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Family Fire :: Biblical Guidelines for Grand Parenting

Kim Sullivan — Thu, 01 Oct 2015 11:23:47 +0000

You can look at becoming a grandparent in two ways: you are getting old, or you are about to be rejuvenated! The world tells us that becoming a grandparent has all of the perks of being a parent without all of the responsibilities! However, the Bible speaks of grandparents as being very significant authority figures in the family. What are the biblical responsibilities of the grandparent?

Grandparents are to pronounce blessings over their grandchildren.

Our words affect our family far more than we understand. As grandparents we speak good things into the lives of our family. My grandmother used to write me a birthday letter every year. How I treasured these gifts! In them, she would encourage me to be all that God has called me to be. She spoke to the greatness inside of me, ensuring me that she believed in me. A biblical example of the grandparent’s blessing is found when Israel met Joseph’s children. “They are the sons God has given me here,” Joseph said to his father. Then Israel said, “Bring them to me so I may bless them” (Genesis 48:9).

Grandparents are to fear the Lord.

Walking out the fear of the Lord before your family is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. “But from everlasting to everlasting, the Lord’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children” (Psalms 103:17). According to this scripture God loves those who fear Him and he promises righteousness to your grandchildren when you fear Him. You are a trailblazer of faith in your family; the forerunner of a generation ready to serve Him. In a world that over-casualizes everything, it is important that we teach our families to respect and honor the people and things we are commanded to treat in this manner.

Grandparents are to speak of God’s goodness to their grandchildren.

It is good for our children to hear about examples of God’s faithfulness from someone other than their parents. As grandparents, you have the opportunity to make God “real” to your family by sharing your experiences as a Believer. After all, faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). You build up faith in the next generation when they hear of your stories of God’s goodness. ”One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts” (Psalms 145:4 ). “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9).

Grandparents are to instruct grandchildren in God’s Word.

Scripture tells us that this is why God chose Abraham as our father in the faith. “For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just, so that the LORD will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him" (Genesis 18:19).

Grandparents are to leave an inheritance for their grandchildren.

Even if you are unable to leave behind finances, you can invest in your grandchildren and they will greatly prosper as a result of your encouragement. Be interested in what they are interested in. Cheer them on in their pursuits. Most importantly give your grandchildren the heritage of a relationship with Jesus. Walk out your walk in front of them. “A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous” (Proverbs 13:22).

Next time you are tempted to feel old and worn out, remember that grandchildren are the crown of old age. “Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children” (Proverbs 17:6). Although children are proud of their parents, grandchildren are the reward of the grandparent. Enjoy your reward to the fullest! You have a hand in determining future generations of Christians on the earth!

Today :: Wisdom, Life’s Essential Element

Thu, 01 Oct 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:1-7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Proverbs 1:7

During my seminary training over forty years ago, my Old Testament professor wisely cautioned us not to preach from the book of Proverbs too early in our ministry. He said we needed to have considerable life experience in order to bring its spiritual insights to our congregations. His advice still seems right to me as we aim this month to learn about living as followers of Jesus from a book of the Bible that never mentions his name. In addition, we’ll need to turn to Jesus regularly as the one who lived the perfect life, the life of wisdom-in-the-flesh.

When I was a young pastor, eager to do the right thing, “the fear of the Lord” meant submitting my life to Christ’s lordship and applying his Word to every situation. But I didn’t always know how to do that wisely. For example, after a long discussion by the church elders one evening about dealing with someone in a certain way, one elder asked, “Pastor, it may be right . . . but is it wise?” I was frustrated by that, but this wise question still comes to mind regularly.

Living in a world with information at our fingertips, we must learn that the knowledge we need is really wisdom applied with the compassion of Christ. It includes an awareness of God’s laws and a concern for life calling for obedience and discipline even when doing so may be difficult. Jesus showed the way by submitting to his Father’s will. He is our example.

Lord, help us to be wise in this world. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Think Christian :: The Blacklist and our need for sin-eaters

Stephen Woodworth — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 17:57:00 +0000

Posted on 09/30/15

“I am a sin-eater. I absorb the misdeeds of others, darkening my soul to keep theirs pure.”

So confessed Raymond Reddington (James Spader) in the season two finale of NBC's The Blacklist. With Thursday’s premiere of season three, it seems appropriate to cast light on this little phrase once again.

The Blacklist prides itself on showcasing the blurred lines between right and wrong, as it traces the mysterious relationship between Red, a man who sits atop the FBI’s most wanted list, and one of their leading agents, Elizabeth Keen (Megan Boone). Fans of the series are already familiar with the show’s penchant for shock, and yet the use of the term “sin-eater” may be one of the most shocking moments of all.

Despite Ray Reddington’s seeming familiarity with a wide array of obscure rituals, cultures and practices, it’s still a surprise that he would reference sin-eaters. After all, this is an age in which even the church has become increasingly uncomfortable with the term “sin.” As Philip Yancey wrote last year, “Although almost every sermon in my childhood church centered on sin, the word has vanished in the years since then. ...Fear of sin, the dominant force of my childhood, has nearly disappeared.”

And what of Reddington’s allusion not just to sin, but to sin-eaters? To be honest, there are very few historical references to such figures, save a few found in the annals of the history of Wales. In Welsh Sketches, Ernest Silvanus Appleyard wrote this of the practice:

“When a person died, the friends sent for the sin-eater of the district, who on his arrival places a piece of salt on the breast of the defunct, and upon the salt a piece of bread. He then muttered an incantation over the bread, which he finally ate; thereby eating up all the sins of the deceased. This done, he received the fee of two shillings and sixpence, and vanished as quickly as possible from the general gaze; for as it was believed that he really appropriated to his own use and behoof the sins of all those over whom he performed the above ceremony, he was utterly detested in the neighbourhood - regarded as a mere Pariah - as one irremediably lost.”

To our modern minds the practice seems a kind of syncretism, combining the worst of medieval superstition, folk religion and misguided Christianity. And yet, the ritual also has a bit of truth about it. In fact, if one looks close enough at the world in which we dwell, one will not find it too difficult to discover sin-eaters still lurking in our streets. They may answer to different names, but the fact is that humanity is always wrestling with notions of guilt and forgiveness. As Yancey wrote,“Much as we would wish otherwise, we have a deep, inescapable sense that something is wrong with the world, with our neighbors, and even with ourselves.”

With this sense that “something is wrong” constantly gnawing at our hearts, each of us seeks relief by looking for someone else to take the blame: a scapegoat, a sin-eater. We blame our parents (or lack thereof), our bosses, our lovers, our friends, our enemies, our siblings … but almost never ourselves. We would rather pay a homeless man roaming the streets to eat bread off our lifeless bodies than carry the weight of our own sins.

We also look for scapegoats because, truth be told, we need scapegoats – or, more specifically, we need a scapegoat. We are unable to carry our own burden. We are desperately in need of a sin-eater. Not a beggar who merely offers a gesture or a television character who makes a dramatic claim, but someone who is forgiveness incarnate. Not grace that costs “two shillings and sixpence,” but the most costly grace of all. It’s a grace that I hope awaits the tortured souls of The Blacklist this season.

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Today :: Stolen Eggs and a Second Chance

Wed, 30 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:17-21

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21

Helen Johnson and five family members lived together in Tarrant, Alabama. At a grocery store, Johnson realized she did not have enough cash even to buy a dozen eggs, and the family hadn’t eaten for two days. She stuffed five eggs into her pocket, and they broke. (See www.al.com/news/birmingham.)

An employee called the police, but the store decided not to press charges. Instead of arresting Johnson, Officer William Stacy bought a dozen eggs and gave them to her.

Officer Stacy remembered going hungry himself as a child because his mother didn’t always have the money to feed him and his sister. When Johnson asked Stacy how to repay him, he told her not to shoplift again. “Sometimes the best route is to not arrest,” Stacy explained.

Stacy discerned that Johnson’s hunger, not her theft, was the evil that needed to be overcome with good, and God multiplied the good he did. A bystander recorded the incident and posted it on Facebook. Offers to help Johnson’s family came pouring in to the Tarrant police, who were able to provide enough food for them to stock their pantry.

As we have examined the church in action this month, I pray that we too have gained wisdom and the desire to overcome evil with good in our love for others through Jesus Christ.

God, fill us all with your wisdom, and motivate us with your deep love to overcome evil with good. In the precious name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord, Amen.

Today :: Love Sets Boundaries

Tue, 29 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:17-21

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18

I’ve consulted with a number of churches that have members who challenged the limits of their love: an older man with dementia who propositioned young women in church; a man with intellectual disability who literally pushed people when he got excited; a woman who phoned different members of the church several times a day.

How does a church love people who test the limits of love? Love includes setting boundaries for persons whose behavior is inappropriate.

Occasionally churches must ask the person to leave and not come back, but such a rejection must be the last resort. Instead, churches need to get creative with love. They may need to help the person learn appropriate behaviors. They may need to ask for volunteers to accompany a person when he is at church gatherings so that he can be reminded to avoid offensive behaviors. Always church members must remember that they do not deserve God’s love themselves but that God has loved them through Jesus Christ. They are called to do the same with others, even those who are difficult to love.

Sometimes God brings difficult people into the church fellowship so that the congregation can learn new ways to love. When our understanding of love is stretched in unwanted directions, we begin to taste the love of God for humans in new ways, and we get better at loving everyone.

God, we love because you first loved us, even though we can be unlovable. Show us how to love creatively. In Jesus, Amen

Think Christian :: Sins of emission: playing my part in the Volkswagen scandal

Erica Schemper — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 21:11:00 +0000

Posted on 09/28/15

This past spring, my husband and I purchased what we thought was the perfect family car for an environmentally sensitive but fun-loving family of five. After months of research, we ruled out larger SUVs (too environmentally destructive) and minivans (gas guzzlers and a little too frumpy for our taste). We narrowed our choices down to three wagons with sufficient backseat width and good stowage capacity. Among those three options was one that I jokingly referred to as my mid-life-crisis mommy car: the Volkswagen Jetta TDI wagon, preferably in lipstick red.

On Good Friday, the local dealer called my husband to tell him that someone had just traded in a barely used red Jetta SportWagen TDI. While I knew the theology of this was all off, it felt like God was smiling on me (through the car’s massive sunroof), offering a reward for years of driving little economy cars. We christened her “Hildy” and took a cross-country family road trip over the summer, satisfied that her fuel economy and low emissions were part of our commitment to being good stewards of creation.

Last week, while shuttling kids to school, I heard the news: my now-beloved Jetta is part of a massive scheme of deception by Volkswagen. An independent study has revealed that Volkswagen installed software called a “defeat device” in its 2009 to 2015 diesel models. The defeat device kicks into gear when the car detects that it’s undergoing an emissions test, and delivers the performance needed to pass. But under normal driving conditions, these engines emit up to 40 times the amount of nitrogen oxide permitted by EPA standards.

In a moment of dark humor, I posted this on Facebook: “Suggestions for bumper stickers for Volkswagen TDI drivers?” My wise friend Benjamin wrote: “On some level, I knew.”

Of course, I couldn’t have figured this out by myself. I’m no car expert, so I put my trust in government regulators and consumer advisory groups. I have very little understanding of how cars are put together, but I admire those who use their abilities to design and build vehicles. I assume, and hope, that there are people engineering cars and writing computer software for engines in ways that strive toward more efficient and clean use of energy. I consider that to be kingdom work, restoring the world to the shalom intended by the Creator.

Yet the Volkswagen scandal is a reminder of how our human sinfulness, in ways both individually and corporately, holds us back from shalom. It’s a story of greed, pride, self-deception and outright lies, mostly by engineers and corporate officials. And even if I didn’t know about it, on some level, no matter how clean my fossil-fueled vehicle seemed to be, I remained complicit in a world economy that is damaging creation.

The psalmist writes, “Do not put your trust in princes, in mortals, in whom there is no help. When their breath departs, they return to the earth; on that very day their plans perish.” I’m feeling Psalm 146 this week as I tool around in my Jetta and try not to think about what’s actually coming out of the tailpipe. Becoming better stewards of creation will take constant vigilance against our fallenness, along with God’s faithful presence and guidance for everyone, from executives and engineers to legislators and drivers. As Psalm 146 reminds us: “Happy are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them; who keeps faith forever.”

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Think Christian :: A toast, and a warning, from Alice Cooper’s Hollywood Vampires

John J. Thompson — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:53:00 +0000

Posted on 09/28/15

Halloween comes early this year thanks to everyone’s favorite shock-rocking, snake-handling, perennially decapitated, thoughtfully Christian crypt keeper Alice Cooper. Along with Johnny Depp and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Cooper has assembled the super-est of supergroups to offer a loving yet chilling parody of rock-and-roll excess. The self-titled debut album by Hollywood Vampires is here - trick or treat indeed!

Over the span of its 14 songs, Cooper, Depp and Perry present a tightly conceived tribute to Cooper’s 1970s drinking club called, you guessed it, The Hollywood Vampires. They use humor and swagger to honor their fallen friends, celebrate a pivotal era of rock and roll and sneak in a subtle lesson in the process. Like the best horror movies, there is a point to this story.

The original Hollywood Vampires included John Lennon, Ringo Starr, Harry Nilsson, Keith Moon, Micky Dolenz and Bernie Taupin, but other luminaries such as Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison were also known to join Cooper’s infamous lair at the storied Rainbow Room on the Sunset Strip. Their debauchery is the stuff of rock legend. Cooper, the charismatic ringleader of the Vampires, is one of the few left standing. That he parlayed his recovery into a well-documented journey toward the Christian faith is an amazing plot twist, to be sure.

On Hollywood Vampires, Cooper crawls into some of the deep cuts in FM rock history, all connected somehow to one of his Vampire buddies, and inhabits them with sinister glee. In his leather-fisted grip, the Spirit classic “I Got A Line On You” feels like a valentine from Satan himself. Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” is even creepier, as Cooper’s baritone snarl hisses like a snake alongside ACDC’s Brian Johnson. On “One,” Cooper slithers again like an evil snake that will gladly turn your need for community against you. He makes the repeated line of “Jump IntoThe Fire” - “We can make each other happy” - sound like another desperate lie. The winks become far more obvious in the rollicking cover of The Small Faces’ “Itchycoo Park,” a psychedelic pop classic about getting high. In the context of the rest of the songs, even this stoner favorite comes off as a gentle farce.

The album closes with the thesis rocker, “My Dead Drunk Friends.” Maybe it’s the knowledge that Depp is behind some of the guitar work, but it’s hard not to picture this original song as a sea shanty being sung by sinking pirates holding mugs of rum. It’s a good-spirited satire of the thinking that has destroyed too many lives, and it leaves a subtle aftertaste of lament. That key members Joe Perry and Cooper are long-term recovering addicts (there are some indications that Depp may be a non-drinker as well), adds a knowing and sad irony to the proceedings.

Cooper’s persona has long been a dramatic device designed to parody evil and foolishness. Since his coming to faith he has carefully integrated Christian thought into albums such as The Last Temptation, Brutal Planet, Dragontown and The Eyes of Alice Cooper. In fact, his character embodies Martin Luther’s famous riff on spiritual warfare, which appears on the first pages of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters: "The best way to drive out the devil, if he will not yield to texts of Scripture, is to jeer and flout him, for he cannot bear scorn."

This long-form toast to a bevy of fallen rockers sounds not only like the best cover band you’ve ever heard, but also serves as a strong warning to those who might succumb to the same vices that consumed so many others. “Beware,” these veteran rockers seem to be saying of the myth of the party life so many of these songs once celebrated. “There be dragons.”

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Family Fire :: How Best to Handle Stress: Take a Lesson from Older Adults

Bob Ritzema — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:19:49 +0000

You’re under stress, aren't you? So am I. And that won't change.

If you're a young adult trying to complete your education, seeking direction in life, and struggling to handle adult responsibilities, you know what stress is.

If you’re a middle-aged adult working long hours, raising kids, negotiating relationship problems, cooking, cleaning, and trying to keep your home from falling into ruin, you know what stress is.

If you're an older adult dealing with doctor’s appointments, illness, loss, the upheaval of retirement, and uncertainty about the future, you know what stress is.

So everyone experiences stress. Reducing stress may be possible, but eliminating it isn't. So how to deal with its demands? Where can you learn how to respond well to the challenges you face every day? Well, you could learn how to handle stress from an older adult! Cope with life's hassles using the strategies that many older adults use.

Cope like an older adult.

I'm basing this recommendation on a 2014 study by psychologists Oliver K Schilling and Manfred Diehl. Every day for a month, Schilling and Diehl had both younger and older adults record the stresses they had and the emotions they experienced. Not surprisingly, study participants had more negative emotions on days that stressful events occurred. Younger and older adults didn't differ in the amount of negative emotion they experienced. However, the picture changed when the researchers looked at "stressor pile-up," that is, periods when stressful events occurred several days in a row. Stresses often do seem to come in bursts, their combined effects beating us down so far it's hard to recover. When study participants were faced with several days of stress in a row, older adults had fewer negative emotions than younger adults. The authors suggest that older adults have effective coping strategies that don't prevent initial negative reactions to the stressor but eventually provide relief.

What effective coping mechanisms have older adults developed? Earlier, study co-author Manfred Diehl had collaborated with two other researchers to examine the actual strategies used by younger and older adults. These scientists found two main ways that the two groups differ: older adults both handle impulses better and use more effective cognitive strategies.

Older adults tend to have better impulse control.

It makes sense that controlling impulses makes for more successful coping. While it may be momentarily satisfying to yell, slam cabinets, or berate someone who's annoyed you, such reactions are likely to worsen rather than relieve the stress you're under. In my work with older adults, I've noticed that they usually restrain immediate urges and instead resolve their negative emotions by waiting until irritation can safely be vented, talking about the situation with a trusted confidant, or praying.

Older adults use cognitive strategies.

Secondly, Diehl and his colleagues found that older adults often used cognitive strategies that helped them distance themselves from disturbing situations. In other words, they found ways to think differently about stresses. Clinical psychologists have identified numerous effective mental strategies, for example looking for the positives in a mostly negative situation and avoiding false generalizations such as "Things always turn out badly for me." Another useful cognitive strategy is to put things in context. Looking back at all they've been through in life, older adults have the perspective to realize that, like past stresses, current stresses are likely to eventually subside.

Part of putting things in context is to remember that no matter how severely storms buffet us and how little shelter we can provide for ourselves, God is our strength and shelter. Older adults who have been walking with Him for decades have had ample opportunity to observe the truth of passages such as the following:

“When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.(Is. 43:2 NIV)"

So cope with stress by handling it with the strategies used by older adults: redirecting impulses, use thoughts that put the situation in perspective, and have faith in God, who time and again has brought us through hardships.

Think Christian :: Help us refresh the Think Christian website

Josh Larsen — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 08:44:00 +0000

Posted on 09/28/15

If you are reading this post, that means you're on the Think Christian website. Although TC is active on social media and our email subscription list is growing every day, the website is still where the heart of our ministry takes place. On our site, you can read our contributors' full posts, you can join the conversation via comment threads and you can explore our rich archive of articles. But we want to know: how can we make the site even better?

You can tell us here. We've put together a brief survey asking about your experience on the TC site. How do you feel about the design? Does the search function work well for you? What changes would you like to see made? We want to know all this and more.

At Think Christian, we think of our posts as conversation starters. Which means you, our readers, are an integral part of the work we do. So join us in improving a vital aspect of the project. Please take a few minutes to participate in the survey, or share your general thoughts about the TC website in the comment section below. Thanks for your help!

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Today :: Secure Enough to Love

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 3:14-21

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
Romans 12:16

About Romans 12:9-21, Harper’s Bible Commentary says, “Human relations are nourished by security, not anxiety; the issue for Paul throughout Romans has been to identify authentic security and confidence.”

The body of Christ finds security in knowing we are not our own but belong to our faithful Savior, Jesus (see Heidelberg Catechism, Q&A 1). People who are focused on themselves lash out, insist on getting their way, or ignore people different from themselves. People who are secure in Christ show a relaxed, secure love.

Who are the kinds of people you find especially difficult to love? Who are the people that cause you to feel disgust, anger, frustration, pity, or fear? These are the people that, for you, are “people of low position.”

God can help you with such feelings that hamper your love. He will help you remember that you are loved to your very core through Jesus Christ. You belong to him. Your sins are forgiven. He loves you as you are. The wide, long, high, deep love of Christ surpasses knowledge, drives out fear, turns from selfishness, and associates with people of low position. Christ’s love fills his followers through the power of his Holy Spirit.

You can love without pride or fear because your security is in Christ.

God, thank you that I am not my own but belong to my faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Thank you that I need not insist on my own way because I am secure in Christ. In his name, Amen.

Today :: God’s Heart Beats With Reconciliation

Sun, 27 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Genesis 33:1-11

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud . . . . Do not be conceited.
Romans 12:16

If anyone had good reason to hold a grudge, it would be Jacob’s brother, Esau. Jacob cheated Esau out of his birthright and his blessing; then he fled because Esau planned to kill him as soon as their father, Isaac, died.

Years later, after they both had wives and children, they met again, but Jacob was terrified that Esau still wanted to kill him. He sent messengers and lavish gifts ahead of him, hoping to appease his brother. But he need not have worried. As Jacob bowed before his brother, “Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him.” Jacob responded, “To see your face is like seeing the face of God, now that you have received me favorably.”

If we have also read the previous chapter, Jacob’s response may remind us that Jacob had just had an experience of seeing God face to face. Now Jacob saw a reflection of God in Esau through their reconciliation.

Paul calls us to live in harmony with other people, but we won’t always succeed. We will hurt others, even if we do so unintentionally. And others will hurt us. We will have misunderstandings. We will anger others and be angry at others. When we reconcile with another person after being at odds, we see God’s face, because God’s heart beats with reconciliation.

Reconciling God, thank you for reconciling the world to yourself in Christ. Thank you for making us Christ’s ambassadors of reconciliation. Help me to reconcile today with anyone who has hurt me. In Jesus, Amen.

Kids Corner :: Past Imperfect

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 26 Sep 2015 11:00:33 +0000

Granny Gecko knows someone who has been in jail for a long time, but he says he is innocent. Help Lucille and Liz solve this mystery on this week’s Kids Corner.

Today :: Love Takes Time to Listen

Sat, 26 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Mark 5:25-34

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15

My life is busy. I work more than full time, and my wife works too. We are helping our kids through college. Our family is expanding again as our children get married. I have volunteer commitments. I . . . well, you get the picture.

Most of us feel like we need more hours in a day, more days in a week, and we have too little time for sleep and relaxation. With all of that activity, we feel as if we can give only brief attention to any one thing. Who has time to stop and really listen to another person? If we ask someone how she is doing, and she begins to give a real answer, our first thought is “I don’t have time for this!” Paul calls us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, but we can’t do that if we are too focused on our own to-do lists.

Jesus was very busy too. In just over three years, he healed the sick, trained followers, taught a whole new understanding of the Old Testament, saved humankind from sin, and set in motion events that will one day make all things new. And yet, he took time to listen to a sick woman tell the whole story of her illness. And that’s just one example of Jesus’ taking time to really be with people.

If you want to follow Paul’s command, follow Christ’s example and take time to listen.

Everlasting God, I feel so busy, so limited, so impatient. Teach me to slow down, listen, and love others. May I rejoice and mourn with people in their sorrows and joys. In Jesus, Amen.

Think Christian :: Bringing grace to the first-person industrial complex

Bethany Keeley-Jonker — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 08:11:00 +0000

Posted on 09/25/15

In an essay on Slate, Laura Bennett implicated herself, along with many editors on successful web magazines, in the phenomenon she called the “The First-Person Industrial Complex.” By this she means the growing popularity of essays based on the most harrowing or shocking or difficult experiences of the writer.

Of course, the relationship of vulnerability to writing has always been close. A frequently cited quotation about writing goes something like, “Writing is easy, you just sit at the typewriter and open a vein.” (Cursory research suggests this is likely from sportswriter Red Smith, but I saw a few other more famous names credited as well.) Yet while this tendency isn’t new, the realities of Internet publishing in the year 2015 are.

Bennett points to the pressures that led to the trend of revealing, first-person essays. First-person experience of the author gives insights that are only available this way or through (expensive) reporting and interviews. This immediacy makes for interesting reading, as well as eminently clickable headlines. Bennett also focuses primarily on the potential harm of this trend for writers. One, writers take a risk with their personal reputation by disclosing their own bad decisions or painful experiences, and are not always as prepared as they believe they are for the inevitable backlash. Two, writers sometimes take these chances as a way to get more writing opportunities that don’t necessarily materialize.

Of course, not every first-person essay is about harrowing or harmful experiences and choices, but it is a popular topic. It has me wondering, as a reader and as a writer, what my role is with these sometimes salacious disclosures.

As a Christian charged to love others, is reading this kind of writing a way to love the authors? I’m reminded of how many first-person accounts about others' experiences of racism or poverty or other kinds of oppression have expanded my understanding and sympathy for people whose situations and experiences are different from mine. Reading and attending to the lives of others can be a way of honoring and appreciating their humanity.

But not every essay in this genre necessarily is about representing someone’s humanity in a way that helps me to see God’s image in them. I think the impulse to “hate read” is not necessarily my most neighborly. Bennett’s essay encouraged me to be more discerning about how my reading impacts my relationship with the rest of God’s children.

As a writer, I wonder how we can support both a (right) impulse to show others how God’s amazing creation is shown in us and a (right) impulse to be honest and vulnerable about our brokenness, even if we fear judgment. The extreme of the first impulse is the kind of “happy clappy” Christianity that sweeps problems under the rug. The extreme of the second is a kind of grotesque exhibitionism that exploits its subject and doesn’t help the reader become kinder, wiser or more thoughtful.

As is often the case, I guess we need to seek the wisdom of God and our community to make wise choices holding both of these values in balance. I’m glad the secular magazine community is confronting these same tensions in more secular terms.

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Today :: Faithfulness Through Persecution

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Romans 12:14

When Paul called the Christians in Rome to bless those who persecuted them, he wasn’t speaking figuratively. Christians were accused by the Romans of being atheists and cannibals. Only a few years after Paul completed this letter to the Romans, the emperor Nero was feeding Christians to wild animals and burning them alive.

Few of us will ever face such severe persecution, but fellow Christians in countries around the world today face many kinds of trials for the sake of Christ. Some must worship in secret. Others are told to renounce Christ or die. Still others have their homes vandalized. Some lose their jobs; others even lose their lives.

The body of Christ is as intimate as two people united in prayer and as vast as all Christians around the globe. When we embrace the whole body of Christ—all Christians as one body—then those who do not face open persecution can stand with those who are persecuted. Some of our own loved ones face horrible trials. Some people come to faith in Christ knowing that if they are found out, they will be killed.

If you are facing open persecution for your faith, thank you for your faithfulness. If not, pray for those who do. Pray that God will sustain them, keep them faithful, and even grow his church in these severe circumstances.

Sustaining God, thank you that I am part of a body that spans the globe. Hold tightly my brothers and sisters in the faith who suffer for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Groundwork :: What You're Wondering (Part 2)

Fri, 25 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

When we asked what you’d like to hear about on Groundwork, the response was clear…JESUS. Since our purpose is digging into scripture to lay the foundation for our lives, we’re happy to share even more about the one who is so central to our faith. Join us to see what scripture says about Jesus, his grace and mercy, and how you can grow in relationship with him through prayer.

Church Juice :: Starting in Church Communications

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 15:04:23 +0000

It can be an overwhelming task getting started in church communications. There are high expectations for the role and doing communications well often means asking tough questions about a church’s overall vision. So if you’re new to the role, or looking to revamp the way you do your job, here are six steps to do communications better.

Go on a listening and learning tour. It’s good for you to know exactly what each area of your church is doing. Plus, learning about your church initiatives, instead of storming in like you already know everything, helps you build trust with staff and volunteers. It’s important to realize that marketing communications is a service department. To best support and meaningfully market ministries, you have to understand what you’re communicating. Successful communication campaigns over time build more trust, which will allow your ideas for change to get a friendlier reception in the future.

Audit your current communications tools and overall brand. Gather all of the communications pieces your church is doing, like brochures, bulletins, a print out of the website homepage, etc., and lay them on a table. Do they look like they’re coming from the same organization? Are they actually working the way people intended? This is a good way to assess what should stay and what needs to go. Plus, it helps you get a feel for how the church is presenting itself. This, along with how you do in-service announcements and welcome guests, will give you the basis for where your brand is now compared to where you hope it will be.

Establish a communications system. There are a couple of ways to look at this. First, you may want to create a communications project request form. Make it simple enough where it’s not a burden for someone to fill out, but useful enough that it lets you understand the project and goals. Creating this process will help you establish a system that gives you enough time to create, while also letting you decide the right communications solution for the project need.

That naturally leads into the second part of a communications system. Create a communications matrix that lays out the possible communications paths along with how much exposure each marketing tool has. Communications requests that have appeal to a large number of people in your church, or are in line with ministry goals, get more attention on the highest exposure platforms. More niche projects will be promoted along other avenues. (We went into more detail on this in two previous posts here and here.)

Grow sustainably. As you dive into a communications role, there will likely be a lot of things you want to change or have been told to change. Taking them on all at once can be disastrous, leading to lackluster initiatives and mistrust from the people you’re trying to help. Pick the most important projects and work on them first. It’s more effective to deliver one thing well than a bunch of projects haphazardly. Set priorities and move forward methodically.

Be ready for criticism. Almost every church communications person I know has faced friction when they first took on the role. This is especially true if marketing communications hasn’t been a staff position in the past. There are people that won’t like change. Others will be uncomfortable moving out of their “do whatever they want” silos. They’ll sense that you’re saying their past projects stink, even though your intention is to help them improve. Building trust takes time. But when ministry leaders see people more engaged in their initiatives thanks to your communications help, they’ll appreciate you more.

Celebrate victories. It’s easy to get lost in the daily churn of pumping out communications projects. It may even feel like the job you’re doing is thankless. Set achievable goals for yourself. Acknowledge when you’ve met them with success. Include others in those celebrations. It’s always good to take time to reflect on how far you’ve come.

Think Christian :: Stephen King’s Finders Keepers and the place of great literature

Karen Swallow Prior — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 12:45:00 +0000

Posted on 09/24/15

Stephen King was among those honored at the White House earlier this month with a National Medal of Arts for their contributions to the arts and humanities. King certainly contributed to my own love of reading. Beginning with Carrie and lasting through The Stand, my vapid, stimulant-seeking teenage self adored King-style gore until I became an English major in college and acquired a taste for finer literature.

While his early career was built on horror, King has broken out of that genre on occasion, most recently into detective fiction. So when I recently discovered the joy of using Audible on my daily runs to listen to lighter fare and skillfully narrated books, I decided to return to Stephen King by listening to Mr. Mercedes and its follow-up Finders Keepers, which was published this summer.

Expecting little more than entertainment, I found that Finders Keepers took me by surprise. It couldn’t help but be a bit literary, given that the plot revolves around the murder of a great American novelist by a troubled fan. It turns out that the fan was angry that the author’s final novel turned its hero into a sellout to a corrupt version of the American dream. So in addition to the suspense of a tightly structured mystery plot, Finders Keepers offers a story, as its publisher describes, “about how literature shapes a life - for good, for bad, forever.”

The young hero of the story, Pete Saubers, has possession of the priceless notebooks containing the last unpublished manuscript of the murdered novelist. At a crucial moment, Pete realizes that the fictional character at the center of the author’s novels is “real” to the villain in a way that actual human beings are not. Pete then ponders the “core power of make-believe,” the same power which “caused thousands to weep when they learned that Charles Dickens had died of a stroke.” Pete realizes that it is this same power that led the murderer down his path: “He did it out of his own core belief: that the writing was more important than the writer.” This epiphany leads Pete (spoiler alert) to sacrifice the priceless notebooks in order to save a life - because people are more important than art.

Since the latter half of the 19th century, when doubt and scientism took root in our culture, art and aesthetic experience have been proffered as the replacement for religious faith. In the current day, when the line between reality and virtual reality grows blurrier, it’s easy for real people to become subordinate to art - and not only the art of great literature, sculpture, music and painting, but even the arts of blogging, gaming and platform-building.

For those, like me, whose lives are centered on cultivating and valuing the great works of humankind, King’s novel offers a surprising but needed reminder of the wisdom of Ecclesiastes: “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Art itself - no matter how sublime, enchanting or beautiful - is but a vapor in comparison to the flesh-and-blood creations made in the image of God. “Not marble, nor the gilded monuments of princes” shall outlive God’s powerful rhyme.

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Family Fire :: Family Brokenness: God Uses Our Mess

Mark Pluimer — Thu, 24 Sep 2015 11:09:57 +0000

Our family systems are broken by sin, but God is faithful to accomplish his purpose and build his kingdom through them. The damage of families is well known: Children are scarred by parental neglect and abuse. Parents struggle to raise unruly kids.

Spouses carry the wounds of hurtful words spoken, lies told, intimacy withheld, and anger unleashed. Many marriages end in divorce, wounding all members of the family system. We bumble through life and try to pick up the broken pieces. Yet God can use even our brokenness and make something beautiful out of our mess.

When we look at family systems in the Bible, we see that they too were broken and scarred. But in the midst of the brokenness, God is at work, redeeming what is broken, making something beautiful out of the broken pieces. We can see God work this way in three generations of a Biblical family system, beginning with Abraham.

The family of Abraham

God called Abraham to go to an unknown land, promising to make him into a great nation (Gen 12:2). Abraham stepped out in faith and went, but his faith faltered along the way. In Egypt he told his beautiful wife Sarah to pretend to be his sister so that he would be treated well for her sake. He gave her up to be Pharaoh’s wife and he received cattle and servants in return. Their family problems multiply as the book of Genesis unfolds: a long and painful battle with infertility, an arranged affair with a slave woman to try to bring about the promised child that God seemed to have failed to provide (Gen 16), and a son “born according to the flesh” that would produce generations of bitterness, pain, and turmoil (Gal 4:23). But God is faithful to his promise. Through all the brokenness he blessed them with the promised son, Isaac.

The family of Isaac

The brokenness continued in Isaac’s family system. He married Rebekah and they had two sons together, Esau and Jacob. Esau was a burly weapon toting, hairy-chest thumping, big-game chasing kind of man. Jacob was a smooth-skinned, kitchen-acquainted mama’s boy (Gen 25:27). But there was a problem in the family system, an issue of favoritism that brought dysfunction to the family: Isaac loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob (Gen 25:28). Divided parental affection tore the family apart. We can imagine the little comments and the strained family dynamics: Isaac praising Esau, a real man’s man, in the presence of his brother Jacob; Rebekah resenting Esau because of it and always showing special favor to Jacob to compensate; brothers playing their parents against each other, craving the approval of the parent who clearly likes the other brother more.

The division in the family came to a head one day. Isaac, who was old and dying, wanted to give his blessing and inheritance to Esau. Rebekah wanted it to go to Jacob. So she came up with an elaborate scheme to make it happen. In the end, a dying man was tricked out of his last request by his conniving wife. Esau burned with hatred and wanted to kill his brother Jacob, who ended up fleeing for his life. Esau was so embittered by the ordeal that he impulsively took another wife in a desperate attempt to please his father. This was a family steeped in sin and deception, torn apart by division, and riddled with dysfunction.

The family of Judah

And the cycle of brokenness continued. Jacob fled to his Uncle Laban, married Rachel and Leah, and had twelve sons, one of whom was Judah. Judah’s family system was checkered with scandal. He married a Canaanite woman and had two sons, both of whom were deemed wicked in God’s eyes and put to death (Gen 38:7,10). Judah’s daughter-in-law, Tamar, disguised herself as a prostitute one day and seduced him. They slept together, resulting in the birth of twins, Perez and Zerah.

On and on the stories go. Many family systems in the Bible were broken by sin. They were scarred by atrocious events, plagued by scandal, and crippled with dysfunction.

And maybe, to some degree, we see ourselves in these family systems. Family life is hard. Siblings bicker. Children rebel. Spouses fight, develop resentment, and grow distant. Some end up leading parallel lives under the same roof, some cheat, some get divorced. Many adults are still living with the wounds of parental abuse and neglect, and many perpetuate the cycle.

So where is God in all of this? Is there hope in the midst of the brokenness?

We find hope in a most unexpected place. We find it in a genealogy. Matthew begins his gospel with these words: “Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar” (Matt 1:2-3). On and on the list goes from one dysfunctional family system to the next. Some are more well known than others, but all no doubt had skeletons in their closets, brokenness in their lives, and scandal in their ancestry. Through it all we come to the end of Matthew’s list: “and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah” (Matt 1:16).

And so we see how God worked through these broken and dysfunctional families to bring about something beautiful, to accomplish his purpose and to build his kingdom. Out of the ashes of broken families the Savior was born. This is what God does. He draws beauty from the ashes.

If God can bring about the Savior of the world through a family tree checkered with prostitution, murder, and lies, then imagine what he might do through yours. Our family systems are broken by sin, but God is faithful to accomplish his purpose and build his kingdom through them. Let us walk with him, and watch him bring beauty from the ashes.

How do we do that? Here are some suggestions for the journey:

Surrender. We cannot prevent all of the brokenness we experience in our lives, nor do we have the power on our own to mend it. We are but spools of thread in the hands of the Grand Weaver. We discover the good and the beauty through the brokenness as we surrender our lives to him. In view of God’s mercy, let us offer ourselves as living sacrifices through the regular practice of prayer and worship (Rom 12:1). Let us relinquish our futile efforts to be in control of our own lives and let us surrender to the controlling power of the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18). It is through surrender that we see God bring beauty from the ashes.
Repent. If there are sinful behaviors contributing to the brokenness of the family system, repent of them. Biblical repentance involves a change of heart and mind, a sorrow for sin and turning away from it. Beauty awaits on the far side of repentance.
Get help. The resources of Christian counselors and pastors are available to help guide us through the rough spots in life. Struggles such as addictions can find healing with the assistance of a trained professional to walk with us on the journey.
Persevere. Living in brokenness can become wearisome, but keep pressing on. Keep running the race of faith, with eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who endured the brokenness of the cross for the joy on the other side (Hebrews 12:1-3).
Trust. Seeing how God brought about the Savior of the world through broken families in the Bible moves us to a deep trust in him. There is no brokenness beyond the scope of his redemption. Trust is believing that the God who built a beautiful kingdom with broken sticks is able to build something beautiful through our own brokenness. Trust is a daily discipline to fight the power of fear and the propensity to worry. Trust is daring to step out of the boat and walk on top of a raging sea, knowing that anything is possible in the presence of the one who holds the world in his hands (Mark 14:22-33).

Even heroes of faith in the Bible like Abraham and his descendants were imperfect and suffered the brokenness of sinfulness. Many had lives that were train wrecks, but God can take a mess and use it for his glory. He can draw beauty from the ashes.

Today :: Real Hospitality Doesn’t Grumble

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 4:7-11

Practice hospitality.
Romans 12:13

Barb and her son, Ryan, left their previous church because they were not welcome. Ryan is in his 30s, has intellectual disabilities, and sometimes acts out. Sometime later, Ryan became involved with a Friendship group, and he and Barb began attending Sunday morning worship at the church that hosted the group. One Sunday morning, several times during the sermon, Ryan made shriek-like screams. He was frightening people in church. Pastor Steve wondered what to do. After several times, Steve paused from preaching and asked Ryan gently, “Are you okay?” Then he prayed for Ryan and Barb. After that, Ryan felt peace, and he and Barb stayed till the end of the service.

But what would happen after the service? Would they be asked to leave this church too? No. People gathered around Ryan and Barb, saying, “Please don’t let this keep you from coming here. We want you to stay.” A few months later, Barb professed her faith in Jesus Christ at that church, and Ryan was baptized.

If Pastor Steve had been kind to Ryan and Barb but others in the church did not affirm them, they would not have stayed. Ryan and Barb were held in a web of loving relationships that kept them from turning away in humiliation. They stayed and joined that community of faith because they knew it was where they belonged.

Welcoming God, we praise you that Ryan and Barb found a warm, embracing church family. May we all do for others as their church did for them. In Jesus, Amen.

Today :: Easy and Difficult Sharing

Wed, 23 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Romans 12:9-13

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.
Romans 12:13

No one wants to be a “charity case” or someone else’s “project.” Nonetheless, all of us have needs. No one can live independently. We are utterly dependent on other people to build things like roads and cars and houses. We need others to raise our food and provide resources like electricity and gas. We need to be in relationship with other people. We need friendships and love.

Because we all have needs, the apostle Paul calls us to share with each other freely.

Some people are easy to share with—a friend who breaks her leg, a coworker who has surgery. But some needs are more intense. A severe heart attack, a major depression, a death, or a divorce can create significant, additional needs for many months. Sometimes church communities respond well to help someone with significant additional needs.

Sometimes churches struggle, however, with helping to meet long-term needs. Some people don’t “get better.” People who have long-term needs tend to be forgotten after a while: shut-ins, people who develop serious physical or mental health disabilities, people with chronic pain or autism or dementia.

Paul calls us to share not only with God’s people who are easy to share with, but also with God’s people whose needs and hurts are deep and long.

God, you sent your Son to suffer and die for us. Help me to share with others what you have already given me. Make me, and your church, generous. In Jesus, Amen.

Think Christian :: The particular place of shame when Christian campuses confront rape

Stephen Woodworth — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 20:46:00 +0000

Posted on 09/22/15

For those with the emotional strength to endure it, Lady Gaga’s newest video, “Til It Happens to You,” is the kind of protest art that can’t be ignored. As graphic portrayals of sexual assaults against college women flash on the screen, Gaga sings, “Til it happens to you, you won't know, it won't be real.” The sad truth remains that far too many women can relate to the video, having personally lived through the nightmare of rape while attending school.

As a chaplain and professor who has served two different Christian colleges, my own experience of counseling victims of sexual assault has served as a small window into the disturbing reality that Gaga means to address. Currently more than a quarter of female students say they have experienced unwanted sexual contact while in school. These alarming statistics come from the recently published AAU Campus Climate Survey on Sexual Assault and Sexual Misconduct. Gathering data from 150,000 students across 27 institutions, the report highlights the prevalence of sexual assault on campuses regardless of their location, size or pedigree. (The survey included data from every Ivy League school with the exception of Princeton.)

One tragic finding of the survey was the fact that close to three-fourths of all victims failed to report their incident. A large percentage confessed that they did not report it because they were “embarrassed, ashamed or that it would be too emotionally difficult.”

At Christian colleges, where sexual activity outside of marriage is largely prohibited, the issue of campus rape becomes complicated by a subculture of taboos surrounding sexuality in general. In my experience, victims were frequently blamed for wearing immodest clothing, flirting or making unwise choices about the people and places they visited. Forced to decide between justice and ridicule, victims often remained silent.

It is this particular aspect of sexual assault that lies at the heart of Gaga’s video. Feelings of shame and fear of being judged, dismissed or misunderstood often encourages the silence of victims. I spoke with Jane Carter, a licensed counselor and long-time colleague of mine, about the AAU study and this is what she shared: “I’ve heard countless stories from young women who disclosed their story of rape or abuse to the church, and who were immediately told to forgive, without any processing of the righteous anger that would actually precede any act of forgiveness. These women were left not only feeling traumatized, but feeling like a ‘bad Christian.’”

Samantha Field, writing at Relevant, agrees, noting, “At many conservative Christian colleges, identifying what the victim is responsible for becomes a central part of how administrations interact with them. Counseling processes and disciplinary actions all have a common bent: What do you, the victim, need to repent of? Where are you at fault?”

While this line of reasoning is seldom born out of malicious intent, it is a poor model for dealing with sexual assault. In fact, it may very well be the church’s unease with discussions of sexuality and/or its often deficient theology of sexuality that exacerbates the cycle of assault, shame and silence. As Carter laments, “Christian communities, including colleges, inadvertently promote the problem because they’re afraid of talking about sex and sexuality openly and frankly. We can’t educate people about consent if we’re afraid that they’ll somehow take it as an endorsement of immoral behavior. It’s possible to acknowledge the reality of sex and sexuality while promoting morality around it; in fact, discussion of consent and the damage of rape can be the opening to meaningful conversations about the power of sexuality and the ways that we need to care for one another as lovingly and respectfully as possible.”

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Think Christian :: Community vs. Cult of Personality (or 3 days at TIFF)

Josh Larsen — Tue, 22 Sep 2015 14:25:00 +0000

Posted on 09/22/15

I met Sharon Jones at the Toronto International Film Festival last week. Well, at least I met her through Miss Sharon Jones!, a documentary about the contemporary soul/funk singer, with whom I had been woefully unfamiliar.

Jones is a force. Like her hero James Brown, she has indomitable energy as a singer, dancer and band leader, especially in her live performances with her backup musicians, The Dap Kings. The documentary, directed by Oscar winner Barbara Kopple, charts the bitter irony of Jones’ struggle with cancer, which threatens both her life and livelihood as it ravages her dynamic body.

Jones may not be a household name, but she’s celebrated enough to have developed a cult of personality. This notion - that someone can hold sway over loyal followers through use of media, propaganda or social structure - was a recurring theme in a handful of the films I saw at TIFF. It made me wonder about cults of personality in general, and how a Christian worldview might understand them.

Jones, like most music stars, is a fairly innocuous example of the phenomenon. Such figures may be elevated above others at their own peril, but rarely at the practical expense of those who adore them. Not so with the central figures in two other films that I saw at TIFF. In Black Mass, which is now in wide release, Johnny Depp portrays notorious Boston crime boss James “Whitey” Bulger, who was complicit in 11 murders during his reign of terror. Beasts of No Nation, which comes to Netflix and select theaters on Oct. 16, explores an even more horrifying cult of personality, as it depicts a child soldier’s indoctrination at the hands of a cruel and manipulative commander (Idris Elba) in an unnamed African nation.

These latter two films are extreme examples of what can happen when the self is elevated above all else, so that others are compelled to do one person’s evil bidding. Yet there can be costs to a seemingly benign cult of personality like Jones’, as well. Miss Sharon Jones! captures a certain loneliness to her life, perhaps best evidenced by the fact that her manager is the one who accompanies her to most doctor visits. When a planned Thanksgiving dinner with the Dap Kings falls through, an angry Jones cries, “I ain’t got no family.” You get the sense that Jones has given her life to the cultivation of this cult of personality, at the expense of any life outside of performing.

There’s an amazing scene in Miss Sharon Jones! in which she visits a church from her childhood. Handed the microphone, she belts out a gospel song in a way that wouldn’t be out of place at a Dap Kings show. Is she worshiping or performing? Serving God or her cult of personality? Certainly testifying through song is part of the African-American church tradition, but to what degree is the applause of the congregants directed at her, rather than God?

I think something of an answer arises in a later sequence, when Jones takes the stage for a comeback concert. Short of breath after making her usual, energetic entry, Jones pauses to talk about her recent illness and then publicly thanks her oncologist, who is in the audience. A spotlight shines on him, partly illuminating the crowd. In that instant, the cult of personality is flattened out and becomes communal. One of my fellow TIFF attendees pointed out that when Jones starts dancing a few moments later, it’s similar to the way she moved in church. Perhaps she is making a new connection between this concert hall and that sanctuary.

Jesus, of course, is described by some as a cult of personality – there is no denying He holds sway over millennia of followers. Yet in both His teaching and His actions, Christ turns the concept inside out. His “cult” is founded on the purely communal message of the Gospel. Not only does He proclaim self-denial, He also enacted it, all the way to the cross. It was the ultimate righteous performance, and a tough act to follow.

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Today :: Prayer Builds Relationship With God

Tue, 22 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: James 5:13-16

Be . . . faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12

Joyful hope and patience in affliction go against the grain of our own natures. Despair and self-pity come much more easily. In times like that, it’s important to turn to God in prayer. We pray for many reasons: to thank God for blessings, to praise God, to confess sins, to seek God’s guidance.

In addition, we pray to ask God for help. Asking God for help may be the most natural prayer of all. When a Christian brother was torn from his wife and two small children and put into a detention center over immigration issues, many of us asked God to help them. The man was released and restored to his family. When my wife and I had triplets born extremely prematurely, we asked God to protect their lives and sustain them. Two of them spent four and a half months in the hospital and are doing well today. The other child died.

Sometimes God answers our requests for help exactly as we ask, but sometimes not. Either way, the Bible calls us to be faithful in prayer. Prayer—thanking, praising, confessing, asking for help—connects us with God. Prayer builds relationship. Prayer strengthens the bond between God and us. When you have a good relationship with someone, hopefulness and patience become a little easier, especially when that Someone is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

God, help people in trouble. Help church leaders, community leaders, and national leaders. Help my friends and my enemies. God, help me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Think Christian :: Google’s Deep Dream and spiritual perception

Kory Plockmeyer — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 15:14:00 +0000

Posted on 09/21/15

When Google showed a group of its computers images and asked them to visually describe what they saw, the results were full of vibrant color and kaleidoscopic patterns, resembling something from a dream or a hallucination. Indeed, the name given to the code that was used is Deep Dream.

The human race has long been fascinated with the content of dreams and the ability of the mind to invent impossible landscapes and larger-than-life situations. And dreams have also been a part of many religions throughout history, including the Christian tradition.

In many ways, the dreamscapes of Google’s project should not surprise us. As Adrienne LaFrance at The Atlantic points out, the results come from the way in which a computer processes different layers of the image before it: color, lines and shape. The Deep Dream code is designed to enhance these layers. LaFrance goes on to describe how our brains process the world in a similar layering fashion, but then constrain and filter our perception to present us with an image of reality that we are capable of processing. The hallucinatory effect of Deep Dream’s images comes from removing those constraints, similar to the way mind-altering substances operate.

The ability to code for a computer’s perception should give us new-found appreciation for our ability to operate in this world. Deep Dream helps us see what unconstrained perception looks like. Such unconstrained perception, while beautiful in its own way, does not always help us steer safely through reality.

Deep Dream also gives us good reason to pause and reflect on the nature of spiritual perception. A renewed interest in the work of the Holy Spirit has led many - myself included - to find deep appreciation for mystical traditions and practices, such as prayer labyrinths. The prevalence of spiritual interpretation of dreams seems to be making a comeback - at least in my own experience as a pastor, first on the globalized campus of Michigan State University and now in rural Iowa. At a local prayer summit in Sioux Center, Iowa, breakout leaders shared prophetic dreams. On Michigan State’s campus, many students were drawn to churches that celebrated charismatic gifts, including prophecy and visions.

On the one hand, I think this renewed spiritual interest is a tremendous gift of the Charismatic tradition. While many of us may acknowledge the possibility of the Holy Spirit’s ongoing activity through gifts such as prophecy and visions, for too long we have been able to easily write them off. To speak with one who believes they have had a vision from God is to be in the presence of someone who is excited and passionate about their faith.

Yet it might be good to retain a measure of skepticism. Deep Dream reminds us that unconstrained perception, dreamscapes and distorted layers of experience are not themselves always trustworthy or reflective of reality - spiritual or otherwise. Spiritual experience is not always the indicator of God’s will for our lives. Just as Deep Dream distorts the images it sees with its own predetermined set of data (Google’s computers were more likely to see animals than anything else), so too our unconstrained perception is filtered through our own sets of experiences, subconscious (and conscious) desires and our deep-seated fears. We can be quick to read our own hopes and dreams into such experiences, creating the reality we wish to see.

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Family Fire :: How to Improve Your Sex Life

Rob Toornstra — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 11:04:37 +0000

We are deeply sexual people. God designed us this way. But it's all too obvious that sin has distorted sexuality, in public and in private. One of the primary sources of conflict between married couples stems from the bedroom. Even in marriages where concerns like pornography or infidelity are not problems, sex can still be a hot-button issue for both husbands and wives. Why? Part of the reason lies in the fact that sex often means something different for husbands and for wives. To improve your physical intimacy, it might help to recognize and respond to those potential differences.

Perhaps you can relate to this busy woman: You work under the pressure of a boss who is never quite satisfied, even with your best effort. You deal with colleagues who can sometimes be hard to get along with. You have your arms full with children who place relentless demands on your time and energy. At the end of a good day, you might have just enough energy left to sip a glass of wine while you read a chapter of a good novel, before finally collapsing into bed, anticipating a repeat of the entire performance tomorrow. Just as you begin to unwind, your beloved husband, the one you have pledged your life to, the one you have committed to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer or poorer… looks over at you with raised eyebrows and a knowing smile, and says, “Hey honey, the kids are asleep…” Restraining yourself from wiping that smile off of his face, you think to yourself, “Can’t he see how exhausted I am? I haven’t seen him all day, and now he just expects me to be in the mood for sex?”

Or maybe you resonate with this husband: You’ve both been looking forward to an evening out on the town – dinner at a classy restaurant, maybe a concert or a romantic walk, topped off with what you hope will be a night of great sex! Halfway through dinner, your lovely bride shares some of her frustrations that she is having with your children. Wanting to keep the romance of the evening, you brush off her concerns, and abruptly change the subject. Suddenly, this lovely evening has lost some of the magic. Back home, you can’t figure out why this long-anticipated evening lacks the sizzle you had hoped for.

Husbands and wives often experience sex differently, and these different understandings, if not recognized, can lead to disappointment, hurt, and strain in a marriage. Sex, for one thing, does not just involve our bodies; it is meant to connect us with another on all levels of our being. Many of us recognize this. In sex, men and women are seeking more than just a physical release; we are looking for deep, intimate bonding with another person. What differs, however, is how we use sex to bring us this bonding.

A husband who looks knowingly at his wife, hoping that she will reciprocate his sexual advances, might be dismissed as being more obsessed with sex than with her – particularly if his wife has had a long and stressful day. She may reject his advances, but she is turning down not just his sexual desire, but his longing to be connected with her. For husbands, sex is often the beginning of intimacy. It is often sex that allows a husband to feel connected to his wife, appreciated by her, open to her, and loved by her. Wives can misunderstand this – seeing only her husband’s sexual appetite. However, he may feel that her automatic rejection of his advances is a rejection of him.

At the same time, husbands easily make the mistake of ignoring their wives’ need for mental and emotional intimacy first, an intimacy which precedes a desire for sexual closeness. He can unwisely brush off her frustrations, worries, and problems, because he fears that they will ruin the mood. In fact the opposite is true! Many women desire the emotional connection that comes from knowing they are being heard and from the reassurances that come from a caring partner. Once this emotional connection is made, she may be more ready to share an even more personal side of herself – namely, her sexuality.

To be made in the image of God is to reflect these differences. When recognized and even appreciated, these differences can be mutually encouraging strengths. How? Two suggestions can serve as a starting point.

Learn to appreciate what makes your spouse tick. Don’t rely on assumptions; ask them to share with you what sex means to them. Are you assuming that your husband’s sex drive is just about physical release? Do you recognize what it means for your wife to be sexually vulnerable? Learn to communicate to each other what sex means for you.
Practice being responsive to the needs of your spouse. It may not always be easy to be a good listener when your wife is venting – but ignoring her and then expecting her to be in the mood an hour later is the height of selfishness. Similarly, routinely refusing his sexual advances just because you are tired may be doing more harm than good in the long run. Reflect together on how you might better meet one another’s needs for intimacy.

Remember that at its best, intimacy is a gift we give our spouse, not something we take or demand. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul calls us to honor God with our sexuality by reminding us that “all other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.” The positive implication is that our sexuality can be a way that we share the deepest and most intimate part of ourselves with our spouses. This improvement happens as we honor the differences God has given us.

Today :: “I Know That I Have You”

Mon, 21 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Ephesians 4:1-6

Be . . . patient in affliction.
Romans 12:12

Whether affliction results from our own actions, other’s actions, or natural causes, pain and anguish accompany it. Who can be “patient in affliction”? Most of us would rather rail against it, feel sorry for ourselves, complain, lash out, and demand that God tell us why we are suffering so much.

The behaviors that come naturally for us when we are dealing with trouble in life will drive others away from us and destroy community. Patience in affliction deepens community by drawing people together and enhancing care for one another. A healthy body of Christ remains patient in affliction.

In a poem called “Broken Wings,” Cesar R., who is in prison in Texas, describes how he remains patient in the affliction of incarceration:

Today I have a thousand sadnesses, which do not let me sleep.

Today I have a handful of dreams, which I cannot fulfill.

Today I feel I do not have anybody; I feel that I do not have anybody.

But I know that I have You.

My Lord, today I ask You for strength;

Give me the strength to be able to continue.

(Crossroad Journal of the Arts, Winter 2015)

The apostle Paul was a prisoner too. What affliction must you endure? Ask God to strengthen you and give you patient endurance, and pray he does the same for all suffering people.

Lord, your compassions never fail. Great is your faithfulness. Give us all your patient strength, we pray. In Jesus, Amen.

Today :: Living With Joyful Hope

Sun, 20 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:13

Be joyful in hope.
Romans 12:12

One Sunday I preached about hope. Before the worship service began, I quietly told four people I would give them a candy bar during the service. During my sermon, I asked if anyone would like a candy bar. Many hands went up, but I gave the bars to the four people I had told in advance. Then I asked one of them, “Did you hope to receive a candy bar?”

“Yes.”

“Were you confident that you would receive a candy bar?”

“Yes.”

“Why were you so confident of receiving a candy bar?”

“Because you told me before the service that you would give me one!”

People laughed, and I explained that I had offered the candy bars in advance to all four people who got them. Those four had the joyful hope that they would soon receive a candy bar. That’s a metaphor for Christian hope.

Christian hope is not a vague wish. Christian hope is a sure confidence that we will receive what God has promised us. A community that lives with this sure, confident hope can take risks, offering hospitality to people whom society rejects. They can stand strong and confident with people who are struggling. They can foster hope in people who are feeling hopeless.

Because God keeps his promises, we can live with joyful hope.

Covenant God, give me grace and strength to live in joyful hope, knowing you will keep your promises. In Jesus, Amen.

Kids Corner :: Rocky Road

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 11:00:56 +0000

Liz has been asked to do tricks on a skateboard for a new commercial. The only problem is that Liz can’t skateboard. Help Liz decide what to do on this week’s Kids Corner.

Today :: Serving God Through Loving Others

Sat, 19 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: 1 John 4:7-12

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Romans 12:11

In the book The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis takes readers on an imaginary tour of heaven and hell. At one point in heaven, “Sarah Smith” passes by, receiving great honor from many heavenly beings. She received no earthy accolades but was a simple woman who lived in a simple home and showed deep love to every person and every creature she met. Sarah Smith had great spiritual fervor.

A few months after my friend’s wife committed suicide, he spoke about the support system that has held him up. These are some of the behaviors I believe the apostle Paul was talking about when he called us to keep our spiritual fervor:

People listened nonjudgmentally as my friend told his story repeatedly.

They prayed faithfully for him.

They understood that grief is not a sign of weakness or lack of faith, but the price of love.

They encouraged him to eat, exercise, and sleep well.

They remained aware of his vulnerability and the uniqueness of each person’s trials.

Loving someone whose life and experiences are very different from our own takes energy, time, and effort. Our spiritual fervor can wane when it costs more of our time or money or energy than we expect. But, in God’s strength, fervent love listens, encourages, and seeks to understand.

Loving God, sometimes I tire of loving others. Make my love be a reflection of your unending love for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Think Christian :: Why Protestants should applaud Pope Francis’ U.S. visit

Jordan J. Ballor — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 08:35:00 +0000

Posted on 09/18/15

If the attention he's received over the summer is any indication, then Pope Francis' upcoming visit to the United States is likely to receive a great deal of media scrutiny. Just picture the scene as the supreme pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church heads to the highest halls of political power: the U.S. Congress and the United Nations.

The pope's visit provides a good opportunity to reflect on the relationship between church leaders and politics. As the Rev. Robert A. Sirico, president of the Acton Institute, recently pointed out, when Francis ascends Capitol Hill to address a joint session of Congress, "He won’t be there as a policy wonk but as a pastor." In this way, Francis is part of a long line of religious leaders who have called civil authorities to moral account as part of their pastoral and prophetic vocation. Consider Nathan's rebuke of King David, or Ambrose's bold excommunication of the Emperor Theodosius, or Martin Luther King's letter from a jail in Birmingham or Pope John Paul II's principled condemnation of communism.

While Francis may have some direct points to make about particular challenges facing America, his pastoral role means that he likely won't be endorsing specific agendas or proposals. One of the interesting things about Francis, of course, is his spontaneity and liveliness, so we can't be certain what he will or will not say in any particular context. But with respect to offering spiritual and moral guidance on the issues of the day, popes have been clear that they speak with moral authority and not with specific policy expertise. As Francis' immediate predecessor Benedict put it in his encyclical Caritas in Veritate, which included a reference to an earlier pope, "The Church does not have technical solutions to offer and does not claim ‘to interfere in any way in the politics of States.’” Or, as Francis observes in his encyclical Laudato si’, “Merely technical solutions run the risk of addressing symptoms and not the more serious underlying problems.”

This also means that the pope's message is sure to dissatisfy elements of both political parties. The pope, and Catholic Social Teaching more generally, is not partisan or reducible to simple political categories. The media, which is so used to casting issues in a simple left/right, conservative/progressive binary, is apt to misconstrue, truncate or otherwise obscure the pope's real message, which will be at its foundation focused on the deeper religious and spiritual truths revealed by God.

Francis is perhaps the most popular and well-known religious figure in the world today, and his visit to the United States deserves close attention. So while Roman Catholics and Protestants have far different views about the status of the papacy, among many other things, no one can deny Francis' unique opportunity to articulate an authentic Christian perspective on the challenges facing us today.

As Benedict also wrote in Caritas in Veritate, "The Christian religion and other religions can offer their contribution to development only if God has a place in the public realm, specifically in regard to its cultural, social, economic and particularly its political dimensions." When the pope speaks in Congress, religion has undeniably entered the public square and the Christian witness cannot be denied or silenced. Because Francis will be speaking as a pastor, his focus will be broader than mere policy or politicking, and our discourse will be the better for it.

For these reasons, when Francis comes to America next week, I'll be praying: God bless the pope, and God bless America.

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Today :: Worship Disruption or Participation?

Fri, 18 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: Psalm 100

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:10

As a pastor, I have the privilege of leading worship on a regular basis. When I do, I find that worshipers assume that the things going on “up front” are the most important. So people tend to sit quietly, unless they are asked to speak in unison or sing together. With that assumption, if anyone speaks out or makes noise when people are “supposed” to be quiet, that person is considered a “disruption”—whether the person is a young child or, say, someone with an intellectual disability.

Each year around Christmas and Easter, I often lead worship in the neighborhood of group homes where our daughter lives. The 36 residents who have severe multiple disabilities are invited to attend, as well as family members. Many of the residents vocalize regularly, especially when they are excited about a group event like this. As the worship leader, should I be upset that worship is constantly “disrupted” by the vocalizing of residents? No, instead I need a different understanding of worship.

Worship is not just what is happening “up front”; worship is the sacred time a group of people set aside and dedicate to God. Conceived that way, the vocalizing of residents during worship is not “disruption” but participation!

Love includes honoring another’s participation in worship. Whose participation is God calling you to honor?

Teach me, Lord, out of love, to examine my assumptions about life and worship, and to hear the joyful praise others give you. In Jesus, Amen.

Groundwork :: What You're Wondering (Part 1)

Fri, 18 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Throughout the year, you’ve contacted Groundwork by email, letter, and through Facebook for help digging into scripture to answer your questions about the Bible, theology, and living your faith. Today we dig into scripture to discuss topics like what scripture doesn’t tell us, prophecy, and sound doctrine.

Church Juice :: 4 Ways to Eliminate Culture Killers

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 15:16:15 +0000

You’ve likely heard a lot about the importance of church culture. It’s the mix of behaviors, beliefs and values that make your organization unique. Culture is shared assumptions that people can rally around for decision-making and personal interaction. In my opinion, being intentional about developing your culture makes for stronger, unified and healthy church. Conversely, a lack of strong culture creates a ho-hum feeling in your congregation. There’s no guidepost for staff and attenders to become passionate about the work they’re doing.

As communicators, creatives and leaders, it’s your job to not only help develop and foster a healthy culture, but to effectively communicate it and its importance to your congregation.

At the 2015 Circles Conference, Larry Hubatka, Creative Director at Elevation Church, identified four ways to overcome killers of culture.

1. Make Everyone an Owner

There is a difference between a renter and an owner in your church. Renters can kill your culture the quickest because they can leave at any moment. They’re not invested in the long-term well-being of the church.

People become owners when they can see how the work their doing, either as staff, volunteers or members, is making a difference. You become an owner when you’re passionate about your work. Owners are the people with whom you build your church.

2. Lose Lazy Language

The words we use to cast vision and communicate have power. Creative language stirs emotion. Standard, clichéd language doesn’t have a purpose, solve a problem or move a mission. A well-crafted, missional message makes sure ideas stay synced inside one narrative. For example, at Elevation Church, staff refer to visitors as VIPs instead of first time guests. It’s not meant to be a term that’s splashed around as marketing, but language that sets the tone for how new folks should be viewed and treated.

3. Work with Peoples’ Rhythms

Think about the typical year at your church. There are natural flows. It gets busier with more people coming through at the beginning of the year (thank you, New Year resolutions), Easter and Christmas (big holidays) and the fall (people getting back into routines). While those are great times of opportunity in the life of your church, it’s a crazy time for staff. A healthy culture builds in time to renew and refresh around these rhythms. It’s not enough to talk about work-life balance; you should intentionally integrate strategies to ensure your staff—paid and volunteer—can live in balance. Day-to-day, how do your work and home lives integrate to create a personal rhythm for success? If you’re a manager, how are you understanding and working with your people’s productive rhythms?

4. Never Settle on People

Don’t hire people who don’t align with your values. This is worth repeating: Only hire people who clearly align with your values. The same is true when putting key volunteers into positions with more responsibility and influence. People who aren’t in line with your vision or work culture will be a toxic force limiting your success. Why? People enjoy working with people they like who share a common goal. Hiring just to fill a position will burn you every time. While it’s good not to settle, you also can’t get stuck looking for unrealistic people who don’t exist. Your wish list of talents for a position might be longer than any human could reasonably achieve. Consider redefining your search so that you find someone with the right culture and values set, who is willing and eager to receive training for their new position.

Family Fire :: Equip Children for Learning Success

Nadia Swearingen-Friesen — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 11:30:06 +0000

We equip our children with school supplies, backpacks, and school clothes. They have the required equipment, but how can we equip their attitudes? How can we actually prepare them for the year ahead? How can we help our children find the delight in learning? Are there things we can do to help our children succeed that may hold far greater importance than the items we bought?

The love (or hate) of school is something we can influence. Our children pick up messages from us, from friends, from society about what their days will hold. They learn what to think, what to believe, how to feel about it all by the situations in which they sit. As parents, we have the loudest voice. What we tell our children will color their view and what we think about school ourselves will be caught by our kids.

Beginning today, we can choose our words carefully and evaluate the messages we are sending and make a conscious effort to lead our children well. And then, after choosing what we want to teach our kids, hold tight to these messages all year long. With careful planning, we can foster success.

Here are some messages we must replace:

“My kids hate school.” Your children hear this and it gives them permission to do just that! What an awful thing to face nine months of any event that you hate! What happens if we speak positively about school itself? There are, after all, teachers in your child’s building who are working day and night to make this a great experience. Try replacing this message with: We love our school! Affirm the work of those educators and point out the good. And if you do not love your school, what can you do about that? Is there a way to be involved? Can you encourage those who are working hard? Can you see the good and send a note so that the good is replicated by that encouragement?
“My kids hate reading.” If these words are in your head or flow from your mouth, please remove them entirely today! This generation of children cannot afford to hate reading! In fact, they must not only learn to read, they must learn to LOVE reading. And as parents, we must find the path that leads them there! It is possible and it is necessary. We must change reading from a homework task to an enjoyable activity and that change must come from home. When you think about teaching a child to love reading, assigned passages are no longer an item on a to-do list but are, instead, something to savor. Read aloud, take turns, explore new books, explore books your children like, and work to discover what your children enjoy. We cannot give up until we find them picking up books all on their own. Try replacing this statement with: My kids are learning to love reading. And then make that a reality. In doing so, you will set your children up for success.
“School is boring.” This message is offered frequently to our kids. Is this what we want them to believe? What if we remind them instead that God has created an amazing world and school offers them an opportunity to learn more about that? It was not His intention that we cease to find wonder in all He has done. God reveled in creating and wants His children to do the same. Everything, from numbers to nouns, is a part of this world and shows the creativity of our God. If you take an interest in what your children are learning, they will begin to do the same. And if you encourage them to pay close attention in class, take notes, hunt for the incredible in what is being taught, they will find that there is so much to learn and soak up and enjoy. We want to foster in our children a life-long love for learning. So, replace this message with a powerful question: What did you learn today? Ask about specific subjects and then show your enthusiasm for what they are being taught.

Decide to help your children succeed by approaching school in a way that is positive and fun. Support them and their teachers in making this year the best that it can be. Ephesians 4:29 instructs, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” As we guard our words and our thoughts our children might catch from us enthusiasm for school and also discover the joy of learning. By speaking encouragement, we are making learning fun and teaching our children that school is less about preparing for tests and more about delighting in God’s world. Learning is a lifelong blessing so equip your children discover the joy.

Today :: Sincere Love Hates Hatred

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Romans 12:9

What does a healthy body of Christ look like in motion?

Not only may believers hate, but we are commanded to hate anything that interferes with loving other people. One group of people who often find themselves at the edges of society and the object of jokes and hatred is homosexuals. My denomination affirms that sexual expression is biblical only when practiced by a man and woman who are married to each other, and we also affirm the importance of loving all people.

People with same-gender attraction often struggle with shame, identity confusion, and stigma. In a statement on pastoral care for homosexual members, my denomination calls the church to “compassionate ministry [that] seeks to incorporate those with same-sex attractions fully into the body and life of the church, satisfying their need for community, for intimacy, for oneness with others, and their need to serve their Lord. Much of their sexual struggle lies here. What they need and what sometimes gives desperate urgency to their need is . . . to love and to be loved, to know and to be known, to feel worthwhile about themselves.”

Often we see hatred toward homosexuals, even among Christians. Instead, we need to hate this hatred toward any fellow imagebearer of God, and love sincerely.

Loving God, too often acts of hatred are committed in your name toward people with same gender attraction. Teach me to hate such evil and to love people as you do. Amen.

Think Christian :: A pastor’s guide to surviving kickoff Sunday

Erica Schemper — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 15:52:00 +0000

Posted on 09/16/15

As a brand-new minister, I was part of a small group of recent seminary graduates who met weekly with an incredibly wise retired pastor. One week we asked him, “If you could go back and do anything differently as a young pastor, what would it be?”

“I would go out back of my church and sit in a chair and watch the grass grow more often,” he answered. We all expected something more practical or exciting.

Doing less is probably good advice for those of us who have just survived that North American liturgical season: Church Kickoff. In August and September, churches are a flurry of activity as congregations return from a summer of vacations and lazy Sunday mornings to begin the “program year.” Pastors have finalized the last-minute details of volunteers and schedules for Sunday school and youth group and the big calendar events. There’s a kickoff Sunday packed with activities: special food, music and maybe a bouncy castle or two. And plans are in place for whatever new and exciting program or study or small group is going to re-energize the congregation this year. Now that all of this is done, it’s time to plan for Advent and Christmas. There is so much work to be done!

In a recent Washington Post article, Jen Hatmaker, a pastor’s wife, worries about the health and well-being of our church’s pastors. She takes note of frightening statistics about clergy health and speculates that our consumer culture might be to blame. Church has become a place where the paid staff is expected to do everything for everyone. And this, she suggests, is running pastors ragged:

I wonder if a “Come to us and we will do it all, lead it all, organize it all, calendar it all, execute it all, innovate it all, care for it all and fund it all” framework is even biblical? It sets leaders and followers up for failure, creating a church-centric paradigm in which discipleship is staff-led and program-driven.

I think she’s on to something. A church that expects its nourishment to flow solely from the pastor or staff is lost. It sounds like the time the people of Israel got fed up with manna and demanded that Moses find them some meat. In Numbers 11, Moses offers to the Lord what must be one of the greatest laments of faith community leadership in history: “I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me.^”

God’s response is to appoint elders to help Moses lead the people. It doesn’t matter that Moses’ way of calling out to God for help is a bit peevish. God gets it. Moses is exhausted. He needs help. I’ve read that passage whenever I feel overwhelmed in ministry. It’s a reminder to me that I can’t do everything for everyone in my church. God doesn’t call us to carry everyone through the desert alone. We’re supposed to walk through this place doing ministry together.

It’s possible for pastors to do too much and take the opportunity of doing ministry away from the rest of the Body. I wonder if this is what my mentor was trying to say: sometimes the work of ministry is simply no work at all. We need to sit back and watch the grass grow, trusting that it can do so, by God’s grace, without us.

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Think Christian :: Vox’s Victorian couple and living with authenticity

Bethany Keeley-Jonker — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 16:14:00 +0000

Posted on 09/15/15

A fun feature of our information age is how easy it is to access documents, ideas and even objects from other times. Even a few years ago someone might have combed antique stores for years to find something that is now available for purchase (or maybe several!) on eBay or Etsy. Researching at a distant archive can be done through an online database. There is something delightful about using cutting-edge technology to access something very old.

These tools have also helped a couple live as if it were still the Victorian era of the late 1880s. Writing about their experience at Vox, Sarah A. Chrisman says she and her husband “love the Victorian era. So I decided to live in it.” For her, this means wearing hand-sewn copies of Victorian clothing, riding high-wheel bicycles and printing out reading material from the period on Google books and reading it by kerosene lamp. She seems less inclined to delight in a mix of old and new, but is more interested in claiming some “authentic” experience of the antique.

As many have pointed out (Slate, Washington Post), an important element of Victorian life that this couple overlooks by fetishizing objects and clothing is, well, all of society. Chrisman claims toward the end of her Vox piece that the biggest difficulty of their lifestyle choices isn’t tedious chores or uncomfortable corsets, but that “we live in a world that can be terribly hostile to difference of any sort. Societies are rife with bullies who attack nonconformists of any stripe.” This element of society, of course, was also present in her beloved Victorian era, but the judgment of others (as well as their help, community, insights and blind spots) is not necessarily a part of her experience of the past, unless it is in her reading material.

While I’m inclined to pile on with those making gentle fun of these folks, I want to be careful because I also implicate myself. I too gain a certain kind of companionship and insight from text and objects created long before I was born, and whose contexts and societies are more or less lost to me. I engage stories and wisdom from ancient Israel in the Bible, for example. I read theologians from earlier eras. I hesitate to dismiss someone’s attempt to understand others across time and learn from them.

On the other hand, I think Chrisman serves as a prime example of a common misconception in our culture: that there is some “good old days” when everything was better, and we’d be better if we lived then too. As others have pointed out, especially for a woman like me who enjoys her right to vote, access an education and conduct a career, there really is no time like the present. Appreciating the past may be a way to notice some of the sins that are unique to today, but I worry it is also a way to double-down on the sins we’ve always shared and paper over the ugliness of other times. Sin has always been a part of human nature.

Reflecting on the Incarnation helps me feel committed to our contemporary society as well. Jesus came to earth not in the form of a statue or mountain, but as a human being, who wore sandals and celebrated cultural festivals of a specific time and place. Likewise, God put us in the here and now. We should live the best we can in our time, just as Jesus and His disciples were creatures of their time, because it’s part of who we are. (Even if we do enjoy the occasional anachronism.)

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Think Christian :: Lamenting along with Iron Maiden

Alex Bersin — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 16:28:00 +0000

Posted on 09/14/15

Few bands have the legacy and longevity of Iron Maiden. Forty years and 16 studio albums in, the British sextet continues to prove that they’re one of the most hard-working and ambitious heavy metal acts around. And nothing shouts ambitious like a double-disc album.

As such, The Book of Souls stands out in Iron Maiden’s catalogue as a formal departure from their trademark, punchy bursts of metal. The prog aesthetic that used to punctuate their records now defines them, and the sound they began to develop on Brave New World feels like it’s reached its logical culmination. As far as these elements are concerned, the recording sounds great.

While The Book of Souls kicks off with a memorable anthem and signature, triple-guitar attack, it takes a sharp turn with “Speed of Light,” which sounds like a throwback B-side. In fact, most of the shorter tracks interrupt the record’s flow, as if to placate the fears of longtime fans that the band has evolved into a new beast.

But Iron Maiden succeeds in their longer musical explorations. “The Red and the Black” offers “Powerslave”-era riffing and singalong “whoa-oh’s.” The title cut is arguably the best song they’ve put out in the last 15 years. Though it lags at times, the final track can even draw tears with its mournful hook.

Many Christians, of course, associate Iron Maiden with their infamous record, The Number of the Beast, as well as with Eddie the Head, the band’s demonic-looking mascot. Indeed, consideration of the afterlife on this latest album is far more Mayan than Christian.

Yet The Book of Souls still has much to offer. “Empire of the Clouds” documents the crash of a British airship, while “Tears of a Clown” is an homage to Robin Williams. The title track chronicles the demise of the Mayan civilization. Even “If Eternity Should Fail” seems to lament the futile efforts of man to live forever. It’s that tone - the tone of lament - that is common in heavy metal, yet is also frequently the most misunderstood.

In their book, The Psalms as Christian Lament, Bruce Waltke, James Houston and Erika Moore point out the incongruity of lament within today’s Western culture: “The autonomous agent, who in self-sufficiency excels in all the gadgetry of the ‘Electronic Revolution,’ is reluctant to see him or herself as ‘despairing in absolute need.’”

Such self-assuredness, which has no room for lament, only leads to depression and stress. In many ways, heavy metal offers the communal outlet that we so desperately need. A 2013 article in the Wall Street Journal observed that, “metal is a panacea for its followers, the only way to make sense of a chaotic, callous society in which they don’t fit.”

Metal is more than just a mournful style of music; it’s a community for the mournful. Like Job’s friends, who initially sat quietly with him in solidarity, metalheads don’t ask questions as they thrash around together at shows. They simply express their mutual anguish in a public, communal way.

Not all metal promotes healthy catharsis, to be sure, but the genre as a whole groans with creation, screaming in dismay that this world is broken and in need of repair. Iron Maiden deserves praise for publicly declaring their fatalistic fears - fears with which even hopeful Christians struggle.

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Family Fire :: Missional living: Serving Your Community

Kim Sullivan — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 11:29:09 +0000

As the Executive Director of Love INC of Tinley Park, which coordinates community service programs between all the churches in our local area, I get the privilege of visiting many congregations. In my travels, one of my favorite missional reminders is a sign posted at the exit of a church parking lot stating, “You are now entering the mission field.” It’s true. Jesus called us to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth, but He also listed Jerusalem, the home of many of the disciples. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). The spread of the gospel begins at home!

Serving the community is an excellent way to share the love of Christ. It can also make your family’s faith tangible. Here are a few tips on how to have your family serve your community together.

The key to sharing the love of God in your community is to listen and look for opportunities.

Does someone in your neighborhood have a stork sign in the yard announcing the birth of a baby?
Do you have a new neighbor?
Have you heard of a person in your community who is having or recovering from surgery?
Has there been a death in the family of a neighbor or public servant?
Is there a community workday set for local schools or park districts?
Is there a new widow or widower or an elderly person in your neighborhood who could use a little extra attention?

Okay, so you’ve heard of an opportunity, what are some ways your family can reach out to fill these needs?

For the family welcoming a new arrival, a home-cooked meal is always a welcome surprise. Adjusting to the care of an additional human being can be grueling! The blessing of a meal allows for one less burden on the family. Have your children help bake cookies or go shopping for a small baby gift to sweeten the deal. If you know several neighbors, you might even consider setting up meals for a week or two. A new website called Meal Train can be especially helpful in planning meals for a family. You are able to list allergies or special eating lifestyles and you can be sure that the family doesn’t receive the same meal for a week!
I recently moved to a new neighborhood and was so impressed with my new neighbors. A representative from the block came and visited the week I moved in. She introduced herself and then planned a luncheon for me so that I could meet everyone! How gracious! This can be extended to the entire family especially when there are children involved. We all know how difficult a move can be on children so inviting a new neighbor for a barbeque meet and greet can make their transition a lot less tragic! A nice touch might be to create a “Welcome Wagon” basket full of contacts on the block, favorite take-out menus, and other pertinent neighborhood information. You might also include a home baked treat.
The mayor of the town I work in is well-loved and respected. Recently, he announced his resignation due to a serious illness. I was so moved by the community’s response toward this public servant. It is human nature to respond to the news of a tragedy, but often we forget about the situation once its “newsworthiness” dies down. Make a note on a calendar to send a homemade “thinking of you” card from your family three or four months after this type of announcement. Your thoughtfulness will brighten the day of a patient. You are also living out the scriptures in regard to honoring your leaders. Romans 13:1-7 states, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. ..” Doing good to those in authority creates a relationship with them outside of being pulled over for going a little too fast! It focuses on the good that they do in our community, creating a healthy attitude in our children about their relationship with authority and viewing them as public servants rather than someone to be afraid of.
Learning to live in the face of death is one of life’s most defining and difficult moments. Just getting through the day can seem almost impossible. Again, this situation is greatly helped with planning meals, a handmade card, or flowers. There may also be an opportunity to house/pet sit if the neighbor must go out of town for a funeral.
A village or school will often host a community workday at a local park or school. Signing your family up for this type of event teaches your children to think outside of their family, church members, and block to how they can affect a community, state, and later the world! Cleaning a school yard can also have the side benefit of showing them the merit of being responsible over the planet by not littering!
Peter 5:5 states, “Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Years ago, I attended a homeschool event at which a young 16 year old boy got up and gave a testimony about a ministry he had recently started. The verse this ministry had been founded on was found in James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” This young man began a ministry of doing yard work for free for widows. What an inspiration this young man was to me! This can be a lovely gesture to a neighborhood widow. You can also be hospitable to the widow by inviting them to family dinners or barbeques. The adjustment to living a life without someone to share it with can be difficult.

The key to living missionally in your community is to listen with ready ears and be willing to step out in love. When you do this, an opportunity will appear and your family will learn the beauty of what they can do for Jesus right in their back yard. After all, when we do this we are really serving Christ Himself. Matthew 25:35 says, “’For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,’” May we be that kind of people!

Kids Corner :: The Accidental Skateboardist

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 12 Sep 2015 11:00:50 +0000

Everyone thinks Liz can do tricks on a skateboard, but he can’t. Should Liz tell the truth about his skills or pretend that he is as good as they think. Find out on this week’s Kids Corner.

Groundwork :: How We Worship

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

In one of his books – a book about the mission of the church, no less – theologian John Piper begins with this arresting statement: “Mission isn't the highest priority of the church; worship is. Mission exists because worship doesn't.” The most important thing Christians do isn't what they do for the world, it's what they do for God. The greatest thing God wants from us is not our service, it's our love, expressed in worship. So today on Groundwork let's discuss the Lord's Supper, sermons, music and more as we learn from Psalm 98 and Colossians 3:16-17 what’s involved in worship that is both pleasing to God and satisfying to us.

Think Christian :: The real question for Christians concerning Kim Davis

Julia K. Stronks — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 18:32:00 +0000

Posted on 09/10/15

Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis was released from jail this week. An elected public official, Davis had refused to sign marriage licenses in resistance to the United States Supreme Court’s June ruling that same-sex couples have a right to marry. When Davis was told to issue the licenses or face contempt of court, she defied the order. She was then put in jail by U.S District Judge David Bunning. Bunning released Davis after four days because her deputy clerks were willing to issue the marriage licenses. So far Davis has not returned to work.

Davis said her civil disobedience was necessary because of her Christian faith. To issue a marriage license for a same-sex couple would “violate my conscience,” she claimed. Some Christians herald her actions; others strongly disagree with her. Like so many political challenges, much depends on how the question is framed.

If we frame this issue as one of religious freedom of an employee we will have a sympathetic response to Davis. Should employees with sincere religious commitments be given an exemption when their job requires them to do something that they believe is a violation of a deeply held religious belief? Yes. We have not only the First Amendment religious freedom clauses to support this perspective, but also Title VII, a federal law that says employers must accommodate religious beliefs of employees wherever possible.

But if we frame the issue differently, an entirely new set of concerns comes to light. Should an elected official be allowed to pick and choose which laws to enforce based on his or her religious beliefs? Should that official be allowed to grant the benefit of public law to some citizens but not others based on the official’s religion? Of course not.

The issue is not really Davis’ religion or same-sex marriage. The real question for Christians is whether there is a Biblical view of the law. Those in the Reformed tradition, who profess that all of life is under the hand of God, would say yes: our view of the law stands on our fundamental commitment to Jesus Christ.

So, what does that commitment look like when we are talking about the rule of law? Christians often fall into one of two categories when thinking about the role of law under God’s authority. Some argue that God’s law for the lives of Christians should also be the law of the land. This is theonomy, advanced by people like R.J. Rushdoony. We see this model in Old Testament Israel and we also see it in modern-day theocracies that practice sharia law.

A second Biblical perspective on law focuses on pluralism: pluralism of worldviews and pluralism of institutions. This approach is advanced by theologians like Miroslav Volf and organizations like the Center for Public Justice. Their argument is that while law falls under the authority of God, in a fallen world God’s desire for government advances equal, public justice for all people no matter what their faith commitment. And so some in this category argue that whether or not same-sex marriage is considered sinful, the public benefits of marriage should be recognized for all people. Therefore, public officials are responsible to apply the law equally to everyone, no matter what their own faith tradition might say about marriage.

It will come as no surprise to those who have read my other TC articles that I have no sympathy for Kim Davis. If public officials can’t enforce the law they should step down. Further, I think her position has weakened other, more reasonable requests for religious accommodation. While public officials like Davis have a public responsibility, the responsibility of a private business owner that serves the public is a somewhat different matter. And so I am sympathetic to those conservative Christian wedding photographers and wedding cake bakers who say they cannot in good conscience use their art and talent in service to a gay couple. Private businesses need to follow nondiscrimination in service to customers, but I wish we could think about compromise for people whose business involves them in an artistic manner. The voice of an artist is deeply personal, more so than the voice of someone who signs a license for marriage.

This is a complicated issue with many ramifications. Christians who supported Kim Davis’ request for an exemption to the law have lost a lot of ground in the public eye. In fact, the possibility of legal, political compromise now for Christian bakers and wedding photographers seems to me to be almost an impossibility in the face of Kim Davis’ stand.

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Family Fire :: Spiritual Formation Using C.S. Lewis

Kim Sullivan — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 11:31:59 +0000

The writings of C.S. Lewis offer wisdom for nurturing children on their journey of spiritual formation. At different stages of mental and spiritual development, our family read Lewis almost as a rite of passage. His words helped to prepare their minds for each new level of Christian thought and understanding.

Perhaps C.S. Lewis remains eternally relevant because he embraces ancient and timeless philosophy. Even during his lifetime, he preferred ancient tales and thought processes making him at risk of seeming out of date and irrelevant. Oddly enough, it is this distaste of faddishness that makes him eternally relevant, because at the very foundation of his writings are classic principles.

Perhaps he remains popular because of his incredible ability to communicate to just about anyone, at any level of book learning. Even though he was highly intellectual, his appeal isn’t confined to professors and scholars (although he has written several scholarly pieces that would delight anyone who loves to study literature). He was a gifted communicator who could connect with the most respected educators, the coarsest soldiers, and the simplest of children. This is why our family chose to make his writings a part of our spiritual formation.

As soon as the children were old enough to be read to aloud, we began with the Narnia series. It was in these books that some very important spiritual connections were confirmed beyond fact and ingrained into emotion. As a child reading the Chronicles of Narnia, I remember feeling guilty because it was easier to love Aslan that is was to love Jesus. But when I read this quote by the author I understood why fairytales are so important to the development of imagination and subsequently the revelation of deeper spirituality.

“I thought I saw how stories of this kind could steal past a certain inhibition which had paralyzed much of my own religion in childhood. Why did one find it so hard to feel as one was told one ought to feel about God or the sufferings of Christ? I thought the chief reason was that one was told one ought to. An obligation to feel can freeze feelings. And reverence itself did harm. The whole subject was associated with lowered voices; almost as if it were something medical. But supposing that by casting all these things into an imaginary world, stripping them of their stained-glass and Sunday School associations, one could make them for the first time appear in their real potency? Could one not thus steal past those watchful dragons? I thought one could.”― C.S. Lewis

Coming at the person of Jesus from the unexpected angle of a fairytale character allows the imagination the room to rule out preconceived religious ideas. For instance, one might err on over-emphasizing either the fear of the Lord or the personal friendship with our Savior. The Chronicles suggest the complexity of the character of God over and over again. Lewis refers to Aslan as good but not safe, as a lion that protects but cannot be tamed. Yet Aslan is also pictured as a giant kitten who loves to romp in a field of wildflowers with his friends. With all of our preconceived religious notions, it is hard to envision these seemingly opposing qualities from a human perspective. Story allows us to toss away the expected and opens our hearts in a way that a history book can not. In my estimation, this is the biggest virtue to the reading of the Chronicles of Narnia. Life lessons, basic doctrine, and emotional connection to Christ are all learned without the guard we often raise when we are knowingly being instructed.

As the children went into high school, we read Screwtape Letters together. It is important to wait until your children can understand sarcasm and wit before tackling this book. However, at an appropriate age, it is useful to remind oneself of the spiritual battle that we are engaged in, and how evil the enemy can be. After all, we are in a battle. One of the chief ways to lose the war is not to recognize that you are in one. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Romans 6:12). Again, the power of imagination while reading this short book allows your mind to transcend preconceived notions about spiritual warfare and sin. It also allows the opportunity to look at temptation from a third-person point of view.

Lastly, I would strongly suggest that a parent read through Mere Christianity with their children before they embark into the reality of adult life. The line upon line reasoning found in this Christian masterpiece can do nothing but help your child as they enter a world that questions the logic and reasoning of Christianity. God hasn’t asked for us to throw away our ability to reason and blindly accept all in faith. In Lewis’ own words, “All possible knowledge, then, depends on the validity of reasoning.” He did not feel that Christianity was not up to the challenge of logic and reasoning. We not need be afraid that God can not defend Himself. In fact, while it may seem illogical to believe that God would feel that He needs to prove Himself to anyone, because of His great longing for reconciliation with His creation He subjects Himself to this process, and wins.

It is my hope that this article has inspired you to use the writings of C.S. Lewis as a tool for spiritual formation for your family. By the use of imagination and reasoning, Lewis explains both man and God to the reader. He crafts his writing so successfully that his ideas bear witness to the reader ensuring that they come away with a better knowledge of the subject at hand.

Think Christian :: Why the Syrian refugee crisis must be met with Gospel-sized grace

Jarod Grice — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 17:50:00 +0000

Posted on 09/09/15

“In His free grace, God is for man in every respect; He surrounds man from all sides. He is man's Lord who is before him, above him, after him, and thence also with him in history, the locus of man's existence.” Karl Barth

What does it mean to be displaced geographically, spiritually and emotionally? This is the question millions of Syrians are facing amidst that country’s devastating refugee crisis. Since 2011, some 11 million Syrians have been fleeing the turmoil caused by conflict among the government regime, the Free Syrian Army and various secular and Islamist factions. Families are fleeing their homes and risking their lives to sojourn into surrounding countries. News headlines are littered with one devastating testimony after another of failure and loss. Meanwhile, many surrounding countries have taken a stance of spurning and dismissal toward the refugees. There is a deep wave of yearning across the globe for justice.

In the face of all this, at least one country has emphatically welcomed refugees from Syria. Germany not only welcomes them, but offers housing, financial aid and education. “Germany will be able to take in 500,000 refugees a year for a few years," an official said this week, meaning Germany will be accepting more asylum seekers than any other European country. Those desperate for safety are finding solace in a country greeting them with open arms, despite the potential toll.

As I watched the amiability of Germany toward the refugees, I found myself stricken with inspiration and conviction. I asked myself, as a Christian, “How often do I subtly backhand the displaced and cast-aside in my own life?” As I read the stories about Germany’s acceptance of the refugees I was drawn toward the parallels I saw in the Gospel. I found two truths immediately apparent.

First, as Barth aptly reminds us, “in His free grace, God is for man in every respect.” As people purchased with Christ’s blood, we have been welcomed as sons and daughters. The reality of our former life is that we were refugees displaced from God. We formerly sought refuge in the dismal and lackluster shelters of this world. Yet we were emphatically welcomed into the family of God with open arms. As the old hymn says, “Christ has regarded my helpless estate and has shed His own blood for my soul.” God knew our helplessness and purchased us anyway. As such, there is room in God’s family for the displaced. More, as Stephanie Summers reminds us in TC’s series on immigration reform, “Jesus’ consistent mercy towards citizens of other nations is the baseline of the motivation for Christian concern toward immigration…” As Christians, we must have at the forefront of our worldview a God that is for all people at every turn.

Second, God’s acceptance is free. As other countries see the potential burden of accepting Syrian refugees, Germany’s actions remind us of a God who incurred the cost of redemption upon Himself. God did not hesitate to send His Son for our sake. As we consider how to greet refugees, we must remember that our acceptance into God’s kingdom cost us nothing, and cost Jesus everything. God invites us into His mission: a mission to love the unloved, accept the rejected and give residence to the displaced. We must posture our hearts as our Father postures His heart toward the world.

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Family Fire :: Navigating an Unequally Yoked Marriage

Deb Koster — Mon, 07 Sep 2015 11:30:43 +0000

I still remember a miserable canoeing trip with my husband where we just could not get our paddling act together and we kept hitting the banks of the river. We could not navigate the obstacles in our path because of our lack of collaboration. We hit rocks and trees and got stuck in the brush. We were a floating argument or at least we were until we tipped over altogether. Not one of our better moments.

Relationships, like canoes, work best when we are paddling in the same direction. Being out of sync just causes challenges. Our faith goals in marriage need to be in alignment. When one spouse is trying to establish a faith based home and the other spouse dismisses faith, conflict is bound to follow. Competing agendas around that which is fundamentally important will undermine our teamwork and collaboration, making navigation difficult. From how we will spend money and time to how we will raise our children, differing values will cause us to collide. Marriages struggle when they are being pulled in different directions.

Christians should avoid aligning their life with someone outside of the faith to spare themselves a world of heartache. 2 Corinthians 6:14 instructs, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” If the situation of being unequally yoked can be avoided it should. It is better to break up with someone who is not interested in pursuing faith than to marry in hopes that they will change. Short-term heartache is better than long-term frustration.

Unequally yoked marriages cannot always be prevented. Sometimes the mismatched faith dynamic happens outside of the ability to plan for it. One partner falls away from faith or comes to faith after marriage vows have long since been spoken and commitments made. If you find yourself in a mismatched marriage, how will you navigate the challenges?

Pray for your spouse.

James 5 tells us that the prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. God hears and answers the prayers of his people. A spouse without faith may be unwilling to hear God’s word or attend a worship service, but they don’t usually mind being prayed for. It costs them nothing and can receive it as a blessing (if it's offered as a blessing). Your spouse may not want to see your faith in action, but they cannot keep you from praying for them. The earnest prayers of a spouse can be the most effective way to transform the heart of your spouse.

Don’t nag.

Complaining is not a constructive way to get what we want. If we are always whining about our spouse, it is unlikely that they will listen. If there is constant complaining about attending church or reading the Bible, it only builds more division. It is God’s job to change hearts and minds, so let the Spirit work in the life of your spouse. Let your spouse decide for themselves what level of participation with which they are willing to engage. Choose to be invitational, not confrontational.

Find unity.

There will be much about which you disagree, but choose to put aside differences. Decide to be unified in front of the kids and not demean the other’s position or turn children against the other spouse. Romans 12:18 instructs us, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” We can’t control others, but as much as it depends on you, choose to live in peace. Find the common ground and choose to let love dwell in your home.

Keep growing.

Spiritual growth is more challenging when you don’t have a spouse to encourage your faith. Even if your spouse never engages with faith, do not give up on it yourself. Find ways to intentionally nurture your faith. Time spent in prayer, reading your Bible, or attending worship will keep you focused on God even when your household does not engage faith.

Find a mentor.

We need a community of faith to hold one another up; we were not made to be alone. Having a mentor in your corner is a huge advantage for facing challenges. We all need to have a friend in faith to be our sounding board and help us navigate the messiness of life. When our spouse is not on the same page concerning faith it helps to have a mentor to support and encourage us through challenges.

Live with grace.

Our faith will be more enticing when backed up by our actions. Demonstrating love day by day is the best witness of the gospel. Your words can be dismissed but a life of love and compassion point people to Jesus, the source of all grace. Live an example of sacrificial love so that your unbelieving spouse has the opportunity to catch a glimpse of God’s love.

Know when to quit.

Spiritually mismatched couples can having a loving relationship if they commit to being respectful to one another. As long as you can lovingly coexist, stay with the relationship. 1 Corinthians 7:13-16 offers some guidance:

“If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?”

Broken relationships leave damage in their wake so don’t be quick to step out a relationship. If your spouse has moved from disrespecting your faith to disrespecting you, seek help. If your spouse demeans you or undermines your ability to practice faith or forbids you from engaging your children in faith, then you need some support to help you modify behaviors or develop an exit strategy. Abuse and neglect are not behaviors that God desires for our relationships. We all carry the image of God and we need to treat one another as God’s image bearers.

It is challenging not being able to have spiritual intimacy with a spouse, it will be sadness in your relationship. But even without the blessing of spiritual intimacy a healthy marriage is possible. It might not be everything that you desired your marriage to be, but it can still be a blessing. God will support and navigate you through whatever obstacles you face.

Kids Corner :: New School

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 05 Sep 2015 09:00:13 +0000

Liz and his friends are transitioning to 6th grade (middle school) this fall. That means new friends, new teachers, and the challenge to figure out how they can Walk the Way in this new school environment.

Groundwork :: Worship: What It Is and Why We Do It

Fri, 04 Sep 2015 05:00:00 +0000

There's more to worship than showing up at a service once a week. Did you see or hear anything beautiful lately? If so, how did you respond? Maybe you heard a stunning violin solo that brought you to your feet as you applauded enthusiastically and shouted “Bravo!” Maybe you saw a glorious sunset and it made you sigh audibly even as tears of joy formed in the corners of your eyes. Maybe you had a particularly delicious meal that was so good, you asked your server to please compliment the chef. When we experience beauty, a response of appreciation arise in us naturally. This is also where the worship of God comes from. By faith we see the beauty of God and we respond in appreciation, wonder, and joy. Today on Groundwork we study scripture to define what worship is and why we do it.

Church Juice :: 5 Reasons We Do The Juicys

Thu, 03 Sep 2015 18:22:11 +0000

We’re in the middle of The Juicys nomination season, where we’re asking churches to share the great things they’re doing in communications. And as the deadline for applications is approaching, I want to share our motivation for creating The Juicys. So to celebrate our fifth anniversary, here are five reasons we created the awards.

Communication is central to building an impactful congregation. When members are connected to the church and understand what’s going on, they become more engaged. And if they’re more engaged, there’s a better chance they want to share that excitement about their church with friends. From big things like casting vision, to smaller details like announcing weekly events, a church that’s intentional about communication will be a healthier place.

Competition for people’s attention is fierce. External communication to your community is important, too. In a world where churches are competing against slick advertisers for people’s limited attention, there are too many missed opportunities by churches that just aren’t thinking about how to present themselves well. People are forming opinions about your church, whether or not you’re working on your messaging. Why not be intentional about building a brand that’s true to who you are with modern design and messages that are engaging to the felt needs of people in your community?

Communication roles are underappreciated or ignored. Some churches don’t see the need for good communication. It’s viewed as too complicated, too time consuming or just not necessary. Things like the weekly bulletin or in-service announcements become a throwaway moment instead of something that can have a bigger impact. And in other churches where there is a communications person, they’re often not given the authority they need or are asked to take on an impossible load of work.

That’s why we want to reward churches who are doing great things in communications by giving them $2000 for their next project. We want to encourage them to keep moving forward and publicly acknowledge the awesome work they’re doing.

We hold education as a high value. We hope the stories shared by churches through The Juicys inspire and guide other churches who are looking to do similar kinds of projects. We are all in this together and can all use a boost of innovation from time to time. The Juicys aren’t just about grants, but empowering churches to encourage other congregations to do better work.

God’s story deserves more. God has equipped your church with a unique set of people who can share the great work He’s doing through you. It’s our role to invite people in to be a part of this transformation. If you’re not intentional about being a good communicator, how will your community know why they should care about your church? If you’re not communicating vision, mission and impact with your congregation, how will they become passionate participants? Marketing isn’t a bad word. It’s a tool God’s given us to connect people with His church. Great art and meaningful messaging aren’t reserved solely for corporate settings.

Ready to apply?

The deadline for nominating your church communications project is just weeks away. And as September 30 sneaks up, my hope is you’ll join the churches who’ve already applied in saying we believe communication matters. Your project doesn’t have to be the biggest, budget busting thing. We’re looking for churches of any size, anywhere in the world, that are using good strategies and best practices. If you’re improving in any way, we want to share it with other churches.

Family Fire :: Fostering Independence in Teens: A Gift Before They Go

Nadia Swearingen-Friesen — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 11:34:09 +0000

It wasn’t the first time I heard it, but somehow it struck me anew. Maybe it was because I was living with a high school senior. But when my friend, who had already sent children off to college, encouraged me to foster independence in my son, the words sank in deeply and the wisdom hit home. In less than a year, my boy will leave for school. The time I have left with him is limited and needs to be well used.

Proverbs 6:20 says, “My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching.” While I have walked alongside this child for 17 years and offered guidance and discipline throughout, this season offers me a new path to choose. Faced with the end of this part of our shared journey, how will I choose to respond? Is it possible to step away and, in doing so, foster necessary independence? What gift can I offer to prepare him for the road ahead?

Here is our plan for the year ahead:

Encourage him to take his faith seriously as he seeks his next steps. Our children need to be encouraged to foster strong faith through devotions, church attendance, and spiritual experiences so that they build a strong foundation as they prepare to stand alone. We will encourage him to seek wise counsel and to pray often as he chooses a college, brings closure to high school, and maintains lasting friendships. We want our son to begin to use what he learns on Sunday to impact his decisions on all the other days of the week.
Encourage him to take control of his time. Since he was little I have either planned his days or found myself subject to those plans. As he prepares to go off to school, he will need to learn to do all of this on his own. Whether he chooses a planner or becomes familiar with Google Calendar, it is time for him to organize his schedule as he sees fit. What better time to practice a skill that is not yet necessary but will be soon?
Require that he handle his financial details independently. Whatever money he earns working must be managed and distributed. This is a great time to save, to tithe, to choose how he will spend. We can offer encouragement and support but we will intentionally offer less cash, as he learns to live within his means and manage what money he has.
Allow academic success… and failure. Next year, my son is living in a dorm, taking classes, and surviving on little sleep (and even fewer vegetables). He will need to know how to prioritize his classes and his necessary study time. If we continue to direct him this year, who will do so when he is on his own? It is an amazing gift to allow our children to learn ways to be internally motivated even if that is difficult for us to watch. His college degree will be his alone. This year, he can learn what it means to earn great grades because it matters to him.
Be certain that he has learned the life skills he will need next year. I want him to not only know how to do laundry, but to do it. He must not only learn to cook, but also make meals. He must practice cleaning, organizing, scrubbing, and disinfecting because it is something we all must do. So if it is part of our daily life here at home, my son must know how to do it (and have practiced) before he goes off to school.

As momma to this grown boy, I am coming to see that releasing him is a gift. It is sacrificial and beautiful and hard and gritty and right. I have the ability now to open my hands and my arms and let him walk forward knowing that still, he can land safely back at home. I can love him enough to celebrate his maturity while knowing that if the day is long or the struggle hard, he still has a place to rest. This gift is a wonderful middle ground.

But there is another gift to be given, from my boy to me. Because every time he steps out and succeeds, every time he makes the hard choice over the frivolous, every time he exercises wisdom over impulse, he offers his momma a way to see how very ready he is. In this there is comfort. These are the stories and the visions I will cling to when he is away and I am praying aloud. These are the comforts that will assure me that it was all in good time and that he is where he needs to be. He can show me, a little bit at a time that he is ready to own his life, to embrace his faith, to enmesh these two together in a way that will guide him when the path is new.

All this is a gift, blessing the child and the parent as well.

Family Fire :: Guiding Wayward Children: Advice From the Lion King

Kim Sullivan — Mon, 31 Aug 2015 11:49:56 +0000

Sometimes we forget who we are. Especially when we are away from home, or off to college, or find ourselves in a new environment. There are so many new thoughts, lifestyles, and temptations. Often our children are drawn away from the foundation of who they really are and their wayward feet can wander. Teens can struggle to discover their true identity. This was the case for my daughter last year. She found herself testing her convictions and deciding for herself which ones will become her own. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but she needed some guidance. Our children must come to own their faith, because if they don’t, it doesn’t really belong to them in the first place.

She has occupied our once-empty guest room this summer, and we’ve declared this to be her “Simba Summer”. Like in The Lion King, It's the summer when she remembers who she is. You see, the world is screaming at our young people desperate to define them as something they are not. I am pleased to say that it wasn’t a week before I saw my daughter making changes toward her usual loving personality. I found her reading her Bible more often and becoming her beautiful soft-hearted self. So here are a few things we can all learn from a “Simba Summer”

We are called to live in the light.

This concept comes when Mufasa stands at the edge of the precipice and shows his son what is destined to become his own territory some day. It is then that he pronounces, “Look Simba, everything that the light touches is our kingdom.”

We do not have to live the way of darkness. We have been rescued from all that darkness controls. We walk in the light of His Word and it guides us and leads us in the way we should go.

"For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves," (Colossians 1:13).

We need to remember who we are.

Simba goes off into the world afraid of all that he is called to become. However, in the end, he can not escape his true identity. He finds himself looking into a pool of water and sees the image of his father reminding him to remember who he really is.

“Simba, you have forgotten me,.. You have forgotten who you are, therefore you have forgotten me. Look inside yourself Simba, you are more that what you have become, you must take your place in the circle of life. Remember who you are…”

It’s not that our kids first forgot God, it is that they have forgotten who they are. As soon as they remember who they are they will remember whose they are. Our Father draws us to the water of his Word because it is there that we remember who we are created to be: a King’s kid, royalty. Because we are entrusted to this higher life, our Father has given us the ability to rule and reign over sin and the world’s system. But it is only when we identify with Him that we can walk in this fullness.

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

In pressing toward the future, we need to put the past behind us.

It wouldn’t be a complete Lion King post without quoting dear Pumba.

“You know, kid, in times like this my buddy Timon here says, ‘You got to put your behind in your past…’”

Timon says: “No. No. No. Amateur. Lie down before you hurt yourself. It’s ‘You gotta put your past behind you.’”

Once our children venture out beyond our constant influence and protection, they often make mistakes that cause them to be untrue to themselves, to the values you have taught them at home, and even to their Christian faith. Make sure that you keep this in perspective. We all have a past. We have all "sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23). It is at these times that we must encourage our children about how Paul said to deal with the past:

"Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13).

It is not that the past is forgotten completely, but it has been placed in perspective. It is not our focus, it is not where our hearts and minds should dwell. We can’t move forward if we’re constantly looking in the rear view mirror. It’s downright dangerous! It is a trap of the enemy to try to get us caught up in what we’ve done wrong. He tries to tell us we have disqualified ourselves from the higher life we are created to enjoy. Admonish your children to ask forgiveness and be like God who remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12).

It’s a mixed up crazy world for teens and adults alike. A world that constantly tries to label and re-identify us as it’s own citizens. We are aliens in this world and citizens of the Kingdom of God. Sometimes we need a guide to point us back to this truth! When you find that your children are confused about their identity or wayward in their steps, don’t grieve. Our God who began a good work in them will carry it on to completion. In time, they will remember who they are. Perhaps spend some extra time with them. Whatever you do, hakuna matata, no worries! Our world belongs to God.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God" (Philippians 4:6).

Kids Corner :: Absolutely

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 29 Aug 2015 09:00:50 +0000

What does “the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth” really mean? Help Liz discover the real truth on this week’s Kids Corner.

Groundwork :: The Life Everlasting

Fri, 28 Aug 2015 05:00:00 +0000

“The life everlasting.” Those are the final three words of the Apostles’ Creed and seeing as they come at the very end and right before we say “Amen,” it’s easy to just glide right over top of those words. Yet what we confess each time we say this is quite probably more than we can wrap our minds around most of the time. Also, the very prospect of an unending life in God’s New Creation comes pretty close to being what God’s whole project of salvation has been about all along. If eternal life with God really is our future, then we should never mention it in passing—not even as we bring the Creed in for a landing! Today on Groundwork, we think about “the life everlasting” and dig into Scripture to wrap our minds around the great reality of what we're professing to believe.

Family Fire :: Making Scripture the Parenting Authority in Your Home

Kim Sullivan — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 11:23:23 +0000

It’s official. I cannot be trusted. Left to my own desires I am a selfish human being, self-seeking with impure motives. This is why I love God’s Word so much. I don’t have to rely on my opinions or feelings to guide me. After all, my likes and dislikes change with the wind. As much as I claim the authority in my home, there is a higher authority to which I am called to submit. Holding an opinion higher than God’s opinion--wasn’t that the real sin in the Garden? God told Adam and Eve that they were good, but being a good creation wasn’t enough. They had to be like God…or better yet, BE God and decide what right and wrong was in their own eyes. They wished what God said wasn’t the final say in the matter. Satan raised a doubt about the intent of God’s words in order to question the very motives of God.

But there is a sure and true foundation upon which my belief systems can and should be founded and grounded. This safe place is found in God’s Word. I don’t have to re-evaluate my belief system every time society does. As a Christian, I can simply look in the Book to find His thoughts, I can seek the authority of scripture for my life and my home.

And a critical task of parenting is teaching our children to know who they are in God's good world. How do I establish Scripture as final authority for my children?

Allow them to see you bow your knee to God’s Word.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”

Be transparent enough in your walk with God to let them in on your struggles with your flesh. Let your kids see how God is still at work shaping you to be more like Christ. Let them hear about a verse that God used to encourage you on a difficult day. Or how you feel God challenging or stretching you. Perhaps you have a co-worker who is constantly unkind to you. You could tell your kids about it and about how you might wish to retaliate, but that you remembered a scripture and humbled yourself to the obedience of what God said.

When they are old enough have them search the Scriptures for themselves.

2 Timothy 2:15 tells us, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth."

When your kids come to you with difficult questions about cultural issues encourage them to study what the Bible says. Allow them to find the answers themselves. You may want to show them how to use study resources. Finding the answers in God’s Word will leave a much more lasting impression upon them than a two-hour lecture from you! When we quit force-feeding the Bible to our children and allow them to search the Scriptures they will be able to rightly discern the truth.

Encourage Scripture memorization.

This is such a vital tool because they will be hiding the Word in their heart so that when the temptation comes to do something contrary to Biblical teaching they will have the sword of the Spirit available to defeat the enemy. Isn’t this how Jesus combated Satan? “It is written…” was the answer to each temptation Satan brought before our Lord. Jesus is our tutor. He has shown us how to live a victorious life here on Earth. When we imitate Him in this matter we will find ourselves winning battles that we never could on our own.

If we can introduce our children to the sure foundation of God’s Word, we will have the confidence that they will never be steered in the wrong direction. After all, Psalm 119:105 instructs, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Let the scriptures be the guiding authority in your life and for your home.

Family Fire :: Uprooting Sinfulness: Seven Deadly Sins

Deb Koster — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 11:19:15 +0000

Families, as microcosms of community, show us regularly that we are imperfect people who need a Savior. We cannot hide our selfishness when it shows itself regularly in our intimate interactions. We regularly fail to live up to the standards that God’s holiness requires. Children and parents all fall into the messiness of sinfulness. We argue, we seek our own way, we deceive, and hurt those we love. Our motives betray the selfishness of our heart. We feel guilty and ashamed as we routinely find ourselves tripping over the same sinful habits we repented of last week and wondering how to uproot these behaviors from our lives.

No family is perfect--we all struggle to love each other with the compassion that Christ asks of us. There are sinful behaviors that we should not allow to take root in our homes. Galatians 5:19-21 cautions us, “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Sinfulness is dangerous and not something that we should cultivate, but rather we should uproot.

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that now that we are a new creation, the old things are supposed to be behind us and we are to become a new creation. As new creatures, God's Spirit empowers us to put aside sinful practices which trip us up . Let us allow Christ to continue to transform us into his likeness, even while we are still imperfect people in a sinful world.

In AD 590, the pope consolidated a list of sins down to seven root vices that he saw as stumbling blocks to living the Christian life. His list comprised the attitudes that so often lead to sinful actions. This list is referred to as the seven deadly sins, and it serves as a reminder of the attitudes that so easily entangle us. This list helps us see how the rotten uncleanness of our heart lead to sinfulness in our actions. So what are some of these sinful attitudes that trip us up?

Pride or self-absorption. In the midst of our individualistic culture, God calls us to care about one another. We are called to care for the least of these rather than only caring about ourselves. Loving our neighbor helps us to see beyond ourselves.
Avarice or greed. We are living in a materialistic world, but God calls us not to invest in the temporary things around us. An eternal perspective helps us not to get overly concerned with the things of this world, but rather to function in gratitude for each day’s blessings.
Lust or sexual longing. Our culture is very sex-saturated and happily transgresses boundaries preventing sex from being the blessing that God intended it to be. When sex is kept within the boundaries of marriage it becomes a positive rather than a negative force in families.
Envy or resentment. When we envy we covet the blessings that God did not choose to share with us. Coveting the blessings of someone else tells God that you are not appreciative of the blessings with which he has already blessed you. Choose instead to thank God for all that he has given to you.
Appetite or gluttony. This is not limited to food or alcohol, it is the abuse of any of the gifts that God has given. When we can focus on the giver of the gifts rather than hoarding the gifts themselves, we will appreciate the blessing of those gifts and desire to share them with others.
Anger or wrath. Anger can rot us from the inside out and lead us down a destructive path. Christ left us a better example that we should follow in his path. Forgiveness frees us from the burden of anger and places God in-charge of dispensing justice.
Sloth or laziness. Complacency is common, we expect that others can do things without needing our help, but God calls all of us to use our gifts to serve others. God says that we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to good works.

So how do we uproot this sinfulness in our lives and the lives of our families?

Acknowledge God's Standard.

It begins with understanding God’s holy standard. Scripture shows us that we have a holy God and that we have all sinned and fallen short of his glory. We may think our sinfulness is not so bad and maybe even better than that of our neighbor, but God tells us in his word that we are broken and in need of his restoration.

Repent of Your Sinfulness.

When we acknowledge our sin we see our need for a Savior. We humbly approach God with repentance of where we have fallen short of what God desires for us. We cannot heal what we do not acknowledge. Only when sin has been brought out of the darkness and into the light can we repent and find forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." We have assurance that we are pardoned.

Let the Spirit Transform.

Next we invite the Holy Spirit to do its work in our lives. The Spirit produces fruit in our lives when we stay connected to him. Galatians 6 follows these works of the flesh with the work of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Ask God to set his Spirit loose in your life to cultivate these holy virtues. God can transform our families by uprooting the sinful attitudes that draw us into sin. Trust him to uproot sinfulness and to cultivate his fruit in the life of your family.

Kids Corner :: Swamped

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 22 Aug 2015 09:00:26 +0000

Have you ever faced peer pressure to do something you knew was foolish? And you did it anyway? Then you’ll understand Liz’s dilemma on this week’s Kids Corner.

Groundwork :: The Forgiveness of Sins

Fri, 21 Aug 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Unforgivable. That word sends chills up and down our spines, doesn’t it? Can there be anything worse than the prospect of never being able to start over, of forever being marked by something bad we did? Then again, is there anything more life-giving, more joyous than hearing that we can have a fresh start, that our sins will not define us forever? Just a couple of lines before it comes to an end, the Apostles’ Creed reminds us that we believe in “the forgiveness of sins.” Today on Groundwork we discuss this work of the Holy Spirit: our need for forgiveness, what we're confessing to believe about forgiveness, and the effect forgiveness has in our relationship with God and our relationship with each other.

Church Juice :: Common Church Communications Mistakes

Thu, 20 Aug 2015 15:52:43 +0000

There is no doubt that church communications can be a difficult career. Oftentimes, it’s an area that doesn’t get the full authority it needs. But as a church communicator, there are some ways you can help make your job more effective. Below are some common mistakes with solutions of how you can create a more effective communications department (even if you’re on your own).

Problem: Too rushed. Last minute requests are a too common, unwelcome part of any communication professional’s life. There are plenty of reasons for it, like poor planning or bad internal communication. Regardless, rushed communication rarely has the same impact as something more intentionally planned.

Solution: Create a system. The best part about a system is it creates purpose and consistency. There are many ways you could approach creating a system, but a common one for churches is a marketing request form. Questions on a document like this help give communicators a feel for the scope, audience and relevance of a particular project. Knowing some project basics is key in determining what avenues should be used to promote the activity, how much effort it requires and how it fits into the other events the church has planned.

Implementing such a process isn’t easy, especially in churches where different ministries are used to operating in a silo or getting whatever they want. But a system like this allows for more collaboration, which will lead to more effective communication to the right audience. The positive results of using a system will help create buy-in and trust.

Problem: Communication is not looked at as a service department. It can be easy to fall into the mindset that creative communicators know better than others how to do marketing. It’s a dangerous habit because it creates friction and ignorance. While you may understand crafting messages and graphic design, you don’t always understand the needs of all the people in your church.

Solution: Look at communications as a partnership. Good communicators need to rely on experts in other departments to gain knowledge on the people in that part of the church. There is no way a communication professional can know everything going on in a church. Much like creating a communication system, working in partnerships will help build trust and ultimately lead to more effective work.

Problem: Information overload. Far too often, communication pieces are loaded with lots of text for people to sift through. Guess what? They’re not going to do that. The average attention span of a human has fallen to that of a goldfish, so to reach them you have to say more with less.

Solution: Filter content and embrace images. One of the most important roles you have as a communicator is to take the complex and make it easy to understand. You have to take a paragraph and make it a sentence. Simplify your initial message and give people a place to go if they want to learn more. A great way to simplify it is to use images as part of your messaging. A picture can add emotion or show what words can’t. The right icon or illustration can grab someone’s attention.

Problem: Missing emotion. Great communication moves someone to take action. Rarely does generic, routine language do that. If someone isn’t moved by great vision, felt need or pure joy, they are less likely to engage deeper with your church

Solution: Use impactful langue and tell someone’s story. The words you use matter. How can you create an image in someone’s mind with the text you write? Is there a stat that will help people realize how their inaction isn’t acceptable? Use the limited space you have to make your compelling case. One of the best ways to be emotionally impactful is to tell stories. What kind of life change happened because of the work God’s done through your church? How did someone make their way to being baptized? What joy came to a kid in the children’s ministry thanks to awesome volunteers?

Problem: Untargeted communication. One message doesn’t fit all and the current trend is more customized communication. Effectively communicating with the different groups of people in your church takes targeted messaging. Newer believers have different needs than long time members. Men consume information differently than women.

Solution: Intentionally think about who you’re trying to reach. As you’re working on a communications project, keep your target audience in mind. If you’re creating an ad for a women’s group event, what is the felt need of that audience? What is the best way to reach them? Thinking this way will not only make your messaging stronger, but it will also help you know which avenue is the best to use.

It can be helpful to make persona groups where you create different, fake people who represent various audiences in your church. They could include people like stay-at-home moms, seasoned believers, non-believers, teens, men, etc. This gives you a face to think about as you’re writing and designing to reach that audience.

Family Fire :: Nine Conversations to Have With Your College-Bound child.

Deb Koster — Thu, 20 Aug 2015 11:08:36 +0000

As your children prepare to head out on their own, bless them with some good conversations to prepare them for the road ahead. Before they fly the nest, take a few moments to prepare them for flight. Some great discussions can help your child get a glimpse around the corner and hopefully hit the ground of their college campus more prepared. Pick one topic at a time and make a date of discussing these things over ice-cream. The goal is to start the discussion and empower your child to take the lead in building their plan toward independence.

These are meant to be discussion topics, not lecture points, keeping in mind that you are handing your child the responsibility of managing these things and stepping into a consulting or advisory role. Feel free to offer insights, but let your child think their way through how they will manage things. They can always consult you on any of these concerns and hopefully these topics will be integrated into your ongoing discussions throughout their college career.

Studies: Academics is supposed to be the main focus of the college experience. So how might you structure your time to prioritize your academics? Consider finding a study partner in classes that seem challenging. It never hurts to have a friend with whom to share notes or study for an exam. Where are quiet places you can go to study? Consider how you will manage study time with your roommate. How will you set boundaries around study time to keep it from being swallowed by social time? What social and extracurricular activities are you willing to give up to keep your grades front and center? What academic support is available if you have challenges? When should you consult your academic advisor?
Social: What approach will you take for making friends? How can you be a good friend? How will you handle challenges with roommates? What activities would you consider trying to stretch yourself and make connections? How will you choose your friendships? How can relationships help you grow in faith or be challenging to your faith? How much contact do you want to have with previous friends? How often do you want contact from family?
Spirituality: Don’t put your spiritual life on hold while you pursue academics--you will need the strength of your faith to weather various challenges. Consider how you will foster spiritual growth in your life. What Bible Study and church services are available to keep you growing in faith? There is great blessing to be found in God’s word. Consider learning a new scripture each week to strengthen and encourage you. How will you structure your time to make talking with God a priority? What about texting a prayer request regularly to your family to take before God’s throne? Or subscribing to a daily devotional?
State of health: College dorms are pretty much a Petri dish of diseases and college life tends to run down the immune system. Staying healthy requires good habits. How will assure you get enough rest? How will you taking care of yourself nutritionally? What are your plans for getting exercise? What happens when you get sick? How will you handle medication refills or reordering contact lenses? What happens if you need to see a dentist or doctor? How does the insurance plan work? How would you cope with a roommate having a serious illness such as an eating disorder? And please never eat food without first washing your hands or using the hand sanitizer, really, you will thank me later!
Sanity: School brings a host of different stressors. How will you care for yourself emotionally? What are your biggest concerns about college life? Talking with a friend, getting rest, or getting some exercise are great first responses to stress, but what if you start feeling overwhelmed? How will you managing stress to avoid burn out? Most college campuses offer free or cheap counseling so consider when you might consider taking advantage of that resource. A bad break up, or failing a class, or just needing a listening ear are great reasons to utilize these resources. We all need some life coaching now and again, consider the benefit from seeing a counselor just to process life. How would you help a friend who seems depressed? How might you direct a friend to use counseling resources?
Serving: College can be a me-focused time, but it is not how God called us to live. How might you find ways to care for others beyond yourself? How are you caring for others? Consider your gifting and consider ways to use your gifts for God's kingdom. What might God be calling you to do?
Specialty: Many start college as undecided, but hopefully we leave with a focus in some specialty. What areas of study gets you excited? What gifts do you see God developing in your life? If your career counseling center offers testing to help narrow your focus, plan a visit to their office to explore your options. What career paths interest you? What are the next steps on that path? Choose an academic advisor or mentor to help you explore some possibilities. What internship opportunities or trade organizations should you pursue to move you along down that path as you near graduation?
Savings: College can be an expensive proposition. How are you planning to manage your finances? How will you go about finding student employment? How many work hours do you need to keep you in cash to cover your expenses? Are you being careful not to take on more student loans than you can repay? How can you be a good steward of your financial resources? What does your budget look like?
Significant other: College is often the time when we meet our future spouse. What qualities will you look for in those that you chose to date? How will you honor God in your physical relationship? When you sense it's not working out, will you have the courage to call it off?

Many adventures await our children as they step into college life. Hopefully these ongoing conversations can help guide parents and prepare students to make a healthy transition into this new phase of life in God’s kingdom. Review each of them every summer. Our children may leave our home, but they will never leave our hearts. God feels the same way and he will continue to watch over our children and guide their journey no matter where they go. Trust that our God who loves our children best will hold them close through whatever lies ahead.

Family Fire :: Launching College Kids

Kim Sullivan — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 11:33:04 +0000

Congratulations! Your son or daughter will be going to college soon. So how can you help them (and yourself) be ready for the challenging times ahead? You may have heard horror stories about kids who have “lost their faith” or made serious mistakes as they enter this season in life. You may have been one of them once a long time ago. But how do we equip our children for this important stage of life? How can you help your child launch successfully into college life?

Begin giving them observed freedoms before they leave. What do we often do the day that we have completed a diet? Often we binge! If a child is unaccustomed to freedom and you have micromanaged every area of their lives they are going to be ill equipped to deal with their new found freedom. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they will go hog wild at the first chance, it could also mean that they are paralyzed by the plethora of choices they are experiencing without your constant participation. Allowing them freedoms and observing their choices and then discussing them is a great way to give your kids a practice run. It can be small things like bedtimes, or diet, or even hair color! After the child has experienced making these decisions for themselves, talk about the pros and cons of their decisions with them.

If your child would like to go away to college, visit churches before visiting schools. One mother of seven shared this tip with me. When her children were considering going away to college she began searching for good churches online. Before they even stepped foot on campus they visited churches. She and her husband spent some vacation time getting their son or daughter established in a church family, including serving in some capacity. This way the young person has a support system to encourage them to stay true to their upbringing. They are connected with believers rather than becoming first connected with a roommate or peers.

Research a school’s Christian clubs and get your student involved before school even starts. This is another way for your child to have the necessary relationships to continue in their faith.

Realize that your child will make mistakes. We all do! Part of the coming-of-age experience is in making decisions on one’s own and facing consequences because of them. However, it is important to keep a finger on the pulse of your child and know when to rescue them from their own traps. You can make certain things clear to them before they even leave that if they exhibit certain types of behavior, you will be coming to the school to visit and possibly bring them home. Never allow your pride as a parent to become more important than the safety of your child. Certainly, it would be disappointing to bring home a student for a semester because their priorities have become askew and things have become out of control. However, it is better to rescue them from themselves than to leave them in a place where they can self-destruct. Let them know that there is nothing more important to you than their spiritual and emotional well-being and that if you feel that is being threatened at any time, you will intervene.

Pray for your college bound student. Nothing brings more comfort to a parent than to talk to another parent about their child. What better parent to talk to than the ultimate Father? Bring your concerns to Him. He will reveal to you when you need to call and check on your kid, or make a visit for the weekend to encourage and remind them of who they truly are.

College can be a difficult transition for families, but God will equip them to launch into college life. With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, strategic planning and careful observation, it can be a growing time for everyone. One final admonishment to the parent: find another parent or family that seems to have gone through this stage successfully. Ask them for suggestions and tips on how to enter this stage of life. Deut. 31:8 says, “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Remember, our children do not belong to us. They are not our possessions, but they belong to God. When we remember this we can truly give them back to their Creator.

Kids Corner :: Tryouts

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 15 Aug 2015 09:00:56 +0000

Liz and Spike are trying out for their school’s basketball team. Do they have what it takes to make the team? Find out on this week’s Kids Corner.

Groundwork :: The Resurrection of the Body

Fri, 14 Aug 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Our culture worships youth, health, beauty and fitness with a fervor that borders on fanaticism, but no matter how committed we are, it's still a losing battle in the end. Do what we will, we all die anyway. The question is, what comes next? Today on Groundwork let's discuss what Christians think about death, the after-life, what we really mean when we recite the Apostles' Creed and say "I believe in the resurrection of the body," and what it all has to do with the Holy Spirit.

Family Fire :: Rule the Words of My Mouth

Deb Koster — Thu, 13 Aug 2015 11:26:21 +0000

Scripture Reading: Psalm 19:13-14

Words have power and yet we so often use them carelessly. When emotions rise, harsh words fly out of our mouths unchecked. Afterwards we look back and wonder why we let the situation get under our skin and we question why we said the things we did. We regret how our words hurt those around us and pray that they do not leave scars. We may lie awake replaying the situation, wishing to turn back time and answer thoughtfully rather than defensively.

A more productive approach than mentally kicking yourself is to repent of bad behavior and experience God’s forgiveness. We confess that, when we take charge of our tongues, we mess things up. We need God to take charge of our words. We find forgiveness in Christ when we unburden our heart and repent of our behavior. Forgiveness does not undo the pain that we caused, so we seek to avoid stepping into bad behavior in the first place--but how can we do that? The truth is we can’t, only God can. The psalmist gives us a beautiful prayer asking God to be the guardian of our words.

Psalm 19:14 encourages us: Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

These words of the Psalmist are a prayer for God to take charge of our speech and fashion our words in a way that would be pleasing to his name. This can only happen when we put aside our selfish desires and let God reign over our tongues. It is an acknowledgement that God is our Savior who rescues us and also the Lord for whom we are called to live in obedience. We plead along with the psalmist that God would claim lordship and rule over every area of our life including our tongue. Keep us from hurting those we love with our actions or our words. We ask the Holy Spirit to equip us to place those sinful habits behind us and move forward bearing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives.

Make our hearts so full of you Lord that our words overflow with grace!

Kids Corner :: Identified Flying Object

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 08 Aug 2015 09:00:23 +0000

What do a broken window, 300 dollars, and a mysterious note have in common? Find out on this week’s Kids Corner.

Groundwork :: The Holy catholic Church & the Communion of Saints

Fri, 07 Aug 2015 05:00:00 +0000

“I'm spiritual, but not religious.” This self-description has become so commonplace in our society that it's almost a formal category of personal identity. For Christians, “spiritual but not religious” is a big problem – or at least, it ought to be. In the Apostles Creed we profess "I believe in the holy catholic church" and "I believe in the communion of saints" Today on Groundwork, let's discuss the meaning packed into these two simple lines and exactly what we're professing belief in when we recite them.

Church Juice :: The Juicys Fifth Anniversary

Tue, 04 Aug 2015 15:06:09 +0000

The Juicys are back and we’re celebrating our fifth year of rewarding communications awesomeness.

It started as a simple idea. Communications and marketing are some of the most under appreciated roles in many churches. Because of that, we wanted to recognize the good work being done and reward creative churches with a grant to jumpstart their next project.

While we felt the cause was important, we never really expected The Juicys to last this long. Even more surprising, we never imagined we would have awarded more than $20,000 in grants during that time.

If you’re new to Church Juice, or just need a refresh, here’s how The Juicys work.

We will be awarding multiple $2000 grants, with the likelihood of some smaller runner-up grants, for churches that have great vision for effectively using communications tools to reach their congregations and surrounding communities. We’re looking for any sort of communications project. It could be a revamped website, a complete rebranding, great use of social media, a new overall communications plan, an outreach campaign or something so cool it’s not in this list.

Once all the entries are received, we’ll separate them based on church size. In the past, we labeled groups as small or big churches. This year, we’ll wait on the titles until we receive all the applications. This gives some flexibility in grouping churches in size ranges that make it easier to fairly compare congregations against their peers.

The application process is pretty simple. Go to the The Juicys page and answer a handful of questions. We want to know what you’ve done and what you want to do in the future. Then we’ll have a panel of smart communication people look over the applications and pick their favorites.

At Church Juice, we believe in the power of the local church. We also hold education as a high value. We’ll share the stories of the churches that get grants as a way to inspire and guide other congregations who are looking to do similar kinds of projects. We are all in this together.

Don’t be modest. Get excited about the work you’ve done to build God’s Kingdom. If you know of other churches doing innovative things, share this with them, too.

If you still have some questions, or want to see some of the past winners, head to The Juicys section. The application deadline is Wednesday, September 30.

Kids Corner :: The Great Jewel Heist

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 01 Aug 2015 15:00:06 +0000

The Lizarardo Detective Agency is investigating a robbery, and all the evidence points to Johnny, Grandpa Anole's twin brother. Is he guilty? Join Liz on this week's Kids Corner to solve the case!

Groundwork :: I Believe in the Holy Spirit

Fri, 31 Jul 2015 05:00:00 +0000

The Christian statement known as The Apostles’ Creed traces its origins farther back in church history than any other creed or confession. And it’s a Trinitarian creed with one section each for the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let's spend some time thinking about and discussing that third Person in God: the Holy Spirit. The Spirit, even biblically, is known primarily through what the Spirit does and some of that activity is summed up in the final section of the Apostles’ Creed. So today on Groundwork let’s think about the Spirit and what it means each time we recite the Creed to say “I believe in the Holy Spirit.”

Church Juice :: Storytelling

Tue, 28 Jul 2015 21:09:08 +0000

Some of you may know that for the first five years of my professional life, I was a local TV news reporter. Covering everything from devastating tornados to a light- hearted cup-stacking championship, I was that guy standing out in front of some building reporting the story each night.

The fun part of being a journalist was never knowing what a day at work would bring. But no matter the daily assignment, I got to meet ordinary people facing unordinary circumstances and tell their story.

As I think back on those days, I realize there are some journalistic fundamentals that will help you become a better storyteller in your church setting.

Everyone has a story to tell. You’ll often hear people say their life is boring or uneventful. But the more you get to know someone, the more you realize every person is unique. Their story can resonate and impact others.

There’s more than one side to a story. And often there are three or four. Think about who’s involved and impacted by the core issue of what you’re communicating. Who are the main players? For example, if you’re telling the story of someone who’s overcome addiction, wouldn’t it be fuller if you also included friends or family who were impacted by that addiction?

Emotion. That doesn’t always mean sad. Happy is good, too. Yet often, good stories are an emotional arc. Joy can come out of pain. Happiness can grow from anger. The main point is, good stories stir others to take action. Emotion is contagious and a great tool for telling an engaging story.

Movement. Great stories rarely stand still in time. Something in the past led to the change someone is experiencing today. The vision your church casts today won’t be seen for some time. Regardless of the story you’re telling, take it on a full journey. Where does the story start and end? Why are those points important?

Strong supporting assets. Crafty wordsmithing is a key piece of telling a story, but even the most vivid language often needs some sort of support for people to remember what you’re sharing. Think of the visual or audio assets that add value to your story whether it’s a video, website, handout or an on-stage announcement. Your audience will consume and remember information in different ways. A picture might help a visual learner engage with your message. A prop held in the pastor’s hand while telling a story might make the moment more memorable. The right music could help stir emotion in a video. Challenge yourself to find the right, creative element for a story and resist the generic or disconnected elements that might be easier to use. An image used incorrectly can kill a moment just as fast as a good asset can make it shine.

Kids Corner :: Taking Care of Business

feeds@reframe-media.com — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 07:24:43 +0000

How much trouble can Liz cause at his dad's job in just one day? Tune in to this week's Kids Corner to find out!

Groundwork :: What the Bible Says about Itself

Fri, 24 Jul 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Checking a person's credibility usually means asking others what they know about the person. Similarly, when we check the credibility of a source we do things like verify authorship and compare with other reputable sources. So as we discuss the trustworthiness of the Bible, it might seem odd to go to the Bible itself. However, different letter writers in the New Testament give us the similar messages about trusting the Bible, so together we reviewing what they have to say to discuss why the Bible is an exception and we can take this book by it's word and trust it.

Church Juice :: Modern Church Website Design

Thu, 09 Jul 2015 15:40:50 +0000

Websites are about first impressions. Within a few seconds, someone visiting your site can start to understand who you are and begin contemplating if your church is something they want to explore more. One of the biggest turn-offs for users is a site that looks like it hasn’t been touched for years. As you think about what first impressions you want your church to make online, here are some keys for modernizing your website.

Image driven. A good first step is to add more images to your website. A better second step is to make them bigger. I laid out my case for using more images and videos in previous posts (here and here), but the truth is we live in an image driven culture. Visitors to your site are not going to sift through endless text to learn about you. They will quickly glance at the images to start deciding if your church is for them.

Example: James River Church – Get Connected Page

Example: Central Community Church - Church Life Page

Minimalistic design. Along with big images comes the need for less writing. Simple, minimal design leaves room for content to breathe. Open space creates breaks between different content areas and makes the site easier to navigate. Simple design isn’t easy. It takes a lot of restraint, editing and learning to say more with less.

Example: Doxa Church

Example: The Oaks Fellowship

A guided experience. One of the most confusing parts of a website can be figuring out where to go to find the information you’re seeking. Think about the key audiences that will be coming to your site. What info do they need? What problems are they trying to solve? Use that information to structure your homepage in a way that creates clear paths of where someone, like a first time visitor, should focus their attention and click to get more information. Every piece of content you create should have a clear answer to “what do I do next?” Figure out your call to action and create the navigation to make that happen.

Example: Gateway Church

Example: Watermark Church – New Here Page

Example: Northstar Church

Real representation. Visiting a church website should be like walking through the front door of the actual building. Think about the culture of your church and what it’s like to be a part of that. How can you show that on your website? Photos help, but think about colors, writing style, atmosphere, passions, programs, community, people and life-changing stories. The worst thing you can do it present yourself different online than in person. Often church websites don’t show the full greatness of who you are in person, and that’s a great problem.

Example: Black Rock Church

Example: Glad Tidings Church - Stories Page

Device indifferent. Your website has to function regardless of which device someone is using. Whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop or desktop, people want your site to work on whichever platform they’re using. Responsive design, which adjusts a single website into different arrangements based on screen size, is a great way to make your site ready for a device of any kind. A mobile-friendly site is also increasingly important, as Google takes that into consideration in search result rankings. If your site is not optimized for mobile users, your spot in search results will fall. (You can check if Google thinks your website is mobile friendly here.)

Example: City on a Hill

(The image at the top of this post is a screenshot of the Christian Centre homepage.)

Church Juice :: Why Images Matter

Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:35:33 +0000

Almost every piece of advice I give in communications will include the idea that you need to use more images to be an optimal storyteller. In fact, I mention it so much, you might be tired of reading about it. But it’s an area where so many churches still struggle today. Whether it’s online or in print communication, your organization can likely be using more images. Here are some reasons why.

Images create an anchor point for a story. Your audience, whether it be your congregation or a new visitor to your website, will be more compelled by image driven stories than long paragraphs of text. Images let you set the tone for your communication. A picture of a person gives a great starting point for the story you’re telling about them. A well-designed illustration can help create an image for what you’ll be talking about in an article. Let images do your introduction to set the framework for what you’ll be saying next.

People have short attention spans. A recent study showed the average attention span is eight seconds. What do you think will grab someone’s attention the quickest, a paragraph of text or a compelling image? It’s important to think about how you’re crafting your initial messages. What can you show and quickly say that will cause people to want to dig deeper into your story? Images with limited text are an intriguing entry point that makes people want to read or watch more.

Pictures give a glimpse of who you really are. There’s a key point to be made here. You can’t tell your true story with stock photography. Paid images have their place, but a major piece of being authentic is showing real people in true settings. Good images give people an instant understanding of what they’ll experience if they visit you in person or attend an event.

We are living in a visual culture. I often hear people say, “If there is not a picture, it didn’t really happen.” Smartphones put a camera in everybody’s hand. Newer social media platforms like Snapchat, Instagram and Pinterest are all image or video based. And updates to Twitter and Facebook put emphasis on visual aspects, too. Images are an expected norm in today’s communication culture.

I fully understand that adding more images to your communications might feel like more work. Yet often times, the simplest solution is just remembering to take some pictures at your next church event or gathering. It does take a commitment to think strategically about gathering images and your church may need to set a policy on how you do it. Ultimately, I think you’ll find using images actually means you have to write less. And more importantly, it will give you a far better chance of creating something people

Church Juice :: Understanding What You Communicate

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 15:14:30 +0000

“It’s hard to communicate what you don’t understand.”

That was the wise reply from my wife the other night as I shared frustrations about the way companies sometimes communicate with their staff. While I think most professional communicators are genuine in wanting to help people become more informed, I often think the breakdown happens because they don’t intimately know their audience’s needs or fully understand the topic they’re talking about.

It can be easy to fall into this trap. Communicators are often tasked with becoming experts in covering a wide array of topics on tight deadlines. So as you work to improve your church communications efforts, here are some tips to consider.

Build in time to get to know each ministry. There are two benefits to this: it boosts your knowledge base and also builds trust. It’s easy to assume you understand what’s happening on the other side of the church. At best, that assumption gives you a broad and outdated version of reality. Plan on meeting with ministry leaders and key volunteers on a regular basis so you can get a real picture of what is happening. This will not only help you understand their passions, but also let you know their challenges. Addressing both will make you a far stronger communicator.

As you build those relationships, people will share more. Trust is important in communications. If people see that you care and truly understand their ministry, they’ll help you do your job better. They’ll begin to trust the systems you have in place, and you as a professional, when they see you’re serving them effectively.

Look at your church community, identify their felt needs and understand how they consume information. If you don’t know the people you’re trying to communicate with, how will you ever be able to effectively reach them? When you ignore this, you end up doing things like creating a Twitter account and then realizing no one in your church actually uses that platform. Even worse, and more importantly, without creating content that meets your audience where they are at, you’ll never get optimal engagement.

Survey your congregation. Take time to engage people in conversation. Ask other church leaders what they’re hearing from your congregation. This allows you to gauge where your community is at in their lives in terms of need and communication preferences.

Admit what you don’t know. This is tougher than it sounds, but it’s an important piece of self-awareness that will help you be a stronger communicator. For example, I’m not versed in youth ministry. My wife and I don’t have kids, so we don’t spend time in that realm. That said I rely heavily on friends involved in those areas at their churches to know what needs and challenges there are for parents. Identifying what you don’t know and finding someone who can teach you about it will allow you to become more knowledgeable and give your community more authority.

Church Juice :: Repurposing Your Church Content

Thu, 11 Jun 2015 15:17:17 +0000

Churches have a wealth of great content. It’s true. Yet so many churches struggle when it comes to finding the right things to post on social media, websites or other communications avenues. Often the problem is communicators feel like every outlet needs new, unique content. While it’s true each message should fit the audience you’re reaching through a specific medium, you can take what you already have and repackage it.

I recently listened to a Marketing Huddle podcast that took on the issue of repurposing. It inspired me to take some of those concepts and talk about them for a church setting. Here are some areas to think about when it comes to making the most of the content you’re creating.

Find your main content stream. For most churches, this is your weekend service. Sermons, church updates, special events and artistic service elements are all ripe for repurposing. Take the most impactful statement of a sermon and share it on social media. Post a picture of the baptism that happened. Remind people what’s happening in the coming weeks. All of the stuff you do on Sunday can also find a home online the rest of the week.

For an active church, there may be multiple main content streams for various audiences. When it comes to youth ministry, what’s the main source of content you can reuse? Or is there a way to take what you’re doing through your outreach efforts and share them elsewhere?

Establish a system and create new content with repurposing in mind. At first, the idea of repurposing content sounds like a lot of extra work, but if you set up a workflow for how you’ll do it the task becomes a little simpler. After all, adding a few minutes to your overall workflow is easier that creating something from scratch.

As you create new content, what can you do to be ready for repurposing? Maybe, as you write your weekly email, there are tidbits you can pull out and add to a different document for use on social media. Perhaps if you are creating a graphic, you can go ahead and make the different sizes you’ll need for other avenues at the same time. Calendaring can be helpful, too. Knowing what you plan on doing in the future will help you work more efficiently today. Plus you’ll get in a routine.

Start slow and don’t become a spammer. Your church audience isn’t on every platform out there. Think of the audience (internal and external) that you’re hoping to reach. Where are they hanging out? Those are the areas to focus on. You also don’t have to add all of those avenues at once. You may not be ready for video on YouTube today, but if it’s something you hope to do, start planning now so you can ramp up later.

Also, repurposing doesn’t mean just taking your content and putting it everywhere imaginable in its exact same format. Communications is strategic. Someone on YouTube will consume content differently than someone on Twitter. It’s better to repurpose with quality instead of quantity and don’t push the same content so often that it becomes annoyingly clear you’re not creating anything new.

Groundwork :: The Power of Words and Speech

Fri, 15 May 2015 05:00:00 +0000

When you open your mouth to say something: once you say it, you cannot put it back - so be very careful how you talk. That's a valuable warning for all of us, and it's biblical too. In James 3 the Apostle has a lot of dire warnings on the power of the human tongue. Today on Groundwork we dig into that chapter to discover the power of speech, the need to seek control over our mouths, and how it relates to the health of our spiritual life.

Groundwork :: Faith and Works

Fri, 08 May 2015 05:00:00 +0000

The Christians James was addressing in his letter seem to have forgotten what real faith was. Maybe they never really knew. They tried to practice a counterfeit faith and they ended up being counterfeit Christians. That’s why James attacks the issue of faith so hard in the most famous - or maybe infamous - passage in his letter. He is trying to get his readers to see that the faith they’re so proud of is a sham, and he wants to help them understand instead what real faith is like and how works and good deeds correctly relate to faith. Today on Groundwork we study James’ description of real faith together and discuss how it applies to us.

Groundwork :: A Biblical Warning against Favoritism in the Church

Fri, 01 May 2015 05:00:00 +0000

If you heard that your favorite celebrity was going to show up at your church on Sunday, would you behave differently? Would you be nervous? What about that man or woman you didn't recognize in church last week? Did you change your behavior because they were there? Did you talk to them? If we wonder how the church would react to somebody famous but never worry about how we’d react to the average person, the Bible indicates there might be a spiritual problem in the church, the body of Christ. The Apostle James has a diagnosis of that problem and some stern words for dealing with it. Today on Groundwork we will dig into James 2 to see what James had to say on the subject of showing favoritism.

Groundwork :: Understanding Temptation

Fri, 24 Apr 2015 05:00:00 +0000

Every week in worship many Christians repeat the words that Jesus taught his disciples to pray – the Lord’s Prayer. And in praying that prayer we ask God, among other things, to “lead us not into temptation.” But James says this in its opening chapter: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” Later in chapter 1 James also says discusses the relationship between our faith and our actions, but what he says seems to contradict the teachings of Apostle Paul. So what gives here? Let's dig into the letter of James together and find out.

Groundwork :: Jonah and God's Grace

Fri, 17 Apr 2015 05:00:00 +0000

There are lots of things in life that can cause us to feel sad or be upset. Mostly sadness comes to us when we see things go out of control, when we witness events in this world that are so clearly not the way God wants things to be. But does it ever happen that we feel sad about something that is actually a good thing? Do we sometimes see someone receive forgiveness, but this makes us sad because what we were really hoping for is that this person would get what he had coming to him? If we’re honest, we’ll admit that sometimes we do get upset when something goes right for somebody else. The conclusion of the Jonah story reflects back to us this sad truth about our fallen nature. But at the same time Jonah's conversation with God gives us hope in the greatness of our Creator's grace.