UnChristian

I am reading a new book by David Kinnaman, president of The Barna Group and Gabe Lyons, founder of the Fermi Project. The book is: "unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks About Christianity... and Why it Matters." The book resulted when Kinnaman received a call from his friend, Gabe Lyons, that he was resigning his church to work with young adults, ages 16-29.

Gabe commissioned the Barna group to do extensive research on what young Americans think about Christianity. Lyons had a gut-level sense that something was desperately wrong, and three years of research paints exactly that picture. Mosaics and Busters (the generations that include late teens to early 30-somethings) believe Christians are judgmental, antihomosexual, hypocritical, too political and sheltered.

There are comments included by some Christian leaders who add their assessment of the problems and how the Christian community should respond.

Many of the comments by the young adults are accurate. The church has been judgmental, hypocritical, etc. I have been challenged by the book. The church wonders why she is unable to make a significant difference in the lives of young adults. Some of the reasons are included in the book. The church has been guilty of some these charges.

The church needs to learn how to be true to Biblical teaching and yet not be hateful and judgmental. The church has responded in a hateful, unchristian manner in her dealings with these young adults and others.

It is an interesting read. One that should be read by many Christians, especially church leaders.

Josh Hamilton

It has been a while since I last blogged. I have been warned by my son that I didn't blog he would remove me from his blogroll.

This is an inspirational story about Josh Hamilton. Josh just this week almost won baseball's Home Run Derby prior to the All Star Game. Josh is a player for the Texas Rangers, but more than that he is fellow Christian brother with a marvelous testimony. You need to read his story.

An Act of Love

This article is a wonderful story about Kyle Woods. Woods was a Baylor football player who was injured during football practice in 1979. He suffered a fractured back spinal cord injury which has left him in a wheelchair for all these years.

There is also a great video that was done by George Riba of WFAA TV in Dallas. It is how coaches and teammates have combined their efforts to build Kyle a house.

The story and video are worth your time. I have been a fan of former Baylor Coach Grant Teaff for years. The video shows his character and integrity.

Church Decline

In a recent interview Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention, indicated that the convention is rapidly declining. He said that the resistance to change could cause more than half of the 44,000 churches to die by 2030. In a matter of 22 years, more than 20,000 churches could close their doors.

I have spent almost 28 years as a local church minister. I have given all of my adult life to the church, either in training or serving local churches as a minister. Having given my life to the local church that statistic scares me. It scares me, not because I may not have a job, but because I'm concerned about the church we are leaving my children.

It is time for the church to do whatever it can to reach this younger generation. These 20 somethings consist of one of the most spiritual generations in history. The problem is, to quote a book title: "I like your Jesus, but I can't stand your church."

What are the changes that need to be made to reach this generation? I honestly don't know, but I know that our time, our resources, our scheduling, our politics, our music styles have to change to reach this generation.

Dove Awards

Today I have been watching the 2008 Dove Awards. I recorded it last night when it aired live. The show not only has the winners in different categories (such as Group of the Year, etc.) but it also have some performances by some outstanding Christian artists.

The show featured Casting Crowns, David Crowder Band, and a special presentation by a the combined artists of Michael W. Smith, Paul Baloche, Christy Nockels, Israel Houghton, Chris Tomlin, and Steven Curtis Chapman.

Some of the winners for 2008 are:
Chris Tomlin - Male Vocalist
Natalie Grant - Female Vocalist
Casting Crowns - Group of the Year
"East to West"- Song of the Year
Brandon Heath - New Artist of the Year
"Everything Glorious" - Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year
"How Great Is Our God" - Worship Song of the Year

They also inducted Larnell Harris and others into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame as well as honoring the contribution of Michael W. Smith for 25 years in gospel music.

But more than the winners, performances and special recognitions it was a joy to hear the hearts of some of the winners. Some of those moments came when Mark Hall, the writer of "East to West," received the award for Song of the Year. Mark shared how grateful he was to know the grace and mercy of a God who forgives us of our sins and removes those sins as far as the east is from the west.

Wish You Were Here

This may be the most difficult post I have written. It has been four weeks since my Mom went to be with the Lord. It has been a difficult time. My Dad went to be with the Lord almost 27 years ago. My children didn't have the opportunity to know him, since they were born after his death.

I was reminded of an experience that I had four weeks ago. My wife and I had left Beaumont, leaving my Mom's hospital bed, not knowing how much longer she would be with us. I was listening to Mark Harris' newest CD. One of the songs, "Wish You Were Here," was the next song on my ipod. I had to skip the song, because the lyrics were much to fresh. (You will understand that better in a moment - when you read the lyrics.) Moments later my older brother called to tell me that my Mom had passed from this life.

Here are the lyrics to that song.

WISH YOU WERE HERE
1 Cor. 2:9
Pete Kipley and Dan Muckala

I wanted to tell you how closely I’ve kept
The memories of you in my heart
And all of the lifetimes that we had to share
Live even though we’re apart
But don’t cry for me
‘Cause I’m finally free

To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our Maker
That’s where I’ll be
When you finally find me
No don’t you be weary cause waiting for you
Are wonders that you’ve never known
Just hold on to Jesus, reach out for his hands
And one day They’ll welcome you home
And that’s when you’ll be
Finally free
Finally free
To run with the angels
On streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our maker
That’s where I’ll be
When you finally find me
I wish you were here, I wish you were here
And all of the dreams that you treasure
Will soon come together
And that’s when your sorrow will find tomorrow
And you will rise again
To run with the angels on streets made of gold
To listen to stories of saints new and old
To worship our maker that’s where you’ll be
When you finally find me

We’ll run with the angels on streets made of gold
We’ll listen to stories of saints new and old
We’ll worship our maker that’s where we’ll be
When you finally find me

I wish you were here

© 2005 Songs From The Indigo Room (adm by Wordspring Music, Inc.)/SESAC, Wordspring Music, LLC/SESAC, Word Music, LLC/ASCAP and Glomo Music (adm by Word Music, LLC)/ASCAP

I think my Mom was trying to tell me something four weeks ago, but I couldn't bear to hear it at the time. She was saying that she was "finally free - to run with the Angels on streets made of gold."

One day I will be "finally free" to join my Mom, my Dad, Roger, and the many others who have gone on before. Until that day I want to be faithful worshiping our Maker here on earth.

The Day That True Love Died

Enjoy this video. It is a video of the song "The Day that True Love Died." It is written by, Phil Wickham, a worship leader from California. It is very appropriate for the Easter season.