Ambassador vs. Lecrae?

I’m excited about the next two Tuesdays. Two of the heavy-hitters in Christian Hip Hop will be dropping their latest solo projects. I’m a huge fan of Christian Hip Hop. Probably one of the biggest reasons that I am is that despite how some would say that we copy the culture/world, we are actually completely adverse to the culture in conduct and character. See Exhibit A above.

T.D. Jakes’ Pastor’s & Leadership Conference – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Pastors & Leadership Conference. This is one of the great perks of my job at FBCG is that I get to attend a wide array of conferences and seminars. While I don’t always agree with Bishop Jakes’ theological stances (or lack thereof) or procedures, his ministry has impacted my life in multiple ways and this conference was definitely an invaluable experience. Below, I share with you the good, the bad and the ugly.

The Good

• The very first session was a panel discussion about the business side of church ministry. It included incredibly sharp people that Jakes has surrounded himself with at the Potters’ House. Many purists will say that there is no business side of church ministry. You tell that to Watermark Community Church who was sued for Biblically executing church discipline or the pastors like Thabiti Anyabwile who are also authors selling books for profit.
• Dr. Myles Munroe gave an INCREDIBLE lecture about how true leadership requires investing in your replacements. He pointed out that too many ministries falter after a strong leader leaves, however Jesus’ ministry exploded AFTER He died. He successfully invested in His disciples.
• I had a chance to connect and build a real relationship this week with Pastor Patrick Nedrick of Redeeming Faith Outreach Ministries in Toronto, Canada. Great dude. I look forward to building that relationship.
• Three words: Ben’s Chili Bowl. It’s two blocks from the DC Convention Center. Not only the best chili cheeseburger you’ll ever have, but also incredible history. Ask Bill Cosby.
  
• There was a break-out session on Church Law conducted by a Law Firm that specializes in Law as it applies to churches & non-profits. Again, incredibly informative.

The Bad

• We arrived 19 minutes early for the first session on Wednesday. In those 19 minutes, we were bombarded with advertisements for MegaFest in South Africa, Bishop Jakes’ newest book and four DVD sets. Twice. Should we as Christians be such astute marketing/money making machines?
• I missed all of the Friday sessions because of a wedding and prep for CrossRoads Café. I heard that I missed some great sessions.
• I really wanted to purchase the DVD of Dr. Munroe’s lecture, but I couldn’t without purchasing a $60 set of DVD’s that I really didn’t want. C’mon, how much would it hurt to sell the DVD’s individually?

The Ugly

• I’ve grown very weary of church gymnastics. Stand up, sit down, give God praise, raise your hands, come on saints, stand up again, give a $100 seed offering… Don’t get me wrong, I love worship and praise, but (1) it should be an outpouring of a lifestyle of praise and worship and thus not coaxed, and (2) I hate to be made to feel like I love God less because I won’t jump up and down boisterously or dance the 2-step to display it amongst 4,000 others. Is that the true definition of praise & worship?
• The most ugly thing that I witnessed is based on a gut feeling of something I think I observed. Because I can’t confirm or deny it, I won’t comment. Maybe I’ll discuss it privately… maybe I won’t.

CrossRoads Cafe’ – Game Night

CrossRoads Cafe’ was finally back this Friday. Our church takes a vacation in August, so I missed hanging out with the folks for a whole month. It just wasn’t the same. So we came back strong this past Friday with our first “CrossRoads Cafe’ Game Night.” Crazy fun. Here are a few things that I learned…

1. If you play Guys vs. Girls in Taboo… beware of the women’s way of cheating. They’ll accuse you of cheating all loud and in your ear so you can’t even concentrate on NOT CHEATING!
2. Nintendo Wii brings out the competitive spirit in all men. It doesn’t matter if it’s bowling, boxing or tennis, beware of testosterone.
3. Be careful playing spades (and/or dominoes) with people. They will talk MAD TRASH throughout the whole game. Then after the game, they’ll love you like it never happened. Don’t take it personally. ☺
4. If you’re not athletic, you LOOK FUNNY playing Wii. LOL.
5. Phase 10 is the new UNO.
6. Don’t waste your money buying the game “CatchPhrase.” No one even touched it. I think it still has the cellophane on it.
7. The value of fellowship and community. We enjoyed hanging out together and building relationships. That can’t always happen at a “Bible Study” or a “church service.” Maybe this is what Paul was talking about when he said “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together… but encouraging one another.”

What NOT to Say to a Pregnant Woman (Another Update)

OK… I’m the culprit this time. Husbands, learn from my stupidity!!! I tarnished my near spotless record this morning by being TOO honest with my wife. For you single brothers and newlyweds, this is a MISTAKE when your wife is pregnant. Let me explain…

My wife and I pride ourselves on my ability to be honest regarding what I like and don’t like when she’s shopping for clothes. She has pretty much given me a license to “I don’t like that” whenever I want. I allowed that license to cloud my better judgment this morning. My beautiful wife put together an ensemble that is cute (and I’m sure comfortable) for a woman that’s 8 months pregnant, but not that hot otherwise. I had determined not to say anything regarding wardrobe until after the pregnancy when my “license” would be renewed (Sidebar: Husbands, this is a GOOD idea. Go with it!!!). But then she asked me the million dollar question… “How does this look?”

Now I have this shoe polish taste in my mouth and I’ll be spending the rest of the day trying to figure out how to sweet-talk my way back into her good graces.

<Insert Florida Evans quote here>

I Got In!!!

I got a call from Jack Hallman with the admissions office at Bethel University with some good news and some bad news. The good news (and the most important news) is that I got accepted into the Doctor of Ministry program. The program is an Urban Leadership Cohort that is geared toward preparing Christian leaders for effective ministry in urban contexts. I’m excited about how this program will sharpen me for young-adult ministry and prepare me for church planting. Praise God!!!

[Sidebar: My mom reminded me of the poetry... I started school in Kindergarten at Bethel Bible Christian School, and I'll finish at Bethel University. Whoa.]

Oh, the bad news? The program was supposed to begin in November, but it has been pushed back to May hoping for more students to join the cohort. Do you know anyone looking for a good Doctor of Ministry program?