Painted under Tebow's eyes is the John 3:16 passage, crowd favorite for evangelicals looking to save souls. John 3:16, you know, in fact, everyone does right? Wrong.

In the supposed nation of Christianity, God's chosen (OK I'm getting carried away) don't even know one of the most iconic (in pop culture) pieces of scripture.

The #1 Google search in all of America following the January 9th, win was 'John 3:16'.

Now, it's possible that not everyone was looking for the actual scripture reference (although most were I'd surmise), but searchers were in the least looking for interpretation.

The numbers of searches represented in the #1 term for a particular trend is in the million, if not more.

Implications?

I think this is an apt reflection into the heart of America. Despite boasting in their religiosity even the most basic form of evangelicalism sits unknown. A sobering reality of the culture to come and what has already arrived in America.

Tebow Effect and John 3:16 – How Google Reports a Changing World is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

"Courage my friends, tis never to late to work for a better world" - Tommy Douglas

On November 24th, social service workers gathered in the cozy environment of Parkdale United Church Calgary to discuss poverty reduction in Alberta. A series of passionate politicians, CEO’s and directors of organizations committed to reducing poverty in Alberta met to share ideas, network between organizations, and present reports in an attempt to create a collective movement of informed and engaged empowerment. Many issues where covered in the day long conference and although a few critiques came to mind, I was inspired by the use of a theological, moral and spiritual language that was used to describe where we may need to focus if we desire to reduce poverty or even eliminate it in Alberta.

Tony Martin, an NDP Member of Parliament currently in his twentieth year of public service, who in partnership with various organizations tabled Bill C-545: “An Act to Eliminate Poverty in Canada”, spoke of poverty as a moral issue and a spiritual journey. After reciting facts and figures, Martin challenged the conference goers by saying a new reordering is required. During his talk Martin referred to the story of Caesar Chavez, written by Marshall Ganz called, “Why David Sometimes Wins”, illustrating that seeking the alternative is a model that Martin uses to continue the work that needs doing. Continuing on, he said that we cannot use weapons effectively against masters of them. This is why paramount to changing and reordering the way we engage in poverty reduction is a re-envisioning. He challenged us to live in the ‘occupy’ spaces of our lives, not necessarily to the same end and purpose as current occupiers exist, but as a challenge to move into those more creative alternative spaces for answers; for only in the lived experience of individuals can real change occur. The words that hit home for me where the most challenging of all, “the major player missing from all this action are churches”, thus spoke the politician.

A committee member from Vibrant Lethbridge, a branch of Vibrant Communities Canada that focuses on pro-inclusion poverty reduction strategy, also framed the poverty issue in this light challenging that, “As much of an economic benefit poverty reduction is, we must do it because it is the right thing to do.” Again reinforcing that it is in creating and offering lived experience that generates the sustainable change we desire.

Dan Meades, director of Vibrant Communities Calgary framed this same idea in a slightly varied tone stating that, “there is something more important than money, but if people won’t listen we will dumb down the message all the way to dollars and cents”. Prophetic words in light of a report to be released in January by the VCC that will ask the question: Is Alberta paying to keep people poor? And if so how much? Poverty reduction is both economically feasible and morally imperative, so what is stoping us from acting?
This is where the church needs to take a stand and it’s not like we have nothing to offer. The opposite is in fact true- when it comes to the moral questions of our time the church has the most to offer- first in a use and practice of a moral language and second in a lived experience of communal well being and focus. As I have recently heard preached, church is a community that generates community. If the church desires to not only stay relevant, but to become revelatory, it must engage in this type of work: participating in that lived experience, that re-envisioning and like Chavez, teaching the ways of David, the ways of the alternative.The church has been challenged, summoned by others in our communities, political or otherwise, who have seen the value of having the church on their side. We must respond, it is the right thing to do.

The the conference named, “Dream No Little Dreams” is based on a quote by Tommy Douglas, the first leader of the NDP and the man known for bringing Medicare to Canada. Douglas states, “we should never, never be afraid or ashamed about dreams. The dreams won’t all come true; we won’t always make it; but where there is no vision a people perish. Where people have no dreams and no hopes and aspirations, a life becomes dull and a meaningless wilderness.” There is a multiplicity of changes needed to occur, no one answer will solve the problem of poverty, but as individuals and as a church community we have the responsibility to take those steps and dream those dreams.

For more information or to get involved check out these links:

http://www.actiontoendpovertyinalberta.org

http://www.vibrantcalgary.com

http://community.ywcaofcalgary.com

Dream No Little Dreams – Poverty in Alberta is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

All big churches of the Protestant variety are almost exclusively lead in a very managerial/CEO model of leadership. It's not biblical, but it works to churn out a weekly show(s).

The model of leadership in these kinds of churches is almost exclusively top down: CEO, board, managers, customers. The opposite end of the church leadership spectrum is the completely decentralized house church that lacks any identifiable leadership. Somewhere left of center (or maybe right?) is the Anabaptist missional movement headed by the likes of Alan Hirsch and company.

Hirsch advocates an Ephesians 4 model coupled with the very Protestant tenant of the "priesthood of all believers" as the foundation to leadership. It's a flat leadership structure yet does not forgo the necessity for leaders of leaders.

Then there's Occupy Wall Street, a mish mash of advocacy, social change, homeless, students, beatniks, hobos, tree hugger groups, and whomever has a message to throw at "the man".

OWS will fail in its current form because it lacks a unified purpose. In this case, the decentralization of the movement has lead to greater participation by otherwise fragmented groups, but stymies the overall effectiveness. No effect = no change.

It's somewhat ironic but the fact OWS is so decentralized is its downfall. You can be too flat in leadership to the point your organization/movement lists powerless.

Here's a good take from Christianity Today that starts weak but ends well.

I for one don't think OWS will amount to anything. However, I do believe this is a catalyst for something better to come. In the very least, I hope the movement will launch a growing discontent in young people (and old) to become far more involved the civic and electoral process to in fact usher in real change.

But for anything more to happen we're going to have to find a unified message/purpose. It's not necessary a person that needs to step up, but a singular course of action, a vision perhaps, that will unite the so-called 99%.

Christians, Leadership, and Occupy Wall Street is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

All I can say is FAIL. Here's why.

First off, anybody who reads the sign, which is probably tens of thousands a day, won't have a CLUE what it means.

What does a sign with "Kingdom of God" mean to people who don't even go to church???

What some who used to do the church thing (or have heard of people who do), will recognize is 'born again'--that buzzword from the 70's generally used in the pejorative today.

Secondly, people who are churched might not even understand the sign. What does 'seeing the Kingdom of God' actually mean? (And apparently this whole Kingdom of God thing is only for men.)

Thirdly, the sign is wrong.

I get what they're trying to say (or at last how I interpret it). If you haven't said a 'prayer' to get to 'heaven' then you won't see the 'Kingdom'. So get on your knees and be 'born again'!

FAIL.

Not only will the sign not work but the theology is wrong.

Using words like 'Kingdom' imply, in orthodox Christianity, the ushering in of God's ultimately dream of righting all the wrongs. Because we live in a liminal space, the now but not yet time where the Kingdom has now been glimpsed in Christ and joined by the church, but not yet in realised in full, the Kingdom IS seen.

Ironically, the church who put up the sign ARE the ones who should be glimpsing moments of God's Kingdom on earth by being participants in a mission to right wrongs.

Next time they should put something at least semi controversial for the right reasons, perhaps something drole? Any suggestions?

Church Sign Fail is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Churches seem to have a complex between the 'leaders' and the 'disciples'. Some confuse the two, others don't know the difference. Still more try to differentiate the two but only put resources into one--usually 'leadership development'.

The conventional churches today are marred with a complex of creating 'leaders' over 'disciples'. The question is why? And why is it that churches (Bill Hybels and Willow Creek) have monster sized 'Leadership' summits yet embarrass themselves by putting world class leaders amidst church pastors?

First, memorable from last year's Summit was the chasm between church pastors and world class leaders speaking. The 'secular' leaders were all about creativity and decentralized leadership. Bill Hybels talked about how to run a good board meeting. Do you see the disconnect? Pastors are still 15 years behind the game.

Second, why doesn't Willow Creek have the 'Discipleship Summit'?

They enjoy putting on a 'Leadership Summit' with all the best and brightest in business.

But that's the thing. Churches are run like a business. Governance models, CEO type pastors guiding the ship, and of course leaders who need to run the programs.

There's a fundamental difference between a church that needs disciples, and one that needs leaders.

One is built on a 'come and see' model, the other on a 'go and be'.

Make no mistake, leadership is not the problem. We need the kinds of leaders seen in Ephesians 4.

But given the limited resources we have, is it better to develop the transferable business skills, or spend 2 years to build one disciple who will then replicate in another 2 years?

One is crucial to the organic life of a community, the other is a key cog in a usually poorly oiled machine.

Leaders v Disciples: Why Isn’t There a ‘Discipleship Summit’? is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Apparently September 18th is National Back to Church day (because evidently the church takes Summer's off).

Why is this a fail? Fundamentally it is a demonstration that the contemporary church has tunnel vision. The posture is all about consumption--how the church (building) can be the fixture of Christianity.

It seems many churches are still stuck in the miry clay of 'come and see' church. They build the building and pray feverishly people will come to enjoy the spiritual wares contained within. Relevant preaching, interesting programs, and worthy sermons are the name of the game with greater numbers being the desired result.

Forget for a minute that the attractive elements in church rarely appeal to unchurched or folks who exist in a post-Christendom worldview (although the video seems to be targeted to never-churched people).

BUt that's the rub. Since when is mission reduced to a video you show someone to invite another to church? That's the focus! That's so sad and bankrupt of a holistic expression of mission. No wonder the church is shrinking.

These types of churches are the ones that believe the church has a mission rather than the missio Dei having a participating church.

Although pastors and leaders wouldn't admit it to be so, creating a focus around 'coming to church' or 'inviting someone to church' glorifies a) the location, b) the product and services offered, c) the professional clergy who run the show. This perspective robs the congregation of power reducing them to a roll of solicitor.

Let's use the money and effort from these commercials and use it towards block parties or something meaningful that will develop lasting relationships and inroads into the community outside of the church rather than developing expertise in one-off Sunday morning experiences.

National Back to Church Day Fail is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

... TOMS and BOBS… stop the charades. We, the public, are no longer “buying” your hypocrisy. You need to begin, right now, employing fair labor practices and giving shoes away because it’s right, not as part of an advertising campaign to make you richer. Full article here.

Emotion aside, she's right, TOMS and BOBS shoes have a lot of answers to give for what has become in the very least bad intentions at foreign aid. Here's why.

Yes, we can criticize TOMS decision, which is the same for pretty much every textile business, to manufacture overseas and for the sole reason of cheaper labor. That labor is routinely employed in countries where labor protections do not exist or are poorly enforced.

Nonetheless, we can make even better arguments that TOMS shoes are a bad idea.

First, they're ugly. But that's just me.

Second, TOMS has never revealed the impact of their shoes, measured the effectiveness of their shoe drops on local communities, nor divulged any information on the overall cost of the giveaways.

Their 'Giving Report' reads more like a marketing tool and their lack of transparency raises questions about where the money from every pair of shoes sold really goes.

Lastly, TOMS shoes is really bad aid. They've given 1000000 pairs of shoes away (apparently). Although some of these kids may have never known what a pair of shoes felt like on their feet, others would have bought shoes locally.

TOMS shoes harm local economies. The 'movement' they've started is fancy marketing jargon to to exploit the 'feel good' Western ethic to 'do justice' without really doing anything (all while making TOMS shareholders rich).

So although intentions sound good, we all know intentions rarely count when they're not followed by actions, and appear even worse when those actions are a ploy to increase profit.

Harmful Intentions: TOMS & BOBS Shoes is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

In a poll of 1,000 respondents, 50 percent of Christian men and 20 percent of Christian women were found to be addicted to pornography. Conducted by ChristaNet.com, a popular Christian marketplace website, the poll asked visitors about their personal sexual conduct.

Personally those numbers are quite low. They did not say the difference between married and singles, however, I'm sure the numbers fluctuate. What's sad is two things, a) the rampant expansion of the problem, and b) the unwillingness for churches (particular evangelicals or are the most 'high and mighty' of the bunch) to address the issue head on.

Ever been to a series of sermons about porn and sex addictions? Didn't think so.

What can you do in the mean time? Perhaps an internet filter? Accountability buddies?

Pomotheo.com will post online resources that we have checked and tried out so you can add it to your resource list.

• Hedgebuilders is an internet filter that operate on a 'no-list'. We've tried it, it works really well. It stops 99% questionable material. If you're a missionary or clergy then you only pay 24 bucks a year!

An no, these are not paid reviews.

Churches in the Dark About Porn is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

Evangelicals, ironically, don't understand what evangelism is.

They think rationally convicting someone about Jesus is evangelism. To me that's far too narrow.

Christianity Today had an article about whether handing out tracts was still a viable evangelism tool. My question was, "that's not even evangelism to begin with."

Handing out tracts was never evangelism because "telling people" about Jesus is not evangelism.

This isn't nitpicking either.

Some Christians may still live under the illusion that tracts and TV programs work for 'soul winning' people, but the rest of the world understands that we don't exist in a world where all we have to do is 'remind' people where they came from, knowing they have all the religious stories locked somewhere way back in memory.

Christians could do themselves a favour and start contextualizing their lives to reflect Christ-like attributes rather than being Pharisaic regulation lovers who are always the first to point out the plank in someone else's eye.

Tracts could be used by God to glimpse his glory, but that's only because God can work within our feeble expressions, not because we make the best choices.

Do better by living better. A good book for evangelicals to pick up and honestly read is Leonard Sweet's 'NUDGE'.

Proclamation of the Gospel is a life worth living. Evangelism is previewing the Kingdom of God in your own life so that others may catch a glimpse.

Why Do Evangelicals Connect Evangelism with Tracts? is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives

2) They have trained themselves to ‘get the most done in the least amount of time’

3) They’ve been trained to doubt nothing – just tell the proff what he wants to hear to guarantee high marks, faster
4) They’ve been trained to sit in a group and stare up at the guy in the front – silently – with the main goal of learning for themselves (alone) – my grades are the result of my work – no depth of relationship with the people around them – when they become pastors, they don’t know how to bring their congregants out of the same stale practice of church

5) While the content could add meaning and fulfillment to my life, the pressure of constant deadlines and proffs who announce “I don’t care what’s going on in your life – just get the assignment done” encourages me to switch on the auto pilot and selectively choose to pay attention insofar as it helps me meet the impending deadlines.

6) They have no idea how to rest – the burden of productivity prevents any relaxation and fosters constant feelings of guilt

7) They’ve been taught that the more knowledge you have, the more valuable you are to a project – the more letters behind your name, the more God can use you.

and one for bonus:

8) They've learned that amassing massive debt for a marginal degree is alright and perhaps even 'God's direction'.

Too bad these guys and girls are the only people running our youth ministries....

7 Reasons Why Bible College Students Should NOT be Involved in Pastoral Ministry is a post from: PomoTheo - Missional Perspectives