Mark Batterson really gets down to the bottom line when it comes to how to make and impact.
It seems to me that if we follow through on this chain of thought we could really see some results. Brown churches stay the same. Purple churches find ways to change things up.
1)Brown churches sit on the sideline and invite the community to come to them. Purple churches are always going and compelling. They are making such a big difference that they become a highly visible part of their community. And people drive by the brown churches--the churches that are invisible--to go to the purple church.
2) The greatest message deserves the greatest marketing. I know that marketing is a dirty word in some church circles, but does it get anybody else riled up that Madison Avenue is far better at pedaling its worthless wares than the church is at preaching the good news? I have a problem with that. We need sanctified competitive streaks.
3) The church ought to be the most creative place on the planet. Too many churches look too much alike. We need lots of different kinds of churches because there are lots of different kinds of people.
Every church has a unique churchprint and ought to be a unique expression of the gospel in their kingdom niche.So how do we paint ourselves purple? For starters, dare to be different. You might offend some Pharisees, but that isn't who you're trying to reach. Secondly, disrupt the routine. I think it starts with your personal routine. Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective.
You need to get out of your routine so you can have some purple thoughts. As a leader, you need to cause confusion. Jesus didn't do orientations. He did disorientations. You need to find new ways of saying old things (see the Parables). You need to find new wineskins. You need to sing a new song. Neurological studies have found that familiarity stimulates the left-brain. Novelty stimulates the right-brain. We need some Spirit-inspired, right-brained ideas that capture the imagination of the church and the world. the good news ought to make the news.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Seeker's from the East

The story of the Wise Men has to be more than just a story that we connect with the Christmas Manger. The seeker's from the East were involved in a serious search for the truth concerning the Messiah. These were serious seeker's. Truth seeking is critical because at the root of the search is the difference between life and death.
Things to consider:
Seeker's ask questions - where is the King of the Jews?
Seeker's are given signs - They were given a star to follow
Seeker's have enemies - Herod wanted to use the Wise Men for evil
Seeker's bring gifts - They brought there gifts and worshiped Jesus
Seeker's receive experiences - They received great joy
Things to consider:
Seeker's ask questions - where is the King of the Jews?
Seeker's are given signs - They were given a star to follow
Seeker's have enemies - Herod wanted to use the Wise Men for evil
Seeker's bring gifts - They brought there gifts and worshiped Jesus
Seeker's receive experiences - They received great joy
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