I had a blast at the Catalyst Conference this past week. If you’ve never been, you’ve got to check it out – they’re coming to a region near you with Catalyst West, Catalyst Central and Catalyst East all slated for 2011. Check out this video they showed at the conference by Tripp and Tyler, featuring Chris Tomlin.
Yesterday I had a web conference meeting get postponed until today and decided to use my afternoon free time to take my three kids to see Toy Story 3 (our local movie theater has movies for $5 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays!).
Obviously, I don’t want to spoil it for those of you that haven’t seen it, yet, but I think we all know Andy is getting older. In this movie he’s going off to college – surely he can’t play with his toys forever and thus the movie tells the rest.
I don’t know if it was the fact that I was surrounded by my precious children while I was watching the movie and deeply resonating with the theme of kids growing up and not interested in the stuff they used to be interested in, but I was moved – very moved. I found myself crying and wanting to stop time.
Here’s a few pictures of how time flies:
Today’s post is an example of what I refer to as life-streaming and have talked about all around the country. If you’re reading this via email or RSS, please click on the link and look at the above pictures on my blog.
Church on the Move did this funny video for Father’s Day. I thought it was worth you checking out. Did you do anything special for Father’s Day at your church?
Dad Life from Church on the Move on Vimeo.
One of the TV shows I love to watch is Minute to Win It. Ever seen it? It’s on NBC and it’s a ton of fun. Search YouTube and you’ll see tons of people attempting to do the games at home. I got to talking with the youth pastor at my church and we decided the games used on the show would be great for games (and particularly a “Game Night”) at our church.
So two weeks ago, Jay (our youth pastor) and I browsed YouTube for the games we wanted to do on Game Night, downloaded the intro videos (as seen in this blog post) and then went off to the store to gather materials. The result? The youth loved it and most were familiar with the TV show and excited to get to attempt the fun games.
Yesterday, I did a secret shopper at 12Stone Church in Atlanta and they played Minute to Win It games in their children’s ministry. My kids thought it was fun and funny.
So, go to YouTube, search Minute to Win It and start incorporating some new, fun games for your kids/youth!
I think a healthy quality for all leaders is being able to laugh at one’s self. This video has rubbed some people the wrong way, but I think it is a funny and deeper look at what we as the Church do each week. This video was created by the talented team at North Point Church – that obviously is able to laugh at themselves. Take a look at this video and see if it upsets you or if you’re able to relate and laugh? More after you watch it…
“Sunday’s Coming” Movie Trailer from North Point Media on Vimeo.
As one who travels the country each week visiting, secret shopping and consulting with various churches, I think I can appreciate this video more than most. This video reminds me of my secret shopper report and the things I rate and look for – it’s amazing how well they captured what I see at 95% of churches in America.
You would think that is a good thing, and I used to, until I heard Alan Hirsch speak at the Velocity Conference back in February. He rocked my world. Alan, in his keynote address, taught on how the contemporary church model that is prevalent in America can only “appeal” to 40% of Americans – NOTE: not reach 40%, but has the ability to appeal to 40%. Meaning 60% of Americans will need to be reached in some other way- some new, unconventional, innovative way.
This past Sunday, I was with my friends at Mosaic Nashville. They had heard Alan Hirsch speak years ago and were already living out this different model of church. For example, this Sunday, I worshiped “in the round” and people were given instruments and encouraged to play along. There was no band up front on the stage – they were in a circle in the middle of the worship space. They are exploring new ways of doing life, community and discipleship together as a fellowship of believers in Nashville.
Is this for everyone? No. Maybe God is calling you to appeal to the 40% with the model we see in the video. BUT – for some of you (and if you get this, it will be revolutionary), you may be called by God to go after the other 60% in new, different and unconventional ways – thought to be strange by others. More on this in my new book coming out next year!
You must know that 24 is one of my all-time favorite TV shows and I think Jack Bauer is the man. Enjoy.
This past weekend I did a secret shopper visit at an amazing church in Orangeburg, SC. I arrived in town Saturday evening and headed straight to the church as it was nice out and I thought it might rain on Sunday. I wanted to see the grounds and parking lot, building exterior, etc.
As I was looking around, I came across a door in the back of the church that was left open. I didn’t know if someone was inside or if it had been overlooked and left open/unlocked, but I opened it and went inside…
NOTE: It never occurred to me that there might be an alarm.
I went inside the church and began looking around, making notes and taking pictures. I went straight to the restrooms and since I wouldn’t get to see the Women’s Restrooms on Sunday, I decided to go inside them, take pictures and make notes. I must add: they have a very nice women’s restroom. Below is their sitting room when you walk inside the women’s restroom:
I noted that the women’s restroom had 11 regular stalls and 2 large/handicap stalls (as seen in the top picture). Their sink area appeared neat and clean, etc. Regular stuff. I left there and went across the hall to the men’s restroom. I made notes in there and took pictures.
I walked out to be greeted by 3 police officers with tazors drawn. I’m not kidding. They asked who I was and you should have been a fly on the wall as I tried to explain to them what a church secret shopper was. They told me to turn around and padded me down. They took my ID and called it in.
Please understand and believe me – I planned on calling the senior pastor after I finished looking at the restrooms to let him know about the unlocked door.
So the interrogation went on. IF I was not able to get the pastor on the phone (which – thank God I was) they were going to take me downtown and arrest me. I didn’t “break and enter” as one officer said. I simply saw a door cracked open and walked inside it.
Lesson learned – I won’t be doing that again. So there! That’s my new unforgettable secret shopper story and my welcome to South Carolina. 
