SCOTT hamilton

Stain Your Sermon

What is Cellular Staining?

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Cell staining is a technique that can be used to better visualize cells and cell components under a microscope. By using different stains, one can preferentially stain certain cell components, such as a nucleus or a cell wall, or the entire cell. Most stains can be used on fixed, or non-living cells, while only some can be used on living cells; some stains can be used on either living or non-living cells.

Why Stain Cells?

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The most basic reason that cells are stained is to enhance visualization of the cell or certain cellular components under a microscope. Staining illuminates the cell in order to view it at greater depth.  Further, it exposes different cellular structures for greater clarity and understanding of function.

(From http://serc.carleton.edu/microbelife/research_methods/microscopy/index.html)

Metaphors are the stain of your sermon.  They allow your audience to understand the particular passage with more clarity and understanding.  Metaphors invite your audience to investigate and poke around your exposition of the text by presenting it to them in a different light.

 Paul often used metaphor to elucidate truth –

“Put on the full armor of God…”

“You were running a good race…”

“Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier…”

It affords your audience the chance to understand the unfamiliar through what is familiar.  Further, it allows your audience to understand the familiar in a new light in order to have a deeper understanding of what might have become familiarly complacent.

Let me share an exercise from Dave Ward:

A metaphor is formed when we use analogical reasoning. One way to practice analogical thinking is to force yourself into an analogy game. Allow me to play with this for a minute taking the first summary sentence listed above: every single decision we make in life is a chance to worship God. I will take two parts of that sentence (chance and worship) and try to create an analogy from it. A chance is to worship, as _______ is to lottery. Hmmmm…ticket, opportunity, statistics. I am not satisfied yet since that makes it sound as if our worship is a matter of luck not choice. Since I am not satisfied with the idea I might try another random idea or object. A chance is to worship as ________ is to castles. Drawbridge comes to mind. Interesting. So a chance is sort of an entryway, a passageway into something else. Every decision then, is a door I have a chance to open, a drawbridge that stands between me and a royal castle full of worshiping God.

So you see how we got there? It was a game of forced analogy. Here is another example:

The Spirit is to sin as _____________ is to construction. Bulldozer, jackhammer, wrecking ball. I like those images. But what if I shifted it? (I really am just thinking these up as I write to show you how to go about it). The Spirit is to sin as ___________ is to weather. A hurricane, a tornado, a relentless monsoon or a slow and never ending trickle. Now which is it? The passage should tell you.

Now you have a creative image that serves as an illustration. Find a picture, video, or actual object to go along with it and our illustration will come to life.

(From http://wesleyansermons.com/2011/09/05/finding-and-making-sermon-illustrations/, Dave Ward)

Marketing Your Ministry in Your Church? …Uh, You’re Doing it Wrong

So you want to bring some “publicity” to your ministry within your church?  And why not?  It’s your passion, something you’ve poured your heart and soul into, and you’re excited to have others experience what God is doing in your particular sphere.

BEAUTIFUL!  Now the question becomes how to do that.  Let me ask: What is the first thing that comes to your mind on how to do that?  Let me venture out and guess.  It was probably either the idea to have your ministry/event promoted by the pastor from stage on Sunday morning, or to show a wiz bang video on Sunday morning, right?

Those two options are typically the two that people desire the most – and we’ll lump them together and call it the promotional approach.  It seems to make sense right?  I want to promote my ministry so I’ll go the promotional approach.  But surprisingly a flashy commercial, or plug by the pastor, are not the most effective, and I would argue they have minimal impact on ministry success.  In fact, there are two things that are MUCH more effective.  But, before I share those let me share my theory as to why people believe the promotional approach is the best.

People elevate promotion and forget their desire for success.  They believe that the former will get them the latter.  "If we promote we'll succeed."  So, they concentrate on promotion so much it actually replaces the most important goal – success.

Losing sight of the real goal of a successful minstry is what makes visibility the most alluring reason to go the promotional approach.  The thought goes like this: If people are shown a snazzy graphic or video then they will come.  And of course you would think that.  You probably reason it this way.  If I know it’s so great, and then the pastor gets up and says it’s great, then people will be busting down the doors to get in.  I mean, from your perspective, why wouldn’t they come to such an awesome ministry/event?  Realize that you know how awesome it is but those watching the video/plug do not, and a commercial is not going to change that.

The promotional approach interrupts by its nature, so people tend to tune it out.  Further, it has three fatal flaws. First, it only holds attention for a short time.  Second, it interrupts instead of offering something valuable.  Third, unless you have billions to spend there’s no way you can compete with the advertising companies to break through the noise - even on a Sunday morning.

This is what I mean by noise.  When people see a promo video for your ministry mostly what they experience is noise amongst the 20,000 adverts they see every day.  To them it’s just another piece of junk mail.  I know that sounds harsh.  It’s harsh because this is your ministry we’re talking about here.  It means a lot to you.  You’ve poured your sweat and tears into it, right?  So, with that let me press in and challenge you to be open to what I’m proposing because you care so much about your ministry and you want to see it succeed.

The other reason I believe people desire the promotional approach is that it feels good to be affirmed, and having the “main guy” do that from the stage feels like it gives your ministry a certain level of preeminence.  But let’s peel the layers back on this.  If we’re honest you’ll have to admit it feels good to get some notoriety.  It’s why people seek their 15 minutes of fame – it makes them feel like they’re somebody.  A Sunday morning video gives your ministry, and by extension you, 15 minutes of fame.

 

Did I just hurt someone’s feelings?  Well if you keep reading it likely won’t be the last time.

 

This might surprise you but notoriety or affirmations by “the main guy” are not compelling reasons for people to get plugged in.  I’ll admit it does create a level of awareness, but effectiveness is minimal.  At this point you’re probably resisting this idea that the promotional approach is wrong, right?  You rebut, “The promotional approach works for the advertising companies!”  But does it?  After American companies spent nearly $140 billion last year in promotion how much junk mail do you just throw away?  What do you do when a commercial comes on TV?  Do you really listen to the announcer at the stadium plugging local sponsors?  If we’re honest those are the times we check out.  We end up talking to the person sitting next to us, or rallying around some food.  Both of which are community oriented.  Which brings me to the two most effective ways at getting people to your ministry/event (No it’s not food, but food helps).

The promotional approach has a miniscule return compared to the community flavored approaches of invitational and attractional.  The first, and by far the most effective means to get people plugged into your ministry is simply by personally inviting them.  The one-on-one personal invite out distances all other methods by far, especially the promotional approach.  The number one reason people don’t go to church is the same reason they don’t attend your ministry/event – they haven’t received a personal invitation from someone they know.  The invitational approach is the most effective hands down.

There are many reasons why this approach isn’t embraced.  My guess is that you’ve come up with half a dozen in the time it’s taken to read the last half dozen sentences. I acknowledge that, as much as the invitational approach is effective, it is just as intimidating.  If we peel away the layers one of the biggest barriers is that it will take effort.  You’ll have to cast vision, develop a plan, and motivate the people in the ministry to invite people to the ministry.  And many in the ministry will resist that for the same reason they don’t share their faith or invite poeple to church – fear of rejection.  It means putting in individual effort by those in the ministry, which carries with it the weight of success/failure.  Removed is the scapegoat of not-getting-enough-support-on-Sundays-excuse.  I know – ouch.  I just stepped on some toes again.

It’ll always be easier to sit behind the blame bunker and toss out complaints about the lack of promotion on a Sunday morning, or lack of support by leadership as the reason why the ministry isn’t growing.  Word of mouth has been and always will be the most powerful form of marketing.  People buy products, and to a certain level they make those decisions based on a commercial.  People almost never join a community/ministry as a result of a commercial.  They do rather as a direct result of a personal one-on-one invitation.

If you get anything out of this article know this one thing.  Invitation is the single most effective means of marketing your ministry – period (read the last two sentences a few more times).  And I bet you still want a video/pastor’s promotion, and I have to ask, “Why?”

Do you want your ministry to be flashy or effective?  Consider how you answer that because this could be indicative of what’s happening in your own heart (I know… ouch).  Often we choose style over substance which sabotages our ministries.  We want luster rather than life change, which happens one on one.  We have to admit we live in a celerity culture and a “famous” ministry is alluring to us.  Let me say it again, we want luster rather than life change even if we couch it in spiritual sounding jargon.

 

Still with me?  If you are then good for you.  You want a successful ministry, and I’m rooting for you.

 

Second to invitational is the attractional approach.  I love this tradition of Alcoholics Anonymous.  Of their 12 traditions the 11^th says this: Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion.  I would argue that this is one of the reasons why they are so successful.  When stories get out about lives being changed, people being healed from past pains, relationships being reconciled and deepened, people realizing God wants to use them to change the world around them then people want to be a part of that community.  You must understand, at its essence your ministry is simply a shell that contains community.  If it doesn’t then it is an empty shell, and no surprise it’s not successful (Ouch! There I go again). 

People want to be a part of authentic community.  That’s just the way God wired us.  That means people will be attracted to a community that is vibrant, transparent, and safe.  People want to experience grace and truth.  Depth of relationship is your best publicity and no superficial commercial will ever be a replacement.  And again this takes effort.  You’ll have to cast vision, model what you want the ministry to become, and lead people forward.  And when this kind of community is happening then the people in the ministry will more likely embrace the invitational approach –they go hand in glove.  It will always be easier to settle for a 2 minute video promotion on a Sunday morning than to develop a community that’s attractive to others, and go about the work of one-on-one inviting.  So you’ll have to answer this question for yourself: Do I want easy or effective?

 

So, if you’re marketing shampoo go promotional.  If you want a successful ministry, go invitational and attractional.

 

I'm willing to bet that after all this you’re still saying, “OK, so we don’t need a video or pastor’s commercial, but it sure would be nice to have one.”  There’s nothing wrong with those things, but let them be the last thing you do rather than the first, and don’t expect great results, except a warm fuzzy seeing your ministry on the big screen.

Do yourself a favor and “market” your ministry the right way, but be prepared for God to deal with some of your own heart issues in the process.

How To Fix the Next Election

I hear the collective moan of disappointment, see the hanging head and drooping shoulders, feel the palpable anger stirring of those in my community who are followers of Jesus and hold biblical values.

 

The 2012 presidential election is over and the dreams of many have been crushed.

 

“How could they possibly vote that way?!”

“What’s wrong with them?!”

“Don’t they care about this country?! Don’t they care about our children?!”

“This country is going to hell in a hand basket!”

 

We look to politics and legislation to fix what we see as wrong. 

 

Understand that when people embrace ungodly values they are only acting naturally.  We shouldn’t be surprised when they vote for a candidate that does not hold to biblical values.  Let me say that again.  We shouldn’t be surprised.

 

Why wouldn’t they vote the way they did?  We are all born into a sin nature.  We all run towards selfishness, laziness, ungodly values, perversion, me-first-ness, and pride. Those around you who are “voting all whacked out” are only voting naturally.  Their vote will change when their nature changes and they embrace godly values.  The world will not change through legislation.  And if you’re trusting in politics to be that catalyst let me ask you: How’s that working for you?  People will not change through legislation.

 

It’s a matter of the heart. Period.  A person is not going to change because a certain candidate is elected, or a particular law is passed.  Rom 1:16 does not say “I am not ashamed of the political process, because it is the power of God for salvation…”

 

Nope.  Look carefully at what it says.  Don’t breeze over it.  Digest it and let it sink into your bones.

 

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."  (Rom 1:16-17 NIV)

 

Go ahead and read it one more time . . .

 

If you want the world to change around you – if you want your neighborhood, state, and nation to be righteous it is the power of the gospel that can accomplish that.  So the question is: How often have you shared the gospel with others?  Do a quick inventory of how many times you’ve shared Jesus with someone – anyone.  How often in the last week?  Month?

Years . . . ?

 

If you are like many Christians you find it difficult to latch onto the last time you’ve verbally shared Jesus with someone.

 

And why.  I think Paul addresses it right out of the gate in v. 16.  We are, deep down, in our everyday lives, ashamed of the gospel.  We are afraid to let people know we love Jesus.  We are afraid if people know, it will affect a job promotion – we will be shunned – not invited to the office lunch – left out of the birthday celebration rotation.  And we hide behind some rationalization that it’s illegal to talk about Jesus in my work place.  No it’s not.  “I’ll get fired.”  Not legally you won’t.  And what about your neighborhood?  You definitely won’t be evicted from your house if you talk with your neighbor about the grace and forgiveness you’ve received from Jesus.

 

So what do we end up doing?  We hide behind our computer screens yelling over Facebook at those crazies who vote for “the other guy.”  Why? Because it’s safe.  The worst level of rejection we will feel is being unfriended by someone on Facebook.  We hide behind the soft glow of the voting machine because it won’t ridicule me for following Jesus.  It’s anonymous.  It’s easy not to care what it thinks about me.

 

Sadly, for too many of us, we vote for a president more often than we share the hope of Jesus with someone.

 

(… and complain the rest of the time that the world is going down the toilet.)

Deep Thoughts of Saturday AM

I’m sitting outside on a chilly, overcast Saturday morning.  As I look at the tree we’ve had since we’ve moved in I remember back when it was a 5ft sapling.  It’s bark was baby-butt smooth and soft.   Now its bark from branches down is gnarled, slit, scarred, and jagged. 

It reminds me of life.  As the years passed the soft bark split in order to make way for grow.  From the places I whacked it with the weed-eater when it was young it has grown extra thick, tough bark.  But the whole tree is not old and hardened. 

The branches nearest the leaves still have that baby smooth bark.  This is the place where the leaves stretch out for the warmth of the sun; for the food of light.  It speaks of faith. 

Mark 10:15

“Mark this: Unless you accept God's kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you'll never get in."

(from THE MESSAGE.)

 And where the bark is most disfigured it is closest to the roots.  And even if you look at the roots themselves they are somewhat grotesque.   They are not a pretty tangle as spaghetti is, but much more an ugly mess of matted hair.  And yet this is what gives it stability, reaches into the depth of nutrients to sustain life especially in the death of winter. 

Rom 5:3-5

3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.

(from New Living Translation) 

There’s the deep thought of Saturday morning.  It sounds like the fan in my computer is dying.  I better take it in soon.

 

Leaving a Legacy

 

2 Tim 1:5

I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.
NLT

 

Guilty

I got caught.

And since I’ve been busted I might as well confess (Isn’t that the way it usually happens with our public officials).

 

OK.  Here goes . . .

I enjoy going to Bath and Body Works.

“Bath and Body Works?  Isn’t that the girlie store that sells all that frou-frou smelly stuff.”

Yes it is (expletive)!  I had to cuss to retain a certain level of manhood.  Oh how I wish I had a tattoo right now.  And some chewing tobacco.  And a Harley.  And some steel-toed boots.  And a samurai sword . . . wait I DO have one of those.  Only it’s stuck in the wooden holder thingy.  So if I wanted to I could beat you with a shiny stick that has an ornately wrapped handle.

Stand back and behold my manliness. (insert sounds of bass drums or thunder)

So we needed some more soap in the house and off to the aroma palace we went – me and my wife  (BTW she’s the one that got me hooked on these soaps in the first place).  As I’m prancing after my wife through this girlie store carrying six pump-action (yes like a shotgun . . . OK not really) soaps a lady comes up to me and offers me an in-house shopping bag to put them in.

 

Cool.  Until I hear her utter the phrase, “You can tell this story at church tomorrow.”  That cop-car-turning-on-its-light bar-behind-you cold chill went down my spine.  I slowly look up to see Kelly from church.  Busted.

So now I confess that I like going to Bath and Body Works, and I absolutely love those smelly pump soaps.  You know they have the new holiday scents out.  We got Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin.  My all-time favorite is Moonlight Path . . .

I’m reaching for my shiny stick with the ornately wrapped handle . . .

Anyway my love for these pleasing aromas reminded me of these verses:

Gen 8:21a

And the Lord was pleased with the aroma of the sacrifice…

 

Phil 4:18b

… It is like a sweet-smelling sacrifice offered to God, who accepts that sacrifice and is pleased with it.

 

Eph 5:1-2

 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

 

Shattered Faith

Twinkies they just never disappoint.  In fact they last forever.  I read that on the internet.  It’s a fact that these little chunks of spongy heaven will outlast the cellophane they are wrapped in.  And that’s because they are made with a common chemical used in embalming fluid.

 Well if only that were true…

 

But alas the sad fact is Twinkies don’t last forever.  They only have a shelf life of 25 days.  I know this might crush your universe, but there is a possibility that you could open a Twinkie and be disappointed.  That small mound of creamy filled goodness could in fact . . . betray your trust.

And I know that you are asking the question I once asked, “Well if I can’t trust in a Twinkie what CAN I trust in?”  The day I realized this was a very sad day indeed.

 

The fact is everything in this life will disappoint you.

 

Material things.  How long did that new car smell last?

Circumstances.  Ever have something NOT go your way?

Politics.  Ever had a politician you voted for NOT keep a promise?

Relationships.  Ever been hurt by someone you care about?

Yourself.  How long did that New Year’s resolution last?

 

Everything and everyone in this life will betray your trust at some point . . . except one person.

(Hint: It’s the obvious Sunday school answer)

Harmonized Heart-to-Heart

A few years ago I had quite the humorous experience.  It was mid-afternoon at the office and I was making a trip to the restroom.  As I walked down the hall I noticed one of my colleagues following me.  He’s a good guy, great sense of humor –especially in creating awkward moments.  We’re comfortable with each other which played into what transpired next.

 

So I made my way into the last stall and proceeded to go through the oft practiced ritual.  I heard him come in and take position at one of the urinals.  Then he proceeded to strike up a conversation – a slight breach in bathroom etiquette to say the least, but par for the course with this guy.

 

 

Him: “Hey what’s up?”

 

Me: “Not much.  How’s it going?”

 

Him: “Good.  Been busy lately. Know what I mean.”

 

Me: “Yep.”

 

The conversation continued for a few more volleys of small talk, perfect in its call-and-response rhythm, where upon I concluded my business and exited the stall only to realize . . .

 

. . . he’d been on the phone with another person the whole time who was reciting the same lines as me.  With one of those Bluetooth devices attached to his ear he was in this love triangle of conversations – the perfect storm of synchronized dialogue. It was a two-sided chat between three people.  The quirkiness of the whole situation descended on me like a cloud of laughing gas.  I just couldn’t stop.  The more I replayed our perfectly timed exchange the harder I laughed.

 

I wonder how many times I’ve thought I was in sync with God when I was just having a shallow conversation with myself . . .

Update . . . (I lost count)

As many of you have seen at church, Tess is getting around pretty well. Although, her energy level drops off pretty quickly in the afternoon.

We received great news from the Oncologist (people who treat cancer patients). Initially we were given the options of a lumpectomy with chemo/radiation, or mastectomy with hormone therapy. Both paths had their pros and cons and was like comparing apples to oranges. We prayed like crazy that God would guide us in this decision (novel idea...) and were clearly led to a bi-lateral mastectomy followed by 5 years of hormone therapy (fraught with risks itself - stroke, menopause, cervical cancer, etc. . . ).

Friday we went into the oncologist and were told that we were done. Tess needed no further treatment. After questioning the doctor (which he didn't seem to take well) it sunk in that God had healed her completely. Since it was caught early and we were very aggressive in treatment there was no need for the hormone therapy. She is 99.9% breast cancer free.

We had to celebrate

By the way ladies I'm going to get up on my soap box and encourage you to get your mammogram done! The earlier you catch anything the easier it becomes to treat it. I know many ladies are afraid they will find something but that's the point. You owe it to your loved ones.

Tha Bane of the American Church

 

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(Image courtesy: http://www.polyp.org.uk/cartoons/consumerism/polyp_cartoon_Rat_Race.jpg)