Pokemon Go and Church

Okay I have to get it out there, this whole thing is getting really ridiculous.  But for future readers or those who may be living under the most isolated rock in existence, a quick overview of Pokemon Go and the problem.

A couple weeks ago at the time of this post, the game released for free on Android and iPhone that has had a huge social impact on our country, Pokemon Go.  The concept is simple, take a known and loved brand "Pokemon", and make it so you can collect the characters from the game/show by visiting real life locations where they will appear, using your phone's camera to show the Pokemon in "real life" places.  The game uses GPS to generate the Pokemon at set locations to foster exercise and exploration.  Other than that, the game mechanics are simple.  There are locations in the world called "Pokestops" where players can restock their supplies for free, and meet with other players and attract Pokemon all while hanging out and making friends.  There's also gym locations, that one can use his/her Pokemon to battle for control of.  This means there is a constant battle for supremacy between the 3 teams you can choose to be a part of in Pokemon Go, happening in your city at all times.

And the response has been OVERWHELMING.

In the first week, the app topped twitter's daily user count (ridiculous), and searches on Google for Pokemon go related items outnumbered porn searches in the first week.  And as most internet users know, THAT'S CRAZY TALK!

In fact, one of the features in the game is called a "lure".  You can use a lure at any Pokestop to attract Pokemon for ANY players in the area for a set period of time (I think it's a half hour each).  Businesses that are pokestops have jumped on this and reported huge business gains in certain areas.

So what does this have to do with church, ministry, Jesus, any of it?  And why is there a problem?

Oddly enough, the game automatically finds locations of interest and historical value, and marks them using GPS as Pokestops and gyms.  What is odd, is that about 80% of these places seem to be Churches.  

Great!  A new way to engage people in the life of the Church!  A way to bring people to the place they usually try to avoid!

Wait...what?  You're mad?  ....Seriously?

It's been very disheartening recently, both as a youth worker and as a Pokemon Go enthusiast, as I have been talking with large and small local churches.  The reports have nothing short of shocked me.  Like in an angry way, not a cute Pikachu way.

I talked to one church that was fortunate enough to have 4 Pokestops in their parking lot.  That's crazy, and the only reason it was allowed in the game is because they have a walking trail that has monuments on it that registered in game.  Naturally they are SWARMED with Pokemon players every single day since release.  Church workers have reported to me that they have about 100-200 people every day/night that come to walk, drive in the parking lot, and play Pokemon go.  Again, not seeing the problem?

The church doesn't see this as an opportunity, but as a danger and a safety hazard.  They have reported incidents like the following:  Cars coming within inches of hitting the building since they are not paying attention while playing in the car, leaving beer and cigarette remains in the parking lot (and having that stuff around to begin with in the parking lot), and general noise complaints being called in by their neighbors.  During business hours, they have to put up cones to block the walkway for the staff to make them feel safer when walking in the building.  They have to triple check all the locks daily for fear of someone wandering in to catch a Pokemon and setting off the alarm, or worse.

So...as far as I can tell...that's it?

They are trying to get the Pokestop locations removed from the game to stop these people from coming and loitering.

Church...when did we become so anti-social, so paranoid, so focused on ourselves?  Listening to so many Christians try to justify why they hate Pokemon Go and don't want to use it or don't see it as a ministry tool, is like listening to a child try to explain their way out of a chore.  It's...just kinda sad and pathetic.

Jesus went to drinkers, gamblers, prostitutes, and sat and talked and hung out with them.  He flipped tables in the temple, knowing that it would bring attention to Him, and that it would lead to His Crucifixion.  I think we can all agree that we don't do the best job in the world of going out to where people are to talk about Jesus.  That's a fair and longstanding criticism of the Church.

But where do you get off trying to justify sending people away from church, when they're COMING TO YOU?  For any reason?  And why?  Because they're drinking?  Smoking?  Creating an environment you're not comfortable with?

I'm not saying that you should look at that behavior, and say that you condone it, or participate in it, and maybe there's some steps to take internally to facilitate a ministry like that, but you have no right
to shut down such an obvious ministry opportunity.

Some churches are not Pokestops, or gyms, and so this may not affect all, but what does it hurt to look into it?  And is it worth it (answer: yes)?

How can you harness this, turn something like this into a Jesus opportunity?  Download the game, learn a bit about it, and you'll see the implications!  Use Lures to make Pokemon meet up events, serve some refreshments to Pokemon goers, and talk about your upcoming bible study!  If you're a gym, lucky you!  Have a tournament and have all 3 teams represented to fight for control of your gym, with a prize to the winner!  Have fliers and pamphlets there, and some loving people to greet them!

Some of you don't want to see it because you're not a fan of the game, or the concept, or you've heard of people getting in wrecks because they were stupid while using the app, as if that were really the app's fault, or takes away from the opportunity in front of you.

Stop making excuses, and if you're sending people away from God's house:  Shame.  On.  You.


1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.  To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.  To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.  To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.  To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.  I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.  I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Higher than the Mountains, Deeper than the Seas?

EDIT:  This post was created but not completed a long time before I actually posted it, about a week or something after the Boston Marathon bombing as the post suggests.  Just for context.  I completed the ending points recently but most of the rest is in tact from the original post.

Okay, I have a challenge for you.  Explore the depths of your faith.  It's easy to say.  But in reality we rarely do it.

As I write this post, we are in the midst of a Facebook riot (what's new), about the upcoming gay marriage legislation.  We are also only days out from a terrible act of violence against Boston, when 2 bombs exploded as the Boston Marathon came to a close.  A lot of people are looking closely at Christianity, as this country usually tends to do in the wake of a disaster or tragedy.  At the same time, a lot of people are declaring Christianity without looking closely enough at it.  So I have to ask:

Where is the beginning and end of your faith?


As easy as it is to ask such a deeply theological question like that one, it's a little hard to put it into application.  So let's break it down briefly.

The beginning of your faith

Have you ever stopped to think when you started believing?  Not just in God or Christianity, but anything at all, from political ideals to parenting ideas, to personal opinions on anything.  Most of us have certain opinions, beliefs, or values that we assume that are our own, but in reality are passed down.  Is that faith?

Belief comes from a reasonable conclusion.  Faith comes from transformation.

Non-Christians-If you are not sure about your faith or belief, have you felt a strange curiosity about God?  Like you knew something is bigger than you, or even this world?  That is the first step to belief, the desire for the truth.

Christians-Did you have that "ah ha" moment?  Where you felt the power of Christ in your life undeniably?  This is the transformation that leads to faith.

I'm not saying that you have to have an absolute supernatural experience, or a breakdown moment in your life in order to live for Christ.  What I am saying is that there is always a moment you can trace your faith back to, when you knew the presence of God undeniably.  If you haven't, then explore your beliefs.  Read the Bible, and I am convinced you will find the origins of your real faith.

The end of your faith

What is the point and purpose of your faith?  Do you believe because you want to go to heaven?  Do you believe because you like the morals?  Because it's what your parents believe?

The motivation behind your beliefs tell us everything about your faith.

Ready for my shocking statement?

There are some Non-Christians who are more justified in their beliefs than many Christians are in their faith.

Wait, what?!

Seems crazy to even say it, I mean we're talking about people who supposedly DON'T believe in God!  But that's where we get to our point and challenge, so I'll repeat myself:  The motivation behind your beliefs tell us everything about your faith.  For some, the motivation behind their beliefs is happiness, longing, fulfillment, responsibility, morals, etc.  Truth be told, that's a poor excuse or reason to believe something isn't it?

But then there are others, Christians and Non-Christians alike, whose purpose in believing what they believe is the pursuit of what is true.  Now that-is a justifiable reason to believe something.  The only difference is that Non-Christians that search for the truth but don't believe in God, haven't had a transformation moment yet.  No one has come into their life to show them the truth that is Christ.  But let's not get it twisted.  The motivation behind a Christian belief is either the pursuit of truth, or it's rubbish, crap, useless, nonsense.  Search for God because it's true, NOT to make yourself feel better, more fulfilled, happier, etc.  The knowledge of what the truth is naturally yields those things, because it's an AMAZING truth.

Christians-Pray for truth.  Seek truth.  Read and study, both the Bible and other texts.  Think and deeply contemplate on why your faith is what it is.  Grow your faith by growing your mind and your servant's heart, by spreading that knowledge and having conversations and debates, with open hearts and open minds.

Non-Christians-Pray for truth.  Seek truth.  My advice is the same, but with a caveat.  Do not seek truth with the intention of forcing your beliefs to be true.  If you have doubts about God, don't let them rule over your objective thinking.  Open your mind to the real and legitimate possibility that God exists and it's all true.  Then seek the truth.

Seeking the truth will reveal your belief, and grow your faith.

What's your end game?  What are you trying to accomplish by believing?  Is how it started, and where it's going, serve the purpose of seeking and spreading truth?

Spiritual Doubt

Here's a sermon I had to do for a class.  Very on topic with this blog, and since I don't have time to update as much as I'd like, I figured I'd share.  Written as if it were a spoken message.  A small bit more academic than my usual, but if you have the patience, Enjoy!

"Spiritual Doubt"

          A student at Johnson recently made the trip to Johnson, toured the campus and fell in love with its beauty and serene quiet. He instantly knew that he would attend this institution. His love for God, and his love for serving had all come together in what seemed like a definite call from God. So they filled out the paperwork, got everything going, when the receptionist helping with asked him if he had attended any prior colleges. He replied that he had indeed attended ISU for a few semesters. She informed him that Johnson would require his ISU transcripts before they could proceed. This presented a very large problem for this student, as he owed 3000 dollars to ISU, and they would not release his transcripts until the balance was settled. Immediately his heart sunk. He even recollects the room spinning when she said it, his grief was so much. For him, this 3000 dollar bill was going to be the end of it all, the beautiful campus, the call from God, the exciting new direction his life was turning, the pride his parents felt towards him for his decision, everything.

          I am confident that in our lives we have all experienced, in some varying degree, this moment in life. That moment when it all comes crashing down: Our plans, our comfort, our money, our cars, our friends, our health, our relationships, whatever it may be. How did you react in that moment? How will you react when it inevitably happens again?

          Our text today is in Colossians Chapter 2, verses 16-23. “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions. He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Since you died with Christ to the basic principles of this world, why as though you still belonged to it, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!” These are all destined to perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”

          Verse 20 implies a deep sense of trust in Christ when it talks about dying with him to the principles of this world. What is even more interesting is that he already assumes this about the listeners! Paul is asking the question here, 'since you are already saved with Christ, why are you trusting in worldly things?' We have always had problems with trust has a human species all the way back to Adam and Eve. Their distrust and disobedience caused sin to run rampant in this world. The example that really gets me the most though, is in Exodus. God gives his people the Book of the Covenant. Chapter 24 Verse 7: “Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey”. That sounds like conviction to me! Long term Christians and new Christians, ask yourself this question, when did you make that statement to God? I WILL OBEY! If any of you have had a dramatic conversion experience, you have experienced this. It's very satisfying but yet very easy to make that commitment. I WILL OBEY!

          Reading on in chapter 32, not even 40 days later, they fall short in a big way. Chapter 32 verse 1: “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him.” Christians, how long did it take you to fall short? Was it a slow drift, or did your heart turn away quick and suddenly? And why does this happen? Have you really died to this world? When Christ called you personally into service and life with Him, you followed Him into death. Death away from this world and to your sins. Have you really died? It's a spiritual trust issue.

          The student that wanted to go to Johnson steadied himself and sat in the suddenly small seeming car on the way back to Indiana. As he stared out the window, ignoring the comforting words of his father, he doubted. He thought that God obviously didn't want him at Johnson, and that he should quit his ministry ambitions. He got home and was offered the money up front with no interest, and is now attending Johnson by the grace of God. He questioned God's plan so quickly, and so do we all. It's a trust issue. So we immediately turn to our own plans, our own power, our own decisions for guidance.

          Another Johnson student, when he was a recent Christian, was working at a youth summer camp. He was still fresh in the excitement of his call to ministry and his new life in Christ, and seeing it happen with youth was his passion. His girlfriend was working there with him at the time. “Decision Day” came, when all the kids make a decision to follow Christ publicly, and in many cases get baptized. He was so excited that 2 of the students that he was leading came to him and asked to get baptized, that he told his girlfriend. None of her youth wanted to be baptized, and she immediately and persistently reacted with jealousy and anger. She thought that she was a better evangelizer and overall Christian than her new Christian boyfriend.

           Leaders in the Church, have you ever slipped into such a mentality? Christians young and old, have you ever unconsciously stepped into viewing your faith as a status icon? We sometimes become what Paul describes in our text as people with “Unspiritual minds” that are “puffed up with idle notions”. You can see this often with people that are too much about tradition and not enough about Jesus. And they don't trust in Christ, they trust in what they know, have seen, have already experienced. People that “know” that it is a life and death matter that the hymns at church must be sung with an organ, because that's what we have always done, and that is what is important is that we don't change what we're doing! People that do this, knowingly or not, put distance between themselves and Christ, and they will take anyone near them down as well.

          

          Verse 19: “He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.” I recently learned that there is a molecule that is vital to our very existence that we have, which holds our bodies, molecules, and everything about us together. It's called Laminin, and it bridges everything together and is the fabric of our being. It looks something like this: (Show picture)

          

          What is your role in the Church? Have you tried to cross over your role and into Christ's? Churches, have you trusted Christ to be the true leader and direction giver at your Church, or do you have a spiritual doubt problem? There is no in between. Christ is the head, and he supports and directs the entire body. Without him, we as the Church just look foolish like a chicken with its head cut off.

          So the question is, how do we know if we're keeping Christ as the head of our body? Are you growing? Death with Christ, is Growth in Christ. If you have truly died with him, then you trust him to guide you and control every aspect of your life on earth, and if you do this you are connected to the head, and you will grow! Are you following self-imposed worship standards, are you putting on appearances, are you keeping Jesus at the center of your message? The answer shows in your growth. Colossians 1:17: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” If you died with Him, then you will be connected to him and grow in Him.

The Legend of Christ

I'm kind of a bad student.

Okay, I'll be honest:  I'm a terrible student.  I say that not because I can't understand the material, or that I get overwhelmed, it's because I'm unfocused and lazy.  This semester I told myself that I would come back to school and absolutely destroy any test, quiz, or homework that would have the testicular fortitude to stand in my way.

For two of my classes, the quizzes are all posted online at the beginning of the semester.  Like most college students, I start out very strong and slowly slide into laziness throughout the semester, so I decided to get a few weeks ahead on my quizzes while I'm still motivated.

I spent hours pouring over commentaries, textbooks on Paul's life and theology, and quiz sheets, and eventually got 5 weeks ahead.  Being the procrastinator that I am, I have to say that I had not felt so accomplished in a long, long time.  I felt good.  In fact, I was thinking in my head that there is nothing else that I could do to be any more caught up on my work when I realized-

When is the last time I read my Bible?

For the past 2 weeks I had gotten into the hype of going back to a Christian college and reading commentaries and having silly theological debates with my friends here, that I forgot about the Word of God.

Desperately I started flipping through my Bible, looking for some kind of teaching to make me feel better, when I came by the beginning of 2 Corinthians.  And I figured out my problem.  I had let the image of being a Youth Minister in training be my motivation and reason for my work.  My passion and love for Christ, people, the Bible, all managed by this image I had in my head.

What motivates your love?


The question reminds me of a time I was at work.  I work at a Family Fun Center.  It's an arcade, go-karts, mini-golf, batting cages, the whole nine yards.  I was working at the prize counter, helping a little girl and her grandma pick out some toys for the road.  The grandma asked if I go to school, and I told her I was training in Youth Ministry/Preaching.  She smiled and nodded her head and said, "Oh, okay.  Well that's good.  I think it's important that young people have some sort of religion.  It doesn't matter what it is, but as long as it teaches good morals, I'm glad it's there."

A problem that the Church at large is encountering, particularly in America and Eastern European countries, is a lack of urgency.  We have to realize the importance of what we've been called to do.  There isn't a more important job.  If your job is to save people's lives, it still pales in comparison to the importance of a messenger of Christ.

Do not make the sad and deadly mistake of thinking that doing good things for people-like feeding the hungry, giving time and money to charities, and loving people is enough to make you a Christian or send you to heaven.  It's self gratifying to think that without having to tell people about Christ that you are a "good Christian."

Do those things!!!  But do them in the name of Christ.  If Christ isn't in it, if His message isn't spread in the process, than we're only making a fraction of eternity more comfortable and ignoring the real potential problem.  Don't get me wrong, it's okay to be nice and loving just for the sake of being nice and loving, but our mission is clear.  Christ is at the center, not ourselves or anyone else.  Love people because Christ first loved us.  Then tell them about that love.

As Church leaders:  We must encourage and act with urgency in our ministries.  We have to make it clear that this is more important than anything else in anyone's life.  Because it's not about us, it's about Christ.


2 Corinthians 2:15-17
(15) For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.  (16) To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, and aroma that brings life.  And who is equal to such a task?  (17) Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit.  On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.

Church is like Superbowl Commercials

A couple years ago, I lived in an apartment with a good friend of mine.  Now, my friend is that guy that knows everyone.  I don't mean just the average, "I have 400 friends on Facebook" kind of guy, I mean the guy that can't go to the mall without running into 8 people he knew in high school, and 6 people he met last week.  Well this roommate/friend of mine decided that I needed to socialize and make some friends (mainly with girls), so he formulated a master plan to have a Super Bowl Party at the apartment.

Let's be clear.  When I have a get together, party, whatever, I invite 20 people, I expect 10 to show up.  When HE invites 20 people, 40 plus THEIR friends show up.

So I come home from a very long day at work, to...well...most of his friends.  In my house.  Apartment.  Whatever.  He gives me the silent roommate signal for "you're welcome, get to work.".  At this point I have 3 options:

1: Realize that I have to be at work in 8 hours, go to bed, and not think about what I am missing out on.
2: Socialize with some ladies, make some friends, and make not-so educated guesses at who will be this year's Superbowl winner.
3: Grab a "Mike's Hard Lemonade" (Cause I'm a baller like that), sit on the couch, and watch T.V.

After picking option number 3, (of course, right?) I sat down and watched the Superbowl, the mind-numbing commercials, and sipped on my cool tasty beverage.  It wasn't until the horrible halftime show that I stopped to realize...not only have I not been paying attention to this...not only did I have NO idea who was winning...I hate watching sports!


I am a child of technology.  Most people describe this as A.D.D., but I would argue with them until someone turned a TV on.  Many cases of this "syndrome" are not as bad or advanced as my own, admittedly, but this is the general culture the next wave of our society is being introduced to.

Our generation  has been accustomed to advertising, taking things in without paying attention to them.  Mindlessly zoning in and out of the "required" information.

This is where churches are losing people.

Cold hard fact.  Many, (some may argue most) churches are boring.  Honestly, look at it:  You have either hymns, accompanied by either nothing or an organ, or a praise team, which in many churches play the same "Awesome God" type of songs over, and over, and over, and to jazz it up repeat the same line 20x extra on good weeks until your feet are numb and you don't want to be the only guy sitting down before the proverbial "you may be seated".  Then, you have a guy, standing on a stage, talking.  For anywhere from 30mins, to an hour.

This is where many church officials and people that like to argue interject and say "Well hang on, it's not about making church like a roller coaster, it's about connecting and learning about God, and fellowship with believers."  This is a very valid and TRUE point, and it is important to note that structure in a church service and keeping to biblical guidelines when praising corporately is important.


Here's the point.  For the sake of argument, you don't have a firm faith in God, and you have questions.  You visit a church, probably dragged there by a girlfriend/boyfriend, friend, or family member.  Or maybe your faith is becoming stagnant, and you're not sure why.  Maybe you don't realize it, but you've been going to this same church so long, it's more about the routine than worship.  All the sudden, you are at a Superbowl party with people you don't know, watching something that is foreign and uninteresting to you.

You are there, but you're not.

Church has developed a stigma.  Wake up early to go to a boring service, with not-so-fantastic music, listen to a guy droll on for an hour, and feel like the only guy under 40 there.  Then maybe I can go do something real with my Sunday off of work.


As the Body of Christ, we have to be welcoming to all people.  We have a responsibility to the people that attend our churches to feed them truth, and to the people that don't attend church, or are being driven away from church, we MUST make it a place where they want to be.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

What has "Christian" Become?

Over the course of time, the word "Christian" has taken many different connotations.  The word "Christian" can be literally translated to "little Christ", something that was coined by the first Christians, directly following Christ's death.

Skip forward to today.  What do you think of when you hear that a person is a "Christian"?  Now what does our culture think when they hear the word "Christian"?

Truth be told, we have been our own worst enemy historically.  Instead of Christians being identified with Christ (novel idea, huh?), the big connotations are completely opposite of what Christ taught and commanded for us.

It is true that many of the stereotypes and slanders of our faith stem from people that sit around fighting the faith and calling our knowledge of the truth a joke, and they do tend to have a closed mind about God.  The problem is, that even if things that are said about Christians are not necessarily true as you or I know it, it has become a stumbling block for people that may learn about Jesus, and therefore we need to adapt to our world.

The focus of this blog is to try to identify, relate, and possibly suggest solutions to the problem of our role as Christians in culture.  In the process, I hope it helps us to mature in our walk with God.  Not many non-believers read the Bible themselves.  Instead they read us.  And if what they see contradicts what Jesus says, then how many people care what we have to say?

Colossians 3: 15-17
¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.


Updates coming soon, questions/comments (constructive) welcome