LeadershipConneXtions

Consumption as a Way of Life (and Faith): Part Two

How many advertisements do you think you are exposed to every day? The New York Times reports that every day, every American is exposed to 3,500 "desire producing advertisements."

We live in a culture that seeks to stimulate our desire to have things we didn't know we needed or wanted. The world of advertising/marketing strives to stimulate your desire to buy, by stirring up our unhappiness and inciting dissatisfaction when we realize we don't have something.

And of course, tied with every product is the promise of enjoyment and happiness (when you own that product or experience).

Hand in hand with this cultural way, is an economic system of buying now what you can't afford through the use of credit cards and delayed payment. We delay payment so we do not have to delay gratification. This comes with an inflated cost due to compound interest and an eventual burden of debt that makes us unhappy which then fuels our need to buy something else to cheer us up. 

Jethani says, "Although lack of self-control has always plagued humanity, for the first time i history an economic system has been created that relies on it."

Consumption is a way of life.

After 9/11, we were encouraged not to let the terrorists win. They would win if we changed our spending, shopping habits. President Bush proclaimed to the terrorists that Americans would continue to "fly and buy."

In our current economic crisis, the last thing the powers that be (i.e. principalities of business and government) want us to do is cut back on our spending. Our economy needs jump-started with a new wave of spending.  (Excuse me - isn't that what got us in this bind in the first place?!?)

Remember, from yesterday, that I said it is not that being a consumer/customer is wrong. What is wrong is the way we are now engaging in those activities.
 

And the world of faith and church has not been immune.

Here is what every Christian leader knows (or should know:

(1)  Whether we like it or not, the person sitting in the pew is a customer/consumer and they expect the church (or para-church, or whatever) to provide what it is they are looking for.

(2)  We know that if we do not provide it, there are others who will. And as in most things, you can take your "spiritual business" elsewhere.

(3)  We also know you want and expect the latest and the best. We know the customer is naturally a critic.

(4)  And if we are really good at all this, we figure out how to "brand" our product so it is even more recognizable, marketable and profitable.

Our strategies may vary widely.

We may decide that we don't care what you think you want. We will give you what we think you need.

We may decide that we must work very hard to change you as the customer/consumer so that you come to want, what we are providing. 

Or we may just give in and cater to things the way they are and give you want you want.

There may be other options, but these are the ones that come to mind right now.

What I believe is that this reality is true for the church of modernity and post-modernity.  It is true for the evangelical church and the emerging church.

Rob Bell knows exactly what his customers want. So does Brian McLaren. So does Bill Hybels and Rick Warren and Andy Stanley and Joyce Meyers and John Maxwell and Benny Hinn . . .  And so do the people who market their products! You can also bet that each of those individuals gets regular reports on how well their products sell... how large the numbers of customers are at their events..

Every individual I mentioned, even though they each have strong personal convictions about what is right and true, also know their audiences have expectations and wants. And they design their offering to provide what is wanted. Then the world of Christian marketing and merchandizing kicks in to both promote and deliver that product, not to mention, make a profit off of it.

At what point do we lose our soul to the machine of Christian commerce?

By the way, it is more than a little ironic that SKye Jethani, who launched this conversation for me (and who had some profound things to say about it), is right in the center of the Christian marketing enterprise with his role at Christianity Today. For example, just click here to go a blog he does and see it surrounded with a plethora of advertising... all designed to appeal to (OR) stimulate your needs.

Hmmm.... this is starting to sound like a Rant and Rave, and I try to do those only occasionally.

As you can tell, I don't pretend to have good answers to this. I'm just glad if I can be one of those spreading a little more awareness of the situation/problem.

Hey, this is one issue I would love to hear some of your thoughts.

Is the church becoming too consumerist?
Are Christians becoming just like the culture around us?
How are you doing on these things?

Brian K. Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com

Rant and Rave: Michael Vick and an American Problem

Several days ago I posted a NOTE on Facebook about Michael Vick and the public reaction to him. Wehad quite a good discussion. I thought I would do a bit of editing of that NOTE and put it on the blogsite.

**********************

I have been REALLY struck by the public reaction to Michael Vick being picked up by the Eagles. Well, some of the public reaction. It is hard to know how many people really feel this way, or is the attention just being focused on the few who do, since it makes for good news and spicy sports commentary.

Here is what strikes me. We (at least some of us) are an angry people, an unforgiving people, and a judgmental people. 

I am not minimizing the crime Michael Vick committed. The dog fighting ring was not just wrong, it was a despicable evil. It deserves to be a crime. It deserves to be punished. Vick did the crime and he did the time. (Maybe he should have done more time, but that is for the court system to determine.)
 

Now - what and who is Michael Vick? (I'll explain this one below.)
And - how do we assess and treat Michael Vick?

What do we believe about forgiveness, grace, second chances, new beginnings, fresh starts, the possibility of redemption (or if that word is too strong) the possibility of change in those who have done wrong?

Here are a few thoughts that have been rumbling around in my mind over the last number of days as I have read the news and especially listened to the sports commentators on this issue.
 

ONE:  What/Who is Michael Vick? Is he still a criminal, an ex-criminal, a reformed criminal, a recovering criminal, a repentant criminal ... ?  We are characterizing Vick with our descriptive labels.

Is he a loser, a con, a cad, a fraud, a phony, a washed up human being?  Is he dirt, scum, filth ...?

Listening to some of the angry voice out there - he is everything I just mentioned in the previous sentence.

Who is Vick in the eyes of God? Should we have the same eyes to see Vick as God does?
 

TWO:  What do we believe about forgivenes, grace, redemption and other such things? Or maybe we no longer believe those things (or understand or experience them) in our post-Christian culture?

How does one become a truly "ex-con?"  
Is it possible for one to be a "former but no longer criminal?"
Do we believe Michael Vick does not deserve forgiveness and grace and redemption?
Or let me state this just slightly different, do we believe Vick is beyond the possibility of forgiveness, grace and redemption?

Is there a list of crimes/trespasses/sins that we say, cross this line and we as a society believe you are irremediably fallen and we want nothing to do with you?  If so - who came up with the list and on what basis?

Has anyone stopped to think that some of these angry critics seem an awlful lot like the "elder brother" of the Prodigal Son parable? 

Fortunately for Vick, Tony Dungy has opened his arms like the "waiting father."  And fortunately for Vick, Andy Reid knows something of the pain of a father who has his own prodigal son problems.
 

THREE:  How about this for some sheer hypocrisy on our part?  

If we are fallen, how do we want to be treated and received?  Do we really want to be treated and labeled by others in the way the critics are doing to Vick?  Do we even remember the Golden Rule any longer?

Are we really so confident that we are without sin and therefore fully qualified to be throwing the first stones at Vick? Where are the prophets who write in the sand and we the accusers walk away convicted and ashamed of our own evil?

 

 

FOUR: What do we really want for Vick? Do we want him to be endlessly punished and scorned and downgraded to a sub-person status? Does the spirit of vindictiveness sour us that much? Or do we really long for his transformation? Do we mourn over his (and our own) sin and pray for healing and transformation? Or do we gloat in how the mighty are fallen and how the evil get their just desserts (finally, it's about time)?  Do we really want to live with the eye for an eye way of life?  

What would love ask of us concerning Michael Vick? 

Here is an interesting one mentioned earlier, repeated with a slight twist:   What do you think Christ thinks of Michael Vick? What do you think Jesus wants for Vick? And why would we not want the same for him?
 

FIVE:  And finally -what if we are wrong in giving grace? What if Vick is only playing the well orchestrated, publicity game? What if there is no change at all in him? What if he remains a really bad person? What then? What have we lost by being gracious people?

And what has happened to us when we are critical, condemning, angry, bitter, unforgiving, self-righteous, vindictive . . . ?  I know what these things do to my soul. It isn't pretty. 

****************

Your thoughts and observations and arguments are desired?
 

Brian "a recovering stone thrower" Rice
Leadership ConneXtions International
www.lci.typepad.com

A Mild Rant and Rave on the Economy

I have a full blown Rant and Rave about the economy, actually it is more about the factors that have contributed to the economy. But I have hesitated writing and posting it. For I am neither an economist nor the son of an economist (a play on Amos 7:14 about prophets) and therefore, don't really understand the complexity of these issues.

What I do understand is the spiritual and moral energies that drive certain systems of growth either in healthy or unhealthy ways. So here is a milder version of that Rant and Rave.

 For a long time, I have believed that we have questionable energies that drive our economy... that we play smoke and mirror games with finances (both personally and as a nation)... and that at some point a major corrective is needed.

I become concerned when I hear people (and especially leaders) wanting to spend money to get back to normal! Our financial way of living for the past fifty years should not be normal. We have grossly over-consumed by blindly spending and massively borrowing to do so.

I become concerned when I hear the hurting people (and there are many of them) getting frustrated when there is not a fast bailout or turn around of the economy.

I become concerned when I think we may settle for band-aids that only delay the eventual full reckoning; and which pass the burden and the buck (buck: in terms of final responsibility but not money) off to those who will come after us.

I become concerned when we think we can live without reaping the consequences of irresponsible financial decisions, immoral or at least questionable financial practices, and frankly a consuming kind of greed that always wants more even if we can't afford it. God is not mocked, according to Galatians 5:7-10, and we do reap what we sow.

But like I said, I am neither an economist or the son of one. So . ..

Here is a link that my friend John sent to me that really raises some of my concerns in a thoughtful way.

The Inflection is Near by Thomas Friedman.

It is obviously written by a top-notch world observer.

Give me your feedback on this.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Really Out of Whack Celebrity Salaries! Really Out of Whack Cultural Values

Well it is all over the news.  The New York Yankees are paying Sabathia $131,000,000  over seven years to be their star pitcher! (Yes the green color is intentional.)

The average family in the United States makes about $50,000 a year!

Starting teachers for K-12 earn less than $34,000 a year! 

Starting social workers earn less than$30,000!

An EMT starting salary is under $11.00 per hour!

YES the color red (symbolizing being broke) - is intentional!

Saving lives, helping the disadvantaged, teaching our children . . . We pay these professions pathetically low salaries. In doing so, we make pronouncements on how much we value what they do.

But celebrities who entertain us - now that's a different matter. Whether they are athletes, musicians, movie stars, TV actors . . . we pay top dollar to be entertained!

Sabathia is supposedly a really nice guy. This post is not about him! It is about our culture and what we value. I don't blame a celebrity for taking an outrageously high salary. I blame those who offer such salaries and the culture that approves it.

My rant and rave is this - we value the wrong things. We put our treasure in the wrong places. And we are less of a peope because of it.

And don't even get me started on ridiculously over-priced celebrity salaries when they are terrible role models as well!

Your thoughts please?

Am I missing something?

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

They Lie, Cheat and Steal (and Still Say They're Good)

I haven't had a good rant and rave in some time, so here goes.

A recent article in the Associated Press (by David Crary) was about the current class of students.  Crary called them the Class of Dishonesty.

Here are the stats.  In the past year,

30% of high school students have stolen from a store.

64% have cheated on a test.

38% cheated two or more times.

36% say they used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment.

20% admitted they stole something from a friend.

23% said they stole something from a family member.

All these statistics are several percentage points (3-4) worse than last year. Project that out a few years and see what numbers you come up with.

And . . . here is the rub . . .

93% of the students said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character!!!

77% believed that when it comes to doing what is right, they are BETTER than their peers!!!

Here is what I see when I read articles like this.  Without any doubt, we live in a world where:

The ends justify the means.

I deserve what I want.

If I can get away with it I will.

If I am caught I'll probably protest.

I can spin about myself with the best of them.

Everyone else is doing it.

Self-deception is a wonderful skill for today.

If you read down to about two days ago, check out the post on Autonomous Individualism and Narcissistic Hedonism. This is just an example.

Now, put these people with this ethics in Wall Street, in senior management in Fortune 500 Companies, in governmental positions and any place else where leadership is required. And think about the results.

Well, just look at the mess we are in today and think a little bit how we got here.

Should anyone be surprised at the consequences?

Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.  (Hosea 8:7)

Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows . . . Let us not become weary in doing good . . .  (Galatians 6:7-9)

We certainly need a new kind of leader.  Are there any takers . . . ?

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Boy did this TV evangelist/healer/ (charlatan) ever get me riled up . . .

The other night, I am waiting for the first episode of ELI STONE (probably my current favorite TV show) to premier its second season and I have a little time for one of my vices. Watching religious TV programming . . .  I desperately need a support group for this.

And man did I ever get riled up.

I won't mention his name or the name of his guests. I could only stomach watching it for about ten minutes.

The world renown healer/evangelist was talking about the financial crisis with his equally well known guest. In essence, here is what they said.

ONE:  We are facing a serious, global economic crisis.  (TRUE)

TWO:  If you have your money in banks and the market, etc. you have no guarantee that it will be safe. After all, moth and rust destroy.  (TRUE)

THREE:  It is God's will that none of his children are affected by this. God wants to bless his people with financial prosperity in this economic crisis. And if you are obedient to God, you will financially prosper. (A LITTLE TRUTH, BUT MORE ERROR AND THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED, MAINLY FALSE)

FOUR:  And the way you can be odedient and receive the blessing of financial security from God is to send a $1000.00 gift to (of course, the ministry of the healer/evangelist). $500 and $100 gifts are also okay. But live in the blessing of God who will reward you ten fold when you send your gift of obedience to this ministry.  (I just have to say it. This is not just WRONG.  This is EVIL!)

It is pure spiritual manipulation on the part of leaders. Ezekiel 34 and Matthew 23 come to mind.

Yes ministries need support. Yes those of us who are Christians are to be obedient with our financial lifestyles and our tithes and offering. Yes, if we live wisely as stewards, we will be less affected in tough times than those who live well beyond their means. 

But just as hurricanes affect the just and the unjust, just as drought affects Christian and non-Christian farmers, just as war destroys the homes and lives of followers of Jesus as well as non-Christian neighbors, these turbulent economic times affect everyone. Christians are not exempt.

The preacher/healer/evangelist (and too many like him) are just evil in their motivation and message. (Alright, if evil is too strong, then deceived is what I'll use as an alternative.)

Look, I would fully repent and take back EVERYTHING I said, If one of these TV charlatans would say something like this. 

"I fully believe that God will bless you financially if you give a gift of $1000. But, do not and I repeat DO NOT send it to my ministry. Give it to any other Christian organization that is doing the work of God.  Give the money to help with AIDS. Give the money to feed the poor. Give the money to Third world missions organizations whose faithful evangelists are living at poverty level while risking their lives for the sake of Christ.

I am not saying this so that my ministry will benefit. I am teaching this so that you will be blessed.  And to be an example of my theology and teaching, I _______ (fill in the name of the TV evangelist) am making a donation of $100,000 of my own money to these other organizations doing God's work, who are in great need. And I know that God will bless me ten fold. So I don't need your money. Give it to someone else who does!"

I'm not holding my breath waiting to hear this. But, if I do hear it, not only will I be glad to quicky repent, heck, I'll even send them a donation out of gratitude for their integrity on this.

Why are so many Christians so naive and support not just the minsitries of these TV preachers, but even more so, the lavish lifestyles they have? And make no mistake, most of them live very lavish lifestyles. (The picture below is the home of one of these individuals. No wonder they are always asking for your money.)

Sigh........

I'm glad I only occasionally do these Rants and Raves . . . I get too worked up.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Economic Woes, Blame-shifters and Would Someone Please Take Some Responsibility

The other evening, in the Ancient-Future Faith community, I used one of my very favorite quotes by G.K. Chesteron.

A London newspaper was running a series of essays on the theme: What's Wrong With the World? The paper invited a number of prominent authors to submit essays which would then be printed in the newspaper. Chesterton submitted the shortest essay.

In response to the question - what is wrong with the world, he replied...

       Dear Sirs:

                I am.

                       Sincerely yours,

                       G.K. Chesteron

I want to use Chesterton's thought and also give you three quotes to set the stage for my ranting and raving on our current economic woes and how the conversation about responsibility and blame is shaping up.

If things go wrong in the world, this is because something is wrong with the individual, because something is wrong with me. Therefore, if I am sensible, I shall put myself right first. For this I need a knowledge of the innermost foundations of being . . . The true leaders of mankind are always those who are capable of self-reflection.   Carl Jung, psychologist (to the left)

If our goal is to so reshape our organizations so that they will survive and flourish in the new century, our most immediate need is to shape ourselves.  C. Michael Thompson, consultant/author

To live well is my first and essential contribution to the well being of all mankind.  Thomas Merton, contemplative, monk, author

Here comes the ranting . . .

Each of these authors is saying - if something is wrong, don't put the blame on someone else, don't put the responsibility somewhere else. Stand up, take responsibility, accept the blame for what is wrong, and start to make changes.

We learn this in kindergarden! At least we are supposed to! Say, "I was wrong." "I'm sorry." And do better or different next time.

Jim Collins says this is the essence of Level Five leadership. Level Five leaders accept responsibilty.

No one is taking responsibility for our economic mess.

Everyone is pointing the finger elsewhere.

Democrats say it is the Bush administration's fault.

Bush is blaming Congress for not acting on his plan.

Politicians say it is the failure of the Wall Street moguls.

Rush Limbaugh says it all started with the Clinton administration.

Others are blaming Greenspan and his successors.

Some are pointing the finger at the banking and loan industry which made ridiculous loans.

Some are pointing the finger at the consumer who wanted to live WAY beyond their means in homes that were far more than they could afford and who took those ridiculous loans.

And on and on it goes. No one is taking responsibility. Everyone is pointing the finger.

And I just want to ask:

Will a real Level Five Leader please stand up? Take some responsibility for the mess.

We need some "The buck stops here" leaders.

That's just a starting point.

There has just been way too much stupidity and greed for way too long. We are all responsible.

Maybe we need to start with Isaiah's lament.

"Woe is me, I am ruined, for I a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips" (Isaiah 6:5)

Modern Americans can say, "Woe is me, I am ruined, for I am a woman or a man who is financially ruined due to stupidity and greed and rampant consumerism and I live among a culture, a people, a nation of those who are more of the same."

Let's move self-awareness to the front burner, followed by some personal humility and then a good dose of responsibility. After that, we can move on to things like repentance and wisdom and a willingness to reap what we have sown instead of looking for smoke and mirror solutions to dodge the economic bullet.

Let's start living wisely and well as an obligation to mankind.

By the way, it won't hurt to start listening to: Dave Ramsey for some sound financial advice.

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Culture Wars, Rumors of the Prince of Peace, and Will the Real Leader Please Stand Up

Without question - the 2008 Primaries and Presidential Race is the most interesting one I have ever seen.

The Democratic Primary was a nail biting, down to the wire, winner take all and loser goes home with the need to be a great sport event.

The Republican Primary - to be honest, I wasn't that caught up in it.

The Democratic Convention had the best pageantry and strong ending that threw the gauntlet down to the Republicans - top this.  Challenge our Apollo (i.e. Obama) who will bring in a new day.

The Republicans did just that with the surprise Sarah Palin Gambit (an obscure chess move where the "white pieces" choose an unexpected attack using the White Queen to protect her weaker King,that at first seems foolish, then breath-taking in its complexity, and which forces the opponent to a desperate defensive).

Now it is the grind to the finish line.

Here are a few things that hit me.

ONE:  Yes, we have an enormous cultural divide and in the election year, a cultural war in the USA. We are definitely not the United States of America, but more like the Divided States of America.

TWO:  There is a lot of anger (and fear) in our country. Just listen to the political maneuverings. They seek to stir up our fear of what the enemy will do and to stimulate our righteous anger for our own cause. We are not a very civil people. This cultural divide/war brings out the ugliest in our soul.

THREE:  In this Deeply Divided and Decidely Uncivil States of America, Christians are not left out or left behind. We too are deeply divided and really not too different from those who don't follow Christ. Where are the peacemakers who can move into the divide? What happens when those who could be peacemakers are cultural war mongers as well?

FOUR:  I wonder if Christians first have a political ideology (whether left or right) which is supremely important to the holder, and only then a Christianity that is aligned with their political ideology. In what sense, if at all, do we practice and experience the reality of Ephesians 2:11-22. The center of this passage says:

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility . . .

It seems it was much easier for Christ to destroy the dividing wall between  Gentile and Jew than to build a bridge across the dividing wall between Republican Christian and Democratic Christian.

FIVE:  I also wonder if for some Christians, the very word Christian is no longer a NOUN, but has become an ADJECTIVE. The noun is what you fundamentally are. An adjective is what nuances what you fundamentally are. I think that some of us are not as much Christians are we are Christian Democrats or Christian Republicans.

SIX:  Is it possible to frame a different approach where we ask - what does the Scripture have to say about doing justice, taking care of the poor and oppressed, waging war and seeking peace, loving our neighbor, practicing righteousness in all arenas of life, praying for the welfare of the "city" in which we are called to live, practicing generosity towards the needy, and on and on?

On the other hand, as I mentioned in a previous post, most Christians have not seriously inquired of the Scriptures on these matters. If anything, we go seeking a proof text or two to support our preferred position.

Maybe we need a Purple State of Mind. Thank-you Craig Detweiler.

 

SEVEN:  Politics are important, terribly important . . . but have you noticed the salvific language and images? I mean, let's be honest, Obama is being presented as a savior to the faithful constituency. The Republicans used salvific language in their convention.

Whether you put your trust in the Republican Horses or the  Democratic Chariots, it is a misplaced trust. Politics is vital, but it is not ultimate.   (Psalm 20:7;  Isaiah 31:1)  When religious language and longings are transferred to the sphere of politics . . . that is dangerous. A useful and necessary servant (politics) makes for a terrible god.

EIGHT:  I am pretty sure it is still the ekklesia that bears the image of Christ, that is the hope of the world. The last I checked, neither the Democratic party nor the  Republicans had replaced the church as the hope of the world. But if the church has become so culturally anemic and irrelevant, it comes as no surprise that we look elsewhere for salvation.

NINE:

And on a whimsical note . . .

I bet Obama is kicking himself for not having chosen Oprah as a running mate. 

Think about it:  Obama-Oprah vs. McCain-Palin. That would have kept us all tuned in for the September-October drag race.

TEN: Will a real leader please stand up and show us a new way?

Brian Rice

Leadership ConneXtions International

Hey, I'm an Addict, I'm Not Responsible for What I Did (Ranting About Tim Donaghy)

I dropped Matt off at band camp this morning and on the way into church, I am listening to Mike and Mike in the morning and they have a Gambling Addictions counselor on the line. I could hardly believe what I was hearing.

That guy (I missed his name) has been working with Donaghy (the ref who is accused of fixing basketball games and  then bet on the outcomes) and he basically said, Tim Donaghy  is an addict. The public does not understand the nature of the gambling addiction. Tim could not have stopped what he was doing. He should not be penalized for what he did. It is a disease.

To borrow a line from John Stossel,  GIVE ME A BREAK!

Of course Donaghy is guilty for what he did. Can you imagine the druggie who robs and beats (and let's say kills) a pedestrian to get money for drugs saying, I should not be penalized for what I did? I'm an addict and I was helpless!

What about the alcoholic who drinks and drives and kills someone in a car accident! Do we excuse them from the consequences since they are an addict?!

Ridiculous.

Fortunately, both Mike and Mike (while compassionate for Donaghy) didn't buy into this and neither did their listeners.

Ok - you are an addict, you get some of my sympathy for that. I know a lot of former addicts and some of them are my friends. I have a few acquaintances who are addicts and not in recovery.

Ok - you are an addict who does nothing about your addiction: You get no sympathy.

Ok - you are an addict who does nothing about your addiction and then, in the throes of your addiction, you break a law and someone gets hurt because you broke the law. Zero Tolerance! You pay the penalty.

But they say, this is not a deterrent to future behavior. Listen, if it is a deterrent, that is just a bonus. If it is not a deterrent, it doesn't matter. Break the law, you deal with the repercussions. Like everyone else.

But someone says, well Donaghy's family is the one who suffers. Yes they do and they have my full sympathy. I won't go into questions of enabling, yada, yada, yada at this point. They have my sympathy. It's sad what they have to go through. But are we now going to let everyone off the hook from the repercussions of breaking the law because they have a family member that will suffer?!

Addiction is painful. Irresponsibility and law breaking that arise out of addiction is painful . . . but it is not an excuse.

Ok, that's my rant and rave.

Brian Rice

Creation Festival and unChristian

About ten days ago, my son was at the Creation Festival at Agape Farm in Pennsylvania (along with about 80,000 other Christians).  It was their 30th anniversary for having these festivals. From time to time I wold listen to WJTL, the contemporary, Christian radio station based in Lancaster, PA as they broadcast speakers and bands during the five day event. At the same time, I was reading unChristian by Kinnaman!

By the way, you can check out Creation by going to http://www.creationfest.com/ne/

It was a very interesting juxtaposition!

Okay, I am going out on a limb just a bit (quite a bit... the limb is starting to break...) but the speakers I heard were just terrible in their triteness and superficiality. I mean some of it was just inane babble with lots of Christian buzz words.

And the world of contemporary Christian music just starts to sound so boring and bland! It hit me that Creation Festival represents the way of faith that so many critics are saying is 1/2 inch deep and culturally irrelevant to the max. And yet this is what we hold up as a highpoint for young people.

The Creation Festival represents what Kinnaman is saying is wrong with contemporary Christianity. It's message and music is part of the problem and not the solution.

If Kinnaman (and so many other emergent writers) are right, it will be the very same young people who attend these festivals who later walk away from the faith.

How do we think through these issues as leaders?

Okay, the limb broke and I need a hand to help me up... anyone... please...

Brian Rice

Personal Rant About Economics and Out of Control Spending

SPENDING... DEBT... $$$$$$... OUT OF CONTROL CONSUMERISM...

Okay, this post and topic IS NOT AN AREA OF SPECIALITY for me.

So, this is just a brief observation with a bit of a rant and rave.

I have a friend who is a very good accountant and business manager and I joke with him about "mystical accounting procedures." By that, I mean that, to my uneducated and unenlightened eyes, accountants and financial people make wonderful and magical things happen with figures! Wave the wand/pencil, move the numbers and presto, shazam!

Smoke and mirrors. The man behind the curtain.  Slight of hand.

(I recently read an article about widespread financial mismanagement and fudging of figures to put off bad news that would alarm investors by adjusting figures and anticipating making things up in later quarters.)

We have been living WAY BEYOND OUR MEANS for a long time.

Our nation is in massive debt. Many states are in debt. Companies are in the red. Do I need to say anything about the average American family being in debt?  The dollar - what a joke on the world market (and a bad joke at that).

We spend much more than we earn. We live way beyond our means.

And we think this won't come back to bite us?

We may be in the midst of a WAKE-UP CALL about our finances and spending. I find myself wondering if there is a CORRECTIVE coming our way. Maybe we are in it. Maybe we'll find more mystical ways to avoid the financial reckoning we have been putting off.

I think it is wise, sound stewardship to start spending within our means (which probably means we have to do some radical NOT SPENDING FOR A SEASON), do whatever you need to in cutting back, living more simply, and GET OUT OF DEBT.

I have a cartoon that YOU MUST SEE. But it was a gif file and would not post on to the site. So I put it in a PDF.  Download WhatBill.pdf  It captures our unrestrained spending mentality very powerfully.

Okay, that's my rant and rave.

Brian Rice

Oh yes . . . and I do think leaders ought to think very carefully about these matters, both for our families and our organizations. What you want and what you actually need and what you can afford are often VERY FAR APART. If you can't afford it, then don't want it and in many cases (but not all) you don't need it.