jinjan01 has left the following comment on the post "On Their Own Terms" - President's Pen blog spothttp://presidents-pen.blogspot.com/
Thanks for this blog and bringing this new term “inter-spirituality” to my attention.
We know that one of the characteristics about the Millennial Generation is that they are not “joiners”. I wonder if this new term explains, in part, that tendency? The article you site seems to indicate that those who self-identify with being “inter-spiritual” are open to conversation among people who are part of traditional religions. I think they would feel right at home in Claremont. Here we have the opportunity to interact with people of other faiths as well as those who self-identify as non-Christian.
In that same blog, Jim Burklo writes:
What do they bring to our dinner table…? They bring their own stories of engagement with the ultimate questions: Why am I here? Who am I, really? How shall I live, and for what/whom? They bring their own language and imagery of expression of their souls' journeys. They bring a willingness to try out disciplines of spirituality they've never experienced before. Maybe they are not ready to commit fully to one traditional path. But they aren't afraid to risk that outcome by exploring existing faith traditions.
I was struck by this because aren’t these questions we all ask? Aren’t these questions in which “the church” is called to help identify and provide holy accompaniment? Where are we missing the mark?
As those who are preparing to minister in an increasingly pluralistic society, this is another aspect of culture we will need to engage. Can we create a safe space within the Church for dialogue? More to the point, will we?
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Great question Jinjan, I think that the church can and should create safe places for conversation. At our youth group, we often have friends come on a regular basis who are totally un-churched. Last night a young person asked (her second time to our youth group) "What is sin?" to a the Catholic Priest and Monk who was visiting with us. I think she felt safe asking that question, and hopefully she continue to be a part of our church.
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