Thailand Hotel Attempting Church Relevance

This picture is an actual flyer I got in my hotel in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I absolutely love it. In case you can't read it - here are some excerpts.

• Dear My Guest
• Beverage rate in refridgelator
• "another beverage and snake you can buy at office"
• Please bring your cloth to office
• Free coffee in small house every day
• For another question you can ask me later

I think this stuff is so cute. But still... I'm wondering if my "refridgelator" will hold my beverage and "snake" that I buy at the office. And what "cloth" do I take to the office? Is that near the small house with the coffee? I only see a hotel with a clubhouse-sort-of-building. Honestly, I didn't have any questions until I read this unsolicited flyer in my hotel room. The last thing I want to do is get "another question" from this gal later.

Sound familiar? I think many churches, including Impact, can communicate in very similar ways to our 'target market.' As a church in Elk Grove and Sacramento, how many times have we used language that the people we are trying to reach just 'don't get?'

Communication is a KEY to reaching others. How are you doing? Do you use a lot of words like 'blessed' and 'hedge of protection' and 'my walk with God?' I'm really thinking that this type of language is like the well-meaning office manager who put that flyer in my room.

Oh - just so you know, I appreciated the effort of this office manager and  did take her up on doing my laundry. I looked past the miscommunication and to the heart of her message. It was actually helpful. But are our neighborhoods as apt to overlook our miscommunication? If we communicate more intentionally, we won't have to worry about it.

Sacramento Bee - Fox 40 News - "Am I Being Painted As The Bad Guy?"

The Sacramento Bee ran an article this morning on pastors who use other pastors' messages as a source for ideas and content in their own preaching. This is something I've always done. It's no secret. No big deal. Nothing to be ashamed of... right?

Well, according to some of the Bee readers, you'd think I was a bad guy - that's for sure. And even the article... it has an unwritten bent that kinda makes me (and several thousand other pastors) out to be the rebels. You can read the article here.

To add to this seemingly benign FRONT PAGE article of the Bee... Fox 40 News called this morning and wants to do an on-camera interview tomorrow. Seriously? Is this really that big of a deal... well... except for the 5000 pastors who took "The Pastor's Pledge," promising to use the Bible as their primary sermon source?

WHOA! Wait a second. Who says that I'm not already using the Bible as my primary sermon source? Let's think about that for a moment. If Pastor Joe Schmoe was one of the elite and uber spiritual 5000 pastors who took the pledge - and he wrote a sermon with his primary source as the Bible... and then I wanted to preach it a year later... does that mean the sermon is no longer a Bible based sermon? Did somehow the Source get changed in that message?

Why can't I find a pastor who uses the Bible as his primary source and then utilize that great Biblical CONCEPT while tweaking it to fit my personality with personal stories and illustrations?

Seems like I should be able to be in the 'Bible Source Club' too. In fact, if you read this article - I think I'm already qualified to be one of the 5000 along with Pastor Schmoe. :) Additionally, the whole "Pastor's Pledge" was started by www.sermoncentral.com - a leading provider of sermons and sermon resources as a way to encourage pastors to focus on the Bible as they consult other resources for inspiration in communicating as effectively as possible.

What do you think... should I do the Fox 40 News interview... or am I being painted as the bad guy here? Comment below if you like.

Be Straight Up... Will Ya?

Every now and then you run across something that makes you really think. This blog comes from www.PerryNoble.com and hits the nail right on the head. I realize at Impact we don't typically have these kinds of lingering attitudes but I have heard most of these statements. Most of those folks making these statements don't go here anymore. So here is the blog - enjoy. Do you think Perry is right on this?

What They REALLY Mean…

One of the lessons I’ve learned while being in the ministry for the past 17 years is sometimes what people say isn’t exactly true…things such as…

(WARNING…you will probably only like this post if you are a pastor or a staff member of a church!)

What They Say:  “I’m looking for a church that preaches the Word!”

What They Mean:  “I’m looking for a church that preaches MY view of the Word.  I think the BLANK translation should be used…I think BLANK should be talked about a lot while BLANK should be ignored.  And if you ever stop preaching my view of the Word I will leave and tell others that you don’t preach the Word!”

What They Say:  “Lot’s of people have been coming to me and saying they don’t like is…”

What They Mean:  “I basically only have three friends…and all of them think exactly like me.  The other night we were enjoying a time of self righteousness because, after all, we are right about everything…and were also slandering you (in the form of prayer requests) and thought it would be wise to approach you with our pet peeve.  We’ve actually talked to no one else about this but said “lots” because we wanted to validate our dysfunction.”

What They Say:  “I’m leaving the church.”

What They Mean:  “Beg me to stay.  If you will just ask me I will share with you several ways you can compromise God’s vision that He’s given you, thus becoming nothing more than a people pleasing pastor who is more interested in popularity than obedience.  If you don’t bow to my demands I will remind you that I tithe and that the church needs my money, reducing you to a mere preaching whore…one who is paid for a service for the pleasure of another person.”

What They Say:  “I want a church that is more focused on discipleship.”

What They Mean:  “I want a church where everyone knows me and how important I am!  I don’t want to reach people who are different from me, be it economic class or race or even musical preference.  I already know WAY more than I do…but I somehow equate spirituality with knowledge rather than application and I rather enjoy feeling intellectually superior to those who don’t know as much as me.”

What They Say:  “Don’t take this personally…but…”

What They Mean:  “I am about to lower the BOOM on you…but you can’t get angry because I told you not to take it personally.  Even though you have dedicated your life to this and pretty much invest every ounce of energy you have to this cause…and I think about it once or twice a week…you need to receive my attacks, even when they are personal…and you cannot retaliate because, remember, it’s not personal.”

OKAY, that was fun!  I typed it all with a smile.  Trust me…I’m not mad or frustrated with anyone…I just thought a pastor or two MIGHT get a smile out of this.  :-)