Prepare a ten-page practical research paper on how one of the theological concepts discussed in class (e.g. Imago Dei, Communion, Incarnation etc.) informs a Christian posture on a contemporary issue (e.g. gentrification, racial equality, health care etc.). Should engage at least 10 sources (books, articles, journals etc.) enumerated in a one-page bibliography not included in the ten-page total. The first two pages are to be a written proposal for the final research paper. Proposal should select the theological and contemporary topics that will be engaged, explain why the topics were selected and how they intersect with one another. Must include a strong one sentence thesis statement that the final paper will seek to prove and detail the method that will be used. Title of research Paper: God’s Lost Sheep Thesis Statement: “The postmodern ecclesia (church) is not adequately prepared to make impact in a postmodern culture, particularly among Generation Z.” My goal is to prove, because we live in a postmodern world where there are no universal religious or ethical laws, everything is shaped by the culture context of a particular time and place and community. In result, Generation Z are hesitant to attend church as they don’t feel relevant or appreciated, because many churches today operate just like the world. my contemporary topic: “Perspectives on the level of church engagement among Generation Z”, in which I would have five topics. 1. How Generation Z view the institution of church? 2. “What factors detract from their attendance?” 3. What factors attract them to becoming engaged in the mission of the church?” 4. “How external factors in culture impact their view of the church,” (music, movies, TV, social media?) 5. “What can the church do to provide Generation Z with viable options to become involved?” This is my 2 Pg. Proposal / Presentation Below; You can change & edit God’s Lost Sheep Postmodernism is a philosophy that began in the (1960s – present) that says absolute truth does not exist. It says that knowledge is always made or invented and not discovered. Supporters of postmodernism deny long-held beliefs and conventions and maintain that all viewpoints are equally valid. In today’s society, postmodernism has led to relativism, the idea that all truth is relative. That means what is right for one group is not necessarily right or true for everyone. Postmodernists rejection of absolute truth causes many people to reject the Bible. This worldly thinking of the postmodernist has infiltrated the church making it worldlier and as a result church attendance has decreased, particularly among Generation Z. Therefore, my thesis statement argues “The postmodern ecclesia (church) is not adequately prepared to make impact in a postmodern culture, particularly among Generation Z.” According to the Pew Research Center, Generation Z consists of kids born from 1997 and 2012. They are currently between 9 and 24 years old, and it’s nearly (68 million in the us.) This generation is very near and dear to my heart as I’m a youth teacher within my church and I also have a 10-year-old daughter. Which motivated me to do this research paper, to find some answers, to how can we help this lost Generation Z discover God! My goal is to prove, because we live in a postmodern world where there are no universal religious or ethical laws, everything is shaped by the culture context of a particular time and place and community. In result, Generation Z are hesitant to attend church as they don’t feel relevant or appreciated, because many churches today operate just like the world. Which allows Generation Z to become easily influenced by this evil world without God’s guidance and become products of a social media dynamic, which has informed their world view. This reality includes a multiplicity of alternative ways to achieve a harmonious spirituality. The sad reality is, that most churches are still operating under the false premise that we still live in a Christian nation. Therefore, my contemporary topic that will be discussed is from the “Perspectives on the level of church engagement among Generation Z”, in which I would have five topics. My first topic is, “How Generation Z view the institution of church? This will give us a better understanding why the Generation Z is not attending church and discover what ways we can meet them where they’re at, to encourage them to return. My second topic is, “What factors detract from their attendance?” This will allow us to understand their true feelings, in why they don’t feel valued within the church. My third topic is, “What factors attract them to becoming engaged in the mission of the church?” This will allow us to understand in what ways would they like to join in on mission with God to serve His Kingdom. My fourth topic is, “How external factors in culture impact their view of the church,” (music, movies, TV, social media?) This will allow the church to know what type of changes they can make to accommodate the Gen Z preferences. My last topic is, “What can the church do to provide Generation Z with viable options to become involved?” This will allow them to have a voice, get answers, and to be able to feel relevant. I believe that these five topics intersect with one another because they all give Generation Z a voice to be heard to dialog, to be relevant within the church, and to be deputized with power. Which allows them to experience the love of God, by the church meeting them where they are, on their terms. With their feelings, their thoughts, their culture, their language, their style, and social media. This will allow them to get discipled, through the Holy Spirit, to become a discipler. Through my experience, youth are most effectively reached by other youth. Some of my References, in which you don’t have to use, but I need 10 total White, Emery. James (2017). Meet Generation Z: Understanding and Reaching the New Post Christian World McKnight, Tim. (2021). Engaging Generation Z: Raising the Bar for Youth Ministry Kinnaman, David & Matlock, Mark. (2019). 5 Ways for a New Generation to Follow Jesus in a Digital Babylon
