Painted under Tebow's eyes is the John 3:16 passage, crowd favorite for evangelicals looking to save souls. John 3:16, you know, in fact, everyone does right? Wrong.

In the supposed nation of Christianity, God's chosen (OK I'm getting carried away) don't even know one of the most iconic (in pop culture) pieces of scripture.

The #1 Google search in all of America following the January 9th, win was 'John 3:16'.

Now, it's possible that not everyone was looking for the actual scripture reference (although most were I'd surmise), but searchers were in the least looking for interpretation.

The numbers of searches represented in the #1 term for a particular trend is in the million, if not more.

Implications?

I think this is an apt reflection into the heart of America. Despite boasting in their religiosity even the most basic form of evangelicalism sits unknown. A sobering reality of the culture to come and what has already arrived in America.

Tebow Effect and John 3:16 – How Google Reports a Changing World is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Fast forward two years and the Globe & Mail published a peculiar article about Calgary's First Alliance Church (FAC), a huge evangelical church located in the heart of an industrial park in the South East. The gist of the article from what I gathered was the success of this particular brand of church in an age where attendance is dwindling to a trickle.

Not so for FAC who have boasted a reported 75% increase since the recession. Things couldn't be better. But is the reported success really indicative of ongoing trends in Calgary and beyond? Does First Alliance have the secret recipe to church success in the 21st century?

At FAC it's ABC: (attendance, big building plans, millions in cash). By these points they're doing admirably.  But how can a church be growing in what is supposedly an age of imminent collapse?

In my mind there are only two ways we can interpret the Globe's observations. Either FAC is growing because there is a resurgence (revival if you will) in Christian spirituality, or FAC is merely a burgeoning life raft jettisoned from a sinking ship.

[I don't mean to pick exclusively on FAC, they are merely subjects in the article and a good example of the typical successful big box church in any city.]

I don't for a minute believe there is a resurgence in Christian spirituality and all evidence from those who actually count this kind of thing points to the same. That would mean the latter must be true--Christianity is on the outs. Perhaps I should re-phrase. The dominant position Christianity used to have in our culture is no more. We can no longer assume the average Joe has any form of religious memory, nor should we believe that any form of lobby will reclaim a golden age of evangelicalism.

As we have observed culture around us changing the way we do church has largely remained stagnant. For the past 30 years it's revolved around a mostly  consumer oriented model of build it and they will come. Although the article itself probably takes liberties when they describe the lead pastor's attitude towards church, (...bring people to God? “Through parking and bathrooms", he replies,) it accurately reflects a predominantly individualistic brand of contemporary evangelicalism, ("if it’s going to be, it’s up to me") seen throughout.

With this context let's go back to the question I posed: does FAC have a recipe for church success? Indeed, they DO, and that recipe is simply: they do church really well. At FAC the music is top notch, the lights are flashy and dashy, the preaching is relevant, and a variety of programs are available to support their upper-middle class demographic and beyond. Their million dollar budget pays off in the pew as a generation of consumer oriented attendees placate themselves with 'church' of the highest quality.

But this is evangelicalisms problem not FAC, the majority of churches attempt to engage in the same pursuit for great church 'service' unknowingly forming their congregations to correlate good church with great shows. The correlation? In the consumer age if everyone is trying to provide a 'service' (double entendre intended) dissatisfied consumers will eventually check-in to something better. That something better is FAC; small churches who play this game don't stand a chance.

The exodus is already on the way. After all, FAC has grown by 75% and remember there's no revival underway. That means the growth experienced by the churches who put on the best show is predominantly through transfer Christians jumping ship from one church to another. Be it additional services or even pseudo church-plants, growth can be attributed to fickle consumer oriented Christians looking to meet their demands of what 'church' should be.

This likely doesn't come as news to many who pay attention to demographic trends in our culture today (or heck, just read the newspaper). What IS, however, surprising is how many benefitting from these shifts are unaware their growth is attributed to transfers. This is crucial because the inability to identify the transfer trend contributes to a repetitive and vicious cycle whereby churches try to come up with the latest attractive fad (online church?!?) while simultaneously ignoring the root problem--an exponentially declining rate of discipleship. No disciples = no replication (unless you think altar calls still work.)

The Globe article was a surprising wake-up call for many at FAC and beyond. In a sense they are being forced to re-asses their insulated view of themselves and empathize with Joe Average's perceptions of the most glamours churches of the lot.

It's not just the biggest and best who need to pay heed either. A lack foresight will eventually lead to everyone's demise. When will this happen? For the smallest it already has. For the largest? Years to come, perhaps decades. And although we can pass the problem to upcoming generations of lead pastors who will inherit big box buildings with empty pews, it would be far more astute to fundamentally address the paradigm of how we do church and change it from one of self-centric consumerism to Christ-centric networks of Kingdom participants.

Rejoice in the Sinking Titanic – A Last Hoorah For Evangelicalism in Canada is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

"Courage my friends, tis never to late to work for a better world" - Tommy Douglas

On November 24th, social service workers gathered in the cozy environment of Parkdale United Church Calgary to discuss poverty reduction in Alberta. A series of passionate politicians, CEO’s and directors of organizations committed to reducing poverty in Alberta met to share ideas, network between organizations, and present reports in an attempt to create a collective movement of informed and engaged empowerment. Many issues where covered in the day long conference and although a few critiques came to mind, I was inspired by the use of a theological, moral and spiritual language that was used to describe where we may need to focus if we desire to reduce poverty or even eliminate it in Alberta.

Tony Martin, an NDP Member of Parliament currently in his twentieth year of public service, who in partnership with various organizations tabled Bill C-545: “An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada”, spoke of poverty as a moral issue and a spiritual journey. After reciting facts and figures, Martin challenged the conference goers by saying a new reordering is required. During his talk Martin referred to the story of Caesar Chavez, written by Marshall Ganz called, “Why David Sometimes Wins”, illustrating that seeking the alternative is a model that Martin uses to continue the work that needs doing. Continuing on, he said that we cannot use weapons effectively against masters of them. This is why paramount to changing and reordering the way we engage in poverty reduction is a re-envisioning. He challenged us to live in the ‘occupy’ spaces of our lives, not necessarily to the same end and purpose as current occupiers exist, but as a challenge to move into those more creative alternative spaces for answers; for only in the lived experience of individuals can real change occur. The words that hit home for me where the most challenging of all, “the major player missing from all this action are churches”, thus spoke the politician.

A committee member from Vibrant Lethbridge, a branch of Vibrant Communities Canada that focuses on pro-inclusion poverty reduction strategy, also framed the poverty issue in this light challenging that, “As much of an economic benefit poverty reduction is, we must do it because it is the right thing to do.” Again reinforcing that it is in creating and offering lived experience that generates the sustainable change we desire.

Dan Meades, director of Vibrant Communities Calgary framed this same idea in a slightly varied tone stating that, “there is something more important than money, but if people won’t listen we will dumb down the message all the way to dollars and cents”. Prophetic words in light of a report to be released in January by the VCC that will ask the question: Is Alberta paying to keep people poor? And if so how much? Poverty reduction is both economically feasible and morally imperative, so what is stoping us from acting?
This is where the church needs to take a stand and it’s not like we have nothing to offer. The opposite is in fact true- when it comes to the moral questions of our time the church has the most to offer- first in a use and practice of a moral language and second in a lived experience of communal well being and focus. As I have recently heard preached, church is a community that generates community. If the church desires to not only stay relevant, but to become revelatory, it must engage in this type of work: participating in that lived experience, that re-envisioning and like Chavez, teaching the ways of David, the ways of the alternative.The church has been challenged, summoned by others in our communities, political or otherwise, who have seen the value of having the church on their side. We must respond, it is the right thing to do.

The the conference named, “Dream No Little Dreams” is based on a quote by Tommy Douglas, the first leader of the NDP and the man known for bringing Medicare to Canada. Douglas states, “we should never, never be afraid or ashamed about dreams. The dreams won’t all come true; we won’t always make it; but where there is no vision a people perish. Where people have no dreams and no hopes and aspirations, a life becomes dull and a meaningless wilderness.” There is a multiplicity of changes needed to occur, no one answer will solve the problem of poverty, but as individuals and as a church community we have the responsibility to take those steps and dream those dreams.

For more information or to get involved check out these links:

http://www.actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org

http://www.vibrantcalgary.com

http://community.ywcaofcalgary.com

Dream No Little Dreams – Poverty in Alberta is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

You know the ones I'm talking about. The 'missions' trips that fly over to far-off lands with a purpose to do something aid related (occasionally it's just to win souls which is a terrible reason to embark on such a trip). Usually the purpose is to build some houses (that the locals could build), fix some buildings (that locals could fix), or maybe build some wells (see buildings). None of these items are in themselves bad ideas, they are simply delivered as part of a bad aid package and reinforces a deeply consumeristic form of Western Christianity.

What can you do to stem the tide of useless missions trips? Here's the start of a list of questions to ask prior to planning a short term missions trip. (Maybe someone wants to make an infographic of this? :P)

When considering a short term missions trip (1-4 weeks) or program consider the following questions:

• If you answered YES then your church needs a fundamental shift in how it views mission. The church doesn't have a mission, rather, the mission has a church. To regard missions as something only a missionary does fulltime demonstrates an anemic view. Most contemporary churches fall into this paradigm, but imagine the results of valuing local missions first and compelling everyone to exist in that local mission rather than regarding the qualified missionaries as the only ones capable to 'do' mission.

• If you answer 'MONEY' then don't go.Let's crunch some hypothetical numbers. 3500 x 15 people = $52,500 in flights alone. That money could potentially purchase many times more resources than what you're slated to contribute. Are you interested in helping people? If so then how much good can be done is a relevant question? Do you build 1 well or send the money so the locals can build 5?

  If you do happen to opt for the giving route rather than going be sure to send cash (it's OK to demand accountability BTW). But don't send your used junk overseas, that's a whole different problem.

• If you answer 'NO' don't go. One of the things short term missions work (and other foreign aid) inadvertently does is eliminate local employment. Do a quick benefit analysis where you compare if the trip primarily benefits the sender or the recipient. To put it simply, Mexicans know how to build houses, your teenagers don't need to show them how. Let local workers work, you on the other hand should think twice about replacing them. Of course, if you're not trying to alleviate poverty and you want the experience of helping someone in a far off land then so be it, there are many programs out there to do just that (I'm simply suggesting it's not the best way to address the fundamental need of poverty).

• If the answer is 'NO' don't bother. Don't even think about going because your well will break in 4 months and will sit rusting in a field because nobody will know how to fix it (or the parts aren't available).

• If the answer is 'NO' then don't go. This is a tough one. Short term missions are designed in many churches to give Westerners their fix for doing something good in the world. Feelings themselves aren't deep spiritual convictions and become fleeting thoughts a month after return. Other times a bunch of white guys get what they think is a good idea and decide they need to go to far off places to 'train' local leaders. Apart from the obvious colonialist mindset behind this intention (do African countries really need to learn from a dead church how to evangelize?), sometimes there are worthy skills to share. In those cases, given everyone has the internet, would it better to teach for free (or nominal fee) via Skype or fly yourself over to the community costing local church and sending organization unnecessary money or not?

• If the answer is 'NO' don't go. There are emerging 'sectors' in developing nations that will rent kids to plop them into orphanages to be hugged by hapless North American saps. Unless you have an explicit relationship with a local organization you're not an expert nor a solution to a devastating local issue. Find an organization to partner with if you're interested in helping.

• If the answer is 'YES' then don't even plan. I don't imagine many churches would compel their parishioners to borrow to go on a trip, most international trips are a luxury of well-to-do churches. However, I know of a number of kids who work hard over summer or various fundraising activities to go on missions trips that have little impact for the local community. There is value for life changing experiences, but let's not call them missions trips (more on that later).

• If the answer is 'YES' then don't go. Do you even have a local missions ethos? Does your church regularly participate in the needs of the immediate community? If the answer is NO then you must recalibrate your church towards the local needs before ever contributing something internationally (of course, this point is moot if your intentions for missions trips is to do something cool for the youth group).

• Measurement is important when doing foreign aid, and not how many wells you build, but how many wells are still operation in 1 year, 2 years, 5, and more. One of the failures of short term mission help is that it only offeres a band-aid solution at best to a situation we care to learn little about.

• If you answered 'YES' then you need to consider a paradigm shift in evangelism. One thing you shouldn't be measuring, and the one thing many nonetheless do, is conversions. Why? Because a) the 'sinner's prayer conversion' is the by-product of a highly consumerist brand of Christianity that has little bearing in scripture. So not only are you measuring something only the Son can judge, you're measuring a fleeting moment in time (that people readily mimic to get the free stuff you're giving them). Conversions are a process stemming from intentional and usually lengthy discipleship. Measuring a prayer is akin to

After reflecting on these questions maybe you'll want to reconsider your short term missions aspirations (after all, it's a ton of work). I know a lot of youth leaders going the local route to wide success for both community and student. (Conversely, I know a lot of pointless trips happens because elder boards just feel one trip every two years is a necessary rhythm of the church.)

At the end of the day is your trip really more about you then helping the local people? It's important to experience another part of the world, especially ones much poorer than your own, which can become important paradigm shifting experiences. But let's call a spade a spade and plan for a trip focused on tourism not missions.

Enough with bursting short term missions dreams, what are some noble reasons to embark on a short term trip?

• If the answer is YES then send a small team to fact find and begin the process of both creating strategy to address a distinct need, and the right people who will compel everyone back home to jump on the bandwagon.

• If the answer is YES go. There are times when you're helping a community overseas and THEY want to connect with YOU. A lot of people you're helping don't necessarily want a check carte blanche, they want to know the people sending them cash too. SEnd a small team to see what's going on, meet the local community, and report back.

• So long as you have a support network at home then go! But now we're outside the realm of short term missions.

Did I miss any? Your thoughts?

10 Questions to Ask Before Embarking on Short Term Mission Work is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

I'm all for new material, I also understand the fact many of these guys aren't insanely wealthy and they make money from their publications--and there's NOTHING wrong with that--but it does saturate the missional book market.

All that to say that Frost, somewhat ironically, echoes my sentiments on missional saturation. I would like to see these authors spend time creating a magnus opus for the missional hermeneutic rather than a new book every six months!

Enough with the griping, let's do a brief review.

Frost's book 'The Road to Missional' is an attempt to reclaim the word 'missional' from the grips of conventional churches bent on finding a new buzzword to meet the annual fixation for something new and 'relevant'.

By reclamation Frost is trying to reduce the missional movement from 'flavour of the month' to foundational paradigm. Much like other Frost books the issue is to re-orient the church back in-line with a Christ-centric vision.

The first half of the book largely deals with the attempt to push this paradigm re-orientation of 'mission' from that of either left-wing Kingdom centric works, or right-wing evangelistic conversion, into something more holistic. This exploration pushes towards the re-identification of our churches, and perhaps our faith, towards the simplicity of the Gospel.

His exegesis to support his Gospel position (what is the Gospel?) is robust enough to get readers thinking in another suitable direction. For me, I appreciated Frost and his attempt to find a balance between both the issue of treating 'gospel' as merely proclamation (right wing conservative posture), vs good works (Kingdom centric more akin to those reacting against the former posture).

The Gospel is incomplete when you're in either ditch, this had me thinking how do I communicate this position in my 'missional' church. Do I need to re-orient our simple community back towards the center?

Frost's journey from mission, to Gospel, to scripture, to Kingdom, back to mission, is one worth taking. I felt at times he was synched in line with an NT Wright book, but maybe that's because I'm reading too many of these kinds of books and I'm finally developing my own 'missional hermeneutic'.

All that to say, if Frost doesn't write another book in a while this 'The Road to Missional' acts as a lasting contribution to the missional dialogue. A classic? Probably not, one of the better missional books of 2011? Probably.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

The Road To Missional – Frost Review is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Sacrilege follows the same narrative as his pervious books, charting out interesting stories about mission and community legitimized through a journey through scripture.

In this case every chapter was an exploration around a central idea of one particular verse in the Matthew 5 Beatitudes. It was really cool for me to read through right after preaching through the same series. I resonated with many of his ideas and had a good sense our own missional community was on the right track (the track of figuring it out as we go along previewing the Kingdom of God in our neighborhoods and beyond.)

For the Conservative Christian reader they'll be offended in a variety of places, but my hope is many will pick this book up, and even if you hate it, it will plant the proverbial seed in the hardened heart of those who have a faith that's more like Pharisees than a Jesus movement (no not THAT Jesus Movement).

The title "Finding Life in the Unorthodox Ways of Jesus" is a bit of a misnomer. They are Jesus' ways ergo they are the foundation for orthodoxy. The fact Jesus' Beatitudes have been reduced to rules and regulations to uphold rules and regulations highlights our need for a refreshed perspective of the Gospel.

As with many of these missional church writers (they aren't he worse by the way), I'm getting a bit tired with the 'new book every 8 months'. Alan Hirsch I think has a new one ever 4. Yes, they can write, some with great thoughts, but part of me wonders why you have to write something every few months? Yes, the publisher wants more books to sell, yes you get more money, but when it comes to lasting ideas, the magnus opus, well that doesn't happen when you're reiterating the same material every year.

Obviously there's a business reason behind all of this, but there's a saturation point for materials on 'missional church' (most from the same people).

So having said that, Halter's book isn't THAT much different than the last two. I would highly recommend reading at least one, and using one as a study guide for your formation around the ideas of missional church. His practical writing style is very accessible to the 'lay person' and will have an impact on your perception of community.

Do you have to get every Halter release? Probably not. But Sacrilege was certainly enjoyable.

Note: "This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. Available at your bookseller from Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

Book Review: Sacrilege – Hugh Halter is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

All big churches of the Protestant variety are almost exclusively lead in a very managerial/CEO model of leadership. It's not biblical, but it works to churn out a weekly show(s).

The model of leadership in these kinds of churches is almost exclusively top down: CEO, board, managers, customers. The opposite end of the church leadership spectrum is the completely decentralized house church that lacks any identifiable leadership. Somewhere left of center (or maybe right?) is the Anabaptist missional movement headed by the likes of Alan Hirsch and company.

Hirsch advocates an Ephesians 4 model coupled with the very Protestant tenant of the "priesthood of all believers" as the foundation to leadership. It's a flat leadership structure yet does not forgo the necessity for leaders of leaders.

Then there's Occupy Wall Street, a mish mash of advocacy, social change, homeless, students, beatniks, hobos, tree hugger groups, and whomever has a message to throw at "the man".

OWS will fail in its current form because it lacks a unified purpose. In this case, the decentralization of the movement has lead to greater participation by otherwise fragmented groups, but stymies the overall effectiveness. No effect = no change.

It's somewhat ironic but the fact OWS is so decentralized is its downfall. You can be too flat in leadership to the point your organization/movement lists powerless.

Here's a good take from Christianity Today that starts weak but ends well.

I for one don't think OWS will amount to anything. However, I do believe this is a catalyst for something better to come. In the very least, I hope the movement will launch a growing discontent in young people (and old) to become far more involved the civic and electoral process to in fact usher in real change.

But for anything more to happen we're going to have to find a unified message/purpose. It's not necessary a person that needs to step up, but a singular course of action, a vision perhaps, that will unite the so-called 99%.

Christians, Leadership, and Occupy Wall Street is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Young people under-18 are being exposed to the material earlier and earlier, but the issue grabs addicts right across the age spectrum. What's worse about the addiction to pornographic material is the seeming inability for the church to even have an honest discussion about a subject that's still enormously taboo.

Luckily there are more relevant resources rolling out that go beyond the 'control your drives through prayer and fasting' (I say somewhat tongue in cheek).

Eyes of Integrity: The Porn Pandemic and How It Affects You, is an XXXChurch.com resource. Their experience from the porn industry provide a behind the scenes perspective missing from most resource books.

For it's part the book provides insight, stats, and stories to the pandemic in North America regarding pornographic use. They also highlight and educate readers on common misconceptions about the industry that's now essentially a lucrative online enterprise with spillover into traditional forms of sexual exploitation. The exploitive component will highlight the common misunderstanding that girls working in the industry do so as a result of their own sinful choices rather than a result of past abuse.

Solutions are of course the only reason these kinds of books are purchased. Eyes of integrity, like many print books on the subject, is bundled with software and more books. There's an obvious pragmatic reason behind the products--they need to pay bills--but the value of these resources is largely worth the cost.

I haven't gone over all the materials, however, the simple concept of accountability is perhaps the greatest tool for recovery and prevention. If you've ever attended a church service with mostly recovering addicts you'll get the sense that, "once an addict always an addict." THere's some truth to that, and perhaps offers a cautionary tale to anybody who thinks they aren't ensnarled in the web of online pornography and that pulling out of that realm will be easy.

Despite their up-selling of additional resources, the XXXChurch organization does provide some valuable and FREE tools to help with the problem--which is the ultimate purpose of this book. You can download a free version of their X3 Watch software that enables partners to keep each other accountable over their web surfing.

Although there were some components where a largely Christian bias on gender roles was evident, for the most part Craig Gross and Jason Harper accurately reflected cause and effect. Although most of the items pertaining to prevention are common sense, it will certainly be welcome information for less tech savvy parents and pastors.

This review made from a Baker Books review program.

The Age of Porn Upon Us – Eyes of Integrity is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

All I can say is FAIL. Here's why.

First off, anybody who reads the sign, which is probably tens of thousands a day, won't have a CLUE what it means.

What does a sign with "Kingdom of God" mean to people who don't even go to church???

What some who used to do the church thing (or have heard of people who do), will recognize is 'born again'--that buzzword from the 70's generally used in the pejorative today.

Secondly, people who are churched might not even understand the sign. What does 'seeing the Kingdom of God' actually mean? (And apparently this whole Kingdom of God thing is only for men.)

Thirdly, the sign is wrong.

I get what they're trying to say (or at last how I interpret it). If you haven't said a 'prayer' to get to 'heaven' then you won't see the 'Kingdom'. So get on your knees and be 'born again'!

FAIL.

Not only will the sign not work but the theology is wrong.

Using words like 'Kingdom' imply, in orthodox Christianity, the ushering in of God's ultimately dream of righting all the wrongs. Because we live in a liminal space, the now but not yet time where the Kingdom has now been glimpsed in Christ and joined by the church, but not yet in realised in full, the Kingdom IS seen.

Ironically, the church who put up the sign ARE the ones who should be glimpsing moments of God's Kingdom on earth by being participants in a mission to right wrongs.

Next time they should put something at least semi controversial for the right reasons, perhaps something drole? Any suggestions?

Church Sign Fail is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Churches seem to have a complex between the 'leaders' and the 'disciples'. Some confuse the two, others don't know the difference. Still more try to differentiate the two but only put resources into one--usually 'leadership development'.

The conventional churches today are marred with a complex of creating 'leaders' over 'disciples'. The question is why? And why is it that churches (Bill Hybels and Willow Creek) have monster sized 'Leadership' summits yet embarrass themselves by putting world class leaders amidst church pastors?

First, memorable from last year's Summit was the chasm between church pastors and world class leaders speaking. The 'secular' leaders were all about creativity and decentralized leadership. Bill Hybels talked about how to run a good board meeting. Do you see the disconnect? Pastors are still 15 years behind the game.

Second, why doesn't Willow Creek have the 'Discipleship Summit'?

They enjoy putting on a 'Leadership Summit' with all the best and brightest in business.

But that's the thing. Churches are run like a business. Governance models, CEO type pastors guiding the ship, and of course leaders who need to run the programs.

There's a fundamental difference between a church that needs disciples, and one that needs leaders.

One is built on a 'come and see' model, the other on a 'go and be'.

Make no mistake, leadership is not the problem. We need the kinds of leaders seen in Ephesians 4.

But given the limited resources we have, is it better to develop the transferable business skills, or spend 2 years to build one disciple who will then replicate in another 2 years?

One is crucial to the organic life of a community, the other is a key cog in a usually poorly oiled machine.

Leaders v Disciples: Why Isn’t There a ‘Discipleship Summit’? is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives