test

Being Incarnational. (great podcast)

Great podcast to listen to while you work, drive... "Every once in a while you sit with someone and know you’ve touched something alive in the kingdom. That happened in May as I sat with Pete Atkins to record the audio interview for this month’s Journal." ---Alan Roxburgh

Podcast and Full article

7 Summers...what would you do?

The first step in any good plan is to frame the questions Can we identify the best catalysts for change... strengthening of family and neighborhood, dream incubators, dream teams, youth cells and empowering networks, business support, school and community partnerships? How do we create the support structure for that kind of vision in the church? Could parents and young adults be motivated to play their key part, and along what line? Are there many adults whose own calling and dreams would be fulfilled in this kind of movement? I think so.

Also, what dialog, brainstorming, and planning models would facilitate rapid development and implementation. How do we engage children and youth themselves into the imagining and planning process early and give this enough force to drive action?

Also, how do we enlarge the online conversation and idea-generating process? And if this vision (or something like it) is indeed vastly superior to where we are and where we seem to be going, isn't it worth it? Isn't it worth all the prioritization, thoughfulness, creativity, and sacrifice God may be asking?

7 Summers to Change the World (free video)

Watch this 1-minute video with a few of your colleagues. Discuss what you've seen work. Create your own think tank group... imagine what could work if we did not limit ourselves because of time, money, or traditions. Then drop me an email. I'll post your thoughts and ideas.

Post a comment on YouTube (it helps spread the word). Download the HD version (from our site) to show your group. Share it freely...pass it around... it's yours, for the cause (please just keep intact).

Incarnational Church Planting Project

Great video on incarnational church planting, in this case 'urban' incarnational church planting in Denver. If for planting, why not for exisitng churches? If for urban, why not for suburban and rural? In any case, it really is exciting to see young people becoming so active in missional church planting, and incarnational mission.

Honoring Teachers, Schools, and Towns

A Tribute To Teachers. Thousands of communities will take time out during May to honor the teachers in their communities. It wouldn't take much creativity for a community-minded church to program a special emphasis / theme-campaign as a withreach opportunity... having the potential to create many new relationships, cultural bridges, and a high-profile catalyst for transformation. September would be another good time, oh and don't forget private schools and homeschool "teachers."

For ideas, just Google "teacher's day," but here's a few: click... here, here, or here.

Back Office Work

Over the last few weeks there's been a lot of new projects rolling out of production. Many of these projects were the result of specific client requests. Many times these new media campaigns never make it to our website, so I thought I'd post a few here. They should be self explanatory...

Easter in the era of "whatever"

In a recent brainstorm with some 20-30 year olds, we sought to rethink a familiar challenge, one that usually goes like this... When Easter rolls around the churches in America face a major dilemma: One one hand, Easter is probably the most effective time of the year to raise their profile (fishing when the fishing is good). On the other hand, the US population who still have favorable memories or understand the meaning of Easter is a diminishing audience. Though it remains one of the best times of the year to build awareness (and attendance) we searched for a way that also speaks with relevance to this growing sector. We had these goals for it: 1) it had to connect to an authentic felt need, and 2) do it in a clear and simple way, and 3) be seen as coming from real, unpretentious, caring people.

This led to the development of the Don't Change A Thing campaign.
Here are a few examples (the rest can be found on the Breakthrough site). I will be posting more ads and photos here and would love your feedback on them.


Headline:
Don't Change A Thing. ... If It Changes Who You Really Are.
... and some suggested reverse side text:

Everyday we encounter pressures to conform, to approach life-change as an outside-in acquisition of principles and social norms, rather than an inside-out process of becoming our true selves. The Bible contrasts a life of conforming with a life that's transforming. It speaks of regeneration, renewal of our minds, and being reborn. But the fact is, it's far easier to cave in to expectations. It takes courage to live out of your true heart and follow the dreams you were meant to fulfill. If you're looking for people who will treasure the real you and support you in your journey, we'd like to be that people. A new day is dawning, and we can begin this Easter to resurrect the life we were meant to live... lives not meant to conform to the world, but transform it!

I've posted a few of these in the: Portfolio, but ideas for other target audiences (by way of their photo representation on the cover) could go in many interesting directions. Where would you want to go?

Idea Starters

I'm working on some new campaign ideas...sure love to get some advance feedback (here or by email). These pieces are part of an ongoing development for use in engaging a community (families, kids, youth) to awaken God-given dreams and begin conversations and dream-coaching relationships. Do they spark ideas in you?