White Christian Leadership Lesson: Learn to laugh at yourself in public. Here are 2 resources that can help you.


A Lawyer advised me to learn jokes about being a Pastor and tell them in mixed company.  His point was well taken. Laughing at yourself can help you build bridges with people inside and outside your sub-culture or social tribe. That is important for community building in Toronto, with it’s millions of separate tribal identities. Tower of Babel stuff.  Laughter is the common ground for learning. Think of the value that Russell Peters has provided for Canadian cultural understanding!  White Christians need a Russell Peters!

Now, I’ve been a Christian since 1998 and white for most of my life.  I said most of my life because I was probably red or blue from conception until climate adjustments set in an hour or two after birth.  My point is that being part of a corporate, social, ethnic and religious group can blind me to the humours quirks. These books help me with a “cultural mirror” and offer funny, stereotypical observations about being white and being a Christian.

My point is that White Christian Leaders, like me, need to learn the lesson of building bridges of understanding through laughing at themselves and their sub-cultures in the public eye of mixed company!

Dear Christians, learn to laugh at yourself by reading ”Stuff Christians Like” by Jonathan Acuff

Dear White People, learn to laugh at yourself by reading “Stuff White People Like” by  Christian Lander

If you want to understand and laugh at Christian White People, then read both! :)

I will try to merge these into my sermons in order to model this important leadership lesson: laughing at yourself in public!  Get ready to laugh at High Park Baptist Church: ”Somebody gonna get a laugh real good!”

http://torontoist.com/2008/03/stuff_white_peo.php

http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/

Theology Pub: Are Catholics Right? Gospel-Centred Leaders discuss the Coren and today’s Catholicism.


The Bishop and Belcher Pub, in Church and Wellesley Village, was home to discussion about “Why Catholics Are Right”.

Dr. Darryl Dash, described the event on the Theology Pub website like this: ”Michael Coren, author and broadcaster, has agreed to join us to discuss his latest book Why Catholics Are Right. If you know Michael, you know that this will be an interesting and worthwhile discussion.”

Michael is strong-minded, very funny and tells great stories!  He seemed confident that Evangelicals from all denominations will be attracted into Roman Catholicism because of it’s theological tenants, parish participation pattern, asthetic appeal and social services.  Someone mentioned an “Evangelical Catholic” resource I had never heard of called First Things.  What I learned about the preaching the gospel is that hospitality sets a great tone for face to face, knowledge based interaction.  Education can build bridges. As Michael said, this is a great book to read on your Go Train or TTC subway commute because a white and gold book with that grabbing and aggressive title will certainly get conversations started!  I think the CBC should interview him because this book has been a Canadian Best Seller for 13 weeks. Use those conversations to explain that Christians are saved by grace alone through faith alone according to the Scriptures alone to the glory of God alone.

In spite of the commendable efforts of Michael and my Catholic neighbours, I’ll be attending High Park Baptist Church on Sunday. ;)

Success Story parents model faith through devotions at home. Try using Mark Holmen’s book “Faith Begins at Home – Devotions”.


Dear RumBloggers,

Do your spouse and children need the spiritual nurture of more meaningful domestic worship times with you?

You may struggle to do “devotions at home” in consistently enjoyable ways. If so, then use this small (74 pages), simple and practical book about how and why to do family devotions at home.  Mark Holmen’s “Faith Begins at Home - Devotions” is useful step by step with age appropriate guidelines for all forms of family that desire a Christ-centred domestic dynamic of devotion.  Success Story parents model faith at home. Try using this resource.

I am told that Sunder Krishnan, Lead Pastor of Rexdale Alliance Church, gave this resource to his church on Father’s Day. He is a good example!  I first read this book during the preparation for my sermon series on Success Stories of Fathers. I talked about how Abraham, Job and the Parabolic Father in Luke 15 illustrated characteristic of good fathers, especially loving God more than their children.  They modelled devotion to God at home, not perfectly, but authentically and consistently!  You can listen to those audio sermons in previous posts below.

My favourite part is chapter 2, ”Family Devotion Myths”.  Holmen names and de-bunks 6 myths that keep family devotions from happening. While Holmen points out that new behaviours are a big part of connecting with God together as a family, he is clear that the heart of the matter is this excellent question, ”Are you ready, as a family, to be devotional at all times and places?”.

What if your kids are long gone from home? It is never too late. Ask forgiveness for missed opportunities and start fresh now! Use special occassions, calls, cards, meals, vacations. You are always their parents and they need your example! :)

What if you do not have kids of your own to influence for Christ?  You will likely have parents and kids in your church, family, and neighbourhood sphere of influence who you may wish to model and share with. Help parents to parent with resources.  Perhaps ask, “How can I help your family devotions?”.  Be that super neighbour, co-worker, cousin or Aunt!

Experience the embrace of grace. Hear a success story of 1 Father’s heart for his 2 lost sons in this 37 minute sermon..


Dear RumBloggers,

This morning, 108 people attended High Park Baptist Church.  39 of 108 were under 35 years old. Interesting demographics, huh! ;)

Click here for the sermon we heard, from Luke 15, that commended us all to experience the embrace of grace from God’s Father heart for us: June26SuccessStoriesParableFather

Experience the embrace of grace as you listen to this sermon.

Listen to this original worship song called “You Are”


Listen to this original song called “You Are”.  Click here: YouAreTWJune19 2

It was created by a musical worship leader in our church to help our church, High Park Baptist Church, to worship Jesus Christ as we live our mission of faith.

Come hear us sing together live one Sunday! :)

Father’s Day Success Story: Job’s integrity of faith and worship through pain, suffering and loss


Hey RumBloggers,

Happy Father’s Day!

You may recognize the name “Job” as a Bible character, yet not grasp important lessons about God from his life.

Catch up with the 50 adults who heard my freshest audio sermon by clicking here: June19SuccessStories 2

Comment and share please.

16 pictures at RONCY ROCKS in Roncesvalles Village


 

Why plant churches in the city?


Watch and share this excellent 5 minute video on why to plant new churches in cities like Toronto.
One viewer from our church wrote:
“City network of Christ centred churches excited me. Breaking isolationism. Video production was really well done. Totally pro. Both visceral and slick. In sync with the pulse of culture.”
Click here to watch:

Why Plant Churches? from NorCal Network on Vimeo.

What do you have to say?? Plz comment and share.

Roncy Rocks and Totstock: Join neighbours in the outdoor fun on June 18-19.


On June 18 and 19, join in the outdoor fun of 2 “High Park Neighbourhood” events in Roncesvalles Village.  What a great way for a church and neighbourhood connect!

RONCY ROCKS: http://www.roncesvallesvillage.ca/?p=1060

On Saturday June 18 Roncesvalles Village will come alive with art and music. It’s the return of Roncy Rocks! From noon until 8:00 p.m. local artists and musicians will cover the street. We are very pleased this year to have Juno Award nominees The Monkey Bunch on our main stage, among many many excellent local acts

TOTSTOCK: http://www.littlepaper.com/totstock

On Sunday June 19th, from 2-5pm, Sorauren Park, will be filled with the sounds, stories, food, games, and community-minded revelry of the third annual Totstock!

Fresh audio sermon of a Father’s Success Story at High Park, plus a TOTSTOCK link.


Dear RumBloggers,

64 adults just heard this message live, now the online community can catch up: 11June12SuccessStoryOne

This is a local Father’s Day event to check out at Sorauren Park: http://www.littlepaper.com/totstock

3 min Video Blog – 1 year of successful RumBlogging together PLUS 3 ways to participate this year.


Thank you for making our first year a “success story”! Please enjoy, comment and share this vlog (video blog):

How is the blog going? Impact.

  • 8644 site visits (hits) in 1 year.
  • 216 viewers on the busiest day.
  • 115 posts
  • 62 subscribers receive direct notification of new posts.

Why did you start it? Impetus.

  • Foster relationships (old and new, near and far) by answering frequently asked questions about my events, people and ideas.

How can you be involved this year of community conversation around the posts?

  • Comment consistently
  • Commission content
  • Share socially

Success Stories of Fatherhood – 12 ways to love your wayward child from *Desiring God


Father’s Day is June 19.

I admire the Fathers around me. I hope the June sermons, the link and words below help all people, including Dads.

I will be giving positive messages on Success Stories of Fatherhood from the Bible for the month of June. These stories will inspire everyone, regardless of parenting catagories. I am enjoying preparation for them, and I’m not a Dad (yet). ;) I will be a Father one day, I pray! At that time, I hope to be an involved example of integrity and devotion to Jesus Christ. It has to be hard to be a consistent example, but that is the call on all people. I hope these stories help!

The Christian parents’ burden is to make desiring God probable, though not certain, in their kids by giving them grace and truth in word and deed. This quote puts it in perspective: “Our only hope for our kids’s salvation lies in the rich mercy of a compassionate God & the atoning work of our perfect representative, Jesus” – www.givethemgrace.com

An examplary Father, Mentor and Pastor sent referred me to this link from John Piper‘s son, Abraham. He writes about how to love wayward kids. Please read and share with any parent you know:
http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/taste-see-articles/12-ways-to-love-your-wayward-child

See you Sunday! :)

adamrumball.com
highparkbaptist.org

A poem and link about how hearing “Success Stories” every Sunday will inspire you to act more courageously


Hiya Rumbloggers, :)

I wrote you a poem to launch my newest sermon series.

“Success Stories” of faith inspire,

humans who crave volitional fire.

Loyal resilience is a constant test,

Gospel freedom is an active rest!

Bible history honours The Reliant,

who trusted God to make them valiant.

Pilgrims, parents, prophets and peasants;

experienced the profits of God’s Presence.

Father calls us to the Son, with word, by Spirit;

rewarding those who obey Him when they hear it.

What you led them out of, lead us out today!

What you led them into, lead us there we pray!

Click this link to hear the initial, orienting sermon for the “Success Stories” series recorded poorly, but live this past Sunday: SuccessStoriesIntro11June5

Join in at High Park Baptist Church’s Sunday service to focus on some of God’s “Success Stories” that will inspire you AND your friends, family, associates and neighbours. Invite someone to join you.

Remember, God is the real and powerful hero of our “Success Stories”.

Events I enjoyed at Pastors’ Conference


Hey Rumbloggers,

I enjoyed the following events at Pastor’s conference because they refreshed my deepest commitments:

1. Connecting with other Pastors through story telling over meals, tours, drives and coffees (see picture in the previous post).
2. Knute Larson’s teaching sessions on 2 Timothy (see picture below).
3. Strolling Muskoka Bible Centre’s glorious grounds in solitude (see picture below).
4. Contributing to the sound of godly men praising the God of the Gospel in Jesus name with spiritual songs. A sample is captured in video and picture here below.

adamrumball.com
highparkbaptist.org

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Pastor’s conference social for Vancouver’s Stanley Cup game 1 win


Wish you were here:

adamrumball.com
highparkbaptist.org

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A Poem and picture to start my 4th year at High Park Baptist Church


Dear Rumbloggers,

I started serving as Lead Pastor of High Park Baptist Church on June 1, 2008.
Today is the 1rst day of my 4th year.

I’m thankful for the care and commitment that has been shared between many of us over the last 3 years. You have encouraged my faith to be strong, courageous and resilient (Joshua 1:6-9)!

I’ve been trying to prepare a blog post that answers the question, “So how has the first 3 years in Toronto at HPBC been?” Well, many of you who know me would understand the challenge of summarizing three years, such as these ones, in a few paragraphs. So, I took a photo in Muskoka this morning that felt like it summarized some of the key concepts of the past 3 years. I make a few poetic points below the picture.

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White cap waves,
Wind under wings.

Green trees thrive along a rugged rock face.
Sun shines as clouds pass along this place.

What will year 4 hold?
What stories will be told?
How much redemptive gold?
What fruit of my love, so bold?

Isaiah 40:27-31

I can share more lessons learned in person sometime this summer. :)

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