What’s the Big Idea?!

    I learned recently of a new book entitled The Big Idea. I haven't read the book so I can't comment on it's quality, but I do think the authors have something to say that could improve your teaching. Often teachers try to say too much so that our students can't recall anything.

     See if you can identify with this segment.

Let’s start with a typical Sunday as a family returns home from church. ‘The question posed to the children is the same every week: “So what did you learn today?” And the response is too often the same: (Silence.) “Ummm ...” (More silence.) “Ummm ...” (Still more silence.) “Ummm..:”

Parents have tried to think of different ways to word the question for their kids, but it always comes out the same. “So what did you learn today?” It’s not the most enticing question, but it’s the question that gets asked millions of times every week during the car ride home from church. And the truth is, if our kids asked us, we might give them the same response.

How is it possible that so many people, young and old, can respond with nothing but silence to such a simple question after spending an entire Sunday morning in church? Is it too little teaching? Is it too little Scripture? Is it too little application of Scripture in the teaching? What’s the problem?

Dr. Haddon Robinson, in his classic book Biblical Preaching, recognizes the simple truth that more is less and challenges teaching pastors to communicate with crystal clarity “a single idea.” He says, “People in the pew complain almost unanimously that the ser¬mons often contain too many ideas.”’ Robinson is right on. And it is good news that people are complaining. Their complaints about too many ideas tell us that people in the pew want clarity, direction, and guidance in how to live out the mission of Jesus Christ. We can no longer afford to waste another Sunday allowing people to leave confused about what to do next. So let the change begin! But this change can’t be relegated only to the preaching. It also must happen in the teaching of children, students, adults, and families and in the overall experience of church life. How? The Big Idea.

Source: MondayMorningInsight.com > Hey… What’s the Big Idea?!

Trend Watching

 Here are some trends that sociologists are recognizing. Do you think any of these might affect the attitudes of your students?

Here are five lifestyle angles that Trend Watching says we should keep an eye on in ’07. I’ve added possible ministry correlations to help pastors and church leaders discuss what they can do in their ministry context to seize the day.

1) Transient Lifestyles—People have shorter satisfaction spans, which means they’re more interested in experiencing something new. A simple application of this in the church realm might be that a two- to four-month series on the book of Job will need to be replaced with a three- to four-week miniseries. Whatever it is you’re doing, look for more—and shorter—ways to do it. Keep creating new themes and events.

2) Participative Lifestyles—Consumers, especially younger consumers, want creative experiences. A ministry application would be to reduce the amount of sit-around, passive Bible studies, and instead engage participants by using their talents; for example through doing a service project or creating multi-sensory learning lessons. (See the cover story, “Make It Stick,” in Nov/Dec Rev! Magazine, at http://www.rev.org.)

3) Connecting Lifestyles—“In a post-material world, all that’s left to covet is…other people,” says Trend Watching. So don’t just hope people get together to socialize. Churches need to take concerted efforts to help make friendship matches, akin to eHarmony. (I spoke to eHarmony staff members recently who said that this service resulted in approximately 1 percent of all marriages in the U.S. in 2006.)

4) Eco-Lifestyles—Environmental friendliness is now in vogue with influencers. So what is your church doing to promote recycling, carpooling, or cleaning up dumps around your community? Does the pastor drive a Prius or a gas-guzzling SUV?

5) Add Your Own Status Lifestyle—Trend Watching suggests that effective marketers look beyond traditional status lifestyles and help develop unique opportunities for people to feel esteemed and engaged.

Source: MondayMorningInsight.com > Trend Watching:  A Change of Status

“I Want My Staff to Make Mistakes Every Week”

"I want my staff members taking risks and making mistakes. That means they're being innovative and it means they're not afraid to try. Now, I don't want them making the same mistake every week – that means they're not learning, and that is bad. But I tell them, 'Make a new mistake every week.' I tell them, 'Show the innovation and creativity to do something really stupid that you've never done before.'" - Rick Warren

There is a balance between perfection and recklessness. As with most things, the proper position is found somewhere in the tension of the middle.

Does the fear of failure paralyze you from risking big things for God? Does "trial-and-error" prevent you from seeing significant transformation in the life of your students or those you lead?

Link to MondayMorningInsight.com > Rick Warren:  “I Want My Staff to Make Mistakes Every Week”

Worshipping God or Worshipping an Idol?

 I just read that two worship leaders have made it through the first round of auditions and are going to Hollywood in the current season of American Idol. I don't know these men personally so I can't comment on their motives, but the idea of a WORSHIP leader pursuing the option of becoming an IDOL just seems wrong. I am deeply convinced that worship is more than music - it is a matter of mind, body and spirit submitting to the glory of God alone.

Is it possible for someone whose life calling is to lead people into worshipping God to pursue personal fame and fortune?

We've come a long way from the mindset that was prevalent in generations past of "it's good enough for Christian Music." Many of today's Christian artists are truly masters of their craft which is a good thing. But being a great musician does not qualify a person to lead WORSHIP.

I readily admit that God blesses some individuals with wealth and public prestige that can be used for good (i.e. the SuperBowl XLI coaches). But if I am going to submit myself to another persons leadership in the area of worship, I am looking for a person whose life passion is the glory of God, not personal fame.

What do you think? Am I being too critical?

Link to MondayMorningInsight.com > Two Worship Leaders “Are Goin’ to Hollywood, Baby” on American Idol

The Gift of Too Much

I have heard it said that if you want something done, assign it to somebody who is already busy. You are the type of people who fall prey to this type of thinking. Which may lead you to the conclusion that you have more than you can bear.

I recently watched a video of a preacher who spoke about the gift of too much. If you want to watch it yourself, click here. (This link is to his whole series. The message I watched is #3)

If you prefer a summary (becasue you are too busy to watch another 30 minute sermon) here are the high points.

1. The Gift of too much forces us to put something down. We must learn to prioritize and learn to say "or" rather than "and" when considering how to spend your day.
2. The Gift of too much forces us to hand something off. We must learn to live as the Body of Christ and realize that God has equipped others to cooperate with us in accomplishing His tasks.
3. The Gift of too much forces us to give something up. We must learn to cast our cares upon God!

Faith and Works

Most Americans know that a football game was played last Sunday. The last 7 days I have been watching 2 interesting perspectives on the game.

1. Both coaches have unashamedly declared their personal faith and the influence that faith has had upon their character and behavior. You can check this out for yourself at www.beyondtheultimate.org.

2. Less than a week before the game the NFL made it clear that churches would be in violation of copyright laws if they used the name "Super Bowl," charged admission, or viewed a screen larger than 55 inches. I believe this ruling will be challenged, but until it is clarified I believe that we should obey it. The day after the game Christianity Today did a poll to determine how churches responded to the NFL rules. The vast majority of the 566 respondants claim that their church did not have a large event for the game, but the following statistics startled me.

• 2% said they canceled their "Super Bowl" party because of the NFL rules
• 5% said they changed their plans to accomodate the NFL rules
• 18% said they ignored the NFL rules.

Put these two observations together and this is the message I get. The coaches believe that God honors their efforts when they live with integrity, nearly one in five churches believe they can ignore the law and still experience God's blessing. This is not the first time the church has run afoul of copyright laws. In many churches the photocopier is used for more illegal activity than a private Still during prohibition

How about your teaching? Do you strive to teach with integrity and trust the Lord to bless it or do you act as if the end justifies the means?

By the way, our youth group tweaked its plans so that they fully complied with the NFL rules and SLEFC purchases each year copyright licenses that allow you to photocopy music lyrics for group singing and use select video clips for teaching. There is also a section of the copyright laws that allows for duplication in certain "educational" settings.