Archive for April, 2008
Are we more covered?
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matt. 22:36–40
Isn’t it interesting that many Christians have part one down just fine, but struggle mightily with part two? And equally interesting, many anti-, pre– or non-Christians struggle with part one, but are often much more successful at part two.
Thankfully, we Christians have the grace and forgiveness of Jesus to cover us when we fail to live up to loving our neighbors.
I wonder though, once we have accepted that grace, aren’t we also covered if we struggle with loving God?
I’d like to think so. And I’d also like to think that this would have an impact on the way we share the gospel – starting with affirmation of action rather than condemnation of unbelief.
Tagged…
Well my friend Kim Bontrager has tagged me. It’s been a while since I’ve been tagged for a meme and I’m always up for some self-disclosure (and an easy blog post), so here goes…
What was I doing 10 years ago?
I was a sophomore in high school, counting down the days until I got my driver’s license. I was on the tennis team and I struck up a friendship with the Kelly and Mandy Potter. They were older and far cooler than I was, so this really helped my social standing at school. My arrogance meter stepped up a few notches around this time.
Five things on my to-do list today (Friday)?
– Finish a website project
– Get some feedback on some content for our personal website
– Prepare for another social media presentation in a couple of weeks
– Go to lunch with my good and neglected-by-me buddy Johnny B.
– Explore some SEO software packages
5 (or so) places I have traveled?
– Portland, Oregon
– Tijuana, Mexico
– Rolla, Missouri
– Stillwater, Oklahoma
– The Warren Theatre
5 snacks or treats I enjoy?
– Chex Mix
– Old San Francisco Coffee Blend
– Pretzels
– Twizzlers
– Caribou Coffee Granola Bars
What would I do if I were a billionaire?
Pay off my debt.
Give my parents and in-laws $100 million.
Go on a small vacation.
Begin the adoption process.
Set up a foundation. (Hayley would run it.)
Invest in Breathe.
Five of my bad habits?
– Watching stupid TV shows (getting better)
– Not exercising
– Obsessive email checking
– Not blogging
– Being “funny” at someone else’s expense far too often
Places I have lived?
– Littleton, Colorado
– Albuquerque, New Mexico
– Madisonville, Kentucky
– Searcy, Arkansas (college counts, right?)
– Wichita, Kansas
Jobs I’ve had?
– Applebee’s host
– Student admissions worker
– Student PR worker
– Grant writer/Development Coordinator
– Account Executive
– Digital Brand Strategist/Manager/Advocate (I change up my title frequently)
People I’d think should answer these questions (which is a nice way of saying you’ve been tagged!)
– Cliff Bragg
– Alan Gable
– Sam Peters
– Sean Meade
– Kirk Longhofer
Anyone else want to play? Just put your link in the comments!
Have a great weekend everyone.
Arriving at ineffective
In yesterday’s post, I posted a quote from the book “Simple Church” that was fairly condemning towards churches that were unwilling to change. When I first read the quote I completely agreed with the authors’ sentiment. “So many churches are becoming irrelevant and it doesn’t seem as if they care. Why don’t they wake up and take a look around them,” I thought to myself and now have written on my blog.
But today, I’m wondering if perhaps I need to evaluate the word “ineffective.” When churches take a look around them, they likely see an older, content, loyal group of members who have been a part of their congregation longer than I have been alive. The church is anything but ineffective to those individuals. The church is hardly irrelevant to them.
This concept of ineffective is a pretty selfish concept really. Simply because a church doesn’t meet my needs or isn’t reaching out to me in cool and meaningful ways doesn’t mean that they’d rather die than change – it just means that my needs and my desires aren’t their priority.
And that’s OK.
But, it also means that those congregations unwilling to meet the needs of a younger, changing demographic will one day die. And, as my good buddy Brad said, that’s OK too. (By the way Brad, when are YOU going to start a blog?)
So, my question today is: Should congregations that minister to a primarily older demographic continue serving them with a healthy understanding that their future is uncertain at best OR should aging congregations attempt to engage younger individuals in hopes of sustaining their local gathering of Christ-followers?
Is this true?
The majority of churches choose not to change. They would rather die. Tragically, in most churches, the pain of change is greater than the pain of ineffectiveness.” – Thom S. Rainer and Eric Geiger, authors of “Simple Church”
Overstatement or frightening, frustrating reality?
I know what I think. I assume most of you know what I think.
Site of the Week: Fresh Life
My friend Mindy Fresh has launched a new blog to share her and Garrett’s journey through the adoption process. Stop by and send some encouragement their way. They are incredible people and I’m thrilled that they’re pursuing adoption. Also slightly jealous.
Do you have a cool site you want featured on ToddBlog? Just shoot me an email and I’ll check it out.
The Awesomeness of Hayley
Why Hayley Is Awesome:
She is the most compassionate individual I have ever met. The depth of love and concern she has for people she has never met is mind bottling.
She laughs till she cries. Hayley likes to laugh. Often at stupid things. Like puns. Or yo’ momma jokes. But she starts to tear up she laughs so hard. And I love that.
She’s smart.
She’s a good writer.
She’s hot (this isn’t a determinant for awesomeness, but it does flavor the type of awesomeness being experienced).
She likes me for me. Not because I look like Tyson Bedford, with the charm of Robert Redford.
She’s funny. Genuinely funny. And not stupid-funny. Clever funny.
She’s insightful. When I think I’ve got an airtight argument or defense, she’s able to see the potential weak spot.
Just some thoughts I felt I needed to get out into the world. Have a great weekend everyone.
EDIT: Hayley will possibly be mortified by this post, which also adds to her awesomeness.