The Future of the Episcopal Church - My Take

Yesterday's post got a little too long, so I thought I would add my personal story today.

The traditions of the Episcopal Church are rich with theological significance, but to an outsider (and a young insider when I attended) the message may as well be written in Japanese. I would (and have) encourage my Episcopalian friends and family to try to look at the service through the eyes of someone who did not grow up in the Episcopal Church or any church for that matter. I grew up in the Episcopal Church, but it wasn't until I received my master's degree in theology that I understood the significance of many of the church's traditions, including most of those that took place every Sunday right in front of me.

Video: Missional Church... simple

Here is a video that gives a pretty basic description of the missional church. Admittedly, it doesn't cover all the nuts and bolts of missional ministry, but, as the title suggests, that is not its purpose. When people talk about the "missional church," it can sometimes come across as being overly critical of "other" churches. I could see how people who are invested in attractional ministries might take offense to that video even though I don't think it was attempting to be critical.




Does it have to be an either-or thing?

Maybe attractional ministries can still bring people in to hear the message of Jesus Christ while people are going outside of the church walls to share the gospel.

This Video Has 5 Million Views?

When archeologists in the future examine our civilization, they will not debate what signaled the beginning of our decline because they will unanimously agree it was when this video passed 5 million views on YouTube.



Yes, I know it was posted last fall. Mercifully, I was protected from this video until tonight.

5 Reasons to Suspect that Google is Targeting Apple

Since when do search engines pose a threat to hardware/software manufacturers? Since Google has effectively taken over the entire web, that's when. In the last 6 months Google seems to be increasingly focused on competing with Apple.
1. Google releases open-source mobile OS (Android)

2. Then Follows up with Nexus One


3. Google Doesn't Need No Stinking Apple App Store
http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2010/01/google-voice-web-app-circumvents-apples-blockade/

4. Chrome OS

5. Rumors of a Chrome OS Tablet Are Solidifying
http://mashable.com/2010/02/02/google-chrome-tablet/
http://dev.chromium.org/chromium-os/user-experience/form-factors/tablet
And Steve Jobs is not happy about it either.

Introducing the iPad: As iPhone Users Age, Apple Releases Large Print Edition

The typical iPhone user has now aged almost 3 years from the day they purchased their first iPhone (most of them are on their fifth one by now) and they are now the age that they used to call "old" and "out of touch." Apple, in it's wisdom, released a large print version of the popular smart phone.

"Sometimes have to blow in it to make it work."

Apple has some of the most loyal fans on the planet and the tech giant knows how to keep them coming back. Today Apple released their much-awaited tablet device. Although it was supposed to revolutionize everything that has ever been created ever (Apple's products always do that), the large-edition iPhone dubbed the "iPad" failed to wow the Apple fans sufficiently. Oh every last Apple fan will buy one the minute it is released, but they won't be fainting in the streets in anticipation.

Aside from the numerous jokes being made on Twitter and Facebook about the name (think feminine hygiene products) and concerns about proprietary AT&T internet access, the iPad does include... wait for it... speakers and a microphone! ooooOOOOoooo!

Do you notice anything missing from the trending topics in the hours after Apple announced a product called the "iPad?"

Finally, as computers go, you just can't find one with 64 gig of memory at the low price of $829. This thing is a steal!

(Picture via: New York Times Live Blog)

Colt McCoy Keeps Perspective - Post-game Interview after the BCS Championship Game

Colt McCoy has a perspective few would after injury in the BCS Championship Game. I doubt I could have had such an admittedly emotional, but God-glorifying response to the circumstances Colt faced last night.



Also, be sure to watch Colt McCoy's video with Sam Bradford on I Am Second. I promise it's worth the few minutes of your time.

Droid's Newest Ad Calls iPhone "Tiara-Wearing Digitally-Clueless Beauty Pageant Queen"

I've enjoyed watching Droid go after the iPhone almost as much as I've enjoyed the Verizon vs AT&T ads. (I love seeing head-to-head capitalism at work!) Here's the newest Droid ad which targets the iPhone as a style-over-substance device and positioning the Droid as the performance phone of choice. How the two phones actually match-up remains to be seen as the iPhone has a 2 year head start, but Droid may have a chance against the smartphone juggernaut.

The cult of Apple will be out in full-force defending their favorite toy. Will the noise of the Apple fanboys be enough to hold iPhone's ground or should we expect to see Apple directly counter-attack the Droid a la the Mac vs. PC ad campaign?