Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thanks For Coming!
Thanks for making this years Catalyst a huge success. Thanks for being open to something which was "Far From Normal" for us! I hope it challenged you and your group. I also pray it makes us better missionaries to the one's Jesus misses the most. Keep up the good work! Keep living in faith, hope and love (for Jesus sake).
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
What Do Outsiders Have to Teach Us?
It might seem a little bit strange to some folks that one of the main speakers at a Christian conference for college students is actually not a Christian. So what gives?
Well, if you've read Jim and Casper Go to Church, then you already know that Matt isn't a typical non-Christian. He's actually gone to more churches and Christian events than a LOT of Christians. He even used to work for a Christian company! He's talked to hundreds (thousands?) of us, and has a number of important observations that we would do well to listen to.
You see, one of the cool things about Matt is that he's not out there trying to make atheists out of people - he won't be at the conference to try to convince us we're wrong. Quite the opposite - Matt is actually pretty intrigued by Jesus, and his message. He asks us to consider the question - "Is this what Jesus told you guys to do?" Even beyond that, I happen to know that in some ways, even though Matt doesn't believe what Christians do, he actually cheers us on. He wants us to be better Christians. He may not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but he does believe that the world would be a much better place if we Christians took the message of Jesus more seriously.
Come to the conference and you'll see what I mean. You'll laugh a lot (perhaps you'll laugh the most at yourself), but you'll also be challenged in some good ways.
Well, if you've read Jim and Casper Go to Church, then you already know that Matt isn't a typical non-Christian. He's actually gone to more churches and Christian events than a LOT of Christians. He even used to work for a Christian company! He's talked to hundreds (thousands?) of us, and has a number of important observations that we would do well to listen to.
You see, one of the cool things about Matt is that he's not out there trying to make atheists out of people - he won't be at the conference to try to convince us we're wrong. Quite the opposite - Matt is actually pretty intrigued by Jesus, and his message. He asks us to consider the question - "Is this what Jesus told you guys to do?" Even beyond that, I happen to know that in some ways, even though Matt doesn't believe what Christians do, he actually cheers us on. He wants us to be better Christians. He may not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but he does believe that the world would be a much better place if we Christians took the message of Jesus more seriously.
Come to the conference and you'll see what I mean. You'll laugh a lot (perhaps you'll laugh the most at yourself), but you'll also be challenged in some good ways.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Thoughts from an "Insider"
Have you ever wondered what Christians look like from the outside?
I once went to a wedding of a friend who was Muslim marrying a Christian. I went dressed as I normally do - khakis and a nice shirt. My wife wore a floral print dress - all of which was "normal" for us. When we arrived we scanned the church to discover we - in that place - were far from normal! All the guys had on suit pants, buttton up shirts, and no ties. All the women had their hair in a bun, no jewelry, and solid earth tone dresses on.
I had never attended a church before that I did not feel comfortable in. You see I grew up in church and am now a college minister - working for my church. Church is such an integral part of my life I never really understood how people from the "outside" would see this strange experience. That is until this point. We sat down and waited for the normal wedding processional music - only to be surprised by someone in the seats beginning to sing and everyone (everyone except us) joined in - seeming to already know the tune.
The ceremony went on with its own quirkiness and then we went to the reception. As we waited in line for our cake and punch, a little boy had looked at me and then turned to his mom and asked - "Mommy, do they let people like that in church?" I had to laugh. I am sure it was my gotee, or perhaps my earings that through this amish-like community off. I didn't have the guts to tell him I was a pastor. We later discovered this church does not have radios or watch TV. Ironically, the bride was using her cell phone when we came to the reception.
We sat at a table by ourselves feeling the eyes around us. No one talked to us until one brave young lady, with her head covered and a smile on her face came over to shake our hands and welcome us. We were taken back when she reached past our hands to our elbows to shake our arms and only said - "peace to you" as she went down our table and walked on. We found ourselves talking more with the family who were Muslim - being able to relate to them a little better than the others. It was in this moment, I finally understood something. I am not normal. People who come to my church may look around with the same hesitation and discomfort. Feeling as though everyone is looking at them because they are different - outsiders.
When I read "Jim and Casper go to Church" I began to gain a far better grasp of what we look like. Matt Casper is both straight forward and honest, and Jim helps to process Matt's perspective with the eyes of an insider. I believe this conference will give us great insight into what we look like to those on the outside and begin to bridge the gap between those who do not yet know Jesus to those of us who follow Him - which ultimately will help us make Jesus real - actually tangible for our friends happily on the outside.
I once went to a wedding of a friend who was Muslim marrying a Christian. I went dressed as I normally do - khakis and a nice shirt. My wife wore a floral print dress - all of which was "normal" for us. When we arrived we scanned the church to discover we - in that place - were far from normal! All the guys had on suit pants, buttton up shirts, and no ties. All the women had their hair in a bun, no jewelry, and solid earth tone dresses on.
I had never attended a church before that I did not feel comfortable in. You see I grew up in church and am now a college minister - working for my church. Church is such an integral part of my life I never really understood how people from the "outside" would see this strange experience. That is until this point. We sat down and waited for the normal wedding processional music - only to be surprised by someone in the seats beginning to sing and everyone (everyone except us) joined in - seeming to already know the tune.
The ceremony went on with its own quirkiness and then we went to the reception. As we waited in line for our cake and punch, a little boy had looked at me and then turned to his mom and asked - "Mommy, do they let people like that in church?" I had to laugh. I am sure it was my gotee, or perhaps my earings that through this amish-like community off. I didn't have the guts to tell him I was a pastor. We later discovered this church does not have radios or watch TV. Ironically, the bride was using her cell phone when we came to the reception.
We sat at a table by ourselves feeling the eyes around us. No one talked to us until one brave young lady, with her head covered and a smile on her face came over to shake our hands and welcome us. We were taken back when she reached past our hands to our elbows to shake our arms and only said - "peace to you" as she went down our table and walked on. We found ourselves talking more with the family who were Muslim - being able to relate to them a little better than the others. It was in this moment, I finally understood something. I am not normal. People who come to my church may look around with the same hesitation and discomfort. Feeling as though everyone is looking at them because they are different - outsiders.
When I read "Jim and Casper go to Church" I began to gain a far better grasp of what we look like. Matt Casper is both straight forward and honest, and Jim helps to process Matt's perspective with the eyes of an insider. I believe this conference will give us great insight into what we look like to those on the outside and begin to bridge the gap between those who do not yet know Jesus to those of us who follow Him - which ultimately will help us make Jesus real - actually tangible for our friends happily on the outside.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Catalyst 2008: Far From Normal
We are so excited for this year's conference coming up November 7-9. The speakers Jim Henderson and Matt Casper will be sharing from their book "Jim and Casper Go To Church" and also telling you the story of their friendship, which is definitely FAR FROM NORMAL in the Christian realm. The message will be provacative and challenging to anyone wanting to answer the question, "Is this what Jesus told us to do?".
Check out their book and even check out these youtube clips that will give you a taste of what's to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLckQyKKhng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqKZr-nR8Oo
Worship will be led by Pearl Merchant. To visit their website go to www.thepearlmerchantband.com.
Grab a friend and hit the road to Young Life's Wildhorse Canyon for this awesome conference. You don't want to miss it.
Check out their book and even check out these youtube clips that will give you a taste of what's to come.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLckQyKKhng
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqKZr-nR8Oo
Worship will be led by Pearl Merchant. To visit their website go to www.thepearlmerchantband.com.
Grab a friend and hit the road to Young Life's Wildhorse Canyon for this awesome conference. You don't want to miss it.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
