Off-the-Wall Christmas Music: Romanian Carols

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Jay F Guin

From students at the Theological College of Arad, Romania. We support a missionary in Romania, so I figure we should hear what Christmas sounds like there.

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Off-the-Wall Christmas Songs: Leeron Zydeco

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Jay F Guin
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Off-the-Wall Christmas Music: Bob Dylan: “Little Drummer Boy”

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Continuing the out of the ordinary —

The video is genius!

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Replanting a Church: Leading Fearlessly

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Jay F Guin

We are working through an article by Scott Thomas on replanting an existing church, that is, renewing a church so that it grows and matures as a church plant does.

7. Fearlessly Lead the Replanting Process (1 John 4:18).

  1. Prayerfully determine if God has called your church to enter a replanting at this time. Do you feel God is calling you to replant your church?
  2. Once affirmed, lead fearlessly through the rough waters, people jumping overboard, sea sickness, and mutiny among the crew. Many people (including leaders and even spouses) will become disoriented, discouraged, and dissenting. Lead the body patiently, lovingly, but firmly – just as Jesus would. But don’t lead fearful of losing popularity, friendship, or a comfortable, secure job. A manager is a pleaser of people. A visionary leader is a pleaser of God.
  3. Do you have the visionary, God-called leader in place?
  4. If so, does he have the support of the leadership?
  5. If not, where will you begin to look for a shepherd leader with the skill set to replant your church?

Any effort to make as dramatic a change as we’ve been considering in this series will require remarkable courageous, tenacity, and patience. But I wouldn’t want the leadership to be fearless — because there are lots of things to be afraid of. Continue reading →

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Off-the-Wall Christmas Songs: Bill Monroe

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Frequently covered, but you’ve got to go with the original.

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Off-the-Wall Christmas Music: A Coca-Cola Christmas

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Cool song. Crassly commercial, of course, but it was Coca-Cola that created the modern image of Santa Claus … and so it works!

And, besides, I love Coca-Cola! (Diet Coke, of course. Hopelessly addicted.)

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Replanting a Church: Changing Your Church’s Name

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Jay F Guin

We are working through an article by Scott Thomas on replanting an existing church, that is, renewing a church so that it grows and matures as a church plant does.

Scott writes,

Seriously explore a name change (Proverbs 22:1; Ecclesiastes 7:1).

  1. To communicate a change in focus; in approach; in product, a change in name can be effective if the product lives up to the change.
    1. If the only change taking place is the name, it will not produce the desired results.
    2. Changes need to be in place (or ready to launch) prior to a name change!
    3. What does your name communicate to the community in which it ministers?
  2. Do you believe your denominational label (or lack of one) is contributing to or detracting from your mission?
    1. Determine the cultural valuation of a denomination. Is it honored or dishonored in the community?
    2. This could be the greatest point of conflict in an existing body that has associated itself with a denomination both corporately and individually. Members of a church are prone to say, “I’ve been a Methodist (et al) all my life.”
    3. Likewise, a person may be adamant about not being a particular denomination. Neither position is healthy. With whom will your church be affiliated?
  3. Leading a church through a name change must be led by the mission statement. If your mission statement is “Retaining Our Members for Life,” you may not want to explore a name change. If it is “Penetrating the Darkness – Sharing the Light,”(tm) a name change is imperative.

It’s an important question that we often want to dodge. The congregation’s name is often our identity. We are the “XYZ Church of Christ.” Changing the name is unimaginable. But it’s an essential question to consider. After all, anyone replanting a church is leading the church to re-understand who they are. A name change just might help. Continue reading →

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U.S. Soldiers Repairing a Monastery

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Jay F Guin

Fascinating story from the NY Times about St. Elijah’s monastery in Iraq. A few quotes of note —

The sergeant is a nurse, the senior noncommissioned officer at the combat hospital here on Marez, but either by coincidence or higher purpose, he is also a master stone mason, experienced in historic preservation back home.

“We stand in a long line of people who bequeathed the faith to us,” said Maj. Jeffrey Whorton, a Roman Catholic chaplain, presiding over Mass in the monastery the other day, attended by three camouflaged soldiers, their rifles leaning in a corner.

The monastery is believed to date from the late 500s, when Elijah, an Assyrian monk, traveled from what is now Turkey. It later became part of the Chaldean Catholic Church. …

In 1743, a Persian king swept through the area and ordered the monks to convert to Islam. They chose instead to die. In a violent place where Christians are still targets, most recently in bombings this week that struck two churches in Mosul, St. Elijah’s history resonates.

“May I be committed like those who lived here and perished instead of denouncing their faith,” Maj. Julian L. Padgett, a Baptist chaplain, prayed after leading soldiers and contractors on the weekly Friday tour of the monastery.

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Off-the-Wall Christmas Songs: “Banjos We Have Heard on High”

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Jay F Guin

I really like this, but I’m not sure I’m supposed to … I mean, were there banjos in Bethlehem?

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Replanting a Church: The Mission Statement

Posted on December 19, 2009 by Jay F Guin

We are working through an article by Scott Thomas on replanting an existing church, that is, renewing a church so that it grows and matures as a church plant does.

Scott writes,

Establish a Clear Mission (Proverbs 29:18).

  1. Write (and rewrite) a mission statement that is easily understood and easily repeated that reflects exactly what will guide the church when determining the value of ministries (establishment and continuance). An example of a mission statement is adapted from Willow Creek “Turning unchurched people into fully devoted followers of Christ.” Another example is “Making True Disciples” (our former statement) and “Penetrating the Darkness – Sharing the Light” (our current statement).
    1. What are the values of the church that could be incorporated into a mission statement (evangelism, discipleship, worship, etc.)?
    2. Write out a first draft:
    3. Can it be recited easily?
    4. Is it easily understood by non-theologians?
    5. Who could be given the responsibility of forming the mission statement?
  2. The mission statement acts as a filter for all ministries. Is this specific ministry contributing to or taking away from the God-given mission statement?
    1. How will ministries be dissolved without creating division among the body?
    2. How open are the leaders of ministries to exploring other ways of doing things to be more effective in your mission?
  3. Communicate your mission statement often in as many avenues as you can.
    1. Publish is on everything (bulletins, business cards, letterhead, websites, pens, etc.)
    2. Preach the mission statement in detail at least once a year. Exegete every word. Include it in preaching regularly.

Believe it or not, I’m not a big fan of mission statements. I’m not against them. I just think the whole mission statement thing puts the emphasis in the wrong place. Let me explain. Continue reading →

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