A Gen Z Additive, Part 3 of 3: Making A (Caring) Case

A Gen Z Additive, Part 3 of 3: Making A (Caring) Case

In the prior post, I suggested an overall conversational approach for relating to Gen Z. It involves asking good questions, listening carefully, sharing from our own lives, and using "I" statements rather than definitive "truth" statements. This approach helps build trust if done sincerely and prayerfully. At some point the Lord may open a door for presenting ideas from Scripture to a Gen Z friend (or group). What then? First, slow down. Hold your horses. Don't...

A Gen Z Additive, Part 2 of 3: Building Trust

A Gen Z Additive, Part 2 of 3: Building Trust

In my prior post I offered some general notes about Gen Z gleaned from online and InterVarsity sources. My own "additive" consists of four suggestions for relating to Gen Z. They arise from my many experiences in dorm lounges,...

A Gen Z Additive, Part 1 of 3: Who is Gen Z?

A Gen Z Additive, Part 1 of 3: Who is Gen Z?

Having trouble understanding Gen Z these days? In education, Gen Z refers to middle schoolers all the way up through graduate students in their mid-20s. A few Gen Z characteristics include low religious affiliation, mental health struggles, left-leaning political...

Muslim Dialogue

Muslim Dialogue

I just finished my fourth public conversation with a Muslim leader. In this case, Rihabi Mohamed, PH.D. I found him to be polite, articulate, and caring. A model dialogue partner. * Three things (of many) that I'm learning, through...

Apologetics for Kids, Part 1 of 2

Apologetics for Kids, Part 1 of 2

My daughter Kelli and husband Greg have a vision for educating their five boys in the ways of the Lord. This includes giving them plenty of "why's" to believe in Jesus. So Kelli recruited me to give the first...

Tradition as a Guardrail

Tradition as a Guardrail

Students on campus sometimes ask me what makes my interpretation of the Bible -- or anyone else's -- the right one. Two replies 1. We need to discern the intent of the biblical authors There's a rule that most...

It’s Not About the Numbers. Or Is It? Part 1 of 2

It’s Not About the Numbers. Or Is It? Part 1 of 2

A church I'm familiar with closed its doors, recently, due to low attendance numbers. Lacking sufficient volunteers and income, they were forced to call it quits. I visited the final service. The message for the morning was presented from...

It’s Not About the Numbers. Or Is It? Part 2 of 2

It’s Not About the Numbers. Or Is It? Part 2 of 2

In the prior post I asked the question of whether growth is a proper measure of a ministry. Some say yes, because the kingdom of God should be ever expanding. Others object. They measure ministry by how faithful its...

Objective Truth is Back

Objective Truth is Back

On a Christian podcast I listened to recently (which shall go unnamed), the speaker was lamenting the loss of "absolute truth" in our world. Postmodernism was to blame. But I wonder, perhaps, if that commentary is outdated by about...

About Me

Rick Mattson

Evangelist & Writer

Hello & welcome to my blog! My name is Rick Mattson and I'm a traveling evangelist/apologist.

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