Ch...Ch...Changes

In 8 hours I will make a phone call that will usher in some VERY big changes in my life.

In the morning I will call, and accept, the Communications Director position at my church, ChangePoint.

Weird.

So, how did this happen?

First, I have worked in the hotel / tourism industry for around 12 years (I'm only 30 years old). This is an industry that I love. It has provided well for my wife and I, and it has given me the opportunity to grow professionally, travel, and get amazing experience. However for some time I haven't felt much satisfaction in my job. All of the pieces were there, my hotels were doing amazing, business was flowing in and I was booking HUGE groups, but for some reason I wasn't happy there anymore. However, I had been in this industry for so long that a change just didn't seem realistic. It was almost too comfortable to leave where I was.

About a year ago I became heavily involved volunteering on the communications team at ChangePoint. I was handling Social Media projects and helping however I could and I loved it! I really enjoyed trying new ways of communicating and seeing people get connected! The past year we set up a hugely successful Facebook page (now over 1,300 strong), launched a weekly announcement video, and set up a presence on other Social Media sites like Twitter, YouTube & Vimeo. It was, and is, exciting to see the church try new things in the area of communications.

A few weeks ago I was made aware that the Communications Director position would be coming open because our current (AMAZING!) Director was moving on to a position with a para-church organization.

My initial reaction to the position was "no" - I think that it was mostly due to the uncomfortableness of change and the fact that the position seemed so BIG to me, plus, it was at a CHURCH!?

I tried to dismiss the position and figured that I would just keep volunteering with whoever the new Communications Director was. However this position kept coming back around. It seemed like every time we were at church for about a 2 week period someone would come and ask me about the position. It became so frequent that I finally realized that I needed to at least pray and consider this position. I began discussing this with my wife and friends and the more I thought about it the more excited I got.

Somewhere along the way I went from "thinking" to "dreaming" - I began dreaming of what it could look like. What if a church could really, effectively communicate with people. Not just "church people" but all people. What if a church could communicate in such a way that no matter where in the world you are, you can stay connected with your church. The more I began to dream, the more excited I got. I quickly realized that these dreams could actually become realities in this position.

Our church is large and very mobile. On any given weekend around 1/3 of our "church family" is not there. In the summer they are fishing, hiking and camping and in the winter they are skiing, vacationing and snowmachining, not to mention our family members who work 1/2 the year in the North Slope oil fields and the large military demo that we have can often be deployed overseas. Because of the transient nature of our church we have an opportunity to do something very unique. We can build our communications in such a way that anyone, anywhere can stay connected with us. How awesome is that? It can be so much more than just creating and printing bulletins, it can be using technology in creative ways to connect and communicate with people.

That gets me excited.

So, I decided to apply.

The interview went great and I felt pretty good about the position, I heard back quickly and this morning they made me an offer.

After talking it over with my wife one final time we have decided that I should accept the position.

Starting soon I will be stepping into a totally new role with totally new challenges and I am totally excited about it.

Along the way I got a lot of feedback from people. One quote really sticks out - "The worst part of working for a church, is working for a church" - I have no pipe dreams that it will be prayer, puppies and praise all of the time. I am aware of the challenges that come along with it, however, isn't the upside far greater?

Worst case scenario is that I get burned and used by the church, it turns out terribly and I lose my job.

Best case scenario is that people get communicated with, connected to, and transformed by God.

Isn't the risk worth it? Despite all of my faults and screw-ups God never gave up on me and I don't want to give up on the church because of theirs.

So, I'm moving forward with this, trusting God that He is big enough to handle anything that happens. I am excited to use my gifts and talents in a new way, and perhaps I am most looking forward to watching dreams become reality.

Thanks for reading.

- Adam

"Cancer is the best thing that happened to me"

Here is the video of Zac Smith's story. Zac passed away on May 16, 2010, but his story will live on.

While watching this video I was challenged by this thought: Here is a man that battled cancer, yet was able to find the strength and the faith to remain positive. Why is it that I let much smaller things derail me? It is so easy to let small, insignificant things get us frustrated and off track.

I hope that the next time my light and momentary troubles are getting me down, I can remember Zac and know that there is a God who is far bigger than anything I am dealing with.

Love The Sinner

"LOVE THE SINNER, HATE THE SIN"

The above saying is so common in Christian circles that you almost expect to see the chapter and verse listed behind it. However, you won't. Why? Because "Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin" is not found in the bible. It is similar to "God helps those who help themselves." It sounds good and is used so often that we accept it as truth, when in reality it is a lie.

This quote has been used as a beating stick by Christians for a long time. It has been used against anyone who lives a life that the "christian culture" deems inappropriate and wrong.

There are a couple main things wrong with this saying.

First, I have NEVER met anyone that this saying has been used for who ever feels "loved" by the person saying it. The reason is that we focus on the "Hating the Sin" more than the "Loving the Sinner." Next time there is a controversial issue being discussed in your area and this saying is used, look at the people saying it. What part of the saying are their actions displaying, the loving, or the hating? The vast majority of the time it will be the latter.

Second, and most important. This quote goes against what Jesus himself said. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus DID NOT say "Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, strength & mind AND Love your neighbor as yourself and hate his sins." Jesus stopped at love, so why don't we?

So, why is it so hard for us to "get it?"

I think it's because it doesn't seem fair. Here we are, good Christians that read our Bibles, pray, go to church, volunteer, give our money and are active in our faith, and along come these "sinners" and God views them with the same love He views us? That doesn't seem fair. We are the ones that are doing the work, we are the ones trying. Why should they get the same love as us? Our selfish hearts are too easily displayed.

God is BIG enough to reach into the darkest places and the darkest lives. He can handle all of the "dirty work." He doesn't need us running around acting like His little Judges in the world pointing out sin. He wants us to be radically transformed by Him and authentically loving people. Period.

So, join me in burying this quote and moving onto a more healthy way. We were all created in the Image of God, the Imago Dei is stamped on every person you will come in contact with today. If we start seeing the Imago Dei in people and not the sin, we will become a people who are defined by our love. What an awesome thing to be known for!

Blessings on all of you sinners as you go and love one another.