Mike Harland and Ed Stetzer discuss the dynamics of worship, September 2009.  To read the news story, click here.

A few weeks ago I was able to be present during the live debate discussion between Mike Harland and Ed Stezer called Worship: Revelance vs. Reverence. Although the event was pitched as a debate -- assuming that Harland would argue for reverence in worship and Stetzer would argue for relevance -- there was nearly complete agreement on the issue!

Here's their consensus: worship must be both reverent and relevant.

I'm not surprised about their consensus or their reasons for why worship must be "both/and." In a nutshell, worship must be reverent because of the object of our worship -- the Lord. Scripture provides illustration after illustration to demonstrate how sinners behave in the presence of a holy God. Yet at the same time, worship must be relevant because we find ourselves in a particular time and place -- a certain context. I would dare say that anyone reading this blog currently and only sings from the Psalter during worship, but once upon a time this would've been standard in most churches.

I was challenged by both Harland and Stetzer as I listened to the discussion. Harland reminded me that worship must be first and foremost about God -- he is the object of our worship and also our audience. We don't just worship; we worship God. Stetzer challenged me to think about the contextual and missional aspects of music and their relation to worship. I'm still chewing on some of his ideas, but I think he's right that we cannot overlook where we live here and now, our time and place.

Let me conclude with a quote from both Harland and Stetzer that still have me thinking about worship. I hope these thoughts are helpful to you as well:

• Harland: "We need to realize that God has not called us to lead music, he’s called us to lead people. We will never achieve spiritual goals with a musical means."
• Stetzer: "These issues can be resolved when we look first to Scripture, when we put others as more important than ourselves, and we ask the question ‘How can we do what God is calling us to do in this place and in this time?’ Then I think churches will be focused on worshipping in spirit and in truth."

For additional resources, see Seven Words of Worship (Mike Harland and Stan Moser) and Breaking the Missional Code (Ed Stetzer and David Putman).

Entry by Micah Carter

Jennifer Tramel, communications intern, vlogs about her experience while she covered Collegiate Week in Glorieta, NM.  

Read Jennifer's first person account: First person: Impressions from Collegiate Week

Watch the video: Collegiate Week 2009

This week marked the completion of service for our intern, Jennifer Tramel. Jennifer served the communications department here at LifeWay with distinction and left a lasting impression on all of us. 

Here are a few words of reflection, encouragement and appreciation to Jennifer from our staff:

Rob Phillips, "One of the things I admire about Jennifer is her fearlessness, especially of technology. She has been instrumental in our team's venture into the social media, and she took the lead in our efforts to produce video features for the Web. I will never forget the day our new video camera arrived. I walked past jennifer's office and saw her sitting on the floor with all the accessories spread out in front of her. By the end of the day she had mastered the new camera and the editing software!"

Kelly Shrout, "Jennifer represents all that is good about Generation Y. Hush all the talk about how this generation is lazy, selfish and spoiled ... blah, blah, blah. It's just not true! Jennifer and many recent college graduates just like her are extremely hard working, responsible and willing to roll up their sleeves to make a difference in the world. It's so refreshing to hear Jennifer's new ideas and fresh vision in communications. More importantly, Jennifer has enriched my life during our chats about life, faith and the tribulation. I know Jennifer will succeed in her career. I also have no doubt she'll succeed in life. In fact, I've been super nice to her all along because I have a feeling in 15 years she might be my boss!"

Janet Sullivan, "She came to us first to help with our switchboard, right after she got through with college for the summer, 3 years ago. We got her due to her Aunt Karen, one of our retirees that helps with the switchboard. She has turned out to be one of the most gifted, talented, helpful persons, I've ever known. We've also become very best friends, that I hope to have forever! I know God has great plans for her, wherever she may go."

Donna Grace, "Jennifer is not afraid to try new things and is so patient with all of us as we try to get more 'technology-savvy.' She is not lazy. For the last 3 years, every summer, spring and fall break, Thanksgiving and Christmas was spent here at LifeWay helping us on the switchboard and as an intern ... and making money. God has a plan for Jennifer's life.  Even though she doesn't know what it is at this moment, He does. Hang in there, Jennifer."

Kent Harville, "I guess my most funny memory of Jennifer took place at Glorieta on our first and only assignment there together covering Collegiate Week. Jennifer suggested that we eat at a place called "Cowgirls," and though it sounds seamy, it was actually pretty tame and a good place to go for lunch. After being seated at a table outside on their dining patio, she commented on how tasty
the sweet potato fries were at this place and ordered some with her sandwich. The amount of fries that came on her plate could have very well sunk the Titanic! I was aghast when Jennifer ate
every last one of them. It's amazing how such a petite young lady can down so many fries in one setting! Jennifer, apparently quite happy with herself, sat back after finishing the last tiny piece of
burned crisp on the plate, and gave a big satisfied belch. OK, she really didn't belch, but she did have that glazed over but very content look one normally has following Thanksgiving dinner.

Jennifer, you have blessed us each day over the last few months with your gentle spirit and sweet personality, and we will truly miss you. Thank you for all the help and encouragement that you have been to me, as well as for everyone else in our department. You will go far with the talents and abilities God has given you. We will be praying for you."

Katie Shull, "I can say Jennifer has the cheerful, youthful enthusiasm we sometimes lack. She graciously tackled tasks and stories that a lot of people don't want to do. She always had a bright smile and great laugh. She really has a heart for telling the personal side of the stories behind the ministry. Her welcoming personality put interviewees at ease, and she is particularly good at interviewing children and young adults. I would encourage her to keep praying and waiting on God to direct her path, because although her future may be unclear to us -- I'm sure He has great plans for her."

Brooklyn Lowery, "I think Jennifer has the biggest heart I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. There really doesn't seem to be anything she wouldn't do to help someone out. Our trip to Glorieta in August '08 was full of fun memories -- like almost getting the car stuck in the mud during a torrential downpour the first night we were there (I don't think we were actually on a road), or our special lunch with a spud at the Cowgirl Bar & Grill. That's right, I will never again eat an ice cream baked potato without thinking of Jennifer.

Keep your head up and your eyes open, Jennifer. God has great things in store for you. I pray that He will guide you always, challenge you often enough to keep you humble, and bless you beyond your wildest dreams."

Micah Carter, "Although I haven't known Jennifer as long as the others, I can affirm all they've had to say about her. She is a bright, gifted, funny, hard-working and capable person, and I am confident that the Lord will use her for his glory in tremendous ways. Take care, Jennifer. Trust the Lord in this time of transition! You are in our thoughts and prayers."

This blog post is for you, Jennifer, even though others get to eavesdrop on our farewell. Hopefully, you have been blessed to hear these words of love and appreciation from us. We have been blessed by you in so many ways.

So with these things in mind, we say, "Thank you, Jennifer Tramel."

Staff Entry

Alex Pott, a resident at a group home in Asheville, N.C., operated by the North Carolina Baptist Children's Homes, runs under a parachute during a game. Photo by James Yates.

This year LifeWay celebrates 30 years of special needs ministry. In 1979, the Sunday School Board began offering printed materials for teaching special needs learners. Over the past three decades, resources have been developed and adapted to the growing needs of churches seeking to minister to those with developmental and other special needs.

As I learned of this benchmark, I thought about friends of mine who have family members with special needs. I wondered what their experiences were like, especially with respect to the church, with a loved one who needed special attention and ministry. So I sent out an e-mail asking for some honest reflection and feedback about their experiences. Here are the responses I received from my friends Travis Fleming and Jason Elder to the following questions.

Tell me about your family history with a family member with special needs.

- Jason – When I was 12 my sister, Lori Beth, was born with Down Syndrome. The doctors didn’t diagnose it until she was 2 weeks old, so for her first month of life I remember our family being anxious about the diagnosis and prognosis, yet joyful over her. We were told she would never be able to feed herself. But this past year she graduated from high school.  Boy were they wrong! Within her first year she had heart surgery, several tests and scores of doctor visits. Here my parents were, in their mid-40s, with three children ranging from a 22-year-old to this newborn, but they were resilient.

This experience brought our family together. Lori’s birth and difficulty created more love in our family. Lori is one of the most social people you will meet. When I go home to visit now she is the most famous person around. Store vendors know her from her volunteering with her community center. Students know her from her former high school and Special Olympics competitions. Others know her from church. Each time we are out with her in town we see the goodness of God as all of these people have accepted her at one level or the other. My parents disciplined her and guided her, but also allowed her to grow up and have some independence. It has been paid back with friendships, laughter and a joyful time for Lori.

- Travis – My younger sister, Joy Faye, is 32, and she was born with Down Syndrome. She is the third of four siblings in my family. Neither one of my parents had been exposed to Down's children before Joy was born. In fact, they did not know she had Down's until she was born. One of the doctors asked my parents if they wanted to put her up for adoption, but my folks thought he was crazy. Of course, they would keep Joy and love her just like the rest of their children.

It rocked their world at first – the questions that hit most parents who have special needs children: "Why does my child have to suffer? Did we do something wrong? Is God punishing us?"

Just because a parent asks these questions does not mean that they love their child any less. Parents need to know that it is okay to cry out to God; they need to know that Creator God is our refuge and our source of comfort. God's peace or presence does not leave his children even during a season where we have some hard questions to ask. God, however, through His mercy and grace granted my parents, in particular my mother, the wisdom to realize that they were chosen to have Joy because God knew they would love her unconditionally. I know that in my own life, when I was in elementary school, I didn't want my friends to know my sister had Down's for fear that they would make fun of her. I wanted to protect her. I love my sister, and I am still protective of her. But I've learned that only ignorant people make fun of the disabled. Most people love her for who she is!

What is your experience with churches that have members with special needs? Positive or negative?

- Jason – I remember our pastor visiting a lot, praying for our family and loving us. Our local church welcomed Lori and integrated her into every aspect. The kids her age have always spent time with her, befriended her and included her in prayer, games and regular life kinds of things. I have been on staff of churches with those with varying degrees of handicaps. The most impressed I have been is when a person will simply talk to the person with a disability as they would anyone else. There might be some awkward moments of misunderstanding, but they are talking with someone who is loved and treasured – by a mom, dad or sibling, and especially by their Creator.

- Travis – The people in the churches we have been a part of through the years have loved Joy and allowed her to be herself. However, the church we grew up in was a small church which did not have a program for Joy or other disabled individuals. Now, however, Joy and my parents are part of a church in Greenville, S.C., that has a special needs ministry called Noah's Ark. I think a lot of churches miss the mark on having a special needs ministry. There are scores of parents who need a church that can offer their child or their adult child an opportunity to be loved by God's grace through worship and through contextualized teaching for them.

Were your churches aware of resources that assist churches in ministering to these members?

- Jason – I don’t think a lot of churches are aware of these helpful resources, which is unfortunate. I find that most people want to love and minister in practical ways. The heart is there, but the education is not there to help the person feel competent as they minister or simply live life with the disabled. To me, it has never been an issue of heart or compassion, but more of an issue of confidence that only comes from equipping.

- Travis – The church I grew up in, I would say no. As for the church I pastor now, I would also say no for the general body. I am aware that if we could start a ministry I could do the research and find what is available. As far as what LifeWay has to offer, no, I am not fully aware of what we have to offer.

How do you currently minister and serve those with special needs? How should the church reach out and minister to people with these needs, and in what ways?

- Jason – I was once on staff of a church that met at our city’s only park and recreation center for disabled adults. We would frequently go in for meetings and would talk to some needy adults there. Often times, the church might try to duplicate a ministry that is already existing and thriving within their own community. I love it when Christians just come along side of existing works, not to take over, but to come under and serve. It is wonderful to sprinkle the good news in that way.

I would also say that there needs to be a point where we change our mindset and instead of saying, “How do I minister to them?” wesay, “How can we minster along with them?” This is about a mindset that says that everyone is a part of the church, everyone contributes something because everyone is gifted by God. I have a friend, Daniel, who was born with cerebral palsy. I met him two years ago. He spends his days downtown talking with business owners and neighbors, sharing the gospel with them. When we are together, the joy of the gospel is overflowing from him. He’s loud and has little control over his arms, so he flails. He is difficult to understand, but very articulate. He is so bold and lives his life with a focus on living, breathing and preaching that Christ is the cure for racial tension. His church has come along side of him and supports him in this ministry. Daniel is gifted and his church is blessed by it. Moreover, God is gaining glory for Himself through physical brokenness and spiritual vibrancy.

- Travis – Offer events and activities which they can relate to, and give other church members the opportunity to love on and reach out to special needs persons. They are still created in God's image, and God loves them. We should go out of our way to reach out to "the least of these."

I am so thankful for these first-person reflections on special needs ministry. While the Lord may not entrust your biological family with those with special needs (like the families of Jason and Travis), he might entrust your church family with the opportunity to reach out to, serve, minister to and minister with members of the special needs community. Hopefully, God is reminding you to remember those special people among you or around you, for His glory and their good!

Entry by Micah Carter

For more on special needs ministry resources, click here.

Talking about Halloween with most Christians is about as volatile as talking about Calvinism -- there are strongly held beliefs on both sides of the issue and typically there is more "heat than light" in the rhetoric of diverse opinions!

The spectrum of opinion varies from total acceptance of Halloween festivities to total rejection. In between are those who enjoy pillaging neighbors' homes to satisfy a sweet tooth to cautious parents wanting their kids to have good, clean fun to others turning the event into an evangelistic opportunity.

I suspect that most Christians don't have a clue about the origins of Halloween. Even more, I suspect that many just want their kids to experience the kind of fun they had as kids growing up. Many Christians believe that one can observe Halloween without embracing satanism or evil or darkness. After all, who wouldn't shovel truckloads of candy into the bag of that sweet little princess or tiny Superman or the little G.I. Joe standing in your doorway?

At the same time, there is an excellent opportunity to take a worldly tradition and use it to reach people for Jesus Christ, a.k.a., the Harvest Festival. Many churches seek to offer an alternative to the dark, evil, scary practices of Halloween by providing a family-friendly event designed to impact their communities with the gospel. Great idea, don't you think?

Still, this issue is not decided on the cuteness of trick-or-treaters or the missional concern of churches alone. There is often a mixed response -- a best of both worlds position, if you will. For many, harvest festivals allow kids (and adults, I guess) to dress up, pilfer candy and goodies, participate in cake walks, and at the same time provide an opportunity to talk with a lost neighbor about Christ, the Light of the world that overcomes the darkness.

Let me conclude by pointing you to a few resources that might provoke your thinking on this issue a little more. Be safe this Halloween. And be a witness for Christ!

Resources:

Trick or Treat? How should parents respond to Halloween? by Steve Russo

Consider these halloween alternatives by Carolyn Ross Tomlin

Christian, don't be 'afraid' to share Christ at Halloween by Bob Nigh

Christianity and the Dark Side: What about Halloween? by Albert Mohler

Entry by Micah Carter

I'm a gamer. I've been one since I can remember, enjoying and mastering games on platforms like ColecoVision, Atari 2600 and 5200, Sega Genesis, Nintendo (8-bit), SNES, N64, Playstation, PS2, GameBoy (before it was color), Sega Game Gear, and the list goes on. Even now, my sons (Ben, 6 and Jon, 3) and I enjoy playing PSP, Nintendo DS, Wii, and Xbox 360.

Which brings me to the subject of this blog: the Bible on a video game console. That's right, B&H is unveiling the Bible Navigator X for the Xbox 360, which highlights the HCSB translation.

Granted, there have been some cheesy attempts to bring games with biblical or Christian motifs to the video game culture, but this project is different, and it's legit.

I'm excited about the opportunity to have access to the HCSB on my Xbox, even though I probably won't use it as much as my trusty, leather bound hard copy. But I am confident that the Bible Navigator X can and will be used as a ministry tool for youth groups and, hopefully, as an evangelistic tool to reach gamers with God's Word.

And for $5 or 400 Microsoft Points, who could pass it up, right?

Take a minute to check out the website for the Bible Navigator X. You can also read more about it here. And don't forget to check out www.hcsb.org for more information about this excellent Bible translation.

Entry by Micah Carter

Be honest. Do you have any idea what the title of this post means? Chances are, if I'd never stumbled on the conversion story of Augustine of Hippo (early church father, AD 354-430), I wouldn't either.

Tolle lege means "take up and read." While he was under conviction of sin, Augustine heard some children singing this phrase as they played -- and he concluded that God was telling him to "take up and read" the Scriptures. And the rest is history, as they say.

Every now and then we take a poll in our office to see what each other is reading, in addition to the Scripture (of course!). This poll is a helpful, interesting and encouraging exercise. It allows us to know a little more about each others' interests and reading habits, but it also spurs us on to keep reading and to read broadly. So, for what it is worth, here's what we are reading (or have recently read):

Micah Carter: Just finished "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan and just started "Scouting the Divine" by Margaret Feinberg. Soon to start "Shepherding a Child's Heart" by Tedd Tripp.

Polly House: "Devil Bones" by Jefferson Bass (CSI-type mystery set at UT Knoxville), "Truth and Beauty" by Ann Patchett (memoir by a Nashville author), "Home to Harmony" by Phillip Gulley (sort of a Mitford-type), and a couple of weeks ago finished "Leaving Church" by Barbara Taylor.

Brooklyn Lowery: Rereading "Spunk and Bite" by Arthur Plotnik (a writing tips book that sort of pokes fun at the age-old "Strunk and White" that every journalist knows and loves).

Rob Phillips: Just finished "Grace" by R.T. Kendall (addresses the 10 commandments) and recently started "Theology of the Reformers" by Timothy George.

Kelly Shrout: "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller.

What are you reading? Would you recommend anything to us? Take a minute to leave us a comment to encourage us to tolle lege!

Entry by Micah Carter

Yesterday in our chapel service at LifeWay, our president and CEO Dr. Thom Rainer played a video for employees that highlights a particular employee ministry effort called "LifeWay Community Fund Campaign."

This campaign is designed to raise funds, specifically employee donations, to support local charitable organizations in the Nashville area. The mission statement captures the vision and intent: The mission of LifeWay Community Fund is to provide financial assistance to faith-based and humanitarian charities that align with LifeWay's vision and values.

Each year LifeWay partners with 10 charities to support them in their ministry efforts. Here are the organizations and charities for 2009:

• Maury Chaplain Ministries, Inc.
• Graceworks Ministries, Inc.
• Siloam Family Health Center
• Pregnancy Care Center of TN
• Madison Computer Learning Center
• Youth for Christ
• Cottage Cove Urban Ministries
• Ultimate Goal Ministries
• Community Outreach Ministries
• Operation Andrew Group

Each of these ministries is impacting our community -- Nashville and surrounding areas -- with services, helps, assistance, training, and evangelism for the kingdom of Christ. Here, in a brief video, is a presentation of these ministries that the LifeWay Community Fund Campaign supports.

Entry by Micah Carter

Shall I thank God at this Thanksgiving?

Why was I born at this particular time in the history of the world? Why was I born in a spotless delivery room in an American hospital instead of a steaming shelter in the dank jungles of the Amazon or a mud hut in Africa?

Why did I have the privilege of going to school with capable instructors while millions around the world even without a school book sit or squat on a dirt floor listening to a missionary to pick up anything to know?

How does it happen that my children are tucked into warm beds at night with clean white sheets while billions of babies in the world will lie in cold rooms, many in their own filth and vomit?

Why can I sit down to a warm meal whenever I want to and eat too much when billions will know all of their life the pangs of hunger?

Do I deserve to share in such wealth? By what right? Why me and not other millions?

Why was I born in a land I did not build, in a prosperity I did not create, in a freedom I did not establish?

Why an American sitting comfortably in my own living room this Thanksgiving rather than an Indian sitting in the dark corner of some infested alley in Calcutta shivering in the cold or a Cambodian in the rubble of what used to be my home or a Nicaraguan running in the jungle afraid?

Do I deserve it? By what right do I have it?

My pastor at Clearview Baptist Church (Franklin, TN), Mark Marshall, shared these words -- taken from an 1980s Christianity Today article -- last Wednesday night during his message. I was cut to the heart by them as I listened. And yes, I am gratefully and humbly asking the same questions this Thanksgiving.

Do these thoughts and questions cause you to stop and think? Even more, are you driven to gratitude and humility before the Lord for his incredible blessings in your comfortable life?

Entry by Micah Carter

Jennifer Tramel   

• Every Thanksgiving, my family is in charge of the fruit salad. It’s basically fruit cocktail, whipped cream, fresh fruit and pecans. Nothing spectacular, but it’s a favorite among my extended family. In the past, we’ve always gone to someone’s home for Thanksgiving, but as the kids get older and time becomes sparser, we’ve started meeting at a restaurant for either Christmas or Thanksgiving. Cracker Barrel has become one of our favorites --  we are supporting those who have to work on Thanksgiving, avoiding cooking and cleaning, and we still have time together over a meal. Once the meal is done, my own family usually comes home to watch a football game and a movie later that night. And while we are watching the movie, we begin to bring Christmas decorations down from the attic. Of course we can’t take too long, for there is the day after Thanksgiving sales going on the next morning! My mother, my older younger brother and I get up, leave the other three wimpy family members at home sleeping, and head on out to brave the insanity. With coffee by our side, we press on through the crowds to find our items from the sale brochures we acquired. Most of the time, we don’t even really buy anything. It’s just time for us to spend together and make memories, as we watch other people lose their minds for a morning!
  
  

 Rob Phillips

• Growing up, Thanksgiving was always a great time for our family, with one notable culinary exception: on the day after Thanksgiving my mother combined the leftovers into a baked dish she called “turkey surprise.” The surprise was that anybody actually ate it! My brother and I coped by sneaking off to Burger King and scarfing down Whoppers.

 Janet Sullivan

• Our family’s Thanksgiving week activities look something like this. Beginning Tuesday, all of our extended family (around 15 of us) gather with our church family in Franklin, TN, at our church-wide Thanksgiving feast. Then on Thursday, which is my husband’s only day off for the week, we get to sleep late, then meet with my parents and children to eat and fellowship again. We all eat too much, then catch some of the football games on TV. When we get home, we fall into a semi-coma state until bedtime. Friday, I begin decorating the house for Christmas very slowly, since I’m still full of turkey, of course. On Saturday we meet with my husband’s side of the family at his parents’ home for more Thanksgiving food. By Sunday we are all gobbling, but I can never get enough turkey and dressing and all the other good food we have on this special holiday. We are so thankful for family and friends all year, but it’s good to stop and say a special thank you on Thanksgiving.

 Kelly Shrout

• Food and family dominate my Thanksgiving traditions. Growing up in Texas my mom would make the entire Thanksgiving meal for more than 25 relatives. Turkey, ham, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, pies, cakes, puddings ... I get hungry just thinking about it! My mom would delight in serving the meal to any and all who came to our home. Our humble home was the gathering place for the hungry. After the meal, my parents would prepare plates of food to share with neighbors. The day was about giving, sharing and counting our blessings. Now that I have a family of my own, I order our Thanksgiving meal from Publix and wish I would have paid more attention to my mom when she tried to teach me how to baste a turkey. So on that thought, my family and I will travel either to my parents’ house in Texas, or my in laws’ in Louisville, to bum a nice Thanksgiving dinner off of them. Happy Thanksgiving! 

Take a minute to enjoy this multimedia presentation from Kent Harville, LifeWay's corporate visuals coordinator and photographer. Kent takes us "behind the scenes" as he explains the process and results of finding a photo opportunity when there doesn't seem to be one.

The photos are excellent, and they were taken at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Asheville, NC.

It’s fun seeing people get excited in December. There’s anticipation in the air. There’s an almost audible buzz about what’s coming. Folks start watching their mailboxes and looking out for the FedEx and UPS trucks, waiting for that special delivery.

But, surprise … I’m not talking about Christmas.

I’m talking Vacation Bible School 2010!

The VSB 2010 Saddle Ridge Ranch Samplers and Super Samplers have hit the roads and the skies and are being delivered to churches every day.

The LifeWay VBS Facebook page is filled with posts and comments about VBS. Amber Lynne Ferrell posted: “… got our super sampler today – YAY!” Sounds like she is a happy Saddle Ridge Rancher! There is also a growing excitement about the VBS Previews that are coming up in January. If you do VBS but have never attended one of these preview events, you are missing a great opportunity! You get to hear the new music, make the crafts, sample the snacks and find out how you can make your VBS the very best in your church’s history.

Carmen Nunez is one of the VBS leaders who is looking forward to the preview. She posted on Facebook: “ … will be having a great time at Ridgecrest. Surely can’t wait.”

The previews are happening at LifeWay in Nashville, Tenn.; LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, N.C.; Green Valley Baptist Church in Henderson, Nev., and Travis Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. Click here to find out more about those and how to register.

For the past eight years, I’ve been fortunate to get to visit churches around the country and do an article on their VBS experience. Each year we select one church – usually in a location that has a connection with the theme – go there and do an article, photos, video, the whole works. It is so much fun. As different as each church and each VBS experience can be, they all have a lot in common. Last year, for Boomerang Express, we went to Sidney – the one in Arkansas, not Australia – and had the best time with the leaders and the kids covering their event.

An article written from a LifeWay Research study said: “By far the most common outreach event conducted by Southern Baptist congregations is Vacation Bible School. Eighty-five percent of pastors say their churches held VBS in the past 12 months. The next most common event, registered by 58 percent of pastors, is a prayer emphasis focused specifically on outreach or unbelievers.

VBS works!

Entry by Polly House

Last week LifeWay Research released a study of pastors and how they spend/allocate their time. The results were interesting and encouraging, mostly. There are also, of course, discouraging signs that ought to challenge pastors to be better stewards with their time.

Consider the following statistics from the survey of 1,000+ pastors:

• 65% work 50+ hrs/wk; almost 10% work 70+ hrs/wk
• over half spend between 5-14 hrs/wk on sermon preparation
• 70% spend about 5 hrs/wk in meetings
• over half spend 2-6 hrs/wk in email correspondence
• 48% spend 2-5 hrs/wk in visitation
• at least 45% spend 20+ hrs/wk with their families
• 52% spend 2-5 hrs/wk in personal devotions not related to teaching preparation

Sadly,

• 10% spend less than 9 hrs/wk with their families
• 14% spend an hour or less in personal devotions a week -- and worse, 5% spend no time in prayer at all

The reason why this survey interests me is because I am a pastor by calling. I can see myself in many of these statistics, and I know where scores of my fellow pastors would show up as well.

Without a doubt, a pastor's job is demanding, thankless, solitary and discouraging. It is easy to throw stones at guys who are stuggling in ministry and misuse their time. On the other hand, pastors ought to be challenged by such statistics to make sure they are fulfilling the high calling to which God has called them.

A survey like this drives me to pray for those whom God has called to lead and to serve his people. Join me in prayer for pastors -- and if you get the opportunity, let your pastor know how much you appreciate him and that you recognize his work for Christ. I'm confident that your words will be an encouragement to him, and they might even spur him on to greater ministry ahead.

Entry by Micah Carter

Sunday afternoon over a mall food court lunch, my husband and I began talking about celebrities we'd like to meet. While I can't remember exactly what led to this oh-so-deep lunchtime conversation, I do remember that we were creating our lists based not upon their looks, or the movies they've starred in, or the magazine covers they'd graced, but on television interviews we'd seen them give. Basically, which celebrities (movie stars, athletes, musicians, etc.) seemed -- in their interviews -- to be the kind of people we'd want to meet, really get to know and maybe even develop lifelong friendships.

Sadly, our lists of celebrities were short (and no doubt a bit judgmental, so I won't name names), but a couple of characteristics kept standing out. My husband would name someone and say, "She seems genuine," and I would follow with another name and the comment, "He doesn't seem to take himself too seriously." Other comments included: "She seems down-to-earth," "He seems fun to be around," and the list goes on.

When I was thinking today about how to blog about our Q&A with Margaret Feinberg, it dawned on me that she absolutely makes my list. I have never actually spoken to Mrs. Feinberg, nor have I ever heard her speak. The five questions she answered for this piece were issued and replied to via e-mail, I didn't conduct the podcast interview -- thanks go to Michael Kelley and the Threads folks for hooking us up with that -- and prior to her book, Scouting the Divine, I'd never read her work. But I really want to meet her!

All of those things that go into making someone the type of person you want to meet, she convinced me she has all of them by answering our five simple questions. I hope you'll agree.

Click here to check out the Q&A, and don't forget to listen to the short podcast while you're there (at the top, under "multimedia").

Entry by Brooklyn Lowery
Editor, LifeWay communications department

Forgive the title – it is shamelessly stolen from The Wizard of Oz (“Lions & tigers & bears, oh my”).  I must admit, sometimes I feel a little like Dorothy when I start looking at all the social network options available. This whirlwind of online chatter is mind blowing.

Facts & Trends magazine – of which yours truly is the editor – began more than 50 years ago as a free 4-page newsletter sent out from LifeWay to a couple of hundred Southern Baptist pastors and ministers of education. It let them know what was going on at LifeWay and, as often as not, about one-fourth of it was devoted to a listing of new employees coming in and old employees leaving.

Today, Facts & Trends goes out to about 65,000 people – church staffs, seminaries, colleges/universities, denominational leaders and lots of lay leaders. We still mostly mail to Southern Baptists, but other denominations have seen the good in knowing what LifeWay is doing and what we have to offer as ministry ideas and resources. Best of all, it's still free. I like to think that some things are just too good to sell!

But I digress …

I am a print gal! Old school. I like a magazine that I can hold in my hands. I like big pictures. I like reading. I still read honest to goodness books. I’m the proud owner and frequent user of a Metro Davidson County Public Library card.

But again, I digress …

Things change and grow. That's good. We change and grow with them or we die. Facts & Trends is now so much more than just a print magazine. Facts & Trends Online has a growing following. We now have a Facebook page where you can be a “fan” just by typing Facts & Trends in Facebook’s search window. Having “fans” sounds great!

Now, Facts & Trends has a Twitter account (@FTOmagazine). I understand that Twitter is the fastest growing communication tool the history of the known universe … moving at something akin to light speed.

But, I confess. I had to be pulled into Twitter. For so long, Twitter seemed to me to be the playground of egocentric individuals who thought I would care what they were having for lunch or that they were waiting in the movie line. News flash – I didn’t!

It seems that Twitter is quickly becoming the playground for business movement. Tweeters, Twitter-ers, Twits (I still can't remember all the Twitter terminology) have gotten past the fluff and now use the online community for quick updates, information, etc.

As I was watching the early morning news recently, I heard a reporter in Haiti talking about how Twitter has been a real lifeline for people there getting information out. It's a legitimate tool.
So, I will tweet, even though I think that makes me sound like the red, red robin who went bob, bob, bobbin’ along.

Sign up to follow FTOmagazine on Twitter. I’ll give you updates on things that come to mind as I work on Facts & Trends. But, just to let you know … don’t expect to find out what I had for breakfast!

Posted by Polly House
Editor, Facts & Trends Magazine

What would you call a congregation that effectively shares the gospel and promotes spiritual maturity?

How about a “transformational church.”

You’ll be hearing these two words more in the days ahead, especially from LifeWay as we launch the Transformational Church initiative.

Transformational Church is a multi-year project that focuses on people, churches and communities, using groundbreaking research to produce resources that churches may use to spread the gospel and promote spiritual growth.

It all begins with LifeWay Research, which for months has been surveying hundreds of churches from multiple denominations that are leading examples of spiritual transformation. The results will be released this spring in a new book from B&H Publishing Group by Thom Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, and Ed Stetzer, director of LifeWay Research. The title, of course: “Transformational Church.”

Supplemental resources will follow, including training conferences and events. Ultimately, church leaders will be invited to involve their congregations in the TC Project by completing an internal survey and tailoring TC resources to their people.

Since the word “transformation” means “a change to something new,” TC resources equip local congregations to share the message of Christ; to promote spiritual maturity among church members; and to mobilize Christians to live out their faith in their communities.

TC was introduced in December (link to story). More information is available at TransformationalChurch.com.

Posted by Rob Phillips

Director, Communications Department

This past week I attended the annual meeting of the Association of State Baptist Papers in Coeur d'Alene, ID, held at the resort of the same name. The purpose of my trip primarily was to meet state paper editors, but also to host a luncheon for them provided by LifeWay. Even more, LifeWay's president and CEO Thom Rainer also addressed the editors, so it didn't hurt to be present for his portion as well.

This trip was my first to Idaho, so I was looking forward to seeing a ton of snow and maybe a few moose. I saw neither. Sure, there was snow on the tips of the mountains in the distance, but none on the ground below. I left more snow in Nashville, TN, than I saw in Idaho!

But my trip wasn't about snow and moose, it was about state paper editors and getting to know them. Here are some of the editors I met and with whom I spent some time in conversation:

• Bob Terry, The Alabama Baptist
• Bob Simpson, BaptistLIFE (MD/DE)
• Jim Smith, Florida Baptist Witness
• Norman Jameson, Biblical Recorder (NC)
• Todd Deaton, Western Recorder (KY)
• Elizabeth Young, Portraits (AZ)
• Kelly Boggs, Baptist Message (LA)
• Tony Martin (assoc. editor), The Baptist Record (MS)

I also spent some time with other SBC entity representatives, such as Mike Ebert from North American Mission Board, Van Payne from International Mission Board, Wanda Lee from WMU, and Richard Land from Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission.

There were also some editors with which I was unable to connect, like Doug Baker from The Baptist Messenger (OK) and John Loudat from Baptist New Mexican (NM).

It was a joy to meet these editors because I read their papers weekly (or as often as they are published). I am grateful for their labors in the states they serve, and I pray for their success in communicating news and information to Southern Baptists across our convention.

So, for the record, it was nice to connect in Coeur d'Alene with these contributors to Baptist life.

Micah Carter

A few days ago I had the honor of covering a Going Beyond conference featuring Priscilla Shirer. The event was hosted by the LifeWay Women’s event team. What a powerful message Priscilla gave from Genesis 28 about the trickster Jacob. He fell asleep at a certain place and had a dream about the Lord. Priscilla challenged the 2,400-strong crowd of women not to do as Jacob did and fall asleep during the hard times in life.

"He wants us, the women of God, to open our eyes and be fully aware and engaged in what He’s doing in this particular season of our lives," Priscilla said. "No more sleepwalking. It’s time for us to be involved in what it is that God is doing."

So today if you are overwhelmed, or underwhelmed, just remember that God has something to teach you. May our spiritual eyes be open and our ears be ready to hear from the Lord!

By Kelly Shrout

Last weekend I attended the first Girls’ Ministry Forum here at LifeWay. About 200 people -- women who lead tgirls’ ministries in their churches, teenage girls and three brave male student ministers -- came to learn more about ministering to girls.

These people were passionate about helping girls become spiritually strong and healthy in their relationship with Christ. The forum offered more than a dozen conferences ranging from recognizing and using spiritual gifts, to how to teach teenage girls to pray, to using technology as an outreach tool.

A panel of girls’ ministry leaders answered questions during one of the large group sessions. One of the points brought up during this time was on sexting – sending sexually suggestive messages or photos via text messaging.

My head isn’t buried in the sand. I know this goes on. What I didn’ know is just how common the practice is among teenagers.

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and CosmoGirl.com commissioned a survey of teens and young adults to explore electronic activity in 2008. Note that was more than a year ago.

This survey said that 22 percent of teenage girls and 18 percent of teenage boys have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of themselves. Let me repeat. They posted the pictures or videos themselves!

The survey also said that 37 percent of teenage girls and 40 percent of teenage boys said they had sent or posted sexually suggestive messages to someone.

Other statistics that bothered me:

– 15% of teenagers who have sent or posted nude or seminude images of themselves say they have done so to someone they only knew online.

– 48% of teenagers say they have received such messages.

– 71% of teenage girls and 67% of teenage guys who have sent or posted sexually suggestive content say they have sent or posted this content to a boyfriend or girlfriend.

– 21% of teenage girls and 39% of teenage boys say they have sent such content to someone they wanted to date or hook up with.

– 44% of both teenage girls and teenage boys say it is common for sexually suggestive text messages to be shared with people other than the intended recipient.

– 36% of teenage girls and 39% of teenage boys say it is common for nude or semi-nude photos to get shared with people other than the intended recipient

Is it just that these kids don’t realize that once they hit “send” they have lost all control of where that photo or video goes? How would that teenage girl feel if her nude photo was sent to her parents or her youth minister? How would that teenage boy feel if his picture was printed out and hung up all over his school? Once in cyberspace, that picture will never go away.

And, I’m not even going to go into the potential legal issues regarding pornography.

Culture is screaming at teenagers to make wrong and foolish choices. My prayers go out to these women -- and the men -- who minister to teenagers and who shoulder the tremendous responsibility of helping them develop a relationship with Christ. I applaud these girls’ ministry leaders who want to serve better by keeping informed on important matters, such as this one.

By Polly House
Editor, Facts and Trends Magazine

I have a geeky sort of love for Christian apologetics, the way some people are addicted to their favorite video games, comic books or Hollywood characters. So whenever the opportunity arises to host a podcast with Dr. Jeremy Howard of B&H Publishing Group, I’m enthusiastically first in line – not unlike a paunchy middle-age man dressed like Spock at Comi-Con.

Jeremy recently sat down with me to address the question, “Did Jesus really rise from the dead?” (Podcast coming soon!) But even before the microphone levels were checked, I had to ask Jeremy about another burning issue prompted by an e-mail I received recently: How much of the Bible is prophecy? I thought that would be an easy answer, falling somewhere between zero and 100 percent.

Not so fast. Jeremy said this issue is complex, but he patiently took the time to explain, and then to follow up with a written note, which is posted below. Read on. Enjoy. Live long and prosper.

Jeremy Howard: Christians often appeal to fulfilled prophecies as a way of persuading unbelievers that the Bible is inspired by God. Prophecies can powerfully indicate the Bible’s divine inspiration, but when it comes time to show the unbeliever some examples, Christians commonly make a misstep that undermines the effectiveness of their argument.

At the heart of the problem is the failure to distinguish predictive prophecies from typological prophecies. Predictive prophecies set up an expectation for future fulfillment(s). Original hearers of the prophecy, plus readers of the prophecy once it is written down, recognize that the prophet/author is foretelling a future event. This becomes an especially powerful witness to the unbeliever since the Bible’s ability to foretell events years or even centuries in advance is evidence that God, who knows the future, has disclosed the future through the writings of His chosen authors. The book of Daniel, Genesis 49:10, and Isaiah 52:13 - 53:12 are examples of predictive prophecy.

Typological prophecies are different because they are not predictive. They do not set up an expectation for fulfillment because readers do not recognize them as prophecies until after their fulfillment. A good example is found in Matthew 2:15, where Matthew says of Jesus’ stay in Egypt: “He stayed there until Herod’s death, so that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled: ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”

Matthew does this same sort of thing several times in his Gospel. Though readers may assume this means Matthew is alluding to predictive prophecies of the Old Testament (OT), when they go back and read the original context of the OT passage he is quoting or alluding to (Hosea 11:1 in this case), they are hard pressed to discern that the author was prophesying anything at all. If an unbeliever picks up on this fact while you are arguing that prophecy is a proof of biblical inspiration, he or she is apt to conclude that biblical prophecies are not predictive and therefore do not help prove the Bible’s inspiration.

What is going on here? Old Testament scholar Ray Clendenen has an interesting way of answering this question. Drawing an analogy from pop culture, he notes that each episode of the old television show “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” begins with a partial silhouette drawn onto a white background. If you were to look at the image for the first time, having no advance knowledge of the show’s name or content, there is little if any chance you would guess who the silhouette represents. But moments after the reel beings to roll, Hitchcock walks up to the wall and fills out or “fulfills” the silhouette. The silhouette was tailor-made for Hitchcock, but the viewer never foreknew or expected this.

Typological prophecy is much like this. Readers do not recognize its presence or purpose until the fulfillment arrives. Very possibly the authors of the prophecy did not understand all the entailments of what they were writing either. In this way there is much subtle and divinely-inspired silhouette-tracing in Old Testament literature, but observers were unlikely to recognize it as such until Messiah walked onto the scene and fulfilled the silhouette.

By “silhouette” I mean the themes, types and events in the OT. Jesus is the fulfillment of these. Matthew and other New Testament authors recognized this after Jesus had accomplished all He had set out to do, and thus they rightly named Jesus as the fulfillment of many OT passages even though readers of those passages had not previously recognized them as prophetic.

Posted by Rob Phillips
Director, Communcations Department

LifeWay Research released a study recently about the value of seminary education to pastors and to churches of various sizes, locations and denominations. I thought their findings were interesting and provocative, since I am a two-time seminary graduate -- from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (see picture on right). I have served as a pastor as well.

I won't repeat the details of the research in this blog, but I will offer reflections about some of the data provided in this study.

First, I was intrigued that three-fourths of the pastors surveyed (out of 1,004) say that their seminary education was useful and has abiding value and application in their current ministry. While I'm sure some endured their seminary education in order to secure a more lucrative ministry position, my conviction is that most go to seminary to prepare themselves for a sincere, fruitful ministry. And so, it seems, the research indicates this to be true. I can say honestly that every class I had in seminary added value -- and often content -- to my pastoral ministry on a week-to-week basis. And they still do. And, I will say in contrast, that I'm disappointed that 25% of pastors who had seminary training don't use it in their ministries. Surely, there are reasons for this, but I won't speculate here ...

Second, the study mentioned that small(er) churches have a lower percentage of pastors who have attended seminary classes. For those churches in close proximity to a seminary, this is the exception, of course. But for rural churches scattered throughout the nation, sometimes the candidate pool is very small -- and unfortunately, most seminary-trained pastors aren't willing to invest their lives in churches that are small and will always be small. That's why, as the study shows, small(er) churches are more willing to take a pastor without seminary education and with little or no ministry experience. Sadly, they must take what they can find. I wish that more seminarians and pastors-to-be would jump at the chance to invest in --and learn from -- a small church ministry. My first pastorate was a small, rural Kentucky church of about 70 in attendance. I invested all I had been given through my seminary education in them -- and yes, I learned much from them too.

Third, I was interested in the statistic that 90% of pastors say they would not make a seminary education (degree) a requirement for hiring staff. Maybe. I understand this position, and in theory, I agree with it. I have a cousin who is a fantastic student minister in Georgia who does not have a seminary degree. He has tons of experience, incredible gifts and passion for students, and solid theological beliefs. Even though he's working on a degree, some churches have looked past him because he didn't have one at the time. Their loss, for sure.

On the other hand, I can't help but think most pastors surveyed fudged a little in their responses. Are beliefs key? Yes. Is experience helpful and important? Certainly. But a seminary education is dispensible? I don't think so. Of course, it shouldn't be a requirement -- I get it. But in many situations, the vast majority of pastors and churches are looking for someone with seminary training -- regardless of the demographics -- especially if they can afford it. Why? Because seminary education really does help prepare and equip potential pastors for lifelong ministry, as this survey demonstrates.

I, for one, am grateful for my experience in seminary and for everything I learned during my tenure as a student (all ten years of it!). I believe I was a better pastor for having spent time in preparation through those many classes and many years at Southern Seminary. And I'm glad to see, according to LifeWay Research's latest study, that I'm not alone in my evaluation that seminary matters to pastors.

By Micah Carter
Associate to the VP for Executive Communications and Relations

Jennifer Tramel reflects on learning to shoot a handgun. And for the record, she favors a .45 caliber! Enjoy!

This past week a few of our staff (pictured above: Rob Phillips, Polly House, Kelly Shrout, Micah Carter) had the opportunity to participate in the annual Baptist Communicators Association workshop. This BCA meeting was paired with the 2010 RC Congress.

This BCA meeting was my first to attend, and I enjoyed getting to know other members with whom I was familiar but had never met face to face. I was also encouraged by the breakout sessions of the workshop, specifically the Q&A interaction with Dr. Ronnie Floyd discussing the interim report of the SBC's Great Commission Resurgence Task Force (audio here).

Not only was this my first time to attend the BCA annual meeting, it was also my first trip to Chicago. How can you not love this city, especially at night (see photo below)?

All said, this trip was a great introduction to the BCA and to Chicago. I would be remiss, however, if I didn't mention that our staff won 12 awards in the Wilmer C. Fields Awards Competition! Great job, team! These awards and winners are listed below:

Audio-Visual Division

• Audio - podcast, distributed less than two times per month ~ 1st Place: Brooklyn Lowery and Rob Phillips, "Inside LifeWay"
• Converged media - other converged media ~ 2nd Place: Polly House and Kent Harville, "LifeWay Russia Mission Trip"

Photography Division

• Newspaper / Newsletter - single ~ 1st Place: Kent Harville, "I'll Be the Man" and 2nd Place: Kent Harville, "Thank You, Father"
• Newspaper / Newsletter - series ~ 1st Place: Kent Harville, "To Russia with Love" and 2nd Place: Kent Harville, "Be the Man"
• Magazine - single ~ 1st Place: Kent Harville, "A Heart for Russia"

News Writing Division

• Single Article - Magazine ~ 1st Place: Rob Phillips, "Your Church Needs a Crisis Communications Plan" and 2nd Place: Polly House and Rob Phillips, "Arrange It Yourself (SongMap)"

Feature Writing Division

• 1st Place: Rob Phillips, "The Kingdom According to Jesus: A Study of Jesus' Parables on the Kingdom of Heaven"
• 2nd Place: Polly House, "If the Shoe Fits, Make it a Bible Study"

Design Division

• Promotion and Advertising - Specialty Items, Giveaway ~ 1st Place: Katie Shull and Kelly Shrout, "Hub Dude"

Posted by Micah Carter

A recent tweet from Byron Hill, director of LifeWay conference centers and camps, summed up a lot of what I'm feeling right now: "@ByronHill: Still can't believe all the Nashville landmarks under water. Not to mention all the homes. It's like a movie, but it's not. It's real."
 
I went to Jefferson City (TN) this past weekend to visit friends and spend time doing different activities with them, including hiking and watching a theatrical production. Unbeknownst to me, Nashville was flooding.
 
My youngest brother was scheduled to have his high school baccalaureate Sunday afternoon, but in the middle of my journey home early Sunday morning, I learned it was cancelled because the high school was flooded. I had a difficult time believing how dire the situation was at home. East Tennessee received no rain, and the entire drive home was clear until I reached Lebanon (TN).  
 
I couldn't believe my eyes as I scanned the watery horizons of my hometown. Homes, schools, farms, churches and businesses were under water. I then reached home to find my house  unaffected (thankfully!) and my family glued to the television as news stations reported on the historic flood of May 2010.  
 
This incredible occurrence has displaced thousands and will eventually cost billions, I'm sure. The Grand Ole Opry, LP Field (Titan's stadium), The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and the Gaylord Opry Land Hotel are just a few of the great Nashville landmarks affected.
 
LifeWay's corporate photographer, Kent Harville, and I took the opportunity to video/photograph the flooding of downtown Nashville (Kent's slideshow of his still photos will be posted later this week). Below is the 3 minute video I compiled from the footage.  

 
Please be in prayer for the waters to recede, and for God to lead us in the days ahead. LifeWay has many employees that have been affected in this disaster, including three in our own department. There are accounts of many individuals with destroyed homes who are without flood insurance. No doubt, the recovery effort will last for years to come.
 
Yes indeed, Bryon perfectly summed up the feeling that we all have: "It's like a movie, but it's not. It's real."
 
By Jennifer Tramel