A few Halloween Links:
Regardless of one’s view of involvement on this day, there is a sociological fact that cannot be denied: Halloween is the one day which neighbors are outside of their homes and engaging in something together. There is not another day during the year that we see so many faces and family in our immediate sphere of influence, together.
~ Jeff Mangum
This is definitely true in our neighborhood. How are you getting engaged this weekend? Our family is throwing an outdoor movie night in our front yard for our neighborhood. Bridge Church is incarnating and taking free souvenir pics at a city-wide Halloween Block Party in Covington on Friday, as well as throwing a Halloween Party for a local multi-housing complex on Saturday. Check out a few ideas for engagement, storytelling, and conversation below:
- On Mission this Halloween | Jeff Vanderstelt – Great list. My favorite “Give out the best Candy. Please, don’t give out tracks or toothbrushes or pennies…kids are looking for the master loot of candy. Put yourself in their shoes.”
- 3 Simple Ways to Be Missional on Halloween | Verge Network – “how does God want me to put this day to use for the name of Jesus to be magnified?”
- Resources for Reformation Day | Justin Taylor – October 31st is also the day that Martin Luther began his protest movement against the Romans Catholic Church. Great list of resources here.
- CandyNOMICS Infographic – The average household spends $44 on Candy at Halloween each year. The average American eats 24 pounds of candy. 20 million pounds of candy corn is consumed each halloween.
Changing the Scorecard for the Church
“The typical church scorecard (how many, how often, how much) doesn’t mesh with a missional view of what the church should be monitoring in light of its mission in the world. The current scorecard rewards church activity and can be filled in w/o reference to the church’s impact beyond itself”
from the introduction to Reggie McNeal’s Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church. This book outlines the
shifts that must take place to make the church in America a missional movement again. The book is also full of ideas of how to engage in making these shifts. He admits to not having the silver bullet, but Missional Renaissance provides great insight for next generation ministries. I read this book when it first came out and its been bugging me ever since. The ideas are provocative and thrilling and now more and more leaders are coming to the conclusion that our measurements must change. Much is being written about this right now. Others that I’ve read and been helped by are Transformational Church by Ed Stetzer and Thom Rainer, On the Verge by Dave Ferguson and Alan Hirsch, and Barefoot Church by Brandon Hatmaker. This is a great conversation for us to have, so grab McNeal’s book and be provoked. Here’s the three shifts he suggests with a few of my fav quotes:
Shift #1: From an Internal to an External Ministry Focus. The missional church engages the community beyond its walls because it believes that is why the church exists.
- Moving to an external focus pushes the church from doing missions as some second-mile project into being on mission as a way of life.
- Internal focus is to define effectiveness by church activity and whatever it takes to be a “full-service” church.
- Externally focused means seeing ourselves as a CONNECTOR not the DESTINATION. Like an airport is a place of connection, not a destination. It’s job is to help people get somewhere else. When church sees itself as the destination the scorecard gets confused.
Shift #2: From Program Development to People Development. Moving away from the assumption that people are better off if they just participate in certain activities and processes that the church or organization has sanctioned.
- We’re learning that there is no necessary correlation between time logged sitting in pews or chairs at church and attaining Christlikeness in mindset and mission or purpose.
- a new scorecard celebrates investments in people, not just programs, and cheers breakthroughs in people’s lives, not just organizational achievement.
- McNeal’s question: “Are people better off for being a part of this church, or are they just tireder and poorer?
Shift #3: From Church-based to Kingdom-based Leadership. …thinking of kingdom impact more than church growth.
- Church based leadership is institutional, maintenance-oriented, positional, church-focused, and highly controlling.
- Kingdom leadership is organic, disruptive, prophetic, kingdom-focused, empowering.
- Kingdom leadership focuses on people development not program management and event production.
- Good questions for church leaders: Does your call revolve around a mission or a job? Have we minimized the call of God down to a guaranteed employment contract and a regular paycheck?
A few of my favorite quotes:
- The true vitality of a congregation rests in the abundant lives of its participants and in the blessed lives in the community it serves.
- To think and live missionally means seeing all of life as a way to be engaged with the mission of God in the world.
- We must change our ideas of what it means to develop a disciple, shifting the emphasis from studying Jesus and all things spiritual in an environment protected from the world to following Jesus into the world to join him in his redemptive mission.
- Missional followers of Jesus don’t belong to a church. They are the church. The missional church is not a what, but a who.
- Our job is not to “do church” well but to be the people of God in an unmistakable way in the world. Our “thereness” is what the world needs.
- Number of growing relationships with people who are not Jesus followers or church people.
- Number of personal relationships with community leaders.
- Number of venues for interpersonal service in the community each month.
- Number of hours in personal service in the community each month.
- Number of life-coaching relationships.
- Number of external, missional experiences and stories used in speaking and writing.
Crossover Northshore 2011
Mission/Ministry minded Christians needed for a weekend of impact across the Northshore on November 11-14. Each year
Louisiana Baptist churches gather for a two day convention. This year, we’re excited to host the convention in Covington! The weekend prior to the convention churches are asked to partner with local ministries to make a difference in the host communities. Here’s a snapshot of opportunities to get involved. For more info and contact info check our website.
STAMPEDE RODEO, Franklinton LA: Volunteers are needed (60-80) at the Fairgrounds in Franklinton LA as the gospel is shared through the excitement and competition of a “barrels, ropes, and bulls” rodeo. An evangelistic messasge will be shared, The Sermon on the “Mount.” This event will be totally free, attracting about 2000 people. Volunteers are needed for parking cars, registration, one-on-one evangelism, spotters, and stock handlers. Orietntation is at 1PM. The rodeo will go from 6PM til…
HISPANIC HEALTH FAIR, Slidell LA: First Baptist Church will be the host site as six Hispanic congregations in the Northshore region partner to conduct a health fair. The health fair will feature simple screenings such as blood sugar, blood pressures, body mass, etc. The event will also feature a Block Party with family entertainment, fun for the kids, food, and music. Spiritual health will be the primary focus as the gospel is presented in a variety of ways to both adults and children. Volunteers, especially medical professionals (doc, nurse, p.a.) are needed as well as bi-linguals and interpreters.
WOMEN’S HEALTH SYMPOSIUM, Hammond LA: Redemption Christian Center will sponsor this symposium that will touch the specific needs of four communities in Hammond. Women’s Health is the attraction; however, ministries will be provided to entertain and make clear gospel presentations to children (200-300) through a Block Party Team, storying, a martial arts expo, music, and games. Moms will be treated to a few treats as well while the churches nearest these neighborhoods provide heavy interaction on order to hear their spiritual needs, pray for those needs, and to respond with shared faith. A prayer booth will be featured and manned by community chaplains and pastors. Volunteers are needed to assist in all areas, including additional medical professionals/educators.
Additional service opportunities include:
- Prayer Walking across the region.
- Evangelistic Block Parties in Hammond, Madisonville, Covington, Talisheek, Waldheim, St. Tam Jail, and Slidell
- Faith in Action projects in West St. Tammany. Assist with painting, home repair, etc.
And of course, this weekend will be great preparation for Crossover 2012 in New Orleans as our region host the
gathering of Southern Baptist Churches from all over the United States next June. Follow the info about Crossover 2012 here.
“Sometimes I would like to ask God why He allows poverty, famine, and injustice in the world when He could do something about it…but I’m afraid he might ask me the same question.”
– Anonymous
Read in Barefoot Church: Serving the Least in a Consumer Culture by Brandon Hatmaker. Loving this book!
How to Get a Grip on the Bible
The Bible contains sixty-six books, written in three languages (Hebrew, Greek, & Aramaic), over a period of more than a thousand years, by more than forty authors on three continents. Authors of the Bible include kings, peasants, philosophers, farmers, fishermen, poets, statesman, & scholars. The books of the Bible cover history, sermons, letters, songs, geographical surveys, architectural specifications, travel diaries, genealogies, & legal documents. It covers hundreds of controversial subjects with amazing continuity. It’s the best selling book of all time & is now available in nearly three thousand languages. So what’s the big deal about the Bible?
When you & I read the Bible, we can hear directly from God.
Check out this Bridge Church “How to” resource that answers some FAQ’s about the Bible and leads you to six simple practices that can help you Get a Grip on the Bible.
Get a Grip on the Bible
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him” ~ John 14:21
Most Christians agree that the Bible is important. Few read it consistently (actually around 40% according to Barna). Even fewer live out its teachings everyday (research shows that only 9% live with a Biblical Worldview). Some never will because other things will always be more important. Others desire to, but struggle with literacy, understanding types of literature found in the Bible, and just where to get started. “I tried to read the Bible” is becoming a more prevalent statement from my generation. This fall at Bridge Church we’re doing a couple of things to increase people’s understanding of the Bible’s message and make Bible reading not such a daunting task.
- One Story: the Bible in Four Acts. In August we started our One Story message series. Looking at each acts of God’s story: Creation, Corruption, Redemption, and Restoration. Now we’re working through each major section of Bible literature -History, Law, Prophets, Wisdom, Gospels, Epistles, Prophecy – picking out the One Story. The Bible is 66 book, written in 3 languages, over a period of more than 1,000 years, by more than 30 authors, but it’s One Story of God’s work to bring salvation to humanity.
- How to Get a Grip on the Bible – Today we start a series of short workshops on the How to’s of the Christian life,
beginning with How to read and study the Bible. It will be posted at http//:bridgenorthshore.com later this week. And I’ll share some of the info here as well.
It was Ghandi who said, “If Christians really lived by the teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today.” Everyone recognizes the transformational affect of God’s word. Men and women touched by God living out his word everyday are the events that God wants to use to bring transformation. Hoping for more people to get a grip on the Bible and allow it’s truths to get a grip on us bringing transformation to lives and communities.
A Few Basics for Longevity in Ministry
At our monthly Pastor’s Gathering in Tangipahoa recently, 89 year old A.L. Palmer shared a great and challenging message about the
Gospel being for every man and our responsibility to carry the Gospel to every man. After the message he was asked how he stayed so sharp mentally and physically through 60+ years of ministry. His responses were simple:
- Constant Review – Memory will lapse, truths must be reviewed over and over again.
- Physical Exercise – noticing that people who had physical fitness routines were sharper than those that didn’t, at 55 yeas of age he became a jogger, lost 25 pounds, and ran 3 miles a day for 12+ years.
- On dealing with Problems in the church – Don’t let troubles build up, get at’em early, find out what the facts are. Don’t be afraid to challenge problem people.
Great to listen to those leading the way into Gospel ministry longevity. Grateful for men like Dr. Palmer.
Here him in his own words. You’ll be blessed:
One of My Favorite Weekends of the Year in St. Tammany
The Madisonville Wooden Boat Fest is this weekend. The Boat Fest is really unique with the Quick and Dirty Boat Building
Competition where crews build a boat over the course of the weekend and then as the festival ends put it in the water for a race. And my boys always look forward to building their own boat at the kids booth manned by the St. Tammany Parish Woodworkers Guild. Bridge Church will be in the free Children’s Village doing balloon animals, face painting, souvenir pics, and Joe McKeever will be drawing cartoons/caricatures. More info here. And check out their Facebook page.
Also, my wife sings with the Northlake Performing Arts Society and they’re Fall concert is this weekend at the Greater Covington Center in Covington. Friday night 7pm and Sunday afternoon at 3pm. This year their doing a tribute to Swing. Heather’s got a few great solos. If you like Jazz come by. More info here.
Also, Two great events to raise money for Alzheimer’s related causes this weekend in St. Tammany:
- Friday night, St. Tammany’s Council on Aging (COAST) presents A Night In Italy. Featuring great food and entertainment and all proceeds goes to support programs for families dealing with Alzheimer’s. COAST’s funding for Alzheimer’s related issues was cut last year, but they decided that they could not cut the programs, so the money would have to be raised. It will be a great night and all the money spent will stay in local St. Tammany communities. Click here for more info and ticket availability. I’m honored to serve on the COAST Board of Directors this year, so I’ve got a few tickets to sell as well.
- Saturday AM, Northshore Alzheimer’s Association presents the 2011 Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Christ Episcopal off Hwy 21 just south of I-12. Registration starts at 8am and Opening Ceremony at 9:15am. All proceeds will go to the Alzheimer’s Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. The mission of the Alzheimer’s Association is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. More info here. And check out their Facebook page. Bridge church will be helping out Saturday morning with some balloon animals and face painting.
Basic Bulgarian w/Benjamin – Lesson #2
Ben’s Mom and Dad are serving as art consultants in Bulgaria. He’s picking up the language quite well. See lesson #1 here. Looking forward to learning more Bulgarian with Benjamin.
Follow the Randolph’s at http://justinandbethrandolph.blogspot.com/.
“so that”
Motives are so important. They reveal the sometimes hidden reasons behind our actions. They answer the question why. Testing our motives can diagnose initial heart issues that can lead us to big heart issues in our relationship with God and others. One phrase that’s been jumping out at me recently is “so that.” What follows these two words reveals motives and mission. Here’s a few of God’s “so that’s”:
- Why blessings? Genesis 12:2 – “I will bless you…SO THAT you will be a blessing.” Not just so I can
- Why God works? Exodus 8:10 – “…SO THAT you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God.”
- Why Bible Study? Joshua 1:8 – “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, SO THAT you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.”
- Why remember and retell? Psalm 102:18 – “Let this be recorded for a generation to come, SO THAT a people yet to be created may praise the Lord.”
- Why serve and reach out? Matthew 5:16 – “let your light shine before others, SO THAT they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
- Why did Jesus teach? John 15:17 – “These things I command you, SO THAT you will love one another.”
- Why Church? John 17:21 – “…SO THAT the world may believe that you have sent me.”
- Why Spiritual Gifts? 1 Corinthians 14:5 – “SO THAT the church may be built up.”
Try a little exercise with me. Write down the big to do’s of your life or what you’re doing or wanting to do. Then write a big SO THAT and complete the sentence. Be honest even if it hurts. If you’re a leader do this for your church or organization. My questions: Do my motives line up with God’s eternal purposes or my temporal wants and desires? Are my motives drifting as I experience success or failure? Am I passing off eternal motivations and perspective to those I lead? Are my motives baptized in consumerism and marketing? Are my motives derived from looking at God or looking at others?
So often I get off track when my motivation gets fouled or becomes secondary to my to do’s.
Lane Corley 