Mike Maroon September 24th, 2008

Wow. That's pretty humbling. Had to bring up the old "glass houses" thing did ya? Thanks. I needed it. Really.

Heroes « Chuck Mullis September 25th, 2008

[…] more brutally honest about himself and he's harder on himself. Take a moment and read his article posted on his blog yesterday. Some people don't like him, and that's ok. There are moments when I […]

Holiday Longing September 25th, 2008

I was really enjoying the caustic humor!

And, since I was NOT part of the convention riff raff, I feel free to make this comment:

When will Christian bookstores EVER start providing decent religious art and get rid of all the tacky stuff??

Ok, so I'm judgmental. I'll repent (when they ever get decent art in Christian bookstores….!)

Ant brooks September 27th, 2008

I am amazed at how many people are making a living out of Jesus.
What is the difference between these people and the temple moneychangers?

The objective of all these suppliers and shopkeepers is to get rich.

I find it funny that if I want to better my income I am branded 'worldly' and not being grateful. If I am successful then I am 'blessed'.

Having lived in 3 countries I have found one thing in common. Christian employers are usually the worst - low pay, long hours, no advancement and useless family members in positions of importance.
Their standard of work is often low and their charges high.

I can no longer afford Christian material. I now buy at yard sales or used shops. Anyway how many people have heard of J.c.Ryle and Francis Schaeffer?

We are truly in the Laodacian Church Age.

I listen to your show on the way to work - Moody Radio FL

John Elzinga September 30th, 2008

To Steve, Ant, and others:

You point out an interesting dilema. We are faced with the ultimate Catch-22. So, allow me to lament a little: You produce a work, whether it be a book, video series, or trinket. You want others to know about the work so that they can grow from it or be blessed by it. But they don't know about the work so you have to submit to marketing it so that you can get the word out. But you despise the "materialistic," "worldly," "salesy," and very expensive methodologies you have to use to get the word out. (IE: what you experinced at the convention)

It seems, especially if you're an author, you have to be a "rock star" if you want anything you do to be considered. By rock star, I mean, a mega church pastor, a seminary professor who gets a lot of traction from their credibility, or a radio talk show host. Someone who has a platform with great exposure. (there are of course, some exceptions, Donald Miller being one of them)

Three and a half years ago I wrote a book and created a video series called "Thank God I'm Not a Pharisee…or am I." As we began to market the book and video series and spend a lot of money toward that effort, the number one question was "who is John Elzinga?" It is a legitimate question. What the question really implys is "is this guy a rock star?" Well, the real answer is that I'm just a guy who has a little bit of knowledge and a fair amount of expereince, and who has insights into how Christians treat each other.

Then, when you run out of money, well, too bad, that's it.

Sooo, to ant, this isn't a money changer deal. What Jesus did when he turned over the money changes is expose the fallacy of what those money changers where attempting to do. They were forcing those who were down and out to purchase an exceptable offereing (dove, lamb, etc) because the Pharisees, Scribes, Rabbi's of the world didn't accept their spotted offering. In other words, you had to pay to get forgiven and cleansed. Somehow their animal's blood was better than yours.

To Steve, I totally get where you're coming from. I have felt the same thing as you, yet, realize in the end, that I am part of the whole deal myself.

I wish there was another answer….but maybe it's just good enough that we struggle with it, and work through the tension of it, rather than simply accept it.

In that struggle, may God be pleased and glorified!

jefe September 30th, 2008

Well said, Steve.

Now I think I'll kick back with my Jesus-Loves-Me beer mug, a nice Arturo Fuente resting in my WWJD ashtray, and read the latest installment in the Left-Behind series… all beneath the serenity of my newest Thomas Kinkade.

(sigh!)

Ant brooks October 1st, 2008

Well, when any author/creator moves from the initial offering to the coffee-mug, mouse-pad, calendar, …. for kids/teens etc, I assume Jesus is no longer involved.

I think the most ridiculous offering of late was the 'read-the -Bible in 90 days' Bible. I heard the man on an early show on Moody about 2 years ago. This is my paraphrase. " I read the Bible in 90 days, got saved (or vice versa) and then started an organisation to spread the idea." At least he can't make a calendar or planner out of this one. It doesn't say much for Zondervan for publishing the Bible either.

Nancy Guthrie October 2nd, 2008

I so appreciate the honestly and authenticity of what you've written here, Steve.

I saw you at the convention. I was there too, wearing a few hats—as an author, a publicists, and also handling media relations for the show itself which, as you can imagine, has it challenges. It is an easy target.

I noticed in the weeks leading up to the convention and even during it, that there were several bloggers who wrote about it in very condescending terms—mocking the many strange items sold there (and there are plenty) as well as pointing the finger at all of the other people who were there obviously only to make a few bucks off of God. I didn't get an answer when I pushed back to ask, "And why are you there?" even though I knew they were there to promote their own products. Somehow it is always easier for us to question the motives (and certainly the taste) of other people while assuming the best of our own. We all have such a hard time seeing the log in our own eye, don't we?

I know for me, the highlights of the week included talking to Os Guinness, shaking the hand of John Perkins, hearing J.I. Packer pray, and having lunch with Randy Alcorn. These are people I respect tremendously, and I think their very presence tells us the convention isn't all about commercialism of Jesus.

I'm not writing with the intention of justifying much of what is peddled in the name of Jesus at the convention. In truth, much of what I see (including what I see in the mirror) is troubling. But there are a couple of things people should keep in mind about the show:
1. what is kitsch to me may be a very meaningful reflection and reminder of faith to someone else
2. Under law, CBA cannot refuse a company that wants to exhibit if they can prove that a few stores carry their products. But just because it's on the exhibit floor doesn't mean it is sold through many if any Christian stores.
3. I don't know anyone else's heart or motives. But I do know my own. And unfortunately my own heart is "only evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5)

Thanks again for the transparency. See you there next year. Maybe next year's highlights for me will include catching a diet coke with Steve Brown!

P.S. I love listening to the Brown Sessions while I walk in the park. Could you get busy and get some more recorded?

George January 1st, 2009

i think you should have been funny and caustic first…then repented. This would have been fodder for a future blog on grace and forgiveness. Besides, i could have used a good laugh!