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.”

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!

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

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.

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.

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 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.

My grad school professors, Restoration Movement leaders, Evangelical leaders, ICOC leaders, friends, thinkers, and others have all been part of God's inner excavation project in my heart and mind this year. It's great to feel internal reinvention going on even when you haven't exactly crystallized all of it. You feel more alive in those seasons, don't you? It's cool.

Find a teacher and learn. Find a mentor and grow. Find someone to mentor and contribute to humanity. Find out who and what God used to shape you as you figure out where he wants to take you. It’s one of the best parts of life.

One of the most life shaping questions we all have to answer at some point is this: "Who am I going to trust?" That crucial decision determines who we are and who we'll become as much as any other. Fortunately, we can overcome the debilitating fear of being hurt by learning the art of trusting others. Watch this thought provoking 3 minute video on the subject. If you want to go a little deeper with it watch the trust app. An open heart, strengthened by healthy boundaries, is worth fighting for.