Ministry Websites

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 13, 2007 in Church Technology, Ekklesia, Ministry Design, Monk Dev | 2 comments

One of the cool things working at Monk Development is we are able to do most of our work with churches and ministries.  I've posted a number of the churches we've done using Ekklesia 360 Church CMS, but here are a few ministries we are working with:

Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals

The Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals  is an organization of individuals that believes Evangelicals have largely forgotten the foundations of the Christian Gospel and is dedicated to calling on the Protestant churches, especially those that call themselves Reformed, to return to the principles of the Protestant Reformation. To that end, they produce print and internet resources, broadcast radio programs (The Bible Study Hour, Every Last Word, and Dr. Barnhouse & the Bible) and hold conferences (Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology, Princeton regional Conference on Reformed Theology, Reformation Societies) aimed at educating different segments of the Christian population.  The Alliance consists of a who's who of pastors/theologians such as Dr. R. C. SPROUL, Dr. ALBERT MOHLER, Mr. C.J. MAHANEY, Dr. JOHN MACARTHUR, Dr. MARK DEVER, Mr. JERRY BRIDGES and many others.

The Alliance was formed in 1994, out of what was known as Evangelical Ministries, when the late Dr. James Montgomery Boice, then senior pastor of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia and teacher on "The Bible Study Hour" radio program, called together a group of like-minded pastor-theologians from a variety of denominations to unite in a common cause to help revive a passion "for the truth of the Gospel" within the church.

Design Partner: Designwise

Services: Content Management System, Application Development, E-Commerce.  The Alliance  brought Monk Development in to build an e-commerce resource site (ReformedResources.org) to host 60 years of reformed resources, including conferences, videos, digital downloads, books and others. 

Launch: 2nd Quarter 2007 

Enjoying God Ministries

Enjoying God Ministries (EGM) exists "to proclaim the power of truth and the truth about power." This isn't just a catchy phrase. It reflects both what is lacking in the church today and what is burning in Sam Storm's heart.

EGM exists to serve the body of Christ. Their aim is to be a resource not only for pastors and leaders but for all Christians who long to dig more deeply into the Word of God and to experience the fullness of the Spirit's power. Enjoying God Ministries is a non-profit ministry organization of Dr. Sam Storms who brings over 30 years of ministry to believers seeking a deeper and more passionate relationship to the Lord Jesus Christ.

Design Partner: DesignWise Studios

Services: Content Management System, User Interface, Content, Ecommerce, Application Development

Launch:  Enjoying God Ministries

CFCC Job Boards

Center for Church Communication is the parent company for Church Marketing Sucks.

Churches have the greatest story ever told, but no one's listening. We think there's a communication problem. That remarkable story is lost thanks in part to poor research, little or no planning, bad clip art, cheesy photos and ignorable ads.  We believe there's a better way. It's not simply flashy designs or catchy slogans, but effective and authentic communication. If we can't communicate, how can we fulfill the great commission? We want the Church to matter. We want your church to matter.

We help the church by offering information, resources, advice and starting the conversation about church communication. We are a non-profit organized by communications professionals who have been serving the church and mainstream clients since 1998.

Services: Content Management System, Application Development, E-Commerce.  Monk built a job board to allow users to post freelance gigs and full-time positions in the church communication space.

Launch: 2nd Quarter 2007 

Pastors Edge

Pastors Edge is the web ministry of Dr. James Merritt, a pastor and two time president elect of the Southern Baptist Denomination. Pastors Edge was birthed out of Dr. Merritt's desire to help pastors across the country preach God's Word with power. His passion is to offer the best resources available for the price in order to help congregations across the country flourish.

Design Partner: Designwise

Services: Content Management System, Application Development, E-Commerce

Launch: Pastors Edge 

Tithe Brokerage Firm

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 11, 2007 in Church | 8 comments

I'm sure this is something I will need to rethink (or repent of), but from a conversation an idea came up: creating a tithing brokerage firm.  People could come and talk about their tithe portfolio.  The client comes in and states:

I'd like to be 1/3 International missions, 1/4 in church planting, 1/4 inner city and please diversify the rest amongst…

The brokers would ensure these guidelines are met, investigate potential organizations, present these to the client and ensure the monies are being used appropriately.  I imagine if you could build up enough clients you could start managing a pretty significant yearly giving amount.  Of course, these funds should came after your support of the local church.   

Expository Preaching Series

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 8, 2007 in Church, Sermon | 0 comments

Here is a series some of you preachers may be interested in, Colin Adams (Unashamed Workman) started a series, "Ten Questions for Expositors"  with his first interview with Tim Keller.  [HT: Reformissionary]

Idols of Your Heart

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 6, 2007 in Church | 5 comments

Dr. Richard Kaufmann, movement leader at Harbor Presbyterian led the session Preparing & Preaching a Gospel Centered Message @ the Acts 29 Regional Conference.  In this session, he said (I believe he was quoting someone, but I don't recall who) that there are four idols that drive most people.  These are:

Power

Control

Approval

Comfort 

Which one do you seek?  Kaufmann said a good way to find out is to see which one you'd give up to 'earn' another.  Meaning, would you give up people liking you (approval) in order for them to respect you (power)? 

The danger with these idols is that idols always disappoint

    They are weak: They can't deliver when you succeed; they can only raise the bar. They can't forgive you when you fail; they can only lower the boom.
    They are harmful: They hurt you spiritually, emotionally and physically.  They hurt others by undermining your ability to love.
    They are Grievous: Most importantly, by going after these idols/other lovers you are saying to God: "Jesus is not enough.  I also need _________ in order to be happy.

This is where we need to preach the gospel to ourselves daily. 

Western Idols that Shape US

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 3, 2007 in Church, Culture | 5 comments

Dr. Michael Goheen (dual US/Canadian citizen) who lives in Canada spoke about Western Idols (I forgot who he was quoting).  It made me think about (and reflect on his comments) regarding how this effects the church.

The 4 Western Ideological Idols and how do they effect the Church

1. Rationalism - An appeal to reason to determine knowledge.  One, this lead to the reason/faith divide that has caused the truth claims of Jesus to be relegated to preferences.  The new filter for all knowledge is now based on 'science' and empiricism.  These tools are taken de facto for all truth interpretation.  Christians have obliged society and now are afraid to speak about Jesus as 'the only way'.  We so value the idol of rationalism, Christians have been tamed to a small insignificant corner of the conversation.

2. Individualism - The stressing of the individual person above the community. We have a 'cross for me mentality' where we are only concerned about our privatized faith.  Instead of seeing the 'temple of the Holy Spirit' being all Christians, we see only our self in this manner.  Our concern for social justice is diminished and on social issues where we should stand up (immigration, others) we are confused because of the rugged individualism we have been taught.  Christianity in our culture is seen as possible to do on your own or with a consumer Christianity.

3. Dualism – The view that there is a sacredness to the spiritual and that the body is wicked.  There has been great damage in seeing 'all of life' as a Christian.  We now are confused on the cultural mandate given in the garden.  This has led to all sorts of challenges, for example, we don't see the very simple act of work as a spiritual matter, we struggle with seeing sex and pleasure as from God.

4. Spiritualism - A higher value to the spiritual world is emphasized.  This leaves Christians with a 'the earth will burn, I can't wait to get out of here' mentality.  Again, the cultural mandate is destroyed as we are more concerned with left behind theology of escapism. We no longer are required to be an alternative city and foretaste of the Kingdom because we don't see what God has created as good.  We can now destroy our environment without consequence.  

Twelve Priorities I Would Pursue If I Church-Planted Again

Posted by D. Goodmanson on Apr 1, 2007 in Church, Church Planting, Ministry Design | 5 comments

Dr. Michael Goheen led an excellent session that I wanted to post some of his comments and thoughts here. (The mp3 with the full session should be up in a week or so from the Acts 29 Regional Church Conference ).

1. Church with faithful and relevant worship.

a. Our worship ought to be missional (oriented to the world).
b. Our worship is an end in itself (oriented to God).

If you want to be relevant you are always in danger of absorbing the idols of your culture.  Trying to avoid this by using 'traditional' worship from the 17th Century only absorbs the idols of Enlightenment.  People may do this to avoid the pomo idol of emotionalism and others.

2. A church immersed in the biblical story

A story is the best way to tell people the way things really are.  History has a beginning, a goal and meaning.  We all will live out of some story.  It isn't a matter of whether, but which story.  The dominate story in western Christianity is idolatrist.   When the bible is broken into little bits or systematics these pieces fit into the listeners existing framework they've adopted.  It is possible to become a theologically orthodox, morally upright, warmly pious and driven by idolatry.

Why we like Paul but are afraid of Jesus.  We (in the West) like Paul more than Jesus.  We think he is systematics.  Paul takes one of the benefits (justification/adoption) that the Galatians & Romans needed to hear.  Of course, we don't understand Paul.  Authority of New Testament Scriptures  If you start with Jesus (Gospel & Kingdom) all these other things fall into this.  Paul (end of Acts) teaching the Kingdom of God.  We are previews of the Kingdom of God

3. A church devoted to communal prayer

Western Christians are generally a prayer-less people.  Our secular worldview has made us much better at planning than praying.

a. More we see the significance of prayer, the more significant small groups becomes.
b. More time we will spend time as leaders praying.

4. A church of well-trained leaders

A missional leader is one who can say, "Follow me as I follow Christ."  Often we look to someone who has the gifts, rather than if this person is following Christ and people are following them.

5. A church with parents trained to take up the task of nurturing children in faith

6. A church with small groups that nurture for mission in the world

Small groups have a tendency to become introverted, rather than praying/thinking/acting outwardly. Being the people of God for 'that place' as they go in their area and ask people what their needs are.  We want to love, pray and meet your needs.

7. A church that seeks and expresses the unity of body Christ

8 A church that understands its cultural context

The US and Canada more unaware of it's own story than any other culture.  (I'll do a full post on some ideas from this…)

The two dangerous myths in Christianity

1. Myth of a Christian culture
2. We are a secular neutral culture

Kraemer there is a tension between these idols and our true story.  The deeper the consciousness of the tension and the urge to take this yoke upon itself are felt, the healthier the Church is. The more oblivious of this tension the Church is, the more well established and at home in this world it feels, the more it is in deadly danger of being the salt that has lost its savour.Kraemer, Hendrik. 1956. The Communication of the Christian Faith. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 36.

9. A church trained for a missionary encounter in their callings in the world

Not one square inch exists that isn't claimed by Christ.

10.  Church that is deeply involved in the needs of their neighborhood and world.

11. Church trained to do evangelism in an organic (not methodological) way

Proselytizing vs. Evangelism "We spend more time trying to convince people rather than telling them the good news." The average person who becomes a Christian has had 8 encounters w/ other Christians.

12. Church committed to missions 

Missions is specific mission trips to unreached people.  Mission is what every church is on in their local community