Ageist Church?

On the Christian Talk radio station this week, I heard an advertisement for a church in North Dallas. It was a nice, short devotional by the pastor on an uplifting verse followed by a rundown on the church. Nothing unusual about that, on this radio station. Then I heard the tagline for the church, the one short statement that sums up everything this local body of Christ is about: "A church for adults age 50 and better, featuring familiar gospel music."

Am I weird, or is this totally boofed up? I've talked with some friends and they don't see a problem with this. They offer the same rationale the church's web site does for their focus on 50 and ups: "In an effort to reach younger people, many churches have shifted their emphasis in the areas of music, technological presentation, child-rearing seminars, social activities, etc. Many mature adults feel uncomfortable with the style of music and ministry that is geared to the younger generation." My friends say that many churches strive to attract young families, so why shouldn't a church strive to attract empty-nesters?

I grant you that many churches work hard to attract young people, but I don't know of a single church who would say in their tagline, "A church for people 35 and under"! This is bad marketing at best, and ageist at worst. Is this kind of discrimination OK? I mean, isn't this the same as having a church that is "for whites only"? Even ethnic churches allow other races to be involved!

I'd love to hear some feedback on this...am I overreacting? Or is this a church with a serious deficiency in reaching people for the Kingdom? Check the web site for details!

Last Days in Cali...harder than I thought!

I haven't moved very much in my life. I grew up in the same city since I was 2 and went to college within two hours of my hometown. When we left Texas, we thought we'd only be gone for two years and come right back, so even that goodbye was relatively easy.

With my limited goodbye experience, I thought that leaving California to return home to Texas was going to be fairly easy and very exciting. After all, we were still homesick after four years gone! But it wasn't easy. I found several things about California that we would miss.









1. PEOPLE
We had created deep relationships with several folks in Cali. The Littekens were our second family and took care of us through deepest despair. The students and staff of Cross Culture taught us the greatest wisdom that we could ever learn. We made some of the best friends we'd ever had, and God brightened our lives through all of them.









2. PLACES
Somehow places develop a personality in our memories, and become like friends to us, marked by experiences we have shared with them. The beach, the mountains, Fuller campus, our church campus, even the traffic...all of these places have meaning and significance for us. We were shocked to realize that the places of California had become home.


Once we left those people or places, we quietly said "goodbye." Each time we felt like a piece of us was being left behind. I thought we would be excited to head back and feel ready to leave California behind us, but I came to understand how much of a journey of faith this would become. California had become a second home, and leaving it was tough. I'm still not over it. In some ways it feels like we're on vacation and will return back next week to the routine of Fuller, APC, Club 21, the Prince, and the friends who make it all so much fun. It will take time for Texas to become home again. But we have our eyes fixed upon Christ and what He is doing in our lives...already, He is providing for us in crazy ways (more on that in a later post).

We love you, Cali friends! Keep in touch, and I hope that God crosses our paths once again.

First Blog Ever!

I have a tendency to live behind the curve. For instance, I desperately want an iPhone but don't own one. I probably have enough money to buy it, enough to maintain it, and I'd really enjoy having it. Three of my very good friends have one, and so does my mother-in-law. But do I? NO. Why?

Because I wait. I am like a crocodile hiding in the water waiting for its prey. I wait until the price goes down. I wait until the technology is proven. I wait until all the bugs are worked out. I wait until I'm the last guy to go for it. There's good things about waiting...there's something to be admired about frugality and self-control. But waiting makes one always behind the curve.

Well, I know blogging isn't the newest thing around, but it's new to me, and my mother-in-law isn't doing it yet, so I know that I at least have a leg up on someone. My intention is to blog weekly and record the thoughts, feelings, and events that dominate my life. I hope to have inspirational musings on Scripture, Christ, and how to follow Him more deeply. I hope to keep my friends in the loop with what God is doing with our family in Texas. Above all, I hope to cultivate a heart that loves God above all things in myself in others.

We'll see if I can do that, with God's help. And try to hold on for dear life while careening through the curve.