Author: Brad Christian

On saturday night I was able to take Jason, Claude and Randy to their Christmas present from me. I didn’t let them know what it was until we got to the RBC Center and the arena’s sign said “TONIGHT – Trans Siberian Orchestra.” Lets just say I kicked their Christmas season off with a literal bang, and explosions, and fire, and pyro, and crazy awesome music. I had the opportunity to see them two years ago… but the show was better then ever. My amazon is getting blown up right now downloading my favorite album of theres. Its going to be rocking driving to Topsail tomorrow night.

Here are some pics from the show.

You can also download the song that they opened the show with this year for free here at amazon for a limited time.

The following is an open letter to the mall preacher who stands on the mall everyday who yells at the passing students that they are hell bound heathens…

Dear Mall Preacher,

First let me begin by saying that I am glad that you have a passion for your work. I don’t know if you are paid for your endeavors, but none the less you do have passion.

I have many emotions that are built up in my heart right now… for three years I have had to walk by you on the mall and hang my head as I see the large group of students gathered around you. My emotions are all over the place. One side of me wants to praise you for your boldness – but when I listen to what you are saying… that all goes away.

I have many things that I want to say to you, but I don’t want to get into a theological debate. The only thing I want to express to you in this letter is that you ARE a sinner. I don’t care what you say or how you try to back it up. You are…

I point you towards 1st John –
1 John 1:8-10
8 If we claim that we’re free of sin, we’re only fooling ourselves. A claim like that is errant nonsense. 9 On the other hand, if we admit our sins—make a clean breast of them—he won’t let us down; he’ll be true to himself. He’ll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing. 10 If we claim that we’ve never sinned, we out-and-out contradict God—make a liar out of him. A claim like that only shows off our ignorance of God.

So please stop saying that you are sinless and not a sinner.

I think I understand your mission because there are a ton of people at ECU who think because they call themselves a Christian means that they get their eternal life pass. I know that cultural Christianity is an epidemic that needs to be addressed, but unfortunately having big signs telling people they deserve hell isn’t going to do anything.

First you need to express to people God’s Love and Grace.
1 John 4:8-9
8 The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. 9 This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him.

Then once you have shown people how much God loves them -THEN- you can talk to people about what prevents us from knowing God personally.

So my friend… I have many more thoughts for you, but I think these are the most important.

-Sincerely
Brad

I’m pretty politicked right now… before election day you need to take an hour and watch both of these videos.

Video 1:

Politicked – Avalanche (TV) from Fellowship Church on Vimeo.

Video 2:

Politicked – Rock the Vote from Fellowship Church on Vimeo.

Facebook users check out the link here

It was announced today that Dr. Robert Schuller and his son are both leaving the Hour of Power Broadcast. The LA times had reported earlier that Dr. Schuller’s son Robert A. Schuller had been removed from the Senior Pastor role that he took over for his father in early 2006. Not much information has gotten out except for that they were in disagreement for the vision for the future of the church. Their denomination (Reformed Church in America) has stepped in to help during this transition.

The reason I bring this is up because I see this as a huge sign of the current state of the traditional church in america. I have a feeling that the clash in vision had something to do with the Crystal Cathedral being very traditional in style. They probably do the best traditional service in the country. They have a full orchestra, beautiful sanctuary, the pastors preach in robes, huge choir and do a pretty kick butt Christmas pageant every year. Where is the problem?

I feel that the problem lays within creative relevance…

The Crystal Cathedral was probably one of the first creative churches in the united states. Dr. Schuller started one of the first “Theatre Churches” by meeting in a local drive in. Their church building is also very creative – When I was out in California last march I was able to drive by it and I texted Jason immediately because I felt I had gone by Superman’s castle lair. They have always been on the cutting edge television wise with their services now being available in HD. They were also the first church to have flying angels in their famous pageants.

Over the years though their creativity did not evolve. The music stayed the same, the clothing didn’t change, the building stayed the same, even the television offers for Christmas ornaments have stayed the same. Now they are having to cut back their broadcast from an hour to half hour, and they are not even really considered a mega church anymore.

What was considered cutting edge in the late 70s is looked now upon as an ancient relic.

I am not just picking on the Crystal Cathedral either. Recent reports show the Southern Baptist Convention shrinking at alarming rate. There is a huge problem with traditional (or even blended) churches in the united states. They are dying!

God is. Church evolves.

Our God is the God of our yesterdays and today. He never changes -however- the church MUST evolve and change in order to continue connecting the world to the life changing power of Christ.