Sorry

Sorry I've not blogged in a while. Hang tight.

I'm hoping this embed code will work because this video is worth seeing.

Out of Tune from Heartland Community Church on Vimeo.

Offering Hope

This video was featured this Sunday at my church. It has hugh ramifications and a potentially large impact. Is your community one that offers grace?
http://vimeo.com/9989181

Hope from Kevin Anderson on Vimeo.

Communications Competition

PRESS RELEASE:

CHURCH OF IRELAND 2010 COMMUNICATIONS COMPETITION

Magazine, Website and Social Media Competition

The Central Communications Board today launches the Magazine, Website and Social Media Competition and invites entries within each category (details below). Quality of design and layout, strength of editorial content and outreach potential are once again to be the standards of excellence against which entries will be judged. The closing date is Friday, 26 March 2010. Winners will be announced at the General Synod in Dublin, 6-8 May 2010.

Central Communications Board Chairman, the Rt Revd Trevor Williams, Bishop of Limerick, says:

‘Among the unsung heroes of the Church of Ireland are those who assist our communications. Parish and Diocesan Magazines or Newsletters have been around for a long time and the ‘print’ media still play an indispensable role in helping us keep in touch with one another.

‘Today, we are living through a revolution which is changing not only how and what we communicate but changing the way we live. Increasingly Web sites are being created by parishes and dioceses and in previous competitions we have seen some fine examples. But ask the ‘young at heart’ and you’ll find they are constantly using texting, Bebo, Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with what is happening. This year, as well as the more traditional media, let’s see how the ‘new’ technologies can be used by the Church. This competition is to celebrate the old and new. We want to be inspired, to learn and progress.

‘Communication is about creating community. And after all, that’s the Church’s core business. So get involved. Let’s learn from what you are doing.’

In the Magazine section entries are invited in three print media categories:

Diocesan Magazines
Parish Magazine/Newsletter
Church of Ireland affiliated organisation Magazine/Newsletter

In the Website section entries are invited in three categories:

Diocesan Website
Parish Website
Church of Ireland affiliated organisation Website

In the Social Media section:

Most innovative use of Interactive Communication Technologies (ICT) or ‘social media’ over and beyond standard websites, eg: blogs, podcasts or social networking or content-sharing websites.

Entries are welcome from any committee or group associated with the Church of Ireland.

Please obtain an entry form from the Church of Ireland Press Office (by email: press@ireland.anglican.org or phone: from NI 028 9023 2909, from RoI 048 9023 2909) and send entries as follows:

Magazines and newsletters – one recent copy – to Jenny Compston, Press Office, Church of Ireland House, 61-67 Donegall St, Belfast, BT 1 2QH, Northern Ireland.

Websites, please supply an e-mail containing the URL to: press@ireland.anglican.org

Social Media, please send an example or link including a description of the technology, how applied and the objective of the initiative to Jenny Compston, Press Office, Church of Ireland House, 61-67 Donegall St, Belfast, BT 1 2QH, Northern Ireland or to press@ireland.anglican.org.

Remember: the closing date for entries is Friday 26 March 2010

---

For further information please contact:

Church of Ireland Press Office
Church of Ireland House
61-67 Donegall Street
Belfast BT1 2QH

Tel: (028) 9023 2909
Fax (028) 9032 3554
Paul Harron: (duty phone) +44 (0)7787 881582
Janet Maxwell: (duty phone) +353 (0) 87 948 4412
E-mail: Press Office

www.ireland.anglican.org/news
www.twitter.com/churchofireland

Churches Using Social Media

Lost in Culture

Jonathan Acuff is just TOOOO funny. If I could recommend a blog for its combination of humor, wit, wisdom, Christian content and insight "Stuff Christians Like" would be it. In today's blog he writes about the Obligatory "LOST" Sermon. In other words he is addressing the issue of using pop culture to reach the culture. It may be hard to grasp his take on whether this is good or not, but regardless it will get you thinking and laughing--which is what he wants you to do.

Here is the lead, but you'll have to go to his blog (by clicking here) to get the whole skinny:

"There are two things you have to preach on each Spring, Easter and the television show Lost. If you skip the second one, I understand, not every church puts such a high premium on television and the what not. If you skip the first one, I hope you don’t get stuck on a fold out couch bed in hell. You know the one, with that bar in the middle of your back that just angrily jabs at you all night like a three year old with a whiffle ball bat? I promise you, hell is lousy with those things.

"But maybe you were unaware of the need to experience an obligatory Lost sermon. Maybe you didn’t even know that was an option. And with the show in its final season, you’re lost as it were with how to properly judge the quality of a Lost sermon. It’s almost as if you need a Lost sermon scorecard..."

Protecting Your Church

This excerpt from Michael Baily Stone's blog "(The Original Jesus Gypsy"):

You are joined together with peace through the spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way. Ephesians 4:3 (NCV)

Most of all, let love guide your life, for then the whole church will stay together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14 (LB)

It is your job to protect the unity of your church.

Unity in the church is so important that the New Testament gives more attention to it than to either heaven or hell. God deeply desires that we experience oneness and harmony with each other.

Unity is the soul of fellowship. Destroy it, and you rip the heart out of Christ's Body. It is the essence, the core, of how God intends for us to experience life together in his church. Our supreme model for unity is the Trinity. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are completely unified as one. God himself is the highest example of sacrificial love, humble other-centeredness, and perfect harmony.

Just like every parent, our heavenly Father enjoys watching his children get along with each other. In his final moments before being arrested, Jesus prayed passionately for our unity. It was our unity that was uppermost in his mind during those agonizing hours. That shows how significant this subject is.

Nothing on earth is more valuable to God than his church. He paid the highest price for it, and he wants it protected, especially from the devastating damage that is caused by division, conflict, and disharmony. If you are a part of God's family, it is your responsibility to protect the unity where you fellowship. You are commissioned by Jesus Christ to do everything possible to preserve the unity, protect the fellowship, and promote harmony in your church family and among all believers.

The Bible says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." How are we to do this? The Bible gives us practical advice.

Focus on what we have in common, not our differences.

Paul tells us, "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony, and on the growth of one another's character." As believers we share one Lord, one body, one purpose, one Father, one Spirit, one hope, one faith, one baptism, and one love. We share the same salvation, the same life, and the same future-factors far more important than any differences we could enumerate. These are the issues, not our personal differences, that we should concentrate on.

We must remember that it was God who chose to give us different personalities, backgrounds, races, and preferences, so we should value and enjoy those differences, not merely tolerate them. God wants unity, not uniformity. But for unity's sake we must never let differences divide us. We must stay focused on what matters most-learning to love each other as Christ has loved us, and fulfilling God's five purposes for each of us and his church.

Nothing on earth is more valuable to God than his church.

To read the entire post click here.

Become a Missionary to Your Culture

"Study the culture that God has placed you in so you can learn how to communicate the Gospel message in the way that people in your time and place will best understand. Stay current on what messages the media (the Internet, movies, music, TV shows, etc.) is presenting, and think critically about how those messages reflect attitudes in your culture. Consider what questions people are asking about life and faith through the culture, and how you can point them toward biblical truth in ways they can relate to well. Remember to approach people as they actually are right now, not as you wish they were. Keep in mind that many people today aren't familiar with what the Bible says and don't view it as an authoritative source. You may need to help them notice how God is showing up in popular culture before encouraging them to read the Bible. When you do present the Gospel message, communicate it in a context suited for the time and place in which you minister to people."

Brilliant I say! From We Are the Body: How to Become a Practicing Church by Whitney Hopler at Crosswalk.com

Becoming a Practicing Church

The following is an excerpt from the Crosswalk.com article by contributing writer Whitney Hopler and is a report on the practical applications of Tim Morey's recent book, Embodying Our Faith: Becoming a Living, Sharing, Practicing Church, (IVP Books, 2009). I have listed the major point headings of the article without her discussion. To read the entire piece click here.

ME: I have not read this book and cannot speak to its usefullness firsthand, but Hopler's points and discussion are valid and I agree with her. In fact, these are the things I saw that made me commit to following Christ.

We Are the Body: How to Become a Practicing Church by Whitney Hopler

"God wants your congregation to do much more than just come to church...

"In our postmodern world, what lost people need is to see faith embodied in the lives of those who believe. That's how they'll best discover that the Gospel is true.

"Here's how your church can learn to better embody faith:

• Be a contributor instead of a consumer.
  
• Become a missionary to your culture.
  
• Let people see a faith that's experiential.
  
• Let people see a faith that's communal.
  
• Let people see a faith that's enacted.
  

Adapted from Embodying Our Faith: Becoming a Living, Sharing, Practicing Church, copyright 2009 by Tim Morey. Published by IVP Books, a division of InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Ill., www.ivpress.com.

Tim Morey (D.Min., Fuller Theological Seminary) is founding and lead pastor at Life Covenant Church in Torrance, California. He also serves on the Evangelical Covenant Church's national church planting team and as adjunct professor teaching practical theology at Talbot School of Theology.

Original publication date: February 10, 2010

Why Young People Leave the Church

Here's a sample of the article from the Associated Baptist Press by

Carra Hughes Greer

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Carra Hughes Greer "...There are two types of Baptist churches which young Christ-followers are familiar with -- and disinterested in -- the "harsh church" and the "watered-down church." "The harsh church isolates itself from other denominations. Its voice is brash, critical and cold to the changing culture. This church has leaders who speak with loud voices, not just in decibels, but to the media and government in protest against issues regarding school curriculum, the health-care system, marriage or churches with female pastors. "Young Christ-followers hesitate to be associated with a group of Baptists labeled as "crazy" by society for making outrageous statements such as declaring that the cause of Haiti's earthquake was the result of a pact they made with the devil or that the Sept. 11 attacks were brought on by feminists, abortionists and homosexuals. Why would anyone want to join a community of "believers" that seems hateful and compassionless?" (continued)

Love, FaceBible style

From The Edge by The Oregonian

Well, another Valentine's Day has come and gone, and here at Edge HQ we still can't update our Facebook relationship status to anything above "sitting alone on couch in underwear eating Cheetos."

But it could be worse. We could be in one of those Old Testament relationships.

Paradise lost

Eve just found an apple tree. (drool)

God Ix-nay on the apples-way.

Serpent Dude, you are so uptight about that tree. Go for it, E.

Adam Serpent, stay away from my woman. Eve, don't listen to him.

Eve Hey, S., you talked me into it! (giggle)

Eve Yum!!!

God I am totally un-friending you.

God Adam, too.

Adam has changed his relationship status to "It's Complicated."

Whole lotta pain

Lot is chillin' at home in Sodom.

Angel We still on for dinner 2 nite?

Lot You bet!

Sodomite Y'all want coffee, tea or me? ;)

God Gag me. I am totally un-friending all you Sodomites.

Angel Lot, meet me in Zoar ASAP. Bring the family. Don't look back.

Lot's Wife Zoar?? That hillbilly place? No way!

Lot It'll be OK, hon. I promise.

Lot's Wife But my parties! My furniture! My jewelry!

Lot Who cares?! God is TICKED! We gotta get outta his way!

Lot's Wife just turned into a pillar of salt.

Lot has changed his relationship status to "It's Complicated."

When love goes belly-up.

Jonah seems to be inside a whale.

Is that even possible?

Whoa, it stinks in here.

Jonah's Wife has changed her relationship status to "It's Complicated."

http://blog.oregonlive.com/edge/2010/02/mondays_edge_love_facebible_st.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Conference on Engaging Community and...

Click for more info

The Disney Culture

If you've never had the joy of attending a JoyLead conference you're missing out on some truly amazing and innovative teaching. Some time back I had the privilege of taking in two conferences:

1. The Culture-Friendly Church and
2. The Imaginative Church

Over the course of the next several posts I will interject small bits of material from these conferences.

The Imaginative Church conference was held at the Disneyland Resort where we looked at the customer service aspects of the Disney brand. Part of the seminar was taught by Disney personnel and we attendees were then given the opportunity to wander the park and observe first-hand the principles we were taught.

Before I launch into anything directly from these conferences I want to point you to the article "Disney's Berms and Contradictions" by Paul Williams from his blog: Blogging Innovations. While his article is about business marketing principles the concepts can be applied to the church.

Read the article and think about the "contridictions" that might be contributing to a negitive customer experience at your church. Brainstrom about what you might be able to eliminate and then think about how you might create a "decompression zone" that prepares visitors for experiencing Jesus.

http://www.business-strategy-innovation.com/2010/02/disneys-berms-and-contradictions.html

For more information on JoyLead click here.

He Reads Like a Cow

A short post today just to let you know I've not abandoned you. I am and will be busy through the rest of the month with several major projects and may not blog as regularly as I wish. I will try to jump in from time to time and make a post. I do keep my eyes out for interesting subject matter.

I am still reading The PAPA Prayer. (I know, slow reader.) Actually I'm sort of working my way through it devotionally and am reading a number of other things at the same time. It is a great book, but if I rush the read I will not apply it to my life. I need time to ruminate and digest. I believe it is and will change my life and I hope it does.

Grace and peace.

The Barbarian Pastor

"Ed, Angie and I still to this day get the waiter or waitress's name when at a restaurant! I have found that you get better service when you address them by their name and more importantly it shows them respect and I believe when some are having a bad day, makes it a little brighter!"

That's what an anonymous commenter posted on Pastor Ed's blog (Barbarian Pastor). He's on "sabbatical to get radical." And he'll be blogging through it at: http://pastoredunc.blogspot.com/

I know Pastor Ed. I use to work with him. And, when we'd hit a restaurant for staff meetings Ed would get the server's name. Ed's got a southern twang thing going and he's apt to call the waitress honey. "What's your name honey?" he might ask. Then he'll use the name right away and later thanking her/him upon leaving...

Of course he'll leave a decent tip.

Ed has also been known to use tattoos as a springboard for conversation. Not that he has any I know of, but if he see's one on someone else, he'll engage the person with: "Tell me the story behind that tattoo."

If you met Ed, you'd like him. He's one of those clergy-type that are real: half pastor and half person.

Faccebook/Twitter=Spiritual Communication?

Today seems as good a day as any to address a topic of some popularity--at least recently. There is a lot of buzz right now about social networking (and other computer-based technologies) in relation to the Church.

I'm going to just go ahead and post some article/blog links below that have come across my desktop. I'll add no commentary just yet, but we can dialogue if you'd like. Just drop me a comment.

25 Reasons why Twitter is spiritual
Reaching Post-Moderns in Rural Communities
The Church of Facebook

A Sense of Belonging

I found a new blog the other day about Creative Communities. It's mostly about relational stuff, small groups and the like. The following excerpt takes on the issue of "belonging" and "joining." I'm not in 100% agreement, but the insight is worthy of discussion.

"Today, I'm looking at chapter two from the book The Search to Belong by Joe Myers. This chapter is entitled, "Longing to Belong."

Belonging means different things to different people. According to Myers, "belonging happens when you identify with another entity -- a person or organization, or perhaps a species, culture, or ethnic group." Myers points out that belonging is not necessary reciprocal..."

Read the entire post at:

http://www.creative-community.org/2010/01/search-to-belong-for-whom-am-i.html

Relational Community

The following is s brief quote from an article by Susanne Kilew on Ezine @rticles.com. While the piece states the obvious it is still a reminder of our need to be relational. Community is relational; we were made for this.

"The Church has to go from isolation and start impacting the community positively. Instead of deciding what the community needs, we need to ask the community what they need. Then decide what God would have us do."

Read the full piece at:

Church in the Community

By Susanne Kirlew

Pretending you care about community.

Pretending you care about community.

Posted using ShareThis

Online Community? Possible?

Oregon Live just posted a most interesting and funny article from The Oregonian. It's about this book, it's about this author, it's about Facebook and other social networks and the effects on community within the church.

Do I, as a Christian, Facebook using, tweeting, Digital Technologies and Culture graduate agree with Rice? Hmmm. I tell you what, I will read this book and let you know.

In the meantime I suggest YOU read the rich, rich article by Nancy Haught and watch Jesse Rice's funny YouTube videos. All are available at the following link:

http://www.oregonlive.com/living/index.ssf/2010/01/christian_author_jesse_rice_ne.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Community...it's like dirt

the power of community

Posted by Kathy Harrison / an excerpt from The Just In Case Blog

"Just like healthy soil teems with life that is not always apparent at first glance, healthy communities are also alive with activity. There has been a lot of talk about why people chose not to get involved anymore. We are too busy, too tired, already overcommitted but often, those are excuses. People have always worked hard. They have always been tired at the end of a busy day. But the work got done. I urge you to look around. See what needs doing. If you love books, maybe your library needs you. Love antiques? How about the Historical Society. I know there is a house of worship that would welcome you, a school that is desperate for someone to help with a spruce up day, an elder who could use a visit.

"It does no good to complain about the state of the world without being willing to work to make change happen. As judiciously as we stock up on supplies and equipment, we need to stock up on relationships. Whoever you are, whatever your skills, there is a match out there, someone who needs just what you have."

To view the entire piece click the title hyperlink at the top.

Tailgate Parties

With the Saints going to the Super Bowl (and deservedly so I might add) I thought I'd post this little story from dailycomet.com. Ironically it's set in Houma, LA (where my forthcoming young adult chapter book is set).

It reminds me of the church picnics that were are regular occurance on TV's Little House series. What a wonderful way to fellowship--commune.

Click the hyperlink to view the whole story.

Local group holds weekly tailgating parties at church

The Rev. Mike Manase is shown wearing his New Orleans Saints beanie Saturday at a tailgate party at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in St. Charles community. The Knights of Columbus at the church has held Saints tailgate parties every week this season.

By Thad Angelloz
Staff Writer

Published: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
Last Modified: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 12:33 p.m.

( page of 3 )

HOUMA — The New Orleans Saints and religion go hand in hand. So when a member of a local Knights of Columbus group wanted to start tailgating at the group’s church on game days, the rest of the membership got onboard.

I'll be at my usual church Super Bowl Party on Feb. 7th. GO SAINTS!

The PAPA Prayer

I'm reading this AMAZING book called The PAPA Prayer by Dr. Larry Crabb. It's THE best book I have ever read on prayer and one of the top ten books I have ever read. The book is so well written and is so profound.

If we got this, we'd all be the Christians we should be. This is about communion and community with our Maker which would transform the communion and community we have with one another.

Click the following link for more information, but don't even hesitate to pick the book up today!

http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/prayerandcounseling/intercession/crabb_papaprayer.aspx

MLK Day going the way of Xmas?

Christmas is all about Santa and Martin Luther King was all about community service, right? NOT! Seems folks like to de-emphasize the true meaning of a holiday for one that's more comfortable.

Just as Christmas has it's founding in Jesus Christ and God's message of salvation, Martin Luther King Day is about equality and social justice. It's NOT about community service. It's not even about doing "good" deeds; it's about doing right deeds. It's about freedom and respect, not about cleaning up the streams, picking up litter or even volunteering with a child.

MKL Day is about honoring a man who stood up for what was right and non-violence. He asked for peace and brotherhood. He stood for true community in the body of Christ and in the nation.

His deeds were "speaking the truth in love" and advocating civil disobedience in the face of injustice to call attention to inequality and racism, hatred and bigotry.

In moving away from his message we will ignore it. Our acts of charity and social reform for the good of all men who were created equal are the actions that count and will remember the Reverend in the light he would have wished.

I'm back...

Hard to believe I laid this baby down for so long. It's time for a comeback. This time I think I'll stay, so don't be afraid to follow.

I want to start back with a reference/link to this intellgent article from RevLife:

Church Should Not Be About Hype

By Matt at The Church of No People

"To kick off our final week of Doubt Month, I want to ask you a question. Has church ever insulted your intelligence?"

See the entire piece at: http://www.revelife.com/720387522/church-should-not-be-about-hype/