Monday Morning Insights

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    Today’s Buzz: Innovation, Erwin McManus, Manna, and Machetes…

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    How to Create a Culture of Innovation in Your Church
    In this week’s Rick Warren podcast, Erwin McManus from Mosaic Church in Los Angeles, and two of his fellow staff, Pastor Eric Bryant and Pastor Ralph Neighbour discuss how to create a culture of innovation in your church.  You can listen here... How are you doing on your church culture?

    Do Some Christians Just Want to Be Hated?
    Dan Kimball has some interesting thoughts over on his blog.  He writes:  “I have been reading this and hearing this enough times lately from those who hold certain theological perspectives that because Jesus said:  “Everyone will hate you because of Me..” (Matthew 10:22) or “Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.” (1 John 3:13) ...that when people outside the church say they don’t like Christians or when we don’t see any fruit evangelistically, that is simply because Jesus told us that they would “hate” us and we can then just assume that is why they may not like us.  I fully, fully am aware that it is not human effort or evangelistic tricks that someone responds to the gospel, but it is the power of the Spirit of God who convicts someone and draws someone to their understanding of their need for a Savior.  It seems to be though, that because Jesus said they will “hate us”, we shouldn’t be surprised that we are rejected if we try to share the gospel and it may even offend people as we share with them. It strangely feels that to some Christians it is self-assuring to be “hated” by non-Christians, to prove that they must be doing the Lord’s work.” You can read the rest of his post here. So… what do you think?  Should we wear the world hating us on our shirt sleeves?  Is it true that the more people who hate us is directionly proportional to our Kingdom effectiveness?

    Countdown to Innovate
    I’m looking forward to Innovate 2007 at Granger this fall.  Tim Stevens and Kem Meyer have started a “Countdown to Innovate” podcast here.  They’ll be talking with people who will be speaking at Innovate, plus giving away some prizes, talking about the conference an more.  This week they’re talking with Scott Hodge.  Are you planning on being there this year?

    Price of Machetes Drops in Nigeria
    The price of machetes has halved in parts of Nigeria since the end of general elections in April because demand from thugs sponsored by politicians has subsided, the state-owned News Agency of Nigeria reported.  NAN surveyed prices in the northeastern state of Gombe and found that a good quality machete was now selling for 400 naira ($3) compared with 800 naira before the elections, which were marred by politically motivated violence in many states.  More here. I’m not sure, but I think Rick Warren also had something to do with this.

    The Manna Has Stopped Falling
    From a press release:  “After much thought and consideration, we have decided not to host MegaFest in 2008. The Potter’s House will revisit the idea of hosting MegaFest in future years and will announce that decision publicly, once made. The Potter’s House has immensely enjoyed the popular event and we are overwhelmed with the support and interest that we have received in Atlanta as well as nationally, regarding MegaFest.” More here.

    That’s all for today… have a good one!

    Todd

    In Today's Buzz... How to create a culture of innovation in your church; do some Christians enjoy being hated?; no more manna in Atanta; and we're pretty sure that Rick Warren has something to do with the falling price of machetes in Nigeria...

    Comments

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    1. Wendi on Tue, July 03, 2007

      I completely agree with Dan Kimball, would even go a step further.  I think some among us intentionally communicate our message in ways that will offend popular culture SO THAT we will be hated, soliciting hate if you will, in order to ear some type of favor from the Lord. It reminds me of the early years of Christian history, when people sought after persecution and even martyrdom; when those who fled persecution in order to sustain ministry, were banished from the church.


      It occurs to me that those who hated Jesus were not the liberal or corrupt politicians, the sexually promiscuous, the wealthy business folks.   Even when Jesus did confront these people (as with the rich young ruler), He didn’t offend . . . . and His interactions with them didn’t produce hate.  Sometimes sorrow, sometimes conviction, never hate.


      The ones who hated Jesus were smug church leaders (read Pharisees).   Hmmmm.


      Wendi

    2. Leonard on Tue, July 03, 2007

      Well Said Wendi,


      Some people do not feel Christian if they are not being hated or creating religious strife.  Most people in this country have no idea what it really means to be persecuted so we think someone telling us our bible makes our butt look big is persecution. 


      Jesus was hated by some, ignored by most and loved by many.

    3. Bart on Tue, July 03, 2007

      As far as being hated, I have even heard pastors in the middle of conflict in a church state that they are being persecuted and hated for Christ.  Can’t leave because it is God ordained for them to suffer.

    4. jhpw on Tue, July 03, 2007

      I was just reading through the book of Acts yesterday, and noticed a couple of times it says of the disciples that ‘everyone liked them’ (Act 2:47 & 5:13 CEV).  I think other versions say highley regarded or had favor with all the people.  In any case, while they certainly did anger the religious leaders, they had favor with the people.  I do think some people go out of their way to be offensive, and some are perhaps immature and don’t realize they’re being offensive.  We need to do a better job of sharing our faith with ‘gentleness and respect’, as Paul taught.

    5. ray on Tue, July 03, 2007

      Well-put Wendi.  The blog post from Dan Kimball brings to mind the Westboro Baptist Church in Kansas—also known as the church that pickets the funerals of soldiers and have signs that say “God hates fags”.  I watched a very interesting report on their church by someone from BBC on youtube (just search for “God hates fags BBC” and there are 6 parts).  It was most interesting because this group of people believe that because people hate them, it is confirmation that they’re doing the right thing.  Scary too, because they believe some of the same things I do (like that there’s a real hell that people will go to if they don’t trust in Jesus Christ), but the way they go about telling other people that truth is SO wrong—so that they WILL be hated—seeking out the hatred.

    6. Eric Stillman on Wed, July 04, 2007

      Thanks for the link to Dan Kimball’s post… I had been thinking of writing something similar some day, because I also see those verses about the world hating Christians as justification for all sorts of persecution that is sometimes just because people can be obnoxious, judgmental jerks.  I think it’s worth remembering 1 Peter 3:15-17, where Peter reminds us to always be prepared to share the reason for the hope we have within us, but to do it with gentleness & respect, for as he says, “It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”  Suffering for the gospel is one thing; being persecuted for being a jerk is nothing to be proud of.

    7. Tony on Wed, July 04, 2007

      Hey guys,


      I think if you have a comment on the blog posts copied and republished here, you should probably go to the actual blogs that they came from and post your comments there. That way you interacting with the original author.

    8. dpastordan on Wed, July 04, 2007

      The business of creating a “hate scenario” is a common tactic of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  I have had to deal with this on more than one occasion.  When they can’t get me to agree with them or come to their Bible Study to learn the errors of their ways, they begin the tactic of putting words in my mouth and accusing me of worshiping three gods.  It takes a lot of Spirit-control to ask them to leave politely when they cannot have their way with me.  I overheard one say to his fellow, “Well, praise God!  We have been persecuted for our faith.” 


      Why should Christians stoop to their level?

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