If Your Life Were A Movie...

Did you have a good life when you died?

Enough to base a movie on?

-Jim Morrison

My previous declaration of The Case for Christ being the movie of the year may have been premature, now that I learn that Same Kind of Different as Me will be released to theaters in October. 

Same Kind of Different as Me, based on the book of the same name written by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, chronicles the intersection of the lives of Ron and Debbie Hall, and Denver Moore. Moore was a homeless man living on the streets of Fort Worth. Ron Hall is an international art dealer from Dallas, who was roped into volunteering at the Union Gospel Mission by his wife, Debbie. There, he meets Moore. He learns to love, serve, and minister through his experiences with Moore. 

I first became aware of this story 12 years ago while attending Texas Baptist Institute-Seminary in Henderson, TX. Debbie Hall was related to the president of our seminary, who used their story to teach us what ministry is really all about. 

The story is about a man who finds redemption in the forgiveness of his wife, and in learning selfless love toward a man who can do nothing to benefit him materially. The story also chronicles the rise of Moore from poverty to becoming one of the most beloved philanthropists Fort Worth has ever known. 

The common theme shared by The Case for Christ and Same Kind of Different as Me is the transformation God works in our lives. The inspiration of these movies is drawn from the fact that both chronicle real transformation that came as a result of real pain and suffering. 

The level of pain that Leslie Strobel felt as her husband, Lee, worked to destroy her faith cannot be overstated. The struggle Lee Strobel experienced as he searched for the truth about the resurrection cannot be overlooked. The pain and betrayal Debbie felt at the hands of Ron cannot be imagined. The suffering Moore experienced at the hands of his persecutors early in life is unconscionable. This is real pain that transformed real people.

As these individuals endured these hard times, it is highly unlikely they were thinking of book deals, or who would portray them in a movie. As they endured those transformative times,  they likely prayed that they would merely survive. All involved will probably tell you that they are surprised that anyone is even interested in their stories, let alone that the books sell, or that people turn out to watch their movies. 

The idea of the crucial times of our lives being made into movies struck me today. It made me think about my own struggles, and the possible outcomes and legacy that could be built if I stay faithful to the Lord.

Granted, I'm not enduring anything compelling enough to make a movie about, but if such a film were made, what would I want the plot to look like? How would I want that movie to end?

If your life were to be made into a movie, would you be the hero? Or the villain? Would you be the one who overcame, or the one who was overcome?

Chances are, none of us are headed to the silver screen. However, if we were, what would you want the audience to take away from your show?

Spin-Off Churches, Chapter 1 Review

The author (Rodney Harrington) chronicles how church planting was on the back-burner of ministerial vocations up until approximately 20 years ago. So, Chapter One is titled, "Recovering a Practical Theology of Church Planting."

In this chapter, Harrington notes how theologians of centuries past focused on their theological passions, so there are no ancient texts outside of Acts that focus on the study of church planting... although he did refer back to the Nicene Creed and noted the word "apostolic church" could mean a church that is a sending church. I was uncomfortable with his referral to the Nicene Creed, but he does have to sell books to non-Baptists, afterall.

Harrington also noted that the church growth movement taught that the Great Commission was obeyed by building large, mega-churches. He also noted during that time, the number of churches and church members declined per capita when compared to the growing North American population. He went on to say that church planting is a way to obey the Great Commission.

My opinion on all this is that God sent us into the world to make disciples (Matthew 28:18-20), to Baptize them and to teach them the doctrines Christ taught us. If we are obedient in that we are doing this all over the world, and in our pwn back yards, new churches will emerge.

The first six chapters of this book deal with church planting fundamentals and attitudes. This may get pretty interesting.

Spin-Off Churches

I'm normally not one to purchase books, but I saw this one at Family Christian Bookstore in Abilene. I picked it up, skimmed through it and liked what I saw.

Spin-Off Churches chronicles what pastors, denominational leaders and church planters are saying about mission work. It also discusses indigenous church planting and mission work in adverse environments, like crime-ridden intercity areas. It discusses the phenomenon of multi-site church plants and "Set-Free Churches."

More than just a "check out the new trends" and a "how-to" church planting manual, this book seeks to motivate churches to become sending churches. It is put out by the North American Missions Board, the same board that brought you Church Planting Village. The North American Missions Board is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

I'll be posting reviews on this book in the days ahead.