Viewfinder: Church with a difference
At a time of life which can often be filled with change and instability, many young adults are struggling to see what Jesus and Christian community could offer them.
In fact, according to recent research by the Evangelical Alliance, reaching this age group is one of the biggest challenges facing the church today. In a culture losing touch with its Christian roots, many in this 'missing generation' of 18-30 year-olds may never have experienced church at all.
Though 96% of church leaders consider reaching 18-30s to be amongst their top priorities, only 11% feel well-resourced to do so. It's a shocking disparity, and one that the Damaris Trust is seeking to remedy with its new resource, Viewfinder (available now at www.viewfinderservices.org). Designed to help every church reach the 18-30 age range, these special outreach services aim to engage young adults with spiritual issues, and provide an introduction to Christian faith.
Damaris believes that people's deepest longings and questions are expressed in popular culture, which is why Viewfinder takes film as its starting point. Films offer a way in to big questions, even for those who might not immediately be willing to think about spiritual matters. Each service begins by unpacking a film's big topics, before widening its focus to take in culture's perspective on these ideas. A variety of videos, images and interviews keep things fast-paced and attention-catching, as the speaker leads on to an explanation of how Christianity can address the theme at hand.
The free pilot edition looks at the topic of 'true friendship' in Oscar-winner The Social Network. The brand new edition of Viewfinder, written by Krish Kandiah and available now at www.viewfinderservices.org for £10, takes a look at 'tolerance' in recent superhero hit X-Men: First Class. The film, whose super-powered mutants struggle to be accepted by normal society, offers an opportunity to explore one of culture's biggest buzzwords.
Does tolerance mean downplaying our differences, or even hiding them altogether? Why is it that we so easily dehumanise others, refusing to see the world from their perspective? Viewfinder delves into these questions, illustrating them with clips from the film, and quotes and interviews from those involved in its making. The service can be concluded in a variety of different ways - from a full talk to a brief Bible reading - allowing the speaker to be sensitive about where members of the audience are in their own journey. All of the options in some way encourage the attendees to consider how Jesus and the Christian community might offer a solution.
There are no quick fixes for reaching the 18-30s. But regular events which engage culturally, intellectually and spiritually can help churches to show young adults a different face. By meeting people where they are, instead of expecting them to automatically grasp the significance of the Christian message, we could begin to welcome the 'lost generation' back.
Sophie Lister is a researcher and writer for The Damaris Trust
To find out more about Viewfinder, visit www.viewfinderservices.org
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