and one with big sister, Kylie (3 3/4 years old)...
Friday, February 29, 2008
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Soccer Season Begins
Kylie started soccer practice this week. She's on a great team, the Cyclones. She started practice with stretches and a little running, and then on the fundamentals.
Today we spent the day getting soccer pics done, a little practice time, and then headed to Lowe's to figure out how we're going to spend out tax rebate. You noticed I said Lowe's and not Best Buy, so you can deduce who's spending the money...
I'm going to work on her dribbling skills this week in preparation for our first scrimmage on Thursday and our first game on Saturday.
I've never been much of an athlete, so she'll probably eclipse my skill in the next month or so.
Today we spent the day getting soccer pics done, a little practice time, and then headed to Lowe's to figure out how we're going to spend out tax rebate. You noticed I said Lowe's and not Best Buy, so you can deduce who's spending the money...
I'm going to work on her dribbling skills this week in preparation for our first scrimmage on Thursday and our first game on Saturday.
I've never been much of an athlete, so she'll probably eclipse my skill in the next month or so.
Friday, February 22, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
History of the Joke
The History Channel recently had a program called "The History of the Joke", hosted by Lewis Black. I liked hearing the different comedians and their take on what's funny.
Patton Oswalt had one: A forty year old man and a young boy were walking in the woods at night. The boy said, "Man, this sure is a creepy place. I'm getting scared." The man replied, "You're getting scared? I'm the one that has to walk out of here alone."
Jimmy Carr is a British comedian with a very proper, but random, kind of guy: Evangelical Christians are so focused on evolution, they believe every word from Genesis. I don't even think Phil Collins is a very good drummer.
If you get a chance to catch it, it's a great way to waste a Sunday afternoon.
Patton Oswalt had one: A forty year old man and a young boy were walking in the woods at night. The boy said, "Man, this sure is a creepy place. I'm getting scared." The man replied, "You're getting scared? I'm the one that has to walk out of here alone."
Jimmy Carr is a British comedian with a very proper, but random, kind of guy: Evangelical Christians are so focused on evolution, they believe every word from Genesis. I don't even think Phil Collins is a very good drummer.
If you get a chance to catch it, it's a great way to waste a Sunday afternoon.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Kathryn's New Thing
Kathryn has been smacking her lips for the past 15 minutes. Had to get it on video.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tough Questions 4
New Reality #4: The Return to Spiritual Formation
This is what I'm most excited about in the life of our church. McNeal says,
"We have turned our churches into groups of people who are studying God as though they were taking a course at school or attending a business seminary. We aim at the head. We don't deal in relationship. And we wonder why there is no passion for Jesus and his mission."
The transformation from a programmatic approach to teaching (think university style "sit and listen to the guru") to a coaching approach is intriguing to me. It's a little harder to quantify and measure, but I think the results last a lot longer. I can't remember the last significant Bible study I went to, but I can remember the significant relationships and moments when I learned through some tough questions.
How can we begin to use the experiences of life to coach people toward becoming more committed in following Christ? When we provide experiences, what followup can we do with them to help it mean something? How can we involve others in our own growth and development?
Questions like these bust opportunities wide open. We don't need a building or a program, we just need people who want to get in shape. Together. So we can now begin to think how we live out our faith, hope, and love. Coaching forces us out of the mindset of going through the motions and into genuine passion.
Every ounce of me wants to make this a program. Develop curriculum. But I'm fighting it. I'm trying to keep it simple.
This is what I'm most excited about in the life of our church. McNeal says,
"We have turned our churches into groups of people who are studying God as though they were taking a course at school or attending a business seminary. We aim at the head. We don't deal in relationship. And we wonder why there is no passion for Jesus and his mission."
The transformation from a programmatic approach to teaching (think university style "sit and listen to the guru") to a coaching approach is intriguing to me. It's a little harder to quantify and measure, but I think the results last a lot longer. I can't remember the last significant Bible study I went to, but I can remember the significant relationships and moments when I learned through some tough questions.
How can we begin to use the experiences of life to coach people toward becoming more committed in following Christ? When we provide experiences, what followup can we do with them to help it mean something? How can we involve others in our own growth and development?
Questions like these bust opportunities wide open. We don't need a building or a program, we just need people who want to get in shape. Together. So we can now begin to think how we live out our faith, hope, and love. Coaching forces us out of the mindset of going through the motions and into genuine passion.
Every ounce of me wants to make this a program. Develop curriculum. But I'm fighting it. I'm trying to keep it simple.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
A Reason Not to Vote
I don't mind his middle name, but I think Obama has something else to worry about.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Tough Questions 3
Yeah, I'm reading a lot today, so what, wanna fight about it?
New Reality #3: The New Reformation - Releasing God's People
I'm a church planter. I plant churches. Not worship services, and not institutions. Maybe a better term is that I help people become missionaries to their community. But that's hard to put on a business card.
Being missional is about finding how we can serve the community. Much of the time, we look at the church through the lens of how it can serve us. That's a great entry point, as we all (at some time or another) have needs that only Christ can meet. But there has to be a shift in focus to how can I begin serving others?
I've met some people who are not followers of Christ that get this better than Christians do. They love to serve others, with no agenda! When you talk about ministry in most churches, it usually has to do with a function of the church (greeters, ushers, setup, breakdown, teacher, childcare). And the community projects are usually one-shot productions aimed at gaining new leads.
What's great about Resonate is that we're trying to do things differently. We're not a big church. We don't offer much in the way of anything. But we're trying to serve the community. If we can build a mindset of helping people, offering hope and love and faith, then I think we're doing our job.
It takes a new metric to measure success this way. Right now it's "I know it when I see it".
New Reality #3: The New Reformation - Releasing God's People
I'm a church planter. I plant churches. Not worship services, and not institutions. Maybe a better term is that I help people become missionaries to their community. But that's hard to put on a business card.
Being missional is about finding how we can serve the community. Much of the time, we look at the church through the lens of how it can serve us. That's a great entry point, as we all (at some time or another) have needs that only Christ can meet. But there has to be a shift in focus to how can I begin serving others?
I've met some people who are not followers of Christ that get this better than Christians do. They love to serve others, with no agenda! When you talk about ministry in most churches, it usually has to do with a function of the church (greeters, ushers, setup, breakdown, teacher, childcare). And the community projects are usually one-shot productions aimed at gaining new leads.
What's great about Resonate is that we're trying to do things differently. We're not a big church. We don't offer much in the way of anything. But we're trying to serve the community. If we can build a mindset of helping people, offering hope and love and faith, then I think we're doing our job.
It takes a new metric to measure success this way. Right now it's "I know it when I see it".
Tough Questions 2
New Reality #2: The Shift from Church Growth to Kingdom Growth
So, yeah, growing the church isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, it's nice to be in charge of a big worship service where everyone is hanging on your every word. But the truth is, the people who really need to hear it, the people who you committed to serving so long ago, probably aren't there. It's Sunday after all, and they are hanging out at home, playing with their kids, and coming up for air before the new week hits them again.
Instead of asking "How can we grow this church?" we should be asking "How can we transform this community?" I don't think the answer is cool music and a good speaker. It might be a part of the answer (and a small part at that), but I don't think it's the focus. We need to engage people where they are. This is the meaning of the word "missional" - a word spellcheck disagrees with, but I like it anyway.
We're not tied to real estate. Location, location, location doesn't matter. Conversation does. Talking with people, learning about them, and sharing with them the greatest love of our lives. Why do we want to make it so hard?
What goes great with conversation? Food. Thankfully, our culture eats quite a bit. So, why eat alone? Can I be just as spiritual sitting in a building and singing about Jesus as I can sitting in a restaurant talking about him? If I can, then what's the big deal about "church"?
So, yeah, growing the church isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sure, it's nice to be in charge of a big worship service where everyone is hanging on your every word. But the truth is, the people who really need to hear it, the people who you committed to serving so long ago, probably aren't there. It's Sunday after all, and they are hanging out at home, playing with their kids, and coming up for air before the new week hits them again.
Instead of asking "How can we grow this church?" we should be asking "How can we transform this community?" I don't think the answer is cool music and a good speaker. It might be a part of the answer (and a small part at that), but I don't think it's the focus. We need to engage people where they are. This is the meaning of the word "missional" - a word spellcheck disagrees with, but I like it anyway.
We're not tied to real estate. Location, location, location doesn't matter. Conversation does. Talking with people, learning about them, and sharing with them the greatest love of our lives. Why do we want to make it so hard?
What goes great with conversation? Food. Thankfully, our culture eats quite a bit. So, why eat alone? Can I be just as spiritual sitting in a building and singing about Jesus as I can sitting in a restaurant talking about him? If I can, then what's the big deal about "church"?
Tough Questions 1
I'm reading through "The Present Future" by Reggie McNeal, in preparation for meeting him later this month. I thought I would blog my way through the book and highlight some of his thoughts.
New Reality #1: The Collapse of the Church Culture
"In their mind [the people outside of the church], the church is a club for religious people where club members can celebrate their traditions and hang out with others who share common thinking and lifestyles. They do not automatically think of the church as championing the cause of poor people or healing the sick or serving people. These are things they associate with Jesus. They believe the church is out for itself, looking out more for the institution than for people."
His basic conclusion is that the trappings of "church" as we know it are dying, and it's time to change or die with it. No longer can we rely on the "if you build it, they will come" model. We need to focus less on the church and more on Jesus.
I'll admit, this is one of those subtle mindsets than can trap me. I get so concerned about growing that I focus on growing and not on Jesus. I want our church to be well respected in the community, but I lose sight that, really, it's Jesus that needs to be the focus.
More to follow...
New Reality #1: The Collapse of the Church Culture
"In their mind [the people outside of the church], the church is a club for religious people where club members can celebrate their traditions and hang out with others who share common thinking and lifestyles. They do not automatically think of the church as championing the cause of poor people or healing the sick or serving people. These are things they associate with Jesus. They believe the church is out for itself, looking out more for the institution than for people."
His basic conclusion is that the trappings of "church" as we know it are dying, and it's time to change or die with it. No longer can we rely on the "if you build it, they will come" model. We need to focus less on the church and more on Jesus.
I'll admit, this is one of those subtle mindsets than can trap me. I get so concerned about growing that I focus on growing and not on Jesus. I want our church to be well respected in the community, but I lose sight that, really, it's Jesus that needs to be the focus.
More to follow...
Sunday, February 10, 2008
If I Get One More Email About His Middle Name...
Below is a rather lengthy video of Barack Obama speaking regarding the role of faith and politics in America. While there may be pieces you'll probably disagree with, I find it hard to argue the fact that we as followers of Christ should seek to engage in our communities rather than draw a line that disregards their values. He offers a reasoned approach to faith and life, to religion and politics.
There may be those who wish to vilify me for saying this, but I'm leaning toward Obama in November. He seems to feel the tension between Republican ideals of faith and Democratic ideals of action. The tension that followers of Christ feel between expressing truth and walking in love.
Regardless of where you are leaning, I think it's worth a watch.
There may be those who wish to vilify me for saying this, but I'm leaning toward Obama in November. He seems to feel the tension between Republican ideals of faith and Democratic ideals of action. The tension that followers of Christ feel between expressing truth and walking in love.
Regardless of where you are leaning, I think it's worth a watch.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Ready to Fall in Love
As I was coming downstairs after getting ready to go to our first Daddy-Daughter Dance, Kylie said, "Daddy, you look like you're ready to fall in love!"
We had a great time dancing, having some punch, and then sharing some ice cream after we got home.
We had a great time dancing, having some punch, and then sharing some ice cream after we got home.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
On Faith Again
“Spiritual leadership is not the ability to define everything the future holds. It is the willingness to move forward when all you know is God. The apostolic leader finds his direction from the compass of the purpose of God, is fueled by the passions of God, and while he's moving to do what he knows, God clarifies and directs.”
-Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force
-Erwin McManus, An Unstoppable Force
On Faith
Rather than going into all of my anxieties, I'll just post this:
"Wallowing in shame, remorse, self-hatred, and guilt over real or imagined failings in our past lives betrays a distrust in the love of God. It shows that we have not accepted the acceptance of Jesus Christ and thus have rejected the total sufficiency of His redeeming work. Preoccupation with our past sins, present weaknesses, and character defects gets our emotions churning in self-destructive ways, closes us within the mighty citadel of self, preempts the presence of a compassionate God."
-Brennan Manning
Here's to getting over yourself and having a little faith.
(HT to Bob Hyatt)
"Wallowing in shame, remorse, self-hatred, and guilt over real or imagined failings in our past lives betrays a distrust in the love of God. It shows that we have not accepted the acceptance of Jesus Christ and thus have rejected the total sufficiency of His redeeming work. Preoccupation with our past sins, present weaknesses, and character defects gets our emotions churning in self-destructive ways, closes us within the mighty citadel of self, preempts the presence of a compassionate God."
-Brennan Manning
Here's to getting over yourself and having a little faith.
(HT to Bob Hyatt)
Monday, February 4, 2008
Marriage Weekend
We had a great time at the marriage weekend this past weekend. I hope that everyone got something out of it. If nothing else, everyone got to go on a little date night and enjoy some time away from the kids.
Erika and I had a good time just hanging out and talking about where we are as a couple. Having two kids definitely changed things. Life almost has to become simpler in order to handle the new complexity. Trying to really define what matters most and sticking to it can be tough, but we're managing OK.
After all that time presenting, I was wiped out. I came home on Sunday, took a nap and then watched the Superbowl (yeah, I know how to watch football).
Today was supposed to be relaxing, but it wasn't. More on that later, I suppose.
Erika and I had a good time just hanging out and talking about where we are as a couple. Having two kids definitely changed things. Life almost has to become simpler in order to handle the new complexity. Trying to really define what matters most and sticking to it can be tough, but we're managing OK.
After all that time presenting, I was wiped out. I came home on Sunday, took a nap and then watched the Superbowl (yeah, I know how to watch football).
Today was supposed to be relaxing, but it wasn't. More on that later, I suppose.
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Highrise for Church Planting
Yesterday I started using Highrise, a relatively new Relationship Management system from 37signals. I'm just on the free version for now, but I think it will help my time and relationship management as I transition to working for the church full-time.
I can use it to keep up with my to-do lists (normally just jotted down on a whiteboard), but I can connect each to-do with a person, and include notes about conversations and coaching times. I can even forward emails to the system, and it will attach to the appropriate contact.
It also has a notes section, where I can jot down ideas or important stuff that I want to hang on to (tax ID numbers, cool web links, etc.).
The best thing is that it will email me a daily to-do list, along with any contact information that I've added to the system. And, it's expandable, so as we grow, it grows with us. I can add new users to help manage everything.
With our celebration services starting soon, I'm excited about adding a level of structure to this thing.
I can use it to keep up with my to-do lists (normally just jotted down on a whiteboard), but I can connect each to-do with a person, and include notes about conversations and coaching times. I can even forward emails to the system, and it will attach to the appropriate contact.
It also has a notes section, where I can jot down ideas or important stuff that I want to hang on to (tax ID numbers, cool web links, etc.).
The best thing is that it will email me a daily to-do list, along with any contact information that I've added to the system. And, it's expandable, so as we grow, it grows with us. I can add new users to help manage everything.
With our celebration services starting soon, I'm excited about adding a level of structure to this thing.
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