Allen Bingham's reflections from the front porch

December 19, 2009

Join the quest for the lost soul of Christianity … Mark Batterson guides us on a PRIMAL Journey

Filed under: Books, Faith Development, Leadership — Tags: , , — Allen Bingham @ 1:40 pm

Last summer I traveled to Washington, DC to visit my birthplace with my family and take my children to explore the sites that broadened my historical and scientific view of the world.  Personally, I was looking forward to a Saturday evening stroll up to Union Station and then a few block jog over to Ebenezer’s Coffee House.  I looked forward to worshiping with the folks at National Community Church and meeting their pastor Mark Batterson.  What a powerful time I had as the oldest person in the room …

I had been introduced to Mark Batterson through the books In the Pit with Lion on a Snowy Day and Wild Goose Chase.  Mark’s preaching that Saturday evening was just as powerful as his books and fleshed out in his experiences as Christian walking through the world.  The opportunity came recently to participate in blog tour for Mark’s new book PRIMAL: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity.  I jumped at the chance!

Mark opens the book with a journey to Rome and a chance visit to the Church of San Clemente, named for the fourth bishop of Rome.  This 12th century church was built on the ruins of its 4th century predecessor which covered the catacombs where first century Christians had gathered for worship, fellowship, and study.  He then observed the following:

I’ll never forget my descent down that flight of stairs. The air became damp and we could hear underground springs. We carefully navigated each step as we lost some of our light. And our voices echoed off the low ceiling and narrow walkway. Almost like the wardrobe in The Chronicles of Narnia, that flight of stairs was like a portal to a different time, a different place. It was as if those stairs took us back two thousand years in time. With each step, a layer of history was stripped away until all that was left was Christianity in all of its primal glory.

…

As I tried to absorb the significance of where I was, I couldn’t help but wonder if our generation has conveniently forgotten how inconvenient it can be to follow in the footsteps of Christ. I couldn’t help but wonder if we have diluted the truths of Christianity and settled for superficialities. I couldn’t help but wonder if we have accepted a form of Christianity that is more educated but less powerful, more civilized but less compassionate, more acceptable but less authentic than that which our spiritual ancestors practiced.

Over the last two thousand years, Christianity has evolved in lots of ways. We’ve come out of the catacombs and built majestic cathedrals with all the bells and steeples. Theologians have given us creeds and canons. Churches have added pews and pulpits, hymnals and organs, committees and liturgies. And the IRS has given us 501(c)(3) status. And there is nothing inherently wrong with any of those things. But none of those things is primal. And almost like the Roman effect of building things on top of things, I wonder if the accumulated layers of Christian traditions and institutions have unintentionally obscured what lies beneath.

Each great reformation of God’s church began in part by rediscovering the passion of Jesus’ first followers.  Mark invites us to reconsider our assumptions about what the church’s authentic role in history is to be.  Along the way the reader rediscovers the primal heart, soul, mind, and strength of the Great Commandment for themselves.  I can’t help but be committed to living with compassion, wonder, curiosity, and power among the band of sisters and brothers that are reforming the church for passionate service to God’s world.  Make this book your Christmas present and make a commitment to living into it in the new year.  May 2010 by God’s grace be a turn-around year for you, the community where you live, and the church.

Check out last week’s interview with Mark Batterson at the release of PRIMAL.

Watch live streaming video from waterbrookmultnomah at livestream.com

Click on the following links to purchase PRIMAL, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, or Wild Goose Chase:

421311: Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity
By Mark Batterson / Random House, IncWhat would your faith look like if it were stripped down to the simplest elements possible? Storyteller and pastor Mark Batterson explores the four foundational principles of Great Commandment Christianity: compassion (heart), wonder (soul), curiosity (mind), and power (strength)—and supplies a new reformation beginning for your generation, your church, and your life!
527151: In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day
By Mark Batterson / MultnomahEver been in the wrong place at the wrong time…several times? These memories leave you with an ill taste in your mouth, and nothing good seems to come from them. But what if the seemingly messy pieces of your life were actually strategically positioned by God? What if you’ve actually been in the right place at the right time every time? In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day will help you make sense of your past. You’ll begin to connect the dots to see clearly how God has been preparing you for future opportunities. With a God’s-eye perspective, you’ll soon be thanking Him – even for lions, pits, and snowy days.
527192: Wild Goose Chase Wild Goose Chase
By Mark Batterson / MultnomahDoes seeking to know God’s will with certainty sometimes seem like, well, a wild goose chase? Author of the bestseller In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Batterson unmasks our misconceptions concerning discipleship and decision-making and urges us to dare to take risks. Topics include: playing offense, surviving shipwrecks, pursuing passions, challenging giants, and more.

July 21, 2009

Andy Stanley & Bill Willets on “Creating Community”

Filed under: Books, Leadership, Small Groups — Tags: , — Allen Bingham @ 2:21 pm

In the church world these days everyone is saying “you gotta have small groups” as if the mantra itself provides the energy to turn-around every church on the planet. As a United Methodist, I confess that we just lost it … this was easily one of Wesley’s key innovations to building the people called Methodist into a revitalizing force in England and the United States. Andy Stanley & Bill Willets, in Creating Community: 5 Keys to Building a Small Group Culture (North Point Resources: Multnomah, 2004) provide a comprehensive vision and strategy that North Point Community Church used to launch their adult education plan. Their sense of the five keys to building and sustaining a small group culture are:

  • People Need Community (see chapters 1-3)
  • Leaders Need Clarity (see chapters 4-6)
  • Church Need a Strategy (see chapters 7-9)
  • Connections Need Simplicity (see chapters 10-12)
  • Process Need Reality (see chapters 13-15)

Most folks, including myself, tend to move to the strategy without thinking through the process the way the folks at North Point have. One would do well to follow their lead and discern the need and clarify the goal. Below is a summary of the introductory chapters:

  1. A Culture Craving Relationship. “Our goal is to avoid people at all costs – and costs us it does” (p. 22). “Americans are among the loneliest people on earth” – George Gallup (p.24).
  2. It’s Not All Good. “Living life alone does not accurately reflect the One whose image we bear” (p. 34).
  3. The Divine Community. “One of God’s biggest dreams for us in authentic community” (p.40). “God has called the church to create environments where authentic community can take place” (p. 46).
  4. Clarify the Goal. “What is the point of your church?” (p. 53). “Clarifying what you want people to become will ultimately define your church’s mission (p. 56). The BIG THREE #1: What do we want people to become? (e.g. Bible Knowledge or Skills-Based churches). NP’s answer: “We want people growing in their relationship with God” (i.e. spiritual mature, see p. 57). “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19).
  5. Define Spiritual Maturity. “Saying spiritual maturity is a point in time is like saying physical fitness is a point in time” (p. 65). The BIG THREE #2: What do we want people to do? (e.g. worship, Sunday school, sub-groups, ministry teams, spiritual gifts, etc.). NP’s answer: “We want people growing in three vital relationships: a person’s relationship with God, with other believers, and with unbelievers. We want people to grow in their intimacy with God, community with insiders, and influence with outsiders” (p. 65). “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
  6. Decide Where People Go. “Have you decided what home plate looks like for your church” (p. 73). “For children to adults, we want people’s destination to be the same” (p. 76). The BIG THREE #3: Where do we want people to go? (e.g. Sunday school class, ministry team, or doctrinal seminars). NP’s answer: a small group.

So did you pick up the big three questions you must answer? If not, here they are again:

  • The BIG THREE #1: What do we want people to become?
  • The BIG THREE #2: What do we want people to do?
  • The BIG THREE #3: Where do we want people to go?

Andy Stanley & Stuart Hall on “Being an Influence without Being Influenced’

Filed under: Books, Leadership, Youth Ministry — Tags: , — Allen Bingham @ 12:14 pm

(1) The Standards Principle – Gaining the High Ground:

  • Principle: You must develop, be able to personal articulate, and live by personal standards.
  • Critical Question: Are you developing and living by standards that you can clearly articulate to others?
  • Key Passage: Beloved, I urge you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves honorably among the Gentiles, so that, though they malign you as evildoers, they may see your honorable deeds and glorify God when he comes to judge (1 Peter 2:11-12).

(2) The Priorities Principle – Putting Your Own Spiritual Health First:

  • Principle: You must establish your own spiritual health as a priority over the spiritual health of the friends you are attempting to influence.
  • Critical Question: Are you prioritizing your relationship with Christ over your relationships with friends?
  • Key Passage: But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well (Matthew 6:33).

(3) The Accountability Principle – Making Sure Someone Has Your Back:

  • Principle: You must maintain effective accountability relationships with other Christian students.
  • Critical Question: Are you accountable to other Christians.
  • Key Passage: My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression, you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:1-2).

(4) The Unconditional-Acceptance Principle – Out-Loving the World:

  • Principle: You must love and accept your unbelieving peers unconditionally.
  • Critical Question: Do you unconditionally accept your lost friends?
  • Key Passage: Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God (Romans 15:7).

(5) The Sustained-Influence Principle – Sustaining the Influence You’ve Gained:

  • Principle: You must sustain the influence you gain with your unbelieving peers.
  • Critical Question: Are you sustaining your influence with your lost friends?
  • Key Passage: You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16).

(6) The Leverage Principle – Using Your Influence Wisely:

  • Principle: You must properly put into practice the leverage you gain.
  • Critical Question: Are you using your wisdom to leverage your influence for the sake of the gospel?
  • Key Passage: Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; and if Christ has not been raised, then our proclamation has been in vain and your faith has been in vain. We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ-whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have died in Christ have perished. If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:12-20).

BEING AN INFLUENCE WITHOUT BEING INFLUENCED

  • Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall, MAX Q: Developing Students of Influence, (West Monroe, LA: Howard Books, 2004).
  • Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall, MAX Q Student Journal: How to Be an Influence without Being Influenced, (New York: Howard Books, 2004).

Andy Stanley & Stuart Hall name “Seven Principles Every Teenager Needs to Know”

Filed under: Books, Leadership, Youth Ministry — Tags: , — Allen Bingham @ 11:53 am

Checkpoint #1 – Authentic Faith:

  • Principle: God can be trusted. God will do all that he has promised to do.
  • Crucial Question: Are you trusting God with every area of your life.
  • Key passage: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Checkpoint #2 – Spiritual Disciplines:

  • Principle: When you see as God sees, you will do as God says.
  • Crucial Question: Are you developing a consistent devotional and prayer life?
  • Key Passage: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God-what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

Checkpoint #3 – Moral Boundaries:

  • Principle: Purity paves the way to intimacy.
  • Crucial Question: Are you establishing and maintaining godly boundaries?
  • Key Passage: For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from fornication; that each one of you know how to control your own body in holiness and honor, not with lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one wrong or exploit a brother or sister in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, just as we have already told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness. Therefore whoever rejects this rejects not human authority but God, who also gives his Holy Spirit to you (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8).

Checkpoint #4 – Healthy Friendships:

  • Principle: Your friends will determine the direction and quality of your life.
  • Crucial Question: Are you establishing healthy friendships and avoiding unhealthy ones?
  • Key Passage: Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20).

Checkpoint #5 – Wise Choices:

  • Principle: Walk wisely.
  • Crucial Question: Are you making wise choices in every area of your life?
  • Key Passage: Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17).

Checkpoint #6 – Ultimate Authority:

  • Principle: Maximum freedom is found under God’s authority.
  • Crucial Question: Are you submitting to the authorities that God is placing over you?
  • Key Passage: Let every person be subject to the governing authorities; for there is no authority except from God, and those authorities that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists authority resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment (Romans 13:1-2).

Checkpoint #7 – Others First:

  • Principle: Consider others before yourself.
  • Crucial Question: Are you putting the needs of others ahead of your own?
  • Key Passage: Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death-even death on a cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:3-11).

SEVEN PRINCIPLES EVERY TEENAGER NEEDS TO KNOW:

  • Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall, The Seven Checkpoints for Youth Leaders: Seven Principles Every Teenager Needs to Know, (New York: Howard Books, 2001).
  • Andy Stanley and Stuart Hall, The Seven Checkpoints Student Journal: Seven Principles Every Teenager Needs to Know, (New York: Howard Books, 2001).

Adam Hamilton is “Seeing Gray in a Black and White World”

Filed under: Books — Tags: , — Allen Bingham @ 11:49 am

As in the national election last fall, health care is now emerging as an issue that divides us to the left and to the right. Many of us find ourselves in the middle on this an other divisive issues. When we stand in the middle we are often accused of being soft, muddle-headed, wishy-washy, etc. Adam Hamilton, author of Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White (Abingdon Press, 2008), suggests that the middle with its gray is often exactly where we ought to be. As pastor of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, Hamilton became increasingly uncomfortable with trying to align himself and his congregants with one particular side of the political aisle. He writes: “Each has valuable perspectives to offer, but each seems to see the world only in black and white terms. The problem is that sometimes things are gray, and we must train our eyes to spot them.” To address his concerns, Hamilton preached a five-week series on matters that most only hear about on Capital Hill. The outline of his book detailing this sermon series is listed below:

Introduction: Are Jerry Falwell and John Shelby Spong Our Only Options?

Part I: Seeing the Gray in a Black and White World

  • 01. Are you Liberal or Conservative?
  • 02. Straining Gnats
  • 03. “If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…”
  • 04. Stage Five: Spiritual Maturity
  • 05. Finding the Sweet Spot
  • 06. Shhh! Just Listen!
  • 07. Being Pentacostal without Losing Your Mind

Part II: The Bible, Beliefs, and the Spiritual Journey

  • 08. The Battle Over the Bible
  • 09. The Galileo Affair
  • 10. Apes, Evolution, Adam and Eve
  • 11. Is Your Jesus Too Small?
  • 12. Will There Be Hindus in Heaven?
  • 13. The Logic of Hell
  • 14. Where Is God When Bad Things Happen
  • 15. In Praise of Honest Doubts
  • 16. The Messy Truth about Spirituality

Part III: Politics and Ethics in the Center

  • 17. Ethics and WWJD
  • 18. Abortion: Finding Common Ground
  • 19. Homosexuality at the Center
  • 20. The Question of War
  • 21. Faith and the Presidential Elections
  • 22. A Worthy Vision of America
  • 23. The Radical Center

July 20, 2009

Reuben Job’s Three Simple Rules

Filed under: Books — Tags: , , — Allen Bingham @ 10:56 am

Two years ago, United Methodist Leaders gathered for a “teach-in” at Lake Junaluska. I had my own cynical thoughts about what to do with all the Bishops and District Superintendents required to attend that meeting, but God did some good in those days. They heard from some good thinkers include Gil Rendel and Reuben Job. Below is an outline of the Bishop Job’s book Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living (2007). Bishop Job suggests Three Simple Rules (adapted from John Wesley’s General Rules):

  • Do No Harm,
  • Do Good, and
  • Stay in Love with God.
  • (In youth ministry I used the slogan “avoid evil, do good, and pay attention to God” to help my kids come to understand Wesley’s general rules.)

The other important thing for me in Wesley’s rules were that they were intended for those “desiring to flee the wrath to come.” I find it indicative of God’s prevenient grace that knowing your life was messed up is the requirement for joining the Methodist movement and not professing Jesus Christ is Lord. Introduction: We begin our conversation with a “duh!” Our world is broken. Our nations, our families, our tribes, even our denominiations are broken. This brokenness hinders our witness to the world and Jesus anticipated this challenge when saying: “ Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one ” (John 17:11b). Wesley’s General Rules follow in the tradition of Paul who offered several sets of rules:

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:12-14).

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another (Galatians 5:22-26).

Do No Harm (or as Wesley says, “by doing no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practiced …”).

If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another (Galatians 5:15).

Job suggests that following this first simple rule “provides a safe place to stand while the hard and faithful work of discernment is done” (Simple Rules, 21). This will require a radical reorienting of our lives and this leads Job to offer the following challenges to us when conflict emerges in our lives:

If I can do no harm, I can no longer gossip about the conflict. I can no longer speak disparagingly about those involved in the conflict. I can no longer manipulate the facts of the conflict. I can no longer diminish those who do not agree with me and must honor each as a child of God (Simple Rules, 22).

The hardest part of this rule may be relenting from our ideological and theological positions and “bind ourselves to Jesus Christ as both Savior and Lord of all (Simple Rules, 24). Because I may have to give up my “position” we often avoid this rule because the consequences are scary. Yet even “a casual reading of the gospels suggests that Jesus taught and practiced a way of living that did no harm” (Simple Rules, 27). Do Good (or as Wesley says, “by doing good; by being in every kind merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men”).

Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God (3 John 11b).

God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good … (Acts 10:38).

You owe your conscience to God; to one another you nothing but mutual love (St. Augustine).

There is scarce any possible way of doing good, for which there is not daily occasion …. Here are poor families to be relieved: Here are children to be educated: Here are workhouses, wherein both young and old gladly receive the word of exhortation: Here are the prisons, and therein a complication of humans wants (John Wesley’s Journal, March 28, 1739).

To do good is not easy, despite it being a direct command from Jesus and a strong suggestion from John Wesley. We complicate the command with questions like what is it mean to ‘do good,’ where do I begin, or what are the limits to doing good (Simple Rules, 36)? Job takes time to deal with the thorny issue of control and challenges his reader to know that doing good is precisely in our control and that our questions do not allow us to abdicate the responsibility to do good. Stay in Love with God (or according to Wesley, “By attending upon all the ordinances of God; such are: the public worship of God, the ministry of the Word, either read or expounded, the Supper of the Lord, family and private prayer, searching the Scriptures, and fasting or abstinence”).

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually (Psalm 105.4)

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving (Colossians 2:6-7).

Ordinances, or spiritual disciplines, are the practices that keep “the relationship between God and humans vital, alive, and growing” (Simple Rules, 53). Job takes time to explore Peter and his response to Jesus’ questions “do you love me?” In these moments we are also invited to answer the question individually. Do you love me? If yes, then Jesus says “feed my sheep,” care for my children, do no harm, do good …

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May 11, 2009

Books for Your Reading Consideration

Filed under: Books, Queen Street — Tags: , , — Allen Bingham @ 10:00 pm

In a season of economic uncertainty, you may want to consider these books for your personal and small group study:

  • During difficult economic times, it’s tough not to focus on getting by with less and waiting for the next bit of bad news. But, as Christians, how do we to respond to what’s happening on Wall Street? In Upside Living in a Downside Economy, Mike Slaughter, pastor of Ginghamsburg Church, offers insight into seeking God’s perspective in our daily money concerns. With clarity and a servant’s heart, Slaughter addresses vital topics such as money and marriage, financial and spiritual investments, personal motivation and God’s will, and determining priorities. (There is also a four-session DVD and Leader’s Guide for Upside Living in a Downside Economy that can assist participants in strengthening their spiritual connection while making economic corrections and, most importantly, responding according to God’s plan).
  • Enough is an invitation by Adam Hamilton, pastor of The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, to rediscover the Bible’s wisdom when it comes to prudent financial practices. In these pages are found the keys to experiencing contentment, overcoming fear, and discovering joy through simplicity and generosity. This book could change your life, by changing your relationship with money. (Also available is a five session video study with leader guide. Adam Hamilton presents such topics as Introduction: Faith in the Midst of Financial Crisis, When Dreams Become Nightmares, Wisdom and Finance, Cultivating Contentment, Defined By Generosity plus a Bonus video: To Be A Blessing).
  • Finally, Bishop Robert Schnase, offers us a devotion titled The Balancing Act. Our lives are filled to capacity with routines, habits, conversations, surprises, and disappointments. With all that’s going on in life, it’s easy to miss those quiet moments of grace which come more often than we realize. But they are there. A collection of thirty short and insightful devotional readings originally written for his blog, Bishop Robert Schnase invites readers to take a daily look at how to watch for and include God in their lives. The Balancing Act is written to inspire prayer, conversation, questions, and change. Feel free to use it as a personal daily devotional or in small groups.
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April 6, 2009

Books for Your Reading Consideration

Filed under: Books — Allen Bingham @ 9:27 am

This month let’s look at several books to brighten our spirits:

Patricia Wilson is a storyteller whose anecdotes point to the good news: God loves you and wants you to enjoy a life abundant in blessings, freedom, and opportunity. In When You Come Unglued Stick Close to GodWilson shows readers how to dump their baggage, resist stress, loosen up, and begin simply to be the unique individuals God created each one to be.

When tragedy strikes, many people desperately search for answers by turning to God. Bestselling author and pastor Max Lucado believes that prayer is the only real answer to tragedy and crisis and helps readers understand how to pray despite their doubt and fear. Check out For These Tough Times: Reaching Toward Heaven for Hope and Healing.

Marriages have a better opportunity of thriving when couples spend time together with God. David Stoop and Jan Stoop offer couples a chance to center their lives together in Just Us: Finding Intimacy with God and Each Other. In a few minutes each day, couples will focus on God’s view of marriage, how God blesses marriage, how to grow in love and intimacy, faithfulness, improving communication, resolving conflicts, the roles of husband and wife, building trust, forgiveness, the importance of prayer and how to have an intentional marriage.

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February 7, 2009

Moving forward by saying YES (and often saying NO) …

Filed under: Books — Tags: , — Allen Bingham @ 7:00 am

When you are paying attention, answers come from unexpected sources for often unasked questions.  What do I mean.  Often I have been asked about what the churches I have served with did to launch something new.  For example, how did you get together the band for the contemporary service at Nashville UMC (which doubled worship attendance) or grow the missions budget at Pinehurst UMC (which increased twenty-fold)?  In my better moments I answered by saying it was simply a God-thing.

About three months ago I was attending a training event with the Alban Institute which was paying attention to helping organization take the next step forward in the journey.  In the midst of the conversation the title of one of Peter Block's books came up, and the title alone floored me.  I received in a fifteen second blip the insight in what had worked to unleash such creativity in the churches I have served.  The title is The Answer to How Is Yes: Acting on What Matters!  When we say YES to taking the next step, the hows often take care of themselves, but we have to be willing to take the next step (or is it a leap?).

Listed below are six questions that Block suggests we need to reframe to say YES:

  1. How Question: How do you do it?
    Yes Question: What refusal have I been postponing?
  2. How Question: How long will it take?
    Yes Question: What commitment am I willing to make?
  3. How Question: How much does it cost?
    Yes Question: What is the price I am willing to pay?
  4. How Question: How do you get those people to change?
    Yes Question: What is my contribution to the problem I am concerned with?
  5. How Question: How do we measure it?
    Yes Question: What is the crossroad at which I find myself at this point in my life/work?
  6. How Question: How are others doing it successfully?
    Yes Question: What do we want to create together?
  7. Bonus Question: What is the question that, if you had the answer, would set you free?

I encourage you to consider asking more YES questions?  In my own life, the real adventures began when I made a commitment with God to move forward — especially when I did not have the answers to the how questions that I and others were raising in the moment.

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December 18, 2008

Generosity in America

Filed under: Books — Tags: , — Allen Bingham @ 12:03 pm

Martin Marty’s Context always brings (at least) a note worth paying attention to in a fresh way.  Today I received January’s issue with this quote from Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money by Christian Smith, Michael O. Emerson, and Patricia Snell:

“We think most American Christians do possess the financial resources to give generously–say, 10 percent of after-tax income–if they were committed to doing so, although for many such giving would come at a real lifestyle cost to consumer spending. Such generous financial giving by American Christians would require an intentional, principled, upfront decision to give faithfully, consistently, and systematically and would require the support of local church cultures in which generous financial giving is collectively expected and honored. “Most American Christians, we think, do not give generously for a combination of reasons. [All italics are in original.] The first reason is that many have, for various reasons, simply not seriously confronted and grappled with the theological and moral teachings of their traditions to give generously–they are only vaguely aware of or perhaps even avoid those teachings. Second, we think most American Christians do not give generously because many of their churches settle for low expectations of financial giving–there is a simple cultural lack of strong community norms encouraging and celebrating generous giving.  Third, some American Christians do not give generously in part because they lack a complete confidence in the trustworthiness of the churches and charitable organizations to which they would give money. Fourth, most American Christians do not give generously because, due to the total privatization and lack of accountability of such issues, there
are few or no real consequences or costs to stingy, intermittent, or no giving. Fifth, most American Christians do not give generously because most tend to practice giving on an occasional and situational basis, not as a disciplined, structured, routine practice.– Passing the Plate, Oxford University Press, pp. 97-98.

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