I recently had the opportunity to hear author Margaret Feinberg, at the Catalyst Conference, share how her book Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool and Honey came about. Actually, every attender got a free copy of her book! (Thank You!) Since I was in the nose-bleed section, I got a signed copy…very cool.

Over the past month I’ve travelled with Feinberg through the pages of her book. Taking in glimpses of my savior in ways I had not thought of him before. The old illustrations I’ve heard all my life have blossomed into something more real simply through her explorations of what it means for Jesus to be The Good Shepherd. Feinberg also explores other parables and stories that involve wine, vines and honey. The details of being a Shepherd, Vintner or Bee Keeper bring new meaning and light to these stories from the bible.

What does it mean for Jesus to proclaim that he leaves the 99 to find the 1 lost sheep? Well, that’s a very common thing for Shepherds. Of course you’d leave the 99, because there is strength in numbers. The 99 are better protected, but that 1 needs his Shepherd to find him or he will most certainly die. Sheep can’t live without a Shepherd. They need someone to lead them to still waters and green pastures. When alone, the enemy targets them and wins.

This book is told as short stories and vignettes that are sure to color your personal understanding of scripture and your devotions. I recommend this easy read to you. Go buy it, read it and you’ll see what I mean.

This has been part of the Scouting the Divine Blog Tour.

I’m not a person that cries very often. Even in great, dramatic, movies I can hold back those flood gates. But at Catalyst Conference a little over a week ago, I was touched by this moment. Watch the whole thing, the emotional moment is about 3/4 of the way through the clip.

Do you sponsor a child? We sponsor Banganjalo and one day we hop to meet him.

One of things that I love about Catalyst is that they are always trying to engage you and keep your attention…even between sessions. Check out this video of some footage I took during Catalyst last week.

I took this video of Josiah in the hospital.

Catalyst has been amazing so far. Each communicator brings his own set of gifts, style, insights and pondering to the table. Each one unique and that’s why they were asked to speak.

There’s one thing I’m noticing that I hope we can change. Let’s stop asking the question, “Did you like him (or her)?” to “Is what he (or she) said true and helpful?”

Also, I’m curious to know how many pastors, communicators, preachers, teachers or leaders would say that every word they’ve ever taught or preached was %100 truth. Do you believe that is true of you? I’m really curious. Would love to hear your thoughts.

Recently I was asked to review a new book coming out from Group Publishing. Here are my thoughts about the book.

“Shift: What it takes to finally reach families today” – By Brian Haynes

I know what you’re thinking, “I don’t need another book to tell me how to reach families. I need more ______ to help me do it.” I’m sure you could put any number of things in that blank. I’m sure, volunteers, money, and support would all be great words to plug in to that space. But before you write off Haynes and the systems from Kingsland Baptist Church, read this quick quote, “Parents teach their children how to love God by loving God in front of them. Parents intentionally impress the truth of God on their children. Nothing fancy. Beautifully simple.” (pg. 34) Sounds too good to be true right? Nothing in the church is “beautifully simple” is it? While the programs and systems suggested in Shift may not be as “beautifully simple” as it claims to be, what Haynes and his team have done is found some biblical principles that can be adapted to fit in any church context.

Shift suggests several key elements to reaching families: an Old Testament model, 7 milestones of a faith journey and a fundamental shift in the way we think about family ministry. Recently, there has been a cultural shift to the Old Testament model. Churches, pastors and ministry leaders don’t want the entire weight of bringing up children into devoted followers of Christ anymore. That’s what Shift is all about, empowering the church and the family to work together in raising children up in the way of the Lord. Haynes quotes Deuteronomy to help drive his point home.

“Hear O Israel, the Lord Our God, the Lord is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the door frames of your houses and on your gates.”
(Deuteronomy 6:4-9, NIV)

Ministry to children starts at home and the church should be an aide in the process. Since raising children in the way of the Lord is such an incredible challenge for most parents, Haynes suggests using faith Milestones as a way to educate parents and create teachable moments for parents to capitalize on. The Milestones are: The Birth of a Baby, Faith Commitment, Preparing for Adolescence, Commitment to Purity, Passage to Adulthood, High School Graduation and Life in Christ. What I like about Shift is that the milestones remain fluid. If a family enters into the church while their children are in High School, they may go through Milestone 2 and then skip to 5. Haynes does not suggest that every person needs to start at 1 and go in order all the way to 7.

Every church needs a streamlined strategy of how they are going to reach families and equip them to be the primary spiritual influence in their children’s lives. If you feel like your spinning round and round, not getting anywhere and need direction, this book can certainly point you in the right direction. You may not think that this specific strategy will work in your context, but that’s okay. Haynes is just sharing what he and Kingsland have discovered through trial and error.

Shift is a thought-provoking book that can start a much-needed discussion among your team. Buy the book here and read what others are saying here.

I’m leaving for a couple of days (Catalyst Conference) and so I’m trying to get some quality time in with Erica and Josiah. Here are a few pics of Josiah from today.

This is how my dad (Papa Don) met Josiah, via iChat. Do you iChat or Skype with family? It’s a great tool to have those face-to-face chats when you don’t live close enough to hang out.

This is my new favorite spot, with my new favorite son and our little Cooper. We were in a deep sleep.

Here are some pictures I snapped this weekend at New Vintage Church.

You’ve got come join us for week 3 of our Orange Series this coming Sunday (not Sat night service – Oct. 3, due to the Rock of Ages festival in Calistoga). Follow NVC on twitter.