Monday Morning Insights

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    Today’s Buzz:  What Keeps People from Reading the Bible for Themselves? & Todd Gets S

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    New Free Resource Website:  CrazyChurch.com
    I think I picked this link up off of Tony Morgan’s blog (but I didn’t keep the link)… this is a new website from four churches that are combining to make their resources available.  Check it out.  I haven’t had a lot of time to look at everything; but it’s part of a great new trend:  GIVING AWAY freely God’s resources to God’s people.  I love it!  CrazyChurch.com.

    10 Signs That Christendom May Be Over
    David Fitch takes a kind of tongue in cheek look at some signs Christendom (as we know it) may be over.  Interesting.  View it here.

    What Keeps People from Reading the Bible for Themselves?
    An interesting discussion at another website that shall go unnamed on the evils of churches doing series about what the Bible teaches on sex.  The comments section was really interesting.  What should the church teach about sex?  One commenter thinks the church should pretty much teach this and this only:  Sex in marriage (with your spouse) = good.  Outside of marriage = sin.  The commenter backs up their view by saying something to the effect of “what keeps people from reading the Bible for themselves?” Wow.  Does that philosphy only go for the church’s teaching on sex?  How about everything else in the Bible?  What keeps people from just reading the Bible and getting it all on their own?  Quite honestly, the Bible talks alot about sex.  It also talks alot about money.  And how to live honestly.  And how to treat other people.  Should we not teach on these things as well?  It just seems like a weird argument from a forum that so often condemns churches for tackling tough subjects.  Do you really think it would be better if we just give people a Bible and tell them to read it for themselves, and have the church be silent on issues like this?  (And isn’t that where the church has been for that last few generations?)

    (OK… please don’t go there.  I didn’t say people shouldn’t read their Bibles.  Nor did I say that people should only get their spiritual learning and insight from the church.  I’m just saying that when a certain group of people criticize others for not preaching the whole gospel message, it’s ironic when they get upset when churches tackle others areas of scripture that they are silent on.)

    This week at Buzz was very humbling...
    Can I be transparent without being hokey?  (I’m really tired, so that may NOT be possible!) I am SO humbled by the number of people who have come up to me and introduced themselves and said how much they appreciate MMI.  (And I’m amazed that so many people can recognize me from the tiny picture here on the blog.) I have no idea why God has allowed me to be a part of something like MMI that it seems so many people have come to read and appreciate.  I am definitely not qualified or skilled enough to administer this forum.

    As a matter of fact, I was planning on mentioning all the people that I met here at the conference; but I lost count the first morning.  It was great to connect with you.  Blogging is so weird… there is a great connection between bloggers and other bloggers; and between bloggers and their readers.  I have enjoyed meeting everyone!

    And in the same way, it is such a humbling and rewarding experience to work with Leadership Network… an organization that is doing so much to equip and assist churches in multiplying what they are doing to make really significant Kingdom impact.  Some of you aren’t even aware of the things that LN is doing (mostly behind the scenes).  This organization has probably influenced your ministry and you may not even be aware of it.  And that’s because they don’t really care to take the credit and be in the foreground.  It’s a great honor to work with them.

    Finally, as I was thinking today of the opportunity I’ve had to rub shoulders with so many of you that are really charging forward and blazing new trails for the ways churches do ministry.  Craig Groeschel said today that ‘today’s innovation is tomorrow’s tradition’.  Many of the people gathered here at Buzz are doing some unbelievable things that are changing the face of the American church as we know it.  And they are motivated, not by innovation or technology, not by being cool or being relevant, but by introducing people to Jesus and making disciples.

    Now that’s a cause that I’m proud to be a part of.  Thanks for helping me be a small part by reading what I write here.  I am so blessed.

    OK… enough sap… have a great weekend!

    Todd

    In today's special FRIDAY edition of the daily buzz, I get a little sappy on you. It's been a couple of great days here at the BUZZ Conference in DC, and I just want to share some of my thoughts with you. Also: More free resources for your church; ten signs that Christendom may be over; and why churches should teach on sex...

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    1. Peter Hamm on Fri, June 29, 2007

      [Do you really think it would be better if we just give people a Bible and tell them to read it for themselves, and have the church be silent on issues like this?] Wow… dangerous… People’s ability or nonability to interpret the Bible in terms of what it actually meant to the hearers is legendary, even on this forum. I could cite examples but it would get off point.

    2. Camey on Fri, June 29, 2007

      “What Keeps People from Reading the Bible for Themselves?” I think thinking they have to read one on a grown-up level when one written for a fifth grader may be better understood.  Does that make sense? Recently, we had a new couple come to our church. They talked about how they laid in bed at night, each with a Bible in their hands. One would read out of a “grown-up’s” version and the other - a fifth grader’s. Upon reading one and then the other - they would say, “Ah! That’s what that was trying to say.” There is also the viewpoint that “regular” people are not capable of reading the Bible on their own. While this saddens me greatly - I think part of the blame belongs to the church. (And yes, I realize that I am partly responsible for that as well)


      Sappy suits you well, Todd. Just don’t get your necktie too tight huh? http://www.mondaymorninginsight.com/images/smileys/wink.gif

    3. Tyler Madison on Fri, June 29, 2007

      Hey Todd,


      I saw you a couple times the last couple days at Buzz, and every time you were talking to someone.  I wish I would have gotten a chance to connect with you.  I too, love MMI, like the rest of the people you talked too.

    4. Craig Groeschel on Sun, July 01, 2007

      Todd,


      It was great to spend a little time with you at Buzz. I’m so glad you got to hear how your blog impacts so many people. I’m one of them. Thanks for what you do!

    5. Leonard on Sun, July 01, 2007

      Todd, I wanted to say thank you too.  MMI has been a terrific addition to my weekly routine and I have been encouraged greatly. I actually found you on accident but yours is the first blog I read.  Thanks, Leonard

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