On Being a Dad: 01.28.09 : Perspective

It's always about perspective isn't it?  Well maybe the answer to that question depends on your perspective.  As a father of an active 2 year old warrior for Jesus, mommy loving, Tigger emulating bouncing boy I am often floored by what God teaches me through him.  Today as he often does, Elijah begged me to let him turn on the lights.  Now to be more specific anytime we are in one of the bedrooms or the living room and I pick Elijah up he wants to pull the 2 chords dangling from the ceiling fan.  I will pick him up and suddenly this new height perspective (those that know me are inserting short jokes at this very moment) causes a flood of new desires and goals to enter into Elijah's lexicon of activities.

No longer is he content to just play with his big block lego's, Noah's ark, or Hotwheels.  He wants to "tuwn on lights, daddy, tuwn on lights!"  Or he wants to reach for something previously hidden from his view that sits atop the entertainment center.  He wants to reach for, take hold, or engage in activities that previously were not at his disposal and not even on his radar as an option for consideration.

I realize me taking him in my arms and lifting him up is just like my time spent with God.  Often times I am just down here minding my own business or other times I cry out to Jesus to lift me up but either way I am down in my limit perspective. Left on my own I am incredibly short-sighted, easily amused (at least for a little while) and really just living in a childish, limited reality.  It is those times that God my Father lifts me up to be apart of something bigger, deeper, more meaningful that my perspective is changed, even shattered and I realize the incrible and wonderous opportunities that open up when I join God and am allowed to see from his perspective.  These times also make me feel small, they show me that I have been "too easily amused, too easily satisfied, and sometimes too willing to settle, give-in, or give-up."

It took looking at things from my 2 years old limited perspective for God to remind me of my limited, short-sighted perspective.  Sometimes life is a mess all around me but if I would just lift my voice up to God, cry out to Jesus to pick me up and help me see things from His vantage point my whole life and my whole world change in those moments.  Come to Him with the faith of little child but stay for the grown-up perspective.

God's kingdom is like a mustard seed.  His ways are higher than my ways, higher as in they blow mine out of the water and they blow my mind.  His thoughts are not my thoughts, compared to the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe I can comprehend God's thoughts and actions about as well a as a 2 year old can comprehend the danger and wonder and power of the electricity courseing through the unseen wires that come to the ceiling fan of the chords he want to pull. But man is that power there doing its job and wow what an impact it would make if he got ahold of it somehow by accident.  From God, the Father of Lights, comes every good and perfect gift and in Him there is no darkness, no shadow, only pure unadulterated light.  How majestic? How awesome.

That is why He is God and that is why though I can not comprehend it all and I know like sticking my finger in light socket--IT"S GONNA JACK ME UP!  I want more of God's perspective and less of the lowdown, short-sighted, limited-eye view that I get when left to my own.  It took my 2 year old to remind me of that tonight.  Come on God, lift me up out of this and show me what I am missing! That is my prayer. Jack my jaw for Jesus! 

Incarnational = Presence in Pain

Two of the words that drive me in ministry phylisophically, relationally and methodalogically are Incarnational and Missional.

These past two weeks in ministry, from a Productivity stand point I have had a lot of interuptions.  But to call them that at all misses the whole point of what ministry is all about: Ministry is about relationships and connecting people to the presence of the Kingdom of God with their present reality.

Last Saturday we had a funeral.  Sunday I spent an hour at the home a church member hours after his wife passed away, comforting him and his daughter.  Later that evening another of his daughters entered the hospital due to overwhelming stress brought on by her sense of personal loss.  The next day the husband himself was rushed to the ER where he was experiencing a multitude of symptoms. Since then 2 other church members have enter the hospital and our church family will have yet another funeral this Saturday, to celebrate the life of a godly wife, mother and lady.

To be honest as a pastor I feel pretty inadequate during these times.  All I can do is offer my presense, extend my thoughts and prayers to them and their family members.  I have come to realize making so many of these visits over the last several days that surpisingly, that is enough.  I know no amount of talking theology or spouting platitudes or worse cliche's will help so I really struggle with what I should say.  Amazingly, on one hand I don't have to say much, and on the other, as long as I use common sense, whatever I do say is enough.  

Its all about presence: Just being there shows you care. If they are a family in your congregation your teaching and previous oppurtunities to shape their theology will already provide them the comfort and persective they need in these times of crisis, pain, and loss.  This is not the time to teach but rather the time to see teaching applied to their life.  The power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of people of faith is amazing to me.  I could not imagine being married to someone for 57 years and then suddenly be without them.  

I am only 34 and it's ridiculous for me to think I could relate or emphathize but in the smallest of ways.  What I can do is be there, be present in the pain.  I have literally had the priviledge to be the presence of Jesus in people's lives this week to remind them that He loves them, He is in control, He knows our pain and suffering, and He has even secured salvation and a place in eternity for their loved ones.  I find that to be such an honor because I certianly could not do that in my own strength. 

I have heard amazing inspiring stories this week.  Funny stories that have made me laugh and helped the family member's laugh.  I have heard stories of love and devotion too.  Stories of faithfulness to each other, to Christ, and to His church.  The healing power of presence and the the practice of listening this week has overwhelmed me as someone who is wholly inadequate to help heal anyone of such deep emotional pain. Yet through the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus I have been humbled to see those things happen through me to effect other people. I am humbled and honored to serve such faithfull people and much more so to serve such and incredible God that could, let alone would, use me in such a way!

[photo attribution] 

THE BLOG: Re:Forming Re:Vamping Re:Designing Re:Thinking

I have been thinking a lot about the blog since Church Tech Camp: Dallas. I sat in some breakout sessions with John Saddington on Missional Blogging. John blogs here and here. John is on staff at Northpoint. One of the things John challenged me to do is to focus in on my passions and blog about those things. Also he challenged me to categorize those 2-3 passions into no more than 8 sub categories.

Here is what I am thinking:

3 Big Passions:
Family
Leadership
Missional Ministry

Categories I will try to stick to on the blog:
1. Missional Family
2. Missional Leadership
3. Missional Student Ministry
4. Social Media Technology as Missional Ministry
5. Music/Film as it helps connect people to the Heart of God
6. Pop Culture and Cultural Trends as Missional Endeavors
7. Humor (this was way to friggin' funny to not share with people)
8. Productivity

Please watch, critique, encourage, advise, as I continue to make changes.  Come back often comment, engage, interact, and befriend.  I hope to make a platform change, redesign, and relaunch in the very near future. 

Twitter Funnies: Humorous Tweets I Have Favorited

THE FUNNIEST (or MOST UNFORTUNATE) TWITTER-TYPO YET:
@timastevens Just finished blowing my for the third time since last night. 6:21 PM Jan 10th from TweetDeck
@timastevens Uh, typo. Insert word "driveway." Blowing my driveway. 6:21 PM Jan 10th from TweetDeck

MY OTHER "FAVORITED" FUNNIES:
@Fernihough i have a target on my face this week that reads "irritate me. please."

@hotdogsladies Oh, Google. You know I meant to type "Angus Young." Jeez, one dropped consonant, and now I have to go bleach my corneas for an hour.

@russware The glove compartment isn't accurately named And everybody knows it

@NotHenryRollins My optimism wears heavy boots and is loud

@DougFields At no point during my years in seminary was I ever prepared to negotiate arguments with facility staff over the price we charge for coffee.

@tomcottar instead of McCain or Obama...vote Optimus Prime.

@mhenslee Watching Wade Philips mumble...umm mmm we stunk ummm romo choked hmm mmm we're overated ummm hmmm I wanna coach oakland mmm umm hmm.

@dooce The server at Chili's brought me four mugs of Diet Coke, and I was so happy about this that for a second I finally understood Sarah Palin.

@claytonchancy How fun would life be if you could tickle yourself?

@mattmcgill New song SCREAM by chris cornell ought to be called princess, bubble gum, ponies.

@mhenslee I'd thank @officialpeta for following me here on twitter...but it will have to be after I finish this double-bacon-cheeseburger.

FUNNIEST STREAM:
@larryboatright just spilled a dr pepper on my crotch 12:34 PM Sep 17th, 2008 from Hahlo
@larryboatright no people, I did not poop my pants. It's dr pepper, isn't it obvious?? 1:16 PM Sep 17th, 2008 from Hahlo
@larryboatright I bumped Kevin and made him spill his coffee on his MacBook pro. I am a goon. Pray it still works 4:27 PM Sep 17th, 2008 from Hahlo
@larryboatright kevin's laptop has gone to be with the Lord.7:15 PM Sep 17th, 2008 from Hahlo
@thekevincouch Larry killed my laptop with my first love.......coffee 9:00 PM Sep 17th, 2008 from Twittelator

Larry had previously spilled water and Dr. Pepper on his crotch 2 other times but unfortunately I didn't have the foresight to start "favoriting" the trend back then.

[This post originated as a response to: This blog entry The Funniest Tweets I've Seen on Twitter--So Far]

Church Tech Camp Dallas Opening Session

John Saddington from Northpoint/Buckhead is speaking about passion, networking, loving Jesus, and leaving with something practical to do.

Psalm 8: We have been given an amazing opportunity and responsibility to be apart of the ministry that God is doing online.

God has put everything under our feet, including the internet and technology in general.

DIGITAL PASTOR

If you are using the internet: facebook, twitter, blogging, email, etc then you are a digital pastor.

technology is helping us spread the gospel, start conversations about the gospel, minister to people online.

I use Myspace, Facebook, Gtalk, Twitter, and the Blog.

Great question someone asked: "what is the ultimate goal, personal contact or personal growth."

TECHNO-EVANGILST new term for what guys are doing online to reach people with the gospel.

Websites I am hearing repeated at #ctcdallas:
MOZES free text messaging service to send group texts.

ROOV a way to conect with church members through facebook

PollEverywhere

twitter of course [find me on twitter here]

plurk a social journal for your life [me on plurk here]

3 Videos to Watch Today

This video is just plain awesome funny, made by some of the Digerati Team at Lifechurch.tv :

Wicked Mustaches from kevin ely on Vimeo.

Russell Crowe appears to be dressing the part of Mad Max while talking to Crocodile Dundee about becoming a pastor in this rather funny advertisement for a Bible College in Australia!


Here watch Bruce Lee play ping-pong with nunchucks. (I taught him everything he knew.)

(this last video I found here)

Icebreakers for Breaking the Ice with Students when the Ice needs to be Broken

or Questions to Ask Students as Conversation Starters:

In student ministry there can sometimes be a tension between you as a strange adult and the teenagers you are called to reach. Some situations lend themselves to being less awkward than others. In student ministry it has always been my habit to frequent school lunches, band concerts, sporting events, and other extra-curricular events. Nothing can be more daunting the high school cafeteria as a youth worker, if the schools even allow you in. These questions really help break the ice and get kids talking and help you avoid that awkward silence.

First one of my main stand-by’s is a generic “favorites” question:
“What is your favorite…?” (I switch it up all the time: movie, band, book, song, sport, athlete, cheese, food, candy, website, form of torture, word for snow [if they are eskimo, cause eskimo's have 29 different words for snow] etc, etc)

“If you could go anywhere in the world and money wasn’t issue, where would you go and what would you do?”

You can turn this in a spiritual direction too but of course don’t have to. It lends itself to talking about missions, lifestyles, poverty, helping/serving others, etc.

What is something that really makes you mad?

or When was the last time you got really angry about something? (sounds like a weird question but you would be surprised how kids will open up and the oppurtunities it gives you to take things in a spiritual direction.)

I used to ask kids “Do you twitter?” but after several took it to mean something completely inappropriate and the police got involved, I don’t so much use that question anymore!!!

How can I pray for you?

–you would be surprised how well this works, even with wait staff at restaurants will spill there guts with knowing little more about whether you drink tea or coke and that you like ranch on the side. Kids will open up too. I rarely lead with this one of course but I find I use it more with kids that are not in my youth group than those that are. It can make a great impression on the student the next time you see them to let them know you prayed for them and ask how it worked out. They will be astounded that you cared enough to remember let alone pray about it.

I also often ask kids if they have a myspace or a facebook? and A new one I am thinking about trying out is asking kids if they have ever googled their own name?

This originated as a comment on my friend and fellow co-laborer in Student Ministry Ryan Weaver at his blog Terminal Confession.

Irish Kids Say the Darndest Things: The Christmas Story

Here is a clip from youtube that my mom actually emailed me. I couldn't believe it. This is priceless. They have taken the recording of a little Irish girl named Nancy and put her audio recording to animation. This is a must see and hear. It's great to hear her ideas that are clearly "injected" into the story. It is clearly from a Catholic perspective and pay attention to "mean kids" segment and why they are mean, starting about 44 seconds in. The brogue is think so turn up the volume, tune out the distractions, its a great little piece of audio-visual greatness.



Be sure to check out the youtube channel of Monster Distributes because they have other great videos as well, including The Story of St. Patrick, The Story of Lazarus, and The Death of Jesus.

Men, Beware the Doghouse

Ok, this is actually an ad (so consider yourself warned) but it is extremely funny. Most men will see the humor in it and sadly many will be able to relate from personal experience. Think about a thoughtful gift this Christmas for everyone on your list. And Husbands: Beware the Doghouse.

Welcome to Leadership: Your Monkey Butt is Showing!

I have a friend who has recently taken on a volunteer leadership role at church and sadly after barely over a month on the job has been facing a harsh and brutal spirit of criticism from a few people. They are playing the "take-our-ball-and-go-home" game. And with some editing for anonymity I thought I would share it on my blog for all of those of us in ministry and/or in leadership that need encouragement in times of criticism.

Recently I attended a conference where one of the speakers said something that I needed to be reminded of. The thought was good and true. It resonated with my soul at that moment so much that I wrote it down and sent out a Tweet immediately. You may or may not have seen it so I wanted to share it with you now.

"Leadership is a commitment to be misunderstood."
It is true but yet it is one of those truths that even when you believe it, it is not necessarily a comfort. But what you can take comfort in is that God has given you a vision and if it is His vision then you can stick to it and rest in that alone...

...I am saying even if you are frustrated, misunderstood, and on and on, just don't give up. Remain above reproach and then the detractors have nothing valid to say. They will either come around and get on board or they won't but leadership is not about making everyone happy and giving into every opinion.

The speaker went on to say a couple of other things too:
On Criticism--if it's true = respond and change
--if it's not true = don't stoop to consider it

He also quoted this African proverb:
The higher the monkey climbs up a tree,
the more people that can see his (hiney).

I am not sure what that means but I think it means in leadership people are gonna take aim at your backside, or they can see your flaws or weaknesses. Something along those lines. I think that is just to remind us that sometimes people only take time to see the negative and those people will always be detractors unless they change their perspective. [Especially if they are not climbing with you, as a leader you need people climbing with you, but also realize some will only go so high. If your vision calls you to climb higher, others will always be left behind.]

Psalm 42:5 "Why are you downcast, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance."

II Timothy 1:13 "Hold fast the form of sound words, which you have heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus."

So all that to say, welcome to leadership.
Hope in God, and HOLD FAST.

Michael

Advent Conspiracy

I heard about this movement from Donald Miller this past weekend at LeadNow and then today in a completely unrelated experience involving social media networking I was lead to this video that reveals the heart and vision of Advent Conspiracy. Go check it out and see if your family, small group, church or even business would like to get behind it.



[RT: RonEdmonson]

Senior Adult Hip Hop Choir

Senior Adult Choir Hip Hop

JOY: Java-Others-You

This video asks (and answers) the question "What if St.Arbucks marketed itself like the church?"



[I forget where i originally ran across this so I just want to give credit where credit is due, wherever and to whomever that may be. It wasn't me just so you know.]

But this leads me to a question about my local body that I would like to pose to you. Just yesterday we had a lady FLIPPING out because someone took a cup of coffee into the church auditorium/sanctuary. Now someone called the office today and wants us to put signs up banning drinks from the church service. What would you tell this person and how would you handle this situation?

I want to go to Heaven...

This line has been around for awhile at least...but it reoccurred recently while listening to the new disc by The Streets 'Everything is Borrowed.' The song title is 'Heaven for the Weather' and the whole line is:
"I wanna go to heaven for the weather, hell for the company"

Now there are all kinds of folks with similar sentiments to this lyric.  What do you think is the missional response to someone that feels this way. To be honest I am a Christian and I feel this way sometimes in that I would much rather be around unchurched people than "church people". I would rather be around the irreligious than the religious.

Missionally speaking we are called to represent the Kingdom of Heaven here on earth. How do we do it in such away that draws people towards it rather than drives them away?

That's Terrific Sal

Today I have two videos that have made the blog circuit so you may have already seen them, if not enjoy and pass on the hilarity to your cyber friends and neighbors.

The first thing to note is that the music is catchy, fun and it surprised me with the ska/reggae beat and a pretty sweet baseline. This is definetely from the early 70's, take note of the fly away collars.

Second, note the vocalization is still more church ensemble than rock or ska band, so it lends alot to the creation of the cheesiness. Not to mention the matching outfits.

Third, note the guitarist and his uncomfortable use of the "sex face" as he plays added to the fact that he is way to cozy with throwing his hip thrusts into his guitar. I was gonna describe the guitar as a Sunburst pattern but then I realized it was actually blushing.

Fourth, of course last but not least note the lyrics, at one point he actually says "Jesus came and found me, and He touched me down inside..." and wait for it, wait for it the rest of that line is too good to spoil here. So click play and be prepared to watch this over and over again for the next few days.


[ HT: Ed]

This second video just goes to show we really have to ask the right questions about being relevant to the culture, because at one time I am sure this group sincerely thought they were being relevant and cutting edge, never knowing they would end up a viral video punchline reinforcing every cheesy Christian stereotype available.



[HT: SK]

It was so bad and SO viral that it ended up on The Soup , see here and also PopTub, here.

Moby on Brittney, Fame, and Insecurity

I found this video on yahoo, of Moby being interviewed by fans and he makes a great statement about fame and the human condition. Watch and share your thoughts.
[updated: sorry you have to watch the commercial first]

Fat Guys in a little suit (sorta)

Hey I found this on my computer and had forgotten all about it. It was after one of the greatest 5th quarters of all time. We had over 100 students show up to wrassle and joust, play games and watch videos in the Attic, and eat tons and tons of horribly-bad-for-you food. At the end of the night when everything was wrapping up our pastor and our mission team leader decided to try their hand at the Sumo Suits. So now here it is submitted for your viewing pleasure.


Untitled from michael mcminn on Vimeo.

PS. I posted this on a cool new site called Vimeo, I like it much better than youtube or any other video posting site I have found so far. Go Check it out if you have your own personal videos to post.

Spaghetti Grows on Trees

A Video in Honor of National Atheists Day

See who falls for this one, a classic April Fools joke of the highest order. Anytime you can fool someone AND do it with a BBC style British accent, you have taken it to the next level.

Mr. Smith goes to Church

I recently had the opportunity to attend Uptown Fellowship, the contemporary service of Church of the Incarnation in North Dallas. COTI is an Episcopal congregation and the liturgy was something very foreign to this southern fried baptist boy. I have two former Dallas Baptist classmates that are involved there. One in leading worship and the other more recently just began attending. I really enjoyed the worship experience as a whole and thought I would share and reflect here with you.

I did learn that the Sunday after Easter, in liturgical circles, has come to be known as Low Sunday. Becuase it follows immediately on the heels of Easter Sunday which has experienced so much build up through the season of Lent, this Sunday has come to be known as Low Sunday because the Gospel reading and homily always relate to the story of Doubting Thomas. The speaker also joked that it was Low Sunday or 'Cannonball Sunday' because of the drop in attendance compared to Easter Sunday. The joke is because attendance is so sparse you can fire a cannonball into the congregation without fear of hitting anyone.

Here are my observations:
1. Everyone was warm and friendly, I felt welcomed and comfortable. They did nothing to acknowledge guests or visitors, nor did they do anything to identify members. No name tags, no awkward welcome where the guests remain seated and members stand to greet them, or vice versa. While some would think this was a bad move I liked it. The only time I felt out of place or awkward was when I had an internal concern in those "what to do next" situations. Which I will address in the next point. Finally, as far as welcome, greeting, etc, at one point we all turned to those around us greeting each other with "Peace be with you."

2. As the service progressed there were a few times I wished they had at least briefly explained the flow of the liturgy. Of course, then it could be said that would interrupt the flow of the liturgy itself. But my discomfort was most apparent when it came time to participate in communion. From my background I am used to remaining seated as the tray is passed down each aisle. In this more liturgical setting you rise and approach the front single file to receive the sacraments. I was really freaked out when the first group went up on stage around the altar and "had several moves" to perform. I was thinking to myself, I am going to look like an idiot. Well turns out they were the servers/helpers (this was not explained, so I am making an educated guess) because the rest of us did not go up on stage but merely up the aisle to the priest/rector.

3. To me this took away from the experience of what Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper, is all about. I am partly to blame, maybe I just should have relaxed more and not been so worried about "making a mistake" or even "looking dumb." But I think some simple instructions would alleviate this for newcomers and even give those who partake weekly more of a verbal reminder of what HC/LS is really all about. In the Baptist tradition we partake of the LS about once every quarter. This has always seemed too long of an interval but I know I truly look forward to it and when we partake it is the central part of the worship experience that week and usually the entire message and service focus in on the meaning. The meaning seemed lost in the ritual, and to be fair, in my own insecurity about "how to" in this new setting. I was glad that at least from seminary and other experience I knew about the practice of intinction. This is the practice of dipping the consecrated bread into the wine, rather than drinking from the same cup as everyone else (granted the holder wipes the cup each time and others had already drank directly from the cup but it sure made me feel better. I am not much of a germ-a-phobe overall but drinking after others gives me the willies.)

4. The music was contemporary and the dress of everyone present was casual. They used two large flat screens to either side of the platform to display lyrics, prayers, and responsive readings. These seem to be the three main elements that made Uptown Fellowship different, I think they would even say Emerging, than their parent services at Church of the Incarnation. And other than the HC/LS the screens really helped me as a newbie enjoy and follow along as a participant in worship rather than a confused outsider. The music was impressive as well. I didn't know quite what to expect but the songs were recognizable to me by the likes of Crowder, Tomlin, and even Agnus Dei by Michael W. Smith. They were contemporary yet the band was simple, acoustic guitar, a trap set, piano and upright bass. The piano, limited sounds of the smaller trap set, and especially upright bass just really made the music warm and deep as opposed to having just a straight-ahead rock sound.

5. The message was delivered by a women. I will leave the theological debate for other bloggers who seem devoted to those things. I will admit, however, that due to my background I made a conscious effort to listen and focus on the message rather than the medium. The message was on Thomas and his doubt the week after the Resurrection. The message was well delivered, applicable to our daily lives, and held my attention.

Overall, given the chance I would consider visiting again to broaded my experience and perspective. It is always difficult and sometimes unfair or misleading to base everything on one visit. Although the reality is for many others, churched or unchurched, the first impression is the only impression you get to make.

Go to Uptown's Flickr page to see the sets from their series called Theology Live, a very well attended series of theological lectures at local north Dallas pubs.

Pray for Juarez, Mexico

Just minutes ago I got incredibly sad and disturbing phone call. The call was to inform me that our annual summer mission trip to Juarez, Mexico has been canceled. I thought it was a joke or mistake until the news over the phone sank in and I realized they were serious. Drug Cartel violence has broken out in Juarez and the article I just read says as many as 30 people were murdered on Easter weekend alone. Please pray for the city, people, and churches of Juarez.

In the relationship our church has established with the city of 6 million across the border from El Paso, TX we have helped a thriving church planting movement that has been a blessing and encouragement to me every time I have gone over. We generally go once during the Christmas break and again during the summer. We know many churches and pastors in Juarez and I would ask you to pray for them during this time.

Pray for all the citizens of Juarez.
Pray for any tourists that maybe trying to get out safely.
Pray for the pastors of Juarez and their congregations.
Pray for the city, state and Mexican national government officials.
Pray for the police and military.
Pray for the hearts and minds of the criminals.

Call me or email if you would like to know specific pastors and churches to pray for. It may be over protective but I don't want to expose any of them to become targets by listing them here for all to see.