Church Stewardship

Every stewardship sermon I've heard has dealt with the stewardship of money, resources, talents, etc. of laymembers. It often seems that we should direct these same messages towards our decision makers within our church staffs. If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know of my participation with a couple of different organizations that are aiding Africa. I have chosen this area because of it's historical (biblical and secular) importance and b/c of the true stories of the injustice that is rampant there (that have been told to me by close friends who've actually been there/lived there/seen it first hand. A friend from MI wrote in his blog:

"I still wonder what would happen if the Western church invested as much in education, compassionate ministry and economic development as it does in furniture, choir robes and buildings. What would Africa look like if the church poured its resources into helping these people instead of spending most of its budget on its internal issues?"

Whether it be Africa, or one's own hometown, I beg that our spendings reflect an organization that affects the world around us. We must be good stewards, allotting our moneys to all areas in which we have responsibility. (e.g. we must pay our bills, meet the needs of those we call [church] family, [and/but] we cannot forsake God's mandate of bringing His LOVE into the world. Our moneys, efforts, attentions, must include and be led by a motivation to effect the world with the reflected love of God. I'm not proud of 5% to missions kind of crap -- that is nothing to hang my hat on. Church libraries and gardens aside; does the stewardship of money, resources, talents, awareness, etc. at our churches meet God's expectation...or as Barnard said last week: Are we storing up treasures in heaven or treasures on earth?

awe

Because reduced speech leads to reduced lives , I must gird myself with the type of awe for God that first brought me to conversion. Peter and John expressed this type of passion when they had been arrested for preaching the message of salvation in Christ. They were being threatened to stop speaking of Jesus, “But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather that to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” The two apostles were so overcome by their experiences with Jesus that they simply had to share their experience.

Best Results Ever

You scored as Harry Potter. You can be a little reckless and hot-headed at times, but a more brave and courageous friend would be hard to find. Harry Potter 80% Remus Lupin 75% Albus Dumbledore 70% Sirius Black 70% Draco Malfoy 65% Hermione Granger 60% Severus Snape 60% Ginny Weasley 60% Ron Weasley 55% Lord Voldemort 40% Your Harry Potter Alter Ego Is...? created with QuizFarm.com

Which Theologian Are You?

You scored as Anselm. Anselm is the outstanding theologian of the medieval period.He sees man's primary problem as having failed to render unto God what we owe him, so God becomes man in Christ and gives God what he is due. You should read 'Cur Deus Homo?' Anselm 87% Martin Luther 67% John Calvin 67% Friedrich Schleiermacher 60% J?Moltmann 53% Jonathan Edwards 47% Charles Finney 47% Karl Barth 47% Augustine 40% Paul Tillich 33% Which theologian are you? created with QuizFarm.com

What's Your Theological Worldview?

You scored as Emergent/Postmodern. You are Emergent/Postmodern in your theology. You feel alienated from older forms of church, you don't think they connect to modern culture very well. No one knows the whole truth about God, and we have much to learn from each other, and so learning takes place in dialogue. Evangelism should take place in relationships rather than through crusades and altar-calls. People are interested in spirituality and want to ask questions, so the church should help them to do this. Emergent/Postmodern 79% Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan 75% Neo orthodox 57% Fundamentalist 57% Reformed Evangelical 50% Charismatic/Pentecostal 46% Roman Catholic 43% Classical Liberal 39% Modern Liberal 25% What's your theological worldview? created with QuizFarm.com

Back in Blog City

This marks the longest I have gone without blogging since beginning the conversational journey. It kind of feels like I haven't talked with a good friend in a long time. Well, here's what I have been up to: I left on July 6th for vacation (Lindsey and I vacationed with my brother, his girlfriend, and my parents). We kayaked, scuba-d, and went four-wheeling...a bit more active vacation than I have become used to, though I wouldn't have changed anything - we had a blast! When we got home to Midlothian, I had two days to get ready for camp. We took 50 students to Hardin-Simmons for Horizon Summer Camps. Jimmy Smith was there, and so was Justin Tolison, Matt Poe, Dennis Johns, Brandon Barnard, Jared Wood, and of course: Brandi, Russell, Matt, and Jerry. Those guys put on a great camp! On Saturday, we ran up to Allan to see the famous Kirk Gentzil tie the knot. Ran in to the Hunt's and the other Hunt's there. Much fun.

Now, I am back...in Blog City.

Anniversary

Let me just brag for a second - 'cause really people, my wife is the greatest! Our anniversary is coming up soon...it actually will be during our vacation. We decided to celebrate before we leave town...and so, this morning, we exchanged gifts. I thought I had done a pretty great job this year- until I opend my gift -- U2 Tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It is supposed to be impossible to get U2 tickets. I heard that this tour was sold out in like 20 minutes. But somehow, Lindsey managed to secure 2 tickets to see U2 @ the American Airlines Center in Dallas -- there is no greater gift!