Rhett and Link, morning talk show hosts and self-proclaimed Internetainers, recently created a thought provoking music video: Get Off the Phone. To date, it has received almost 1 million views. So What? The type and number of tasks for which people rely on phones continues to increase. Given this trend, it is important that smart phone users occasionally consider the ways in which they use their devices to determine if such is appropriate. Are you pleased with the Read More …
Pope = Person of the Year (#1264)
Earlier this week, TIME named Pope Francis as the 2013 Person of the Year. I encourage you to read their article and watch the brief video explanation of why he was selected. So What? Pope Francis is a change agent. In his talking and in his doing, he continues to clearly communicate what he understands the role of pope to be as well as how the church should be participating in and caring for the world. I have blogged more about Pope Francis in 2013 than I have about all Read More …
Christian Expectations (#1263)
Stephen Mattson recently shared a list of invalid stereotypes held by Christians about Christianity. His list includes: all your questions will be answered; you’ll be “blessed” with wealth, prosperity, comfort, and security; and you're always happy. So What? Christianity is thankfully far too rich a tradition to answer all the questions thinking people ask. It is far too deep a religion to suggest material prosperity is associated with living out one's faith; it acknowledges Read More …
Trust is Waning (#1262)
People are less trusting than they used to be. Research shows a dramatic decline in trust in recent decades. More specifically, over the last 40 years the percentage of Americans who say that most people can be trusted has declined from 50% to 33%. So What? Only 1 out of every 3 Americans thinks most people are trustworthy. Our churches must be and become communities where trust in one another is normative rather than something that is present just 1/3 of the time. Do you think Read More …
Hispanic Americans Leaving Catholicism (#1261)
I often hear that the Catholic church in America will remain a power for years to come primarily because of Hispanics. The assumption that Hispanic Americans are and will remain Catholic is one that is challenged by recent data from the Public Religion Research Institute. Current Affiliation A majority of Hispanics identify as Catholic (53%), one-quarter (25%) identify as Protestant—nearly evenly divided between evangelical Protestant (13%) and mainline Protestant (12%)—and 12% of Read More …
Becoming an Intergenerational Church (#1260)
Scott Cochrane recently shared how Bill Hybels responded to a question about how congregations can become more intergenerational. Hybels', Founder and Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church, answer focused on intention. Congregations that seek to value the intergenerational dynamic must create structures that affirm persons from all age cohorts, including selecting them for leadership positions. So What? Becoming more intergenerational doesn't happen overnight, and Read More …
Sermon: Misguided Expectations (#1259)
Sermon Text: Matthew 3:1-12 Sermon Excerpt I begin with a question that has likely never been asked in this sanctuary before during a service or worship. It isn’t the kind of rhetorical question I typically include in my preaching. It will likely surprise you and may even disturb you. Nevertheless I must ask it: has anyone ever tried to scare the hell out of you? During my years in Dallas there was an annual event focused on just such a goal. Of course, the organizers Read More …
Changing Careers, Changing Lives (#1258)
Jeff Ansorge recently made a huge life transition without changing careers when he left his job as an executive chef at a posh downtown Minneapolis restaurant to accept a position as the chef for the Salvation Army Eastside Corps Community Center in St. Paul. He exchanged a staff of 17 for a volunteer team of helpers and saw his salary decrease by 2/3. For Jeff, the change is a part of a wider spiritual awakening. After a childhood during which he contemplated the Roman Read More …
Inviting People to Church (#1257)
One of the most common reasons people visit a church is invitation. Church members and others actively involved in a given community of faith are those most likely to issue such invitations. Angela Jamene recently shared an apology to those who are on the receiving end of such invitations along with her understanding of what typically motivates the ask: On behalf of Christians everywhere, I would like you to know that we really, just whole-heartedly, love you. And, we want to share Read More …
Remembering My First Call (#1256)
My first call after graduating seminary was to serve as Associate Pastor at Central Christian Church: the longest continually meeting Protestant congregation in Dallas, Texas. This year, the congregation is celebrating its first 150 years of ministry. That celebration included numerous events. So What? Take a few minutes to remember your first experience of church - whether you were a child, a teen, or an adult. How did that congregation help you on your journey of faith? What people and Read More …