Stanley Writes Foreword for Killing Cockroaches
I shared some big news with the my Twitter friends a few days ago. I received confirmation this week that Andy Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Community Church, has agreed to provide the foreword for Killing Cockroaches. Here’s an excerpt from his foreword:
“There’s a temptation to do church for those who are already going to heaven. You know what I’m talking about. If we’re not careful, we’ll begin to make decisions about programming and teaching to keep those who are already here at the expense of those who need to hear. That’s not God’s design. He wants us to communicate that people matter to him. He wants us to talk that way and act that way and worship that way. It’s counter to how we’ve always done church, though. It’s also not easy.”
Stay tuned for more updates on the book. It looks like you’ll have an opportunity to provide feedback on proposed covers in the next several days. I’m looking forward to your thoughts.
Tony-
Congratulations on snagging the Stanley foreward. I’m looking forward to seeing the proposed cover art & the book. I’m also interested in your feedback on a new project I’m trying called Tweet the Gospel – check it out at http://www.brianbaute.com/archives/2008/05/tweet-the-gospel.php.
Thanks.
Hi Tony
I get the whole thing about having Andy do your forward….but hey…have you considered having a backward at the end. Cuz i would do that for you.
lanny donoho
Ron,
You asked me what I thought of your comment. I decided to delete it.
Now, you’ll have to figure out if that was my choice to delete the comment. Did I delete it out of my own free will? If so, now you know why churches like North Point and NewSpring strategically try to reach the unchurched through our weekend services.
Or, maybe God pre-destined me to delete your comment. If so, I had no choice in the matter. And, in that instance, your argument isn’t with me, it’s with God. It keeps your theology clean, but it probably leaves you questioning why a sovereign God would allow that to happen.
Sorry for messing up your holiday. :-)
tony
Actually Tony, no worries because you did not mess up my holiday. What your response did was grieve me due to it’s arrogance and un-Christlike nature. I challenge you to leave the comment and your response if you have the courage to do so. I suspect that you will not. Also, I honestly do not understand your interjection of your rant on predestination, though. How do you relate that to my comment?
Ron, so you’re suggesting it’s entirely acceptable for you to use my blog to insinuate that Andy Stanley’s ministry is unbiblical, but when I choose to remove comments like that I’m the one that’s un-Christlike?
I also think it’s kind of humorous that you suggest I lack courage. I’m not the one attacking another guy’s ministry by using a random blog rather than addressing him directly. It only took me about five seconds to find the contact form for North Point on their website. I recommend you start there next time.
tony
Tony,
Attacking a ministry and questioning methods are two different things. You need to define ‘attack’ a little more carefully. I suggested dialog. What was the tone of my first comment? Did I not mention good intentions of those who engage in the questioned methodology? You response seemed to be one of mockery. More specifically, you mocked me over my legitimate concerns and, I know that was not your intent, you appear to mock the sovereignty of God.
In light of my original comment and further exploring the tone of your response, where in the world did that rant on predestination come from? I posed a serious, thoughtful comment on the church in hope of a serious, thoughtful dialog. Also, the quote I responded to was not aimed at Stanley’s church, but at an overarching methodology, and the quote I responded to will appear in YOUR book; it is not a methodology limited to Stanley’s church. I see no light to be gained in further dialog, only heat. Sorry it turned out that way. Could have been edifying and interesting.
Also and in retrospect, I humbly apologize for the comment on your courage. I was completely and inexcusably out of line. I dishonored my Saviour with that attitude. Whatever our differences may be, whatever your opinion of me may be, know that I now know I was in sin in that remark and I repent. Please forgive me.
Ron
congrats! so cool!!
i think lanny’s idea is brillant…you’d set a new marketing trend maybe even…and we know lanny would close it up right for you. also enjoyed hangning with you at the pd summit.
lanny, you should do it. draft it, and i’ll forward your backword to my publisher.
tony
Well, as you know i was messing with you, but hey…I’m starting to feel predestined to do this. So, heck, tell me where i can read a good synopsis of your book, which by the way, i like the title…
and i will check it out and send you something. Who knows, it could be fun, or maybe i will just say the opposite of everything Andy said in the forward and see if we can confuse people.
Anyway,just for kicks, if you let me read some of you book, if its not too late, then i will send you something and wont be offended if it doesn’t make it past the publisher. But, i do have a unique understanding of the hebrew understanding of the word cockroach.
lanny
Ron – Good spirit. Not sure what your OG comment was but Tony’s response is CLASSIC Tony Morgan…………