Congratulations, you made it to Friday! Here’s your reward — a heapin’ helpin’ of eye candy.
First up, check out the snazzy promo video for Ben Arment’s new book, Church in the Making.
Next, check out Part 1 of Brad Lomenick’s convo with Scott Belsky below and Part 2 here.
This commercial for MTV is just amazing (via Gizmodo).
And finally, this video invites you to “Rethink the Cross.”
Igniter Media, our sister company, recently developed Spanish version of two popular Easter videos — “ESTAMOS REUNIDOS (DÍA DE LA RESURRECCIÓN)” and “LA ÚLTIMA PINTURA.” As is standard practice when a new product is released, Igniter sent an email newsletter to its customers announcing two new resources “en Español.” It wasn’t long before Igniter received a curt reply:
“Do not – I repeat – do not send me emails advertising Spanish.”
We know a few things about this guy: 1) he’s an English speaker 2) he’s a Christian and 3) he has a strong objection to being told about church media resources in Spanish. Personally, I assume that his email response was a reaction to the rapidly changing demographics in the US, and that he views Igniter’s foray into Spanish resources as part of a larger trend, issue, or problem. Admittedly, that’s an assumption on my part, and this guy has the right to complain about emails if he wants to. But here’s the kicker …
Guess what comes before the guy’s name in his email signature?
“Until The Whole World Hears”
The incredibly ironic combination of his adamant reply and his missional signature is indicative of a significant challenge for the Church in the 21st century. We want the whole world to hear but we don’t want to be the ones to tell them. We believe we’re to fulfill the Great Commission but we prefer to engage with people who look, speak, act, live, and smell like us. We like the way the gospel sounds in English. We like the way it looks when it’s expressed in America.
I think Jesus wants to lead us past terse reactions to being confronted with other cultures. I think Jesus wants his Church to transcend even the slightest hint of ethnocentrism.
The future of the Church isn’t white or English-speaking. It’s a dazzling mosaic comprised of every tongue, tribe, and nation, and it’s characterized by deep fellowship (shalom, if you will) among its members and with God Almighty.
Do you want the whole world to hear? Great. Me too. Now comes the hard part — doing what it takes to translate, communicate, and connect. Spanish videos are just the beginning …
The virtues and vices of online ministry have been debated off and on throughout the blogosphere, with most discussions making some mention of the Great Commission, the need for a Christian presence on the web, and the relative strengths and limitations of technology in Christian ministry. Andrew Conard, as a good Wesleyan, sees the web as his parish. Benedict XVI has a few ideas. And I let my thoughts be known in this piece written for COLLIDE about a year ago.
Most of the opinions I have encountered on the topic of online ministry have overwhelmingly focused on the theological and philosophical questions concerning whether or not someone’s “attendance” as part of a church service via live web-stream is a positive or negative development for the vitality of Christianity. The responses have ranged from a resounding “No!” to an all out embrace. I think there is reason to be cautiously optimistic, but I remain extremely critical. New integrations of technology and Christian practice demand hard thinking and deep reflection concerning not just how such tools might be leveraged to reach people for Christ, but also how using such technologies will inevitably change and reshape us.
In order to best evaluate online ministry, more than critical reflection will be needed. Many churches are already putting a variety of technologies into practice, and have been actively connecting with people on the web. There are leaders who are presently facing the challenges of conducting ministry on the web, have catalogued their successes and their failures, gained incredible insight, adapted their approach, and continued to move forward. Those stories need to be told.
Theory is always easier to evaluate when matched up with practice. Therefore, what stories of online ministry need to be told that highlight the strengths and expose the weaknesses? How might we best collaborate with one another so that our philosophy of ministry might be sharpened and improved?
If you have a story of success, share it, whether it be from your local church, your combing of the web, or, perhaps, your personal experience. If you have a story of failure and shortcoming, share it, so that we might learn from you.
Last week, political commentator Glenn Beck advised his audience to visit their church’s website. He told them that they should look for the phrases “social justice” and “economic justice,” and if they found those phrases, they should leave their church. Whether or not you agree with Mr. Beck’s view that “social justice” and “economic justice” are code words for communism, I do think you should examine your church website for a few phrases. In fact, if you find any of the following phrases on your church website, perhaps you should consider finding a new place of worship.
1. “Poisonous Snakes”
Some folks like to express their faith by handling poisonous snakes, but we don’t recommend it. It’s flat-out dangerous, and some people are allergic to the anti-venom. Yikes!
2. “Find us on MySpace”
This one isn’t as dangerous as #1 … I just don’t like MySpace.
3. “When the aliens come for us”
Let the record reflect that this phrase never ends well for those who use it or believe it. I’ll even go out on a limb and say that the aliens are never going to come for us.
4. “Electroshock therapy”
Whether intended for use as church discipline, correcting unruly youngsters, or good old-fashioned fun, always make sure that electroshock therapy should be administered by trained professionals. Not eager amateurs.
5. “Christian alternative to Twitter”
Twitter rocks. There are plenty of Christians who use it well and to the glory of God. No need for an alternative. Just say no to HolyTweet or 70 Plus 7 Characters or whatever they come up with next.
And lastly, please flee your church if you find the following phrase on its website:
6. “Hitler was misunderstood”
This one should go without saying.
Assuming that your church’s website is free from all these phrases, please continue attending regularly!
God bless!
Every issue of COLLIDE contains a feature called “Church Spotlight,” in which we — are you ready for this? — spotlight a church. We like talking to churches that are creative and excellent in their use of media and technology and sharing their insights with our readers. It’s not about elevating them to hero status or saying they have it all figured out; it’s about sharing what various local churches are doing and learning. Anyway, here’s where you come in.
We need you to tell us who we should spotlight next. In the comments below, tell us about a church that uses media and technology well. The more you can tell us (the church’s name, URL, and why you’re nominating them), the better equipped we’ll be to make decisions on upcoming Church Spotlights.
So, let’s hear it. Who should we spotlight next?
