Googlism
Jun 18, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Googled
//ITUNES: “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” – Jack Johnson
You have to check out what Google thinks of me. Click here to read the Googlism post on “Noel.”
Cigar and Book Review
Jun 17, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Very Very Engaged
//ITUNES: “Siren Song” – Jason Harrod
This morning, I worked in a coffee shop and then had a great lunch appointment with Mark on some church vision stuff. After that, I headed over to the building to work. Big mistake. It was full of VBS staff cleaning up. And each staff member had an average of about 2.7 kids in tow. Yowza.
So I jumped back in my car, but realized I had nowhere to go. I didn’t want any more coffee…I couldn’t go home (kid ratio is higher there)…and I didn’t feel like going to the library.
Then I remembered I had a new cigar in my glovebox that the guy at Campbell’s said I should try. So off I headed to the park, where I laid in the grass for an hour, testing out the cigar and reading a book I have been trying to get to for a few weeks.
So I give you…my first dual review.
First, the Cigar.
It is called an Onyx. Now, I am a big fan of maduro wrappers (those are the dark ones, for you novices). They have a bit of a bitter taste and have a nice kick to them. My favorite, to date, has been the Macanudo Maduro but those can get a bit pricey. Now, I don’t smoke very often, but still I am cheap so I hate shelling out a lot of cash for an occasional vice. The guy at Campbell’s said he likes these better and he might be right.
It tastes very very similar to the Macanudo, but it is a bit more spicy. Very yummy. If you like maduros, definitely try this. If you don’t smoke ever, don’t try this because you may get hooked. And cancer is bad.
Now, to the book:
A bunch of people have recommended this book to me. At first, when I started reading it I thought, “OK, here’s another how to do relevant church book.” And, that is precisely what this is. But it is a good one. If you only want to read a few books like that, check this one out. Many people do not have to read it if they are already doing ministry that is trying to penetrate culture, though. You could probably skim it at the bookstore and save yourself the dough.
However, if you have not read a lot of books like that, for sure read this one and Radical Reformission.
Here are a few exerpts to wet your appetite:
For half of my pastoral ministry, I believed my mission was to help the world understand its errors. Like so many other similarly afflicted evangelicals, I thought by hurling verbal hand grenades concerning sin and wrongdoing into the world, the shrapnel would somehow rattle sinners back to their senses. To me, jabbing and stabbing the world with the sword of what I considered impeccable logic and reasoning, backed by God’s Word and a dash of holy anger, was the way to turn the world around.
Anything done in the name is Christ, in the name of love, is ministry. Anything. Of course, the more it touches real needs and vital areas, the more influential it will be. But nowhere does the Bible “qualify” good works, and neither should we. Instead, we should celebrate the infinite ways people can “go in Christ’s name.” We must broaden and enrich the concept of personal ministry; we must bless, affirm, and be willing to release our people into areas that may not directly benefit the church itself.
Quote of the Day
Jun 17, 2005 Quotes
//MOOD: Passionate
//ITUNES: “I Will Always Love Him” – Bob Dylan
“The church’s inward focus is a grave illness.”
-Michael B. Regele
The Queen Mum
Jun 17, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Whelmed
//ITUNES: “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?”
From No Rock&Roll Fun, here’s a great look at the ever growing popularity of the iPod:
Commodification of Life
Jun 17, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Chill
//ITUNES: “When I Go” – Over The Rhine
I was listening to a guy named Nigel Cameron this morning and he was being interviewed about bioethics. He made an interesting point that I had not considered in this debate before. He said the foundational issues are not abortion, cloning, genetic engineering, euthenasia, etc.
His opinion is that the foundation of the entire bioethics debate is the commodification of life. He says we have gotten to the point in history where we believe that we “own” our lives/bodies, etc. Never before in history has culture so widely accepted that notion. It used to be that the notion of life and breath was something higher than self.
That seems to make a bit of sense to me. That is why it is wrong to kill. That’s why suicide is such a big deal. Not because you are “killing your own body” but rather that you are killing life (which is higher than your own ownership of your body). I don’t know if this makes sense, but it really struck me.
Here’s a verse it reminded me of:
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Christian and the Atheist
Jun 17, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Spectacular
//ITUNES: “Stacy’s Mom” – Fountains of Wayne
Alright all you whiners who hate this weather: knock it off! I have been reading so many blogs that have been complaining about the cool weather. I am in heaven! Last year, we went directly from winter to summer (and the miserable heat). But this year, has been awesome.
On a side not, I just got this cool note:
Thanks for posting a link to our podcast “the Christian and the Atheist”! (this is Nate) (also speaking on behalf of Chris). We really apreciate the support and we have gotten 11 hits from your referral in June alone.
Anyway – hope you enjoy the show!
Don’t Mess With Ethan
Jun 16, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Great
//ITUNES: “Paulina” – The Hippos
At Emma’s last day of school thing, all of my kids were playing with her class at the park. That has been one of the awesome things at this school: they have included our whole family when they do events. Nice.
Anyhoo, some second grader was picking on Ethan (4 years old) and Jesse (kindergartener) stood in between them and said to the second grader:
“You mess with my brother and you mess with me.”
The second grader backed down.
I love this! I have been hammering into my kids’ heads that they stick up for family. They don’t get to ignore each other when friends come over, they don’t get to ditch the little ones to play with the big ones, they don’t get to disrespect their mom around other people (or anytime for that matter). In fact, I often tell them if they mess with their mom, they are messing with me.
It’s very cool that it seems to be sticking a bit. Hopefully, when they are teenagers it will still be that way.
Encouraging your Pastor 2.0
Jun 16, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Great, actually, I’m getting a lot done
//ITUNES: “Pure” – The Lightning Seeds
I was reading through other pastor’s responses to the encouragement question, and I ran across the the best one yet. Here are my favorite parts:
Don’t ask him to lunch to tell him how much you love and appreciate him (just tell him or, better, send him a hand written note. Respect time as his most limited resource).
Don’t offer constructive criticism until you have earned the right (ten praises before you even come close to qualifying for one constructive comment).
Don’t criticize your pastor behind his back. If you like what’s going on, tell your friends. If you don’t like what’s going on, tell him (but refer to previous “don’t”).
Don’t put pressure on him to put resources into your program. Instead, just start discipling men and, as your ministry grows, tell or send your pastor success stories. Results first, then support follows in its proper order.
Tell your pastor you are praying for him (and then do it). If you are close enough to him, ask him if he has any specific prayer requests.
Always speak well of your pastor (little birds inevitably chirp when you say bad things).
Always defend your pastor (principle: “I stick up for my friends”).
Be a balanced and Godly man, husband, and father yourself (a blessing rather that a burden to your pastor).
And my favorite piece of advice:
Pray with your own wife (this will reduce your pastor’s counseling load).
Encouraging your Pastor
Jun 15, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Swamped, but taking a break
//ITUNES: “Telescope Eyes” – Eisley
I, and another 50 pastors or so, got an email from a guy who wants to figure out how to encourage his pastor. Here is an excerpt from the email:
I’m writing to you and other blogging pastors because I have a question only a pastor can answer. I’ve been growing increasingly aware of how difficult the job of pastor can be. I know that pastors often receive a lot more criticism than encouragement, and that can lead to all sorts of bad feelings. I think, though, that most congregations truly love their pastors but don’t understand how much encouragement is needed or how to practically provide that encouragement. I also think that pastors are generally and understandably reluctant to ask for such encouragement or display any human weakness at all.
I personally love my pastor, and I’m keenly aware of many things that beat him down in his ministry. Most of those things are entirely out of my control or influence. I would like to provide encouragement to him myself and incite others to do so as well. But I know enough to know that I have no idea exactly what issues a pastor faces that members of the congregation could alleviate. I just don’t know what to do or how to go about providing the most effective encouragement for him.
Tough question for a variety of reasons. First of all, it seems self-serving to even answer the question. It’s like when you tell someone that you need an encouraging comment after you teach, and then they give you one later on that day. Then you feel weird, wondering whether they mean it or they are just placating you.
Secondly, each and every person is different and with varied needs, love languages, etc. So a blanket statement of “this will encourage your pastor” is difficult, at best.
But the question has haunted me for the last day or so. And so I will take a stab at it. For me, it takes more the form of “Things I Wish People Knew.” I think if these things were realized, more encouragement could happen organically. I am going to put it in the first person, because I really don’t know what would be on other pastors’ brains.
I can’t read minds.
I get a lot of people saying something to me like, “as you know, Bob is in the hospital…” or “…since everyone is talking about…” Actually, I don’t know until someone tells me.
Saying “good sermon” means nothing.
When I was growing up, you were obligated to walk by the pastor in the back of the room, awkwardly shake his hand and say, “Good sermon.” If it is a good sermon, be specific. What exactly struck you? If you can’t think of something, don’t say anything.
When you gossip about me or the church, odds are I find out.
That’s the thing about gossip.
Remember I am not a professional Christian.
This rears its crazy little head often. Just because I am a pastor, doesn’t mean I have all the answers. Don’t look so shocked when I say “I don’t know.” I am also not a professional counselor. Often, your small group leader or godly friends can give you better counsel on something you are struggling with than I can. Mostly because they actually know you better than I do.
On the flip side, remember it is a job.
I take a day off each week and I will probably not answer the phone or email on that day.
My wife and kids are not pastors.
Now, specifically from pastoring a big church:
Please don’t be offended if I don’t remember your name.
I meet / talk with / email a lot of people. It is nothing personal. If you can’t remember the names of all 1600 people who attend on a weekend, welcome to my world. I can’t even remember my kid’s birthdays.
Please don’t be offended if it takes awhile for me to get back with you.
I get a lot of requests for meetings and sometimes get a bit of a backlog. Combine that with my flighty personality and 25 hours of message prep and 4 services a week (when I am teaching) and you may see why it takes me awhile.
Um…I’m sure there is more, but that is some stuff off the top of my head. This passage also popped into my head as I was writing. I’ll let you interpret it yourself.
Hebrews 13:17-18 Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit. Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
Let me say that usually, my job is very joyful. The people at Riv are amazing and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else doing anything else.
Weird entry. Oh well.
Whoa
Jun 15, 2005 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
//MOOD: Great
//NOISE: Wind
I just read this passage and it really struck me:
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7
When you tell God you’ll do something, do it—now.
God takes no pleasure in foolish gabble. Vow it, then do it.
Far better not to vow in the first place than to vow and not pay up.Don’t let your mouth make a total sinner of you.
When called to account, you won’t get by with
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it.”
Why risk provoking God to angry retaliation?
