LeadingSmart

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Winter Has Returned

Last night at 8pm it was 50 degrees. This morning at 8am it was ZERO degrees. My body just doesn't change that fast! Anyone near the equator need a consultant for the next two months?

PGTC Review: "Tim Writes With Conviction and Passion"

My friend, Dan Vukmirovich, gave his thoughts on Pop Goes the Church...

First impressions of "Pop Goes the Church" by Tim Stevens (his first solo book):

1. Tim has a very conversational writing style - I like this.
2. Tim doesn't shy away from tough truths - this even stings me every so often (in a good way)
3. Tim uses many examples and draws from other's experiences. He does a great job of this in his workshops as well. Keeps me turning pages, waiting for the next thing.
4. Tim writes with conviction and passion. He believes what he is writing will make a difference. He's not just trying to sell a book.
5. Tim has a great hair/beard combo going. This gives him credibility as wise and all-knowing (in a pop culture sort of way). :)
6. So far, I would buy this book in a heartbeat. A good read with great content. Thanks Tim for your hard work. I think the Church (capital "C") will really benefit.

Take 4 Minutes to Watch this Video

This may be the most creative video I've ever seen. It recaps one year of services at Granger, and this weekend helped us celebrate and re-live the experience of the movement of God in our lives.

Created by an amazing Granger team.

Lyrics by Kristin Baker (creative arts project manager). Performed by DC Curry (student ministries director). Video production by Ben Sanders (video guru). Audio engineering by Dustin Maust.

Get lyrics here.

PGTC Review: "I Was Never Lost, Bored or Disinterested"

A review of Pop Goes the Church by Jim Henry:

When this book comes out, run (don’t walk) to the store or amazon.com or wherever…and get a copy. If you’re a Pastor, buy a copy for yourself and your staff. As I posted here, this book is a “MUST READ”, whether or not you believe in leveraging pop culture for the gospel or are completely against it.

• Tim came prepared to write this book. So many books share opinions, but lack the backing evidence to support their conclusions. Tim supports everything in this book with scripture and supporting research.
• “Pop Goes the Church” dives right in to the issues facing the church as it struggles to reach the community. You don’t have to wait until 3 or 4 chapters in to get to the “meat” of the book.
• This book is full of real life examples of how this approach to ministry is working and changing lives. This isn’t a “look what we’re doing at Granger” book, instead it’s a “look at what God is doing though His church” book.
• I’ve always been struck by Tim’s humility. That humility is apparent throughout this book. It is evident that Tim’s great passion is to reach the lost, not just in the Granger area, but throughout the world. His passion for the local church and its effectiveness is presented in a transparent and humble way.
• Tim is a wonderful writer. I was never lost, bored or disinterested as I read. I truly believe that “Pop Goes the Church” is a must have in the library of any ministry leader.

PGTC Review: "I Walked Away with a Changed Opinion"

I received an email from Jeremy from Summerville, Georgia, about his review of Pop Goes the Church. He said:

The subject of the church leveraging pop culture has been an ongoing struggle for me for quite a while.  I've long been convinced that leveraging it is a great idea, but I've been skeptical about the extent of its' use as a result of some negative personal experiences.  After reading the introduction and first chapter of the book, I was starting to get concerned that this was going to be a rather shallow promo for transforming churches into pop culture kiosks, and that this was the one missing key for magically reaching the community.

However, after reading the rest of the book, I was very impressed with the balance and flow of the book, and walked away with a changed opinion.  This book has taken me from being OK with the leveraging of pop culture to being convinced that it is crucial if a church truly desires to reach the community.  As I write this I'm trying to pinpoint specific passages that brought about this mental shift, but I think it really is the book as a whole...

Most of the books I read that are written by pastors of younger churches are pretty horribly written, and end up using weak emotional soap-boxing more than logical, thoughtful, and biblical argument.  This book was a much-welcomed exception, and I'll be recommending it to friends and co-workers.

One Year Ago Today...

Yep, one year ago today was the final day that Tony Morgan was on the staff of Granger Community Church.

What he left behind...

• Me. Enough said.
• Snow - we've had 42.5" so far this season.
• Cold - it is minus 2 degrees as I'm writing.
• His snowblower - it is my understanding that someone else is using it.
• Filling out annual reports for the denomination.
• His peeps -- no matter what he tells you, his Anderson peeps aren't near as fun as his Granger ones.
• A great co-author. Again, me.
• A co-traveler who could sit next to him for a long time in a car and say nothing, and it was okay. Yeah, that was me too.
• Great friends to his daughter (my girls).
• A fun companion for Jacob (my son).
• A corner office.
• Me (did I mention that already?)

Miss ya Tony.

We Have Never Attempted Something This Big!

Yesterday our senior management team spent the day dreaming about the future. I can't tell you everything yet, but I can say this much...

We are strategizing the most aggressive new ministry outreach since the church was birthed. In my 14+ years at Granger, we have never attempted what we are dreaming about doing in the next nine months. It's huge!

Okay...that's all I can say. Another full day of meetings...

PGTC Review: "I'm Buying a Copy for my Whole Team"

Ben Dubow from St. Paul's Collegiate Church offers his thoughts about Pop Goes the Church...

The book is a strong apologetic for why the church must fully engage with popular culture.

Tim is not writing mere theory here. He is on the front lines of this kind of thing as Granger Community Church, where Tim is the executive pastor, has pretty much mastered this area.

Like many, I can be skeptical of the church's over-use of pop culture. But Tim makes a strong case--both theologically and historically, as well as practically and from a missiological perspective.

While I can't quote the book directly until it is published, I can say that the book combines theological reflection with spot-on practical advice on a topic every church needs to take seriously if they are interested in reaching their community: how to leverage and connect with popular culture.

St. Paul's Collegiate Church is a very different church than Granger stylistically. But our goal and commitment to helping people encounter God and take their next steps towards Christ is 100% in line with Tim and Granger. There are a number of practical suggestions and ideas he talks about that I am really chewing on and I think the whole issue of how the church engages and leverages pop culture is unavoidable.

I also love Tim's passion for the Christ, for the church, and for people far from God. Even in the few places I might disagree with him, I never doubt his passion, compassion, and commitment to Christ and the Kingdom.

Tim's book will challenge, stretch, inspire and maybe even offend at times--but he makes you think and he makes a strong case for why the church needs to take pop culture seriously. I'm buying a copy for my whole team when it comes out!

PGTC Review: "It is Both Engaging and Provocative"

Jason Salamun at ThinkingInProgress.com gives his review...

"Churches now have a guidebook that explains why and how to leverage pop culture, engage people, and point them to Jesus in the book 'Pop Goes the Culture.'

"As an early reviewer of the book, I can’t give away many details of it, but I can tell you that it is both engaging and provocative. The stories Tim weaves in throughout the book are a great touch with some surprising tales about his own life.

"Tim comes across as a nice guy (I’m sure he is)- but he makes no bones that this book will offend lots of churchy people. After reading it, I would definitely agree. If you read it you will either dig it or disdain. I, for one, dug it.

"There are aspects of the book that may be fodder for the “attack dog” “watchdog” bloggers out there. But I hope the message of the book will rise above all of that and provoke thought, discussion, prayer, and action instead. People need Jesus. Pop culture practically screams it out. Why not use it in a timely way to connect people to the timeless truth?

"I think this should be required reading for every church planter, Christian leader, and Christ follower. I’m thankful for the opportunity to review this book and look forward to seeing the impact it’s bound to have on ministries, and ultimately people, everywhere."