Wow… returned to Saddleback on Thursday (October 18). Not to sit in the back of the room and discreetly take notes, but to sit on stage and answer questions.
It was–to put it mildly–an honor.
As you may know, Jim and I met with a few folks from Saddleback in September. Well, we had such a lovely time that Clayton Coates–pastor of EPIC at Saddleback (http://www.saddlebackfamily.com/epic/default.asp)–asked if I would mind coming up to speak to his group of about 100. And would I bring Jason, too…
So, Jason (my friend and the pastor whose home church I attended for the book) and I went to Saddleback.
There were more than a few Jim & Casper friends and fans in the house, and I got to talk with many of them face to face, which I always enjoy as so much of how we really communicate is done with our expressions and body language.
We talked about the book (of course), what it means to be an atheist (and what I consider to be the difference between my relatively agenda-less atheism and the “anti-theism” practiced by Hitchens, et al.), and–best of all–how to step outside your belief system and be friends with anyone you choose.
It went swimmingly. And Clayton wants to continue this and have another “Jim & Casper” night soon.
Last month, Matt and I had our first road trip since writing Jim & Casper Go to Church.
We flew into Denver Colorado at the invitation of The Refuge, a cutting-edge community of Jesus followers. They set us up with Young Life at Colorado University in Boulder on a Friday night. The room was full. Matt and I were shocked at the turn out and the energy that was in the room.
Next morning, we spoke at Pathways Church in Denver to a group of about 200 bright, young urbanites. We couldn’t figure out why they would show up on a beautiful day at 10:00 in the morning to hear from America’s spiritual odd couple, Jim and Casper.
We wrapped our tour with a tent meeting. The Refuge got bumped from their regular rental spot so they set up a few tent like structures and again it was packed and very energized. Kathy Escobar and Karl Wheeler, co-pastors of The Refuge, are outstanding leaders and a joy to be around. (more…)
Kewl posted this comment in a discussion on one of our church ratings. It’s a great reminder not to assume people are selfish (un-otherly) just because we see they have more material possessions than we do.
Abraham received,
a promise - that God would make his seed as abundant as the stars of the sky and the grains of sand on the seashore
a blessing - I will bless you with abundant blessing
Jesus is the ultimate blessing. However, Paul said that the blessing given to Abraham came upon the church (Gal. 3:14).
But God gave Abraham a blessing in his lifetime. It was material abundance.
Most of the Old Testament figures were highly prosperous. The way I see it, God gave them blessing to be a blessing.
When Jesus talked about in Matt. 24 (25?) about feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the prisons, etc., I see this as being possible through prosperity. You certainly can’t feed anyone else if you can’t feed yourself.
Granted that a lot of prosperity motivations are not fueled by the desire to help those who are in need. That’s not my problem. There’s nothing I can do about if I did take it on as my problem. (more…)
My name is Bobby Triplett, I have become over the last couple of months a disciple so to speak of “Jim and Casper Go to Churchâ€. I received the book through the RELEVANT Leadership Network and to my surprise… it changed my life.
Over the past year or so, God has been changing me from the inside out… and giving me a vision and a passion to be the church. To show this 20somethings generation that they are a revolution… that God is worth trusting… and that people are worth loving.
I have been a church planter, as a worship leader/arts pastor, (www.crossingonline.org ) that grew into this mega church giant, and now God is calling me to plant again… but a new kind of church… the kind where less is really more.
Thank you for rocking my world… thank you for being honest… thank you for valuing the opinions of the people we are called to fall in love with…Matt and Jim…you two are a revolution.
I am sure you get this a lot… but if your ever in Tampa Fl… and watch to catch a game, or a great meal and have a conversation… hit me up Guys.
By Jim Henderson 
