Book of Eli

Art conveys theology. In this upcoming movie the post-apocalyptic landscape is filled with people who have forgotten, all but one, Eli. He has the last copy of the Bible and is called by God to cross the country with it. He encounters struggles, hardship, attackers, and temptation in his effort to live out his divine calling. Here is a link to a study guide to help with discussion about this movie and its many theological and spiritual undertones.

We are Living in a Missionary Culture

We are living in a missionary culture. As the numbers of those self-identifying themselves as Christian decline it becomes more and more apparent. The Gallup data below shows a steady decline in the numbers of Americans who call themselves Christian. This only reinforces the steady drop in worship attendance and the free fall of membership in mainline churches.

It is time for us to quit thinking that one more program, one more quick fix solution is the answer, and start acting like missionaries. We must spend just as much time exegeting the culture as we do exegeting the Biblical text. Our ministries must become indigenous to the communities we serve, reflecting the spiritual needs and concerns of those outside our doors. Finally, it is imperative that we change our focus from those inside our buildings clamoring for chaplaincy to those outside our buildings facing a Christ-less eternity. A mentor of mine once reminded me that if you offend those inside the church with the way you share the gospel, they will find another church. If you fail to share the gospel to those outside the church in a way that they can embrace it, you condemn them to hell. Which is worse?

I chose to be a missionary and not a chaplain. That is why I remain:

Consumed by the Call,
Marty

This Christmas, 78% of Americans Identify as Christian

Music Matters - Andy Stanley | Catalyst

Great article about the importance of music and worship.

Marty

Music Matters - Andy Stanley | Catalyst

What Matters Now

Seth Godin is an amazing futurist and leadership author. Here is a link to his new ebook available free.

Leaders are readers!
Marty


What Matters Now

ZOE Project Hope

Speaking of Giving More...here is a video explaining Project Hope, St. Paul's Christmas Eve offering focus. More previews of whats in store this weekend at St. Paul.

Dr. Marty

Thousand-Hills-internet-video.mov (video/quicktime Object)

More ways to give back. When we think of "giving more" we often think its only about radical gifts, but sometimes radical gifts can be done with simple things. Thousand Hills is saving a village by purchasing their coffee at a fair market price, allowing those in that village to earn a living wage.

What small changes can we make in our lives that will allow us to "give more" to what really matters?

Dr. Marty

Thousand-Hills-internet-video.mov (video/quicktime Object)

Give More

This week at St. Paul we will be discussing how we can give what really matters. Last October I took a few folks with me to the Catalyst Conference for leaders. During that conference they took time to highlight giving gift that matter. Here is the video about how one child's life was changed by somebody he never expected to meet.

Catalyst 2009 Compassion Moment from Catalyst on Vimeo.