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Short Posts or Long Posts — Which Are Better?

How do you write for today’s audiences?

Common answer: In short posts of 200-500 words.

Better answer: It depends.

Who is your audience? Are your readers busy people scanning a dozen blogs like yours every morning in hopes of finding one useful piece of information? Are your readers people searching for information that is not easy to find?

One exasperated institutional Church blogger threw her hands in the air. She was following the common advice and looking for guest bloggers among clergy. “It’s impossible to get preachers to limit themselves to 500 words,” she concluded as she waded through the lengthy submissions.

Getting people who tote Bibles to limit their message to shorter thoughts is a new discipline—and there is value in it.

But wait! Who made this rule? The fact is there is no rule. Some of the most popular bloggers take a thousand words to introduce their topic.

Most blog posts that are bookmarked are probably those that truly define an issue.

More people may be attracted to shorter posts, but serious readers (the kind you hope will consider you an authority) are looking for truly helpful information. They don’t want to be spoon-fed answers to their questions in five posts spread across two weeks.

The wonderful thing about blogging is that creative people are no longer bound by the costs of paper and production. [Tweet this!]

You can write the article you want to write without leaving room for advertising space within a newsletter’s budgeted pages.

So what happens? We finally have the freedom to do what we want, and the sages come in with new “rules.”

Phooey!

Write with your audience in mind. If your audience is diverse, mix it up. A short post here; a long post there.

Guard against falling in love with your own words, but otherwise, type away.

Final answer: If you have something to share, by all means—share it!

photo credit: philipp daun via photo pin cc
23 Jun 2012

The Story of David and Goliath Endures

This week’s Old Testament lesson is one of the most enduring stories in the Bible. David, a peon in King Saul’s kingdom, takes on Goliath, the huge and well-equipped leader of the Philistine Army.

We all know the story but it never hurts to re-read it. Ever notice how much detail the writer includes about Goliath’s weapons and armor? There is no room for doubt. Goliath was the superior leader in every way. This is followed by a rare comic description of the boy, David, stumbling through the palace, trying to walk a straight line while wearing the armor King Saul has provided.

We all know the story and the outcome. Little David rushes unprotected into battle and slays Goliath with a homemade sling and a pebble picked up from the wadi.

We know that David’s victory catapults him to a prestigious position in Saul’s court that eventually sends Saul into a jealous, mad rage. We know the side story of David’s fast friendship with Saul’s son, Jonathan.

The story endures because we can all empathize. Everyone knows how it feels to face a foe that is larger, better funded, more powerful and attractive to followers. Little children stand before parents, teachers and the many authorities they encounter. They are weak and defenseless. They understand David.

Adults can empathize. They’ve stood before bosses who hold the purse strings and offer security —the more you follow their leadership, the greater likelihood of security.

Athletes know the feeling of facing with dread an opponent of stronger repute.

We all understand the story of David and Goliath.

Especially, we little churches. We — and our members — face the unchecked power of the bigger Church. When positions of power are abused, the result is bullying. The Church is not immune.

Things are changing. Young men in Philadelphia are challenging the Church hierarchy in Philadelphia that looked the other way as Church leaders abused their power. It took decades to muster courage and their fears were realistic.

And then there is little Redeemer, facing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which stripped them of their property and endowment, and shut the door on their individual participation in the denomination. They’ve fought back while others in the Church have watched from positions of safety.

It’s a different kind of battle. One little pebble is not likely to end this conflict. More than five years after the opening volley, Redeemer is still alive, fulfilling its “missional” purpose and fighting with no war chest or armor — only a web site to speak for them and trust in God.

Will it ever end? Pride, power and a disregard for purpose are the Goliath that stands in the way.

OBJECT LESSON:

Illustrate Saul preparing David for battle. Ask a small child to stand before the congregation. Prepare the child beforehand. Make sure you choose a child who can participate without harming his or her self-image.

Start to dress the child with sports gear (hockey of football) until it becomes apparent that the child can barely move, much less play a sport. Then start to take the gear away. Ask the child how he or she feels without the “armor.” Draw the comparisons to David. Take your pastoral message from there.

22 Jun 2012

Undercover Bishop Is Now Available In Ebook Form

Have your congregation read Undercover Bishop, a new parable of the modern church, now available for download. Compare your own church stories with those discovered by the newly elected Bishop Ruby Kinisa as she travels from church to church incognito to learn what clergy and lay members would never tell a bishop.

Sixteen short chapters are followed with suggested discussion questions.

Bishop Kinisa visits

  • an urban neighborhood church,
  • a small town church, and
  • a church in the country.

She needs to return to each church to reveal her identity. You are invited to act out your own endings and submit them to 2×2.

Undercover Bishop is an ebook, which means it can be amended. We’ll be glad to add your endings in prose or video form to keep the discussion of small church ministry going.

22 Jun 2012

Social Media and the Social Graces

The goal of Social Media is to engage others in a topic of mutual interest.

Social media is just beginning to be explored by churches. Judging from 2×2’s analytics, there is great interest. Much of it may come from lurkers just starting to remove their socks so they can dip their big toe in the water. We recommend diving in!

There is great potential for the church in the use of social media, but it requires engagement. Engagement requires time. More important, engagement requires sincerity and the careful exercise of the social graces.

Think of Facebook dialog as if you were at a party. How far would your conversation go if all you did was acknowledge someone else’s comment? If there is to be a flicker of life at this digital party, you must foster dialog. When you acknowledge a comment, leave the door open a crack to let your virtual guests come in — if and when they feel comfortable.

Here are some simple social graces to use in engaging with your readers.

  • Respond with a question.
    Glad you enjoyed our review of “We Have a Pope.” How did you like the ending?
  • Answer a question.
    Good question! Thanks for asking! Here’s our answer: . . . .
  • Add some additional information to the comment, even if it means sending them to another site. This is expected on the web and can be helpful to you, too.
    Glad you enjoyed our post on children’s sermons. You might also enjoy this web site (add link).
  • Make an invitation. 
    If you are interested in movies, you might like to attend our movie night next Friday. We’re showing….
  • Acknowledge a commenter’s expertise.
    Thanks for pointing out our mistake in today’s post. We corrected it right away. Overall, did you like what we are trying to say? Please, if you disagree, let us know!
  • Invite participation.
    Thanks for your comment. You seem to know what you are talking about. Would you like to contribute a post to our site? Our readers would love to hear your point of view!
  • Ask for links.
    Thanks for telling us about that youth project. Do you have a link we can share with our readers? 

One caution: readers expect the owner of a Facebook page to be a real, live person. If they share serious concerns, you must be prepared to have the most qualified person in the church respond with true empathy and unselfish advice.

Your guests may choose to remain anonymous, but there should be real names attached to the responses from your congregation. Truth and transparency are vital.

Engaging in social media is work, but it is the easiest way for the church to reach the most people. It is well worth the effort.

If you don’t invest the appropriate time and resources and have an open attitude, your Facebook presence will be as effective as the generic caveat on every church bulletin board. “All welcome.”

21 Jun 2012

A Recipe for Change: Lessons Learned in the Church Kitchen

Mom was Pennsylvania Dutch through and through. Dad, too, except that his Pennsylvania Dutch parents traveled to India where they raised seven children and worked as missionaries for 20 years.

The result: our comparatively bland Pa Dutch diet was occasionally infused with eastern spices, the names of which did not fit on the tiny spice jar labels.

Despite the early introduction of exotic flavoring, it wasn’t until well into adulthood that I embraced the joy of cooking with spices.

I learned to cook with spices in church.

Little Redeemer in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia has roots among Pa Dutch traditions, except that a good number of founding members shared a mongrel Scotch/Irish/English heritage. Still, the typical pot luck dinner at Redeemer was decidedly bland and heavy on meat, potatoes and pastry.

Then, around the turn of this latest century, we enjoyed having a student vicar from Puerto Rico. When he was about to leave, we planned a farewell party. “Any requests?” we asked.

“I’m really hungry for sancocho,” he responded. “Puerto Rican beef stew,” he translated. He waxed nostalgic at the thought of the peppery stew. When he noticed the horrified faces, he assured us. “It’s not spicy, just tasty.”

I googled sancocho and found a recipe with a lengthy list of ingredients, many of which were unfamiliar.

I have a basic rule in cooking. If I don’t know what it is I don’t put it in the pot.

I pared down the ingredients to the familiar, made some substitutes for convenience and filled a large pasta pot with the diverse ingredients: beef, spices, a ton of vegetables, lemons, bananas and burgundy. As I prepared to transport the pot to the church. My teenage son came running to help. “What smells so good?”

Once at the church, I did what any cook does. I stood back and watched. The pot quickly emptied. The vicar went back for seconds. Thirds, too. Success.

But sancocho was just the beginning of a new world of cooking.

It was at about the same time that our membership began to pick up among East African immigrants. Their cuisine was similar to the Puerto Rican fare I had just conquered. I learned still more about curries, garlic and fresh ginger.

And it was fun.

Savory soups and stews soon became the hallmark of Redeemer fellowship. Food was becoming a catalyst for change in our church.

Cultures began to blend with every stir of the pot. Changes which had been unimaginable a decade ago, were happening — under our very satisfied noses.

photo credit: avlxyz via photo pin cc
20 Jun 2012

Bernie: A Movie Review

Bernie, the village undertaker, is the nicest guy. He couldn’t possibly have murdered his sugar mama.

This the premise of this unusual film starring Jack Black and Shirley McClaine.

Bernie is a gregarious huckster of caskets with a knack for comforting the bereaved. He goes above and beyond the duty of most funeral directors. If the funeral service is falling a bit flat, he is likely to step to the podium and sing. He’ll appear at the bereaved’s door the next day with a quart of soup.

When one mourner goes missing, some suspect foul play at the hands of Bernie.

But it just can’t be, the town agrees.

And even if he did shoot the old witch, maybe she had it coming!

The film is produced in documentary style with the camera cutting away for interviews with townspeople. There is good reason to stick to the documentary format. The film tells a true story.

You will enjoy spending an hour and a half with this murderer. Bernie is likable. For church people, the sound track is a treat. You’ll hear a breadth of favorite hymns way beyond Hollywood’s usual repertoire, many of them beautifully sung by Jack Black.

There is nothing particularly deep or thought-provoking about the film. It is just a small piece of history, laced with a look at human nature, presented in an engaging way.

19 Jun 2012

In Praise of Church Artists (and that includes you!)

Educators in the arts are trained to understand the development of the human mind. Every child is born an artist, a musician, an athlete or dancer. From the time a toddler can grasp a fat crayola, the need to express ourselves is part of our humanity. Every child pumping themselves into the air on a backyard swing while belting out a song of her own invention is a musician. Every boy with a new pair of sneakers knows he is an athlete. Every girl spinning before a full-length mirror is in touch with her inner dancer.

Something happens to the human spirit on the path that leads from kindergarten to college. The need to master math and reading leaves the artist in many of us behind.

Ever notice how most adults who haven’t pursued art in school still draw like a nine-year-old? That’s because that’s about when the American education system stops stressing the arts in favor of academics. Art and music teachers know that this is a critical age for stressing art and music skills. The ear and eye need to be exercised along with the muscles and brains.

There may be a similar atrophy in the Church. We encourage our littlest members to try everything. But as they approach adulthood, the rule books and traditions start to erode interests and abilities rather than building on them or exploring untapped talents.

  • Preaching? That’s the realm of theologians. Male thinkers only, some still argue.
  • Music? We have a music director and organist, thank you. You can join the choir, if you like.
  • Instrumental Music? Well, as we said, we have an organist.
  • Design? We buy templates from the national church.
  • Dance? We’re not sure God would approve.
  • Leadership? What do we pay the preacher for?
  • Service? There’s a list of ways you can serve on the back of the bulletin.
  • Prayer? Just read the one from the worship book.
  • Poetry? You can’t improve on the Psalms.

Pretty soon you have a church where people come, sit in the pew, praise the leaders for their talents and go home.

After a while, they just stay home.

Perhaps one approach to reversing religious apathy is to discover the artist in each of us. We are what we can become. Only God knows our limits.

photo credit: Jason Paluck via photo pin cc
18 Jun 2012

18 Questions for Mainline Church Denominations

  1. If a group of Christians can afford ministry but can’t afford a minister, can they still be a “church”?
  2. Has religion become unaffordable? Has access to Christian community become something for the affluent?
  3. What is the purpose of church hierarchy in a world which is largely literate and rarely dependent on benefactors? Does church hierarchy make any contribution to the lives of the laity?
  4. Can the Church minister as effectively as secular not-for-profits?
  5. If the Church separates its social services from its Christian message (in order to qualify for government support), is it still ministry?
  6. If Church-related institutions for higher learning, separate their mission from Christian mission (to qualify for government support or to appeal to richer demographics) are they still Church-related institutions?
  7. Are our seminaries training theologians or pastors?
  8. Are pastors leaders or servants?
  9. How will the congregational/pastoral model, developed in eras of slower social change, function in the modern era of constant change and life-long learning?
  10. What is the future of the Church and its reliance on pastor-centric leadership in a world where success is often the result of teamwork and intermeshing of multiple and changing skills and talents?
  11. How will the role of pastors change if the laity in the Church are expected to “transform”?
  12. How do we become inclusive and diverse when sociologically people tend to find comfort in conformity?
  13. Can the trend toward larger churches serve the needs of smaller communities?
  14. Why does the Church allow congregations to fail while shuffling the pastors who served them to new leadership positions?
  15. How can an institution based on trust and respect guard against abuses of power (as seen in the clergy sex scandals, for example)?
  16. How can a system based on hierarchy protect supporters from bullying?
  17. How does the Church reconcile the Christian mandate to reach all the world with its reliance on demographic studies for church-planting and support.
  18. How do Protestant churches, which often have no parochial school structure, educate youth in the limited time modern families allow for “church”?
16 Jun 2012

The Virtues of the Modern Evangelist

There was a song taught to children back in the 50s or 60s. It taught us to think of ourselves as missionaries.

Just around the corner lives a stranger child.
Did you smile at him? Were you kind to him?
Did you tell her of the one who loves us so?
Father, Comforter and Friend.

( I updated the lyrics to include the “forgotten” gender.) The question today is “When do we stop thinking of ourselves as missionaries and evangelists and start leaving that to the paid “experts.”

Today many churches and denominations have lost the sense of evangelism. It is just a big word that’s part of a church name. St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, for example. Often—despite the name—congregations, regional bodies and denominations forget that their purpose is to spread the gospel to every stranger. It is so easy to become something of a club—one in which you have no right to play if you don’t sufficiently pay.

Fixing this requires an attitude adjustment—an infusion of “evangelical” thinking.

There is good news! It has never been easier or less expensive to fulfill our evangelical purpose. Any church of any size can participate.

Things have changed in the world of evangelism. Decades ago, missionaries had to be carefully trained. They needed to thoroughly understand theology and immerse themselves in a new culture and language. While, this is still helpful, the internet makes it possible for any congregant to interact with any other Christian anywhere in the world. Language barriers are toppling. So are cultural barriers.

There may be some dangers in opening mission work to the less trained, but there is a cure for that. Train us!

Training can begin with the fostering of evangelical traits.

  • Evangelists must be patient. Patience means listening. Patience means allowing for missteps. Patience means taking time—as much time as it takes.
  • Evangelists must be generous. Generosity does not have to mean money. Think first in terms of giving time and attention.
  • Evangelists must think constantly of others. The minute the attention turns inward, toward your congregation and your people or yourself, you will begin to fail.
  • Evangelists must be transparent. Deceitful practices leave lasting scars.There is no room for deceit in preaching the Gospel. Jesus looked for this trait in his disciples and he found it in Nathaniel. “Truly, here is an Israelite within whom there is no deceit.”
  • Evangelists preach a consistent message. We can make the Bible very complicated and confuse even ourselves. If we are confused, our message will be lost on those new to the Gospel. It may help to stick with one Gospel to get started. The Gospel of John is simple and direct, but deep in interpretation that crosses cultural barriers. It is also very inclusive with stories of Jesus’ interaction with men and women, Jew and Gentile, and both the educated and working class.
  • Evangelists cannot be arrogant. God made us all equal in His love.
  • Evangelists cannot be selfish. Our work is not about us.
  • Evangelists must be humble, patient and kind, slow to anger, and steadfast in love and teaching. 
  • They must be curious—full of questions, helping others to discover answers.

Begin your congregational outreach by fostering these traits in your congregation. Start telling the old, old story. Your web site can be your hub. Start publishing mission content and Christians from all over the world will begin to find you.

15 Jun 2012

A Lutheran Family Reunion—A Goodly Heritage

Last weekend there was a gathering of a Lutheran family with deep roots in American Lutheranism. Seated around the picnic tables were the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Franklin Clark Fry, the venerated leader of the Lutheran Church in America in the mid-twentieth century. The son of his immediate right hand on the national LCA staff was present. Across the table were the same generations descended from the Secretary of Foreign Mission of the National Council of Churches and a career Lutheran missionary to India. The families of five (or more) living Lutheran pastors were present. They were able to recall the past generations who taught at Lutheran Seminaries (Wittenburg and Gettysburg in the past and currently at Luther Seminary). Photographs of some seven generations of Lutheran pastors were on display as Lutheran heritage was discussed. Family trivia included trying to name the congregations planted by our ancestors.

Also present were three members of the beleaguered Redeemer, the church the ELCA has decided is expendable, not worth caring about, the individual members deserving five years of litigation at the hands of the church they served and for which they sacrificed for decades—all because they dared to challenge a bishop’s decision (a decision that two Pa Supreme Court judges also found worthy of challenge.)

You can bet a lot of the conversation was about the failings of the ELCA which have become apparent with only 24 years of history under its belt—leadership straying from its purpose as stated in the founding documents and hierarchy that has become more of an employment agency for pastors than a shepherd of congregations.

Also on display was Lutheran loyalty. Faith has a way of preserving loyalty even among the most frustrating circumstances.

It is likely that more church issues were discussed at this five-hour reunion than were discussed at many two-day, pre-programmed Synod Assemblies!

13 Jun 2012