For the past two years we have held outdoor movies in the summer at the school where our church meets. We usually have between 200-400 people come out for the movies. We give everyone a Bible, an invitation to church and share the gospel before the movie. Below is the advertisement for this years movie series… comments welcome. You can also check out the website HERE
I just want to take a brief moment to brag on my oldest son, Noah. A few months ago I was telling him about an orphanage I went to in Bali. He came up with this idea to raise money for the kids so that they could buy some rice and fix up their orphanage. He planned this really unique event… it was a costume contest/party.. He got some of his other friends on board with the idea, requested money from the church elders to put the event on. The event raised about $400 that we will take to Bali this summer in order to take care of the kids at the orphanage. Below is a picture of the kids at the orphanage and a picture of Noah at the event in the suit he asked us to buy him.
Jennifer & I did much of the legwork for the event but I am proud of Noah for the role he played in doing something for others.
My genius-missionary buddy, Colby Garman, posted this on his blog and I found it too interesting not to pass on.
In TIME magazine’s 10 ideas that are changing the world Calvinism is #3 SEE THE ARTICLE
Note: Time has another article on the subject from 1947 HERE
What I believe about God is plastered all over my actions. They are as indelible as graffiti on freshly painted stucco.
Planting churches and serving as a pastor has forced me to observe the areas of my life where my actions oppose my theology.
For example… Theologically, I believe that God grows the church (1 Cor. 3:6), not man. Yet most days my actions display that I believe that the growth of the church rests squarely on my shoulders. So, I work like THIS GUY - and justify it with catchy phrases like, “Pray like it depends on God and work like it depends on you” The truth is… over the past four years I have worked much harder than I have prayed while preaching a steady diet of faith over works to my congregation. God, please forgive me.
Spiritual growth is the process of merging my action and my theology.
I was disturbed yesterday. I was driving down the highway, on my way to work (keep in mind that I am a pastor) when I noticed that my car was overheating. By the time I noticed the needle was deep into the red… I turned into the nearest driveway off of the highway to find that I was in the parking lot of a Lutheran Church. Ahhh… relief sweeps over by body… The great reformer will help me! I popped the hood and realized that the coolant was very low.
I went to the door of the church office believing naively that those behind the locked steel door would be eager to help one in distress. Perhaps they would use the opportunity to read John Chapter 4 to me and explain my need for living water. A man came to the door, presumably the pastor. He cracked the door enough to speak and said, “can I help you?” “Yes sir… my car overheated and I could use some water to refill my radiator reservoir.” (a moments pause) “We don’t have any water” said the clergyman - “Really??? I asked, (a bit shocked by his reply) you don’t have a spicket around the building?” He looked inside to a woman, presumably his secretary and asked. “Do we have any water for this man, his car has broken down.” as if rehearsed, The secretary confirmed the existence of absolutely no water source in the entire facility. With a look of forced sincerity the man said, “Sorry sir, we cant help you” then he latched the door.
I think that perhaps we should start a fund for this church… All those toilets with no water, all those water fountans, dry… The massive red brick structure deprived of hydration. The poor employees and children of the preschool that was holding classes just beyond my grey metal barrier.
People often say to me, “Your not like other pastors.” Honestly, I’m not quite sure how to take this… I think it’s a compliment. But I’m not exactly sure it is given that way. I think what people are trying to say is they think I should dress like that guy >>>> or they are saying, “you portray yourself like a regular guy, not like a man of the cloth“
Here is the reason that I take it as a compliment:
So the goal is to “Equip the saints for the work of the ministry (Eph 4:2).” I think if a pastor the people who make up his congregation to do the “work of the ministry” he has to de-professionalize himself. Here’s what I mean… The pastor should function so that the people who benefit from his ministry honestly believe that they can bestow the same ministry on others. This guy has to constantly be removing himself from the position of “minister” and inserting others there.
I don’t mean that the pastor/elder should live exactly the same lifestyle as the people in his church. In fact, his life should be noticeably distinct. He should be the guy who is living holy, advocating for righteousness and humbly walking with Jesus… but he should also be inviting other to join him in his distinction.
You guys “of the cloth”… what are some of the ways that you have blured the line between shephard and sheep and how have you seen that work out?
So lets pretend that I am an Apostle of Jesus. He called me from my boat to follow Him about three years ago… Virtually every day since them I have been with Him. I have studied His every move and I know Him better than I know anyone. He claimed to be the son of God… At first I was skeptical but before long I was convinced. He was giving blind people sight, making lame people walk, making food multiply, walking on water… He was amazing. One night we had passover dinner together… but He strayed from the script. He started talking about himself… and He told me that He was going to die… and He seemed really confident about His prediction. He asked me to go with him to a garden to pray. When we had been their for a few hours the guards came… when they showed up they seized Him and carried Him away. Trial after trial His predictions came true right before my eyes. The next day, just as He said, Jesus was crucified. I was devastated, crushed. After the whole ordeal I helped put Him in a grave… Then I got together with the other Apostles to try to make since of the whole thing. Three days after He died, we are in a room meeting and… there He is! He’s Alive! – For over a month He appears to me and may others to prove that He is more powerful than sin or death. The last day I saw Him He said…
All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Then he was gone.
Since then I have been meeting with other people who believe in him… when we get together we …
