Big Is The New Small

I’m wanting to compile this list of the top books for Christian Leaders to read in 2011.  It is understood that the Bible should always be the #1 book.  What I’d like to compile is a list thought leader, leadership and inspirational books that Christian Leaders need to read in 2011.   Recently published books are encouraged and oldies but goodies are welcome. We can update this list as the year goes on.

Please understand that “secular” leadership and business books are part of this list.  Seth Godin books are always great reads and are highly recommended by me.

The process is process is simple.  Simply leave a comment with the Author or Authors name and the Book Title. Feel free to share multiple books to the list.  Not required, but feel free to leave any brief commentary about the books that you or others share.

Ready, Set, Go!

This is the full version of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have A Dream” Speech.  This is worth 17 minutes of your day, in order to reflect and look ahead at the same time.  I tear up every time I watch this.  I’m watching it with my sons right now.

Dr. King was introduced as “The Moral Leader Of Our Nation.”  Wow, what a great introduction.

Christmas is just a couple of days away and it’s not only “The most wonderful time of the year…” its the busiest day for application downloads on smart phones and smart devices.  Share The Bible Day will help people engage with the Bible, as well as increase the number of FREE applications being downloaded on iPhones, iPads, Android Devices, Blackberry’s and smart phones of your choice.

My personal favorite Bible app is the FREE YouVersion Bible app that has been downloaded by millions and millions of people.  Those millions of people have engaged in reading the Bible for Billions of minutes.  The App has been in the Top 10 FREE iTunes applications in recent days. (Currently #11 as I type this post.)  How cool would it be for the App to be #1 on Christmas Day when people around the globe open up their new devices and download their application of choice.

Share The Bible:

• Post it to your Blog, Twitter & Facebook (Use #Bible hashtag)
• Share scripture through your YouVersion account via connecting to Twitter and Facebook
• Tell a friend, take a few minutes on Christmas and do your part to Share The Bible

Note: As a little “extra” incentive to get the word out, my friends at YouVersion are giving a few lucky winners who post it online their choice between an iPad, an iPhone 4, or a Nexus S! (Click here for details.)

Read The Bible:

2011 can be your year to get a fresh start reading the Bible. Check out the Reading Plans online at our website, or directly in the Bible App on your device. All you need to get started is the Bible App and a free YouVersion account. Want a little extra support in meeting your goal? When you’re at YouVersion.com, sign up for progress update emails for yourself or an accountability partner.

What are you waiting on Start Your Plan and Get Ready To Share The Bible!

Will you share the Bible on Christmas Day?  Leave a comment and say “I’m In!”

This is one of those questions that keeps popping up and popping up — so I thought I would just take the discussion to the people.  I was able to listen to, engage in and play devils advocate a recent Harry Potter Debate amongst some ministry staff.

According to an on-line Bible ministry that answers questions through a Biblical framework, they said this about Harry Potter and the debate: “Harry Potter books and films are full of stereotypical magic. Witchcraft and wizardry are central themes, and the lead roles are played by wizards, witches, and other magical creatures. Although the characters practice casting spells, reading crystal balls, etc., they do not communicate with spiritual (supernatural) forces. While this may be considered a positive, one definite negative is that there is no higher power to answer to at all.”

I’m not sure exactly what all of that means from a contextual perspective, because I have not seen the movie or read the book.  I have not made the choice “to see or not to see” because of any specific reason, thought or belief… I simply have never watched it.  I used to watch this cartoon called Hip Hop Harry with my youngest son, but I think that may be a different show.

The scripture that those arguing against indulging in Potter is Deuteronomy 18:10-12 “Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord; because of these same detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.”

Those on the other side of the argument, say “Why stop there the list could go on and on about the types of movies you should and should not watch.”

What do you think?

Should Christians Watch or Read Harry Potter?  Is it different for adults and children? Share your reasons for or against.  Ready, Set, Go!

Should Christian Celebrate Halloween?

This is one of those questions that seems to pop up every year in the month of October.  I could write pages and pages of information to support arguments on both sides.

There are many schools of thought and these schools have their own set of scripture to make their case.

Is there a right or wrong answer? Maybe!

Those against say:

• It’s Evil Witchcraft and Sorcery
• It’s Of The World
• Pagan
• It’s Celebration Of Occult
• There’s Needles and Razor Blades in The Candy (That was in my day)

Those for it say:

• It’s A Harmless Celebration For The Kids
• We Don’t Celebrate The Evil and Dark Side Of Haloween
• Pagan Meanings Associated With Halloween Have Dissipated
• Decorating Is Fun and Pumpkins Are Cool
• The Candy Is Good

No matter how much discussion we have, the bottom line is Christian perspectives on the observance of Halloween are strongly divided. Some believers feel complete freedom to observe the holiday, others run and hide from it. (no pun intended)

So what do you think?  Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Disclaimer: In the spirit of full disclosure, my family participates in Halloween from “The Candy Is Good” perspective.

GUEST BLOGGER: Today’s guest blogpost comes from @EstherRennick. Esther Rennick is an adventurer, administrator, writer, and songwriter from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada.  Check out her blog Adventures Of Lady Esther:  If you would like to submit a Guest Blog Post for BigIsTheNewSmall.com, click here.

We Do Not Serve Volunteers!

Churches around the world give the call to Christians to serve.  Millions answer that call in the form of serving in their local church.

For many church volunteers, the experience is positive.  With the help of church staff and organizers, the volunteer is given the open door to effectively serve while still having the time to work and have family life.

Unfortunately, this is not the experience of all church volunteers.  Many experience a sign posted on the front of the church that says, “We Do Not Serve Volunteers!”

Thousands of volunteers have given up their ministry because they have become burned out and disillusioned.  Fingers are pointed as to who is at fault; however, the end result is many have given up on their calling and sit in pews week after week not serving.

If your church has any of the following symptoms, the sign on your front lawn may say “We Do Not Serve Volunteers!”

A Volunteer . . .

• is asked to serve for two hours but it takes six.
• is frequently “expected” to do over and above what they were asked to do.
• is not given the resources they need to do their part.
• is made to feel that their “smaller ministry” is not as important as the “bigger ministry.”
• must work with church scheduling that is not organized.  Volunteers may arrive to find the church door locked and meetings cancelled with no notice given.
• will not have a mentor – only potential volunteers receive this service.
• should not expect to grow in their ministry.  Volunteers should be prepared to be stuck in their present role forever even if they are a budding leader.

• must be patient and understand responses to emails and telephone calls will not be promptly answered by church leaders or staff.  Inquiries may not even be answered.
• should not give suggestions for improvement or articulate what is not working because that is “complaining” which is not allowed.
• must be understanding that it is alright for full-time church staff to work less hours a week than volunteers do.  Volunteers are expected to give more.

Volunteers may hear the words that they are loved and appreciated but actions speak louder than words.

If you are not sure that the sign on the front of your church is “We Serve Volunteers!” begin dialoguing with your volunteers.  Approach them with a servant heart.  Ask them to share with you what makes it difficult for them to volunteer in your church.

Make the decision to make the changes needed in your church that will allow the sign “We Serve Volunteers!” to be proudly displayed on the front of your church.  Set a shining example in your community of how to serve all people – including volunteers.

Share your thoughts and experiences!

I’m excited to announce my man @AndyKirk  is releasing his new album May 11th.  Andy was my Worship Pastor at the NW Oklahoma City Campus of LifeChurch.tv for over a year.  During his tenure at my campus he was able to share several of the songs that are on this album during our weekend worship experiences.  The amazing thing about Andy is that he’s a young guy with life experience beyond his years.  Not only is Andy a great vocalist and a gifted writer, his music is rich and Biblically accurate.  Everyone at the n-dub loved to worship to his tunes and I know each of you will as well.

Andy’s debut release Wake Up My Soul hits stores and iTunes on Tuesday May, 11th. The album title reflects his heart as he explains this way, “I hope to see God’s people awake from their slumber. Awaking from the numbing effect of culture and society, to the knowledge and revelation of who Christ is and what He can do through us. I’m truly humbled to see what God has done with a small seed of talent in my life, and I am eager to share these new songs of hope and surrender with the Church.” This ten song release includes “Wonderful Savior,” “Let Justice Ring,” “Falling In Love,” and more.

My personal favorites on this album are: You Are God, Healer (His Version), Wake Up My Soul, Remarkable & Falling In Love.  I could actually mention all of them as favorites.  For those of you that know me, know that I keep it real and don’t give lip service to something that I’m not fond of.  This cat is just good and he and his wife Elizabeth are a strong Christian Couple.  Go pick up his album on Tuesday and I guarantee you will like it.  His appeal ranges from my 7 & 10 yo sons, me & my wife, teenage girls, parents with teenage girls all the way to grandmas and grandpas.

I have 5 copies of his CD right here in my hand that I’m going to be giving away.  Everyone will have an opportunity to win and I will ship them tomorrow, which means you will have them in your hand before you can buy it.  Winning a copy of Wake Up My Soul is as easy as 1-2-3.

1. Leave a comment stating that you would like to win a copy, in your own words of course.  If you have a favorite song, please share.
2. Re-Tweet my tweet about winning a copy, or simply copy and paste this tweet info. to your Facebook status if your aren’t on Twitter.  If you don’t have Twitter or Facebook, simply leave a comment an we will pray for you to move into the new media generation.  :-)  Seriously leave a comment and let me know that you don’t have  either Facebook or Twitter.  Here is the tweet or you can simply find @scottwilliams on twitter and re-tweet it. Win A Copy of hot Up & Coming Christian Artist @andykirk’s new CD Wake Up My Soul B4 U Can Buy It: http://bit.ly/winandy
3. Go check out Andy’s website and sneak peaks of his songs here & leave him a comment: AndyKirk.tv

I will randomly draw 5 Names from those who complete steps 1-2-3 by 11:59 pm central time 5/7/10.  Good luck and share this info. with your friends.  10 hours to win an amazing album with 10 amazing tracks.  Ready, Set, Go!

Thou Shall Not Twitter in Church… Says Who!

I haven’t seen that anywhere in the Bible.  I have seen Twitter in the Bible “Like a swallow, like a crane, so I twitter…” Isaiah 38:14 NAS

In all seriousness, there are many people that believe that you shouldn’t Twitter in church.  As a pastor, I personally say, “Get Your Tweet On!”  As a matter of fact, I say “Tweet and Tweet Often!”

Many times “church people” can look at particular methodology and technology as a negative thing.  Technology is basically neutral; it’s what you do with it that allows it to have positive or negative implications.  I know there are some varying opinions about texting and utilizing social media during church.  Personally, I use the YouVersion Bible app. on my iPhone during church and it has this great option of sharing scripture instantly with the Twitter World.Not only can you share scripture with YouVersion, but also any person sitting in any church service around the globe can share thoughts, points and notes from sermons as they are happening.

Today, we live in more shared world than ever as information access and people connectedness just happens.  The beauty of this world is that people can engage with God, engage with their pastor and share pieces of those engagement with the world, all at the same time.  There are entire real, living, breathing online church services where online congregants share information throughout their service.  These services are just as real and God encountering as a physical building.  Again, I say “Tweet and Tweet Often!”

Here are 5 Reasons To Twitter During Church:

• 1.  You have the opportunity to be a real-time extension of your pastor’s voice while he/she is communicating God’s word. You and your pastor can do some tag team teaching while you are being fed all at the same time.
• 2.  If the pastor shares something that moves you, inspires you or changes your life, there is a good chance it will have the same impact on the lives of some of your Twitter followers as well. Here is a tweet awhile back from Pastor Steven Furtick — “Preaching recently I noticed the crowd was too busy tweeting to verbally respond. Click clack is the new amen.”
• 3.  When Jesus said: Go into all the world and preach the Gospel… “All The World” applies to the Internet world, as well as the Twitter World.  Do your part by going into all the Twitter World, tweeting the Good News.
• 4.  You will have a stored database of your compelling thoughts and notes, from your favorite sermons.  Use a #hashtag to keep up with the information that you share.
• 5.  Many times people suffer from (SADD) Sermon Attention Deficit Disorder.  So instead of just wandering off into space, simply wander off into the space of the World Wide Web.  It’s better use of your time Twittering great thoughts, instead of drawing on the back of offering envelops.

Some people including pastors get upset and complain about these new age people being a distraction when they are using their mobile phone Bible and Twittering in Church.  I think doodling on the offering envelopes is more distracting… Hmm I have not seen a big push to remove those offering envelopes from the church.

Thou Shall Twitter In Church, Remember God’s Omnipresence applies to Twitter as well.  Get Your Tweet On!

What do you think about Twittering In Church?  Any Suggestions on the hashtag?

Tomorrow I get the opportunity to travel to Memphis, Tennessee and hang out with Black Civil Rights Leaders, Community Leaders and Ministry Leaders.   We will be watching the screening of a new documentary film, Little Town Of Bethlehem. This will hosted by Emmy Award Winning Director Jim Hanon, who happens to be my friend and a member of my church.  The screening will be co-hosted by Grammy award winning Jazz Artist Kirk Whalum.

This film deals with the Arab and Western and Christian and Muslim conflict, as it relates to the burden of non-violence.  I’m looking forward to the screening and sharing insights, right here at BigIsTheNewSmall.com.

Watch the above video of the Director’s commentary and share your thoughts.