Hey gang there’s a new book on why people outside the Church believe it is unChristian, its put out by this group (Barna and Fermi) that is sort of like research team for the church instead of for commerce trends or consumeristic trends. Basically these guys spent three full years studying people of your generation and mine, asking them what they thought about the church and Christians. Here’s the link to the book. I think this would be an awesome read for a lot of you…

I’m interested, what criticism do you hear most about the church and our faith?

I found this and thought it was pretty fun, but TRUE.

 

I thought these short differences between playing church and living out of the gospel may stir some of you up toward thankfulness and humble joy in Christ. Here’s Mark Driscoll with a few;

The Difference between Religion and the Gospel

By Pastor Mark Driscoll

Religion says, if I obey, God will love me. Gospel says, because God loves me, I can obey.

Religion has good people & bad people. Gospel has only repentant and unrepentant people.

Religion values a birth family. Gospel values a new birth.

Religion depends on what I do. Gospel depends on what Jesus has done.

Religion claims that sanctification justifies me. Gospel claims that justification enables sanctification.

Religion has the goal to get from God. Gospel has the goal to get God.

Religion sees hardships as punishment for sin. Gospel sees hardship as sanctified affliction.

Religion is about me. Gospel is about Jesus.

Religion believes appearing as a good person is the key. Gospel believes that being honest is the key.

Religion has an uncertainty of standing before God. Gospel has certainty based upon Jesus’ work.

Religion sees Jesus as the means. Gospel sees Jesus as the end.

Religion ends in pride or despair. Gospel ends in humble joy.

‘The Jesus Film’ has been one of the most successful evangelistic tools of the modern church. Maybe some of you guys or girls have seen it, or perhaps your parents have even worked on translating it or using it overseas. Well Campus Crusade for Christ is launching a new evangelistic tool, worldless artistic video shorts.

‘Doll Face’ is not one of about forty they have in production right now, but perhaps its a good place to consider what these pieces may look like and discuss how they may be helpful in reaching out to people. Check it out and tell what you think its about? Do you think these kind of tools could reach people cross-culturally?

 

I read a helpful short article by Tim Keller (Pastor of the NYC church we visited in the evening, Redeemer - he wasn’t preaching that night) on the nature of true repentance. If you’ve ever wrestled with your motivations over why to change an area of your life, I have, Keller gives some thoughtful advice on the difference between genuine repentance and ‘religious’ repentance. Real repentance isn’t beating yourself up over not being ‘Christian’ enough, nor is it based on merely the fear of judgment, but it comes or at least should come from our joy of being united to Christ.

Check it out here.

Check out this youtube video of Shane Claiborne speaking at Fusion, a youth event up north. Shane is an amazing guy, he’s giving his life to reaching the poor, forgotten, and socially discarded. He spent a few years of his life ministering beside Mother Teresa in Calcutta and now pastors a church in Philadelphia called “The Simple Way“.

Shane has lived an amazing life of mercy and sacrifice. One of the things we’re going to begin doing either this month or next month is doing mercy ministry in our community (local, regional, and urban). I’m working hard on creating and connecting with outlets for us to serve God and spread his love to our neighbors. If any of you have a heart to step up and help coordinate this part of Chain Reaction with me let me know, or if any of you already know about great opportunities for us to extend Jesus love to our neighbors let me know.

Hey guys follow the link to an MSN news report on a new genre of video games. I’ve never really seen anything like this, I was just curious what you guys might think about it. Do you think these kinds of games could help us understand what its like to be the outcasted and ilegals of society? What do you think might be good about this, and what might be really bad about it?

Gamers I would love to hear you chim IN!!!