In my last post, I asked the question, “Is suffering a precursor to learning?” Could it also be a precursor to becoming a great Christian, a great parent, or a great pastor?

Here are some insights from two books: Geoff Colvin’s “Talent Is Overrated” and Malcolm Gladwell’s “Outliers”:

Talent is overrated. You are not a natural-born clarinet virtuoso or car salesman or bond trader or brain surgeon—because no one is. A number of researchers now argue that talent means nothing like what we think it means, if indeed it means anything at all. In studies of accomplished individuals, researchers have found few signs of precocious achievement before the individuals started intensive training.

Great performance isn’t a result of inborn abilities, intelligence or experience. It takes a willingness to suffer through “deliberate practice.”

Deliberate practice is hard. It hurts. But it works. More of it equals better performance. Tons of it equals great performance.

The 10,000-hours rule says that if you look at any kind of cognitively complex field, from playing chess to being a neurosurgeon, we see this incredibly consistent pattern that you cannot be good at that unless you practice for 10,000 hours, which is roughly ten years. (source)

Ten thousand hours is an enormous amount of time. It’s all but impossible to reach that number all by yourself by the time you are a young adult.

This all seems to fit with Paul’s thoughts about running toward the mark and bringing his body under complete control (I Cor. 9:26-27). So, to become a really good Christian, parent, pastor…or really good anything:

• It is hard
• It hurts
• It takes years
• We can’t do it alone.

Could this be the reason the early church came together in the first place and can we replace coming together even with our Digital Age connections? This research confirms we may need to get back to these authentic conversation, real encouragement and discipline. From what I’ve been hearing, people are ready and looking for it. Do you feel this is true?

Most traditional churches are struggling to connect in this Digital Age. This isn’t breaking news to anyone anymore. Traditional businesses are struggling with the same thing, for that matter.

That’s why we met recently with authors Alan Jamieson and Len Sweet in the mountains of West Virginia. Jesus often retreated to the mountains to reflect and refresh, so it seemed to be a good place for us as well. We were interested in Alan’s work regarding why people leave church.

In the past, the church’s response to all of this leaving has been to:

• Conduct market research to discern their community’s interests
• Develop excellent program options to address these interests
• Hire paid staff to pull it off
• Measure customer satisfaction in order to keep doing this better and better

That strategy seemed to work well in the Broadcast Age. However, as our world becomes increasingly complex, it’s apparent that this entertainment strategy isn’t equipping us to deal with it. Many are disillusioned and searching for help elsewhere, and it is the churches that are requiring Christ-like sacrifice and commitment that are now growing.

This raises the important question that surfaced in West Virginia:

Is suffering a precursor to learning?

What do you think? What do we need to teach our kids about suffering, humility, growth, and resolve?

Here’s a story to make you smile from my friend Scott Couchenour’s blog:

The story is told about a time when Michael Jordan scored 69 points. The Chicago Bulls’ lead was so big that in the final minute Coach Phil Jackson put in Stacey King—a seldom used rookie substitute. King scored two meaningless free throws. Some years later he was asked by a reporter, “What’s been the highlight of your career?” King glibly replied, “It would have to be the night Michael Jordan and I combined to score 71 points!”

It seems we all have a bit of Stacey King in us striving to appear to be a bit more than we are, right?

But what a contrast to the humility expressed here by A.W. Tozer:

“I suspect maybe 80% of what I deeply believe is actually true. I just don’t know which 20% to work on.”

They say it’s all about authenticity these days. It seems Tozer “got it” back in the 50’s. Imagine that level of honesty from a man who wrote more than forty books of which two are regarded as Christian classics: The Pursuit of God and The Knowledge of the Holy.

If Tozer understood his own blindness, where does that put you and me? Should we be listening more to each other and those who see the world different than we do?

The barracks where Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsy, were kept in the Nazi concentration camp, Ravensbruck, were terribly overcrowded and flea-infested.

They had been able to miraculously smuggle a Bible into the camp, and in that Bible they had read that in all things they were to give thanks, and that God can use anything for good.

Corrie’s sister Betsy decided that this meant thanking God for the fleas.This was too much for Corrie, who said she could do no such thing. Betsy insisted, so Corrie gave in and prayed to God, thanking Him even for the fleas.

Over the next several months a wonderful, but curious, thing happened. They found that the guards never entered their barracks. This meant that women were not assaulted. It also meant that they were able to do the unthinkable, which was to hold open Bible studies and prayer meetings in the heart of a Nazi concentration camp. Countless numbers of women came to faith in Christ.

Only at the end did they discover why the guards had left them alone and would not enter into their barracks. It was because of the fleas.

This Thanksgiving, give thanks to God for every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), but also thank Him for how He will use all things for good in the lives of those who trust Him (Romans 8:28).

Are you as disillusioned with the recent political and corporate mismanagement as I am? Are you longing for trustworthy leaders providing any sign of hope and security and would a trusting prayer of gratitude feel insincere at this point?

If so, it’s good to remember Corrie and Betsy. They may help all of us be “thankful anyway”.

Blessings to you and your families,

Ed

Portions from the Serious Times newsletter

Here is some encouraging news to be thankful for this holiday season. Recent Gallup Polls conducted in more than 140 countries show that the highly religious are more likely than less religious to engage in these three “helping behaviors”.

The tendency for highly religious people to donate their time and money is even more impressive when you consider that they are typically poorer than those who are less religious. The highly religious respondents reported an average income (in international dollars) of about $10,000, versus $17,500 for the less religious. These statistics show the important role of religious dedication when it comes to supportive, community outreach behaviors.

What a contrast to the perceptions that the highly religious in the US are narrow minded, mean spirited, and hypocritical! Why do you think there’s such a gap between how we’re perceived and what Gallup suggests that we actually are?

This seems to be a good time for a light Friday post, so here you go…

Researchers at Oxford University compiled the top 10 most irritating phrases:

1. At the end of the day

2. Fairly unique

3. I personally

4. At this moment in time

5. With all due respect

6. Absolutely

7. It’s a nightmare

8. Shouldn’t of

9. 24/7

10. It’s not rocket science

And here is their irritating example of how these phrases would be used in a sentence:

At the end of the day, such lists are fairly unique. I personally, at this moment in time, and with all due respect, absolutely agree with this list. It’s a nightmare to hear these phrases, and I know that when I have thought of using them, I shouldn’t of. Nonetheless, you hear them 24/7, even when stopping shouldn’t be rocket science.

This is a good reminder to actually say something when we’re saying something! What I want to know is how did “To be honest with you” not make this list? Any other annoying phrases that should have been added?

Taken from Serious Times Newsletter

Here’s some insights about our president elect. The fact he left a stag party when the stripper arrived and he befriended street urchins when he lived in Indonesia inspire confidence. However, his teenage drug use and absence of spiritual experiences seems troubling.

Which encourage or scare you…why?

• He was called “O’Bomber” in high school for his basketball skill
• His name means “one who is blessed” in Swahili
• His home in DC was a one room studio apartment
• It was so tacky Michelle refused to sleep there
• He has read every Harry Potter book

• He worked in a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop
• His favorite snacks are chocolate/peanut protein bars
• He can speak Spanish
• While on the campaign trail he watched sports channels
• He promised Michelle he would quit smoking before the campaign – he didn’t

• He and Michelle made $4.2 million last year, most from book sales
• He has deep interest in President Lincoln’s thoughts and history
• In 1996 he attended a stag party, but left when a stripper arrived
• He can bench press an impressive 200lbs
• As a teenager he used marijuana and cocaine

• His likes Miles Davis, Bob Dylan & Bach
• His first date with Michelle was to see a Spike Lee film
• He enjoys playing Scrabble and poker
• He doesn’t drink coffee and rarely drinks alcohol
• He would have have been an architect if he were not a politician

• On his desk is a hand holding an egg, a Kenyan symbol of the fragility of life
• He repaid his student loan only four years ago after signing his book deal
• He uses an Apple Mac laptop
• He drives a Ford Escape Hybrid, having ditched his gas-guzzling Chrysler 300

• He wears $1,500 Hart Schaffner Marx suits
• His favourite fictional television program is Mash
• He was given the code name “Renegade” by the SS
• Many of his friends in Indonesia were “street urchins”
• His late father was a Sr economist for the Kenyon gov.
• His favorite films are Casablanca and One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

Has anyone ever told you they’re a Christian but that “church” just isn’t their thing? There’s far too much of that today. You may have felt it yourself.

The Search Institute, a Minneapolis based research firm, recently discovered 55 percent of young people (6835 from age 12 to 25) say they are more spiritual now than two years ago. Yet, nearly one-third of them said that they don’t trust organized religion. They perceive it as a bunch of angry people who trust only their image of God. The Search Institute, concluded its report by suggesting that:

• We’re not paying enough attention to what our kids are saying.
• We need to listen more and talk less.

That was the reason that I asked Brock to write that post “Why I Voted Obama.” Without listening there isn’t trust. Without trust there isn’t influence.

I was surprised by your passionate response and by Brock’s effort to process it. I appreciated how you showed respect for him and each other through it all. Here’s a couple of insights that made me think a bit:

• Sylvie’s comments on relationships: “All I know is that although my parents were Christians, in my home and my church there was no place for individuals. I didn’t feel like I was ever ’seen’ by the Christians in my life.”

• Brock’s thought that God’s judgment of Sodom was about pride and selfishness as well as for sexual sins. Ezekial 16:49-50 states:“Pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and the needy. And they were haughty and committed abomination before me.”.

Much of the rebellion, abortion, and even homosexuality today could be rooted in this loneliness, disconnection, and lack of purpose. Are we too quick to politicize these issues when we seem to share so much responsibility for them? Can government fix them? Do we lack the humility to own them, and could this be why our young people pull away?

Churches are trying hard to be more effective. Coffee bars to better connect people and assure they are “seen” are now common. Many now also support missional ministries to the poor outside the walls of the church. Others are emphasizing spiritual growth and personal disciplines instead of more programs.

So, how would you finish this statement: To improve my church’s ability to connect and build purpose I would_______________________________.

Posted in Evolving Culture, Relevant Ministry       ]]> http://edbahler.com/2008/11/17/listen-more-talk-less/feed/ Ed listen-2 lonely-stadium AddThis Social Bookmark Button http://edbahler.com/2008/11/14/love-and-fear/ http://edbahler.com/2008/11/14/love-and-fear/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:23:01 +0000 Ed Bahler http://edbahler.wordpress.com/?p=3217

I wasn’t sure exactly why I was crying as I walked through Dulles airport last Friday. I had just passed a magazine rack where stories and pictures of Obama were everywhere, and it took me back 33 years…all the way back to my freshman year at Purdue University.

My roommate and I were moving into Shreve Hall and were jazzed about college as we searched for room 733. The sound of music in the hallway was getting louder and louder, and as we passed room 731 the ghetto rock nearly knocked us over. I looked at my buddy and shouted, “It’s going to be a looong year!” (we were more the James Taylor/Rod Stuart types)

We learned that the ghetto rockers next door were two black guys from Gary Roosevelt, an all black (nobody said “African American” back then) high school in Gary, Indiana. I’m not sure how it happened, but in a few short weeks we were hanging out with these dudes continuously. We were soon tight enough for Barrington to show up asking for school help…a humbling thing for any 18 year old.

Nearly every night for eight weeks I was teaching him math and rewriting his papers. Barrington was one of the brightest Roosevelt had to offer, yet he couldn’t do fractions, percents, or write a coherent paragraph. Barrington was scared and struggling badly. I’ll never forget the afternoon that we couldn’t get through a math problem. Defeated, he hung his head. I thought he was about to cry as he quietly said, “I’m done…I can’t do this Ed.”

I’m about to tear up again thinking about his vulnerability and shame. I knew he was bright and spontaneously I replied, “You’re not dumb Barrington, you’re just uneducated.” It got quiet and I saw the question in his eyes…you really mean that Ed? Please tell me you mean that. I did, and I told him so.

It was a moment that will bond us together forever. The two years that we were dorm neighbors are some of the richest of my life. Barrington not only graduated with a business degree, but is one of a very few division presidents at Alcoa Aluminum today (a company with over 100,000 employees) and now travels the country in corporate jets.

As I walked away from that newsstand last week, I relived Barrington’s struggle, fear, shame, and triumph. I’m still so loyal and know the significance of last week for him and others. And I hurt for the millions that are still ill-equipped and imprisoned by that same fear and shame that broke Barrington that day. I also thought of how blessed I have been and about my responsibility to others because of it.

Where to Go from Here…

Even though I didn’t vote for Obama, I felt that there was something good in what happened. Maybe it’s my blind loyalty to Barrington, still resonating after all these years. Somehow though it seems time for all of us to seize this moment to reach beyond ourselves and free those that are held captive, as Barrington was. Yet, with all this conviction, I’m so fearful about where Obama could take us. I felt this same tug of war in your comments on the last post. There is something to be said for both emotions.

Can “perfect love” cast out our fear and could it be time for the church to take the lead in building trust together? Does this story resonate with any of you? How do you think we should move forward now as Christians?

We’ve often discussed how Millennials (those under 30) view the world quite differently. Many suggest that it was the Millennials that put Obama in the White House. Here’s the world through their eyes.

Amber is a Sign Language Interpreter and Brock is finishing an M.A. in philosophy. He plans to pursue a PhD in philosophy of religion. Here’s why they went Obama:

After being raised in a conservative Christian environment and previously voting for George Bush twice, I voted for Obama.

I believe it is not our role to “Christianize” the population. Instead, we live within a pluralistic society and must provide rational arguments for our laws. I believe Obama has tried to address the issues of abortion, gay marriage, and others with this broad based, rational approach.

Conservative Christians have reduced “moral” issues to a few emotionally charged topics. But a comprehensive study of Scripture reveals that we must make political decisions on a larger list of issues. Obama’s positions on these issues influenced my vote:

• Poverty. Compared to the half-dozen verses on homosexuality, the Bible mentions our responsibility to the poor over 2,000 times. We must come to the aid of the impoverished!
• War. Christians are called to be peacemakers and love our enemies. Pacifism was the unanimous position among early Christians. We should oppose the death of the over 1 million Iraqis and make war our last option.
• Environmentalism. Scripture includes many passages describing God’s love for his creation and our job to be stewards of it. We ought to be finding creative ways to recycle, renew resources, and not contribute to a society of consumerism.
• Racism. The issue of racism permeates the Gospels, Acts, Galatians, and Romans. We ought to condemn racist and discriminatory behavior in all areas of life.
• Immigration. Scripture calls us to be good to the “alien,” the stranger (the Greek word for “hospitality” is philoxenia = “love of strangers”), and the downtrodden. This should influence how we treat undocumented immigrants.
• Foreign Policy. Scripture calls us to treat people – even our “enemies” – with love, gentleness, respect, and patience. The current administration, and many conservative Christians, have failed to do so.

So…what thoughts or feelings does Brock and Amber’s view provoke in you?

Do you other Millennial readers connect with their perspective? Why or why not?

How do we as the church connect with their concerns?

“The Christian Right isn’t Christian or right” is the belief of 80% of New Zealanders. New Zealand author and pastor Alan Jamieson surprised us with that observation last week at our West Virginia retreat. Alan was with us to share his research on why people leave church. His findings are captured in his recent book, “Churchless Faith.”

Jamieson went on to share that most people in New Zealand, a loyal Western ally, are horrified by our lack of ethnic equality, actions in Iraq, arrogant attitude, and threatening economic crisis. They perceive that the Christian Right is a part of this. This mistrust saddened me…does it you?

Last week’s election results suggest that many people in the US share New Zealand’s perceptions. This also helps to explain the reasoning behind the recent “church leavers” as well. Here are three observations from Jamieson’s work:

• The church fails to be there at key points of pain - People are confused and frightened when they experience undeserved suffering or unanswered prayer. At these critical points it’s important that they are connected to people who authentically care and inspire hope.

• The church acts like a rancher more than a shepherd - Ranchers care about the success of the operation while shepherds care about the sheep. People need assured that they are an important part of a deep purpose, not simply an unappreciated part of someone else’s.

• The church fails to help them discover the deeper meaning of life - People don’t just want to hear the same stories about Moses again. It’s vital that the church helps people discover the deeper meaning in life and helps them get beyond themselves to become a part of it.

New Zealand’s mistrust seemed to align with these three observations. In both cases it seems that we as Americans and as a church:

• Are no longer concerned about their pain
• Are most concerned about our own success
• Have lost a connection with the deeper yearnings in life

Jamieson is calling us back to “Soul Conversations and Authentic Relationships.“ Soul Conversations of purpose and meaning and Authentic Relationships that share in each other’s joys and sorrows.

Is Jamieson’s take on mistrust and “church leavers” too simplistic? Are “Soul Conversations and Authentic Relationships” significant to any healthy relationship?

Posted in Evolving Culture, Relevant Ministry       ]]> http://edbahler.com/2008/11/10/the-christian-right-isnt/feed/ Ed christian-right jamieson1 churchless-faith AddThis Social Bookmark Button http://edbahler.com/2008/11/09/pearls-before-breakfast/ http://edbahler.com/2008/11/09/pearls-before-breakfast/#comments Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:03:52 +0000 Ed Bahler http://edbahler.wordpress.com/?p=2975

The people at the Washington Post Magazine decided to conduct an experiment. They had Joshua Bell, one of the world’s leading violinists, set up as a street performer at the entrance of a Washington, D.C., Metro station and start playing his violin. Would people notice? Would he be showered with money? Would there be a riot?

Um, no.

In the three-quarters of an hour that Joshua Bell played, seven people stopped what they were doing to hang around and take in the performance, at least for a minute. Twenty-seven gave money, most of them on the run — for a total of $32 and change. That leaves the 1,070 people who hurried by, oblivious, many only three feet away, few even turning to look.

The article, by Post staff writer Gene Weingarten, is awesome. Highly recommended: Pearls Before Breakfast.

Humm…how many times is Jesus at work or is someone in need and we hurry by just as oblivious?

I’m hanging out here in the West Virginia mountains with Bible historian and futurist Len Sweet. He’s been a significant voice into the Christian community authoring over 25 books.

Today, Len suggested that we now live in a Google era. The past 500 years we’ve been in a left-brain world, a linear, modern world…think accountants and engineers. We’ve been treating our world like an orange…peeling it, sectioning it, taking it apart, before consuming it in pieces. We’ve treated the Bible the same.

But this Google world is a holistic world…a post modern, visually driven, right-brain world…think artist and net-worker. We need to approach this new world as we do an apple. There’s no peeling it, sectioning it, or taking it apart. We eat the whole apple at once.

So Len is challenging us to think EPIC:

• Experiential
• Participatory
• Image rich
• Connected

Reality TV is EPIC, Google is EPIC, video games are EPIC, and as I think about it…Obama is EPIC. He is experiential and participatory, powerfully relating with and intimately engaging others. So much so, he’s being called the “Worlds President” today. He gets this image-rich and connection thing looking and acting so presidential. And he’s the first Facebook/Tweeter, digitally connected candidate in history. It all helps explain his ability to overcome his race, past relationships, and the most liberal voting record in the Senate.

Check out today’s FoxNews global comments:

People are feeling that the most powerful person in the world does not have to be a white guy. That’s a huge breakthrough for the United States and for humanity.This is the fall of the Berlin Wall times ten.

And from a Frenchman, “This morning we all want to be American, so we can take a bite of this dream unfolding before our eyes.”

This global response is truly remarkable!

Len’s on to something with this EPIC shift in this Google era. And Obama gets it. He sees the world as a whole rather than sections. I didn’t vote for him, as many of his values conflict with mine. However, I think we are all beginning to sense that the world is moving far too fast to section and divide it as we once did. And it makes me hopeful to see Obama navigate it.

Are we in the Google era, and could that be why Obama’s EPIC skills won out?

More important…are you developing EPIC skills? Is your church?

My daughter’s best friend got married last week. Their friendship stretches back to youth group days, and her parents were friends of ours with strong family and church connections. As most good boomers, we were taught to be loyal to our faith and families and tried to teach our kids the same.

I was surprised when I heard from my daughter that this special young lady had expressed little loyalty to our specific church fellowship. Her and her husband are driven first by mission and purpose. It trumps everything. And, this attitude is becoming the norm.

That’s why I found the following Barna Group research insightful. I love these young people’s hearts, but we’re just not able to connect with them like we once did. They value being socially conscious and living “simple” lives far more than embracing common “spiritual” labels or loyalty to groups. Yet they seem conflicted about it all as well. Could this research help us develop the purpose and language to once again connect? Take a look…I’d appreciate your thoughts.

Spiritually active and difference makers

As Americans we’ve always possessed an appetite for active spirituality and this streak continues to shape the thinking of Americans as:

• 71% describe their religious faith as personally very important
• 82% of adults describe themselves as “spiritually mature”

Yet, in addition to spiritual identities - and in some ways beyond spiritual labels - Americans also think of themselves as difference-makers and concerned about the world around them:

• 78% say they are “making a positive difference in the world”
• 86% describe themselves as “caring deeply about social injustice”
• 86% are “concerned about the moral condition of the country”

Yet, we’re conflicted

While most Americans sense clarity about their life’s purpose, they admit to not living up to their ideals. For instance:

• 71% of adults believe they are “fulfilling their calling in life”
• Yet, 51% also say they are “searching for meaning and purpose.”

Other confusion surfaces when asked to describe their sense of peace and simplicity in life. Most Americans feel:

• “very much at peace with life” and “they live a simple life” (84%)
• Yet 68% are “totally committed to getting ahead in life”
• And 55% acknowledge they need to make significant changes

As I work with young people, this passion for making a difference ekes out of them everywhere. But so does this conflict that Barna’s research picked up.

Help me out here young people, what’s at the root of this confusion and how can we make sense of it? Is it possible to reconnect…and if so what would that look like?

That 30/12 challenge sounded so simple last week. Commit to 30 minutes of complete stillness for 12 days to better hear God. I figured I’d do my 12 days, learn a thing or two, and have some interesting blog posts to boot. But, I didn’t have a clue.

Day one I grabbed my journal, closed my bedroom door, fluffed the pillows up against my headboard, and parked on the bed next to my clock. I’d knock out this 30 minutes then get on with all those emails. I listened, quickly jotted down thoughts, listened, more thoughts, and listened a bit more. Feeling quite confident that it was getting close to 30 minutes, I checked the clock…I was only 6 minutes in! Yeah…6 minutes.

This was beginning to feel more like a prison sentence than a nice, simple exercise. That was my first clue that God was taking me somewhere I badly needed to go. I made it to my 30 minutes, but it was awkward…like writing with my left hand. It had been awhile since I had forced my spirit to fully “Be still and know,” and it actually hurt. Now five days in and I’m slowly seeing my world in a new light.

Clue number two hit me Saturday when my 16 year old son Kurt asked, “Why are you driving so patiently, Dad?” My sense of urgency has always been reflected in my driving. Even so, I rarely get speeding tickets. But get this…a few weeks ago I got two tickets in one 60 mile trip to Indianapolis. I know what you’re thinking. Get a clue, right? Well, thankfully God is helping me get there through this 30/12 journey, and even my son is noticing.

If you’re not taking on this challenge, maybe you should. If you have, I’d love to hear what clues you’re picking up.