Beautifully Authentic

28 07 2008

Today, I heard a raw, honest approach to God that I’ve got to believe He craves more of in the Church. Do yourself a favor and listen to at least the last half of this message - http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurrenceID=3109

This is Louie Giglio finishing his 2nd half of the series “Home Free, Even Me”. He was with us a few months ago with part of the story he wrapped up today. I thought that series, “Hope: When Life Hurts Most”, was one of the best I’d heard in a long time. Both messages brought a sense of raw, still-in-process authenticity that the Church desperately needs. So many people stay away because everything in the Church world is either stories of old with no attempt to tie application to the present or a pretty little story with a bow on it at the end, and life just doesn’t look like for most people.

So, how raw and authentic? There were even some spelled out cuss words and implied “f-bombs”. Oh ya! I thought that might intrigue you! (Hint, it wasn’t done in a way to glorify the language.) Give it a listen: http://www.northpointministries.org/player/player.jsp?occurrenceID=3109


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Categories : Church Communication, Great Stories, Life Change

Whose church is it?

20 07 2008

Just got a chance to listen to Andy’s session 3 talk from Drive recently. Yes, I was there the whole time, but on the staff side, it’s all-hands-on-deck in terms of set-up, tear down, hosting, etc., so we don’t often get to see a lot of the conference. Anywho, I remember being out in the hallway when that last session let out and all these pumped up people saying, “You gotta hear that talk!”

My favorite part was Andy talking about the tremendous amount of capital and assets the Church has locked up and stagnant because they’re too afraid to make the changes they know need to be made. And why? Because of money. Here’s two quotes that were takeaways for me:

“As long as the money’s coming in, churches rarely get serious enough to make the changes they need to make.”

“One of the reasons we fear making the change is because the money’s coming in and if we make the changes the money may leave or run out. What does that make us?“

Wow, is that telling or what!? Isn’t the Church God’s instrument to begin with? Who are we to not trust He will provide the resources needed to reach people, teach people, transform lives and celebrate like crazy.

Don’t ever, EVER, hold back from doing something at your church because you’re afraid some “check writers” may not like it. Remember, you are beholden to God and His desires, not theirs. If they leave because you make a change that helps reach people, I guarantee you you’re better off.


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Categories : Transforming Church

What will make them care?

13 07 2008

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?


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Categories : Observations