The New Face of American Christianity

Gabe Lyons, Jon Tyson, Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, Shannon Sedgwick Davis and Nicole Baker Fulgham recently talked with ABC News about the new face of American Christianity.

A great conversation!

I love their posture and their thoughts. No left or right. No young or old. Just people who want to make a real difference in the world in the name of Jesus.

They talk about adoption issues, education, nuclear proliferation, AIDS, poverty, Joseph Kony and more.

The upcoming generation of Christians will not be defined by one or two issues — and I believe we’re interested in looking more outward than inward.

No more us vs. them.

And I firmly believe that the world should be better because followers of him live in it. Everyone should live better lives because they live by Christians.

And that goes beyond just “Christians.”

I hope that you live a better life because you know me — or live by me — or read something I wrote along the way. It’s not an egotistical thing. I just take ownership of this broader idea and hope that I’m making your world better in some form or fashion.

“I’m excited about a church that shows up… and shows up on time… living out tenants of justice and mercy that is thick in the Bible that I believe in — and one that’s daring and courageous and willing to jump off a cliff for it.”

– Shannon Sedgwick Davis

If the video doesn’t show, watch it on ABCNews.com.

(HT to Charles Lee for the video)

Also, if you’d like to find out more about Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, and the great work he’s doing with the Two Futures Project, be sure and check out his recent interview on our podcast.

#justicefriday – Healthcare and Imagination

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove dreams a new dream for healthcare and the church.

Read more of his thoughts at Sojo.net.

May we all BE the Church we dream of.

(HT @zoecarnate)

Help us build a well

Right now, almost a billion people on the planet don’t have access to clean, safe drinking water. That’s one in eight of us.

Over at We Live Simply (We Live Simply so Others May Simply Live) we’re working with charity:water to raise money for a new fresh water well for those in need.

CLICK HERE TO GIVE
Continue reading Help us build a well

The Jumbo Jet Generation and beyond

British Airways   ( SFO )
British Airways 747 | Photo by prayitno

Skye Jethani writes another great post about his (and my) generation, which he is calling The Jumbo Jet Generation

“What they fail to realize is that my generation is not rejecting orthodoxy. We are rejecting the false dichotomy that the American church has perpetuated for the last century. We refuse to believe that the gospel is either social or spiritual, eternal or temporal. Earlier generations of evangelicals were more interested in saving souls than seeking justice because a cup of cold water would be little comfort in the flames of hell. But my generation cannot shake the global perspective imprinted on our minds from our childhoods. The gospel, we believe, must have relevance for this world and not simply the next.

Skye Jethani
Continue reading The Jumbo Jet Generation and beyond

Recap video from Dallas/Rockwall Freeze Project

The Freeze Project | www.thefreezeproject.com

I meant to get this vidoe/post up earlier today but alas, time wasn’t on my side.

This is the re-cap video from Thursday night’s Freeze Project in Rockwall ::

We had a decent response — 15 or so showed up to take part.

But in the midst of several hundred people (if not thousand) we were a bit over-shadowed. We plan to do it again towards the end of summer — so hopefully you’ll come out and join us if you’re in the Dallas area.

The key was raise awareness about modern day human trafficking (aka Atlantic Triangular Trade — argggh!) and we did that — so that’s what matters.

Find out more and learn how to hold your own Freeze Project at www.thefreezeproject.com

Dallas Area Freeze Project :: May 20th

Dallas JustOne Launch Party
Matt and Jonathan at the Dallas JustOne Launch Party

Next Thursday, May 20th, we’ll hold Dallas’ own Freeze Project at the Harbor in Rockwall to raise awareness about human trafficking.

The Freeze Project is another great initiative of JustOne

The Inspiration:
The idea was inspired by a group in New York called Improv Everywhere. Props to them!

Our Twist to the Idea:

Our twist to this idea would be to use this creative method for drawing attention to social injustices around the world.
Continue reading Dallas Area Freeze Project :: May 20th