Hey I am trying something new. I have created a survey through Survey Monkey. I want to see how this works for future surveys, plus I am curious as to how you respond. It is five questions, it should not take long, so do it!
I will blog about my own answers and the results of the survey.
Click Here to take survey
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The Democratic Convention- "Plastic?"
Have you been watching the Democratic National Convention? I watch both conventions, I love them. I like to watch people who are good speakers communicate to a crowd. I may not agree with them, but I like to watch them. One of my favorite public speakers is Ted Kennedy. Like I said, I may not agree with him on most things, but he is a great public speaker. He does a great job of engaging a crowd.
So far my perception of the convention can be summed up in one word - "plastic." Everything seems so staged (I am sure the Republican Convention will be the same). We knew what the objective was of Michelle Obama, she came out and performed. She did not seem herself. She was different from other speeches I have seen in the past.
Hillary, she said what she needed to say, not what she wanted to say. I was hoping she would say what she wanted to say and maybe she did in a subtle way. Obama sitting in front of a TV in someone's home was nice but again it seemed stage. I mean who watches TV sitting on a foot stool in a shirt and tie? Come on, put on a pair of shorts and sit back in that recliner with an ice cold drink and some popcorn.
I am looking forward to former president Clinton tonight. Another great communicator who knows how to engage an audience. Who knows what he will say. It could be exciting. It will probably be a little plastic as well with Hillary returning the favor and mouthing "I love you" to her husband as he is on stage.
This lack of authenticity shows how out of touch the political movement in America really is when it comes to the people they represent.
Here is what I have learned so far. In a culture where people are looking for authenticity, how is it that politics on both sides seems so staged? Maybe this is why only a small percentage of the country really takes the time to go out and vote.
There is a lesson for Christ followers in all of this- Be authentic! If you are like me and you are watching the conventions thinking that it seems so plastic, take an honest look at yourself as a Christian. Are you authentic or putting on a show? How about the church you serve at, is it authentic or plastic? Authenticity really makes a difference as to whether people will be engaged in a movement or not.
Think about Jesus. He was on message. He was authentic. He was real. There was nothing plastic about Him. And people want to be like Him. And to be like Him, you have to be authentic. The world is watching and they are in desperate need of Christ followers we are authentic in their relationship with Jesus. The world is in desperate need of Christ followers who really love people. The world does not need another staged event, it does not need something staged, the world needs some that real that can change their life.
So far my perception of the convention can be summed up in one word - "plastic." Everything seems so staged (I am sure the Republican Convention will be the same). We knew what the objective was of Michelle Obama, she came out and performed. She did not seem herself. She was different from other speeches I have seen in the past.
Hillary, she said what she needed to say, not what she wanted to say. I was hoping she would say what she wanted to say and maybe she did in a subtle way. Obama sitting in front of a TV in someone's home was nice but again it seemed stage. I mean who watches TV sitting on a foot stool in a shirt and tie? Come on, put on a pair of shorts and sit back in that recliner with an ice cold drink and some popcorn.
I am looking forward to former president Clinton tonight. Another great communicator who knows how to engage an audience. Who knows what he will say. It could be exciting. It will probably be a little plastic as well with Hillary returning the favor and mouthing "I love you" to her husband as he is on stage.
This lack of authenticity shows how out of touch the political movement in America really is when it comes to the people they represent.
Here is what I have learned so far. In a culture where people are looking for authenticity, how is it that politics on both sides seems so staged? Maybe this is why only a small percentage of the country really takes the time to go out and vote.
There is a lesson for Christ followers in all of this- Be authentic! If you are like me and you are watching the conventions thinking that it seems so plastic, take an honest look at yourself as a Christian. Are you authentic or putting on a show? How about the church you serve at, is it authentic or plastic? Authenticity really makes a difference as to whether people will be engaged in a movement or not.
Think about Jesus. He was on message. He was authentic. He was real. There was nothing plastic about Him. And people want to be like Him. And to be like Him, you have to be authentic. The world is watching and they are in desperate need of Christ followers we are authentic in their relationship with Jesus. The world is in desperate need of Christ followers who really love people. The world does not need another staged event, it does not need something staged, the world needs some that real that can change their life.
Monday, August 25, 2008
The First Missional Church - Boldness and Confidence (Part 5)
"When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13).
"They," were the Sanhedrin. The Supreme council of the Jewish people. They had questioned Peter and John as to what power they healed the a man. They told them it was by the power of Jesus, "who "they" crucified." They said that Jesus was the stone they rejected that became the capstone (the head).
Peter and John did not back down from the intimidating Sanhedrin. They stood up and defended themselves. They went against the tradition of their day. A tradition they understood because they had grown up in the same tradition. Whenever an existing church tries to make the transition into a missional church, the leaders should expect opposition. It is going to happen and the way you react to opposition will determine whether the church can make the turn to become missional.
Peter and John show great boldness by standing up to the Sanhedrin, telling them they would not stop teaching in the name of Jesus. The boldness came from the confidence they had in Jesus. It came from the confidence they had in what he taught them. It came from the confidence they had from the fulfillment of prophecy. Most of all it came from the confidence they had in the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Many church leaders ignore the Spirit's leading because of the reaction of religious people. Courage is when we stand up for the truth even in the face of opposition. The missional church stands up for truth. It is a church that is not lead by the people, it is lead by the Spirit.
Do you have the confidence and boldness that comes from the Spirit of God? Read through the book of Acts and see how many times early leaders of the church stood up for truth even if it meant they would be stoned, kicked out of a city or would cause a riot. The first missional church was made up of bold leaders. Leaders who were motivated by pleasing God not Man.
The result of this kind of leadership led to people taking note that they had been with Jesus. Missional leaders who have been with Jesus stay focused on the mission, even if it leads to persecution.
"They," were the Sanhedrin. The Supreme council of the Jewish people. They had questioned Peter and John as to what power they healed the a man. They told them it was by the power of Jesus, "who "they" crucified." They said that Jesus was the stone they rejected that became the capstone (the head).
Peter and John did not back down from the intimidating Sanhedrin. They stood up and defended themselves. They went against the tradition of their day. A tradition they understood because they had grown up in the same tradition. Whenever an existing church tries to make the transition into a missional church, the leaders should expect opposition. It is going to happen and the way you react to opposition will determine whether the church can make the turn to become missional.
Peter and John show great boldness by standing up to the Sanhedrin, telling them they would not stop teaching in the name of Jesus. The boldness came from the confidence they had in Jesus. It came from the confidence they had in what he taught them. It came from the confidence they had from the fulfillment of prophecy. Most of all it came from the confidence they had in the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
Many church leaders ignore the Spirit's leading because of the reaction of religious people. Courage is when we stand up for the truth even in the face of opposition. The missional church stands up for truth. It is a church that is not lead by the people, it is lead by the Spirit.
Do you have the confidence and boldness that comes from the Spirit of God? Read through the book of Acts and see how many times early leaders of the church stood up for truth even if it meant they would be stoned, kicked out of a city or would cause a riot. The first missional church was made up of bold leaders. Leaders who were motivated by pleasing God not Man.
The result of this kind of leadership led to people taking note that they had been with Jesus. Missional leaders who have been with Jesus stay focused on the mission, even if it leads to persecution.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The First Missional Church - Authentic Community (Part 4)
When people live in authentic community God's kingdom is very appealing to the unchurched world. God created people to live in authentic community with Him and other believers. Jesus taught his followers the importance of creating a place where everyone could live in authentic community.
A passage in the book of Acts which is never overused that describes such a community is Acts 2:43-48: "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the Apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread together in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
There is no doubt their number grew. God's presence was at a high level and people were entering into authentic community with Him. Part of the reasons His presence was at such a high level was because the people were in authentic community with each other.
This community was described later in Acts 4:32-35 and when the community was broken in Acts 5, two people dropped dead. God loves for His people to live in authentic community.
There is an event in the Restoration Movement which testifies to the power that is unleashed in when there is authentic community. In August of 1801, at Paris, Kentucky, 12,000 people from different denominational backgrounds came together as one. The denominational barriers were removed and a movement of God was unleashed. People came together as one and the kingdom of God was proclaimed. They came together for almost a week living in authentic community.
I sat in John Wimber's office one evening and asked him if he had heard of the Cane Ridge Revival. He responded by saying something like, "Wasn't that an awesome movement of God?" Yes it was. And I believe it was a direct result of Authentic Community.
This is one of the reasons the first missional church made such an impact in the world. With nearly 40,000 denominations world wide we need to pursue authentic community. If we could only be intentional in pursuing the same authentic community we could only imagine how God would move.
A passage in the book of Acts which is never overused that describes such a community is Acts 2:43-48: "Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the Apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Everyday they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread together in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
There is no doubt their number grew. God's presence was at a high level and people were entering into authentic community with Him. Part of the reasons His presence was at such a high level was because the people were in authentic community with each other.
This community was described later in Acts 4:32-35 and when the community was broken in Acts 5, two people dropped dead. God loves for His people to live in authentic community.
There is an event in the Restoration Movement which testifies to the power that is unleashed in when there is authentic community. In August of 1801, at Paris, Kentucky, 12,000 people from different denominational backgrounds came together as one. The denominational barriers were removed and a movement of God was unleashed. People came together as one and the kingdom of God was proclaimed. They came together for almost a week living in authentic community.
I sat in John Wimber's office one evening and asked him if he had heard of the Cane Ridge Revival. He responded by saying something like, "Wasn't that an awesome movement of God?" Yes it was. And I believe it was a direct result of Authentic Community.
This is one of the reasons the first missional church made such an impact in the world. With nearly 40,000 denominations world wide we need to pursue authentic community. If we could only be intentional in pursuing the same authentic community we could only imagine how God would move.
It starts with a Bicycle
Being involved with a church plant in Cleveland has given me a heart for church planting. I have come to believe that church planting is not just a cool thing to be a part of, it is a Biblical Mandate. Church planting is the most effective way of reaching people who are far from God.
The passion God has created inside of me for church planting has given me an opportunity to be a part of something that will not only reach people who are far from God, but be able to reach people who are far from God on the other side of the world.
My involvement with Round Lake Christian Assembly has introduced me to a man who is one of my favorite people in all the world, Dereck Mushayamunda. Dereck is the one who is trying to get us to take a basketball camp to Zimbabwe. But due to the current situation there, we were unable to go this year. We will get there someday. This video will at least introduce you to Dereck an Zimbabwe. It will also introduce you to another friend of mine who is the Missions minister in Winston Salem, NC. (here)
Dereck shared with me that there were other villages in the area of the Mushayamunda Village who were asking for a church. I asked him what it took to plant a church in Zimbabwe. It starts with someone to lead the church. Which they have. The next step is a bicycle (cost $100). This summer the Baker family bought a bike for a man in Zimbabwe. The cost now is $60-$80 a month to pay the leader of the church. A lady at Northwest has already spontaneously contributed to the church plant.
So for an initial cost of $100 and $720-$960 a year there can be a new church in Zimbabwe reaching people who are far from God. The area for the new plant is called Chiremwaremwa (don't ask me how to pronounce it, I am just getting use to Mushayamunda).
If you would like to contribute to this church plant let me know and I can give you the information to make that happen.
Friday, August 15, 2008
The Frist Missional Church - Pray for everything (Part 3)
The first missional church as described in the book of Acts Prayed for Everything.
They prayed for direction after Jesus ascended into heaven. (Vision and Direction)
They prayed for a person to take the place of Judas. (Leaders)
Their prayers were not just ritualistic. They were going to the temple to pray when they ran across the man who was lame. They never made their ritualistic time of prayer and it was OK.
They were committed to prayer in Acts 2:42.
One of the main jobs of the leaders of the early church was to be devoted to prayer (Acts 6:4)
Stephen prayed for the Lord not to hold his stoning against the ones throwing the stones. Jesus did say "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us."
Peter was praying on the roof when he had a vision from God that the gospel was now for the Gentiles (Acts 10) It is during times of prayer we receive direction from God. Sometimes that direction will takes us places we never thought we would go.
The church prayed for Peter while he was in prison and was amazed when God saved him from the hands of Herod. When you pray for it do not be amazed when God moves. This shows us we should pray for the impossible.
They prayed and fasted before they sent Paul and Barnabas out to the Gentiles (Acts 13:3). We should be praying for those who are ministering to people.
Paul constantly thanked the churches he went to for praying for him. They prayed for everything because it was a art of the first church's DNA.
What about you and your church? Is prayer a high priority? And I am not talking about taking prayer requests following a meeting. DO you stop and pray for everything and anything you want God to be a part of? This type of prayer life is not ritualistic, this type of prayer life requires followers to pray anytime, anywhere and for anything.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Youth Football has started
I will pick up with my study of the First Missional Church in Acts with my next post. I just had to post something about youth football practice that has started in Tallmadge.
Seth, my youngest son started his first season in pads last week. It is so funny seeing him in full pads. His pants come down to almost his ankles. It is not so bad because the pads almost completely cover his legs.
After the first day of full contact we were walking back to the cat together. he had this big smile on his face. I asked him why he was smiling. Proudly he said, "I made some kid cry." I did not see it, but evidently he had the ball and ran over some kid who was his same size. He then looked up at me and said, "I think i broke his freakin' neck." Yes, we have watched the longest yard together (T.V. version, with parents skipping some parts thanks to DVR).
Tonight I was watching practice. There is always a problem with youth football. The coaches kids usually play the skilled positions whether they are the best at that position or not. The problem with this is that it is not very good leadership. Collins in "Good to Great," says that great organizations get the right people on the right seat on the bus. This seldom happens in youth football, which can be a problem.
Last year, Cole's team would have been much better had they played some of the bigger kids on the line. Instead they had some kids in the backfield trying to run with a small line in front of them. Yesterday, they had Seth practicing with the line. He is small and the third fastest kid on the team even though he is one of the youngest. I don't expect him to start, but he should at least be put in a position where he is going to be most effective.
The first mistake is not having the right people in the right place. The second mistake is the reason for the first. They place people in position not according to their ability, but according to who they are. It's frustrating, but a great example of how the most churches operate.
Most churches do not put the right people on the right seat on the bus, they put people in positions based on the wrong motives. Like youth football, it makes the church less effective. It seems to me the most logical decision is to use the right person for the job, rather than allow our bias to dictate who goes serves where.
Seth, my youngest son started his first season in pads last week. It is so funny seeing him in full pads. His pants come down to almost his ankles. It is not so bad because the pads almost completely cover his legs.
After the first day of full contact we were walking back to the cat together. he had this big smile on his face. I asked him why he was smiling. Proudly he said, "I made some kid cry." I did not see it, but evidently he had the ball and ran over some kid who was his same size. He then looked up at me and said, "I think i broke his freakin' neck." Yes, we have watched the longest yard together (T.V. version, with parents skipping some parts thanks to DVR).
Tonight I was watching practice. There is always a problem with youth football. The coaches kids usually play the skilled positions whether they are the best at that position or not. The problem with this is that it is not very good leadership. Collins in "Good to Great," says that great organizations get the right people on the right seat on the bus. This seldom happens in youth football, which can be a problem.
Last year, Cole's team would have been much better had they played some of the bigger kids on the line. Instead they had some kids in the backfield trying to run with a small line in front of them. Yesterday, they had Seth practicing with the line. He is small and the third fastest kid on the team even though he is one of the youngest. I don't expect him to start, but he should at least be put in a position where he is going to be most effective.
The first mistake is not having the right people in the right place. The second mistake is the reason for the first. They place people in position not according to their ability, but according to who they are. It's frustrating, but a great example of how the most churches operate.
Most churches do not put the right people on the right seat on the bus, they put people in positions based on the wrong motives. Like youth football, it makes the church less effective. It seems to me the most logical decision is to use the right person for the job, rather than allow our bias to dictate who goes serves where.
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