Engaging Culture

I personally believe that as Christians we have been called to make an impact on the culture in which we live and shouldn't to be exclusive and afraid of it. Shouldn't we desire e are to engage it? I love the way Brian McLaren puts it into perspective.

"If we live with this sense of identity and mission-if we remember who we are in the world and what we're about-we will be truly alive. If we don't-if we try to avoid sinful passions by extinguishing passion altogether, or try to isolate rather than enjoy and engage the world as followers and agents of Jesus-then we're missing the point. Jesus followers are not to be isolated avoiders, passionless nerds, or snooty critics.
They're to be in the world, into it-sent into it, infact-with it, engaged, alive, passionate - not out of it. "Whoever claims to live in him,' John the apostle wrote, "must walk as Jesus did." (1 John 2:6) Jesus was in the world, engaged, alive, involved, making a difference. So must we be.

How do we stay on track?

Live missionally. Am I focused on Jesus mission? Am I part of God's solution, or am I adding to human problems?

Live communally. Am I hurting my Christian brothers and sisters, setting a bad example for them either by isolation or conformity? Am I listening to their warnings when I slip toward either danger? Am I helping my brothers and sisters guard themselves from both dangers?

Live Spiritually. Am I sensitive to the Holy Spirit, who constantly affirms my identity in Christ and constantly urges me to live missionally?

Live without judgment. Can I believe the best about others without getting inquisitory with them-even if their way of living out their identity and mission in Christ is different than mine?

Live carefully. Sin is tricky. Thousands of sexual addicts and drug addicts will tell you that what seems like freedom can become a new kind of bondage.

We walk a path the Jesus said is narrow. He wasn't legitimizing narrow-mindedness-quite the opposite, actually: Jesus told us that if we try to avoid the rattlesnake that is beside the path on the left, we'd better be careful not to edge too far over to the right either, because there's a crocodile in the bushes there. Narrow minds see only the dangers on one set of the narrow path; broad minds see both. That's our challenge if we don't want to miss the point." Brian McLaren and Tony Campolo 'Adventures in Missing the Point' p.135-136.


I want to challenge each of you not to live in fear and ignorance. Let this be a century where believers and the world can look back and say, "they engaged the culture."

You can make a kingdom difference!


What do you think of the points Brian McLaren makes on staying on track? How have you seen your church engage culture? How have you seen Christians engage culture? If we are to be effective in making a difference what must we do? How does it effect us if we miss the point? Think of ways that you personally can engage culture. What do you plan to do? What gifts do you bring to the kingdom that you have been afraid to engage? Is there anything you want to add?


What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

Make A Difference

As you have seen on the news, there are thousands of believers who have lost their homes and communities that have lost their churches in this massive flooding situation in the Midwest. I want you to know that you can make a difference in the lives of those who need it. One way you can help is by visiting and letting your congregations get involved with the church of Christ disaster relief effort. Their webiste is


http://www.disasterreliefeffort.org/


I would like for everyone to pray for these families and churches as well. Let let them know how much they are loved. If you would like to leave a word of kindness or prayer on my blog you can do so. Let's gather together and make a difference in America for those who are hurting.


If you know of any other ways in which we can get involved and help or you have any information please feel free to share it here.

Share your thoughts and prayers.
God bless.

Celtic Pride

I don't usually write about sports but last night the Celtics put "PRIDE" back in celtic pride. I am so glad that the celtics won the series. As most of you know I am a huge spurs fan mostly because of their class and dignity that they carry with them both on and off the court. I really appreciate the way in which the celtics played and that is with class and dignity. So do what did you think of the game? Where you for the celtics or Lakers? What stood out?
What did you think about the controversial Joey Crawford refing last nights game?
What do you think?
Share your thoughts.

The Importance of Mission Statements for Churches

Mission statements have become a huge deal in churches today. It identifies who they are and what they are about. I posted an ad in our local paper that had great response, it simply read:

"The Church of Christ in Rocksprings is a non-denominational family of believers who love God and are striving to fullfil our purpose in Him."

It helped identifying who we were and what we are about. Do you think mission statements are important for a church? Do they help in identifying the church to the community and seekers? Does your church have a mission statement, if so what is it? Have you seen mission statements being sucessful? How. If no, why not? What would Jesus' mission statement for His Church be? Do mission statements change in churches? If so how and why?



What do you think?
Share your thoughts.