http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm Charlie Wear's church & culture blog en-us Thu, 29 Jul 2010 11:58:53 -0700 Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:08:00 -0700 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss charleswear@gmail.com charleswear@gmail.com http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/2/5/Shifting-blog-sites Friends and Readers...I am changing my web address to charleswear.com. Please update your bookmarks accordingly.Blessings,Charlie Wear My Life Mon, 05 Feb 2007 15:08:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/2/5/Shifting-blog-sites http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/22/Never-Give-Up-Says-Trump-Good-Advice-for-Church-Leaders So last night Michelle resigned from The Apprentice. I wish she had been a little more blunt with "The Donald." I would have liked it if she had said: "Hey, I am not going to sleep outside in a tent for any job." Of course, anyone with an ounce of sense knew that she was going to be fired. She probably messed up their production. The payoff scene in every episode is in the "Boardroom." In reaction to Michelle's move Trump began a nearly Churchillian speech about the virtues of never giving up. He cautioned Michelle that she would be a "quitter," a "loser," and that it would mar her psyche. In my opinion, Trump was dead wrong. Sometimes we need to give up. Don't get me wrong. If God has given us a clear assignment and we are following a divine prescription, then I think we should persevere until the end! But so much of what is done in church life does not meet that standard. And clearly there are many times when we just don't know when to quit. If something is not working, is making us miserable, and the entire church miserable, then perhaps it is wisdom to fold up our tents and try something else. Michelle had made a good assessment. She knew she wasn't project manager material. She flopped in her first project. She didn't want to live in a tent. It wasn't what she signed up for. She pulled the plug. I think she showed wisdom. What do you think? Leadership Mon, 22 Jan 2007 05:14:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/22/Never-Give-Up-Says-Trump-Good-Advice-for-Church-Leaders http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/19/More-Leadership-Lessons-from-Donald-Trump-and-The-Apprentice I know, I know, we don’t want to emulate the CEO model in church. But Donald Trump and The Apprentice are there for all of us to see. Just bear with me here. On the Apprentice Trump is working with volunteers. They are ready, willing and able to participate in the projects, contests and challenges that face them. How much of church life would be simplified if we only worked with the willing and stopped trying to cajole the unwilling into action? I’ve heard that the volunteer armed forces works much better than the non-volunteer army under the draft. Trump is not directing the how, only the what. The teams have permission to perform their tasks in any way they see fit. How much of our church-related activities would be simplified if we spent most of our time giving permission and then letting the task leaders organize and carry out their tasks? Leadership Fri, 19 Jan 2007 04:49:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/19/More-Leadership-Lessons-from-Donald-Trump-and-The-Apprentice http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/19/Bob-Hyatt-makes-the-NY-Times All I can say is wow! Bob Hyatt is central to a New York Times article! Thanks to Stephen Shields for noticing. The topic was the use of widgets in blogging. :) Emerging Church Fri, 19 Jan 2007 04:49:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/19/Bob-Hyatt-makes-the-NY-Times http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/15/What-Church-Leadership-Can-Learn-from-Donald-Trump Okay, before you immediately stop reading, there might be something that church leaders can learn from Donald Trump and the Apprentice. Years ago, when I was the executive pastor (unpaid) of a church that was going through a transition period, I had the difficult job of evaluating the paid staff and honing their job description. I interviewed the children’s ministry leader and asked her what her vision was for children’s ministry. She had no answer. Donald Trump is looking for answers. In the boardroom scene at the end of the Apprentice, Trump evaluates the leadership of the team and the members who lost that week’s challenge. He asks direct questions. He evaluates. He turns to on-site observers and team members for assessments. How often does anything close to that happen in the church? Donald Trump takes decisive action. So much of what happens in the church takes a long time. Sometimes it takes months to make a personnel change, unless the person in question has been caught in public immorality of some kind. So little of personnel change is based on any sort of benchmark evaluation. With Donald Trump, someone is going to get fired, it’s just that simple. Leadership Mon, 15 Jan 2007 06:15:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/15/What-Church-Leadership-Can-Learn-from-Donald-Trump http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/11/Who-are-the-new-influencers I am wondering, speculating really, about when the new "young" leaders will step into the forefront of what God is doing. Yes, I know, the day of the baby boomers is not over. In fact, there are some who think there will be another "spiritual awakening" among baby boomers as they get closer to facing their own mortality.No, I am talking about the "next generation" of leaders, who are now starting to push the ripe old age of 40 pretty good. Those who are coming after Brian McLaren, Erwin McManus, or for that matter Rick Warren. Joel Osteen is a young leader, but he doesn't represent what I am thinking of.I think I would like to hear more from people like Jordon Cooper, Bob Hyatt, or Kevin Rains. Emerging Church Thu, 11 Jan 2007 05:18:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2007/1/11/Who-are-the-new-influencers http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/12/28/The-apostolic-life Do you ever wonder what daily life was like for the apostle Paul. If you read between the lines, it doesn't sound like it was much of a picnic. Apparently there is something about living through trials that strengthens. Just read about Jordon Cooper's life in 2006 to get an idea of what I am talking about. Jordon, you are my hero. May God continue to bless you in 2007. Emerging Church Thu, 28 Dec 2006 04:22:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/12/28/The-apostolic-life http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/12/24/10-myths-and-truths-about-atheism It is an interesting time of year for the above entitled article, but leave it to the Los Angeles Times. It seems as though this apologetic for atheism holds it out as just another form of belief, or religion, if you will.One interesting note, it seems that atheism would keep a presidential candidate from being elected, at least, as things now stand. Current Events Sun, 24 Dec 2006 14:49:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/12/24/10-myths-and-truths-about-atheism http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/12/4/Best-of-Emerging-Church-2006 Bill Dahl at Porpoise Diving Life pipes in with his Best of the Emerging Church in 2006 awards. I am honored to be included on the list. Bill recently finished his book, The Porpoise-Diving Life, Reality for the Rest of Us. Can't wait to read it. Emerging Church Mon, 04 Dec 2006 04:16:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/12/4/Best-of-Emerging-Church-2006 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/10/Expectations-in-the-Missional-Church I found this by way of Jordon Cooper's Church of the Exiles site. It is from David Fitch's Reclaiming The Mission blog:TEN THINGS ANYONE WHO JOINS IN A TWENTY FIRST CENTRUY MISSIONAL CHURCH PLANT SHOULD NOT EXPECT1.) Should not expect to regularly come to church for just one hour, get what you need for your own personal growth and development, and your kid’s needs, and then leave til next Sunday. Expect mission to change your life. Expect however a richer life than you could have ever imagined.2.) Should not expect that Jesus will fit in with every consumerist capitalist assumption, lifestyle, schedule or accoutrement you may have adopted before coming here. Expect to be freed from a lot of crap you will find out you never needed.3.) Should not expect to be anonymous, unknown or be able to disappear in this church Body. Expect to be known and loved, supported in a glorious journey.4.) Should not expect production style excellence all the time on Sunday worship gatherings. Expect organic, simple and authentic beauty.5. Should not expect a raucous "light out" youth program that entertains the teenagers, puts on a show that gets the kids "pumped up," all without parental involvement. Instead as the years go by, with our children as part of our life, worship and mission (and when the light shows dim and the cool youth pastor with the spiked hair burns out) expect our youth to have an authentic relationship with God thru Christ that carries them through a lifetime of journey with God.6.) Should not expect to always "feel good,"or ecstatic on Sunday mornings. Expect that there will ALSO be times of confession, lament, self-examination and just plain silence.7.) Should not expect a lot of sermons that promise you God will prosper you with "the life you've always wanted" if you’ll just believe Him and step out on faith and give some more money for a bigger sanctuary. Expect sustenance for the journey.8.) Should not expect rapid growth whereby we grow this church from 10 to a thousand in three years. Expect slower organic inefficient growth that engages people’s lives where they are at and sees troubled people who would have nothing to do with the gospel marvelously saved.9.) Should not expect all the meetings to happen in a church building. Expect a lot of the gatherings will be in homes, or sites of mission.10.) Should not expect arguments over style of music, color of carpet, or even doctrinal outlier issues like dispensationalism. Expect mission to drive the conversation.O AND BY THE WAY … Should not expect that community comes to you …. I am sorry but true community in Christ will take some "effort"and a reshuffling of priorities for both you and your kids. Yes I know you want people to come to you and reach out to you and you’re hurting and busy. But assuming you are a follower of Christ (this message is not for strangers to the gospel) you must learn that the answer to all those things is to enter into the practices of "being the Body" in Christ, including sitting, eating, sharing and praying together.If anyone out there is interested in this kind of place … join us or another missional church gathering somewhere. Emerging Church Missional Church Alternative Church Fri, 10 Nov 2006 05:49:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/10/Expectations-in-the-Missional-Church http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/6/A-Brothers-Sins This post by one of the folks who visited Next-Wave from the "slicers" is just too good not to mention. What a great, biblical approach to what we should do in the face of serious sin in our leaders. Nice work, Rick. From the post: "First. We should never discuss a man's sins publicly. We who confront doctrinal departures must be careful not to mesh a brother's sins in the same boat. Just in the last several months the secular world was astounded by the forgiveness shown by the Amish community in the face of the murder of some of their very children, and now we go on "lost TV" and discuss the sin's of a brother in Christ as if the world has a say. The world has no part of us, this brother should be dealt with by the elder body and by the Lord himself, not Larry King (et. al.)." Current Events Mon, 06 Nov 2006 05:11:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/6/A-Brothers-Sins http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/3/Drop-your-rocks-and-think-a-little Several years ago I sat in a pastor’s meeting as the regional overseer made the announcement. A prominent pastor had resigned his position in one of the leading churches in our association. “He resigned because of sin in his life: pornography, misuse of alcohol and prescription drugs. There have been allegations of improper use of church funds.” [It later turned out that nearly every one of these allegations was untrue, and blown out of proportion] The announcement went on as I thought about the public confession of this man’s sins. “What if other people knew about the secret sins in my life,” I thought. "If my personal struggles became public knowledge would I be judged any more fit than the brother who was the subject of the meeting?" In the harsh light of my own self-examination, I found myself wanting. I thought: “If they knew me, really knew me, they wouldn’t let me pastor.” Questions and answers and comments flew around the room. I sensed an undertone of anger and judgment. I felt a personal sense of shame as I heard the leader say: “Now, if any of you are struggling with these kinds of issues, tell us so we can help you.” “Yeah,” I thought, “Help you out of the ministry!” Now it seems clear that Ted Haggard was struggling with serious "temptation." Unfortunately, it is also clear that he had no one who could share his private struggle and help him carry his burden. Now an opportunist who is attempting to make a political point has accused him. Another sad chapter that points out the reality that even the most visible, and strongest of leaders may have feet of clay. But here's my question. While others may gloat, who among us is without sin? Who among us is righteous enough to cast the first stone of condemnation? Whatever our politics may be, whatever our theological inclinations, I pray that mercy would triumph over judgment and that devastation in this situation might be minimized. Current Events Fri, 03 Nov 2006 14:55:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/3/Drop-your-rocks-and-think-a-little http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/2/Nov06-issue-of-NextWave-is-online The Nov06 issue is online and the cover story by Dan Kimball deals with the barriers that get in the way of "being" the church every day of the week. Editor Bob Hyatt has put together another fine collection of articles and in his editorial he encourages pastors, leaders and others to contribute to the conversation by submitting articles to Next-Wave. Next-Wave Thu, 02 Nov 2006 04:44:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/11/2/Nov06-issue-of-NextWave-is-online http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/10/30/Connecting-to-Viewers-Online From the USA Today: "This fall, episodes of many series, including the biggest hits and newest shows, are available online for free as networks try to hold on to audiences while finding new business in new technologies. "We need to think of ourselves not just as a broadcast network, but a network or platform where ABC connects its viewers to its shows across any technology. It could be through online, cellphone, portable media player or television," says Albert Cheng, who oversees digital media for Disney-ABC Television Group." There is something here we need to listen to, I think? Alternative Church Culture Mon, 30 Oct 2006 07:21:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/10/30/Connecting-to-Viewers-Online http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/10/29/The-emerging-church Live music, later hours and chill settings are guiding a “missing generation” back to church. This article from the St. Petersburg Times says that the emerging church is a "cool" tweak to tradition. Really? Emerging Church Sun, 29 Oct 2006 04:47:00 -0700 http://blog.the-next-wave-ezine.info/index.cfm/2006/10/29/The-emerging-church