Excellent article by Jon Nielson, coming at the question of "Why do young adults leave the church?" from an another angle: Looking at the traits of those who stay. Here are the three he lists, with excerpt: 1. They are converted. "Youth pastors, we need to preach, teach, and talk—all the while praying fervently for the miraculous work of regeneration to occur in the hearts and souls of our students by the power of the Holy Spirit!" 2. They have been equipped, not entertained. "Put your youth ministry strategies aside as you look at that 16-year-old young man and ask: “How can I spend … [Read more...] about 3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church
Thriving at College
Is college worth it? Author Interview
I really enjoyed reading Is College Worth It? by Bill Bennett and David Wilezol. It delivers a fantastic word of caution in a day when too many assume college is for everyone, even as a soft economy has left many under-employed (or unemployed) graduates saddled with a mountain of debt. It's a very balanced book: Bennett and Wilezol paint an accurate picture of what things make college worthwhile and what factors might compel a person to take another route. (At the end of the book, the authors apply their perspective to twelve divergent scenarios, offering advice on whether or not the person … [Read more...] about Is college worth it? Author Interview
Are the Liberal Arts Dead?
With college tuition at an all-time high, many in higher education are explicitly promoting the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). For example, Governor Scott in Florida may reduce tuition in STEM fields at state institutions. Others argue for the enduring value of a broad-based liberal arts education as a means to enhance critical thinking and communication skills. Steve Yoder wrote a balanced article in The Fiscal Times, helpfully exploring both sides of the issue. A few excerpts: The number of liberal arts colleges nationwide has dropped from 212 in 1990 … [Read more...] about Are the Liberal Arts Dead?
Is college worth it?
Yesterday I watched Dr. William J. Bennett, David Wilezol, Dr. Richard Vedder, and others address the value of a college degree in today's economy. The discussion was centered on a new book from Bennett and Wilezol entitled Is College Worth It?: A Former United States Secretary of Education and a Liberal Arts Graduate Expose the Broken Promise of Higher Education. The video of the brief lectures and panel discussion have been made available, and here is something of a summary post about the event. I've picked up the book and started to read it. Thus far, their thesis seems to be that … [Read more...] about Is college worth it?
How Do Young Atheists Arrive at Unbelief?
Great article last week in The Atlantic by Larry Alex Taunton called Listening to Young Atheists: Lessons for a Stronger Christianity. Tauton discusses a research project in which college students from the "atheist equivalents to Campus Crusade"--the Secular Student Alliances (SSA) and the Freethought Societies (FS)--were asked to tell their story of how they came to embrace atheism. A few common themes emerged: 1. Most became atheists for emotional reasons while claiming to have become atheists for rationale/scientific reasons. 2. They grew up attending church, but the mission and … [Read more...] about How Do Young Atheists Arrive at Unbelief?
What’s the best predictor of student success?
I read Paul Tough's book How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character (introduced here). But I just saw Tough's amazing thesis again in Business Insider. The #1 predictor of student success is not IQ, talent, or luck/"being in the right place at the right time". It's grit. Determination. "The ability to withstand stress and move past failures to achieve a goal is the best indicator of future success." What's great is that grit can be learned and enhanced throughout a student's life, even dramatically if they develop a disciplined passion for what they're … [Read more...] about What’s the best predictor of student success?