No, not I'm not talking about the TV show (which I have never seen since we do not get the pay channels). When a person calls themself a leader, people look at them funny. After all, we are not suppose to come across pretentious. Who can forget Al Haig saying he was in charge following the assination attempt on President Regan? Haig was blasted by all of the media types. But I admire people like that! Some will even say Jesus was against seeking leadership. That is not true. He said if you are going to be a leader you must be a servant. I discovered years ago that I had the gift of leadership. It is not something I gained. It is a gift. I do try to develop my gift. I began reading every leadership book I could find from John Maxwell to Jim Collins. I asked several men to mentor me but for whatever reason they dropped the ball. One man said yes and then tried to recruit me for AMWAY. When I said no, I never heard from him again. The most recent person left our church because of all of the dysfunction (not in Charlotte) and I couldn't get him to keep meeting with me. I missed his guidance. I don't say this to complain--it is just reality. So I have made it my mission to keep learning and growing. It is why I read so much. It is why I go to conferences. It is also why I don't go to pastors meetings because they don't help me grow, they just are opportunities for politics and bragging. I learned a lot from my dad throughout my lifetime and still do. But in recent years I have been mentored by John Maxwell, Henry Blackaby, Andy Stanley, Rick Warren, Wayne Cordeiro and Bill Hybels by reading their books, listening to messages and going to conferences. One thing I have learned is that everything rises and falls on the "L" word- Leadership. I am passionate about building and developing leaders around me. Not a "I know best" model but a "Team" model. When I lead, I am working in my sweet spot. When I am doing other good activities that are not in my sweet spot, I don't do so well. I know it and so do those around me. Part of leadership is listening. I haven't always been good at this and I am still learning. But my dad and Cassandra have helped me in this area. By listening I can process what people are saying and use my gift to lead them. Recently, I have made some bold changes at our church. As you can expect, some did not like them. I respect their opinions greatly! I really respect those who came to me personally to share with me their concerns. Two people who are very supportive of my ideas gave me some great advice. I listened to their ideas and realized that it was "Godly" wisdom. I will make changes accordingly. Being a leader is to be a servant. Not everyone will like my ideas but I will listen to other options and move in the appropriate manner. Dr. John R. Bisagno, the former pastor of Houston's First Baptist Church was approached by a gentleman who didn't like his ideas. Bisagno asked the man what were his plans and the man said I don't have any. Bisagno said: "I like my plans better than yours." I love it when people bring me great ideas. That is why I formed a "Dream Team" at our church. This group is filled with men and women from their 20's to .... ( I won't ask their age) who are going to help our church fulfill it's vision. I get excited to be around people who want to be part of a big vision! People are compelled by a vision. I see so much potential in our community. There are 1000's of people who do not know Jesus. They need a BIG VISION to follow. That is my mission in life. I believe people want to be part of something bigger than themselves! I'm not good at everything, but I am a visionary leader. That is where I am in my sweet spot. I am working hard to share this vision with those around me. I invite others to join with me!

Are people drawn to a program or a vision? Marty Duren has a great post on the lack of Cooperative program giving in SBC churches. Check it out here. I think his point is right--that people are drawn to a vision not a program. I will take it one step further-Men are not drawn to programs-they are drawn to a vision. The CP was designed to pool money from churches to send out missionaries. That is a vision that most people can get behind. A small church can feel apart of the Great Commission by giving their money to support missions. But the CP has no meaning to many SBC'ers especially younger SBC'ers. They don't even know what it is. It is sad, when the largest churches in the SBC don't give much at all to the CP yet those are the pastors who shape the SBC. Check out this article. It is time to overhaul the system. I don't like to point out opportunities without giving possible solutions: 1. Change the name of the Cooperative Program to Mission Millennium or Great Commission Challenge. (come up with another catchy name -just a start) 2. Have only one "Special Offering" each year. People feel like they are being asked for money all year long with Annie Armstrong, Lottie Moon, Baptist Children's Home offering, State Offerings, State College Offerings, etc..... 3. Stop wasting $$ promoting our SBC agencies and give the money to the missionaries who are on the field. That is why we give in the first place. People want to be part of something bigger than themselves. These are just a few suggestions to how we can bring the CP into the 21st Century.

Actor Don Knotts passed away yesterday. Read here. I always loved watching him on the Andy Griffith Show. They just don't make funny and clean shows like that anymore. They proved you could be clean an funny. We need some more shows like that today. Who could forget the "fun girls," Barney's one bullet, " and his interaction with Andy, Otis, Thelma Lu, Gomer, Goober and Opie. He will be missed!

Create your best caption to describe what is happening in this picture. 1. The young leaders at the Younger Leaders Part Deux meeting in Greensboro, NC are worked up into a frenzy after hearing Wade Burleson. 2. The delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention respond to the news that Marty Duren has been elected as President of the SBC. See what we can come up with!

What constitues a legitimate baptism according to the new guidelines with IMB? I was just considering worst case scenarios..... 1. If the person being baptised falls coming down the steps and immersed before the pastor touches them--does this count as a "legitimate" baptism? 2. If the pastor performing the baptism is having a bad day and maybe is doubting his salvation--does this count as a "legitimate" baptism? 3. If the person being baptised is not dunked all the way under--does this count as a "legitimate" baptism? 4. If the person is baptised in a church that gives only 9.9% to the Cooperative Program--does this count as a "legitimate" baptism? 5. If the pastor says something un-audible that is mistaken for a private prayer language while they are raising their hand during the baptism--does this count as a "legitimate" baptism? 6. If the robes used during the baptism were not purchased at Lifeway--does this count as a "legitimate" baptism? 7. If the person being baptised is being immersed by water provided by Annheiser Busch (during hurricane relief) --does this count as a "legitimate" baptism? 8. If a person is baptised and a tree falls in the forest and no one is there....-does this count as a "legitimate" baptism?

I don't understand why "Christians" attack each other. I am wrong often in my life. I realize that Christian leaders are wrong too. I was taught to respect other people views. I was taught that people were entitled to be wrong. I was also taught to that a mark of a follower of Christ was "LOVE." If that is the case, why is there so much venom in Christian Circles? Rick Warren is a lightening rod today. I personally have been influenced by him. I don't agree with everything he does, but he has made a positive difference in the world for Christ. Why then is there so much hatred towards him from Christians? Steve Camp the great CCM artist (who I still have some of his CD's) blasts Warren in this article. MMI constantly has people maligning his character. John Piper is a pastor and author. I've read some of his books and they are great. He has cancer and wrote a piece called, "Don't waste your cancer." Yet here is a laundry list of people trashing him for saying it was God's will for his cancer. On the Founder's blog, there are Seminary Professors, pastors and Christian leaders insulting each other over Calvanism! When does it end? Matthew 22:37-40 says:

" 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

If we as Christian leaders and pastors can't live by these words, then how can we expect our churches to display love in and out of the church? I think we can do better!

I admit that I don't know how to match my clothes. If it were up to me I would dress in jeans, a t-shirt and cross-trainers. But I have to dress nicer when I go to the hospital or do other church duties. There are days I have put on clothes and Cassandra will say: "you're not going out like that are you?" or "Uh, Uh!" In fact, I was talking about this a few weeks ago in a message and realized I had on 2 different color socks! I wasn't even trying to be funny. I need Grananimals. Remember those? You could match your clothes by matching the animals. Well Kevin McCormick has beat me to the solution! McCormick has a website called dresskevin.com that invites people to match his clothes for him. Man, I wish I had thought of it first!

I use to joke with some of our female students that "a moment on the lips-a lifetime on the hips." Apparently a NJ man believes this to be true. Michael Kristoff, 27 bought his girlfriend LeeAnn Copeland a two pound box of Russel Stover chocolates for Valentines Day. Copeland scarfed down the entire box of candy in five days. According to Kristoff she gained 3-5 pounds and he noticed a bulge in her stomach. This caused him to consider their future and worried that she might eat too much wedding cake, etc... Kristoff a real "sensitive" man broke up with Copeland via email! I'll bet he has women lining up to go out with him now! You can read about this story here. Hurry ladies-he is waiting for you.

I love tradition! I was raised in a town that was boasts of tradition. Tuscaloosa, AL is the home of the University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide Football Program. The Tide has 12 National Championships and lots of tradition. They aren't the only school that does. Michigan, Notre Dame and Penn State are just a few others that have tradition. Look at their uniforms. They have kept traditions and are still winning today. But what each of these programs has done to stay successful is to keep traditions but move forward. Notre Dame hired Charlie Weiss fromt the New England Patriots. They now have an 21st Century offense. Some were saying that Joe Paterno at Penn State had lost it, but he went after the modern athlete and they had a 10 win season last year. What is it that makes them successful? Tradition or keeping up to date? It isn't either or -- It is both and! When a prospective athlete visits Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, they will see the 12 National Championships and statues of Bear Bryant. They are impressive. But the modern athlete wants to know what is for them today. Tradition is important, but so is staying current. That is the debate in many churches today. What do we do? Do we throw out tradition for "being hip?" I say no! We need both! Tradition is good as long as it is not considered the Gospel! Tradition helps us know where we have been. But just as important as tradition is- is being relevant. Relevancy says tradition keeps me grounded but how can I use it to connect with our socieity today. I saw this article that I thought was insightful. Click here. "Contemporary" churches are going retro and traditional churches are becoming relevant! I think that is cool! It isn't either or--it is both and! **Update: I forgot to mention the Oklahoma Sooners in my list of football teams that have tradition and are relevant. (sorry Paul :) )

With so many denomination leaders visiting this site since Wade Burleson and Marty Duren asked people to read my blog, I'm going to share with you what the younger generation is looking for. I think I can say this because I grew up in youth ministry. Also, I just recently left youth ministry. Many of my early students are now in their 30's. I know how to connect with them. I also worked with young adults in my last church. I have read extensively on this subject. In fact my passion is for young adults. I love everyone from birth to seniors, but I am passionate about the "lost generation" We see a disconnect in many of our churches in the 18-40ish range. Why?

The younger generation wants to be part of something bigger than themselves!

It is that simple! They are tired of bickering. They grew up in homes where their parents fought all of the time. They are tired of seeing relationships fall apart. They want to go to church to be loved and accepted. They don't need dysfunction at church. When those of us in the younger generation (I am older edge) see gossip, slander, hatered, and intollerance, we don't want any part of it. Judges 2:10 says:

After that whole generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation grew up, who knew neither the LORD nor what he had done for Israel.

Please listen to us! If the SBC doesn't change its ways, there will no longer be a generation who knows the SBC or what God did for it.

How can people who serve the same God have such opposing views? Steve McCoy linked an a post by Dr. Al Mohler, the President of Southern Seminary. Anne Lamott is a leader in the emerging church and has written many wonderful articles on worship and connecting with our generation. But Mohler linked to this article in the LA Times that I had to think about all morning before I commented. Lamott told a group of mainly Catholics that she has had an abortion in the past. That is not new information- plus we have all sinned. If Lamott had said I had an abortion and I regret it, I wouldn't have felt numb as I read the article. But she said,

" I announced that I needed to speak out on behalf of the many women present in the crowd, including myself, who had had abortions, and the women whose daughters might need one in the not-too-distant future -- people who must know that teenage girls will have abortions, whether in clinics or dirty backrooms." "More: And somehow, as I was answering, I got louder and maybe even more emphatic than I actually felt, and said it was not a morally ambiguous issue for me at all. I said that fetuses are not babies yet; that there was actually a real difference between pro-abortion people, like me, and Klaus Barbie. Then I said that a woman's right to choose was nobody else's ********** business. This got their attention."

As I read this my heart sunk! Here she had an opportunity to talk about adoption and other alternatives to abortion. I just don't see Jesus being for abortion. I'm not anti women. My mother has taught Bible Studies for the Women of Rama in the past. This is a group of women who have had abortions and can't escape the guilt. She told me horror stories of how women just can't handle it after an abortion. Women like Lamott should be encouraging women to chose life. I don't understand how evangelicals can see such horrible tragedies as abortions as "termination of an un-wanted pregnancy." It is a life. I won't get into all of the scripture, but how could John the Baptist be filled with the HS in his mother's womb if he wasn't a person? How can there be such difference between believers? I'm sick right now! I really don't get it. All I can do is pray!

Last night I spoke from Galatians 3. Look at verses 26-29

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

It that is the case then why do we still see stories like this in America? Click here. I am saddened to see in 2006 we still have that kind of racisim. We can legislate affirmitive action and make laws that try to stop racisim. But the only way to change the way people look at each other is through the power of Jesus. It is time that followers of Jesus change the world through the power of Jesus. If we truly believe that we are all equal--then we need to start living it! We have a long way to go!

I'm excited about a great event that Marty Duren has announced. The Younger Leader meeting to be held in Greensboro, NC, in conjuction with the 2006 SBC annual meeting. I will be there! Wade Burleson will be our special speaker. We will meet together in the War Memorial Auditorium on Monday night, June 12, at 9:30pm. This auditorium seats around 2,000 people and we will have full use of it for 2 hours. There will be snacks, a live band and great fellowship. I want to challenge all younger SBC pastors and staff to show up. This is our denomination too and its time that we start having a say in its future. We have a great heritage, but if we are going to be relevant in the future the younger SBC leaders have to get involved. I will see you there!

I started this blog over a year ago when I was a Next Gen Pastor just to connect with some of my students. Now, I'm pastoring a church in Charlotte, NC and have connected with people from all over the world. I have been amazed at how small the world has become because of the internet. Today I had more hits on my site than ever. It is not because I said anything profound-- It is because two men who have a huge influence in the "blogging" world have linked me this weekend. Marty Duren is the author of SBC Outpost. His blog has to be the most read blog in SBC life. Marty is a great guy who has taken time to talk with me about what to expect when I moved to a transitioning church to become the pastor. Marty's conviction about the SBC has given me the kick in the pants I needed to quit being a silent supporter of reform in the SBC. Wade Burleson has taken more abuse the last 2 months than he deserves. He has a love for missions and missionaries around the world. His stand for his convictions that many of us younger pastors agree with has been an inspiration. He is the type of example that the younger leaders have been looking for. Because of Wade and Marty linking my posts this weekend, many new people from all over the world are reading my humble blog. To our missionaries around the world--Thanks for your sacrifice! Thanks for sharing Jesus and doing a job that not many people would do. I think of the Geoff Moore song, "Only a Fool" when I think of you. Thank you!!!!! All of our missionaries are in my prayers! The reason I am in the SBC is because of our conviction that the Bible is God's word and for our support of missionaries. I am saddened at the politics I have seen at work within our denomination. Many of us younger pastors have become disillusioned as we have seen good men and women's character trashed. I witnessed a Seminary President fired and then find out his replacement was forced out too. Does this bring glory to God? The IMB controversy has led to a character assisination of Wade Burleson. Is that honoring God? We have a "Baptist" state paper make accusations about NAMB without giving NAMB a chance to respond before the paper printed the story. Does that bring honor to God? What kind of heritage are we going to leave for the next generation? Are we going to be know as closed-minded, always right, God's chosen denomiation? Or are we going to be known for a denomination that loves God and cooperates with like-minded believers? My prayer is that we are know for loving God with all our hearts and loving our neighbors as ourselves.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

Encouragement is a lost art. We live in world of slander and gossip. The world teaches us to get ahead--you must destroy other-make yourself look better. That's not what the Bible teaches, yet it has creeped into our American churches. I have been blessed to be around "Encouragers." My dad made me read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie when I was young. I laughed at the picture of Mr. Carnegie but his book was right. Carnegie teaches us that people like to be around encouraging people. He is so right. I find myself attracted to those who make me feel better about myself. That is why I try hard to be encouraging. John Maxwell, Joel Osteen and other speakers/ministers attract people because they are encouragers. Yes we must confront people when they sin, but lets allow the Bible to do it and not our own anger. Joseph from Cyprus was such an encourager that the disciples changed his name to Barnabas. Barnabas means "son of encourgement." Wow! That is cool.

Acts 4:36

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement)

I don't see many encouragers any more. My dad is an encourager and I guess it rubbed off on me. My friend Ken Nuss lives in Gulfport, MS and his church First Baptist was destroyed. Yet he was more concerned about me than his own situation. I have been blessed by several encouragers in my life: Jason Burns, Brad Campbell, Carlton Bradshaw, and others.

Acts 9:27 "But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."

Barnabas encouraged Paul when no one wanted to have anything to do with Paul. If it weren't for Barnabas Saul might not have become Paul. I have been blessed to have encouragers in my life. I want to encourage some people who are facing difficult times now. Wade Burleson has stood upon principle and he and his family have paid the price. He has acted with integrity and grace. He has been a great friend to missionaries around the world. Thank you Wade. Dr. Bob Reccord and Dr. Jerry Rankin need our encouragement. Thank you for your service to the SBC. Thank you to all of our SBC Seminary presidents. Thank you to all of our NAMB and IMB missionaries. You are our heros. All of you have sacrificed so much for Jesus and I for one am grateful.

The trustees of the International Mission Board owe Wade Burleson an apology for their handling of his plight over the last few months. Wade's name and his family have been dragged through the mud for the last 2 months. Wade has been graceful and has acted with integrity. He actually had the guts to keep the SBC informed about what is going on in regards to the policies concerning baptism and a private prayer language. To the trustees who supported Wade, thank you. To those who have trashed his character, he deserves better. Christ-like attitudes should prevail. Wade, his family and his church deserve an apology. Since the trustees have dropped their baseless charges against him, he is due an apology-the sooner the better.

Cassandra and I have been married going on 18 years (this summer). I mentioned in my I got tagged post that I would explain about my "Honeymoon from hades." I saved up $$ from delivering 4 paper routes to go on a cruise. But Cassandra had never been out of the country before. She wanted to go out of the country. So we got a deal throught Atlanta Travel to go to Cancun, Mexico. That was a mistake! Now my biggest fear was that because I waited 24 years for my honeymoon, that God would start the Rapture before I well, you know........... Yes, I really believed this. We were married @ First Baptist Scottsboro, AL (David Phillips hometown). We drove to Atlanta to get on a flight to Cancun the next morning. We arrived early and were told that Continental Airlines had overbooked. We were bumped from our trip. We came back later that day and were bumped again. To make matters worse, they sent our luggage down to Cancun! We came back late that night and our luggage was still in Mexico! The next day our travel agent worked hard to get us to Cancun. Then when we arrived our luggage had been sent back to Atlanta! Poor Cassandra, sat on the floor and cried! I had not been married more than 48 hours and we are in crisis mode. The story gets worse! Cassandra packed something in her suitcase that should have been in her purse! Lets just say, I waited 24 years and I had to wait another week! My poor wife had "Aunt Flo" visit us during our honeymoon. Then when we arrived back in the States I had literally carry Cassandra across the threshold because she had been drinking the water and had "Montezuma's Revenge." I guess our honeymoon was an omen for the life Cassandra was going to have living with me. I am blessed! She is a real "Proverbs 31 woman" eventhough she hates it when I say that. I owe her a real honeymoon!

"Do not open door & let anyone in! Stolen Stuff visable."

That was the sign on a door inside the house of Gerald Levertt Mack in KELSO, WA. Check out the story here. Talk about making an easy bust for the police. Some people are really dumb. Truth is stanger than fiction!

David Phillips quoted a retired SBC pastor that he has spent some time with this week. His words got me to thinking. Here is what he said:

The liberal good 'ol boys were leading us to liberalism. The conservative good 'ol boys are leading us to stagnation.

The battle for the Bible is over. Now the battle is for theology, for missions, and for ecclesiology. The eccleisological ridicule from the Vine's of the world continues through the Steve Gaines of the world.

[UPDATE (per David Phillips who heard the quotes): The context for the second quote above is the following:Vines has that tendency to take the "pot shots" at contemporary worship and churches that use it. According to my (David's) pastor-friend, Gaines is now making similar comments.]

I have respect for both Jerry Vines and Steve Gaines. I believe they love the SBC and have pure motives. I assume this because I don't know them personally. But this quote caused me to really think. There is always the danger of liberalism creeping into the church and denominations. How do we find balance? Most of the pastors I am in contact with are conservative. But we have seen the power-hungry, mean-spirited and ugly tactics in SBC life --at least since I have been an adult. Accountability is needed. But, I take correction much better when I am approached with a humble spirit. I don't see that very much anymore. Church, especially denominational politics, copies the Democrats and Republicans! There is spin, rhetoric, name-calling, etc... Jesus was not a political leader. As much as his own disciples wanted that- He resisted! I don't see Jesus running for the President of the SBC. I'm not saying it is bad to be President. But we need humble men like Jim Henry. We need people who are "cooperative conservatives." I drove through Greensboro on Monday and was thinking about the future of the SBC. I believe it will be a pivotal time for the SBC. God doesn't need the SBC. But we need Him! My prayer is that we will continue to pray and work towards sharing Jesus in the world and stop destroying our own. I pray that those of us younger SBC leaders will not copy the bad example we witnessed over the last 2 decades! God help us all!

David Phillips (fellow Bama Boy) at Cross Connect tagged me...We have a lot of similarities-Cool 4 Jobs I Have Had In My Life High School Football Coach Sales Rep for Group Dekko International (I sold insulated wire all over the south) Paper Route (4 at the same time in Birmingham, AL) Lead Pastor 4 Goals I Set for This Year Move our church towards real discipleship Build real relationships with our new neighbors Become a mentor Create an atmosphere for revival at my church. 4 Movies I Could Watch Over and Over Dumb and Dumber- Jim Carey should have won an Oscar School of Rock! - reminds me of my days when I was a teacher/coach Rocky- 1-27 they were all great! Secret of My Success - I love the Night Ranger music! 4 Places I Have Lived (my poor wife has moved so much since she met me) Alabama - Tuscaloosa, Huntsville, Birmingham, and Mobile Georgia-Rome, Cumming, and Canton Texas- Ft. Worth, Arlington and Blue Mound North Carolina- Jacksonville (Sempre Fi) and Charlotte. 4 TV Shows I Love To Watch Law and Order - All three Nancy Grace Cold Case Files (A & E) Anything on ESPN 4 Places I've Been On Vacation Cancun, Mexico-- it was the honeymoon from "you know where." (I can write about it later) Seabrook Island, SC - my parents have a house there! Orlando, FL- everyone needs to go at least once. Gatlinburg, TN. - I use to go every year with Campus Life! 4 Websites I Visit Daily SBCOutpost Bamamag.com ESPN.com the ooze 4 of My Favorite Foods Pizza Eastern NC Barbecue Texas Spud from Jason's Deli Cheesecake-any kind that sticks to my fork! 4 Places I Would Rather Be Right Now Aspen- I love to snow ski. With Cassandra at Starbucks. Bryant-Denny Stadium on the 50 yard line watching Bama defeat Auburn! Daytona- I love Nascar! Go 88 race that truck! So Now I'm Going to Tag.. Art Rogers - A fellow Southwesterner Mark mansheim- A new friend via the internet Angela Davis -my former intern in Mobile who will love this! Neil Elmore- another former intern in Mobile and great guy!

I am driven to reach out to those who don't know Christ. But, I refuse to be used. If someone wants to head down a path of destruction, ok, as long as they don't hurt others in the process. Saddam Hussein Says He's on a Hunger Strike (check out story here.) I pray that someone can reach him for Christ. But he is acting like a child who is going to hold their breath until they get their way. The man has killed thousands of innocent people! If he wants to stop eating......... SO WHAT! Give me a break! When he gets hungry enough he will eat.

Today I attended the Innovative Church Community in Burlington, NC. I was contacted by an important person in the SBC world who reads my blog but wants to remain anonymous. Thanks for telling me about this group it was great! The ICC is a group of innovative pastors in NC who gather together once a month to sharpen each other! I connected with some cool people. Today the topic was Influencing the Secular World. The organizers brought in 4 non-believers and one "seeker" to answer some questions about Christianity in front of this group of pastors. There was Mike a college student who was brought up in church but doesn't go to church anymore. Morgan is a student at UNC who has not been back to church since high school. Jeremy is from a half Baptist-half Catholic home and is an atheist. Then John who is a 40-50 something guy who is a "former evangelical Christian" who has just started to attend an innovative church in Boone, NC. They were frank and honest about why they don't go to church and what they think of Christianity, Christians, Church, pastors and Jesus. Their answers were enlightening. Question 1: What comes to mind when you hear the word Christianity? Mike and Morgan: Group of people who share the same beliefs Jeremy: Hypocrisy, fascism, racism and sexism. He said that Christianity is like looking at a reverse negative--everything Christians say they are they are not! John: Hypocrisy. More harm has been done to him by Christians than non-Christians. Christians don't even examine their own religion. Main flaw--Christianity is a noun to believers but it should be a verb. Question 2: What comes to mind when you hear the word church? Mike: Church is for networking for business-so one can get rich. It is exclusive--no minorities, homosexuals, etc.. but Christians are greedy. Morgan: Dry but sometimes exciting. Jeremy: Cult, gathering of social groups. More hanging out and socializing instead of doing good works! John: Practice on Sunday and forget it on Monday! Question 3: Do you know any Christians that you respect? Mike: no! Morgan: Mother. Everyone else she meets just disaproves of her and does not show love. Christians won't admit they don't know everything. Jeremy: All Christians do is follow a conservative word of God instead of the "liberal" Jesus. Jesus associated with everyone! John: Yes, those who live it and don't talk about it. The church he is attending now tries to live it and they admit they don't know it all! Question 4: What do you think of Jesus? Mike: His followers are terrorists! Morgan: Son of God. He would be disappointed in what He saw today! Jeremy: He'd be cool to hang out with. I want to see what He thinks of Christians. I think Jesus would be like George Burns in O God. John: I think Christians mis-understand Jesus. Christians miss the heart of the law. I don't believe He was the son of God, He is "a" son of God. Question 5: What would you say to us (Church leaders and pastors)? Mike: I would like to see less "forced" conversion tactics! Less taking scripture out of context. Morgan: Be approachable. Most pastors don't let you get close to them. Jeremy: Stop selling salvation. Take off Christianity on mints, car lots and gyms! All ministers want it $$$ and a b@#@h on the side! You are hate mongers. Stop making $$ off of Jesus. You ministers use God's name in vain when you sell Christianity. John: When are you actually going to study the Bible? You are afraid to challenge your own beliefs! If you believe in something you preach--you need to make sure it is true. What did I learn? These are the same kind of people I've been hanging out with for the last 6+ years @ Starbucks, other coffee shops, fitness centers and libraries. I go out of my way each day to hang around people like I met today! But it confirmed to me that discipleship is very imperitive. John was right. Christians don't know what they believe. You can only get so much out of a message or sermon. Followers of Jesus must be discipled so they can know what they believe. Also, our evangelism must not be trying to put another notch on our belts! We need to build relationships with non-believers because we actually like them. We share our faith with them because they are our friends. Everyone of them has been hurt by Christians. I mentioned earlier in the week that a great friend of mine was jerked around by so called Christians this week. What a shame! What a way to ruin one's testimony. I would like to bring a group of non-believers to my church to do the same thing for our members so they can hear first hand how we can influence the secular world!

According to a new national survey of 1,000 American adults --500 dog owners and 500 non-dog owners --conducted by the American Kennel Club (AKC), 34 percent of the women dog owners endorsed the statement, "If my dog was a man, he'd be my boyfriend."

Is it any wonder that people need to get a life! You have to read this story here!

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

Disciple = One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another. Jesus commanded us to make disciples. Unfortunately what happens in many churches is a we only do part of the job in the Great Commission. Some churches do a great job leading people to Jesus. However, they are not led to the next stage. Leading someone to Jesus is only part of the job of the church. Discipleship is finishing the job. What is discipleship? It is more than accepting Christ. It is more than going to church. It is more than attending Sunday School. It is more than listening to a sermon. Discipleship is modeling the teachings of Christ to other believers. Mentoring is a popular word today. Discipleship is more than that. Discipleship is taking less mature believers and helping them grow in their faith. It involves building a relationship with those whom you are discipling. It involves being intentional about helping people grow in their faith. I am passionate about discipleship. I was discipled in high school and in college. I am who I am today because of discipleship. I was involved in a small group setting where I was held accountable and was able to share my heart. That is hard to do in a large group setting like a worship service. Worship is a must. But so is discipleship. Without it we become spectator believers who depend on someone else to feed us. We need intimate relationships with other believers who will help us grow in our faith. A church that has growing disciples is one that is healthy and growing. When a church has healthy disciples it is more likely to share Jesus with others and continue the process. As you can tell--I am very passionate about discipleship!

I thought we had some strange people when I lived in Alabama. This one takes the cake. In ARKADELPHIA, AR a woman saved an exotic chicken by perfoming Mouth-to-beak resuscitation! I'd be concerned I would catch the Bird-flu! Check out the story here. There is something foul about this story! In fact it is for the birds.

Today I got word that my former intern Neil Elmore was involved in a car accident where someone ran in front of his car and he hit her. Unfortunately, I can relate. I wrote about this in a previous post and you can read about it here. I can't tell you how hard it is to deal with hitting someone in a car. Fortunately, the girl Neil hit is alert and there was no blood. Let's pray there is no internal bleeding. Neil is a Godly young man who surrendered to vocational ministry last fall. I can't explain how hard it is to deal with running over someone. In my case the man died. To this day, I hurts. I saw a commercial for a Brad Pitt movie the other night on TV where he was run over in a car. I was shaken up just watching it. God has used my tragedy to help others. I did not get to talk with Neil very long because he was still talking to the police. Please pray the girl is OK and Neil will heal emotionally from this horrible accident. Update: 2-14-06 Check out Neil's blog for the latest.

After the details of Al Michaels trade from ABC to NBC for a cartoon Character were released--the details of how DMBC acquired Kevin Bussey from FBTC in Mobile, AL are trickling out. In a stunning turn of events Chris Berman of ESPN quotes a credible source indicating that DMBC had to trade the world's largest pig "GUS" to obtain the rights to Bussey. Gus was to be used at the church's annual pig pickin' next month. According to the source, DMBC gave Gus, a bottle of Eastern NC barbeque sauce, 50 pounds of smoked bacon and a swine to be named later in order to obtain the rights to Bussey. FBTC was trying to get under the "Salary Cap" and now has "cap room" to make moves in "free agency." Chris Mortenson of ESPN reports that FBTC also wanted "Sluggo" the flying pig but DMBC refused to budge without the addition of Neil Elmore and Joe Kennedy whom FBTC was unwilling to part with. John Clayton of ESPN feels that DMBC can now be a credible player with the addition of Bussey. It remains to be seen who got the better deal.

"Oswald is definitely worth more than a fourth round draft choice. I'm going to be a trivia answer someday. "

--Al Michaels, referring to what the Kansas City Chiefs gave the New York Jets as compensation for releasing coach Herm Edwards from his contract.

Al Micahaels was traded by ABC/Disney/ESPN to NBC for Oswald. Read about it here and here. Honestly, I think Disney got a better deal. You know truth is stranger than fiction!

Matthew 3:33-37 says:

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

I have a great friend (out of state) who has helped me beyond measure. He is a giving person and has a heart for God. He has stepped out in faith to do something big for God. He asked some "Christians" to help him in his ministry. Several jumped on board and he made plans accordingly. Then one big giver backed out at the last minute. This has sent my friend in a tailspin. The same person who backed out on him tried the same thing with me a few years ago but I won't go into that now. All is forgiven. But my friend is stuck. Here is a direct quote:

I have just gotten stuck too many times for trusting Christians.

That is sad! Jesus said our yes should be yes and our no, no. If we can't trust each other who can we trust. I am saddened by the lack of integrity I see in some believers. What a horrible testimony this is for the church! Please pray for my friend.

Holy Name Monastery in PASCO COUNTY, FL somehow ended up on a list of possible terrorists and their assets were frozen without explanation. Read story here. Unbelievable! Look at that woman. You know she is a real danger to society. What's next? The WMU in Birmingham is holding WMD's? How about Lifeway in Nashville the headquarters for Terrorist cells? Somehow I'll bet this will all be blamed on Wade Burleson!

OK this story was found here. What kind of caption would you give this picture?

Dale Lanier is an owner of a convience store in Snead, Alabama. Snead is a small town between Culman and Gadsden. I have traveled through there many times when I sold wire. Dale is giving away free soft drinks or coffee to anyone who can recite the weeks scripture verse. Check out the story here. Sounds like a great outreach. I just wish Starbucks would do that for their customers!

I have always told those who hear me speak to check out what I say. I am not inerrant. I will have failures and I don't have a direct line to God. The reason I'm a Baptist is because of the belief fo the Priesthood of the Believer. This is not a Baptist only distinctive. Other fine denominations and non-denoms believe this also. One of my Seminary Professors, James Leo Garrett, Jr, wrote a great definition for Priesthood of the Believer- click here. Priests in the OT were the mediators for the people to God. At the resurrection of Jesus, the great veil in the temple "was torn in two from top to bottom" (Matthew 27:51 NIV). This indicated that Jesus is our High Priest and we no longer need a mediator. Jesus is our mediator! We don't need a priest to go to God! We can come on our own. Baptists have always emphasized the POB. In recent years though, there has been an arrogance among those who have taken over the leadership in the Southern Baptist Convention. Some leaders say they know what is best for the convention. They are telling SBC churches, seminaries and missionaries what they must believe. It sounds to me that we are becoming Roman Catholic! I believe that the Bible is inerrent--the original manuscripts are without error. But no one's interpretation is inerrent. What if the one interpreting the scripture is out of fellowship with God? What if they are influenced by their own circumstances.

I love my Baptist heritage. I attended an SBC church growing up and was baptized there. I attended a Baptist Univerisity and Seminary. But we don't have a direct line to God! I thought part of being a Baptist was being able to disagree in love. I'm not always right! I am fallible. I am human.

But what is it about the present leadership that thinks they are the only one's who know best! They use the excuse that they have prayed about it. Well, so have others. I pray that we will go back to our roots and understand the Priesthood of the Believer! I would hate to get to heaven and find out that our view or interpretation was wrong and we didn't allow other believers to voice their opinion or interpretation and they were right!

Edited @ 5:21PM after further clarification of a quote by 2 professors.

"Your system is perfectly designed to give you the results you're getting." Business guru W. Edwards

The author of Why Men hate going to Church , David Murrow says the church is not designed to reach men! Look at the statistics. In the average church over 61% are women! But Jesus was a manly man and his disciples were strong men-most of them burly fisherman! Where are all of the manly men in our churches? We had a great deacon's meeting at our church last night and I am grateful for the strong men we have in our church. But we can do even better! Murrow says our churches are designed to get the results we are getting. Men would rather go fishing, mow the lawn, work on a car or go to spectator sports events rather than attend church. They are not anti-God, they just don't want any part of wimpy church. Gary Lamb made some controversial statments on his site a few months ago about wimpy pastors. Gary was right! Men have become disinterested in church. It's not the men's fault. It's not the women's fault. It is the design of the American Church! We have de-masculined the church. Before the NOW women slam me for what I'm saying and what the book propose-- let me say this does not mean a we need a Man-dominated church! I spoke on marriage Sunday and pointed out in Ephesians 5:21, Paul says that we should be mutually submitted to one-another! Domination is wrong! But men have become dis-interested in church. Look around and you will see it. Especially in the 18-25 year old range. You wonder why so many women are un-equally yoked? It is because there is a void of Godly men in the church. Women get frustrated and settle! I have seen it in my ministry way too often. I am looking forward to read this book so that it will give me more insight on how our church can attract men. I truly believe if we attract strong men--the women will follow. Women are doing a great job of ministering to themselves. Women's ministries are flourishing. God has gifted women to build the church as much as men. Unfortunately, they are taking on more than their fair share! Men are absent! Men feel church is for sissy's. Men would rather do something manly. Church men do an occasional breakfast and go to a Promise Keeper's Rally once a year. But we need more than that! We need to create an atmosphere that lets men be men! Let men use their God-given gifts to help the church grow. We can't make them into what they are not designed to be. If we can develop Manly men who love and respect women--I think we can see our churches attract Godly men. I think we will see more Godly families and less divorce! What do you think?

Growing up I was a big U2 fan. I loved their early music because the lyrics were filled with themes from the Bible. As they became more popular and it seemed they became more political. Then I saw them win a Grammy award and was shocked at the language Bono used. Call me a prude or whatever, I judged Bono for his salty language. I got in an argument with a friend in Seminary about this. He said that was just the way of Christians in Ireland. I didn't buy it. God has a way of smashing the box I have Him in. I confess, I am amazed at how He uses people that I discount. Shame on me! This summer I read this article in World Magazine. Look at this quote from Bono:

"Look, the secular response to the Christ story always goes like this: He was a great prophet, obviously a very interesting guy, had a lot to say along the lines of other great prophets, be they Elijah, Muhammad, Buddha, or Confucius. But actually Christ doesn't allow you that. He doesn't let you off that hook. Christ says, No. I'm not saying I'm a teacher, don't call me teacher. I'm not saying I'm a prophet. I'm saying: 'I'm the Messiah.' I'm saying: 'I am God incarnate.' . . . So what you're left with is either Christ was who He said He was--the Messiah--or a complete nutcase. . . . The idea that the entire course of civilization for over half of the globe could have its fate changed and turned upside-down by a nutcase, for me that's farfetched."

Wow! He goes on to say this:

"That's between me and God. But I'd be in big trouble if Karma was going to finally be my judge," says Bono. "It doesn't excuse my mistakes, but I'm holding out for Grace. I'm holding out that Jesus took my sins onto the Cross, because I know who I am, and I hope I don't have to depend on my own religiosity."

Sounds to me like Bono knows the Jesus I know. Last week Bono was invited to speak at the National Prayer Breakfast. Check out what he said here. Why would a rock star be invited there? Because Bono lives out his faith! He travels around the world trying to reach the 1% of the world that if forgotten. He quotes from Matthew 25:40 where Jesus mentions the least of these. Bono is friends with Jesse Helms and Bill Clinton. He has rubbed shoulder with the Pope and Mick Jaggar. He has helped people in Africa without clean water and stricken with AIDS. Too many times we as followers of Jesus are too busy nit-pickin people for their language and their methods. I think we should watch what we say, but I think Jesus is going to judge us for what we do. Are we just giving money for missionaries to do the work or are we going to be the hands and feet of Jesus? I am challenged by Bono and pray that I will listen to his example and my wife's heart to be the hands and feet of Jesus right here where we live!

I am in the news! Thankfully not for doing something wrong. The Mountain Island Monitor the local paper in our area wrote an article on me. Check it out here. It gives a little history on my life. Of course they didn't get everything right. My car and job story were actually 2 separate events. Pretty cool though. I will be glad to give autographs to those who request them.

WESTMINSTER, Colo. -- This photo provided by the Westminster, Colo. Police Department, shows Westminster Police Officer Mark Watters displaying a mannequin that was confiscated from a driver who was arrested for allegedly driving in a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane with the mannequin dressed to look like a passenger. You've got to give the man props for ingenuity. That's one way to get to work faster.

I didn't even know there was a book for Recovering Pharisees. I guess I need to go purchase it. I've read John Fischer for years on Contemporary Christian Music (CCM ) magazine. I guess I'll need to go buy it. On his website he gives:

12 Steps for the Recovering Pharisee (like me)

The 12 Steps 1. We admit that our single most unmitigated pleasure is to judge other people. 2. Have come to believe that our means of obtaining greatness is to make everyone lower than ourselves in our own mind. 3. Realize that we detest mercy being given to those who, unlike us, haven't worked for it and don't deserve it. 4. Have decided that we don't want to get what we deserve after all, and we don't want anyone else to either. 5. Will cease all attempts to apply teaching and rebuke to anyone but ourselves. 6. Are ready to have God remove all these defects of attitude and character. 7. Embrace the belief that we are, and will always be, experts at sinning. 8. Are looking closely at the lives of famous men and women of the Bible who turned out to be ordinary sinners like us. 9. Are seeking through prayer and meditation to make a conscious effort to consider other better than ourselves. 10. Embrace the state of astonishment as a permanent and glorious reality. 11. Choose to rid ourselves of any attitude that is not bathed in gratitude. 12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we will try to carry this message to others who think that Christians are better than everyone else.

These are a great reminder for all of us, especially me.

Fred Phelps and his church go to the funerals of our fallen soldiers and picket outside the services. Check out this flier. I am appalled! These people are not displaying the love of God. They are angry and taking it out on people while they are grieving! To make matters worse they are teaching their young children to hate! Children are impressionable. The Bible tells us to train our children in the ways of God. I don't see Jesus protesting a funeral. Remember the woman caught in adultery? He didn't condemn her. He said whoever is without sin, throw the first stone. Then he told the woman to go and sin no more! He forgave the theif on the cross, the woman at the well, Mary Magdeline and me! When I see this kind of hate, it hurts me. We should be teaching our children to serve not hate. This week our homeschool group served some homeless people. Our children set up a gym for the homeless to sleep and tables for them to eat. Then they served these men and women who God loves food that all of the children prepared. That is the kind of love my God displays. I pray that those poor children in those pictures will experience the love of God and turn from their hateful ways. God help the USA !

Today is national signing day for high school seniors to sign with a college to play football next year in exchange for a scholarship. This phenomenon has men and women glued to the internet and radio talk shows following the football season. Everyone wants to win the recruiting wars because they feel it will land them a #1 team in the fall. People (including me, I confess) follow this stuff. When a team gets a top recruit people go crazy. Wouldn't it be great if we got that excited about seeing someone give their life to Christ? What if we tracked lost people like recruiting guru's do? The only signing day that really matters is having our name in the Book of Life! Just a thought! (Since the sign 2 posts down states that sports fans will spend eternity in hell, I thought they would like this keepsake for their mantle)

Fred Phelps is at it again! Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas is planning to picket the funeral of Coretta Scott King. They have issued the following press release here. I don't care if you don't like another person's politics or their religion. A person is entitled to be wrong. But protesting at a vulnerable time in a families life is absolutely despicable! I personally don't care for President Clinton or Hillary. But if they were to die today, I would be sad. How dare so-called "Christians" to wish protest people's funerals! I am amazed at hypocrisy of people. What kind of testimony is this to those who don't know Christ? God help us all!