Creed or Chaos by Dorothy L. Sayers
I’m still paging through Creed or Chaos (1948) when free time presents itself. Sayers has left us with an incredible little treatise on the importance of Christian doctrine. Here’s just one of many thought provoking excerpts: Read More »
Novelist, Playwright, and Theologian Dorothy Sayers
I was just introduced - for the very first time - to novelist, playwright, and theologian Dorothy Sayers. Dorothy writes, in a collection of essays cumulatively titled Creed or Chaos? Why Christians Must Choose Either Dogma or Disaster (Or, Why It Really Does Matter What You Believe), the following assessment of the current situation in the Church (the really amazing thing is, that Sayers actually penned this in the 1940s): Read More »
A Barna Report on Technology in the Church
Barna has a new report on the use of technology in the church. Interesting numbers, to say the least. Barna also says the following:
The incorporation of digital technologies into church-based ministry is an important frontier for churches to master, according to George Barna, who directed these studies for The Barna Group over the course of the decade.
My only question, and I can’t help but to ask, how does all of this - especially the above quote - jive with all that Barna proclaimed in his controversial book “Pagan Christianity?” Seriously? Is technology and the mastery of technology rooted in the New Testament way of doing church? I do think the church should get a grip on technology and use it for the Kingdom of God, but Barna sure shouldn’t be thinking so, after what was written in “Pagan Christianity,” should he? Barna has seriously lost me somewhere along the line. I guess I’m asking what is the purpose and/or goal of his research and research reporting, post “Pagan Christianity.”
Call for Worship Presentation Software Reviews
This is a question for all the worship leaders: which worship presentation software would you rate highest and recommend? I’ve been looking at a few different products, but I am really quite uninformed about worship presentation software. Your experience in this area and product recommendations are seriously coveted. We are in the midst of acquiring the basic equipment we need for our church plant, and quality worship presentation software is a priority. So, if you were building your worship experience from zero, which presentation software would you have to have? Thanks, leaders.
God’s Kingdom Coming Here on Earth
I think everyone should go read what my friend Brian Miller has to say in his latest post: “Entrepreneurial church.” Here’s a brief but profound excerpt:
So I think about what it means to be a Christian, to be part of a community of followers who have the audacity to believe that our lives matter - that our lifestyle choices, our words, our actions–have something to do with God’s Kingdom coming here on earth as it is in heaven.
The Use of Stock Photos on Church Websites
A question for designers: What do you think of church websites that use tons of royalty free, stock photo images of people and families? Seriously? Is this some sort of false-image creation, or something slightly worse? None of the people in these stock photos actually attend these churches, right? In fact, I think it’s safe to say the people pictured never even heard of the church. So, is a liberal use of royalty free, stock photo images of people and families proper for a church website? I’m very, very interested in your thoughts on the matter.
Personally, I think it is a poor choice to use images of people and families on your site, if these people don’t actually attend the church. I almost want to call it false advertising, but I honestly think it’s something a tad worse (it’s church!). Read More »
Turning Off the Spiritual Infomercial
Jesus and his simple way are anything but ordinary. Jesus’ way is simple, but it is anything but ordinary. Jesus’ way is extraordinary, in its simplest form!
So, I guess I’m asking if you see simplicity itself as extraordinary; or beyond extraordinary. Complications, shallowness, and distractions are rooted in the world’s ordinary or everyday way of being and doing. These are the sorts of things upon which all of those things we are so tired of are built. Popular Christian words and spiritual sounding catch-phrases flow from these sorts of things; simplicity is the foundation of the extraordinary way of Jesus of Nazareth. Read More »
Multiple-site Church Phenomenon and Video
Mark Driscoll cites a very, very interesting development (evolution?) in contemporary church planting: “One thing I am certain of following my recent travels is that the multiple-site church phenomenon and video services are here to stay. Dead churches will be revitalized more and more by larger churches establishing services in them through the use of video. An entirely new form of church planting seems to be emerging that, along with traditional church planting, will help to add healthy new churches.” Read More »
The Mischaracterization of Generation X
A bit of back-story: A question concerning Generation X (aka Gen X) was presented to students during a recent M.Div seminar regarding Church, Administration, Finance, and Evangelism. We were instructed to break into small groups and search for an answer to the question presented. I’ll reproduce the original question here, and the answer offered by me, but first I must admit that I’m continually amazed at the constant misunderstanding and mischaracterization aimed at the generation in question (Gen X), especially when the answer to the same old, tired question is so, so simple. Read More »
Copyright Law Violations, the Church and You!
One huge legal sinkhole bottoming out churches all over the globe is copyright law. More than a few churches violate copyright law every single Sunday morning. I promise you, it’s true. I’m not saying a word about all of the copyright law violations that occur in churches during the week. I’m just talking about Sunday morning, at the moment. Many, many churches violate copyright law during Sunday morning worship by using worship materials and songs without proper permission. This is usually called “stealing.” It is a legal violation of an incredibly obvious sort, is it not? Read More »
