Leadership Lids
I could link to the Swerve blog from LifeChurch.tv just about everyday because of a great post, but I thought THIS POST, by Craig Groeschel was excellent.
January 29, 2008Archive for January, 2008
Man to Man
I had a great privilege last night to speak at Man to Man. This is our church’s men’s ministry. Twice a year they do an 8-10 week Bible Study on Monday Nights. This “term” they are going through a study using the movie Facing the Giants. The football theme is fun, and David Lewis does a great job orchestrating it all.
I had a blast hanging out with the guys. Randy led a few worship songs, and hearing “My Chains are gone, I’ve been set free. My God, My Savior has ransomed me. And like a flood, Your mercy reigns. Unending love, Amazing Grace” from all those men was AWESOME!
January 29, 2008One of my Proudest Moments
Last night Cooper participated in a talent/worship concert at the church put on by one of our HS Seniors as a fundraiser for the Uruguay missions trip. I accompanied him, playing guitar and singing “Here is our King” by David Crowder. Later in the evening, Dove Award Winner Babbie Mason sang. I told her afterwards that I had been throwing her name around all week telling people that Cooper was opening for Babbie Mason. She didn’t seem to mind, she just said she was glad she didn’t have to follow right after him. If you think I’m blowing smoke about how good he is, watch this…
It was one of my proudest dad moments yet!
January 28, 2008Pop Goes the Church Review
Last night I finished reviewing Tim Stevens’ new book “Pop Goes the Church”. It is due out later this Spring. I feel bad for you, because you haven’t read this book yet.
What this book is: an excellent resource for pastors, church leaders, and Christians in general about the influence of Pop Culture and how it can be leveraged for the sake of Christ. It contains great information, successful case studies, how-to’s, and it is grounded in Scripture.
What this book is not: some blasphemous look at how to prostitute the Gospel to get more people to come to our church, or just another book about how to be contemporary.
This book will stretch your thinking, but not so much in method (although it will). It will stretch your thinking in regards to your motivation. As I read this book, I realized, I’m now on the hook. I have been exposed to knowledge about how to more effectively reach people for the cause of Christ.
As I read the book I was once again confronted with the fact that there are thousands of people within a few miles of my church, and they don’t know Christ, but they watch television, movies, listen to music, and explore the arts. As a missionary to this community, HOW CAN I SPEAK THEIR LANGUAGE BETTER?
It really is an excellent book. I encourage you to buy it as soon as it comes out. You will not be disappointed.
January 28, 2008Sorry for the lapse in posts
My internet has been down for several days. I will repost all of the things that were supposed to be posted this last week.
January 28, 2008My Family is Cool
Last Monday night my dad flew to Atlanta, rented a car, and drove to Cleveland for a meeting he had today. On his way through northeast Atlanta, around 10pm, we met him at Steak and Shake for a Milkshake. Cooper couldn’t wait to see Papa, and Branson got a chance to show him his 4 new teeth, and how much better he’s walking.
The next night Corrie picked me up at the church around 4:30 and we drove to the Atlanta airport. My mom was flying back from North Carolina and had a 4 hour layover. So we met her at Houlihan’s in the South Terminal for dinner. Cooper talked to his Mimi about seeing Papa the night before (even though she hasn’t seen him in a week), and Branson got to show off his 4 new teeth, and how much better he’s walking…again.
I realize both of these settings are a little weird. Keeping our kids out til 11 o’ clock is probably not smart, and driving to the airport to eat at an overpriced restaurant is odd. But it’s my family. When I was growing up my parents would put us in the car and drive us from wherever we were living and doing ministry at the time to Christmas’, Thanksgivings, Family Vacations, 50th anniversaries, or just to see a cousin that was within an hour or two. Ministry is hard. It’s even harder when you’re separated from family. So when we get the opportunity to be together, we take it. Even if it’s only for a few minutes. Corrie’s family is the same way. They got up early on a Sunday morning and drove several hours to be in service with us for a 4 minute dedication ceremony for Branson.
I want my boys to see that we value family. If it means staying up late or paying a few more dollars for a chicken sandwich…it’s worth it to me.
January 28, 2008