Advent Conspiracy: Making Christmas Meaningful (Again)

by Rick McKinley, Chris Seay, Greg Holder

Overview

How to have a Christmas worth remembering, not dreading.

This is an updated and revised version of a book that has impacted thousands of churches.

Are you tired of how consumerism has stolen the soul of Christmas? Do you find yourself dreading Christmas a little? This year, take a stand! Join the groundswell of Christ-followers who are choosing to make Christmas what it should be--a joyous celebration of Jesus' birth that enriches our hearts and the world around us, not a retail circus that depletes our pocketbooks and defeats our spirits.

Advent Conspiracy shows you how to substitute consumption with compassion by practicing four simple but powerful, countercultural concepts:

Worship Fully--because Christmas begins and ends with Jesus.

Spend Less--and free your resources for things that truly matter.

Give More--of your presence: your hands, your words, your time, your heart.

Love All--the poor, the forgotten, the marginalized, and the sick in ways that make a difference.

Christmas can still change the world when you, like Jesus, give what matters most--your presence.

This updated and revised version, with some all-new content, will share stories of the impact this movement has made around the globe as well as giving individuals and churches even better, more practical help in planning the kind of Christmas that truly can change the world.

New introduction, new chapter, and changes throughout.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780310353461
Publisher:	Zondervan
Publication date:	11/06/2018
Pages:	176
Sales rank:	252,391
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Rick McKinley is the author of Faith for this Moment: Navigating a polarized world as the people of God and This Beautiful Mess. He is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Community in Portland, Oregon, a church creatively demonstrating the faithful presence and prophetic witness of Chris in their city. Rick and his wife, Jeanne, live with their four children in Portland.

Chris Seay is the pastor of Ecclesia, a progressive Christian community in Houston, Texas, recognized for exploring spiritual questions of culture and breaking new ground in art, music, and film. Chris is the author of The Gospel According to Tony Soprano and The Gospel Reloaded. He lives in Houston with his wife, Lisa, and their four children.

Greg Holder is lead pastor of The Crossing, a thriving multi-site church in the St. Louis area. Greg is also the author of The Genius of One: God's Answer for a Fractured World. He speaks around the world on the topics of leadership, bridge-building, and relational health. A father of two girls, he lives in Wildwood, Missouri with his wife, Robin.

Table of Contents

The Makings of a Conspiracy

Introduction: Tea Years Later 9

Chapter 1 A Radical Idea: The Beginning of a Movement 17

Chapter 2 Idolatry Near the Manger: Altars to the Wrong God 29

Four Thoughts that Could Still Change the World

Chapter 3 Worship Fully: The Missing Ingredient 43

Chapter 4 Spend Less: The Story Bur Money Tells 65

Chapter 5 Give More: The Gift of Meaningful Connection 83

Chapter 6 Love All: Making a Difference Here and Now 101

A Lasting Legacy

Chapter 7 What if? 119

The Continuing Adventure 129

Stories from Co-Conspirators 141

Acknowledgments 149

Small Group Guide 151

Notes 165