Jim Henderson, Todd Hunter, Craig Spinks, The Outsider Interviews: A New Generation Speaks Out on Christianity. Baker Books, 2010. Also the DVD Edition (an important piece of the research), Outsider Interviews DVD. Baker Books, 2010.
Companion volume: Kinnamon and Lyons, unChristian
Note: This listing is part of the site archive. While these materials may have some enduring value, it is strongly suggested that you use the reference link below for possible updates or click through to Amazon and allow their settings to suggest more current resources.
Referenced in: Generational Issues in Churches
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This a one-of-a-kind publication that is best seen in the DVD format alongside the book by Kinnaman and Lyons, unChristian. unChristian gave hard evidence about the attitudes many unbelieving youth have concerning spirituality and religion in general and the church in particular. The Outsider Interviews takes it a step further and actually captures these perspectives in candid TV-style panel interviews with 16 twenty-somethings (8 believers and 8 non) in several key cities across the U.S. Not surprisingly, both groups share the same basic perspective toward the church. Do not expect this to sound like a discussion with “nice” churchgoers. It is a brutally honest, sometimes painful look at the church through the eyes of a multi-ethnic group of atheists, church dropouts, lesbians, homosexuals, and others. Beyond the panels, the DVD shares some of the intensely personal back stories of the interviewees. The book is a quick read, and the videos last approximately 2 hours. The book is helpful but is choppy and difficult to read in places. The DVD is the best piece.
From the Publisher
Statistics tell us that Christianity has an image problem. But what are the stories behind the stats? This question led Jim Henderson, Todd Hunter, and Craig Spinks to host a national interview tour with young non-Christians and Christians in Kansas City, Phoenix, Denver, and Seattle. They wanted to hear why Christians get such a bad rap and what we can do to improve.
The Outsider Interviews is a DVB, a book you can watch. This DVD/book combination features films of the interviews, humorous and moving outtakes, and engaging chapters on a broad range of relevant topics including postmodernism, the Bible, homosexuality, judgmentalism, abortion, and evangelism.
Inspired by David Kinnaman’s bestselling book unChristian, The Outsider Interviews provides close encounters with what a new generation really thinks of Christianity and helps readers learn to live faithfully in a fast-changing world.
About the Authors
Jim Henderson cofounded Off The Map and is CEO of Jim Henderson Presents. He has written two books on the topic of connecting with Outsiders: Evangelism Without Additives and Jim and Casper Go to Church. Jim earned a DMin from Bakke Graduate University and lives near Seattle, Washington with his wife Barbara.
Todd Hunter, bishop for The Anglican Mission in the Americas, is the founding pastor of Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Costa Mesa, California. Author of Christianity Beyond Belief and Giving Church a Second Chance, Todd is also the founding director of Churches for the Sake of Others, the West Coast church planting initiative for The Anglican Mission in the Americas. Todd also founded Three is Enough, a small group movement that makes spiritual formation doable. Todd and his wife Debbie live in Eagle, Idaho, with their two children, Jonathan and Carol.
Craig Spinks is the owner of Quadrid Productions, a production company that specializes in capturing real-life stories that challenge, inform and motivate. He has done work for Billy Graham Mission, Focus on the Family, Henry Cloud, Association of Vineyard Churches, and Vineyard Music. Craig also runs a website called Recycle Your Faith (recycleyourfaith.com) where each week a compelling spiritual topic is introduced through a short video and a vibrant online conversation ensues between people of different viewpoints. Craig and his wife Sara live in Denver, Colorado.
***For additional information on this resource, including reviews, click the bookstore links. Check the reference at page top or the links below for resource guides on related topics.***
Related Areas
See Other Resources on Generational Issues:
See Resource Guides on Over 100 Areas of Ministry Leadership: