The Demise of Flannel Graphs and Penny Marches
The Demise of Flannel Graphs and Penny Marches
Something that is really clicking with me lately is the word “Missional” it epitomizes what the church should be all about. Doing the “Mission of Jesus” We have to become missional or we might as well just close the doors!
Why are we here? Are we here just to have a place to show off our newest suit or fancy illustrated sermon? If we are not about the “mission” of Christ then we are no more that a social club.
This past weekend I attended Engage 21 conference in Cleveland TN. This conference was sponsored by my denominational leadership and was geared to open the dialogue between the “Emerging Pentecostal Leaders” (Someone must think I am an emerging leader) and the more current more “Established Leaders” in addressing the future of the church.
The first night session was a bit strained; it seemed they weren’t sure where to go or how to get there. Our General Overseer Dr. McGuire spoke that night; he had just returned from some extensive travels and it showed. Dr McGuire is a great man and a great leader but this wasn’t his best night, the next day after some rest he was on his game!
The 2nd days sessions were very good, after a “round table” type discussion on connection, Sam Santana a pastor from Tucson and Brian Hunter from Tallahassee shared their success and their burdens- it was an emotion time and very encouraging to see God work in the lives and ministries of these two men.
Dr Oliver McMahan is a true Pentecostal scholar; I met him 20 yrs ago when he worked at the seminary in Baton Rouge. I have heard him many times and I have never been disappointed!
Dr. Ed Stetzer is a leader with the Southern Baptists and he gave two tremendously informative sessions on the missional church as well as some church history. I was impressed with his insights and candid comments- I knew where he was coming from when he said “If the 50’s ever come back in style- our churches are ready for it”! How true it is.
I came away from this conference more proud on my denominational leaders than ever- It took real guts to open up the dialogue and to be able to address the hard questions, I feel that the church must be ready WITH the next generation of leaders if we are going to face the next generation of the unsaved. We can pretty much bank on the demise of flannel graphs and “penny marches”
Something that is really clicking with me lately is the word “Missional” it epitomizes what the church should be all about. Doing the “Mission of Jesus” We have to become missional or we might as well just close the doors!
Why are we here? Are we here just to have a place to show off our newest suit or fancy illustrated sermon? If we are not about the “mission” of Christ then we are no more that a social club.
This past weekend I attended Engage 21 conference in Cleveland TN. This conference was sponsored by my denominational leadership and was geared to open the dialogue between the “Emerging Pentecostal Leaders” (Someone must think I am an emerging leader) and the more current more “Established Leaders” in addressing the future of the church.
The first night session was a bit strained; it seemed they weren’t sure where to go or how to get there. Our General Overseer Dr. McGuire spoke that night; he had just returned from some extensive travels and it showed. Dr McGuire is a great man and a great leader but this wasn’t his best night, the next day after some rest he was on his game!
The 2nd days sessions were very good, after a “round table” type discussion on connection, Sam Santana a pastor from Tucson and Brian Hunter from Tallahassee shared their success and their burdens- it was an emotion time and very encouraging to see God work in the lives and ministries of these two men.
Dr Oliver McMahan is a true Pentecostal scholar; I met him 20 yrs ago when he worked at the seminary in Baton Rouge. I have heard him many times and I have never been disappointed!
Dr. Ed Stetzer is a leader with the Southern Baptists and he gave two tremendously informative sessions on the missional church as well as some church history. I was impressed with his insights and candid comments- I knew where he was coming from when he said “If the 50’s ever come back in style- our churches are ready for it”! How true it is.
I came away from this conference more proud on my denominational leaders than ever- It took real guts to open up the dialogue and to be able to address the hard questions, I feel that the church must be ready WITH the next generation of leaders if we are going to face the next generation of the unsaved. We can pretty much bank on the demise of flannel graphs and “penny marches”
posted by Pastor Kenny Flaming @ 1:52 PM
2 Comments:
At April 09, 2008 2:13 PM ,
Ray said...
You are absolutely correct. We MUST move to new technology in order for people to be willing to listen to our message.
On the other hand, the mission & message of the church does NOT change.
I suspect that you are aware of them but for your readers... A couple of good sites to view:
http://chiefshepherd.net
http://www.compassionbydesign.org/wordpress/
At April 20, 2008 2:12 PM ,
Tony Winkler said...
Kenny, great thoughts and writing and totally agree with you. This is exactly the area I have been preaching on for the last two Sundays. My heart has been burdened with the thoughts about the future of the church. I believe if we will change our methods to be relevant to our culture but keep the gospel message pure we will see our generation and the next generation come to Christ.
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