I’ve just finished reading through Doug’s latest book, A Christianity Worth Believing.
Disclaimer: Doug is one of my heroes. Not for theological reasons, but for his prowess in cultural understanding. He knows his audience because he values his story.
This book is simply amazing. Through his own story Doug walks you through a process of deconstruction of the methods and practices that have invaded the church. He forces you to rethink and question why you do what you do. It’s honest and revealing.
It’s also applicable to ministry to children and families. Doug came from a completely unchurched background before his conversion, which took place later in his teen years. He shows you how some of your traditions and methods are a hinderance to kids and families from backgrounds like his. He forces you to step back and evaluate how you minister to kids and if your methods are purposeful and strategic.
Honestly, I found that I was doing my kids a disservice in many ways after reading this book. The postmodern culture communicates through a storying process. They see themselves as part of a metanarrative. I realized that my methods weren’t involving kids to participate in sharing their story and because of this they aren’t able to make the needed connection points to the Christian journey.
I would highly encourage you to get this book. It’s a transparent and refreshing word on the opportunities that face the church.
A Christianity Worth Believing: Doug Pagitt July 27, 2008
Battle of The Office(s) July 27, 2008
The eternal questions:
When it rains, why don’t sheep shrink?
If you’re driving at the speed of light and turn your headlights on, what happens?
When French people swear, do they say, “pardon my English?”
Why is the word abbreviation so long?
Which Office is better? BBC or NBC?
I am a HUGE, HUGE fan of The Office. I started watching the first season of the NBC Office in the first season during the Christmas Party episode. Classic stuff.
During the summer I borrowed the complete set of the original BBC version of The Office. It’s much different, but brilliant.
So, I’ve been wrestling with the 8th Wonder of the World; which one is the best?
So, here’s how I broke it down.
Ricky Gervais as David Brent VS. Steve Carell as Michael Scott
Winner: Ricky Gervais. Hands-down one of the most brilliant comedians/writers alive. His role as David Brent is the definition of comedic genius. I love Carell, but it would unfair to pit anyone against Gervais in this role.
Martin Freeman as Tim Canterbury VS. John Krasinski as Jim Halpert
Winner: Martin Freeman. Again, not a fair comparison. You know the camera stare that Jim does? He stole that from Martin. Tim Canterbury is an epic character. He originated the role and unfortunately John is just an imitation of Martin.
Lucy Davis as Dawn Tinsley VS. Jenna Fischer as Pam Beesly
Winner: Jenna Fischer. The NBC’s first win! I find Jenna’s character to be much more clever and a bit more endearing. I don’t think they really did all they could do to develop Dawn’s character throughout the series. Pam’s character has been consistent and plays a much bigger role in the series, in my opinion.
To be continued…
Children’s Ministry and Missional Context July 18, 2008
Children’s Ministries should be about forming people who love God and follow Jesus. One way to keep this and coming generations outwardly focused is to provide a missional context in the church and, more specifically, in those programs and opportunities directed toward children. Faith communities desiring to form children who participate in God’s kingdom work will be faith communities who care more about works of peace and justice, who care more about “doing what people who follow Jesus do” than about attracting large numbers through glitzy programs and providing a “holy huddle” for those who are on the inside. When children see an ethos of mission modeled for them by parents, church leaders, and other significant adults they can be transformed to live in the way of Jesus as they begin to understand their responsibilities to the world and other people God created in the holy image.
~ Ivy Beckwith
I read this quote when reading through Ivy’s book Postmodern Children’s Ministry. It’s intriguing on so many levels.
First, it deals with what I have been teaching our leaders and parents about recently. Faith transference will ONLY happen through modeling. We must model a Christlike attitude and Christlike actions for children in order for them to live missionally and for their faith to carry on. If kids don’t see it in their parents, they’re generally not going to follow.
Second, Ivy urges participation in a “faith community” rather than just big “glitzy” events. That’s a huge trap for today’s church. Too often we focus our time and efforts on big events and/or programs not realizing that this is not going to encourage faith habits and life transformation in kids and families. Children need to understand at a young age what a community of believers really is (and isn’t). It’s all about “doing life” together with others going through your same life stage. This is the definition of a healthy church and a spiritually healthy child. It also gets kids and adults away from becoming closed-off or stuck in what Ivy labels a “holy-huddle.”
So often we get focused only on our responsibilities in our church. We never look outward and notice the needs of those around us. Missionally minded kids will see the needs of those within their faith community, but in the same manner, they will notice and get involved in resolving the needs of others around them.
A Refreshing Experience! July 7, 2008
For those who attended The Austin Stone Community Church yesterday, “refreshed” was probably not the word they used to describe themselves when leaving. It was a very intense experience for all. However, it moved me deeply.
I treasure the chance to attend a church and just be a participant and not a church staff member. So, I donned my flip flops, blue jeans, and t-shirt and headed to the coolest church in Austin… The Stone (as it’s known to its parters).
First, the Stone probably has the most amazingly gifted worship band in Central Texas. They are talented musicians, for sure, but they excel the most in the act of leading in worship. They bring you into an intimate experience of awe before God. It was beautiful.
Matt Carter is an amazing dude. He is a rare breed of “preacher” who is relevant in a mecca of postmodernity, such as Austin, but holds to a strong conviction to speak and teach the Word. I’m not sure if you can find a more relevant and reaching church in America that teaches in an expository manner.
Matt is moving through 1 Corinthians in his current series and was in chapter 6 yesterday. He spoke on verses 15 through 19, which deal directly with sexual immorality. I won’t go into the details of his message because EVERYONE needs to hear it… and you can listen to it HERE!
Matt approached this subject and exposed these verses in a manner that I have never heard before, but was completely honest to the message of the text.
It was a refreshing experience in so many ways. It was great to be a participant in worship. It was amazing to see an authentic community unfold in a tangible way. It gave me hope for what the church could and should be.
Repotting Yourself July 1, 2008
Probably a pretty confusing title, huh?
So, about a year ago I bought a hibiscus plant per my mom’s advice. My parents have a really huge and beautiful hibiscus by their pool. It’s massive and has these awesome orange blooms.
I noticed about a month ago that mine looked like it was dying. The weird thing is that I water it almost every day and spray the leaves with mist, etc. I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t growing and why it almost died. So, thinking through this obvious crisis, I realized that the pot had probably become too small for the roots and so I headed over to Wal-Mart to buy a new pot and soil.
Three days later… the plant is growing insanely. There are new leaves sprouting all over it and you can actually see where the branches have grown. It’s pretty cool because I’m horrible with all things involving green thumbery.
I was bragging (in a very manly way, of course!) to someone about my agricultural success. I must say, I’m holding my head a bit higher these days. However, something occurred to me. There is an obvious parallel in the life of a believer.
Sometimes believers (aka Christians) get caught in a “slump” or “rut” in their walk with God. They can’t figure out why they don’t have the same joy or why they aren’t growing at the same pace they once did. They are spending the same amount of time in personal study, attending church services, even volunteering in their children’s ministry (hint hint). But, they just don’t “feel it” anymore.
Let me suggest that they need to repot themselves. Change is good and is a part of growth. Routine, in my opinion, is limiting and deadly. They need to put themselves in a new “culture” within or outside of the church. A change of routine or schedule forces you to rethink and rework your entire day. Maybe join a new small group that you would have never considered. Force yourself to go to a different Starbucks in the morning… or maybe not go at all! Surround yourself with new believers who might provide a new perspective on life and the Christian walk.
Looking at the life and missionary journeys of Paul, you can see that he was all about change in culture and environment. His passion for God stayed fresh because he never fell into the rut of routine. He was constantly exploring new methods to present the Gospel and contextualize the message. His life is an example for the “stuck” believer.
This is, in a sense, “repotting” yourself. Give it a try if you feel stuck!
Doug Pagitt Does it Again! June 26, 2008
Buy this book. Amazing! Stunning! Profound! Life-Changing!
A Christianity Worth Believing offers an engaging, ‘come-with-me-on-a-journey-of-exploring-the-possibilities’ approach to what it means to be a follower of Jesus in our day. Written by Doug Pagitt—a leading voice in the Emergent conversation—this beautifully written book weaves together theological reflections, Christian history, and his own story of faith transformation.
Pagitt invites readers to follow him as he tells the story of his un-churched childhood, his life-altering conversion at age 16, his intense involvement in the church, and his growing sense of unease with the version of Christianity he was living. On page after page, Pagitt lays out his journey toward an authentic, passionate expression of a faith that feels alive, sustainable, and meaningful.
A Christianity Worth Believing is for the growing numbers of people who have serious and thoughtful questions about Christianity, who have lived for years with deep-seated wondering and doubts about their faith. Pagitt points the way to a new kind of faith by asking the “off-limits” questions about God, Jesus, sin, the Bible, humanity, church, and the Kingdom of God. Rather than rehashing old debates, he offers new insights, provocative possibilities, and hopeful alternatives.
In A Christianity Worth Believing you may well discover questions you didn’t think you could ask, ideas you didn’t think you could pursue, beliefs you didn’t think you could hold onto. Ultimately you will discover a Christianity worth believing.
Here’s Doug promoting the book. Take a look…
When God Makes Things CLEAR! June 12, 2008
Have you ever come out of a relationship knowing things weren’t a good fit and that you were trying to make something work that isn’t/wasn’t supposed to? That’s an amazing experience!
My personality lends itself to this. I am extremely OCD and get “focused” as my family and wife constantly remind me.
I just experienced this type of relationship come to an end… a very good and natural end. It was nothing bad or negative, it was just something that I knew didn’t need to happen, but was focused on trying to make it work because it seemed like the right thing a few months ago. Throw in a few new elements and things can quickly change.
It’s really amazing how God works. He can take you through seemingly similar experiences (more than once) and they can have diametrically different outcomes each time.
But… this is how He seems to work in my life. He lets me “focus” on something, thinking it’s going to turn out a certain way, only to throw my a curve ball and have the outcome look totally different. The amazing thing is that each time you see why He protected you from your “obsessions” and was in complete control all along.
However, I’m lucky to have my wife and family in my life who are there to help guide me and are stable forces in my life through all of my OCD moments. Without them, I’d be a mess!
Does that make any sense? Doubt it…
New SBC President June 11, 2008
Johnny Hunt quote from the 2007 SBC Pastor’s Conference:
By the way, aren’t you grateful, that there’s hope? Listen to me carefully, its important we understand this convention. There’s hope for everyone in Jesus. Everyone. Everyone. Not a select group. Everyone.
Someone says, ‘Pastor you believe that you’re the elect?’ I sure am. Everybody that gets in is the elect; and he’s elected all of us. I believe everyone can be saved. Anyone can come to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
Someone said, “I don’t think you ought to preach like that.” Well, I just hope no one gets saved that’s not supposed to.
I’m serious. We better get away from that and get back to the book and invite everyone to come to Christ! Just preach it! Invite everybody! Tell everyone!
Here are some links to some commentaries on Hunt’s statements:
The Extreme Worship Arts! June 5, 2008
I’m reading through Simple Church again. In one chapter they are talking about having a vision for your personal life, as well as for your church/ministry.
One of the contributing writers talks about the time that he posted a phony job listing on a church staffing website. Unbelievably, he had many responses. Here is the exact posting that was made:
———————————————————————————
Pastor of Extreme Worship ArtsMiami, FL
Denomination: Unknown
Worship Style: PostModern / Gen-X
Church Size: 1001 to 1500
Job Status: Full Time
Job Description:
Main Event Church is seeking an exceptional leader to be our Pastor of Extreme Worship Arts. We believe the right person will be a unique fit for for such a time as this. This person serve under the Senior Pastor, and will oversee all areas of worship. Candidates must embrace the Senior Pastor’s vision of aligning all people of all denominations under the same vision. The person must also meet these requirements: Ability to infuse the TULIP doctrine in all worship sets. Postmodern, Visionary, Missional leader capable of creating an ethos and apostolitic movement.
Willing to find some songs written from a premillenial dispensationalist theological tradition
Desires to develop an emerging handbell choir
Some snake handling may be appropriate (for our believers service only)
Agree that the Lord is to be worshiped through magnificent attire and appropriate versions of the Bible
Demonstrate proof of a second blessing… Tongue speaking in various accents is a major plus as we are a multicultural church.
Exegetically establish a movement of fluidity in the Extreme Worship Ministry
We realize that many of these requirements are personal preferences and not biblical mandates. Therefore, each candidate must be aligned with roughly 3/4 of all our requirements. Please send a resume in Microsoft Word or Adobe Reader Format to James atmaineventchurch@yahoo.com
Church: Main Event Church
Contact: James
Email: Click Here to Email
Address: Main Event ChurchATTN: James8945 SW 168 StMiami, FL 33157
Website: www.maineventchurch.com
Valuing the People You Lead May 27, 2008
As a ministry or church grows larger its leaders must work harder to be approachable, accessible and personal. As tasks multiply it is easy to become less people focused and more project focused. Soon people will begin to have a portrait of us much like some people think of God in the Old Testament–unapproachable, inaccessible, and
impersonal.
Tucked away in the Old Testament book of Exodus is a poignant illustration that paints a very different picture of God. It is a picture of a very personal God who puts a high premium on people. In this passage, God builds into the regular priestly duties a constant reminder that ministry is about people. These two verses serves as a compelling example of how God wants us to view those we shepherd in ministry.
“Whenever Aaron enters the Holy Place, he will bear the names of the sons of Israel over his heart on the breastpiece of decision as a continuing memorial before the Lord. [30] Also put the Urim and the Thummim in the breastpiece, so they may be over Aaron’s heart whenever he enters the presence of the Lord. Thus Aaron will always bear the means of making decisions for the Israelites over his heart before the Lord.”
Exodus 28:29-30 (NIV)
Every time Aaron went to perform his priestly duties, he was reminded of God’s heart for the people of Israel. Each gem in the four rows of stones represented a different tribe of Israel. Every man, every woman, every boy and every girl was represented in those stones. There wasn’t one person in all of Israel that God didn’t love or care about. And
God wanted Aaron to authentically love and care for the flock.
God wanted the people to be on Aaron’s heart. Ultimately, ministry is not about projects or activities, it is about people. This seems painfully obvious, and yet we consistently lose perspective. It was possible for Aaron to carry these stones on the breastpiece but yet his own heart be far from the people. It was possible for him to carry out his priestly duties and yet be relationally distant from the very people he was called to serve. The same can be true of us. What do you do in ministry to keep people front and center?
Listen to the emotion and passion Paul had for those he led.
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me.” Philip. 1:7 (NIV)
“I have you in my heart”. Let those words sink in. Would the team you lead say that they are on your heart?
When life and ministry moves too fast, one of the casualties is personal attention of those on our team. Without even being aware of it, our mindset toward people can slowly begin to change. Even the people on our team can begin to be viewed as tools we utilize to accomplish our ministry task. They can become those we minister through
instead of those we minister to.
Ministry that is Christ-honoring is never accomplished at the expense of those on our team. There are some symptoms or indicators that this may be an area you need to work on.
People could be feeling less valued if you are . . .
• Skimming relationally
If you are not authentically experiencing biblical community and personally enjoying life-giving relationships, your own heart will become hard toward others.
• Spiritually drained
When your own soul is healthy and replenished, your heart will be soft towards people. But, when you are empty and have nothing to give, people become a nuisance.
• Always in a hurry
Do you walk fast everywhere you go? Even when you do stop to talk to people, do they sense that you are rushed looking past them? Hurry is the archenemy of intimacy and deep relationship.
• Never engaging their personal life
When was the last time you just sat down with somebody on your team and asked “How are you doing, really?”, and then took time to really listen. Try just asking someone you lead how you can pray for them personally.
• Not praying for them
As Aaron went in before the Lord, he carried the names of the people he was responsible for. It is our job in ministry to carry the names of those we are responsible for before the Lord. Praying for them helps keep them on your heart.
Have you ever thought about this question, “if Jesus were to physically come to your church or ministry, what do you think he would want to see?” Would it be our buildings, our strategic plan, our financial report, or the song selection for our weekend service? I think we are given a clue to the answer in I Thessalonians 2.
“After all, what gives us hope and joy, and what is our proud reward and crown? It is you! Yes, you will bring us much joy as we stand together before our Lord Jesus when he comes back again. [20] For you are our pride and joy.”’ 1 Thes. 2:19-20 (NLT)
What would God want to see? Our people. Those precious people he has entrusted to us.
By: Lance Witt (replenish.net)
