If I never won souls, I would sigh till I did. I would break my heart over them if I could not break their hearts. Though I can understand the possibility of an earnest sower never reaping, I cannot understand the possibility of an earnest sower being content not to reap. I cannot comprehend any one of you Christian people trying to win souls and not having results, and being satisfied without results.
Charles Spurgeon, quoted in Don Whitney's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (p113)
p56 - "Evangelism is best done out of the context of a gospel community whose corporate life demonstrates the reality of the word that gave her life."
"People need to encounter the church as a network of relationships rather than a meeting you attend or a place you enter. Mission must involve not only contact between unbelievers and individual Christians, but between unbelievers and the Christian community."
p61 - "Most gospel ministry involves ordinary people doing ordinary things with gospel intentionality."
p74 - "...we are failing to reach the working class with the gospel. Evangelicalism has become a largely middle-class, professional phenomenon. When we invite people to our dinners and our churches, we invite our friends, our relatives and our rich neighbors. We do not invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame. What is at stake is the grace of God."
p76 - "Social action without proclamation is like a signpost to nowhere."
"...evangelism cannot be separated from social action because mission takes place through relationships and relationships are multi-faceted."
I decided a couple of weeks ago that as I welcomed in the new year I was going to make this a year of more focused evangelism. I don't know how much of what I'm doing will translate into blog posts, but I assume it will consume a lot of what I say at Reformissionary since it will consume a lot of what I'm thinking and doing.
Here are some specific things I'm doing in 2008 to grow in the area of evangelism. I'm sure this will be tweaked as I sharpen my approach.
1. Study/Reading: I'm going to read or reread a number of evangelism books. I have nearly 100 books/tools in this area already in my library. Plus are also many books on theology, the church, etc, that will have sections on evangelism that I'll be checking out. I'm also going to look into sermons and podcasts on the subject. I want to think through the thoughts of many on evangelism this year, though I already know which folks I won't be listening to.
2. Evangelism Journal: I'm keeping an evangelism notebook for recording quotes and notes from books on evangelism, my plans and ideas, experiences I've had with evangelism during the year, etc. I'm using the small plain cahier's notebook from Moleskine. I'm guessing I'll fill up a handful over the year. I'm using this notebook because I can tuck it under the elastic on another Moleskine that I already carry with me, and it takes up almost no space. Keeping this journal will be of tremendous value this year for me.
3. Evangelism Plan: I see my evangelism in basically 5 areas: personal, family, small group, worship gathering, and TBA.
<>"Personal" is where I have the most flexibility and will likely spend the most time and effort. I'm hoping to implement a tweaked 3 by 5 plan. I'm working on "hangout evangelism" ideas and plans. I'm also praying about greater intentionality and a sense of any-moment preparedness.
<>"Family" will include things like hospitality, open houses, hanging out in "family" spots (like kids sections in book stores or public libraries or parks), etc.
<>"Small Group" stuff will be both about working with the small group to do evangelism and using the small group as a place to invite those who need Jesus.
<>"Worship Gathering" stuff will be in the areas of preaching (making sure the gospel is not only in my sermons, but saturates it, with a clear call to repent and believe) and inviting unbelievers, as well as working with unbelieving visitors to help them understand the gospel.
<> "TBA" is yet unannounced because I'm working on something I've never really seen anyone do, and I'm trying to figure it out and maybe try it out before I talk about it publicly.
Sheesh, that feels like a lot and yet it still seems very incomplete. I'm sure I'll be working on equipping others for evangelism and lots of stuff not mentioned here. But this should be a helpful start. By the way, you can keep up with my Evangelism 2008 posts by following the Evangelism 2008 category link.
Have you been keeping up with all the top albums of 2007 lists? Continue to watch Metacritic's collection.
There's a Radiohead New Year's webcast tonight.
I'm eager to find Blitzen Trapper, as I have heard so many good things about them. Their MySpace stuff is really good. Here's "Wild Mountain Nation"...
Lucinda Black Bear (MySpace) is another band on my radar. Here's "You Got it Blue"...
...and the wonderful "Kites"...
I've been introducing myself to Burial (MySpace) the last couple of weeks. These aren't videos, but still a chance to hear a few songs...
Joe Thorn and I are gonna be so famous. I've received two emails (since midnight!). The first said they found this on digg.com, the second on del.icio.us. Scroll until you find us.
Trevin Wax has done some excellent work on N.T. Wright. Here's an interview with Wright, and a list of links to Trevin's 18 part review of John Piper's critique of Wright.
There's a new book coming out called Why We're Not Emergent (By Two Guys Who Should Be). It seems from the sample chapter I read and blurbs on the back of the book that this book is going into the pile of folks who miss the point and encourage others to do the same. I hope I'm wrong, but it looks like I'm not. Look for yourself.
Satan fears small churches more than megachurches.
Looking forward to some new Schreiner: New Testament Theology.
M'Cheyne Bible reading plan with resources. Don't forget the ESV online Bible reading plans with Scripture, including M'Cheyne. The Crossway folks have also provided a way to read the Bible/devotions/reading plan on your mobile phone. Great resource.
The first is the Woodstock Square Opera House just before Christmas and the second is my sister-in-law and her daughter on Christmas Eve. Check out the rest of my photography.
I'm going to be out-of-pocket for a couple of days, as will many of my readers. Still, I think a quick Music Monday would be in order.
Stereogum lists a month-by-month list of expected albums in 2008.
Download some free Cold War Kids.
MP3: Sufjan wants to sing for you, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas"
MP3: "Into the Mystic" by the Once folks. "I wanna rock your gypsy soul..."
Oceans Never Listen, a music blog, lists their top 50 of 2007.
More Sufjan, the wonderful Avalanche song "The Mistress Witch from McClure"
A bizarre video of a great song from Low...
A final Christmas blast...
Sarah McLachlan's beautiful Christmas album, Wintersong, has been getting the most play in my home. Here's the title track...
My belated Friday photos...
The first is a foggy farm near Woodstock. The second is Danny getting his hair chopped. I had to take the scissors from the stylist and throw them across the room in order to get her out of the way for the photo. I put myself in the mirror because I like seeing myself. See the rest of my photography.
By the way, Joe Thorn and I have both upgraded our cell phones recently Both have ok cameras on them. So we are regularly taking and exchanging photos along our way and emailing them to each other on our phones. It makes for a fun, creative practice. We are also putting some of the better ones on our flickr sites.
New Keller audio from City Life Boston: "A Broken Spirit" & "Encounter With God".
Time Magazine: Rob Bell is "The Hipper-Than-Thou Pastor."
A Missouri Baptist Acts 29'r talks "View and Brew." He (Kevin Larson) has also been interviewed by Tom Ascol.
Angela Booth's top writing blogs of 2007.
Scott Hodge talks about "Fuel," leadership training at The Orchard.
Joe Thorn has found the secret to a better prayer life, and it's probably not what you think.
The curse of knowledge is only one great reason to read Made to Stick.
Shapevine has a live webcast with Darrin Patrick at 2:30pm central time TODAY. There is a registration required, but it's very quick and painless. Be there. I'm planning to.
I'm here for you friends. Last week I brought you the Green Day, er, Foxboro Hot Tubs download. This week it's even better. How about some free Okkervil River (or click here). It's their Golden Opportunities Mixtape of covers. And it's good.
My top 20 songs of 2007 are...
20. "Young Folks" by Peter, Bjorn, and John (Writer's Block)
19. "Atlas" by Battles (Mirrored)
18. "The Hill" by Markéta Irglová (Once Soundtrack)
17. "Pretty Voice" by Cloud Cult (The Meaning of 8)
16. "Reckoner" by Radiohead (In Rainbows)
15. "Twenty Four Hours in a Lake of Ice" by Alaska in Winter (Dance Party in the Balkans)
14. "Paranoia in Bb Major" by The Avett Brothers (Emotionalism)
13. "Broken Arm" by Winterpills (The Light Divides)
12. "Nantes" by Beirut (The Flying Club Cup)
11. "A Girl in Port" by Okkervil River (The Stage Names)
10. "Icky Thump" by The White Stripes (Icky Thump)
9. "Sinister in a State of Hope" by Loney, Dear (Loney, Noir)
8. "Boy with a Coin" by Iron & Wine (The Shepherd's Dog)
7. "Say it to Me Now" by Glen Hansard (Once Soundtrack)
6. "Like O, Like H" by Tegan & Sara (The Con)
5. "North American Scum" by LCD Soundsystem (Sound of Silver)
4. "A Sunday Smile" by Beirut (The Flying Club Cup)
3. "Unless it Kicks" by Okkervil River (The Stage Names)
2. "Fake Empire" by The National (Boxer)
1. "Intervention" by Arcade Fire (Neon Bible)
or another...
Metacritic is now starting to put up some "Best Albums of 2007" lists. It's a great resource for seeing what various folks think are the best of the best.
These guys are leading worship at the Whiteboard Sessions. I dig it.
Pitchfork finally gives some love for #13 on my best albums list, Via Audio.
Pitchfork's "Top 50 Music Videos of 2007" and "20 Worst Album Covers of 2007."
Book Reviews...
Music Reviews...
UPDATED January 2017
Sorry, but for my kids' sake I had to put this on the blog. They just love it.
Glocalnet (Bob Roberts' ministry) is putting on a conference in February. If I were anywhere near the area I would make the effort to be there, not only because I think Roberts is an important missional leader, but because the other main speaker is Matt Chandler. Here's some info, but find all of it at Glocalnet.
What is it?
Glocalnet, in partnership with Glocal Ventures, Inc. and Vision360 DFW, trains Church Planters, Senior Pastors, Mission Pastors, and Business Leaders how to instill a Kingdom mindset in those whom they lead. Turbo Training combine the best of Glocalnet’s Church Planter Training and Glocal Ventures’ Global Engagement training in a two-day intensive.
Who is it for?
Turbos are specifically designed to train Church Planters first and foremost. However, Pastors of existing churches and business leaders have discovered the benefits of the Turbos.
What are the benefits?
Church Planters: Starting your church with a missional DNA that focuses your people not just on their neighborhoods and cities, but their state, their nation, and other nations around the world. (Acts 1:8)
Pastors: Tired of urging your people to get out of their seats and do something, only to have them stare at you like a deer in headlights? Turbos will equip and excite you to move your people forward into their “glocal” community!
Business Leaders: God called you to use your business to make a Kingdom impact. We live in a flat world today. With technology and communications making huge strides, there is no reason why you should not be engaging societies around the world with your vocation. We’ll teach you how!
