In order to get the most important message on earth we have to take seriously the importance of learning to spread your ideas. Take a few moments and watch Seth Godin explain how we as communicators need to improve our ability to spread ideas!
Dr. Marty
Friday, July 31, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Dream Lab
It is time for you to dream, to move beyond what you think is possible and into what God believes in you and for you. Take a look and start to dream, then let's dream together!
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty Cauley
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty Cauley
DreamLab - Host Invite from Awaken on Vimeo.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Danelle Directing
Make sure you watch as Danelle directs 44 kids in a huge dance number. This is hilarious!
Marty
Marty
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Radically Simple Church
I often say "bigger isn't better, better is better." That is to say that passionate, Spirit driven ministry is the best we can do with what God has given us. I believe in the concept of "Simple Church." Simple is clear and uncluttered. This is not to be confused with easy, which means without effort. It is keeping the "main thing, the main thing." Here is a great video about people answering the call to do "simple church" in radical ways around the globe.
What can we in the "complicated church" learn?
How do we get "simple?"
Can't wait to hear your comments. I remain:
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty Cauley
What can we in the "complicated church" learn?
How do we get "simple?"
Can't wait to hear your comments. I remain:
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty Cauley
What Is Simple Church? from Expectation Media on Vimeo.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Community: The Power of Synergy
A team only works when EVERY member steps up EVERY day to give EVERYthing! This week we start our Power of Connecting to Community Series. Here is a video that talks about stepping up and giving your best:
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Covenant Council Structure
Here is an initial diagram I am working on for a Covenant Council structure designed to facilitate ministry. It is designed to provide support with the chief goal being that irreligious and nominally religious people will encounter Jesus Christ, embrace Him as Savior, engage in meaningful spiritual formation and mature into a life of mission and ministry. It is a dynamic process that provides for continual movement and entry into the process wherever one is ready to begin. I look forward to hearing your feedback. Thanks
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Nashville Area Journal
Here is one of the daily scripture reading resources I mentioned on Sunday. This site not only provides suggested daily readings but allows you to have a confidential online journal for your reflections. It is the work of Nashville Tenn. area bishop, Dick Wills.
Peace,
Dr. marty
Nashville Area Journal
Peace,
Dr. marty
Nashville Area Journal
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Why I Have Stayed Connected to the Church
This is the 4 a.m question of the day, why have I stayed connected to the Church? Why do I serve a United Methodist Church, or participate in organized religion at all? I have been asked this question repeatedly, probably because I spend a lot of time with young adults searching for their own identity and they want to know what “Church” has to do with their “faith.” I woke up shortly after four this morning with this question upon my heart. After some prayer, relfection, and coffee here are MY five reasons for staying connected, they are: history, accountability, theology, synergy, and reality.
History—God has chosen throughout history, for whatever reason, to work through the flawed forms of the Church. I am not discounting all the times when the Church has blown it. History is full of times when the Church’s human leadership has led it to do incredibility stupid things, but historically when God has chosen to work, it has been through the Church. From the beginning God has called a people to act as prophets, proclaimers, and priests to a world separated from God. Don’t you want to be part of something that has deeper roots than the internet culture that surrounds us?
Accountability—being held accountable is something most of us resist, but that all of us need. It keeps us from becoming either manipulating dictators or narcissistic navel gazers. Part of this comes from some very negative experiences with “independent fellowships” and “churches” from my childhood, where the leader exerted absolute and very manipulative control over the people. Being part of a denomination, or “organized religion” holds me and the church accountable for our behaviors, beliefs, and balance. Having to answer for my personal ministry and for that of the church I serve to another person who I have agreed to be accountable makes me consider things differently that I would if I had absolute control. It also keeps me from becoming a navel gazer, practicing postmodern monk-hood and withdrawing into a conclave of self-important backpatters who would stand “against the world” by completely withdrawing from it. Down deep, don’t you want to be held accountable to a higher level of living?
Theology—the Church teaches who God is and holds those truth revealed throughout history. It grounds us in creeds from the first century and give us roots in today’s disposable culture and challenges my self-centered approach to scripture with a broader understand of God’s divine action in the world. Don’t you want to be exposed to thoughts bigger than you could think alone?
Synergy—we can do far more together than we can individually. Margaret Mead said it well about the importance of a small group of faithful people studying scripture together, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Or Mother Teresa, “I can do what you can not do, you can do what I can not do, together we can do great things.” At its best the Church organizes around the mission to proclaim Christ and make him known through acts of mercy, words of hope, and signs of worship and wonder. Paul talked about “two or more,” and then planted churches of thousands. When we come together we dream bigger dreams, do bigger things, and live better lives than we can as individuals in our closets praying alone. Don’t you want to be part of something bigger than yourself?
Reality—I have learned in my spiritual walk, that I can’t do this alone. There have been times in my life when I considered walking away from the Church. When I became frustrated with its human frailties and shortsighted leaders. When it seemed to me to do more harm than good, but then something would happen to remind me how much community matters. There are no perfect churches, but there are perfect moments when through the mess we make of it God gives us a glimpse of heaven in a child’s prayer, the funeral of a faithful saint, or the baptism of a new believer. Do you really want to miss that?
These are some of my personal reasons. I do not believe it is a comprehensive list, and certainly not an authoritative one. These thoughts need some more work but they are where I am as God gives me another chance as the sun rises on this new day to serve the people I love through the Church. Won’t you give it another shot? I remain:
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty Cauley
History—God has chosen throughout history, for whatever reason, to work through the flawed forms of the Church. I am not discounting all the times when the Church has blown it. History is full of times when the Church’s human leadership has led it to do incredibility stupid things, but historically when God has chosen to work, it has been through the Church. From the beginning God has called a people to act as prophets, proclaimers, and priests to a world separated from God. Don’t you want to be part of something that has deeper roots than the internet culture that surrounds us?
Accountability—being held accountable is something most of us resist, but that all of us need. It keeps us from becoming either manipulating dictators or narcissistic navel gazers. Part of this comes from some very negative experiences with “independent fellowships” and “churches” from my childhood, where the leader exerted absolute and very manipulative control over the people. Being part of a denomination, or “organized religion” holds me and the church accountable for our behaviors, beliefs, and balance. Having to answer for my personal ministry and for that of the church I serve to another person who I have agreed to be accountable makes me consider things differently that I would if I had absolute control. It also keeps me from becoming a navel gazer, practicing postmodern monk-hood and withdrawing into a conclave of self-important backpatters who would stand “against the world” by completely withdrawing from it. Down deep, don’t you want to be held accountable to a higher level of living?
Theology—the Church teaches who God is and holds those truth revealed throughout history. It grounds us in creeds from the first century and give us roots in today’s disposable culture and challenges my self-centered approach to scripture with a broader understand of God’s divine action in the world. Don’t you want to be exposed to thoughts bigger than you could think alone?
Synergy—we can do far more together than we can individually. Margaret Mead said it well about the importance of a small group of faithful people studying scripture together, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Or Mother Teresa, “I can do what you can not do, you can do what I can not do, together we can do great things.” At its best the Church organizes around the mission to proclaim Christ and make him known through acts of mercy, words of hope, and signs of worship and wonder. Paul talked about “two or more,” and then planted churches of thousands. When we come together we dream bigger dreams, do bigger things, and live better lives than we can as individuals in our closets praying alone. Don’t you want to be part of something bigger than yourself?
Reality—I have learned in my spiritual walk, that I can’t do this alone. There have been times in my life when I considered walking away from the Church. When I became frustrated with its human frailties and shortsighted leaders. When it seemed to me to do more harm than good, but then something would happen to remind me how much community matters. There are no perfect churches, but there are perfect moments when through the mess we make of it God gives us a glimpse of heaven in a child’s prayer, the funeral of a faithful saint, or the baptism of a new believer. Do you really want to miss that?
These are some of my personal reasons. I do not believe it is a comprehensive list, and certainly not an authoritative one. These thoughts need some more work but they are where I am as God gives me another chance as the sun rises on this new day to serve the people I love through the Church. Won’t you give it another shot? I remain:
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty Cauley
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What is Love?
Connecting to Christ Allows us to Love Better
What is real love?
What is Love? According to:
• Pat Benatar…it’s a battlefield.
• Goethe "Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing."
• Oliver Wendell Holmes: Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness."
• Mark Twain: “Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."
• Woody Allen: “Love is to suffer.”
• Solomon: “love is better than wine.”
Love is divine—it starts with God.
What is real love?
What is Love? According to:
• Pat Benatar…it’s a battlefield.
• Goethe "Love is an ideal thing, marriage a real thing."
• Oliver Wendell Holmes: Love is the master key that opens the gates of happiness."
• Mark Twain: “Love is the irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired."
• Woody Allen: “Love is to suffer.”
• Solomon: “love is better than wine.”
Love is divine—it starts with God.
- God goes first. Prevenient Love
- God gives first. “while we were yet sinners…”
- You have two relationships with any gift, to receive it or reject it.
- Everyday you wake up and you get to choose if your life will reflect the love God has for you to the people you come into contact with, or will you reject that love.
- Love people, use objects.
- Discipline (n): training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.
- It is practiced…there is always room to get better.
- Loving with your heart…what you are willing to pay the cost for, where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is. That is, where your time and money are spent spent
- Loving with your soul…what you care most about, where you spend your dreams.
- Loving with your mind…what you consider—what you think about most?
- Loving with all your strength…what you create, where you expend your energy.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Churches Needs More than Good Programs
Here Ed Stetzer talks about how having "big programs," even in "big churches" does not insure that the Gospel is really being proclaimed and that people are getting connected to Christ, community, and their divine calling.
Lies We Believe: Pt. 6 from Ed Stetzer on Vimeo.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Churches Must Move Beyond Personal Preference!
Here is an article that reinforces my contention that churches must move beyond personal preference in order to reach their communities. All ministry is indigenous, it must come as a response to the culture that surrounds the congregation, not from preferences within the congregation.
For decades, since the 1980's, we have created a consumerist culture in our congregations. A sense of entitlement has taken the place of our sense of mission. Rather than seeking places to serve, church attendees "shop" for a local church. They look for the best bargain, the least commitment, and the flashiest package.
The time has come to return to mission as our primary driving impetus for ministry. Take at look at this article featured in Leading Ideas and let me know what you think! I remain:
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty
Leading Ideas: A Resource for Church Leaders
For decades, since the 1980's, we have created a consumerist culture in our congregations. A sense of entitlement has taken the place of our sense of mission. Rather than seeking places to serve, church attendees "shop" for a local church. They look for the best bargain, the least commitment, and the flashiest package.
The time has come to return to mission as our primary driving impetus for ministry. Take at look at this article featured in Leading Ideas and let me know what you think! I remain:
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty
Leading Ideas: A Resource for Church Leaders
Monday, July 6, 2009
Trust Your Gut
This article from Fast Company provides some research regarding ethical decision making. It seems that, like I often say, our body can teach our soul a lesson. That, while we can rationalize morally questionable behavior, out gut usually calls us out on them. So trust you gut, not your head!
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty
Made to Stick: In Defense of Feelings | Fast Company
Consumed by the Call,
Dr. Marty
Made to Stick: In Defense of Feelings | Fast Company
Sunday, July 5, 2009
St. Paul's Daily Scripture Focus July 6-10
St. Paul United Methodist Church
Daily Readings for July 6-10
Monday, July 6: 1 Corinthians 13Daily Readings for July 6-10
- What is love?
- Can we really practice all of these attributes?
- How does Paul instruct the Romans to show their love to each other?
- How can the believers overcome evil amidst their time of persecution?
- How did this woman demonstrate “love?”
- What did Jesus mean when he said, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.”?
- What is “the greatest commandment?”
- What did Jesus mean when He said, “You are not far from the kingdom of God?”
- How does God demonstrate love according to the Psalmist?
- In verse 17 how will the Psalmist give thanks to God for God’s faithfulness?
Being Connected to Christ Allows us to LIVE Better!
Acts 9:1-19
“Do you ever feel that although you are doing a lot of things, they might not be the most important things?”
We live better when we realize…
God knows us:
“Do you ever feel that although you are doing a lot of things, they might not be the most important things?”
We live better when we realize…
God knows us:
- Calls us by name.
- Knows our history.
- Loves us anyway.
- Does not leave us where we are.
- Resets our priorities.
- “The feeling of being hurried is not usually the result of living a full life and having no time. It is on the contrary born of a vague fear that we are wasting our life.” Eric Hoffer, philosopher
- Helps us with course corrections.
- Reveals our potential.
- Calls us to new paths.
- Challenges us to live differently.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Family Time Less Imortant that Internet?!?
This study reveals that family time is in decline in proportion to a rise in internet usage by families. This week we are talking some about being connected with Christ readjusts our priorities, this is one that might need some work. What do you think?
USC Annenberg | Family time decreasing with Internet use
USC Annenberg | Family time decreasing with Internet use
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