Thought Factory Podcast

In this episode, Geoff and Jayson discuss the podcast's future as things have begun to change at Never The Same.

In the previous episode, we discussed the causes of the decline in Youth Ministry.  In this episode, we discuss the five solutions to those causes with our returning guest, Charlie Alcock, a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University.  If you have not checked out the last episode, do so before listening to this one.

Several things within the Church are causing a decline in the Youth Ministry department.  But, if the Church ignores the things going on under the surface, it could take out the entire Church in the future.  In this episode, Geoff and Jayson are joined by a special guest, Charlie Alcock, a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, to discuss the causes.  They identify seven causes of why they think this is happening, that range from financial to church planting to outdated methodologies.  This is a two-part series, so check out the second episode (#1212) after this one to hear the solutions.

Sadly, the Church has hurt more people than anyone would like to admit.  But, that is because it is made up of people.  Many people have experienced some form of hurt that was associated with someone in the church or associated with the Christian faith.  This may have caused them to walk away from the Christian faith or be skeptical of leadership and the institution of the Church.  Geoff and Jayson have a practical conversation surrounding what they call "church hurt" with a Campus/Teaching Pastor at Willow Creek Community Church, Miguel DeLaMora.  

There are many layers to the topic of sexuality.  It ranges from what we view and keeping our thoughts pure to heterosexual attraction and desire to same-sex attraction and identity, from basic concepts of biological sex to the current cultural conversation of the fluidity of gender.  How do we have conversations with our students about sexuality?  When and how do we broach this topic, and how deeply do we discuss this before it gets weird and awkward?  One thing the Church cannot do is stick its head in the sand and hope these things will pass or settle themselves.  The Church must be willing to discuss such things.  In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson invite Clare DeGraaf, who is an author, teacher, and spiritual mentor, to the show to have the deeper conversations that the Church should be having in regard to sexuality. Resource links from the episode: Claredegraaf.com centerforfaith.com An Introduction to the LGBTQ Conversation

One of the areas of society that was affected the hardest during the pandemic was schools, teachers, and students.  The level of change they had to navigate was high just to keep things functioning.  Now, as many things are "back to normal," what effect has the pandemic had on the entire system and the most vulnerable, the students?  In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson discuss the changes inside schools post-pandemic with a public school teacher, Jeff Henderson.

Are young people leaving the church in droves? Are we losing the next generation when they graduate from our Youth Ministry because it's only about having fun and eating pizza?  What we have believed for so many decades about the high dropout rate of students from the Church and about them leaving the Christian faith altogether after they graduate is false. Yes, false. It is significantly better than we have thought for so long.  In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson have a conversation with Liberty University professor Derik Idol, who has done extensive research on this topic and his findings are eye-opening. Derik's research, An Assessment of Dropout Rates of Former Student Ministry Participants, can be found here: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/3428/  

For those who have been in Youth Ministry before Covid, we know things have changed since the pandemic.  We live in a different world now.  Youth Ministry is different.  Being Youth Pastors before stepping into the non-profit world, Jayson Brewer and Kyle Wood recently reentered the local church Youth Ministry together after being away for many years.  In this episode, they recount some of the things they were very surprised by and discuss some differences between a pre-Covid to a post-Covid world in Youth Ministry.  

There is an overload of messages coming to students about who they should be, what they should think and believe, and what they should value in this world.  The majority of those messages go against the truth found in the Bible.  When we have competing worldviews, how do we get students to decipher the true messages of God?  In today's episode, Geoff and Jayson, along with guest host Becca Ebenhoch, discuss what students believe about the Bible and how that impacts our ministries with students. neverthesame.org soulexercises.com For Thought Factory Podcast listeners, use promo code THOUGHTFACTORY10 to receive 10% off your Soul Exercises purchase.

What do students know about sex?  Probably more than we care to believe or admit.  The topic of sexuality is no longer just an adult topic but is influencing students of all ages.  Want to know what students think about the number of genders?  In today’s episode, we hear from students directly about what they believe regarding sexuality and share thoughts about where the Church can step up. Resource mentioned in this episode: The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender https://www.centerforfaith.com/

If a student claims to be a Christian, should the Christian faith be important to them? What about the church or youth group? Has church become irrelevant in their life?  Who has the most influence in an adolescent’s life?  These are the questions Geoff, Jayson, and special guest host, Becca Ebenhoch, will be discussing to unpack the responses from students on the topics of faith and church. Becca's email: becca@neverthesame.org

School board meetings have gotten more press these days.  Parents appear to be more engaged in what is being taught and what is happening in the schools of their children. We know what adults are saying, but the voice that has gotten lost in the conversation has been students. In this episode, hosts Geoff and Jayson discuss data from students' responses regarding their school atmosphere.  We hear from the students themselves what they think and feel about school. 

Would you like to know what students think about Covid, the fear it has exposed, its impact on their life, and the impact on their view of the world?  In today's episode, hosts Geoff Eckart and Jayson Brewer are not going to guess what they think but hear directly from students themselves through the extensive research done this past summer.  What you will hear in this episode will change your understanding and give valuable insight into this generation on the topic of Covid and fear.

Part 6/6 This episode concludes the mini-series on the six foundational questions students must answer.  All the previous questions culminate to this point, so if you have not listened to the previous five episodes, we encourage you to go and do so.  In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses the topic of homosexuality and transgender as it relates to our relationship with God and how He is calling us to live.  Regardless of how you approach this topic, it is a sensitive one and emotions rise.  Just ask yourself, just because I feel it, does it make it true?  Does the Bible say it is wrong?   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.

Part 5/6  This is a major question that many people, including students, are asking as they see the world around them.  This is also the biggest obstacle for people as they evaluate faith.  This moves the foundational questions beyond truth and Jesus, into discussing the existence and problem of evil.  Michelle Rewa helps us understand that God is still good but there is a reason for the evil in the world.  If God is good and cares about us, then why are there so many people suffering?   Link to the video referenced: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-suvkwNYSQo   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 15, 2021.

Part 4/6 This episode continues to conversation on the topic of Jesus.  Last episode we asked the question, "What do I believe about Jesus?" If you have come to the conclusion that He existed and He was crucified, Michelle Rewa unpacks the evidence of His death and resurrection.  Is it really a big deal if we claim to be Christian and doubt the resurrection truly happened?  Link to the article referenced (must create a free account to fully view): https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/403315   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.  

Part 3/6 This episode continues the foundational questions that students must answer, building off questions about God, the beginning of time, and the truth of the Bible.  In this episode, Michelle Rewa discusses who Jesus is and why we can approach His existence with logic, reason, and evidence, which ultimately allows us to believe who He says He is.  Was Jesus either Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? Link to referenced video: (Start at 1:22) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXfeUqk4IeU   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 14, 2021.  

Part 2/6  This episode builds off the last episode's foundational question of "Does Science Disprove God?" How do we know the Bible is true?  In this episode, Michelle Rewa explores the evidence and reliability of the Bible for truth.  Critics will point out the flaws and contradictions of the Bible, but do those flaws make it false? Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DB18or8bJ10   *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021.

Part 1/6  This is the first foundational question that Michelle Rewa asks students to answer.  This question relates to the beginning of the universe, creation versus the Big Bang.  These two topics are at the core of faith and science.  People act like faith and science are polar opposites and cannot be brought together.  Michelle approaches this topic with logic, as it takes faith to believe, no matter what side we land on.  So, do we have a good reason for our personal beliefs?  Link to referenced video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE76nwimuT0 *Audio previously recorded at NTS Camp on July 13, 2021. www.neverthesame.org

The Thought Factory is back for its 11th Season and will include a 6-week mini-series in partnership with Michelle Rewa, a guest speaker at NTS Camp 2021.  Michelle explored the topics of faith and reason, approaching the Christian faith based on reason and evidence.  She delivered a series of six foundational questions students must answer for themselves to strengthen their faith.  Also in this episode, Geoff shares some thoughts, impressions, and predictions for 2022 that appear to parallel the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17-18 as we continue to be impacted by shutdowns and disruptions due to the Coronavirus.   Listen to hear the one big prediction on how much longer this Covid disruption will last into the future and what we can do during this time as God’s people.