ReFocus on Outreach Effectiveness

The National Outreach Convention Nov 3-5 in San Diego offers an opportunity to refocus and increase your outreach effectiveness.

According to George Barna, half of all US churches did not add one new member through conversion growth last year. Has outreach been moved to the back burner in your church?

Effective outreach to an increasingly unchurched population is urgent and nonnegotiable. Don't allow the pressures of programming, staffing, budget cuts, equipment needs and all the myriad of ministry "have to's" distract you from the primary reason your church exists. Even the best programs are wasted, if they don't result in reaching people with the truth of the Gospel.

Make outreach and evangelism a priority and ReFOCUS your Outreach by joining hundreds of other leaders at the National Outreach Convention. Equip your team to create effective assimilation strategies. Get the ideas and help you need to make outreach a priority.

Learn proven outreach strategies from today's outreach leaders.
Network with others and discover what has and hasn't worked for them.
Be re-tooled for increased outreach effectiveness.

Save up to $50 per person by registering by Aug. 31. For infomration visit http://outreachconvention.com.

Selling Yourself without Selling Out

Does self-promotion have to be "shameless?" Is there a conflict between the humility we are called as Christians to have, and practices that seem necessary to advance your career?

Find out when Redeemer Arts Ministries offers the second in a series of Professional Development Workshops for artists 7 pm Friday, July 23, at the Redeemer offices,1359 Broadway (at 36th Street), fouth floor. The workshop will look at how to create and implement a marketing strategy for your "product" - even if that product is you.

The event features a lecture, discussion, hands-on exercises and testimonials from artists who have been there. No admission fee will be charged. Light snacks will be provided.

To register click here. For more information, contact Luann Jennings, luann@redeemer.com or (212) 808-4460 x1343

The Lights are Bright on Broadway!

Max McLean, Kia Corthron Receive "The Lights are Bright on Broadway Awards"
Max McLean, star of "The Screwtape Letters" and Kia Corthron, author of the play "A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick" received Masterwork Productions' 2010 "The Lights are Bright on Broadway" awards, presented to individuals and organizations making a difference in the Broadway community through their faith.

McLean, above, was joined on stage at the Westside Theatre, where The Screwtape Letters currently is playing, by co-star Karen Eleanor Wight, right, who plays his assistant demon Toadpipe in the production (co-adapted by McLean with Director Jeffrey Fiske) of the C.S. Lewis book. The award was presented by Masterwork Executive Director Lauren Yarger, left.

Corthron, pictured below, was honored at Playwrights Horizons, where her play ran earlier this season and was honored for its positive depiction of main character Abebe, an African preacher in training, and the sharing of his faith.

Smith's Delirious? Suits Auctioned to Benefit CompassionArt

In celebration of the release of the Delirious? Farewell Show live DVD/bluray/2CD, lead singer Martin Smith will auction three stage suits/ jackets that he has worn live during the last few years of touring with the Christian rock band. All profits from the auctions will go to CompassionArt, creating freedom from poverty through charitable projects around the world.

Martin’s grey suit [seen above] features in the Delirious live DVD ‘My Soul Sings – Live from Colombia’ – it is the suit that he is wearing in the DVD, and in the cover artwork. He wore this suit at concerts around the world, including when the band played to hundreds of thousands of people in India as you can see in the stage photo. This photo also shows the word ‘Komfort’ on the back of the jacket, which is word created from the title of the band’s last studio album ‘Kingdom of Comfort’. Bid on the grey jacet here.

Martin’s white suit (left) was used extensively during The Mission Bell tour in the UK in 2006 and the Worship Revolution Tour in the USA in 2007. The band had each white suit specially made, with red trimmings and features. Martin’s suit has a red zipped vent in each sleeve, and red zip crosses on the back of the jacket and the sides of the trousers. Bid on the white suit here.

Martin wore the black and red military-style jacket below during the band’s final UK and Europe tour in November 2009. Consequently, it is featured in the Delirious ‘Farewell Show’ live DVD and Blu-ray that has just been released in 2010. On the back of the jacket is sown a gold ‘History Maker’ logo that was the theme of the final tour and the name of the Greatest Hits albums released in 2009. Bid on the red and black suit here.

The auction will close on the 8th of July (see ebay for time). Bids can only be accepted through ebay, and the auctions are subject to ebay's terms and conditions.

Playwright Corthron, Actor McLean To Receive 'Lights are Bright on Broadway' Awards

Photo left: Kia Corthron by Aaron Epstein; Photo right: Max McLean as Screwtape. Courtesy of Fellowship for the Performing Arts

Playwright Kia Corthron and actor Max McLean have been named recipients of 2010 “The Lights are Bright on Broadway” awards presented annually by Masterwork Productions, Inc. to individuals and organizations making a difference in the Broadway community through faith.

Corthron (Breath, Boom; Force Continuum), is being honored for her play A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick, which ran last spring at Playwrights Horizons (presented as a co-production with The Play Company and Culture Project) for its positive representation of an African preacher-in-training as he interacts with his host family and a troubled orphan in a drought-stricken rural American community where he studies religion and water conservation.

“I'm so honored A Cool Dip was chosen for the Masterwork award - but when I initially found out, I must admit I was startled, Corthron said. “Just as I was when 10-year-old Josh King, who played Tay in my play, walked into his audition and the first thing he said was, ‘I prayed for a play like this - a Christian play!’ Before that, I had never thought of A Cool Dip as a Christian play - or a non-Christian play. I had just written the character of Abebe as honestly as I could, and he seemed to be someone who would be wholly committed to his faith. At least one voice (among the many providing input along a play's path from germination to opening) suggested that the dramatic arc lead to Abebe's questioning his faith. That never felt right to me, and frankly is a bit of a cliché in plays wherein Christianity plays a role. (Abebe does question himself but never his faith.)

"There is widespread intolerance - a sense of threat - in fundamentalist Christianity regarding people exercising individual freedoms, just as there is widespread intolerance - a sense of threat - in left-progressive and artistic circles regarding Christianity in any form. I have people close to me who are members of both flanks (as well as many in between), and while it was not my conscious intention, I would be truly gratified to know that A Cool Dip may have fostered some new understanding and compassion,” she said.

McLean is being honored for his portrayal of C.S. Lewis’ famous demon extraordinaire Screwtape, who coaches his nephew demon in training about the art of spiritual warfare. McLean co-wrote the adaptation of The Screwtape Letters with director Jeffrey Fiske.

“This comes as quite a surprise, McLean said of the award. “As a Christian who tries to work daily to live an integrated life of faith and work, I am delighted to receive this recognition from Masterwork for our work on C. S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters.”

McLean’s award will be presented following the Monday, June 28 performance of the show which is running Off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre. Corthron will receive her award June 30 at Playwrights Horizons.

“We’re excited to be able to honor examples of people making a difference through faith in the Broadway community,” said Lauren Yarger, executive director of Masterwork Productions. “Kia’s play helped promote an understanding of faith while Max’s helps people understand why they have such trouble with it!”

Last year's recipients were playwright Dan Gordon for Irena's Vow on Broadway, and Radio City Rockette Cheryl Cutlip, founder of Project Dance.

Masterwork Productions, Inc. is a faith based, non-profit organization which helps Christians and churches reach out through the performing arts by producing shows and events, booking artists, providing Broadway and theater reviews (http://reflectionsinthelight.blogspot.com) and training at workshops and conferences. For more information, visit http://www.masterworkproductions.org/.

Book Review: Jonathan Edwards on True Christianity by Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney

Jonathan Edwards Stands the Test of Time; Do We Stand the Test of True Christianity?
By Lauren Yarger
There’s nothing like a good dose of Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century New England preacher who made sermons like “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” famous and helped propel the Great Awakening period in the United States, to get you back on track spiritually.

An informative series of books published by Moody Press gives readers a chance to go a little deeper into the preacher’s thought with “Jonathan Edwards: Lover of God,“ Jonathan Edwards on Beauty,” “Jonathan Edwards on Heaven and Hell”, “Jonathan Edwards on the Good Life” and “Jonathan Edwards on True Christianity (2010).”

I sampled the latter title, assuming that it would have current application given the confusion that can occur these days when someone defines a Christian. I was right. Edwards, with the help of authors Owen Strachan and Doug Sweeney, speaks to the reader about what it means to really be Christians and even though some 300 years have passed since the preacher voiced his thoughts from his Northampton, MA pulpit, we still need to hear what he has to say.

“Many … people are likely in evangelical churches that ostensibly teach biblical doctrine, and yet they hold views on various spiritual and moral subjects that directly conflict with the biblical witness. If their beliefs conflict with true Christianity, it is likely that their lives conflict as well,” the authors write.

This same concern is voiced by Edwards in writings, reprinted, followed by a discussion of pertinent points. It’s a nice combination which gives the essence of Edwards’ thoughts without asking the reader to digest a whole sermon. The authors come off a little preachy, but concerned, and most of what they say is rater convicting, just as Edwards is.

My favorite section was entitled “The Marks of True Conversion.” It’s a great way to ask yourself some pointed questions about just how seriously you take your faith.

His “marks” of a true Christian conversion include:
 An increased esteem for Jesus. He becomes Messiah, not just someone who lived a long time ago who was a good teacher.
 Hatred of sin. No more excuses for behaving contrary to God’s will.
 Love of the Word. It’s not just a book. It’s the actual word of God.
 Love for truth and the things of God. Abiding in Him.
 Love for believers. This should be overflowing and is lacking in many congregations today, the authors lament.

The truth of Edwards’ words is a challenge to take our commitment to a new level.

“… many professing Christians are floundering, “ Strachan and Sweeney write. “They know basically nothing about the bible or Christianity, they struggle to attend church, they hold beliefs in direct contradiction to the Scripture, and they neither witness nor have even the most basic success in educating their children in the things of God.”

It’s a call to get serious.

Information about the series “Jonathan Edwards on True Christianity” can be found here. Just input the title into the search. You can purchase the books on this site as well.

A free reviewer's copy of this book was provided by Pure Publicity.

Threads Theater Co. Presents Babette's Feast

Babette's Feast, a timeless tale of food and love, will be presented by Threads Theater Company beginning Wednesday evening at International Arts Movement, 3rd floor, 38 West 39th St., NYC.

The production is conceived and developed by Abbie Killeen and written by Rose Courtney, adapted from the short story by Isak Dinesen. Quin Gordon directs.

Performances are:
June 16-19 and June 21-26 at 8 pm
June 19 and 26 at 3 pm
July 15 @ 1:30 pm
Tickets are $15. Standing Room is available at the door for $10
Special: Opening Night tickets $18 (including light reception)

Cast:
Babette- Abbie Killeen*
Martine- Rose Courtney*
Philippa- Rachel Wallace
Papin- Kamel Boutros
Narrator #1- Hal Robinson*
Narrator #2- Meera Rohit Kumbhani
Narrator #3- James Russell
Narrator #4- William Connell*
Narrator #5- Matteo Eckerle
Narrator #6- Darrie Lawrence*

*Actor appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association

Production Team:
Production Manager - Misti Wills
Designer - Bobby Bradley
Costume Designer - Kim Prentice
Stage Manager - Jessica Pecharsky*
Asst. Stage Manager - Jarrel Lynch
Asst. Stage Manager - Kevin Gomez
Director's Assistant - Annie Field
Company Manager - Frank Mihelich

* Member of Actors Equity Association
Approved Equity Showcase

For tickets and more information, visit http://www.theatermania.com/new-york/shows/babettes-feast_168083/,

Threads Theater Company seeks to produce theatrical performances which demonstrate the power of live theater to engage, inspire, and connect people.