat
only as Somaliland—never Somalia.
on them. The jackals are desperate.
A COUNTRY WITHIN A COUNTRY
The government is actively courting
For the people in the village, the
Somaliland occupies a unique place in
investments from overseas businesses,
jackal attack is just one small sign that
world diplomacy. Though it’s located
particularly
the worst may still be yet to come, that
within the borders of Somalia, the
within the capital city of Hargeisa.
country
operates
independently,
for
the
infrastructure
But despite an underlying spirit
with its own currency, government
of
of
independence
within
is, unless somebody does something to help them.
some
and
communities, there is also a feeling of
A CHANGING CLIMATE
self-declared border. But despite its
profound dread, as Somaliland sits on
When Dr. Chris Funk first began
decades of independence and more
the brink of catastrophe.
his
elected
officials,
military
career,
study
he
climate
never change.
intended The
to
than four million residents, Somaliland
Between 2010 and 2012, more than
official
is not recognized by most the world
a quarter of a million people died
job title he was seeking back then
—including the United States. It also
during a famine that struck Somaliland
was “Humanitarian Earth Scientist.”
S OM A LI L A ND: A B RI EF H I STO RY: S o m a l i l a n d h a s , at ti m es , b e e n re co g n ize d a s a n i n d e p e n d e nt state s i n ce its B r iti s h o ccu p ati o n i n th e l ate 1 8 0 0 s . I n 1 96 0 , th e re g i o n b r i ef ly g a i n e d fo r m a l i n d e p e n d e nt statu s fro m th e B r iti s h g ove r n m e nt, th o u g h
JULY-AUG
072
afte r d e ca d es of c ivi l wa r i n th e re g i o n , its statu s re m a i n e d i n l i m b o. I n 1 9 91 , off i c i a l s i n S o m a l i l a n d off i c i a l ly d e c l a re d i n d e p e n d e n ce fro m S o m a l i a . H oweve r, it i s u n re co g n ize d by th e i nte r n ati o n a l co m m u n it y to d ay.
2018
“They’re just so desperately exposed to these kinds of climate extremes,” he explains. Now, he’s observing the worst drought the area has seen in 35 years. And the data is becoming even more concerning. “I don’t see any good reason why it should get better,” Funk says. “And I think it’s quite likely that the frequencies of these droughts could increase.” However, Funk, whose research with the Climate Hazards Group provides data to the government that’s used to determine which areas are in the greatest need of aid, is still determined to help the vulnerable communities there. After two decades of studying climate change and sea surface temperature
escalations,
he
and his team are able to more accurately predict when droughts will occur. “I was doing this same job in 2011 when 258,000 Somalians died,” he says. “This time around, we did a much better job predicting the droughts and getting at least some humanitarian relief.” His data can also be used to allow governments to proactively help
people
from
suffering
Essentially, he wanted to use
region around Somalia, not only
economic collapses, like in the
satellite
climate
because of the impact climate
cases of communities losing their
data to help people across Africa.
change is having on the people
entire herds. They are actively
However, the more he studied, the
there, but also, as he explains,
coming up with creative solutions
more he noticed something: The
because of its unique geographical
to help.
must band together
climate was changing rapidly, and
position in relation to the trade
“So you’d go in, and say we see
to survive the harsh
the world’s poorest communities
winds—which already keep it
trouble coming and are going to
were suffering the worst.
The population of seaside villages have swelled as desperate families, who once depended on livestock, now
conditions.
imagery
and
much more dry than other areas
give you fair market value for
In 1997, he became a founding
on the equator. It makes the area
your goats so you can go ahead
member of the U.S. Geological
a sort of canary in the coal mine
and take this money and have it
Survey/UC Santa Barbara climate
for understanding the effects of
in the bank,” he explains. “That
science team.
climate change in other parts of
would increase, I think, a lot of
the world down the road.
resilience
His research has focused on the
073
and
those
families
RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM
wouldn’t lose everything.”
humanitarian response is usually more
Haha Ahmed Buni lives, the mayor of
Funk isn’t alone in thinking about
intense and lasts for a shorter period of
the region—who overseas 56 villages
creative solutions to help the people of
time, but with a place like Somaliland,
in the region—said fishing nets, boats
Somaliland.
what was thought to be a one-year
and training for the seaside villages,
drought is coming up on eight years.”
which are growing in population every
World
Vision,
an
international
Christian humanitarian organization,
Now that it’s becoming ever more
has been working in the region for
apparent to experts that these types of
years.
their
droughts are dramatically increasing
“A term for that in the climate world
strategy from focusing on disaster relief
in frequency, World Vision is shifting
is ‘adaptive capacity,’” Funk explains.
to long-term development projects.
their strategy to helping the people.
“They could do something to adapt, but
Recently,
they
shifted
month, could provide much-needed relief and income for the people.
“Relief focuses on serving those who
“In a country where almost 90
don’t have the resources to do that.”
are most vulnerable in the case of a
percent of the population are traditional
However, World Vision’s project hopes
rapid-onset disaster like a hurricane
herdsmen, whose flocks have been
to the change that.
or a drought, but the goal with
decimated by years of drought, fishing
development is to help communities
might be the only means of survival,”
THE NEED IS NOW
become self-sufficient,” Brian Duss, an
Duss explains. “Thankfully Somaliland
You may not remember it, but back in
aid worker with World Vision, explains.
is on the coast of Africa. The Gulf of
2012, a massive drought hit the United
“In the case of Somaliland, this includes
Aden’s fishing stocks are both vast and
States. But, as Funk notes, not only did
diversifying their income sources so
virtually untapped.”
food prices remain unchanged; “it had
they can be more resilient in terms
It’s
a
project
the
people
of
of changing weather or even sudden
Somaliland are desperately in need
shifts in market forces. Emergency
of. While visiting the village where
no effect on the people in the United States.” Climate change has a way of targeting the vulnerable. And it has a way of creating a disconnect between the areas that experience it and are not affected by it and the communities that
already
feel
its
devastating toll. “The rate that we’re going, there’s really a good chance we’ll end up with 3-4 degrees of warming, maybe by the middle part, better end of the century,” Funk says. “You kind of get to some point that you just get really, really scary
outcomes.
For
example, we’ve looked at the outcome of really warm temperatures on
In rural Somaliland, many communities are isolated, with no nearby roads or access to the most basic goods and services needed to build villages.
JULY-AUG
074
2018
ETHIOPIA SOMALILAND
A C H A NG E I N C L I M ATE S o m a l i l a n d ’s g e o g ra p h i c l o cati o n o n th e h o r n of Afr i ca m a kes it, a n d s u r ro u n d i n g co u ntr i es , u n i q u e ly v u l n e ra b l e to eve n s m a l l r i ses i n se a s u r fa ce te m p e ratu re ca u se d by c l i m ate c h a n g e. U n l i ke m a ny a re a s l o cate d n e a r th e e q u ato r—w h i c h a re wa r m , wet a n d l u s h—th e tra d e w i n d s p u s h ra i n to th e n o r th . A s se a s u r fa ce te m p e ratu res r i se, th i s effe c t i s a cce l e rate d a n d p ro l o n g e d , w ith d eva stati n g effe c ts to p l a nts a n d a n i m a l l ife.
SOMALIA UGANDA
KENYA
VE G E TATIO N C OVE R AG E 2016
2017
TANZANIA
pregnant women and this is just a very direct thing.” In parts of the developing
taken an interesting posture: hope.
like Haha Ahmed Buni.
“I think another thing to impress on
the
about climate change. “When you put
to
opportunities for hope; people are
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere,
making a difference,” he says.
you’re going to get global warming,”
young
children
and
pregnant
women.
people
though,
is
all
of
There’s also combating ignorance
world, this kind of heat can be ruinous
And in rural Somaliland, where
The average Western person could
World Vision has constructed dozens
make a huge difference by tackling the
of maternal and prenatal care centers
issue on three fronts: understanding
to offer medical services to local
the
change,
problem can lead to people making
communities, this need is becoming
advocating for greater international
decisions that reduce it, like wasting
a daily reality. The centers—though
aid and donating to NGOs doing work
less
stocked with basic medicine and run by
on the front lines.
environmental policies.
trained medical experts—are quickly becoming overwhelmed, as more and
But
reality
it
of
starts
climate
with
combating
misconceptions.
Funk says. “It just falls out of the basic physics.” Further
and
And,
understanding
advocating finally,
of
for
the
more
supporting
organizations like World Vision that
more people flock to them to receive
“If you were to ask the average
are on the ground in the country, can
treatment as conditions around them
American, they think we spend 20
help provide direct assistance to the
become more extreme.
percent of our national budget on
people who truly need it most.
“If we wait 50 years and don’t do
foreign assistance, and it’s actually less
anything, you’re gonna find billions of
than 1 percent,” Funk explains. “We
people being really hurt,” Funk says.
are the richest nation on Earth, and we
In places like Somaliland, climate
For the people of Somaliland, this is a crisis that must not be ignored.
really don’t do much.”
change is already a reality and the
Even marginal increases to foreign
stakes couldn’t be higher. But despite
aid—increased by electing officials who
knowing the data and understanding
will make it a priority—could have life-
what the outcome could be, Funk has
changing effects on the lives of people
075
JESSE CAREY is the brand director at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @jessecarey
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TILL I FOUND YOU
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Lisa Bevere takes on
tumultuous times.
video game movie ever,
the franchise.
LEAVE FEAR BEHIND. M OV E F ORWARD IN FAITH . EMBRACE THE ADVEN TU R E .
AVAILABLE MAY 8 EVERYWHERE BOOKS ARE SOLD
IN UNEXPECTED, author Christine Caine invites us to learn how to live in the mystery and adventure of following Jesus and embracing the unexpected-because nothing grows without disruption and interruption. Nothing grows without the unexpected. Using dramatic examples from her own journey, Christine offers real-life strategies and biblical inspiration to help move us from fear and anxiety to hope and trust in God, fully embracing the unexpected every single day. Learn to live in the joyful freedom of complete trust in God.
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Father John Misty I
f the title to God’s Favorite Customer’s first single, “Mr. Tillman,” isn’t enough of a clue (his real name is Josh Tillman), the new album is
his most personal to date. Yes, he still maintains the moniker, but unlike his previous albums as Father John Misty, much of the irony is gone, with Tillman genuinely wrestling with ideas about love and hope.
Written about a brief time when he lived in a
hotel, the album focuses on the power of being alone and the danger of loneliness. And with song titles like “Hangout at the Gallows,” “Disappointing Diamonds Are the Rarest of Them All” and “Please Don’t Die,” Father John Misty shows that behind all
GOD’S FAVORITE CUSTOMER [SUB POP]
Trading in folk for piano ballads, the
the laughs he’s been known for is someone ready to
album is a deeply
get vulnerable with his listeners.
personal effort.
“
my Home
GOD GAVE ME HIMSELF AS
”
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LAST WORD A Thought Before We Go
you and me, with our particular
give you unique opportunities
gifts, personalities and passions,
to speak to those He’s lined up
for such a time and place as this
for you to meet about the God
(Psalm 139:13-16).
who has done all this. God could
He has built us for the life
Hope for Such a Time As This God put you and I here (and now)
Augustine, a Martin Luther,
He wired you physically. He
a Jonathan Edwards, an Amy
wired you emotionally. He wired
Carmichael, a C.H. Spurgeon,
you with personality: your
an Elisabeth Elliot, or a [insert
fight-or-flight response, your
your favorite hero from church
harmonizing, your persisting,
history here]. But he didn’t. He
your achieving. All of that is
gave today’s church, in this age
hardwired into you by God.
of unbelief, you and me. That’s
You’ve been uniquely wired by
our calling. That’s our privilege.
a divine hand. And God doesn’t
That’s our responsibility.
make mistakes. He didn’t get distracted while He was knitting
for a reason.
you together and drop a stitch. We’re uniquely wired. And we’re
BY M AT T C H A N D L E R
WHEN WE LEARN
uniquely placed (Acts 17:24,
TO LOOK UP MORE
26-27).
THAN WE LOOK
his is a great time to
out of fear, whether that’s fear
be a Christian. Not
over our jobs, our reputation,
Him and live faithful to Him
an easy time—but an
our children or our freedom.
right where you are, right when
AROUND, WE’RE
you are. He is not looking at
UNLEASHED TO BE
exciting one.
God made you to worship
When we learn to look up
I know it doesn’t look that
more than we look within or
the age of unbelief and wishing
way. When I think about
look around—so that we put
He’d played His A-team for
our cultural moment, I can’t
our hope and trust in God—
this era, rather than you and
help but see parallels with
we’re unleashed to be bold in
me. And knowing that should
Christopher Nolan’s sinister
and for Him. We move beyond
comfort us. God knows what
Batman universe—a society
seeking to convert the culture,
He’s doing. Knowing that should
plagued by fear, a society where
condemn the culture or consume
also eradicate any sense of
the line between good and evil
the culture. We walk with
boredom in our lives. What I
has faded, a society marked
courage—with a deep, optimistic
mean is this: God is at work
by skepticism and cynicism, a
confidence—for we know how
behind everything, setting us
society with very little hope.
this story ends and we know
up as heralds of His Good News
why we are in this story.
to everyone. He is at work in
It’s what the cultural commentator Mark Sayers calls
As His people, we get to show our great God to this dark world
neighbors, our co-workers and
no sense of true and meaningful
in how we live and what we say.
potentially all those we come in
morals, relationships or identity.
That’s exciting. And God put
contact with.
But God’s people are called to
you—yes, you—here to do just
None of our conversations
live by faith, not by sight. And
that. It’s no mistake that we’ve
and interactions and situations
our faith tells us that none of
entered the age of unbelief—it’s
are by chance (Christians don’t
this is an accident. Our God is
all part of God’s plan.
believe in chance). They are
greater than us, and our God is
And it’s also no mistake that
by divine appointment. God
greater than any cultural norm
you are part of the Church in
has uniquely wired you with
or pressure. Our God has this.
this age of unbelief—that is part
specific gifts and tendencies, and
of God’s plan too.
uniquely placed you where you
When we live by faith in that God, we are freed from living
God has specifically designed
WITHIN OR LOOK
BOLD IN AND FOR HIM.
our families, our friends, our
a “non-place”—a culture with
JULY-AUG
have given today’s church an
He knew He would give to us.
live, work and play in order to
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M AT T CH A NDL ER is lead pastor at The Village Church in Dallas/Fort Worth and author of several books, including Take Heart: Christian Courage in the Age of Unbelief.
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