Creativity from a Younger Elder

Creation

Take a look at these photos from Dan Gilliam.

Dan is so creative and full of the Holy spirit that it is hard to contain him. He moved to Colorado and then to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia to walk closer to God and lead others in encountering God through creation and the Spirit.

Watch and thank God for His Creation.

http://www.dangilliam.net/photos.html

Future Planning

The 21st Century Church

For most Americans, long range planning is deciding what to do next week. I just spoke with Gasch, a medical researcher with his own company. He noted that despite the fact that our medical system in America is about to collapse, most politicians refuse to mention the real systemic problems or plan for ways to make real change.

But we in the churches of America are not much different. We are so invested in the "instant coffee" mentality of what is going to happen this week in worship that we do not think about how to position the church for the next three decades. The Reveal research put out by Willow Creek shows what happens when a movement becomes obsessed with one of two aspects of a ministry, such as focusing only or mainly on Seekers, can end in frustration and failure.

It will be interesting to see what they decide to do to correct their old paradigm. When I read some of the criticisms and comments about the Willow Creek research I am struck by the smugness of many writers. Then they tell us what Willow Creek and other Seeker Churches "should have done in the first place." I usually find the advice shallow, reflexive, old hat and predictable. Few are insightful and based on an in depth discernment. They say things like-- Willow Creek should have:

Preached longer sermons
Had better theology
Not changed the music
Stayed smaller
Done more Bible based teaching
Been more Calvinistic
Been more Arminian
Been more Pentecostal
Not been so Pentecostal
Had evening services
Had Sunday school
Used my books

I am hoping that Seasoned Saints with long experience as Christians, educators, business leaders and thinkers will put their brains and hearts to work figuring out what God wants us all to do to prepare for 2040 and 2050.

Here is one suggestion from one. Take a look at the things that God has blessed. Do better in-depth research on what has worked with different groups and different places. Understand what the USA and the world will be like in three decades and plan to actually model Christ in that environment.

If you are ready to laugh at yourself, look this over. However, if you are too serious, skip it.

By the way, do you remember the beautiful clothes we wore in the Sixties? Here they are again.

If we wore these things back then we must have had a sense of humor.


Thanks to Joanie and Alan Gruber who sent me this cartoon.

http://weblogs.newsday.com/news/opinion/walthandelsman/blog/2007/11/animation_baby_boomers.html

Amazing Statistics

Professional writers usually try to stay away from statistics because the assumption is that readers will wince and turn the page as quickly as possible. But in my mind, some statistics are so startling and dramatic that we just cannot ignore them. (The cartoon shows how many folks will get Social Security. Click the pic to see a landslide!)

Take a long look at these data.

1. There are some 90 million Americans who are 50-plus years of age

2. Over the next two decades that number will grow by 74%

3. The percentage under 50 will increase by 1%

Questions:

a. What age group is the largest mission field in America?

b. What age group has the greatest reservoir of wealth, knowledge, experience and wisdom?

c. Why are churches so obsessed with recruiting young people?

d. What is your church doing to equip Seasoned Believers to minister effectively?

e. What is your church doing to evangelize Seasoned Citizens?

Another Country Heard From

I am amazed at how many nations are represented by people who read my blogs. In the past day I have had clicks from Oslo and Bergen Norway. I think the Oslo visitor is Jens-Petter Jorgensen, a member of the Sweeten Life Systems International Board. Jens-Petter is a man of great wisdom and experience among world leaders. He has observed and written many books and articles over the last 30 years dealing with the movements of the Holy Spirit.

We are also being visited by folks in Holland, Brazil, Russia, Singapore, The Philippines, Malaysia, Canada, England, and more. Wow! This little log of my ideas and concerns travels around the earth every day.

I wish more people would comment on the blog. That would make it more interesting and exciting. Maybe I need to create some controversy by writing my own questions like the politicians do. I could write and ask, "Dear Dr. Sweeten, I am just ten years old but I wonder, do you believe in God or are you just faking it?"

Then I could reply, "My, that is a tough question. But many tough questions are being asked by young people these days. Yada, yada, yada."

Oh well, I don't have to fake my questions because this is all my own ideas. Besides, I am not running for any office so nobody really cares. I do wonder, however, why some people get so radicalized about an election. I am interested but not a fanatic. I have some preferences and hope my side wins but God will be sovereign no matter who wins.

The Seasoned Believer Video

Mother Teresa-A Seasoned Believer Who Made a Difference



Some of you may have already noticed that I have put up a link to the "What If Video". Click the link and watch the video. Then write in and let us know what you think.

The video was designed by a team of us and the really hard work was done by Steve Helterbridle, a friend who retired from P&G several years ago to minister more freely.

It was our very first attempt to develop our own Multi Media project and I am very proud of the great job Steve did. It is one more example of what wonderful, creative things we can do if we just believe in ourselves.

The next time you are in a church, golfing group or a club with people like you, take a brief time to assess the wisdom, talents and experiences that could be unleashed into the world if someone took decided to gather them together and launch a new ministry of some kind. Examples:

Joe-30 years at GE, twenty years as an elder and teacher
Joan-Reared three kids, degree in Economics, teaches part time at UC, led task force on relocating the new city hall.
Jasper-35 years as an engineer, ten years in Egypt and five in Malaysia. Sits on Trustees.
Jill-Reared four children and two grand kids, Masters in City Planning, inherited lots of P&G stock and is passionate about helping the poor
John-Retired Ph. D. Psychologist who established a large practice and recently sold it

Almost weekly I hear from friends whose past ministries included some of the most creative ministries and programs imaginable. Now their most dynamic Christian involvement is sitting in a padded pew at Old First Reformed and Armed.

C'mon, friends, church is not for "attending" but acting! You and I are the church!

Support for Your Family

Breaking the Age Barrier



Karen and I met this week with a group of 50+ folks to discuss the best ways to show care and assistance to elderly relatives. The group was well educated, articulate, spiritually experienced and wise in the ways of the business world. However, most of us were novices on the topic at hand. Some of us had already faced getting care for elderly parents and grandparents but it still presents a brand new challenge.

How can we best provide the knowledge and wisdom people need?

Option #1. Get personal professional assistance from doctors, therapists, gerontologists, financial planners, insurance agents, nurses, home care specialists, pastoral care, etc. This route will require hundreds of hours and lots of money to plan, meet and our findings.

Option #2. "Intentional Communities of Wisdom" at church and community groups of lay and professional experts from law, medicine, gerontology, financial planning, insurance, counseling, etc. to provide education, mutual support, wisdom, past experiences and referrals. This approach is more efficient, effective and provides a much broader span of care, counsel and insight.

Only Option #2. will thrive. Professionals cannot meet the need except as those who teach us how to provide Peer Support.

By mobilizing wizened Seasoned Believers a church could develop a top flight Peer Support Group to provide all the services needed by the Sandwich Generations. And, the Peer team would receive many blessings by using their talents, gifts and abilities.

Any church that fails to develop such a program will be missing a sure way to bring enrichment and blessings to their people and will benefit in many ways as an organization.