Taking a look around

1) Popular Culture in San Gabriel Region and at my local church
A. Uniqueness of So. Cal atmosphere on youth
B. Influence of media among youth (Barker)
a. My local church
C. Hyper-reality
a. Economic/future hopes
b. Gender roles (mook, mid-drift) (Merchants of Cool)
c. Love
D. The rise of youth subculture
a. Youth band together (Barker, Chap Clark)
b. “Global” youth culture

2) Church Response to the influence of popular culture on teens
A. Embracing popular culture for our purposes in Christ
B. Reclaiming Reality (Cobb- Cultural studies)
a. Deconstructing “hyper-reality”- shift to “ultimate reality”
C. Re-interpret media messages through Cobb’s chapters on salvation and human nature.
D. Critique of generational gap in the church and impact on teens

3) Specific Responses from the Church
A. Church-wide
a. Extensive teaching/ workshops on embracing a “Gospel Reality”
b. Placing the counter-cultural aspects of the Gospel as core values.
c. Emphasis on intergenerational ministry and relationships
d. Provide alternate learning environments to broaden exposure of our youth through
(ie. Wilderness trips, missions etc.)
B. Locally
a. City-wide youth rallies (partnership)
b. Network with local organizations, schools, athletics for evaluation of goals and the impact on the teens of the community
c. Teach “generation-gap” seminars in the community
C. Globally