DISQUS

I managed to watch this sermon before it went down and thought it was incredibly encouraging. While it's sort of cliche to talk about work, business and management as being about relationships , in the greater context of the nobility of service and how we should admonish one another towards value-rich service it really drives that point home.

Great post. I really encourage everyone to go see it THIS weekend in particular because the extent of distribution for this film will be based on its performance this weekend.

Also, you might want to check out www.theamazingchange.com. It's the campaign behind this film for those who would like to do something about modern-day slavery.

Next stop, Hollywood?

This is a really interesting article, DJ, because I think it exposes a negative reality perhaps not intended by The Barna Group. I think part of the problem can be attributed to the very fact that these high-profile churches and pop culture are in fact on the same side of the coin, competing with Christ and the Gospel for people's hearts.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not accusing any of the pastors of mindfully having this kind of intent but I think it's alarming when popularity surveys such as this one lead folks to conclude that, "Christian individuals are more attuned to matters of culture and entertainment than to matters of faith."

I understand your point on the definition of "idolatry", DJ, both Webster's and the bible. And while I think John Lee's subsequent comment on elitism does a better job of explaining in words some of my thoughts on the matter, I'm also using the word idolatry intentionally.

I think it can be said of those that might fall into the "elitism" camp that the danger of idolatry is not far away either. When we begin to rationalize our beliefs or our actions because TK/JP believe this or they do that, we are replacing the ultimate standard that we measure everything up to.

You are correct in saying, though, that it is the individual's responsibility to check his/herself on idolatry and to what we cling to. My fear is that there is a segment of the christian community that doesn't do it because they don't realize they've created an idol for themselves (whether its TK, JP, or any other pastor/theologian/spiritual figure).

You've certainly opened the box on this topic and it's been a great read. I really appreciate all the different viewpoints and feedback.

Great list, DJ and great comment thread that you've got going as well. However, there's one question that always lingers in my head whenever TK or JP are being discussed in such a way. Are TK and JP becoming a idol of sorts for many modern christians (I'm not referring and any of your commenters when I say this and it's not my intentions to offend)?

I find that for some folks my age (the mid-20's), affiliating yourself as a TK fan or a JP fan means labelling yourself as a certain type of christian. I wonder if the admiration for either men of God can distort itself to become idolatry (reminds me of 1 Cor 1:10-12).

I know that I had to do some soul searching when I was trying to decide if I wanted to settle down at GraceDC. With GDC being affiliated with Redeemer, I wanted to make sure that fact wasn't influencing my decision.

For all you folks in ministry, how do you find a balance between "promoting" a respected theologian/pastor without crossing that line into idolatry, both with yourself and with your congregation?

An observation I've made about UX, not only my own but also those that visit sites I maintain, is that the young web-generation surfers are scanners at heart. Rarely do people read sites or blogs the same way they read a mag article or a book. Our eyes jump around the page, scanning for keywords or phrases in the text that we base our decisions on whether to read more or move on.

Vlogs counteract that behavior by asking the user to pause their surfing and focus on one site, on one particular piece of content. Unless there is information that is most effectively conveyed visually or better understood through a visually medium (recording an interview or conversation), my guess is that users abandon vlogs before getting to the end.

I've noticed with myself that if I choose to commit the time to playing a vlog, I still wander off to other parts of the site ("Open link in a new tab" is one of my most used FF features) and only listen to the vlog.

With that said, I enjoyed your vlog (and made it through to the end, I might add). It does add variety and adds emphasis to content that you felt impt. enough to share via video. I particularly like your point about blogs being a medium for dialogue/conversation.

Thanks for sharing.

Let me know when it goes official and I'll do my part in putting out the "buzz"! Pls pass on my congrats and "good job" to Rachelle.

Ben's Chili Bowl is fabulous. The chili half smokes are fantastic and the next time you go, you'll definitely have to give in to the cheese fries.

Michelle and I decided to pass on Chick & Ruth's last night because we were both still in the seafood mood (even after a seafood feast earlier in the day). If you're ever in the mood for sushi, you should check out Kotobuki on MacArthur Blvd (http://www.kotobukiusa.com/). Don't let your notions of dollar sushi or the small seating area dissuade you. The quality is always great and the wait fairly short.

Congrats to Rachelle!

Have you read "Walk On" by Steve Stockman? How does OSC compare to WO?

I'm a huge U2 fan but I always cringe when mainstream culture tries selling the Christian faith by packaging it as the "Theology of U2". My fear is that discussion migrates from "U2 is singing about this. Where in the Bible is this discussed? What does the Bible have to say?" to "The Bible mentions _________. What does U2 believe and have to say about it?" I know it's subtle but what is glorified in the end of each scenario is very different.

Definitely would like to check out this book when it comes out, though.

Congrats! You can rightfully say you've been published.

Reading your post reminds me of the book I just finished up, "The Long Tail" by Chris Anderson. The democratization of production/distribution, connecting supply with demand (and vice versa), and the boom of niche culture.

looks great. it's inspired me to stop putting it off and do a redesign myself.

Welcome to the world of publishing! (I never thought I'd be working for the publishing industry). I don't do too much actual editing myself but what editing I've had to do is certainly not the most enjoyable work at times.

Don't cut back on the posts too much. They're always insightful and engaging to read.

Taka Grille sounds pretty good. Might have to try it out sometime.

Could a good number of the issues in Asian churches stem from its 1st generation leaders being uncomfortable engaging in open dialogue with the laity? Is pride at stake when open dialogue is misconstrued as questioning/challenging authority? Or could such discussion be in defiance to traditional hierarchial strata?

Thanks for sharing this convo.