Link to Family Stuff

I usually use this blog for the random stuff that runs through my head or to keep you up to date on stuff going on with the Kemp family, and I reserve trailblazer for church planting stuff. But the two have become so intertwined lately that I have posted some family stuff there. If you'd like to find out about church planting and what's going on with the fam, just click here.

This Has Got to Be Effective!

I saw this truck in the Target parking lot this week. If you look closely, you will notice that one of the figurines glued to the top of the truck is the Grim Reaper holding a baby in his hands.


Also, take a look at the face of the guy walking by the truck in the background of the second picture. And, the red Target cart is reflected in the puddle under the truck, which makes it look like the truck is bleeding.

I affectionately refer to this as the Catholic Anti-abortionmobile.

Virtual Church

Earlier this year LifeChurch.tv, a leader in the multi-site church movement, launched a virtual campus and worship experience called Experience Island online at Second Life. Users can explore the campus, participate in a worship service, and connect to XXX Church for help with pornography addiction through their online avatars.

Any thoughts on virtual church?

Stupid Arguments

I don't know why, but the level of arguing at my house seems to have increased over the summer. Maybe it's just that I'm around the kids more during the summer, so I notice more. Or maybe it's just that they have been hanging out with each other 24/7 for the last three months, and that is really getting old.

Whatever the reasons, there are time right now that I feel like my brains are going to ooze out my ears. What is really frustrating is the subjects that they argue over and the content of their arguments. They currently argue over stuff that does not matter one bit. Who cares whether one soda is better than another or if we went to the amusement park last week or the week before or if we watched this movie or that movie last night, or a hundred other arguments that really don't matter? The kids fight over stuff that, even if you win the argument, you really haven't won anything.

The second thing that is frustrating is the content of their arguments. They each state their position, and then, the argument generally goes something like "Nuh-uh!" "Uh-huh!" "Nuh-uh!" "Uh-huh!" ad infinitum. There is absolutely no hope of the discussion getting anywhere. The only choice for them is to get louder stating their point, whether it be "Nuh-uh!" or "Uh-huh!"

I am really frustrated with the Southern Baptist Convention right now for the same things happening. There are arguments going on right now about things that do not matter and for which there does not appear to be a willingness, from at least some, to have any kind of meaningful conversation. There are arguments right now over the use of alcohol, private prayer languages, expository vs. topical preaching. And the arguments so often degenerate into "Nuh-uh!/Uh-huh!" kinds of arguments.

What I want to say about each of these subjects is "WHO CARES?" They are meaningless arguments that don't matter at all when it comes to the task we have been given as a church. When will we start focusing more on fulfilling the Great Commission and less on who's in control and who's right or wrong over arguments that don't matter?

The Conservative Resurgence is over. We "won." We all believe the Bible. We all accept it as the inerrant, infallible, inspired word of God. Now, the question is, do we accept it as the all-sufficient guide for everything we do and do we accept its authority to govern our actions? If we do, then there is certainly plenty of room in our Southern Baptist family for differences of opinion. But those differences do not need to become dividing lines. Just like in a family, you have to accept that we won't agree on everything, and that's okay. Let's stop fighting over stupid arguments and get on with the work of reaching the world for Christ.