From 1/28/07
This was a great interview with Gabe, founder of Catalyst and former host of the podcast. Gabe Lyons is passionate about reclaiming not just the counter-cultural identity of the church, but a culture creating one as well. Like many other discontented next generation Christians, Lyons sees the contemporary Western church as defined by their critique, condemnation, and copying of culture through the past century. While he agrees that there is a time and a place for these actions, the church has largely missed the vital role of "creating." And since we are created in the image of a creator God, creating should be in our nature...
To promote this vision, Lyons has founded a movement called "Q Ideas." For those familiar, the best I can relate it to is that Q Ideas is the Progressive Christian equivalent of TED talks. I can't recommend the website qideas.org enough for any number of people: if your a Christian leader, if you're a Christian discontented with Western pop-Christianity, if you're passionate of seeing both the proclaimed and social Gospel of justice held in beautiful tension, if you're seeking to learn more about the Christian faith but are turned off by billboards and "big hair channels," in you have any position of leadership in your church - you won't want to miss the essays, blog posts, and videos. Please do you and your community a service by checking this out and sharing it! I have and it's provoked some challenging thoughts...
Showing posts with label catalyst. Show all posts
Showing posts with label catalyst. Show all posts
Monday, January 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Catalyst 18: Craig Groeschel
From 1/14/07
Craig Groeschel is pastor of the innovative Lifechurch.tv, based our of Oklahoma but beamed to satellite locations worldwide. They are truly pioneers and on the cutting edge of the multi-site model. Groeschel is quick to mention, however, that this model works for them but is not by any means "the" way to do it. He laments churches who try to copy what is being done at Lifechurch out of fad, not need. Multi-site still needs to be authentic!
Online Church
Speaking of authentic, I was skeptical listening as he described "online church." It is what it sounds like, complete with online pastors, whose congregations live in cyberspace. It seems natural that if the church is going to meet people where they are, and considering that so many live socially online now, she would attempt something like this.
But can it work? According to Groeschel authentic community indeed takes place as through the chat lobby users arrive early and stick around longer than they would at live church. Users and online hosts pray for one another before, after, and even during the service. Oh, and you can even attend the worship style of your liking first before seeing the message. Folks who have met in the lobby have small group studies throughout the week with webcams and even organize and go on mission trips!
For Lifechurch, the target audience is those who would never come to church, as well as those who can't go because they are home with sick kids or other responsibilities. I can see that. But, it's hard to lay hands on someone without being there! It's hard to argue with this though; according to Groeschel, Online Church has more decisions for faith per capita than any of the live locations. I appreciate how the Gospel is being proclaimed innovatively through this medium, however I feel it should be intentionally acting as a temporary home for those who can't attend while encouraging all to get face to face.
Open Source Church
As Lifechurch grew rapidly, others noticed and inquired about their resources. The church had a choice, do we market our resources or make them freely available? To the benefit of thousands, they decided to post all their resources for sermon series, kids, youth, small groups, etc, on line with free access here http://open.lifechurch.tv/.
Purity
Craig Groeschel is a big advocate of pastors having accountability. He wrote a revealing book, "Confessions of a Pastor" that goes even into his struggle in the past with porn among other things. He in fact uses xxxchurch - it seems all these influential leaders use it!
Home
"I will not sacrifice my family on the alter of ministry." Craig picked this quote up along the way and lives by it now. He is home @ 5:15 6 days a week and in family mode and promotes a church organizational culture that does the same. He mentioned Stanley's "choosing to cheat" as a big influence in this area.
Each year, in Jim Collins fashion, he adds to my "to don't" list. He's a huge advocate of leader development saying, "if you build others up there is no limit to what you can do." In other words, the American cultural model is to do as much as we can and receive praise for it. If we pour into others, and let the take credit, our mission will have no limit. After all, especially in the church, it is never "our" mission.
Finally, at home he praises his wife as his biggest asset in ministry. They homeschool their six kids and she sees her primary ministry as ministering the kids and supporting Craig. And she does this by challenging him often, affirming him, yes, but also asking point blank, "how's your time with God, I haven't seen you pray much?" and things like that.
Confession
A few years back Lifechurch did a series called "My Secret" that received national attention as thousands uploaded video confessions when invited through their online church. Incredible healing took place through this even that blew the leadership away. A cool example of the church leveraging technology and culture to promote reconciliation, to offer forgiveness, and to foster redemption.
Craig Groeschel is pastor of the innovative Lifechurch.tv, based our of Oklahoma but beamed to satellite locations worldwide. They are truly pioneers and on the cutting edge of the multi-site model. Groeschel is quick to mention, however, that this model works for them but is not by any means "the" way to do it. He laments churches who try to copy what is being done at Lifechurch out of fad, not need. Multi-site still needs to be authentic!
Online Church
Speaking of authentic, I was skeptical listening as he described "online church." It is what it sounds like, complete with online pastors, whose congregations live in cyberspace. It seems natural that if the church is going to meet people where they are, and considering that so many live socially online now, she would attempt something like this.
But can it work? According to Groeschel authentic community indeed takes place as through the chat lobby users arrive early and stick around longer than they would at live church. Users and online hosts pray for one another before, after, and even during the service. Oh, and you can even attend the worship style of your liking first before seeing the message. Folks who have met in the lobby have small group studies throughout the week with webcams and even organize and go on mission trips!
For Lifechurch, the target audience is those who would never come to church, as well as those who can't go because they are home with sick kids or other responsibilities. I can see that. But, it's hard to lay hands on someone without being there! It's hard to argue with this though; according to Groeschel, Online Church has more decisions for faith per capita than any of the live locations. I appreciate how the Gospel is being proclaimed innovatively through this medium, however I feel it should be intentionally acting as a temporary home for those who can't attend while encouraging all to get face to face.
Open Source Church
As Lifechurch grew rapidly, others noticed and inquired about their resources. The church had a choice, do we market our resources or make them freely available? To the benefit of thousands, they decided to post all their resources for sermon series, kids, youth, small groups, etc, on line with free access here http://open.lifechurch.tv/.
Purity
Craig Groeschel is a big advocate of pastors having accountability. He wrote a revealing book, "Confessions of a Pastor" that goes even into his struggle in the past with porn among other things. He in fact uses xxxchurch - it seems all these influential leaders use it!
Home
"I will not sacrifice my family on the alter of ministry." Craig picked this quote up along the way and lives by it now. He is home @ 5:15 6 days a week and in family mode and promotes a church organizational culture that does the same. He mentioned Stanley's "choosing to cheat" as a big influence in this area.
Each year, in Jim Collins fashion, he adds to my "to don't" list. He's a huge advocate of leader development saying, "if you build others up there is no limit to what you can do." In other words, the American cultural model is to do as much as we can and receive praise for it. If we pour into others, and let the take credit, our mission will have no limit. After all, especially in the church, it is never "our" mission.
Finally, at home he praises his wife as his biggest asset in ministry. They homeschool their six kids and she sees her primary ministry as ministering the kids and supporting Craig. And she does this by challenging him often, affirming him, yes, but also asking point blank, "how's your time with God, I haven't seen you pray much?" and things like that.
Confession
A few years back Lifechurch did a series called "My Secret" that received national attention as thousands uploaded video confessions when invited through their online church. Incredible healing took place through this even that blew the leadership away. A cool example of the church leveraging technology and culture to promote reconciliation, to offer forgiveness, and to foster redemption.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Catalyst 17: Dave Ferguson
From 1/2/07
Dave Ferguson is the lead pastor of Community Christian Church in Naperville where is well known for creating an sustainable healthy culture of leadership. They are one of the pioneers of the multi-site church model where they're attendance went from ~800 to upward of 5,000 within a short time of expanding to other satellite locations. He has a heart for facilitating not only church planting, but for creating whole networks of reproducing churches. Dave does this through the NewThing network that supports, resources, and catalyzes church planters and leaders of young churches.
DNA of Growth
When asked about what contributed to the growth of their church, which was planted in 1989, Ferguson cited Two Critical Decisions:
1. Identifying Apprentice Leaders. Specifically this happened within the context of their first small groups. From the start, groups had a leader and an apprentice who was being trained to eventually lead their own group. In this way, multiplication was built into the DNA of the church...sounds like 2 Timothy 2:2, eh?
2. Being Proactive about Growth. This is in contrast to waiting for growth to happen. Or, better said, "If you build it, they will come." Essentially, they didn't wait for the people, they waited for the leadership. When leaders were ready, they created space for a second service...and the people came! Proactive...
Multi-site
Ferguson offered an interesting and compelling reason to consider the multi-site model. With multi-site, the limiting factor is no longer real estate, rather it is the presence of leaders and artists. An entire new building and land need not be purchased, space needs to be rented to accommodate the technology. And, of course, the people, which are available because of intentional apprenticing and proactive growth.
Change
I thought this was a perspective on confronting "change" in a church or organization. The context is of a young church planter creating a new experience from that of the sending church, that may have traditions that will not be incorporated. He notes that it's easy to rationalize the need for change by pointing out what is wrong with the current situation. Instead, perhaps a more tactful approach is to frame the new direction as "building on the positives of the past." Keeping this perspective in mind just might save a bridge from being burned while maintaining a healthy and productive relationship with an established partner in taking part in what Ferguson calls the Jesus Mission!
One Big Idea
CCC intentionally strives to broadcast a single unifying message each week. This is similar to Stanley's "one point sermon" in "Communicating for a Change." CCC integrates this theme from top to bottom, centering not only the sermon, but small group curricula and kid's church teaching around the One Big Idea as well. With families all on the same page, the gears for transformation have been well-oiled.
Moving Forward
If the 80's were the decade of the mega-church, Ferguson sees this generation as being one of the "reproducing" church. As distinctives, he sees a shift away from "territoialism" and a move toward networking across denominations, cultures, and generations to reach culture with the Jesus Movement.
Dave Ferguson is the lead pastor of Community Christian Church in Naperville where is well known for creating an sustainable healthy culture of leadership. They are one of the pioneers of the multi-site church model where they're attendance went from ~800 to upward of 5,000 within a short time of expanding to other satellite locations. He has a heart for facilitating not only church planting, but for creating whole networks of reproducing churches. Dave does this through the NewThing network that supports, resources, and catalyzes church planters and leaders of young churches.
DNA of Growth
When asked about what contributed to the growth of their church, which was planted in 1989, Ferguson cited Two Critical Decisions:
1. Identifying Apprentice Leaders. Specifically this happened within the context of their first small groups. From the start, groups had a leader and an apprentice who was being trained to eventually lead their own group. In this way, multiplication was built into the DNA of the church...sounds like 2 Timothy 2:2, eh?
2. Being Proactive about Growth. This is in contrast to waiting for growth to happen. Or, better said, "If you build it, they will come." Essentially, they didn't wait for the people, they waited for the leadership. When leaders were ready, they created space for a second service...and the people came! Proactive...
Multi-site
Ferguson offered an interesting and compelling reason to consider the multi-site model. With multi-site, the limiting factor is no longer real estate, rather it is the presence of leaders and artists. An entire new building and land need not be purchased, space needs to be rented to accommodate the technology. And, of course, the people, which are available because of intentional apprenticing and proactive growth.
Change
I thought this was a perspective on confronting "change" in a church or organization. The context is of a young church planter creating a new experience from that of the sending church, that may have traditions that will not be incorporated. He notes that it's easy to rationalize the need for change by pointing out what is wrong with the current situation. Instead, perhaps a more tactful approach is to frame the new direction as "building on the positives of the past." Keeping this perspective in mind just might save a bridge from being burned while maintaining a healthy and productive relationship with an established partner in taking part in what Ferguson calls the Jesus Mission!
One Big Idea
CCC intentionally strives to broadcast a single unifying message each week. This is similar to Stanley's "one point sermon" in "Communicating for a Change." CCC integrates this theme from top to bottom, centering not only the sermon, but small group curricula and kid's church teaching around the One Big Idea as well. With families all on the same page, the gears for transformation have been well-oiled.
Moving Forward
If the 80's were the decade of the mega-church, Ferguson sees this generation as being one of the "reproducing" church. As distinctives, he sees a shift away from "territoialism" and a move toward networking across denominations, cultures, and generations to reach culture with the Jesus Movement.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Catalyst 16: Christmas Special Kevin Myers
from 12/20/06
Instead of the standard interview, the catalyst crew played a sermon by Kevin Myers of Crossroads Church (now 12 Stone Church) in Lawrenceville. A passionate delivery with a few nuggets to think about...
Two Themes...
1. Reduce!
Very fitting for the Christmas season. The reference was actually to observing real-estate signs all over town with "reduced" plastered on them. That sparked in Myers' mind the idea to "reduce" this Christmas...to reduce this season down to its essentials. For him, that meant taking four Sundays to talk about Redemption, Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption. It's way too easy to forget that Jesus' birth was for the purpose of bringing these gifts to mankind...
2. Obligation vs Invitation OR Got to vs Get to
This was the big idea of the sermon as it related to redemption - that it is not an obligation but an invitation. The point was that too often the life of faith is seen as an obligation; but this was never the intention! He came that we may have life to the full. How will we respond then? Is this something we have "got to" do, or something that we have the great privilege to "get to".
He said this another way...that religion is what we do to get God to respond to us. It's a "got to." Instead, the true life of faith is a "get to"; an invitation to live a full life as a participant, through grace, in the story of redemption.
The most powerful illustration, however, came for me when Myers spoke of Justification. He told the heart wrenching story of a teenager in his church who was responsible for the accidental death of a young woman in a traffic accident. In court were two weeping fathers: the father of the young man pleading for mercy and the father of the young woman pleading for justice. I can understand both sides. The father of the young man knows that his son is deeply remorseful for the accident for which he was responsible...a guilty plea would leave his son in prison till mid-life, loosing many years of his life. On the other hand, the father of the young woman can only plead for justice...could you imagine being him watching the young man walk free?! I couldn't bear it! Justice must be upheld. And this is when I first realized the need for us to be justified. If forgiveness only is offered, justice is not served. The penalty must be paid. And this is what is so incredible about Jesus. He meets both of these fathers in their tears. He fulfills the need for justice to the one, and in doing so provides mercy for the other. Now, this doesn't mean that the son doesn't have consequences in this life, but in a spiritual sense the metaphor is powerful. The divine need for justice is satisfied in Jesus, and mercy is granted to our souls, even the worst of sinners. Why Jesus would do this is the beautiful mystery of the incarnation.
final notes...he gives three definitions of certain terms:
Justification - deals with guilt
Regeneration - New Life
Adoption - New Stance
Instead of the standard interview, the catalyst crew played a sermon by Kevin Myers of Crossroads Church (now 12 Stone Church) in Lawrenceville. A passionate delivery with a few nuggets to think about...
Two Themes...
1. Reduce!
Very fitting for the Christmas season. The reference was actually to observing real-estate signs all over town with "reduced" plastered on them. That sparked in Myers' mind the idea to "reduce" this Christmas...to reduce this season down to its essentials. For him, that meant taking four Sundays to talk about Redemption, Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption. It's way too easy to forget that Jesus' birth was for the purpose of bringing these gifts to mankind...
2. Obligation vs Invitation OR Got to vs Get to
This was the big idea of the sermon as it related to redemption - that it is not an obligation but an invitation. The point was that too often the life of faith is seen as an obligation; but this was never the intention! He came that we may have life to the full. How will we respond then? Is this something we have "got to" do, or something that we have the great privilege to "get to".
He said this another way...that religion is what we do to get God to respond to us. It's a "got to." Instead, the true life of faith is a "get to"; an invitation to live a full life as a participant, through grace, in the story of redemption.
The most powerful illustration, however, came for me when Myers spoke of Justification. He told the heart wrenching story of a teenager in his church who was responsible for the accidental death of a young woman in a traffic accident. In court were two weeping fathers: the father of the young man pleading for mercy and the father of the young woman pleading for justice. I can understand both sides. The father of the young man knows that his son is deeply remorseful for the accident for which he was responsible...a guilty plea would leave his son in prison till mid-life, loosing many years of his life. On the other hand, the father of the young woman can only plead for justice...could you imagine being him watching the young man walk free?! I couldn't bear it! Justice must be upheld. And this is when I first realized the need for us to be justified. If forgiveness only is offered, justice is not served. The penalty must be paid. And this is what is so incredible about Jesus. He meets both of these fathers in their tears. He fulfills the need for justice to the one, and in doing so provides mercy for the other. Now, this doesn't mean that the son doesn't have consequences in this life, but in a spiritual sense the metaphor is powerful. The divine need for justice is satisfied in Jesus, and mercy is granted to our souls, even the worst of sinners. Why Jesus would do this is the beautiful mystery of the incarnation.
final notes...he gives three definitions of certain terms:
Justification - deals with guilt
Regeneration - New Life
Adoption - New Stance
Catalyst 15: Rick McKinley
from 12/10/06
So I have had this in the edit box for over a month and meant to write it out but I'll just post what I've got because as I read it the notes gave me some good things to think about...
Not Building the Church...Being the Church
- the seed must die
- love the city
- months of prayer
- don't create programs, pray for folks with vision to be raised up...the church comes alongside
- shepherding environments (of the laity), not trying to keep programs from falling apart
- the church is about cultural renewal, not empire building
- what would the kingdom look like...for drug addicts (freedom)...for the homeless (no lonliness)...for...
- the gospel is more than the cross...it's that the kingdom is already but not yet. Most profoundly seen in redemption, with people at the pinnacle of that redemption, therefore their salvation is central
- choice to do church at a HS so they get the funds in the community
Crossroads church - extension ministries Norwood Davis
So I have had this in the edit box for over a month and meant to write it out but I'll just post what I've got because as I read it the notes gave me some good things to think about...
Not Building the Church...Being the Church
- the seed must die
- love the city
- months of prayer
- don't create programs, pray for folks with vision to be raised up...the church comes alongside
- shepherding environments (of the laity), not trying to keep programs from falling apart
- the church is about cultural renewal, not empire building
- what would the kingdom look like...for drug addicts (freedom)...for the homeless (no lonliness)...for...
- the gospel is more than the cross...it's that the kingdom is already but not yet. Most profoundly seen in redemption, with people at the pinnacle of that redemption, therefore their salvation is central
- choice to do church at a HS so they get the funds in the community
Crossroads church - extension ministries Norwood Davis
Friday, August 13, 2010
Catalyst 14: George Barna
From 11/28/06
Barna, of course, is the evangelical polling-research guru. He got his start while working for a secular entertainment company that appraised commercials and other programming for commercial viability. At some point the televangelists used this company but weren't communicating very well with the contacts at the company. Then as overseer remembered that Barna was a Christian - he could speak both researchese and Christianese...and the seeds of a passion were sown.
He's a numbers guy but he also loves to write. His research and his writing have made many see him as a prophet; both for his soul-searching calls to the church, and for the abuse he receives from many who don't appreciate his methods. Here's 3 big takeaways...
Transformation happening outside of traditional church.
Barna got depressed, thinking that the modern church was stuck in a developmental rut. He doubted that transformation was evening happening at a vital level. Of course he researched this and was encouraged that transformation was indeed happening...just outside of the traditional church. Instead of programs and attendance, he found personal relationships and vibrant community to be the biggest indicators of bringing about transformational and alive faith.
Not to go to church - be a church.
I love this. I've heard many say, "the church is not a building, it's people" and they're right on. Barna has a deep love for the non-building church. And his research has backed up what he believes is found in the NT, that church happens when believers live out Act 2:42-29, not when we build a building and sit in pews. Attendance is not what brings about wide-scale Kingdom advance...being the church however, does.
Ignorant of what the church is actually supposed to be.
Barna does not challenge the system simply for the sake of change or to be something new. Far from it. He has concluded what many in the past few years have: that we've confused form and function for too long. And the things is, many are ignorant! They've always experienced church one way, in a certain type of building with a certain type of music with a certain style of prayer and a certain hierarchy of authority. For all many know, pews and organs and wealthy senior pastors and you-name-it are in the Bible!
The beautiful thing about the church that it is like a virus...it can implant itself in any culture. The church does not impose a culture, rather it is beautifully expressed through the myriad of diverse cultures God has created. The church brings values, or functions, but it does not bring forms. In this way God has designed the church to be immortal, every evolving in form to remain relevant in culture, while at the same time never compromising it's values, leaving it concurrently and contradictorily counter-cultural.
It'd be easy to bash those who did this but, one, as the church we must model patience and empathy. Two, it's easy to do! Culture is changing quickly and non are capable of avoiding it's rush. To be faithful then, we must remain in scripture. And Barna does this...he leaves an open invitation for folks who disagree with him to debate - he only asks that they do so from scripture.
Barna, of course, is the evangelical polling-research guru. He got his start while working for a secular entertainment company that appraised commercials and other programming for commercial viability. At some point the televangelists used this company but weren't communicating very well with the contacts at the company. Then as overseer remembered that Barna was a Christian - he could speak both researchese and Christianese...and the seeds of a passion were sown.
He's a numbers guy but he also loves to write. His research and his writing have made many see him as a prophet; both for his soul-searching calls to the church, and for the abuse he receives from many who don't appreciate his methods. Here's 3 big takeaways...
Transformation happening outside of traditional church.
Barna got depressed, thinking that the modern church was stuck in a developmental rut. He doubted that transformation was evening happening at a vital level. Of course he researched this and was encouraged that transformation was indeed happening...just outside of the traditional church. Instead of programs and attendance, he found personal relationships and vibrant community to be the biggest indicators of bringing about transformational and alive faith.
Not to go to church - be a church.
I love this. I've heard many say, "the church is not a building, it's people" and they're right on. Barna has a deep love for the non-building church. And his research has backed up what he believes is found in the NT, that church happens when believers live out Act 2:42-29, not when we build a building and sit in pews. Attendance is not what brings about wide-scale Kingdom advance...being the church however, does.
Ignorant of what the church is actually supposed to be.
Barna does not challenge the system simply for the sake of change or to be something new. Far from it. He has concluded what many in the past few years have: that we've confused form and function for too long. And the things is, many are ignorant! They've always experienced church one way, in a certain type of building with a certain type of music with a certain style of prayer and a certain hierarchy of authority. For all many know, pews and organs and wealthy senior pastors and you-name-it are in the Bible!
The beautiful thing about the church that it is like a virus...it can implant itself in any culture. The church does not impose a culture, rather it is beautifully expressed through the myriad of diverse cultures God has created. The church brings values, or functions, but it does not bring forms. In this way God has designed the church to be immortal, every evolving in form to remain relevant in culture, while at the same time never compromising it's values, leaving it concurrently and contradictorily counter-cultural.
It'd be easy to bash those who did this but, one, as the church we must model patience and empathy. Two, it's easy to do! Culture is changing quickly and non are capable of avoiding it's rush. To be faithful then, we must remain in scripture. And Barna does this...he leaves an open invitation for folks who disagree with him to debate - he only asks that they do so from scripture.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Catalyst 13: Kevin Carroll
From 11/12/06
This guy is pretty incredible. He went from being the athletic trainer at St Josephs in Philadelphia to becoming the head trainer for 76ers, one of the first Black men to do this in the NBA. He was the only college trainer among 200 applicants and got the job! His creativity and drive was soon noticed by Nike who made a bold move, hiring him with no title! Basically, they gave Kevin 90 days to get a feel for the place and figure out how he could best fit in the company. He spent the time communicating with all the departments, shooting them ideas while getting to know them...and this became his job. He named the position "Katalyst", K for Kevin as he was someone to bring ideas together. In the end he was responsible for the "Livestrong" campaign with the yellow bracelets among other things.
He's got a contagious passion and exudes confidence and creativity. His passion is for bringing about social change though sport. One great example of this is his sponsorship of Team Uganda for the 'homeless World Cup'. He has since left Nike and is a private consultant and author. His unbridled enthusiasm for life and equally strong ambition to pursue dreams, and to encourage others to do the same, is nothing less than inspiring. The following are quotes and thoughts from listening to his interview...
"Listen More Than You Speak"
"You can [and should] Influence without titles". - I really liked this one. He spoke boldly about challenging structures that might inhibit creativity.
"Play at Work". - In "The Red Rubber Ball" he uses a playground to symbolize life now. The joys and dreams we had there we can still have but often they get lost in bureaucracy and systems.
- Unashamed and Balanced Ambition. He want to be the "Oprah" of sports for social change.
This guy is pretty incredible. He went from being the athletic trainer at St Josephs in Philadelphia to becoming the head trainer for 76ers, one of the first Black men to do this in the NBA. He was the only college trainer among 200 applicants and got the job! His creativity and drive was soon noticed by Nike who made a bold move, hiring him with no title! Basically, they gave Kevin 90 days to get a feel for the place and figure out how he could best fit in the company. He spent the time communicating with all the departments, shooting them ideas while getting to know them...and this became his job. He named the position "Katalyst", K for Kevin as he was someone to bring ideas together. In the end he was responsible for the "Livestrong" campaign with the yellow bracelets among other things.
He's got a contagious passion and exudes confidence and creativity. His passion is for bringing about social change though sport. One great example of this is his sponsorship of Team Uganda for the 'homeless World Cup'. He has since left Nike and is a private consultant and author. His unbridled enthusiasm for life and equally strong ambition to pursue dreams, and to encourage others to do the same, is nothing less than inspiring. The following are quotes and thoughts from listening to his interview...
"Listen More Than You Speak"
"You can [and should] Influence without titles". - I really liked this one. He spoke boldly about challenging structures that might inhibit creativity.
"Play at Work". - In "The Red Rubber Ball" he uses a playground to symbolize life now. The joys and dreams we had there we can still have but often they get lost in bureaucracy and systems.
- Unashamed and Balanced Ambition. He want to be the "Oprah" of sports for social change.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Catalyst 12: Rick Warren
From 10/16/06
Influence:
So I had no idea the extent to which the purpose driven pastor has impacted culture. According to him, The Purpose Driven Life was the bestselling book for 3 years running. Dang! Of course this accordingly resulted in 10's of millions in revenue. What did he do with this? Several things. First, he not only stopped taking a salary, but paid back the church for every penny it had paid him since its founding. Second, he started to reverse tithe, giving 90% while living on 10%. Third, he did not drastically increase his standard of living, remaining the house he's been in for a decade while continuing to drive his old Ford. Finally, he started projects - for one, Saddleback now hosts the largest AIDS conference in Evangelicalism. This is huge - Warren pointed out that in the same way we look at the age of slavery when church goers and Bible readers kept their Black brothers and sisters in bondage and think, "come one! how in the world could you allow that to happen," we will likewise look back at our era with regard to AIDS should we not act now.
And these decisions have led to a Kingdom focused and counter-cultural influence. For example, soon after deciding to give back his salary, the big networks came around for interviews. Their first question? "How much do you make?" We're under the microscope, like it or not. What an example of wielding influence well. I love this quote of his:
The purpose of influence is to be a voice for those who have none.
Other cool things from Warren...
He's all about multiplying, really living out 2 Tim 2:2. He has a heart for training leaders and takes young leaders with him wherever he goes.
He's all about healthy marriages. "The purpose of marriage is to make you holy, not happy." Cool huh?
Influence:
So I had no idea the extent to which the purpose driven pastor has impacted culture. According to him, The Purpose Driven Life was the bestselling book for 3 years running. Dang! Of course this accordingly resulted in 10's of millions in revenue. What did he do with this? Several things. First, he not only stopped taking a salary, but paid back the church for every penny it had paid him since its founding. Second, he started to reverse tithe, giving 90% while living on 10%. Third, he did not drastically increase his standard of living, remaining the house he's been in for a decade while continuing to drive his old Ford. Finally, he started projects - for one, Saddleback now hosts the largest AIDS conference in Evangelicalism. This is huge - Warren pointed out that in the same way we look at the age of slavery when church goers and Bible readers kept their Black brothers and sisters in bondage and think, "come one! how in the world could you allow that to happen," we will likewise look back at our era with regard to AIDS should we not act now.
And these decisions have led to a Kingdom focused and counter-cultural influence. For example, soon after deciding to give back his salary, the big networks came around for interviews. Their first question? "How much do you make?" We're under the microscope, like it or not. What an example of wielding influence well. I love this quote of his:
The purpose of influence is to be a voice for those who have none.
Other cool things from Warren...
He's all about multiplying, really living out 2 Tim 2:2. He has a heart for training leaders and takes young leaders with him wherever he goes.
He's all about healthy marriages. "The purpose of marriage is to make you holy, not happy." Cool huh?
Monday, August 2, 2010
Catalyst 10: Chris Seay and New Gnosticism
I forgot to get this in the Chris Seay post! I was going to go back and edit but I think this idea is worth its own post.
Anyway it has to do with criticism given to churches like Ecclesia, the one Chris leads, from those who think they focus too much on the "social gospel" and too little on "getting folks saved." Ah, the age old debate. Which is more important?
And the answer? Yes.
Both And! Jesus both healed the body, eg serving the poor, and the soul, eg directing the people toward a relationship with their heavenly father. So I've been all about this BOTH AND understanding for some time, however Chris's comments took it to a new level.
Basically he compared focusing on people's souls as more important than addressing felt needs to the recurring heresy of gnosticism. Essentially, gnostics view the Spirit realm as separate and distinct from physical realm. The spirit is good, while the physical is evil. They went so far as to deny the suffering of the Christ in his physical body as this was detesable to them.
The Bible clearly refutes gnostic claims in certain passages an themes, not the least of which is that Jesus lived in human flesh, and while here, both addressed physical needs and exhorted others to do the same.
So that was my aha! The Gospel is holistic. Serving the physical is a means of serving the should. They are one and the same. I'd be welcome to any comments, but does this sound right? That placing the proclaimed Gospel above the social Gospel leans toward gnosticism?
Anyway it has to do with criticism given to churches like Ecclesia, the one Chris leads, from those who think they focus too much on the "social gospel" and too little on "getting folks saved." Ah, the age old debate. Which is more important?
And the answer? Yes.
Both And! Jesus both healed the body, eg serving the poor, and the soul, eg directing the people toward a relationship with their heavenly father. So I've been all about this BOTH AND understanding for some time, however Chris's comments took it to a new level.
Basically he compared focusing on people's souls as more important than addressing felt needs to the recurring heresy of gnosticism. Essentially, gnostics view the Spirit realm as separate and distinct from physical realm. The spirit is good, while the physical is evil. They went so far as to deny the suffering of the Christ in his physical body as this was detesable to them.
The Bible clearly refutes gnostic claims in certain passages an themes, not the least of which is that Jesus lived in human flesh, and while here, both addressed physical needs and exhorted others to do the same.
So that was my aha! The Gospel is holistic. Serving the physical is a means of serving the should. They are one and the same. I'd be welcome to any comments, but does this sound right? That placing the proclaimed Gospel above the social Gospel leans toward gnosticism?
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Catalyst 11: Mark Batterson
I really dig this guy. He speaks with such a laid back and unassuming style that belies the fact that he is clearly a highly effective and task oriented leader of a church doing incredible things at the seat of world power. Nation Hills Church now has various locations but its largest gathering is in the movie theaters of Union Station just adjacent to capital hill.
Influence the influencers. This has become one of the main missions of this church. I believe he said 70% of attenders are young singles who work on the hill...imagine the potential for strategic influence! So how did he get to DC? Mark graduated seminary from Trinity in Chicago and felt a call to the area. Incredible! Like the typical story they started small, were good stewards, and now have a thriving and multiplying congregation.
Coffee. Maybe I'll just have to get in to it! NCC runs a shop next to the hill that is the largest and most critically acclaimed in the District. I love seeing churches thinking outside the traditional means of engaging culture. Is there a decaf way to do this?
Work Ethic. So I mentioned how he seems laid back and comfortable with his schedule...here are some of the practices and mantras in the DNA of NCC...
Mark reads a lot, in fact, at the time of this interview he was reading 7 different books, one of them being a Seth Godin. He's a marketing guy who to my knowledge is not a Christian, however, he has spoken at Catalyst. I'm totally new to the idea of keeping up with marketplace publications but all the next generation leaders who are making an impact seem to read all of this stuff. Mark also said the two magazines he couldn't live without are Fast Company and Relevant. I've gotta get Relevant. I'm realizing that these guys are all totally up on their culture and they are leveraging it well. Like Paul in Acts 17? Perhaps. Either way, this is all spurring me on toward using my time intentionally to strategically work for the Kingdom.
I'll sign off with the mission on his blog, evotional.com:
WARNING: May Cause Excessive Creativity, Enlarged Dreams and an Increased Appetite For God
Influence the influencers. This has become one of the main missions of this church. I believe he said 70% of attenders are young singles who work on the hill...imagine the potential for strategic influence! So how did he get to DC? Mark graduated seminary from Trinity in Chicago and felt a call to the area. Incredible! Like the typical story they started small, were good stewards, and now have a thriving and multiplying congregation.
Coffee. Maybe I'll just have to get in to it! NCC runs a shop next to the hill that is the largest and most critically acclaimed in the District. I love seeing churches thinking outside the traditional means of engaging culture. Is there a decaf way to do this?
Work Ethic. So I mentioned how he seems laid back and comfortable with his schedule...here are some of the practices and mantras in the DNA of NCC...
- Control your calendar or it will control you.
- You can't be all things to all people but you gotta do this for your family
- Only hire those we can laugh with in interviews
- Pray and Play. (this is what they call certain staff meetings...guess what they do?)
- Teaching Church (like teaching hospitals; intentionally disciples the next leaders)
Mark reads a lot, in fact, at the time of this interview he was reading 7 different books, one of them being a Seth Godin. He's a marketing guy who to my knowledge is not a Christian, however, he has spoken at Catalyst. I'm totally new to the idea of keeping up with marketplace publications but all the next generation leaders who are making an impact seem to read all of this stuff. Mark also said the two magazines he couldn't live without are Fast Company and Relevant. I've gotta get Relevant. I'm realizing that these guys are all totally up on their culture and they are leveraging it well. Like Paul in Acts 17? Perhaps. Either way, this is all spurring me on toward using my time intentionally to strategically work for the Kingdom.
I'll sign off with the mission on his blog, evotional.com:
WARNING: May Cause Excessive Creativity, Enlarged Dreams and an Increased Appetite For God
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Catalyst 10: Chris Seay
From 9/12/06
Great quote: "You can't love from a distance." Chris, who planted United Baptist Church at Baylor with David Crowder, recently moved back to Houston to plant Ecclesia church in downtown's Montrose district. This neighborhood is in fact the second largest gay community in the nation after San Francisco. It's amazing to see them going where many churches wouldn't, and doing so with such grace and creativity.
Community Center. Ecclesia intentionally wants to be known as a center where the community can gather 7 days a week, not just a building that host "church" services. They are doing some really neat stuff: hosting poetry nights and art shows; facilitating an organic food co-op; running a "literature" store and free-trade coffee shop. This truly seems to be a church that would be missed if atit shut its doors.
Lifeguards. Chris was a lifeguard once upon a time and he draws on this imagery to describe his work as a pastor. Specifically he referenced the fact that as a lifeguard, he can't obliviously spend a day at the beach or a public pool. He's always aware of possible dangers or threatening situations that other may not see. In the same way, the church should be spiritually discerning what dangers may be lurking in the waters. It should be our love of people that drives us the advise, protect, and sometimes save from these threats.
Bringing the conversation around to Jesus. Chris mentioned that a lot of different folks show up at the church asking a lot of different questions. Often people come looking for a political, economic, or minor theological argument. Chris said it's the goal of the church to bring it all back to Jesus. I love how he says, "We're a church that believes in redemption." I agree. There is so much power in the story of those overcoming incredible brokenness by the grace of God. This is the starting point. Once we lay down the foundation of a community defined by broken saints, redeemed by grace, we can better have the other conversations.
Great quote: "You can't love from a distance." Chris, who planted United Baptist Church at Baylor with David Crowder, recently moved back to Houston to plant Ecclesia church in downtown's Montrose district. This neighborhood is in fact the second largest gay community in the nation after San Francisco. It's amazing to see them going where many churches wouldn't, and doing so with such grace and creativity.
Community Center. Ecclesia intentionally wants to be known as a center where the community can gather 7 days a week, not just a building that host "church" services. They are doing some really neat stuff: hosting poetry nights and art shows; facilitating an organic food co-op; running a "literature" store and free-trade coffee shop. This truly seems to be a church that would be missed if atit shut its doors.
Lifeguards. Chris was a lifeguard once upon a time and he draws on this imagery to describe his work as a pastor. Specifically he referenced the fact that as a lifeguard, he can't obliviously spend a day at the beach or a public pool. He's always aware of possible dangers or threatening situations that other may not see. In the same way, the church should be spiritually discerning what dangers may be lurking in the waters. It should be our love of people that drives us the advise, protect, and sometimes save from these threats.
Bringing the conversation around to Jesus. Chris mentioned that a lot of different folks show up at the church asking a lot of different questions. Often people come looking for a political, economic, or minor theological argument. Chris said it's the goal of the church to bring it all back to Jesus. I love how he says, "We're a church that believes in redemption." I agree. There is so much power in the story of those overcoming incredible brokenness by the grace of God. This is the starting point. Once we lay down the foundation of a community defined by broken saints, redeemed by grace, we can better have the other conversations.
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Putting Lipstick on a Pig
Recently at the grocery store: "Hey hunny - let's get this the new Moose Tracks frozen yogurt...after all it's yogurt; it's good for you." When you look at the nutritional info the yogurt is still packed with sugar and fat...just not as much as the Paula Deen-two-sticks-of-butter-extra-chocolate-heavy-cream-and-probably-two-pieces-of-bacon-for-good-measure version. So is it Good for you? Or less bad. You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig!
The other day I listened to an old Catalyst podcast with a "creation care" theme. It was encouraging to hear honest dialogue within the church critically considering how to engage this important issue. It hurts that often Christians have an image of being ignorant about what it means to care for God's green earth. While overall the conversation was positive, certain moments betrayed some of the naivete that the church still holds.
One of the creative designers at Catalyst had recently bought a Toyota Prius, giving the hosts a perfect opportunity to interview a Christian intentionally making a environmentally impactful decision. During the spot, the host quipped about checking out 12 mile per gallon Tahoes that weekend while the creative designer was "saving the environment" in his 60 mpg Prius.
And that's where I had to laugh. I hate to say it, but driving a Prius is not saving the environment, or as they later said, it is not "good" for the environment. Here's what I mean: If you smoke 4 packs a day we might say this is bad for your lungs. Now lets say you drop to one pack. Is this "good" for your body? Maybe it's relatively good, but really, it's "less bad" for you.
Driving a Prius is not "good" for the environment, it's only "less bad" than a Tahoe. Or maybe a nicer way to put it is, " a Prius is more environmentally responsible." A Prius still burns fossil fuels; it still requires steel and aluminum that is mined somewhere causing deforestation and toxic run-off; it still uses plastics derived from fossil fuels. Really, the only "good" option is walking or riding a bike.
Now before we go on a big guilt trip, I'm not saying we shouldn't drive cars (or that we shouldn't eat ice cream for that matter)! The point of all of this is to be honest with ourselves and with those we dialogue with. In this way we as Christians can take a big step toward shedding a layer of ignorance that, fairly or unfairly has been applied to us. It's all about presenting ourselves as honest thinkers who are able to critically engage in the most important issues facing our world and humanity. And it starts with little things like ice cream...
Our language not only helps us gain respect with outsiders, it benefits our daily lives. By using "good for us" language in situations where "less bad" really applies we hurt ourselves. If we are in less unhealthy relationships this is not "good", this is "less bad." If we watch less porn this is by no means "good", but "less bad". If we gossip less...we get the idea. And don't get me wrong, progress is to be celebrated in these areas and should be rightly seen as "relatively good compared to where we've been." We can rest in the grace of God as we reach these milestones but in the end, settling for "less bad" is not settling for "the best." Who wouldn't want the best? Let's not let our language trick us from reaching it...
So how about it? Have you experienced the "lipstick on a pig" phenomena? What pigs are you dressing up in your life?
The other day I listened to an old Catalyst podcast with a "creation care" theme. It was encouraging to hear honest dialogue within the church critically considering how to engage this important issue. It hurts that often Christians have an image of being ignorant about what it means to care for God's green earth. While overall the conversation was positive, certain moments betrayed some of the naivete that the church still holds.
One of the creative designers at Catalyst had recently bought a Toyota Prius, giving the hosts a perfect opportunity to interview a Christian intentionally making a environmentally impactful decision. During the spot, the host quipped about checking out 12 mile per gallon Tahoes that weekend while the creative designer was "saving the environment" in his 60 mpg Prius.
And that's where I had to laugh. I hate to say it, but driving a Prius is not saving the environment, or as they later said, it is not "good" for the environment. Here's what I mean: If you smoke 4 packs a day we might say this is bad for your lungs. Now lets say you drop to one pack. Is this "good" for your body? Maybe it's relatively good, but really, it's "less bad" for you.
Driving a Prius is not "good" for the environment, it's only "less bad" than a Tahoe. Or maybe a nicer way to put it is, " a Prius is more environmentally responsible." A Prius still burns fossil fuels; it still requires steel and aluminum that is mined somewhere causing deforestation and toxic run-off; it still uses plastics derived from fossil fuels. Really, the only "good" option is walking or riding a bike.
Now before we go on a big guilt trip, I'm not saying we shouldn't drive cars (or that we shouldn't eat ice cream for that matter)! The point of all of this is to be honest with ourselves and with those we dialogue with. In this way we as Christians can take a big step toward shedding a layer of ignorance that, fairly or unfairly has been applied to us. It's all about presenting ourselves as honest thinkers who are able to critically engage in the most important issues facing our world and humanity. And it starts with little things like ice cream...
Our language not only helps us gain respect with outsiders, it benefits our daily lives. By using "good for us" language in situations where "less bad" really applies we hurt ourselves. If we are in less unhealthy relationships this is not "good", this is "less bad." If we watch less porn this is by no means "good", but "less bad". If we gossip less...we get the idea. And don't get me wrong, progress is to be celebrated in these areas and should be rightly seen as "relatively good compared to where we've been." We can rest in the grace of God as we reach these milestones but in the end, settling for "less bad" is not settling for "the best." Who wouldn't want the best? Let's not let our language trick us from reaching it...
So how about it? Have you experienced the "lipstick on a pig" phenomena? What pigs are you dressing up in your life?
Monday, July 26, 2010
Catalyst 9: Louie Giglio
From 8/9/06
How appropriately named is Giglio's ministry Passion? I mean, dang, this guy bleeds it - in a totally humble, get you psyched up at the same time, authentic way! What I take from hearing him is that the Kingdom is moving; why not make yourself available to it? He likens our lives to a sail, and where the wind blows (John 3:8) so we should be taken. He speaks about needing a heart in ministry; that without it we won't make it. How true!? David's heart is so evident in the Psalm's; Jesus' in His prayers; Paul's in his letters. It's interesting, I had actually thought recently how, as much as I love Andy Stanley's preaching, I don't feel like I really get to see his passions. Maybe that's part of the plan at North Point, that being overly passionate keeps the message from being as widely accessible as possible. I gotta tell you though, Giglio's passion is contagious! I feel bottled up almost. LORD, I want to be available but I feel like I'm in a waiting game. Forgive of this because real life is going on now, not just when we get to Atlanta. Thank you for this message - grant us vision and the perseverance to pursue it.
Bonus: There was a new leader profile on a staff member with Dave Ramsey's radio show. The show is run by Christians but it airs primarily, and intentionally, on mainstream radio. When asked how they have gone about getting access to the biggest stations around the nation the staff member was quick to say one word; Excellence. He lamented that for too long, the adjective "Christian" in front of an industry name has been synonymous with "sub-par", "mediocre" and "second-rate." At the Ramsey show they work diligently to produce an excellent product.
I agree with with this and have experienced it with Young Life at their camps. Now, there can be a fine line between being excessive and being excellent and so we must stay humble and centered in prayer and accountability to find it. But God wants our best and indeed we are commended to work at all things as if working for him. This is our full witness, not just our words, but our very lives as well...
How appropriately named is Giglio's ministry Passion? I mean, dang, this guy bleeds it - in a totally humble, get you psyched up at the same time, authentic way! What I take from hearing him is that the Kingdom is moving; why not make yourself available to it? He likens our lives to a sail, and where the wind blows (John 3:8) so we should be taken. He speaks about needing a heart in ministry; that without it we won't make it. How true!? David's heart is so evident in the Psalm's; Jesus' in His prayers; Paul's in his letters. It's interesting, I had actually thought recently how, as much as I love Andy Stanley's preaching, I don't feel like I really get to see his passions. Maybe that's part of the plan at North Point, that being overly passionate keeps the message from being as widely accessible as possible. I gotta tell you though, Giglio's passion is contagious! I feel bottled up almost. LORD, I want to be available but I feel like I'm in a waiting game. Forgive of this because real life is going on now, not just when we get to Atlanta. Thank you for this message - grant us vision and the perseverance to pursue it.
Bonus: There was a new leader profile on a staff member with Dave Ramsey's radio show. The show is run by Christians but it airs primarily, and intentionally, on mainstream radio. When asked how they have gone about getting access to the biggest stations around the nation the staff member was quick to say one word; Excellence. He lamented that for too long, the adjective "Christian" in front of an industry name has been synonymous with "sub-par", "mediocre" and "second-rate." At the Ramsey show they work diligently to produce an excellent product.
I agree with with this and have experienced it with Young Life at their camps. Now, there can be a fine line between being excessive and being excellent and so we must stay humble and centered in prayer and accountability to find it. But God wants our best and indeed we are commended to work at all things as if working for him. This is our full witness, not just our words, but our very lives as well...
Catalyst 8: Mike Foster
7/25/06
Mike Foster is co founder, with Craig Gross, of xxxChurch. This courageous ministry seeks to compassionately and honestly confront our culture's struggle with pornography. Their ministry is twofold. One the one hand they minister to men, women, pastors, leaders, couples, teens, etc who struggle with porn addiction. They offer several support systems, including blogs, videos, and software to help those broken by this addiction find freedom. Their free software, xWatch, is an accountability tool that sends an update of all the websites you've visited to two other partners. It is not a filter, but rather a history tracker and reporter. Many Christian organizations use this tool and highly recommend it, including the guys at Catalyst.
On the other hand, xxxChurch ministers to the porn industry. In fact, you may be surprised to know that they not only set up booths at porn conventions, but they have been invited back year after year by the organizers to do so! They have even printed Bibles with "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" printed on the cover. They have heard incredible stories and witnessed lives changed as many have left the industry and found faith.
It's amazing to see the different visions God gives to those advancing his Kingdom. What a challenge it must be to do such work, tough on the soul and tough on marriages. It was awesome to hear Mike talk about his wife being just as on board as he is with all this, and that if she wasn't behind it, he wouldn't be doing it. They face criticism but I agree with them when they say that if Jesus were walking around today he would be where these people are, loving them. And so it follows that if we are Jesus walking around today, then the church should be there.
Mike Foster is co founder, with Craig Gross, of xxxChurch. This courageous ministry seeks to compassionately and honestly confront our culture's struggle with pornography. Their ministry is twofold. One the one hand they minister to men, women, pastors, leaders, couples, teens, etc who struggle with porn addiction. They offer several support systems, including blogs, videos, and software to help those broken by this addiction find freedom. Their free software, xWatch, is an accountability tool that sends an update of all the websites you've visited to two other partners. It is not a filter, but rather a history tracker and reporter. Many Christian organizations use this tool and highly recommend it, including the guys at Catalyst.
On the other hand, xxxChurch ministers to the porn industry. In fact, you may be surprised to know that they not only set up booths at porn conventions, but they have been invited back year after year by the organizers to do so! They have even printed Bibles with "Jesus Loves Porn Stars" printed on the cover. They have heard incredible stories and witnessed lives changed as many have left the industry and found faith.
It's amazing to see the different visions God gives to those advancing his Kingdom. What a challenge it must be to do such work, tough on the soul and tough on marriages. It was awesome to hear Mike talk about his wife being just as on board as he is with all this, and that if she wasn't behind it, he wouldn't be doing it. They face criticism but I agree with them when they say that if Jesus were walking around today he would be where these people are, loving them. And so it follows that if we are Jesus walking around today, then the church should be there.
Catalyst 7: Rob Bell part 2
From 7/10/06
Bell talked at length about his church, Mars Hill, in this episode. Two stories stood out the most to me. First, that nearly 1,000 members of the church have begun attending an annual AIDS walk event in the Grand Rapids area, making it the largest of its kind in Michigan. How cool for the church to be known for that? Especially when compared to a time when AIDS instantly was paired with the homosexual community...and the church in turn paired with unwelcoming said community. What are we known for?
Along the same theme, he also told of a group of families from the church who intentionally moved into a low income area of Grand Rapids. As white families, they enjoyed acute minority status! These families did things to bring the Kingdom to this neighborhood including running after school tutoring programs and community art shows.
These stories stir a deep place in my heart that I somehow often neglect. I hear of these things and read books such as The Irresistible Revolution or Who Is My Neighbor - or I take part in the outreach events that our homegroup is a part of or am able to help a stranger - and I am reminded that i want to be living this way. But honestly I feel my participation is more the exception than the rule at present. What is it? It'd be easy to blame having a child, or being in school etc. But life's not going to get any easier! If I'm going to preach this, we need to be involved. Further, to loosely quote Claiborne from Revolution, "When I was involved in compassion ministry, feeding the poor, loving the lonely, caring for the downtrodden, scripture jumped off the pages and become alive." Bell says something similar in his "Dust of the Rabbi" talk. I want to be living this stuff and one of my passions is to promote Biblical literacy. It seems to authentically teach the living word, I would authentically live it!
LORD, we're open...guide us we pray
Bell talked at length about his church, Mars Hill, in this episode. Two stories stood out the most to me. First, that nearly 1,000 members of the church have begun attending an annual AIDS walk event in the Grand Rapids area, making it the largest of its kind in Michigan. How cool for the church to be known for that? Especially when compared to a time when AIDS instantly was paired with the homosexual community...and the church in turn paired with unwelcoming said community. What are we known for?
Along the same theme, he also told of a group of families from the church who intentionally moved into a low income area of Grand Rapids. As white families, they enjoyed acute minority status! These families did things to bring the Kingdom to this neighborhood including running after school tutoring programs and community art shows.
These stories stir a deep place in my heart that I somehow often neglect. I hear of these things and read books such as The Irresistible Revolution or Who Is My Neighbor - or I take part in the outreach events that our homegroup is a part of or am able to help a stranger - and I am reminded that i want to be living this way. But honestly I feel my participation is more the exception than the rule at present. What is it? It'd be easy to blame having a child, or being in school etc. But life's not going to get any easier! If I'm going to preach this, we need to be involved. Further, to loosely quote Claiborne from Revolution, "When I was involved in compassion ministry, feeding the poor, loving the lonely, caring for the downtrodden, scripture jumped off the pages and become alive." Bell says something similar in his "Dust of the Rabbi" talk. I want to be living this stuff and one of my passions is to promote Biblical literacy. It seems to authentically teach the living word, I would authentically live it!
LORD, we're open...guide us we pray
Friday, July 23, 2010
Catalyst 6: Rob Bell part 1
From 6/2//06
Wow - this was an incredibly rich interview...and it was only part 1! Looking forward to part 2...
Sabbath. Rob Bell, like Eugene Peterson, is a big proponent of practicing Sabbath. It took him a while to get there though. Sabbath would be Saturday afternoon as he works all Sunday. At first he recalled being bored out of his mind come 4pm. Soon he realized it was because his body was so used to creating that to take a break meant a period of withdrawal. which brings up something he said that I loved: Sabbath is a day when we don't create. It's so obvious! God rested from creation on this day. And this is incredibly counter-cultural. We are constantly baited to consume products that help us get more done faster. We are told our value is from "creating". And so for us to break from "creating" is to tell the world, "I feel I am loved and valued for who I am, not by what I create." Powerful stuff...
Translation. Bell is lover of history so naturally I really engage with his teaching. He spoke at length about how a Messianic-Jewish friend helped reveal the world of the NT through the lens of the OT in elucidating fashion. Further, Bell pointed out that scripture is meant to be read in community. "The fact that we can read the Bible ourselves is a 500 year old luxury that has existed since the printing press." Again, this is obvious, but he reminds us that the majority of the "you"'s in scripture are plural. When Paul wrote his letters there was an expectation that the community was receiving it as a group and offering their own thoughts as they heard it.
This got me thinking about the possibility of having a bible study group that was more focused on simply reading and reacting. That is, reading through scripture together and letting that guide the time versus coming to the meeting with prepared questions. There seems to be place for both.
Pastoring. One of the biggest lessons Bell has learned is to say "no". The interviewer mentioned that some are saying that we're better known by what we say "no" to than by what we agree to. This certainly challenging but it's lesson I feel I am continually learning. On the Church in general he says "there is nothing more beautiful than the local church." Though the sermons at Mars Hill are podcast, they are specifically not filmed or broadcast so that there won't be those "telecommuting" to church. He said he would be grieved if his work ended other churches. It was interesting to hear him state a philosophy so clearly counter to North Point's. Not that NP want's to close churches down, or even that they have, but they intentionally broadcast to attendees who are not in the building.
I'll have to think about this more but one thought about the NP model is that their whole mission is to get people who don't go to church to go to church. That said, if that's who is watching, they are not taking from other churches. Also, this might be a way for folks who are afraid of church to check it out from a safe distance. On the other hand, I'm sure there are several out there who have substituted NP TV for being involved face to face with other believers.
Wow - this was an incredibly rich interview...and it was only part 1! Looking forward to part 2...
Sabbath. Rob Bell, like Eugene Peterson, is a big proponent of practicing Sabbath. It took him a while to get there though. Sabbath would be Saturday afternoon as he works all Sunday. At first he recalled being bored out of his mind come 4pm. Soon he realized it was because his body was so used to creating that to take a break meant a period of withdrawal. which brings up something he said that I loved: Sabbath is a day when we don't create. It's so obvious! God rested from creation on this day. And this is incredibly counter-cultural. We are constantly baited to consume products that help us get more done faster. We are told our value is from "creating". And so for us to break from "creating" is to tell the world, "I feel I am loved and valued for who I am, not by what I create." Powerful stuff...
Translation. Bell is lover of history so naturally I really engage with his teaching. He spoke at length about how a Messianic-Jewish friend helped reveal the world of the NT through the lens of the OT in elucidating fashion. Further, Bell pointed out that scripture is meant to be read in community. "The fact that we can read the Bible ourselves is a 500 year old luxury that has existed since the printing press." Again, this is obvious, but he reminds us that the majority of the "you"'s in scripture are plural. When Paul wrote his letters there was an expectation that the community was receiving it as a group and offering their own thoughts as they heard it.
This got me thinking about the possibility of having a bible study group that was more focused on simply reading and reacting. That is, reading through scripture together and letting that guide the time versus coming to the meeting with prepared questions. There seems to be place for both.
Pastoring. One of the biggest lessons Bell has learned is to say "no". The interviewer mentioned that some are saying that we're better known by what we say "no" to than by what we agree to. This certainly challenging but it's lesson I feel I am continually learning. On the Church in general he says "there is nothing more beautiful than the local church." Though the sermons at Mars Hill are podcast, they are specifically not filmed or broadcast so that there won't be those "telecommuting" to church. He said he would be grieved if his work ended other churches. It was interesting to hear him state a philosophy so clearly counter to North Point's. Not that NP want's to close churches down, or even that they have, but they intentionally broadcast to attendees who are not in the building.
I'll have to think about this more but one thought about the NP model is that their whole mission is to get people who don't go to church to go to church. That said, if that's who is watching, they are not taking from other churches. Also, this might be a way for folks who are afraid of church to check it out from a safe distance. On the other hand, I'm sure there are several out there who have substituted NP TV for being involved face to face with other believers.
Catalyst 5: Eugene Peterson / Chris Seay
From 6/13/06
From the guy who brought us the Message! Really humble man - first off, I had no idea that he's 73 and lives on a lake in Montana. He started by doing Galatians for his church, folks liked it, and eventually he was asked to do the whole NT. To his critics he say that every translation is just that, a translation. A literally literal translation would not have meaning (as I know from NT Greek!). Further, the NT was not written in a "high church" or "holy" language, but rather in the vernacular.
He's also a big proponent of practicing Sabbath and has done so for years with his family. Typically they hike, being in the mountains and all. I like his practice of hiking intentionally in silence until lunch, then discussing the musings of the soul on the way out.
From the guy who brought us the Message! Really humble man - first off, I had no idea that he's 73 and lives on a lake in Montana. He started by doing Galatians for his church, folks liked it, and eventually he was asked to do the whole NT. To his critics he say that every translation is just that, a translation. A literally literal translation would not have meaning (as I know from NT Greek!). Further, the NT was not written in a "high church" or "holy" language, but rather in the vernacular.
He's also a big proponent of practicing Sabbath and has done so for years with his family. Typically they hike, being in the mountains and all. I like his practice of hiking intentionally in silence until lunch, then discussing the musings of the soul on the way out.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Catalyst
As an explanation, I've recently found an incredible podcast that features amazing leadership profiles as well segments on ministries doing really cool things in culturally engaging yet biblically centered ways. The podcast is an offshoot of the Catalyst conference associated with North Point and InJoy ministries that takes place each fall in Atlanta. All 101 podcasts are available through itunes, dating back to '06 when it began. It is my intention to give a brief response to each one as I listen. Too often I stuff my head with knowledge...it doesn't become understanding however until it is processed. So I guess blogging is my "catalyst" to understanding.
peace,
dave
peace,
dave
Catalyst 4: Tim Sanders
From 6/4/06
The four elements of "likeability": It seems you can fake the first 3, but being genuine is the glue that holds it together. Without being real, especially in a post-modern era, we will not earn the right to be heard.
Interesting that Tim says this. Especially interesting is his claim that the major world faiths, which he has studied, are based around this tenet. I rather like Piper's take on our mission. First, we are to enjoy God, through worship. Second, we partake in mission so that everyone else might also enjoy God through worship. And by worship I don't mean singing, but rather an entire life transformed by the Spirit of God (Rom 12:1-2). Now, this transformation results in our restoration to God, which indeed results in reduced suffering. Yes, Jesus clearly calls us to care for the destitute, ie, relieve their suffering, but the purpose is forward facing, not backward. The overarching purpose is to restore humanity to relationship with their creator. As Christians we often work toward this purpose through actively combating suffering. But if the body is saved, but the mind and the soul are still in bondage, what is gained?
And so I argue that our ultimate mission is rather to bring shalom with God. Shalom is often translated as "peace". this is mis-leading as we often think of peace as the absence of conflict. Shalom on the other hand is not an absence, but a fullness. Really, conflict would be the absence of shalom. The subtle difference is important. Our mission is not so much away from suffering as it is toward restoring shalom with the Creator.
The four elements of "likeability": It seems you can fake the first 3, but being genuine is the glue that holds it together. Without being real, especially in a post-modern era, we will not earn the right to be heard.
- Friendliness
- Relevance: ie sharing common interests
- Empathy
- Genuineness
Interesting that Tim says this. Especially interesting is his claim that the major world faiths, which he has studied, are based around this tenet. I rather like Piper's take on our mission. First, we are to enjoy God, through worship. Second, we partake in mission so that everyone else might also enjoy God through worship. And by worship I don't mean singing, but rather an entire life transformed by the Spirit of God (Rom 12:1-2). Now, this transformation results in our restoration to God, which indeed results in reduced suffering. Yes, Jesus clearly calls us to care for the destitute, ie, relieve their suffering, but the purpose is forward facing, not backward. The overarching purpose is to restore humanity to relationship with their creator. As Christians we often work toward this purpose through actively combating suffering. But if the body is saved, but the mind and the soul are still in bondage, what is gained?
And so I argue that our ultimate mission is rather to bring shalom with God. Shalom is often translated as "peace". this is mis-leading as we often think of peace as the absence of conflict. Shalom on the other hand is not an absence, but a fullness. Really, conflict would be the absence of shalom. The subtle difference is important. Our mission is not so much away from suffering as it is toward restoring shalom with the Creator.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Catalyst 3: Donald Miller
From 5/9/06
So I still haven't read any of his stuff but he's on the list of must reads once the MDiv is done.
The takeaways from his interview:
1) He Loves the Church. He spoke at length specifically about his church, imago in Portland. As I've been checking out North Point a lot these days it was interesting to get a glimpse of a church going about things totally differently but clearly effectively. Besides size, the whole philosophy of staff/congregant relationship is completely different. Where at NP the staff seems to be the brains and the engine behind everything, at Imago it seems to be the people. According to Miller, the staff exists to help the congregation carry out their visions. From what I can tell, NP is driven by the staff and the church jumps on board. As I said, both work - it's nice to see different takes.
2) A passion for big issues. A question was asked about what are the biggest challenges facing the church. 2 Things - the Homosexual question; and the Africa Humanitarian question. Basically he sees a church with half their theology right. On homosexual issue, many leaders are technically "right" but they lack love. On the humanitarian issue, we care in word but often not in deed. We need to put our resources where our mouth is. And he admits that many churches are doing this very well - he just has a vision that the church could do so much more. What if the church was known for solving the AIDS and water crises, and not for hating gays?
3) He has no internet at the house! At least at the time of this podcast he didn't. And why not? Because there were no internet filters for Mac at the time. Wow! Not only does Miller have great integrity, he has some guts and humility to come out and say they this in public. I am very challenged and encouraged by openness.
So I still haven't read any of his stuff but he's on the list of must reads once the MDiv is done.
The takeaways from his interview:
1) He Loves the Church. He spoke at length specifically about his church, imago in Portland. As I've been checking out North Point a lot these days it was interesting to get a glimpse of a church going about things totally differently but clearly effectively. Besides size, the whole philosophy of staff/congregant relationship is completely different. Where at NP the staff seems to be the brains and the engine behind everything, at Imago it seems to be the people. According to Miller, the staff exists to help the congregation carry out their visions. From what I can tell, NP is driven by the staff and the church jumps on board. As I said, both work - it's nice to see different takes.
2) A passion for big issues. A question was asked about what are the biggest challenges facing the church. 2 Things - the Homosexual question; and the Africa Humanitarian question. Basically he sees a church with half their theology right. On homosexual issue, many leaders are technically "right" but they lack love. On the humanitarian issue, we care in word but often not in deed. We need to put our resources where our mouth is. And he admits that many churches are doing this very well - he just has a vision that the church could do so much more. What if the church was known for solving the AIDS and water crises, and not for hating gays?
3) He has no internet at the house! At least at the time of this podcast he didn't. And why not? Because there were no internet filters for Mac at the time. Wow! Not only does Miller have great integrity, he has some guts and humility to come out and say they this in public. I am very challenged and encouraged by openness.
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