So, about this time last year, I was on staff at LifeChurch.tv in OKC. One afternoon, I remember sitting with Terry Storch, Bobby Gruenewald, Craig Groeschel and Lance Young in Bobby’s office (it was pretty cramped…somehow Craig ended up sitting on the floor wedged behind where the door would open) and on this HUGE whiteboard, we were dreaming up this idea of uniting churches all over the world.
Could churches actually combine efforts to share resources, teaching videos, to give financially, and to fast and serve and pray together? What would that look like?
Why not try? And the whiteboard got really full, really quickly.
One Prayer was born. It started with four churches, then grew to eight. Then double digits. Then hundreds. Then thousands. And before you knew it over 2 million believers across the world were participating in this movement.
One of the coolest parts for me was watching the videos that churches would share for other churches. Because it’s all about sharing. Last year, people taught on what their “One Prayer” for the church would be. Personally, some of my favorite videos were from pastors who had no fancy equipment. Those who put their handicam on a tripod and sat in front of a wall and delivered an incredible challenge.
It’s almost time for One Prayer 2009, and just in case you haven’t heard about it, check out this video from Craig.
I’d really encourage you to explore the option of your church participating in One Prayer 2009. Whether you can contribute a video or not, just participating in such an amazing experience will be life changing for you and your church. The theme this year is “God is _________.” You can get the details and register here. Oh yeah. Totally free. Of course.
(By the way, Craig, if you stumble on this post. I think your hair looks awesome in this video!)
Each person has a unique point of view on faith and Christianity, and needless to say, our conversations varied greatly.
I’m definitely in a season where I’m exploring and discovering what faith is to me – instead of just leaning into the tradition of my upbringing (which, don’t get me wrong, plays an important role).
A book that has helped me define so much of the tension between culture and faith is The Divine Commodity by the aforementioned Jethani.? Skye is a Zondervan author and we work with the same team, so Genius Marketing Guy sent me a copy of Skye’s book a long, long time ago – thinking I’d find it interesting.
I have to admit. I get around five books in the mail each week (not that I’m complaining), but it’s hard for me to find time to read them all. It did take me a few months to get to Skye’s book.
I wish I would have read it sooner.
As soon as I finished, I passed my heavily highlighted and marked up copy to my friend Shaun, who devoured it and gave a few other copies I had to a couple of friends on staff.
If you’ve ever felt a tension between faith, culture, and consumerism, I can’t recommend this book enough.
Skye doesn’t approach the topic critically, which one could easily do. He simply explores how a timeless faith and an ever-changing consumeristic culture mix (or in some cases, how they don’t mix).
Since may of the pastors I know would easily dismiss this book (because hey, let’s just admit that many of us wrestle consumerism in every compartment of life and it’s easy to just let it exist in apathy), I asked Skye about how church leaders should approach this book.
And I also asked to give away ten copies to random commenters.
Below is my conversation with Skye, as well as a quick video we shot at the CT Offices on Tuesday. I realize it’s a little lengthy, but it’s completely worthwhile. Get the book. It’s beautiful. It’s thought provoking. It’s incredibly well written.
Anne: For those of us who have read The Divine Commodity, we know you?re not being divisive or writing about ?what?s wrong? with the church.? We know that it?s a book that explores the culture of modern-day faith and Biblical context and wisdom.
Why should a pastor read this book?? How can those of us who aren?t pastors graciously help communicate the message of The Divine Commodity without coming off like we have an agenda?
Skye: When the Apostle Paul wrote his letters to the churches, his great desire was for them to all reach full maturity in Christ Jesus. This required more than merely forming them into people of love and faith. Paul also diagnosed the ways they had been malformed by false teachers, ungodly cultural mores, empty philosophies, and the deceitfulness of the flesh. Making disciples was not just a process of construction, but also deconstruction. To the Colossians, Paul wrote about ?taking off? certain things, and ?putting on? others.
This is why I wrote The Divine Commodity, and why I believe church leaders as well as anyone serious about discipleship should engage the book. North American culture is dominated by consumerism?and I don?t simply mean the behavior of consumption, but the worldview of consumerism. The book does not take issue with the buying and selling of products, but the extension of self-indulgent and self-centered consumption to the point that it becomes the lens through which we see all of life and the cosmos?including God.
If pastors are passionate about ?going and making disciples,? then they don?t only need to know what to form people into, but also what they must be formed out of?just as a doctor cannot prescribe a remedy until she has diagnosed the disease. The Divine Commodity explores what consumerism is, and how it shapes our understanding of faith, worship, mission, church, discipleship, and even God. Once this malformation is diagnosed, the book prescribes practices (both individual and corporate) that help us ?take off? these things and ?put on? Christ. It is first and foremost a book about discipleship within a consumer culture, and this is why pastors ought to read it?it will help them understand the context in which they are called to make disciples with its unique challenges and opportunities.
Now, to address your second question about how those who are not pastors might graciously communicate the book?s message. That?s a much simpler answer?live it. The book does not advocate a radical coup within the church or call for a revolution in the church?s structure. It?s not about strategy, systems, or programs. In fact, if nothing ever changes about the way your church operates, you are still able to engage and employ the lessons within The Divine Commodity. I don?t believe we can (or should) overturn our consumer culture. Nor do I believe churches (from the mini to the mega) should radically revamp their structures. That wouldn?t solve the threat posed by consumerism?it?s a far more elusive foe because the battlefield between consumerism and the Kingdom of God is not external, but within the heart and imagination of every believer.
As consumerism?s grip over you begins to loosen, and you experience the transforming reality of ?Christ in you, the hope of glory,? the way you worship, serve, and relate will begin to change. In time, through resources like The Divine Commodity and others, perhaps others will join you in your quest for a richer Christian life. The gospel has always been an incarnate reality, transmitted life to life across the medium of relationship. As this begins to take root within your church, regardless of what the leadership or programming is doing, the message of hope, liberty, and fullness in Christ will spread like yeast through a lump of dough. So, rather than criticizing those still enraptured with Consumer Christianity, save your energy and simply let your life reveal a fuller glory which does not fade.
(Also, next Thursday I’ll be giving away 10 copies of another book….stay tuned! This might turn into a habit…)
To win the book, please leave a comment telling me how you’ve wrestled with a consumerist culture and faith, and I’ll randomly pick 10 people over the weekend and send them a copy of Skye’s book.
Charlotte Avenue was bumper to bumper traffic as one would expect at 6 pm on a weekday. Why I chose this route instead of taking the highway is beyond me.
As I inched up closely to the next stop light, I glanced up to read your old fashioned marquee sign with the archaic plastic letters, aged and tired.
I rolled my eyes at your corny Christian saying.
After what seemed like an eternity, the light turned green and I finished my excursion to The Mecca of Things Unnecessary: Target.
Picking up my prescription (and contributing an additional donation of $64 to The Mecca), I traveled home, back on Charlotte Avenue once again.
Back to you again.
But instead of rolling my eyes again, I flashed back to my formative elementary school years when I’d pull down the boxes containing the same plastic letters in my dad’s workroom in the church where he was a pastor. He’d leave me a quote with a saying for the sign not so different than the one I’d read on yours today. Cautiously, I’d climb the church’s four foot ladder and meticulously line up the letters on the sign to form the words just right.
Because I was just as compulsive then as I am now.
I imagine your pastor similar to my father in those days.
Balding.
The only person “on staff.”
Away from his family.
Putting those little golf scoring pencils in the pews while picking up last week’s bulletins that people had left stuck behind the hymnals.
His office is a mess of old Matthew Henry Commentaries and prayer requests and he sits back in an old office chair with cracks in the leather, and as he looks at a photograph of a picture of his family, he leans back and takes a deep breath.
And I’m really sorry for rolling my eyes at your sign earlier.
It was immature and inconsiderate. Because your boldness to say something positive on a street that sees so much darkness is nothing short of noble and redemptive.
And to your pastor I say thank you for being the man you know you’re supposed to be. It’s not an easy or popular job, and definitely not one that’s financially rewarding, but my own back yard is a better place for having you love and give the way you give.
I think it’s safe to say that deep down, we desire to bank up a ton of comments. There are posts and strategies and e-books about how to have more comments on your blog. As if the higher the number next to your comments is, the more intriguing a person you are.
It’s just math.
More comments=More intriguing.
Right?
Mmmmno.
Something that I’ve learned through this break is the number of comments really doesn’t mean a whole lot.
Let’s look at the post I wrote about Hating Perry Noble. Over 250 comments (all deleted now – I flushed them).
Most of them really mean and argumentative. That’s why they’re gone.
Now, I do realize the conversations had in comments can be worthwhile, but it can also be damaging, and ultimately, the number isn’t important.
My new way of measuring the success of a post?
How did the reader respond personally? Were they encouraged to make a positive change in their life? Were the able to pass a thought on to someone who needed to hear it? Did it help them grow somehow?
All of those things have no way of being measured. At least not numerically. Most of those things go unsaid. Which is just fine by me.
Seth Godin once said something on a video interview.
He said, “I don’t want to have the most popular blog. I want to have my blog. Whatever that means for it in the moment.”
I feel similarly. Sure, selfishly, even the behind-the-scenes introvert that I am, I still want to be famous. We all kind of do. It’s our nature to be known. We all want to be the cool kid and sit at the cool kid table.
But I’m letting that trying to let that go.
Intentionally, day by day.
Thought my thought.
Moment by moment.
So this blog can be what it should be without the pretense of manipulating you into leaving me a lot of comments so my ego will be fed.
The end of Lent, and the conclusion of my social media fast from blogging, Twitter, and Facebook.
What can I say? It’s honestly been a very refreshing few weeks. My perspective on blogging and online networking continues to shift, and even though I’m “back,” so to speak, I’m not really quite sure what being “back” means.
Something you will notice is the new blog design (RSS friends, click here to check it out). This is something I’m very excited about. When you visit the home page of FlowerDust.net, you’ll see a feature in the header.? Currently, it’s focused on the trip I’ll be taking to Kolkata (Calcutta), India, in two weeks with Compassion International.? This feature will change at times to help elevate causes or gifts that I think would be valuable to you.
There’s a little more information included in this new design, which can all be found in the header – information about where I’m speaking, some new services I’m offering, and an always-changing list of recommended resources.
Some other cosmetic changes are using gravatars – because you guys are so darn attractive – and easier ways to share the conversations by using the Tweet This plugin at the bottom of the post.? You’ll also notice the Comment Luv feature when you leave a comment, because we’d all like to know what’s on your mind.
Even with all of the changes, you shouldn’t need to resubscribe to my blog. But in case you haven’t yet, or if you want to make sure you’re subscribed, you can simply click here to sign up for an RSS feed or an email subscription.
I’m excited to see how the relationships on this blog will continue to grow and how we can keep learning from each other.
It’s clean. It’s simple. And hopefully easy to use. If there’s something that looks weird to you, or a feature you’d like to see added, feel free to let me know.
On February 9, I posted about praying through shutting my comments off during Lent. I felt like I was developing an unhealthy ego (or lack thereof) due to some of the response my blog has received. Good or bad. The good would make me get all puffed up, and the bad would make me internalize untruth.
After speaking with some close friends, and ultimately, what I had sensed in my heart from the beginning, I decided to not blog or Twitter or update my Facebook during the Lenten season.
This will be my last post until April 13.
—–
Many people look at Lent as an old law, one of which we are free. I grew up Baptist, and we never celebrated it. A new friend of mine explained to me that one of the reasons people fasted from food during Lent was because of the time they would spend in preparation for their meals. By sacrificing their food, they were able to devote more time to God and to each other.
It takes me five minutes to make my famous grilled cheese sandwich, or I can drive and get something from McDonald’s in three minutes round trip. I’ve fasted from food before. It’s a big deal, but not what I needed to fast now.
So, where do I spend my time? What distracts me from my communion with God?
The Internets.
—–
There are a couple things I want to leave you with:
WHY I’M DOING THIS
1) During this technology fast, I am going to be preparing my heart and mind for my upcoming trip to Calcutta, India with Compassion International. We leave at the end of April, and I don’t want any distractions to interfere with how God is going to move within us and how we are going to respond on this trip.
2) Also during this technology fast, I am going to be praying and focusing on my next writing project – which doesn’t only include writing a book, but truly communicating a message that has been on my heart for a very long time. Writing a book is multi-faceted and I want to be clear and focused and open to what words God is using me to write, and the steps he is having me make.
3) Not as a part of Lent, but during this season of fasting, I am participating in the Forty Days of Water campaign by Blood:Water Mission. From March 1-April 9, all I will drink is water. I encourage you to explore and pray about it as well. The premise is what you would have spent on other drinks during these forty days, you will spend on providing clean water in Africa.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
1) I am going to be downright bold here and make a big ask. There is so much technology noise in the world right now. What if we shut off our part of it, just for this season? I am going to ask you to fast from blogging, Twitter, Facebook — whatever consumes your time the most. Is this something you need to do? There is something stirring within the blog world. Several high traffic blogs are taking breaks or have shut down completely. Let me assure you, we didn’t just sit in a room and plan this out. It’s not a publicity stunt. I don’t think this is the answer for everyone, but I would ask that you seriously consider taking a break to see what God can do offline while we take a break online.
2) Pray for me. Pray for me as I focus on those things listed above. It is going to be weird being unplugged. As I mentioned in my Out of Ur article today, sometimes when we’re not plugged in online, unfortunately, we miss offline experiences as well. I am not going to feel as connected to those around me and that adjustment, although I believe is completely necessary for me, will be difficult.
Obviously my book Mad Church Disease isn’t taking a break. You can see what’s going on with it here, or order a copy.? I’m honestly REALLY nervous because essentially, I am not going to be able to talk about my book online during this time, and that’s where my tribe – you guys – are. I am really having to let go of the “control” I think I have over spreading the message.? God is in control of it. Not me. Not my blog.? So, if you can, do you part to spread the word about it.? If you can, leave a review.? Or order a few more copies.? Download and email a free chapter to all your friends. Grin.? Must…let….go….deep….breath….
—–
IF YOU HAPPEN TO STUMBLE ON THIS BLOG DURING THE BREAK
I’d like to say hi. This blog won’t be active again until after Easter and when it does return, might have a different focus. Who knows? At the same time, there are three years of conversation tucked away. I am going to point you to some of the more thoughtful categories where you’ll find these discussions below:
I do have some speaking or other events scheduled during this time, so if you live around one of these places, I’d love to say hi. You can click here to see where I’ll be visiting.
CONTACT
You can still email me. Sometimes it takes me a while to respond, and especially during this time, I won’t be super plugged in. But that door is always open.
At the National Pastors Convention, I had the chance to sit onapanel and discuss the use of technology and social media within the church. You can actually see our pixel-shaped heads here if you’d like to see what went down (Thanks, DJ).
Anyway, over the last couple of months, the brain contained in my own pixel-shaped head has been doing a LOT of thinking. A lot. And if you were to have seen the interview I did at the I3 Conference, you’d see that I literally contradict myself within a week’s time.? Cynthia asked if I believed in the phenomenon of Online Community to which I eagerly argued, “yes, yes, a million times yes!”
At the NPC panel just a few days later, when I met Skye Jethani (remember, whose book Divine Commodity is the most profound thing I’ve read in a long, long time), we continued this “online community” conversation on the panel.
Here is an excerpt…I’d love for you to post your thoughts over on Out of Ur, so I’m closing comments here.
In some instances, these online conversations have translated into personal communication (by email, chats, or phone) and some have even turned into face-to-face meetings. The platforms of social media certainly give these personal interactions a “jump start” so to speak, because you do, in some regard, know bits and pieces of the other person’s life.
But this is where it gets muddy for me. Is it community?
Given my experience living in both worlds, it may be surprising to hear, but I am beginning to lean on the side of no?what happens online is not community. Before you send me an army of frowning emoticons, please hear me out:
I believe what happens online is connection…not community.
People can be vulnerable and honest online. And at times these online connections can be more life-giving than many of our offline relationships, but they are not the same.
You will read an announcement in the full post on Out of Ur that might surprise you.?= Once you’re done over there, come back over here and you’ll get the full scoop.
See you over there!
Then back here.
Phew! I’m getting tired with all this running around.
In November, I have the amazing honor of speaking alongside Don Miller & Francis Chan (yeah, how the heck did THAT happen?!) at the incredible Right Now Conference.? If you live near Dallas, please come to this conference. I have gone as a volunteer before, and it was amazing.? If you don’t live near Dallas, you can simulcast the event at your church.
Marc, who heads up the gig, emailed me today and is trying to help shape this event.
You see, we are on this weird generational edge of transition of thought and action.? And we want to process this together.
So here is a list of random questions for you…feel free to answer as many or as few as you’d like.? We just want to get in your head a little bit.? Because I have a feeling we’re feeling alone in some of these things, when really, we’re not.
1. What do I wish to be remembered for?
2. Is this really as good as it gets?
3. How was it that I could be so successful, so fortunate, and yet so frustratingly unfulfilled?
4. If your life was absolutely perfect, how would it look to you?
5. What is my passion?
6. How am I wired?
7. Where do I belong?
8. What will I do about what I believe?
9. Who am I?
10. What do I value?
11. What gifts has God given me? How can I use them?
12. What would I be willing to die for?
13. What injustices do I see in the world, that I simply cannot stomach anymore?
14. What is it about my job that makes me feel trapped?
15. When you are in bed at night staring at the ceiling, what questions are you asking yourself?
Which ones from the list below stand out?? How would you word them differently?? What questions would you add?
