Google Reader Shared

I use Google Reader to track a bunch of blogs from people all over the world. Sometimes I come across posts that I think you’d be interested in hearing about and I wanted to share those with you!

You can see a full list of everything I’ve shared from Google Reader at this link – www.google.com/reader/shared/chrisvacher

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• Sidney Crosby golden roar reader art contest, Gallery No. 1
  March 4th, 2010

  

  If nothing else, our Sidney Crosby(notes) Golden Roar reader art contest has confirmed one of our long-held suspicions: That every classic image in sports history would be improved by the presence of Norwegian curling pants.

  Earlier this week we announced the latest Puck Daddy reader art competition, in which Sid the Kid's iconic Olympic moment -- after scoring the game-winning overtime goal to win the gold medal over the U.S. -- would be properly celebrated by your sick, twisted minds. The results have been startlingly impressive: Of the hundred or so entries sent to the PD inbox, the levels of ingenuity and immaturity may have surpassed any other contest we've held. And the bar is rather high.

  For example: Reader "LW3H" and his discovery that "Crosby's apparently spontaneous celebration was revealed to be yet another cold, cynical marketing opportunity" by taking on the form of the Vancouver Winter Olympic logo.

  So continues the next great Puck Daddy reader art contest: The Sidney Crosby Golden Roar gallery. Our friend Bangin Panger offers a "clean slate" version of the roar, but there are plenty of other photos out there.

  The prizes for this one are being finalized, and we imagine that three winners will be able to choose which ones they'd like to receive for their efforts. We can tell you that one of the prizes will, in fact, be a VIKINGSTAD! shirt from Pucking Hilarious, which is always a good thing to have in your wardrobe. You know, in case of an unscheduled pillaging.

  Deadline for submissions will be next Wednesday, March 10, at noon EST. Email your entries to puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com.

  And now, the first gallery of entries in our Sidney Crosby Golden Roar reader art contest. Grab the guns and hide the children ...

  And here ... we ... go.

  

  We received many, many images of the Pittsburgh Penguins captain in his classic post-goal pose in which the artist simply had -- and please excuse the crass nature of the following description, as it's never our intention to offend mannered sensibilities with uncouth verbiage -- things falling out of his butt.

  This effort by Kelly R. was one of the most creative (and publishable!) in that genre. This celebration was going perfectly until Veruca Salt attempted to steal Sidney Crosby, before being jettisoned down the "bad egg" chute with her father.

  

  Puck Buddy Mike S. presents one of the best in the first batch, as Sidney defends the elderly from attacks by 70-pound Dominican pitchers.

  

  There were many readers who found Crosby's guttural roar reminiscent of a legendary warrior. Bangin' Panger captured that in one of the first submissions, in which Crosby fights side by side with Maximus Decimus Meridius for Rome's honor.

  

  Meanwhile, Travis H. presents him in Frank Frazetta's "Moon Men," which makes us hope that the full pulp graphic novel "Sidney Crosby of Mars" could be on its way to Borders.

  

  Often times, we receive complaints that Crosby takes hits on this blog while Alex Ovechkin(notes) is coddled. Puck Buddy and art contest veteran Walter Sobchak attempts to quiet those complaints with this inspired submission. Because, in the end, we all just wanted to see the Russians lose. OK, maybe Dmitry didn't...

   

  Then again, we'll freely admit that a good Sidney Crosby diving joke will always make us giggle, no matter how outdated or immaterial the reference might be in 2010. Thanks to Adam S. for the image.

  

  Croszilla terrorizes cities around the world, via Matt from NY. Over/under on the amount of time before we receive the accompanying Evgeni Malkin(notes)/Mothra mash-up?

  

  Some of you felt that Crosby's roar contorted his face into something rather equine in nature, and Photoshopped it accordingly as readers Paul M. and "false" did.

  Just goes to show how far hockey still has to go: A-Rod gets depicted as a minotaur, while Crosby is a braying jackass. Sad, really.

  

  The Muppets make us laugh. So did this lookalike entry from Frank S.

  

  Wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong. And yet still such a MONSTER entry. Thanks to Puck Buddy Mohit.

  

  One of our favorite aspects of the Puck Daddy reader art contests to see how you folks reference previous contests. So we've been inundated with callbacks to Gloating Bruins Fan, which is fine. But not as fine as Crosby as Bob Ross, creating the Bettman "Go For It, Jews" classic through the glory of Microsoft Paint. (Thanks to Jason J.)

  (Ed. Note: The Bettman art contest was held in July 2008, and we're honored to say the blog has grown a bit since then. "Go For It, Jews" was one of the most popular submissions we've ever had in a contest; read up on it if you're unaware of it.)

  

  Total suckers from old-school video game references. Like Sid-Man from John B., in which Crosby appears fixed on the ghost wearing Flyers colors ...

  

  ... and the obligatory Mortal Kombat callback from Matt K., even if it means the death of our beloved Scorpion ...

  

  ... and, perhaps best of all: Sidney Crosby in Rampage, via Josh E., in which Sid and Eric Godard(notes) destroy a city block and eat people.

  

  In which Crosby completes the hat trick: Stanley Cup, gold medal and winner of the Ohio glee club sectionals for William McKinley High School in Lima. (Thanks to Jules.)

  And finally ...

  

  Puck Daddy art contest veteran Kyle L. with what many consider to be the clubhouse leader entering the second gallery of the competition. Ingenious, well executed ... and yet demerits for no cigars or booze. So the contest is still wide open, like Sidney after dropping a golden egg.

• Canadians Also Win Gold For Synchronized Peeing [Youreinbusiness]
  March 8th, 2010

  The City of Edmonton charted water consumption during the hockey gold medal game and found that the whole damn town apparently saved its "business" for the intermissions. [Pat's Papers]

  

  
• “And” Instead of “Or”
  March 8th, 2010
  
  
  

  Why does it have to be attractional or missional? I’ve seen lives impacted by both approaches. Why can’t it be attractional and missional?

  Why does it have to be evangelism or discipleship? Christ-followers need to be engaged in both. Why can’t it be evangelism and discipleship?

  Why does it have to be teaching from the platform or teaching in the living room? I’ve been stretched by God’s Word in both settings. Why can’t it be teaching from the platform and the living room?

  Why does it have to be worship with an amazing production or simple, stripped-down worship? I’ve experienced powerful worship in both environments. Why can’t we do both?

  Why does it have to be corporate gatherings or one-on-one relationships? I need both to be encouraged and stretched in my faith and my leadership. Why can’t we embrace both ways of connecting with others.

  One of the things that most frustrates me about church blogs is the “or” approach to writing. I don’t get it. Honestly, it’s probably one of the reasons why in most cases I’d prefer to read marketplace blogs. In marketplace writing, if someone thinks they have the “right way” of doing something, they just go do it. Then they write about how it worked or didn’t work. In church writing, if someone thinks they have the “right way” of doing something, they write about how the other church is wrong.

  What if we took the “and” approach? What if we were open to the possibility that more people might be reached if we stopped doing either/or and started embracing both/and? What if God really designed some churches to be one way for one community or culture and other churches to be another way for another community or culture? My guess, as an example, is it’s going to take a completely different type of church to reach the inner-city than it’s going to take to reach the neighborhoods of Paulding County, Georgia.

  We spend a lot of time and energy fighting for the “or.” Wonder what would happen if we just embraced the “and” needed to reach our communities?

  The problem, of course, is that we like to worship our methods. Our preferences are the priority. In fact, we shape religion around our preferences even if it means sacrificing the broader impact of our ministry. Why help other people when it might make us uncomfortable?

  I just wanted you to know I’m more of an “and”-type of guy. I know that frustrates you. It would be a lot easier to dislike me if I didn’t agree with you. The problem is that in many circumstances, I think you’re right. The only difference is that I don’t think you’re always right.

  And neither am I.

  ---

  • 

  Related Posts:

  • My Next Stops
  • It’s about the life change, stupid!
  • Is Dull Worship the Goal?
  • #2 in 09: The New Traditional Church
  • #5 in 09: What if Target Operated Like a Church?

  

  
• Hacky-sack, Mountain Dew & Next Steps
  March 8th, 2010

  Stories carry vision. They remind us of the "why" behind the "what," the "Who" behind the "why." They celebrate God moments. We love to hear them and share them.
  

  So I wasn't surprised a few weeks ago when Carl, one of our volunteer guest services leaders, shared this story with me. I wasn't surprised because it's what we do and it's who Carl is. But, I was amazed! Here's Carl's story:

  Four young men (middle/high school) begin playing "hacky-sack" in the atrium. Because guests were distracted as they tried to take in the service via monitors in the cafe, the guest relations team ask them to go outside.

  
  Some time later I was called to the guest relations kiosk where I was met by a concerned member who wondered if perhaps the boys should be asked to leave. This is where things could have gone "south". I said" Let them play. They aren't hurting anything". We watched as the boys had a great time playing outside the south entrance. After they had enough and were freezing from falling in the snow, they came back into the building. As they re-entered the building, they were laughing loudly, pushing each other and just being boys. Rather than assume they'd continue to distract others, I felt there was a God-opportunity.
  
  Seeing that they just had a great "workout", I approached them and offered to buy a Mountain Dew, because we all know how much teenagers love that stuff. We walked to cafe' 2 and I bought them 4 cans of soda and 2 bags of M&Ms. We walked together down the hall, and I offered them a seat on a bench just outside the auditorium. I talked with them for awhile and learned that the one of the boys mom had "forced them to come" (their words not mine). I told them they were welcome to sit in the hall way for the last 15 minutes of the service. They thanked me and I shook their hands. I told them," I was glad I had the opportunity to meet them and that they were fine young men." (They may have thought that was "goofy".)

   

  After the service was over, I was standing in the atrium as they were leaving. One of them said "see you next time!" That made my weekend!!! What could have been a "forced church hating experience" turned into a wave and a "Next Time". The fact that he even said anything at all was amazing and based on their original thinking about the church, I wasn't expecting the "Next time" comment. All this to say, " What is the next right step for each one"? I don't know, but if we love them, then they're willing to take steps with us. God is good.
  
  

  I finish with this.  
  
  

  One ...hacky-sack....$0.99  
  
  

  Four cans of soda & two bags of M&M.....$3.50  

   

  Loving four young men into the Kingdom......PRICELESS

  Are you hearing stories? Sharing stories? God's story runs through them. Look for them. Find them. Share them. And celebrate God in your people!

  

  
• A New World. A New Church.
  March 8th, 2010

  

  
  
  

  We’re living in a world… and a new world demands a new Church.

  It doesn’t take much to notice that the world we’re living in has changed dramatically over the past few years. 9/11, our nation’s economy, advances in technology, the emergence of social networks, the globalization of the world and the heightened awareness of human need around the world has come to a crucial tipping point… things need to change.

  The old systems and old means that the Church has depended on for years is showing its fractures and an entire generation is now growing tired of a church that is focused more on itself and less on the needs in its community and around the world.

  The next generation of church leaders is moved by key issues of human need: poverty, HIV/AIDS, human trafficking, injustice, diversity, race, etc. They are also concerned about fundamental issues facing the church: consumerism, relativism, postmodernity, and the proclimation of the Gospel.

  While the message and truth of the Gospel is unchanging, the means and methods in which we communicate and demonstrate it need to change. Oftentimes, though, the conversation surrounding the change that needs to happen can be tricky to navigate.

  Well, I’m stoked to say that there’s an awesome conversation about all of these issues that’s going to be taking place in 12 key cities around the US in one-day events called the Conversation Gatherings. The Conversation Gatherings are sponsored by Lausanne, which is hosting The Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in South Africa this October.

  The Conversation Gatherings will bring together some of the church’s best thinkers and leaders for a conversation about the future. The Conversations will feature a diverse group of panelists, from those who have faithfully led in the past and those who are innovating new ideas and applications.

  Park is hosting the Chicago Conversation Gathering on Wednesday, March 17 starting at 6:30 PM. Guests include:

  • Andy Crouch – editor of Christianity Today International and Culture Making
  • Skye Jethani - managing editor of Leadership Journal and author of The Divine Commodity
  • Peter Furler – musician and former lead singer of the Newsboys
  • Bethany Hoang – Director of the International Justice Mission Institute
  • Peter Cha – associate professor of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
  • Os Guiness – author
  • and will be moderated by Jackson Crum, Park’s Lead Pastor

  As someone who is involved in thinking through how the church is communicating and innovating to reach emerging generations, I couldn’t be more excited about this conversation and am excited to be a part.

  Two key people in the Conversation Gatherings are Andy Crouch and Skye Jethani.

  Andy Crouch’s book Culture Making was one of  my top 5 reads of last year. In it, he challenges the way we, as the Church approach culture… he says, “It is not enough to condemn culture. Nor is it sufficient merely to critique culture or to copy culture. Most of the time, we just consume culture. But the only way to change culture is to create culture.”

  Another of the top 5 was Skye Jethani’s The Divine Commodity. I first heard Skye share at Story and then picked up the book. Woah…that’s all I have to say. It’s an important message, especially to those of us who are out trying to live and create in a world [and church] that is motivated by consumerism. It exposes how consumerism has distorted different elements of our faith and challenges us to have our imaginations captivated by Christ.

  If you can make it to Chicago for the Conversation Gathering, get here… if you can’t check out www.12cities12conversations.com to learn about other gatherings or follow them @12Conversations.

  In the meantime, I’m going to give away two sets of Culture Making and The Divine Commodity.

  Here’s How to Win:

  • Tweet This: I just entered to win free books from @12Conversations! Comment here and RT to enter:  http://bit.ly/bSwKIV
  • Comment Below: With your Twitter handle [so I can verify you did step 1] and the issue you think the church needs to talk about the most.
  • Check back at 5 PM CST Wednesday: I’ll randomly choose four people to win!

  

  
• Leadership Summits
  March 8th, 2010
  
  
  

  Four times a year, we gather all of our volunteers on a Sunday night for what we simply call a “Leadership Summit.” These meetings have really become a highlight of our calendar year…it’s awesome to see volunteers from every ministry area come together.

  At each summit, we give away one or two “Leafy” awards…really cool looking, custom-made, Grammy-style awards to a volunteer that has just gone over and above. Everybody celebrates that.

  

  We usually do some worship, and the band plays some of our favorite songs. Since it’s the Oak Leaf family in the room, everyone belts it out pretty good.

  Then there is usually a teaching/vision component. I will share the vision for the upcoming year at one, we’ll bring in a guest speaker to encourage and challenge everyone at one, we will divide up into breakout sessions at one, and we’ll really have an extended time of worship at one.

  Each leadership summit has a little different feel, yet it’s a consistent way to encourage our people and share important information.

  
• Beer and Bible
  March 8th, 2010

  Click here to view the embedded video.

  These guys are planting a church in a town in Utah where it is 80% Mormon and there is not one Protestant church. Talk about unchurched!

  Before I tell you what I think, what do you think about two guys starting a Beer and Bible study to launch a church?

  

  
• Our Inheritance Depends on Jesus
  March 6th, 2010

  Heirs of God: Click | View Series

  

  Romans 8:17—"And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

  Paul sets before us a golden ladder, and from every step he climbs to something yet higher: from sonship he rises to heirship, and from heirship to joint-heirship with the Lord Jesus.

  OUR HEIRSHIP DEPENDS ON JESUS

  "And fellow heirs with Christ."

  1. This is the test of our heirship. We are not heirs except with Christ, through Christ, and in Christ.
  2. This sweetens it all. Fellowship with Jesus is our best portion.
  3. This shows the greatness of the inheritance. Worthy of Jesus. Such an inheritance as the Father gives to the well-beloved.
  4. This ensures it to us, for Jesus will not lose it. His title deed and ours are one and indivisible.
  5. This reveals and endears his love. That he should become a partner with us in all things is love unbounded.
  • His taking us into union with himself secures our inheritance.
  • His prayer for us attains it.
  • His going into heaven before us prepares it.
  • His coming again will bring us the full enjoyment of it.
  6. This joint heirship binds us faster to Jesus, since we are nothing, and have nothing apart from him.

  Let us joyfully accept the present suffering with Christ, for it is part of the heritage.

  Let us believe in the glorification which is sure to follow in due time, and let us anticipate it with immediate rejoicing.

  

  Adapted from Charles Spurgeon's sermon notes.

  

  Missional Ecclesiology

  Re:Train professor Gregg Allison explains the missional church in his blog series on Missional Ecclesiology.

  <!--break-->

• How to Plan for The Awkward Silence (and Not Have Them)
  March 6th, 2010

  Does this sound familiar?

  A staff member or volunteer just gave some announcements, and now it’s time for offering. A few moments pass. Increasingly uncomfortable.

  Ok, it just got awkward. Someone forgot their cue, timing is off, no one is coming to the mic, there’s obvious concern, but no one knows who’s supposed to call and/or pray for the tithes and offering.

  In fact, the only thing that’s pulled everyone’s attention away from the awkward situation is the guy towards the back who is doing “the nervous cough.” Murmuring starts and finally someone, anyone steps up and does the job.

  Silence

  We’ve all experienced it.  Some of us are guilty of causing it … the awkward silence.

  It kills the flow of service, and breaks the atmosphere you are trying to provide.  There’s a reason they call it “The Awkward Silence,”because it makes everyone feel awkward.  I know – rocket science.  I’m not trying to be harsh here, I just see this as a very avoidable issue that most churches don’t pay much attention to.

  While you can’t ban this beast from your service completely, you can cage it with a little planning ahead.

  A Tool

  I’ve attended some great churches in my short lifetime, and during some of those visits I’ve experienced an awkward transition or two.  Since I’ve started at Cornerstone, one thing that I’ve really appreciated about my Pastor is his organization.

  Not only does he give us his notes several days in advance, but he always pushes us to continually work on our organization too.   About a year and half ago, we started using Planning Center Online to enhance the order of our service.  We’re able to make an outline of our entire service with each section broken down individually.

  Everyone knows what (and how many) songs are being sung. Everyone knows who will open with an encouraging word, and everyone knows who will transition to the meet and greet.  It really allows us to break it down piece by piece, and we all can do our part in concert.

  So how do you decide who is doing what? When do you need to transition? How do you keep that ugly beast from showing his face?  Get out your whip, Indy, let’s tame this thing.

  A Strategy: How

  There’s a few different ways to transition effectively.

  We’ve used videos, songs, skits, and even short instrumental solos.  Many times, as our meet and greet time or offering time, we’ll turn the lights down when we see things are winding down and use a video to move into the next section of the service.

  Let’s be honest, time is an issue.  When you schedule your service wisely, you’ll be surprised how many extra things you can fit in with great transitions. For instance, if our meet and greet time is before our announcements, we may show a short testimony video.

  Showing the video right there will do two things; 1) It allows on of our members to communicate/hear a great story of how God has provided, rescued, or comforted them during a created time slot.  And 2) It allows the viewer to mentally move from one thing to another.

  If you want to get real crazy, you could show a promo for an event that you also have a follow-up announcement for.  You’ve then seamlessly transitioned from the meet and greet into the announcements, and they didn’t even know what hit ‘em.  One last thing; anything is better than nothing!

  A Strategy: When

  Anytime you move from one set of items to another (i.e. announcements to offering, offering to sermon, etc.). This may seem silly to expand on, but many churches don’t think about transitions at all, so I want to hit all my bases.

  

  Be creative and decide how you’re going to transition.  It can be as simple as a certain person walking up to the stage or up to the pulpit at the right time, as to not allow the awkward silence to dominate.  Just so it’s talked about ahead of time.

  A Strategy: Who

  Well that’s really up to you.  Every week is going to be different.  The simplicity of this question and answer is crazy, but I didn’t include it because of its cosmic wisdom. I included it because it needs to be thought-out.

  On thing to think about: If your service is geared towards young adults, choose young adults to make the transitions or announcements.  If you’re service is geared towards youth, get some of your core youth members to do them.  It’s important for the people to visually understand who this service is for.  That’s part of you telling your story internally, it’s part of you showing your brand.

  Remember, if no one realizes you just transitioned or they weren’t bothered by it, then you’ve been successful.  When you can nail these easy steps down, you can work on crafting an atmosphere for maximum experience.  It doesn’t matter if you have a great worship set, hilarious announcements, and an organ-cranking sermon, if your transitions are messy, your atmosphere will suffer.

  Can I just take a minute and balance something? A well thought-out order of service with great transitions is great, but you should always make room for God to move.  If God is doing something in the midst of your congregation, you need to let Him.  We plan for structure, and then we accommodate the God accordingly.

  Remember, whatever you do … do it with excellence!

  [Image from Brian, Dylan]

  ---

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• Rapportive Replaces Gmail Ads with Contact Info, Is Very Cool [Downloads]
  March 5th, 2010
  been trying this out today, it's pretty neat

  Firefox/Chrome: Sure it's nice and all that we get Gmail for free, but those ads to the right of open messages aren't really all that helpful. Free browser add-on Rapportive replaces Gmail ads with contact info about the sender.

  Beyond installing it, there's nothing to using Rapportive. You have to give it access to a minimum of information to get started (looks like your name and email address, via your Google account). Then whenever you open an email, it cross-references the email of the sender with various social networking sites, then fills the ad space with whatever information it finds.

  As ReadWriteWeb points out, some users may be wary to trust a third-party add-on with their inbox, but your Gmail credentials don't end up with Rapportive, and they don't have any access to your password. My take: If you can get over the tin-foil hat concerns, it's an extremely cool extension worth trying out.

  Rapportive [via ReadWriteWeb]

  
  
  

  

  
• EP UPDATE
  March 4th, 2010
  I received the first mix today of three for my upcoming EP. Whoo Hoo!
  I am really excited for everyone to finally hear these tracks! Mastering should be finished next week and then a couple weeks to get them up on itunes and pressed.
  The pressed CD's will come with digital chord charts and I am working on some video tutorials for each of the songs that I will post on here later. Dale Speaking will be doing the radio promo following its release and I'm already seeing God open doors to get these songs in the church.
  
  Here are the tracks:
  1. Song of The Angels
  2. Greater
  3. Worship Rises
  
  If you're an artist, you know the hope/stress relationship that goes with any release of your songs so if you could, I would love your prayers!

  
• If You Don’t Protect Your Kids in the Digital World–Who Will?
  March 5th, 2010

  Our kids are growing up in a different world. Here are a few things we do (or have done) to keep our kids safe…

  • Internet filtering – Curiosity killed the cat and can do great harm to kids as well. We have used different products to filter and monitor our kids internet activities. Monitoring tells us where they are going. Filtering keeps bad stuff away that could hurt them. Currently we are using Family Safety which is a free add-on product that we have loaded on every computer they access. Not only can we restrict sites based on our values–we can also monitor what sites are capturing their attention. And we can change (ease) these restrictions as they get older.
  • Computer game time — on a school day, they get 30  minutes of electronic game time (whether computer, Wii, Xbox, iPod, whatever). On non-school days, they get an hour. This limit forces them (mostly the boys) to find other things to do. They all love reading, and I think that is partially because we haven’t allowed their time to be monopolized by staring at a screen.
  • Cell Phone privileges - we didn’t get cell phones for our teens until they were in 9th grade. Why then? Because that is when it became inconvenient to us that they didn’t have one. It was never really a safety issue–in middle school there was always a friend nearby who had a phone they could borrow.
  • Cell Phone Limits – this is about helping them stay in the present and not always being pulled away into other conversations. Our cell phones have unlimited text messaging, but we actually pay an additional fee (called “Smart Limits” by AT&T) to limit the number of text messages and the time of day it works for phone calls (other than to us, of course).
  • iPod Touch restrictions – our 7th grade son saved his money for a long time until he was able to buy an iPod Touch. The first thing I did was took it, enabled the “restrictions” feature, locked it out from Safari (internet surfing) and YouTube, set a password, and gave it back to him. I don’t need my adolescent son walking around with a pocket full of temptation.
  • Email monitoring - when they first got email privileges, I restricted their incoming messages to an approved list to protect them from child predators. After awhile, I lifted that restriction but continued to monitor all their incoming and outgoing email. As the teens are getting older and more responsible, I’ve gone from 1) Monitor everything, to 2) Monitor occasionally, to 3) “You know I can monitor it if I want,” to 4) I trust you.
  • Facebook monitoring – similar to email, we monitored all of their Facebook activity when they first began using it (around 8th grade). Then it was “as needed.”
  • TV time — the biggest blessing to parents has been the invention of the DVR (or TIVO). Our kids don’t channel surf. There is no reason. We just keep the DVR stacked with shows that won’t hurt their hearts (which, of course, changes as they age). They get a limited time to watch, and when they do they can skip commercials (which saves time AND limits the consumer mentality from taking over). Parents: Think of a DVR as a parenting tool, not a tech gadget.

  I haven’t even talked about the content of movies or shows, but the bottom line: You are the parent. If you don’t protect them from the digital world, who will? At the same time, if you don’t prepare them to live in a digital world without your oversight, who will? I am constantly doing the countdown: I know I have 17 months left to prepare Heather to totally stand on her own in the world. So we are constantly reevaluating our limits and lifting them as she is ready. It’s fun to go to the kids and say, “You’ve been doing great, making good choices. I’m going to ease the restriction in this area because I think you can handle it now.”

  Parenting isn’t an exact science, so what would you add or change?

  

  
• A Mountain of Duffel Bags!
  March 4th, 2010

  

  Have you seen my office lately? I’ve got duffle bags piled up almost to the ceiling! “Why?” you might ask.

  Was there a sale at the army navy surplus store?

  Left over supplies from my Y2K bunker?

  Tomorrow at noon 30 folks from GCC will hand-carry 1500lbs of supplies into Tamil Nadu, India.  What’s in these bags?

  * 798 pairs of Crocs. Every single person in Kalavai will be sporting a new pair of Crocs. This will have a dramatic impact on reducing injuries and sickness caused by cuts, scrapes, parasites and pathogens.

  * 54 backpacks crammed with school supplies. This past Christmas the kids in All Stars collected school supply for the children of Kalavai.  For the kids in Kalavai, this will be their first ever backpack as they are the FIRST GENERATION of kids in the village to go to school.

  * Clothing. The people of GCC have been collecting “gently used” clothing items. Many of the families we are serving in India literally have one pair of clothes. 

  * Team Gear. We’ll have six teams functioning simultaneously over the next couples weeks.

  Creative Arts: Our artists will be leading a cultural exchange with local artists, performing multiple concerts, and raising the profile of the local church

  Mirco-Enterprise & Recon: The team will assess and help enhance the small business already started (goat-herding, tailor shop, etc).  In addition, ground work for two new business will be laid, Grocery Shop and Brick Production

  Conversational English: The team will be working with the both the children of Kalavai and at a local school in the area. English is a key component to academic and vocational success in India.

  Construction: The team will span a community latrine, 2 homes, 14 bath areas, and the next phase of the Kalavai Colony Community Center.

  Health and Hygiene: The team will be providing basic training in community health, as well as family life training focused on strengthening parenting and marriages.

  Be praying for the team. I’ve listed their names below.

  In addition, follow the action blow by blow at the team blog.

  Creative Arts Team

  Shelley Arrendondo   Team Leader

  Dan Vukmirovich      Team Leader

  Jason Aquila

  Stephanie Lancione

  Tim Burkey

  Dale Shafer

  Brian Warrell

  David Glass

  Construction Team

  Greg Schermier       Team Leader

  Jeff Inman

  David Leist

  Nancy Leist

  Conversational English

  Jessica Stemm         Team Leader

  Amanda Harris

  Jeanna Miller

  Nancy Tucker

  Kelly VonGunten

  Health & Wellness

  Jim & Barb Blechl     Team Leaders

  Judy Reynolds

  Rachele Whitlow

  Joel Wolfgang

  Kevin Yoder

  Mirco-Enterprise & Recon

  Nate Stemm           Team Leader

  Sarah Way              Team Leader

  Denise Walsh

  Erin Schwabauer

  Media

  Ben Sanders

  Dustin Maust

  Captain America: Jack Magruder

  
• 3rd Grade Trip
  March 3rd, 2010

  
  Last week, my son Ethan got to go on his “3rd Grade Trip.” This is a tradition started by my father who took me on a business trip with him to Washington DC when I was in 3rd grade. It was so memorable for me I wanted to do it with my kids.

  Emma and I went to Daytona Beach, Jesse and I went to Orlando, and last week Ethan and I went to Atlanta.

  When we got back, Jesse asked me, “which 3rd grade trip was the best?” I answered with the cliche dad answer, “I liked them all for different reasons.” And I wasn’t lying. Each of my kids has such a different personality that I enjoyed each trip differently.

  Emma is my only girl (which makes her a spoiled princess). On her trip, we walked on the beach holding hands. We swam in the ocean, read the Bible and talked about Jesus.

  Jesse is a jock and got a chance to play football with a Bowling Green offensive linesman on his trip. We raced go-carts, read the Bible and talked about Jesus.

  Ethan is a servant type who loves to do stuff for others. We shopped for the family, rode the 4d ride at the World of Coca-Cola (buying souvenirs for other people), read the Bible and talked about Jesus.

  With each of the kids, we did stuff unique for them, but we spent some time doing one common thing.

  Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

• Conversations that Challenge the Status Quo
  March 3rd, 2010

  Sometimes I look at team members I get to serve beside here at GCC and think, “I’m glad I got in 17 years ago when the bar was so much lower.”

  Kem Meyer and Mark Waltz are two of those teammates who continue to astound me with their insight and innovation. 

  You’ve got an opportunity to spend the day with them.  Grab your team. Get ready for the kind of conversations that challenge the status quo and engage the future.

  

  One-day workshops: Friday, March 19

  Register your team now at WiredChurches.com.

  First Impressions Workshop

  Presenter: Mark Waltz, Granger’s Pastor of Connections

  Learn how to make great first impressions that last. Discover ways to:

  • Keep things like announcements, communion and the offering from distracting your guests or making them feel like outsiders.
  • Determine the “rules” your church has, even if you don’t know them yet.
  • Experience hands-on training that will empower your volunteers.

  Less Clutter. Less Noise. Workshop

  Presenter: Kem Meyer, Granger’s Communications Director

  This workshop is for pastors, creative professionals, ministry leaders or volunteers who want to find out:

  • New ways to encourage collaboration among ministry areas and minimize competitiveness.
  • How to find out what guests need and want—and then craft communications to meet those felt needs.
  • How to organize information effectively through bulletins, brochures, Web sites and other avenues that keep the end-user’s time, tastes and habits in mind.

  Registration here.

  
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