Openness

Okay, I know … my blog has sucked lately! I’m inconsistent in my postings … I plan on changing that in the next few weeks, since this is one of the things that I am really enjoying. So, bear with me and thank you to those who have emailed asking when I am going to post again – it’s feels good to know that you miss these thoughts.

One of the blogs that inspires me is Carrie’s blog. The reason I enjoy it so much is her raw openness. Sometimes, the posts are very funny. Sometimes, they make me cry. But no matter what, they allow me to feel a little of her heart. And for some reason, that’s the kind of writing I enjoy the most: open, honest, no-holds-barred feelings. Some of what she writes could come back to haunt her, but she doesn’t care. She says what she’s feeling and leaves it at that.

I’m not good at doing that. Oh, I can share personal experiences in a sermon. That’s easy. Even if there are hundreds of people listening. To me, even though I may be sharing something very personal, that environment makes it impersonal. Not sure if you know what I mean by that, but it’s how I see it.

I’m a very private person. Very private. It is rare that someone will see me upset about something. I hide those emotions and do what is necessary to bring peace to every situation. When people are upset with me, I can be firm, but I also try to be understanding.

Being a pastor is full of amazing blessings. It is one of the most fulfilling experiences one can have. I know that in so many ways, I have the wonderful opportunity to touch people’s lives for the better. I help them grow, discover more about themselves, and learn to love others. I walk people through forgiveness and comfort them during painful times. Most amazing, I help people discover their own purpose – nothing is more fulfilling than that.

However, like most things, there is another side to being a pastor. It can be tough. You are “on duty” 24/7. You live in a glass house, where every move you make is monitored and questioned and challenged. Sometimes, when you try to do good, it backfires and people get upset with you. Choices in dress, friends, vehicles, music, movies, and pretty well every other area of life are open to criticism by some who feel they know better than you how you should behave. It comes with the territory. Some pastors handle it quite well. Others end up leaving ministry over it. I know more than a few friends who have become completely bitter towards everything to do with church because of these expectations. 

Personally, I’ve come to just accept it. I don’t lose too much sleep over the negativity. I make my choices and simply accept that some wont like those choices. As far as I’m concerned, it’s their problem, not mine.

I guess I’m just trying to be open here. Carrie has inspired me to do so. I have the best job in the world, and I thank God often for it. 

Church Marketing

I read a great post on one of my favourite blogs (Stuff Christians Like) this morning. Jon, the author of the blog works in advertising, so his post today was clearly a personal pet peeve. But he gives the following quote:

But it’s hard to shrug it off when I read things like this from the Harley Davidson brand handbook: “There are three essential elements to the Harley-Davidson experience, which riders feel for the first time they ride: the joy of individualism, the chance to be free, to make choices; the commitment to adventure, the opportunity to change, to discover new experiences and emotions; the reward of fulfillment, an intense, personal and consuming bond with the bike that means a richer fuller life.”

Want a fun game? Switch out Harley Davidson with the word “God” and it reads like a church mission statement. “A consuming bond with God that means a richer fuller life.”

I think he makes a powerful point. Christ followers have the greatest message to offer a world looking for hope, love, fulfillment, purpose and passion. And yet, our primary marketing tool: Christianity has done such a poor job of it, that we have turned off more people than we’ve connected with. 

Perhaps it’s time to rethink our marketing strategy. To show our society that you truly can be a follower of Jesus Christ AND actually be somewhat normal – at least as normal as the rest of culture!

What are you doing to market your faith? And before you flame me over using that term, read Jon’s post on the subject.

Technology & the Church

Ed Stetzer is a guru in church planting circles. He has written loads of books on the subject, and has been heavily involved in his denomination as a church planting leader. His research company, Lifeway, has just released an interesting study on church attendance – who is – and who is not – likely to attend church. 

One of the interesting paragraphs in the article says,”The 2008 study revealed that 25 percent of unchurched adults would use a church Website or an Internet search tool to find a congregation to visit,” he said. “For one out of four unchurched people, the first visit to your church may be on the Internet. Churches need a Website that favorably represents who they are and, more importantly, who Jesus Christ is.”

I think that’s encouraging for those of who have have embraced technology as part of the local church’s vision. I know that Bikers’ Church has benefitted greatly by having a strong web presence. This article encourages me to continue to develop new technology for use within the church structure.