Faith & Change

I originally wrote this post earlier in the year, and this month a version of it appeared as my faith and culture column in Charisma magazine. I'm already starting to get some criticism of the column, so I thought I'd publish it again, and see what you think. Let the good times begin:

The U.S. government has given non-profit status to organizations created to serve the common good. Humanitarian efforts, religious organizations, educational outreach, medical services - all are common types of non-profit groups. They accept donations, and are exempt of taxation, which allows them enormous financial incentives and latitude. Therefore, in the case of churches and ministries, fundraising has become a vital tool that’s used to raise the necessary money to make ministry happen. ... read more

Whenever I visit local churches, most of the time I'm faced with a frustrated local media producer who's at his or her wits end. They're usually good producers, often with extensive experience, plus a real calling to use media to take the gospel to the culture. But in nearly every case, he or she is either burned out, upset, or ready to quit. ... read more

When I grow weary of writing or working, I always remember this story about John Wesley: ... read more

Interesting clip by Brian McLaren on the "Worship Industry." What are your thoughts on what worship has become or is becoming? ... read more

One thing we also need to discuss when it comes to the transition to the next generation is legacy issues. How should the founder be remembered? The Billy Graham organization is asking some of these questions as they opened their library and museum yesterday in Charlotte, North Carolina. I’ve also found that legacy projects are a way to keep the first generation leader occupied while the second generation leader tries to make his way and launch his own effort in ministry.

Before we get to that, let me say that ... read more

Argue all you want to about pastors and leaders of ministries and non-profits owning mansions, luxury cars, or jets. There are people out there who can justify about anything, so the argument will continue. When they are used in the service of the mission, I can understand and stretch quite a bit and have defended some of these things on this blog. However, I think the tipping point in our thinking is the fact that we’ve simply become way too accommodating to the culture. Whatever happened to salt and light? Whatever happened to a higher calling? Whatever happened to “In the world, but not of it?” Are we trying so hard to fit in, we’ve lost the distinctive character that God has called us to? ... read more

A couple of months ago, ABC’s 20/20 newsmagazine broadcast an program featuring John Stossell called “Enough.” It featured people from all walks of life – politicians, businessmen, and religious leaders who appeared to be living lives of excess – often at the expense of the very people that keep them in business. In one sequence, they featured a handful to TV evangelists who John believed were either living duplicate lives, making far more personal income than they should, or receiving some amazing perks. I reported the program on this blog, and raised the question to see what our readers thought about the issue. ... read more

Ask a typical pastor or ministry leader what they want to accomplish with their ministry, programs, or products, and chances are, you'll hear the words "be relevant." "Relevance" has become the buzzword today - especially in the Christian media world, and applies to church services, TV and radio programming, books, music, and outreaches of all kinds. In this culture, everyone wants to be relevant.

I've spent my career helping the Church speak the language of the culture, and being contemporary and relevant is part of that equation. But in that process, I've discovered that most people work so hard to be relevant, they spin hopelessly into irrelevance. ... read more

George Barna recently released a clarification of his definition of "revolutionaries" in reference to his controversial book. Apparently, enough people misunderstood it (you can always count on that in the church) that he felt he needed to make it a bit more clear. It's compelling stuff, and I highly recommend you give the book a good read. Here's his point of view: ... read more

A number of years ago, I was lucky enough to hire Dan Nuckolls to run Cooke Pictures, and it was a great decision. Dan had worked for Joel Osteen’s TV station in Houston, then run another media production company in Hollywood, helped us into our first Avid, brought brilliant producer and editor Brian Mead to the team, and helped me start thinking of us as a real “company” rather than me simply being a freelance producer. ... read more

After reading Phlip Yancey's column in this month's Christianity Today magazine, it makes me realize what an incredibly small and inaccurate sliver of the Christian faith we see on religious TV. I'd love to hear your reaction. ... read more

One thing I've noticed in working with churches and ministries is that it's a world filled with raging insecurity.  Perhaps that's why this commentary by Jeanne Sahadi connected with me.  if you're in a situation with an insecure pastor, ministry leader, or boss of any kind, this might help: ... read more

My last post about fundraising started an interesting conversation – especially from some who sent me direct e-mails rather than publicly post how they felt about the article. While I haven’t found anyone who disagrees with my points – some were upset that a truthful article like this would hurt all ministries. Much like the Swaggart and Bakker scandals years ago, many feel that when any perceived “negative” news happens about specific ministries, all suffer. ... read more

It happened in 1950 at the El Zarape Tortilla Factory in Los Angeles. For the first time, tortilla production had been automated, and could churn out 12 times more tortillas than anyone could by hand. But the machine also had its drawbacks – many of the tortillas came out misshapen and distorted, and had to be thrown away. But a line worker named Rebecca Webb Carranza saw something in the rejects that fascinated her. ... read more

A shorter version of this post appears in this month's "Charisma" Magazine:

    Last year, on this online blog, I posed the question: “What’s Wrong with Christian Television?”  It started a firestorm of interest, and began an fascinating discussion of how Christians should be using the media to share the gospel in the 21st Century. But I also received a significant number of responses from people upset that I would even bring up the subject. ... read more

Reader Mike Smith asked an interesting question after my earlier post about Pat Robertson's predictions of "mass killings" that should happen toward the end of the year. I didn't take issue with Pat's theology or his integrity - I had an issue with his strategy. Is this really the way to engage the mainstream culture? Or does it make you look like a fool? (And by extension, all Christians). ... read more

At this point, we really don’t need another rant on the sometimes strange and inappropriate comments Pat Robertson’s been making on national television over the years. But I do think we need to look at it from a different perspective. First of all, this isn’t a question of anyone’s integrity, or a personal assault on a particular pastor or ministry leader. It’s a question of strategy. What is the most effective way to reach this culture with the message of the Christian faith? ... read more

From USA Today:

"Faith Embraces Pop Culture, Technology"

Evangelical Christians have always used innovative outreach to spread their message, and the tech boom has given the movement new platforms to be ‘culturally relevant.’ It’s a wave other faiths might want to catch. ... read more

Tim Finley from Mars Hill Media sent this article from Christianity Today. Chances are, if you've ever worked with churches or minsitries, you'll resonate with this: ... read more

When it comes to innovative church advertising, Pilgrim Baptist Church in Gastonia, North Carolina should win an award. While visiting my parents outside of Charlotte recently, we stopped at "Big Man's" fish restaurant in nearby Gastonia. When I visited the restroom, I discovered Pilgrim's unique advertising campaign inside the stall door. Talk about a captive audience. The brainchild of this marketing approach seems to be "Water Closet Advertising" at 704-691-0384. Give them a call when you need to get your message across in a confined space with no escape. I guess this is what it means for churches to “heed the call.” ... read more