Monday is for Discussion
Kate Gosselin is the other half of what used to be a charming show called John and Kate plus Eight. The show was charming that is, when it focused on the eight and left the disrespecting Kate and the weasally John out of the picture. Kate played the shrew and John played the weasally wimp and the kids were just completely wonderful to watch.
But then the show deteriorated further and became John versus Kate, plus Eight and eventually Kate and Eight, Minus John and now I have no idea what has happened to the show.
I do know that Kate is now constantly in the news for her tresses. Recently she garnered a gig on the Dancing with the Stars which put her back in the news.
Here’s why she made it into Monday’s discussion question. Her name was one of the most searched names on the internet three days ago, (and this is how it came to my attention), even on WordPress blogs. Fascinating. It made me jealous really. More people were looking for news about Kate Gosselin and her hair than were looking at MY blog. Ridiculous.
But honestly and seriously, my blog is not the issue and neither is yours or anyone else’s. Jesus is.
It got me thinking. Kate Gosselin’s hair is not as important as Jesus.
So here’s the question for Monday: (Especially for you church planters out there but anyone can chip in.)
In a world where the people we are trying to reach for Christ are more interesting in Kate’s Doo than Jesus and His Kingdom, what is your strategy to make Jesus the issue in your community?
Notice what I said. I didn’t say make your church, or your denomination, or you, or your programs, or your style of worship, or the form of your church (traditional, organic, contemporary), —how are you making Jesus the issue? Let’s get some ideas on the table so that we all can help people in our communities truly wrestle with the claims of the Risen One.
And while we are at it, let’s pray for all the Kate Gosselin’s of the world and their fans, who seem obsessed with fame and trivialities when the most significant person in the universe stands ready to welcome them into true greatness and joy. Pray for those adorable kids too, who are going to grow up without the two most important people in their lives being together.
ChosenRebel's Blog 
Well said, Marty.
Here is an example: My focus is practicing and encouraging the Stewardship of Wellness — taking care of my health in order to be able to minister to others for the duration of my life rather than be a burden to them as I fade away in illness.
What I could be doing is not much different, but to focus more on the aspect you describe — to preserve my wellness in order to be able to serve in the name of Jesus.
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I aspire to establish rapport and then pray for the Holy Spirit to provide the means, the words and the opportunity to live in a way that will lead them to Jesus.
Rapport – a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (New International Version) 19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To 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. 21To 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. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
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Here’s an idea to prime the pump. Train all our people to do every thing they do “in the name of Jesus.” Every act of kindness, every act of service done with a VERBAL testimony that it was done in the name of Christ.
So a busy mother with two toddlers is standing in line, and you, a twenty something single, give her your place in line with the words, “Here, In the name of Jesus, take my space.” Or, you are leaving your hotel room and along with a tip for the maid you leave a note that says your tip is “in the name of Jesus.” (Make sure you tip well.)
Or, your Muslim neighbor runs out of gas for his lawnmower and while he is out getting gas, you go and cut his lawn for him. Later, when he thanks you, you tell him, “No need to thank me, I wanted to do something for you in the name of Jesus.” You get the picture.
As our people practice the habit, they will grow in the skill and sensitivity. What are your ideas for making Jesus the issue. Let’s concentrate on ideas not, “It won’t work because” statements.
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The noisy boys used to LOVE watching Jon and Kate. I enjoyed it too, though I never could figure out how she kept her house so clean with 8 young children at home. I suppose if I had a video camera following me around every day, I might try too.
We deleted it from our TIVO when it became clear we were watching the destruction of a family. It makes me weep to think that those kids have a record — they can go back and WATCH their family fall apart on screen. Sad.
And even sadder that as a culture we care more about her hair than about Christ.
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Recently revisited this post and felt your words for the 8 children even more powerfully. Let’s pray for them today.
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I live in the community the Gosselins called home. Early on it became clear that the parents were manipulating the church they belonged to in order to get every last bit of help they could squeeze out of the congregation. Then they moved on to the mega church in the area which could provide even more. This was well known locally. (I had friends in both churches.) The show was a fake reality show on many levels. Today 2 of the kids choose to live with Jon and have nothing good to say about their mom. It’s been interesting to watch how people responded as the whole thing imploded. I think people get hooked on this type of “entertainment” so they feel as if their own problems aren’t as awful. If anything, things today are as bad if not worse. We are built for relationships and that’s what we have to offer others as Jesus walks across the bridges we build to them. The book “SENT” is the best I’ve read that explains how to organize one’s life around these relationships. Shalom.
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