Mat Kearney & Erin McCarley Concert - Live Vids

Sorry for the lack of blogging

I've been slacking on blog entries lately because I've been searching for a new way to blog. I think I've found it. I may be moving the blog very soon. More info to come....and also a new URL to come.....

Guest Blog for Lifechurch.tv

Go here: http://internet.lifechurch.tv/2009/05/building-trust-within-your-online-community/ and check it out.

Let me know what you think.

TNT Church

I think I'm going to refer to The New Traditional Church as TNT Church from now on. I like the way it sounds.
It gives a word picture of how TNT Church can demolish itself.
If you haven't read Tony Morgan's post about the subject of community, go do it now, comment, and come back.
http://tonymorganlive.com/2009/05/10/new-traditional-church-community/

My coaching network kind of talked a little about this subject on last time we met when we brought up the subject of small groups, but I'd like to start a conversation about it here and get a little deeper.
Personally, I believe that the church wastes a ton of resources programming things that may have good intentions, but just aren't natural in organic American community, in order to fulfill the role of discipleship.
Does discipleship rest in the hands of church leadership or in the hands of the "C"hurch?
One commenter said something like, "It's our responsibility to make sure people are growing in their faith."
Is it really?
I think, as leaders, our job is to ENABLE new believers to grow, but ultimately it lies in their hands whether or not they are willing to devote themselves to growth.
In Acts 2:42, the fellowship of believers devoted themselves to the teachings of the apostles.
The apostles followed this model: Go and make disciples. How? Baptizing them..., and teaching them...
The followers took it from there and their passion and devotion ultimately led to their fellowship, discipleship, and growth. Not only spiritual growth, but growth in numbers as well.
I believe true passion, devotion, and excitement for growth will manifest itself in real community with other believers and will be contagious enough to spread into the lives of non-believers as well.
That passion, devotion, and excitement can't be manufactured and measured by the church. That kind of power comes from God into the individual.
What say you?

will they know we are christians by our tweets?

Here's a great blog entry from ChurchCrunch.<---Click there. If you currently a pastor, staff/volunteer, or are a member of a local church, think before you tweet. With social networking clients like Twitter, it's easy to send out quick status updates and that's why we all love it. However, that's also what makes it easy to slip up. It's just like when you're young and your parents say, "What you do in public represents this entire family." (I've got that embossed on the insides of my eyelids) The messages you send may not seem like a big deal at the time, but they may offend or alter someone's view of you, your church, or more importantly, Christianity.
You may think: "If I offend someone with a flippant twitter update, then that is their problem." It may actually be our problem and I think the Paul would agree with me.

late night prayer session

She's out like a light. Love praying for this girl.

Last night I was checking my tweets and noticed a couple from @loswhit that said he was hosting an online prayer service. I checked it out here and was really excited to see something like this actually happening. It's one thing to have conversations about online communities making an impact for the Kingdom of God, but it's a whole new thing when you can experience it and become involved.

For three days, Carlos was asking people how he could specifically pray for them. Then last night around 10, he broadcasted live from his webcam and went down the list praying for everyone's needs. Around 100 people hung out participating in the chat room and sending twitter messages all in prayer for everyone's specific situations.

Because of some technical difficulties, the prayer service started around 10:30pm and lasted till about 1:00am. I had no intention of hanging around for the whole thing because it was getting late, but I got hooked. The spirit of God was moving through our means of technology like I've never experienced.

No prayer was too big or small for consideration. We lifted everyone up and God was definitely not insulted by our requests.

This is proof that God can and is working through any means necessary to make his name famous and glorify him.

The stories of answered prayers are already coming in at www.ragamuffinsoul.com and I can't wait to hear more of them.
I will no longer participate in the tired conversations of whether or not "real" community and discipleship can exist online. I have experienced it. God has no limits.

The Ridge iCampus Update

May 24th looks like it'll be the day we officially launch The Ridge iCampus. I'm working really hard and putting all the pieces together in order to make the best experience for participants out of the resources I have. The plan now is to go live with video and chat at 6pm on Sunday evening. That may change so check back here for more updates as we get closer to May 24th.

This week, I'm meeting with Will Rodes and Ken Wilson from NewSpring Church. I'm looking forward to learning more from those guys about how to get more out of the current gear that I'm using. Those guys are top notch when it comes to excellence in church media and I really appreciate their time and willingness to help.

The argument of whether or not real community can exist within the church online is tired and irrelevant. I have felt the call of Christ to make his name famous online and I've been set out to do just that by His great commission. I'm really excited to make some new friends with people online through the iCampus and ready to see how God will speak to people through the technology provided.