Sunday LeftOvers: Getting into Church - January 19th, 2014

Johnny Carson's life is both tragic and instructive.  A few months ago our family watched a Netflix biography about the former Tonight Show host.  We had thought it would be a collection of his funniest bits and jokes, but instead it told the story of his personal life.  He longed to be loved and truly known.  Deprived of his mother's approval, his four marriages and numerous affairs testify to his search for acceptance.

Johnny's quest to be truly known and personally loved is one that Christians will affirm- is ultimately found in Christ.  The Christian world view states that we are created in the image of God, and therefore we are created with a desire to belong to something greater than ourselves.  Everything that we are to do as followers of Christ, we are to do in community with one another.

Connecting with a local church can be a trying experience.  We've either been hurt by church, felt the sting of an icy glare, or even betrayed by a friend...  But for as much as we may have been hurt in the past, we need to belong, we need to connect, we were created to be a part of the Church.

If you do not have a church home, then let me encourage to start the process of landing in a church that will help you grow in your relationship with Christ.... it is the most rewarding thing you can do!

Christians Negatively Portrayed by the Media? This American Life's Ira Glass Says 'Yes'

In a recent video interview, Ira Glass host of Public Radio's This American Life, gave an interview describing how Christians are negatively portrayed in the media.

Glass is known for his clever insights into American culture- combining his acerbic wit and everyman approach to storytelling.  He has publicly rejected his family's Jewish heritage -embracing Atheism.

The five minute interview can be watched by  Clicking Here

Do you agree with Glass's insights into how Christians are portrayed in the Media?

Christians Should Drink Starbucks not Boycott Them...

With a blog called Coffee Shop Pastor, what else did you expect?

Over the past 30 years or so Christians have boycotted DisneyWorld, Pepsi, Proctor and Gamble, Ford and Levi Strauss Co.  When a Pastor or Christian organization calls for a boycott, people rally, emails fly, posters are painted and local pastors are urged to stand with those calling for the boycott.

As a local evangelical pastor, I've long felt that boycotts tend to serve those who are advocating for them, rather than the greater cause that they are ostensibly against!  Boycotts 'rally the troops', boycotts bring in more donations, and in my opinion, boycotts ultimately end up only increasing the profile of the person or group who initiated this action!

But what of the morality of the boycott?  Should Christians use their economic power to affect change?  What are the unintended consequences of these actions?  Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary makes a strong case that Christians should not only avoid boycotting, but that the actual use of them undercuts the Christian witness and message.

Maybe instead of refusing to patronize Starbucks, Christians should do more business, have studies, get their small groups to meet at their local coffee shops!  Let Starbucks see Christians and experience the salt and light of the Gospel!

Read Dr. Moore's thoughts here and send in your thoughts and comments...