The Bible of America

I love my Bible and I love America, but this new version of the Bible might be a little over the top.I bet copies of this Bible probably aren’t exactly flying off the shelves in the Middle East. And last time I checked, God wasn’t American.
The Kruse Kronicle has some other options for those who want to show off more than just their nationality.

Re: CMS turns 2

Here’s a great thought from Mark Batterson, pastor of The National Church:

We have a core conviction at Theaterchurch.com: the greatest message deserves the greatest marketing. Another way of saying it is this: the greatest gift (salvation) deserves the greatest packaging!
Something in my soul gets riled up when I see Hollywood and Madison Avenue doing a better job marketing their wares than the church does marketing the Good News.

CMS turns 2

Church Marketing Sucks turned 2 recently and as Kevin and others look towards the future, they’re highlighting the “heart and soul” of the ministry, which includes the Center for Church Communication.

Jesus commanded us to spread the Gospel. It’s the mission of the Church. And that mission inherently requires communication. Sometimes that communication is less than inviting. Even though God can and does work in spite of our botched efforts, our vision is to see churches communicating in a way that doesn’t mess it up. God is worthy of more than our best efforts, and that means communicating with clarity, authenticity and effectiveness.
We cringe at the thought of visitors being turned away by shoddy workmanship, by typos or eyebrow-raising moments. We’re tired of Christians and the church being the main reason fewer people become Christians or go to church. We’re tired of second-rate efforts when God deserves so much more.

I love that. Allman was telling me last night that he’s recently found a place at Ed Young’s Fellowship Church in Grapevine. I never thougth I’d see that. In my opinion, Allman is more of a traditional, don’t rock the boat church goer. But he told me that despite all the lights, videos, band and such, he’s found a place he enjoys. He realized that the people doing the media ministry and music ministry are simply worshipping with the talents God has given us. And if we as media junkies are doing our work for God – it should be the best of the best. That’s why I’m a fan of CMS and the CFCC. We as Christians have the greatest message ever, but if we’re not communicating it effectively, will anyone hear it?
Read the first three articles from the Heart and Soul series:

  • Why We Do What We Do by Kevin D. Hendricks
  • Our History by Brad Abare
  • A Tribute to CMS by Mark Batterson

    • 21 Tips for Church Plants

    Gary Lamb, a pastor in Georgia, has made a list of 21 things he’s learned over the last 2 years with his church plant.
    Great thoughts and pointers…
    Thanks to CMS for the link.

    1.) If you truly believe in your vision then 99% of decisions are already decided. Saves you a lot of trouble.
    2.) God will send scaffolding. You need scaffolding to build a house but once it is built the scaffolding is gone. God sent us some GREAT and GODLY people who were scaffolding. I hated to see them leave but I now realize God sent them for a time and for a purpose.
    3.) You CAN build a church without a building. Everyone told me you couldn’t in this area but, God has done it here. I have really kicked up our land search lately just to be prepared, but lack of a building will never be an excuse for us not growing.
    4.) You can lead your people by doing life WITH them instead of being ABOVE them.
    5.) People want a pastor who is the same Monday-Saturday as he is on Sunday.