Myspace to Sacred Space: God for a New Generation

by Christian Piatt

Recently, MySpace.com has become one of the most-visited Web sites in the world. With millions of young users, this one site has made a giant impact on youth pop culture in a matter of a few years. At the same time, themes of spirituality pervade our lives. From television to film and popular literature, theology is a burgeoning enterprise in popular culture. In contrast, most churches and denominations are built on eighteenth-century principles, and are fighting to remain relevant to young members. The collective fear is that if the church doesn't adapt to this new generation, they will be left behind forever. Christian and Amy Piatt believe church leaders have a responsibility to stay tuned in to the values and vernacular employed by the younger generations. MySpace to Sacred Space combines first-hand accounts with case studies from people both within and outside the church. Far from tolling the death knell for the established church, MySpace to Sacred Space is an affirming, hopeful look at the ever-growing need for what the Christian faith can offer the world. Much of the relevance for the twenty-first century church can be found in our oldest traditions. By reconnecting with our past and by setting time aside for God and for one another, we have an opportunity to create sacred space and time wherever we are.

176 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2007

About the author

I once heard a surgeon tell an author that he had always wanted to write a novel.

"That's funny," said the author, "I've always wanted to perform brain surgery."

Writing as a hobby is one thing; writing as a passionate obsession is entirely another; writing professionally is equal parts megalomania and masochism.

I started out writing arts reviews for a local paper, moving on to features and a few op-ed pieces after a while with some other publications. I picked up a few pieces for some magazines, and from there, got my opportunity to do a weekly column in the paper, a regular column in a national magazine and my first two books with a national publisher in the relatively short span of eighteen months.

It took me a decade of preparation to get there, though.

I hooked up with a literary agent in 2007, who has been focusing on shopping a novel and a memoir for me. Meanwhile, I do articles for various websites and magazines, and I'm in the process of acting as a series co-editor for a string of young adult theology books for Chalice Press. I'm also working as volume editor on a couple of books in the series. The first two books in the series will be out in 2009.

I'd insert something cute and funny here, but then you'd only be disappointed if you ever met me and thought, "Hey, he's not cute and funny like his bio at all. He sucks." So I'll just leave it at that.

Reviews

[Christian Piatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly, I'm also a fan of this book, which I wrote.