|
Letters
April 9, 2007
Holy week for all Christians has just finished. For the last
several weeks my Catholic friend has been observing the upcoming Christian
holiday of Easter by refraining from eating meat on Fridays. She is not overly
religious, but she feels adamant in observing this ritual common among
Catholics. Now, I have no problems with her doing this, yet when we had several
boys overnight for our son’s birthday and one of the little boys looks at me
and asks, “Is it okay if I have meat on my pizza?” Honestly, I was a little
taken aback. I didn’t want to tell him the wrong thing! I didn’t not
want to answer him, so after I answered him I was left pondering the question,
“Do I religiously observe this ‘holy week’? Am I teaching my child that it
is a special time?
Looking at other religions helps us look at our own
observances, our reverence, and how we practice our faith in the eyes of others.
RE: Reader Demographic Survey
This letter is partly out of sympathy, partly due to
interest. Sympathy for Kent having to prod us to send letters. Interest, well
I'm just weird like that. I'll let you guess the dominant factor. The numbers in
the recent 90&9 reader demographic article were interesting to say the
least. I'd like to offer a few questions to provoke some dialogue. Just to make
it easier on me—after all, don't we all seek life's path of least
resistance—I will comment on the stats in the order in which they appear in
the article.
First, I'm not sure if the 3 percent difference in gender
constitutes a significant difference, but as a recently engaged man I am, for
the first time, officially not interested in any percentage increase in women .
. . and moving on.
I think the age category was the most interesting to
me. The most represented crowd on 90&9 seems to be the least represented
cohort within institutional Christianity—more specifically UPCI. I think it
would be worth the effort to compare these numbers with similar demographic
findings in areas such as the Pentecostal Herald, church attendance,
ministerial licensing, etc. Perhaps 90&9 is a good model for offering an
outlet through which to express cultural/generational issues that other sources
within the UPCI aren't offering. Maybe Kent&Co. are willing to lend an ear
to the long neglected group within Apostolic domains, commonly called
College/Career or young professionals? I know the trend is heading in the
direction of placing more significance on this group, but we are so far behind
in this area that it’s beyond my understanding how this organization will
survive with any significance in 20-30 years.
I find the religious affiliation portion to be
similarly interesting. I'd like to know where the six percentage points went
when they left the UPCI. If I were a betting man I'd guess they went to either
the independent apostolic category or the other category. My
reasoning? It goes back to the last statistic regarding age. I am finding more
people within the 24-30 age group are identifying less as UPCites and
identify more closely with terms such as Christian, Apostolic, or other. I know
I am. And if you are honest and culturally attentive you know this to be true
also. Sorry, this isn't prescriptive, just descriptive.
I want to finish this by thanking 90&9 for being an open
forum, for listening to us. For listening to the ones who feel their voice is
neglected. For listening to, undoubtedly, the most educated generation of
Apostolics yet. Thank you for not dismissing our concerns/questions as simply
rebellion. Thanks for not dishing out empty rhetoric about “passing the
mantle” and then not allowing us to voice our concerns with the direction of
21st century church.
Thank you 90&9. To you we are grateful!
TJ Clayton, South Carolina
Thanks so much for using a few of my pictures (in the eblasts).
I feel privileged and blessed to have been used. May God bless you and your
online newsletter.
Cathy Harper, California
Re: Month in
the Life
Love the monthly blogger this month! Billy, it’s obvious that you are a wordsmith! Can’t wait to read more!
Sarah Holland, Michigan
ninetyandnine.com
© 2007, ninetyandnine.com
-------
| 
