Blog of Mitch Randall, Pastor of NorthHaven Church in Norman, Oklahoma. http://www.northhavenchurch.net Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:19:42 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.northhavenchurch.net/images/M_images/joomla_rss.png http://www.northhavenchurch.net Blog of Mitch Randall, Pastor of NorthHaven Church in Norman, Oklahoma. http://www.northhavenchurch.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1095&Itemid=29 This week, I am attending the Big Tent Christianity (http://www.bigtentchristianity.com/) conference in Raleigh, North Carolina. Writers and scholars, Brian McLaren, Phyllis Tickle, Bill Leonard, Greg Boyd, and many others will bring their expertise and knowledge about the church and the direction we are heading. This has the potential to be a very valuable conference in the discussion of where churches like NorthHaven are headed in their theological foundations, spiritual formations, and missional practices. But many are still asking, “What is Big Tent Christianity?” Here is an excerpt from their website: Wed, 08 Sep 2010 09:00:50 +0100 http://www.northhavenchurch.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1091&Itemid=29 Last week, CNN ran an article on their website over the notion that more teens are becoming “fake” Christians. Kenda Creasy Dean, professor at Princeton Theological Seminary, contends many parents and pastors are “unwittingly” passing down a “self-serving strain” of Christianity. In particular, theological emphasis is shifting away from a “divine-centered” understanding of faith to a more “personal-centered” understanding. In other words, theological reflection comes more from a self-centered vantage point instead of viewing history and current events from “higher” ground. Even more so, we have turned the idea that we are “made in the image of God” into the conundrum of “making God into our image.” While there is plenty of blame to throw around when it comes to the apathy of teens towards Christianity, I contend one of the great travesty we make is not giving teens enough credit. Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:19:28 +0100 http://www.northhavenchurch.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1088&Itemid=29 A Servant’s HeartWhen our team arrived in HoHoe, Ghana we were greeted by Pastor Timothy Wilson and his wife, Fastina. Their children, from the youngest to the oldest, welcomed us with both hugs and smiles. Pastor Timothy is a young, energetic minister ready to plant churches and spread the Gospel through the Northern Volta Region. He is going to be great! His children are beautiful and innocent souls laughing, playing, and learning like all children around the world. They reminded me so much of our children here at NorthHaven. And Fastina, well, Fastina is a saint.Upon settling into HoHoe we began to plan our meals for the week. Fastina was insistent she wanted to cook breakfast for us each morning. Not wanting to neglect a blessings for her and a bit frightened what she might do to me if I refused, I graciously accepted her offer. Therefore, each morning we were greeted with perfectly cooked eggs, magnificently made golden brown toast, and oats that were fit for royalty. In other words, she did a spectacular job. Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:11:12 +0100 http://www.northhavenchurch.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1079&Itemid=29 Goodbye 30’s, Hello 40’sLast night as I shut my eyes, I did so for the final time as a 30-year-old. When I woke this morning, I realized a new personal era had begun. I am now 40. Therefore, with this post I want to commend the last ten years and let the next ten know I am really looking forward to what awaits.2000With one outstanding young man already under my roof, Missy and I welcomed Tanner to our family. Our lives have never been the same! We love that kid! Cole and Tanner changed so much over the last ten years, giving their mother and I more joy and happiness than people deserve. Thanks guys!2001Watching the news from my Texas bedroom on that fateful September morning, I turned to Missy and simply said, “The world just changed.” Thu, 12 Aug 2010 10:05:22 +0100 http://www.northhavenchurch.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1078&Itemid=29 Not One WorldIn the Volta Region of Ghana, the area is bordered by the Volta River on the West and the country of Togo on the East. This geographical landscape has enabled the Volta culture to endure through English colonization and Ghanian independence. When independence arrived western modernity swept through the country, but the Volta culture in many ways remained in tact. Now, many of the cultural traditions are wonderful expressions of a beautiful people celebrating their history and uniqueness. However, there is one practice found in the Volta region that must be addressed and stopped. This practice is known as “trokosi.” Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:32:03 +0100