[Kid Inspiration]

“Pastors of small congregations not only read fewer books than did pastors of larger churches, but also had more restricted categorical tastes.”

This is from the latest Barna update online. The worlds most fascinating statitician reveals the books and authors that have most influenced pastors. now as someone who believes that you are to a large extent the sum of your closest friends and the books you have read this makes VERY interesting reading.

It seems that discipleship books were the clear favorite of small church pastors, (under 100). The large and mid-sized church pastors liked specific leadership books. And while the bigger church leaders generally mentioned The Purpose Driven Life among their influential books… small-church pastors were only half as likely to include it.

Well lots of fascinating findings in this gem of information.

I love what Barna wraps up with: (Talking of younger pastors)

“They lean toward books and authors that extol adventure, shared experiences, visionary leadership, supernatural guidance and relational connections. If their choices in reading are any indication, they seem less obsessed with church size and more interested in encounters with the living God. They are also less prone to identifying the most popular books in favor of those that are known for their passionate tone. The fact that less than half as many young pastors considered the Purpose Driven books to be influential in their ministry suggests that the new legion of young pastors may be primed to introduce new ways of thinking about Christianity and church life.”

Praise God!

LESSON: Read widely… and lots.

“There is no question, religion is becoming the new brand,” says Jane Buckingham, president of Youth Intelligence, a trend-forecasting company.

“To a generation of young people eager to have something to belong to, wearing a ‘Jesus Saves’ T-shirt, a skullcap or a Kabbalah bracelet is a way of feeling both unique, a member of a specific culture or clan, and at the same time part of something much bigger.”

So our kids are entering into this right now. Now this may only last for a year or two but it is cool to wear Jesus right now.

I guess ride the wave while its breaking…

Well, I finally figured it out. Here is the video mentioned in the last post with bigger size and in a proper player.

You need to install Macromedia Flash for this to work, but please enjoy it and send me any feedback you have. This was made specifically to thank all
the leaders in our ministry and to bless them at our latest vision night. Enjoy

My heart is heavy and my soul is downcast!

What can lead to such a loathsome dispensation you may very well wonder…

Well… Jim Henson trained puppeteer and TV director, Gary Friedman, is presenting a Puppetry-for Film and Television Workshop in June-July in SYDNEY, just down the road from where I live…

Well surely this is a gift from heaven Dave, I hear you say…

Well yes… but unfortunately it is to be held on Wednesdays 6 pm – 9 pm, 8th June through 27th July, 2005.

Alas I shall be unable to make this auspicious and most rare of events!

But if you do live in the area… check out the following link.

Puppetry Workshop

(more…)

Koch Records will release Too Hoot to Handle, the debut album from kid-friendly hip-hop outfit The Hootz on May 24.

Here’s what the producer says about the album:

“I went searching for a children’s music album that I could feel good about playing for my kids and enjoy musically, said Smith. When I could not find one, my sister and I went to the drawing board, and came up with The Hootz as a way to combine my experience as a father with my professional life as hip-hop executive.”

In addition to four original songs, the all-owl band offers a series of re-imagined children’s favorites including London Bridge Is Falling Down,” “This Old Bird,” “This Old Man and “Itsy Bitsy Spider.”

Blog Link

Koch Records

It will be very interesting to hear the production on this album. See what kind of sound they come up with to target kids.

Just as mothers day has been and passed… a poll to tell us all what we all expected…

“There is widespread agreement among Americans that their moms did an excellent job raising them.”

See where you fit in on the mother appreciation scale.

Fox News

Mothers day was a wonderful opportunity to lavish on mothers and make sure we spend time with those who sweated it out in the delivery room to bring us into the world, mishapen and looking like a wee alien.

From the: “I wish we had one of them file…” its Disney’s first ever dedicated train.

When Hong Kong Disneyland opens in September, this specially outfitted train will take guests from the city to the park.

Hand-rings have Mickey ears. Instead of drab metal, the seats are comfortable L-shaped sofas in sapphire blue. Completing the theme are vintage photos of Walt Disney, along with bronze statues of Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale, Tinker Bell, and Snow White.

Link

Hello one and all…

I am currently at the take the nation, shake the world conference being hosted by our church here in Sydney. It has been honestly the most impacted couple of days I have had in a long time!

Check out the site below for more info: http://www.agwc4.com/
I have heaps of stuff to post, and a very cool video coming soon!