The Men's Room

If you were to enter a church for the first time, what would grab your attention and let you know that you are cared for?
I think most people would look at the atmosphere, maybe expect people to say hello, and a whole slew of other typical answers to this question. My answer would be "the men's room." If I were to walk into a church and needed to visit the little boys room and walked into a room of flowers, pink accents, and a small couch, I would probably head out the door running.
So here is my advice to pastors looking to create a welcoming space for the men of their church.

1. Be sure there are dividers between the urinals...very very important.
2. I wouldn't mind seeing pictures of hot cars and motorcycles instead of flowers or scripture verses.
3. A flat panel tv above the urinal would seal the deal and if a PS2 happened to be connected to that, I'd become a member that day.
4. Turn an old trash can into a robot of some sort...I would recommend R2-D2.
5. Finally, make everything automatic. There is no sense in having automatic flushers and sinks if then you have to touch a nasty towel dispenser or blow dryer or open the door with your once clean hands.
   

Technology 2.0.0.8

So I find myself pulled in different directions being 26 years old in 2008.
Apparently my generation is defined as the internet generation. We are expected to be connected to everything all the time. I am informed by my wife that I need a blog, twitter, myspace, facebook, website, text messaging, instant message, sky writing air plane, digital marquee, and whatever else can tell the world what I'm doing at every moment.
So I guess my compromise is starting this blog. I am what some may call an introvert. I like my privacy and I like some time away from the rest of the world. So I choose not to be connected in every way and I'm ok with that.
I feel that while we now have more ways than ever to be connected with everyone we've ever crossed paths with, we are truly the least connected. How often do we actually speak to someone? When is the last time we held a face to face conversation with an old friend. If we are going to find new ways to connect with people, I challenge everyone of us to hold on to those most personal ways such as phone calls, handwritten letters, and even impromptu visits.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against new ways of communicating. I just hope we don't lose the personal touch with all these new ways of mass communicating.