Tag: evangelism

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.

CWF Celebrates 10 years

Saturday night I had the privilege to take part in the Christian Wrestling Federation’s 10 year anniversary show.

It was a great night with some great matches from CWF Alumni as well as the CWF future — including a 12 man Battle Royal.

For those who are new to the blog, I first found out about the CWF only a few months after it began (in May 2000).

And I went to my first CWF show in Georgetown, Texas in the Fall of 2000 after hearing about it from a fellow journalism student, Chris Allman (aka Chris Idol/Angel).

Several years later, I joined up with the CWF and served as the ring announcer and commissioner from 2005-2007.

It was a great time in my life, full of great memories and great relationships that I made while travelling from place to place with the guys — even more so with the late night trips Chris and I made from Belton to Rockwall (and back) that first year.

Blundell
Working the mic at a CWF show in Iowa

So Saturday night was a great time to remember some of those memories and a chance to see the work continue.

Rob (Jesus Freak) asked me to put together a slide show and highlight video to show Saturday night, so here they are in all their glory ::

You can find out more about the CWF through my archives, or visit www.christianwrestling.com (which I still manage). I also chatted with Chris a month or so back for the podcast and he talks about his history with the CWF along the way.

i am second

I saw an interesting billboard on the way to work today. Very simple black and white photo of a guy with dread locks and the words “i am second” and “iamsecond.com“.

Checked it out when I got to work. Great quality site with some great content.

Check it out. What do you think? What would your story be?

re: Better be living it out

Here are the notes I took from Matt Chandlers message “Vision of a church planter”

a church on mission ::

understands the centrality of the Gospel

committed to the authoritative, infallible, inherent, inspired all sufficient Scriptures

embraces the calling of God as sent missionaries into our own surroundings

– we’re where we are – to engage the world where we are for the purposes of God

actively seeking to be trained and equipped as missionaries

– doesn’t work programmatically
– how do you reach 20-30 year olds? – get the 50 year olds

dependent upon the Holy Spirit to use us to evangelize the entire world

develops relationships with the lost for the purpose of incarnating the lost for Christ

– leaders in missional church must be willing to die. die to self. die to stuff.

humbly helps others to find Jesus in their own timing rather than forcing them to make superficial decisions for their own glory

is committed to practicing faith in community

worships God in a relational, personal authentic way

– “worship is the enemy of evangelism” is not true

a church on mission is a theologically formed, Gospel centered, Spirit led fellowship who seeks to faithfully incarnate the purposes of Christ

the mission of the church is found in the mission of God who passionately invites us participate in Gods redemption of the world

what are you thinking? listen and see what notes you take and then share them. let’s continue the conversation.

You’re not always right

Kevin Hendricks has some great thoughts on sharing our faith and beliefs with others. Sounds a lot like me…

I used to think obnoxious but true statements were a great way to tell people about my faith. I’d buy T-shirts plastered with them, bumper stickers proclaiming them, even music centered around them. I was very proud of my boldness.

But I didn’t realize how completely ineffective it was. I didn’t realize that instead of opening a door of conversation, I was kicking in the door and slapping the owner in the face–and expecting them to be grateful.

It’s kind of embarrassing when I think back on it. I’ve since realized (and am continually reminded) that is no way to change minds.

You Need a Connection
Bumper stickers don’t convince anyone. They’re intended to be inspirational–a rallying cry for the troops–not conversional (can I make up that word?). At best they’re confrontational–and how effective is confrontation from a total stranger?

If you really want to change someone’s mind, you need a relationship, a connection, a story. And if you really hope to change someone’s mind, you better be prepared to have your own mind changed. Perhaps not your core convictions changed, but your assumptions, your judgments, your impressions will be changed. It has to be a two-way street, otherwise you’re not listening.