Envision, a ministry of The Alliance, has released the second film in its documentary series, Scissors + Glue. The videos, which explore the Millennial faith narrative, are meant to spark dialogue about how to follow Jesus as a generation.
“In our perspective, the church often lacks the safety and space to process faith with honesty, especially when we begin talking about negative experiences in the church,” says Carson Nyquist, the film’s director and producer. “The goal with Scissors + Glue is to push through this discomfort and embrace what might be broken or dysfunctional in our own faith communities.”
Personal Stories
The new 20-minute video “Scissors + Glue: Church” includes interviews with a handful of 20- and 30-somethings from across the United States. They talk about their experiences growing up in church and becoming disillusioned, the purpose of church, and dreams for the future. The eight men and women featured in the film were chosen with the help of Envision’s contacts at various Alliance churches and Alliance colleges.
“We were honored to meet so many Millennials who had reflected so deeply on their church experience, both the good and bad,” Carson says. “Much of what they express in the film did not surprise us but rather gave us hope, knowing these conversations can lead to healing and hope for the future.”
Honest Conversation
Envision invites churches to host a screening of the film and use the discussion guide to engage Millennials with the goal of understanding, not fixing. “This approach, in our experience, leads to deeper relationship and trust,” Carson says.
Through this documentary series, Envision does its best to provide honest, vulnerable stories. But, Carson also reminds church leaders, “you must make the choice to be vulnerable yourself. If those around you sense a lack of safety, they will clam up and refuse to share those thoughts that seem scary to verbalize. Safety is accepting people and their thoughts without judgment. The goal must be empathy, not correction.”
The first and second films in the Scissors + Glue documentary series are available at no charge at weareenvision.com.
Alliance Youth
“Scissors + Glue: Church” includes an interview with Micah Bournes, a poet, musician, and speaker from Long Beach, California. He will perform at LIFE 2016 in Kansas City, July 5–9. Learn more and register today!