Prayer

Supposedly Smith Wigglesworth (yep, that's his name) once wrote [paraphrase] "Since i've been saved, I've never prayed for more than 20 minutes but i've never gone more than 20 minutes without praying." Now, i'm not saying that we should stick folks with the thought that they should have an egg timer on their belt and hit their knees when the alarm goes off... not the point at all. I think prayer is more of a 2 way conversation rather than a one-sided dialog.

Naeem (the lead teaching pastor of Mosaic Charlotte) also made some really interesting insights into prayer that have been with me in my thoughts for the last few weeks. In summary, most people pray the fill-in-the-blank prayers:
"Lord, I need ______."
"Lord, help me with _____."
"Lord, I want ______."
"Lord, please allow _____ to happen."
"Lord, heal me of ______."

Not that we shouldn't present these requests... of course, present these requests... His challenge was to verbally say, even confess, the unspoken part: "Because, If you don't, I'm afraid that ___________________." What is the fear if these requests aren't met to your expectations or desires? Sometimes, we may need the Father to address the hidden fear more or as much as the need itself. One of my friends (Larry Salley of Charleston, SC) has really shed some light on the personal discipline of prayer. In his openness, I admire his ability to frankly state that it's sometimes difficult to open that conversation with the Most High.

In reading through various blogs that occasionally touch on the subject of Prayer, I've postulated (as above) prayer is a conversation. The problem with this conversation is that it tends to be a bit whop-sided. First of all, if you're like me, you generally don't hear "the voice." Y'know, the booming, deep, omnipotent voice of the Most High. Even a "still, small voice" seems a bit far fetched. Is it any wonder that most folks who question the relevance of prayer seem to have this as their main backbone argument. Who's really listening any way... and even if he is, he's certainly not sharing any details.

There are those who would present the fact that if good things are happening and working my way, my prayers are being answered and things are dandy. But if things are not so good, or (dare i say) bad, then we assume the prayers aren't working and the Lord of Heaven has seen fit to make evident his disapproval. There are also those (of whom I could easily be counted among) who pray the loudest when there's an impending, personal need or want... and the volume subsides when things are fat & happy.

The Wife:
Y'know... I LOVE talking to my wife. She's one of the coolest, most interesting, captivating & inspiring people I know. She could talk for hours on almost any subject and I would want to participate in the conversation. She's fluent in spanish and owns a tutoring business. When she discusses business, strategies, techniques, dreams, hopes... anything really... her topic is almost always interesting and draws me in. Why do we seem to look at prayer any differently? It is hopefully the same: "A conversation that is rooted in the fact that you admire, respect & deeply love the one with whom you're having the conversation."

I think physical presence helps with my wife & me. With her being in the same room, I feel as if I'm more able to read her total communication. Especially since 90% (or some exorbitant amount) of conversation is non-verbal communication, anyway! You don't get that with G_d. I mean, with Rebekah I can see her facial expressions, body language & verbal tone. But with the Creator, most of the time you're trying to read it out of how the weather is, how your sinuses are, what this ancient tome reads, etc. It's difficult. You don't even get a "tone of voice." Rather, you read into this one-sided conversation from the tone of voice you're using in your current mental attitude.

Try it... next time you get an email from a colleague... Read it with a smile on your face. You'll find the email to seem less demanding, demeaning & derogatory. But if you read it with a piss-poor attitude, you'll wanna fire back a scathing response. Same thing with prayer. Maybe the one exception is that you know that G_d can squash you like an ant... but you may still read wrath when you're enraged and peacefulness when you're prosperous.

Well, this isn't an answer to how to make your prayers perfect. Naeem did however give some real insights into cultivating your prayer life. I cannot remember his 4 words, but the gist was to keep the prayers, honest, open, trusting & not-to-showy. With a genuine, truthful approach, it is easier to accept that G_d's answers aren't always presented in a firework display. But we also have to give some time, patience & persistence to the process of prayer. One statement he said: "Pray until the situation changes or until you change." Sometimes it's a continual pushing that brings the change.

I'm not sure I have a good conclusion to this thought, other than it's something I've been thinking about for a while... well. that's it.

Another look at SWS & the camp model

ok. More thoughts on SWS & critique of how camp (& camps) operate.

CAMPER AGES:
Some weeks stick with a specific, more narrow camper age group, SWS has stayed with the more open bracket of 8-18. Let's examine these choices.

Note: For those who may consider that I'm trashing SWS or heavily criticizing it... 1. that couldn't be further from the truth. 2. My way of critiquing comes from an Art School mentality: shoot it with everything you've got... those items that didn't sink, are worthy of repair (as needed) & continued use... anything that sank... retrieve it... put it on the shore and repair it later. Example: I thought I had a good argument for totally dumping the video... I was wrong. It is highly useful... I just believe that it should be changed/repurposed. That said... on with tonights discussion. BTW... i'm going to remove the moderation thing soon... your comments should show more quickly.

Broad Age Range (8 – 18):
Cons - each of the section coordinators (education, activities, program, etc...) have to broaden their scope a bit. There has to be specific attention to age-appropriate presentation. There will likely be a wide variety of age appropriate activities and a vast array of attention-spans. Mix in the fact that roughly half of the kids have an earlier bed time many nights thus apportioning part of the staff to in-cabin duties (thus not available for additional camp wide activities). Because there is a segment of the counselors that are in cabins later in the evening, there is the need (nay, even responsibility) of giving each counselor their due "night off." The couselors do sort this out, but it is an added item to be considered.

Pros - Here you can actually divide the care, observation & leadership of the youngest in the crowd with some of the older campers. If you have a good group of older campers, it's often a great way to facilitate leadership skills in the older group by having them lead & influence the younger group. The broader age range often requires each activity to be creatively built to accommodate both older and younger campers even to the point that the older campers are encouraged to assist & guide the younger campers.

NeutralBroader age ranges of campers have a much more diverse dynamic that can be used to both positive & negative ends. It takes a creative, inventive group to manage this well.

Conclusions - The broad age range model (for good or bad) offers it's own unique brand of challenges. The staff must have a diverse range of gifts tolerances for the challenges that you'll find in this environment. As you approach the broader group, you must aim your message toward the middle and allow it to shotgun & spread.

Narrow Age Range:
Cons - Some weeks opt for a model where a specific age range is targeted. Whether by restricted registration or by attraction model... or simply demographic that arrive, this creates a more narrow view of the topic. Thus less facets are examined and potentially more people could miss the point. As a more homogenous crowd tends to have a less volatile nature, the education program takes on a homogeneous flavor that results in less creative spontaneity. Topic discussions may only vary in degrees and less accommodations call for less "flare for the creative" to solve. You may find yourself in a "one size fits all" mentality, and thus we realize that one size does not fit all. Take that how you like it.

You may see more dynamics that create some hot bed activities. Among older campers this can be a relational (emotional cesspool or hormonal blindness among teens) and among the younger you can simply have the task of herding cats... trying to get the group all focused on one item at one time.

Pros - The homogenous approach may allow for a more focused approach to some topics. This allows the message to be driven home and massaged in more thoroughly. The theme may maintain a more consistent feel and thus be less sporadic. As the staff faces less challenge in the disseminating the message, they are able to focus more on the content of the message. Now each of the components begin to take on a more mechanical approach which has it's own drawbacks, but is more predictable.

You also find yourself staffed & prepared for a specific age range of issues. Though these can be wildly varied, they still tend to have the same temperature of immediacy when they arise. The staff can operate as ONE CAMP all the time rather than having times of a divided staff having the entire camper population having the same bed time.

Neutral - With a narrow age range, the campers come to certain expectations of the material, activities and time allotments. These expectations can give you an a view of how the week's flow might play out.

Conclusions - Whether good or bad, the narrow age range will allow you to see more continuity... but possibly monotony. Narrowing the age range may control certain program factors, however you still have the cost of having a much larger crowd that can move in one direction much faster... Sometimes that is desired, other times it can become a challenge to control.

Maxxed Out Camp
Cons - Unfortunately, the more campers there are, the less room for staff. There's an optimum point where the number of staff on campus at all times is a viable control component to the number of campers. The unfortunate part requires that some staff members commute in and out on a regular basis or are only there part time. Though all hands are welcomed, the time of travel to accommodate additional staff needs may cause restrictions to activities and program related functions.

Additionally, as the number of campers goes up, the camper/staff ratio is stretched. This also has it's optimum point and maximum stress points.

Pros -
Everyone can attest to the energy felt at camp when it's packed to the gills! For those who've been to lower-attended weeks... the facility just feels plain empty. Add to that a lower level of energy from the staff of those weeks... you get the picture. I think the camp being full to capacity with campers offers a great deal of energy and a dynamic that leads to a very impactive program.

Conclusion -
Of course, considering safety... the numbers should be monitored... but i don't think lowering the number of campers would be necessary. There's always the thought of adding facilities that would permit a slightly higher capacity (both campers and staff)

Staff Continuity - [mostly same staff yearly]
Cons:
As someone stated in the previous post, having fresh meat... blood... uh... new folks offers a great revitalization of the week. Having the same folks each year tends to see the same things get re-hashed each year in a slightly different flavor. People exiting for periods of time can often allow activities to gain new life by others taking them on or allow new activities to emerge. That said, some activities, programs & attitudes may be revitalized upon the return of an old feature that once again becomes relevant.

Pros:
As you bring in a consistent staff core, you alleviate the need to "re-train" the thought process. Needless to say, this keeps things moving and the mechanics to a minimum as people are able to ignore some of the structure and simply fall into their place without thinking. The same staff returning brings some old tricks back and keeps us from "reinventing the wheel."

Conclusions:
Another tie... y'gotta admit... if everyone returned, you'd see a stagnation.. however, having a strong core brings back a familiarity that allows the week to progress and the system to work.

Engineer... oh, wait... i mean the CREW Trailer -
Cons:
LOL!!! Besides the memories founded in this mighty structure... what can be said... could it actually be moved? or would you have to burn it to the ground where it sits?

Pros:
It has been passed down like a baton at a track meet.... but, there comes a time when you've got to retire one baton...

Conclusions:
Maybe Thig could come back and do one last fireworks show.

Ownership -
Cons:
As a person takes on a job function, the person might mistakenly believe themselves to be irreplaceable. This transforms the positive of "ownership" into an attitude of entitlement. If a person keeps too firm of a grasp on their role, they may not elicit the continuous creativity to keep their part vital. It is also a great skill (yet difficult to accept) to know when one's role needs change or even an overhaul. It may also dissolve into an attitude of pridefulness that creates an abrasive environment in which to work. Sometimes the pride may keep a person from training their replacement as a fear that their talent would be forgotten.

Pros:
As a person owns their job, they internalize the position and bring their entire skill set to the table to make the most effective effort. The owner of a job is able to cast a vision of how a project can be birthed and completed. As the person internalizes their project and role, they are able to move seamlessly in and out of their function and better affect the way their role relates to other functions within the Camp environment. If ownership can be passed on like the olympic torch, it has a better chance of burning brighter.

Conclusions:
Yet another tie. Ownership must take place and a personal awareness of how replaceable each person is. There is only one irreplaceable component to the Camp environment... and Christ can still be replaced... but i don't think anyone would want to be at camp if that happened.

WARNING: if you're old-school C-of-C (no, i don't mean College of Charleston)... you may not want to read any further... heres where I explore some ideas for the future iterations of SWS

Changing Worship
How: well, as some of you may know... i'm a little less C/C than I used to be... that said, each day I see that I become a little less denominational and more just plain old Christ Follower. If the camp retreat model is valid (as I believe it is) then the incorporation of a worship "service" is highly necessary as a corporate gathering. My first iteration here would be a more open, expressive worship gathering that might incorporate (collective gasp) a few plucked instruments... even a cymbal and a drum. Yes. Instrumental worship (please refer to my rant on Eph. 5 and the word Psalms).

Cons:
These things do have a way of gaining a life of their own.... not in a good way either. When the "worship band" becomes an idolized rock group that everyone wants to take part in... or worse... a person feels their gift is invalid if it's a gift in the background. I can easily foresee the "band" image getting out of hand. Then there's the "rock concert" image where the worship takes on the image that you MUST have instruments... I cannot tell you how amazingly frustrating it can be when you try to start spontaneous worship moments and people feel they cannot join in because there IS no guitar.

Pros:
Having experienced soaring worship in an instrumental environment, I know that the presence of skilled musicians can heighten the experience of a worship moment. Worship that can breech the tradition may draw people to the face of the Father without necessarily becoming an "entertainment" ploy.

Conclusions:
I think having flexibility into both the traditional and the more contemporary worship would be the way to go here.

More than just a week - First off, let me say... the original SWS has impacted my life. Though I've not been a part of the SWS at PBC for quite some time, please remember SuperWeek can happen any time of the year. It would behoove us to know that our one week during the summer is not the ONLY nor the BEST SuperWeek. In fact, I've experienced much better superweeks. But isn't that what we're striving for? To influence & impact one person so that they might be able to take this week with them into their life and see the course of Christ flood their life?

Imagine SWS invading your daily efforts... what would that look like. When you walk into work tomorrow... instead of the frustration of "another day another dollar..." What if... and i do mean IFF... we walked in tomorrow with the idea that we do "What we do, when we do, how we do?" What if that attitude permeated our actions at work? What if we "engineers" especially those original few began doing a task without being asked at work... at home (ok, i just went too far.)

What if SuperWeek also became not just a christian retreat for teens, but we developed a similar retreat system for adults, professionals, married couples, singles, engaged couples (separate sleeping of course... don't want it to be TOO super), divorce prevention... What if some form of SuperWeek began to invade the culture we live in? What would that look like...

Sure, it may sound like I'm tearing SWS apart. It may sound like I have some conflict with the way "we do things at SWS." I do... I HATE what we do at camp if it can only exist there. I don't believe it is bound to Camp boundaries. So, I intend on breaking those boundaries down. SHATTERING them into dust. I think there are very few who believe in SWS to the extent that I do... But I don't need to show up one week a year to make SWS happen in my life.

So the point is: how can we put SWS to work the other 51 weeks of the year. What will it take... don't worry... i think i've got a notion.. you'll hear more.

( ...to be continued... )

Creating a new Super Week... (stronger, faster, better)

Download the Print version of this blog entry... might be easier to read.

Not that many of my superweek friends know (well, Mike P. may)... It has always been a secret desire of mine to recreate the Superweek model. Not at PBC. Not even C of C. But Superweek for those who follow Christ. In other words, those who are tied... inscrutably bound to the heart of Messiah.

Here are some pros/cons lists... each with their pros/cons enumerated... i'll end with the Pros as that's a positive note to leave with... If any of my SWS buddies read this, don't take it to heart as egotistical criticism. I've been on both sides of this fence now... I've been there, done that... and have a small wardrobe of tee shirts. Let me say, I understand that organizations evolve. But I've had the dual side view... We'll chalk up part as having been my glossy memory of the "Glory Days" but I believe that something has honestly dulled. I don't think it's just a Staff thing either. I'd love to stir a discussion (doubtful that it would happen). This will be a critical look at what things have changed for the better or worse and what changes should occur going forward. Granted, i'm not really "part" of the inner circle any more. Maybe that gives me an advantage of seeing other things that the group does not... possibly at a disadvantage since there may be items I don't see.

My list of things I don't like about the camp model in general (i'm not sure you can remove all of them... nor are all of them necessarily "bad"):

• Emotional Cesspool
  Cons: You tend to see a ton of people walk in with baggage and we're all strangers enough that it is difficult to effectively minister to that baggage
  Pros: Sometimes the unfamiliarity is just what the doctor ordered to crack through a particularly tough shell.
  Conclusion: It would be interesting to see how effective the camp/event model has been and studies to see how it could/should/is changed to meet a new, post-modern culture... are we post modern?
• Hit & Run
  Cons: There is very little time to build and strengthen relationships. In this, I've found that the people I thought I knew from camp(s), many turned out to be "Garlic" friends... i.e. Small Doses (I'm probably one of those.) However, you realize much later that there are also some people of great quality... sometimes it's not those you thought it would be
  Pros: Once again, the hit & run model opens the door for some unexpected moments. But does the lack of real relationship accommodate the continuation of growth during the recovery process?
  Conclusion: Again, i'd love to see the camp model torn apart and deconstructed... Think of SWS as the $6 billion Man... could it be rebuilt? Stronger, faster, better?
• In-cohesive [ok, this is from a look back into the pre-engineer days... TAT & Crew days...]
  Cons: Seemingly a scattered message that doesn't pinpoint, focus and penetrate.
  Pros: You can cover more topics and use a spiderweb of items to catch more attention of the campers
  Conclusion I think things have become a bit too ADHD. With the vision being built from too large of a base, you get a shotgun effect of the idea... lots of little points, but they may not penetrate as deeply. The other side of the argument is that you cover a lot more area. The benefit of having a small, even minute team that builds and executes the week is that everything has the same flavor. It's the idea of an Apple computer where everything in it has a very apple feel vs. a PC where each piece of software can have a totally different interface.
  
• Online & Video Game culture: again, not something that camp staff can control...
  Cons: you have to adapt and compete with today's entertainment... Video Games can look real... and we're trying to make due with Plywood & Spray paint.
  Pros: Well, look at it this way... if they are a video game culture.... look at where you can find your next years inspiration... internet & video games...
  Conclusion: I think we're seeing the gap widen between generations. Each consecutive staff will have to be that much more on the ball to look 2 years ahead each time they come to the drawing board.
• Competing with other summer activities - Not something we control
  Cons: You have the beach, vacations, & college visitations that are pulling kids (particularly the oldest group) away (and away for good)...
  Pros: ok... this is a stretch... have you thought about using the SWS as a recruiting model... i.e. build it by recruiting people from other areas... the pro is... you can draw crowds from further who might not be as interested in the vacations
  Conclusion: You've got stiff competition against a week of BIBLE camp... but i think if you spin it right... kinda like Aikido... you may be able to use it for you.
• Inconsistent staff: (here's a pot/kettle scenario):
  Cons: You don't have a consistent approach and you're having to re-teach staff the methods. This leads to people coming in without having "drank the koolaid."
  Pros: you get a new, fresh approach.
  Conclusions: Well, you need a little of both.. and you can't complain about this when you're one of the ones not being there on a regular basis. Touché.
• The Video:
  Cons: Don't these kids remember what they did all week already? Is the video available for purchase? Can part be shot before camp? Wastes camp resources & personel
  Pros: it allows for another activity to gather the campers and have them contained
  Conclusion: drop it for a year or two... see if anyone misses it... that means find something to replace it too... if you leave a vacuum, then it WILL be missed. Or, make the video purchasable. i.e. have a purpose to the video!
• The board - i know... some of the potential readers are ON the board. Also, needless to say that I've seen how this board can break down, but we'll lay those memories aside for a moment... none of my friends on the board are responsible for that:
  Cons: The gap widens with each consecutive year... Each year, more and more teens and pre-teens lose touch with the older generations. I think it's because the older generations want to be LISTENED TO rather than LISTEN TO a teen.
  Pros: The board is needed! The camp needs older, wiser guidance. The board is needed to give a few people a great way to shape the future.
  Conclusion: Term limits? or forced 2 year Sabbaticals... We're not talking about high priests here... maybe fresh eyes?
  

Things i LOVE about PBC and/or SWS or the camp model

• High impact
  Cons: May build in the assumption that we've accomplished something by seeing a big splash.
  Pros: It will likely be remembered years later.
  Conclusion: is there a way to judge the splash/effectiveness ratio?
• Planning:
  Cons: We've lost the "Plan B" model... i.e. a backup for EVERYTHING.
  Pros: Years of doing this has made building a superweek very systematic
  Conclusion: We've come to rely too heavily on our system, we need to re-invigorate the system [to come further on in the discussion]
• Uniqueness
  Cons: each year you're in uncharted territory a tad bit.
  Pros: It makes each year a bit different
  Conclusion: possibly revisit the old themes... learn how they were created... possibly bring back the crew for 1 year with the express PURPOSE of passing on some wisdom... Each crew member find 2 Engineers and teach them a job. Bring Tim back for one big hurrah! I'm dead serious. Everyone will admit the man was a machine and a genius. He's served his time (both literally and figuratively)
• Positive enforcement model
  Cons: there are times when you HAVE to say no, don't & shouldn't
  Pros: I know that in the past, you had a good way of finding the right times and ways to communicate the negatives in a positive light.
  Conclusion: aw, heck... keep it up.
• All Volunteer Staff/Speakers
  Cons: You're kind of reliant on who actually shows up, and you have to rely on credentials that you perceive to be adequate
  Pros: the volunteers are less polished and more real world... gives a great opportunity to involve the campers even in speaking... keeps the budget lower, and i think this is overall one of my FAVORITE parts of the week... sure things aren't as polished, but we get a vast array of Current Personal Revelations (CPR)... not just one CPR.

Ideas for improvement:

• Contest:
  Have a theme building contest. Introduce it to a few people at some Christian colleges that they have to build a basic 3 – 4 day themed camp for PBC. show them the videos, the model and have them do 3 – 5 presentations with the Program Staff to build it... the winner gets an all-expense vacation to PBC to help implement it to the descretion of the Program Staff & Core staff.
• Descipleship Training:
  Truly, I think that the crew/first generation Engineers (me being one of them) did a lackluster job of passing the torch. The Crew showed us how to do the stuff, but forgot to tell us to show someone else... We never picked that up until now, and now, we're having to try to pass the knowledge along with the passion. Have the crew... the FULL CREW (yes, even Jerry Don & Tim Senn & Thig... all of them) come back and get 2 - 3 people of their OWN staff to teach them the job that THEY did... that means someone will have to run as fast and as far as Thig... Someone will have to hold a note as long and loud as Mikey P. Someone will have to talk like a fog horn like Curt. Seriously... there are real components that have been lost... and i'm not talking about events... I'm talking about dynamics and function.
• Solidify:
  Each Team should have a core of 2 – 3 people at least if not more that are constant returners. I'm not sure how to accomplish this.
• Relational:
  find a way to build a more relational model? Try to incorporate more full YOUTH GROUPS and separate out time for those groups to work together with their pre-fabricated group dynamic... so that the event creates a stronger youth GROUP for the church to which it returns. By no means am i saying you should BAR that lone youth... but put him in touch with/along side a group closest to his/her geographic location... try to build in a pen pal...
• Staff Penpals: this is tough. But have some of the staff locate a youth of promise or trouble (of the same gender) and maintain email/blog contact throughout the year? that's a toughy!

so, any thoughts? What could be done... brainstorm... to make camp a better place and model?

Spinning Plates, Juggling Bowling Balls

Y'ever get those days, weeks, months where you feel that your life has been an engine revving out of gear? That feeling of sitting at a stop light and somehow the shifter got knocked into neutral while you weren't looking... Or worse, the transmission goes out just as the light turns green and... YOU'RE OFF!... Then you get that momentary sinking feeling in your gut as the optical illusion of the cars going by you make you feel like you're going backwards?

What the heck am I doing? Why am I not moving? What am I doing wrong?

Sound familiar? Sometimes I'm so concerned with treating everyone fairly and right that I end up beating myself up over the possibility of being wrong. Focusing on being right rather than that one first love of mine: "That they might know you, the only true G_d & Messiah Yeshua who you have sent."

It's so easy to get this wierd focus on the completion of a chore, the execution of a project or the delivery of a final product. It's far too easy to measure myself based on income, profit or the satisfaction of a client. Continually critiquing myself in the harsh eyes of reality that i'm not perfect.

Everyone's eyes seem to turn into harsh, cold mirrors that reflect my every mistake and flaw. Frustration leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering... no, wait... that's yoda... you get the point.

When I get focused on my imperfections, limitations & insufficiencies, the gears slip and gas burns but nothing happens.

If I'm not careful, I just stop trying. Then there's those other condemning people who tell you that they have "never thought of quitting."

Yeah, right. That's just not human.

Well, today is another day. And today, I want to do the best Jesus impression I know how to do.

Maybe. Just possibly. Someone will get us confused and they'll see a little bit more of him than me today.

The cost of church

Number one: You need to listen to Liquid's Rock G-d series. Needless to say, it rocked. Particularly the last one: How to save a Life.

It seems almost necessary for us as Xtians (Where X is the letter Chi as an initial for Christ which is Greek for Messiah) to proselytize others and do the whole Bait & Switch thing.

It kinda goes like this:

• Make a friend (this can be tough for some, but we'll hit that later)
• Have them entertain thoughts about their inevitable demise (creepy)
• Get them to admit they're wrong (highly necessary in Church, Yeshua didn't do it often)
• Get them to admit you're right (if you don't believe in miracles, well admitting I'm wrong is one thing... Admitting you're right... HAH!)
• Get them to commit to waking up at a new hour on Sunday
• Get them to purchase a new wardrobe of polo shirts and longer skirts for church
• Teach them the lingo (holiness, righteousness, blessings, escatology, baptizo, abundant & joy)
• Get them to sing like you (not much of a "blessing")
• Get them to carry this big leather book
• Teach them the importance of the Big Leather Book
• Get them "saved" in the manner prescribed by your denomination of choice
• Make sure they devote enough time to the "work"
• Guilt them into giving, doing & speaking within spitting distance of you
• Teach them to replicate the process

I call it MLM-Church. Quixtar Assembly. First Amway of His Holy Presence.

Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.

Have you ever noticed that it seems to be the Requisite Job of church people to point out what's wrong with every other church and (especially) those not in church. I find this an effective way to make friends: I point out everything they do wrong. Particularly the crowd that does something I (& Jesus) blatantly would disagree with. For example: What if I meet a woman of questionable repute? It is one thing to smile at her in the grocery store and say hello... but i need to make sure that I speak negatively about her reputation as much as Jesus would! Or what about a person who has questionable business morals... they rip people off. I should make sure to NEVER eat with such people. These people have nothing to do with Jesus, church & good polo-shirt wearing company. And yet Zacchaeus & many prostitutes found their way into a family because: Love covers a multitude of sin...

What's worse: when we do get a convert... our own personal one... we make sure that they realize their salvation was a gift... our friendship is not. We beat them up.

Needless to say, it's one thing to see a person come into this Grace-Family... They don't have to work for G-d's love... but they sure as hell have to work for ours. Seems fair.

All that said, Naeem's message at Mosaic was well put:

• Salvation is free
  It will cost me nothing
• Passionately following Christ
  will cost me something