Ever Wanted to Have A Discreet and Portable Bible? Now There’s One!
Thanks to the guys at ChurchCrunch for posting this. I wanted to share it here so you could see it as well. You will laugh.
Enjoy!
Archive - May, 2009
The Importance of Effective Communication: Q & A With Matthew Gamble
I think we’d all agree that preaching and communicating well is very important. I’ve done a few posts about the subject here and here, but thought it would be a good idea to do a Q&A with someone that spends a lot of time speaking on the road: Matthew Gamble. 1. So what’s your day job?
“Talk about Jesus. Work as a consultant with the Center for Creative Ministry. Hang out with my wife.” 
2. What preacher/communicator do you look up to? Why?
“Mark Driscoll: Mars Hill Church Seattle, WA – While I don’t entirely agree with his theology, I appreciate his exegetical care of the Word of God. Further I am encouraged to see the fruit of their labor in Seattle (one of the most unchurched areas of the nation).
Rob Bell: Mars Hill Bible Church Grand Rapids, MI – Again, while I don’t agree with all of his theology, I appreciate his willingness to tackle difficult books of the Bible (ie Mars Hill launched the church by doing a sermon series on the book of Leviticus). I also value the creativity he brings to the table.
Matt Chandler: The Village Church (somewhere in Texas) – Again, I appreciate his focus on the Bible and his relevant approach to scripture.”
3. What are some of the biggest mistakes you see speakers making nowadays? What advice would you give them?
“Not preaching the Bible! I am a huge fan of expository preaching… meaning verse by verse, word for word. I believe that we make a huge mistake when we don’t preach this way because it tends to lead people to be Bible light. Conversely, when we preach word for word, verse by verse, people will automatically learn to study their Bibles on a deeper level, as opposed to simply doing topical studies.
Along with this, it is frustrating to listen to “preachers” that seem to stand up and give pop psychology messages. Please stop and preach Jesus!”
4. What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from speaking to many different groups of people?
“Know your audience. Paul said that he became all things to all people and I believe that this is of great value for any communicator.
Be passionate about what you are talking about. I am not suggesting that you have to yell and scream, I am simply saying that make sure that the message is really burning in your soul before you stand up in hopes to, by God’s grace, get someone else excited about it. Furthermore, be creative in your communication so that people remember the message.
Be authentic. When appropriate, be vulnerable with the audience about your struggles and shortcomings.
Know what you are going to say and make sure that it is clear what you want other people to hear/know when they leave. Don’t hesitate to reiterate the main point over and over again.
Be available to people after you preach a message. I believe that some people never cross over the line into faith, because the preacher wasn’t there for them. Make yourself available to people.
Be surrendered to the Holy Spirit as He may point something out to you while you are preaching that He wants you to say.
Be aware of the audiences response to your message. While you are preaching if people’s body language is suggesting that they have no clue what you are talking about, don’t hesitate to stop and re-word something.”
5. Final thoughts?
“Remember that preaching is foolishness to those who don’t believe. Remember that you as the preacher are a broken/sinful man/woman who is not called to condemn people, but to point them to Jesus.”
To find out more about Matthew Gamble, D.Min, and to keep up with his travels, writing, speaking, check out the following sites:
- http://friendfeed.com/matthewgamble
- http://www.youtube.com/user/vagabondservant
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=603236834
- http://www.youtube.com/user/
- http://www.facebook.com/
What about you? What are some principles of effective communication that you’ve learned over time?
To Suit Or Not to Suit
Ok, so I’ve kind of been having a little dilemma. As a pastor, I’ve been struggling with whether or not I should wear a suit when I preach. With one of my churches I know that I couldn’t get away with it at all. It’s a very traditional church and I wouldn’t even think of it. But in the other…well, there’s more young adults and it’s a lot more laid back.
I know, this probably doesn’t sounds like a very profound dilemma, but to me it is becoming significant. Here are some simple thoughts on the matter and what I’ve been thinking, and I really ask for your help. Please. So all those of you who receive this by email or through rss feed please step up. It’s important to me and I would really appreciate it.
So here’s what I’ve been thinking. I don’t want anything to become a stumbling block or barrier for me to reach people. Most unchurched people, when coming to church, will be dressed fairly casually. So why not me, the pastor, be dressed a little more casual as well. I’m not suggesting to wear flip-flops and jeans, but I was thinking of some nice dark jeans, a nice shirt, and a nice jacket. Or something to that effect.
I know what the argument is (I think) for wearing a suit. The church is a holy place and you need to put on your best because you’re going to be meeting God. But I guess I just don’t see in the Bible where people dressed up in special attire to meet God, except for the priests.
I think most of you could school me theologically, and that’s what I’m really looking for.
If you think a suit should be worn in church tell me why.
If you don’t think a suit should be worn in church tell me why.
Doesn’t have to be some special, or even deep theological argument and case…just give me your thoughts, and if you have some theological points to add, then fine.
I really appreciate your thoughts on the matter cause I actually am struggling with this a little. If it was a new church plant and started off like this I don’t think it would be an issue. But neither are new church plants.
Today, in my more progressive church, I wore a nice jacket and slacks (no tie), and one of our older members said, “well, it’s good that you didn’t have to preach today, so you could get away with not wearing a tie…” Hmmmm.
What do you think? Should a pastor wear a suit when he preaches or not? What would Jesus wear?
[image by mister rad ]
Lonely in Leadership?
You’ve probably heard the advice. I know that I had heard it: “you can’t get too close to those you lead.” I can’t even remember the reasons why that was supposed to be a bad thing. Perhaps the danger was that “they” would see that you’re a lot more human than they expected, and as a result be disappointed and their faith weakened or something.
After all, the thinking seemed to be, that the image of “the pastor” must be protected at all costs. That’s why there’s still pastors out there that wear a suit and tie everywhere they go–at the grocery store, the mall, etc. After all, imagine the horror if a church member (cue the background screams) were to see you and you weren’t wearing a suit!!
I think because of this kind of thinking, many have become lonely in ministry and leadership.
Listen to the words of John Maxwell on the subject:
“…one day I realized that keeping everyone at a distance was a double-edged sword. The good news was that if I kept people at a distance, nobody would ever hurt me. But the bad news was that no one would ever be able to help me either…I would take the time-and the risk- of getting close to people and letting them get close to me. I would vow to love people before trying to lead them.” (Leadership Gold, p.3)
Maxwell goes on to point out that if you’re lonely in leadership, it’s because you’re not taking people with you on the journey, you’re not doing it right.
I think this is right on. I’ve been there. I’ve been lonely in ministry before. And I don’t think it’s just an issue of authenticity. I feel like I’m plenty authentic and I’m not afraid to share some of my hurts and issues. But I think for me loneliness sometimes arises out of a sense of being alone in the realm of ideas. Of having people not understand or being unwilling to follow a particular vision. When that happens, it is much more painful for me.
But I am willing to risk being close with my people, even if it means I end up getting hurt every once in awhile.
What about you? Is it work the risk? When and how have you felt lonely in leadership? Do you agree with Maxwell’s statement?
[Image by: pachete]
Receiving Books For Free
Do you have a blog? Do you enjoy reading? Would you like to get some free books? If your answer to those is yes, you may qualify to become part of a new program by Thomas Nelson Publishers.
A few days ago Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers announced through his Twitter feed that they’re beginning a new program called Book Review Bloggers. Through this program you can request free copies of select books. To qualify for the program you have to be willing to write a 200 word review on your blog as well as on another website like Amazon.com.
You can apply for the program by clicking here.
I’m pretty excited about it. The first book I’ll receive in a few days is Andy Stanley’s latest book called The Principle of the Path.
So what are you waiting for? Jump in!
Understanding the Values of a Group
So I think most of you know that I pastor two churches. One church is more modern, progressive, and younger while the other is more traditional, conservative, and older.
In the more traditional church we have prayer meetings on wednesday night, like in many churches. Today something happened in that church that I thought was insightful.
We were discussing why there weren’t more people coming out to prayer meeting. Actually, it was more like they were discussing. They brought it up. And they began to tell me “pastor, you need to just announce it more, with a lot of energy. If you announce it more they will come.”
So I asked them, “out of all the programs in this church (friday night service, saturday night vespers service, wed. night prayer meeting), which should I emphasize the most?” I thought that was a fair question. Without hesitation one gentleman said, “All of them!”
I’m going to come back to that statement in a little bit.
By this point our prayer meeting had shifted to something else entirely, but I flowed with it. I thought, let’s go there and explore this baby as far as they want to go. So I asked them, “so what do you think of our current format for prayer meeting? (I don’t assume our prayer meeting method is great. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s pretty lame. But here’s what we do: we sing for about 15 min., we share testimonies and prayer requests, we go through a bible study together for about 20 min, and then we pray together. I didn’t make it up, it’s what they’ve always used.)
Coming back to the question that I asked them, “what do you think of our current format?” Essentially, they said they were dissatisfied with it. They mentioned how in another Bible study that they attend on Monday nights, all they do for the one hour is study the Bible. One of the ladies said, “we greet each other quickly…we sit down…and then we begin the study. We don’t want to waste too much time.” She was using that as an example of an effective and successful small group Bible study.
I know what you’re thinking. Surely I’m embellishing and exaggerating this story for effect. Ahh….how I wish I was. Those were her words.
Here’s why I think what they were saying was so interesting, though. For one, their response to getting more people to come to prayer meeting was merely to raise the volume. Announce it more. Get sweaty. Work it up, and the people will come. And i’m sure more people would come if I hollered a little bit at them and made them feel like bad Christians for not coming to prayer meeting. Here they are revealing their high value and sense for “duty.” The people should come because that’s what a Christian who loves God does. He goes to prayer meeting. But he also attends every single other meeting that the church offers.
I’m tired just thinking about attending all those things.
Secondly, I think they were revealing that they place a very high value in receiving information in a Bible study. I got that pretty loud and clear. It’s such a high value, in fact, that fellowship and getting to know each other is not really important. It’s just about studying.
So why am I pointing these things out? Because the values that someone has will determine how you are able to lead them. If you don’t understand what their values are, you won’t be able to lead them effectively.
If I simply tried to force upon them a certain model and way of doing things, and it goes against their ingrained values, they will shut me out. They may put up with it. But their hearts won’t be in it. But if I shape how I minister to them in a way that agrees with their values, they will listen.
Let me give you the flip side of this. In my other church which has many young adults, community and fellowship are a very high value. After church is done, people sometimes hang out for hours…not doing anything in particular, just hanging out. If I were to try to force upon them a small group Bible study where people couldn’t really share about themselves and how the Word interacted with them, they’d probably stone me. It’s a part of who they are.
I know this probably all sounds a little technical and perhaps abstract. But I think this is the bottom line. If I can remember what the final end-goal is: helping them become more like Jesus Christ and to be ready for His return, and I know where they are (as exhibited through their values), I can help to lead them in the right direction. I can still have the right end-goal, but if I don’t know where the starting point is, I won’t know the right way to take them on the journey.
Does that make sense at all? I know it’s probably just common sense, but I was reminded of its importance in a vivid way tonight.
What about you? Have you ever misunderstood a group of people and as a result messed up in something? How does understanding the values of the people you lead help you to lead them?
Porn Again Christians
I encountered this document a few days ago while checking out this blog. Suffice it to say that it’s a jarring and sobering read.
Written by Mark Driscoll, pastor of Mars Hill Church, he begins by presenting a theology of purity. Just having all these Scriptures together in one place is of great value. But then he goes on to address just about any kind of question related to pornography and sexuality that you can think of. And I do mean every kind of question.
He ends the whole document by having an excerpt of an interview between Ted Bundy, the serial killer, and Christian leader James Dobson. The interview took place hours before Ted Bundy was to be executed, and delineated Ted Bundy’s early obsession with pornography and how that led him down the slippery slope of experimentation, and eventually rape and murder.
Suffice it to say that this blog post is not a peppy talk. I actually feel kind of dirty just having read that thing.
But I do believe that this is a topic that needs to be addressed more. Our churches, ministries, and friends are dealing with it, so why not have a frank discussion sometime on this topic?
