Do The Work Of An Evangelist

in

Bullhorn-evangelism1 I've been wrestling with the role God has for me as a pastor-evangelist here through Doxa Fellowship in Woodstock and McHenry County. I'm reworking my approach and the amount of time I'm spending. I'm rereading and evaluating my efforts in the past, looking at what has been working and where I've been falling short.

I'd love to hear how you all are doing evangelism. If you are a pastor/planter, how much time each week do you spend on evangelism (outside talking with visitors)? What is your approach, or strategy? What do you think you need to change? What are you planning to try in 2010?

Music Monday 1.4.10

in

Before it's too late, grab these $5 albums...

As I've said before, the end of the year is not only a chance to point to great music. It's a great chance to find music you missed. Here are some great things I've just found from 2009. I've found them through blogs as well as on the top 10 lists found at Metacritic.

Allen Toussaint's jazz album, The Bright Mississippi, is so good. An intro... (via)

I've somehow missed The Horrors. On many top 10 lists, this psychedelic shoegaze is a worth a listen. Buy The Horrors: Primary Colours.

Lots-o-Links 12.30.09

in , , , , , ,

Commentaries for 1 Peter

in , , , ,

Jobes_1 PeterI'm starting a sermon series through 1 Peter this Sunday at Doxa Fellowship. These are the commentaries I'm using. Some will be read in full, others referenced or skimmed. I starred the ones I expect to use most. Feel free to suggest other resources you think would be helpful.

Music Monday 12.28.09

in

Clap-hands  If you are considering downloading any albums right now, I encourage you to go to Amazon and grab them. If you buy one $7.99 or more, you get a free download of a $5 album (there are 800 right now). And it works for multiple purchases (so, buy 3 $7.99 or more and get 3 $5 albums). Here's a selection of some great $5 albums...

Vic Chesnutt died on Christmas day after 2 days in a coma following an apparent drug overdose. He was paralyzed since he was 18. Still he has made some great music. This outstanding song was recorded in November. Be aware: there's a little language at the beginning before the song starts. (buy it)

Lissie's music is great. Her glasses are stupid. Remember the dude who ripped his face off in Poltergeist? Yeah, that's Lissie in those glasses. But, you know, her music is great. (buy it)

Sister Christmas

in ,

Willie Xmas Card 2009

My sister was haunted by this doll from my grandma's apartment when we were kids. Rediscovered a couple of years ago...we are now continuing to haunt her with it. She got this in the mail just before Christmas. Love you Julie!

Best Albums of 2009

in

Mc_psp_loud

It's always difficult to choose my favorite albums at the end of the year. My favorite part is getting to revisit some albums that get dusty from early in the year. My least favorite part is trying to say one album is better than another. They are better at different times for different reasons. I just want to spread my enjoyment of music onto you and so I'll give ranking art my best shot. Hope you discover some new music here.

I also hope you will comment on your favorites, offer links to your lists or tell me what you think of mine. Discovery of and discussion about art is a worthy exercise. If you are interested you can check out my previous lists: Best Albums of 2007, Best Albums of 2008. By the way, none of my album comments should be taken in a negative way. "Sad" means awesomely depressing, etc. Be aware: some albums contain colorful language. 

Honorable Mentions: 

  • Them Crooked Vultures: Them Crooked Vultures - Fun, loud rock. Way better than expected. 
  • Swell Season: Strict Joy - Just haven't heard it enough to list.

---

25. Megafaun: Gather, Form & Fly - Folksier, Funner Fleet Foxes.

24. The Pains of Being Pure At Heart: The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - Chew-gum shoegaze. Would be used for a remake of The Breakfast Club.

23. Sufjan Stevens: The BQE - Unquestionably Suf. Suf you can work to. Music that moves. Fluttering.

22. Grizzly Bear: Veckatimest - Grand yet feels restrained. Sad at times. Beautiful.

21. Volcano Choir: Unmap - Inventive, from the talents of Bon Iver's Justin Vernon and Collections of Colonies of Bees. It may take some work to enjoy, but enjoyable it is.

20. Passion Pit: Manners - Party time! Let's dance! Crazy falsettos on this one. Super-duper. Snazzy.

19. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - Grab a tamborine and sing along as we drive to the coast in our VW van. Not always that simple, but close.

18. Antony & The Johnsons: The Crying Light - Sad. Hopeful. Yeah, basically the title. Antony's trembling voice sounds and resonates with the broken.

17. Atlas Sound: Logos - Etherial. Layered. Wonder at the collections of sounds.

16. Regina Spektor: Far - Sing-songy pop music that makes you think. 

15. Other Lives: Other Lives - Epic. Soaring. Room-filling sounds. Sad. Haunting.

14. D.M. Stith: Heavy Ghost - Beautifully creepy. Haunting. Creative. Textured. 

13. Metric: Fantasies - Fun. Foot tapping. Heart pumping. Head bobbing. Uh...fun!

12. Karen O and The Kids: Where the Wild Things Are - Great soundtrack from a great movie. Truly makes the movie better. Stays with you.

11. Phoenix: Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix - Red Bull music. Cross-country road-trip music. Take-video-going-down-slides-and-replay-it-at-twice-the-speed music. 

10. The Dirty Projectors: Bitte Orca - Quirky. Complex/complicated. Everywhere, and then together again. Harmonious. Rewarding to those who dare to try.

9. Neko Case: Middle Cyclone - Storyteller. Strong. Siren. Warm and inviting amid the crashing waves and rocks.

8. A.A. Bondy: When The Devil's Loose - Simple, acoustic, folksy music with a voice that longs for something. The voice makes the music. 

7. Brandi Carlile: Give Up The Ghost - Powerful voice and powerful music. Some of the best indie songwriting on my list with a wide appeal. If some of my musical tastes don't work for you, try Brandi. 

6. The XX: XX - Dream pop. Calm vocals with twisty tunes. Understated. Coolest of the cool. Has a beat, but you can chill out to it.

Oh-My-God--Charlie-Darwin-by-The-Low-Anthem_GBf0UlEJ7kYx_full 5. The Low Anthem: Oh My God, Charlie Darwin - From delicate epics to strummy Americana to rollicking Avett-like folk/rock. This is a great album full of life and rooted sounds. Homespun goodness and full emotions.

Manchester-orchestra-mean-everything-to-nothing-2009 4. Manchester Orchestra: Mean Everything to Nothing - Rock music with something to say. Some of my favorite "crank it up" moments in my music library are on this album. Surprisingly some of the quiet are here too.

6a00d8341c974f53ef011572250dac970b.jpg 3. The Avett Brothers: I and Love and You - It wasn't until I was listening through to see some of my favorite songs of the year that I realized how much I do love this album. Just beats out Manchester Orchestra at the end.

Animalcollective 2. Animal Collective: Merriweather Post Pavilion - It's hard to discount this album. It's creative and hip and thoroughly enjoyable. Mesmerizing. Spinny. Trippy. Full of sounds and melodies and colors and unicorns. Ok, that's too far.

Antlers 1. The Antlers: Hospice - Living up to its name, this is solemn and heartbreaking. And brilliant. A running narrative often moves through this literary work. Stop, listen, experience.

Keller on Criticism

in ,

Tim Keller writes a very helpful post on criticism, interacting with John Newton. A blurb...

So whatever you do, do anything you can to avoid feeling smug and superior to the critic. Even if you say to yourself that you are just 'shrugging it off' and that you are not going to respond to the criticism, you can nonetheless conduct a full defense and refutation in the courtroom of your mind, in which you triumphantly prove how awful and despicable your opponents are. But that is a spiritual trap.

Keller's whole post. John Newton: On Controversy.

The Tangible Kingdom Primer

in ,

Tkprimer cover New resource in the mail. As an official member of the Verge social media team I got The Tangible Kingdom Primer, a study based on The Tangible Kingdom book. It is a "stand-alone resource," so if you haven't read the book that's just fine.

I read through the introduction last night and liked the 7 day format, including a day where a small group would work through it together. It's 8 weeks long and looks to be quite helpful for folks looking for missional resources for their church. Check out their website. And come join me at the Verge conference in February!

Lots-o-Links 12.14.09

in , , ,

Teuxdeux

TeuxDeux is one of the simplest online todo lists I've seen. Like it so far. (via)

Esquire: What if Jesus meant all that stuff? - Shane Claiborne addresses the "unbelieving"

The more I have read the Bible and studied the life of Jesus, the more I have become convinced that Christianity spreads best not through force but through fascination. But over the past few decades our Christianity, at least here in the United States, has become less and less fascinating.

Curator: And the Mad Waters Rise (on Mad Men)

There is already evidence in Mad Men, from some of the plights of other characters, that the writers believe in some form of reconciliation, some redemption. Perhaps Draper too can recover from the fact that possessions and success are ultimately meaningless, and perhaps the hole this has left in him can be filled with something more meaningful, some rock to build on when the waters rise. We’ll have to wait till Season 4 to find out.

Dan Kimball: I Was Wrong About Church Buildings

I have recanted from my earlier belief that buildings drain resources and create consumer Christians. I was wrong. Now I see them as missionary centers to impact lives for the gospel.

Ray Ortlund: Brothers Together in Christ

Three ways to create a church where brothers demonstrate love for one another...

  1. “Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10)
  2. “Bear with one another” (Colossians 3:13)
  3. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths but only such as is good for building up” (Ephesians 4:29)

Music Monday 12.14.09

in

Spin's 40 Best Albums of 2009

Curator: The Disintegration of the Music Industry and the Road to Distributism

Kevin Twit of Indelible Grace reviews Bifrost Arts: Salvation Is Created (Buy)...

This is a record that aches with longing and invites us to take off our shoes and lower our voices to a hush as we behold the wonder that is Christmas.

Swell Season's  "Low Rising" (via, buy it)...

Pomplamoose with "O Come All Ye Faithful"...

Remember Run DMC's "Christmas in Hollis?" Classic hack of Simon...

Review: Gospel-Centred Church by Timmis & Chester

in , , , ,

GccI'm pastoring a church striving for and working through renewal, so I'm always looking for good, Gospel-centered resources to help our people grasp the realities of what that renewal involves. When Brad Byrd (The Good Book Company, Brad on Twitter: @tweetiebyrd) gave me a copy of The Gospel-Centred Church (GCC) workbook by Steve Timmis and Tim Chester at the Acts 29 boot camp in Louisville, I hoped this would be one of those resources. It is. 

GCC is broken up into an introduction, three main sections and a conclusion...

  • Part One: The Priority of Mission
  • Part Two: The Priority of People
  • Part Three: The Priority of Community

There are a total it's 18 lessons of 4-5 pages each. Each is engaging and provocative. It worked well as an individual study, but I can see greatest value in a group setting. For the most part you can read it either systematically or topically. Despite having the limitations of being a workbook under 100 pages, the authors do well to encourage us to long for and become the community the Gospel should produce.

There are six parts to each lesson. The first is a principle--the core of the lesson. A scenario is introduced to raise a dilemma in gospel ministry. Then we consider Scripture (only a reference given so you can use your own Bible) with questions, a section discussing the theology and application of the principle, discussion questions, and actionable items are finally suggested.

I enjoyed GCC. Its challenges were many: how we think about church buildings, money, community life, leadership, courage, using gifts and more. I grew progressively more convicted by chapter after chapter over this different picture of what "church" can and should be. 

I most impressed by some thought-provoking statements and application. The authors were creative in making the principles practical. Specifically many of the "Ideas for action" were helpful. GCC will provoke you to be see your world in a different way because of the Gospel.

GCC will be helpful anywhere Christians are struggling with what it means to be community-focused and missional. If you are a pastor of an established church, I think GCC will be helpful for key leaders in your congregation. If you need a bit of a push out of safety and into the world, you will find encouragement here. If you need to remember the value and importance of local communities of faith, of locking arms for our mission, this is a good place to go. Small groups of various sorts will do well to check out GCC.

This is truly a workbook about a Gospel-shaped vision for the local church. If you are looking for a theological book, this isn't it. But for what it is, I found GCC useful for my own life and will be using it with some folks at Doxa. 

YouVersion = 1 Billion Minutes

in ,

Youversion  In the email today...

Way to go, YouVersion users! Together, you've spent one billion minutes reading the Bible on your mobile device. It's pretty exciting to see so many of you reading God's word consistently because you always have your Bible with you. That’s an awesome way to make your minutes count!

While you're on the go you've been using YouVersion on iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android phones, reading the Bible in your choice of 41 translations and 21 languages.

We're polishing up some great new features we can't wait to share with you soon. (Like reading plans? You'll love what's coming!)

For now, how about taking a minute to celebrate with us http://www.onebillionminutes.com.

I've been on YouVersion for a while on my Palm phone, but haven't used it much. I just got a new Android phone and put YouVersion on there. I tried it out for a while yesterday and really liked it. Now I realize, because I was on YouVersion yesterday and I received this email today, that I may be responsible for taking YouVersion to the 1 billion minute threshold!

Ok, probably not. But it is a nice Bible app and I will use it regularly on my Droid. Check out YouVersion for your mobile phone & YouVersion.com.

Music Monday 12.7.09

in

My Best Albums of 2009 list is in the works. Look for it near the end of the year. A fine year for audiophiles. Go check my 2008 and 2007 lists.

Avett Brothers are getting some end of the year, end of the decade love.

The Swell Season, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, make beautiful music. If you haven't seen the movie Once where Hansard and Irglova first captured the world's attention, I highly recommend it. Their new album, Strict Joy (7.99 version - 12 songs, deluxe version $11.99 - 31 songs), is very good. "High Hope" is a new song that I've only seen in this video. Glen uses colorful language, but I hope that won't keep you from hearing this beautiful song. Also, take note of the harmonies from the crowd and one woman in particular...(via)

If you haven't read them yet, go read my reviews of the two new Christmas albums from Daniel Renstrom (download) and Bifrost Arts (download/CD). Both are great albums. I also recommend Folk Angel: Christmas Songs EP (3 songs) from Jeff Capps (@jeffcapps) and others at The Village Church.

Serena-Maneesh = cool. Liked their debut album. Next one should be good. Yes, this is a crank it up moment...

Good, cheap music...

Matt Chandler Out of Surgery

in

Lauren, Matt Chandler's wife, said on Twitter after 10pm tonight...

He's out of surgery! He was able to recognize the surgeon--praise the Lord!

God is good! The next 24 hours in ICU are a big deal, so keep praying. More on the experience post-brain surgery. Follow Lauren on Twitter and Village Church on Twitter for updates.

Update near 1am (central time) 12.5.09...

Matt Chandler recognized his surgeon and was responding well after a seven-hour surgery to remove a brain tumor. The operation started at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. 

The tumor’s pathology report, originally thought to be available on Friday, is not expected until next week. Doctors were pleased with the surgery, especially after Matt responded to questions in recovery. He will remain in the hospital for a few days before being released. His wife, Lauren, is staying with him. Full recovery is expected to take several weeks.

On behalf of the church, we thank God for Dr. David Barnett, for his skill and thoroughness of the surgery.

Evidences of God’s grace abounded throughout the day, as people from all over the world prayed and fasted. A young woman came to faith through this situation, and time and time again, everyone responded with prayers and testimonies of God’s goodness and mercy. 

We will continue to post updates as they become available. Thank you for your continued prayers. Praise God for His grace. Praise Him. Praise Him.

Update Saturday 12.6.09...

The doctors have ordered Matt to get as much rest as possible in the next few days. For that reason and because his hospital room cannot accommodate many people, visitation is being limited to family members only until further notice.

Matt will have a CT scan done today as is routine after brain surgery, and he is expected to come out of ICU on Sunday. When praying, pray that the Lord give everyone patience as we navigate through the next few days of recovery.

We promise to update you whenever possible. Thank you for your testimony of prayers and for being the Church.

Reflecting on Matt Chandler and My Wife

in ,

Matt-chandlerPlease pray for Matt Chandler who undergoes brain surgery any minute, scheduled for 10:45am (central time). He writes this morning...

The last seven days have been some of the most interesting of my life. I have felt anxiety, fear, sadness and a deep and unmovable joy simultaneously and in deeper ways than I have felt before. I am grateful for this heightened sense of things. Today at 10:45 a.m. CST I will have a good portion of my right frontal lobe removed. I head into that surgery with a heart that is filled with gratitude and hope. (go read the whole thing)

Molly and I are praying during the surgery. 

Most of you know my wife has been through 2 brain surgeries. Molly's condition does not include the same level of concern that Matt Chandler's tumor brings to his family, friends, church and community. I know the difference between suffering with Chiari and the dangers of cancer -- my wife is living with the first and my Mom died of the second (breast cancer). I say all that to say that we can't fathom what the Chandler's have been going through and what's to come. Few of us can. But from my experiences of having a wife go through brain surgery, I can't help but reflect on what I went through from a spouse's point of view.

I remember the odd and surreal experience of sitting in a waiting room while Molly had "brain" surgery. Still hard to believe. I remember feeling alone. I remember the overwhelming joy and thankfulness of knowing that hundreds of people were praying for Molly before, during, after (and still ongoing). Many are complete strangers who connected with this website. I remember ideas jumping through my head in the waiting room as I knew nothing about what was happening during the surgery. I had to pray those away, those "what ifs" that I couldn't know and shouldn't dwell on. I remember getting good news of successful surgery only to know that going to ICU means serious concerns remain. I remember watching Molly's every breath, wondering why alarms would sound saying they are too shallow. I remember sleeping in my van and taking long walks through hospital halls. I remember a lot and still relive these things often. These experiences have watermarked every day after. 

6a00d83452063969e200e5538e082f8833-320wiI don't know all that the Chandler's will experience over the next week. Let me just offer two brief reflections on what we experienced... 

  • There is nothing quite like knowing that you are one in a chorus of prayer for something or someone you hold dear. The internet, websites, blogs, Twitter and the rest are easily shrugged off by many who only respond to the worst practitioners. But for me (and I'm sure the Chandlers), events like this reveal how much technology can create pathways for a new kind of community, an expanded family of faith. It's something I'm very thankful for, and a reason I have often recommended blogging and Twitter and such to friends in lonely times in ministry and life. It might be good for you. Just be sure to share more than your thoughts and articles. Share your life too.
  • It was a deep blessing to have our theology put to the test. I have a lot of education. I own many leatherbound books. I love the arguments and debates that theological education makes available, especially as we wrestle through ideas together. But seeing your spouse wheeled into a room where they will cut into her head with questionable results forces theology to be understood in reality and through experience. It reveals whether we truly believe God is in control. Whether our peace will come from laying our anxieties before him. Whether we believe our spouse is the treasure God intends. Whether God is truly a greater treasure for us than our spouse. It's God's mercy that we go through times where there is nothing to lean on but Him.

I'm done reflecting on our experiences and I'm beginning to pray for Matt and Lauren and the kids during this surgery. Will you join with me?