Rick Howerton, author of A Different Kind of Tribe, says that a bond is precisely what a Christian small group aims to achieve. Howerton quotes Joseph Hellerman, who has examined the family nature of small groups in history. The closest relationship is “the bond between siblings. The idea that we are brothers and sisters in Christ constitutes the fundamental conceptual point of departure for coming to grips with God’s social vision for his church.”(from When the Church Was a Family)

 

After six weeks in theaters, The Hunger Games is still standing strong, bringing in more than $600 million worldwide. But why is this dystopian storyline so popular, and what does it teach us about this generation of young adults?

 

After asking some local students it became apparent that the number one reason they love this book/movie is they can connect with it! The Hunger Games is a story of loyalty and love. Trust and betrayal. Fear and courage. Rebellion. Romance. Desperation and hope. Walk the halls of any high school today and you’ll find students facing the exact same emotions and challenges (just not in the middle of a deadly reality show).

 

While navigating the twists and turns of relationships and planning for the future, millennials are a generation seeking purpose, justice, and meaning. They want their actions and relationships to matter and make a difference. In Katniss, Peeta, and Gayle we see three young people willing to take a stand for what they believe in. Each does it in his or her own way: Gayle as he breaks the rules to ensure a better life for his family, Peeta in his determination to not be changed, and Katniss in her defiance of the odds, beating the powerful at their own game. It’s this inspiration that draws in readers and viewers alike, over and over again.

Two questions I’m asked most often in publishing are “What do you look for when deciding to publish a new author?” and “What advice do you have for potential authors?”

My answer to the first: Publishers are looking at what message the author is trying to communicate and how effectively he or she conveys that message. If the potential is there, we will work with an author to strengthen their visibility and the effectiveness of their message. In addition, now more than ever, publishers are looking for authors with built-in self-promotion. It’s extremely important that authors develop their own promotional opportunities and be proactive online, in blogging, Facebook, Twitter, and other channels. Successful writers will establish a platform, build a fan base, find speaking engagements, and take advantage of media opportunities.

 

As for the second question, one thing I like to remind any writer is simply this: You can’t create and perfect at the same time. While most publishers (and especially editors!) love an author's attention to details, don’t feel like you have to get everything right the first time. Jot down your thoughts, create the content, and then set it aside for a time and come back to it later. Sometimes taking a break from the writing process can help you formulate new thoughts and ideas. What questions are you hearing about publishing?

by Erica Rupp, guest blogger

Right now in my Leadership and Ethics class, we are discussing the challenge leaders face when they potentially need to make difficult decisions now for the benefit of the next generation. These types of decisions can be put off due to simple shortsightedness, but often these difficult decisions are avoided because they will be unpopular when they are made in the present and could possibly cost the leader his/her position even when this person believes he or she is doing the right thing for posterity.

One example of this scenario is current elected officials in our nation’s capitol—they are faced with unsustainable spending and deficits and most recognize that some form of major reforms, increased revenue, and spending cuts are needed to avoid handing an impossible situation to their children and grandchildren. Easier said than done! We demand our elected officials act in this area, yet we don’t want to have to make sacrifices that action may require. This article from The Atlantic sums it up: “If the answers to our problems don't elude us, the political will does.” Whether in church, government, business, or any other area, how should leaders approach these types of difficult decisions in the context of the next generation?

Even if you have seen this before, it is worth watching again! J.K. Rowling, bestselling author of the Harry Potter series, inspires students with her Harvard commencement speech with observations such as, “It is impossible to live without failing at something unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not lived at all, in which case you've failed by default.” Do you agree with Rowling's assessments of success and failure?