In early December, my church hosts the largest outdoor presentation of the real Christmas story in the South Bay Area, attracting people from our community and beyond. Over 16,000 people attended the five nights of presentation this year as we reenacted the birth of Jesus, the Christ of Christmas. Yet now that this holiday activity is completed, I'm afraid the remaining days until Christmas for our church folk will look just like everyone else's -- shopping, wrapping presents, attending Christmas parties, and getting caught up in the usual busyness of the season.

Unfortunately, at Christmas and throughout the rest of the year, Christians in America do not look much different than our non-churched neighbors. We have the same divorce rate as everyone else (and an even higher rate among southern evangelicals.) We pursue the same American dream (otherwise defined as materialistic goals.) And we look for success in the very same places of power, possessions, and prestige.

How do we as pastors and church leaders stay true to the timeless, challenging words of Jesus, while managing a 2,000 year old institution that can never be "culture-free"?

I'm becoming more and more aware of how my life and lifestyle insulate me from the Jesus who understands and identifies with the poor and the suffering -- the kind of folk who rarely cross my daily path. That's a problem.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 25 that we minister to him when we serve "the least of these." We worship the King of Kings who came into this world a poor son of an unwed mother and was homeless the first few years of his life. His presence in our lives, our churches, and our world is the real present we need to give at Christmas.

While in college, Shane found his way of living the Christian life totally challenged as he put what he said he believed into action. The book tells of his journey, using stories from his unconventional life, to learn to live a simple and faith-filled life.

Shane on work and career: There are plenty of people who are miserable in their jobs, for they have not listened to God's call. And I would add there are many Christians who are not fulfilled in their spiritual lives because they have no sense of their gifts or purpose, and they just run to the mission field to save souls rather than transform lives and communities using their gifts and those of the people they live among. Both lead to emptiness and burnout.

Shane on money and lifestyle: Generosity is a virtue not just for those with a special spiritual gifting or an admirable philanthropic passion. It is at the very heart of our rebirth. Popular culture has taught us to believe that charity is a virtue. But for Christians, it is only what is expected. True generosity is measured not by how much we give away but by how much we have left, especially when we look at the needs of our neighbors. We have no right not to be charitable.

Will you be ready to totally follow his lead? Probably not, but reading this book will leave you convicted and questioning.

Be part of Redwood Glen's second annual PASTORS' CONFERENCE:
A learning retreat for pastors

Monday, February 25 - Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Your registration fee* includes:

• $50 EQ (Emotional Intelligence) test
• Double-occupancy housing in hotel-style accommodations
• meals and refreshments
• conference fee

(* Registration fees for this Pastors' Conference have been subsidized by individual and church gifts to Metamorphosis.)

Register by December 31st for only $225.00and you will save $40 off of the full registration price.

Click to download a registration form.

For a limited time and for area pastors only, the cost of this high-quality time management workshop is $79.00 (a $20 savings off the regular price of $99). This is our Christmas gift to you, and to those who give themselves in service for the Lord.

The cost includes 2 sessions with Kelly, a delicious lunch, and snacks.

Register by January 7th for this low price. Seating is limited so reserve your seat ASAP with Chad at (650) 879-0320 ext 10.

Merry Christmas from your friends at Redwood Glen!

Redwood Glen is located in the Santa Cruz mountains just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean. We are an hour drive from the San Francisco and San Jose airports. For more information on our programs and facilities, check out our website at www.redwoodglen.com.

If you are interested in having Rev. Joan Friesen, Redwood Glen's new Director of Church Relations and Metamorphosis, visit your church or provide pulpit supply, please email us at meta@redwoodglen.com.

Previous editions of our Metamorphosis e-newsletters may be found on the Redwood Glen and Metamorphosis websites.