RELEVANT - Issue 95 - September/October 2018 by RELEVANT Media Group

Johnnyswim How the duo channeled their passion for each other—and their faith —to become music’s SEPT-OCT 2018 // $6.95 US

next big thing.

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2018

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

CONTENTS

T H E M A G A Z I N E O N FA I T H , C U LT U R E & INTENTIONAL LIVING

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2018 //ISSUE 95

September/October 2018, Issue 95 Building Just Bridges keep swimming. Since 2003

Publisher & CEO | CAMERON STRANG Brand Director | JESSE CAREY Senior Editor | TYLER HUCKABEE Production Editor | KATHY PIERRE

Senior Writer | TYLER DASWICK Social Media Coordinator | LESLEY CREWS Contributing Contributing Writers: Writers: Joseph Jill Adkins, Riggs, Andre MattHenry, Adkins, Townes Sarah James, Prescott RachelIIIGivens

Features

Creative Director | JOHN DAVID HARRIS Designer | JORDAN WILLCOX Director of Web Development | DANIEL MARIN

Johnnyswim

Production Manager | MARK JACKSON

p.52

Audio Editor | CHANDLER STRANG Video Editor | CLARKE FLIPPO

They make being one of the most exciting duos in pop music look easy. The truth is, it’s been anything but.

Contributing Photographers: Bommy Cara Robbins, Kwon,Bao A24,Ngo, Michael Joe Newsted, Gonzales, Jack John McKain, Nowak,Märta Neil Krug, Thisner, Hunter Jabari Holder, Jacobs, Lauren Arden Dukoff, Wray, Daley AbbyHake, Young, Darren Sherwin Lau,Lainez, Everlane, Gabriel ADIDAS, Rivera Linda Kallerus

3 4 // BACK-TO-CAMPUS BACK TO SCHOOL GE GE AR ARGUIDE GUIDE

Director of Business Development | AME LYNN FUHLBRUCK

Everything you need to go back to class, with class.

Director Senior of Business AccountDevelopment Manager | HEATHER | AME LYNN VOORHEES FUHLBRUCK

4 4 // A GUIDE TO GET TING OUT OF DEBT WITHOUT HATING YOUR LIFE

We spoke with experts on tackling one of our generation’s biggest obstacles.

4 8 // DON’T WORRY ABOUT BO BURNHAM

Who picked this stand-up comedian to make one of the year’s best movies?

Senior Account Account Manager Manager | FELICHIA | HEATHER WRIGHT VOORHEES Account Traffic Manager | CAROLINE FELICHIA WRIGHT COLE Traffic Manager | CAROLINE COLE

Foster the People p.38

The festival staples have returned with their trademark big, gooey pop hits, laced with thoughtfulness, honesty and redemption. Not a moment too soon.

Finance Director | MICHAEL BOWLES ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: www.RELEVANTmagazine.com/advertise ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: www.RELEVANTmagazine.com/advertise

5 8 // WHY YOU NEED A SPIRITUAL MENTOR

It’s more than just a good idea. It’s a spiritual necessity.

6 2 // SCARE TACTICS A new wave of horror movies take the phrase “faith-based film” to a new level.

6 6 // VOTE YOUR FAITH How should Christians act in a divided election season? Some experts weigh in.

7 2 // FIRST AID KIT The Swedish folk duo are back from their sabbatical with a new passion.

7 4 // FRANCIS CHAN Why is Francis Chan so determined to stay out of the spotlight? RELEVANT MEDIA GROUP 55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801 RELEVANTmediagroup.com

7 6 // W. K AMAU BELL He’s a comedian and a writer. But Bell really just wants to change the world.

8 0 // HILLSONG YOUNG & FREE Ready or not, the next generation of Hillsong worship is taking center stage.

8 2 // THE SUICIDE EPIDEMIC The American crisis of suicide is only getting worse. Can we turn the tide?

TO SUBSCRIBE RELEVANTmagazine.com/subscribe Rates: 1 year (6 issues) U.S. $26.99, Canada $36.99, International $45.99 SUBSCRIBER SERVICES WEB: RELEVANTmagazine.com/subservices Phone: 866-402-4746 EMAIL: support@relevantmagazine.com BULK DISCOUNTS: 866-402-4746 RETAIL DISTRIBUTION Michael Vitetta, Curtis Circulation Company mvitetta@curtiscirc.com

1 2 // FIRS T WORD

7 6 // RELE VANT SELECT S

1 4 // CURRENT

film.

Our curation of the best in music, books and

1 4 // CURRENT

Pratt’s speech on MTV, Christine Caine, the the women leaders you need in your life. country’s best coffee roasters and much more.

SEPT-OCT

is published 6 times a year in January, March, May, July, September and November for $26.99 per year by RELEVANT Media Group, Inc.,

Date-themed sermon ideas, Steph Curry’s Christian movies, Fall TV guide, Chris

Issue #95 September/October 2018 (ISSN: 1543-317X). RELEVANT

55 W. Church St., Suite 211, Orlando, FL 32801. Periodicals postage

8 4 // L AS T WORD

paid at Orlando, FL, and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER:

MattLucado Max Chandler explains on whywhy there’s we should never all been feel a

Send address changes to RELEVANT Magazine, P.O. Box 531147,

better free totime take to claim follow of God’s Jesus.plans for us.

Orlando, FL 32853.

2018

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2018

N O W AVA I L A B L E : A N E W R E S O U R C E F O R S T U D E N T S !

Si m pl e a nd i nnova t ive s ol u t ions to re duc e st re ss, a n x iee a nd depre ss ion a nd ex p er ienc e new me a n i ng i n Chr i st .

V i s i t u s o n l i n e a t : w w w. m e n t a l h e a l t h g r a c e a l l i a n c e . o r g M E N TA L H E A LT H G R A C E A L L I A N C E

MHGRACEALLIANCE

THEGRACEALLIANCE RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

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Filled With Purpose EVERDAY CARRY. ELEVATED.

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“Between the Christianity of this land, and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference.” Fre de ri ck Do ugla ss, 1845

Dr. Eric Mason calls the evangelical church to a muchneeded reckoning. In a time when many feel confused, complacent, or even angry, he challenges the church to be Christian–to be aware, be redemptive, and be active. AVA I L A B L E E V E RY W H E R E O C TO B E R 2 0 1 8

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FIRST WORD a letter from the publisher

We Can Do Better. We Have To. The fall of Willow Creek and so many others needs to be a wake-up call for our generation.

they’re surrounded by Yes Men with

CHARACTER IS

no checks and balances, and they

WHAT YOU DO

are not held accountable for their actions. This isn’t exclusive to the Church, obviously (Trump comes to mind), but it’s especially problematic in a spiritual institution. 2) We must listen to the victims. Even if allegations seem “minor,” which is how Willow leadership initially treated the claims against

THE TRAPS OF

We have to break the cycle generation steps into more

have my phone out during worship—stop

influence and leadership,

judging me.)

we need to be intentional to accountability. Character is what

Creek Church in Chicago. New, and especially disturbing,

you do when no one is looking, but

allegations about long-running improper behavior with

we need to realize we’re all human,

women had emerged, and it was now national news.

and no one is too holy or important or ego. So, before there are problems in our lives, we need to intentionally

he could no longer serve at the church given how they’d

surround ourselves with people

handled the situation up to that point, essentially sweeping

who know us, will call us out if

it under the rug and casting doubt on the validity of the

we get out of line, who will love

victims’ claims. Leadership could no longer be trusted.

us, push us, counsel us and not let us fall. When leaders isolate

where an elder apologized for how church leadership had

themselves or get so powerful they

handled the allegations and announced lead pastor Heather

feel they’re above correction or

Larson and the entire elder board would step down.

accountability, the damage can be

Full disclosure: The scandal at Willow Creek hits particularly close to home. Hybels’ daughter, author Shauna

EGO.

to fall into the traps of greed, lust

in the year, abruptly resigned. He penned a blog post saying

Three days later, Willow Creek called a “Family Meeting,”

GREED, LUST OR

live transparently and with

pastors of the last 40 years, Bill Hybels, founder of Willow

the teaching pastor who became Hybels’ successor earlier

IS TOO HOLY

of accusers. Almost always, where

from The New York Times. (No, I didn’t

effects on the American Church for a long time. Steve Carter,

AND NO ONE

to respect and validate the voices

of what we’re seeing. As this

What happened in the ensuing days will have ripple

REALIZE WE’RE ALL HUMAN,

OR IMPORTANT

early August, and my watch got an alert

The headline was about one of the most influential

WE NEED TO

TO FALL INTO

rocket science.

LOOKING, BUT

Hybels, our first posture must be

there’s smoke, there’s fire. This isn’t was at church on a Sunday morning in

WHEN NO ONE IS

catastrophic. Our generation needs to be

Niequist, is a long-time contributor to RELEVANT, was a

watching closely. If we don’t learn

cast member on our podcast for several years and is a

from what’s happening, we might be

close friend. Additionally, Carter is a friend and co-host of

doomed to repeat it.

RELEVANT’s sports podcast. There are a few things we need to learn from the situation and so many others like it. 1) Powerful men + no accountability is a problem. We’ve created a system in the American Church where some of our most acclaimed churches are essentially cults of personality.

C A MER ON S T R A NG

The leaders can do no wrong, they build institutions where

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Founder & Publisher

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CURRENT A B I M O N T H LY L O O K A T F A I T H , L I F E A N D C U LT U R E

Turns Out This Generation Doesn’t Hate Christianity After All New research has found that Generation Z is actually fearlessly reshaping conversations about spirituality.

OU MAY HAVE HEARD young

Christianity—not a majority,

people just aren’t into

but nothing to sneeze at

religion. If so, you’ve heard

either. Just 10 percent of

wrong. The old narrative

those surveyed thought

about Christianity slowly

religion had a negative

fading from the public sphere has hit yet another snag, as a new survey out of the U.K.

TO 24-YEAR-OLDS SURVEYED SAID THEY HAVE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE WITH CHRISTIANITY.

influence on society. The survey doesn’t exactly

suggests young adults may actually be more

push back on the idea that

interested in religion than older generations.

younger generations are

That’s according to a ComRes survey

MORE THAN HALF OF ALL 18-

leaving organized religion.

which found that just over half of the 18- to

They are. A 2016 study also conducted in the

religion in the workplace—more than any

24-year-olds surveyed actually had a positive

U.K. found that 71 percent of 18- to 34-year-

other age group.

experience with Christianity—including the

olds have no religion, a 9 percent leap from

33 percent that attend church services.

the previous year. But it does counter the idea

Christians do have some work to do: looking

that young people are antagonistic toward

chill. Across all age groups, only 7 percent

religion or have no interest in talking about it.

said Christians are more fun than atheists.

What’s more, the survey found that negative perceptions of Christianity aren’t exactly the norm. Forty-four percent of

In fact, the majority of 18- to 24-year-old (62

There is one area the survey found where

Guess 93 percent of people have never

those surveyed said they had a generally

percent) respondents in the ComRes survey

participated in a rousing youth group

positive experience with Christians and

said they were comfortable talking about

sword drill.

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02/10

CURRENT

THE HOT LIST The Definitive Cultural Power Rankings Former Houston Texans cheerleader Angelina Rose discusses a lawsuit the cheerleaders are filing against the NFL franchise, speaks as attorney Gloria Allred

A B BA

looks on.

[Hottest]

After spending years as a critical joke, the Mamma Mia! sequel made them the hottest thing in music. NAILED IT! [Hotter]

Netflix’s low-budget tribute to culinary failure is a huge success. B O OTC U T J EA N S [Hot]

NFL Cheerleaders Are Fighting Back Against League Misogyny

Update your jean fit.

Cheerleaders are taking teams to court

Skinny is on the way out.

to stop workplace abuse. he Washington Redskins,

T JOHNNY DEPP [Cold]

Houston Texans, Miami

according to several cheerleaders. A lawsuit filed by Texans cheerleaders

Dolphins and New Orleans

revealed how bad working conditions are: It

Saints are all facing lawsuits

alleges that Angelina Rose (above) was body

or formal discrimination

shamed by superiors and forced to duct tape

He’s still promoting the

complaints by cheerleaders. What is emerging

parts of her body during games to make her

new Fantastic Beasts

may be a pattern of workplace abuse across

body appear tighter. “We were harassed,

movie despite serious

the league.

bullied and body-shamed for $7.25 an hour,”

allegations of assault. Stand down, dude. DA L L AS COW B OYS [Colder]

The NFL as a whole

Redskins cheerleaders were flown to an

she explained to The New York Times. Another

event in Costa Rica where they were forced

Texan cheerleader said the team ignored

to go on “dates” with high-paying team

incidents when a fan assaulted her.

supporters and then pressured into a scantily

Now, they are fighting back.

clad photoshoot while the men watched,

froze its policy requiring players to stand for the national anthem, but the Cowboys are enforcing it anyway. Way to read the room. FAC E B O O K [Coldest]

Mark Zuckerberg personally lost $16 billion in one day in July.

Netflix Is Making a Show About Jesus Coming Back ... As a 12-Year-Old

Sixteen. Billion.

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IN MARK MILLAR’S graphic novel American Jesus, a 12-year-

old boy with miraculous abilities discovers he is actually Jesus reincarnate. Now, Netflix is bringing the story to audiences in a new TV show. Millar is a legendary figure in the world of comics (his stories have been made into films like Logan, Captain America: Civil War and Kingsman). He’s also a devout Catholic who says he wrote the story with Christians in mind.

2018

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CURRENT

6 Date-Themed Sermon Ideas That Couldn’t Be Any Worse Than Real Ones We’ve Heard CHURCHES ARE home to the

painful dating puns and extremely awkward sermons: a deadly combo. Roads?! Where Elon Musk is

going in Chicago, we won’t

“SEX!”

need roads.

Now that we have your attention, let’s talk about purity. “TWIN FAWNS OF A GAZELLE”

Why Song of Solomon wasn’t actually about sex, and if it was, it was mostly about how you should never have it. “CALLED TO SINGLENESS?”

How to know it’s time to settle for dating Jesus.

A ‘Boring’ Innovation That Might Help Save the Planet These high-speed travel pods could decrease traffic jams.

“HOW FAR IS TOO FAR?”

Remembering the 3 H’s: Hugs, Handholding and Hell.

ELON MUSK is on a

few minutes to travel

tunnels which travel back

mission to change the

from downtown Chicago

and forth between the

way we travel, and we’ll

to O’Hare airport) and

destinations like “skates”

“BATHSHEBA IN THE

soon know if one of his

prove that the technology

on high-tech rails.

MOONLIGHT”

most ambitious ideas—

can reduce carbon

The dangers of Instagram.

underground “skates”

emissions.

that move upwards of

It sounds outside the box, but as Musk

Passengers will board

explains, that’s the whole

150 MPH—is actually

them on the street level,

idea. He explained, “To

“KISSERS IN THE HANDS OF

possible. The initiative

where they will then

solve the problem of soul-

AN ANGRY GOD”

hopes to save commuters

be lowered to different

crushing traffic, roads

Physical boundaries in dating.

time (it will take just a

levels of underground

must go 3-D.”

MISC.

SEPT-OCT

Facebook is under fire for removing

Apple became the first U.S. company

The Greater Purpose Community

a picture of a 17th-century painting

to be worth a trillion dollars in August

Church in Santa Cruz is serving beer

of Jesus called “The Descent from

following strong Q3 earnings. So why

during church and building a brewery.

the Cross.” Apparently, Jesus wasn’t

can’t they make a computer charger

Pastor Chris VanHall says a church is

wearing enough clothes.

cord that doesn’t fray at the end?

“not brick and mortar.”

020

2018

PURSUE A RIGHTEOUS LIFEâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;A LIFE OF WONDER, FAITH, LOVE, STEADINESS, COURTESY. From 1 Timothy 6

Surprise and Wonder

THE MESSAGE, THE MESSAGE logo, NAVPRESS, and the NAVPRESS logo are registered trademarks of NavPress, The Navigators, Colorado Springs, CO.

021

Experience it at MessageBible.com. RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

04/10 05/14 02/10

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Good Work: Charitable Giving Has Never Been Higher FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER,

Steph Curry’s Next Challenge: Making a Good Christian Movie The Golden State Warriors superstar is taking a surprising foray into faith-based film.

NBA SUPERSTAR Stephen Curry is taking

Easter and Christmas holidays and some

his talents to Hollywood. He recently

family-friendly sports flicks, they are also

announced that his new company,

producing Bible-themed animation and

Unanimous Media (Curry is the only player

even a family-friendly Wedding Crashers-

in NBA history to be unanimously voted the

style comedy called Church Hoppers. The

league’s MVP), has partnered with Sony for

film follows a group of dudes who visit

a series of new faith-adjacent movies.

churches to help find a wife for their

Curry explained the vision to Variety saying, “It’s not about me hitting people

heartbroken friend.

[T H E N U M B E R S]

CHARITABLE GIVING 2016 $389 BILLION 2017 $410 BILLION

The projects may sound a little cheesy,

over the head with a Bible and telling them

but Curry doesn’t mind. “I don’t mind being

they have to believe a certain thing.”

called corny,” he said. “I’m comfortable with

Along with films that center on the

charitable giving in the United States surpassed $400 billion in 2017. As Giving USA Foundation Vice-Chair Rick Dunham’s explained, “The size of the charitable sector in America, at $410 billion, if you were to put that into a larger context, if it was its own country, it would have an economy bigger than Greece, or Austria, or Norway or Portugal. Charitable contributions make up 2.1 percent of our GDP.” Not only that, but the largest segment of charitable giving went to religious organizations with more than $127 billion in contributions.

who I am.”

GIVING TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS ALONE $127 BILLION

MISC.

SEPT-OCT

Shoppers with strong religious beliefs

Kelsey Grammer, star of the old NBC

Holy smokes. According to a report

are much less likely to go on an

sitcom Frasier, is fielding pitches and

from Gallup, only 16 percent of adults

impulse spending binge, according

ideas from writers about a reboot of

say they smoked a cigarette in the

to recent research published by the

the acclaimed ’90s series following its

past week, which is the lowest level on

Harvard Business Review.

recent popularity resurgence.

record since 1944.

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2018

“Loving connects people to each other through prayer, worship and covenant.”

Iosmar Alvarez Senior Pastor at Fuente de Avivamiento UMC, Lexington, Ky. Asbury Seminary, 2017.

THE NEW LOVE DOCTORS:

Visit asbury.to/voices to read Iosmar’s story.

ARE YOU CALLED TO JOIN GOD IN HIS MISSION? Download your free ebook YES!?, from Asbury Seminary. Visit: asbury.to/RE Kentucky

•

Orlando

•

Memphis

•

Online

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[ R E L E V A N T R E C O M M E N D S]

Fall Guide to Good TV From network sitcoms to the latest prestige TV, here are the new shows that should fill your DVR this season.

NE OF THE DOWNSIDES of the

era of “peak TV” we’re in is there are too many great shows to keep up with. Never

fear, though. The RELEVANT editorial team is here to help curate some of this fall’s best new offerings. This year, the big story is Netflix’s rise to become the most valuable media company in the world, officially surpassing powerhouses like Disney and Fox. The streaming giant is adding dozens of original new shows and movies every month, many to critical acclaim. But traditional networks aren’t laying down. Along with releasing their own new series, networks are relying on popular franchise reboots (Murphy Brown, Frasier, Will & Grace just to name a few), and cable channels are embracing big-budget limited series with A-list talent (like Jim Carrey) to keep viewers tuned in. Here is our look at the shows you’ll want to binge and set the DVR for in the coming months.

NARCOS: MEXICO

navigate a social life, career and volunteering at his

[N E T F L I X]

kid’s school while also trying to be a great dad. It’s a

In the new season of the Netflix hit true-crime series,

surprisingly earnest look at being an adult, loneliness

Michael Pena (above) plays an undercover DEA agent

and parenthood.

who risked his life to take down the Guadalajara Cartel I FEEL BAD

in the 1980s.

[N B C]

SEPT-OCT

SINGLE PARENTS

This comedy is based on an interesting, not-so-funny

[N B C]

theme: shame. The sitcom—from executive producer

Former SNL cast member Taran Killam stars as

Amy Poehler—is all about imperfection. It’s about

a goofy, 30-something single dad attempting to

dealing with flaws and grace.

024

2018

THE ALEC BALDWIN SHOW [A B C]

After airing a sneak peek back in March, ABC is officially bringing the talk show to primetime on Sunday nights. Like his podcast, Here’s the Thing, instead of focusing on comedy, the show will center on long-form interviews with interesting influencers, activists, artists and thought leaders. KIDDING [S H O W T I M E]

Jim Carrey has become so selective at this stage of his

GOD FRIENDED ME

REBOOTS & REMAKES

career, any role

[C B S]

he takes has to be

The new CBS sitcom is about a vocal atheist whose

treated like a big

life is changed when “God” befriends him on Facebook.

MURPHY BROWN

deal. Showtime’s

The show—while fully a CBS sitcom—presents some

[C B S]

Kidding sees

interesting commentary on faith and doubt.

If there’s ever a time that TV

the comedy icon

needed a fearless, sharp-witted,

playing a children’s

CHERNOBYL

brilliant female journalist, it’s

TV star who

[H B O]

now. Candice Bergen will once

receives a reality

If you’re looking for something more highbrow

again star in the continuation of

check after his personal life starts to implode. It’s like

than sitcom fare, HBO’s new docu-series about the

the mega-hit sitcom that first ran

Mister Rogers, but sad.

Chernobyl nuclear disaster has everything you’d want in

for a decade starting in 1988.

a historical epic: lessons about corruption, technology, THE GOOD COP

humanity and survival.

[N E T F L I X]

WATCHMEN (COMING SOON) [H B O]

There’s no shortage of mismatched cop duos, but

RAISING DION

Watchmen is one of the most

the names behind this one put it in another category.

[N E T F L I X]

beloved graphic novels in

Netflix’s The Good Cop stars—you ready?—Tony Danza

The new genre-melding Netflix show starring Michael

history, and in HBO’s hands,

as a street-wise NYPD veteran and—here comes the

B. Jordan, Jason Ritter and Ja’Siah Young is about a

with Jeremy Irons in the starring

follow-up—Josh Grobin as his by-the-book son. It’s an

single mom (we’re listening) raising her son alone

role and Damon Lindelof as the

old-fashioned sitcom, and honestly? We’re in.

(OK, sounds familiar) who happens to discover he has

showrunner, it may finally get the

strange powers (now we’re talking).

screen adaptation it deserves.

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CURRENT

MISC.

A Bible that was on Apollo 14 for its 1971 trip to the moon [ D I G T H I S]

was auctioned off last summer for a cool $50,000. The

5 Weird Archaeological Discoveries That Help Prove the Bible These strange artifacts might confirm your Sunday school stories.

catch: You need a microscope to read it, since it was printed on microfilm and is 1.5 inches wide.

ARCHAEOLOGISTS HAVE FOUND a lot of weird stuff in

digs around the Holy Land, as well as discoveries that have provided evidence for the historical accuracy of Scripture. And sometimes they find both. Here’s a look at five of the strangest, and most important, artifacts recently uncovered.

Need a new gig? The rural village of Iga in Japan prides itself on being the birthplace of the

THIS TINY HEAD OF AN OLD TESTAMENT KING

A FOOT WITH A NAIL IN IT Some skeptics doubt Jesus’ resurrection because

No one knows who this 3,000-year-old

crucified criminals weren’t given honorable burials. But

glass head depicts, but its existence

researchers found a body inside an ossuary with a nail

may confirm Samuel’s mention of the

driven through the foot. The implication is that those

area during the time of David.

executed by crucifixion could be honorably buried.

AN ANCIENT FEMALEEMPOWERMENT MOSAIC

KING HEZEKIAH’S THRONE

Mosaic inscriptions near Galilee honor

A toilet was found among smashed

a woman who helped build a church

idols, likely to desecrate the altar. 2

in the fourth century, meaning women

Kings says Hezekiah “tore down the

played a prominent role in the early

temple of Baal, and people have used

Church, just like Acts suggests.

it for a latrine to this day.”

ninja, and they’re recruiting new ones. According to them, the job can earn you $85,000 a year.

[AND BY THRONE, WE MEAN TOILET]

Chick-fil-A is getting into the meal-kit game. The fast food chain is testing a new program where customers can pick up five different

3,000-YEAR-OLD DONKEY DUNG

recipe boxes, all centered around

Researchers found that the dung contained feed from an

chicken. Finally, a

area a hundred miles away in a town that contained copper

way to eat Chick-

mines. It could have been a source of Solomon’s vast

fil-A on Sunday.

wealth, a biblical tale which used to invite skepticism.

SEPT-OCT

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2018

Our Master of Arts in Transformational Leadership is a flexible program designed specifically for you to choose your own path Scholarships Available!

Contact Jean Adler Stean at steanj@seattleu.edu or 206-296-5333 for more information

SCHOOL OF

THEOLOGY AND MINISTRY Six graduate degree programs and three professional development certificates 027

seattleu.edu/stm RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

08/10

CURRENT

Chris Pratt: America’s Coolest Youth Pastor? The actor preached a mini-sermon to an MTV audience about God’s love and, yes, toilet jokes. ACTOR CHRIS PRATT CONTINUES HIS FAST TRACK to becoming pop culture’s

unofficial cool youth pastor. After being given the “Generation Award” at the MTV Movie & TV Awards, Pratt launched into a mini-sermon that combined a healthy amount of potty humor with deep spiritual truths. He discussed the power of prayer and good character (“If you’re strong, be a protector. If you’re smart, be a

“You are imperfect. You always will be, but there’s a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you’re willing to accept that,

humble influencer. Strength and intelligence can be weapons.”), and then about grace and God’s love for his children. “God is real. God loves you. God wants the best for you. Believe that. I do … Nobody’s perfect. You are imperfect. You always will be, but there’s a powerful force that designed you that way, and if you’re willing to accept that, you will have grace. And grace is a gift. That

you will have grace.

grace was paid for with somebody else’s blood.

And grace is a gift.”

next time he’s hosting a lock-in, count us in.

Odell Beckham Jr. Was Just Baptized in the Jordan River

Don’t forget it. Don’t take it for granted.” The

Just before the new football season started, NFL superstar Odell Beckham Jr. visited the Holy Land, where he was baptized in the Jordan River. Along with photos he posted on Instagram, the New York Giants star wrote: “I couldn’t

[have] asked for anything more! God I can’t thank you enough for this one. My journey is just beginning ... Fresh start. I’m forgiven.” Beckham, who has faced legal troubles and a devastating injury last season, also wrote, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

MISC.

SEPT-OCT

Fortnite is officially a blockbuster

The economics consultancy

The future has arrived. Segway,

game. Even though it’s free to

Frontier has made a depressing

the company behind those goofy

play, it sells millions of in-game

finding: Former reality show

scooters, is now selling $400

items every day. It’s expected to

contestants in the U.K. make more

“e-Skates” designed for both feet to

earn $2 billion this year.

than Oxford graduates.

stand on single-wheels. Cool?

028

2018

09/10

CURRENT

[ R E L E V A N T R E C O M M E N D S]

The 5 Best Coffee Roasters in America Coffee can be more than just coffee. It can be a way to do a lot of good. WE ALL KNOW THE DILEMMA. We want good coffee, but we hear stories about farmers working long hours for little pay or unfortunate conditions in global coffee-roasting factories. We want to make sure our cup of joe tastes great, but is ethically sourced as well. Fortunately, the coffee industry was one of the first to respond to growing consumer awareness about things like fair trade, and many companies today have transparent practices without sacrificing an ounce of quality. Here are our five favorite coffee roasters, not just for great taste, but great ethics too.

Equator Coffee & Teas

Counter Culture Coffee

Revelator

[C A L I F O R N I A]

[N O R T H C A R O L I N A]

[G E O R G I A]

Equator was the first coffee

Based in North Carolina, Counter

One of the most respected coffee

company in California to become

Culture delivers a top-notch bean

roasters in the South, Revelator

a certified B Corporation, meeting

and an annual sustainability report.

makes a great cup of coffee, and

rigorous standards of social

With a reliance on wind energy

puts as few processes between

transparency. One taste and you’ll

credits, Counter Culture is making

the farmer and the purchaser as

see why they won California’s small

some of the best coffee in America

humanly possible, working directly

business of the year.

with the lowest carbon footprint.

with producers.

Peace Coffee

Portland Roasting Coffee

[M I N N E S O TA]

[C A L I F O R N I A]

The Institute for Agriculture and

A pioneer of sustainability,

Trade Policy owns this nonprofit

Portland was an early adopter

coffee company that makes all its

of Specialty Coffee Association

local deliveries by bike and works

of America’s program to change

out of an eco-friendly building with

their environmental footprint. They

a garden on the roof. Hey, it’s the

donate a chunk of their proceeds

little things.

to planting trees in Sub-Saharan Africa.

SEPT-OCT

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Create a New Family Tradition This Christmas These beautifully illustrated stories can be read aloud as a family each day in December, painting a sweeping picture of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plan to rescue broken humanity. Discover the beauty and grace of Jesus, our Rescuer, who came to make everything good and new again, like it was in the beginning.

Visit your local Christian retailer or Amazon.com today!

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10/10

CURRENT

[ T H E R E L E V A N T Q + A]

Christine Caine: Be Ready for the Unexpected The author, preacher and activist is opening up about a difficult season—and why she’s hopeful about the future. HERE’S NO E ASY way

to overcome the most difficult parts of life, and Christine Caine knows that better than

almost anyone. In her new book, Unexpected, she opens up about unexpected challenges she’s facing and how she’s working to overcome them. We wanted to know more: UNEXPECTED TALKS ABOUT THE FE AR OF CHANGE AND UNKNOWN. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO OPEN UP IN THE BOOK?

There were a lot of things. I was having this awesome birthday party with 150 friends on a boat in Southern California, and on the way home I noticed I had 26 missed calls from my brother, telling me that my mom had passed away that night. And, say, when I got my cancer report. I didn’t know if it was stage one or four, whether I was going to be healed instantly through medicine or die and go to Heaven. But I could have a faith-filled attitude that would mean my condition and diagnosis did not need to define me, but my identity in Christ could. YOU DIDN’T KNOW HOW IT WAS GOING

And when we can’t control things … we have this picture in our head of how things should turn out. And the Scripture promises His grace will be sufficient for us. In this world, we will have trials. Here I am trying to make a difference by teaching and preaching, and now I have a growth between my trachea and my larynx. That’s my voice box. I’m like, uhhh where is this supposed to fit? This is what I do! What do you do in that moment? Are you going to let that unnecessarily derail you for the rest of your life? Hang on a minute. This is what faith is for.

TO TURN OUT, BUT YOU WERE ABLE TO

SEPT-OCT

EMBR ACE THAT UNCERTAINT Y?

HOW DO YOU THINK PEOPLE CAN LOOK

I think we have this need for control.

THOSE THINGS IN THE FACE AND STILL

032

HAVE HOPE AND TRUST GOD IN THE MIDST OF THOSE THINGS?

It’s not saying, “I’m not sick, I don’t have cancer.” That’s not called faith, that’s called lying. That’s not helping anybody. Faith is calling those things that are not as though they are. So I stood on verses of Scripture about healing and the promises of God while I was walking through a cancer journey. In the midst of it, you can still be full of hope because your hope is in who Jesus is. My reading of Romans 8:28, he says, even when bad things happen, God doesn’t call bad things good, but He can work even those bad things together for good and for His glory. I’ve seen that in my own life.

2018

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RELEVANT’s Essential

Back-to-Campus Gear Guide I

t’s that time of year. The air gets cooler. The days get

Whether you’re headed back to the classroom or just

shorter. And you have an excuse to stock up on cool

wanting to restock your closet after summer, we’ve

new back-to-campus gear. But even if your college days

found some of the most innovative gear that not only

are behind you, there’s always a reason to get a new

looks great, but also contributes to causes making the

fall jacket, a fresh backpack or supplies for your office.

world a better place.

Ecojot Notebook

LifeStraw

These uniquely designed journals and notebooks are made from 100 percent wastepaper and use only vegetable-based glue. They’ve also donated thousands of books to kids through their buy one-give one model.

Need the perfect item for your outdoorsy study break? LifeStraw’s filter makes almost any water source drinkable. They also fund global clean water projects. $44.95 LIFESTRAW.COM

$14.95 ECOJOT.COM

Everlane Packable Backpack

Not only are Everlane’s apparel and bags made from high-quality materials and have cool design features, they also guaranteed to be ethically made. Each item contains information about the factory where it was made, which are all held to the highest workplace standards. $35 EVERLANE.COM

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2018

Parley Adidas Ultra Boost Sure, Adidas’ Boost technology makes walking around campus a lot more comfortable. But this new line is made from trash recycled from waterways and beaches around the world through a partnership with the organization Parley for the Oceans. PRICE VARIES ADIDAS.COM

Reveal iPad Cover

REVEALSHOP.COM

Sprout Pencils Instead of throwing this pencil away when you’re done with it, you can actually plant it in the ground. Each one is built with seeds that will grow into a new plant. $14.95 (8 Pack) SPROUTWORLD.COM

Cotopaxi Jacket Passion Planner This daily planner is designed to help you achieve your goals, with built-in milestones, organization tips and work-life balance zones.

The perfect fall windbreaker is also making a difference. A portion of Cotopaxi’s revenue goes toward poverty alleviation efforts for communities in the Andes. $79.99

$25-35

WWW.COTOPAXI.COM

PASSIONPLANNER.COM

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BACK TO SCHOOL GEAR GUIDE

$45

BACK-TO-CAMPUS GEAR GUIDE

Made from sustainably harvested cork, this iPad cover will keep your device safe and make it stand out from your roommate’s.

Jewel Garden Give your dorm room a hint of the outdoors with these easy-to-maintain mini gardens. LuLa’s Garden also helps to provide clean water in developing countries, so buying one will do more than just make your room look better. $35 LULASGARDEN.COM

Seattle Chocolate Bar BACK-TO-CAMPUS GEAR GUIDE GUIDE BACK TO SCHOOL GEAR

Seattle Chocolate carefully sources the ingredients for their delicious snacks to ensure they are sustainably and ethically produced. And for each bar sold, healthy food is donated to a food bank. $4.50 SEATTLECHOCOLATE.COM

Box Lunch Tea Forte Sipscription Need a healthy pick-me-up for your finals cram session? Ditch the Red Bull for these healthy teas that taste great and support the organization Feeding America. PRICE VARIES BOXLUNCH.COM

The Green Wave Original

Hand in Hand Salt Bar Soap Hand in Hand’s sustainable suds are not only eco-friendly, they also smell awesome. And for each one sold, one is donated and clean water projects are funded in Haiti.

Green Wave’s surf-inspired gear is made from organic materials in a process that is 100 percent sustainable. You won’t just look good at the beach, you’ll also help save it.

$6 HANDINHANDSOAP.COM

$58 THEGREENWAVE.CO.UK

SEPT-OCT

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2018

Harlan Sunglasses

Regional Field Guides

The buy one-give one pioneers at TOMS now make killer shades. And for each pair sold, they help restore sight to a person in need of medical care.

Made in partnership with the travel publication company Wildsam, Public Supply’s gorgeous field guides will help you navigate America’s coolest areas.

$159.95 TOMS.COM

$34 PUBLIC-SUPPLY.COM

BACK TO SCHOOL GEAR GUIDE

BACK-TO-CAMPUS GEAR GUIDE

Love 41 Bookmark Inspired by Psalm 41’s call to serve the poor, Love 41’s finely crafted leather goods help support in-need communities in Rwanda. $19 LOVE41.COM

Shinola Detroit Arrow Woodbuds Made from real wood, these crisp-sounding earbuds support the source from which they came: For every 100 products they sell, Woodbuds plants a new tree.

Detroit-based watchmaker Shinola believes in promoting craftsmanship and creating quality jobs for American workers. They partnered with Wisconsin’s Waterford Precision Cycles to create this versatile steel-frame bike that’s designed to not only be comfortable while riding around your campus but to also last for a really long time.

$33

$1,000

WOODBUDS.COM

SHINOLA.COM

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F T T P P

O S E R H E E O L E

The band returns with huge hits laced with subversive messages of redemption. BY J E S S E C A R E Y

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2018

you caught Foster the People on tour this summer, you may have witnessed a powerful moment, like what happened at the massive Hangout Festival where the

band was one of the headliners. In the middle of the set, the music stopped, and frontman Mark Foster talked about the importance of reaching out to people who are lonely, who are outsiders and who are being picked on. And the words landed with some extra poignancy. In the days leading up to the concert, gunmen had claimed victims at a church in Texas and several high schools. “Talk to them,” he said. “Sit next to them. Reach out because that’s how we change things— from the inside out.” He continued: “I’m not here to talk about guns. I’m not here to talk about laws. I’m here to talk about love … I’m here to stand in unity with the families from Texas that lost their kids a couple of days ago, and brothers, and sisters and best friends. And a kid yesterday in Georgia, I want to stand with his family, too.” He went on to talk about the need to stand with the first responders, the police officers and teachers involved in the aftermath of the school shootings, as well as the families of the shooters themselves. As he got ready to strike the band up again and get back to the set, Foster said, “We need to pray for all of those people because God is bigger. And love is bigger.” Almost a decade after a breakout single launched their careers, Foster the People is back with new hits (their latest single, “Sit Next to Me”

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has landed on charts around the world and has

Florida; and Sutherland Springs, Texas.

racked up nearly 100 million Spotify streams), as

With the body counts piling higher and higher,

well as a renewed purpose. They aren’t just on

Foster found himself in a place where he needed

a mission to prove they’re not just one-hit won-

to say something.

ders. They are on a mission to change lives. This isn’t the story of a comeback. It’s one of redemption.

“I think artists have a duty to speak culturally,” he says. “I think

artists

throughout PUMPED UP SENSATIONS

the history of

In 2010, Foster the People became an internation-

time have al-

al sensation when “Pumped Up Kicks” became an

ways been at

unexpected sleeper hit after the then-unsigned

the forefront of

band dropped it online. The song landed them

social

a major record deal, a Grammy nomination and

They’ve always

ended up going multiplatinum in the U.S., Aus-

been a voice …

tralia and Canada.

We’re

change.

[some]

However, beyond its commercial and crit-

of the only peo-

ical success, the song—chronicling the inner

ple that don’t

“Artists have a duty to speak … Artists throughout the history of time have always been at the forefront of social change.” thoughts of a bullied student considering com-

have to rely on

mitting an act of violence—also put the band in

the debate about gun violence.

or lobbyist or

“It stuck us in the center of the conversation

voters or oth-

of gun reform and gun violence, isolation, teen

er people that

angst and all of those things,” Foster says. “I

have say over

wrote that song in response to what I saw hap-

our

message.

pening back then, and I knew things were going

Our

message

to get worse before they got better. I never pic-

can come pure-

tured, asked for or thought that I’d have a plat-

ly from us. And

form to speak on something like that, but it kind

I think there’s a

of naturally happened over time.”

huge

When the band was touring their latest album Sacred Hearts Club, America would face one of

SEPT-OCT

corporation

freedom

in that, but I also think there’s a responsibility in that.”

the deadliest rashes of mass shootings in its his-

But if you hear Foster’s message, he’s not advo-

tory, leaving the nation stunned in the wake of

cating for any specific policy or legislation. He’s

horrific killing sprees in Las Vegas; Parkland,

thinking bigger than that. He wants to use his

040

L-R Isom Innis, Mark Foster, Mark Pontius, Sean Cimino

2018

platform and his music to bring people together.

synth-fueled ballad that centers around the lyric,

“Right now, the biggest thing that I want to say

“I want to live in your love, forever.” In a slow,

is this division, at least in the U.S., is really rip-

haunting moment, Foster sings, “When the night

ping our country apart,” he explains. “And I want

will come and take us home / And people change,

... to encourage people to not choose party over

we fade from youth / And evolve into eternal life /

humanity.”

Don’t slip away, well I’m begging you / To let me

Years

after

“Pumped

sing with angels.”

Foster says the idea for the song came from

Kicks” launched

his bandmate Isom Innis. Innis was born with

his career, Fos-

a heart defect that led him to need open-heart

ter believes he

surgery as a newborn and again at 19. “He has

must

a valve that he can hear clicking throughout the

use

his

platform—and his gift as a mu-

day,” Foster says. It’s the kind of experience that can give some-

sician—to

help

one a unique perspective on the gift of life and

people

heal.

power of death. Foster himself hasn’t experi-

Because it’s his

enced any health issues at that scale, but he has

music that has

had to come to terms with life and death in his

helped him find

own way.

the healing he was looking for.

When he was 18, he moved to Los Angeles to try to make it in the music industry and, like many such aspiring creatives in Hollywood, soon

REDEMPTION

began to struggle with addiction issues and a

SONG

party lifestyle. His churchgoing roots left far

much

behind him in the Midwest, Foster was hanging

catalog,

with celebrities—some of whom were battling

Hearts

their own addictions. Foster even roomed with

Club is a dancy,

actor Brad Renfro, the former child star who suc-

upbeat

cumbed to his struggle with addiction and died

their Sacred

that

album

fuses

die-pop

inwith

of a drug overdose at just 25. The experience woke Foster up.

club-thumping

He says that one evening, he and Innis were in

beats. The single

the studio, and they began to work on the song

“Sit Next to Me”

that would become “III.” They started talking

is a fun, top-40

about these ideas—not just about life and pur-

hit,

pose, but what comes after we die.

and

tunes It

“We got into this big conversation about life

for the Money”

and death,” he says. “Not in a morbid way. But

and “Harden the

basically in a, if something were to happen to

Paint” work just

one of us, what would you want the other person

as well on a sum-

to do? Like, ‘If I die first, this is what I’d want

mer drive with

you to do.’”

the

“Doing

windows

down as they do on the dance floor.

It was a heavy conversation. Foster says that the line “Age is a trap, I wonder why I hold back”

That’s partly what makes the album’s clos-

is about the idea that “we only have a limited

ing track, “III,” so powerful. A departure from

amount of time in life, why on Earth would we

the pop and dance beats, it’s a dreamy, slow,

hold back because we have this gift? And we

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

don’t know how much time we have.”

the weight of being placed in the middle of a con-

In the bridge, he sings, “I won’t be afraid, it’s true

versation about something as heavy as gun vio-

/ We’ll never know when the night will come and

lence has given Foster and his band a renewed

take us home / Don’t slip away, I’m begging you.”

purpose. Yes, they write really catchy pop songs.

Except this is where the conversation chang-

But that’s not their sole mission anymore. This is

es. It’s no longer about Foster and Innis. This is

about using their experiences and talents to actu-

Mark Foster thinking about life, addiction, death,

ally change the world.

purpose and redemption, and starting to pray. This is a conversation between Mark Foster and his Maker. “That’s me talking to God,” he says. “Because I was really going through something at that moment, too. Struggling with some stuff, struggling with addiction stuff. And was just in this very honest, vulnerable conversation with God

“Music is this beautiful medium that has the ability to unify people ... We’re in this together. We need each other.” — Mark Foster

that was just like, ‘I know that we’re not close right now, but that doesn’t mean I don’t wanna be close

The song “III” ends with an outro that serves

to You. And if something were to happen and if I

as the final words on Sacred Hearts Club. As the

were to die now, I hope I’ll be able to spend the

final notes of the song ring out, Mark Foster sings,

rest of my time with You. I hope that I’m not so

“Wake the sleeping from their dreaming ... we all

far away that You’ll turn Your back on me.’”

want more.”

When you hear the song, you can hear the des-

The band has found success. But spiritually

peration and emotion but even more than that,

and missionally, they know they want more. And

you can hear the hope of someone who believes

Foster the People is going to keep going after it.

in redemption.

“Music is this beautiful medium that has the

“I sang that song so many times,” he remem-

ability to unify people,” he says. “If I have a mi-

bers. “It was [me and Isom] in the studio, and

crophone in my hand, I can remind people, ‘Hey,

it took a lot of times for me to get through that

we’re in this together. We need each other. Life

bridge vocally without crying. Because it would

is hard enough as is for us to be picking on each

just stop and there would be just silence between

other over things that don’t really matter. If we

us. And it was kind of awkward, actually, because

can see beyond all of that stuff and stop fighting

it was so emotional and so real and I’d get choked

about stuff that’s trivial, we can put our hand out

up and stop singing and he’d stop the song. And

to things that are more important.’ And that all

I’d basically gather myself, he would press re-

comes from, if you boil it down, it comes from a

cord and I’d try to get through it again because I

place of love and respect toward each other, so

really did come from a spiritual place of, I guess,

it’s gonna be pretty hard to go wrong.”

the deep, deep core, like our deep core.” IN THIS TOGETHER

The experience of writing “III,” coming to terms with big questions about God and dealing with

SEPT-OCT

JESSE CAREY is the brand director at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @jessecarey.

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

A Guide to Getting Out of Debt Without Hating Your Life If you’re a typical millennial, you’re in a massive amount of debt. Now what?

SEPT-OCT

044

2017

BY TO W N E S P R E S C OT T I I I

ust

percent

Americans

percent reporting car loan debt. The issue here could be

between

described as false projection or, curiously, a symptom of

the ages of 18 and 34

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

claim to be debt-free.

According to a recent survey by the group CreditKar-

A quarter of the rest

ma, 40 percent of millennials have spent money they

of that age group has

didn’t have in order to keep up with the social life of their

at least $30,000 in debt and 11 per-

peers. There’s not only a social pressure at work, there’s

cent have over $100,000 in debt. The

a false dichotomy: If this person can afford to do X, and

numbers come from new findings

that person is similar to me in life stage, I should be able

from a NBC News/GenForward sur-

to afford X, too. Out comes the credit card.

vey, and reveal a concerning trend among

many

young

“It’s easy to assume it’s fine to use debt to support cur-

Americans:

rent spending because ‘everyone is doing it,’” says Dr.

They are in serious debt, and it’s

Sonya Britt-Lutter, a personal financial planner and pro-

causing them to put much of their

fessor and researcher with Kansas State University. “The

lives on hold.

same applies to student loans and mortgages. If friends

One-third of the group has put off

are using student loans to pay for college, it seems ratio-

buying a home due to reported debt,

nal for us to do that, too. The use of debt cannot be an

and 31 percent aren’t saving for re-

isolated decision. It is directly tied to current and future

tirement for the same reason.

income.”

The good news: There is a way out.

Isolated decisions often are based on emotions rather

This generation also happens to be

than common sense or critical thinking. When our prima-

more educated, geographically mo-

ry reason for buying something is how we feel in the mo-

bile and vocationally ambitious than

ment, that—no surprise here—is when we act our most

any previous generation. In fact, no

rash and least logical. We’re thinking about our emotions

age group could be better equipped

instead of our values.

to handle the burden than those raised amid the Great Recession.

Rafael Robert, director of The Love & Money Project at brightpeak financial, attributes this trend to a “culture of enjoy now and pay later.” The world tells us to keep up

HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

with our friends, please others and aim for instant grat-

Debt is insidious. Its gradual accru-

ification, but—again, not a shocker—that’s poor financial

al means it’s hard to anticipate until

planning. Plus, that gratification often never comes at all.

the damages hit. But by anticipating

“That culture actually brings us less joy,” Robert says.

some of the pitfalls many fall into

“Several studies have shown how the principle of ‘pay

while accumulating debt, it’s possi-

now and enjoy later’ actually leads to greater happiness.

ble to make proactive changes now

It’s a triple win. You enjoy the anticipation of having the

that can prevent financial constric-

thing you paid for, the thing itself because, being paid, it

tion later.

now feels ‘free,’ and you enjoy not paying for that thing

The most common form of debt

for the next several months or years. So, a cultural shift

among 18- to 34-year-olds is credit

toward delayed gratification would actually make us a

card debt. Forty-six percent of Amer-

more joyful people.”

icans in that age group report credit

So you were leading with your heart instead of your

card debt, compared to 36 percent

brain. You haggled and made justifications you shouldn’t

reporting student loan debt and 34

have and made impulse purchases that are still nipping

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

at the heels of your bank account. A cultural shift, as nice

you manage to clear that debt, allocate that $250 a month

as that sounds, isn’t going to fix your problem. It’s time to

toward your credit card debt next, instead of just banking it

make things right.

for more spending. That keeps you on a consistent monthly budget while maintaining a level of proactivity.

HOW DO I DIG MY WAY OUT OF HERE?

There are short-term, more fast-acting solutions, too.

First off, it’s easy to see debt as evil, but in reality, debt can

Britt-Lutter is an advocate of “spending diets” as a way to

be a positive thing. Debt enables life-event purchases like

help you save a bit every month. Pick a weekend in which

a car or a home, things most people aren’t able to pay for

you won’t spend on entertainment, or take a month off from

in cash. The mindset, then, is to become the master of your

eating out or buying coffee from the morning drive-thru.

debt instead of the alternative.

“A spending diet is just like food dieting,” she says. “It’s

“A lot of people make debt the devil,” Robert says. “It

hard to stay the course long-term because it’s just not fun.

comes from a good place, but it’s as misguided as saying,

It’s easier to stick to it when you know it’s only temporary.

‘Money is the root of all evil’ as opposed to, ‘The love of

Instead of going to the movies, find a new park you haven’t

money is the root of all sorts of evil’ from 1 Timothy. A loan

visited and pack a picnic.”

doesn’t inherently have to be bad. It’s just wise to be cau-

But it’s important to tap into your psychological needs

tious with how we use debt, and to be honest about our own

as well, says Robert. If you can recognize when you feel re-

limitations.”

warded or in control when it comes to money, and those

The key to wising up lies in foresight and communica-

are healthy feelings, tap into them so the process of paying

tion (two things that might have been absent while your

off debt is better suited to you. This can free you from com-

debt piled up). At the same time, you shouldn’t throw out

monplace feelings of entrapment or worthlessness that can

everything you’re excited about in the short-term so you

come from being burdened with debt.

can clear the slate. Aggressive debt management shouldn’t

For instance, if you like the gratification of completing

come at the expense of a reasonable quality of life.

a task or tackling things through small, easy-to-accomplish

For starters, there are some general rules of the road to

steps, maybe knock out your smaller debts with lower in-

follow: Pay off your loans with the highest interest rate first

terest before orienting toward the big-picture, high-interest

so you’re paying the minimal amount in the long run, and if

loans. Other people might need a total lockdown to keep

you have extra money, allocate it to paying off debt before

themselves accountable.

savings because debt generally has a higher interest rate

“Debt causes us to struggle with ‘not-enoughness,’” Rob-

than savings.

ert says. “It’s hard for many folks to embrace abundance

From there, your actual strategy should fit within your

and contentment when they’re struggling with debt. The

personal means. Britt-Lutter advises budgeting an amount

key here is to have a plan to reduce and keep off that debt,

each month you’ll allocate toward debt repayment, but

then center ourselves in gratitude and generosity not de-

keeping that amount consistent even when a debt is paid

fined by our financial circumstances. There’s not a one-size-

off. So if you pay $250 a month to pay off a car loan and

fits-all answer. You have to know your story and own it.”

How Debt Affects Your Health

74%

SEPT-OCT

USA Today reports 74 percent of millennials say debt has a negative impact on their rela-

20%

You might be feeling your debt—literally. An AP survey reported those with high debt

33%

Researchers from the University of Southampton found those without debt are one-third as

tionships. Don’t hide it, Robert

stress are 20 percent more

likely to have a mental health

says: “Communicate on how

likely to suffer physical ailments

problem. “We tend to see debt

you’ll approach debt. Better to

associated with that stress,

as a negative reflection of our

gain positive momentum and

like digestive problems and

character,” Robert says. “God

take longer than to pay faster

blood-pressure spikes. A grad-

is enough. We have worth

but be in a broken relationship.”

ual action plan can bring relief.

regardless of our ‘debts.’”

046

2017

“Because it sometimes turns out that we can almost make up a need because there’s something we like to do.”

HOW DO I ENSURE I STAY OUT OF DEBT? Debt management really is like nutrition, and harkening back to Britt-Lutter’s diet comparison, a “crash diet” strategy that takes a short-term extreme approach makes you suitable to relapse. In fact, Britt-Lutter says to expect a stumble. “Realize that mistakes happen and move on,” she says. “You got out of debt once before, so you can do it again. The key is not feeling shameful and not hiding the issue to where it grows out of control.” Confront yourself in the moments you do mess up,

Just 22 percent of 18- to 34-year-olds say they are debt free. A quarter have at least $30,000 in debt and 11 percent more than $100,000 in debt.

but then take proactive steps to make sure you don’t do it again. A radical approach needs to be augmented by maintenance plans to support both your budget and lifestyle. Clint Hodgdon, director of financial products and advice at brightpeak financial, encourages keeping a cash reserve to use on unexpected expenses and a general savings fund devoted to future goals like vacations or a car or a home, even if those things aren’t in your explicit plans yet. And of course, when it comes time to use debt, write down your plan to pay it off so you can see if the payments fit into your budget. Hodgdon puts it simply: “Keeping out of debt requires planning ahead.” For couples, it also requires communication, Robert says. Couples need to be in agreement about debt strategy before they start wheeling and dealing with the payments. The solution is to go on a money date. Really. Every six months, sit down with your partner to review and refine your debt strategy together, come to an agreement, and when you do, celebrate with something definitively more date-like. Including trusted friends and partners in accountability-focused, intentional financial conversations is key, too. “Accountability is critical to sustained success,” Robert says. “Be intentional and have a plan you’re likely to stay on because it fits your life and your story. If you stick with your principles, you’ll find you can continue to live, give and save the way you want today and tomorrow.”

TOWNES PRESCOTT III is an editor living in Kentfield, California, with his wife, Courtney, and his bulldog, Dixon.

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RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Don’t Worry About Bo Burnham The Eighth Grade director quit stand-up at the peak of his powers. He’s better for it.

BY T Y L E R D A S W I C K

FTER A NEAR-DECADE OF PERFORMING

an opportunity. “I don’t think the internet asked deep

onstage and on the

questions of us when I was [16],” Burnham

internet, Bo Burnham

says. “It used to be a fun little talent show-

vanished. He stopped

slash-bulletin board. It was like, make a

posting videos to his

MySpace page, make a Facebook page,

1.4 million YouTube subscribers, and he

make a funny little website or post a funny

stopped the theatrical brand of stand-up

little video about yourself. Now, it asks base

comedy that earned him three specials by

questions that are very deep and strange.

the time he was 25. People thought he was

Now it’s Twitter: What do you think?

dead. With the way he went out, can you

Instagram: What do you look like? I think

blame them?

the internet’s become primal in what it asks

Bo Burnham is not dead. He’s 28. July marked the release of his directorial debut

of people emotionally. It’s more personal.” But through his teenage years, Burnham

film, Eighth Grade. A coming-of-age movie

thrived on any platform. His first stand-up

from independent studio A24, Eighth

special debuted on Comedy Central when

Grade is wonderful—funny, sweet, full

he was 19. Two more would follow via

of empathy—and it’s a reflection of the

YouTube and Netflix: what. in 2013 and

struggle Burnham experienced onstage: He

Make Happy in 2016. Burnham’s material

was terrified of performing.

grew out of his YouTube channel. He

“On the internet, if you don’t put things

sang, recited poetry, unleashed an assault

out every week, you’re dead,” Burnham

of musical cues and lighting effects and

says. “That’s terrifying. People need space

offered up scathing zinger after scathing

to disappear.”

zinger. It was barely stand-up, but it was

And as soon as Burnham found space, that’s exactly what he did. *** Burnham’s fame arrived in an instant. When he was 16, he wrote a comedy song and put it on YouTube to show his older brother. The video was discovered and redistributed by Break. com, and Burnham had an

“People need space to disappear. ... I’m still getting tweets every day: ‘Did you die?’”

internet hit on his hands. He kept posting music— always irreverent, always funny—and within a year he had a four-album deal

certainly a performance. And Burnham’s act was meta because

with Comedy Central Records and the same

he made each performance in its own

talent agent as Dave Chappelle and Drew

way about performing. He often twisted

Carey.

the dynamic between himself and the

It was an easier time to exist online. The internet wasn’t as nuanced then. It was just

049

people watching him, exploiting audience expectations to deliver commentary on

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

about it. Part of me loves you. Part of me hates you. Part of me needs you. Part of me fears you. And I don’t think that I can handle this right now.” It’s a stunning turn. When the song ends, Burnham bows and thanks the crowd and tosses his microphone to the floor. Then he leaves the stage. That was two years ago. He hasn’t been Burnham with Eighth

the whole charade.

Grade star Elsie Fisher.

In one bit in what.,

“This movie’s not her

out of breath.

back onstage.

“I mean, have you stood in front of

Now, he doesn’t have much to say

parent,” he says. “It was

Burnham fumbled a

3,000 people before?” he asks. “That’s

about the performance: “I meant it.

about my feelings.”

water bottle, only for

already terrifying. It’s just the way

The entire endeavor of getting onstage

the mistake to trigger

anxiety is, to everybody. I needed to

was terrifying, so talking about it

a musical cue announcing, “He meant

talk about my anxiety onstage, or I was

being terrifying made it slightly less

to knock the water over, but you all

never going to do it again.”

terrifying. It was more therapeutic.”

thought it was an accident. Art is a lie. Nothing is real.” Every facet of Burnham’s act was

Burnham’s final special, Make Happy.

Even so, he still had to leave. “Stand-up wasn’t going to work for

It’s a blistering and, in some ways,

what I needed because I was exploring

choreographed. His sets were as

vindictive hour, but Burnham doesn’t

myself through myself,” he says. “I

precise as anything comedy had seen,

present his anxiety in full until the

was never going to get out of my own

and that level of control—from the

last segment, an eight-minute auto-

head when I was looking to myself for

music to the stage direction to the

tuned rant in the style of Kanye West.

inspiration. That’s why I wanted to

“improvised” interactions with the

The first four minutes are satirical

direct: to feel like I’m talking about an

crowd—makes sense given Burnham’s

and comedic, but halfway through,

idea with other people.”

anxiety. The comedian was crippled

Burnham stops the pettiness and

by stage fright. He was having panic

begins a confession:

attacks onstage. “I’m not naturally wired in the way

SEPT-OCT

That was the impetus behind

“I can pretend my biggest problems

Anxiety is at the core of Eighth Grade. About a modern middleschooler named Kayla who

are Pringle cans and burritos. The

struggles to make friends and be

a lot of performers are, where they

truth is, my biggest problem’s you. I

herself, Burnham’s movie is full of

just feed off [the attention],” Burnham

want to please you, but I want to stay

mortification and awkwardness and

says. He’s usually an analytical, dense

true to myself. I want to say what I

fretful anticipation—the emotions

speaker, but here, it sounds like he’s

think, and not care what you think

baked right into the characters’ phone-

050

2018

centric, image-focused setting.

her endearing, courageous social

because like Burnham’s stand-up, our

ineptitude, but that pain you feel

processing system for all those feelings

Eighth Grade—that’s Kayla—but it is

communicates her struggles were your

is ourselves. We can’t exorcise our

the backdrop. It’s been the backdrop of

struggles, too. Really, they might be

anxieties because we’re anxious about

Burnham’s performing career, too, and

your struggles right now.

ourselves. We know the internet’s

The internet isn’t the center of

that parallel is by design. “I wanted to take inventory of the

“I think the internet makes eighth-

redeeming qualities—it’s changed

graders of us all,” Burnham says.

lives, including Burnham’s—but the

way the internet felt,” Burnham says.

“At that age, you’re just so open and

prospect of chasing those opportunities

“The internet is everything to me. The

vulnerable, and feelings register

is marred by fear and pressure.

internet is good and bad and weird

as more intense. I wanted a movie

“I worry my generation can’t work

and strange. It makes us, connects us,

that felt visceral, and made intense

on longform stuff because the internet

isolates us, stimulates us, numbs us, all

moments out of very small things that

demands a constant stream of content,”

those things. But I didn’t want to make

weren’t really that consequential.

Burnham says. “I’m still getting tweets

a movie that was some big overarching

That’s the story of being 13. The

every day: ‘Did you die?’ You have to

statement. I wanted to make something

average day is life and death. And

not prioritize people’s perception of

granular and emotional.”

that’s the story of anxiety. Anxiety

you. You have to try to just build the

overlays onto really mundane stuff and

relationship with the work and not the

A departure from high-minded

relationship with the audience ... which is kind of the opposite of the YouTube

“The internet is everything to me. ... It makes us, connects us, isolates us, stimulates us, numbs us, all those things.”

stuff,” he adds. It’s clear Burnham is proud of Eighth Grade. He’s hopeful for the movie but not fretful about it. It seems disappearing did him some good. “The solution to all anxiety is to actually get out of your own head and communicate and share with other people,” he says. “That’s cathartic, and that’s what the movie did. Anxiety makes me feel like a 13-year-old, but honesty helps you realize these

youth movies like Dead Poets Society or The Perks of Being a Wallflower or

makes it almost unbearable.” The internet brings us down to that

feelings are shared by other people. It illuminates your experience when

Stand by Me, in which kids go through

primal state Burnham mentioned

intense traumas to gain wisdom, Eighth

before. We don’t see it as a creative

Grade’s world-changing moments are

outlet so much as a reflection of self.

everyone was watching him. Now,

low-stakes and common. There aren’t

It asks us who we want to be, and that

he’s battling his confusion with truth,

any teen pregnancies or life-changing

makes the minutiae of life feel huge

and in doing so he’s marking a path

rebellions here. Instead, there’s a pool

and significant again. Those little

for how we can redeem the toxicity of

party full of unfamiliar kids and an

insecurities we felt on the outskirts of

the digital world. Eighth Grade is an

assembly where you’re called out in

the birthday party or when we stood

artifact, but it’s timeless. The internet is

front of the whole school. It might

up to speak in front of the class are

that way, too.

seem small-minded, but these scenes

brought back to life every time we post

are excruciating for their familiarity.

on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Eighth Grade is a participatory

Will people like me? Will they think

experience. It will make you hug

I’m funny? Do they think I’m cool?

yourself. You fall for Kayla and

Those are all deep, lonely questions

051

people are honest about themselves.” Bo Burnham used to feel alone when

T YLER DASWICK is RELEVANT’s senior writer. He’s on Twitter @tylerdaswick.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

M 'S

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052

2018

BY T Y L E R D A S W I C K

Boy meets girl. Boy and girl make music. Boy and girl become the next big thing.

bner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano were down to their last $20 when they joined the line of people at the Paris bus stop. They weren’t married yet, and Johnnyswim was still in its

youth. Amanda was in France for a modeling job and Abner was posing as her manager so he could go, too. The couple couldn’t afford a real vacation, but this was close enough. Neither of them knew where the bus was going. They bought two tickets. The bus took them to the town of Greve in Chianti. It was the annual Chianti Classico wine festival, and local merchants had set up shop in the village. Abner and Amanda bought two sampling glasses with the last of their money and spent the day exploring. They ate cheese and olives and bread and drank the local wine. It was, in their minds, a perfect day. “There’s something so beautiful about that time, when we hadn’t seen any dreams come to fruition yet,” Amanda says. “We were the richest poor kids ever.” That was 2010. Amanda and Abner—27 then, 35 now—were so broke they had to use money from their church’s charity fundraiser to buy snacks for Bible study (“It was still a nonprofit using it. We didn’t have any profit,” Abner jokes.). Amanda was working at Starbucks to make ends meet while Abner bussed tables at P.F. Chang’s. “We were fighting hard for our dreams,” Amanda says. “But that doesn’t mean we didn’t love where we were. At some point, hopefully, we would have money to buy food regularly, and go to Paris just because, but until then, it was awesome to spend our budget on whatever we could and be together.” When you’ve found the right person, nothing else feels like enough. The Johnnyswim story actually begins in 2001.

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Abner was sitting next to his then-girl-

drive had different manifestations for

“Not all the girls out there were just try-

friend in a Nashville church lobby

each of them. Abner was like a tree frog

ing to be friends. It felt unsafe. There

when he saw Amanda across the room

leaping from leaf to leaf, never settling

was a part of me that felt he liked the

and said aloud, “That’s the girl I’m

and rarely threatened.

attention, and I wasn’t sure I could

going to marry.” That’s when the girlfriend became his

trust him.”

former girlfriend.

younger self. “He knew what he want-

If some people wear emotions on their

ed. And what I’m most proud of is he

sleeves, Abner's heart comes bursting

was willing to be broken. Sometimes

“I’m the baby of my family, and the

out of his chest.

I envy the bright-eyed hopefulness he

babies end up being the performers be-

Abner says all of Amanda's fears were justified.

Amanda saw Abner, too. He was

had. There’s things I would flinch at

cause they can create their own reality

surrounded by girls. “He’s trouble,”

now I would never have flinched at

in a way,” he says. “But I had somebody

she thought. She was on a mission to

then. There was something exciting

I loved with all my heart present me

be a professional recording artist, and

about that.”

with a truth I couldn’t ignore. It was

if some people fight for their dreams,

And if Abner was a tree frog, Aman-

Amanda is a one-woman army. She

da was a snapping turtle, singular and

didn’t have time for a guy trying to hit

defensive, a fighter.

on her at church.

time for me to soul-search. I had to be wrong in a way I wasn’t used to.” Amanda and Abner broke up, but

“That girl wanted the best,” Amanda

while they worked through their trust

The two made eye contact. Abner

says. “She was willing to work hard for

issues, Johnnyswim stayed together. It

stood up, but Amanda cocked one of

the things she believed in. She worked

was a deal the couple made in the be-

her deadliest weapons: a vicious eye

at Starbucks. She moved in with her

ginning: Regardless of their relation-

roll. It sent Abner right back into his

parents. She made herself seem like

ship status, Johnnyswim would persist.

seat. They didn’t say a word to one an-

a failure to the people

other, and they wouldn’t see one anoth-

around her in order to

er again for four years, when they met

get the best. I’m proud of

in a studio and formed Johnnyswim.

her for that.”

The reunion came in 2005, and this

SEPT-OCT

“That kid was brave,” he says of his

While

Amanda

dug

time, their connection was obvious.

in, Abner kept playing

Amanda felt a freedom with Abner she

things fast and loose,

hadn’t felt in any of her past recording

even when they began

sessions, and Abner, well, he remem-

dating. He had always

bers a lot about what Amanda wore in

been around women. He

those days (a certain red dress of hers

grew up in a house full

sticks in his mind). Regardless, their

of them—his mom, two

differing attentions merged onto one

sisters, his grandma—

wavelength. They had something.

and held many close fe-

“It felt so refreshing,” Amanda says.

male friends. One friend

“It wasn’t about being cool. It was about

was too close. She would

expression. With him, I could be cre-

come onto Abner and

ative in the way I wanted.”

Amanda would flag it,

Abner had another takeaway: “I just

but Abner would brush it

remember [thinking] our voices sound-

off. It reached the point

ed good together.” He smiles. “I pro-

where

cessed that to mean I could spend more

trust him to keep proper

time with her. That worked for me.”

boundaries.

Amanda

didn’t

Johnnyswim came together because

“Abner didn’t realize

Abner and Amanda had the same

the power he had over

dreams and the same drive, but that

other girls,” she says.

054

2018

So while the couple was split, they kept

a year after the breakup.

insecure.”

touring, recording and doing photo

“If that break didn’t happen, we

Nothing tested Amanda and Ab-

shoots. Their dream was too important.

would have carried a lot of those trust

ner's resilience more than a 10-month

During one shoot, the photographer

issues into our marriage,” Amanda

stretch between 2011 and 2012, when

asked Abner and Amanda to stand face-

says. “The term ‘speed bump’ is a good

the sudden death of Abner’s father co-

to-face. It was too much for Abner, and

one when you’re talking about rela-

incided with a terminal-cancer diag-

he screamed in frustration, but Aman-

tionships. We try to slow down and

nosis for Amanda's mother, legendary

da stood her ground, poised and regal.

make sure we’re on the same page, and

disco singer Donna Summer. When loss

The camera snapped, and the couple

that’s what speed bumps are for. I think

is sudden, it’s more painful but more

kept the picture. To this day, Abner says

we look at obstacles as ways to make us

revealing. You don’t have time to calcu-

it’s his favorite photo. It’s them.

stronger instead of things that make us

late your reaction to the pain, so what

Abner wanted Amanda back, but his passion needed discipline. So he gathered

his

emotions,

reined them in and recommitted himself to her. The couple was back together after two weeks, and it was forever from there. Johnnyswim was married

emerges is the most

“Sorrow is going to happen, but despair is, in some ways, a choice.”

honest,

unfiltered

version of yourself. Abner's father was in the intensive care unit after a severe stroke. It was going to take a miracle. Abner's emotions were running hot, and he vowed to stay at the hospital until his father walked out. His family, say

gathered

goodbye,

ques-

tioned him. “My hope brought up

these

from

questions family:

‘What’s going to happen to your faith if he dies? How can you put all your hope in him surviving this thing?’” he remembers. “I remember thinking, ‘I don’t know, but I’m going to hope.’ Any theology I have has taught me that, even if I’m about to be thrown into a literal fire, I can have hope I’ll be brought out without even smelling like smoke.” After eight days with his father in the ICU, Abner was thrown in the fire. “The worst case scenario happened,” he says. “He was gone.” There’s a Bethel worship song called "God, I Look to You." While Abner was with his father, Amanda was outside, praying and singing. She sang that song

055

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every day, and she sang it the day Abner's father died. Abner remembers after his dad’s death, he and Amanda and his family walked by the river in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. They sang the song together: “God I look to You / I won't be overwhelmed / Give me vision to see things like You do / Hallelujah, our God reigns.” “I realized in time all those prayers of healing didn’t just evaporate into the sky,” Abner says. “The hope we held on to dug a well of joy that to this day, seven years later, we’re still drinking from. We weren’t destroyed by the passing of my father, and we weren’t destroyed by the passing of Amanda’s mother. I believe those prayers did something greater than healing, they showed us even when the worst happens, hope is still here.” Amanda broadens his point: “Sorrow is going to happen, but despair is, in some ways, a choice,” she says. “You can get lost in despair because despair is hopeless, but sorrow you can carry with joy. There was grace in walking through that time together. We learned how the other one hurts.” Amanda was born into a legacy of music, but in many ways, she's selfmade. She’s always been steady, but in that season, she had to be solid enough for another person to lean on her. That's why she stood outside that room in the ICU. And when her mother passed in 2012, she had to let Abner be strong for her, too. “If you put pressure on something, it becomes real and lasting,” Amanda says. “I believe there are generations of healing because we pressed in instead of letting ourselves sink into despair. Even in times when there’s incredible pressure on you and your family and the dreams you’re pursuing, even in those tough moments, there are diamonds.”

SEPT-OCT

056

2018

In 2014, after nine years of working,

like. They’re joined on the road now by

tion. “If it's a sad song, I want you to feel

recording, going on pseudo-vacations

their son, Joaquin, 3, and their daugh-

known in the hurts that you have," he

and learning how to trust one another,

ter, Luna, 4 months. Joaquin listens to

says. "If it's a happy song, I want you

Johnnyswim released their first full-

all his parents’ music, and Abner and

to feel that, too. The magic of art is the

length album. It reached No. 1 on the

Amanda play him the music they re-

ability to capture a feeling and deliver

Singer-Songwriter charts and stayed

cord to see if he likes it. Sometimes, late

it to people. I can almost see that thing

there for weeks. It was Diamonds.

at night, they hear him singing their

that comes out of us.”

Johnnyswim’s music is a moment in

songs to himself over the baby monitor.

Johnnyswim's feelings for each oth-

“I hope when our

er are obvious. When they perform to-

kids hear our music

gether, Abner can't take his eyes off his

they have a sense of

wife. He might unleash a half-smile and

who we are,” Aman-

she’ll walk over and undo a button on

da says. “I hope in

his shirt, and his half-smile will spread

those

across his entire face. She anchors his

“Even if I'm about to be thrown into a literal fire, I can have hope I'll be brought out without even smelling like smoke.”

songs

they

know how cherished

emotions. He crumbles her defenses.

and loved they are.”

Amanda and Abner have known one

“In every song we

another for 17 years. They’ve made mu-

write, we leave a lit-

sic together for 13 and have been mar-

tle bit of ourselves

ried for eight. Their story is defined,

inside,” Abner adds.

through the triumphs and the failures,

“We pour ourselves

by passion. Some might say passion

into our music in a

runs out on you. For them, it never will.

real way. I hope they

“Passion doesn’t feel like something

hear us, our being,

that has to keep getting refilled,” Aman-

ourselves.”

da says. “I see it like a well. It’s some-

J o h n ny s w i m ’s music

timeless,

thing I have to keep open, so the water can keep coming up from the ground.”

too. It reaches back-

Abner agrees. “I don’t think you have

ward and forward. It

to conjure passion, you just have to

captures who Abner

make yourself available to it,” he says.

and Amanda were

“And you can’t be cynical about your-

in the past, who they

self or others. I think the most cynical

are now and the art-

people are also the most still. Passion

ists,

moves you to do something and say

partners

and

parents they aspire to become.

something.” Johnnyswim has never stopped mov-

“I had all these

ing, even through challenge, heartache

dreams as a kid,”

and the unknown. Sometimes they

Amanda

says.

don't know where the bus is going, but

time. It’s specific and detailed. With two

“Dreams of singing and of who I want-

it doesn’t matter. They have a seat next

studio albums and three EPs released

ed to be, but I didn’t know how to get

to someone they love—with depth, with

so far, plus a third full-length on the

there. I remember being overwhelmed

honesty—so much.

way, Abner and Amanda have created

about this future version of myself.

a series of time capsules marking each

Sometimes I’ll write for younger me

period of their lives.

and make sure I live up to what I

The couple has said often they want to make music their children would

dreamed.” For Abner, it's about evoking an emo-

057

T YLER DASWICK is RELEVANT's senior writer. He's on Twitter @tylerdaswick.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Why You Need a Spiritual Mentor

{ Yes, You }

BY A N D R E H E N RY

ENNIFER KENT WAS NOT

internet where she first heard about the idea

maturity is something like the process of

PREGNANT but felt the

of a spiritual director.

recovery, or at least it should be. He argues

need for a sort of “doula.”

that we are all addicts in a way: “The Bible

For the unfamiliar, doulas

RECOVERING IDOLATERS

word for addiction is idolatry, so we all

act as a kind of guide for

The average churchgoing American

wrestle with it.”

women during childbirth and sometimes

Protestant is not weird or rich enough, by

At the end of an Alcoholics Anonymous

afterward. They do more than just help. They

conventional standards, to have a spiritual

meeting, participants are told, “Keep coming

“walk alongside, providing information when

director. We think of someone like Madonna

back. It works,” Ortberg explains. He’s been

necessary, and act as a sounding board,”

having access to that kind of utility, not Jill

observing the process of AA a lot recently.

Kent explains. Doulas generally know more

from accounting. But Jill from accounting

about the process of birth and the emotional

could probably benefit from spiritual

is not mechanical or legalistic, but is very

and physical aspects of the journey than the

direction. We all could.

concrete and tangible,” he says. “And if

women they coach, and they act as a sort of Sherpa across the terrain.

Kent’s comparison between a doula and

“They know they found a way of life that

they engage in that way of life deeply, they

a spiritual director is apt. It is a primary

will receive power and be saved, and if

metaphor for the Christian life. Jesus says to

they don’t, they will drink and die. And the

when they’re giving birth when they’ve

Nicodemus, to be saved “you must be born

great problem in the Church is that we have

come to the end of all of their resources,

again” (John 3:3). But birth is a process.

largely lost a way of life in following Jesus

and they think they can’t do it anymore,”

We’re well aware of that physically. And

that we know works.”

she explains. “They end up pushing through,

yet, America’s unique brand of evangelism

coming to this other side where there’s this

tacitly suggests Christians are born in an

essentially recovering idolaters, like addicts,

euphoria.”

instant: at an altar after praying a prayer.

every disciple needs a sponsor.

“There’s this moment that I see in moms

Kent knows the details of birth and doula

But the New Testament writers speak

Ortberg contends that since disciples are

“A sponsor is not a life coach,” he

work because she is one herself. And after

of salvation as a process: referring to

explains. “A sponsor is somebody who has

eight years of Job-like suffering—a broken

Christians as “those who are being saved” (1

practiced the way enough that they can help

engagement, years of unemployment, deaths

Corinthians 1:18).

you find out how to practice it.” This kind of

of loved ones, all followed by a cancer

Pastor and author John Ortberg points out

relationship, he says, is essential.

diagnosis—with no spiritual answers in

that the Apostle Paul describes himself as

sight, she wanted to find someone who could

being “in the pains of childbirth until Christ

EVERYONE NEEDS A DOULA

play the kind of role she plays in young

is formed in you” as he leads his disciples to

Jeanne Mayo is the founder of Youth

mothers’ lives in her own spiritual life.

maturity (Galatians 4:19). And according to

Leader’s Coach, a nonprofit that coaches

Ortberg, we all need someone in that kind of

youth and young adult pastors through a

help me get to that [euphoric] place, like

role Paul describes—to be a coach, a doula,

style of spiritual mentoring. In order to

almost doula me through the spiritual [crap]

a mentor.

accommodate the annual, two-day advances

“I thought, if there’s somebody who could

I was sludging through, then I wanted that,” she says. She eventually found “that” on the

Ortberg, who literally wrote the book on

called The Cadre she hosts in her home, she’s

spiritual growth (The Life You’ve Always

knocked down a couple of walls to expand

Wanted), says the journey toward spiritual

her living room. Mayo is the kind of sponsor

059

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

Ortberg describes. With 40 years of

expressing

ministry under her belt, she’s knows

their doubts

the terrain of pastoral work and is able

about the

to guide. But these advances aren’t just

faith, sharing

for talking shop.

their questions

There’s an axiom that says, “A man

about their

“The great problem in the Church is that we have largely lost a way of life in following Jesus that we know works.” – John Ortberg

who is his own doctor has a fool for

sexuality—

a doctor.” Mayo agrees that the same

there are as

applies for pastors. The leaders who

many stories as

enter her home are expected to coach

people in the

others into Christian maturity, but they

room. They all,

also need coaches. That’s where she

like Kent said,

comes in.

are in need of someone to “almost

played favorites with three. And out

doula them through the spiritual junk

of the three, He had one, John the

they are sludging through.”

Beloved. He did not think His main

She says the reason she hosts these cohorts in her home, rather than in a church or some other space, is for the

Throughout the year, these leaders

sake of human connection. “People

have personal access to Mayo through

want to feel connected to an actual

email, conference calls and meetings

person,” she says.

like The Cadre.

During each advance, there is a

impact was the masses. He didn’t have the Last Supper with the masses.” She recalls a story about Billy Graham. She says the famous

Inspired by the New Testament

evangelist was asked what he might do

night where the leaders gather around

model for spiritual growth— that is,

differently in his ministry if he could

and are told, “Tonight, it’s OK not to

a rabbi-disciple or group of disciples

do it all again.

be OK.” They are invited to share the

relationship—Mayo believes that such

things that are “sucking the spiritual

a relationship, one on one, is essential

put less focus on my public ministry,

life out of [them],” whatever is shared

to spiritual growth. She argues that

and put more focus on discipling

in the circle stays in the circle—a rare

Jesus models this mentor-mentee

individuals around me that could

opportunity for spiritual leaders.

relationship in His ministry.

multiply my efforts. I would choose

What Jeanne finds are people who

“He prioritized personal

She paraphrases: “He said, ‘I’d

one man each year and I’d bring him

are struggling to grow. They open up,

relationship with 12 guys,” she

up close to me. Then after that year,

confessing affairs and porn addictions,

explains. “And out of the 12 guys, He

I’d send that man out into the harvest

HOW TO FIND A MENTOR

SEPT-OCT

IDENTIFY POTENTIAL CANDIDATES

MAKE THE ASK

You’d be surprised how many

DETERMINE THE TERMS

This is crucial. You want to

A spiritual coach should be

mature Christians would be

decide together what the

someone who has more

happy to journey alongside you.

relationship will look like in

life experience than you,

Just tell them about your desire

a realistic and sustainable

understands the spiritual journey

to grow spiritually and what

way. Will you meet once a

and has Christian character that

inspired you to seek a mentor.

month? Once a week? Will

you admire.

They’ll probably be honored you

you correspond via email or in

chose them.

person?

060

2018

field to whatever he felt he could do

to be teaching others ... You are like

meetings on Skype to discuss the road

for Jesus Christ.”

babies who need milk and cannot eat

to spiritual maturity. She describes

solid food” (Hebrews 5:12).

herself as “working out what she

BECOMING A SPIRITUAL ADULT

It is a sentiment that ministers today

The goal of discipleship is spiritual maturity. Spiritual directors help us

still share.

believes” with her spiritual doula. She says this relationship has become

Mayo points to the statistics that

essential to her walk with God. But it

become spiritual adults. But what does

suggest a decline in Christian faith to

a spiritual adult look like? The same

indicate that the American Church

way one can look at a chart and know

hasn’t won “the gold medal for

directed,” she says. “I assumed there

that a mature caterpillar looks like a

discipleship,” and she agrees with the

would be a lot more homework and

butterfly, Ortberg argues that a mature

Hebrews author that mature disciples

things to do, but it’s not that at all.

Christian looks like Christ.

make disciples. So does Ortberg.

It’s just somebody years ahead of me

“Having the character of Jesus

wasn’t exactly what she expected. “I thought it would be a lot more

“One of the ways you maintain

kind of having me process what my

formed in us is a helpful way to think

sobriety [in AA] is by helping others

spiritual journey is like and giving

about spiritual growth,” he says. “That

become sober,” says Ortberg. “In the

me space to process that and offering

is primarily defined by love, which is

Christian Church, we tend to think

me gentle nudging here and there. I

to will the good for other people as God

of spiritual directors as this subset of

thought it would be a lot more guided,

understands the good, to will that good

people that have received some sort

and I wanted that, but maybe that’s

for people and to work for that good

of special training. But in AA, the very

not what I needed. I needed to know

in people and increasingly become

nature of following the way is also the

that I could find it in myself.”

the kinds of persons who habitually

way to become a guide to somebody

and automatically will the good. That’s

else. And I think that if we get it right,

relationship looks different in each

spiritual growth.”

it will look a lot more like AA.”

case as a necessity. Although he

And what does a spiritual adult do?

A spiritual mentor-mentee

contends for a “coherent way of

According to the experts and the Bible,

THE END GOAL

life,” Ortberg says that each person’s

simply put, they help other Christians

Years ago, Kent reached out to the

journey has to be “individualized.”

grow up.

author of an article about spiritual

The writer of Hebrews laments as he

Every person and coach is different,

direction she’d stumbled across online.

and determining what a program for

writes to the Church: “You have been

She needed to know more.

spiritual growth will look like will

believers so long now that you ought

Today, the two of them have

vary. But the end goal is always the same: becoming like Jesus. At the end of her maturation chart, Jennifer sees herself becoming a hospital chaplain, inviting people to wade into the depths of the spiritual life. She’s receiving spiritual direction, in part to make spiritual sense of all that is happening in her life, but also as preparation to one day provide

SHOW UP

You will get out of this

spiritual direction to others.

PAY IT FORWARD

As you continue this journey,

relationship what you put

keep an eye out for people who

into it. If you agreed to read a

are, like you once were, looking

book together, read it. If you

for direction. The point of the

schedule a conversation, keep

journey is that we become

the meeting. If you commit to

disciples who make disciples.

A NDRE HENRY is a writer and activist based in Los Angeles and tweets @andrehenry.

a spiritual practice, do it. No excuses.

061

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

The most shocking trend in Hollywood right now might be just how faith-focused horror films have become.

BY T Y L E R D A S W I C K

They say people died of heart attacks while watch-

faith and the supernatural in the same way he and

ing The Exorcist. The consensus is the scares killed

his brother are.

them, but perhaps it was the sacrilege. With bound-

“[At the time], The Conjuring was the second-high-

ary-pushing intensity (including a scene in which a

est grossing genre film ever, and first was The Exor-

young girl mutilates herself with a crucifix) and dis-

cist,” he says. “So we have a possession story followed

turbing subliminal messaging (listen close at times

by another possession story. It makes me feel like the

and you can hear pigs squealing), The Exorcist is

interest is worldwide. These stories cross over into

still considered one of the scariest and most contro-

virtually every religion. It’s good versus evil.”

versial movies ever made. And yet, alongside the

The days of teenagers running from masked mur-

spider-walks and yellow eyes is a complex, nuanced

derers and chainsaw-wielding hicks are long gone,

portrait of faith, one that rivals anything on PureFlix.

for the moment. Scary movies are shouldering a spir-

It’s a movie about fighting the devil as much as it is

itual angle, tapping into the universal fear of the un-

about the devil himself. Now, 45 years later, supernatural horror movies have resurrected the intention of The Exorcist to create a legion of smarter (and scarier) fright flicks. Scare-driven blockbusters like those in The Conjuring universe (including the upcoming film The Nun) make up the spine of the new-horror skeleton while arthouse terrors like A24’s Hereditary or The Witch branch

known to figure out what it is about the great beyond that frightens us. Christians like Chad and Carey Hayes are beginning to tell these stories, too. In fact, Chad says their film The Reaping (which stars Hillary Swank as a former Christian missionary out to debunk supernatural occurrences) “was actually based on an aunt who had become a missionary in India. She served 10 years there.”

off into spindly limbs. These movies are out to scare

The Hayes brothers aren’t the only filmmakers

you, and they do, but they’re also here to ask ques-

who use their personal faith as inspiration in the

tions and provoke thought in the tradition of the hor-

genre. “I buy into [the supernatural]. I always have,”

ror film that started it all.

says Gary Dauberman, an outspoken Christian and

“The Exorcist has a balance between the psycho-

screenwriter for horror movies like The Nun and the

logical and the physical,” says Corin Hardy, director

blockbuster It. “I gravitate toward things like this be-

of The Nun, an upcoming prequel to The Conjuring.

cause it affirms death is not the end. It’s more of a

“It taps into our fears of religion and demons and

paragraph break. I think it’s important to establish

possessions. It feels grounded. It can really shake you

there’s something else out there.”

with this underlying sense of good and evil.”

For people like Dauberman, the supernatural ele-

Chad Hayes and his brother Carey wrote horror

ments of some horror stories are legitimate threats,

movies like The Conjuring, House of Wax and The

but that’s part of what gives his job meaning. Some-

Reaping. These guys grew up in a family of ministers.

times it takes a near-death experience to change your

They’re Christians.

perspective about life.

Chad says audiences are drawn to stories about

063

Psychologists say humans are born with two in-

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

nate fears: loud sounds and falling. Everything else—spiders, snakes, deep water— comes from world experience. Over the course of our lives, our brains engineer themselves to be afraid of certain things we might or might not be aware of. In other words, we can’t control what frightens us, and that’s why horror movies can turn us into puppets. Fear begins in a part of our brain called the amygdala, which scans the environour emotions and nervous system, to

effect those extreme

paranoid. When it senses a threat, it or-

tell the rest of the body to either defend

emotions

manifests as something

ders the hypothalamus, which controls

itself or run away (psychologists call

the family. I wanted

awful and supernatural.

this response “fight or flight”).

to make a film that

“What’s nice about genre is you can smuggle more difficult themes into the work ... [and] what first serves as a deterrent for the audience becomes a virtue in this other form.”

SEPT-OCT

In A24’s Hereditary,

ment for threats. But the amygdala is

have

a family’s struggle with tragedy and loss

It’s a useful survival tool, but the

took suffering seriously. If you take that

amygdala and the hypothalamus are

story and fit it into a genre, what first

irrational agents. They don’t give the

serves as a deterrent for the audience

brain time to consider context or cir-

becomes a virtue in this other form.”

cumstance, and that’s how scary mov-

Horror manifests natural fears in

ies manipulate us. The fear reaction

unnatural ways. It embodies tangible

doesn’t let us remember that what’s

threats like demons with intangible

happening on screen isn’t real.

anxieties, and that surrogacy amplifies

“If you hear whispering behind a

the scares. Hereditary is an excruciat-

door, you can imagine a hundred things

ing movie. As the characters suffer, the

that could be,” Hardy explains.

viewer suffers because even the fan-

This is where smart horror mov-

tastic horror is grounded in something

ies distinguish themselves from the

relatable. That means those irrational

rest, because while most horror mov-

reactions of our brains are still fright-

ies operate on this base psychological

ening after we’ve processed them be-

instinct, the best of them twist these

cause even a rational look at the movie

primal instincts to orient audiences to-

is scary and traumatic. A locked base-

ward deeper, real-world ideas.

ment is scary, but if that fear is shown

Hereditary is one of the most ac-

to be justified, it makes opening that

claimed horror films of 2018. On its face,

door and descending into the darkness

it’s about a demon preying on a fami-

much, much worse.

ly, but according to director Ari Aster,

Those abstract ideas—loss, trauma—

those sinister overtones are a cover for

can be elusive, but these spiritually

the tragic family drama underneath.

adjacent horror movies are designed

“What’s nice about genre is you can

from the ground up to build a bridge

smuggle more difficult themes into the

for viewers between the story on the

work,” Aster says. “I wanted to make a

screen and the ideas in your head.

serious meditation on trauma and the

064

Grace Yun served as production de-

2018

signer on Hereditary. She oversaw ev-

and evil do exist, but so do forces like

and say, ‘Oh, I don’t want to support

erything from set construction to the

doubt, skepticism and feeling distant

horror movies. They’re about darkness

prop design and visual framing. She

from God.

and the devil,’” Chad says. “Well, this is

knows what makes you afraid.

“Horror films are always about the

about beating the devil ... Horror mov-

“We wanted to create environments

fight between good and evil,” Bichir

that harness an unsettled feeling,” Yun

says. “It’s fantasy, but it has a lot to do

In a paradoxical way, horror movies

says. “The house is almost like a doll-

with things we deal with daily. Those

are safe. The real world is unpredict-

house, and the characters are being

demons are our own fears, our own

able and complicated, but being able

played with. They’re under the spell of

weaknesses and our own flaws, and we

to enter a movie theater and watch

a more powerful force they can’t break

constantly

away from.”

to fight those in-

have

That’s why when you watch Heredi-

ner ghosts and

tary, you might feel in a subconscious

demons in order

way like you’re being played with, too.

In The Nun, the protagonists—a

ies are scary, but they’re still truthful.”

survive

our

daily lives.”

priest and a Catholic novitiate—battle a

As the forces

demonic force that manifests as the tit-

on-screen compel

ular nun. Nuns are beautiful, says Jen-

the

nifer Spence, the movie’s production

to confront the

designer, but there’s a way to warp the

weakest

serene image of a devout sister to make

her frightening.

the horror mov-

characters parts

themselves,

“For the Demon Nun, we elongated

ie asks the same

her face and set her eyes back,” she

thing of the view-

explains. “We made things longer and

er.

more gaunt. We lengthened her nails.”

positions the au-

Hereditary

Indeed, the nun of The Nun is terrify-

dience alongside

ing, but in indelicate hands, she could

the grief of its tor-

be an offensive, exploitative symbol.

mented

That’s why a script should give nu-

onists. The Nun

anced, complex reasons to position the

compels viewers

characters (and the audience) against

to consider the

something like a “Demon” Nun.

same questions as the characters: How

real-world

With honest intention on that front,

strong is your faith? Do you question

gles,

even a satanic sister can serve a re-

the Lord? How much are you willing

real-world

demptive purpose, explains Demian

to fight for Him? There’s conviction at

gles, made manifest

Bichir, who plays Father Burke in The

work, but there’s also hope. After all, if

through a piece of

Nun. Father Burke is a known demon

the characters can win, so can you.

entertainment is in a sense a comfort.

protag-

maybe

strugyour strug-

The Exorcist was controversial upon its release, but now, its ambitious faith ideas make it a classic.

fighter, but in this movie, his spirit is

“Sometimes you want a film that ac-

Because every horror movie has the

wracked by doubt and anxiety. He’s

knowledges how dark things can get,

same ending: You leave the theater.

fighting a real external evil, but also

and that makes you feel less alone and

You survive the experience. Maybe in a

has a spiritual war raging in his heart.

seen in your pain,” Aster says.

small way, you’re stronger for it. Now

The Demon Nun emerges to make that

Horror movies aren’t the black sheep

internal struggle tangible. By fighting

of cinematic storytelling anymore. They

this physical threat, Father Burke can

represent a rich soil for complex ideas

also fight the battle for his soul.

and difficult topics, even with, maybe

For Christians, these parallels work on two fronts. Yes, the supernatural

especially for, faith audiences. “People out there might pre-judge

065

you can exorcise demons of your own.

T YLER DASWICK is RELEVANT’s senior writer. He’s on Twitter @tylerdaswick.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

SEPT-OCT

V O

N N

F A

H T

066

2018

BY J I L L A D K I N S

As November approaches and the nation is as polarized as ever, the question remains: How should Christians vote?

ollowing the elec-

on a platform of criminal justice re-

to the same faith and come to such dra-

tions of 2017, out

form: “Innocence, in its mercy, partly

matically different conclusions about

of the 535 sitting

excuses us from having to fully reckon

how it informs their politics?

members of Con-

with the spiritual gifts of forgiveness,

What does the Bible really say? In an

gress, 485 are pro-

grace and redemption at the heart of

increasingly polarized political land-

fessing Christians.

the Catechism: I believe in the forgive-

scape, how can a Christian actually vote

ness of sins.”

their faith?

That’s 91 percent. Though there is a slightly higher percentage of Christians among Republican lawmakers than Democrats (99 percent vs. 80 percent),

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is also a CALLED TO VOTE

Democratic Socialist. long

One of the tricky things about trying

the current Congress of the United

been lobbed as an insult by conserva-

to figure out how to vote according

States is almost as “Christian” as it’s

tive politicians. Politicians like former

to one’s faith and values based on the

ever been.

Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is

example of Jesus is that the system of

But what does that actually mean?

a Southern Baptist, and current Vice

government operating in Jesus’ time is

This summer, a 28-year-old woman

President Mike Pence, who is an evan-

dramatically different than the Amer-

from the Bronx unseated a long-serving

gelical, hold to the same faith as Oca-

ican democracy, says Dr. Alan Noble,

Congressman for the party’s nomina-

sio-Cortez, but have a polar opposite

a college professor and conservative

tion in her district, and may get elected

view of politics and policies. But in

writer and thinker.

to one of those seats in November.

terms of their religious beliefs, they

In a column she wrote for Jesuit

That

word—socialism—has

agree on far more than they disagree.

He says that yes, the Bible is clear that “we are supposed to submit to gov-

magazine America, she explained that

The paradox raises interesting ques-

erning authorities … to honor the au-

it was her Catholic faith and the teach-

tions: How could people read the same

thority … to obey the law,” but context

ings of Christ that led her to run, partly

religious teachings, devote their lives

is important.

067

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

At the time, Jesus lived under the

government invites us to share our

Jesus followers to vote for those can-

rule of the Romans and was subjected

opinion about what [it] should do, and

didates whom they believe will do the

to their policies. A democracy—which

so long as Jesus-followers are careful

most to alleviate the pain of the afflict-

is made up of the people it rules and

not to get sucked into the polarizing

ed, address issues surrounding home-

whose laws are created by individu-

partisan politics that afflicts our cur-

lessness and poverty, alleviate oppres-

als voted on by the citizenry—is much

rent political atmosphere, I see no rea-

sion and discrimination, address the

different. Noble says the starting point

son why we shouldn’t give it.

injustices of our current justice and

for determining how Jesus would vote

“Indeed, since we are called to be

prison systems, and eliminate discrim-

is to look at a teaching that transcends

in solidarity with ‘the least of these,’

ination against those who are the most

politics, policy and legislation: the

treating them as we would Jesus Him-

judged and looked down upon in our

command of loving our neighbor.

self, I don’t see how we can refrain

society.”

“Part of loving our neighbor means

from giving it whenever our govern-

However, even if you start with

we can’t just say, ‘Politics are such a

ment’s policies are oppressing, mar-

those two basic ideas—that our call to

mess, it’s just so depressing,’” he says.

ginalizing or otherwise discriminating

love our neighbors means we are re-

“That’s not an option. Being an Ameri-

against people who are largely, if not

quired to be involved in a democracy,

can citizen ... you don’t just get to relax

entirely, defenseless.”

and Jesus aligns with society’s “least

and follow orders. You’ve got to pay at-

For Shane Claiborne—who advo-

of these”—the challenge arises when

cates for immigra-

voting comes down to essentially two

tion

gun

parties, neither of which perfectly en-

control and the abol-

capsulates both of these ideas. What

ishment of the death

happens when Jesus’ principles don’t

penalty—what that

fall cleanly down partisan lines?

“You’ve got to pay attention to what’s going on. You have an obligation to act.” – Alan Noble

obligation looks like starts most

with

Jesus’

VOTING FOR LIFE

well-known

Aimee Murphy is the founder of Re-

teachings: the Ser-

humanize International, a group she

mon on the Mount.

says is “dedicated to bringing about a

That

sermon

culture of peace and culture of life and

opens with praise

working to bring an end to all forms of

for the poor in spir-

aggressive violence against humanity.”

it, those who mourn,

Though the organization itself doesn’t

the meek, those who

have a religious affiliation, Murphy is

tention to what’s going on. You have an

seek righteousness, the merciful, the

obligation to act.”

pure in heart, the peacemakers and

Greg Boyd, the senior pastor of

SEPT-OCT

reform,

the persecuted.

a devout Catholic. “Our central philosophy is that every human being has inherent dignity

Woodland Hills Church and vocal crit-

“We don’t really have to wonder

ic of the Christian Right, agrees that

how Jesus would vote because He

and inherent worth,” she says. She understands the dilemma of

engagement shouldn’t be optional for

tells us,” Claiborne explains. “I think

voting when principles don’t break

Christians.

the Beatitudes are pretty beautiful in

neatly on political lines. Though the

“‘Politics’ comes from the Greek

showing literally who God is aligned

group stands against things like the

word ‘polis,’ which means ‘city-state,’

with: the poor, the merciful, the meek,

death penalty and torture (views that

but can refer to any defined people

the pure in heart, the peacemakers,

tend to align with Democratic Party

group,” he explains. “Anything that af-

right?”

principles), they also oppose abortion,

fects society, then, is ‘political.’ Voting

Boyd agrees that Scripture is clear

embryonic stem cell research and eu-

and protesting is one way of affecting

about serving less fortunate people:

thanasia (issues that mostly align with

the polis. We happen to have the good

“While political issues are always com-

Republican candidates).

fortune of living in a society in which

plex, I would think this should incline

068

Before choosing to vote for a can-

2018

didate, she starts with the questions, “What do they have an effect over? How many lives will that affect? What sort of moral calculus do you have to do in this situation?” When it comes to voting for city council, for example, there’s a big difference in how their influence will be applied to communities than when voting for president. Understanding not only a politician’s position—but also their ability to actually have any effect on implementing

it—is

essential,

Boyd explains. “Even if a Christian finds a candidate who stands for many of the things they stand for, they still must consider whether this candidate has the kind of character and competency to actually advance these causes,” Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

he says. “For as we all know, political

home to a local immigrant detention

mises on both

candidates have been known to some-

center—something she is passionate

sides seemed

her primary. She credits that to

times claim to stand for things only be-

about reforming. And state officials

too great, and

running a grassroots, community-

cause they know this is what the vot-

could also create policies that affect

she

ers they’re appealing to want to hear.

the death penalty and abortion.

to vote for a

decided

pulled off a stunning upset in

focused campaign.

“Voting for a candidate who agrees

“If I’m going to vote for the pro-life

with you but is unwilling to compro-

candidate—because more lives are

mise and work with others to get things

affected by abortion—then the thing

The outcome is similar to the sit-

done may simply ensure that none of

that I am going to do is, I am going to

uation many Christians have faced

what you hoped would get accom-

write a letter to his office every week

when they enter the ballot box and are

plished actually gets accomplished.”

about why, as a pro-life person, he

forced to decide between two flawed

Murphy gives the example of a re-

should end the death penalty in the

candidates who represent two flawed

cent election in her home state of

state of Pennsylvania,” she explains.

parties.

Pennsylvania.

“That was the moral commitment that

The Rev. Samuel Rodriguez is the

First, she looked at the stakes of the

I made to myself, because I was like,

senior pastor of New Seasons Chris-

election based on her values of nonvi-

‘OK, if I am going to make a compro-

tian Worship Center, the president of

olence, justice reform and peace. She

mise on this, I have to do something to

the National Hispanic Christian Lead-

noted that because it was a local elec-

make sure that I do not become com-

ership Conference and is one of Presi-

tion, the candidate didn’t have control

placent on this issue.”

dent Trump’s evangelical advisers. He

over going to war, but the county was

In this case however, the compro-

069

third-party candidate.

also prayed at Trump’s inauguration.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

THE CHRISTIAN CAUC US H e re’ s a l o o k at h ow o n e of th e m ost “Ch r i sti a n” Co n g res ses i n h i sto r y b re a ks d ow n a cco rd i n g to p o l iti ca l p a r t y.

He believes that though issues like

ted to a higher vision of what a good

religious liberty and biblical justice

society looks like,” he says. “You need

should be important to Christian vot-

to be able to say, ‘Whatever this per-

ers, the starting point should be the

son does, I’m not going to be your

sanctity of life.

cheerleader or their fan. I am holding

“It truly does begin with life,” he

them accountable. Whatever they do

says. “Every skewed, deviated, egre-

right, I will hold them accountable.

gious public policy or political ideol-

And when they go astray, I’m going

ogy begins with negating that every

to look at it critically, and I will write

life is sacred in and out of the womb.”

and call and publicly critique.”

However, he is clear that this

THE HOUSE O F R E P R E S E N TAT I V E S

45%

however,

with a party or a candidate that they

engage but not marry. We must en-

DEMOCRATS

comes,

have a single political allegiance. one political party,” he says. “We must

REPUBLICANS

problem

when a voter becomes so identified

“[We must] not marry politics or

55%

The

doesn’t mean that Christians should

see an ideological threat to their party as a threat to their own identity. Noble

says

political

affiliation

gage with the understanding that Un-

makes us feel “like we belong to a

cle Sam may be your uncle but he will

tribe, we have a place, we’re making

never be your heavenly Father.”

a difference, we’re important, we’re

It begs the question, is the current system one that represents the way of Jesus?

significant.” However, he explains, “The problem is, when you tie your identity to a political movement or a politician,

91%

CHRISTIANS

T H E S E N AT E

LEAVING THE PARTY

and then as inevitably will happen,

In the modern American political sys-

that movement, that group’s politi-

tem, two main parties have emerged

cian party fails you. You don’t have

as the most dominant. And in the age

the freedom to criticize them because

of marketing and branding—where

it’s like criticizing and betraying who

consumers frequently tie their iden-

you are.”

tity to the companies, products and

Claiborne recalls an approach that

brands they like—those parties have

activist and public intellectual Cornel

developed large bases of supporters

West took prior to the last presiden-

who have made their partisan affilia-

tial election. West said, “We’re gonna

tion part of their personal identities.

vote for Hillary and start protesting

Instead of saying, “I voted for the 47%

DEMOCRATS

51%

REPUBLICANS

88%

CHRISTIANS

SEPT-OCT

her in January.”

Republican or Democrat candidate,”

Claiborne suggests that the ap-

many voters say, “I am a Republican

proach shows how loosely we should

or Democrat.” That “I am” can become

hold our “support” for candidates.

an extremely loaded phrase, because,

“You don’t have a party that has a

as Noble points out, it ties a political

consistent life ethic so you always feel

party to an individual’s identity—an

like you’re choosing the evil of two

identity that, if you are a Christian,

lessers,” he says.

should only be found in Christ.

Both Claiborne and Noble agree

“When we go [to] the polls, and we

that democratic elections—which, by

have to make a decision between two

design, allow the values of the major-

bad options, you need to be commit-

ity to be placed on ideological minori-

070

2018

ties—are part of an imperfect system,

tive to enact change isn’t necessarily

but what happens in the ballot box

through partisan politics but by engag-

isn’t the only way to effect change.

ing with the people who are actually

“I can’t tell you how many times peo-

affected by policy.

ple said things like, ‘Oh, Jesus would

“One thing we have noticed is that

vote Republican because of abortion,’

stories can be very disarming,” she

or ‘Jesus would vote Democrat because

says. Through their site, publication

war and poverty,’” Murphy says. “My

and visits to political events, they en-

gut tells me that Jesus would probably

gage people in the stories of families

be more involved in just encountering people.” Yes, Christians should take part in elections— knowing that their vote isn’t an endorsement or a pledge of support. But that there are other ways we can vote our faith.

“We can vote with our voice, vote with dollars, vote with our time and emotional investment.” – Shane Claiborne

VOTING OUTSIDE THE BOX

“Vote, voice and devotion all sort of share the same root,” Claiborne explains, breaking

who have been affected by inequali-

down the linguistic origins of the

ty in the justice system, by having an

words. What that means is voting is

abortion or even assisted suicide legis-

more than casting a ballot. We can

lation. Their goal is to tell real people’s

vote with our voice, vote with dollars,

stories.

vote with our time and emotional investment. “Another of the imbalances that folks would have, [is saying] the only

Ultimately, effecting major change starts by making very small ones. Not by changing the government, but by being willing to change oneself.

chance we have to change the world

“The only way for a Christian to

is once every four years or every two

ensure that their decision on who

years—and I think that’s also a lie,”

to vote for reflects the teachings of

Claiborne explains. “We change the

Christ and the values of the Bible is

world all the time by where we put our

to allow these teachings and values

money or withhold our money. I think

to fundamentally shape their char-

how we vote on the day after and the

acter and mindset over a long period

day before the election is just as im-

of time, and in community with other

portant as what we do on election day.

disciples,” Boyd says.

And we can never confine our voice

“When that is in place, all of a Chris-

to a ballot box. We have a lot of ways

tian’s decisions, including their politi-

of being a voice for things and people

cal decisions, will naturally reflect the

that matter.”

teachings of Christ and the values of

Murphy says the strategy her organization has found the most effec-

the Bible, for decisions always flow out of a person’s character.”

071

JILL A DKINS is a writer and political reporter who lives in Washington D.C. with her husband and son.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

FIRST AID KIT SEPT-OCT

THE SODERBERG SISTERS began their musical career performing in the streets of Stockholm to earn extra cash for hair dye. But what started as a way to earn extra money and spend time together led to a rapid rise and an acclaimed career for which neither sister was truly prepared. “We just ran out of fuel,” Klara, 25, explains. “We didn’t feel inspired when we were performing on stage anymore, and we don’t want BY

to lose that feeling. So instead of burning out

LESLEY CREWS

completely, we decided to take a year off and

072

2018

crooners like Emmylou Harris and Conor

“Our previous albums were pretty and pol-

Oberst, as well as iconic singer-songwriters

ished, so we wanted to let this one be more

like Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and Leonard Co-

raw. We kept some of the mistakes and flaws

hen. The band has been applauded for their

in the performance. I like when something

Americana-folk vintage sound and their abil-

feels real and authentic. Like there’s a real

ity to keep their sound authentic.

presence on the recordings.”

However, in 2015, spending the better part of a decade on the road without taking a

REINVENTED

break started to wear on Klara and her older

While many bands turn to a radio-friendly

sister, Johanna.

pop sound after signing a deal with a major

The time on the road not only took a toll

label, First Aid Kit, rejuvenated by their time

creatively but also affected their personal

off and re-evaluating their own priorities,

lives. Klara’s long-term relationship ended

took a different approach after leaving their

abruptly as they toured, causing more tur-

indie label for Columbia Records. The band

moil and heartache. The sisters realized they

pushed back against suggestions for easy pop

were long overdue for a break.

music and leaned in more intensely to their

However, it’s that heartache that ended up

folk roots. The final product was a hybrid al-

providing the creative inspiration for their

bum that finds the duo experimenting with

return to music with their new album, Ruins.

new sounds and a hold-nothing-back vul-

Klara explains: “It’s the ruins of the relation-

nerability fashioned by reflections on their

ship: how sad it is, but also how beautiful it

sudden rise, heartbreak, burnout and finally,

was. That’s all you have left in the end.”

their renewed sense of creative authenticity.

REINSPIRED

with bold stylistic departures. The sisters

recharge our batteries. We wanted to gain

After a hiatus, the sisters reconvened far out

manage to bridge the gap between the catch-

new inspiration and find a calm because we

of their comfort zone in Los Angeles. Their

iness of mainstream hits and the tender,

needed that.”

broken routine in a new place offered them a

folk-inspired sound that launched them to

fresh perspective. The album’s first single “It’s

stardom all those years ago. Yes, the lyrics

a Shame” touches on how the shining sun in

touch on thoughts about life, love and re-

REINTRODUCED

L.A. brought them a new sense of happiness

morse, but they also embrace ideas like re-

Influenced by American folk music in the

during a time of sadness and grief.

demption and the courage to stand up and

Ruins is a showcase for new harmonies,

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

wake of the Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?

“It’s such a creative city,” Johanna says.

boom, the sisters began writing their own

“There are so many musicians and artists and

find yourself again. Ironically, it was only after finally taking

Americana-style tunes and uploading them

[so much] art arising that it’s hard not to be

the time off the road, and allowing them-

to MySpace where they garnered some radio

inspired when you’re there. We love the cul-

selves to finally be still by themselves that

play in their home country.

ture. As Swedes, it’s extremely exotic.”

the sisters realized what kind of album they

But when their cover of Fleet Foxes’ “Ti-

Inspired by the new surroundings and

ger Mountain Peasant Song” went viral on

looking to reboot their own personal lives,

their audience feel less alone.

YouTube, the duo became a sensation as the

the Soderbergs’ intention with the new re-

“We want to connect with people, to feel a

cover took off internationally. The breakout

cord was to make major changes: more edge.

little less alone in this world,” Johanna says.

video landed them a record deal in the U.S.

More pungency. More authenticity. And that’s

“That’s the most powerful thing. When you’re

what they did.

listening to music, and it suddenly just clicks.

The two remained reverent of a musical genre best associated with a time before

To live up to the expectation, the album

theirs, and a genre entirely out of their realm,

was recorded live in studio, leaving plenty of

native to a country an ocean away.

room for purposeful errors.

Since their discovery back in 2008, First

“At our live shows, there’s lots of live ener-

Aid Kit has released four albums of original

gy, and we wanted to capture that on record,”

music, inspired by the likes of contemporary

Johanna explains.

073

really wanted to make: one that would make

It’s a really magical aspect of music.”

LESLEY CREWS is RELEVANT’s social media coordinator. Find her on Twitter @lesrcrew.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

RANCIS CHAN HOPES HE NEVER writes another book.

He’s been trying to avoid the spotlight since he resigned as the pastor of the megachurch he founded. So when he announced he would be releasing a new title—one he intends to be his last—it had to be important. In Letters to the Church, Chan shares what he’s learned about what the modern church should look like. FIRST, WHY DID YOU LEAVE THE MEGACHURCH YOU PASTORED?

I was having discussions in elder meetings about what is most biblical, what God calls us to and what does He want of His Church. If we just went with the Scriptures, what would we get from it? And realizing, gosh, I didn’t think that deeply about [those] things. And I did a lot of things because it was a pattern set before me in culture and in other churches. And as we just considered the obvious teaching of the New Testament, it started to concern us as an elder board, especially me as an individual, going, “We have to change this.” And as we tried to change it as a church, I didn’t even know how to do it.

After leaving his megachurch, the pastor has found a new way of “doing church.” He wants you to join him.

Francis Chan Wants You to Forget Everything You Think You Know About Church SEPT-OCT

And in a lot of ways, I felt like the church may be healthier without me because there was just too much attention on me. YOU HAVE A REPUTATION OF BEING ELUSIVE. WHAT MADE YOU PUBLISH LETTERS TO THE CHURCH?

I wrote it thinking, “I want this to be the last thing I write. This is what I believe is God’s heart for the Church.” And also out of—gosh!—I have so loved the fellowship of my church these last couple of years, and I want this for everyone, and it’s

074

2018

“The Church exists to please Him, not us. And we’ve lost that.”

right here in America, and it’s possible. And I guess, for me, years ago there were doubts of whether we could even do this here, and everyone’s telling me, “Yeah, that was New Testament times” or “That’s only overseas.” And I’m thinking, no, this is happening here, we just have to choose this. WHAT’S THE ‘THIS’ YOU’RE REFERRING TO?

the Gospel in the greatest way? Somehow you’ve got millions

“Oh, I love Jesus. I was alone with Jesus this morning and

of believers in China, and it

the power of the Holy Spirit is

wasn’t about all these paid

flowing through me.” I don’t

clergy [doing this as] their

hear about that. And that’s a big

business, and even in the inner-

problem.

cities in America where most of those pastors are bi-vocational.

And the other thing is that we’re not hearing about these churches where the people are deeply in love with one another. And Jesus says, “This is how the world is going to know that you’re My disciples is your love for one another.”

Our pastors are

That’s what the

all working and

Church was supposed

none are paid by

to be.

the church, and we have a church with

IF JESUS WERE WRITING

zero budget. So, all

A LETTER TO THE

of the money goes

CHURCH IN AMERICA,

to the poor and to

WHAT DO YOU THINK

missions, and it’s

ARE SOME THINGS HE

all fine.

WOULD SAY?

I did make

I think we’ve neglected

decisions in the

the holiness of God

past based upon

and prioritizing Him.

finances, and I

In other words we’ve

think we’d be

started to create this

surprised how

man-centered church

many decisions

and man-centered

we make are based on financial

they hit 20 people—those

YOU MENTION THAT YOUR

considerations. It’s kind of like

wrestles of greed and popularity

CURRENT UNDERSTANDING OF

you say, “How’s that gonna

and pride are kind of taken off

CHURCH IS BASED ON SOME

Him, not us. And we’ve lost that.

work without money?” [It’s]

the table as we deal with other

VERY CLEAR NEW TESTAMENT

We have become consumer-

the first thing that comes to our

things.

COMMANDS. WHICH ONES?

driven and in our heart to be

We are supposed to be

compassionate toward people,

mind, and if it’s not first, it’s

[It] would be going against

theology. The Church exists to please

definitely a consideration. It’s

Scripture to say that ministers

producing men and women

we’ve forgotten that God’s Word

amazing when you take pride

cannot be paid by the Church.

who love the person of Jesus

should just really be so far

and money off of the table, how

I am just saying that in a lot

deeply. There should be people

above everyone else’s opinion

differently you make decisions.

of countries, that’s the way it

walking out of our gatherings,

and everyone else’s feelings.

So now, when we have pastors

is. You do what’s best for the

and all they can talk about is

And it’s gotten to the point

who aren’t paid and will never

Gospel. You don’t do something

Jesus and their intimacy with

where we think about what

grow a big church—we try to

because it’s best for you. You ask

Him. And I’m not hearing that

people want more than what

multiply our churches as soon as

in what way would you spread

in the Church. I’m not hearing,

God wants.

075

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

W. Kamau Bell Wants to Change the World The comedian and United Shades of America host is making sure everyone gets a seat at the table— no exceptions.

BY J E S S E C A R E Y

YEARS AGO, W.

“Before my family and I have meals

and being introduced to members of

Kamau Bell had

together, we say grace as I was taught

the hate group, he meets an unmasked

one of the last

to say,” he says (Bell has two young

member of the Klan at a diner.

conversations

daughters). “We have a very short

The Klansman, with a soda in

he’d ever

prayer that was taught to us by a

front of him, casually explains his

have with

friend that goes, “God bless everyone,

views on white supremacy and why

no exceptions. Amen.”

he supports the KKK. Bell sits across

his grandmother. Before she died, she made a simple request of her

It’s a short prayer, but it’s also a

from him, nods to acknowledge he

grandson—who was 25 years old at the

powerful one. Because at its core is a

is listening, tells some jokes and

time. She told him, ”Be a good boy.”

message that Bell not only believes, but

graciously challenges him on his

has made a career out of expressing

hateful ideology—even after the man

says, looking back. “I think when she

through comedy: Everyone deserves a

said he wouldn’t accept a hypothetical

told me to be a good boy, that was her

chance to be heard—no exceptions.

invitation to the Bells’ home for dinner

“I was like, ‘I will, grandma,’” Bell

telling me to be Christ-like.” His grandmother took faith very

because he “likes being around his A SEAT AT THE TABLE

own kind.”

seriously. Bell jokes, “At her house we

On the very first episode of Bell’s

would go to church from 9 a.m. to ... I

Emmy Award-winning CNN docu-

reacting,” Bell says. “If I react, they

don’t know, Thursday?” But today, all

series United Shades of America, Bell

win. And for me, the power is in sitting

these years later, her simple message

meets with members of “the new

in that chair and holding the space.”

is one he still carries with him.

KKK.” After witnessing a cross burning

077

“I know the power is in not

When the show first aired, Bell says

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

he got criticized from some for the interaction. “I’ve heard people say, ‘How come you didn’t punch him in the face?’” Bell says. “And honestly, there’s nothing about talking to those people that makes me want to punch them in the face, because I’m like, ‘I want everybody to hear what you’re saying.’” In each episode of the show, Bell visits different areas around the country—from Sikh and Muslim communities, homes for the elderly, Latino neighborhoods, gang headquarters, coal country, Native American reservations and more. Yes, there are times when he will challenge people’s ideas, but he’s not there to debate them. He’s there to hear what they have to say. Sometimes, like in the incident with the Klansman, it exposes their views, but most of the time, he’s there to listen and to try to understand. his narration—which is spiked with

the best way to understand the world

super-villains out there in the world,”

“I’m aware there are only a few

good-natured sarcasm and jokey

around him.

he says. “There are nowhere near as

one-liners—fuels the narrative. It’s

many as we want to think there are.”

the funniest hour of TV you can watch

A CONVERSATION CHANGER

while still getting an education on a

This summer, Bell’s latest stand-up

heavy and looks at dense, important

topic like Puerto Rico’s relationship

special, Private School Negro, came out

topics, like everything he does, it’s

with mainland America.

on Netflix. In it, he tackles topics like

Though Bell’s show is at times

also really funny. Between segments,

For Bell, humor has always been

racial tension, the divisive political climate and how to get along

“I understand there is a God. I’m past asking, ‘Why do bad things happen to good people?’ ... It’s more about, ‘What does it mean in my life and for the kind of person I want to be in the world?’” SEPT-OCT

078

with people who are different from you. Like United Shades, it’s concerned with a lot of big ideas. However, it’s never preachy. That’s not Bell’s style. “I want the special to be a conversation starter and a conversation changer,” he explains. “I can hope the special ends racism, but that’s like a ridiculous hope. I can put all the

2018

which Bell moderated a debate between an atheist and a Christian—

time in church,” he says. “But I still

upbringing in the Church.

am very clear that the things I learned

we ever did on the show,” he says,

from those places are still inside me.” When you see his comedy or his

looking back at the episode. “I was also

show, it becomes clear the lessons he

kind of going, ‘Where am I?’ And also,

first encountered in the church pew

‘Am I OK? Am I OK with claiming this

aren’t far below the surface. Yes, he

in public?’ And that’s when I started to

cares about exposing injustice and

claim it in public.”

combating ignorance, but he’s also

However, when he was young, Bell says he went through a time of wrestling with the idea of God. “You

concerned about listening and actually caring for other people. And after meeting people around

go through that thing as a teenager,

the country, being at the forefront of

[when] you’re like, ‘Do I believe

divisive political debates and seeing

in God? Am I an atheist?’” he says.

the good, the bad and ugly of different

“Sometimes saying you’re an atheist

ideas, his faith also has created another

sounds like the ‘cool’ thing to say. I’m

posture: hope for the future.

not speaking for all atheists, I’m just

“If you look back to the founding

thinking from a teenage version of

of this country, things are a lot better

atheism, and it never sat well with

than they were then, but they still

me. ... At some point in my adult life,

aren’t where they should be,” he says.

especially having kids, I was very race, parenting and the

“As an adult, I don’t spend as much

that Bell started to think about his own “That was one of the biggest things

Bell addresses politics,

other Christians.

It’s almost like a game of football,

energy in there to hope

aware that, though I’m not going to

where we all must constantly fight

it does that. But I want

church regularly, God still works well

through the defense in our work to

experience in his new

people to have better

for me. I still feel like the God that was

make the world a better place.

Netflix stand-up special,

conversations after the

put into me as a child is still doing a

special than they did

good job.”

world’s worst flight

Private School Negro.

during the special.” Starting

“I think if we do the work, things can get better. But sometimes it’s about

Bell now has no problem talking

football—we take some downs off;

about his belief in God, even though

we’re not always trying to push the ball

conversations, listening and making

there are still ideas about religion that

forward. So I think if we do the work

people think is a hallmark of his

he wrestles with.

and if more of us engage in the work

comedy and his approach to United

“I’m not saying I don’t struggle

that needs to be done then, yes, I am

Shades. It’s an approach that also

with faith,” he says. “And because I

caused him to rethink something

understand there is a God, I’m past

that’s become important to his life and

asking, ‘Why do bad things happen to

difficult conversations is a decidedly

worldview: his faith.

good people?’ I’m past those questions

simple idea: W. Kamau Bell believes

and now it’s more about, ‘What does

the world can be a better place for

QUESTIONS OF FAITH

it mean in my life and for the kind of

everyone—no exceptions.

Back in 2012, FX aired the talk show

person I want to be in the world?’”

Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell. Like

However, even though God is a big

United Shades, each episode featured a

part of his life, his faith looks different

discussion of issues and current events.

from the way it did when he was young

It was on one of those episodes—in

and constantly spending time around

079

hopeful.” At the core of the biting comedy and

JESSE CAREY is the brand director at RELEVANT. You can find him on Twitter @jessecarey.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

HILLSONG

YO U N G & FREE IS BACK

SEPT-OCT

080

2018

The band has created a completely new lane for itself with its reinvention. HOW DOES A REVOLUTION STAY

Free gets around this trope the organic

banging on our door to do it, but we still

REVOLUTIONARY? It’s the question and

way, bringing in a lot of members with a

are compelled to do it because we had

curse of anything that becomes a big

variety of music tastes and giving them a

something to say.”

deal. For every Spotify, there are a dozen

voice in how the songs come together.

Napsters. For every Billy Joel, there are

“We’ve got people who love hip-hop,

King’s being a bit humble here. People are banging down Young & Free’s

50 Barry Manilows. It’s the rare sensation

right through to liking rock,” King says. “I

door. Their 3 million YouTube channel

that gains its sea legs to weather the

think you just gotta bring what’s real and

subscribers aren’t there out of pity. But

storms of time and short public attention

that’s just how we’ve overcome that.”

his point is there’s no point in creating a

spans. Rarer still: the sensation that learns how to self-replicate its success. But Hillsong Church, Sydney,

King talks about staying “real” a lot. It’s something he says the band works hard at, and if you listen to the band’s latest

worship album if you’re not finding new truths to articulate. “I don’t want to write a song that I don’t

Australia’s worship music giant, seems to

album, III, it shows. There’s a wide variety

feel like is a story that was real to me,” he

have cracked the code. In 1998, following

of genres at work, including tons of the

says. “So I do think [we have] some sort of

a decade of setting the global standard

sort of dub-y samples that have become

responsibility to bring worship music to

for contemporary praise and worship

commonplace in clubs and music festivals

the young generation. That’s what we feel

music, they launched Hillsong United—a

but still send a lot of church worship

called to do and within that, I feel like we

band made up of feisty young upstarts

bands whining about kids these days. And

need to teach people what we’ve learned

who had been dyed in the Hillsong wool

that gets at something else that sets Young

on the journey.”

but brought a fresh perspective and savvy

& Free apart—something deeper than just

ear for newer trends in the mainstream

stylistic flourishes.

music industry. And since one good turn

“When we started Young & Free, we

deserves another, 2012 saw the next

were a lot younger,” King says. “And so I

iteration: Hillsong Young & Free.

think a lot of our songs were quite lovey-

“This is more than just us bringing our cool songs and our stories,” he continues. “We do feel like we’re called to reach young people.”

dovey God songs, which are amazing

UNBOUND

when we were starting Young & Free,”

because it was true to us at the time.

So this is how a revolution becomes a

says Aodhan King, the band’s worship

That’s five years ago. We’ve gotten older

legacy. Not by overextending its own

leader and songwriter. “With Revival and

and I think we’re starting to realize that

relevance, but by passing its relevance

the last album we did, there’s always a

life actually is crazy and has highs and

along to others who feel called and

conversation. How are we going to be

lows. It’s this wild journey. You don’t

committed to do right by it. It’s not easy

different? What are we going to bring?”

understand that when you’re young.”

and it takes some humility but if you can

“We battled throughout a lot of things

The answer to that question is both

pull it off, you might wind up with a band

complicated and simple. Complicated

UNOBLIGATED

because we live in complicated times,

And that’s the trick of being “young and

and King understands that. But the

free.” What do you do as you start to

understood God’s faithful through it all,”

solution to writing worship during times

grow up and realize a lot of the things

King says. “I think the coolest thing about

of division and turmoil might not be that

you believed when you were younger

[III] is I can look at the songs and go, ‘I

complicated at all, he says.

are actually more complex than you

know who wrote that because I know

thought? This is especially complicated

what they were going through last year,

UNBOXING

for bands of the Hillsong variety, singing

and I know this is a prayer answered or a

“Obviously the Christian genre is pretty

about something as vulnerable as their

prayer for a season they’re going through

boxed in music-wise,” King says. If you

collective faith journey.

and maybe the next record will be a

listen to a lot of Christian music, you

like Young & Free.

“We want to remain open to what God

know what he means. There are still

wants to do,” King says. “That in itself

a lot of well-meaning Christian bands

sounds cliche, but, you know, we don’t

out there making music that sounds

have to write albums. We don’t have to

like overproduced Rush of Blood to the

put out another record. We didn’t have

Head-era Coldplay. Hillsong Young &

to put out this record! There’s no one

081

“I think as we’ve grown older, we’ve

prayer answered shown in there.’”

T YLER HUCK A BEE lives in Nashville and is the senior editor at RELEVANT.

RELEVANTMAGAZINE.COM

One hundred twenty-three people in the U.S. will die by suicide today, and numbers are only going up. Can something be done?

SEPT-OCT

082

2018

BY T Y L E R H U C K A B E E

nthony Bourdain was in

revolutionary radical of the

northeast France when he

culinary world—a Mick Jagger-

“We were in touch with

died, spending a few days in

meets-Indiana Jones luminary

her the night before and she

a former commune called

of food and travel.

sounded happy,” her husband,

Kaysersberg. Kaysersberg is

Anthony Bourdain was,

her death in June.

Andy, wrote in a statement

in the Kaysersberg-Vignoble

in short, a guy who seemed

about his wife’s long struggles

department in Alsace. It’s

like he had a lot to live for,

with anxiety. “There was no

a small city built around a

which is why the national

indication and no warning

stony old fortress that serves

conversation around tragic

that she would do this. It was a

as a reminder of its strategic

suicide was mixed with not

complete shock.”

importance during the Franco-

just sorrow but shock. Why?

Statements like these

The unspoken question

and many others provide a

Prussian War. Today, it’s simply a place to take in the views which

underneath all the mourning

window into our national

and eulogies seemed to be,

understanding of suicide.

The CDC found that between 1999 and 2016, suicide rates jumped in every U.S. state except Nevada.

Why would Anthony

An understanding which,

Bourdain take his own

for all the ubiquity of its

life?

subject, remains fraught with

His own mother,

misinformation and incorrect

Gladys, told The New

assumptions. And those gaps

York Times that her

in knowledge are costing lives.

son was “absolutely the last person in the

A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS

world I would have

“These people had money

ever dreamed would

and influence,” says Jamie

do something like this.”

Tworkowski, of Bourdain and

RELEVANT - Issue 95 - September/October 2018

Articles inside

Foster The People

Johnnyswim

Christine Caine: Be Ready for the Unexpected

Don't Worry About Bo Burnham

Foster the People