Random Thoughts

1. I’m enjoying my time in Canton, Georgia.  The drive down here was a killer, and I’m not looking forward to doing it again on Sunday as we head back to Ames, Iowa … but, hey, anything for the cause.

2. We got here at 5:30 am on Friday and I was out of bed a little before 10; slept maybe 10 minutes in the car.  This morning I tried catching up on some sleep.

3. Yesterday I got to meet Gary Lamb of Revolution.  I had seen pictures and heard podcasts, but this was my first time to meet him face to face.  I was glad for the chance to visit with him because he spent some time in Ames where I am now planting a church.  So not only did I get to get some church planting tips from Gary, but they are tips tailor made for my city.  Pretty cool deal.  Thanks, Gary!

4. On Sunday, my new friend Jason and I are driving over to Oak Leaf to their first service to check them out, then we’ll be back to Revolution for the second service.  I’m really looking forward to it.

5. Georgia has a lot of scenery. My part of Iowa is fairly flat with some rolling hills; more corn than trees.

6. Gustav looks to be headed for New Orleans.  I’m glad I don’t live there.

7. I’ve got so many ideas rolling around in my head about Freedom Ridge that my head hurts. I can’t wait to go public with Sunday services.

I’m Going To The Revolution

On Thursday I’m heading south to Canton, Georgia, to visit Revolution Church. Revolution was started by Gary Lamb, and Gary used to minister in Ames. I’ve never met Gary, but I’m looking forward to checking out his church and I’m hoping I get to pick his brain for a couple minutes. I’m sure I’ll learn something I can apply to Freedom Ridge.

Freedom Ridge Informational Dinner

On Friday, September 12, we are having another informational dinner to give an update and share some things about Freedom Ridge. It’s FREE and you’re invited! If you want to be part of Freedom Ridge, then do everything in your power to be there. And it would even be cool if you could bring a friend or two along, because that’s what it’s all about.

Here’s the details …
Date: Friday, September 12
Time: 6:30pm – 7:30pm (if you can’t be there right at 6:30, come whenever you can!)
Location: 2330 Lincoln Way (it’s the CCF office space in the basement of First National Bank)
RSVP: please let us know by 5 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, that you’ll be coming so we know how much food to get. It would actually be ideal to let us know ASAP and not wait to the last minute.

This won’t be like past dinners. And I am looking forward to sharing with you more details about Freedom Ridge; a possible meeting location for our Sunday services; our missional view towards Ames, Boone, Huxley, Nevada, Story City, and beyond; and how you can make a huge difference in the lives of people and make an eternal impact.

I hope you can make it, and help spread the word!

This Is Funny

WordPress has this section where you can see how many hits your blog has had, and what the search terms were that they entered into a search engine. Today someone came to my blog that had entered the search term “bathroom tornado.” Not sure what that says about my blog, but I thought it was pretty funny!

The New Generation & The Church

I recently read an article about the new generation that has been dubbed by the pollster, Zogby, as The First Globals. He has written a new book called “The Way We’ll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream.”

The article talks about how the new generation of Americans (between ages 18-29) are making dramatic moves away from traditional American ways. He obviously writes about it from a political standpoint, but I think there is something for the church to learn from it.

Here’s a summary of how he describes the new segment of our socieity:

- they are materialistic and self-absorbed
- they want to look richer than they are
- they obsess about relationships
- they are more accepting of homosexuality (more socially liberal)
- 66% say abortion is always morally wrong (you read that right, it’s not a typo)
- they are “color-blind”
- they no longer identify themselves as primarily American, but global
- they are willing to adjust their lifestyle to conserve energy
- they hunger for authenticity

I see some good things in there, but I also see some troubling things. I think the church can really capitalize on the hunger for authenticity; but it must be a true authentic authenticity. Authenticity for authenticity’s sake is like a festering boil and those who want authenticity can see right through it and will call it what it is: fake. The article says, “The America of 2020 will be a more tolerant nation,” he writes. “Our people by then will have lived for two decades in a new world of less . . . We will expect our leaders to talk straight: Hype, hokum, and hooey in politics, in advertising, wherever it appears (emphasis mine) will be punished.”

So what do you think? How can the church be effective in reaching out to this mindset? There’s a lot to digest here, but it’s also a good opportunity.

You can read the article in it’s entirety here.

Pop Goes The Church – #3

I have agreed to do a blog discussion of Pop Goes The Church by Tim Stevens (TS) with 3 other much wiser and better looking guys than me … Mike Demastus, Dan Hudson, and Kyle Phillips. We’re going to read a section, then post our thoughts and insights on our own blogs.

I like how TS approaches chapter 4 by giving different examples of churches reactions to a movie being shot in their town. I like word pictures and practicality, so this is easy for me to wrap my brain around. He says, “Every church makes a choice in how to respond to the pop culture, and the choice it makes determines how much of an impact it will have on its community.”

Response Choice: Condemn the Culture. TS raises the question of when did the church decide it should mandate the direction of our culture? Why are we focused on the fruit rather than the root (p71)?

I love this because I’ve always thought churches are treating the symptoms rather than the cause. We get mad and boycott McDonald’s because of their acceptance of homosexuality. I don’t agree with it, but shouldn’t we be more concerned with the lives and hearts of the execs that made the decision. Why not pour our boycott energies into praying/serving them?

Going right along with this, TS says Christians are using the Bible as a hammer against people trying to force reform. No wonder people are turned off! Who gets the warm fuzzies over something that just whacked ‘em up side the head?

He quotes the book “A Matrix of Meanings” (this is a fantastic quote): “In the New Testament, only the Gospels were written with the general public in mind. Yet many in the church read pop culture in light of Peter, Paul, and John’s letters. Books of the Bible intended as ‘inhouse’ documents, designed to purify God’s people, have been used inappropriately to correct the broader culture. So the warnings against sexual immorality in 1 Corinthians 7 get directed toward audiences Paul never intended.”

When we condemn the culture and use the Bible as a hammer, we’re just proving that we ARE judgmental and uncaring.

Response Choice: Separate From the Culture. When Jesus was on earth, he didn’t make a ton of list of don’ts; instead he focused on lists of character qualities we should have.

Response Choice: Embrace the Culture. Many mainline denominations have done just this, and as a result have become like the culture rather than a “light in the darkness.”

Response Choice: Ignore the Culture. Just because you ignore it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. And you’re missing out on a teachable moment. Jesus didn’t ignore the culture.

Response Choice: Leverage the Culture. This is obviously the best choice, and it is just that … a choice.

Chapter 5 goes right into leveraging the culture. TS talked about “sacred vs secular.” I agree with him that a lot of stuff in the Christian market is downright cheesy and embarrassing. When Paul was in Athens he was able to speak to the people there of their “unknown god” and point them in the direction of Jesus.

We are starting Freedom Ridge with the belief that everyone is on a spiritual journey whether they realize it or not; it is up to us to point them to Jesus. We need to meet people where they live, tap them on the shoulder, and begin walking with them as we steer them to Jesus.

I’m writing a post on the new generation initially called First Globals that will publish early Monday (August 18th). It’s got some interesting tidbits that I’d like to hear your comments and insight on. Please make sure you check it out.

Random Thoughts

1. I’ve enjoyed watching the Olympics, but can’t they show something else in prime time other than swimming? I can only take so much of it.

2. I don’t think any one would watch the women’s beach volleyball if the players actually wore clothes. And when did synchronized diving become an Olympic sport?

3. I’ve enjoyed Facebook. I’ve been able to reconnect with some old friends, and keep connected to new ones. If you have a Facebook account, request me as a friend.

4. Twitter has been fun, too. I’ve been able to meet some new people through Twitter.

5. I’m trying to get into running. I’ve always thought it looked fun, but never did it. Tonight I got just over a half-mile in before the lightning scared me enough to make me go inside. I was running long enough for a bug to hit the back of my throat and almost cause a hacking fit.

6. I finally broke down and traded in my Nokia 6010 that I’ve had for 4 years for a new cell phone. At first it was hard parting with ole reliable, but I’m really liking my new phone now.

7. School starts up on Monday. Where did the summer go?

8. Sunday Church is loaning a truck to Freedom Ridge. This is an answer to prayer.

9. Our house in Houston still hasn’t sold. When is it going to sell?

10. Had an impromptu lunch today at BK with a friend. No one in my family likes BK, so I’m glad Eric went with me. Thanks, Eric!

11. Looking forward to speaking at Pathway this Sunday. If you’re in the area, come join me there!

Adultery & a Speaking Engagement

This coming Sunday, August 17, I am speaking at Pathway Church in Johnston IA. It’s right by Des Moines. Anyway, their pastor (Dan Hudson) is going to be out of town taking his daughter off to college. So he asked me to fill in for him, which I gladly agreed to do. After I agreed, he then informed me that they are going through the 10 Commandments and my week will be the Commandment “don’t commit adultery”. So out of all the Commandments, I get the one that is PG13! I think Dan did that on purpose.

Actually, I’m looking forward to it and appreciate Dan giving me the opportunity. If you can come to Pathway, I’d appreciate seeing some familiar faces in the crowd. They start at 10, and click here for directions. If you are coming, let me know and I’ll look for you.

Freedom Ridge Text Updates

We now have the capability of using text messaging in a couple different important ways. (FYI for all you US Cellular customers out there: this service does not currently support US Cellular, but I talked to our tech guys and they said in the next 90 days it will, so stay tuned. If you want, you can send an e-mail to me stating your interest and then I’ll shoot you an e-mail when it is compatible.)

First of all, you can text AMES to 41411 and you will receive a message back with the latest update from Freedom Ridge. Go ahead and try it. No really, go ahead. We’ll use this as a form of advertising, or if you are wondering where the next meeting is or the next big thing going on, you can text AMES to 41411 and get your answer. This will be for general news.

Secondly, you can text SUBSCRIBE AMES to 41411 and you will automatically be subscribed to our list. We will use this to send out texts of immediate importance. For instance, if the weather is bad and we had to cancel a meeting or service, we’ll send out a text. If someone donates $100,000 to Freedom Ridge, we’ll send out a text to spread the good news. We may send out important reminders. Just rest assured that we will not abuse it and you can unsubscribe at any time. So text SUBSCRIBE AMES to 41411 to join the list.

Your standard text messaging charges apply, so check with your cell carrier.

Ain’t technology great?? Just one more way to communicate.

Do The Right Thing, Part 2

Yesterday I shared with you 2 principles I have learned in my life as a pastor about making decisions and doing the right thing. They were 1.) the right thing is not always the easiest thing, and 2. some people will hate you for your decision.

Today I want to share 3 more principles with you that will hopefully help you do the right thing.

3. Don’t second guess yourself. This is when you get into the arena of “what ifs?” and that is not a healthy place to live. Now if a trusted coach points out how it could have been done more effectively, don’t be to arrogant to adapt and/or regroup. But just because people whine and complain doesn’t mean your decision was wrong. Which leads to …

4. Stick with it. You may be tempted to give into the whiners, because that would be THE EASY THING TO DO (refer to #1). Again, if you’ve made your decision based on God’s vision for you then you’re OK. The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, “…never tire of doing what is right.” If it’s right, stick with it regardless of the pain, discomfort, or temptation to give up. Then …

5. In the end, people will understand. Some of them may never tell you, but in their heart of hearts they will appreciate the fact that you did the right thing and didn’t waver from your convictions.

Moses in the Old Testament worked with the largest group of whiners in history. Moses just rescued them from bondage (through a bunch of really cool God-thing events, I might add), and they were whining from day one! But he stuck with the task God had given him, and God was able to work through it.

If you stick with your decision and people NEVER understand it is not your problem, it’s their problem. At least you did what God wanted you to do.

Now go do the right thing.

Do The Right Thing

Decisions, choices, are a part of life. Someone once said that our life is a sum total of all the choices we made. Sometimes the decisions come easily to us; they are a no-brainer. Then others call for a little more thought. Some call for courage.

Those in leadership positions face decisions on a daily basis, and these decisions will affect the organization either in a positive or negative way. It can be daunting, but it is necessary. Putting off a decision is in essence a decision you are making … deciding not to decide. And I’m sure I don’t have to convince you that only leads to many fires needing to be put out later down the road!

Don’t make decisions that only serve to pacify the masses or a few people; I want to encourage you to do the right thing and make the tough call. I’m by no means perfect, but here’s what I’ve learned as a pastor;

1. The right thing is not always the easiest thing.

Everybody knows this. Dumbledore of Harry Potter fame (I’ve read all the HP books and seen all the movies) said, “We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” Very true, Dumbledore! If you just make the easy choice or decisions, you are NOT leading … you are coasting. And you can only coast downhill; it requires no effort to go with the current.

Fear of the unknown or uncertainty can cause decision-paralysis. Knowing this, someone much wiser than Dumbledore said, “If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done.” That’s King Solomon talking in Ecclesiastes 11:4 in the Old Testament of the Bible.

Having a clear cut vision from God and understanding His mission for your life and church will help deter the decision-paralysis. So step out, step up, be a leader and realize you need to do the right thing and make the right decision. When you do, realize …

2. Some people will hate you for your decision.

You can’t make everyone happy, and you don’t want to. Look at the life of Jesus. He was always ticking people off! It’s not because He was being a jerk, but it was because He was sticking to His mission and wouldn’t let the urgent detract Him from the greater goal.

When you have God’s vision for your church as the driving force for your decision making, you will tick people off. They will call you an uncaring-selfish-empire-building-dictator and may try to make life miserable for you. If you have made your decision in line with God’s vision for you and His principles, then don’t sweat it! There’s more important things to do than worry about what people think of you.

In a previous ministry I had to make a tough call of removing someone from a leadership position and it angered a lot of people, but it was the right thing to do and the church was better for it. It wasn’t easy, but it was the right thing to do.

Come back tomorrow and I’ll share three more principles that I’ve learned about doing the right thing.