Has Powerpoint for Preaching Outlived Its Usefulness?
There have been a few articles out over the last week that bashed the effectiveness of powerpoint. Here are a few of those articles with a brief synopsis: Physicists, Generals And CEOs Agree: Ditch The PowerPoint This article basically says that in a variety of fields the experience has been the same, reliance on powerpoint […]
God is Up to Something…
and it is important that we recognize it. Once we recognize what is happening, it is important that we celebrate it. When we do that people begin to connect ministry and worship with real life. Too often worship can feel like it happens in a vaccuum, in a disconnect from the rest of our Monday […]
Transcendence, Immanence & Generation Gaps in the Church
There is a tension in scripture between our God’s transcendence (being so much higher and greater and “other” than us) and God’s immanence (being close and personal and intimate with us). On one hand, God dwells in the heavens. On the other His Spirit dwells within us. There is a real tension there in how […]
Reality Television, Real vs Rigged and Implications for 21st Century Christianity
Reality television is booming business. Everything from Duck Dynasty to Pawn Stars to the Pickers…it seems there is a niche for just about everything. It begs the question, just how much of reality television is actual reality and how much of it is rigged? It is obvious that producers, writers, and actors have advanced knowledge […]
Karate Kid, Discipleship, and Why Some Are Leaving Christianity
Mr. Miyagi knew discipleship. He knew what it took to train someone to be able to do the things he did. Miyagi trained Daniel this way, not because cars needed to be washed but because these were the moves Daniel had to repeat enough times that it became natural to him (think muscle memory). When […]
The Problem of Hot Button Issues Becoming Identifying Markers
There have always been hot button issues facing Christianity. One of the challenges that faces churches who take a non-status quo position on these issues is to change their practices without setting up their position as THE identifying marker of the congregation. Whether you agree or disagree with a church’s position, you can understand why […]
Sunday Morning Worship Idolatry?
When Manassah became king of Israel at the age of 12, his leadership really showed his immaturity, “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. 3 He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars […]
Two Posts on Worship, One From Each Extreme
A post on old stale worship – Your Worship Service is B-O-R-I-N-G! by Sean Palmer There is a wealth of information and stories in the comments. Have a look at the comment by Brad Carter where he tells the story about having a funeral for Jesus on Good Friday. Wow. A post on hip, trendy […]
The Biggest Issues Being Discussed in Christianity Are All Connected
There are several topics that come up over and over again in Christian circles, particularly among church leaders, including: Reforming our ecclesiology, the idea that our worship needs an overhaul and… The segregation of the church into professionalized, age-specific ministries and the pitfalls that brings…and The failure of parents and youth ministry to disciple our […]
Worship Service – The Power of Upsetting the Routine
In the last post I mentioned something that happened in one of our worship services that I will never forget. The main reason I won’t forget it is not just because we prayed for her but because many of us got to meet her and encourage her that Sunday. I was later able to visit […]