Transparency
TransparencyCamp 2009 just finished in Washington brought about by Obama’s initiative to make government more transparent. Personally I think this is a good thing, we need to be more transparent everywhere, it builds trust and accountability.
The fact that there was even a conference to discuss and converse about transparency is a step in the right direction government or not. If our government is trying to be more transparent to its people by the hand of the first African-American President, how much more do we as Christian people need to open up our homes, lives and churches. It would be wonderful to see a conference on transparency surrounding the operation of churches, denominations and non-profits.
Tags: Church, Denominations, Government, Obama, Transparency, Transparent
Where Theology and Technology Meet
Today, I did a seminar at the NAD Ministries Convention in a cold and snowy Myrtle Beach, SC.
For those that wanted a copy of my presentation or those that didn’t get a chance to come. I have posted a PDF of the slides along with the video clip that I showed. I will add my notes at a later date when I have had time to organize. I enjoyed meeting and talking with those that were there and hope that some of this content can be used in each of your fields.
Where Theology and Technology Meet – Slides
The Christian CNN
Here is a online service that is full of Christian news CNN style. Christianpost.com is an independent pan-denominational Christian media company that seems to be doing a good job at delivering current news surrounding Christianity in the world.
I found this great article on their site titled: "Americans’ Confidence in the Church Nears All-Time Low". There are many reasons for this, but in my opinion its a direct correlation to the rise of the new postmodern thought in America. (Article)
Tags: Christian News, Post, Postmodern, Christian media, CNN
Ministry Notes
There is a movement toward an authoritarian style of ministry leadership in many denominational and non-denominational groups. I see this as a direct attack against the new postmodern mind movement. A movement that reflects a large portion of the secular world especially here in the US. Below are some statements that hopefully will help guide any ministry approach and reflect a more genuine style of ministry. The tech connection to this post relies in the methods used to connect with people and ways technology can be abused or misused in reaching outward. Whether you agree with the following statements or not, they are a belief held by many in and out of the church in what I call the new postmodern movement.
1) Baptism isn’t indicative of health. It’s indicative of evangelism only.
2) Ministry isn’t or shouldn’t be a numbers game.
3) A church cannot be a all for everyone. Be good at one or two types of ministry to a selected group.
4) Don’t alienate the baby boomers, have a ministry for them, there are still a lot of them around.
5) Don’t create fake relationships for the sake of having a relationship. This isn’t genuine now is it!
6) Don’t push people out of church to reach your vision or goals. All kinds of people can be together and worship. A sin is a sin and all have fallen short.
7) Don’t create a church using modernist methods for the new postmodern person.
It should never be my way or the highway methodology. Leadership isn’t about doing it my way, but modeling a direction and educationally focused. Leadership is when the followers have a choice.
9) Minister to the ones in the church first, guide, model and educate them for health before being externally focused.
10) Don’t do ministry at the expense of others. You feed the circle of burnout and this gives the ever so popular bad name that Christians have today.
11) Christianity isn’t a exclusive club with membership rules.
12) You can never establish metrics for ministry. God is the only one that has the ruler for metrics. The Lord can use any ministry.
12) Don’t let time be a determining factor for ministry success. Our time isn’t Gods time.
13) Church growth isn’t indicative of church health. Numbers isn’t necessarily a reflection of health. A church can be healthy and not be growing in numbers. Numbers isn’t a metric of spiritual growth but healthy relationships are one example of a positive outgrowth of spiritual growth.
14) First and foremost be relevant to your ministry focus.
15) Don’t mentally compartmentalize, segment or classify people as lost, un-churched, sinners, or other judgmental terms. Reach out to all and reflect your relevant ministry focus only. Your definition is only yours, while another mans definition of you.
Lastly- remember that all have fallen short of the glory of God. No sin is worse than another. Romans 3:23
BTW: One can get further help and understanding, direction from the new book. unChristian by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons
Tags: unchristian, leadership, ministry, growth, church, sin, evangelism, christianity, metrics, david kinnaman, gabe lyons, postmodernism, relationships, healthy, healthy church, relevant
Postmodern Music
I ran across this musical explanation of postmodernism. This really satisfies the many explanations and niche personalities of the new postmodern.
Tags: Postmodernism, Postmodern, Music
