For most, Haiti will merely be a blip on the overall theme for our churches Sunday. It certainly will be mentioned, but the schedule of church (sermon series) won't be bumped by the plight of the poorest nation.

It shouldn't be like this, and I pray my description above the complete opposite of what your church is doing.

But think of this. If the community, the non churchgoers, are looking to express, almost release a sigh of anguish, shouldn't they do it at church. Shouldn't you help them along the way?

If you're all about getting people into your building then this is the chance. Put on a benefit concert and invite the community. Take an offering with all proceeds going to the Red Cross or your choice agency. Remind people that the Canadian Govt will match all donations. Give people the option to have someone pray over them as they come to grips with the devastation.

There is a necessary human response, and a necessary Christian response, to right the wrongs in Haiti.

This is a massive opportunity for your church not to attract a few extra visitors this Sunday, but to LEAD the charge to offer long term solutions and redemption to a torn country. Be a part of the solution in a real and tangible way, don't let Haiti become a fleeting by the time February rolls around.

What is Your Church’s Response to Haiti? is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Yes, Stuff Christians Like is a wicked tongue in cheek summary of evangelical elitism in North America. I particularly enjoyed this post because it's so true. We're called by leaders, and leaders themselves act in this way, that we need to find at least one non-Christian and do stuff with--of course with the purpose of 'saving them'.

Forget about being anybody's friend just to be a friends, everyone is a target to be converted inJesusname. Thank God I have a tough time keeping one CHRISTIAN person around for witnessing in my daily travels....

Keep One Non-Christian Around for Witnessing is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

For a more concise dialogue on the subject please visit Bene Diction.

Canadian Pro-Life Supporters Take Note is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/another-one-gets-off-the-evangelical-bus-thoughts-on-a-de-conversion

My sense is when Canadians literally grow a spine they'll start an exodus from boring evangelical church. I could be wrong.

http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/another-one-gets-off-the-evangelical-bus-thoughts-on-a-de-conversion is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

I believe that the missional church movement has done much to correct the old saying: "I don't smoke, I don't chew, and I don't date guys/girls who do." As a pastor with the denomination, I was even presented with the option of drinking alcohol at my own discretion, a choice unavailable 10 years ago. We have missional church planters meeting in pubs and bars discussing the latest trends and innovations of church. Such groups believe that "drinking holes" and other common areas of community (i.e. restaurants, poker games, Starbucks) should be the church's mission field, and rightly so. Hell, let's even light a cigar once in a while.

We are coming out from a time in church when being Christian meant you didn’t smoke, you didn’t drink (alcohol, that is), and you didn’t have sex before marriage. And because that became our focus, it turned into legalism. For many years we were quick to judge and we failed to love people regardless of their background. If people didn’t fit our Christian "box", then they were rejected. Now, in the last decade or so, many churches have realized how wrong we have been in turning away so many people looking for love, acceptance and ultimately, God. We’ve become more missional. We are feeding the poor, we care for the orphan and the widow, we speak up for social justice issues, we buy more expensive bottled water so that part of the proceeds will go to dig wells in Africa for people without clean drinking water.

However, I have an increasing suspicion that the missional church's message of openness and acceptance has unintentionally aided in swinging the pendulum from "extreme legalism" to "all-out license." My suspicions continue to be confirmed over time. I have had numerous conversations with young men and women regarding sexuality where inevitably, the questions center upon how far they can push the "boundaries" before it is considered sinning, such as: Is oral sex wrong? Is masturbation wrong? What about "dry humping"? Is it possible to be a spiritual virgin again once I've lost my physical virginity? (I was actually asked that last question). I am continually asked to intervene in situations where the individuals' experimenting with sex, alcohol and drugs have gone too far. Weekend drunken sprees have become the norm among the college and career groups. Each of these circumstances I have encountered among communities of faith.

In many senses, then, I contend that parts of our missional faith communities look exactly like Hollywood. "Let's feed the poor, care for the earth, wipe out AIDS in Africa. But...no one should tell us what to do with our money, how much we should drink, or what we can or cannot do with our bodies."

I propose that the solution to "extreme legalism" is not "all-out license", but missional morality.

What then is missional morality? Well, If we follow Jesus, then we should love our neighbours, hang out with them, watch a flick, have a beer or two, go dancing– go into the marketplace – AND TRANSFORM IT. I’m pretty sure Jesus is fine with drinking a little wine or beer, but getting hammered is a different story. I’m pretty sure he'd be alright with dancing, but bumping and grinding against someone who’s not your spouse is a little iffy. All of us know how Jesus feels about sexual activity outside of marriage. No question about that, he was very clear. Jesus was the one who equated lusting after other women with adultery. He was the one who equated cursing another person as murder in spirit. He said that he had came not to abolish the law and the prophets, but to fulfill them. No one would ever accuse Jesus of being a legalist, since even his enemies charged him of being a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."

Most missional individuals would identify Jesus as their prime example. One of the core attributes of missional living would be a renewed appreciation and reverence for the life and teachings of Jesus. I believe Jesus to be the most missional person to have ever lived. Jesus loved the poor, he elevated the status of abused women, he ate and communed with sinners and prostitutes.

I also believe Jesus to be the most moral person to have ever lived. Jesus did not sin, and he never condoned the sinful behaviour of those whose sins he forgave. For example, once the legalists had left the scene, to the adulteress Jesus said, "Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin." Zacchaeus the tax collector was so moved by Jesus' presence as his dinner guest that his repentance and restoration resulted in him giving HALF his possessions to the poor and pledging to pay back FOUR TIMES the amount of anything he cheated off another. On one occasion, a "sinful" woman wet his feet with her tears, and proceeded to kiss Jesus' feet, wipe them with her hair, and pour perfume on them. To her Jesus said: "Your sins are forgiven, your faith has saved you, go in peace."

I have seen people enter our churches looking for redemption and leave because they were judged for sinful mistakes of the past. I now see people being accepted into our churches, regardless of their sinful habits, with no desire on their part for a redemptive morality and no "back-bone" on the church's part to call them to account. I wonder what our churches would look like where sins are forgiven yet not tolerated, and sinners are restored yet continue to be exhorted to"sin no more."

For years now we have been challenged to be as missional as Jesus was. Perhaps it is high time we follow his example of morality as well. He once said:

"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.

I believe missional morality is, in the words of Jesus, "practicing the latter, without neglecting the former."

Missional Morality – Balancing the Tension Between “Extreme Legalism” and “All-out License” is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Technorati Tags: legalism, license, Missional, morality

Free ebook 'Leadership Learnings' pdf.

Learnings isn't a word but seriously, you might find some interesting thoughts in this compilation of top blog posts from a wide range of business/church business authors.

Leadership Learnings Free eBook is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

I'm personally all for reinterpreting universal church traditions in a language that can be understood to our current culture.

The only problem is the folks I hang around did away with church seasons because they were dusty with empty liturgy and repetition. Fair enough, but what happens when our own traditions become dusty and repetitious? Would we even notice?

Here is a wonderful collection of the top ten dusty traditions in the evangelical church that may be preventing necessary renewal/change.

And by the way, I do know someone who used Chic tracks as a huge help to their faith traditions.....I think all of those things mentioned in the article above can still be used legitimately because as God can be translated into any language/culture, he can stick around in the dying ones.

Lent Arrives, Evangelicals Scratch Their Heads is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

The issues is technology. The problem, churches don't invest any time or space in the area thinking it's too high-tech, too expensive, and not important enough. (I'm not saying all, many are doing amazing things using tech.)

The only problem is technology is how emerging and existing generations communicate, it's fast becoming the norm. The church that forgets tech (and lies in a consumer model which is most) will be left behind (and not we don't like those books either).

For church leaders, it is notable that a minority of churchgoing Mosaics and Busters are accessing their congregation’s podcasts and website. While technology keeps progressing and penetrating every aspect of life, churches have to work hard to keep pace with the way people access and use content, while also instructing churchgoers on the potency of electronic tools and techniques.

To be a leader in tech will go miles in who you reach and how you can communicate with your community.

Barna Confirms Suspicions – Churches Suck at Tech is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Here is the Canadian (and specifically Albertan) version of who evangelicals (and others) build their churches for. Enjoy, and if you're a church leader, shake your head in shame....or is it hang your head?

I'm a consumer.

Nothing wrong with that.
I like nice things.
Shiny things.
Techie things.
Tasty things.
Dark beers with a rich foam head.
Did I mention?
I'm a consumer.

So. You want me in your church. Here's how to get me.

1. Parking. I need lots of space for my big SUV. And it better be close to the doors. Don’t want to do much walking. So if it isn’t - how about a shuttle.

2. Nice Building. This is important. I’m not interested in some strip mall church that looks like it’s struggling. Or an old traditional church - unless you've done millions in renos. I’m an upwardly model semi-professional. I want my surroundings to reflect my importance. I don't mind driving my SUV to get there either.

3. Proper HVAC. This isn’t important. It’s critical. I want to be cool when it’s warm and warm when it’s cool. 23 degrees year round. Is that too much to ask?

4. Comfy chairs. And when I say chairs, I mean chairs. Preferably theater-style. With wide arm rests. If you're going to put on a show then at least let me sit back and consume in comfort. Give me some space for my girth - and safe distance from the other arriving consumers.

5. Be punctual. I’ve already spent too much time getting me and the family ready and there for the meeting. Begin it on time. Have something cool playing on the big screens to entertain if we arrive a little early.

6. You’ve got an hour. Make good use of it. I want to be in and out in no more than 75 minutes. Maybe a few more if you’re serving decent coffee. Decent coffee that’s free, of course.

7. Music. Three songs up front. One fast (to get us going). One mid-tempo (to help us be reflective). End with a fast one (that tells us how much Jesus/God/the Spirit loves us - just no Jesus-Is-My-Boyfriend songs. OK!) Or for some, one fast, one slow, one hymn, one hillsong song (or is just hillsong?)

8. Announcements. Get them over after the music. Present them on your big screens so they can be done quickly. This isn’t a time to stick your B-team on the platform to give them some face time. And, unless Larry David is writing for you, avoid humor. Have the Final Cut folk edit your marketing stuff down to 15 second bites. If it works for Sony, it’ll work for you.

9. Offering. Now. It’s up to you where you put it. If the preacher is great, after the sermon might work better. If not. Go for the money after the announcements. (Maybe show some shots of starving third world kids in the last announcement. Heart-string-tugs work for Compassion and World Vision - why not your church.) “God loves a cheerful giver” and the Malachi 3 verses and the 100 fold blessing are important reminders. A good story of how tithing worked for someone would be great. No more than 90 seconds though.

10. Sermon. Twenty minutes. Did I make myself clear. 20 Minutes. 20. Twenty. (If this is Alberta then 40 is tolerated....) None of my TV shows are more than 20 and I change during commercials. We have the attention spans of gnats. Keep that in mind. Make it practical. If I wanted systematic theology, I would have gone to seminary. Use humor. Steal from the best if necessary. I want to leave feeling built up. And it’s a bonus if I can use the jokes/stories you told at work tomorrow.

11. Final song. Let the band rip on the last song. Feel good, happy-clappy works here. Maybe a key change to really let me know you're trying to pull at my emotions. You want us wanting to come back for more next week.

12. Benediction segue. Let the band lay back and under as you Bless Us. Speak multiplied blessings over us - and then do a fast pitch for whatever product you need to sell. I did say. Fast pitch.

13. And then the band amps back up. This is the place for guitar or sax solos as we head out the doors to the shuttle bus or book store or free coffee. It’s okay to charge us something extra for Lattés.

Like I said. I’m a consumer. Oh. And a sort of a Christian. If you build this (or now, continue with this), I will come.

Or so you've been told.

Consumer Christian Description is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

I'm for one only believe a poor and underpaid pastor should only exist in a poor church. They're already overworked and under-appreciated so mind as well pay them with fairness. (Mind you, don't grossly overpay them either

Presbyter’s Get Paid the Most – Women Too is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives