"And the truth shall set you free..."

Carl Gladstone shows up quite often on my Facebook thread, and every now and quite often one of his comments catches my eye. Here's one from this morning:

Carl Gladstone Watched the bio of Jon Stewart on Hulu. Who'da thought the guy from Half Baked would be the most trusted news source for 20-30 yr olds?

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Believe it or not, earlier in the day Eric and I were talking about where we turn for truth and insight into the world. Didn't theologian Karl Barth say that we need to engage the world with the bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other. Problem is, for me, I don't trust or believe most the major news outlets. I'm tired of corporate and political slants and propaganda getting passed off as news.

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People give 20 and 30 year olds a hard time for turning to The Onion and The Daily Show for their news. But I appreciate that their satyrical approach that requires viewers to have at least the basic understanding of world events. But still, I long for truth...

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Where do you turn for honest and earnest reporting of the news--local, state, global?

Open Secrets About Deep Spiritual Growth

We definitely didn't plan it this way, but Eric's last post, Katie's post before that, and my post today all connect with deepening discipleship.

Love him or hate him (in a Jesus still loves you kinda way), Bill Hybels and people like him often dictate the conversations you and I have in our churches (can you say 40 Days of Purpose). One thing I appreciate about Hybels and Willow Creek Community Church is that they took an honest inventory of their church and discovered that people felt their spiritual discipleship was lacking.

Their study was part of the larger study of churches--large and small--with spiritual vitality (evangelism, serving), with personal spiritual practices (prayer, Bible reading), and the church's role (activities, congregant needs). This highlights of this REVEAL study are published in the current issue of Rev! Magazine.

From their survey of these spiritually vital churches, they identified four key principles of helping people grow in their faith:

1. "Get People Moving" - the top churches make it clear that they intend to help every person grow in faith. The first steps of growth are clear. The 2nd steps of growth are clear. And every church that ranked near the top had a "not optional" newcomer or membership class. (I'm thinking back to two ladies who once walked into my church and said that they wanted to join the church the next Sunday... they didn't last very long, as I recall).

2. "Embed the Scritpures in Everything" - the top churches have leaders and insist their leaders spend time with the Scriptures. And it pours out on everything they do.

3. "Create Ownership" - it's the idea that "I go to church" doesn't really fit anymore. Instead "I AM the church" is a better slogan. The pastor doesn't dictate or run the ministries, but rather empowers and unites lay leaders in their minisry.

4. "Pastor the Local Community" - these churches are relevant to the communities around them. "From bussing hundreds of disadvantaged kids to Sunday services, to cooking hot dogs on city streets to break up drug deals, to refurbishing a bankrupt hospital in a needy neighborhood--thee churches are the hands and feet of Christ in ther Communities."

You know, as I look at this list, there's really nothing new about these 4 principles. I'm pretty sure that I've been hearing them in some form for at least the last 10 years. Someday, you'd think it will sink in.