random stuff

The "coexist" theme didn't go well. I appreciate those who wrote, and I'll use it as a reference when I get to that sermon. I guess no one else had any opinion.

The "We Believe"series is going well. I'm thrilled with the content and the sermons, especially those preached by the other guys in the church. I'm also excited that we've finally gotten our sermons onto MP3 format (thanks, Charley), which are then put onto CD's. Eventually we'll get a link so that people can download the sermons from the soon to be done web site.

The church is going really well. I'm proud of the number of people who have gotten involved and what they are accomplishing. God is good.

Soccer never ends. Justin is on a "select" team, kind of like an all-star team. He's really good. The coach does a fantastic job with the boys, I've enjoyed watching and learning from him. But he keeps finding tournaments to enter. We've got another one in two weeks, one on Memorial Day weekend, and he's found a tournament the weekend of July 4. The next season will start the end of August, so maybe the July tournament will be the last one till then. That leaves about 6-8 weeks between seasons. Unless, of course, if you count the soccer camps in August. . .

The Lakers look amazing. It's fun watching them. This is the one time of year I can get Traci to watch basketball.

Happy Birthday, Traci

It was Traci's birthday last week (she's with Bryson in this picture). She was

overwhelmed with the number of flowers and cards she got from people in the church. I was really surprised, too, but really shouldn't have been. The church has been very gracious to us, especially this last year. This is a group of people who have stayed true, faithful and prayerful for us. They are a very caring, kind community of Christian believers. The pastor's wife is often overlooked in most churches, and I believe it is the most difficult job in the ministry. Traci isn't overlooked here. The church realizes how significant she is, both to me, and to the community of believers. And for me, she has been an amazingly strong, loyal, wise and supportive wife and a really cool Mom. I enjoy watching as she interacts with our kids. She loves them and they love her. I am constantly in awe of her. She is my hero.

Innovation: Church Party

Innovation: (From Wikipedia) Innovation typically involves creativity, but is not identical to it: innovation involves acting on the creative ideas to make some specific and tangible difference in the domain in which the innovation occur (emphasis mine). For example, Amabile et al (1996) propose:
"All innovation begins with creative ideas . . . We define innovation as the successful implementation of creative ideas within an organization. In this view, creativity by individuals and teams is a starting point for innovation; the first is necessary but not sufficient condition for the second". (p. 1154-1155).

I enjoy change, but not change for the sake of change, but change with innovation in mind, the desire to create or make new. With that innovation in mind, and a desire for our two services to get to know one another better (and for that matter, for those within the services to get to know one another better) we cancelled our two worship experiences and had a party on Sunday morning. The pictures above were what the tables looked like before everyone started coming.

We had a fantastic time! Part of being in a local body of believers is fellowship, so that's what we did. We laughed, sang, ate, prayed and shared communion, and did all of it together.

I believe we did exactly what the definition says, we acted on the "creative ideas to make some specific and tangible difference in the domain in which the innovation occurs". Isn't being creative and innovative alot more fun, and add LIFE to a church?

The Local Church

I am closing out a series on commitment to the local church. This has been a series near and dear to me, because I believe that the local church is near and dear to Jesus. He loves the church, and gave Himself up for her (Ephesians 5:25). Here are some quotes I have from that series:

Many Christian have been infected with the most virulent virus of modern American life, what sociologist Robert Bellah calls “radical individualism.” They concentrate on personal obedience to Christ as if all that matters is “Jesus and me,” but in so doing miss the point altogether. For Christianity is not a solitary belief system. Any genuine resurgence of Christianity, as history demonstrates, depends on a reawakening and renewal of that which is the essence of the faith—that is, the people of God, the new society, the body of Christ, which is made manifest in the world—the church. . . there is no such thing as Christianity apart from the church. --Chuck Colson

“Failure to cleave to a particular church is failure to obey Christ.” Chuck Colson

if the Church is going to produce the kinds of exceptional people that provide a satisfying and attractive example to a watching world then our Christian faith must be more deliberately, intentionally and inextricably communal." Tod Bolinger, from It Takes a Church"

Church and Change

These are some quotes from a pastor I have great respect for, Bill Johnson, who is in Redding, CA:

The Church is often guilty of avoiding creativity because it requires change. Resistance to change is resistance to the nature of God.

Religion is not only boring it is cruel. It takes the breath out of every good thing. True holiness is refreshingly good.