ADULT BIBLE CLASSES AT REDEEMER
THE REDEEMER REPORTER
REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH The Rev. Kirk Griebel
1054 Truman Avenue Home - 451-5266
Owatonna, MN 55060 Church Office - 451-2720
Web site:www.redeemerowatonna.org E-mail - rlcowat@smig.net
A Congregation of The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
February, 2010
Dear Fellow Redeemed,
This month I'd like to share a story with you that comes from the book Already Gone: Why Your Kids Will Quit Church and What You Can Do To Stop It. Susan is in fifth grade and she loves it. Typical of children her age her learning curve seems to be going straight up. She loves making friends; she loves reading books; she loves her mom and dad (though she's not sure about her big brothers that pick on her); she loves Jesus...sort of. In all honesty, she's not too sure about Jesus right now.
On Monday morning, with a ponytail sticking out from the side of her head and her favorite cartoon character embossed on her backpack, Susan will go to school. It might be a secular school, it might be a Christian school, or she might even stay at home for school. Our data showed no difference between the groups, actually. (Another big surprise in our finding). Where Susan goes to school is not highly predictive of whether or not she will eventually leave the Church. What Susan is taught and how it is taught to her, however, is. This should also be a wake up call for homeschoolers and those who send their children to Christian school.
At school, Susan learns many things. She learns about history, mathematics, language, and science - both observational and historical science. She learns the science from men and women who wear white coats and safety glasses. They use test tubes and Bunsen burners. They dissect animals and use microscopes to look at cells, and they carry clipboards under their arms to record all of their scientific findings. To Susan, they look smart. They do research. They test hypotheses. They prove them with their experiments. Susan knows that these people deal with real things-things that you can touch and feel - the kinds of things that matter. she spends many hours a week learning from these people. And she sees that they are dealing with fact. Because of this, when the same people talk about the history of the universe, dinosaurs, fossils, the origin of life, and the like, and interpret them in a particular way (e.g., millions of years and evolution) - Susan thinks they are speaking with the same authority as when they discuss their observational science that involves what you can observe and experiment with directly. Susan can't discern the difference between observational and historical (origins) science; to her, it is all science. And, that is how it is usually presented anyway.
On Sunday morning Susan's mom and dad will dress her up and take her to church. For two hours or so, she will enjoy the company of friends under the care of committed Christian volunteers. To Susan, they look nice. They read stories to her. She is not sure if they are true or not - but they are nice stories. They don't really connect to reality and they come from an old book anyway.They help her with her crafts. They sing songs together. Susan knows that these are good people and that they are teaching her about things that can't be seen. They tell her what to believe about many things. She actually has a 90 percent chance that her pastor and teachers will tell her that God created everything. (Only 10 percent of all the people in our survey, which again, attended conservative churches, said that their pastor said it was okay to believe in Darwinism).
However, there is a very strong likelihood she will get the idea she can believe in millions of years. Yes, this is a Bible-believing church after all. Or they will tell her what the Bible says, but they don't tell her why to believe. No charts, no time-lines, no experiments. She's learning about things that she can't touch or feel, and she's not entirely sure anymore that these things really matter. All in all, Susan will get about ten minutes of focused, spiritual input from adults this week at church, and none of it will include science. And she knows that they are dealing with faith.
Over the next few years, Susan's "world view" (her philosophy of life) will be formed. She doesn't even know this is happening, but connections and assumptions are being made in her mind that will determine how she interprets everything that goes on around her for the rest of her life. By ninth grade or so, she will be able to articulate her world view to herself and others. She will even think she came up with hr oldie herself, but that's not true. Her belief has mostly been shaped by all of the input that she has been getting throughout her childhood. What has she learned? She has learned about the facts that supposedly govern the world, and she has learned about the faith that supposedly governs the heavens. The problem is that many of the "facts" that she has learned seem to contradict her faith - but no one talks about those things at church.
In her mind, there are obvious questions that no one seems to be asking: Why is there death and suffering if God is a good God? Why can't people of the same sex who love each other get married? Isn't it better to get divorced than live unhappily? How can the earth be only a few thousand years old when it "looks" so old? Why is Jesus the "only way"? How come dinosaurs have nothing to do with the Bible or church?
Because no one asks these questions, she assumes that no one has the answers to these questions. She realizes that church people seem to have faith in spite of the "facts" that she has been told. That didn't matter so much as a child, but now on the edge of adulthood, she begins to feel the disconnect: The facts are relevant; faith is not. If you want to learn something that's real, important, and meaningful, you do that at school. If you want to learn something that is lofty and emotional, you do that at church. At school, they teach about everything - fossils, dinosaurs, marriage (different views, gay marriage, etc.), sex, the origin of life, what is "right" and "wrong," different religions - they learn about everything!
Yes, she's still in elementary school, but she is on her way to being one of the 20-somethings who will leave the church and never come back - not even during the holidays; not even when she has children of her own. She's not cynical, she's just skeptical. She's not uncommitted, she's just indifferent. She will become what George Barna calls "the Invisible Generation" that brashly challenges us to respond to her honest questions:
All I want is reality. Show me God. Tell me what he is really like. Help me to understand why life is the way it is and how I can experience it more fully and with greater joy. I don't want empty promises. I want the real thing. And I'll go wherever I find that truth system. - Lisa Baker, age 20!
Susan is already sliding down the slope of unbelief. She's willing to believe in something that is real, but no one offers her anything like that on Sunday mornings. They tell her what to believe, but they do not tell her why.
No one talks about it at home either. By and large, what she is taught at secular school is not dealt with. She is given no answers. Even at Christian school, the textbooks don't really teach answers to the skeptical questions of the day. And even in most homeschools, kids may be taught the Bible is true, but most don't understand how a non-Christian thinks, nor are they prepared to answer the questions of the day. In many instances, the same compromises with or indifference about millions of years and evolution are no different than the compromising churches. In the vacuum of answers, her doubts begin to solidify.
This story, and the research that backs it up, really got my attention. To me it is the best explanation of why so many young people leave the church in their 20's. Young people just don't see the church as dealing with real things, things that are relevant to their everyday lives. Our schools and sciences don't avoid talking about real issues and so that's where kids go to get their answers.
If the church shies away from discussing real issues then our young people will assume that they can only find the answers in a science class and that the church only deals with things that are stories that may or may not be true.
What can be done about it? A good first step would be to attend Brock Lee's presentation here at Redeemer on Sunday, February 14. See below.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
Pastor Griebel
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ADULT BIBLE CLASSES AT REDEEMER
SUNDAYS: Pastor Griebel leads a class during the education hour in the Social Hall. The class is currently using a Lifelight study that covers three epistles of Paul: Galations, Philippians and Colossians.
WEDNESDAY: at 9:30 in the Social Hall Pastor Krause is leading a study of the book of Romans.
The reward for being part of our Bible studies is a deeper appreciation of our Bible-based christian faith. New members are always welcome.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend our Adult Bible Studies!
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REDEEMER HAPPENINGS...
LENTEN SUPPERS will be served each Wednesday before the mid-week Lenten service starting at 5:30 p.m. in the Social Hall. The first Lenten supper will be February 17, Ash Wednesday. It will be a potluck. Bring a dish to pass. If your board or group would like to serve, please sign up in the narthex. Thank you ...Board of Christian Fellowship/Evangelism.
CREATION SCIENCE SPECIAL CLASS: Brock Lee from the Young Earth Creation Organization (YECO) of Owatonna will be giving a presentation about dinosaurs and the age of the earth in the Social Hall during the Education Hour on Sunday, February 14. Mr. Lee will also have YECO's traveling creation museum on display as part of his presentation. A free-will offering will be taken to support the ministry of YECO. All are welcome.
DARTBALL - The next dart ball match will be held on Thursday, February 11 at Redeemer. Practice starts at 6::30 p.m. and the match starts at 7:00 p.m. Since this is a "home" meet this would be a good time for new members to give dartball a try!
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SCOUTING Boy Scouts of American is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Sunday February 7 has been designated as Scout Sunday. If you are involved in scouting or have been in the past we invite you to wear your uniform on the 7th as we honor this important ministry to young men.
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SPECIAL REDEEMER NOTES:
- LARGE PRINT copies of the hymns we will use in worship on sundays will now be available from the ushers at each service.
- PORTALS OF PRAYER AND MY DEVOTIONS for the months of January through March are available on the register stand in the narthex.
- RIDES FOR CHURCH If you are in need of a ride to church, remember that Redeemer can provide rides to church in our church van. If you need a ride to church please call the church office, 451-2720. Van drivers can provide "curb to curb" service only. They are not able to provide assistance in getting in and out of the van.
-REDEEMER ON THE AIRWAVES Charter Communications offers a one hour broadcast of our services on Channel 8 at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesdays and at 3:30 p.m. on Fridays.
-LUTHERAN HOUR radio broadcasts are on KDHL Sundays - Radio (920AM) at 6:00 p.m. KJLY (93.5FM) at 6:00 p.m. or WCCO (830AM) at 6:00 a.m.To listen to the Lutheran Hour at any time or find out about other resources available from the Lutheran Hour, simply go to their web site, www.lutheranhour.org
-JOYFUL RESPONSE Joyful Response electronic offering program is a very simple way for members to give their offerings electronically instead of writing out checks. If you need a form to sign up for Joyful Response, contact the church office.
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REDEEMER YOUTH ACTIVITIES
FROM THE BOARD OF EDUCATION: We would like to say a big THANK YOU to all who helped with the Sunday School Christmas Program this year; including the children, parents, teachers, helpers, leaders, and organist. Thank you to Jan for writing the Christmas program. Thank you to the Kuchenbecker family for donating the "treat bags" for the children of the congregation. Thank you to the Fellowship committee for helping us with the "Birthday Party for Jesus" cake and refreshments. Thank you to all for your donations to the Youth Breakfast in December and the Cookie Walk. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. BVS Day Camp is scheduled for July 2010.; more details to be given at a later date.
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FAMILY EMERGENCIES
Be prepared with LCEF. Given uncertain interest rates and employment challenges around the glove, family emergency funds are more important than ever. LCEF'S Family Emergency Account is an opportunity to set aside funds for the unexpected and unplanned expense, while earning competitive rates of interest and supporting the Church. For current rates, click on lcef.org or call 1-800-THE LCEF (1-800-843-5233) for more information.
LCMS RESPONSE TO HAITI EARTHQUAKE
To make a financial gift, to our LCMS World Relief efforts in Haiti visit http://givenowlcms.org Call toll-free 888-930-4438, or mail checks marked "Haiti Earthquake Relief" to LCMS World Relief and Human Care, P.O. Box 66861, St. Louis, MO 63166-6861. Thrivent financial for Lutherans has agreed to match Lutheran donations - $1 for every $2 dollars given - from its members. The maximum gift is $250 per member for donations accepted through March 31, 2010. See www.thrivent.com for details about the "Helping Haiti" campaign.
DUE TO PRIVACY REGULATIONS:
Hospitals and other health care facilities do not provide churches with information about members who are under their care. Redeemer does not get a call from the hospital when members of the congregation are admitted. The only way Pastor Griebel can find out about a hospitalization is if he is contacted by the patient or a family member at 451-2720 or 451-5266.
SIGN UP FOR ALTAR FLOWERS
Would you like to provide flowers to beautify our altar for worship on a Sunday morning? If you do, simply sign your name on the 2008 Flower Chart located on a bulletin board next to the office. If you are giving the flowers in memory of a loved one, or because of a wedding/anniversary or birthday, you may indicate that on the chart and we will share that information in the bulletin. Once you sign up, place a check for $19.00, made out to Redeemer Lutheran Church, in a special envelope marked “Altar Flowers”. Take it to the church office or place it in the offering plate. If you wish to have a special arrangement, contact the church office.
HOW TO SURVIVE THE FLU SEASON
Wash your hands, don't touch your face with your hands. If washing your hands is not possible use hand sanitizer. Have a container of disinfecting wipes handy. If you are sick, stay home. Get a flue shot. For more information go to http://www.cdc.gov/flu/.
SAFE AND WARM WALKING IN THE WINTER
If you would like a safe and warm place to walk in the winter why not come to Redeemer? 16 trips around the hallways of our church equals one mile. The church is open Monday - Thursday, 9-12:00 a.m. and 1-3:00 p.m., or if you or someone you know has a key, come anytime. Just be sure to turn the lights off and lock up when you are done. Have a happy and healthy New Year.
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Receive Redeemer's Newsletter Online!
We now have the capability of sending Redeemer's entire monthly newsletter by email.
If you would like to sign up to receive your church newsletter on line simply email the church at rlcowat@smig.net. The church will not give your email address to anyone else and will not send you any junk mail.
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