HippoChurch

I have a favorite line that I repeat often, “It’s not like unchurched people don’t know churches are there. They just don’t care.” I say that a lot because I’m always intrigued by how to make them care.

Let’s face it, the world is getting smaller. We’re not just our city, our state, our country anymore. It’s becoming a 6 billion people + melting pot of busyness. And when you’re swimming in a bigger ocean, you’d darn sure better have your act together in order to make anyone notice. You certainly can’t depend on “tradition” because the majority don’t share that tradition, so it never occurs to them to have a reason to care.

So, what is it? What are you doing at church to make someone who doesn’t know Jesus have the slightest bit of interest that you’re gathering and, coincidentally, praying to God that others would come to know Him?

I’m not being critical. I’m seriously interested. We’ve got marketing down to those who already believe the same as we do. We change our programs, music, pastors, etc. all the time to appeal to them. But, that’s not adding anyone and it’s what God cares most about. So, let’s help each other out with ideas. What will make them care?

Of course, I think she’s great, but on top of that, she’s got talent. Thanks to a tip from my friend, Mike Davis (http://mikedavis.carbonmade.com), we have a new website to show off Jen’s paintings - http://jentanksley.carbonmade.com. Thanks Mike!

So, North Point has a series coming up at the end of June/start of July entitled “Letters to the Next President”. You can visit the website here, www.letterstothenextpresident.com, to submit your own letter. It’ll be interesting to see where people go with this. Here was mine by the way - dear-mr-president

I think the thing we are all craving the most is authenticity and someone with convictions who will stick to their guns. I don’t even have to agree all the time. In fact, I won’t. Just have a spine and be a leader. We are long overdue. I definitely think the country is worn ragged from the political machinery of the last several decades. Even with presidential approval ratings in the low 30’s, the ratings for Congress are even worse, in the low 20’s. It’s clear that we’re fed up. What would you advise?

Got an email from my friend David the other day with a link to this video. Now that’s authenticity that people are looking for! Way to go Hillside Christian Church in Amarillo, TX!

Okay, this one’s just for fun. God created joy, laughter and all those good things, so what would you say His favorite would be?

The Office is my current favorite. Seinfeld my all-time favorite, but I imagine Everybody Loves Raymond might be the one that makes Him chuckle the most. Why? It’s all about His favorite thing - relationships (Ray & Debra, his parents, his brother, etc., a veritable cornucopia of dysfunction!)

This could be fun, but it’s not necessarily a fruitless exercise. People identify with the humor in the sitcoms they follow, so it can make for a great avenue to reach them in our communication. Anyway, what’s your vote and why?

go here and listen or watch this:

http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurrenceID=297

Did you watch it? All of it? Okay, now that we have that little squabble that churches like to bicker over out of the way, let’s get down to bigger issues. Jesus was attractional. Even to those who didn’t know him or necessarily agree with all he said. What are we doing to make our churches that way? When people visit us on Sunday are we making them jump through hoops they don’t understand (i.e. with our language, dress, rituals, etc.)? And, what are we doing to get out of our buildings, programs, etc. to actually intersect with the lives of those He’s put around us?

Thanks for bringing it today Andy! One of my new all-time favorites.

Thanks to all of you who have served this country in the military and military support roles. I know Memorial Day is a time when it comes to mind for us, but what you do has enriched every day for us as Americans. We have something special here and your service has protected it and brought hope to millions around the world. It’s not always pretty and war is messy, but I cannot imagine the state of the world today without a strong America defending its founding principles and reaching out to expand them.

You’re the best and I’m grateful to you. Have a great Memorial Day.

Read a little bit more of “UnChristian” over lunch today. (I know, I know. Shouldn’t I be through with that book by now. Do I still read by putting my finger under the line I’m reading like when I was a kid? Actually, it’s just wrestling with reading 4-5 books at a time.)

Loved the implications that came from one excerpt noting American society today and how Christians can still exert influence:

In thinking through how God wants to use his people, consider one of the most fascinating phenomena of our society: America is fragmenting into diverse subcultures. The “mainstream” experience, if there ever was such a thing, has now surrendered virtually all of its gravitational pull. These days most Americans take their cues from a unique subculture, deriving meaning, values, heroes, self-expression, identity, and viewpoints form a unique segment of society.

Though we frequently wish for the perceived shared American identity that nostalgia says was strongest during the 50’s, we, in the Church, have to deal in present reality. During times of crisis, i.e. 9/11, there’s probably a strong sense of shared national identity, but in the day-to-day experience for Americans, we’re usually more defined by the certain subculture or “tribe” we belong to than a collective moral mindset. (Tribe examples would be occupation, “I’m a scientist, consultant, student, etc.”, or seasons of life, “I’m in my 30’s, 40’s, I’m an empty-nester, etc”, or especially in America, our socioeconomic status.)

The challenge is, that being our nature - to group up with others that share our beliefs, experiences, etc. - that we as Christians fight against our tendency to create our own Church tribe or subculture (sounding familiar?) and separate ourselves from others who don’t ascribe to our beliefs. It’s natural to do so. It’s just that our tribe isn’t afforded that luxury.

In becoming Christian we can’t join the tribe and then expect people in other tribes to have to move towards us before we accept them. Everybody else can do that, but we can’t. We have to go out and plant ourselves in their realm, while still maintaining our main identity in who Christ has called us to be. So, be smart! If you’re a Christian AND a scientist, consultant, student, etc. recognize where God has planted you, and fight against the natural inertia to just move towards your huddle of Christian friends.

I could write a book on this, but it’s already been done - Ch. 6 of UnChristian.

Thankfully, many of you seemed to lay eyes on my post about our friend, Michael Colwell, who lost his battle with cancer about a week ago. This family deserves every bit of our thoughts, prayers and support. Michael left behind his wife and two little boys, ages 4 and 3, and as much as we all miss MC, we all think constantly at how they must feel.

Michael was first diagnosed in his 20’s, and sadly, had not even really considered life insurance before. Of course, that became a “pre-existing condition” and he was unable to get any life insurance with that black mark. We are rallying to support them, but I just wanted to expand the audience for anyone who would like to help Jen and the boys in practical ways as they continue on without their husband and dad.

A tax-deductible memorial fund has been set up to help the Colwells. Here’s the pertinent info:

Helping Hands Ministries (make payable to)
Account #63045
P.O. Box 337
Tallulah Falls, GA 30573

Be sure to note Account #63045 in the memo line.

Thanks for any contribution you’d like to make.

We can talk about ministry models all day, and I think a variety of models is healthy for the Church because each of us reaches people in the unique way they might have been searching for God or the way we were gifted to reach them. As long as it’s founded in the Truth, I say Sunday School - go for it! Emergent - go for it! Small groups - go for it!

We do a great, though sad, job of tearing each other down in the Church world, arguing over models, whether or not someone’s watered down the Gospel, megachurch and pastor as CEO is heretical, etc., but one thing you can’t argue with is fruit. (I mean really, have you ever tried to reason with a pear? There’s no swaying those things! )

So, my thought for the day is how do you know you’re actually being effective? What can you point to? Do you have a system? What does it produce?

Certainly, there are moments in worship sets, in sermons, in community work, etc. where you absolutely feel the Spirit and know God is at work in hearts in your midst. But, how do you know that your contribution at your church is resulting in fruit?

One of my favorite things about being around here is that we’re very intentional about trying to set the table through environments (Foyer, Living Room, Kitchen) where God can do what only God can do, and then we measure like heck whether or not those environments are producing results. Not to manipulate anyone, or pat ourselves on the back or to report big numbers (we’re non-denominational so we don’t even have anyone to report those numbers to anyway!). But, we want to know, “Are we being effective with the resources God’s entrusted to us and are we seeing life change because of our environments?” We could depend on feel, especially on Sundays which are always a high moment, but we pressed on past the feel of things to measure whatever we could measure. As they say, “what gets measured gets managed”. Meaning you’re intentional and people are responsible about it.

We’ve centered on 3 key measurables:

1. Baptisms - Cool to see 10-15 per month at each campus getting baptized. That’s just adult baptisms too. The number of people making decisions for Christ is even higher.
2. Starting Point Orientation Attendance - We have a 10-week small group environment for what we describe as “seekers, starters and returners”. It’s one of the few things that we regularly include in announcements, and we have orientations after services at least twice a month. This is a brief 30-minute intro/Q & A. We measure how many people attend. If we see a declining trend, it means we’re not reaching enough new people and/or we’re not casting enough vision for it.
3. Percent of Attendance in Small Groups - Our threshold is at least 60% in groups. If we fall below that number, we know we have something to talk about. Rather than focus on the number in rows on Sunday, our main measure is how many people are in circles during the week. We consistently see life change fostered and cemented by doing life together in small groups. And I love that we’ve set big, audacious goals that can’t be met without God. We are driving towards 5,000 Groups with 50,000 people in them by 2010 across all our campuses and partners. We’re nearing 30,000 currently. Who knows if we’ll make it, but wow! to think what God can do in the process.

I know this can sound mechanical to some, but I swear we’re only concerned with people moving towards God and ultimately living lives that reflect an understanding of what He’s done for them. It’s not the numbers. It’s the process and intentionality to measure it and be accountable. What’s going on in your church?