robwestbrook.com

I saw this site mentioned by someone on Twitter the other day. So I went over and checked it out. The website is called “Bible in 11,” centering on a video that covers the entire Bible in eleven minutes. It’s actually a very well executed gospel presentation. After the video, the site provides more info for seekers, as well as info on how a church can join with the organization in spreading their gospel presentation. The group originates in New Zealand.

I couldn’t find a way to imbed the video here, so click the image below, or this link, to see the video at the Bible in 11 website.

The freedom we have here in the United States to worship Jesus is one we seldom think about. We take for granted the freedom to gather almost anywhere we want to, at any time, to sing, pray, and speak about Jesus. But that freedom is one not available to many Christians around the world. They literally place their lives on the line when they worship.

Open Doors has started an initiative called “The 5 Minute Challenge,” where those of us with the freedom of worship pray for those who don’t. The challenge is to devote 5 short minutes a week to pray for those in countries without freedom of worship. Each week you receive an email focusing on one country where freedom is non-existent. By the end of the year, you will have prayed for all 50 country on Open Doors’ World Watch List.

Watch the video below for the challenge and then visit this page to sign up.

(Thanks to Ron Edmondson for the link!)

Pete Wilson, pastor of Cross Point Church in the Nashville area, shares some thoughts on insecurity, including his own.

Like everyone else I go through seasons where I doubt myself and my effectiveness. When you have a public ministry you constantly have people in your ear saying things like…

I wish you preached more like this…

I wish…

Pete then continues by revealing some of his most recent struggles with insecurity. His post gives some insight into what many in the ministry are struggling with; the struggle of never quite measuring up to expectations. Those of others and those of ourselves.

Take a look at honesty from a man knee deep in ministry. He speaks for many of us with similar struggles.

Link: Voices in My Head

These guys, Joe and Buzz, have some of the funniest stuff on YouTube, especially if you’re from the south. Take a look at this two minute episode, and see the rest on their YouTube channel.

Take a look at this video, featuring Christine Caine, of Equip and Empower Ministries, and also Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia.

She’s talking about the church being in the world, but not of it. Pretty good stuff.

My fellow Mississippian, church planter, and pastor Terry Ivy has an excellent blog over at terryivy.com. I’ve had the pleasure to meet and talk with Terry, who is fired up about Jesus and His church.

He recently posted a blog article: “Church Planting is NOT the Mission,” part of his ReThinking Church group of posts. Here’s a line from the post:

… if we count the establishing or planting of a church as the final goal, we miss the heart of Jesus and the example of the Apostle Paul in the book of Acts.

He goes on to address some of the problems caused when planting a church is the final goal. He also generously supplies Scripture to point to the true final goal. Terry is very insightful. If you’re a church planter, or considering that direction, you should read Terry’s post. In fact, you should read everything Terry has, starting with this one.

Link: Church Planting is NOT the Mission – terryivy.com
Link: ReThinking Church Blog Series – terryivy.com

Another great post from Ron Edmondson – 10 Words of Hope

Link: 10 Words of Hope When the Dream is Dying

The David Crowder Band took 4000 cell phone videos from their audience, and created a very nice Christmas Video. Take a look.

Thanks to Church Mag for the link!

Ron Edmondson’s blog is a daily must-read for me. His latest entry is “10 Secrets of Many Senior Pastors.”

A couple of secrets Ron shares:

• Many senior pastors fear the possibility of failing in their role, so they thrive on the encouragement and prayers of others.
• Our spouse is sometimes the loneliest person in the church and often feels extreme pressure to live up to unrealistic expectations.

See the rest at Ron’s blog. Here’s the link:
10 Secrets of Many Senior Pastors

Love Matt Chandler and his always well-timed words.

Thanks for the link, Todd Rhodes.