Sunday, February 25, 2007

Communcating for a Change

I’ve been Andy Stanley fan since I heard him speak at the ‘99 Youth Specialties convention. I seem to grow in appreciation for him every year.

I just finished his book Communicating For a Change. Stanley basically questions what most homiletic professors teach and what most modern preachers preach…the three points, informational based sermon. It’s not that these sermons are altogether useless. But Stanley simply states that there is a better way to communicate God’s Word.

Here is something that I learned…the Relational Outline.

The out line I was taught was an outline for information. Ideas are organized to help the teacher to impart information. Stanly developes his teaching with the belief that multiple ideas (or points) make communication less effective. Teaching one points makes it easier for the listener to understand and apply. Therefore, Stanley takes his one ideas and develops it in a relational outline. It basically looks like Me – We – God – You – We.

Me - To help find a common ground with the audience, I introduces myself and the one idea as it pertains to a struggle in my own life. (Orientation of the tension)

We – The struggle in my life is not limited to me but is shared by us all. The one idea pertains to us all. (Identification of the tension)

God – God has an answer to our dilemma and this is what the Bible has to say about it. (Illumination of the tension)

You – Because the Bible has an answers, here is how you can do something about it. (Application of the tension)

We – What would happen if we allowed this one idea to change our life? (Inspiration from the tension)

Great book for church communicators.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Beatboxing Flute Inspector Gadget

Who knew a flute could be so cool.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

The Naked Truth

A few weeks ago I attended the National Youth Worker’s Conference put on by Group publishing. (It was a worth while event.) One of the speakers was Lakita Garth, a national speaker on the subject on sexual abstinence. She had brand new book that was “fresh off the press” and I could buy a copy for just $10. Sex is a subject that very few in the church will go into depth to make a meaningful connection. So I purchased this book to help my teaching.

The book is called The Naked Truth About Sex, Love, and Relationships. The basis of the book is that we (culture) has accepted a-many-of-things as “a lie in truth’s clothing.” Many “lies” are exposed in a new and fresh light. For example, Garth believes that peer pressure does not exist; that it serves as an excuse when students lack character. I think she is right. Garth attacked the difficult subject of co-habitation; a subject that the church typically has nothing intelligent to share. Pre-material sex is the biggest part of the book. It’s a good read for Christian teachers and even for students.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Hotel, Hotel

I spent a few days in Indy at the National Youth Worker's Convention put on my Group. They showed some funny clips and this one was the funniest by far. Youth minister's will get the greatest kick out of this.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Through Painted Deserts

I started to read Through Painted Deserts last October on my vacation to east TN. I read just three chapters while I was away and never continued until ten days ago. It’s basically a record of a long road trip from Houston, TX to Oregon in a worn down VW bus. After all of the mechanical problems, people meet, and side treks they realize they have been on a spiritual pilgrimage as God has guided them every moment of the journey.

The quote that I remember the most likely had very little to do with the over all scheme of the book. It came early in the book, which means I read it four months ago, but it struck of never of truth. It read…

When you build a city near no mountains and no oceans, you get materialism and traditional religion. People have too much time and lack inspiration.

Hum…I think he is on to something.