Bill Berger.org

Tar Heel Nation

My friend and colleague, Richard Dahlstrom posted a very thoughtful blog on the unfortunate vote in North Carolina. You can read it here.

Why Young Christians are leaving church...

This looks interesting, I look forward to attending.

Check this out from David Kinnaman author of unChristian:

Today’s Christian teens and twentysomethings are changing their churches, businesses, and nonprofits.
Our team has listened to their concerns and asked for their solutions. We’ve discovered how their world is shifting and what it may mean for those who influence them.
Join David Kinnaman, president of Barna Group, for a provocative event called You Lost Me: Live!
This half-day training focused on today's younger generation will help you and your team understand the important cultural shifts that are influencing young Christians.
Bring your ideas, solutions and questions about the teens and twentysomethings you work with. We want to hear them.
Immerse yourself in the Barna Group’s practical and visionary research. And learn how you can apply these insights right where you live.

Here are some deetz: May 22 Northwest University 10a-3p - $19

You can register here.

My Final Four

It's time for hoops. Wait. When isn't it time for hoops?

I filled out my bracket, this is my final four:

North Carolina, Marquette, Syracuse, Kansas

North Carolina over Marquette in the final

Tar Heels are champs!

Who do you have?

Mental Health Break

It all starts today

Ok, so I have a bit of a "weight problem." Since my aneurysm, I have not been the most active fellow and as a result, my body shape resembles that of an Orca.  So, it's high time to begin some training and lose some lb's!

I have a good friend in Colorado who has given me inspiration and encouragement and a "program." That "program" started this morning at 6:30 am.  It continues this afternoon and will continue until I lose...ready for this? Nah, I am not saying...I will post updates as to my progress over the next while until I get to my goal. In fact, I will state my goal in the next week, so all of you can ask me about it so I will actually do it. I think that is called accountability with a smattering of stupidity.

Ok, off to work with water and a celery stick.

It's time...

Well, I am certainly looking forward to 2008. Why? Because there will be new adventures, new friends, new events, new ideas, new growth, new, new, new. I am anticipating new things to learn about Jesus; in fact, God speaks to us about all things new.

"But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"therefore I will hope in him."
The LORD is good to those who wait for him,
to the soul who seeks him. Lamentations 3:21-25

I find these words so refreshing. I am grateful for a God that doesn't rehash the past, and keeps his relationship with us exciting and new. God isn't reminding us of what was, but is constantly pointing us toward the future hope of what he has destined us to become. You may have much to be thankful for in 2007, you may have much to grieve over in 2007; but know this, you have much to anticipate in 2008!

I am anticipating great things from All Saints Church, I am anticipating impacting the city of Seattle. What are you anticipating? Dwell on those anticipations and trust that Jesus will guide you and equip you to see those ideas, relationships, visions become realities.

Let me end on a lame note...2008 is great! Ok, I am embarrassed.

What the...?

Remember Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker?  Check it out, their kid Jay Bakker is this hippy, skater dude that is making big headlines with his message about Christianity.  Now, I don't want to be too quick to judge, but this guy has some guts and he may be asking some really good questions.  Agree or disagree with his methodology, the dude has some legitimacy. Check out this  link, Jay Bakker.
Let's do a little check list here: This dude is legitimate to me because he could be slobbering in a corner, hating the church, his parents, and God over the bs he has had to deal with in his life. (check)  He seems to be authentic in his desire to see the Christian church be missional. (check) He is speaking out about the problem of mixing Jesus with politics. (check) He is pointing to the real Jesus. (check).  Hmmm, what do you think?

Aching Soul

As I have been following the events this past week regarding Ted Haggard, my heart has been sick and my soul aching.  I don't pity the man, nor do I point a judgmental finger, I say with the Apostle Paul, "but for the Grace of God, there go I."  I encourage you all Christ-followers to pray for the Haggard family.  I was encouraged by how the overseers handled this, they chose the Haggard family first.  By removing Haggard from leadership they required he submit to some men who will not give him trite sayings, pats on the back or cushy prayer times.  They will administer love, discipline and wisdom.  Ted Haggard is a human being, like all of you reading this.  The difference is that he is a human being with a familiar face.  The lesson here is the fact that many are affected.  You, me and anyone else that calls themself a Christ follower.  This is the aspect of sin that we don't talk about.  What I do affects you and what you do affects me.  This doesn't disgrace God, or his church.  It demonstrated how frail and fragile we are.  A sobering reminder of what we are capable of.  I implore all of you reading this to be transparent, truthful and humble.  You don't have to do life alone, you were meant to be in community.  The triune God created you in his image, that means that you were meant to be in perfect community like the Trinity.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are constantly loving, encouraging, and affirming one another in perfect unity.  We are created in His image, and that is part of how we do life.  Order your private life, be aware of who you are and what you are capable of. Confess to God, confess to someone you trust and flourish in this life.

On another note, this is also a good example for pastors to not mix Jesus with politics.  I am so tired of Christian leaders going public with their politics.  Telling their churches who to vote for and how to vote on certain issues.  Pastors, shut the hell up about politics and preach Jesus.  Your calling isn't to sway the vote, but to speak with crystal clear clarity about the person and work of Jesus Christ.  This kingdom and God's kingdom are not the same, and they never will be.  Let's be about mission, seeing our cities influenced by our love and service, let's teach the people in our churches wisdom, so they can navigate the ebb and flow of life.

Jesus said to us, weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn.  It's time to weep and mourn, there will be a time to laugh and rejoice.  God always takes the things that were meant to be bad and turns them into the most beautiful endings.  Our prayer is that the Haggard family senses the grace of God, and the healing and restoration of His love.  In the good name of Jesus.

This may hurt a little...

If you are reading this as a conservative, evangelical, this will get your undies in a twist.
This article is about the guy who wrote "Letters from a Skeptic." The site will request you get a sub to the NYTimes online before you read this (if you don't already have one). It's free and quick.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/30/us/30pastor.html?hp&ex=1154318400&en=f0cf63e262a9a896&ei=5094&partner=homepage

Comments....PLEASE!