Grits, Theology, Mission, and Life

At Hope we have used Outreach.com for several pieces of promotional material. They provide churches without a design department the opportunity to have some of the benefits of modern day graphic design. 

BUT, when I receive their recent mailer containing Easter materials I almost fell off my chair.  Check out this postcard that you can send out to your community to encourage them to come to church.

Here’s the suggested text for the back of the postcard:

The “Me Generation”, MySpace, iPods, Internet sites that instantly recognize your login and preferences—in this day and age the focus seems to be on Self. And, sometimes we question whether that’s a good thing. But, on an Easter long ago, even God made it all about you. Jesus came to earth out of a great love—for you. Join us this Easter at (Church Name) as we make it all about you—in the very best of ways.

AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!! What in the world??
I would feel much better if it was posted as a joke, BUT its not!

You don’t need to be a theological genius to figure out that Easter is not about YOU!  Yes, I understand God came, lived, died, and rose again but He did it for HIS GLORY not for some self focused “all about you” promotion!! 

At least this one is joke!!

This probably won’t make me “boycott” outreach.  We may purchase something from them in the future.  But for now I am saddened by what we are holding up as legit theology.  And worse yet seek to use that to promote people coming to church. 

RANT – over

O.K. – breath, breath.

One of the most difficult things I do as a pastor/leader is try to communicate. Trying to get across meaning in a culture where there is never quiet and information is flying out you faster then MLB pitch is hard (o.k. its almost impossible). In most preaching circles the use of powerpoint has become commonplace to try to combat the problem. However it is a tool that can be used or abused. And it can help communication but it can also inhibit communication. Also, we rarely think about it but the tools that we use to communicate can shape the way & what we communicate. And it is not always for the better. Check out this video for a comedic portrayal of all of these issues!

I readily admit that I have committed some of these errors myself!

Since we are on the topic of web video. This was a fascinating storyabout the current state of our culture and how web video is now apart of it. I would love to hear from you if you think youtube style video has legs and will continue to grow or it has run its course as a fade. And what might it look for for churches and ministries use that for kingdom purposes. Post a comment and let me know.

I shouldn’t be surprised that politics moves at the same speed as the rest of our culture.  It has been about a week since the republican debate but I am sure that you haven’t seen a new story or highlight from it since the weekend.  It seems the winds of culture blow and so what we want is the now.

But, after thinking about it for a little bit I have a few comments on the debate and what I think it says about our culture.  So I writing this even though its yesterday’s news.

First – the format
I have to admit I turned on the debate not because I was deeply invested in the candidates, their positions, or even the future of our country.  I initially tuned in because I wanted to be entertained.  After Mitt Romney and an animated snowman got into a verbal war I wanted to see if it would continue.  But I guess it got too hot because the snowman was no where to be seen.  I think the fact that youtube has become a force in culture and politics is interesting.  We want democracy and want it as pure and direct as possible but I have to admit the fact that everyone can speak doesn’t necessarily raise the level of discourse.  I am glad that a few have exhausted their 15 minutes of fame.

Second – the questioners
I can’t tell you how many times I have been told that living in Huntsville that it’s not LA.  LA is seen by some as the “left” coast.  Outside of New York it is the place where all things debase are seen to originate.  However, I would submit that because of confluence of cultures there are more similarities then most acknowledge.  Case in point: There was a question about what will these candidates do to repair our reputation in the Muslim world.  It was asked by a Muslim woman.  From where you ask? from LA – no, from New York – no, from Atlanta – no, from Dearborn – no.  She was from Huntsville, AL.  While we may have southern roots, be in a baptist burned over district, and have suburban family values we are not monolithic, all-white, all-christian as we think.  The sooner we see and understand this diversity the more our eyes can be opened to what God may want to do in and through us in this place!

Also, we don’t have to bring God into the election or public life –  He’s already in the middle of it.  I am fearful too at times to speak about God but what continues to make me see our post-modern times as one of opportunity is that God is being brought into the public, open discussion – like presidential politics (and movies – check out this great article).  It seems like it is no longer “off-limits”.  While, I don’t think that post-modern “spirituality” is Biblical Christianity there is a path, an opening to begin the conversations.

Final – our response
I really don’t like talking about politics.  Not because I don’t have a view or I am a mushy republican.  But because I fear that sometimes we create fences to the gospel.  I don’t want my politics to be a hindrance to people understanding that the righteous creator God of the universe stands as their enemy outside of the substitutionary gift of Christ.  It has little to do if I have an R or D behind my name in the voting booth.  One thing that this year will bring is an increase in side taking.  But I am praying that we can communicate that R or D side taking is not a requirement of the gospel.

I am under no illusion that I am “the sharpest knife in the drawer”. In fact I am thankful to God that I live in an age where resources are plentiful and easily accessible. While we must never put any teacher, preacher, or person in the place of God or scripture God has given us teachers as gifts from Him for us to see Him and His Words more clearly (Eph 4:7-12). Praise Him!

In that light here are a few links that I have been reading and have been influential in my life and preaching recently. Hopefully they will provide some opportunity for you to not adore the teachers but glorify God.

Dr. John Piper writes on safety and Christian risk.

Dr Tim Keller writes on two thieves of the gospel religion or irreligion

Josh Harris is interviewed on outreach in his life and the life of Covenant Life Church

Enjoy! Learn! Grow!

Welcome. If this is your first time into the “blogosphere” as it is known, you have entered a relatively new, ultra-dynamic, and sometimes conflicting corner of the internet. Just so you know this is a blog or short for “web log”. It is simply a place to journal thoughts, ideas, perspectives, and in this case hopefully Biblical truth.The intention of this blog is to provide a window into the pastoral staff of Hope church. As we seek to be missionaries in the time and place that Jesus has put us, the internet can provide a powerful window to examine, explore, and discern our culture. As well, it can be a place to provide further resources and exploration on Biblical passages and topics. I am hoping that this blog can help us all do that with some fun and humor thrown in. My hope is to make this a regular channel for communication for those attending Hope and those that haven’t come in our physical doors. And hopefully in the not to distant future make this part of the regular website of Hope church.

So feel free to comment, say “hello”, give a shout out, remain silent in the shadows, or do nothing at all.Our inaugural series will kick off soon with Nicaragua mission trip updates and prayer requests. We are even hoping to post several updates and pictures from Nicaragua. So stay tuned!!

Andy

PS: If you want a way to stay up to date without having to check back here check out an RSS reader. It is a cool little tool to check your favorite websites at one time.