I have spent my whole life as a part of the Church of Christ. For those unfamiliar with this group, our core belief is that we are trying to follow the example of the church as displayed in the New Testament. An emphasis is putting on calling Bible things by Bible names and trying to match the pattern that we find in the New Testament.

In recent years there has been much debate over how effective we have been at achieving this goal and even if this a goal that should even be attempted. So, to some extent I have I stopped reading CoC members books as they wrangle with one another over the ins and outs and have tried to focus on other things.

But last year a book caught my attention: Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices by George Barna and Frank Viola. The book examples some of the practices of Christianity that have been “borrowed” from pagan cultures during the early development of the church. Quickly after this book was released a companion to it, Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity by Frank Viola was released. While I haven’t read it yet, I am certainly looking forward to it. And then today at the Goodwill I found this book: Rethinking the Wineskin: The Practice of the New Testament Church

1. The Purpose of the Church Meeting
2. The Focus of the Church Meeting
3. The Location of the Church
4. The Nature of the Local Church
5. The Leadership of the Local Church: Who Were They?
6. The Leadership of the Local Church: How Did They Lead?
7. The Content of the Local Church
8. The Boundary of the Local Church
9. The Function of the Local Church
10. The Pattern of the Local Church
11. What Shall We Do?

I really can’t wait to see the conclusions that Viola reaches. If I were reading just these titles from a CoC author I would already know many of the outcomes, so it will interesting to see if someone else comes to the same/similar conclusions.

For me, this Sunday will mark my last day as a minister. Sunday morning I will teach my last class at Goodwood Blvd Church of Christ. I will give my goodbye hugs and then take one last trip to Florida with my family before I go up to Searcy in order to begin my new job.

My new job title is Records Coordinator, not minister. My work will be at a treatment center for teenage boys, not a church. I will no longer be required to host Tuesday night Bible studies, travel to Honduras for two weeks during the summer, or plan the other numerous events associated with being an Associate Minister. For the first time in about 6 years I will be free to go “church shopping.” I have been use to be one of the members greeting the visitors and I wonder how I will handle the transition. It has been over 3 years since I have had the opportunity to simply sit in a class and learn rather than teach. I won’t have to leave early on Sunday morning or Sunday afternoon for an elders meeting.

But will I ever stop being a minister? I believe very strongly that every member is a minister. From observation I do believe that the axiom 80% of the work gets done by 20% of people is true. I definitely want to be in that 20% wherever we go. But also believe that one of the keys to being a good minister is equipping others so that you don’ have to shoulder the load yourself. So I am praying that when we get to Searcy that we can find a congregation that can use our talents to further God’s kingdom.

If there is anyone out there who has some advice about making the transition from church to “secular” work, I would to hear it!

I had every intention of doing this much earlier in the day, but things have been crazy as I prepare for my departure from Louisiana. Today was the day of going out to eat with everyone, trying to say the last good-byes.

So here are some of my favorite links of the week:

1. ONE has done an amazing job providing materials for Christians, Jews and Muslims to be able to educate their followers about global poverty.  This is an issue that everyone should be trying to solve.
2. Matt Dabbs has provided a wonderful lists of books and blogs related to Biblical Archaeology.
3. Chase the Goose was one of my favorite books of this year, in fact I have it on the top 10 lists of all time, as far as books that have influenced my faith.  Mark Batterson has graciously providing some resources for those who may be using the book in small group studies at their church, check it out.
4. How do you read the text with fresh eyes?
5. This post means a lot to me as I leave “ministry.”

I hope everyone has a great weekend, as for me, I am getting ready to go to bed.

This has been a great week for blog posts, it was really a challenge to narrow my list down, but here they are:

1. Ben Witherington III has become one my favorite writers.  I recently added his Socio-Rhetorical Commentary set to my Logos software and it has quickly become my go-to resource (for the New Testament books which are available).  Needless to say, I was very excited to find his blog.  Here is does a masterful job with the virgin birth.

2. During the difficult economic times we should all be asking ourselves WWAD (What would the Amish Do)?

3. Beyond Relevance has done an excellent series of posts concerning church marketing, starting with a video examining what would happen if Starbucks marketed like the church.  Here is this week’s offering on being better than the “shop down the road.”

4. Before the true Christmas rush hits, realize that the greatest gifts you can give cannot be bought in stores.

5. Church marketing has been a popular theme with a couple of the blogs that I read, but not everyone is a big fan of it.  Take Tony Morgan for example, who, a couple of weeks ago, suggested that churches should stop marketing.  This post helps clear up Tony’s true view on the matter.

6. I have not actually played the game yet, but the idea of teach kids about world poverty through an addictive game like this sounds like a winner to me!

7. This is from a new blog I have been reading, Stoned-Campbell Disciple.  Bobby’s thoughts express and connect many of the same thoughts I have been having since reading Jesus Wants to Save Christians by Rob Bell.  In this post Bobby is examining the pattern of Exodus throughout the Bible.

8. I have loved how so many of the things written on ProBlogger can be taken and applied to the church.  So if this is the only link you click on, take his advice and build a strategy for your community.

9. Sometimes it is the little things in ministry, which often go unnoticed, that make a big difference.

10. Gen-We. check it out how the next generation is making a difference. Thanks to the guys at Rethinking Youth Ministry who first wrote about this.

11. Honestly, this is from last week, but it was too good to pass up.  First, Mike Cope is speaking about one of my favorite paintings, but now I know, the rest of the story…

Again, sorry for such a long lists of links this weeks, but hopefully you will find something here that helps you in your walk with Christ.

It may be that one of the best things I can do is refer you to some great blog posts that have had an impact on me this week.  On previous blogs I have tried to come up with 10 posts each week, but you know something, some weeks are slow, and there just aren’t ten great posts to share.  So here are my referrals for this week:

1. We will start off with a challenging one about a pastor who admits that he may not like all Christians.  You really have to read his points and not just the post title in order to understand.

2. While the church I am at has never sponsored a ONE Sabbath event, I have used the materials prepared by ONE in order to engage our congregation, particularly our teens, about global poverty and what we can do to help.

3. I have never thought about Peter walking on the water in this way before, so I appreciate a new viewpoint.

4.  There are two posts from Swerve’s series this week on being lukewarm that I felt were particularly great.  This first one talks about lukewarm pastors, but I beleive it could just as easily say lukewarm Christians, although for the one about sermon preparation you may want to substitute your yearly “daily” Bible reading. You know, the one that typically ends somewhere around Numbers.  The second one addresses leadership.  I firmly believe that you can only lead people as far as you have gone yourself, so if you are lukewarm, then most of the people under you will be as well.  Those that are “on fire” will typically be misunderstood by the leadership and will likely find other avenues for exploring and expressing their faith besides the avenues provided through the local congregation.

5. What advice would you have for this young minister?

Enjoy, have a great weekend!

Listening to podcast was one feature I was most looking forward too when I first got my iPod.  I current subscribe to approximately 15 podcast, although I most admit that I haven’t listened to as many as I have downloaded.  That changed after Dale Jenkins came for our gospel meeting this year.  Dale is a magnet for technology.  I don’t think I have met another minister with the same passion and knowledge about technology.

Dale has an amazing list of podcasts that he listens to on a regular basis.  I figured that if Dale can find the time to listen to his podcast, then I could do the same.  So today I listened to 3 podcast while I worked in the yard and reflected on tonight’s lesson for Bible study.

Amazing one of the podcast focused on Philippians 1, where I had planned on studying tonight.  It was from Rob Bell of Mars Hill Bible Church.  Rob, in his typical way, does a great job helping his listeners understand the context of Philippians 1:27ff.  I know some people get sleepy when listening to background material, but Rob really makes it come alive.  Besides, how can we even begin to understand what the text means for us if we don’t start by understanding what it meant to its original readers.  If you would like to hear the lesson for yourself you can go here or search for Mars Hill Bible Church on iTunes.

Here’s a brief summary: Paul is writing from prison, yet this whole letter is filled with joy.  He is suffering and he reminds his readers that they will suffer as well. Christ suffered (see chapter 2), Paul suffered (see 1:12ff) the Philippians will suffer (2:28ff) and we will suffer.  We will all face the same struggle when it comes to living like Christ.  As, I said, Rob does a wonderful job of walking through this text, so I would highly recommend that you check it out.

In the next few days I will be adding a list of the podcast I to which I subscribe to the blog, but I would also like to hear from you, what podcast are you listening to?