Archive for October, 2008

You may recall a few months back that I shared about co-authoring a unique project in which the proceeds go to childrens charity. Well, the book was released as an e-book today, and you can preorder hard copies of it online as well.

It involved 236 marketing professionals who blog from 29 states throughout the U.S. and from 14 other nations from Australia to the Ukraine – and me (that’s 237). Variety is the international children’s charity which will benefit from the proceeds. If nothing else, snatch a hard cover book, and I’ll autograph it for you! Oooooooooo! ;) (Just remember, your cash is for a great cause!)

Background

The book has an unusual story behind it, involving online connections between people around the world who have never met each other.

Drew McLellan, who heads an advertising agency in Des Moines, writes a blog online. Drew’s Marketing Minute is among the 25 most-read marketing blogs, and a regular reader is Gavin Heaton, who works for global software giant SAP in Sydney, Australia. Heaton writes a blog called Servant of Chaos.

Nearly two years ago through a chance online conversation, McLellan and Heaton decided to invite fellow bloggers to participate in writing a book about conversation and how it impacts us in marketing, in business and in life in general. “Blogging, after all, is about conversation,” McLellan said.

More than 100 bloggers from the U.S. and eight countries responded by contributing essays on conversation. The book, published in the summer of 2007, earned $15,000, all of which was donated to the international childrens charity Variety.

“Gavin and I were overwhelmed with the response,” said McLellan “Almost as soon as the first book was published, we heard from bloggers asking when the next book would be published so they could contribute essays.”

The Age of Conversation 2 will be available as a downloadable e-book beginning October 28, at a cost of $12.50, of which $10 will be contributed to Variety. Also, orders will be taken for a limited number of printed books in hardcover ($29.95, with $6.04 to charity) and softcover ($19.95, with $8.02 donated to charity).

Purchases can be made online at http://stores.lulu.com/ageofconversation. More information can be seen online at www.ageofconversation.com.

Tom Elliff, one of the VPs at the International Mission Board, is preaching this a.m. He’s speaking on the role of the Holy Spirit from John 3.

Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (John 3.6-8)

Elliff expanded on this passage by sharing some thoughts about the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that the Holy Spirit was operative in the work of salvation and compared the work of the Spirit to wind. This is one of Jesus’ first teachings about the third person of the Trinity. Elliff said that the wind/Spirit blows…

• persistently – It never stops.
• providentially – God controls the direction and force.
• principally – The Spirit operates according to God’s will and guidelines.

“What has scared us away from this subject is we see so much that is inane and stupid – this glitzy, glamor boy Christianity – that people of integrity avoid it.” Elliff goes on to urge us to know, relate with and be directed by the Spirit. 

Nicoemus said in verse 9, “How can these things be?” Jesus was a little perturbed, it seems, that one of Israel’s religious leaders didn’t have a clue about spiritual rebirth and the work of God’s Spirit. Elliff acknowledged that much about the Holy Spirit is mysterious.

Speaking of the mystery of the Holy Spirit, Elliff said -

1. It removes pride. No one knows how the Spirit works, nor can we command Him. Elliff urged us not to dispense with doctrine (right teaching) about the Holy Spirit saying that doctrine is to life what the skeleton is to the body. It gives structure. He commented that he’d seen numerous “exciting” movements that were supposedly the work of the Spirit but in the end faded away because there was no substance or truth to them. He said that “spiritual” people can many times become prideful, thinking they have a lock on the Holy Spirit and His expression but that God will not be controlled by man.
2. It removes presumption. We think that when we’re ready, the Spirit will move. Or that when we do x, the Spirit will move. Not the case! How dare we presume that God must show up when we give Him permission. Of the current ebb in the Southern Baptist Convention, Elliff warned of the attitude that when we “fix” things that God will show back up. That’s a dangerous presumption. He said it’s like a turtle on his back on a hot highway. We may not be able to right ourselves when we want to.
3. It removes procrastination. If we don’t know where and when the wind blows, then when God speaks, we better obey then! Scripture says, “Seek Him WHILE He may be found” and “TODAY if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.” The people of Israel who were to be led into the promised land chose at first not to go in. When God sentenced them to wander in the wilderness, they had a change of heart and tried to enter the land but were resoundingly defeated. We must respond when God speaks and on His terms. Elliff said,”People grow old when their regrets exceed their vision – regardless of their age. Regrets are sown in the garden of procrastination.”

He concluded his message by quoting the theme of the 2008 state convention, “If you’re going to succeed at ‘Reaching Gen X now,’ don’t forget to rely upon the Holy Spirit.

In spite of the plethora of Ps – which normally distracts me when a speaker relies upon forced alliteration – I really enjoyed this message and am hoping to get a CD of it.

For those of you who know me, I’m sure there will be a grin stretching across your smarmy face right about now. I’m heading to the annual Arkansas Baptist State Convention – voluntarily. For eight years as a campus minister, I was required to go. For the past five years, I had no desire to go.

However, since Journey aligned with the Southern Baptist Convention in January – a very prayerful and strategic decision for us – I’ve been earnestly enjoying the extended network and blessing of working intentionally with like-minded churches and leaders. 

Every October, the state denomination gathers around the city of churches that give the most to the convention (ooops… a little sarcasm entered there) and holds its annual meeting. Many times it can be a snoozer. At other times there are fireworks shot off by those who love to shoot off at the mouth. All the time, however, there is genuine fellowship, laughter and renewal in the corridors, restaurant booths and coffee shops surrounding the convention. It’s as if we have to host a protracted series of self-important meetings to manipulate pastors and leaders into gathering – and then the good stuff happens outside of the meeting as friendships are made and renewed, broken hearts are mended, encouragement is passed and tears are shed.

This pastoring thing is hard – if you do it right. The toll of carrying responsibility for the spiritual growth of people is mentioned by Paul. In addition to all the physical torment that the apostle Paul suffered, he mentioned the incredible spiritual burden of seeking to lead a group of people into intimacy with Christ Jesus.

I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11.23-28)

Perhaps it’s one of the most unnoticed responsibilities of spiritual leaders in the church today. As God’s called representative, we are responsible and empowered by God to bring His church to maturity in Christ. The joy comes when people are led there willingly – when they are hungry for holiness, for God’s Word and for witness in the world. The toil and pain comes when they embrace the things of the world rather than God and correction, rebuke or confrontation enters the picture. Yet the minister must not shy away from such things. The New Testament is replete with instruction about leading people to maturity and even dismissing them from church fellowship if need be.

And so at meetings such as this, you run into a lot of hurt, sorrow, and confusion. It’s amazing to hear about pastors who have been beat up and cast aside, who have been attacked and vilified, and whose personal and family lives are at the end of their proverbial rope. They come from all over – ostensibly to a meeting because they “should” – but in reality, they come for hope, help, and in desperate longing for just one ear that will listen, a mouth that will pray for them, and a heart that identifies with where they are.

I’m looking forward to how God will work in leaders’ lives over the next few days – and in mine. Please be praying for this group of outstanding shepherds as they gather. Pray for their encouragement, vision, and strength to continue serving the Lord of Hosts and His Church.

This a.m. we had a massive rummage sale at Journey – or as Jeremy says it, room-age. Whatever, we sold a bunch of just, well, junk. The whole “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure” should be “one man’s junk is still another man’s junk.” Yet folks trickled through all morning, buying, eyeing while we were sighing.

We may have been a little ambitious with 10 dozen donuts, two pots of coffee, two bags of donut holes, and 2 gallons of generic, Wally-World citric juice. We had thought to provide breakfast stuff for early morning shoppers, but we found that most were extremely focused on, well, junk. 

They entered with eyes down, sifted through mounds of clothing, suitcase, old computers, etc. and then left with a few things in their arms. We rummage salespeople had a welcoming and hospitable environment for them, including music to set the ambience. Yet, they were more interested in… you got it, junk.

There were actually a few who left without buying anything, which I find highly offensive. It’s like our junk isn’t good enough for them? How dare they… ;)

All the proceeds are going to Journey’s ministry fund, and because we have so much left over, it looks like we’ll be trying it again next week. I was told numerous times this a.m. by females present who here shall remain unnamed that I should have put the rummage sale in the paper.

I had assumed that since MonticelloLive.com has 5000-8000 pageviews per day that would be sufficient, but I was corrected frequently with the rationale that “garage sale people don’t read websites for their junk information.” Dang. I think junk people need to be more high tech. I mean, there’s Microsoft products to consider, right?

In addition, the whole experience makes me think about what we focus on in life. The rummage sale is kind of like our spiritual lives. How many times are we paying attention to junk when the Lord longs to provide nourishment, wonder, and music for our lives? Meanwhile, we wander through life, eyes down, focused only on what we think we need. Most of the time our myopic desires result in the acquisition of junk that will only gather dust in our souls.

With all that said, stay tuned for Rummage Sale 2 at Journey soon…

Here’s a nice website that encourages you to pray for the nations: PhotoGenX.com. Mission statement:

The vision of photogenX is to use photography as a tool for cultural transformation so that issues such as gender based injustice will be issues of history instead of the future.

HT: Kiki Cherry

With $300 million and counting invested in the “I’m a PC” campaign that began with hiring Jerry Seinfeld, the new Mac commercials point out a painfully obvious truth. Love em. See the others here.

Enter another life-streaming aggregate service: Popego. It’s a way to view all your social websites and friends activities in a Friendfeed, Facebook kind of way. However, Popego offers more. Check out this excellent review of the service before heading over and signing up for a free Beta account. My ID is “journeyguy” if you want to add me as a friend.

I’m fighting off sleep even as I write this. I feel like I’ve had plenty of time to catch up – and even a little mustard – since I’ve been back, but the backs of my eyelids beg to be seen more often than they deserve. My trip to Poland was a gigantic refresher for me – personally, spiritually, and vision-wise. I’ve had the privilege and joy of being a part of global mission through collegiate ministry for many years, but this was my first international trip as a pastor.

Now begins the joyful and intimidating challenge of seeking to be a catalyst and mobilizer of my church and other spheres that I may happen to influence to take seriously the Great Commission. It is truly a wondrous and surreal gift that our God has given us – to be invited into the purposes and movements of the Trinity as God works in the hearts of men, women and children around the world. It’s not a chore but a cherished honor.

I spoke Sunday about “famous faith.” The podcast didn’t come out too well, but it was centered in 1 Thessalonians 1.8:

The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. 

I yearn for that kind of faith in our church and from the believers in Poland greater than ever before. Imagine the supreme compliment of being known globally for contagious faith. It’s rather obvious from reading of the situation in Thessalonica in Acts 17 that their church didn’t exactly start ideally. It was birthed amid conflict. Paul and his team were essentially run out of town.

As the beleaguered apostle wrote back to this church, he couldn’t say enough about their stamina and their vociferous faith. I’m tired of playing the quiet game. I don’t know about you and your church or denominational tribe, but for too many of us, we’ve settled with just being present without being presenters.

I ask for your prayers as I continue to internalize and develop some conclusions about how I can gently and graciously lead God’s people in our region to embrace God’s heart for the nations. That missional theme has been a part of our church’s DNA since its inception, but I’m afraid it’s become more of a mantra than a meaningful way of life for us. 

I like how Paul began his second letter to the Thessalonians and would covet this same prayer over the church of Jesus Christ everywhere – in Arkansas, Poland and beyond:

Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored… 

On Monday, Ed Stetzer interviewed me on the streets of Krakow, Poland about how churches like Journey could get involved in thinking missionally.

I will be flying home from Krakow, Poland tomorrow after a week spent in discovery mode. I traveled here with Ed Stetzer and other pastors to explore ways that innovative churches can plug directly into the work of the Gospel in Central and Eastern Europe.

With majestic-ancient churches dotting every corner of this city which has everything from a 1000 year-old castle to a neon-resplendent Coffee Heaven, it has been a humbling experience to walk where 99% of the residents claim “Christianity” but know no personal relationship with its Messiah.

Especially after walking the sorrow-filled paths of Auschwitz and Berkenauer today, it’s difficult to stomach apathy in the church. I’m eager to embrace, encourage and equip people for the journey of a lifetime into the harvest fields of the nations. One of areas that I sense my church is uniquely equipped to relate with well is Central and Eastern Europe. 

Coffee House

Rick White and Sebastian Vasquez did a brief interview tonight before the coffee house that we had helped invite folks to all week. Seba shared ways that ordinary folks from churches like mine and Rick’s could discover quickly that there is a great need for them and their skills and experience and love for Christ in Central and Eastern Europe. For instance…

• The Krakow Tigers (a professional football team coached by one two of the IMB workers) needs players, incuding a quarterback. (I thought I wanted to apply until Mark related that one guy had his shoulder knocked out of joint just scrimmaging with the team.)
• Photographers, web designers and folks who know how to start a business could lecture, host seminars and built relationships that long-term workers here could cultivate.
• Anyone who can speak English or even Arkansaw can share in university settings about their town, culture, and American life experiences for conversational purposes.
• Businessmen and women can relate skills and know-how.
• Students can take classes for a semester or longer at some of Europe’s oldest universities and work to help start and encourage new campus ministries.
• Baseball coaches and sports lovers can hold clinics and play with Polish youth.
• Teachers can share principles of teaching from the American classroom and even speak in classes here.
• State troopers can speak about the dangers of drunk driving, alchohol and drug use and even relate with Polish security firms and law enforcement agencies on policing tactics in America.
• A team of young couples could host a parenting conference or even a game night to teach different American games.
• A videographer and Photoshop expert could host seminars and teach skills to Polish business people and collegians.

And the list goes on… In short, there is a way to build relationships in Central and Eastern Europe that will enable those who have given their lives to the harvest here to follow up, cultivate, and see many profess faith in the beautiful and all-sufficient name of Jesus Christ if we will but lay down our lives to do so.

I spoke with some upperclassmen tonight during the coffee house about an ancient legend that Krakow was founded by a knight after defeating a dragon by trickery. You can find knight and dragon figurines in most gift shops.

While young adults and Polish in general are easily able to discern legend from fact, they unfortunately relate religion to the status of legend as well. I drew the connection and asked two sisters, “Do Polish young people view religion as a real part of life or legend?” One young lady waved her hand dismissively and said, “No one cares about religion here.”

She went on to relate that while there are beautifully stunning churches everywhere, they have no relevance for her life. I wonder if that is the same for my community and nation? Religion is everywhere, but is it a real part of life? Or have we relegated it to the status of a good, old story with colorful characters but with useless import?

Observations

I’ll be back late Saturday night and will be teaching Sunday. I’ve seen cathedrals and concentration camps. I’ve heard Polish people assign religion to a category of irrelevance. But I’ve also spent time with an incredible team of God-saturated missionaries and strategic workers – in Poland, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.

I’m hopeful, and I’m heartened. There is great work to do here in this war for the souls of Central and Eastern Europeans. And I believe that Christ-followers in Monticello and Arkansas will have a significant role to play in the near future.

I had fun today, but it’s late, and I’m pooped. A quick summary:

• A Coffee Heaven run in the early a.m.
• Team Krakow meeting all morning
• Pizza (again) for lunch – because the place Joe and Becca wanted to take us was “out of food” due to a big order.
• Looking at potential properties for Compass International Christian Church with members of Team Krakow
• A quick shopping trip
• A long, hurried walk from Krakow Square back to hostel (tram was late) so I could meet with Shea about the ISC program.
• Bible study at Seba and Erin’s place with Polish friends
• Video uploads all night for Ed Stetzer’s blog and fixing video audio on my uploads
• ZZZZZ

Tomorrow, we’re off to Auschwitz in the a.m. and then have a major event – a Coffee House in the evening. Last day!

Wednesday in Krakow was a misty morning. Workers from the Czech Republic, Krakow, and Hungary all converged on the hostel at 10 a.m. to make some more informational and vision videos for help in connecting churches with the great need in Central and Eastern Europe. As we’ve all gotten to know each other over the past few days, it’s become quite the humor contest at times. It’s hard to stay with these guys and gals over here – they’re extremely fun, sharp, and connected. Not your father’s missionaries.

In addition, I’ve really enjoyed getting to know my team that came from the U.S. – Ed Stetzer, Rick White and Jeremy Dane. Ed flew out today for another mission-vision meeting in Italy, but the crew from City View Church are still here, and we spent the rest of the day enjoying some relaxing downtime.

Steve Brown, Ron Brown (both in the Czech Republic) and Trey Shaw (Hungary) joined us for our first real coffee experience at a java center aptly named “Coffee Heaven.” Goodbye instant coffee. Hello steaming hot joe. Whew. Rick was down to one Starbucks 6 oz double shot, and he’s trying to save that for the last day. We sat around and laughed, visited and people watched before heading to the Krakow Square (Rynek). 

We watched the beer guy walk around and dreamed about picture opps with him some more. It’s a mascot-like beer costume that walks all over downtown Krakow with a “free beer” sign, handing out free beer coupons. This was intriguing to us, for different reasons. I mused about how it might draw crowds to a church event, especially in a dry county. Rick, I think, was interested in knowing if the coupon limit was one per person. Steve, Ron, and Trey related the different cultural attitudes toward “alkahole” (as translated in Polish) in Europe, and it became a cultural study and discussion. All because of the beer guy.

While eating lunch in an outdoor cafe that sat on the edge of the square, the contrast between modern and ancient blurs into the mind’s background. I had to keep reminding myself that 10-acre Rynek Square dates as far back as the 13th century. It’s the largest of all of Europe’s medieval cities, and its austere beauty and worn cobblestones lead one to embrace the slower, relational life of Europe.

We simply were …at lunch. No agenda other than each other. The conversation traveled between subjects with intermittent laughter faster than a shuttlecock at the Olympics. The elections in the States. Mission strategy. Family. An insanely absurd but appropriate comment from Jeremy (who has a gift for insight and humor at the same time). It was a relational buffet.

After a long lunch, we began walking down one of the many side streets, dodging horse-drawn carriages and trams – again a contrast in modern and ancient. We grabbed some ice cream from a vendor off the square and wound up in front of St. Paul’s Church in the shadow of the 12 stone apostles. It was there we sighted our golf cart tour guide from yesterday – Artur. He greeted us cheerfully, and so began the next hour or so of simply being. The joy of it all was that as Rick, Jeremy and Ron engaged Artur, they were also planting seeds and leading, coaxing, and cultivating the soil of spiritual curiosity in his life. Jeremy had planted seed yesterday as we careened through the Jewish section of Krakow. That seed was watered today as they invited Artur to the coffee house that Team Krakow is hosting Friday night.

Before all was said and done, Artur had invited us to watch football (soccer) in a pub with him tonight. As tempting as that was (after all, wouldn’t that be the ultimate European male experience – watching soccer in a pub together?), we had to rendez-vous back at the hostel (or so we thought). Steve and Trey were taking a train back to the Czech Republic tonight, and it was dinner time, after all that.

We’ve somewhat mastered the tram now, and as we rolled through the streets of old Krakow, Steve and Trey and I shared about our families, our joys, hurts and struggles. It was humbling to hear of the depth of pain – physical and emotional – their families have faced. I shared about Carolyn’s three-time bout with cancer, and we exchanged heartbeats, knowing that suffering and uncertainty are oftentimes what God uses as soul fertilizer for His people.

As we mounted the stairs to the hostel, we were continuing the conversation when Trey shared some warnings about spiritual warfare as it relates to the families of those who serve God in ministry. It left us speechless. We mounted the stairs in silence, and each was left to his own recollections and current prayers for his family. It was blatantly obvious that both of these servants of the living God had faced the painful reality of helplessness as fathers and husbands through difficult moments of illness and hurt. And this, far from family. And this, because they and others here have laid down their lives for the King and His Gospel.

Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. (Mark 10.29-30)

Upon looking at our schedule, we found we were free for the night too – until the Czech team left. So we freshened up – which for guys is basically using the bathroom – and headed back out for supper. Destination: Chinese food. Another meal. Another long visit. We learned that the waitress doesn’t bring you your bill until you signal for it, because they are perfectly fine (and expect you to) with long, lingering meal times. It’s the European way; it’s not just the meal. It’s each other.

We made a quick visit to a local grocery store – almost like a 7-11 – and meandered back to the hostel. The topic of discussion was thoroughly masculine and most unmissionary-like – how to throw a fart. Now that’s my kind of missionary… Steve and Trey’s ride to the train station arrived soon after, and we bid them farewell. We have two more full days here in Krakow, but with their departure, I really sensed that our journey with them – and our churches’ – had just begun.

I know this has been an unusually long entry, but especially after the transparency of the day, and in an attempt to encourage new-found friends and Christ-centered workers the world over, I offer these thoughts from a sermon by George Whitfield on “Satan’s Schemes” and how to identify them:

• Satan’s Scheme #1 – Drive us to despair.
• Satan’s Scheme #2 – Tempt us to be proud, or to think more highly of ourselves then we should.
• Satan’s Scheme #3 – Tempt us to feel perplexed, and to begin to doubt God when our prayers seem to go unanswered.
• Satan’s Scheme #4 – Troubling the believer with blasphemous, impure, unbelieving thoughts.
• Satan’s Scheme #5 – Tempting us by our carnal friends and relatives.
• Satan’s Scheme #6 – Not tempting us at all, in order to “surprise” us when we least expect it.

Whitfield said in his conclusion:

“In the meanwhile, let me exhort my young fellow-soldiers, who, like myself, are just entering the field, and for whose sake this was written, not to be discouraged at the fiery trials that are to sure come their way, if they seek to be found faithful servants of Jesus Christ.

You see, my dearly beloved brethren, by what has been revealed to us, we know that our way through the wilderness of this world to heaven, is beset with thorns, and that there are enemies of the cross to be grappled with, on your way to the promised land. But do not let these, like so many false spies, discourage you from going up to fight the Lord’s battles, but say with Caleb and Joshua, “No, we will go up and fight, for we are able to conquer them.”

Jesus Christ, that great captain of our salvation, has in our place, and as our representative, confused the grand enemy of mankind, and we have nothing to do, but to fight under the banner of the Lord, and to go on from conquering to conquer. Our glory does not consist in being exempted from, but in enduring temptations.

“Blessed is the man, (says the apostle) who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him;” and again, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds.” And in that perfect example of a prayer that our blessed Lord has prescribed to us, we are taught to pray, not so much to be delivered from all temptation, as “from the evil one.”

It’s not often that I’m really proud of a shot, but this one was stunning. I got lucky, pure and simple. I had my Sony Cybershot on night mode, and propped it against a stone pillar to capture this image of St. Mary’s Basilica in Rynek Square in Krakow last night with the full moon behind the church. 

I love Mark’s name. Especially when Ed Stetzer is interviewing him. He is truly “Ed”-worthy. Mark is the interim Regional Leader for Central and East Asia, and he is one of our hosts this week. Mark and Ed sat down to discuss mission strategy.

Ed Stetzer interviewed Rick White yesterday about how churches can engage in ministry in Poland. Part of our mission on this discovery trip is to seek to connect new churches with international mission opportunities.