My kids are 8, 6, and 2 years old. All 3 of them still believe in Santa. Although, last week Ainsley, my 8 year old, wrote a letter to Santa which reads like a Guantanamo interrogation:
Category: Values
Can Churches Sell the Sizzle Without Selling Out the Steak?
Many churches these days are trying to appeal to people by highlighting what God can do for them. Is it possible to tell people what God can do for them without selling out God and turning him into a cosmic fairy godmother?
Is the American Dream an American Idol?
The American Dream has been put on a pedestal in movies, TV, and commercials. It’s more or less assumed that everyone in America is in pursuit of the American Dream. I’d like to hear your thoughts on 2 questions today: 1) What is the American Dream? 2) Is it consistent with Biblical Christianity?
Anti-Consumerism: Worst Church Outreach Strategy Ever?
If our churches are going to reach self-centered consumers “where they’re at,” don’t we have to appeal to their selfish desires?
Are Churches Bait-and-Switching People?
Are churches essentially bait-and-switching people when they say “come to our church because of what is in it for you” to get people in the door and then turn around and say, “Christianity is not about what’s in it or you but it’s about loving, serving, sacrificing, and giving to others?” And does that even work?
Book Review: The Divine Commodity
In The Divine Commodity, Skye Jethani challenges the reader to take a look at the way American consumerism has impacted the American Christian worldview.
#Cultivate09, #Story09 Participants – What’s Changed?
Cultivate was a tremendous experience. But, let’s get to the bottom line… what’s changed? If you were at Cultivate and/or Story, how is your life going to be different because of the experience? Here’s what’s changed for me.
Roll Out the Barrel – Tomorrow is Oktoberfest!
Tomorrow Jennifer and I will host our 12th Annual Steinbrueck Oktoberfest. What started as a church small group activity in our first apartment back when we were newlyweds, has grown into an epic party that tests the capacity of our average-sized home. One year I think we topped 150 people.
While I love hosting Oktoberfest and have a great time every year, there is one thing I really hate about it.
But first let me tell you what I love about it and why we do it.
Service Is Not Our Highest Calling
In The Careless Society John McKnight takes a look at the service economy in the United States and how its rise has led to the decline in community. But the real gem in this book is the last chapter titled “Christian Service.” It rocked my world by proposing a revolutionary alternative to serving others.
Are you a winner or a whiner?
One night last week my 6 year old son, Aidyn, was doing his homework. One of his assignments was to write 3 sentences. Anything he wanted. One of the sentences he wrote…