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Archive for the ‘Evolving Culture’ Category

Here’s an inspiring story from Pastor James Emory White: Just a few weeks ago, on a Thursday afternoon, a young woman came by the office to give me something. She was going to put it in the offering plate, but decided to just hand it to me. I was in a meeting, so she left [...]

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Over 100 years ago, Charles Spurgeon proclaimed every Christian here is either a missionary or an imposter. Recollect that. You either try to spread abroad the Kingdom of Christ, or else you do not love Him at all. You are either doing good, or you are not good yourself. That kind of challenge has been [...]

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Over 20 years ago, best-selling author Steven Covey shared a quote that changed many lives: It’s easy to say “no” when there is a deeper “yes” burning within you. Covey explained that success is often a result of a clear, deeper “YES”  within us that empowers us to say “NO” to distractions. During those same [...]

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Thirty years ago, Bill Hybel pioneered the “Seeker Sensitive” movement and became the poster child for evangelicals. Casual, connecting, creativity, kicking music, themed Sunday school, anonymity and low expectations were in. Recently, Hybel’s “Reveal Study” highlighted surprising trends. A large part of his church failed to become disciples once they were introduced to Christ. Even [...]

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They may frustrate you with their expectations or intimidate you with their social connections. They’re “Digital Natives” while we struggle as “Digital Immigrants”. What they want from church is very different as well. Here is research data from Dave Tonen regarding what the 18-30 year old crowd want from you and I at church: Community [...]

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Stiff Competition

Who is most important to you? Are they getting the time from you they need? Who are you trying to connect with? Are you creative enough to get their attention? We have stiff competition. Check out this unbelievable activity that we’re generating every 60 seconds on the Internet… 694,445 searches are done on Google 6,600+ pictures [...]

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I’m an addict. I must confess. Maybe you are as well? I took the Father’s Day challenge and unhooked from the web all day Sunday. I even let my smart phone battery go dead. And it was, well…lonely. For 24 hours I lost connection with all my on-line chatter. No news, Facebook, email, text messages, [...]

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Media consultant Phil Cooke reports that the research has been done and the verdict is in (though we hardly needed it to tell us): We are hopelessly addicted to our digital devices. So much so, in fact, that some psychologists are pushing to have “Internet Addiction” broadly classified as a clinical disorder. Take a look [...]

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In his new book, The Next Christians, author Gabe Lyons writes that every generation must confront the unique challenges of their era. Here are three questions that must be addressed to do so: What does mission look like in America in the 21st century? How should the message of the Gospel go forward? What does [...]

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The typical person in the world right now is a 28-year-old Chinese man that makes less than $12,000 a year. He has a cell phone but no bank account. But typical is always relative. How does this impact the future for you and me? What does it mean for our grand kids? Check this video [...]

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The Leadership journal recently reported that Rev. Cedric Miller of Living Word Christian Fellowship Church in New Jersey has banned Facebook. He has ordered about 50 married church staffers to delete their accounts or resign. And he has called on his 1,100-member congregation to do the same. The problem isn’t lost productivity while checking out [...]

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Friday, February 11th we’re hosting a pastor’s lunch in Naperville, IL. Alan Hirsch is speaking on “Everyday Mission For Everyday People.“ We filled the 100 available seats in four days and have a waiting list. What is stirring this passion to find purpose beyond ourselves? James Emory Wright’s thoughts are very revealing: The names say [...]

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Success isn’t having all the right answers. It’s the courage to ask the right questions. This was pointed out to me in a conversation with a pastor friend who built a large mega church of over 12,000. His ministry was built on one key question: Who are we trying to reach with the gospel? My friend went [...]

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It’s a time for resolutions and fresh starts. But its more than a new year, its a new day. There’s fresh thinking everywhere. The new House Speaker John Boehner took the gavel from Nancy Pelosi yesterday and vows change as we shift from spending to constraint. And constraint is the buzzword for ministry as well. [...]

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Had Facebook been active 2010 years ago what would have Joseph and Mary’s social networking looked like? Check this out! Touching…somehow it makes it all very real.

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