Glenn Smith :: Friends blog

http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2008/11/sbc-cooperation.

This is the longest time I have gone without posting to the blog.

I have been super busy, speaking this weekend at The Summit Church and C3 Church, both in Raleigh Durham. I was there with my daughter Jaclyn so I did not have time to post. I will make up for it this week.

The last time I wrote, I mentioned that my denomination has a statement of faith that includes an article on cooperation:

Article 14 on Cooperation

Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.

Of course, I am not unaware of the irony that there is an article on cooperation in the SBC statement of faith. We are still unsure if we can cooperate with churches that ALREADY affirm our statement of faith, but are contemporary, emerging, Reformed, or missional.

Yet, believe it or not, we actually have a statement of faith that affirms cooperation--inside and outside the denomination. Who knew? (How I wish those who are as excited about the Baptism section were also excited about the cooperation section.)

So, yes, our SBC article on cooperation sort of comes off like the Orthodox Presbyterian Church passing a resolution on the value of "positive thinking preaching." But the fact that we do have this article in our statement of faith encourages me. It calls us to continue to unite around the gospel and the mission for the glory of God and the good of all who believe. We can do that through our convention and with others who name the name of Jesus.

I believe in cooperation and think you should to. I have seen too many disconnected pastors and churches. And, I believe if they partnered with others, they would be able to more effectively engage in God's global mission, would be stretched to work with others doing church in places different than theirs, and we would accomplish more together than we can alone.

I am involved in some networks and value them, but I spend most of my time with my denomination and helping other denominations. I will talk more about networks later, but first I want to talk about denominations (my own in particular).

For more on that, come back throughout the week.

Also up this week: a response to some comments about our research, another book leadership interview, and some other things I have not yet found!

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/468355163/recessio

Sorry if the previous post on exorbitant Christian conferences in a time of crippling recession was a little gray (sorry David). But I do want to ask the question:

Where we gonna find the eyes to see a brighter day?

Where we gonna get the wisdom to find a more sustainable way?

Where we gonna invest our time, talent and money in the Great Commission so that it will . . . pay?

Ok - that last one was a little forced. I'm a blogger, not a songwriter. But if you have a good idea on how we can respond to this global financial crisis, leave a comment below. Maybe we should compile a top ten list or something . . . .?

Technorati Tags: puppy, recession

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/468298026/recessio

Really helpful discussion in the comments of the previous post [Recession: How bad is it?] about the recession and how its affecting our non-profits and ministries. I want to continue it here by picking up on some of the comments and questions that have emerged.

Its obvious that the recession is having a huge impact on all of us. On the negative side, budgets are cut, events are cancelled, and job security is soooooo 2007. On the positive side, organizations are forced to reexamine strategy, expenditure, and use this current recession as an opportunity to retool where necessary.

"This is helping us clarify what we are really all about and how to spend not only our money, but time, energy, prayer, and talent." Michael Kaspr

One of the culprits, as Becky pointed out, are these extravagant Christian conferences (PreacherFests) where participants are asked to pay an exorbitant admission price to go and hear their favorite speaker. Add to that a flight, meals, and a hotel room and there's not much change from A THOUSAND from which to buy the speaker's book to support this weird cottage industry.

Thats a heckofalot! Its also out of reach for many young struggling missional entrepreneurs and it sets an unsustainable example for the rest of the world who try to mimic the West.

The unsustainable lifestyle of some [a small minority] of professional Christian circuit riders is also on the chopping block. I heard about a well known Christian speaker that was invited to fly overseas to share at at an emerging church event in a particular country [not USA]. They managed to appease his life-style choices by putting him in a four-star hotel but he checked himself out and into a five-star hotel down the road . . . at their expense. I wont repeat the word they called him [rhymes with "banker"] but I will say that in today's climate, God's five star conference speakers will either have to suffer some two or three star inconveniences or struggle to find gigs at all.

Even better if we totally rethink this conference thang.

Our conferences? Over the past ten years, all of the events we (Boaz Project) have hosted have been free of charge. The only was to do this was to have teachers who could speak with little or no honorarium, invite participants from a smaller geographical location, parasite ourselves inside existing festivals, ask local churches for buildings and personnel, have zero promotional budget and request funding from foundations. Once or twice we partnered with another organization or seminary and there was a minimal charge. And quite often we have hosted roundtables inside existing festivals and the cost of that festival is usually (but not always) met by the participant.

In 2009, I expect to host events [and partner with others to host events] in at least a dozen countries. I am hoping the recession will have less impact than other more high-profile, high-budget events than depend on a high price of admission. Our events are usually smaller, more local, more invisible, especially if they are embedded inside other bigger festivals [like SXSW, Freakstock, etc]. As a rule, I like festivals more than conferences, as I said in a recent post called Festivals as a Way Forward, because they are much cheaper, leave a smaller carbon footprint and are not dependent on one or two Superstar Christian Celebrities who insist on fancy hotels and a hefty honorarium at the end - thus raising the price of admission and reducing accessibility to the people who really need to be there.

Technorati Tags: conferences, recession

I try not to give preference to conferences that reimburse my travel and offer an honorarium over the more organic "emerging" events where there is no budget or funds. At least I don't think I don't. And when I am asked to speak, I accept whatever accommodation I am offered. Either sleeping on a couch, some tent space, or sometimes a hotel room when offered. Again, I accept the offer of hospitality and don't ask for an upgrade. Luke 10 comes to mind.

As a missionary, I occasionally have enough funds to help me travel and teach. Most of it has to be raised from others so I can do my job. So please don't take this as an insult to those who teach at conferences as a career. But be encouraged when I say that God is faithful - and some of the best opportunities are sometimes the scariest. You might not get home as soon as you want, and sometimes you might not get home at all, but its always worth it.

Sometimes I have been invited to speak at a conference where the admission cost is high and inaccessible to everyone except church and mission executives, but I have gone along anyway. Other times, I have turned down the offer because the conference is so expensive, inaccessible and unsustainable as a model. I figure that most missional entrepreneurs can't afford to be there anyway and the only people who will attend have an institutional/corporate budget behind them.

Honorariums? I have been speaking in Christian conferences for over 20 years. Probably hundreds of them. I have never once asked to be paid. I have never requested an honorarium. I have never suggested a fee. Highly unusual . . I know . . and maybe a little anal . . but I have felt led by God to do it this way. Yes, I happily receive gifts and voluntary honorariums but I don't request them nor do I have a "suggested honorarium" figure. In my reading of the New Testament, the financial responsibility lies more on the apostle/teacher than on the students.

Many of you reading this post have invited me to speak at your events and you know that what I am saying is true.

But enough of my whinging and whining about conferences . . . .

- What else can we do to enable training and teaching and gathering during this recession without resorting to unsustainable models?

- What else about the way we do church and mission can we change to be more sustainable and emerge from this recession in better shape?

- Where should we be funneling resources during these lean times in order to keep obeying the Great Commission?

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/467569296/hpv-and-

My wife and daughter Abigail are the lead story on the Orkney Today website. This is related to an unwanted HPV jab a few months ago that made the news. This time, a member of Scottish Parliment is upset that Scotland has no minimum age for consent for medical treatment and sexual health services. Our story is the one she is using to push her case. God speed!!!

Heres how it looks in today's newspaper. Click on it to enlarge.

Technorati Tags: hpv

http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2008/11/cooperation-why-

I have been doing lots of denominational meetings lately and church-to-church cooperation has been on my mind. So, I am feeling a series coming on... not sure how long it will be, but I can feel it!

I am pleased to see what looks like a renewed confidence in the church of God as the means of carrying out the mission of God. When Jesus commanded us to "go and make disciples of all nations" he was not commanding individuals, but his church. While I hear more and more about the importance of the local church (thank God), I fear that some are losing sight of the need to cooperate with other churches for the spread of the gospel and the glory of God.

Now, some churches have strong theological cooperation, but not a missional cooperation. There are some great theological networks out there that highlight the gospel, and we need them. But the gospel leads us to preach, work, and start churches, and such work demands greater cooperation. Both denominations and networks can be a great means of cooperating and fulfilling the Great Commission.

Most churches are under 200 in size, and even our larger churches are limited in their ability to reach far with the gospel on their own. To put it more plainly, we cannot do all that God calls us to do on our own. The planting of churches and the continuation of all gospel work across North America and throughout the world requires churches to link up with others for training, support, accountability, and funding. Certainly, they can do more than these things, but these are a good start and I think they should be a primary focus:

Training

Networks and denominations allow for a pooling of training resources that most churches greatly need and from which they can benefit. That can include seminary, college, training for ministry, and so many other things. Planting a church, for example, is no small or easy task. Assessing church planters, the development of a strategy, and church planter training are often areas in which local churches need help.

Support

One of the most important benefits of cooperation is support. Within a family of churches you can find real affection that emerges out of a shared mission. Some networks think of this support as a kind of "family" that amounts to the mutual encouragement and counsel between churches and church leadership. It is common for churches to feel isolated in their particular context of ministry, but through our networks and the internet cooperating churches can connect and find the support they need as they continue the hard work of ministry. How do I handle this popular false teaching? What is the best approach for dealing with a particular barrier to our church's growth? Has anyone else ever encountered this situation in a church plant? I am depressed, feel like a failure - anyone have any words for me?! Cooperation allows for support that would otherwise be out of reach for many.

Accountability

When churches cooperate together for the mission of God accountability becomes a very healthy and necessary component to ensure that the gospel remains central, that false doctrine is avoided, and that the mission continues to move forward.

Funding

In some denominational and network contexts there is the potential for financial support. This is a great help to carrying out the Great Commission. In my own denomination, the International Mission Board can support over 5,000 missionaries across the globe, while its North American Mission Board also helps 5,000 missionaries/church planters.

We are drawing a lot of theological lines in the sand these days. We often do this through statements of faith or confessions. Although it is easy to criticize such statements, I tend to affirm them--it is a good thing to know where you stand and have boundaries, when rightly understood.

So, we can work within our denominational community and without. There are different levels of cooperation (as I have already written elsewhere). Oddly enough, my denomination (not known for palling around with others), has even penned the value of cooperation within our statement of faith:

Article 14 on Cooperation

Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.

More on that tomorrow...

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/465105286/recessio

Is the recession kicking your butt around like it is mine?

Most of our ministry proposals for 2009 were regretfully turned down. That means there are networks and movements in over a dozen countries that we will not be able to support financially next year. It also means we need to tighten our belts and achieve the same goals with less than half our budget. Which I feel confident we will do - I will share our plans in a little while, along with some ideas that might be of use to others in getting over and through the recession.

But first, let me ask the question:

How bad is this recession for you and your ministry or non-profit or church or organization or seminary or charity or tele-evangelist program or whatever you are attempting to lead?

Technorati Tags: recession

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/466016919/hitler-a

An enemy has done this. But its really funny so I have to show it. Matt, who posted the video, said it was made by Randy Brandt. Nice job! I must remember to greet him when i see him and SLAP HIS FACE WITH MY LEATHER GLOVES! I am still trying to figure out the identity of that "scrawny kiwi" named Andrew.

This video ranks second in my Top 3 Graphical Slams on Emergent Church of all time:

1. Phil Johnson's Motivational Posters for Emerging Free-for-All

2. Hitler and the Emergent Church video

3. Emergent Collector Cards

Related: Emergent Criticism (2004)

Technorati Tags: emergent, emerging church

http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/2008/11/my-family-dancin

Well, it seems to be the season for videos.

If you have not already done so, you will DEFINITELY want to go to Friday's post and take a look at the conflict and resolution throughout. (Part two is my favorite.) It is good to see Al not make it all about himself for a change. Mission is good.

Well, we also had some wild parties this weekend. And, thankfully, there is video!

First, from our family party:

And, I have some good news. Turns out there was a camera at the LifeWay Christmas party and a few of the "bosses" gave us some great entertainment.

Of course, this was a secret party. This video was not supposed to be released. And, posting this means I will need to get my resume updated. (Anybody want a plant a church somewhere warm?)

Yet, even still, it is worth it.

Enjoy:

The dancers:

VPs: Tim Vineyard (technology), John Kramp (church resources), Brad Waggoner (B&H), Tom Hellams (communications and relations), and Thom Rainer (president).

For their bios (and some picture that look awfully familiar to those in this video) click here.

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/463818196/emergent

"Instead of "mission-al" we're going to use "mission-y". Its a bit shorter . . . a little bit more informal . . . and I think it will feel a little warmer to people."

Michael Toy, self-appointed National Director of Emergent Village.

Big revolt going on at Emergent Village with the loss of their National Coordinator Tony Jones. The castle is now being stormed and national coordinators are popping up like daisies. Marko lists a few of them including Michael Toy's brave and brilliant attempt.

Technorati Tags: emergent, emerging church

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Tallskinnykiwi/~3/463168915/kiwis-wi

Yeah! The New Zealand team won the Rugby League World Cup!