Pigs flew and I went on Christian TV...

Speaking of The Last TV Evangelist ... I went way, way, way outside my comfort zone a few months ago and was a guest on The Harvest Show. It was a whole new level of "putting myself out there" and I was nervous about it. But, I believe the local church is the hope of the world and it needs some help. The conservative Christian subculture is probably the most important audience that needs to break through the clutter to build trust instead of walls. Thanks, Kelly & Corey, for the opportunity to talk about it.

Comments

[Mark]

Christian-ease talk is my hot button as well!!! For me, when I shift into Christian-ease, it simply reveals my laziness to take the time to figure out how to say what I want to say in a way that is more understandable! But, when I take the time to do it ... instead of just "sayin somthin" ... I have "somethin to say!" Language is "holy" when it gives peace, reveals God, and extends forgiveness to the listener in a way that connects.

[Brian Jones]

Kem,

When I went on the Harvest Show last year a TV evangelist went on before me and signed his name in that book in the hallway "Bishop Thomas." Not to be oned up I thought, "I'll see your Bishop and raise you an Apostle." I signed in Apostle Brian Jones.

Wasn't Kelly was great? Your new book was a great read and very helpful. Keep writing.

[Gina]

Good stuff. As a kids pastor I've learned that I'm tired of trying to compete w/ the soccer schedule. I realize now that success in ministry is not getting families to give up soccer practice to attend my event. Success is equipping mom/dad to teach their kids about the character of Christ through their experiences in soccer.

Thanks for stepping outside your comfort zone and appearing on christian television. You survived it! And I never would have seen this had you not posted it on your blog. LOL

[Mark Beeson]

You are awesome! Way to go!

[Scott Gould]

Congrats Kim - great stuff

[Kem Meyer]

Christopher...

I agree that many times there is a problem with "marketing" Christianity. You're absolutely right. However, I think it's incredibly naive for any of us to believe that we as individuals or organizations can't get in the way of Christ.

Absolutely God can perform miracles and save souls in spite of us. But it is also true that ambassadors of the Gospel, we most definitely can mess it up.

We have a responsibility to look in the mirror (corporately & individually) and really evaluate what barriers we may create for people with our self-centered perspective. You see, for many people, before they experience the message of hope and redemption, they experience you. If that's not a good experience, they may not even give church (or God) a chance. That is a sobering truth.

[Erin Cawley-Morse]

Thanks for the reminders about putting ourselves in the shoes of our audience. It is so easy to accidentally get caught back up in that "you-come-to-me-because-I've-got-something-great-to-offer" attitude, or that "they SHOULD do this or that" attitude. Neither one is bringing folks in the doors, or helping them on their journey.

I especially liked your comment about providing opportunities for families to connect with each other as they serve; that most of us in the first world have our basic needs met, and the main thing we desperately crave is more time. I will be thinking about how we can both create and communicate about ways for families to serve others and connect with each other at the same time.

[Julian]

Thanks for going beyond your comfort zone and sharing your ideas.

[Christopher Fontenot]

I don't know anything about your initial experience with your church but if they are grounded in Biblical truth and consistently preach a Biblical Gospel message, then the church is not standing in your way of Jesus. The Bible tells us that NO ONE can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. Salvation is of the Lord...not the choice of man. If God has ordained you to salvation then nothing on this earth can keep you from that miracle nor take it from you. The "marketing" of Christianity is the problem. Churches today feel they must reach people on their level or at their point of need but typically that need is temporal and the eternal need is forsaken. How about we just go back to preaching to all creation the foolishness of the Gospel and let God save the souls.

[Clayton Bell]

Even though I was in PR for over a year, and I've heard your speech before, I get something out of it ever time. Thanks for blessing the Body of Christ.

[Michael Gray]

Nice! Where was your Starbucks cup?