Growthtrac insidetrac, Life Changing Marriage Resources

California Same-Sex Marriage

At 5 p.m. PDT (8 p.m. EDT) Monday, the California Supreme Court's May ruling creating homosexual marriage took effect and the words "Party A" and "Party B" replaced "bride" and "groom" on marriage licenses. Hundreds, if not thousands, of same-sex couples throughout California took advantage of the occasion.

The decision by the California Supreme Court — to implement its May 15 decision legalizing same-sex "marriage," despite the fact that an amendment poised to nullify that decision is now on the November ballot — poses a real and present danger to the democratic process in this state. *

Last month the court voted 4-3 to declare unconstitutional the existing law defining marriage as exactly what the great majority of Californians know it to be: the union of one man and one woman. To issue that ruling, the four-judge majority had to ignore thousands of years of legal tradition and the clear wishes of most California voters —instead deciding to experiment in lawmaking and culture-shifting.

Unfortunately, four judges facilitated that compromise by assuming the role of the legislature, dispensing with hundreds of years of unshakable legal precedent, and carelessly ignoring the votes of more than 4 million Californians.

Of course, none of that matters to those pressing the homosexual legal and political agenda.

The same-sex couples now lining up to have their "marriage" licenses approved are doing so knowing full well that such unions are under a cloud of uncertainty until November.

That's the choice California's voters will have to make, come November — a choice not only to defend marriage, but to protect the foundations of their democratic system.

I hope the ceremonies spark a backlash among California voters this fall, when they face a referendum on the ballot asking to overturn the California Court's decision. A potential backlash that will help preserve the definition of marriage as one man and one woman under the state constitution.

It's a tragic day for this country when California judges impose so-called gay marriage and the governor so easily relents to judicial activism. I think it is very wrong, and I hope it gets overturned in November.

(*) Los Angeles Times.

Jesus VS. Christians

How are Christians (me and possibly, you) viewed in this culture? As a person who remembers what he thought of Christians before he became one -- my 'Bad Christian Radar' is always active, filtering what I do and say through the eyes of the non-believer.

It's not easy. Tele-Evangelists, anti-Gay demonstrators, legalism, organ music, irrelevant liturgy, unattractive churches, unloving religious fanatics and bad Sunday leisure suits -- paint the popular opinion. Tough competition.

As part of his talk, Scott Hodge showed this video. The video is straightforward, bothersome, and quite revealing as it illustrates a huge gap between how people view Jesus and how they view the people who are supposed to be representing him.

Scott says, the video was not edited to make a point.  In the 45 minutes of interviews, he did not receive ONE positive comment for the second half of the video.

From Scott Hodge's blog, pastor at The Orchard.

Gas Pains

Regular gas in the Chicago area is well over $4 a gallon. Fortunately Sheri and I work at home. I don't know how normal people do it, commuting and filling-up twice a week!

This week we're hosting a couple from Norway while they attend a conference at our church. Last night after liter-to-gallon and Kroner-to-Dollar conversions I was surprised to learn that a gallon of fuel in Norway is over $12 a gallon!

At 5,000,000, Norway's population is half that of Chicago -- and the geography much tighter --  making alternative transportation modes (bicycles and walking) more viable. Fuel prices aren't big news in Norway.

Does anyone else get the idea God is trying to get America's attention?

Maria Sue Chapman's Funeral Service

It is great that so many have been drawn to the story of the Chapman family and this one child.

Here’s Jim Houser’s entire post about the memorial service:

For those who couldn’t be here, I thought I’d share a rundown, the best I can remember it as I was a bit emotional. It was a beautiful and moving celebration of this little girl’s life. And in typical Chapman fashion… God was honored, the Gospel was presented, and… It went long. : )

Throughout the service, pictures of Maria were shown on screens above the platform. There were about 2000 people present and the program was just over 2 hours.

Michael W Smith provided a beautiful prelude and then sang “Still” to open the service. Then a prayer of invocation was offered, and a Pastor at Christ Community Church, the family’s home church, Scotty Smith called us to worship with a congregation responsive reading of a portion of The Heidelberg Catechism and the question What is your only comfort in life and in death?

Matt Redman, who was in the airport in Atlanta preparing to fly back to his home in the UK when he heard the news of Maria’s death, left the airport rather than board his flight and drove to Nashville to serve the family anyway he could. The Chapmans not knowing Matt was in the country had discussed him being a part and we’re overwhelmed to hear he was able to be there. Matt led worship along with Christy Nockels singing several songs including two that Redman has written out of his own loss and sorrows, “Blessed Be Your Name,” and “You Never Let Go,” as well as the hymn “It Is Well.”

Then Matt explained that Steven and he had penned a song “Close To Your Heart” a few months ago for a close family friend of the Chapmans just after the loss of their child. Little did Steven know it would bring comfort to him and his own family on this day, as Matt shared it at Maria’s service.

One of Shaohannah’s Hope’s orphan care partners in China, Robin Hill flew in for the service and he offered a prayer.

Then family and friends stood just feet away from Maria’s tiny coffin and shared stories about the spunky, adorable little girl. A few here…

Family friend Karen sharing how Maria loved to wash dishes butt naked, and loved when her family “was altogether,”

The unpredictable Mary Beth with a few stories including how Maria loved her nicknames and running the sweet list down,

Family friend Melissa challenging us to live like Maria and love others like she did, not holding back!;

Caleb sharing how he had prayed for God to heal Maria after the accident, and how God did it in a way that he didn’t like very much (taking her to heaven) but that he has never been more convinced that Jesus is real,

Miss Meagan, Maria’s pre-school teacher, commenting on her love of art, drawing flowers, her classmates and her family,

Emily telling the story of how when she told Maria that Tanner had asked her to marry him that Maria asked her “whacha say?” and Emily went on to challenge us with the picture God gives of how the groom Jesus has asked his bride, us, to marry Him with a relationship through the cross, “whacha say?”

lastly, Steven sharing that Maria had professed Jesus as her Savior and those moments; as well as a moving story from him about how he had asked God to help him see that Maria was safe, and how God showed up. (I’ll let him tell it soon)

Next, children in the service brought flowers to Maria’s casket as SCC’s best friend Geoff Moore sang “With Hope,” a song Steven wrote 10 years ago for a family that lost a child, that same family the Mullicans are now walking he and Mary Beth through this now shared tragic experience.

Scotty Smith then took a few precious minutes to challenge us on the Gospel, that Maria’s story is our story and we can be adopted into God’s family and see Him and Maria at the end of our lives. (I’m not able to do Scotty’s words justice)

Tammy Jensen then sang “Jesus I Am Resting, Resting,” close family friends mentioned above the Mullicans prayed to close our time. And then the video of “Dishwashin Daddy and “Bellyflop” that has gone around the world was played.

Friends, it was such a difficult, yet sweet time. I urge you now to pray for this family. Be intentional. Set an alarm to go off on the 21st of every month, or anytime you see an SUV let it be a reminder, or whenever you hear a Steven song… whatever you feel is best. As someone who has experienced a difficult loss, some days ahead will be difficult for this family because the rest of the world moves on and forgets. It’s very understandable of course. If you can though, remember to keep them in your prayers.

I too echo Caleb and his wise beyond his years comment, after having the privilege to walk with so many of their family and friends next to the Chapmans through this time, I have never been more convinced that Jesus is real, that the Gospel is true. Despite this tragedy that could seem to contradict He is a good and sovereign God, we know the truth that is on the front of Maria’s Memorial Service program! That He has plans for us “plans for peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Steven Curtis Chapman Daughter Killed in Accident

The 5 year-old daughter, Maria Sue, of Christian, and Grammy winning, musician Steven   Curtis Chapman was killed Wednesday by an SUV driven by her teenage brother. Maria was playing in the driveway when her brother backed over her. He didn’t see her.

Steven is a friend of this ministry — I can't imagine your pain. We're praying for you. Please pray for the family.
 

•   The Chapman family blog
•   Steven Curtis Chapman Interviews, Articles and Reviews

 

Half of U.S. losing its religion: study

The study released Monday by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, interviewed more than 35,000 adults. The survey found that the U.S. religious marketplace is extremely volatile, with nearly half of American adults leaving the faith tradition of their upbringing to either switch allegiances or abandon religious affiliation altogether.

How might this impact marriage?

We are huge proponents of community: doing life with like-minded couples, and seeking out solid relationships for support and accountability.  The best place to find these relationships is in the context of the local church. If increasing numbers are 'unaffiliated',  community will be  that much more allusive.

• While much of the study confirms earlier findings — mainline Protestant churches are in decline, non-denominational churches are gaining and the ranks of the unaffiliated are growing.
• More than one-quarter of American adults have left the faith of their childhood for another religion or no religion at all, the survey found.
• One in four adults ages 18 to 29 claim no affiliation with a religious institution.
• The Roman Catholic Church has lost more members than any faith tradition because of affiliation swapping, the survey found. While nearly one in three Americans were raised Catholic, fewer than one in four say they’re Catholic today.
• On the Protestant side, changes in affiliation are swelling the ranks of nondenominational churches, while Baptist and Methodist traditions are showing net losses.

Associated Press

Bye-Bye Podcast

In September 2006 we published our first Growthtrac Podcast. We're pleased with the Growthtrac Podcast, and we think you are too, as evidenced by the hundreds of you subscribed to our feed. Thank you.

Twenty-One Podcasts later, we've decided to discontinue Podcast production and focus on new venues.

As with all small, entrepreneurial ministries -- we strive to be financially responsible, selectively choosing programs that will deliver on our initiatives, maintain quality objectives and impact lives.

Lately, our energy has shifted to a new exciting endeavor -- Growthtrac Radio -- 24-7 Contemporary Christian music with marriage programming. Growthtrac Radio will launch next month, in February. We believe this is a very worthy project and I hope you'll listen.... And tell your friends.

You may still listen to our Podcast archive files here. Thanks for listening.

The Christmas Message from an Unexpected Voice

You may have viewed this two-minute video already, as it virally speeds its way across the web. If you haven't seen it, here it is.




Logan is a 13 year-old boy who lives on a ranch in a very small town in Nebraska. Logan listens to Christian Radio station 89.3FM KSBJ which broadcasts from Houston, Texas. Logan called the radio station distraught because he had to take down a calf. His words have wisdom beyond his years.

The Latest Media Scandel

This is a bit off our usual marriage trac, but this caught my eye and need to share with you. Blogger LaShawn Barber commented today about a media scandal related to some unpopular -- perhaps out of context -- Christian-related comments made by Ann Coulter.

What I love most about this particular post (and LaShawn in general) is that she tells it like it is. This time LaShawn expressed quite clearly, with no excuses: who Jesus is, why we need him, and how to receive Jesus in to our lives so our sins will be forgiven.

Good Stuff.

Read LaShawn's post here

Heaven Overrated?

The Way I See It #230
"Heaven is totally overrated. It seems boring. Clouds, listening to people play the harp. It should be somewhere you can’t wait to go, like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies and soft music were enough to keep people in line in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit. They’re basically getting by because they only have to be better than Hell."

-- Joel Stein
Columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

The Starbucks' The Way I See It campaign features author quotes like the one above.

• What do you think? Is heaven overrated?
• Are you looking forward to heaven?

Suing God? ...

What's up with this guy suing God?

Just when you think the stupidity meter on mankind has maxed out…

The 'New' Porn Addict

The face of pornography addiction is shifting. Increasingly, more women are consuming
porn... and seeking counseling. Read the article here--click

Compulsively viewing and reading pornography has traditionally been seen as a men's problem.

In recent years, churches have organized educational programs and support groups for men who use pornography.

Recent polls - many of them conducted by Christian organizations - indicate that porn might be women's dirty little secret, too.

One in five church-going women responding to a self-selected poll conducted by the Christian Web site ChristiaNet.com said they struggled with looking at pornography on an ongoing basis.

For years when people discussed women and porn, they were talking about wives with porn-addicted husbands or about how porn encourages men to objectify women.

But people who study the culture of pornography are discovering what the $13 billion porn industry has already found: more and more women are porn consumers.

The Internet has changed the way people use pornography, said John Reynolds, a Fort Collins licensed clinical social worker who specializes in treating men.

"When I was growing up, pornography was way in the darkness. You had to go to a seedy part of town to buy it," he said. "Now you can have it in the privacy of your home."

Women whose penchant for porn violates their moral or religious values or interferes with their family life or work often feel alone, experts said. That's in part because of an age-old message that women who are highly sexual are "sluts" or "whores."

Virginia Tech Tragedy... Why?

As we pray for all those touched by Monday's tragic events, attempting to answer the "why" question, I'm sharing an excellent blog post from pastor Ed Young at Fellowship Church.

"America is once again sadly united in grief as we learn more about the deaths of 30 students and faculty members on the campus of Virginia Tech this Monday. When tragedy strikes in such devastating proportions, it’s natural for us, even as church leaders, to look heavenward and ask, “Why?” And that’s exactly where we should be turning with our questions and doubts, because this fallen world will never be able to supply us the answers we need in times like these.

The shootings yesterday prompted me to revisit my journaling from the morning following September 11, 2001. During that time, God spoke these truths to me:

Evil is rampant. Because we are created in the image of God, we have been given a free will. True love is not a forced love, and we have the opportunity to choose. We either choose to love God or we don’t. Those who have not come into a relationship with him have turned their backs on God. Some individuals have gone so far in their rebellion that they are way out there in never-never demonic land and evil is rampant.  So, God didn’t cause this. Evil did.


God is in control. God was not surprised by what happened yesterday. The Psalmist said this in Psalm 103:19, “The Lord has established his throne in heaven and his kingdom rules over all.” In his sovereignty, God is calling the shots and we don’t have to worry.  He is in control and wants us to trust Him with each and every aspect of our lives.   

Life is fragile. When those students and faculty went about their usual morning routines yesterday, little did they realize that they would be stepping from this life to the next. We are not really prepared to live until we are prepared to die. The Bible says that one day we will stand before God and everything in our lives that is not built on people or the church, those two entities which will last forever, will crumble. This tragedy is a wake-up call for those of us who call ourselves believers to get serious about understanding the implications of walking with the Lord and to share that good news with the many people around us who are asking those deep questions of the soul. 

God is trustworthy. One section of scripture has been the theme verse for the Young family for generations. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” God is trustworthy, and he is using this to draw people to him. It’s a good thing people are asking these questions, and we have an opportunity to further God’s kingdom. Don’t miss it. 

Monday’s events are a reminder of the mission field we’ve chosen as leaders of the local church. There are lost and hurting souls all around us. Let us seize this sense of urgency to reach out to those in our community who so desperately need our Savior.

And as we join together in this fight, we can’t forget to build strength for the battles ahead.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.
Philippians 4:4-9 | The Message

Draw close to Him. Celebrate what’s good. Savor each sweet day.

>> Ed Young at Fellowship Church

Christian Divorce Stats

Here’s an article speaking against the claims that Christians are just as likely to divorce as non-Christians and share the same divorce rate. I'm not surprised these numbers were not telling the whole story...

Click to read the article

Growthtrac on KLOVE

Check out our new Growthtrac Ministry Spotlight that
just began airing on KLOVE radio today.

• Listen to KLOVE Radio-- click
• Read our Interview with KLOVE's Jon & Sherry-- click

Bono, Poverty, and AIDS

At our church this weekend, we were treated to an interview with U2’s Bono. The video piece was originally aired at Willow Creek’s Leadership Summit this past August. to thousands of (church and marketplace)  leaders worldwide.

A comment from a pastor after seeing the interview said it all: The pastor said he began wondering if Bono was a Christian; After the interview, the pastor wondered if he (himself) was a Christian.

Bono has leveraged his celebrity to strategically focus attention on world hunger and AIDS, causing change through his One.org organization and by influencing difference-makers globally.

Check out Bono’s website and the short clip below... and ask God how you should respond.

Internet addiction a growing concern

CNET  had an excellent article recently concerning the growing concern of  Internet Addiction. 

For some, the Internet it has become an addiction, adversely affecting their lives and their family's lives.

For some people, the Internet may promote addictive behaviors and pseudo-intimate interpersonal relationships, reports Wieland in the journal, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care. "Such cyberspace contacts may result in cyber disorders such as virtual relationships that evolve into online marital infidelity (cybersex) or online sexually compulsive behaviors," she writes.

"Obsession with and craving time on the computer results in neglect of real-life personal relationships to the point of divorce," Wieland says.

Signs and symptoms of Internet addiction include a general disregard for health and appearance; sleep deprivation due to spending so much time online; and decreased physical activity and social interaction with others. Dry eyes, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive motion injuries of the hands and fingers are common.

Internet addicts may also get the "cyber shakes" when off line, exhibiting agitation and typing motions of the fingers when not at the computer.

Anticipating the Da Vinci 'Tsunami'

It's one of the hugest challenges to the church and to the Christian faith in this lifetime. Yet, it's also one of the greatest opportunities for Christians, according to a best-selling author and evangelical.

The much awaited and feared movie release of The Da Vinci Code is about to cause another major “tsunami” set to flood the world. But this time, it's a spiritual one and this time around, Christians are ready.

"I honestly believe that we're going to be ready this time," said Lee Strobel during the biggest teleconference of its kind on Thursday. "We don't want to see the faith of our friends shipwrecked. Let's be prepared."

Author of Exploring The Da Vinci Code and teaching pastor at Saddleback Valley Community Church, Strobel was joined by a panel of authors and Christian leaders in a call that drew hundreds of church pastors all on the same quest to address the worldwide phenomenon of Dan Brown's controversial novel.

"Lighten up. It's fiction," many would say in response to the explosion of Christian response in the form of discussions, books, curriculums, websites and so forth.

"It's make-believe," Lee also acknowledged, “but people are believing it.”

Along with the 40 million-plus copies of the book that has been sold worldwide in the past three years, advertisements are riding on buses and clothing the streets to promote the upcoming movie.

Everyone is talking about Jesus, said Mark Mittelberg, evangelism leader of Willow Creek Association, and Christian leaders are telling believers to be prepared.

"Why is this so important?" posed Strobel. First, it's a huge worldwide phenomenon that attacks core issues of the Gospel. Second, Christians and seekers are actually believing Brown's allegations are true. Third, "Brown has put a tremendous evangelistic opportunity right in our laps."

According to reported statistics, 53 percent of Americans said the novel has been helpful in personal spiritual growth and understanding. Meanwhile, on the other end, 75 percent of churches said they're going to do something about it, such as a sermon series.

While mindful of outreach, Christian leaders are highly concerned about the believers themselves.

"We must respond to this," said Mittelberg, "to protect our flocks."

Although concerned, Christian leaders have witnessed an incredible response within their churches.

With the movie set to open in theaters nationwide on May 19, pastors and Christians are creating a synergistic movement in the foreknowledge of the tsunami to turn what may be intended for evil into something good.

                  • See the Growthtrac DaVinci page

CBN

Christians Can't Ignore 'Da Vinci' Talk

More than 40 million hardcover copies of The Da Vinci Code have been sold worldwide and just days after the release of the paperback edition, the controversial novel is set to top the bestseller list of the world's largest bookseller - Barnes & Noble.

Soon to hit the movie screen, the New York Times bestseller is challenging Christians to gear up for a wider spread of questions and discussions that the film is expected to provoke.

"It would not be possible for you and your congregation to ignore what people are going to be talking about," said Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, author of The Da Vinci Deception and senior pastor of The Moody Church in Chicago, according to Tyndale House Publishers. "When you think of the impact of the movie, millions of people going to see the movie and learning about Jesus ... this is something that we cannot ignore."

--Have you read the book?
--How will you answer your friends & neighbors?
--Are you ready?

Lee Strobel & Garry Poole have developed an excellent resource to help you know and discuss the issues. Read more here.

Reflection on the Sago Accident

That tragedy has been on my mind all week; probably yours too. As the story slips off the front page, here's a positive perspective.

A Coal Miner's Son Reflects on Tragic Mining Accident

SCOTT DEPOT, WV (ANS) --
As a child, growing up in the small coal mining camp of Wevaco, West Virginia, located near the head of Cabin Creek, the worst news was always associated with a mine explosion, fire or slate fall. All who lived in our area were involved with mining and acquainted with danger.

On Monday morning, January 2, 2006, an explosion took place at approximately 6:30 in the Sago Mine, near the community of Tallmansville, Upshur County, West Virginia. It shattered the tranquility of mining families who were looking forward to watching the West Virginia University Mountaineers take on the University of Georgia Bulldogs at 8:30 that evening in the Sugar Bowl.

Family members and the six miners who escaped gathered in the Sago Baptist Church, with friends and relatives, for progress reports on efforts to reach the remaining 13 miners who were trapped thousands of feet back in the bowels of the mountain. People often huddled in small groups praying for their safe return.

In a coal camp people are not embarrassed about praying. Prayer is an important part of each day. When I was in public schools, hearing Bible stories read, memorizing familiar Biblical passages and praying were not under attack from any self-serving group that seeks to deny these God-given rights.

I have heard words used in recent days that were familiar during my childhood years. I recall the long hours of the day or night when my Dad, Clarence Ellis, who was involved in maintenance work for the Carbon Fuel Coal Company, would be called to go inside the mines to build a wall to seal off a fire or to re-direct the flow of air so vital to the well-being of working miners. Those partitions were called “brattices” and built of wood, concrete blocks and “brattice cloth”. It was always a relief when he safely returned home.

When I was a junior at East Bank High School and had a daily 42 mile round-trip bus ride, I was up at five o’clock each morning to deliver the Charleston Gazette to the homes of coal miners who were eating a hearty breakfast and having their last cup of hot coffee before leaving home to work eight or more hours in the mines. In the winter months many of them would leave and return in the darkness and never see daylight until Saturday or Sunday.

I recall those winter mornings when the snows could be deep and temperatures dipping to or below zero. Most of the year the mornings were pleasant. I remember those miners, both black and white, by name. They and their children were and are my friends to this day.

It is not easy to write about the miners and their families of Tallmansville, West Virginia. But you can be sure of one thing, like it is for most of us, when things go wrong, they are not ashamed to call on God. They trust in the words of Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” The life of a coal miner is not easy. It is dangerous. It has brought injury, illness and death to members of my family and thousands of others.

Remember this, most of the energy and electrical power of this nation are made possible by coal miners.

Our country mourns the loss of strong, talented and brave men. We will, as a nation and world, continue to pray for their grieving families and friends. In years to come, other lives will be saved and mining will be safer because of the tragic deaths of twelve courageous hard-working coal miners.

By Bill Ellis
Special to ASSIST News Service

Mega Christmas II

For more, see my my first post.

It's Saturday afternoon and we just returned from our Christmas service — Yep, Christmas service on Christmas Eve afternoon.

Twenty years ago I discovered Jesus and decided to become a Christian in that place. I came from a church-going family. But as I grew up, I grew away from God. Everything changed when tragedy coincided with a friend's invitation to church and my life turned upside down.

Today we were seated along side our daughters. They also received Christ in this church and are now bringing their children to the kid's service they attended twenty-something years ago. How cool is that?

I've attended many Christmas services there through the years. I don't remember all of them, but this year was the best. The way we communicate the Christmas message — it just keeps getting better.

In 65 minutes...

• Illustrated with an awesome spacecraft image from billions of miles away, a dot in colored static — Our solar system. So insignificant and tiny, yet God reached out to us. That put things in perspective.
• How is it that the birth of a baby so many years ago could have such an impact on our world? Who do you say he is: A good man? A prophet? A symbol? Why should we care?
• You owe it to yourself to Examine His Identity.
• "God With Us"... God is real; he loves you; he cares about you; he wants to have a relationship with you. He is relevant.
• Finally, an opportunity to take a step toward God and engage in that life-changing relationship.

The above message was delivered between layers of Worship Music (some call it Christmas Carols), video, dance, and media. And through that fabric was a clear message of what church is and should be — a beacon to the poor and disadvantaged, a supportive community, a place to learn, worship, serve and grow. And a place that is outwardly-focused and receptive to people with questions.

How do I know it was good?  I have an eye for first-time-attenders; I was surrounded by them and I could tell they were listening. And me — an easily jaded, untraditional guy — had one of those "ah ha" moments where I looked at Christmas with new (teary) eyes.

In yesterday's Chicago Tribune I caught a two-page ad (!) bought by a denomination that said, "Mass on December 24th & 25th ...and Every Day of the Year". Great marketing. Smart move, leveraging the recent media hype. But it felt like a Walmart ad; not something a church should run. Unfortunate that a major denomination would play that competitive game.

An awesome, blessed Christmas to you and your family.

And by the way, my church is closed tomorrow

Top Religious Trends in 2005

Barna Releases Review of Top Religious Trends in 2005

The Barna Group on Tuesday released a report on the top religious trends for 2005 based on studies conducted this year.      

While the evangelical research group found that churches don't minister or worship properly, it found that there is a hunger in the younger adult generations, who have chosen to satisfy that hunger in new ways.

Lack of Ministry, Prayer, & Authentic Worship
According to The Barna Group Founder George Barna, most local churches (80 percent) essentially ignore ministry to children and families, both of which are critical to church growth.

These two ministries care important because "families are meant to be the faith-center of each individual’s life," stated Barna in his recent report, and "children are the most important and impressionable individuals we could possibly reach."

Prayer and worship are also both seriously lacking in a typical church, the researcher further noted in the report.

Less than four percent of churches label prayer a top priority, and less than 20 percent rated worship to be a top ministry priority, though churches call the weekly event a worship service, he added.

Lack of Biblical Knowledge
And while most American Christians believe the Bible contains truth and is worth knowing and argue that they know all the relevant truths, the lack of Biblical knowledge has reached "crisis proportions," said Barna. Churches have de-emphasized Bible teaching, and families have de-prioritized Bible learning.

"By and large, people parrot what their parents taught them," he stated. "Sadly, with fewer and fewer parents teaching their kids much of anything related to matters of faith, young people’s belief system is the product of the mass media."

Demise of African Church
The demise of the African-American church community is another cause for concern, said Barna, who addressed this subject with Bishop Harry Jackson in their co-authored book High Impact African-American Churches.

Barna found the decline is related to the growing wealth of Black people.

"There is an intriguing – and unfortunate – correlation between the economic rise of the African-American population and the deterioration of its faith in Christ," he said.

Rise of Revolutionaries
There is, however, an overall rise of individuals who want more of God. Not finding it in churches, these individuals – usually young adult generations in their 20s through 40s – have crafted new worship environments, said Barna. He has written a new book on this subject. Revolution released in October and has been Barna's fastest selling book.

There are over 20 million adults who are pursuing a "Revolutionary faith" that is reminiscent of the early Church, said Barna. They are meeting in homes, at work, in public places – wherever they can connect.

"The energy and passion exhibited by these people is quite refreshing," he said.

Growing Use of Technology
Congregations, meanwhile, are rapidly incorporating new technologies into their activities, including big-screen projectors (66 percent of all Protestant churches), websites (57 percent), and e-mail blasts to congregants (56 percent).
Barna said technology "help[s] churches communicate more effectively" and is useful to the many seekers looking for information via the Internet.

Emerging Leadership
The representatives of Christianity in the last two decades included Billy Graham, Adrian Rogers, Jerry Falwell, and Pat Robertson, but as those churchmen have aged or passed away, a new generation emerged, which include Rick Warren and T.D. Jakes, whose message and media skills reflect the new cultural environment.

Rise of Evangelicals
Barna also noted that although only seven percent of adults are evangelicals, their voices get an unusually large share of media attention.

The researcher offered three possibilities for this increased attention: the evangelical contribution to the win of the 2004 election, the dismay at the current state of society, and the exercise of religious freedom by Evangelicals before it is taken away.

"It’s kind of an example of the ‘use it or lose it’ philosophy," he said.

For the full report, visit barna.org.

Megachurches Closing on Christmas

Was it a slow news day?

First, I caught it in the Chicago Tribune. From there, I knew local television and national news wasn't far away.

Christmas is an important time for us Christians — not as important as Easter, but it is a season (and day) when we step back and think of the awesome gift God gave us. It's impossible to fathom that the God of the Universe would send His son here to earth, to live with us and then die for us so we could have a relationship with Him. Awesome.

I think we understand better than anyone that Christmas isn't about a particular day of the week and it's certainly not about observing a "day of obligation" by meeting with a bunch of people in a building.

The church experience — especially at Christmas — should be about gathering, worshipping, and celebrating and extension and outreach and "being Jesus" to people around us. Think about it: During what time of the year would the un-churched most likely step into a church?

So recognizing this opportunity, seeker-sensitive churches strategically create services that are welcoming, relevant, non-threatening and hopefully life-changing to the thousands of families who don't have a church home — And who might take a risk this Christmas.

Of course the media made no mention of what these churches are doing the rest of the week.

In the days leading to Christmas, these "mega" churches are planning multiple services (our church has eight) to accommodate thousands. The media doesn't talk about the hundreds of volunteers at each church giving freely of their time & talents and the weeks of planning and the huge expense needed to pull it off. And naturally, the media missed our commitment to the under-resourced, a value that most fully translates the Christmas message.

This year it so happened that Christmas Day fell on a Sunday. Some churches made a choice whether or not to have services on that day. Simply a choice; Not right or wrong; Not mandated by scripture. A decision based on how we might best serve our church community and those outside our church.


Read Part Two

More about Church

iPorn?

Get set for what could be yet another porn boom.

It seems that Apple's announcement this week that it has sold one million videos at $1.99 a pop just 20 days after unveiling its new video store and video-capable iPod, has caught the attention of the whole entertainment business. But it has especially captured the imagination of one particular segment--the porn industry, which hungrily eyes every new outlet for its wares.

Beginning next week, for instance, porn heavyweight Vivid Entertainment Group will beginning selling downloads of The New Devil in Miss Jones, formatted to play on Apple's players. The company will also have ten free trailers available at its Web site.

"We're always looking for new ways to distribute our content, and this is yet another way to get content out to consumers," says Vivid co-founder Steven Hirsch.

While the size of the porn business is notoriously difficult to get a handle on, Americans are estimated to spend anywhere from $6 billion to $10 billion per year on it.

Forbes.com

Just what we need: yet another vehicle for porn.

Is Porn a Problem? Help for Your Marriage

Katrina: An Act of God?

Isn't it interesting how everyone — victims, media, churches, insurance industry — are calling this event an "act of God"? And we wonder, if there is a loving God, why would He allow something like this to take place? Did God fail to protect us? Why did He permit this heartbreak to occur? Good questions.

God never causes suffering. For sure, these are pieces to life's puzzle. But we must never forget that He is God. As such, He wants us to believe and trust in Him despite the things we don't understand.

…for God is love…There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out all fear… 1 John 4:8, 18

For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts... Isaiah 55:9

And our reply should be "Not my will, but thine be done"  Luke 22:42

The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one. Psalms 34:17-19

Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God Job 1:22

And for those enduring hardships now, it's comforting to look to the future, when things will be made right.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever. Revelation 21:3-4

Growthtrac Resources
Helping Katrina Victims
God's Different Kind of Algebra
The Power of Hope
The Cloud of Witnesses

Growthtrac now a Non-Profit

Growthtrac.com (the parent site of this blog) launched five years ago as a small directory to assist our pre-marriage mentor couples with next steps.

Today, Growthtrac is an expansive Christian marriage enrichment resource covering articles, interviews, events, books, music and community — over thousands of pages.

Over the years we have built relationships with many major Christian organizations and have earned the respect and following of many viewers worldwide.

To help support our ministry (thus far we have personally supported the ministry) and to better align with our ministry partners, we took the leap to non-profit, 501(c)(3) status.

Our non-profit status is effective immediately. Please join us in celebrating this milestone.

Please take a look at our new Support pages and if you feel led, consider how you might support this ministry.

Thanks for reading our blog — and we appreciate your continuted support!

Jim Mueller

What would Jesus watch?

Some guys in Grand Rapids (Michigan) hope their DVDs answer the question ...

Watch for something new in your Christian bookstore.

Zondervan is aggressivey marketing a series on ten DVDs, designed to give you an inspirational jump-start in 12 minutes or less. Each movie is all about a specific, plain-and-simple spiritual topic: approaches to promoting forgiveness, overcoming rejection or soothing stress.

These short stories, called NOOMA, are produced by a group in Grand Rapids, including Rob Bell, pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church.

Zondervan is preparing to ship the first 10 DVD movies, subtitled in seven languages, to hundreds of Christian bookstores around the world in the next couple of weeks. And for the next wave, Zondervan will aim the distribution at bigger retail chains.

Study: A happy marriage can help mend physical wounds

A happy marriage apparently is good medicine, but hostile spouses may be harmful to one another's health.

Couples in conflict-ridden marriages take longer than the happily married to heal from all kinds of wounds, from minor scrapes or athletic injuries to major surgery, suggests a study out over the weekend.

And the health toll taken by a stressful job seems to be eased when the worker has a pleasurable home life.

This new research, reported at the American Psychosomatic Society meeting here, adds to growing evidence that marriage has an impact on health.

(USA Today)

taaa daaaa! Insidetrac Launches!

The Growthtrac Blog is Ready for Prime Time

Welcome to Insidetrac -- your destination when you just can't get enough Growthtrac! Marriage News, Enrichment Events, Christian Music Updates and dialog from the Growthtrac Team. Stuff you just won't find on the Growthtrac site.


There's a lot more here!...
●February Archives
●January Archives

●You say, "Great! But what is a blog??" 

●More about Insidetrac

Enjoy... Post a Comment (participate!) and let us know what you think.

Our Nomination for the Worst Print Ad in 2004

What does this Honda print ad say about America’s perception of
marital satisfaction?—as well as the advertising industry’s
cynical attempt to exploit every insecurity to sell their products?

The magazine ad in question pictures a new Honda Civic with the
headline “The sad thing is, it’ll probably be the healthiest
relationship of your adult life”. Underneath the car, the ad
continues with more consumerist relationship advice: “You’ve
tried the personals, blind dates, even one of those online chat
rooms. Why? The Civic Sedan is smart, fun, reliable and
good-looking. Not to mention, it’s ready to commit, today”. Then
while the reader regresses into a pit of hopelessness about their
prospects for finding true love of the human kind, the ad
concludes with a wink of the headlight “Looking for a good time?”

With these kind of media messages, no wonder we have a fifty
percent divorce rate.

Source: Marriage Prep 101 Quarterly Newsletter

John Tesh and Family on TV this week

• The View Tuesday February 15 at 11am EST
• Hannity and Colmes Tuesday February 15 at 9:00pm EST
• Fox & Friends Wednesday February 16 at 7:50am EST
• The Tony Snow Radio Show Wednesday February 16 at 10:20am EST

Our friend John Tesh, along with his wife - award-winning actress Connie Sellecca - and their two children, Gib, 23 and Prima, 10, recently traveled with Operation Blessing to Sri Lanka to aid tsunami survivors. 

The family returned with a determination and desire to remember the faces, the experience, and the families that still need hope, and will need aid for many years to come.  That passion has brought forth Shades of Blue, The Tsunami Children's Relief Project, a book filled with pictures drawn by children in the Sri Lankan Community of Ampara, and whose entire proceeds will benefit them directly.

Shades of Blue, The Tsunami Children's Relief Project will be
available for purchase online

Read more about John Tesh at tesh.com
Growthtrac Interview with John Tesh

Love and politics mix in Valentine's movements

Chocolates and flowers still abound, but Valentine's Day is acquiring a new, politically tinged layer of symbolism.

For many activists, it's now the date of choice to mobilize on matters of the heart — advocating abstinence, decrying divorce, rallying nationwide on homosexual "marriage."

Across the country, teens from hundreds of schools and youth groups will make chastity pledges today on the "Day of Purity" — organized by the Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based conservative legal group.

In Arkansas, Gov. Mike Huckabee and his wife, Janet, will renew their wedding vows in front of hundreds of couples at a ceremony promoting the state's covenant-marriage law — a voluntary system that makes divorce harder to obtain.

"The nation will be watching as we take a stand for marriage," the Huckabees' invitation says.

Send a Valentines eCard!

Read the Full Story

Defend Traditional Marriage in North Carolina

The day is fast approaching when gay marriage may become legal in North Carolina. This southern state, in the heart of the Bible belt, is set to become the next battle ground in the culture war.

Read the Full Story

Relationships 101 classes spark student interest

Some call it Relationships 101 -- a concept that has proven wildly popular on campuses across the country. With divorce as common as it is in this country, experts say young couples are wise to do their marriage homework.

Leslie Parrot, a professor at Seattle Pacific University, says surveys at her university and others regularly show that relationships are a priority for students.

"They're often more focussed on relationship quality than their careers," says Parrott, a marriage and family therapist who teaches relationships courses with her husband, Les Parrott.

Read the Full Story

Rolling Stone Will Print Zondervan Bible Ad

Rolling Stone magazine has reversed its decision to reject an ad for Zondervan's new Bible translation. The advertisement will run unchanged this month.

The magazine was drummed by critics for turning down a low-key ad for a new translation of Scripture, Today's New International Version (TNIV)

The ad, which will run unchanged in mid-February, doesn't mention God. But it describes the Bible as "real truth" and carries the new translation's slogan: "Timeless truth: Today's language."
Read the Story

John Tesh assisting Tsunami Survivors

Our friend John Tesh -- along with his wife Connie and children Gib and Prima -– are on their way to Sri Lanka. Once there, John will join 'Operation Blessing' team members who are distributing food, providing shelter and administering antibiotics. It’s John’s desire to encourage you to do what you can in the form of a cash donation to operationblessing.org.

See the Growthtrac tsunami Resource page.
Read our Interview with John Tesh.