THE CHURCH OF TODAY...

I just finished listening to Tommy Nelson's sermon series, "The Sixties." SO much good stuff. But the last sermon ended with him speaking on the church today, and its current condition. Here are several of his points that I think call for some discussion.

Church is a Business
Church has conformed to culture. It's no longer Theocentric, but Anthropocentric. It's a sound stage for a presentation and a program--a show. The Mega-church idea is not about a size, but about meeting every need of its consumers. If success in life is everything in our day, church will enable us to achieve that success. We have become light on truth. Success in YOUR marriage, with YOUR kids, with YOUR money. 8 ways to be better at everything. Not that that is necessarily wrong, but it is when it's exclusive and you no longer teach Bible exposition, systematic theology, historical theology. We want immediate gratification for our needs, and no longer want to go through the pains of spiritual discipline. We've forsaken Self-Denial, Commitment, Involvement, Discipleship, Service, Sacrifice, Discipline, and Holiness, and expect to be fed from a concert seat.
William F. Buckley, when asked what he thought of Vatican 2, "Don't You want your Pope to be relevant?" His response was simple, "No. I want him to be Holy." Have we sacrificed holiness for relevancy? Shouldn't there be ways in which we don't want to be relevant?

Worship IS Music
Music used to be apart of worship, now it defines it. Whatever happened to responsive scripture readings, the Apostles' Creed? Is our worship today nothing more that emotional, experiential driven music? Is it man-centered, as opposed to the contemplation of who God is that is rational-centered?

Accountability, Submitting, and Church-Discipline is Archaic
When did Church Hopping become acceptable? Whatever happened to commitment? Why do we think that our life is our own business and nobody else's?

TRUE COMMUNITY

If my Internet Explorer Could Talk

So this week were discussing "If My Internet Explorer Could Talk." The internet has ushered in a new era of “intimacy” and “community.” YouTube, MySpace, Facebook, Second Life—they’re all ways to create community. But our internet activity, although may reveal more about us than we would care to admit, cannot bring with it a place of TRUE community. Oh, (As Bryan stated in Creative) we may discover a place to “belong,” but will those relationships nurture care or accountability? We think we’re making connections with people, but we’re actually unplugging from this world, the one in which we were created to exist. The closeness we feel is completely imaginary, all in the mind.

My guess is that people use online communities as a means of "safe community." But just like "safe sex," it's all a lie. We may harden our hearts and hide behind a mask so that we don't get hurt, but what do we lose in the process? Isn't there a penalty for not being vulnerable? Perhaps forfeiting the love and acceptance we so desire because we aren't willing to give it first? May it not be like the old adage, "To have a friend, you must first be a friend."

This may be a little extreme, but isn't this a lot like porn? To the effect that it can never deliver on the "love" it so promises. It’s the false hope that this next contact will bring the longing that our heart desires. It's ironic that culture has, as the last Focus on the Family Magazine put it, made it both nothing and everything. They tell us that sex is no big deal, but at the same time convey the message that without it we are incomplete. Everyone know community is crucial, yet we treat it so causally as if it were "no big deal." How have we come to treat such a sacred thing with such disdain?

I think the most crucial part is that God made us three-in-one just as He is three-in-one. To connect only in the mind is purely one-dimensional. I think it's superficial to declare a recent online contact a friend. We’re denying the complexity of our nature. To say that we can build real community by mere mental thought is like saying sex is purely physical, or that worship is purely spiritual. We've bought into this lie that our separate parts can remain separate. God made us whole beings. I wonder if EVERYTHING we do affects our entire being? Scientist have even done studies to show how our thoughts affect our attitude, our emotions, even our physical health. I’ve personally found that eating is more than just a physical act. I mean, does anyone really LIKE to eat alone? How fun would Thanksgiving Dinner be alone—no matter how large the feast? There's something "intimate" about sharing a meal together. As Rob Bell reminded us, "Everything we do is as an integrated being."

We are indeed three-dimensional—to treat ourselves as anything less is to cheapen our value.

Its the MOST Wonderful Time of the Year...

... so many pop culture references so little time to blog. Anyway- we are putting some creative fuel in the tank for our December Series & Christmas Eve-type service... So big question here that needs a response... Favorite Christmas Carol - past and present, old school or new school...

What are the carols of Christmas that you love, adore, cherish, revere, ect? And why.
Everyone who responds will be entered into drawing for a special Creative Team Blog Comment prize... Its a secret, but here's a hint: it is worth more than $24.99 & less than $25.01... And can be redeemed locally for goods and/or services. SO blog early and often!

Get Caffeinated!

Ok Creative Team... It's time to put some serious horsepower into the next series - its only 3 weeks away! This one is going to be BIG... We are talking about some really cool things to reinforce the fact that, as Christ-followers, we should be living CAFFEINATED lives - full of JOY!

Some initial ideas:
-Premium Coffee Bar in Hospitality Area
-Jittery Joes Compass blend coffee
-Special seating areas in the worship center
-Ikea Couches/coffee tables
-Set design – coffee shop feel… brick wall, art hanging, metal, wood, coffee bags
Roaster on stage?? Jittery Joes roaster feel
-Coffee station in the parking lot/driveway
-Special printed coffee cups or wraps
-“Free Coffee” flyers for community handouts/bills posted
-Coffee that makes a difference
-We are also talking about t-shirts... really cool t-shirts.

So the big two questions are:
1. What can we put in everybody's hands to invite people back for the series?? (Hand painted invites on individual coffee beans has already been suggested)
2. How can we impact Athens in a meaningful way during this series?

Its THAT Time Again!

Hey team-
Another great series this year is almost in the books... This week we will wrap the Mythbusters series with the question, 'If I Follow Jesus, Everything Changes?'... Thanks to all whose input really made this a great series- a week did not go by where I did not hear someone tell me that they felt like the talk was directly for them. Great job!

On another note after this Sunday, everything will be changing again! A new series, a new set, a new opportunity to connect with people and lead them into a growing relationship with Christ... After spending some time in prayer at our staff retreat, there is a strong desire to fuel the passion of the rapidly emerging 20somethings that are calling Compass home, and growing & learning here.

We are still planning to cover the amazing power of joy-filled living through a study of the book of Philippians in November, but we wanted to hit some topics for the 20somethings that we could all use to learn and grow... So, drumroll- BUMPER STICKERS are back... We are really sensing the rapid advancement of the 20something crowd on Sundays - 2 filled out guest registries that I am following up with tonight...

That said, we need some driving creative input as far as bumper sticker favorites (if you can find/take an image somehow that would be amazing) and some creative thoughts for set design. We are narrowing the field of topics, but generally we will be looking at relationships (forgiveness, grace)/dating/spouse selection type issues, work/money/lifestyle issues, future/plan/what am I here for issues, and leadership/priority issues...

Obviously there is a lot for everyone in these topics, from youth to senior adult... But really impacting on the 20something crowd...

So, the forum is open for set design input, logo input, imagery, and of course.. bumper stickers.
Comment soon and often. Please.

PS - Set change next week... Sunday Tear Down, Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday set build.

Mythbusters Set Design

We begin work on the new mythbusters set next week... Any ideas? I am feeling an industrial look, with lots of metal and shiny shiny... How about some input team!

FOR LAUGHS: the iBible

Okay, Bryan -- how long before this gets shown at the 706 or in church? :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8wRIcv6esY