Sorry, the 10:30 show is sold out!

There are a number of church communities that have children’s ministries where they place a limit on the number of kids a nursery or classroom will take based on the size of the room and a determined volunteer-to-child ratio.

The rationale is that this protocol assures the following:

• Safe environments for the children.
• Value towards the existing volunteer staff.
• Communicates to the church the need for volunteers.

So what do you think?  At one level having a cap is almost required when working with kids for safety reasons…yet at the same time, are you willing to send “Brand New Susie” and her 2-year-old away due to a crowded room?

Thoughts on church from the marketing world

In their book, Authenticity, Gilmore and Pine wrestle with the question, “Can businesses help individuals find authenticity in a world where people no longer esteem our most basic social institutions?” As they wrestle with this question in the section of their book titled, “Failure of Institutions: The Obviously Ineffective Reality,” they comment on various institutions such as car companies, the political arena, and the university.

In regards to the church they comment on the priest’s molestation of youths and the ordination of homosexuals and then state this:

“Evangelical Christians have created megachurches that resemble shopping malls, with bookstores, food courts and restaurants, cafes (’Holy Grounds” seems to be a popular name), skate parks, fitness centers, water parks, and hotels. Sanctuaries resemble movie cinemas, with cup holders (for soda pop, not communion wine), rock bands (instead of choirs), and PowerPoint presentations on jumbo screens (in lieu of real preaching from pulpits) 28.

The authors go on to state that the cure to overcoming these inauthentic messages to culture, an organization must first “abandon any incestuous business dealings that cloud your real purpose. Embrace your own raison d’etre, and let that drive your every pursuit” (29). (i.e. for the church to simply proclaim truth to all who will hear.)

Second, the authors also state that a cure comes from returning to the “primary method of funding your enterprise befitting to the nature of your institution” (29). So for the church their impression is that, “all activities should be financed solely through tithes and offerings. (Efforts to have only those who benefit from a particular ministry–say a couples retreat–pay for it renders the ministry a commercial offering and not a caring act of love.) (30).

Father of Mine

About a month ago, I was online about to purchase tickets for the local Radiohead show when I came to the horrible realization that on the date of the concert I would be on vacationing with our extended family in New Jersey (yes, people do vacation in New Jersey).

In passing conversation with my dad I told him about my horrible predicament and how life was now meaningless. Upon hearing these laments my dad reacted and purchased three tickets to their New Jersey concert happening a week later. The concert would be held in Camden, New Jersey…the birthplace of both my father and I.

So there I would be watching the world’s most triumphant band with my 68-year-old father and younger brother (whom have ashamedly never heard of Radiohead) in the city to which I entered this world covered in slim and smell.

Overall it was a wonderful experience. Radiohead was amazing as usual, while my brother and father enjoyed their unique and experimental style as well as the sweet smell of marijuana simmering in the starlit night.

One of our memorable moments was when my dad paid off one of the workers to allow us in the pavilion section. After watching the first song in VIP seating we were then caught, having to travel to a new location within the pavilion. After the second song, we were caught again, finally taking our respected seats on the lawn…only then was “everything in its right place.”

Music to Die For

Last Sunday we had a fun opportunity to take our congregation through a worship experience that flowed directly from the course of the text.

Ultimately the text was first chosen due to its strong connection to communion, however through the steps of preliminary study, it became apparent that the passage would need to dictate the entire service (communion, offering, praise through song, etc.).

The approach for the text would still be expository, but instead of “telling” the passive listeners the meaning of the text, movements were made to have the listeners participate in “feeling” and “experiencing” its meaning.

For example, in the midst of doing various word studies of the Hebrew text…the question seeking to be answered wasn’t, “How can the listeners understand the meaning of the verse?,” but, “How can the listeners experience the meaning of this verse?”

An approach that provided an appealing variance to the normal even flow of service order, but one that could become stale and trite if conducted too regularly (as with any “order of service”)

You can link to the service HERE, as the hinge of the entire piece is provided by Eric Hays and his original music catered to Psalm 116.

Critical feedback welcomed.

Metaphor Mania

I’ll admit it…I’m a metaphor junkie.

Typically, whenever I teach/preach God’s Word I exhaust most of my efforts to find one central metaphor to convey the biblical theme (and if I can’t do that…then I usually fall back on several sub-metaphors).

Unlike Plato who was suspicious of anything beyond the literal, I agree with Aristotle that metaphor leads to fresh perspective on familiar ideals.

There is something about metaphor that allows us to experience the concept being conveyed.  In the midst of a comparison our minds create a new filter to grasp the meaning seeking to be conveyed.  This process is not only stimulating, but fosters coherence, integration, and comprehension.

In a biblical world where we are to be as “shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves,” where Christ is both the “lion and the lamb,” and to which God is our “shepherd,” may we learn from the great Teacher.

Ordinary words and speech simply convey what we already know.  The spice in putting flavor back into our communication comes through the new metaphors of today.

What innovative metaphor will we give to Christ and The Gospel?  In the past it was always “the bridge,”…but has that metaphor gone stale?  What new and innovation analogy is simmering below the cultural mainstream awaiting to take float?

Identifying Key Players

Teamwork allows those that are more creative to make a greater contribution to the overall ministry. As Hans Finzel in his book, The Top Ten Mistakes Leaders Make, says, “Make room for the mavericks.” Leaders must recognize creative spirits, “listening for the unfamiliar” (Gangel and Canine in Communication and Conflict Management), and pushing them to the frontlines of ministry. Leaders must realize that workers, “want to go where the action is, they want to make a difference, they want to work in flat organizations, and they want to be in control of their destinies” (Finzel, 182). In 1996 Scott Cook recognized the need for decentralization when he decided to take his company, Intuit Inc., through a major re-launch. As this change was extremely difficult, he remarks in a FastCompany interview, “We’ve been able to change by identifying our most passionate people and by letting them set the course.” Leaders must recognize the creative innovators and free them from the slavery of the confinements of security and low-risk mentality.

To be an effective leader requires the humility, as “a fixation on control tends to stifle creativity,” says Filipczak from his book, It Takes All Kinds: Creativity in the work place. In his book, The Leader as a Chang Agent, Doug Murren explains that, “Leader should apply themselves to the task of identifying, nurturing and giving opportunities to those who have the ability to be creative” (205). Within group work, these creative minds will flourish, marking them for future service. This supports Warren Benson, Edmund Chan and Mark Senter who instruct in their book, “A healthy organization has a sense of order, yet a high rate of innovation also. Effective leaders will surround themselves with ‘idea people.’” I strongly agree with Gangel and Canine who state in their book, What Healthy Christian Organizations Look Like, “Leaders are not persons who can do things better than others in the organization; they are persons who can help others in the organization do things better than they themselves can” (103). As a leader identifies key players, above all, he or she must show that a group of diverse people truly need one another, and that is what “team” is all about.

As we seek team leadership, make sure you aren’t threatened by the stars or mavericks.  We must embrace them…even if it means for them to take part of our job…even parts that we love.

Conflicting Perspectives

In his book, Conflict: The Refining Fire of Leadership,  Jim Van Yperen states that leaders are necessary because of conflict (240).  Though this may be an overstatement, it is true conflict management is one of the primary reasons leadership is necessary within any organization.  A key to defining conflict is perspective.  For G. Douglass Lewis, “Conflict is two or more objects aggressively trying to occupy the same place at the same time” (Resolving Church Conflicts).  In my opinion though, Lewis’ definition implies negativity.

Conflict should be defined as differences or a “struggle” between two individuals, parties or within fractions of an organization seeking a particular vision, goal or objective.  Differences are a part of human nature, and effective leaders must learn “that conflict is an opportunity to solve common problems in a way that honors God and offers benefits to those involved” (The Peacemaker, Sande).  Yperen echoes these thoughts by declaring, “Conflict offers us the chance to grow, to change our minds and to create new commitments based upon the truth God reveals” (241).  Leaders must view conflict not as a hindrance or horror, but as a natural part of existing with an opportunity to grow, being a part of God’s redeeming plan.

A Lost Art?

Has the church lost it’s artistic way, forgetting to be creators vs. followers?  In an age where we rely on our worship music to come out of Nashville and our curriculum to come out of Colorado Springs, we mustn’t forget the gifted people represented in our own church communities.

The strengths and talents of the people from my church community are endless.  Needing a song that best correlated with the sermon text, Psalm 116, community member Eric Hays, went and coupled the Psalm with original music.  Knowing Eric, he would want me to say this is a very rough copy below…but I feel it shows the quality resources found within our very own churches.

May we continue to find ways to re-instill life to the artists, giving them avenues of meaningful service and deep impact within the life of the church.

God and Country

If I had to choose between living out in the country or living in the city, I would hands down, choose the city. However, I have numerous friends who would rather choose the country…usually adding, “it’s God’s country.”

Not being a camper or backpacker (or really attracted to anything that has to do with the outdoors), I have always wondered why some people say they better see the magnificence of God in looking at the landscape he has created (i.e. the trees, canyons, streams, etc.). Personally, I always see the awe of God not in what He has created, but in what humans create.

When I look at a canyon or waterfall, I do say, “Wow, God created that! It is amazing.” But then again…Hey, He’s God!

However, when I look at the stone monuments in DC or the sky scrappers in NYC, to think that man created such structures in some ways is even more impressive…pointing even stronger to the source of our creativity, ingenuity, and progress: that source being God.

So what amazes your more? The beautiful landscape orchestrated by our God’s unseen movements on earth…or the painting of the landscape shaped by human creativity and talent, echoing our Creator’s heart?

Illustration Station

As I am an NPR listener, I have truly appreciated their highlighting of the StoryCorps project.  If you are a teacher/communicator, attempt to use a few appropriate stories in your next presentation to surface their emotive power.

NOTE:  This Sunday I will attempt to use three of these stories in a expositional journey of the text, filled with various “simulations” to experience the story behind the verses.  A definite “playful experimentation” from every angle…but you never know unless you try!