CNLP 530: Jon and McRae Acuff on Who Teens Really Listen To, Why Adults Fail to Connect with Gen Z, and Creating a Better Soundtrack for the Next Generation

New York Times bestselling author, Jon Acuff, returns to the podcast with his 16-year-old daughter, McRae, to talk about who teens really listen to, why adults fail to connect with kids, and how to do it well, and what it takes to create a better soundtrack for Generation Z.

Welcome to Episode 530 of the podcast. Listen and access the show notes below or search for the Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts and listen for free.

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The Art of Leadership Academy’s The Art of Church Growth

With about 60 days left in 2022, most leaders are already shifting their focus to next year, but I’d like to encourage you to do the opposite.

It’s not too late to finish this year strong.

What if you could finish 2022 on a high note? And what if you could carry that momentum into next year?

Well, I’ve prepared a few resources to help you with exactly that.

My Church Growth program—which is open for enrollment—walks you through the steps to position your church for growth. By taking a thorough look at your leadership team, pastoral care, missional alignment and, culture, it’ll help you:

Discover and eliminate the barriers that keep your church from growing
And, guide your church through transformational conversations that lead to growth and deeper discipleship

Join before the end of the day on November 2nd to receive the Christmas Outreach Toolkit, which outlines simple steps you can take to make this Christmas your best one yet.

Get instant access today by going to theartofchurchgrowthcourse.com.

Compassion International

I want to tell you about a partner that I love, and that is Compassion.

Our church has partnered with them, my wife and I have partnered with them, and wherever they serve around the world, which is 26 countries, they partner with the local church, to release children from poverty, in Jesus’ name, and they’re doing that this Christmas in a way that your church can get involved in.

You know what your church is going to be looking for? It’s like, “What are you doing for people around the world this Christmas?” That’s why you should check out Compassion’s cool opportunity called The Giving Tree.

It’s a simple way for your church to share the love of Christ with kids in need, by decorating a tree with ornaments that represent a variety of gift options. People pick a gift, and they give, and they help release a child from poverty, in Jesus’ name.

Meet a practical need for a child in poverty this holiday season by going to c ompassion.com/GivingTree/Carey.

Conversation Links

Your New Playlist: The Student’s Guide to Tapping into the Superpower of Mindset by McRae, L.E and Jon Acuff

Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff

Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff

Do Over: Make Today the First Day of Your New Career by Jon Acuff

Start: Punch Fear in the Face, Escape Average, and Do Work That Matters by Jon Acuff

Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job & Your Dream Job by Jon Acuff

Stuff Christians Like by Jon Acuff

The Art of Leadership Academy

The Art of Leadership Daily Podcast

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Quotes from Episode 530

Realizing the ultimatums in your life, they're never going to be true. You just have to realize that 'I may feel this way today, but tomorrow's a new day' and realizing that the ultimatums are lying to you. McRae Acuff Click To Tweet I just want you to be genuine. And when you try to be cool and talk to teenagers, it makes me not want to listen to what you have to say. McRae Acuff Click To Tweet There's finding your voice as a writer, but there's also keeping your voice. Because voice is one of the slipperiest things in the world. @JonAcuff Click To Tweet I get to use my voice, but I would say social media at least gives you plenty of opportunities to tweak your voice in a way that maybe you wouldn't normally talk. And I think that's true for teenagers. I think that's true for adults. @JonAcuff Click To Tweet

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Next Episode: Nancy Duarte

Nancy Duarte returns to the podcast to discuss four trends in communication preachers and public speakers need to pay attention to, the power of curation (and why the monologue might be limiting), and what she learned from coaching Apple and Steve Jobs.

Subscribe for free now so you won’t miss Episode 531.

Increase Giving and Fully Fund Your Mission—Regardless of Where You're at Now.

When it comes to money conversations with your church, my guess is that you want the outcome (margin in your budget and a generous congregation) without the process (having to raise funds and talk about it).

The Art of Building a Generous Congregation is a proven method for increasing giving, creating a culture of generosity, and building financial margin at your church... without the stress and awkwardness.

Even if you don’t feel comfortable talking about money right now.
Even if you’ve never seen your congregation fully engage with that kind of conversation.
Even if you’ve tried other methods without success.

And yes, especially, if you could make a bigger difference by increasing your budget by 20%, 30%, or even 40%.

Learn More About The Art of Building a Generous Congregation