Presidential Media and the Modern Church

Presidential Media and the Modern Church

by | Feb 28, 2011 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry, Presidential History, Technology

Regardless of what you think of our President’s policies, Barak Obama‘s team is doing an excellent job in its use of media, particularly social media. Technology is enhancing how we communicate our messages and priorities, and the Obama White House has a firm handle on how to do it well.  From the first days after his election and as the President-elect, Barak Obama began weekly video addresses (in addition to the old-guard radio address), and a series of video posts from various internal groups working on policy issues.  They are always enhancing how they use media to connect with people. Media tends to connect people in a more personal way and not merely in a starched policy manner. In fact, one of the ways the White House is utilizing media well, is to bring the public inside the secured walls of the White House and show them how people and the process work.  An excellent illustration of this was the 2011 State of the Union.  In addition to a brief video on how the speech was constructed, the White House, for the first time, included enhanced on-line media (like a power-point presentation), chats, use of Twitter, and live online interviews with the President after the speech.  I’ve seen few public sector organizations work this well on connecting people more personally. State of the Union Video There is much modern church ministry can learn from the rapid growth of technology. While the message is most important and should be the laser-like focus of leaders and members alike, technology has provided unprecedented ways to publicly broadcast our message.  From the use of Twitter and Facebook to quickly inform...
Transition Lessons

Transition Lessons

by | Nov 8, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry

The Capranica has been silent for a number of weeks.  That’s not necessarily new, though August and September were banner months for readership.  As most will know, our family just moved from the desert of Southern California to tundra of the Kansas City, Missouri area.  We now live in Lee’s Summit, a suburb of Kansas City, and I recently became the Pastor-Teacher of Summit Woods Baptist Church.  Yesterday was my third week in the pulpit and I commence my fourth week in the office today.  The transition was quick and relatively easy as far as moves go.  The kids have adjusted well and we are all adjusting from the normal November 90″™s in Hemet to the normal 40 and 50 degree weather for Kansas City.  We’re bracing for the fun stuff on its way. Our transition was, as most issues in life are, a learning experience for us.  The lessons that come to mind are ones not necessarily attached to moving to a new ministry assignment – several are essential for the normality of life.  Yet, moving your family across the country (or further) is no normal time.  Though we are still in the beginning stages, here’s a few thoughts on what I have found helpful during the transition: 1.  Spend encouraging time with good friends before leaving. We made it a point to sped some wonderful fellowship time with people who were close to us before we left (though we were unable to see everyone).  We treasure every one of those conversations – every meal – every moment we had with such precious friends.  We had rich times...
Answering Hot Topics – Introduction

Answering Hot Topics – Introduction

by | Sep 3, 2010 | Featured Articles, Ordinary Pastor, Pastoral Ministry

Answering Hot Topics from Bret Capranica on Vimeo. Last Sunday, August 29, the elders of Summit Woods Baptist Church, publicly presented me as the candidate to become the church”™s next Senior Pastor.  Kelly and I are very excited to bring our family out to Lee”™s Summit next week in view of being called to serve at Summit Woods.  We have had a tremendously warm reception by a number of people from the church already (via Facebook, e-mail, and Twitter).  Our fellowship with the elders has been abundantly sweet. In our continued to dialogue since we were presented to the church, the elders and I thought it might be helpful to put out some more answers to questions that people have raised.  I”™m happy to do that.  So, for the next few days, you”™ll see some posts here at the blog to answer further questions people have posed.  I call them, “Answering Hot Topics.”  I”™ll hit the following topics: Are You a Calvinist? How Long Should A Sermon Be? An Affirmation About Alcohol Thoughts on Educating Our Children Stewardship and Local Church Giving I am sure there are many more questions that I could address.  If you have other topics, please feel free to e-mail them to me or leave a note in the comment section of this post.  If I don”™t answer them before our arrival in Lee”™s Summit next week, be sure to ask them of me in the public Q&A time, or come introduce yourself to me personally and put me on the spot. We look forward to serving you next...
The Next Phase Begins . . .

The Next Phase Begins . . .

by | May 2, 2010 | Ordinary Pastor, Personal

Just a few minutes ago I read the following to our congregation: After many months of discussion and prayer, the Pastors”™ Council has recognized that our present leadership make-up has reached an impasse in how we function as a team.  When considering what would be best for the long-term benefit for the majority of the congregation, I have concurred with my other two team members, that I should step down from my position as Co-Senior Pastor of FBCSJ.  Therefore, today I am accepting a severance offered by the Pastors”™ Council and will resign my ministry here effective June 1, 2010. We, as a team, have not reached this conclusion hastily.  We have been discussing it for many months.  My leaving is not due to any issue of sin (either within myself or anyone on the team) and there is no fundamental doctrinal or seminal philosophy of ministry division.  We have, however, recognized that it would serve this church and the kingdom of God best if we separate. I do affirm my love, support, friendship, and loyalty to both Marvin and Stacy.  Our parting is very much mutual and will in no way dissolve our personal relationships. We on the Pastors”™ Council affirm the strategic and God-wrought blessings of the past eight years in our team approach to ministry.  None of us regrets our approach and we believe what we have accomplished together has been from the Lord. We do, however, recognize that our leadership structure has changed and needs further change to be most healthy for the long-term benefit of the church.  We believe God was the author of...
God’s Glory? My Glory? Both?

God’s Glory? My Glory? Both?

by | Apr 22, 2010 | Ordinary Pastor, The Gospel

This was a much needed exhortation to my heart this morning in my reading – what every ordinary pastor needs to consider very carefully: The higher we rise in the kingdom the more we shall be like Jesus in this humbling of Himself.  Childlikeness such as He exhibited is an invariable characteristic of spiritual advancement, even as its absence is the mark of moral littleness.  The little man, even when well-intentioned, is ever consequential and scheming, — ever thinking of himself, his honor, dignity, reputation, even when professedly doing good.  He always studies to glorify God in a way that shall at the same time glorify himself.  Frequently above the love of gain, he is never above the feeling of self-importance.  The great ones in the kingdom, on the other hand, throw themselves with such unreservedness into the work to which they are called, that they have neither time nor inclination to inquire what place they shall obtain in this world or the next.  Leaving consequences to the great Governor and Lord, and forgetful of self-interest, they give their soul to their appointed task; content to fill a little space or a large one, as God shall appoint, if only He be glorified. A.B. Bruce, The Training of the...