How American Evangelicals Are Taking the 'Christ' Out Of Christianity

American Christians have an unfortunate blind spot when it comes to politics. While they worry about how to put “Christ” back into Christmas, many of them are slowly but surely taking the “Christ” out of Christianity.

By Keith Giles

For example, for the last few weeks Christian leaders like Jerry Falwell, Jr., Franklin Graham, James Dobson, and others have vocally supported the Republican candidate for the US Senate in Alabama, Roy Moore, and last night 80% of White Evangelical Christians voted to place him in office. They failed. But that failure doesn’t change the fact that today there are still millions of Christians in Alabama who actually believe that Moore stands for “Christian Values”.By “Christian Values,” they mean “Conservative Republican Values,” not the values of Jesus as expressed in the Gospels or in the Sermon on the Mount. To hear Roy Moore’s version of “Christian Values” simply look at what he has said throughout this campaign and over the last decade of his career as a politician and a judge. Very little of what he says is informed by anything taught by Jesus.Moore has said he wants to eliminate every Amendment to the Constitution after the Tenth. This means he’s in favor of taking away voting rights for Black Americans and Women. He’s also said that America was “Great” when white families owned slaves.None of this was objectionable to 80% of the White Christian voters in Alabama. And I haven’t even mentioned the 9 women who have accused Moore of sexual misconduct and trying to date several of them when they were underage. This apparently didn’t bother those Alabama Christians either. They were willing to overlook all of these infractions because there were more important things at stake. Like maintaining a Republican majority in the Senate, for example.This is not Christianity. This, pure and simple, is Nationalism.Specifically, this is Christian Nationalism and it’s slowly rotting the American Evangelical Church from the inside out.This unholy entanglement of faith and politics has effectively manipulated a religious group that identifies with Jesus and twisted them into a voting block that is primarily driven more by political interests than the Sermon on the Mount.As comedian Doug Stanhope has said, “Nationalism teaches you to hate people you’ve never met and to take pride in accomplishments you have no part in.”For White Evangelical Christians, those “people (they’ve) never met” include Muslims, Immigrants and people in the LGBTQ community. Moore has gone out of his way to condemn all three of these people groups in his campaign for Senate. He said that a person of the Muslim faith shouldn’t be allowed to hold office, accused immigrants of taking our jobs, and argued that homosexuality should be illegal.Again, none of these things are synonymous with anything Jesus ever said. To the contrary, Jesus famously taught his followers to love their neighbors – even if they were from another race or religious group (as famously portrayed in the Parable of the Good Samaritan) – and said nothing at all about homosexuality in any of the Gospels.But for an overwhelming majority of white Christians in Alabama, this is irrelevant. Moore’s platform resonates emphatically with their Conservative Republican values and that is close enough.However, it’s not just an Alabama problem. Many Christians in America are oblivious to the way their political entanglement and tribalism have led them away from the teachings of Jesus and into the heart of darkness.It started a long time ago. As Princeton historian Kevin Kruse details in his book, “One Nation Under God: How Corporate America Invented Christian America,” our country’s religious prostitution began in the 1950’s. That was when, as Kruse explains, business leaders plotted to link Christianity, Republican politics, and libertarian economics tightly together.Why? Simply to create a feeling of solidarity between Christians and Corporations who might both see “Big Government” as a common enemy.This is where our national motto, “In God We Trust” (1956), and a new line in the Pledge of Allegiance was added: “One nation under God” (1954) came from.Their goal was simple: To entangle Christianity with Republican politics in order to benefit big business.The entanglement agenda reached a fever pitch when Christians in the Moral Majority registered thousands of voters to put Ronald Reagan into office on his promise to take a stand for Christian values. They rallied to vote Reagan into the oval office twice. But in the end they got nothing in return; no abortion repeal and no legislation on school prayer.In spite of the fact that they supposedly had the ear of the American President (who many believed was a dedicated Christian), and a six-year Republican majority in the Senate, Christians were left holding the bag. The Republican party got what they wanted, but the Evangelical Christians in America got nothing.As former Moral Majority leader Ed Dobson said about this in his book “Blinded By Might”:“What did Reagan do for us in eight years of office? He gave us credibility, and he ultimately did nothing in terms of our long-term agendas.” Simply put: Entanglement works.Today, many Christian leaders and pastors vocally support candidates that a few years ago would have been rebuked by the Church for their shameful behaviors. But today these shameful politicians are unapologetically embraced so that the Republican party can gain power and maintain dominance in the House or the Senate.The entanglement of the Christian faith with politics is now pervasive. It has saturated the Evangelical Christian identity.Thankfully, many Christians are waking up to the dangers of entanglement, including conservative political columnist Dana Hall McCain who recently said:“Here’s where we are: the GOP has come to understand that Evangelicals are trained seals. We show up and clap for any clown you can slap a Republican jersey on. It doesn’t even have to be a godly or wise person. Our votes are a sure thing, and we’ll turn out and vote for problematic or corrupt GOP candidates far more consistently than non-religious conservatives. So come to terms with the fact that the church isn’t influencing diddly squat, not even in our favorite party. To the contrary, the church is the one being influenced — and our credibility before a lost and dying world destroyed — because we have believed the great lie about political engagement.We have all the power in the world, but we lack the faith to exercise it. They own us, because we don’t trust God enough to call the bluff.”She’s right: Christians already have “all the power in the world” and it’s called “The Gospel.” Unfortunately, American Christians have slowly abandoned all faith in that power to transform hearts and minds from the inside-out and they have traded it for legislative power to govern from the top-down.The entanglement of Christianity and Conservative Politics is now fully realized. Many Christians in America cannot separate their faith from their politics. They are more American than Christian. They cannot imagine following Jesus apart from political action or influence via their political party.Those on the outside of the Christian faith cannot see the difference between their faith and their politics either. This is probably one of the more damaging aspects of this entanglement. Christianity, to a non-Christian, looks more like a political party, not a way of loving our neighbors or following the teachings of Jesus.Because American Christianity has become so completely entangled with Conservative Republican politics, the faith has become impotent and irrelevant for a growing number of people. Thousands of people are leaving the faith because they are sick of this political entanglement. The Evangelical Church in America is on the decline. They are slowly becoming older as younger members opt out of the movement and they are inevitably headed the way of the dinosaur as older members die out.Even if the younger generations wanted to follow Jesus what they find when they enter most American Christian churches smell a lot more like politics than the aroma of Christ. Until Evangelicals abandon their lust for political power, they cannot fully embrace their faith. Or, as one wise man once put it: “You cannot serve two masters. You will hate one and love the other.”The simple truth is this: Roy Moore may have lost the Senate race in Alabama, but Evangelical Christianity has lost far more than this by supporting such an un-Christ-like candidate.To the Church in America I say, repent of your Nationalism and crucify your politics. It’s time to pledge allegiance to the Lamb while you still can.Keith Giles is the author of the Amazon best-seller, “Jesus Untangled: Crucifying Our Politics To Pledge Allegiance To The Lamb.” He blogs at wwww.KeithGiles.com

7 Key Principles For Getting Things Done

As a pastor, you need to be able to put together projects efficiently and effectively. Whether you are starting a new church, planning a new ministry, opening a new building, or just preparing for next weekend’s services, you need to mobilize people around a common task. That’s leadership in a nutshell.When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the city’s wall, he had a monster project on his hands. How he tackled that project provides us with seven key principles for getting things done.

1. The Principle of Simplification

Nehemiah kept his plan simple. He didn’t randomly assign jobs, he didn’t create a whole new organization, and he didn’t force any complex charts.He organized around groups already associating together, such as the priests, the men of Jericho, and the sons of Hassenaah. The point is: Don’t create an organization if you don’t need it. If an organization already naturally exists, try to work through it and with it.Sometimes a new leader comes into a situation, and the first thing he does is start changing the whole organization. Think: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Strong organizations are often the simplest ones.

2. The Principle of Participation

It’s a pretty simple rule: Work with those who want to work. Amazingly, a lot of leaders never learn this principle. They spend all their time trying to corral the lazy and the apathetic, instead of working with those who want to work. I call that corralling goats.Nehemiah got almost everybody involved in the building of the wall. He had the clerics, the goldsmiths, the perfume makers—men and women, city and country folk. Everybody was moving bricks and making mortar.But there was one exception. “Next were the people from Tekoa, though their leaders refused to help” (Nehemiah 3:5 NLT). Nehemiah’s response was to ignore the shirkers.In every situation you’re going to have workers and shirkers. Nehemiah just ignored the latter and focused on those who were willing to work. He didn’t lose sleep, get bitter, or waste time trying to corral them. If you’re a leader, don’t worry about people who don’t want to get involved. Focus on those people who do want to get involved.

READ: 8 Reasons the Church is the Greatest Force on Earth

3. The Principle of Delegation

When you’re organizing, you should make specific assignments. Think about what would have happened if, once Nehemiah got everyone excited, he said, “Just go start working wherever you want to work.”Instead, Nehemiah divided the wall into sections when he did his midnight ride. He kept it simple, and then he delegated specific assignments.When you delegate:

• Break down major goals into smaller tasks. When we started Saddleback, I made everybody a committee of one. Each of us had assignments. One person managed the printing of the bulletins while another set up the nursery.
• Develop clear job descriptions. Your workers deserve to know what is expected.
• Match the right person with the right task. The wrong person in the wrong task creates chaos. It causes all kinds of motivational problems. Delegating is more than just passing off work. You need to understand what the task is all about and what the person is good at, and that will help you get the right person with the right task.
• Everybody’s responsibility is nobody’s responsibility. Every task needs a specific person assigned to it; otherwise, things will fall through the cracks because everyone will think someone else is doing certain tasks.

4. The Principle of Motivation

When you organize any project, help people “own” it. In Nehemiah, you see again and again men making repairs near their houses. If you lived in Jerusalem, where would you be most interested in building the wall? Probably by your house!Allowing for ownership in a project helps increase motivation. I think Nehemiah is also saying, “Make the work as convenient as possible.” Nehemiah allowed people to work in their area of interest. That’s a key principle of organization: Good organizations allow workers to develop their own areas.

5. The Principle of Cooperation

Cooperation is a key principle to good organization. When we cooperate together, when there is teamwork, there is great growth. Cooperation is a greater motivator than competition, and it lasts because you feel like you’re together on a winning team.Good organizations provide a supportive climate of trust and teamwork. In the Bible, when referring to Christians in the church, the phrase “one another” is used 58 times. It’s as if God is saying, “Get the message! Help each other!” We are together in this. We’re a team. There is tremendous power in cooperation.

6. The Principle of Administration

Even after you delegate, you must supervise the work. Nehemiah walked the line, inspecting the work. Tom Peters, in his book Passion for Excellence, calls it MBWA: Management By Walking Around.Nehemiah knew which part each man built because he went out, checking up on people. This also allowed him to find out what was going on. Good organizations establish clear lines of authority. People do what you inspect, not what you expect.

7. The Principle of Appreciation

Good leaders give recognition. For instance, Nehemiah knew the names of those working on the wall, and I think that’s a mark of a good leader. He even listed them in his book, so here we are thousands of years later, and pastors around the world are mispronouncing the names of Nehemiah’s helpers. He cared enough to recognize these men and women for their work.Do you know who’s doing a good job among your staff? How about among your small group leaders and volunteers?Find out who they are and start telling them they’re doing a good job.The above post was originally published at Pastors.com. 

The Reality of Urban Church Planting: Fear and Faith

There's something different about someone who acts on their deepest desire to impact lives, ultimately leaving them feeling both vulnerable and fulfilled in their own life.That is the heart of a church planting pastor.There is a certain level of uncertainty to planting something that is counter-cultural to the current state of society. As an urban church planter, there have been times of great joy and extreme lows. Church planting in any context is difficult because you are trying to introduce people to something that is greater than themselves. In the same breath, church planting is about being the mediator between hurt and hope. It is the ability to be in the midst of the vicissitudes of people’s lives, yet offer the solution to their problems. But at the core of this organization or organism, known as society, is the church planting pastors.Urban church planting pastors, who are looking out for the proverbial Gotham City known as their communities, live to transform the lives of the people in their cities. In addition to that, there is something that is very telling about being a church planting pastor in the urban environment. As urban church pastors, there is this idea of being used by God that is beautiful in theory but then there is the reality of actually being in the community doing life with folks.

READ: Urban Church Planter - First, What Does the City Need?

There is a certain level of fear that is part of planting a church for urban pastors. It is not what you might think either. It is not that urban pastors are fearful for their lives or scared to walk down the street in the community where their church lives. But it is fear of failure, the fear of not being able to fulfill the great commission of making disciples.There is fear in the unknown. Will people show up to bible study? Will someone show up for Sunday service?It is the fear of not having the budget to get outreach done or evening having enough to pay the monthly rent for facilities.In the midst of societal race issues, there is the fear of stepping into the center of that tension to be the voice of reason, yet not lose your identity or your “cultural hood card” in the process.There is fear of inadequacies, lack of resources, not having a large congregation, or not having the right words for the wrong situation. The fear of being urban church planting pastors can be enough to have the toughest person walk away, willing to simply go back into the fray of just being a participating member of the local church.Despite these and a lot of other fears, there is hope. The hope in faith is the essence of what drives urban pastors who are planting a church in their community.Faith is the safe place for urban church pastors. Fear is an ever presence, but faith is always there, calming the heart of urban pastors. Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane due to the stress of his call, his assignment to save the world. His prayer was for God’s will to be done. It was in this moment that Jesus knew that his demise was at hand. This was a prayer that reflected faith in the will of God.Urban pastors are constantly on the pendulum of operating within the divided, between fear and faith. The ability to balance between fear and faith is always a presence in the mind of the urban church planting pastor. It is that balance that keeps the urban pastor in the face of God, with the knowledge of knowing that things are truly working for the good of those that remain faithful. It is faith that enables urban pastors to not give up during those lean times of planting the church.It is faith that lets urban pastors know that it is not about the number of people in a church service but the number of blessings. It is faith that lets the urban pastors know that they are transforming lives just by having coffee with the man or woman who is returning from prison. It is faith that lets the urban pastors smile knowing that what is not recorded in the offering plate, is being celebrated in heaven. It is faith that positions the urban pastors to stand whether there are two people or two hundred people. It is faith that urban pastors have to stand for the underpaid port worker, for the under-resourced community, the underrepresented youth, and the overly sexualized young girl.It is that same faith that doesn’t keep track of every hurt, knowing that it should be charged to the head and not to the person’s heart.Fear and faith are the bookends of this thing called ministry, which is where urban pastors learn to live.

Opioid Crisis: As Death Toll Rises the Church Offers Hope

The White House reported this week that the opioid crisis is worse than previously thought. New estimates from the White House Council of Economic Advisors show opioid-related fatalities have been underreported by 24 percent, raising the death toll to more than 40,000 in 2015 alone. By all accounts, the opioids crisis worsened in 2016, as synthetic opioids flooded the heroin market.

By ChurchLeaders.com (Staff)

It is not an overstatement to call this a crisis. In 2015 alone, drug overdoses killed more people than the entire Vietnam War. Drugs are now the leading cause of death among Americans under 50.  And opioid deaths outnumber car crashes and gun-related deaths.

SPIRITUAL CRISIS?

While the death toll has risen sharply these last few years, there is one aspect of the epidemic that hasn’t changed: Many believe this phenomenon is fueled by a spiritual crisis in America.Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, wrote in the Hill.com:

“There’s also a reason why this is all happening now. Long ago, people found purpose in their responsibilities. They lived for their spouses, to whom they sought to bring feelings of preciousness and love. They toiled for their children, whom they struggled not just to support, but to show constant affection, giving them a sense of self worth. People were also more spiritual, and in a treasured connection to God they found a sense of purpose that gave context to their existence. Often, they also fought for a cause, be it their communities, their countries, and their values. And it was in this fulfillment of a purpose that people got high. It was in causes that were larger than themselves that they found an escape from the ordinary and mundane.”

TRYING TO FILL A GOD-SHAPED HOLE

Opioids are just the latest substance Americans use to find happiness and joy apart from God. A 2015 study found 30 percent of Americans had an alcohol abuse disorder at some point in their lives.The crack epidemic of the mid-to-late 1980s hit a peak of two overdose deaths per 100,000.Then there are prescription medications for depression and anxiety. The United States leads the world in per capita consumption of these drugs, with roughly 11 percent of the population over the age of 12 using them.Damon Linker, writing for theweek.com, says opioids are the new trend, “What is clear is that the United States is filled with people pursuing various forms of relief from various forms of profound unhappiness, discontent, malaise, agitation, and emotional and/or physical pain.

A PLACE FOR MINISTRY

If the problem is indeed spiritual, churches are best equipped to help, and many are responding.Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church in Belmont, Massachusetts has hosted 12-step recovery programs in the building’s basement for several years. Pastor Mike Clark told WBUR one of the first things he noticed was the number of people coming to church, but not for the service upstairs on Sunday. “I realized that people’s lives were being saved every day in this building. And that it was happening in the basement, it was happening outside our angle of vision—and that’s fine, it was happening anonymously—but that it was an amazing story of human transformation.”

READ: The Harvey Weinsteins and Broken Male Culture Can No Longer Hide

While many might see two different churches at the Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, pastor Mike Clark says they are more alike than many will admit. “In my experience, there are as many active alcoholics and addicts upstairs in churches as there are recovering alcoholics and addicts downstairs. But the ability to be honest about it and seek help unfortunately is a challenge for most people.”One of the programs that many churches are using is “Celebrate Recovery.” Launched in 1991 by John Baker, a recovering alcoholic, now a Saddleback minister, Celebrate Recovery uses biblical principles to help people overcome their hurtful habits—from codependency to anger and addiction. It’s solution is to fill the void with Jesus, not a substance or behavior.

RESPONDING TO THE CHURCH-STATE DIVIDE

Faith-based solutions come with the typical church-state tensions and plenty of secular groups looking to exploit the schism. But that hasn’t stopped some governments from looking for spiritual answers. One is Tennessee.In Tennessee, more than 50 percent of adults attend weekly religious services according to a 2014 Pew Research Center study. About two years ago, the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services launched a faith-based recovery network to spread the word about addiction, recovery and available services. It also encourages congregations to start their own support programs.Monty Burks, the director of the department’s faith-based initiatives and special projects, told the tennessean.com, “Historically, institutions of faith have been at the forefront of every single major issue that we’ve had in our country. The key component in recovery is faith. So why not try to educate them and let them harness that number and that power and that belief and helping people in recovery.

A PROBLEM THE CHURCH CANNOT IGNORE

The opioid epidemic is a huge problem in America and getting worse. Being a place of hope for those suffering and dying from it is a tall order for the church. But it is also a plight the church cannot ignore if it hopes to show God’s love for mankind. As Augustine pointed out “What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.”If any one group of people should have reason to hope, it is the church. Coupled with our commission to introduce people to the source of that hope, we should have no qualms lending ourselves to fight in the battle against opioid addiction.The above article was originally published at churchleaders.com.

Tim Keller: Defining a Gospel Movement

It is common for Christian ministries, indeed for human organizations, to claim to be a movement. It has a very positive ring to contemporary ears.When Christians use the term, they often mean, “God is blessing our efforts.” But when Redeemer City to City (CTC) employs the phrase, we have something much more specific in mind, and it is important to us. We help leaders build gospel movements in their cities. That’s why we exist.I've been thinking about gospel movements most of my adult life. I became a Christian sometime around January 1970. I attended a small InterVarsity Christian Fellowship chapter on a college campus in central Pennsylvania. We were only about 10 or 15 people. America was then involved in the Vietnam War, and in May of 1970, U.S. forces invaded Cambodia. A student protest broke out on many campuses across the country, including mine. Students boycotted classes and, instead, set up an open mic on the central university quadrangle where anyone could speak about anything. In the midst of the anti-war sentiments, a few students from InterVarsity talked about Jesus Christ. One went to the mic and said he believed that Christ was the answer to our human problems. We put up a sign that said, “The resurrection of Christ is intellectually credible and existentially satisfying,” and we just sat under it, out where people could come by, read it and engage with us. Christians became a lot bolder about being public with their faith.When we came back to school in September, our little group of 10 was surprised to see over 100 students show up to our first meeting of the year. Over the next year, we saw dozens and dozens of people come to Christ. It was not a result of any planned campaign. It was not a result of a planned program of any kind.[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]You can steward a gospel movement, but you can’t really make one start. - Tim Keller[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]And it was an example of a lesson we must learn from both the Bible and church history. That is—you can steward a gospel movement, but you can’t really make one start.During the Fulton Street Revival in 1857, it is believed that up to 80,000 people came to faith in Christ and joined churches of New York City within a two-year period. Given the estimated population at the time, that was 10% of the population. In the early 18th century, the Great Awakenings in North America and the United Kingdom were even more extensive. From 1904-06, Wales and Korea each experienced a spiritual awakening—a gospel movement—of similar form. When Kathy and I first moved to NYC, for about a year and a half, scores of people came into the church and were converted. It was a time of unusual fruitfulness and spiritual power. CTC probably would not be here today if that had not happened.So, what is a gospel movement?There is both an individual and a corporate aspect to a gospel movement.

INDIVIDUAL ASPECT

On the one hand, a gospel movement is when the gospel itself is rediscovered, lifted up, understood and becomes a dynamic power in lives. What do I mean by “understood”? Well, usually people understand the gospel in vague terms of Jesus dying for us, so we should live for him. That’s a true but insufficient formulation because it equates Christianity with merely getting forgiven and trying hard to follow Jesus’ example.The gospel begins to have power in our lives when we grasp how radically different it is from both the moralism of religion and traditionalism and the relativism of modern culture.Take a look at these three statements:

Faith = Justification + Good WorksFaith + Good Works = JustificationFaith = Justification - Works

The top one is the gospel. The second is legalism or moralism. And the third is antinomianism or relativism. Almost always, people will naturally fall into the second or third categories. Moralism, which tells us we can save ourselves by living up to moral values, either crushes us with guilt (when we fail) or makes us smug, self-important bigots and Pharisees (if we think we are succeeding). Antinomianism forces us to create our own values and achieve our own self-worth by living up to our dreams and aspirations. Ironically, this can be just as crushing and alienating.However, the gospel is neither. It has a far more pessimistic view of our sin than moralism and a far higher assessment of our value in the eyes of God than antinomianism. It gives us a love from God that is uniquely solid, sustained and unconditional because it’s not based on the ups and downs of our performance. Yet, at the same time, it humbles us at the realization of our sin and of Jesus’ costly love for us in spite of it all. This unleashes a power within us unlike any other. It liberates us from the need to prove ourselves, from any guilt over the past, from an addicting over-dependence on things in the present, and it gives us infallible hope for the future. We no longer dread death, as both secular persons will (who think it’s the end of love) or the moralists will (who know judgment is coming and can’t be sure if their lives were good enough).

READ: Is Trend Towards Spirituality Over Religiosity a Good Thing?

So as the church preaches the gospel to individuals, three things happen. Nominal Christians (people who think of themselves as Christians but have not been spiritually born again) get converted. Sleepy Christians (people who are believers but their lives show little of the power and fruit of the Spirit) wake up. And non-Christians—lots of them—start getting attracted and converted, because Christians are more willing and able to engage them and show them the beauty of Christ.

CORPORATE ASPECT

Historically, churches that have seen many individuals’ lives changed by the gospel have a great balance of emphases. They stress:

• Solid teaching and preaching of the Word

• Anointed worship and extraordinary prayer

• Loving fellowship and thick community

• Outward-facing and bold evangelism

• Compassionate, vigorous social justice

Ordinarily, churches tend to major on only one of these things, and so do denominations. But when a gospel movement is happening, the churches develop this balance and, in addition, tend to work together across denominations, so that each kind of ministry is tapped and strengthened, and the body of Christ grows.The corporate and individual aspects of revival are symbiotically related to one another. The more churches work at this integrative ministry balance, the more individual gospel renewal happens, and vice versa.The greater the number of individuals changed, the greater the gospel movement. There is a great variety. Gospel movements can be in a single church or across a whole continent or continents. They can be very intense or rather mild; they can last months, years or one night. When an intimidated Billy Graham spoke to Cambridge University students in 1955, 400 students came to Christ in one night.So can we start gospel movements? Not really. They are too supernatural. But we can build or steward a gospel movement. A good metaphor is Elijah’s building of an altar in 1 Kings 18. We can build the altar, but God has to send the fire. And when the fire comes, we can throw wood on it, but we still don’t ignite it. Only God can ignite it.When Redeemer Presbyterian Church was only a couple of years old, people saw that it was growing, and they asked us, “What’s your model?” They thought it might be wearing suits, singing hymns, playing jazz in the evening services or quoting philosophers. That’s not a model. That was our contextualization of our ministry to the gifts and capacities of our people and community. For gospel movements, there is no single model. Gospel movements are built through the movement dynamics we have talked about—the application of the gospel to hearts, integrative ministry, extraordinary prayer. They both invite God to use us and build movements that he starts.CTC teaches these gospel movement dynamics. The gospel of Jesus Christ must transform our own lives—each leader’s life—and then it moves out through the city and transforms others. This is gospel renewal. Not a model. And it leads to a movement.CTC is not a franchise. We have no model to teach. We only have the gospel. But that’s the most powerful thing. We help national leaders build gospel movements. We are stewarding a movement in the great cities of the world.The above post originally appeared at redeemercitytocity.com.

Behind the Scenes: Synergy of a Script [Journal No 3]

There are times during the process of scriptwriting when an unparalleled melting pot of creativity happens. A special synergy of creativity within a huge writing team for the family, Christmas comedy movie, “The Farmer and The Belle,” produced just such times and a truly inspired script.

The Farmer and The BelleBehind the Scenes: Synergy of a Script [Journal Entry No. 3]

Ginger Beggs, EditorThere were more than a dozen voices that spoke life into the final script of this movie. There were two scripts already written, one by Leo Partible and one by Billy Falcon. The challenge came in not only combining the scripts and filling in or adding what was needed, but for the head writer to take in the many voices and merge it into one.Reuben Evans is the head writer for The Farmer and The Belle, and he took a very creative approach to the script. Reuben took not only the two existing scripts to merge into one, but invited over a dozen other people to give their ideas.Reuben is the ideal head writer for this film’s writing team. He is the Executive Producer of Faithlife TV and Faithlife Films. He's an experienced commercial director and documentary filmmaker. His resume includes projects like “Reunion,” “Archaeology + Jesus,” “Aliens & Demons,” and “Fragments of Truth.” Reuben continues to work in film including the role of Script Development Supervisor for this movie. He resides in Bellingham, Washington, with his wife SaraAnn and three children.One of the magical elements of being able to efficiently and freely share ideas within the creative team is Reuben’s software platform, “Faithlife.” Writers can access the software on their computer, phone or other device, and see what other writers were submitting as well as share comments and ideas of their own. This made for a real-time information stream for all the writers, and most crucially, for Reuben. Check out www.Faithlife.com for a social media platform that is Holy Spirit-breathed to connect, collaborate, pray and live life together.From producers Jim E. Chandler and Jenn Gotzon Chandler to co-writer James M. DeVince, to multiple backgrounds of writers, came the concepts and ideas that Reuben would bring together for the screenplay. The FaithLife platform contributed to the unexplainable spirit of excitement and camaraderie between everyone.As the script was reviewed and ideas shared, everyone communicated with the kind of togetherness normally only known from an in-person story table. It was the biblical “iron sharpening iron” that was so beautiful to experience.The organization of so many ideas from so many people into one cohesive script was not an easy task for Reuben, but by using his platform it was easier to see an idea along with a thread of comments and additions to that particular idea.

READ: The Making of a Family, Christmas Comedy Movie [Journal Entry No. 1]

The making of this film is special for many reasons. The amazing merging of ideas and talent truly helped build the foundation for the film’s message. Each character was given more depth, each scene was expanded in description and every word of dialogue was enriched to help bring the characters to life in a special way. Most of all, the Spirit led all those involved in becoming one for the purpose of setting the scene literally for this hilarious but meaningful family Christmas comedy movie.

READ: Behind the Scenes - Sculpting the Script For ‘The Farmer and The Belle’ [Journal Entry No. 2]

In the next journal we will further explore how the script was decorated to come to life on the big screen, but as a special treat, here’s a message from co-writer and architect behind The Farmer and The Belle script, Reuben Evans:

Christmas Comedy Movie Producers Share Film’s Progress in Exclusive Journal

In the coming weeks, we’ll share with you the in-depth filming and production of Jim and Jenn's real wedding as part of the film and much more. From equipment crew to how to cast the colorful characters that help bring the joy to this holiday film!The producers wish to give you an early Christmas gift!Go to www.tinyurl.com/ChristmasComedyMovie, and they will send you a promo code when the movie releases!Follow the family Christmas comedy movie “The Farmer and The Belle” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFarmerandTheBelle.ChristmasComedyMovie and get updates on the website at www.ChristmasComedyMovie.com.Be sure to share the ongoing journal posts and hashtag: #TheFarmerandTheBelle #ChristmasComedyMovie #RealLove.Content and editing by Ginger Beggs.

Joni Eareckson Tada Named WORLD's 2017 Daniel of the Year

An inspiring Christian leader and advocate for people with disabilities has been named the 2017 WORLD News Group Daniel of the Year.Joni Eareckson Tada is the founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community since 1979.

By A. Larry Ross Communications

Joni and Friends runs a multifaceted nonprofit covering a number of program outlets headquartered in Agoura Hills. The longest running program is Joni and Friends Radio, a five-minute radio program begun in 1982 that can be heard each weekday on more than 1,000 broadcast outlets. Tada also records a one-minute radio broadcast, Diamonds in the Dust, that airs daily. Joni and Friends Radio received the Radio Program of the Year award from National Religious Broadcasters in 2002, and Diamonds in the Dust won the same award in 2010 in the short-program category. Joni and Friends also produces a television program, hosts family retreats where individuals with disabilities and their families learn they are not alone, and distributes wheelchairs and Bibles for those in need around the world through its "Wheels for the World" outreach.Each November, WORLD's annual Daniel of the Year award is bestowed on a person or persons who exhibit courage in defense of God's authority by helping those who are being persecuted. Tada is the 20th recipient of the award. Other winners include John Ashcroft, Franklin Graham, Wanda Kohn, and Stephen C. Meyer."For twenty years, WORLD Magazine has been telling the stories of Christians who are overcoming great odds to make the world a better and stronger place," said Marvin Olasky, WORLD's editor-in-chief. "We have shared many great stories in that time, but the Daniel winners are always a little different and are doing some amazing, amazing things. Joni Eareckson Tada is one of them. She is an inspiration."

Click here read Jamie Dean's profile on Tada and her ministry.

A Baltimore native, Tada was injured in a diving accident in 1967, at age seventeen, that left her a quadriplegic in a wheelchair without the use of her hands. After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations.During her rehabilitation, Tada spent long months learning how to paint with a brush between her teeth. Her high-detail painting and prints are much sought after and collected by fine art enthusiasts. Her best-selling autobiography, Joni, and the feature film of the same name have been translated into several languages, introducing her to millions of people around the world. Tada has also visited more than forty-seven countries to share her story.In addition to her ministry efforts, Tada has served on the National Council on Disability and the Disability Advisory Committee to the US State Department; she has served as Senior Associate for Disability Concerns for the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization and serves in an advisory capacity to the American Leprosy Mission, the National Institute on Learning Disabilities, and Christian Blind Mission International, as well as on the Board of Reference for the Christian Medical and Dental Society. Tada currently serves on the Young Life Capernaum Board.After being the first woman honored by the National Association of Evangelicals as its Layperson of the Year in 1986, Tada was named Churchwoman of the Year in 1993 by the Religious Heritage Foundation."We as Christians have to promote a culture of life and help parents of special-needs children ascribe positive meaning to their child's pain," Tada said. "The church can show the world that a child or an adult with a severe disabling condition is not 'better off dead than disabled.' Each individual, no matter how medically fragile, is a stunning image-bearer of God; that, if anything, gives him immense worth, dignity, and life worth living."About WORLD News Group:WORLD News Group is a nonprofit organization that produces WORLD Magazine, WORLD Radio, and WORLD Digital, all dedicated to providing clarity in the news through wise insights into the stories that matter most. To learn more about WORLD and its award-winning Christian worldview journalism, visit wng.org.

Is Trend Towards Spirituality Over Religiosity a Good Thing?

A possible shift by Americans toward spirituality—"measured by self-reported experiences of being connected to something larger than oneself"—and away from religiosity—"measured by frequency of religious attendance and the personal importance of religion," as indicated in a recent study, produced mixed reactions from Christian leaders.The study finds 29% of Americans are both spiritual and religious; 18% are spiritual but not religious; 22% are not spiritual but religious; and 31% are neither spiritual nor religious."The survey finds less overlap between Americans who are spiritual but not religious and those who are religiously unaffiliated than is often assumed," said PRRI CEO Robert P. Jones, who leads the organization dedicated to research at the intersection of politics, religion and culture. "Notably, most Americans who are classified as spiritual but not religious still identify with a religious tradition, even if they are less likely to attend services or say religion is important in their lives."However, Min Lee, 32, a Los Angeles pastor who studies church trends, especially in the area of millennial participation, said the study, more importantly, reflects the need for people to understand that neither focus should stand alone."The shift of being ‘spiritual’ but not ‘religious’ is reflective of the secular worldview that is growing in the US," Lee told TogetherLA. "In one sense, it shows that Americans have not entirely rejected the supernatural, but are holding onto subjectivism, or ‘following their hearts’ to find meaning and spirituality.“Religion isn’t the answer, but neither is spirituality without absolutes. The Gospel is an absolute truth demonstrated by the love of God through the cross.”When asked about the “state of Christianity,” in light of the survey, Lee answered: “Being ‘spiritual but not religious’ shows that people are seeing the need for meaning in life, and that institutionalized religion by in and of itself cannot fulfill that.“As Christians, we are called to preach the Gospel that at its core says that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. It is a grace-based relationship and not a religious self-effort. However, being spiritual but not religious is also a form of self-salvation effort, based on individualistic, subjective morality.”READ - Reformation: New 95 Theses Calls Out Segregation in American ChurchThe national survey of 2,016 American adults, designed and conducted jointly by Florida State University and PRRI and funded by the John Templeton Foundation, provides an in-depth profile of Americans who are spiritual but not religious, a PRRI representative said. The survey was conducted between February 28 and March 29, 2017.Results as reported in the survey show:

Among religiously unaffiliated Americans, only about three in ten (29%) can be categorized as spiritual but not religious. Two-thirds (65%) of religiously unaffiliated Americans are neither spiritual nor religious, compared to five percent who are not spiritual but religious and one percent who are both spiritual and religious.Nonreligious Americans—including those who are spiritual but not religious—are significantly younger than religious Americans. A majority of Americans who are spiritual but not religious (56%) or who are neither spiritual nor religious (62%) are under the age of 50. Fewer Americans who are not spiritual but religious (50%) or who are both spiritual and religious (46%) are under the age of 50.There are significant educational differences as well. Forty percent of spiritual but not religious Americans have a four-year college degree, including 17% with post-graduate education, well above other groups. A similar number (39%) of Americans who are spiritual and religious have a four-year college degree. Three in ten Americans (30%) who are neither spiritual nor religious have a four-year college degree. Only 24% of Americans who are not spiritual but religious are college graduates, and 53% have no college education at all.Spiritual but not religious Americans are significantly more liberal (40%) than the general population (24%). Yet these Americans mostly avoid partisan labels, as 44% are politically independent. However, spiritual but not religious Americans are more than twice as likely to identify as Democrat than Republican (36% vs. 16%).

“The spiritual but not religious segment of the population in the United States may be growing, yet they are still largely participating in our churches,” Mark Tidsworth, a South Carolina-based church and leadership consultant, author and president of Pinnacle Leadership Associates, told Baptist News Global.“So those in our congregations who trend toward spirituality over religiosity largely do not flee for the exits,” he said.

READ: 4 Pastors Get Real About the City – Together LA Pop-Up Part 1

Should churches change strategies in reaching people for Jesus in light of a “spirituality” movement?“We are in dire need for another Gospel movement in this generation,” said Lee, who is part of a church plant in downtown L.A. “I’m confident that God is on the move today, through His people, to reach this generation with the unchanging message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Should we learn to contextualize? Absolutely. Do we need to compromise? Absolutely not.”He added the below Bible verse to his answer:“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” — Romans 1:16What are your thoughts on the subject? Is it more important for you to be spiritual or religious? Or, be honest, are you struggling with where to start in your faith journey? Leave your comments below.

Nat Geo's 'The Long Road Home' a Timely Wake-Up Call?

As our nation struggles with a rash of deadly violence on its own soil perhaps it’s more important than ever to learn from others whose lives have been brutally disrupted by the horrors of war.For the most part, Americans have been living in a comfort zone, not having to witness war-like atrocities from within as many nations have experienced not only recently but now. Yes, 9/11 did happen in the U.S. but many do not recognize that it was an act of war regardless that it occurred in an unconventional way.It is because of the fact that National Geographic’s miniseries “The Long Road Home” offers such a captivating glimpse into the complexities of how military personnel, families, and civilians in a war zone cope with war’s atrocities — especially in matters of seeking answers to life and death — that I recommend viewing the series that begins Tuesday (11/7) at 9 pm ET.Although this slot in the Hollywood Faith section of TogetherLA.net is usually meant for discussion of more overtly Christian-based subject matter I thought it appropriate to talk about the eight-part series."The Long Road Home" (Parts One and Two previewed) gives a mostly light touch on matters of faith and leans on the side of inclusiveness rather than trying to address the differences in religions or define personal relationships with Jesus. Perhaps that’s not necessary in this case.However, as the saying goes, “There are no atheists in fox holes,” and there is no one left unfazed by war in profound ways — including coming to the end of one’s life.ABC News’s Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz, who is the author of the book upon which the miniseries is based, shared recently prior to the Los Angeles premiere of the series, that she felt strongly compelled to give an account of “Black Sunday.” In her book, and in the series as well, she tells the story of “that horrific day through the eyes of the courageous American men and women who lived it.”“As soon as I heard their stories and as soon as I saw soldiers cry I knew this was a remarkable story,” Raddatz told. “When they said, ‘You think it is bad for us, you should go and talk to our families,’ that’s when (telling the story) became a big powerful, emotional part of my life.”The First Cavalry Division came under surprise attack in Sadr City on Sunday (Palm Sunday), April 4, 2004. As explained on the book’s back cover, “More than seven thousand miles away, their families awaited the news for 48 hellish hours — expecting the worst."In the miniseries, we see the patrol commanded by Lt. Shane Aguero (E.J. Bonilla) make its way through the streets of Sadr City, Iraq — a Shia neighborhood of Baghdad — when ambushed by Mahdi Army militiamen. In the ensuing battle (Black Sunday) U.S. forces under the command of Lt. Col. Gary Volesky (Michael Kelly) — including Capt. Troy Denomy (Jason Ritter) of Charlie Company — go in to rescue them. Meanwhile, back home at Fort Hood, Texas, their wives, Leann Volesky (Sarah Wayne Callies) and Gina Denomy (Kate Bosworth), hear rumors of an engagement in Sadr City.In the collaboration of making the miniseries several of the actors were paired on the set with the people who lived Black Sunday in Iraq and at home. In talking to the actors, it was clear that the project was a moving experience that included the full realization that another big part of military action is what takes place within the family at home.For those actors and others involved in the making of the “The Long Road Home” the experience became an awakening to the realities of war and U.S. military involvement in terms of family, relationships, and questions about eternal truth in the face of death — perhaps viewers will awaken to the same.

READ: The Making of a Family, Christmas Comedy Movie [Journal Entry No. 1]

Top 7 Answers For Racial Reconciliation From a Christian Perspective

Ninety-five Christian leaders from many parts of the U.S. answered the call to promote racial reconciliation and combat "systemic segregation in the American church" in a piece published by the Mosaix Global Network on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation on October 31.

“Love God. Love the Different. The same.” – Dave Gibbons, XEALOTS https://t.co/F5V0mW5RwP #racialreconciliation #reformation

— Together LA (@Together_LA) November 3, 2017

The "95 Theses" was written in the hope that the "collective words will a) help fan the flames of this legitimate Movement of the Holy Spirit in our lifetime, (b) spur important conversation, (c) inspire conviction, and (d) motivate literally thousands of pastors, church planters, ministry leaders, etc., to take action in their own local churches, in order to advance systemic change, over the next few years," wrote Mosaix Global Network co-founder Mark DeYmaz.

Reformation: New 95 Theses Calls Out Segregation in American Church

Below are seven quotes chosen by the editor of TogetherLA.net for their profound and simple call for the local church to work towards the change God is calling us to be a part of.

Top 7 Answers For Racial Reconciliation From a Christian Perspective

“Without sacrifice, diversity remains a nice, romantic ideal. In the spirit of reformation, we must move from efforts and ideals to sacrifice and service for diversity to become reality in the church.”

– Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús • Senior Pastor, New Life Covenant Church • Chicago, IL

 “The God who sanctifies the church is far more freakishly 'other' to us than are our neighbors. If we cannot abide in the discomfort of difference with them; if we cannot relinquish any measure of preference and control for the love of people that we can see, then how can we claim to desire an encounter with the Holy One whom we have not seen? The discomfort of diversity—the fear, selfishness, and pride we must surrender—is part of God’s sanctification curriculum.”

– Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Childs Drury • Professor and Pastor • The Wesleyan Church

“We can’t expect to diversify our churches if we don’t first diversify our dinner tables." - Matt McGue, One Church https://t.co/F5V0mW5RwP

— Together LA (@Together_LA) November 3, 2017

“The best way to learn to love one another across racial lines is to do life together and get to know one another’s back stories. This begins the process of identifying and eliminating our implicit biases. Multi-ethnic churches are a critical way to do racial reconciliation.”

– Kevin Haah • Founding Pastor, New City Church • Los Angeles, CA

 “Redeeming the soul of America from the sin of racism requires the church to face its own historic complicity in that sin. For the church, this is where change must begin.”

– Dr. John A. Kirk, Director of the Anderson Institute on Race and Ethnicity, University of Arkansas at Little Rock • Little Rock, AR

 "Love God. Love the Different. The same."

– Dave Gibbons, XEALOTS • Irvine, CA

 "We can’t expect to diversify our churches if we don’t first diversify our dinner tables. It’s beyond time we follow Jesus and become extremely intentional in pursuit of houses of worship that represent the diversity of the school house."

– Matt McGue • Founding and Lead Pastor, One Church • Jackson, MS

 "Christianity without regard for the 'other,' or community with the 'other,' is simply not Christianity. Our savior, Jesus, Himself, a brown-skinned, Middle Eastern man, has created a beautiful mosaic of cultures and colors that, together, represent the fullness of the image of God. Collectively, we are the joy of His heart. Jesus thus intends to bring all these cultures and colors together as one–one Lord, one faith, one baptism–to bring credibility to our witness and wholeness to our lives. The time to move in this direction is not tomorrow; and just waiting until heaven is certainly not an option. The time to come together is now.

– Scott Sauls • Senior Pastor, Christ Presbyterian Church • Nashville, TN

 Sharing...[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]Without sacrifice, diversity remains a nice, romantic ideal. - Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús[/ictt-tweet-blockquote] 

READ THE FULL 95 THESES AT MOSAIX GLOBAL NETWORK

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand. (Isaiah 64:8)

The Making of a Family, Christmas Comedy Movie [Journal No 1]

Oscar Wilde once said that, “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life.” There are the rare instances, however, that art does it’s fair share of imitating life. Before the concept and script for the family, Christmas comedy movie The Farmer and The Belle came into fruition, the stories of two people on separate journeys were unfolding. This journey has the makings of a true fairytale story, but eventually also a moving piece of art with a beautiful message for the big screen.

'The Farmer and The Belle'Behind the Scenes Journal No. 1From Fairytale to Film

Ginger Beggs, EditorMost of us have dreamed of a Hollywood film ending or a fairytale romance. For Jim E. Chandler and Jenn Gotzon Chandler, they definitely got the best of both worlds. Like book and movie fairytale stories, Jim and Jenn would also face obstacles and pain on their journey. The redeeming message of restoration, hope, love and laughter is what makes this so much more than fables. This is a “fairytale to film” story, but it truly began in film.

READ: Behind the Scenes - Sculpting the Script For ‘The Farmer and The Belle’ [Journal No 2]

In June of 2014, Jim E. Chandler and Jenn Gotzon Chandler met on the set of “Sinking Sand”, as fellow actors. They became friends, not knowing what God had in store for them. They both have very uplifting and comical personalities, which eventually would spark a love for a lifetime. Often, Hollywood couples come together during the making of a film. For Jim and Jenn, it wasn’t until after their film that a plan by God was revealed.Jim and Jenn filmed together as love interests in Sinking Sand (coming soon by Sony), The Colors of Emily (releases Nov 28), Saving Faith (coming soon by Lionsgate) and The Farmer and The Belle (Thanksgiving 2018). They’ve been involved in two television pilots and four more movies coming soon. One is the novel-based movie, “The Crickets Dance”. These experiences not only helped shaped them as actors, but it deepened the friendship and love that was blooming. Like the story of “The Farmer and The Belle”, they began to bring their diverse backgrounds together to broaden their worlds and open their eyes even more to the wonder of the mate God chose for them.Your typical fairytale requires a damsel in distress and a prince to rescue her. In this “fairytale-like” love story though, two people ran towards God and collided in the most exquisite manner. Jim and Jenn were living for God, and despite pain in the past, were open to what God would have in His plan. They sought out to have the eternal flame of love through God, that would last beyond the last page of the book or the last frame of film.Jim and Jenn, like so many of us, came from broken pasts. They pursued the healing that only Jesus could provide. They deepened their relationship with Christ, and renewed their minds daily with scripture. After they met, Jim’s pastor (who also married them), advised Jim to court Jenn like they did “in the good ‘ole days.” Jim focused on friendship and pointing Jenn’s heart to Jesus. Jim would write handwritten letters with encouraging words and scriptures. He would tell Jenn daily, “Jenn, you’re beautiful.” That helped Jenn obtain the much needed healing in her heart concerning her true identity. Jim told Jenn she was beautiful because she was made in God’s image. Jim continued pursuing Jenn’s heart in friendship and they became the best of friends, getting to know everything they could about each other. They began to talk about forever and lifelong commitment.

READ: Behind the Scenes - Synergy of a Script [Journal No 3]

So how did this love story become the backdrop of the family Christmas comedy movie, “The Farmer and The Belle”? It began approximately a year ago during a 40-day fast, after Jim proposed to Jenn. Mid-way through this fast, God dropped the vision of this story and the rest is “to-be” film history.Jim and Jenn worked on the story together in New York City at Jenn’s apartment and at a local coffee shop in the Upper West Side. In a backstory worthy of film, it would also be this location where the actual ending of the movie, “The Farmer and The Belle”, would be filmed. Whenever Jenn would visit Jim’s home in Georgia, his dad took her to feed the pigs. She soon realized she knew nothing about farm life and felt like a fish out of water. She would often think on and compare the situation, to the nursery rhyme “Farmer in the Dell.” From there, Josh Carpenter (farmer) and Belle Winters were formed as the main characters. Now you have the “farmer” and the “Belle” for this holiday romance and comedy.This is just the first of many journal articles for this exciting family comedy Christmas movie, “The Farmer and The Belle.” We will be letting the audience in on the behind-the-scenes action as the film goes from script to screen. We will not only reveal funny outtakes and special commentary from writers, but you’ll join our journey of other challenges like the locations that span from Georgia to New York! It’s so much more than a movie and we want you to step by step be there right along with us as a Together LA reader.

Christmas Comedy Movie Producers Share Film’s Progress in Exclusive Journal

In the coming weeks, we’ll share with you how writers were chosen, the in-depth filming and production of their real wedding as part of the film and much more. The teams from equipment crew to how to cast the colorful characters that help bring the joy to this holiday film!

The producers wish to give you an early Christmas gift!Go to www.tinyurl.com/ChristmasComedyMovie, and they will send you a promo code when the movie releases!

Follow the family Christmas comedy movie “The Farmer and The Belle” on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheFarmerandTheBelle.ChristmasComedyMovie and get updates on the website at www.ChristmasComedyMovie.com.

Be sure to share the ongoing journal posts and hashtag: #TheFarmerandTheBelle #ChristmasComedyMovie #RealLove.

Content and editing by Ginger Beggs.

Journal Entry #2 - Behind the Scenes: Sculpting the Script For ‘The Farmer and The Belle’

Reformation: New 95 Theses Calls Out Segregation in American Church

On the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, the Mosaix Global Network posted "95 Theses" calling out systemic segregation in the American church, said the organization's co-founder, Mark DeYmaz, on Tuesday.The 95 Theses were written by 95 faith leaders from the US and around the world, including Michael Emerson, Brenda Salter-McNeil, Mark DeYmaz, Dr. John M. Perkins, Jenny Yang, Choco De Jesus, Ed Stetzer, Miles McPherson, Michael Frost and many more!

READ: Top 7 Answers For Racial Reconciliation From a Christian Perspective

As co-founder and president of the Mosaix Global Network, it is my sincere hope that our collective words will a) help fan the flames of this legitimate Movement of the Holy Spirit in our lifetime, (b) spur important conversation, (c) inspire conviction, and (d) motivate literally 1,000s of pastors, church planters, ministry leaders, etc., to take action in their own local churches, in order to advance systemic change, over the next few years.

Preamble

October 31, 1517, is traditionally considered the day that German priest and scholar Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses for consideration at All Saints’ Church (more commonly, Castle Church), in Wittenberg, Germany. Legend suggests that he did so by nailing them to the church door, although this cannot be proven. In so doing, Luther aimed to bring about reformation in the church by addressing widespread abuses in his day. Furthermore, his emphasis on justification by faith was never intended to abandon consideration of faithful witness, but just the opposite.As Luther writes in The Freedom of a Christian, union with Christ by faith involves caring for our neighbors in love. To care for our neighbors, that is for those very different than us as defined by Christ (Luke 10:25-37), and thus to fulfill the whole Law beyond mere love for God (Matthew 22:40; Galatians 5:14), requires proximity (Ephesians 4:1-13f.).1 For Christians, fundamentally, this means walking, working, and worshipping God together as one in and through local churches beyond the distinctions of this world that so often and otherwise divide. In so doing we provide a credible witness of God's love for all people on earth as it is in heaven.This biblical expectation, i.e., this specific mystery ("of Christ," Ephesians 3:4; "my (Paul's) gospel," Romans 16:25, 26; "the word of God in its fullness, the mystery," Colossians 1:25-27), was first revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets (Ephesians 3:2-6) with the intent that "...through the (local) church, the manifold (Gr. polypoikilos -> "much-varigated: marked by a wide variety of colors, i.e., of cloth or a painting." Thayer's Greek Lexicon) wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms," (Ephesians 3:10). Therefore, as the Apostle Paul challenged the collective church at Ephesus (Ephesians 4:1-6ff.), and today as well, believers are to walk worthy of this calling: namely, to be one in the church for the sake of the Gospel.

Call to Reformation

Whereas Exists:

• Misunderstanding and misapplication of the homogeneous unit principle
• Self-centered human nature
• Personal preferences rooted in privilege
• The collective pain of marginalized people groups
• The enmeshment of politics, capitalism, and Christianity
• Stubborn pride, theological arrogance, and incomplete exegesis
• Spiritual forces of wickedness in heavenly places

The below statements are intended to challenge erroneous yet entrenched thinking, approach, and practice that…

• has led to the systemic segregation of churches by race, class, and culture
• perpetuate injustice in the church and society at large
• validate the preferential treatment of some over others
• undermine collective witness
• call into question the sincerity of words in the absence of works
• hinder efforts to advance a credible message of God's love for all people, the very Gospel, itself, in an increasingly diverse and cynical society
• cannot and should not be any longer perpetuated

We, the undersigned, submit the following for consideration and discussion. In so doing we boldly call for a new reformation, and challenge local churches in the 21st century to embrace 1st century understanding and praxis, whereby men and women of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds will be encouraged, equipped, and established to walk, work, and worship God together as one in systemically healthy multi-ethnic and economically diverse congregations…

• as envisioned by Jesus Christ on the night before He died (John 17:20-23)
• as described by the New Testament writer, Luke, in describing the local church at Antioch (Acts 11:19-26; 13:1), and
• as prescribed by the Apostle Paul throughout his life and writings (e.g., Ephesians and Romans)
• for the sake of the Gospel (Romans 1:16; 16:25)
• on earth as it is in heaven (Revelation 7:9)

Indeed, it is our sincere hope that existing pastors, church planters, and other ministers, lay and vocational, alike, as well as entire teams of church staff, denominational and network leaders, professors and seminarians, and more, will take time to read, reflect, and respond to these statements as the Holy Spirit leads, with intentionality, and join us in bringing reformative change to churches throughout the United States and around the world.In the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ,Amen

95 Theses Concerning Unity & Diversity in the Local Church

Editor's Note: Below are 10 of the 95 Theses selected to give an example of what Mosaix Global Network has set out to do. DeYmaz told TogetherLA.net that this movement to unify the church continues beyond this 95 Theses. "God commands us to remain in His love. What, then, is the specific command? To love each other not as the world loves us: divided, segregated and fearful. Rather, as He has loved us by laying down our lives for one another. I’m not sure how anyone can possibly lay down their life for another when we can’t even agree to come together for something as beautiful and natural as worship (let alone to pray and break bread). So-called love for one another that serves to reinforce an image of our preferences only becomes an idol of our own likeness." - Robyn Afrik • Afrik Advantage • Holland, MI[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]How anyone can possibly lay down their life for another when we can’t even agree to come together for worship. - R Afrik[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"If the local church is intended to provide an approximate picture of what a future together looks like in the kingdom of heaven, then our ethnic and economic divisions only, sadly, provide others – those outside the faith – with an inaccurate, incomplete, and unattractive picture of God and eternity. Unity without diversity is just uniformity."- Ray Chang • Pastor, Ambassadors Church • Brea, CA[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]Unity without diversity is just uniformity. - Ray Chang, Ambassadors Church, Brea, CA[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"If the words of Jesus are true – that every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand – then it is unthinkable for the local church to gather according to their cultural idols and preferences, dividing ourselves by our ethnicities or spiritual gifts. With the power of the Holy Spirit and the Good News we can and must be better than our cultural distinctions. We must be united in the thoughts, words, and deeds of Christ throughout all tribes, tongues, and ethnicities."- Benjamin Cloud • Pastor of AMADEO Church • Queen Creek, AZ[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]With the power of the Holy Spirit and the Good News we can and must be better than our cultural distinctions. - B Cloud[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"Racial diversity is not something to be tolerated in the church; it is something to be celebrated in the church. Why? Because the gospel of grace is a worldwide announcement celebrating ‘no more separation!’"- Ben Dailey • Lead Pastor, Calvary Church • Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]The gospel of grace is a worldwide announcement celebrating ‘no more separation!’ - B Dailey[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"Without sacrifice, diversity remains a nice, romantic ideal. In the spirit of reformation, we must move from efforts and ideals to sacrifice and service for diversity to become reality in the church."- Wilfredo “Choco” De Jesús • Senior Pastor, New Life Covenant Church • Chicago, IL[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]Without sacrifice, diversity remains a nice, romantic ideal. - Wilfredo "Choco" De Jesús[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"Systemic inequities and racialization within the American church have unintentionally undermined the very Gospel we love and for which we live. An increasingly diverse and cynical society is no longer finding credible the message of God’s love for all people as proclaimed from segregated pulpits and pews. Jesus both commands and expects believers – individually and collectively – to love God and our neighbors; biblically speaking, those very different than us. Indeed, the Apostle Paul’s entire life and ministry was devoted to advancing a gospel of Gentile inclusion in opposition to an otherwise all Jewish understanding of the Gospel, local church, and coming kingdom of God. For nearly twenty years, then, I have been asking myself and seeking to address one simple question: If the kingdom of heaven is not segregated, why on earth is the local church?"- Mark DeYmaz • Founding Pastor and Directional Leader, Mosaic Church; Co-founder and President, Mosaix Global Network • Little Rock, AR[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]If the kingdom of heaven is not segregated, why on earth is the local church? - Mark DeYmaz[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"The God who sanctifies the church is far more freakishly “other” to us than are our neighbors. If we cannot abide in the discomfort of difference with them; if we cannot relinquish any measure of preference and control for the love of people that we can see, then how can we claim to desire an encounter with the Holy One whom we have not seen? The discomfort of diversity—the fear, selfishness, and pride we must surrender—is part of God's sanctification curriculum."- Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Childs Drury • Professor and Pastor • The Wesleyan Church[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]The God who sanctifies the church is far more freakishly “other” to us than are our neighbors. - Elizabeth C Drury[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"The best way to learn to love one another across racial lines is to do life together and get to know one another's back stories. This begins the process of identifying and eliminating our implicit biases. Multi-ethnic churches are a critical way to do racial reconciliation."- Kevin Haah • Founding Pastor, New City Church • Los Angeles, CA[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]The best way to learn to love one another across racial lines is to do life together. - Kevin Haah[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"Redeeming the soul of America from the sin of racism requires the church to face its own historic complicity in that sin. For the church, this is where change must begin."- Dr. John A. Kirk, Director of the Anderson Institute on Race and Ethnicity, University of Arkansas at Little Rock • Little Rock, AR[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]Redeeming the soul of America from the sin of racism requires the church to face its own historic complicity in that sin. - J Kirk[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]"The pursuit of racial unity and diversity in the multi-ethnic church is a blood issue. The blood of Christ purchased women and men from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation; our reconciliation with God and with one another. The slain Lamb thus deserves the reward of His suffering: the diverse familia of God sitting at God's table. And by the way, no one group owns the table as God built it with the wood from a blood-stained cross. His blood is powerful enough to heal and put to death for us historical hostilities. No follower of Jesus gets a pass on the work of reconciliation."- Inés Velásquez-McBryde • MDiv Candidate, Fuller Theological Seminary • Pasadena, CA[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]No follower of Jesus gets a pass on the work of reconciliation. - Inés Velásquez-McBryde[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]

READ THE FULL 95 THESES AT MOSAIX GLOBAL NETWORK

About MosaixMosaix is the central hub for all things Multiethnic Church. Founded in 2004 by Mark DeYmaz (D.Min.) and George Yancey (Ph.D.), Mosaix has organized, mobilized, and resourced the growing Movement by casting vision, connecting leaders of like-minded leaders, conferencing, and coaching. Throughout that time, since 2001, the percentage of churches having at least 20% diversity in their attending membership has risen from 7.5% to 13.7%, and to 14.4% among Protestant Evangelical churches. According to sociologist Michael O. Emerson, author of the seminal work, Divided By Faith, Mosaix has played a preeminent role in driving such statistical change.

The Harvey Weinsteins and Broken Male Culture Can No Longer Hide

Discussions about Harvey Weinstein, the #MeToo campaign, and all points inbetween continue to demonstrate the ripple effect well after it was revealed that one of Hollywood’s most powerful men abused women as part of a hideous routine that was kept secret.The waves of revelations coming from not only the Hollywood entertainment business, but other industries as well are of tsunami proportions leading one to believe that the Weinsteins of the world can no longer hide.“The Lord has allowed Weinstein's perversion to be revealed, because He wants to do something dramatic," writes Reverend David Kubal, who is the President and CEO of Intercessors for America (IFA). “He has shifted the intercessory battle from the special forces to the Church at large, calling us all to pray..."Pastor and Every Man Ministries founder Kenny Luck took the opportunity of the Weinstein reveal and aftershocks to share (WATCH VIDEO BELOW) that his ministry has already been on mission to reverse the cycle of immature, unhealthy men through the power of the gospel and the example of Jesus Christ.“Broken male culture has lost its ability to do one thing — hide,” Luck said. “That means other-centered and healthy masculine expression should make itself known and be appreciated.”Setting the current Hollywood-centric news aside, he said he began his ministry as the result of witnessing a growing broken male culture (in the U.S. and worldwide) that was inflicting much pain among women.“It was back in 2000, because of issues like this, it was less widely publicized, but it was the treatment of women that got me to start Every Man Ministries,” Luck said. “I call out broken male culture but I don’t stop there.”He said he wants to “reach men with the message of hope and identity that would help them transform from being in a broken male culture to a healthy male culture.” In an effort to break male stereotypes, Luck said he wants to let people know that there are millions of men who want to do what’s right in God’s eyes and be “dangerous good just like Jesus was.”Kubal and others make the easy claim that: “Prophetic intercessors and Hollywood insiders have known about the power and perversion at the top of many entertainment companies for decades, yet this perversion has been hidden.”“There is obvious demonic activity in a man who has a three-decade reputation for perversion and power. We don't have to wonder about this one,” Kubal writes. “In the second most powerful town on the globe – second to Washington D.C. – the stakes are high for our enemy to do what he can to enslave and destroy. I am writing about Hollywood, because there is a significant connection in the spiritual realm between the two most powerful cities in the world. A purified Hollywood would dramatically affect Washington, DC.”He adds, “Many strategic warfare missions have gone into Hollywood to fight these powers of darkness and pray for the love of Jesus to invade Tinseltown. Many great ministries focus on praying for Hollywood (check out my good friends at http://hollywoodprayernetwork.org/).”Kubal asks for prayer for the following:1. Pray for purity. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.’ (Matthew 5:8) So many in Hollywood are chasing fame and fortune to fill the ‘God hole’ in their hearts, which ultimately leads to despair. Perversion leads to deeper levels of perversion, while purity leads to higher levels of fulfillment.2. Pray for boldness. ‘What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?’ (Romans 8:31) Now is the time for the Church to pray for those who know the dark secrets to come forward without fear of losing work or their fame.3. Pray for salvation. ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.’ (Acts 4:12) We must pray for the salvation of movie executives that God would save their souls and that they would have dramatically impact Hollywood.”

Every Man Ministries Founder Kenny Luck On Weinstein and Broken Male Culture

Kenny Vlog #3 from Every Man Ministries on Vimeo.

The Casting Couch, Harvey Weinstein, and How to Navigate Inside Hollywood

Love LA Launches To Demonstrate and Proclaim The Gospel 24/7

Editor's Note: Below is an announcement from Love L.A., which is "a week of the citywide church coming together to engage the heart of God in worship and prayer and out of His presence to go forth and engage our culture with acts of love and the proclamation of gospel truth," organizers said.Friends of the gospel and lovers of L.A. -

FINAL LIVE TRAINING

It’s almost here. After nine months of laboring, meeting with pastors and building lifelong relationships, preaching the gospel all over the city and mobilizing the churches, we are excited to announce the FINAL LIVE TRAINING EVENT on Saturday (10/28/17) from 12 - 4 pm at St. James Methodist Church which is located at 2033 East Washington Boulevard in Pasadena, CA. You must complete a training event to participate in outreaches throughout the week. You do not need to complete training before the launch outreach, but you will need to complete training to participate in any other Love L.A. outreaches. Spanish translation will be available (Traduccion en espanol sera disponible).

LAUNCH EVENT

Then we will have dinner and re-gather for the LAUNCH EVENT for LOVE L.A. at the same location on Saturday from 6 pm -12 am. We will be engaging God’s heart with believers from all over Los Angeles and establishing a resting place for the manifest presence of God, and then from that place of corporate encounter, we will be sending worship and outreach teams to 20 different locations. A fragrance to Jesus will rise from all over Los Angeles as we begin to gather in the harvest and demonstrate and proclaim the gospel. Please invite friends to come and be part of the launch event.

ALTERNATIVE TRAINING

For those who are not able to complete the live training event (which is preferred), video training will be available online or on location in the training room at the Love L.A. Firebase.

FIREBASE LOCATION

The Firebase is where we will be doing 24/7 worship and prayer as well as 24/7 outreach. After the launch event, 24/7 worship will continue at the Pasadena International House of Prayer (PIHOP) which is located at 1403 North Lake Avenue in Pasadena, CA. Make sure you check in at the info desk at 1401 North Lake Avenue and then go into the prayer room at 1403 or head to the briefing room to go on outreach.

GIVE

Please give generously to Love LA. Take a minute to pray about donating online now at www.lovela247.com.Burning for Jesus and the Harvest,Love LA  

Thriving Men's Weekly Bible Study Launches Worldwide Community

A thriving men's weekly breakfast and Bible study that has had up to several hundred men attend in Orange County, California, early Thursday mornings, is now global with an Every Man LIVESTREAM, men's expert, author, and pastor Kenny Luck said.

Every Man Bulletin: A Worldwide Community of Men is Gathering

Luck, who is the founder of Every Man Ministries, said he is "gathering men around the world" using the Every Man LIVESTREAM on Facebook [UPDATE: The online community has been thriving for several months] at 6:45 am PST.Men from Laguna Hills, California (home of the live broadcast), are joining men from Hong Kong, Europe, New York, Sydney, Nairobi, Chicago, Indonesia, Australia, and all points in between to become like Christ and live the Spirit-empowered life, EML producers said.To join this community of God's men simply LIKE and land on the "Every Man Ministries" Facebook Page on Thursday at 6:40 am PST. Pastor Kenny's Study will begin 5 minutes later.Livestream Announcement from Every Man Ministries on Vimeo.More than 500,000 small group and individual meetings have taken place in the last year using the popular "Get Healthy and Get Strong" leadership pathway resources available through Every Man Resources.

On the Web

Every Man LIVESTREAM

Salvation Army So Cal: Not Just Bell Ringers and Thrift Shops [VIDEO]

The Salvation Army in Southern California is active in the community through more than just bell ringers and retail stores. The Salvation Army's mission encompasses providing goods and services to those in need, from the Zahn Emergency Shelter to the Westwood Transitional Village to the Bessie Pregerson Child Development Center.These facilities, our Corps, and our programs address homelessness, addiction, poverty and more without discrimination.To learn more, contact your local Southern California Corps through socal.salvationarmy.org.Video produced by Zemma Productions.NOT JUST BELL RINGERSThe Salvation Army's presence in Southern California dates back to 1887, when an open air street meeting was held on the corner of Temple and Broadway in downtown Los Angeles. To this day, a plaque remains in the sidewalk to commemorate the event.Prior to this meeting, a church, or Corps as it is known in The Salvation Army, had been established in the Skid Row area of Los Angeles Street. In 1892, the Corps moved to First Street where The Salvation Army occupied almost the entire block with a hotel for transient men and a men's industrial complex, the forerunner of today's Adult Rehabilitation Centers. In 1899, The Salvation Army opened a rescue home for young, expectant mothers in Los Angeles known as Booth Memorial Center.The Army's work expanded quickly in Los Angeles with the opening of other Corps and facilities for social welfare programs. One example is The Salvation Army Los Angeles Day Care Center, which opened in 1920 for mothers working to assist the war effort. Even today, L.A. Day Care serves approximately 250 children of parents employed in the downtown Los Angeles garment and produce districts. Other programs in the city assist families living with HIV/AIDS, men and women working to overcome addictions, disabled veterans, evacuees from disasters, senior citizens trying to live on a fixed income, and children who need a safe place to go after school. ...READ MORE>>>>>><<<<<<

Millennial Vision Caster Answers Call to Mobilize 15,000 for Revival in LA

Dustin Lang, who is an education pastor at Young Nak Celebration Church, has a vision to mobilize 15,000 Christians from different churches, backgrounds, and ethnicities to begin praying for and proclaiming the gospel to Los Angeles.Lang, 30, is seeking revival in L.A.His vision includes leading a group called Revival LA which helped facilitate a gathering of "believers who are desperate for a revival in Los Angeles" at Bel Air Presbyterian Church on Friday (Oct. 20).Those in attendance worshiped, listened to preaching, prayed, and experienced the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, organizers said. Information about how to get involved with Revival LA was also sharedPastor Josh Thompson (Legacy City Church) was the scheduled speaker and worship was led by The Bookouts.TogetherLA had a chance to interview Lang via email recently. Our questions and his answers are below.TogetherLA: Tell me a little about yourself.Dustin Lang: I grew up with everything - comfort, good friends, loving family, and success - but felt so empty. In my 8th grade summer before entering high school, I realized that this void could only be filled by Jesus. At this time, God drew me to Him, convicting me of my brokenness and need for a Savior. And in 9th grade, I gave my life to the Lord. Everything changed.I serve as the Vision Caster for Revival LA. I also serve as the Education Pastor at Young Nak Celebration Church.TLA: How did Revival LA start? How did you become involved?Lang: Revival LA started in the summer of 2014. In an extended season of prayer, God began expanding my heart. Instead of solely carrying a burden for my local church, I began experiencing a deep desire to see revival take hold of Los Angeles. During this same time, I also developed a discontentment over my ministry. It wasn't that I disliked serving. I loved it. But I was always disappointed in the responses I heard. They complimented our programs, the preaching, and the professionalism. However, there was nothing said about God's power. It was then that God convicted me to hold a worship service for 500 (I served in a church where the average midweek attendance was 25). I didn't know how this would be possible. But I stepped in faith, prayed, and spread the word. That night 500 people came. 40 gave their lives to Jesus, the majority recommitted their lives, and people were healed of chronic illnesses. When the event was over, people were in awe. I finally had a response that seemed fitting for people who experienced the transformative power of the gospel.After this event, I was driving through Los Angeles when God placed a conviction on my heart. Instead of 500, the number was 15,000. God called me to mobilize 15,000 believers from different churches, backgrounds, and ethnicities to begin praying for and proclaiming the gospel to LA. I had seen ministries that held large events in Los Angeles. These were invaluable in creating momentum in the church. However, I wanted to form a ministry for Christians in Los Angeles who would commit themselves year after year to pray and share the gospel in LA. That's how Revival LA was born.TLA: Who is the core team made up of?Lang: Our core team is currently made up of 4 individuals. Jennifer Lee (also my soon to be wife) is our Communication Director. She oversees all forms of communication from social media to emails to advertising. Andrea Valani is our Event Coordinator. She sets up for our events and will soon be co-leading our ministry team of volunteers. Peter Robinson is our Videographer. He creates videos for our social media and web platforms.TLA: Why is Revival LA important?Lang: Revival LA is important because Los Angeles needs revival. The church is not growing as quickly as other religions and this is a problem. Revival LA aims to spark a fire for the gospel to be preached, prayer to be sown, and a city to be revived. We are committed to the city and will continue serving until our vision is fulfilled.TLA: Why is Revival Night important?Lang: Our Revival Night is aimed at bringing new life to non-Christians and renewed life to Christians. We want to mobilize an emerging generation to develop a burden for prayer and evangelism. On this night, we'll come together as one church to lift up our Lord and Savior. We'll also be sharing exciting news of how people can become a part of the Revival LA movement.TLA: What would you like to see happen as the result of Revival Night?Lang: I would love to see souls saved, hearts set on fire, and a city shaken through prayer.TLA: Is there anything else you would like to add?Lang: If people would like to get involved, they can do so through this link: http://www.revivalla.org/partner/

‘Same Kind Of Different As Me’ Rises Above Protests, Slogans on Racism

The closest I’ve come to experiencing the pain of racism is when I was called “commie” by several of my fellow junior high classmates during the Cold War period of relations between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. (Russia).However, that somewhat public ridicule and humiliation was mostly the result of youthful immaturity and social ignorance. Some of that may have even been passed down by the taunters’ ignorant parents.The emotional pain, if only lasting for a short time, experienced by this Los Angeles-born child to Eastern European parents who escaped communism, not embraced it, is faintly related to the sin of racism, but nowhere near the black experience in America.While most of the buzz about the movie Same Kind Of Different As Me by Paramount Pictures and Pure Flix releasing on Friday revolves around issues of homelessness, there is also an aspect of this true story that can’t be missed — racism.It is not only the way the film so vividly captures Denver Moore’s (played by Djimon Hounsou) deep pain as the result of living through racism manifested in all ways, including physical, that makes the movie a must-see, but it is the way a solution to the problem is presented that goes way beyond slogans and protests.Below are parts of the obit published by the Dallas News after Moore’s death on March 31. 2012.

Denver Moore was a feared warrior, hardened during his 22 years living on the streets of Fort Worth. He was the baseball bat-packing alpha male of the homeless when Ron Hall, a Dallas art dealer, started trying to befriend him in 1998......Mr. Moore was an unlikely candidate for 20th-century prophet.Born in rural Louisiana, he grew up with an aunt and uncle on what amounted to a plantation in Red River Parish. He never attended school and labored for credit he used to buy necessities at the company store.He was roped and dragged by the Ku Klux Klan when he was a teenager for helping a white woman change a flat tire on the plantation, Mr. Hall said. He vowed he would never speak to another white woman or trust a white person.In 1960, Mr. Moore hopped a freight train to Fort Worth, where he lived for a few months before moving on to Los Angeles.Several years later, he returned to Louisiana, where he was convicted of armed robbery in 1966.Hungry and living in a hobo camp, Mr. Moore attempted to rob a bus driver, using a rusted revolver that had no cylinder. He threatened to kill the driver but left when the man said he could not get the change out of the bus till.Mr. Moore was arrested, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, known as the Alcatraz of the South. He was released in 1976 and returned to Fort Worth.In 1998, he met Mr. and Mrs. Hall, who had been volunteering for a couple of weeks at the Union Gospel Mission, looking to find the man in Mrs. Hall’s vision. One evening, as they were preparing to serve a meal, a fight broke out as the homeless men left a chapel service.

So, as the story is beautifully told in the movie, we are witness to the the most powerful weapon against hatred, ignorance, despair, evil, and social injustice. That weapon is love, and not the love of the world, but the love of a relationship with God through Jesus. We see love blast through real-life racism.[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]In 'Same Kind of Different As Me' we are witness to the most powerful weapon against racism.[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]Practically speaking, the hope and solution demonstrated in this movie come from a relationship with God and relationships with others.This is not a “bible-thumping” movie, however, it is a movie that clearly re-emphasizes what the Bible already says:You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. — Luke 10:27Put away your pre-conceptions of “Christian” movies. Put away the distractions of a world gone mad and go see Same Kind of Different as Me.One more thing. Please realize that you can be part of the solution by simply going to see this movie with a friend.Need more of a nudge? Read this: What If We All Made the Same Kind of Difference?

4 Pastors Get Real About the City – Together LA Pop-Up

It may have seemed like a daunting task to figure out what’s broken in Los Angeles then offer a simple solution.But that’s not what four Christian leaders from various parts of L.A. set out to do during a panel discussion at Philosopher’s Cafe in Santa Monica on a recent June evening. Co-hosted by Together LA, the panel — Broken City – Is there hope for Los Angeles? — began with moderator Steve Snook of Metro Church giving a heads up to the direction the discussion will go.

MICHAEL MATA

Together LA- Michael Mata on Koreatown, Los Angeles from One Ten Pictures on Vimeo.

The Casting Couch, Harvey Weinstein, and How to Navigate Inside Hollywood

The phone rang. It was the TV commercial producer, and he wanted to know if I'd shoot the spot topless. I'd just been cast a couple hours before, but he'd "forgotten" to ask me before I left if I would film the commercial with only a bow tie and bikini bottoms.He said he had lots of requests over the years from customers who buy his industrial tools (the products in his commercial) to do a second version with the model topless. When he did, his orders increased. But when I said no, he began to bully me and say I must be prudish and old fashioned. Then he said if I wasn't willing to shoot the spot topless, then he didn't want me at all. He added a few other sleazy comments. I chose the high road and told him to find someone else, and I'm sure he did.Hollywood is full of people who are desperate for stardom. Ultimately, I knew God had protected me from what could have been an even more difficult situation if he had confronted me on the set and pressured me, which often happens to unsuspecting talent.I have worked in Hollywood for over 25 years as an actor and producer so when the Harvey Weinstein sex scandal erupted recently I wasn't surprised. Unfortunately, the "casting couch" still exists today and is sometimes used by those who are in powerful studio and production positions. They prey on the vulnerable who are young and beautiful and use their positions of influence to manipulate the desperate who want to become famous.I also speak and teach on faith, media, and culture and it's a regular occurrence for me to be asked how to navigate the pitfalls and challenges of Hollywood — and the sex and nudity question always comes up. How should aspiring actors and other entertainment professionals confront the sexual harassment and nudity issues as a Christian working in Hollywood?Here are 3 things I always say:Take One – Don't come to Hollywood unless you're ready.I'm not just talking about studying and working on your talent. I'm talking about being firm in your faith and what you believe. The Bible challenges us to "defend our faith." In the Old Testament Daniel was chosen to be the king of Babylon's showcase star. He was told to conform to the culture and to eat and drink food which was against his values. So he made a stand. Did God protect him and save him? You bet, and then elevated him to a higher position. Daniel was prepared because he put God first.Take Two – Don't come to Los Angeles or New York if you aren't able to handle money – or the lack of it.It's expensive to live in LA and NYC. Rent, food, and transportation costs continue to skyrocket. It's when your rent is due, your car is in the shop, and you're eating Top Ramen for every meal that suddenly the request to undress for a scene starts to not look so bad. And it's not just about women — pornography and solicitation are nearly as prevalent for men as it is for women. When the need to survive is staring back at you, the lure of big bucks and stardom is easy to understand and that's when actors begin to succumb to the pressure.[ictt-tweet-inline hashtags="" via=""]Hollywood moguls like Harvey Weinstein have used their power since the beginning of the industry – but the truth is, it happens everywhere.[/ictt-tweet-inline] The competitive world of Hollywood just has an overabundance of desperately seeking individuals looking to be famous. So don't come into this business unless you can survive on the roller coaster of financial ups and downs.

Most Disturbing Harvey Weinstein News is Employees Sworn to Secrecy, Says Gretchen Carlson

Take Three – Don't come to Hollywood unless you have a support system.You have to have a trusted advisor in your corner that you can depend on to give you sound advice (even when it's not what you want to hear). The pressure is too great. A Hollywood career is similar to a drug habit. Each time you work on a project it elevates you and brings attention, money, and momentary happiness. It also brings with it a gnawing to go further, bigger and to do more.But if that next gig doesn't come the way you want it, or as fast you want, your self-esteem can collapse. To fight this giant you have to have someone to stand with you and bring clarity. It's why I'm on the Hollywood Prayer Network's board of directors that works toward the goal of attaching an industry professional with someone who will pray for them and stand with them.Will the problem of sexual harassment and abuse ever go away in Hollywood? Probably not. But if you're wise, surrounded with support, and grounded in prayer and God's Word you can not only survive, but thrive. When I wrote my devotional book "Hope 4 Today: Staying Connected to God in a Distracted Culture," I discovered that research studies confirm that if you read the Bible at least four times a week, your behavior actually changes. And in situations like a challenging career, you'll have a better chance to fight off the arrows of a morally fallen world.The bottom line? Your chances of success in Hollywood (and anywhere else) actually increase when you regularly engage in God's word.What scripture verse will you stand on when the pressure is on and the escape path is blocked? Know it and then know the name that gets you in the door every time – heavens door, Jesus Christ.Kathleen Cooke's new devotional "Hope 4 Today" encourages readers to engage with God. As co-founder of Cooke Pictures and The Influence Lab, she publishes a monthly newsletter. Find out more at kathleencooke.com, or reach her on Twitter @KathleenRCookeThis commentary published by permission of Phil and Kathleen Cooke.

The Harvey Weinsteins and Broken Male Culture Can No Longer Hide

What If We All Made the Same Kind of Difference?

Ron Hall didn’t plan to write a book. In fact, his formerly homeless friend Denver Moore pushed him into doing it together. In the beginning, no one wanted to publish it—38 submissions and 38 “no’s” from publishers later, they had to publish it on their own. Who would’ve known their book Same Kind of Different as Me would sit on the New York Times bestseller list for 3 straight years? What single thing could take this story and spread it to so many people … and change so many hearts? Only the latent power of kindness, and the lives it changes forever.[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]Ron's Life's Work Was Really About Art; Maybe This is Why God Decided To Paint Such a Story With His Life.[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]He sold paintings worth millions of dollars. He was living the good life. So good, and yet he walked down a path that almost destroyed his marriage. Against all odds, his wife Debbie forgave him, and God slowly restored their broken marriage.All this led them down a path to the story he wrote. He owed his wife. Big time. One night, God gave Debbie a dream of a “poor, wise man who would change their city.” It was more than an ordinary dream … it unsettled her and she couldn’t get it out of her mind. She even saw the man’s face in her dream.The next day, they drove around their city to search for this man from the dream, Ron was in tow, and after hours of driving, they stopped at a gospel rescue mission. Everything around the building was run down. No one cared much for this area of town, or the people that hunkered down here. So many without a place, or people, to call home.Reluctantly serving these people alongside his eager wife at the mission led them to what happened next. A man busted in kicking and screaming. Ron cowered behind the food counter. Yet as the angry man walked out,DEBBIE CRIED OUT, “THAT’S HIM! THAT’S THE MAN FROM MY DREAM!Ron, you have to talk to him. That’s the man from my dream!” Ron would have preferred never seeing the man again.Slowly, after months of effort, and Debbie’s fiery persistence, Ron was able to talk with the man from Debbie’s dream. His real name was Denver he said. No one had known his real name in many years. Such was the life on the streets, life in the shadows.Their unlikely friendship grew and grew, and eventually Ron and Denver would call each other their “very best friend in the world.” Ron had given many a check to help the poor, but this was different; this time he gave himself in friendship. That was something more valuable than gold.Denver found in Ron and Debbie people who truly cared for him in way he hadn’t experienced in his whole life.Eventually Denver did get off the streets, and carried on Debbie’s passion to help those in need. Slowly, but surely, just as his own life was transformed by the power of kindness, he in turn played a key role in transforming his city, and providing hope for many on the streets. He convinced Ron to write their story down, which is why you are reading this today.

READ FULL STORY AT THINK ETERNITY

Here are 4 practical ways we can start changing the life of one:1. BRING A GROUP FROM YOUR CHURCH TO SERVE AT YOUR LOCAL RESCUE MISSION OR SHELTER.Let’s make sure the forgotten people are forgotten no more, and that someone wants to know their name and their story.2. PICK ONE NEEDY PERSON IN YOUR COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE IN RELATIONSHIPRemember, there are about 1-2 homeless people for every 1 church in America. Your church may not be able to do everything, but you can help one!Share a meal with one person, and hear their story, and simply listen. Simply listening could change a life forever.Begin to look for ways to stay in touch with one person, and provide in smalls ways for their practical, social, emotional and spiritual needs. You may not know where to start, so just take it an interaction at a time.As your friendship with one person develops over weeks, months or years, work with the local shelter or rescue mission to help in any way you can as a local church or group, to help get shelter and a job if the one you are loving and serving is capable to move forward.3. BRING A GROUP FROM YOUR CHURCH TO SEE RON AND DENVER’S STORY ON THE BIG SCREEN“Same Kind of Different As Me” is releasing in theaters nationwide on the weekend of October 20.[ictt-tweet-blockquote hashtags="" via=""]I believe it is perfect timing, a movie for "such a time as this" in our nation that is so divided.[/ictt-tweet-blockquote]Plus, it will energize, mobilize and move you to tears what God can do when we reach outside our comfort zone’s to the life of someone in great need.Watch the trailer, find a showtime at a theater near you, and get your tickets to see "Same Kind of Different As Me" at tickets.samekindofdifferentasmemovie.com.You can also access, free materials for a 4-week church-wide campaign.4. LOOK FOR SIMPLE WAYS TO SHOW KINDNESS, AND MAKE A DIFFERENCEAfter watching Ron and Denver’s story, look for other ways to do a “simple act of kindness” to other people in your city, whether they are homeless or not.We never know how far we can all go, until we step out and touch the life of another.Join in the "Make a Difference Day" this month by doing a random act of kindness, and share your stories using #SameKindMovie.The above content originally appeared at Think Eternity.