Prison Break.

In this story from Reuters, we hear about the sad case of a prisoner who requested that the police actually re-incarcerate him. Life in the real world was not pleasant. He needed a break from freedom.

It actually tugged at my heartstrings. I admit it.

I was thinking of the first of the Matrix movies, where a group of rogue humans fought to free other humans from a captive facade created my machines to keep them (humans) under control. A subplot was the idea that some people freed from bondage actually preferred to be returned to the empty existence. In the movie, one of the humans was so intent on returning, he betrayed and killed most of the crew.

How do we present ourselves (as ministers)? Do folks come in all green-eyed, and yearn to get away from our fellowship as soon as possible? Do we really work to maintain the relationships we have, versus letting the newbies fend for themselves?

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Want a mistress? Think again...

In this story that blurs the line between real and incredible, we get yet one more reason why having a mistress is generally not a good idea...

I blame this on Twitter Pal Ben Cotten, who made the tweet that brought it to my attention.

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Sweet tea, me-way and ministry.

I am a sweet tea addict.

Sweet tea defines my identity: in it, I am proud southerner. Nothing gets me out of a funk like some ice cold sweet tea. Now, I like to consider myself smarter than Esau, and I truly believe that lentil soup would never make me sell my birthright, but in my more lucid moments, I have to admit that a pitcher of liquid brown goodness would give me pause.

Now, along with this love of sweet tea comes an absolute disdain of iced unsweetened tea. Just typing that pushes me to the edge of insane anger. Would adding some sugar really be that hard? It gets worse when you go to a restaurant an ask for sweet tea, and they offer you the unsweetened, poisonous version. Then, they rub salt in the wound by offering to mix in sugar for you. Really? It should be criminal. People have been jailed for less.

It's just the way things should be. Sweet tea should be sweet, and it should be cold. When I say sweet, I mean it should hit the brain on the first mini-sip. When I say cold, it should threaten the esophagus with frostbite from beginning to end. Yeah... that's how it should be. As Mr Nezzer of Veggie Tales fame would say: bland, lukewarm, barely-any-sugar "sweet" tea is for sissies!

So, I think something is clear. I couldn't really explain the pros and cons of the latest stimulus bill, but when it comes to serious issues like the chilled consumption of Camellia sinensis, I am very, very passionate. The Boston Tea Party holds extra special significance with me, homie...

Hey, Don't judge me. We all have our individual passions...

It's funny, though, how my way becomes the "right" way. Almost imperceptibly, my way becomes THE way. And, despite my good intentions, that becomes dangerous when it supersedes what should be my true Guide.

When it comes to ministry, it can be a tricky balancing the need for open-mindedness with the requirement of unyielding ethics. On the flip side, we have seen when the "me-way" leads astray when it is paired with an unfettered desire to think outside the box... and that, my friends, is a discussion for another day.

Images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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True Life

Experiencing true life is the name of the game for '09 at The Branch...

Come join us as we talk about how to do just that...

9AM and 10.45 AM Sundays at Mallard Creek Center in Charlotte...


Praise God!!!

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Heat

On Sunday, our pastor shared a simple testimony that really struck home.

When the church moved to its present location (a rec center), the new spot did not have air conditioning. In NC, that is a congregation killer in the Summer.

To have a system installed would cost about $75K... not a small amount. The human way of thinking would have been to find a new place (or even shelve the idea completely).

As God would have it, someone stepped forward and paid for most of the install of the A/C.

Now, at first blush, this is the end of the story. The Branch Came, It Saw, It Conquered. God wins, and the needs of His people are met. The assurance of such is almost anticlimactic.

But then, Derek pointed something out that was so profound in its simplicity, it had me in deep meditation afterwards.

Now, when the funding was provided, BFC could have done what a lot of us (self humbly included) would have done by instinct: looked up, said thank you, and used the money to find better digs. In fact, the blessing almost demanded it. And why not? It was the logical thing to do.

However, it is a good thing to just sit pat and listen sometimes. Because BFC stayed at the rec center and allowed itself to be used as a tool, goodness was performed. Look at the big picture... now, everybody in the county will enjoy the fruits for years to come.

This is not a thread to declare how holy an individual or church is; it's an admission that even when we mean to do well, we have to understand that human vision is almost always shortsighted when compared to God's.

The truth of that should be sobering AND reassuring.
Praise God!!!

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Sunday blues.

So, we dropped our Sunday game today 1-0.

At some point in my life, I won't get as testy after losses. Not today, though. For now, I am gonna go try my hand at Chicken Diavolo and drown my sorrows in some root beer.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Things they didn't tell you about youth ministry

Through the years, I have been blessed with the opportunity to work with some of the best kids and youth (and parents) on earth. I have had the privilege of being able to do so in pews and on the pitch.

Now, I see some of my wards having getting married, having kids, and even becoming ministers themselves. It makes the rough times even more worth it.

Along the way, I have picked up some lessons on the way. Some I have learned by making mistakes; others by seeing peers make missteps. Either way, you learn very quickly that youth ministry will change you. It will eat you up or enrich your life, and it really depends on your walk with You Know Who.

Here are some non-finite life lessons:

1) Leave the ego at the door. Get this song out of your head. You're not hot. You're not fly. Yeah, you think you are, but you don't have all the answers. Trust me: one way or another, you will be humbled.

2) While leading the horse to the pond, replenish yourself. Burnout is a real concept.

3) You know the older guy who is around the church all the time? You know... the one who hired you, does your reviews, and gives you feedback and helpful criticism? That is the s-e-n-i-o-r p-a-s-t-o-r. Believe it or not, he is not your enemy, or a stumbling block to your ministerial greatness. The wise youth pastor leans on his lead pastor for advice and vision. You CANNOT be successful if your head honcho does not buy in.

4) A true sign of genius is possessing the intelligence to network with tenured ministers. Make friends. Pick minds. You and your youth program will be better for it. The old Baptist deacon that comes from the church that does not have the budget for a youth pastor can be your biggest asset. Put your nose down. It helps you see better.

5) 40 hours? Funny. Part-time? Ludicrous. Really. Look, it would be nice if youth needed help from 9-5, but in the real world, it does not happen that way. You're gonna get those midnight calls, and you need to realize that the call is a true blessing. Think about it.

6a) Hold your youth to high standards. Make the rules, have the senior guy approve em, and enforce them... this leads us to...

6b) Compassion and grace must be a part of your ministry.

7) Be authentic, because, while you can fool the senior staff (and even parents) some of the time, the youth themselves will see through you very, very quickly.

8) The Brady Bunch, Ministry is not (now that I have confused both of us, what I am trying to say is that there is going to be conflict). Also, just because someone does not agree with your visionary ideas does not mean he/she is an atheist.

9) Treat your volunteers like gold. Fawn over them. Praise them. Background check them too. Train them. Why? At some point, you will realize that you can't do it alone.

10) Don't forget the most important question. Who are you doing this for? Hint: look up...
Praise God!!!

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Revolutionary Love

Here is a novel idea from LifeChurch.tv: what would happen if people not only believed that love can change the world, but actually armed the belief with action?

This is the premise behind an innovative, cheeky experiment from LC: Revolutionary Love. It's all about paying it forward without necessarily waiting for the love to passed on to us first.

*** thanks to Amanda for pointing out the truth: the love was freely given to us in the first place.

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Out of bounds...

Well, by now y'all know I am sucker for feel-good sports stories. You know, stories that show class and honor the game without sacrificing competition.

In this story from AP (courtesy of Rivals.com), we hear about how Illinois DeKalb High School chose to honor a grieving player during a game against rival Milwaukee Madison High School.

DeKalb High senior Johntel Franklin had lost his mother, and his team was playing without him. After the game started, in need of support from his team, he made the trip to join his team directly from the hospital.

There was one problem: Franklin was not on the pregame roster, and playing him would cost his team two technical free throws in a close game.

The opposing coach actually tried to decline the shots. The referees conferred, and (in what I believe to be the right decision), decided to stick to the rules. In a testament to how honor can exist within the rules, the coach decided on a way that would not contravene the rules, allow the young man to play and honor his mother.

He had his player (who volunteered) to miss the free throws. On purpose. Out of bounds.

In a time when stats rule our collective consciousness, when athletes use drugs to create the facade of excellence, when Ws are the only measure of worth, it is refreshing to see folks who still understand that respect looks most regal when it is given away freely. Compassion is never a sign of weakness when it is doled out in an honorable manner.

Hats off to the coaches, players and officials involved. I have never met Dave Rohlman, but is an honor to share the title of "coach" with him.

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Black History Month: Duck!

So, it's Black History Month.

For some churches, it will not be a huge shift in thinking; for others, it can be a borderline uncomfortable time that has staffers extremely grateful that February is the shortest month in the year.

For churches with a sprinkling of black members, there are a few ways to approach it. You can sit back, praying that no one notices the unusual programming on TV and related ads from corporations, and that you and your church slide through unscathed. The problem is that this is the one month that you can watch Roots and every movie that has Redd Foxx in it. It is likely someone will catch on.

You can go the other way, and hire a Black Affairs Coordinator for 28/29-day period. All you have to do is drastically change your church's identity for less than a full month: get a gospel choir, some "good" beats and have really, really long Sunday services. Your goal is to make everybody uncomfortable regardless of ethnicity (I am so available to serve as your Coordinator; I probably know less than you about running a Black History Month Program, but so what? Appearance is everything).

Or... you can treat the the other eleven months with a decent amount of regard. I think a respect for the cultural sensitivities of all is important, but should not surpass the overall identity of the congregation.

So, you then get the question: why observe BHM anyway? Well, why not? Just as I will not presume to state a church is not healthy because it does not make a spectacle of the month, I can find no reason to state a church should not take the time to recognize the accomplishments of black people in society, particularly when weighed against the backdrop of this country 's history.

On the other hand, ritualization bothers me. I admit to having misgivings aboutcarving out the larger picture of AMERICAN issue, and I wonder if I am wrong to think that way.

The truth is that black history will weigh differently based on geography and demographics. The key, in my humble estimation, is to ensure that God is being glorified. We have to resist the urge to view it as an inescapable annual nuisance. In some cases, it may not even benefit the church to mark the celebration. If it leads to dissension, bitterness or confusion, the church leadership may want to ease into it another time. Conversely, if marking BHM leads to inevitable chest poundings and high fives because of the success of the new "urban" initiative, the goals of the church may need to be reevaluated.

In the mean time, I can completely understand if you feel that the networks should give Abe Lincoln a rest. I concur. Don't switch the murals for confusing artwork referencing Bob Marley and Marcus Garvey just yet.

Be true to God. Every other thing is extra.
Praise God!!!

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Bethany Church of Weddington needs Student Pastor

If you are a youth ministry professional looking for an awesome opportunity to serve, check out Bethany Church of Weddington... they need a Student Pastor.

Get with Bob Williard or Tim Reichert at job at bethany-church.com. I have talked to Tim, and I am sure he is a Carolina fan, as he is clearly a gentleman. I always take my hat off to folks who treat a fellow believer with respect, even when they really don't have to.

If the rest of the congregation is half as nice, this is definitely a great place to serve...

YIC,

TL

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Culture and the church

Great article by Twitter buddy Keith Tackel. In this blog post, he talks about culture and the church, and relates it to Paul's biblical example.

As I said, great food for thought.

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Judges jail kids for cash?

In a story that shivers my spine, AP reports that two Pa. judges are alleged to have been sending juveniles to private detention centers for huge kickbacks.

It highlights how we, as a society, have probably reduced the judicial system to mockery of what it is supposed to be: an impartial sword.

You see, by default, the system targeted kids that had no resources for proper representation. While I tend to be one who favors reasonably strong, logical deterrents, I do feel it needs to be done the right way.

I sense the fallout will be immense. Apparently, a lot of cases will have to be reviewed.

Another dirty vacuum cleaner...

Picture courtesy of Andres Bardwell via Wiki Creative Commons Attribution License

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Dirty vacuum cleaners

I was feeling especially manly the other day, and rather than climb a skyscraper and beat my chest, I decided to do something to make the wife proud.

Our vacuum cleaner had pretty much conked out. I had no suction, and I determined that it would need to be replaced since it was hopelessly clogged.

The irony was not wasted on me; here was a cleaning device crippled by the stuff it was supposed to clean.

Fascinating.

I took it apart, and with the wifey's help, was able to get it back together and working like new. I am so the man around these here parts!

The experience reminded me of a church scandal from years past; a convention president who got involved in adultery and misappropriation of funds. Really messy when church leaders get into stuff like that, and we really hurt the ministry as a whole.

Anyway, did I point out that I am a hero now?

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My article in Prodigal Magazine.

There is only one thing better than reading your favorite publication: reading your own article in that publication!

I have been a big fan of Prodigal Magazine since I discovered it on Alltop; thus, you'll understand my excitement when an article I wrote was published.

I am so thankful for an opportunity to write...

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Real world compassion

My wife made an off-hand remark about the fund-raising pop collaboration "We Are The World" (My parents had owned the VHS tape; I recall it being the first time I realized that Kenny Rogers and Kenny Loggins were different people).

It made me think about the need for the church to truly focus on social issues that were close to our Lord's heart. Of course, such issues should be close to our hearts as well.

I am talking about the need to focus on the less fortunate in our respective cities.

More on this thought to come...

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Is diversity a controversial topic?

Ahhh... the joys of getting blown off.

So, it's no secret that I have been working on a project talking about diversity. Most of the church leaders I have spoken to have been frank and helpful. All have been encouraging. In fact, I can honestly say that plenty have gone out on a limb to assist me.

I did get shut out by one major entity, and it was one that I was especially sure would give me some good talking points. What made it especially strange is that they are right here in the local area; weirdly enough, it was a ministry partner of said church that suggested I talk to them.

Like I said... weird. I figure it had more to do with my relative lack of status than anything else (like the supposed controversy of the topic).

No real need the church... I assume both top dogs have their reasons. I have been wrong in the past.

Sent via my BlackBerry.

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Marijuana, and the gold medal swimmers that use it.

So the web is aflame with pictures and related stories about Michael Phelps, and the word "bong" has been reintroduced to a country sorely in need of post-election buzz words. Awesome.

Now, philosophical discussions about the use of recreational drugs aside, a major issue that has also been regurgitated is whether or not athletes (and other celebrities) should be role models to our children. We know Charles Barkley's view; what is yours?

Basically, I think the world still needs heroes. We all need to see folks do it the right way. Better yet, we want to see them win, and revel in the joy of a victory earned in a wholesome fashion by our wholesome protagonist. Yep, we love a winner, be we want to really, really like the winner too.

This is why the Phelps slip-up is bothersome. Our golden boy made a very, very stupid mistake.

We can't set our hopes or ideals (or that of our kids) in the lives of celebrities. That is just setting oneself up for heartache. If anything, the Phelps scandal should show that anyone is vulnerable. He was raised by an intelligent, strong woman (who reputedly does a good job helping shape the lives of hundreds of kids every year in her capacity as a middle school principal).

The drug discussion cannot start too early, and apparently, it never really needs to end.

So, again, it boils down to the fact that we need cast a few less stones and spend the time saved with a young person today. And tomorrow. And the day after.

Most importantly, hold yourselves (and the folks that you entrust your children to) to high standards.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

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Shrinking world

Earlier this week, I confirmed a friend request on FaceBook that arrived in another language.

One small step for some; huge, giant leap for me.

In the past week, I have been blessed with an opportunity to:

* reconnect with former players across the world (literally; one is in Argentina currently)
* conference with friends via webcam in prayer for another friend
* compile information for my book
* make new (and strengthen existing) professional connections
* search and refine ministry concepts from experienced ministry individuals and entities
* communicate with fellow technology enthusiasts

... and more, using free tools accessible to all of us.

Social networking shrinks the world. Fellowshipping with folks online opens so many doors. You learn plenty about others, and yourself. TokBox, FaceBook, Twitter etc are as strong as you let them be (and that sword cuts both ways).

Which reminds me: time to get a new webcam.

In any case, here is an excellent blog post from fellow Alltopper and Twitter pal Bill Reichart. In it, he discusses the ROI on related concepts that can (and should) govern a ministry's approach to using social media.

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"Bishop" Perry Noble and his evil crew.

In this gem I copped from Greg Atkinson, I just learned the evils that Pastor Perry Noble and his gang of misfits are doing south of the border. What, with the evil bands and fingers pointed up in (somehow) evil. And, by Jove, they use NIV out there? Heathens.

Wow. A lot of venom, no?

Now, I am not usually one at a loss for words. I excelled at impromptu debate (which, somehow, has never helped in marriage, now that I think about it), but this video left me stunned.

I "know" a few of the folks at NewSpring, and respect what they do, and the sincerity with which they do it. Perry himself is a ministry resource that I hold in high esteem.

I am going to see if I can get Perry to dedicate a sermon strictly to respond to the good old Reverend from Arizona. You know, like a good old rap diss mixtape. I can really see God glorified in that!

And to think that all this could probably have been avoided if Perry used an awe-inspiring title...

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Mobile/Electronic Bibles

Here is a list of mobile electronic Bibles for all types of platforms compiled by Antoine at Mobile Ministry Magazine.

Some of them are well known; others not so much, but just about every major smartphone platform is covered. Even the comments have useful information.

Visit MMM for the latest on mobile ministry concepts and discussion.

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Those tweetin' politicians...

For yet another reason as to why Twitter should be a part of your social arsenal, Yahoo! Tech blogger Ben Patterson posts about which members of congress use Twitter.

Interestingly enough, in a stat that may shatter my non-partisanship, he notes that twice as many Republicans than democrats use the microblogging/networking service.

Donkeys and elephants aside, I think it is admirable that are boys and girls on Capitol Hill are getting (and staying) plugged in. Some actually tweet themselves (Representative John Culberson from Texas is listed as one who does); when you think about it, handing off tweets to a press secretary or intern really defeats the purpose, doesn't it.

Which state has the most tweetin' reps? Patterson's blog tells me South Carolina. That would not have made my top 49 guesses.

Pastors/Church staffers: your excuses are beginning to sound even more hollow! Learn how to leverage for your ministry!

Stay blessed...

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Twitter for Churches.

E-Book alert!

Check out this gem from Anthony Coppedge: Twitter for Churches. Great e-book on a compelling topic, and well worth the price, IMHO.

I had an opportunity to talk to Anthony via TokBox the other day, and was struck be his raw hunger to talk about social networking in the church. He is a true ministry resource.

Check him out on Twitter and his blog.

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Online church? Why?

The concept of online church is gathering steam, and people are talking.

Why? Why do we need services online? There are enough brick-and-mortar edifices with empty pews, right? Shouldn't we focus are efforts on the real world?

A more enlightening question is: why not?

I think the reason some find it hard to wrap their minds around the social networking strategies in the church is that we make it an either/or argument by default. We can't use Twitter in the church because it kills real relationships. We should not use FaceBook because it kills face time. Online church is detrimental because it cannot replace "real church."

I think that most fears are based on a precept that is flawed. First, the idea is (or at least, should be) to enhance the physical. The online experience should not be viewed as a lazy generation's excuse to sit at home; it can be looked upon as a non-intrusive way to reach extra people who otherwise would not hear the gospel in the first place.

The argument is clear to me... if the online experience reached just one extra person, isn't it worth it? If a church can provide this extra resource, why wouldn't it, particularly if the demographic it serves uses said medium as a valid form of communication and expression?

I am not gonna sit here and pretend that people should throw away their church clothes and invest in broadband and Twitter clients. I do think that a dose of forward-thinking is sorely needed, and there are a whole lot of leaders who are clearly seeing that. We need to use what we have to do what we need to do. Some places are more ready than others... and that is fine.

The use of mobile technology is a biggie. The one object one is likely to have in common with another person is a cell-phone. Bingo... you see what people at Granger do to leverage this. Relatively cheap, and you meet people on a level they understand. Another wall removed.

At the end of the day, we need to examine why we do what we do. For now, I think expanding to the internet is a useful and necessary transition for the church.

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