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This Halloween Was a Real Treat!

In my previous post "No Family Fall Festival This Year -- It's A Good Thing" I mentioned that one of the indicators that not doing this event was a good thing was because people were choosing to celebrate Halloween in their own neighborhood.  What really help seal my conviction for not doing the event anymore was the insight I gleaned from reading the book Making Room For Life by Randy Frazee.

In the book (to summarize his point) Frazee mentions how distant we have become from our neighbors with many of us never meeting them even though we have lived next to each other for a long period of time.  Now this insight is nothing new, many studies have proven similar results. 

However the next bit of insight is where I had my "a-ha" moment.  Frazee shared that there is one night when barriers are broken down and an opportunity to meet and connect with our neighbors just makes sense and is very easy to do, the night Halloween.  However he further mentions that on that night when all of our neighbors our out and it gives us (the church) the perfect time to meet our neighbors none of us our home because we are at our Family Fall Festivals.  

So this year -- the first in the nine that I have lived in our neighborhood -- I was able to take our kids trick or treating!  And we had a blast!  It was incredibly cool to meet our neighbors whether it was us going to their homes or staying at home giving out candy.  My wife and I swapped responsibilities back and forth.  I kept internally slapping myself on the side of my head saying,  "This is what I have been missing."  I had such a great sense of connectivity to those who live by me and no longer do I simply see idle homes around me, but rather people that God cares and loves deeply.  

This Halloween was a real treat!

My 1st U2 Concert Experience

In my junior year of high school a good friend was trying to broaden my music palette beyond the normal 80's pop music genre to a band exuded an incredible passion and conviction in their song writing -- he introduce me to the song "Sunday Bloody Sunday" by U2.  It was a year later that the The Joshua Tree came out and two songs in particular grabbed me "With or Without You" & "I Still Haven't Found What I am Looking For."  That album was followed up with "Rattle and Hum" that also was a film documentary that  I thoroughly enjoyed (I have it on DVD) and I was becoming a huge fan.

However, shortly after this time I experienced a renewing in my relationship with Christ and with that brought a struggle in my spiritual journey that took an unfortunate all or nothing approach.  And what I mean by this is that I would listen to, engage in and watch only "Christian" oriented material.  As time passed my conviction in regards to this loosened. 

Yet the struggle of what is secular and what is sacred continued over the next 5 to 7 years and the question on whether something that was not specifically labeled or themed as Christian had much redemptive valued continued.

It would be at an event over 12 years ago that brought forth an incredible awakening.  It was a church event that primarily featured "secular music" to help tell the story of people's spiritual journey.  It was there and series of unrelated experiences that opened my eyes to how God can use the secular to point to the sacred and how God can use any means to speak to me.

So one event I have been wanting to experience is a U2 concert.  I had missed their previous two tours for various reasons.  However last week at the Georgia Dome I was able to take in my first concert and to say it was an incredible experience would be an understatement.  Here are a few pictures from the concert.  If you get a chance to take in the 360 tour -- I want to prod you to so -- you will not regret it.  With the 360 format there really is not a bad seat.

 

 

 

What Shows are You "Falling" For?

Recently I had a lunch with a mentor/friend and our discussion like always went to the books we were currently reading.  She then posed this question, "How are we going to get all this reading done with new fall television season starting?"  A great question.  I love TV!  If I had to choose TV or movies -- TV would win hands down.  The writing in the television programing these days are exceptional especially the serial shows.  And now with cable channels offering their own original programming and big name actors and actresses valuing the steady work that a television series can provide -- the choices are seemingly endless.  

Now I am not a "real timer." By definition a real timer is someone who watches a television program when it is offered by the TV network not opting to watch it later on their DVR or online or even later in the year when released on DVD (my preferred method).  However, there are some programs that I am committing to watching during the course of season and here it is and I have had to restrain myself:

Mad Men Sunday 10pm AMC 

Dinner Impossible 10pm Food Network

Flash Forward 8pm ABC

30 Rock Thursday 9:30pm NBC

If I can fit these in great ... Lie To Me, The Office, Fringe

What will you be watching?  Let me know by commenting, Facebook Comment or Twitter

Interesting ... Does Anybody Actually Makes Use of This?

On my wife and I's recent trip to San Francisco -- I came upon two interesting signs that got my attention.

Here is the first one found at AT&T Park home to the San Francisco Giants.  Thankfully I did not need to make use of this.

The second was seen at the San Francisco International Airport (SFO).  If anyone has seen some one use this booth -- please let me know I would love to hear the story.

What Will You Be Doing at 10pm Tonight (PST)?

New Product (RED) items from Starbucks

Today on my second trip to Starbucks of the day I picked up these two portable tumblers.  The first one is for hot drinks, the second is for cold drinks.  What I especially like about them is that not only are they visually appealing they are also part of the PRODUCT RED line where proceeds of the purchase goes to help eliminate Aids in Africa.


In addition I like the notion that I am one of the first to have these products as they are neither on the Starbucks nor the Product Red website.

Twilight at New Format

It is just a few moments before the olleg-age service New Format begins.  Tonight I have privilege of sharing from the movie Twilight as the college gathering is also in their version of God at the Movies.

One of the great things about working with college kids is you can have fun and tonight amongst other things -- there will be many different give-aways including this hard to get collectable.

Yet on the serious side of things ... the text I am sharing from tonight is Colossians 3:1-9.  I believe the main character Edward Cullen, a vampire by nature who chooses to live differently and not become what he describes as being a monster, is a great example of how we often need to make the choice and not give into our fleshly desires, but instead live for a grander vision of what God desires for us.

In a Twilight

This weekend at church we are in part 2 of the series God at the Movies 6 featuring the people's choice selection -- Iron Man.  In brainstorming the possible list of movies to vote on -- I made my case for Twilight to no avail.  (I do believe the main reason for the objection is that the team knew that Twilight would win and they did not want to speak from what they perceived as a teen film)

However, I am having the opportunity to teach on the movie Twilight at New Format -- the college aged service this Sunday night at 7pm.  I am subtitling the message "The Real People's Choice."

So today I am focusing my efforts in preparing for that message and I feeling some pressure from those around me to deliver.  Pray for me as  I prepare.

To understand why I have such an interest in this film click here.

Ending Well (Thoughts on Jay Leno's Final Tonight Show)

I find a great leadership learning lab for me in respect to observing how leaders handle a significant life transition is watching  farewell speeches by influential people.  Here are some of my thoughts of Jay Leno's final hosting of the Tonight show.

"God at the Movies 6" is Coming!

A series that does not seem to run its course is God at the Movies that starting next weekend (May 29 & 31) will be in its 6th year.

This series really raises the "bring and invite" temperature in our church.  I have begun to develop a running list of people to be praying for from members of our congregation who are planning to invite people to a weekend service because a specific film is being featured.

Here is the breakdown of the films featured and they are all available on DVD to view with the exception of one that will be released in time for the series:  Slumdog Millionaire (5: 29 & 31), Iron Man (the "people's choice selection" June 5 & 7), The Dark Knight (June 12 & 14), Gran Torino (the DVD will be released on June 9  -- June 19 & 21) & Traitor (June 26 & 28).

Easter Weekend Art at Journey

Our church is blessed with some great young artists that continually develop and mature in their offerings.  For most new series and on special events we ask these artists to do paintings that capture their interpretation of how the series may be presented on canvass. 

Here are this year's Easter paintings -- the first two are done by team artist Minnaret King and the four thereafter are done by team artist Amy Hoyt. 

All of these paintings are in church lobby for you to take in -- enjoy!

The Reason for God

As we head into week 2 of our series Dialogue this weekend's subject deals with the differences of the world religions.  Now this a subject matter that much has been written on and one message on this subject matter can cover the subject in only from a broader perspective -- this would be true of all the subjects that we will cover in this series. 

Therefore we are encouraging those who are attending this series to pick up the book the The Reason for God by Timothy Keller.  This book will serve as a great resource on the subject matters covered during our series as well as being a great resource that serves to underscore some of thinking that went into the formation of the series Dialogue.

The first chapter of the book "There Can't Be Just One True Religion" fits perfectly with this weekend's message.  Chapter two of the book, "How Could a Good God Allow Suffering" looks at next weekend's message topic.

Our bookstore has copies -- I hope you will be prodded to pick it up.

Pittsburgh Steeler Shirt: Why I Did It

I would argue (I really have no way of proving this) that more people in our church wear Charger gear on a any given Sunday than any other church -- I would estimate 1 out of every 3 attendees had some type of Charger jersey or shirt on.  My wife, Tara, who serves in the children's ministry shared even the kids in the class rooms had Charger stuff on.  Nothing brings me greater joy -- not!


Now while at the Arts Champions gathering, one of the leaders from Pittsburgh shared how she hoped the Steelers would beat my Chargers.  I shared I am not a Charger fan, but a die-hard Oakland Raider fan and in fact if I had a Steeler shirt I would wear it this Sunday.  So on the last day of our time together she handed me a shirt to wear -- I just had to do it.  So just before it was time for me to conclude the service I quickly changed shirts and went up.  As I was exiting our teaching pastor gave them a hint to what was coming by saying this in his concluding prayer "God we pray you will forgive Rod for what he is about to do."  When they opened their eyes and saw me in the shirt they let out boos continually -- I could hardly finish my closing statements.  But there are redemptive reasons behind this, this was not just me giving Charger fans a hard time.  Read below.

Part of the reason I did this because the opportunity presented itself to show that Christians can have fun.  In addition it also showed that a pastor in their church does not take himself so seriously -- they knew I knew I would get that type of reaction.  Just maybe I hope that for those who were guests there take away from the service would be this is a group of people that takes their faith seriously but not themselves.  So that is why I did it.

The Church: A Place Where the Arts Should Flourish

Last night I was invited by one of our programming team members, Skyler Lusteg, to an art exhibit that he and two friends were putting on.  It had recently brought to my attention by another team artist that Skyler, who plays bass on our team, has a real passion to paint and has been doing so daily for several months now.  I could not have been more encouraged by what I experienced. 

Above and below are sampling of some of Skyler's works that he had on display.  I can't wait to see the pieces that he has been working on for our current weekend series that will be featured this coming weekend.  I have known Skyler since he was in middle school and it is really cool to see how he has grown up in the church and found a place within it to express his God-given passions.

At a recent gathering of Programming Arts Leaders that I just came back from one of the concerns that was raised was whether the current generation of college age students and young adults that have an artistic expression would see the value of sharing their gifts within their church not just in broader culture.

In the Dark About Twilight

I like to think that I am up on current events and pop culture as a whole.  I subscribe to over 10 magazines of varied interests and yet I was totally in the dark when it came to the phenomenon "Twilight" the novel by Stephanie Meyers.

The way Twilight caught my attention was about 2 months ago a college-aged friend on Twitter posted "just finished reading Stephanie Meyer's book."

To which I replied, "Who is Stephanie Meyer and what did she write?"

A high school friend on Twitter replied, "Twilight." 

At this point it mean very little to me until a couple weeks later on the cover Entertainment Weekly was "Twilight" now a major motion picture and had quite the following.  Later that week at church I heard some of our high school and college students saying how they attended the midnight showing on Thursday.

The following week a peer of mine in a similar life stage, tweeted: "Finished reading Twilight in one sitting."  At this point I had to pick up the book for myself to read.

Now why would I read this book? 

Well for one thing as a leader in a local church I think it is important to understand the people I am trying to reach and if people are being on such a large scale are being drawn into this phenomenon it is worth taking a look.  The story is obviously striking a chord and addressing some inner longing.  This was the same thinking as to why I read "The Shack."

Secondly,  I must admit it was good story -- I read in a few days over Thanksgiving.

Already, I have seen it pay dividends in a ministry context.  I occasionally pop into our college age service on Sunday nights.  It is good for me to be in this setting to get a pulse on how young adults are relating to God, in addition I will be teaching in the services in 2009. 

During "my favorite part of the service" the mingle time -- I tried to engage in conversation with some of the students I was sitting by.   I am reaching the age where some call me "Mr" so this is not as easy as it use to be.  Well the conversation was going very ho-hum, until I brought up my thoughts on Twilight.  The conversation had a lot of life at this point.  First, I believe they were surprised that I read it and second I believe they sensed I was trying to relate to them of something that they are genuinely interested in.

So don't  get left in the dark -- I would prod you to read it.

Does the Story Need to be True?

Story plays such a critical role in how we communicate.  In the church, the art form of telling a good story is especially needed.

Last week during lunch with a few friends (two of them actors & one in marketing) our conversation centered around the topic of whether a story had to be true in order for it to be used basis for a drama or video done in a church service.  

The conversation also included discussion on what influence did a story being true have an effect on our opinion of a movie.  It really made for a great discussion so I presented the latter question about movies to our programming team today.

Here were some of the key thoughts that came out of our discussion:

• As a general rule a movie did not have to be based on a true story for it to have a meaningful effect on us.
• In addition as a general rule we did not give much thought to whether the story was true or not -- the art form of good film making and story telling seem to have greater value.
• Most of us noted that our favorite movies were fictional in nature.
• Though the story of the movie did not have to be based on a true story the movie did need to be based upon some truth that had meaning. 
• The truth sometimes was not necessarily in the story itself but the story behind the story -- for example something that may have taken place in the director's life that affected how he presented the story.
• Where the story being true did effect us was giving a movie the benefit of the doubt even though a film may not have had the best production or best acting.

What are your thoughts on this?

Probing Questions Raised Through Pushing Daisies

At the prodding of a few friends and finally one friend letting me borrow her copy of season 1 on DVD -- my wife I began watching Pushing Daisies earlier tonight. 

Pushing Daisies is about a man named Ned, a pie maker, that has the unique ability to bring someone back to life, but only for a minute unless some random person in proximity dies in their place.  However the person that Ned brings back to life by touching them will die the next time he touches them again.

After only watching one episode -- it raised some thought provoking questions and I am really looking forward to watching the rest of the season (fortunately only nine episodes due to the writer's strike last year).

What would I say if I were brought back to life for one minute?
(now one minute may not seem like long time, but try listening to a voice message for a minute.)

Would I be willing to bring back to life someone I love dearly knowing that someone else's life will be taken in their place?

and here is a follow up question ...

How hard would it be to be able to love someone knowing that my very touch will kill them? 

An Overwhelming Nightly Routine

I need to read to fall asleep.  So a part of my nightly routine is to grab about two or three magazines that I can read through leisurely.  I choose magazines over books because with a book I usually underline and write notes in the margins which can keep me up instead of putting me in a place of rest. Plus when I start getting tired I just let the magazines fall to the side of my bed. 

Two or three magazines every night over period of months all of sudden I can't get to my bed.  So over the past few days I have been taking on the challenge of getting rid of the clutter in our house -- yesterday was the coins, today the daunting task of organizing the magazines. 

The problem is I have subscriptions to 12 magazines!  The amazing thing is that being the sports fan that I am -- I don't have a subscription to Sports Illustrated -- my subscription ended a few months ago.

International Justice Mission (IJM) on Dateline NBC tonight

(Be sure to set your DVR's for tonight.  This will really stir many of you up who will be attending the 2008 Leadership Summit as Gary Haugen is one of the speakers.)

Dear Rod,

Dateline NBC this evening will feature a special update on IJM undercover work in Svay Pak, Cambodia that resulted in the rescue of 37 girls. The Dateline NBC story, entitled “Children for Sale,” originally aired in January 2004 and has received significant airtime as well as two Emmy awards.

Tonight’s update will include a new interview with Gary Haugen as well as interviews with several of the young girls rescued by IJM in the original raids.

9pm EDT/PDT
Dateline NBC

Please watch and spread the word to friends who may be new to IJM!

Gratefully–
International Justice Mission

Men of Issachar

For leaders, in the church world in particular, it is essential to be like the men of Issachar whom I Chronicles 12:32a states "...had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." In our current realities it is critical to understand the shaping role that entertainment and pop culture are having on people who come through our church doors.

A great resource to help us understand or get a broad overview of the cultural landscape that we are living in is the current issue of Entertainment Weekly.  In its 1000th issue it features what they consider the new pop classics of the past 25 years in variety of fields of entertainment and pop culture (movies, television, literature, music, video games, fashion etc.).  I hope you will be prodded to check it out.

How Do You Stay Relationally Connected?

 

The current issue of Relevant Magazine presented the results of this readers poll question: "What's the best way to keep in touch with friends?"

Facebook                38%
Phone                     27%
E-mail                     19%
Text Messaging       13%
Snail Mail                3%

Now I know that social networking websites like Facebook and My Space have stirred up conversation as to whether these means of interacting really does help foster community and meaningful relationships; or does it move us into further isolation and a world of pseudo and cyber only relationships.

In my staff and social settings there are those who are vehemently opposed to entering this world despite much prodding.  While for others they have made this their main social hub. I have found Facebook a very helpful and beneficial means of staying connected.  E-mail, Twitter & Skype are still my main means but Facebook is right in the mix.

Back to Facebook I can testify to how this website has been very helpful in my relational world.  For months I had been bothered by what I would call an unresolved issue and possible relational breach based upon a previous conversation.  We had not spoken since that phone call.  At times I had thought of reaching out to my friend, yet found myself giving into excuses. 

Well earlier in the year this friend and I would be at the same conference and we connected at that time.  We  cleared the air and it was made clear that there was no harm done nor was there any ill feelings between us. 

So what caused me to re-engage in this relationship?  It was a simple request that a mutual friend, very close to the other party, requested me to be added to his friends list.  I sensed that if I was in good standing with the friend requesting that I be added as a friend, things should be ok with the other friend I thought to have offended.   This simple act was all that I needed to be prodded to move forward.

How do you best stay connected with those important to you?  I would be interested in your comments.

Good Theater

Several years ago I received a great learning when I was working on my Master's degree.  The professor presented the learning in this way:  When we go to a grocery store why do many choose to pay more at the service deli to purchase their meats or cheeses when just a few aisles over the same products (pre-wrapped and pre-cut)  are sold for considerably less per pound.

The reason he said is "Good Theater." 

He mentioned that we live in an society and culture that values experience and are willing to pay more to get it.  He further unpacked his service deli illustration by saying that the reason for the higher price is because you pay for all those involved in the show.  For example there are props -- the meat cutter, the digital scale with blue lights showing how much the cheese or meet weighs when putting it on the scale, the huge refrigerated see-through display case; then there is the actor, the deli worker who is wearing the dirty apron and has the towel over his shoulder; and then there is your personal experience of being able to interact with the show by being able to look and select your choice of meat and cheese and and get feedback from the deli worker on your choices -- this is good theater. 

The point of this illustration was that this has great implications for those who are in church work, specifically those who program weekend services.  The people walking through the doors of our churches in today's current realities  are seeking an experience, not just getting knowledge about spiritual matters.

I was reminded of the importance of this learning on Wednesday night while eating at a beni-hana type restaurant. Though I have been at this particular restaurant on many occasions, I always leaved impressed by how the chef does such an incredible job in creating a fun and energetic dining experience.  If you have never been at this type of restaurant -- here is a sample of what I am talking about in the video above.

My Flash Shirt

The person hosting the season premiere of Saturday Night Live last year wore this Flash shirt and when I saw it -- I had to get it. 

Yesterday the shirt drew different responses as I greeted people before they entered the worship center.

Regular Journey attendees thought the shirt was cool.  One lady went so far as to making sure her son saw it because she said she knew he would like it and he did. 

At the same time people's response also told me a lot about their religious background.  I was introduced to one person who was visiting and by their reaction, I could tell they probably are used to attending a more traditional church.  I saw their eyes go right to my shirt when it was explained to them that I was one of the pastors.  It was pretty funny actually.  I can only imagine what they were thinking.