Invariably, these productions, be they musicals or whatever, will begin to journey into the untested waters of live animal participants.  Usually, this works well until they bring in the camel.

Camels are some of the most ill tempered animals you can ever be around.  I saw one in a musical with a muzzle on to keep him from biting passersby.  They stomp on you, lay down when you want them to stand, stand when you want them to lay down and are generally naughty in every way they think will aggravate you.

And they spit.  Nasty stinky spit that you might be able to use as masonry compound in a pinch.

Not to mention that they smell horrible.  You can’t bathe these guys often, it’s winter and the water is cold.  But even if you can, they’ll be curling the nose hairs of your attendees within a few hours.  It’s just their nature.

And pray they don’t pass gas during your event, especially if you are insane enough to bring them indoors.  They can have your whole cast on the ground before the first wave hits the audience.

So, a little advice to you Christmas event planners out there.  If the donkey, the cow and the occasional goose have worked out all right so far, stick with them.  There really is no need to “up the ante” here.

Just because there are camels in the Middle East, doesn’t mean you have to have one in your church to make your event “authentic.”

But if you are stubborn and won’t heed my advice, pray this doesn’t happen to you:

I didn’t even notice it the first couple of times I watched it, but did you observe there was some poor woman, serving God the best way she knew how, coaxed up on top of the camel?

You see her bare feet and then, moments later, her head pops up.  She looks a little disconcerted, don’t you think?

Comments

• December 19, 2010, Bob Cleveland writes: A year ago, owing to the deconstruction and rebuilding of the Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, they moved the Alabama State Fair to a large lot adjoining the Verizon Music Center in Pelham. My son Brian is the Captain of Paramedics for the City of Pelham, so he worked the Fair as one of the on-duty medics. First night, a camel there on display, accidentally fell on, and was impaled by, a 3' stake holding down the corner of the tent. That was their first call there, and unfortunately they lost the patient. There was some hush-hush talk about animal sacrifice, but nothing was ever proven....

Related posts:

• Merry Christmas
• Easter Is My Favorite
• So I’ve decided to be a blogger
• Upside Down Video for Christmas
• Tulsa’s Christmas… er… Holiday Parade

A lot of churches will host Christmas events this time of year.  Skelly Drive (where I pastor) used to have a Living Nativity that was somewhat groundbreaking in its day and is still remembered fondly by everyone that I’ve ever met that either put it on or attended.

Invariably, these productions, be they musicals or whatever, will begin to journey into the untested waters of live animal participants.  Usually, this works well until they bring in the camel.

Camels are some of the most ill tempered animals you can ever be around.  I saw one in a musical with a muzzle on to keep him from biting passersby.  They stomp on you, lay down when you want them to stand, stand when you want them to lay down and are generally naughty in every way they think will aggravate you.

And they spit.  Nasty stinky spit that you might be able to use as masonry compound in a pinch.

Not to mention that they smell horrible.  You can’t bathe these guys often, it’s winter and the water is cold.  But even if you can, they’ll be curling the nose hairs of your attendees within a few hours.  It’s just their nature.

And pray they don’t pass gas during your event, especially if you are insane enough to bring them indoors.  They can have your whole cast on the ground before the first wave hits the audience.

So, a little advice to you Christmas event planners out there.  If the donkey, the cow and the occasional goose have worked out all right so far, stick with them.  There really is no need to “up the ante” here.

Just because there are camels in the Middle East, doesn’t mean you have to have one in your church to make your event “authentic.”

But if you are stubborn and won’t heed my advice, pray this doesn’t happen to you:

I didn’t even notice it the first couple of times I watched it, but did you observe there was some poor woman, serving God the best way she knew how, coaxed up on top of the camel?

You see her bare feet and then, moments later, her head pops up.  She looks a little disconcerted, don’t you think?

Comments

• December 19, 2010, Bob Cleveland writes: A year ago, owing to the deconstruction and rebuilding of the Fairgrounds in Indianapolis, they moved the Alabama State Fair to a large lot adjoining the Verizon Music Center in Pelham. My son Brian is the Captain of Paramedics for the City of Pelham, so he worked the Fair as one of the on-duty medics. First night, a camel there on display, accidentally fell on, and was impaled by, a 3' stake holding down the corner of the tent. That was their first call there, and unfortunately they lost the patient. There was some hush-hush talk about animal sacrifice, but nothing was ever proven....

Related posts:

• Merry Christmas
• Easter Is My Favorite
• So I’ve decided to be a blogger
• Upside Down Video for Christmas
• Tulsa’s Christmas… er… Holiday Parade

If you don’t get dry wit, don’t bother.

HT:  Ed Stetzer

Comments

• November 2, 2010, Strider writes: This would be hysterical if so many people didn't believe it.

Related posts:

• Founders Conference: Ed Stetzer
• The IMB January Minutes are out…
• David Fitch on Missional Orders as Church Planting
• The Missional Church: A short, simple video
• SBC Primer Introduction Part 2

Tulsa Metro Baptist Network (formerly Association) has prioritized planting churches, which has brought a number of church planters our way.  I thought this 3 minute video might be helpful to them.

If you don’t get dry wit, don’t bother.

HT:  Ed Stetzer

Comments

• November 2, 2010, Strider writes: This would be hysterical if so many people didn't believe it.

Related posts:

• Founders Conference: Ed Stetzer
• The IMB January Minutes are out…
• David Fitch on Missional Orders as Church Planting
• The Missional Church: A short, simple video
• SBC Primer Introduction Part 2

The Big Red Tractor from Jacob Lewis on Vimeo.

Related posts:

• Dr. Frank Page’s Sermon at the TMABC
• Despising none
• Your church might be Institutional if…
• Staffing the Church
• Inviting the Lost to Church 1

Rick Jenkins posted this on Facebook this morning and I thought it was definitely worth a repost…

The Big Red Tractor from Jacob Lewis on Vimeo.

Related posts:

• Dr. Frank Page’s Sermon at the TMABC
• Despising none
• Your church might be Institutional if…
• Staffing the Church
• Inviting the Lost to Church 1

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Grace: Why I am grateful for the hard Grace I’ve received
• Mark Driscoll on Joel Osteen
• To the pure, all things are pure
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Grace: Why I am grateful for the hard Grace I’ve received
• Mark Driscoll on Joel Osteen
• To the pure, all things are pure
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing

I found them today and wanted to share, so here are all of them:

Ed Stetzer & David Fitch – a missional conversation from Missional Tribe on Vimeo.

Pt 2:

Pt. 3

Enjoy!!!

Related posts:

• Missional Non-Conference with David Fitch
• Great Missional Conversation between Stetzer and Fitch
• David Fitch on Missional Orders as Church Planting
• Book Tag
• Dr. Dockery Interview and Live Blog

A while ago, I posted a great video as pt. 1 of a Missional Conversation between Ed Stetzer and David Fitch, but I never saw the follow up videos.

I found them today and wanted to share, so here are all of them:

Ed Stetzer & David Fitch – a missional conversation from Missional Tribe on Vimeo.

Pt 2:

Pt. 3

Enjoy!!!

Related posts:

• Missional Non-Conference with David Fitch
• Great Missional Conversation between Stetzer and Fitch
• David Fitch on Missional Orders as Church Planting
• Book Tag
• Dr. Dockery Interview and Live Blog

Next week, Union University will be hosting a conference entitled Southern Baptists, Evangelicals and the future of denominationalism.

I’m excited to be attending for several reasons, not the least of which is that the topic fascinates me.  I am anxious to hear the thoughts of those being brought in to speak to the issue.

Further, the SBC finds itself in the moment of re-creating itself via the Great Commission Task Force and its impending report in Orlando next year at the Annual Meeting.

I’ll be blogging and twittering from the meeting, but as a primer for that time, I thought that you might be interested in these videos from the B21 Panel at last year’s annual meeting, where the hot topics of the Southern Baptist Convention were discussed by some of the leading voices.

The first video says it’s 80 minutes, but it is only about 40. Total of both videos is about an hour and 20 minutes.

B21 Panel From 2009 SBC Annual Meeting from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

B21 Panel from SBC Annual Meeting Part 2 from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.

Related posts:

• Ed Stetzer and the Future of Denominations
• Baptist Identity Pt. 1
• Church Staffing: Mis-Matched by Malcolm Gladwell
• The Future of Denominationalism Schedule
• I V M

Next week, Union University will be hosting a conference entitled Southern Baptists, Evangelicals and the future of denominationalism.

I’m excited to be attending for several reasons, not the least of which is that the topic fascinates me.  I am anxious to hear the thoughts of those being brought in to speak to the issue.

Further, the SBC finds itself in the moment of re-creating itself via the Great Commission Task Force and its impending report in Orlando next year at the Annual Meeting.

I’ll be blogging and twittering from the meeting, but as a primer for that time, I thought that you might be interested in these videos from the B21 Panel at last year’s annual meeting, where the hot topics of the Southern Baptist Convention were discussed by some of the leading voices.

The first video says it’s 80 minutes, but it is only about 40. Total of both videos is about an hour and 20 minutes.

B21 Panel From 2009 SBC Annual Meeting from Sojourn Community Church on Vimeo.

B21 Panel from SBC Annual Meeting Part 2 from Southeastern Seminary on Vimeo.

Related posts:

• Ed Stetzer and the Future of Denominations
• Baptist Identity Pt. 1
• Church Staffing: Mis-Matched by Malcolm Gladwell
• The Future of Denominationalism Schedule
• I V M

If we are to engage North America as missionaries, then we have got to deconstruct our own context and see it for what it is.  If culture is our god, then we are doomed, but if culture is our language, we can communicate.

Comments

• September 20, 2009, Charlie Cruce writes: Powerful and . . . convicting.

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Mark Driscoll on Joel Osteen
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Idolatry?
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced

Amazing two minutes of video:

If we are to engage North America as missionaries, then we have got to deconstruct our own context and see it for what it is.  If culture is our god, then we are doomed, but if culture is our language, we can communicate.

Comments

• September 20, 2009, Charlie Cruce writes: Powerful and . . . convicting.

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Mark Driscoll on Joel Osteen
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Idolatry?
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced

Comments

• July 29, 2009, Mike Woodward writes: While there might be an inclination to throw out anything he says due to his open theism, I gotta say I think he hits the nail on the head with why Christianity is so weak in the West. Following Christ is, or should be, inherently counter cultural. We're ineffective when our idols do not look much different than those around us who are lost. I particularly liked his discussion of the title of his book, "The Myth of a Christian Nation". We are a home schooling family, so we tend to run into a lot of Christian nation restorationists. I've held a contrarian view for some time, but my wife was somewhat neutral. One day after a good unit study of American history, she saw the emptiness of the argument that we are a Christian nation. The shallow "history" that glorifies every move our country has made has done us a disservice. I've always wondered what makes a Christian nation. Shouldn't there be a covenant involved? When exactly did God meet our leaders and proclaim us to be His people? I liken it to someone just deciding one day that they are a Christian, without truly getting the input (read redemptive, life transforming power) of Christ.
• July 30, 2009, david writes: i have long struggled with the idea of america as a christian nation. i love the quesiton you pose - "shouldnt there be a covenant involved?". in our fluffy almost laughable approach to being Christ followers in america, we find more comfort in the power of the flag than in the saving power of Christ. we find more motivation in the sacrifice represented on the flag than the redeeming sacrifice offered on the cross. i love america. i love the "troops" and the sacrifice that friends of mine have given to our country. it is, in my heart, heralded as a great nation, but it will in the end pass away. shane claiborne puts it this way (in regards to a seeker sensitive church that didnt want the cross to offend someone) "It is a dangerous day when we can take the cross out of the church more easily than the flag." that has a special meaning for me. in many churches, i have seen the flags and americanism exalted high above the God i hold so dear. arent we aliens in this world any way...
• July 30, 2009, art rogers writes: Mike, Good catch on the Open Theism. I almost commented on that in the post, but decided to see if anyone else caught it. David and I discussed it for half an hour yesterday morning. Obviously, I think you're right. While I consider Open Theism to be heresy, it doesn't change the truth he proclaims here about our tying national politics to God. I know that during the WWII era, many Lutheran churches in Germany hung Nazi flags in their Sanctuaries. The difference between Nazi Germany and America is significant, and I'm not comparing them. However, the similarity between those church's approach and our own is sometimes frightening. I love America. I would die for my country. I love the Kingdom of God more. I would, and hopefully have already committed to, give everything for it.

Related posts:

• Read and Compare
• The Myth of the Majority
• Baptist Conference on the Holy Spirit 5
• The Myth of the Majority, revisited
• How do you pray for Barack Obama?

Interesting what this evangelical pastor has to say about the church’s involvement in the political process.  All three videos = just over 20 mins…

Comments

• July 29, 2009, Mike Woodward writes: While there might be an inclination to throw out anything he says due to his open theism, I gotta say I think he hits the nail on the head with why Christianity is so weak in the West. Following Christ is, or should be, inherently counter cultural. We're ineffective when our idols do not look much different than those around us who are lost. I particularly liked his discussion of the title of his book, "The Myth of a Christian Nation". We are a home schooling family, so we tend to run into a lot of Christian nation restorationists. I've held a contrarian view for some time, but my wife was somewhat neutral. One day after a good unit study of American history, she saw the emptiness of the argument that we are a Christian nation. The shallow "history" that glorifies every move our country has made has done us a disservice. I've always wondered what makes a Christian nation. Shouldn't there be a covenant involved? When exactly did God meet our leaders and proclaim us to be His people? I liken it to someone just deciding one day that they are a Christian, without truly getting the input (read redemptive, life transforming power) of Christ.
• July 30, 2009, david writes: i have long struggled with the idea of america as a christian nation. i love the quesiton you pose - "shouldnt there be a covenant involved?". in our fluffy almost laughable approach to being Christ followers in america, we find more comfort in the power of the flag than in the saving power of Christ. we find more motivation in the sacrifice represented on the flag than the redeeming sacrifice offered on the cross. i love america. i love the "troops" and the sacrifice that friends of mine have given to our country. it is, in my heart, heralded as a great nation, but it will in the end pass away. shane claiborne puts it this way (in regards to a seeker sensitive church that didnt want the cross to offend someone) "It is a dangerous day when we can take the cross out of the church more easily than the flag." that has a special meaning for me. in many churches, i have seen the flags and americanism exalted high above the God i hold so dear. arent we aliens in this world any way...
• July 30, 2009, art rogers writes: Mike, Good catch on the Open Theism. I almost commented on that in the post, but decided to see if anyone else caught it. David and I discussed it for half an hour yesterday morning. Obviously, I think you're right. While I consider Open Theism to be heresy, it doesn't change the truth he proclaims here about our tying national politics to God. I know that during the WWII era, many Lutheran churches in Germany hung Nazi flags in their Sanctuaries. The difference between Nazi Germany and America is significant, and I'm not comparing them. However, the similarity between those church's approach and our own is sometimes frightening. I love America. I would die for my country. I love the Kingdom of God more. I would, and hopefully have already committed to, give everything for it.

Related posts:

• Read and Compare
• The Myth of the Majority
• Baptist Conference on the Holy Spirit 5
• The Myth of the Majority, revisited
• How do you pray for Barack Obama?

Here’s how he handled the text message question:

Comments

• April 24, 2009, BreAnna writes: Wow. Thank you for posting this. It is cool to see the heart of a pastor come through on these politically charged questions.
• April 25, 2009, Kevin Bussey writes: Great video! Kevin Busseys last blog post..The future of Christianity in the United States
• April 25, 2009, cb scott writes: Art, Driscoll gave the only answer there is to give. I don't understand why there would even be the necessity for the disclaimer. Frankly, I think part of his disclaimer was silly (buttermilk statement). I, along with many other guys, was preaching the truth of this 35 years ago. (In the small mountain and the megachurch) Women with headcoverings or men who charn their own buttermilk have nothing to do with it. Truth is truth. Guys should tell the truth no matter where they are. Our problem is that we haver so many panty-waist sissies in ministry in the pulpit today that Driscoll felt he had to give a disclaimer before he addressed the question. On a lighter note; I trust you are in well health and prospering in our Lord Jesus. Maybe I will see you around someday. cb

Related posts:

• Mark Driscoll on Joel Osteen
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced
• Driscoll and Idolatry
• The Run Down June 28, 2007

Really tough issue.  Like Driscoll, rape incenses me and I have had several close friends who were raped, so my compassion for rape victims is very high.

Here’s how he handled the text message question:

Comments

• April 24, 2009, BreAnna writes: Wow. Thank you for posting this. It is cool to see the heart of a pastor come through on these politically charged questions.
• April 25, 2009, Kevin Bussey writes: Great video! Kevin Busseys last blog post..The future of Christianity in the United States
• April 25, 2009, cb scott writes: Art, Driscoll gave the only answer there is to give. I don't understand why there would even be the necessity for the disclaimer. Frankly, I think part of his disclaimer was silly (buttermilk statement). I, along with many other guys, was preaching the truth of this 35 years ago. (In the small mountain and the megachurch) Women with headcoverings or men who charn their own buttermilk have nothing to do with it. Truth is truth. Guys should tell the truth no matter where they are. Our problem is that we haver so many panty-waist sissies in ministry in the pulpit today that Driscoll felt he had to give a disclaimer before he addressed the question. On a lighter note; I trust you are in well health and prospering in our Lord Jesus. Maybe I will see you around someday. cb

Related posts:

• Mark Driscoll on Joel Osteen
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced
• Driscoll and Idolatry
• The Run Down June 28, 2007

Comments

• April 21, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: Blunt, yes. Appropriate, yes. Thanks for posting this. Is it just me, or is Rev. Osteen becoming more "name it/claim it" while still avoiding pentecostalism? Hmmmmm. Bob Clevelands last blog post..The Death Penalty: good .. bad .. ugly..
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: He's always been like that. I grew up in Houston, so I knew that church when his father was the pastor. John (dad) died and Joel sort of inherited it. Their theology/practice always was pretty charismatic. It actually seems that he's gone a little backward from what it was originally.
• April 21, 2009, Kevin Bussey writes: Great clip Art. Thanks. Kevin Busseys last blog post..Pay it forward-Birmingham style!
• April 21, 2009, Barry Martin writes: I think Driscoll misses the point. Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we CAN live a victorious life. Joel Osteen doesn't leave God out of the equation. In the above example, he says, "We are children of the Most High God." I think if polled, the members (and attenders) of Lakewood Church, some of which I know personally, would tell you they are living victorious and prosperous lives. It doesn't mean they don't struggle, but they are living in victory over Satan. In addition, they go out into a hurting world and are some of the most encouraging people I've ever met. I say let's not be too quick to judge. Thousands have come to Christ because of Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and its ministry. And isn't that REALLY what it's all about? Mouse print: The opinions expressed are those of my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my former classmates, friends, or family members.
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: I don't think Driscoll misses the point at all. Jesus died on the cross to bring us back to God. The life Osteen describes is not in keeping with the whole of Scripture. On the one hand, Jesus says that He has come to give us abundant life. On the other, Paul says: "29 For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear about me." Phil. 1:29-30 I don't think anyone is too hasty in judging - and disagreeing is not judging. As for how many have put their faith in the Gospel, that is unknown to me - and everyone else, for that matter. Judging that really is beyond us all.
• April 27, 2009, Curtis Parish writes: None of the apostles could have measured up to Joel's definition of a victorious Christian life. None of them were wealthy, most ended up in jail and Paul asked many times for a thorn to be removed. If only Paul had heard one of Joel's sermons and known he could have claimed victory over that thorn.
• April 27, 2009, Barry Martin writes: Joel, me, and at least 43,000 other people are living victorious Christian lives. Wonder where I went wrong.
• April 28, 2009, Bart writes: I claim victory from sin because of Jesus' righteousness. I still sin though. I am not naive to think believers claim a life of properity. Not prosperity in health, wealth, or family. We read that God will be with us always and will not put us through any trial or tribulation we cannot handle. Instead of looking for prosperity we should "act justly, love righteousness, and walk HUMBLY with our God!"

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced
• Driscoll and Idolatry
• Missional means going… How far would you go?

Yep, it’s pretty blunt, but not mean spirited.

Comments

• April 21, 2009, Bob Cleveland writes: Blunt, yes. Appropriate, yes. Thanks for posting this. Is it just me, or is Rev. Osteen becoming more "name it/claim it" while still avoiding pentecostalism? Hmmmmm. Bob Clevelands last blog post..The Death Penalty: good .. bad .. ugly..
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: He's always been like that. I grew up in Houston, so I knew that church when his father was the pastor. John (dad) died and Joel sort of inherited it. Their theology/practice always was pretty charismatic. It actually seems that he's gone a little backward from what it was originally.
• April 21, 2009, Kevin Bussey writes: Great clip Art. Thanks. Kevin Busseys last blog post..Pay it forward-Birmingham style!
• April 21, 2009, Barry Martin writes: I think Driscoll misses the point. Jesus died on the cross and rose again so that we CAN live a victorious life. Joel Osteen doesn't leave God out of the equation. In the above example, he says, "We are children of the Most High God." I think if polled, the members (and attenders) of Lakewood Church, some of which I know personally, would tell you they are living victorious and prosperous lives. It doesn't mean they don't struggle, but they are living in victory over Satan. In addition, they go out into a hurting world and are some of the most encouraging people I've ever met. I say let's not be too quick to judge. Thousands have come to Christ because of Joel Osteen, Lakewood Church, and its ministry. And isn't that REALLY what it's all about? Mouse print: The opinions expressed are those of my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my former classmates, friends, or family members.
• April 21, 2009, art rogers writes: I don't think Driscoll misses the point at all. Jesus died on the cross to bring us back to God. The life Osteen describes is not in keeping with the whole of Scripture. On the one hand, Jesus says that He has come to give us abundant life. On the other, Paul says: "29 For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, 30 having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear about me." Phil. 1:29-30 I don't think anyone is too hasty in judging - and disagreeing is not judging. As for how many have put their faith in the Gospel, that is unknown to me - and everyone else, for that matter. Judging that really is beyond us all.
• April 27, 2009, Curtis Parish writes: None of the apostles could have measured up to Joel's definition of a victorious Christian life. None of them were wealthy, most ended up in jail and Paul asked many times for a thorn to be removed. If only Paul had heard one of Joel's sermons and known he could have claimed victory over that thorn.
• April 27, 2009, Barry Martin writes: Joel, me, and at least 43,000 other people are living victorious Christian lives. Wonder where I went wrong.
• April 28, 2009, Bart writes: I claim victory from sin because of Jesus' righteousness. I still sin though. I am not naive to think believers claim a life of properity. Not prosperity in health, wealth, or family. We read that God will be with us always and will not put us through any trial or tribulation we cannot handle. Instead of looking for prosperity we should "act justly, love righteousness, and walk HUMBLY with our God!"

Related posts:

• Driscoll on aborting a pregnancy from rape
• Mark Driscoll on Evangelism: Not Imposing but Proposing
• Driscoll on Grace for the Disgraced
• Driscoll and Idolatry
• Missional means going… How far would you go?