3.31.2008

Contend, Contextualize, Cooperate.

This was the message delivered by Ed Stetzer in the 2007 SBC gathering. 

"We will not reach North America of 2007 for Christ if continue to try to do so with the church method that worked in the 1950's."

As Christ followers we must live like missionaries to our circle of influence. We must contend for the gospel, and put the gospel in context that can be understood. 

We can have the greatest message on earth, but unless we can give up our own preferences and learn to contextualize the gospel to the lost culture where we are, Holy Spirit will not have the full potential to deliver the life power.

3.27.2008

new stage design for UFC

center screen out of spandex

3.24.2008

The Analog Church in a Digital Age

In a world where you can now rent a movie online to watch on your high-def television, where you don't return movies, you delete, and where you don't go to bookstore to buy a cd, but enter a login name, will the church be distracted with this digital movement?

Now, I'm am not opposed to technology in the church. In fact, I'm loving how churches, especially Westside Family Church, is using innovation to spread the Gospel and grow believers.

Church is meant to be relational, however, this digital society is removing that aspect from our interaction. This world run by email is quickly losing the need to meet face-to-face and is becoming less dependent on being present to be effective.

So how does the church adapt to this digital culture, beyond having the video on the screen behind the stage and the cool website that allows people to sign-up for events without talking to anyone and downloading the most recent message?

God has created the church for community and that community is experienced best through relationships that are built off "one-on-one" interaction.

So the next time that you want to check in on someone, close Outlook (unless you need to get the phone number) and pick up the phone and give that person a ring.

The church needs to use technology to advance the message, not distract us from the people who need the message.

3.14.2008

Great song support

Buckhead Church has posted a great video that shows some song support that they are using. Impressive creativity.

Check it out here.

3.06.2008

Apple iPhone... New Perspective

About five minutes ago I wiped the drool off my chin and navigated away from the apple web site where I was looking at every detail of the iPhone with the new update coming in June.

My next stop on the world wide waste of time was youversion.com, a new online Bible reading tool.

I looked up 2 Tim 4 to review what I read this morning and this is what I read:
"Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare..."

I then realized that the iPhone is cool but put everything into perspective. So I will now wait till it goes on sale. Is that how this works?