BlogBloghttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2012-05-03T18:39:57ZSquarespaceReligion - A Good Thing?http://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2012/5/2/religion-a-good-thing.htmlKevin Holland2012-05-02T07:37:25Z2012-05-02T07:37:25ZOften, the institution of religion gets a bad rap.  While it is true that myriad atrocities and injustices have been visited upon humanity through godless religion, there is more to the story. Did you know that churches and Christian organizations established most of the world’s hospitals, benevolent organizations, colleges, universities, and schools? It’s interesting, isn’t it?  Both good and bad have been done in the name of religion. So is religion good or bad? I sense another shade of “gray” coming on.

In James 1:27, the brother of Jesus, wrote the following commentary on religion: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”  Then as now, honest God-filled religion heals and gives life.

Recently, Jay and Traci Minor heroically joined other TP couples by adopted two young children. Another couple has begun caring for a widow full time. More of our members are hearing the voice of God calling them to action in these areas.

Debates about what’s most important to God and what should be most important to the church abound in Christendom. In this milieu, God’s call to care for orphans and widows and to resist worldliness isn’t debatable. Having compassion for the weakest and most vulnerable among us is non-negotiable. We’re trying to grow in this area as a church and are looking to imitate those that are farther down this road than we are. It is nice to address an area that isn’t "gray." This is pretty "black and white,” don’t you think?

 

]]>Conflict…Argh!http://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2012/4/3/conflictargh.htmlKevin Holland2012-04-04T06:31:51Z2012-04-04T06:31:51ZDream Teamhttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2012/2/28/dream-team.htmlKevin Holland2012-02-29T07:40:58Z2012-02-29T07:40:58ZSome of my fondest memories are of teams, bands, and clubs that I was a member of growing up. Chances are that you have similar experiences too. We all want to feel that we belong somewhere and that we matter to someone.

A dream team is not based primarily on talent. It's based on everyone on the team being able to fulfill a role that fits them. Someone said that the happiest place on earth is where your talent and God's will intersect. Part of the joy in helping build a church is helping people find where they fit based on whom God uniquely designed them to be. Though it doesn't always work out perfectly and isn't easy, there are few things like it, when it does.

Below is a short video introduction to Patrick Lencioni's book, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team. It's a great read because it unpacks why some teams work and some don't. I highly recommend it. May we all find where we fit and make the most of it.

]]>Battle Lineshttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2012/2/1/battle-lines.htmlKevin Holland2012-02-01T09:42:06Z2012-02-01T09:42:06ZSidone Holland is a dear friend of mine. She emailed a link to an online article entitled How Will The Shocking Decline of Christianity in America Affect the Future of this Nation?. Talk about a sobering read. It contains statistics and facts that show that discipleship is in decline in the USA and that it’s pretty much a lost cause, especially among 18-29 year olds.

On the other hand, there are hundreds of American churches with attendance in the thousands and deep conviction about reaching this generation. In addition, the spoken word video below, entitled Why I Hate Religion but Love Jesus, was written and performed by a 22-year-old named Jefferson Bethke. It’s had nearly 18,000,000 hits on YouTube to date. Apparently, young people are still interested in Jesus’ message. Every generation has to fight to gain, keep, and spread their faith.  What a calling for which to live! What a cause for which to fight! Our church is ALL IN and the new Millennial Generation Initiative (MGI) has gotten of to jaw-dropping start. It’s been great to see so many Millennials seeking and finding God. I’m really thankful to be witnessing it.

The battle lines are drawn; the odds long. Come to think of it, that’s how it’s always been. As Rob Bell wrote in Velvet Elvis, Jesus message and church are “still going after all this time. After the Crusades, the Inquisition, and Christian cable television...She (the church) will continue to roll across the ages, serving and giving and connecting people with God and each other. And people will abuse her and manipulate her and try to control her, but they’ll pass on. And she will keep going.”

]]>Seminary for Dummieshttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2011/12/31/seminary-for-dummies.htmlKevin Holland2011-12-31T08:27:19Z2011-12-31T08:27:19Z"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV)

After 6 years, 18 courses, 54 unit hours, hundreds of books and articles read, and dozens of papers written, etc, I'm scheduled to graduate in May of 2012 with a Master of Arts in Christian Ministry degree , from the Harding School of Theology in Memphis TN.  I've also taken some of the courses toward this degree at Azusa Pacific University, Abilene Christian University, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and have done research at Fuller Theological Seminary. My file with all the course work done is 160 MB :) 

The Spirit has put on my heart the desire to teach a Master's in Theology Overview Class for Turing Point beginning on Wednesday January 4th at the Burbank Worship Center. The hope is for this to be a "seminary for dummies" of sorts.

As I always say, I'm not a scholar or an expert but I am an avid student. I know that many of you have done more study or similar study. I can't fill your cup but I do want to empty mine into yours. What I look forward to most is being able to "upload" the highlights and best information from these studies onto your hard drives! I hope that our roots will grow deeper, our spiritual foundation will broaden, and our toolbox of spiritual resources will expand as a result.

 

We envision a schedule sort of like an academic calendar with four quarters in 2012 with the following tentative schedule: Winter quarter: Systematic Theology (what the heck is theology anyway?); Spring Quarter: Advanced Old Testament Overview and Study, Summer Quarter; Advanced New Testament Overview and Study; Fall Quarter: Church History and Christianity in Europe and America. We’d also like to give out certificates of completion at the end of the year to those who participate. More details are to come but I just wanted to put this on your radar. Hello 2012 & Happy New Year to all of you!

 

]]>MGIhttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2011/11/29/mgi.htmlKevin Holland2011-11-30T07:50:16Z2011-11-30T07:50:16ZDuring a message on Sunday November 13th, I asked all of the members of our church to give the next year of their lives to reaching the Millennial Generation for Christ. In addition, I asked all those who would volunteer to be a part of a special mission team/task force to focus intently on engaging this emerging generation. We are calling it the Millennial Generation Initiative (MGI) and can’t wait to see what God does with it in 2012!

TP 2012 Millennial Generation Initiative Video from TurningPoint Church on Vimeo.

]]>All Inhttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2011/10/30/all-in.htmlKevin Holland2011-10-30T07:21:06Z2011-10-30T07:21:06ZIn every endeavor of life, there are those that are marginally committed and those that are all in. Sometimes you can't tell the difference at the beginning. Nevertheless, time and adversity eventually separate the two.  

If there is any cause that deserves an All In devotion, it’s following Jesus.  

Being all in is not a onetime event but a day-to-day choice. That's what we as a church are going to recommit to in 2012; being All In, all the time.

  

]]>Transformershttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2011/9/28/transformers.htmlKevin Holland2011-09-29T03:34:03Z2011-09-29T03:34:03ZA while back, Jay Torres recalled something that caught his attention and motivated him to focus more intently on pursuing his relationship with God. He said that seeing the personal transformation in the lives of his sister in law and her husband, Fei and Michael Baumgart, changed him. Jay was baptized earlier this year. His wife Shimooi became a Christian last year. The Torres family and countless others first witnessed transformation; then they experienced it for themselves.

Each Sunday in October, our worship services will feature two members of our church family sharing their stories of how God has radically changed their lives for the better. It’ll be a great way to honor him and to illustrate what following Jesus looks like day in and day out. As it fitting, we’re calling this new Sunday message series Transformers! It promises to be a great time. See you there!

Transformation 9-28-11 from TurningPoint Church on Vimeo.

]]>Sowing and Reapinghttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2011/9/2/sowing-and-reaping.htmlKevin Holland2011-09-02T07:04:37Z2011-09-02T07:04:37ZOne of the inescapable truths in life is that you reap what you sow. In addition, you reap in a season later than you sow, and you reap more than you sow. What's tough about this is that we're wired to seek instant gratification. We want to reap right after we sow. That desire has led all of us to take some shortcuts that ended up being dead ends.

Occasionally you get to see someone enjoy a season of reaping after many years of seemingly unrewarded sowing. Sometimes there are happy endings. The video below documents some happy "middles."

Our teens were interviewed and asked how being raised in a Christian home has made a difference in their lives. These families are far from being perfect but they are really trying to live as Christ followers. What's amazing is seeing some of these young adults you've known since they were three months old respond as mature college bound disciples. God only knows how much their parents, KidsPoint teachers, teen leaders, siblings, and friends have sown into their hearts, minds, and lives. One thing that is clear is that seeing a young life fully devoted to God is breathtaking. Is it worth it? I think so. I hope this encourages us to keep sowing the best seed we can, knowing that God is faithful and that a harvest is coming. Enjoy...

 

Teen Legacy - 8/14/11 from TurningPoint Church on Vimeo.

 

]]>Modern Familyhttp://www.kevinholland.org/blog/2011/7/31/modern-family.htmlKevin Holland2011-08-01T04:54:40Z2011-08-01T04:54:40Z“Although I hope I can come to you soon, I am writing these things to you now. Then, even if I am delayed, you will know how to live in the family of God. That family is the church of the living God, the support and foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:14 (NCV)

Modern Family is a popular ABC sitcom featuring an unconventional take on family. It resonates because though every generation defines family differently, the need for it is woven into our DNA. We were made to live in community. We were formed for family.

But family is complicated, isn’t it? In the deepest part of our souls, we crave intimate relationships. At the same time, no one can push our buttons like family can.  For some, this subject evokes fond memories; for others, deep pain and agony.

Fortunately the Scripture state that God is “a father to the fatherless" and that "he sets the lonely in families.” It's interesting that our heavenly Father describes the church as his family. Above all else, that's what Turning Point is; a community of Chris followers; a local spiritual family in this post-modern world.

We're contributing to this nearly 2,000 year old conversation about what a "grace and truth" filled life of discipleship looks like. I think we've figured some things out and are in the dark on others, just like those who came before us. All things considered, it's just cool to give it our best effort and to be a part of the discussion.

Figuring out how to be a happy functional part of our physical family and our church family is a big deal. We’re going to take a stab at it this month; should be interesting.

 

 

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