ChurchVenture: What risky, innovative and world changing things are you doing?

Monday, April 28, 2008

What risky, innovative and world changing things are you doing?

One of my top 10 movies of all time is Operation Condor featuring Jackie Chan. It's a total guy movie. Lot's of hilarious martial arts fighting sequences. Recently I found the top 10 Jackie Chan stunts on YouTube (featured below) which gave me that nostalgic childhood adventure feeling -- kupow!

These stunts were MORE than incredible! They were life endangering, original and set Jackie apart in his field. They make you gasp!

It got me thinking. Am I innovating/risk taking, or just imitating because it's "safe"? Jackie Chan did not settle for safe. He pushed the boundaries. So, am I living a life for Jesus that puts him first, or just copies what others are doing? Will I only do things that feel safe?

Some challenge questions I am asking myself:

What theological convictions have I simply accepted and not sought God on myself?
Are there any other motives behind my leadership roles other than helping others and making God look BIG?
What am I afraid of?
What do I procrastinate about? Why?
Do I know WHY we do church the way we do? Do I know WHY others do it their way?
Do my actions line up with my life goals?
What things will I NOT seek advice or help on?
Do I have non-negotiables with God?

Checkout the top 10 Jackie Chan Stunts:

1 comment:

Erik Gibson said...: That was insane and awesome.; April 29, 2008 at 12:33 PM

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North America needs more churches:

85% of churches are plateaued or declining ^[ref]
Each year 3,750 churches close. Only 1,300 start ^[ref]
80% of Americans are "Christian" ^[ref], only 21% relate to church ^[ref]
FACT: Not enough churches exist to reverse the current trend
Starting new churches was the strategy of Jesus' first followers ^[ref]
Studies show new churches are the most effective way to engage the unchurched & re-energize existing churches ^[ref]
More reasons for starting new churches [PDF article]

Churches worldwide are growing:

China went from 1.5 to 90 million Christians in the last 40 years ^[ref]
Christianity in Vietnam grew 600% over the last decade ^[ref]
In the last 100 years Korea went from 1% to 40% Christian ^[ref]
In the last 100 years Africa went from 9% to 55% Christian ^[ref]

Churches benefit society because:

Church volunteers give over $6 billion to charities each year ^[ref]
In the last 30 years church volunteers helped build houses for over 1 million low income people ^[ref]
Couples who consistently relate to a church have the lowest divorce risk ^[ref]. Kids raised inside marriage disproportionately have better health, education & suffer less from substance abuse & violence ^[ref]
Church volunteers helping prisoners complete faith programs dramatically reduces re-incarceration to 8%, vs. non-completes 36.3% ^[ref]
Youth with high church involvement have lower rates of serious crime than those from "good areas" ^[ref]
Churches support over 4,000 crisis pregnancy centers ^[ref]
Too many other things to mention