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A 21st Century Reformation: Recover the Supernatural

Leaders from Malaysia, Argentina, Nigeria, and the United States share their dreams for major changes in the global church.

To facilitate a truly global conversation, we ask Christian leaders from around the world to respond to the Global Conversation's lead articles. These points of view do not necessarily represent Christianity Today magazine or the Lausanne Movement. They are designed to stimulate discussion from all points of the compass and from different segments of the Christian community. Please add your perspective by posting a comment so that we can learn and grow together in the unity of the Spirit.

The Conversation Continues: Readers' Comments

Displaying 1–5 of 39 comments

Maikki Aakko

November 05, 2013  2:19pm

I wrote about this subject to my blog. It's from the point-of-view of a 18-year-old Finnish Christ-follower. Feel free to check out and comment: http://christandstuff.blogspot.fi/2013/11/what-is-our-generations-model-of. html.

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I henderson

August 14, 2013  2:30pm

I think the most significant point about the "Hipsters" is that they are evangelical Christians who are trying to reclaim their faith while repudiating the evangelical culture they were raised in. from the point of view of young people who are faithful Catholics, Anglicans, Eastern Orthodox, etc who were not raised in evangelical culture, the "hipsters " are trying to hard to be cool. Whether or not these congregations can draw in the unchurched in addition to the dechurched, or whether they are a way station to being unchurched is up for grabs. For now they are an extension of the youth group or college ministry the "hipsters" came from. Soon this style will pass and will seem just as outmoded as megachurch worship is to many of us who outgrew "light rock" and arena concerts by the time we turned 30.

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Katlyn W

September 14, 2010  2:46pm

I think this somewhat over-generalizes hipsters. And as soon as you start creating a list of things to do, you risk legalism... do what comes from the heart, and persue the hearts of others. Just be real, real with yourself, God, others, and that helps them to be real with you :)

Chaplain Klein (Canadian Army)

September 14, 2010  8:55am

I think McCracken is a little bit cynical in thinking that these folks are just trying to be cool and fit in. Or that this is just some sort of trend - to call it a trend is to somehow simplify it. Really, it seems to me that `hipster christianity` is nothing more than a search for authentic christianity. Good-bye plastic, mega-churches with music that doesn`t really apply to life. And good-bye programmes that seem only intended to hype people up, but not make a difference. Even good-bye to (some) traditions - ie: robes and liturgical furniture - that do not seem in keeping with authentic, life-giving, world-changing `salt and light`Christianity. Solid intellectual discussion that recognizes the complexity of life, simple faithful worship, a purpose beyond materialism, and a non-judgemental attitude is what folks are seaching for. Being real is what this is about and I for one welcome it.

B Erskine

September 13, 2010  11:53pm

A few constructive points: McCracken's assertion that Christians should be "set apart" thus hipster Christians are doing the exact opposite is weak at best. While superficially in dress and artistic taste, they may seem similar, most Christians in this situation feel wildly set apart when they actually express purpose for their life beyond these cultural boundaries. Second, McCracken brings up a much more interesting point toward the end of his article regarding church reflecting your community, yet doesn't fully explore it. All of the churches he references are in young, urban centers where this makes sense. Third, the picture of Claiborne's group shows a diverse group of believes both in age and race. How ironic to include this.

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