Dave Davis | my new normal

CAN A CHURCH BE "TOO BIG TO FAIL?"

2009-11-07T17:04:39-06:00

In this current economic climate I think we have lost some perspective. As our culture continues to face issues with price tags in the billions and trillions, we have stopped trying to comprehend the value, the cost of those solutions. We have grown very comfortable discussing billion and trillion dollar ideas and we no longer flinch at the mention of a million dollar problem. We have become numb and desensitized to the reality of what a million dollars means in this world.

We have huge problems and those problems need to be solved. The new normal is to spend our way out of trouble. There was a time when the idea of a “bailout” meant failure; today the bailout has become a badge of courage for companies so successful that they are categorized as “too big to fail.”

The idea of spending our way out of a problem is not a new one, but it is a solution that tends to be very short sided. Bailouts and stimulus packages are short-term solutions for long-term problems. These solutions don’t solve problems they only delay the consequences. The downside to short term thinking is that one the debt will have to be paid back and we will be forced to write the check. Each day we ignore this reality the check gets bigger.

This week I read about a church that, I believe has also lost perspective. First Baptist Dalls has, on some level, determined they have a problem that needs to be fixed. They have apparently decided to solve that problem with 130 million dollars worth of new church construction. The local media described the plan as the “largest church construction project in modern history.” Robert Jeffress, the new Sr. Pastor said, "I think if Jerry Jones can build a $1.3 billion temple to the god of sports out there in Arlington, we can spend a 10th of that, which is what we're doing, $130 million, to build a facility for the glory of the one and only God."

Don’t get me wrong, I do not doubt their hearts nor do I question their motivation. I know they want to reach more people with the life saving message of Jesus Christ. The problem for me is that their solution lacks long-term vision. Their solution lacks creativity; it lacks originality. It is a solution for their existing generation, not the generation yet to come. It is the same old, tired, “spend our way out” mentality wrapped in a “new technology for a new generation” package. By solving problems with old and tired solutions we alienate the future generations that are screaming out for us to show them how to love the world. The world around us is looking for the Church to lead, they want to follow, but we continually give them reasons to walk away.

I am very confident that FBD will grow and that they will reach many people, but to what end? Buildings and programs don’t change lives, relationships change lives. Too cliche? How about this? A pastor friend of mine says it this way, “the most innovative thing a church can do is love people.”

Any solution that does not included large chunks of generosity from the church to the hurting world around us is an incomplete solution. It is a tired and unoriginal solution. The Church is called to be the light in a darkened world, we must be the best and the brightest light imaginable. The light doesn’t get better or brighter with better buildings or better programs. Our light gets brighter when we produce better and brighter people. People should come in our doors looking for the light and leave our doors BEING the light. That sort of transformation can happen under a tree in Africa or it can happen in your own driveway. If the Church is doing its job correctly, which is to say generously loving the world, it will happen everywhere.

Generosity is the solution to our dilemma. Giving it away is what the world is waiting for us to do.

I thought about ending this post with a list of things that could be done with 130 million. Instead, this is what I hope I would do with 130 million. I don’t currently have 130 million so no one really knows, but I like to think this is what I would do.

First I would pay off the mortgages of a couple great churches (7 million) freeing them up to do what they do best…change peoples lives for eternity. Then I would tithe to those churches (13 million)…freeing them up to change the world. Then I would eliminate the debt of my friends and family (1 million)…freeing them up to change their family trees. Then I would take a fantastic vacation (500k) with my family and friends. Finally, I would take the remaining money and provide a lifetime of clean drinking water for 15.5 million people.

If we (me, you and the Church) don’t start solving our short-term problems with new, original, long term solutions we are going to wake up one day to the harsh reality that the problems we are trying to solve don’t like us any more.

U2 Soldier Field Set List and a few photo's

2009-09-13T01:40:55-05:00

We had such a great time at the U2 Concert. Tonight was the first show in the North American leg of the 360 Tour. The stage was unreal and the audio was fantastic. Seeing U2 live was on my list of things to do before I die. This night did not disappoint. If they are coming anywhere near I hope you get a chance to see them!

Below is the set list and a few pictures from my camera. Enjoy!

Saturday, September 12

1. Breathe
2. No Line on the Horizon
3. Get On Your Boots
4. Magnificent
5. Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet)
6. Elevation
7. Still Haven't Found / Stand By Me (snippet)
8. Stuck in a Moment
9. Unknown Caller
10. The Unforgettable Fire
11. City of Blinding Lights
12. Vertigo
13. Crazy Tonight remix
14. Sunday Bloody Sunday / Oliver's Army (snippet)
15. Pride
16. MLK
17. Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
18. Streets
19. Desmond Tutu speech / One
20. Bad / Fool To Cry (snippet) / 40 (snippet)

21. Ultraviolet
22. With or Without You

23. Moment of Surrender

Top 17 Quotes from The Leadership Summit 2009 #tls09

2009-08-12T00:13:33-05:00

1. "Rogue waves draw something out of us that calm seas never will" -- Hybels

2. “When I listen to God slowly, he speaks more frequently.” -- Hybels

3. "Few outsiders know a christian who lives a life of distinction." -- Gary Hamel

4. "When an organization misses the future, it's not because it was unknown--it was because it's unpalatable." -- Gary Hamel

5. "Success is a self correcting phenomenon." -- Gary Hamel

6. "The thing separating you from God is not your sin, but your damnable good deeds" -- Tim Keller

7. "A common purpose is the best way to predict uncommon outcomes." -- Jessica Jackley

8. "We don't need more visionaries. We need more relationaries." -- Dave Gibbons

9. "There is no country in the world that has developed through handouts." -- Andrew Rugasira

10. "You took yesterday. You cannot have tomorrow." -- Wes Stafford

11. "Leaders have a tendency to confuse motion with progress" -- David Gerge

12. "When you find the bright spot, study it and clone it." -- Dan Heath

13. "Big problems are solved by a sequence of small solutions." -- Chip Heath

14. "Failure is not something to be avoided. It may be an early warning sign for success." -- Dan Heath

15. "I didn't know the giant could run that fast." -- Bono

16. "I fear denominationalism" -- Bono

17. "Leadership is a blessing. It's a gift--a gift you can use to help others." -- Tony Blair

Amazing Church in Chicago

2009-02-27T19:43:26-06:00

I saw this news story tonight on the NBC Nightly News. It is a story about Waterfront Community Church in Chicago. This is a church that has decided they were going to be a church that gives it ALL away. Jim Semradek is the Pastor and is a guy I new in college. I am very excited about this church and the great things God is using this church to do.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

President-Elect Barack Hussein Obama

2008-11-04T23:02:50-06:00

Here is the video played tonight prior to Obama's acceptance speech. I enjoyed it! I would love to hear back from you...give me your reaction!