the church bartender

Church Bartender Finds New Home

2009-07-17T19:52:00.005-05:00

Third Place Consulting & Cafe Divine

2009-07-04T12:56:00.007-05:00

Third Place Consulting's Latest Project::

I'm excited to share about one of Third Place Consulting's latest projects. Cafe Divine opened in the early Spring of this year and is doing an amazing job at being a real Third Place. The cafe team is serving up community by engaging guests, making delicious drinks, and delivering 'A Taste of Inspiration'.

Third Place Consulting worked with Living Hope Church on:: Vision, Concept, Design & Layout, Equipment & Product Selection and Sourcing, Menu Development, and Staff Training for the ministry and business aspects of Cafe Divine.

This was an amazing team to work with and Third Place Consulting would love to work with your team to create a place that Connects People, Develops Leaders, and Funds Causes::

info@thirdplaceconsulting.com

Dirty Church launches thru Tokbox

2009-06-26T16:27:00.006-05:00

This morning we launched the conversation of Dirty Church through the social media tool Tokbox - I think we had close to 40 people stop by and join the conversation.

Dirty Church is about recognizing that God is pleased when we use what He gives us. It is important that we don't work so hard to keep our church facilities clean that we don't allow them to get Dirty and used.

The Dirty Church Awards are being created in collaboration with The Idea Camp to bring awareness and conversation to the use of the buildings / facilities that churches have in their hands. We are building criteria or characteristics of a Dirty Church right now and would like for you to contribute and help us develop that; what makes a church a Dirty Church? Then, we will begin to create a few categories and open the discussion across social media to allow for nomination for the Dirty Church Awards.

Thanks to Charles Lee for his amazing help pulling off the launch. And thank you to the many who showed up to hear the heart and now share the story. You can join the conversation with us on Twitter (use #dirtychurch) or at The Idea Camp.

Michael Trent
@churchbartender

So You Think You Can Tweeter

2009-06-04T08:24:00.011-05:00

I was recently asked, “So do I just go online and sign up for a Tweeter account and start Twittering?” My response:: “Step away from the computer sir before someone gets hurt!”

You see, this well indented leader, who travels a lot, wears multiple hats, and is probably more scared than excited about Social Media – is like so many people I see who go at this thing from the wrong reverse angle.

SHOPPING SPREE
Maybe you remember as a kid always wanting to win one of those Toy Store Shopping Sprees. You imagined this mountain of every toy you’d ever dreamed. I certainly have had that dream. Now imagine with me if you were given a 3 minute Shopping Spree at the Home Depot… (let’s be honest here, you can’t find a guy in an orange vest in 30 minutes in that place, but this is imagination….so stay with me people). Ready, set, go…your 3 minutes starts, you run frantically up and down as many isles as you can, throwing in things you need, don’t need, recognize, don’t recognize, and even a couple of bright shining things because we all love shapes and colors.

SELECTING THE RIGHT TOOLS
Oh yeah, and there’s one catch to the Home Depot shopping spree – you must go home and immediately use these tools to fix something or build something useful that adds value. This is what I see in my head when I watch people struggling to adapt to the essential ingredient of Social Media; they grab apps they need and don’t need, programs they recognize and don’t recognize, and even download a bunch of things because someone said, “Dude, you’ve gotta have that”.

We all hate those multiple runs in one day to Home Depot for that one item at a time that you realize you need in the middle of a project. But let's consider that maybe a better investment of time to fix you problems and build your Social Media Strategy than just downloading, signing up, and throwing into your computer and phone, everything you see or hear is gonna change ‘your’ life.

News flash: we are different, our problems and needs are different, and therefore, the strategy and tools to provide those solutions are different. What if we asked, “What’s the problem” first and not, “What do I do with this basket full of random tools”? Depending on where you are on your Social Media journey, here are a few STARTING POINTS:

BUG CONFERENCE
CULTIVATE CONFERENCE
CHURCH CRUNCH

Wes Stafford and Pineapple

2009-05-18T23:06:00.007-05:00

What a way to start my first day in Hawaii - first, the best pineapple I've ever had and then hearing Wes Stafford, President of Compassion International. Wes and I had a chance to speak and I am so honored and inspired by this man's story and life.

Third Places Now & Next

2009-05-10T19:29:00.003-05:00

Absolutely amazing - now this is what I'm talking about. Finally someone has put into a short video what I've been hearing, sensing, picturing, and believing for - watch, think, enjoy, change:

Bartender In Church - Illustrated

2009-05-09T20:12:00.003-05:00

An amazing artist and friend created this after reading my blogpost: "So a Bartender walks into a church..."

Dry Communication Keeps Friends Close

2009-05-04T11:19:00.002-05:00

Do you or a friend need this reminder?

So this Bartender walks into a Church...

2009-04-23T15:37:00.007-05:00

A Cowboy and a Bartender walk into a church just before services were to begin. This motley crew of jeans, t-shirts, boots, tattoos, and hats were spotlessly clean. In their hands were worn-out bibles. The church they entered was in a very upscale and exclusive part of the city. It was the largest and most beautiful church they had ever seen.

The people of the congregation were all dressed with expensive clothes and accessories. As the Cowboy and Bartender took their seats, the others moved away from them. No one greeted, spoke to, or welcomed them. They were appalled at their appearance and did not attempt to hide it. As they were leaving the church, the Pastor approached them and asked if they could do him a favor. 'Before you come back in here again, have a talk with God and ask him what he thinks would be appropriate attire for worship.’ They each assured the Pastor they would ask God that question.

The next Sunday, they showed back up for the services wearing the same ragged jeans, shirts, boots, and hats. Once again, they were completely shunned and ignored. The Pastor approached them and said, 'I thought I asked you to speak to God before you came back to our Church. 'We did,' each man replied. 'If you spoke to God, what did he tell the proper attire should be for worshiping in here?' asked the Preacher. 'Well, Sir, God told us that He didn't have a clue what we should wear. He said He had never been in this Church before.

Erwin McManus Understands Third Places

2009-04-22T12:50:00.005-05:00

Erwin McManus has gone coast to coast - Orlando to the OC in two days, sharing of the importance of places and the church's role and responsibility. Thanks Erwin for your heart, passion, and recognition for Third Places.

Here are his main points with some thoughts I sprinkled in:

Erwin McManus

1. Create a place for others - where people different from us feel welcome.
· You may want to ask others not like you what they think
· Someone Great that we follow had a great tendency for doing this.

2. Create a place in the Marketplace – where everyday life happens.
· Contributing to the community vs. Simply Consuming of it
· People need to know who they can trust to have a conversation with
· The marketplace doesn’t need a watered down gospel, they need a gospel that makes sense

We need to love, love covers a multitude of irrelevance.

It's Okay To Not Be Okay

2009-04-02T18:40:00.002-05:00

I love this video from Central Christian Church in Las Vegas - especially the quote "Church, where it's okay to not be okay".

If you've never been to a church like that - I'm very sorry.

If your church really isn't like that - stop faking it and For the Love of God - CHANGE (really).

Nano-Blending

2009-03-27T14:01:00.003-05:00

Bailout Blend

iPhone smoothie

Post Offices In Churches

2009-03-25T10:28:00.005-05:00

Post Offices were once considered viable Third Places. During a time when mail was not delivered to businesses or residences - people would contastantly gather at the Post Office and linger in conversation.

The following article was found online at: http://adjix.com/prwg

Government moves to help churches deliver public services including day care centres and post offices
By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 1:38 AM on 25th March 2009

Churches could be used as post offices or day care centres so they become useful to everyone in the community and not just worshippers, according to official Government guidance. Ministers also want charities and other public bodies to overcome their 'squeamishness' about giving money to religious groups.

A guide published by the Government and the Church of England tells clergy how they can obtain grants to make better - and wider - use of their buildings. It says churches are often ideally placed to run services as they have good-quality buildings and willing workers with a deep knowledge of their local areas.

'Growing trend': Rt Rev Richard Chartres, Bishop of London, said 12 post offices operated out of church buildings

The guidance will not only help local people but also aid the preservation of historic churches, many of which need repairs. At least 12 post offices operate from church buildings in the UK while many more of the 16,000 parish churches host child care centres, youth clubs and cafes.

Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, said: 'Churches and other places of worship are at the heart of neighborhoods. They are the local landmarks by which we navigate and they often represent the best of our heritage. 'Both the buildings and the people that frequent them, are so often active in enhancing the lives of many people, offering services to meet the needs of the local community.'

The Bishop of London, the Right Reverend Richard Chartres, said: 'This is an example of a growing trend to return church buildings to their original function as places of worship but also places of assembly and celebration for the whole of the local community.'

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson has said the Government will not support any further post office closures. He said: 'The closures of the past year were difficult but they were necessary.

'The network is now on a more secure footing and better placed to look to the future. And its unrivalled network of branches, strong brand, face-to-face contact that it offers - all of these are the Post Office's real assets.'

Part of the Daily Mail, The Mail on Sunday, Evening Standard & Metro Media Group
© 2009 Associated Newspapers Ltd

Twouble With Twitter - best twideo ever

2009-03-23T10:54:00.000-05:00

The Morning Before PILL

2009-03-19T11:42:00.011-05:00

You've heard of the Morning After Pill - personally I've never taken one - for obvious reasons, but I did get to thinking about The Morning Before PILL.

In reflecting on what means the most to me; what keeps me up at night; and how I'm doing at living that out - I came up with this (it is not FDA approved - so take at your own risk):

THE MORNING BEFORE PILL - what if we start each day considering

POTENTIAL: unlocking the potential of ourselves and those we come in contact

INFLUENCE: understanding that you are a Superhero to someone; so act like one

LEVERAGE: everything counts - so make it all count

LEGACY: you can only take with you what you give away - so have nothing left when you go

The choice is yours: take the PILL to start your day or take the PILL to try and erase your day.

Justin Pope - Leaving A Legacy

2009-03-16T13:05:00.011-05:00

Marines guarding the casket and body of one of their own; trading duties with two other soldiers - such beauty in the care and protection of their brother. A man with a white beard and Scottish quilt playing Amazing Graze on bagpipes as he led the family into the church. 21 shots fired into the air, a bugle playing Taps, Marines folding a flag to hand to the beautiful bride of a fallen soldier -

I'm still very much struggling to find the words to describe this past week. A young man that I had the honor and privilege of youth pastoring was killed in Iraq this month. Last week I was asked to come and participate in the funeral services. I am very blessed and humbled to have been a part of this young man's life. At 25 yrs old, he lived more than many people twice his age.

What I recognized through all the memories, photos, and stories that were shared is that Justin had discovered his passion and given 200% to it -figuratively and literally giving his whole life what he was passionate about and felt called to do. Justin is the quintessential balance between compassionate heart and committed soldier. I am so inspired by the life that Justin lived - it has already made a difference in my life these past few days.

Part of what I shared in the services was that "We may not always know God's will - and even when we do, we may not always understand or even like it; but even when we don't know or understand or like God's will - we must remember and know that God Will ---- God Will use Justin's life far after his death and in some ways even more; just like He did the life of his own Son." Justin invested his life into the live of others and that is how one Leaves A Legacy -

Thank you to all who Live your life protecting mine and for all who Give their life so I can live mine - may we all LIVE the life you've given us the Freedom to live to it's fullest.

Jobless Third Places

2009-02-17T12:34:00.006-06:00

There are a lot of upsides to the times we are living in: creativity, innovation, and a return to recognizing how much we need each other.

In Chris Seay’s book, The Dust Off Their Feet – Acts 2:44-45 it says, “There was an intense sense of togetherness among all who believed; they shared all their material possessions in trust. They sold any possessions and goods that did not benefit the community and used the money to help everyone in need.”

Leadership Journal just published a brief column entitled Jobseeker Sensitive, bringing to light some ideas for churches to consider as a way to use what they have in their hands to help those in need who are closest to them:

Networking: sponsor a monthly lunch for jobseekers and business leaders in your congregation / community to meet. Start a new small group especially for jobseekers.

New Skills: Job-hunting has changed in the past decade, and workers released from long-held positions may need a refresher. Invite a job counselor to teach resume writing, interviewing skills, and job hunting on the web.

Office Space: Provide room at the church several mornings per week for unemployed people to get out of the house and work on their search. Counselors recommend spending as much time on the search as they did one the job (in other words – make it your Job to get a Job).

Jobs: even small ones to provide involvement and participation. Draft a list of odd jobs around the church. Even volunteer jobs give a person reason to get up in the morning. And recruit unemployed people to lead the ministry to unemployed people

Share your thoughts: What are ways that churches could use their existing facilities to help the Jobless?

Homeless Third Places

2009-02-16T11:45:00.007-06:00

Ever asked how do you have a Third Place, when you don’t have a First or Second? Below is a true story from yesterday and borrowed from an amazing guy I’m proud to call my friend – Jake Stum [ @jakestum / www.jakestum.com ]

TRUE COMMUNITY

I had an overwhelming experience at church this morning. I help lead a class that targets our homeless population. This morning we had almost 30 people in our class. In the last few weeks we have had three people get jobs and they are now looking for housing. This is exhilarating to me, but the really cool part is what else is happening–story time…

First, let me tell you about a friend that I will call Bob (not his real name). We helped him get a job about a month ago. He was able to get a little car and moved out of the warehouse and into his car. With his first pay check he went and bought some whole turkeys and brought them to the church. He said that because the church had done so much to help him, he wanted to give something back.

Second, this morning was amazing. One of the guys in the class, who has recently gotten a job, fixed up some used bicycles and brought them to the other members of our class so that they could have transportation to job interviews. Then a senior adult ladies class heard what was going on and has offered to donate the money for this guy to continue buying bikes and fixing them so that everyone in the class can have some type of transportation.

Third, we have had several who have committed their lives to following the way of Christ who have NEVER been into our sanctuary. They wouldn’t feel comfortable there, but we have made a place for them to connect in community.

Geez! I sat in the class witnessing the church in action. Unbelievable. Don’t know what else to say.

Jake has stuck his neck on the line to love and provide a place for this Community and God is both pleased and showing off like only He can.

Valentine's Day Doesn't Have To Suck

2009-02-12T13:59:00.005-06:00

Below is from the TWLOHA website / blog:

Hey Guys.

i think we can all relate to all of the following: pain, hope, love, loss, laughter, questions, joy, loneliness, dreams, sickness, fear and friendship. Sometimes life is this really amazing thing. Sometimes it hurts like hell. Sometimes it's just plain awkward.

Valentine's Day can be pretty great if you have a date or a wife or boyfriend, or something along those lines. But like most holidays, it can also remind you what's missing or what hurts. It can be a pretty lonely day. (It can certainly be awkward.)

We believe that conversations are powerful, that with all of the issues we speak to and so many of the messages we respond to, the answer begins there, with choosing to live less alone, choosing to do life with other people.

So, for the second year in a row, this is our attempt at taming a famous awkward day. We did this last year and it turned out to be a great night. We're aiming for more of the same this year, wanting Saturday night's live chat to be a taste of community, honesty and hope for a lot of people.

See you Saturday? : )jamie

PS: It's pretty easy. You'll just need to go to AbsolutePunk.net at 8pm EST this Saturday night (2/14). If you want to participate in the chat, you'll need to create an account. It's easy and it's free. PS2: We'll be in Chicago for events Thursday and Friday. Check the calendar for info.

Using Technology Isn't Proof You Have Community

2009-02-10T15:52:00.006-06:00

This article here is sad on a number of different levels, but I think there’s a small takeaway here.

Essentially, a man “divorced” his wife by changing his Facebook status. From one perspective it’s just sad that he decided to use Facebook to tell his wife that it was all over. From another, there’s something to be said why he made it first public to the masses before his beloved bride.

But a small “nugget” of wisdom might be the reminder of the fact that just because you use web technology, engage with others in the digital world, have “conversations” all the time, and feel like you’re building “community,” none of this proves that you have real community at all. It may suggest it, strongly perhaps, but it doesn’t prove anything.

There’s something about community offline that’s important for us to remember. Community online will never and cannot ever fully and completely replace community offline.

Your thoughts? If you want “another interesting thought” perhaps you should consider Facebook Suicide.

This content was BlogJacked by Permission from the great people at ChurchCrunch

Tired - Hungry - In Need of a Change

2009-02-06T10:04:00.002-06:00

I just overheard someone say, "Ya know, she really is a good baby. She only cries when she is tired, hungry, or needs to be changed."

So the thought occurred to me, I wonder if God, while drinking a coconut latte with a few of His favorite creations has ever said about His children on earth: "Ya know, they really are good kids, they only cry when they are Tired, Hungry, or In Need of a Change."

Perspective part 3: Riding a Dead Horse

2009-01-31T11:36:00.007-06:00

No matter what organization you find yourself in, you've probably tried to or watched someone try to "Ride a Dead Horse"

Dakota tribal wisdom says that when you discover you are riding a dead horse, the best strategy is to dismount.

However, we often try other strategies with dead horses, including the following:

Buying a stronger whip.
Changing riders.
Saying things like "This is the way we always have ridden this horse."
Appointing a committee to study the horse.
Arranging to visit other sites to see how they ride dead horses.
Increasing the standards to qualify as a dead horse rider.
Appointing a tiger team to revive the dead horse.
Pass legislation declaring that "This horse is not dead."
Unilaterally declaring, "no horse is too dead to beat."
Hire new staff to ride the dead horse.
Blaming the horse's parents.
Providing additional funding to increase the horse's performance.
Do a Cost Analysis Study to see if contractors can ride the horse cheaper.
Declare the horse is "better, faster and cheaper" dead.
Revisit the performance requirements for horses.
Promote the dead horse to a supervisory position.
Lament the state of dead horses in today’s world.

Perspective part 2

2009-01-30T17:29:00.001-06:00

check your lenses

Perspective part 1

2009-01-25T15:09:00.001-06:00

It's all about how you look at it. How are you seeing things lately?

Politically Correct Coffee

2009-01-25T13:07:00.004-06:00

My family traveled to Washington D.C. this summer and returned with a gift for Dad - a coffee mug that reads: "Coffee..." on one side and "....the favorite drink of the civilized world." on the other. These were the words Thomas Jefferson text messaged to Edmond Rogers on February 14th, 1824.

I'd like to add to that and say that quality coffee is the favorite drink of a civilized world. Quality creates comfort. Having excellence in every area of a third place is essential to creating a place that has a stickiness factor. Don't compromise quality because you'll be compromising comfort - and comfort gives way to conversation, conversation give way to relationship, and relationships are everything life is about.

Message In Hand - Your Church Magazine

2009-01-08T09:43:00.004-06:00

Thanks to Christianity Today International and the amazing team at Your Church Magazine for helping us share the message and opportunity of Message In Hand, Junky Car Club, and Compassion International:

Message In Hand in Your Church Magazine

Fighting For Tomorrow

2009-01-01T11:37:00.005-06:00

I think I could live my life speaking in music quotes (and the occasional movie quote) - It simply cracks me up where reflection, inspiration, perspective, and motivation can come from sometimes. Last night, I was watching Will.I.Am. - formally of the BlackEyedPeas and he was performing "It's a New Day" - these lyrics stood out to me:

I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR TOMORROW ALL MY LIFE

Being a visionary has it's ups and downs, strengths and struggles, friends and enemies - - it sometimes takes a smooth cat with simple lyrics to remind us that Fighting For Tomorrow is never a bad thing. What are you fighting for today that really is about Tomorrow?

Get Some MOORE of This

2008-12-23T16:46:00.003-06:00

I recently attended a night with To Write Love On Her Arms to spend some time with some new friends. Unexpectedly, I met this amazing singer, songwriter, and dude of mucho talent and character:

Joshua Moore
www.myspace.com/joshuamoore

Enjoy and pass it on.

God or Google: who's faster?

2008-12-21T09:17:00.006-06:00

Last week I was emailing, twittering, facebooking, and IMing all at one time - then someone asked me to find something that required I use Google - I found this odd bit of information and delivered it in under 10 seconds.

Immediately after, I thought, "I wish God worked that fast when I needed information." Then I was quickly reminded that God is faster than Google, even when He doesn't seem like it.

the Future is building - let's build for the Future

2008-12-18T15:07:00.004-06:00

Below is something I found buried in the 'to blog about' file from a year ago - let's see how it's aged:

I'm blessed to find myself in a variety of very exciting disciplines during very exciting times. During the past few months I've found myself in meetings about the future of church; church planting; and church architecture; the future of government; the future of work; and the future of education-----

In many of these meetings, what has stood out to me the most is that I am the youngest guy in the room and normally by ten years or more. At a meeting full of church builders, architects, and the like, I sat and listened as they spoke about the future of church architecture and how the generations that were growing up now and those that are not even born yet are the ones that will occupy the facilities they will be building in the next few years.

During a break, one man, barely old enough to be my father said, "Michael, what did you see in there?" First, I'm honored that he cared enough to ask, second, I responded with, "I'm the youngest guy in the room by ten years. You guys are in there talking about the future and guess who isn't in the room? Yeah, you got it, 'the Future'." If we are going to build for the future, don't you think we should ask them what they think? And include them in the dialogue; not just try to interpret what they say on our own.

Sure, we had some amazing forward thinking people in the room and I am a huge believer in multi-generational collaboration - but not all generations were represented in the room, therefore, I believe we were missing something. In the meeting we discussed the need to recognize the scarcity and deficit in a community and yet, we had a scarcity in the room for the discussion at hand.

During a teaching session with some college age young adults, I brought their attention to the this: collectively there were approximately 20 students that were an average of 20 years old and what others might have seen as a bunch of young interns, I saw400 years of life experience from which I could learn. Can I just tell you that each week, I've shared a brief intro, short story, scripture reference, then we break in to groups for a few minutes before using the largest part of the class to facilitate discussion where most of the teaching comes from them; not me. Guess who is smarter, faster, wiser, and better after every meeting - yep, me.

Who is pouring into your life from another generation?
Or who from another generation is pouring into your life.

Dont Just DO - BE!

2008-12-15T12:08:00.006-06:00

Below is a post from a Guest Blogger - my insanely beautiful and amazing wife - who continues to challenge me and make me sharper every day:

Whenever I see friends and family these past few weeks, they are talking about how busy they are. Busy with birthday parties, busy with holiday parties, busy with shopping, busy with children's activities, busy with out-of-town company, busy, busy, busy!

Often these people ask me, "Are you busy, too?" And, I feel sort of weird saying "Not really", and I realize that my perspective may be different than the norm. Most people would define "busy" as lots of time "doing" something. Busy is in itself sometimes good and not even necessarily bad.

I think "busy" for me means that I am doing so much that I do not have time to just "be". I want to make sure that when I am doing something, it is a part of my being. Too deep? Too philosophical? Let me break it down: when I am at a party, I don't want to be there just to show up, do my duty. I want to be at that party because I am making a choice to be a part of the event. It is all about my choice to "be", rather than "do".

So, according to my new definition, what are you "doing" that is keeping you from "being"? Or, what do you consciously need to choose to "be"? Before you do another thing, check your motives. Enjoy "being" this holiday season, and take "busy" out of your vocabulary!

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24

Kristy

How might this change something for you at home, at work, or in the other places you'll find yourself this season?

UNEMPLOYED CHRISTIAN: are the Saddlecreeks & Willowbacks really fading?

2008-12-12T18:08:00.013-06:00

During a recent meeting in Chicago, a very good lecture was presented on the recent history of the American Church as a whole, with its many nuances, separations, and newly conceived networks. In a recent post, Ed Bahler, my friend and fellow attendee at this meeting - remembers hearing the speaker referencing that “Rick Warren’s “Purpose Driven” and Bill Hybels' “Seeker Sensitive” movements are now fading away.” I’m not completely sure that is what this speaker was trying to say and if it was, then I must, in the very least - disagree, but more importantly, I must, with all my heart – hope that is not true. If being ‘purpose driven’ and ‘seeker sensitive’ are fading, then I’m soon to be an Unemployed Christian.

Confessions of Church-Basher

Let me start my view of this by confessing that ‘once upon a time’ I bashed these “movements” and talked smack about terms like “seeker sensitive” – “seeker driven” - and occasionally “purpose driven” (though I will admit, that back in the day Purpose Drive Youth Ministry revolutionized a youth ministry I was privileged to lead and it did that by creating tremendous focus). Back to the confession……I would call these movements weak and watered down and I was ignorant and arrogant for doing so and for that I apologize to Rick and Bill, to their churches, and to anyone who might have been negatively affected by the words or actions displayed in my shallow and unnecessary judgments.

I think what probably influenced my negative feelings toward these so called “Seeker and Driven” movements, were the interpretations, expressions, and most of the time - bad imitations of Willow and Saddleback - - as churches across America, in an attempt to immulate the latest success story, started to become ‘generic models’ of these amazingly successful ministries rather than ‘genetic models’ of who God had designed and destined them to be – resulting mostly in frustration because they were too often looking for the fast track to success and did not take the time to ask the fundamental questions of themselves as leaders, the specific and geographical calling that God had for their local church, and the unique calling, passion, and gifts that had been given to their local church body.

Killing The Great Commission and The Great Commandment

If the ‘Seeker Sensitive’ and ‘Seeker Driven’ movements are fading, then God help us all – because that may just be the beginning of the church attempting to put to death the foundation and fruition of The Great Commandment, which instructs us to love God and love others with all we have - and to follow Christ’s example of ‘seeking and saving those who are lost’. Jesus was the most Seeker Sensitive and Seeker Driven person to ever walk the face of this earth. I pray we will not forget or lose sight of that as we continue to attempt to reinvent and renovate American Church one more time.

If the ‘Purpose Driven’ movement is fading, then God help us all – because I believe, based on what I read in the Bible and based on what I have experienced in my own life - that we were all designed by God and have inside of us a purpose; a purpose that we are meant to discover and to use to drive us with the fuel of passion toward fulfilling God’s plan for our individual lives as we collectively, as the Body of Christ, fulfill The Great Commandment to ‘…go and make disciples of all nations…”

Encourage recently by a friend to write our my prayers – I’ve given it a shot below

My Prayer

God – maker of me, my friends, my enemies, my past, my present, and my future – I love you. Forgive me first, and forgive those of us who have continued to waste so much of our energy tearing one another down; especially inside the body of Christ. Forgive us for turning on ourselves, and self inflicting wounds and infections from the inside out. Forgive us for doing all of that in the name of “knowing how to do your work and having the corner on the idea market” for knowing what and who and how and when you would fulfill your work on this earth. Forgive me for losing site of whom and where I was and for the wretched and forgiven man I still am today. Remind me – remind us God – that it is you who first loved, you who first sought after us, you who designed us, you - who have known us since before we were formed, you who created our inner most being, you who have always known the plans for our lives, you who customized desires, passions, gifts, and a calling in all of us, you God – who made us in your image. May we reflect you and the work you are passionate about by discovering our purpose and may we be driven to use all that you have made us and given us to seek out those who are lost and hurting and in need of your rescue – may we be Driven by Purpose and Sensitive to those Seeking you. May we not forget those you have used so significantly to remind us of these simple, yet absolutely essential actions – God, thank you for Rick Warren and Bill Hybels; may you continue to cause them to grow in wisdom and in stature - may you continue to give them your favor and favor with man.

Yours,

Michael

What are your thoughts?

Should we let our drive for purpose and sensitivity to those lost, hurting, and seeking just fade so we can chase the next fad?

When Work Quits You

2008-12-05T20:28:00.004-06:00

My good friend and possibly the guy with better hair (for a blonde dude) than me - had this on his blog www.RhettSmith.com and I just had to post it.

This video will make you think. I challenge you to see the positive. Then tell me, WHAT DO YOU DISAGREE WITH in the video?

Generation WE

2008-12-04T12:03:00.001-06:00

Thanks to one of the kindness leaders I've ever met Dave Gibbons for posting this video on his blog:

Generation WE: The Movement Begins... from Generation We on Vimeo.

Message In Hand

2008-11-25T16:15:00.003-06:00

Message In Hand is an initiative to create conversational coffee sleeves that bring awareness to great causes.

Our first sleeve is in partnership with Junky Car Club and Compassion International.

Feel free to pass this on and share the message.

buy less - give more: the Advent Conspiracy

2008-11-22T16:00:00.003-06:00

Church In Reverse

2008-11-18T11:17:00.008-06:00

It was over a cup of coffee that a friend and I began discussing the idea of “church in reverse.” He pastors a church with fewer than 100 members, though his church may actually be more active in its community – helping other church plants and serving the world – than most churches I’ve seen 50 times its size. According to Outreach magazine and Ed Stetzer, I attend the fastest-growing church in America; a church that has gone from 4,000 to more than 10,000 in the last year. So, you can imagine our different perspectives conversation as we discussed this simple idea of church in reverse.

What is church in reverse? It’s about having the conversation around this thought: What if we, the Church (people, not steeple), went out and did something so amazing, so big, so effective that it demanded we create tools to facilitate the great things being done – as opposed to collecting the tools and then trying to use them to do great things. We would be a Church that is leveraging its real estate to equip the church body, to contribute to the community, and ultimately to change the world by maximizing the tool we call a church building.

For Those Who Have Their Own Tools
I am tired of watching people build buildings and then turn to each other and say, “So what do you think we should to do with this big thing ... God provided a building, we should use it.” That must stop. As Alan Hirsch once wrote, “Let us be clear here, buildings are useful. They are tools, sometimes vital tools, but they are only tools nonetheless. And when the use of a tool blunts our ability to fulfill our mission and purpose in the world, it must be questioned and dealt with appropriately.”

For Those Borrowing Tools
Often, church planters, for example, have an opportunity for innovation that existing churches do not; that is, a blank canvas on which they can dream, discover and design a tool that will facilitate the meeting of needs that are in their community. This tool just may go beyond meeting the presupposed “needs” that an existing church has in mind or – dare I say – the expectations a denomination may have set for them. The Church must leverage its real estate because God wants to bring the Church back to the center of town and put the front porch back on America.

How do we do that? Let’s not forget that 1 Corinthians 3 says one man plants, another waters, but only God makes it grow. That chapter goes on to remind us that we are God’s fellow workers, God’s field and even God’s building. Go do something so great – it demands a tool to facilitate.

For Those Who Will Eventually Need Tools
I was introduced during a recent conversation to a ministry organization that has nearly 20 employees, all of which are mobile workers. For these people, home and work, the two places they spend most of their time, are one in the same. This is just one of the elements demanding the redefining of third places, or the third most important and most-frequented place in people’s lives. We discussed their ministry personality, their deep passions and their needs for a place that would work for them. After some amazing dialogue, we envisioned a place that would serve as an organic, open-air office space that would accommodate the way they communicate with one another. We pictured a place where people from the community could gather, as well as the thousands that visit their ministry base every year. We discussed the need for retailing their ministry-funding products and for a full café that would allow them to be open and contribute to the community. In addition, this ministry organization has interns – leaders that have put themselves in a position to be ministered to and through, who need a place to be trained and encouraged. Finally, this place would be the central visitation hub for those who have been affected by this ministry. In one place, they could connect people, develop leaders and fund causes.

Innovation doesn’t dry up during an economic crisis; in fact, the opposite is true. We must rebel against a selfish mindset, be the Church – a people who have come together for the Great Commission – and understand that innovation is a social process that demands diversity and novel connections in order to imagine, create and give birth to ideas that will change the world.
Consider the tools you have, the tools you want and the tools you’ll need to create – and consider doing Church in Reverse. It promises to move the Church forward.

Love Debt.

2008-11-13T11:02:00.005-06:00

There has never been a better time to go into deep debt that right now. If you're thinking now is the time to be cautious and hold back.........well, you're wrong. If we are to get through this unsettling time, then there no better solution that deeper debt.

This morning, I read a cool passage in the bible from Romans 13:8 that said: "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellow man has fulfilled the law."

Let's get addicted to giving - to living generous.So as you look for a way to get perspective, let me prescribe for you - the Love Debt.

Check out this video for great ideas on how to go into Love Debt this season.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVqqj1v-ZBU

Gift Card House Party

2008-10-26T19:02:00.007-05:00

I hate waste! I love to LEVERAGE. Jeff Shinabarger, and idea engineer in his own right, gave birth to an amazing idea at a wedding reception one day........check out the site and initiative below from Jeff's Blog:

On January 11, 2009…Everyone Gets Carded.With S15 Billion of unused gift cards in America from this year alone, we have decided to do something about it with your help. We are looking for 100 homes across the nation to host a unique event. A party where everyone gets carded. Together, we have an opportunity to collect thousands of dollars in gift cards and give them to organizations and people that need them.

HOST A HOUSE PARTY!Every house party has 3 important elements:1) No gift card, no entry. Have a bouncer collect cards at the door.2) Entertain with an unending quantity of card games.3) Mail your stack of gift cards to:Gift Card Giver490 East Side Ave. SEAtlanta, GA 30316

To sign up your home for a Gift Card Giver House PartyContact Andre at http://www.jeffshinabarger.com today!
http://www.giftcardgiver.com/

*Note: Gift Card Giver House Parties can happen any day that works for you.Thanks for joining in this new form of giving.

Mad Church Disease

2008-10-16T19:04:00.004-05:00

Last week I had an amazing time helping my fine character assassin fighting friends from Deadly Viper at the Catalyst Conference. During my time in the green room (which had no green in it ???) - I was able to meet and hang with some pretty cool people.

Yeah, I met Ed Stetzer, Steve Fee, and even Franklin Graham, but one of, if not THE coolest person I met was Anne Jackson - world famous author of the soon to by NY Times Best Seller - MAD CHURCH DISEASE: Overcoming the Burnout Epidemic.

Turns out Anne is a JCC member, Deadly Viper crew member, and now my friend (no really - she is, not just in a "facebook friend" kind of way). I'm not really sure why she would write such a book, it's probably fiction. When is the last time you met someone who worked for a church that you were sure either was on or in need of a pharmacist on speed dial (insert loads-o-sarcasm here).

Redefining Third Places - part 1

2008-09-15T20:26:00.011-05:00

I have struggled with discussing this concept for several years now. Each time I prepare for a speaking engagement around third places, I grab my notes on “Redefining” and those around me say, “Hey, you’re still ‘defining’ third places – don’t go trying to ‘Redefine’ – you may confuse people more.” Well, guess what, I just can’t take it anymore. It’s time we start talking about the Redefining of Third Places, since many of us are actually living it anyway.

Let’s quickly define ‘third places’ for those who need a quick lesson: everybody in life has and needs three primary places: home, work, and ‘that other place’; the third place is that place of choice, that place you want to go to, the place you find connection, community, and clarity in – maybe the park, the pub, the gym, or the café to name a few.

Let’s consider a couple of examples of how Third Places are being redefined: I’m at home right now, writing this article, and enjoying the best coffee in town – I just redefined third places. A friend of mine is a personal trainer at a local fitness center, he also works out there himself and enjoys the relationships he builds professionally and personally – he just redefined third places. Another friend I know works from her home, yet needs to meet clients outside of her home office – she has found that many local coffee shops are too small and are now more focused on drive-thru business, which results in a shrinking of square footage and increase in pavement surrounding the outside – she needs somebody to redefine third places. Many of these local cafés (especially the mermaid) have gone from a ‘hang out’ setting to a ‘get out’ vibe. Don’t believe me – go count the seats.

Hey, while I’m on that – you want to know what really makes me sick these days (glad you asked) – I have a nice tall stack of magazines on my desk that feature churches with cafés in them, many of which have thousands of people, and most of these cafes have seating for about 1% of their attendance (or less) – so, if these churches were wanting to be like the big boys and serve up the “Gospel According to the Mermaid” – then bravo – mission accomplished.

Recently I read on someone’s blog and website that they were going to attempt to reveal the ‘4th Place’ – “holy I don’t need another place to be Batman – really, no thanks”. What I believe this very awesome and wise dude, whom I respect tremendously was trying to communicate is that third places are being redefined. The future of church, the future of work, and the future of how we live and blend these together in our lives are all about Redefining Third Places. It will certainly include a blends and hybrids of these which we’ll look at in future blogs and articles.

I’m often asked what I think about what is NEXT for Third Places.

That conversation has one major thread:

The church must leverage its real estate because God wants to bring the church back to the center of town and put the front porch back on America.

How do we do that? Well, let’s not forget that one man plants, another waters, but only God makes it grow. So what is our part? Forgive the obvious play on words but Church Planting is without a doubt an essential element. Recently asked about what I thought was innovative in the church today – my first thought was, ‘Can an existing church be Innovative or only Renovative’ - - - then this thought came screaming out:

The Innovation that exists in the very heartbeat of Church Planting today is forcing the Renovation of existing churches.

Having a blank slate, church planters, have the opportunity and responsibility to live Church In Reverse – (yeah, say that backwards) what do I mean – they can gather a group of people together, inspire a shared vision, and go out and do so much good that they MUST CREATE A TOOL TO FACILITATE the abundance of good work they are doing in and for their community and ultimately the kingdom. HHmmm, what kind of TOOL could FACILITATE such ministry. Maybe they need a ………FACILITY. Crazy how root words work.

You see, I am sick and tired of watching people build buildings and then turn to each other and go “So what do you think we ought to do with this big thing……God provided a building, we should use it.” That must stop. As Alan Hirsch once wrote, “Let us be clear here, buildings are useful. They are tools, sometimes vital tools, but they are only tools nonetheless. And when the use of a tool blunts our ability to fulfill our mission and purpose in the world, it must be questioned and dealt with appropriately.”

Let’s deal with it. Any takers?

Crash Dummies For Jesus

2008-09-02T19:41:00.011-05:00

We learn in fours ways:

Education - Experience - Mentors - Mistakes

In my past 16 years of working with churches I have lived my fair share of these elements and value each of them. Seeing countless pastors lose time, sleep, money, and even their sanity during a building project, I wondered, "Surely there is something that can be done to prevent this epidemic......" Then one day I met Ed and Bill from the Cornerstone Knowledge Network and discovered men with a novel idea: share information and knowledge with churches, don’t just draw pictures and pour concrete.

Knowing that pastors often suffer from burnout and discouragement, especially as it relates to the stresses of a building program, Ed and Bill invited my soon to be friend, Pastor Tim Harlow of Parkview Christian Church to bring his experience, education, mistakes, and mentoring heart to share on Keeping the Right Focus: before-during-after a building program.

If you are located or know someone in the Chicagoland area that could benefit from this information, pass it on. Remember, the life you save my not be your own.

Cornerstone Conference

Chicago

September 23, 2008

bonus feature:

Look what I found on the Junky Car Club flickr page - Pastor Tim in Ecuador on a mission. Could it be true, could Tim be a JCC member? To be continued.....

Third Place Wins Gold Medal

2008-08-13T14:19:00.013-05:00

If you haven’t seen the opening ceremony from the 2008 Olympics, first let me welcome you, Tom Hanks, and Wilson back from the island you’ve been living on. Second, let me invite you to visit the many YouTube videos that will show you what you missed. One of the amazing things you’ll see is 2008 total people for not just one circle, but layers of circles –and all without a conductor or marked places for them to stand.

The announcer on NBC said it like this: “They are able to create that perfect circle because of their awareness of where they are in relation to their neighbors.” It is important, when considering a viable business, ministry, or combination of the two, to consider the scarcity in a community – both from a ministry perspective and from a marketplace perspective. Successful and sustainable ventures are those that meet needs, fill niches, and contribute to the greater good of a community and beyond. Third Places are ranked # 1 going into the future of where we live, work, and play.

Dr. Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan, New York, expresses the importance of “…understanding the church building, not as a church building, but as a “Community Center” with worship space. If you call it a community center it helps you understand the purpose of the building. In our case, the purpose of the building is a place where we meet our neighbors; we want to say to our neighbors, ‘this space doesn’t just belong to us, it belongs to the whole neighborhood.’ We want to add value to living in this neighborhood, whether you believe like we do or not. With that kind of concern for the common good, it’s a community center. It also builds community amongst Christians in ways that we can’t right now. There are an awful lot of ministries to children; ministries that use the arts, there are so many ministries that would be meeting practical material needs in the neighborhood that we can’t do now because we do not have 7-day-a-week dedicated space.”

Whenever I am asked about third places now and next – the conversation that surrounds “next” always involves the church (1) leveraging their real estate, (2) contributing to the community, and (3) being open 7 days a week. Real estate in Manhattan should certainly be leveraged 168 hours a week in a city that never sleeps.

During the Q Conference in NYC, I was able to hear Dr. Keller speak and he shared about “What happens when people are there to USE the city vs. CONTRIBUTE to the city.” While providing a framework for defining a city, Dr. Keller described that “A city is a mixed-use, walk-able, dense and diverse human settlement.” These settlements contain 4 essential elements: residential, retail, religion, and government. It is when these networks overlap that big stuff happens, but you must ‘be there’ physically. Proximity is key.

People are what really make up a community; and the people in our communities need one another and will alway have a built in desire for human contact; no matter how high tech we get. At Third Place Consulting our mantra is “Connect People, Develop Leaders, Fund Causes”. When people are connected and we work together, then growth is sure to happen – in our neighborhoods, our cities, our country, and our world. As the world has their eyes focused on the Olympics, let’s remember that our third places can serve as winning strategic environments or 'Gold Medal' opportunities for connection and change.

It's when we use what we've been given that we experience our biggest Win. How are you seeing Third Places used or neglected? Know of any in Gold Medal contention?

Let's Get Naked

2008-08-06T19:46:00.003-05:00

In case you're wandering what in the world is in the photo above - that my friends is what is called a Naked Portafilter and no you won't find one of these at your local Mermaid establishment (aka sbux).

I just wanted to post this photo that brought a caffienated tear to my eye. A big shout out to my fellow Church Bartenders, Dan & Sean for their passion for coffee, conversation, and Christ.

Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out

2008-08-03T12:47:00.003-05:00

Ah yes, this morning's paper included a large free ad for that coffee company with the green mermaid on the cup. Locals were crying about the departure of a local store; using such desperate phrases as, "We must band together...." or "I'll do everything I can to prevent this from happening..."

Hey - let's not forget that Starbucks has been using their Kamikaze marketing technique to shut down local cafes for years. This approach was made famous in the movie Shrek when the Ginger Bread man walked out of a sbux, crossed the street and went into another sbux. As Howard Shultz tries to teach his mermaids how to backstroke, part of that training and trimming involves closing about 600 stores. If you really want to rally around your local sbux that might be closing - - great, then rally together, take up a collection, pull up a truck to their front door, and move them out of town today.

If they don't want to be in your town, then 'don't let the door hit em' on the way out'. I appreciate the passion and efforts of this company who brought Ray Oldenburg's coined phrase "third place" to the community forefront, but if they want to leave, let them. They didn't invent coffee or third places, but they have been instrumental in reminding us of how great it can be to get together with one another over something as simple and complex as a cup of coffee.

It may be difficult for a while to outdo sbux in the volume catagory, but it is not difficult to exceed them in the areas of quality, experience, niche, and meeting community needs. Communities everywhere are full of people that have the potential to create true and intentional third place environments that can contribute to the the lives of those who live, work, and play around in that community.

In a Van - Down By the River

2008-07-18T16:40:00.004-05:00

1 Van - 2 Men - 13 States - 18 Days - 2700 Miles

and more stories and quotes than I can share in one blog. My amazing friend, Scott, founder and design genius of Souldog Clothing thought it would be a great idea to jump in a van, tour the East Coast and maybe put some great shirts on a few folks (okay - I begged him to let me into the van - fortunately he slowed it down so I could jump in).

Wow did God ever have some insane lessons in store for me. Being a guy that studies community, culture, and the church - I must admit that I experienced a greater sense of community, acceptance, and authentic Christianity at the Cornerstone Music Festival , one of the music festivals we hit, than I ever have in any church I've ever been in (seriously).

And what I think would drop the jaws of most church peeps is the flavor profile of people that attended the Cornerstone Festival - in conjuction with the comment I made in the previous paragraph. I saw more tatoos, piercings, stretched earlobs, and guys sporting mullets, mohawks, fohawks, capri pants, and the come back of rolled up jean shorts that you might believe. We also met countless amazing parents that were there to jam out with their kids and even try a little moshing......(chiropractors and cardiac physicians were available on site). My point is that if you ever could not judge a book by it's cover, it was at this place.

I witnessed community and Christ lived out more in this most unexpected of places than I do in places where I know it should be. I'm still processing so much of it......more detoxing thoughts to come....

Thank you Scott for the opportunity, adventrue, and lessons of a lifetime!

Lack of Community Causes Hit & Run Victim to be Ignored

2008-06-06T18:13:00.004-05:00

Just prior to my morning coffee, I, like many of you, were absolutely in awe of the video that is all over the media today of an elderly man who was hit by a car that sped away - but more shockingly, the man was not helped for over one full minute while people just stared at him and other cars just drove by and looked. To me, this gives a new definition to unbelievable.

What sparked this blog though was the comments I heard on the Today Show as Helen Fisher, Anthropology Professor from Rutgers University. To see the whole video, go to TodayShow.com and click on the video titled "Hit & Run Victim Ignored". Professor Fisher comes in at about 2:40.

Fisher says a "lack of local community, even though we do have disbursed community". And that it's a matter of "people not having the time to stop".
Fisher also states that "local community is not supporting them, so they are not going to support the local community".
Then when asked if the response would have been better or faster in a small town, "absolutely", Fisher responded, "first of all there are pay-offs". Then stating some big word I'm going to have to look up later "reciprical affluism".

Then the Today Show dude asks, "Where is the role of the faith communities, for one thing, to remind us that we have a responsibility to look out for one another."

Fisher then states, "There is something called 'by-stander effect' where people will just stand around and say, 'well, it's not my job, it's someone elses job'. And it's because we don't know our roles in the community and it's because we don't have the community."

I'm honestly struggling for my own words to comment on this event and then to hear someone sight a "lack of community" as the cause for no one helping. Have we come this far? I'm speechless....

Two Lives - One Hunger

2008-05-22T10:54:00.005-05:00

This morning started with an inspiring conversation that I just had to share. Speaking with a new friend on the phone, our conversation found its way into the need for generational collaboration and generational transfer - something that, if you're around me for very long at all, will find a way of coming up.

After briefly sharing my passion for this need, my friend shared of how special and amazing it is to watch the relationship between her 6 year old son and her 88 year old father. My heart just exploded and then out of the overflow of my heart, my mouth spoke (seems like I've read that somewhere)..... I said, "That's really not surprising. Think of a what a sponge-for-knowledge 6 year-olds are; then combine that with the statement we've all heard and used - 'the older you get, the more you realize how much you don't know' - - - see the 6 year old and grandpa are both at peeks in their absolute hunger for knowledge. Their common ground is more than DNA, it's a passion for knowledge, for learning, for an experience that changes their lives and the the lives of those around them."

Maybe this story hits me a little different, since my dad died at age 53, before he ever had a chance to meet my children. So it's up to me to never forget the moments we had and to pass them on to my children, reminding them of where the laughs, the lessons, and life experience come from. I don't know who reads my blog....but don't waste any more time - call grandpa, call your grandson.......collaborate and change the world.

Third Place Cafe in Worship Facilities Magazine

2008-05-13T13:41:00.005-05:00

I'm excited to share a simply amazing article from Woship Facilities Magazine on our very first project, Third Place Cafe at Crossroads Christian Church in Corona, CA. Third Place Cafe was birthed out of a desire to connect with people in real and meaningful conversation; to create a place where people would naturally connect.

I can remember, as you can read in my previous post, the time when I approached the executive pastor of Crossroads about the idea of creating such a place. The conversation went well and part of the interest in the idea was due to the plans Crossroads Christian Church had for the future. Discussions had already begun about a campus expansion. Saying "yes" to the idea of creating Third Place Cafe between the sanctuary and children's area in an outdoor setting was the first step in seeing if such an idea would really work and be a viable concept and compliment to the future plans for the Circle of Light that was to come.

You can read the entire article about this WFX Solomon Award winning facility created by author and artictect Mel McGowan of Visioneering Studios.

Your Church Bartender,

Michael Trent

Generics vs Genetics

2008-05-04T17:17:00.007-05:00

It's been nearly a decade since that Monday morning when myself and another youth pastor at the time prayed together about the idea of approaching an executive pastor with the idea for Third Place Cafe. Asking Roger, "What if I could create a place to get people to come early and stay late, extending the best hour of their week." To this day, that is still the question I ask as God has given Third Place Consulting the opportunity to create third places in and for churches around the country.

Our first owned and operated cafe was Third Place Cafe, located on the campus of Crossroads Christian Church in beautiful Corona, CA. That first cafe will always hold a special place in my heart - it continues to teach me to this day. One of the things I've learned is that third place cafes are not cookie-cutter, generic designs or environments. Each church and culture is different.

During a recent session at WFX in Indianapolis, I shared with the audience some ideas on how to filter their coffee plans - one point being "Genetics vs Generics", where I shared of the importance and responsibility a church has to understand their own DNA, be aware of the scarcities in their community - both the ministry and market needs - and how important it is to see third places as investments and not expenses.

The architect on our original Third Place Cafe was Mel McGowan from Visioneering Studios. In Mel's new book, Design Intervention: Revolutionizing Sacred Space, he shares that:

"America is increasingly becoming a postmodern, post-Christian nation, and church architects who drop fiberglass steeples in front of converted Wal-Marts are part of the problem. Without rethinking biblical definitions of authentic church and community, they continue to endorse the same generic solutions across the country. - - - - However, generic is irrelevant - and not always cheaper. Instead of throwing more money at less effective buildings reaching fewer people, a design intervention considers the surrounding culture, unique identity, DNA, and purpose of the individual ministry." McGowan, pg. 21

Each community has different needs, each church has been given different gifts, each ministry team should consider their Genetics and not settle for being Generic - all in the name of saving time and money - which what you'll likely loose more of in the long run when choosing a generic.

...going the extra mile(S)

2008-05-04T09:49:00.004-05:00

What an amazing season of traveling! I'm constantly amazed, yet somehow not surprised at the insanely talented people I continue to meet across this country. I've just returned from a wonderful week in Indianapolis at the WFX (worship facilities expo), where I had the awesome opportunity to pour into architects, builders, pastors, and other church industry leaders in a session on Third Places. We have such an opportunity and responsibility as the church to leverage our real estate and square footage in such a way that we create connecting places in a day and time when we are getting more high-tech, yet our inner design knows we must continue to be high-touch.

A special thanks to my friend and fellow church bartender partner, Dan Lacher, who spun the portifilter and serves the great people who visited booth 609 (Aspen - Cogun - CKN).

On a high from such a great week, I decided to do the crazy thing of driving all the way home in one day. Wow was it ever worth going the extra mileS.....you see, my youngest daughter had a soccer game and that was my goal for the day. It's my blog so I'm going to brag - - - you see here a picture of her goal for the day. Yep, she broke free from the 'school of fish' that is 5 year old soccer and ran, dribbling the distance of the field until she finished with a sweet kick into the center of the net.

Running to side for a hug, kiss, and high-five from dad; the next question of her mouth, "Do I get to pick dessert tonight." We all have our reasons for focusing on the miles or soccer nets ahead of us...........let's keep our eyes on the priceless prizes that God has given us.

My Third Place in Little Italy

2008-04-14T10:52:00.008-05:00

While many of the Q Conference attendees chose to stay close and walk to local restaurants, my wing-man, Jake, and myself made our way to the subway below NYC and grabbed the B-train to Little Italy. Walking only a few blocks, we ran into some firemen with really cool accents. "Gentlemen, if you only have one meal in Little Italy, where do you go?" After much friendly arguing over where to go, my new 'civil' friends agreed that we must go to Da Nico's; "and don't forget to ask for the back porch".

Were these guys ever right. Da Nico's had it all-right - look, feel, environment, service, quality, and that something special you just know is there even when you can't put your finger on it. Our outdoor environment was placed between two buildings with trees overhanging, while Spring filled the air with fresh smells. My Third Place in Little Italy is one that left a great taste in my mouth, literally and figuratively.

Thanks firefighter dudes for helping The Church Bartender find a new Third Place worth talking about.

The Fray @ Q

2008-04-12T20:33:00.005-05:00

Flying to NYC from Orlando this week, I knew I was in for a treat at the Q Conference, hosted by Gabe Lyons and the Fermi Project. But maybe one of the coolest places I've been in a long time was Thursday night as The Fray put on an intimate concert for those attending the Q Conference. I was so close I could touch the piano and see the key changes - - - that dude has insane passion that comes out of great pain - but didn't that one guy...........um.........um........yeah, Jesus, that was him. Amazing how the greatest art, music, and Messages come from pain, yet can bring us peace. And my favorite quote of the night was, "We just didn't have enough JPMs or Jesus' Per Minute for K-Love..." referring to their struggle for acceptance by the 'Christian' music industry.

New Chicago Cafe Opens

2008-03-27T14:30:00.007-05:00

Below are pictures of the most recent cafe opened by Third Place Consulting with much thanks to the Aspen Group and Wildesign Group for their amazing work in desing, building, and architecture.

More photos and reactions to this Third Place can be found at Aspen Group Blog.

No Such Thing As Church Clothes

2008-03-27T10:01:00.006-05:00

I’ve served on church staffs on the East and West Coasts and now have the cool opportunity to travel the country creating third places. Selecting clothes for the suitcase before a trip can be quit a task since I find myself in different climates, cultures, and even church cultures. At home I focus a lot of energy on teaching my children that church is not a building or place, but a people that God calls the body of Christ. Here is a lesson I hope I never forget....

One day my oldest daughter used the phrase “church clothes” and I nearly passed out. I sat her down like any good dad would and asked her the all important investigative question, “Where did you hear those words? Who taught you that?” I could not believe my ears. We quickly walked into her bedroom and I told her to go to her closet and pick out this thing she called “church clothes”; and she did. Then I asked her to pick out some “non-church clothes”; and she did.

As both sets of clothes, “church and non-church”, lay on the bed, I asked her this question, “If you had a friend who wanted to come to ‘church’ with you and she only had this set of ‘non-church’ clothes to wear, would you tell her she couldn’t come? Would she be welcomed at our church?” It took less than five seconds before tears welled up in her eyes and she said, “No daddy, I would never want something like clothes to keep my friends away from God.”

Sitting on the bed, we shared some amazing truths from God’s word that remind us He looks at the inside and not the outside; that he is much more concerned about the condition of our hearts than the condition and style of our clothes.

I love being both a teacher and student in the greatest classroom God ever invented – my home.

Coffee Stained Church

2008-02-28T09:44:00.025-06:00

I want to thank my 10th grade English teacher, Ms. Baggett for teaching me to write when I'm overwhelmed with emotions. And I'd like to thank Al Gore for inventing the internet.

This morning I received an email that I've seen a hundred times - someone asking "Should we allow the cafe in our church to remain open during 'worship service'"? If you don't already know where I'm going with this, you can read previous blogs about how sheep graze differently than they used to.

There is almost always a QBQ or question behind the question - in this case, I think we need to ask, "Can God change the life of a person in the cafe of a church on a Sunday morning during the same time that people are standing on a stage singing or speaking in the next room?" I'll let you answer that for yourself.

Secondly, I'm reminded of the hundreds of times that I've heard a pastor or speaker stand up and make some version of this statement: "If only ONE life is changed today, it was all worth it." Okay, I'll agree with you on that, but now I ask, "What would you be willing to do for just ONE?"

Would you replace the carpet in your church once a year? How about 100 chairs a year? What about a 10% increase in cleaning bills because of spills and crumbs? What if those crumbs and spills were from men and women whose lives were broken and God was using your church members to meet them where they were, engage them in conversation, and offer them an ear for listening, a shoulder for crying, or a hand to hold and pray with.

Would you allow broken crumbs on your church floor if they were from the broken lives of people who found there way onto your church campus? Would you trade coffee stains on your temporary carpet and chairs for the opportunity to change some one's life for eternity? What do pastors really mean when they say, "it's all worth it for just one".

Counting Sheep Redefined

2008-02-14T16:13:00.005-06:00

Maybe you remember Sam the Sheep dog and Ralph the wolf - these guys certainly had different perspectives when it came to counting sheep.

I think too often we become comfortable with words and phrases. Language is important and I'm certainly a fan of custimized cultural lingo, but on occassion a word can get so used that is loses it's meaning.

Yesterday, when asking my wife about a couple she knew, I asked, "Do you know where their faith is?" I was proud of myself when I stopped and thought about it. I didn't ask, "Do they go to church?" Or "Where do they go to church?" I asked where their faith was.You see, I don't really care where or if somebody goes to church - I care where their faith is - or better said, 'who' their faith is in. Save the hate mail - of course I don't mind people going to church, follow me, I'm making a really good point.

We too often assume that church attendance = where someone's faith is. A friend of mine's mother was just in a terrible fire and found herself fighting for her life. While at the hospital a guy said to him, 'Hey man, I know if you're mom does die she'll be going to a better place...I've seen her in church the last couple of months." Sorry, but I don't think church attendance is on the what did you do with your life questionnaire.

Let's get to know people, learn something about their history, share a part of ourselves, and then watch the living church fulfill it's purpose.

Best One is the Next One

2007-12-23T22:32:00.001-06:00

I just watched an amazing interview on 60 Minutes with Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots. Let me start by reminding you that he was picked199th overall in the 6th Round of the NFL draft...........I didn't even know they had 6 rounds.

From being overlooked to being one of the most successful athletes of all time; winning 3 Super Bowl rings in recent years. He was asked which ring was his favorite, then quickly answered, "The next one, yeah, that's my favorite one."

Tom also said that he felt there was so much more to his life than what he had accomplished this far. Going on to say that he felt there was more of himself to discover and more in this life for him to do. I've heard that kind of talk before.....oh yeah, it was in my own head.

Take What You Give

2007-12-22T11:30:00.000-06:00

Yeah, I'll admit it...I just watched It's A Wonderful Life for the first time ever. Many things stood out to me, but I'd like to draw your attention to little something that doesn't get talked about whenever I hear the movie mentioned.

The lead character, George, ends up taking over the business from his dad. Throughout the movie you see pictures of George's dad hanging on the walls. Under the picture of his dad this statement:

"You can only take with you what you've given away".

I really don't like it when people use the holiday season as an excuse to do something good for another person. I think we should use the 'life season' for that kind of action. But, if the holiday season can serve to kick start doing good.....hey, whatever it takes. Just don't let it stop after the holidays.

So go and call your mom and dad, give some past due forgiveness, be selfless.....

Life After Breath

2007-12-05T18:12:00.000-06:00

Flying to Chicago a few weeks ago, I chose a seat next to a gentleman that was 98 years old. He and his second wife, both widows, previously married for over 100 years combined. They were sweet and a blast to hang with. They were already seated and I chose that seat because, well, something told me he had something I needed.

As we started with the normal in-flight questions, I quickly transitioned to, "tell me about your life". He looked surprised. Feeling he had a good sense of humor, I said, "Bill, you know, you're not dead yet." He began to laugh. "I'm sure you've lived an exciting life and you're not dead yet. Could you share with me some life lessons in our few moments together?" It was then that his whole face changed and his demeanor was different. He was no longer the super old guy that needed help on and off the airplane. He was now the guy who was asked to pass down wisdom and knowledge to future generations. You see, even though I'm sure Bill's breath aroma had died sometime prior to our flight, Bill himself was still very much alive and speaking. Proof that there is "Life After Breath".

For the next hour I asked as many questions as I could about business, marriage, and parenting. Listening as he spoke of highs and lows. Watching as he would chuckle and then grow silent in tearful reflection. Bill changed my life that day through his stories and my eagerness to hear them. I dare you to call your grandparents or visit a rest home or elderly neighbor and ask them to share their story today. If you don't, you may just miss something valuable and maybe even something you've been looking for. What have you learned lately from those who aren't dead yet?

Junky Car Club

2007-11-22T11:19:00.000-06:00

Live with less, give more.

As a Double Elite Lemon Member - I encourage anyone wanting to keep up with their schedules next year to drop their crackberries and trios of techmessology and grab the only true way to know what day it is - get the JCC 2008 Calendar. It's not really pocket size, but maybe you can be the Flavor Flav of 2008.

The Junky Car Club is a car club whose members are learning to live with less so they can give more. We're a bunch of happy drivers who are politely rebelling against consumerism by driving junky cars. We encourage our members to support social justice causes instead of making fat car payments. Junky Car Club members sponsor kids living in poverty through Compassion International and help other great organizations. We believe in environmental stewardship and hanging onto things a little longer. The Junky Car Club was established in the spring of 2006 when Mike Foster decided to sell his fully loaded Infiniti G35 sports car and drive a junky 1993 Toyota Camry. As an act of rebellion against consumerism and with a desire to give more to worthy causes, Mike began to enlist his friends and associates to join him in this experiment of driving with less and giving more. The Junky Car Club now has members in the US, Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, Scotland and Singapore.

Join the Junky Car Club at http://www.junkycarclub.com/Click here to buy the super sweet 2008 Junky Car Club calendar.

It's out now!!! 100% of proceeds supporting homeless and at-risk children. If you want to take a look at the calendar then click here.

we should all be so 'Fortunate'

2007-11-16T12:48:00.002-06:00

My return flight home involved a much better seat selection than the journey before. Though my connecting flight did involve me staring at the little white bag too much - a combo of sickness, turbulence, and trying to breath through my shirt since someone thought it would be funny to express themselves through the gift of smell after the cabin door was closed. On to better senses...

Not only does the dude who developed our website design like a rock star, turns out he eats like one too. Wanting to show much love to my bro and snag some good flavor - we headed to PF Chang's for some palette pleasing. Greeted by our well-skilled and excellent server, Stephanie, we rocked out some lettuce wraps, then tested the taste bud limits by ordering some crazy hot chicken. After Stephanie turned off the water hose that was lodged in my pie hole, she delivered the ever-famous fortune cookie. Pre-release of the great fortunes, I promised to blog about whatever that cookie might say - so here goes:

Cookie Say, "Set the right example. It will inspire others."

The best way to illustrate this is by telling the real life story of a real guy making a real difference. I have a friend who works for a major company you'd all know. Last week they let him know that cuts were coming and he would be losing his job. My friend remained positive as always and started to think ahead and not stare at his problems or dwell on the past. Not knowing and without asking, the president, upper management, and other employees had gone to the owner to say - "you can't get rid of this guy, he's the most positive thing about this place".

Hey folks - let's get right to it - my friend, living a life of integrity and character is making such a difference in a secular community that people stood up for him like those dudes in Gladiator. He had set the right example and in turn, inspired others. Through this he grew in all the ways Jesus did: in wisdom, in stature, in favor with God, and in favor with man.

I wish you were all so fortunate to know my friend. Let his right example inspire you to do good today. Your life is setting an example - what are you inspiring others to do?

I Got Sconed

2007-11-12T17:54:00.001-06:00

This week I'm visiting an amazing client in Midland, MI (that's between the thumb and first finger for you Rand McNally palm pilots). After boarding two planes, both of which I was awarded the 'toilet seat' - you know, the last one in the back corner that doesn't lean back, has no window, and comes with the aroma of that blue stuff that stuck to Clark W. Griswold in Vegas Vacation.

Anyway - after thanking God there was no snowstorm to battle, I jumped in the rental and headed on my journey to Journeys. There I was greeted by my Midland-famous and soon to be world-famous church bartender, Dan Lacher and his trustee church bartender apprenti Sean.

I introduced Sean to my passion for the milk pitcher back in February and now it was time for the 'grasshopper' to show what he could do. Excited to show me the extra mad skills he picked up in Seattle this past week, Sean poured two perfect shots of espresso into a pleasantly warmed porcelain cup followed by some velvety microfoam that was carefully steamed with more love than I really deserve.

Oh, but that's not all - did I forget to mention that these dudes learned to make their own scones? Yeah, that's right - I GOT SCONED at Messiah Lutheran Church. That yummy fresh cranberry piece of pure happiness was the perfect compliment to the velvet masterpiece that sat beside it.

Listen people - if you're not getting that kind of love from your church bartender - send him or her on a 'journey' to these guys for training, or just move on.

www.journeyscoffee.com

Michael

Sanctuary Attendance vs Church Attendance

2007-11-02T09:32:00.001-05:00

Speaking recently with a pastor friend in Ohio, he asked how our 'church attendance' was doing. He said there seemed to be a theme across the country of 'Sunday church attendance' being down.

Without much thought, out of my mouth came this comment, "Maybe it's your Sanctuary attendance that is down and not your Church attendance." You see, we are still counting sheep the old way and all sheep aren't grazing the fields the way they used to. Many are gazing virtually, monthly, and creatively.

I travel a lot and don't always get a chance to attend my church building on Sundays for a corporate all-in-one place worship experience - and let's note, I moved to this city just to go to the church I'm at - I love it that much. But after nearly 3 straight weeks of traveling, I returned home, hungry for church, not a church building, not a church service, but for church - for the body of Christ. I needed my biblical peeps. So I unpacked my man-bag of hair product and hotel mouthwash and jumped back in my http://www.junkycarclub.com/ - car and went to the church campus.

For the next three hours I sat and had one amazing conversation after another. Some serious, some funny, some where I was giving, others where I was receiving. Guess what, I never 'went into church' - yet I'd argue that I experienced church maybe better than some that night.

So, is Church Attendance down these days, or is Sanctuary Attendance down?

What are other ways you see sheep gazing these days that make them harder to count?

WFX - Atlanta

2007-10-28T16:22:00.000-05:00

Places I’ve Bean: Atlanta WFX

I know what you’re all thinking, “How does Michael pull off looking so suave in an apron?” I don’t know people, I just don’t know. As Tobey Keith recently proclaimed in his latest hit, “Hate me if you want to, Love me if you can”.

This is a shout out to all my Booth Bruthas and Sistas who represented Booth 816 in the ATL this past week at WFX: Aspen Group, Cogun, and the Cornerstone Knowledge Network.

You guys are my heroes! Really - I could not have made over 1000 drinks for the masses that approached needing creative pharmaceutical help with their CDD (coffee deficit disorder). But because of the amazing teamwork that each of you displayed, we were able to caffeinate brains and likely saved a lot of lives – you should be proud.

How did we take Booth 816 from a ‘space’ to a ‘Third Place’? I’m glad you asked…

SMELL: from what nearly every guest shared with me, the Aroma of well roasted, perfectly blended, and superbly served coffee filled the air for hundreds of feet surrounding our booth. Resulting in a neurological, subconscious response to follow the smell as noses demanded a resolution.

SIGHT: drawn in by the smell, as guests approached they could see the excitement and anticipation of those waiting to get their drinks, the bartender passionately caring for each pour, and the conversations taking place so naturally as we took Booth 816 from ‘spatially’ to ‘relationally’.

SOUND: smelling a small piece of heaven, seeing the crowd gather, guests were now close enough to hear the buzz of voices as people shared life with one another, the grinding of their beans as they sacrificed themselves for the greater good of one’s palette, listening to the pleasing sound of smoothly steamed milk that would soon become art as the bartender introduced it to its’ crema canvas .

TOUCH: feeling the undeniable vibe of this environment that was quickly becoming an experience that would not only send a ripple effect into the expo, but beyond the bean and into the lives of those who found new friends while connecting over coffee and conversation.

TASTE: literally and figuratively, from the high quality and passionate preparation of each cup to the care and attention paid to each person, a great taste was left in the mouth and the mind of each of our guests.

What makes a space become a place are the stories that are written by the lives of those who experience the intentionally created environment – here are two of my favorite from Booth 816:

Meet Me There: while mixing drinks, a sharply dressed man approached and complimented the vibe and smell that we had created. I asked if I could make him a drink and he said, “Yeah, in a moment, I’m supposed to meet a friend here.” I said, “Oh, here at the Expo?” The man replied, “No, he told me to meet him here, at ‘the good coffee place'. He said I couldn’t miss it and he was right.” Yep, we became a destination.

Church Bartending Saved My Life: after many trips to the booth for a fix, one lady said, “Thank you so much for being here, I couldn’t have made it without you, you’re a real life saver.” I then quoted the great modern-day philosopher, Ashton Kutcher, when he said, “I’ll be there for you, these five words I say to you.” Another drink down, another life saved.

Thanks so much to all who helped pull off an amazing experience for so many people this week. I’d love to hear your stories……….

Your Bartender,

Michael Trent

High Tech & High Touch

2007-10-28T16:18:00.000-05:00

Higher Tech and Higher Touch

In my opinion, the church that doesn’t use technology to reach people is missing one of the greatest opportunities of our generation. The church will unquestionably continue to grow in its use of technology.

As the church becomes more high-tech, we should become even more intentional about being high-touch.

In short, relationships and deep spiritual community will matter more and more. (It’s not that they don’t matter now; it’s just that so many people are overlooking this need and opportunity.) One thing that will drive people together will be increased persecution. When being a Christian is no longer accepted (as it isn’t in so many places), we will be driven to deep and meaningful biblical community.

When talking about high-touch relationships, you might think I only mean relating “face-to-face” relationships. Actually, I mean more than that. We can be very high-touch (or very low touch) in relationships using technology.

For example, we can have hundreds of so-called “friends” on Facebook. Most of these will be shallow, superficial, low-touch friendships. Or we can have a few intimate, doing-life-together friendships in person, or by the use of technology.

To me, the key is developing the authentic, transparent, heart-to-heart types of relationships. Without spiritual depth and intimacy in Spirit-filled relationships, many consumer-minded believers will likely fall away.

Published by Craig Groeschel October 19th, 2007 in leadership, LifeChurch.tv, church and global church.