Top 11 Q Ideas of 2011

by Q Ideas

At Q, we believe that followers of Jesus have the responsibility to create culture and contribute to the common good of our society. In a mix of videos and essays, here is a brief look at the top culture-shaping ideas that Q has helped to cultivate and spread over the course of 2011.

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Announcing Q Sessions | Practices with Eugene Peterson

in New York City

by Q Ideas

It’s no secret that our lives are too busy. If we don’t become more efficient, produce more, get ahead and stay ahead then it seems our culture will leave us behind. But as our outer lives continue to expand and upgrade, our inner lives are lost and neglected. On February 28-29th, 2012, Q hosts its next limited event in New York City, Q SESSIONS | PRACTICES, featuring Eugene Peterson.

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Top Ten Culture Shaping Moments of 2011

by Q Ideas

Is culture really getting any better? Where’s the proof that all the dialogue and collaboration Q is committed to is having any impact? We’ve heard it all and we get it. Many think the work of “cultural renewal” is elusive, and understandably so. It’s not easy to show concretely how culture is changing over time. But in the following Top 10 List, we attempt to put on display that in mainstream culture, a movement is afoot.

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Consumerism

by Chris Seay

There is a counterfeit story that culture is telling us: when we get what we want, we will be happy. How can we get beyond faux happiness and realize authentic joy in pursuing a Kingdom oriented way of life? Consider how a deeper understanding of the Gospel could reshape your decision-making in a consumer-driven society.

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Cycle of Hope

by Tom Ritchey

Tom Ritchey is one-of-a-kind. From building bicycle frames as a teen to leading Ritchey Designs thirty-five years later, Tom is credited with pioneering the mountain bike movement that has since swept the globe. But, he always knew there was more work to be done. While pedaling 10,000 miles each year, he discovered the next place that could use his ingenuity—the heart of Africa. In this Q Portland talk, see first hand what one man’s calling looked like when his greatest talents confronted the burdens of a culture.

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Q Interview: Joshua LaRock, Classical Painter

by Joshua LaRock

Josh LaRock is a young and quickly emerging artist who is passionate about the renewal of the classical painting tradition. He sat down with Gabe Lyons to discuss his work, the thought behind his art, and how faith plays into what he creates.

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Becoming Weaker

by Chris Heuertz

How do we celebrate vulnerabilities? How do we receive limitations as gifts? Watch this Q exclusive video of Jean Vanier, founder and visionary of L’Arche, who inspires us all to live faithful lives in the ordinary and undramatic vocations of love.

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The Legacy of John Stott

On Listening to the Word and the World at the Very Same Time

by Steven Garber

The late Reverend Dr. John Stott will be remembered as one of the most influential religious leaders of the 20th century. From evangelical think tanks to third world activists to the world's leading newspapers, there have been many who celebrated his intellectual prowess, his tender kindness, and his insistence that faith must be both theologically orthodox and socially engaged for the common good. Steven Garber reflects on a few of his personal memories and the legacy this great man has left.

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Restoration in the Land of Make-Believe

The Legacy of Fred Rogers

by Jonathan Merritt

It's been 10 years since Fred Rogers filmed the final episode of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Many are familiar with his ability to communicate to children as a television host, but few know about the way he saw his role as a social change agent. Q editor Jonathan Merritt says Fred Rogers was more than an affable neighbor. He may be one of the greatest American restorers of the 20th century.

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How the Church Can Change a City

by Q Ideas

What do a collection of evangelical Christian pastors and the openly gay Mayor of one of America’s most liberal cities have in common? You might think not much at all. Then again, you might be surprised. At Q in Portland, Kevin Palau sat down with a panel comprised of Imago Dei’s Ken Weigel,  Portland Mayor Sam Adams, and Multnomah County Commissioner Diane McKeel to talk about how this question has been answered in their city.

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The Next Christians

by Gabe Lyons

Synthesizing a never–before–heard analysis of the dynamics underway, Gabe Lyons carefully articulates what he has learned from years of interviews, research and focus group conversations about the next iteration of cultural engagement. He shares a few of the marks of a new generation of Christians that are turning the unChristian perception problem on its head.

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The Story of Justice

by Gregg Helvey

When Gregg Helvey graduated from the film school at the University of Southern California, he had no idea that he'd win an Oscar. Yet his film Kavi snatched up two nominations and one golden statue thanks to his commitment to telling "important stories." Having come on the heels of Slumdog Millionaire’s success, Kavi has ensured the injustice of Indian culture remains in the fore for those concerned with human rights.

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Relief and Redevelopment

by Roger Sandberg

With natural disasters looming as a constant yet unforeseeable threat in our own land and to our global neighbors, how can we best participate in long-term recovery? In this presentation, Roger Sandberg, Vice President of Medair International, will help us chart out the difference between rescue, relief and redevelopment efforts and give us a scope for where the American church can contribute to these efforts in the most sustainable ways.

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Discover the Rescued

by Soledad O'Brien and Jonathan Olinger

Through the power of a documentary platform, the lives of two Haitian orphans are elevated and their stories told. CNN correspondent Soledad O’Brien and Jonathan Olinger of "Discover the Journey" open the world’s eyes to the complexities of caring for children in the midst of one of the greatest disasters the world has ever seen.

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Responding to Our Fatherhood Crisis

by Roland Warren

The federal government spends $100 billion dollars every year on programs such as child support enforcement and anti-poverty efforts directed at supporting father-absent homes. What happened to fatherhood in America? Over 25 million children live apart from their biological fathers—contributing to poor maternal and infant health, incarceration, crime, teen pregnancy, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse and lack of education. How can Christians address this crisis?

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Being Provoked to Engage

by Jo Saxton

For decades, it’s been described as “holy” and “disciplined” for Christians to remove themselves from anything corrupt, evil or broken about society. But Christians are left wondering how to navigate the terrain of being salt and light in a twenty-first century world. How are followers of Christ called to respond to sin and corruption found all around them? Do we run towards it or preserve our purity and holiness in the midst of a fallen world?

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"Rescued": A Redemptive Documentary

by Q Ideas

The 7.0 earthquake in Haiti devastated millions of lives. Compassion-fatigued American's have become over saturated. The natural questions ensue. Can Haiti change? Is there hope for Haiti's most vulnerable children? Through the power of a documentary platform, the lives of two Haitian orphans are elevated and their stories told.

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Finding Reconciliation After Genocide

by Laura Waters Hinson

What can we learn from the forgiveness happening in Rwanda? How can the church get involved in advancing reconciliation? Filmmaker, Laura Waters Hinson converses on her film, As We Forgive, developing the craft of storytelling, and the latest projects she’s been working on.

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Choose Shoes

by Q Ideas

The focus of this season's TOMS campaign is "Choose Shoes." Giving gifts can always be done thoughtfully.

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An Interview with Jon Foreman

Trap Door Sun Talks with Jon Foreman of Switchfoot

by Q Ideas

Many of us have been enjoying the "seasons" EPs by Jon Foreman, but it's back to band-time. Switchfoot's Hello Hurricane debuted November 10th, 2009 and the group are touring again. Our friends at Trap Door Sun (Jason Locy & Tim Willard) caught up with Jon to discuss song writing and being marooned on an island. You can check it out here.

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The Rising

by Q Ideas

Today, we want your help to support a new musical release from David Hodges. You can purchase his new EP released today for only $3.99 on iTunes.

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Recovering Identity: A Sign of Restoration

by Chris Heuertz

One of the most compelling projects managed by our community, Word Made Flesh, is a small business initiative called Sari Bari.Sari Bari's website states:Sari Bari, a business initiative, seeks the freedom and restoration of Kolkata's red-light areas through dignity-giving employment opportunities for women affected by the sex trade.

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Rescued

Invisible Children

by Q Ideas

In our Q community, we have been blessed with the privilege of seeing many significant culture-shaping projects grow and mature in the last few years. And we celebrate these glimpses of renewal in very dark and broken places.Another recent story of rescue and restoration continues to unfold through the work of Invisible Children.

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Being Countercultural

by Gabe Lyons

For many years, the discussion of "relevance" has overwhelmed the church. Certainly, the church's ability to connect truth with the lives of people is critical, but has the pursuit of relevance distorted an understanding of our truest calling in society? It begs the question of whether Christians are called to be relevant or a counterculture? Historically, the power of the church has been in our ability to live in the tension of existing "in, but not of."

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Why We Can't Change the World

by Andy Crouch

We're encouraged when we see others casting huge visions and undertaking significant initiatives; we're inspired to go out and do something that will change the world. But what if we've gotten it wrong when it comes to how the world is changed? Consider some thoughts that are guaranteed to challenge your assumptions.

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The Post-Atomic World

by Tyler Wigg-Stevenson

More than 20,000 nuclear weapons still exist - but the physical, environmental, and economic fallout from even one nuclear explosion would devastate our interconnected world. Security experts now agree that we are approaching a fork in the road of human history, at which we must decide between eventual catastrophe or a new sense of possibility. Tyler Wigg Stevenson, a preacher, author and activist with a decade of experience in nuclear weapons issues, is mobilizing a generation of Christians to ensure that biblical principles like the protection of innocent life, creation care and concern for the poor direct the nuclear course we choose.

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A New View

Halogen TV

by Q Ideas

At Q, we often find ourselves gravitating toward other people, organizations, agencies and initiatives seeking to accomplish some very similar things. Coming together to find beauty and truth in the ordinary and the extraordinary, our Q community reflects all channels of culture, but with one goal - seeking to nurture and pursue the common good. Q ideas are intended to celebrate this unique pursuit toward creating a better world.

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United We Serve

Serving Together | A National Intiative

by Q Ideas

Today launched an interesting summer initiative to help connect service organizations with various resources and manpower necessary to keep them alive and thriving.

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Story Time

Zach Williams | Album Release

by Q Ideas

Friend, musician and Brooklyn church-planter, Zach Williams has a new album called "Story Time," releasing next week.Q was honored to have Zach join us in Austin this year. His sincere presentation of original music from the beautiful stage of The Paramount Theatre truly enhanced our time together.

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To Write Love On Her Arms

by Jamie Tworkowski

It began with a simple act of love. For five days, friends took care of Rene as she battled addiction, depression, self-injury, and attempted suicide before checking into rehab. Little did they know the impact their actions would have on all the other Rene’s of the world. As Jamie Tworkowski chronicled their story and word got out, a movement of love, hope, and redemption emerged. This is beauty. Listen as Jamie tells his amazing story.

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Two Futures Project

by Tyler Wigg-Stevenson

Is it even possible? More importantly, is it sensible? Does the presence of nuclear weapons make the world safer and ensure they won't be used again? And why should Christians really care about this issue to begin with? Listen as Tyler Wigg-Stevenson, founder of the Two Futures Project, describes the scenario of a single bomb and lays out his case for a world free of nuclear weapons.

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To Write Love On Her Arms

by Jamie Tworkowski

121 million people worldwide struggle from depression. 18 million of these cases are happening in the United States. 2/3 of those suffering with depression never seek treatment. Listen as Jamie Tworkowski dialogues on depression, the Gospel, brand development, and honesty with stories woven in from his personal experiences with, To Write Love On Her Arms.

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Beloved Community

by Leroy Barber

Jesus said that the way believers demonstrate their love would communicate God’s love to a needy world. If that’s true, then shouldn’t we focus our passion and resources on becoming a community known by its love? Leroy Barber shares a grand vision of a beloved community.

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New Neighbor

by Leroy Barber

How do you relate to the people who live in your community with vastly different backgrounds? By creating spaces where conversations like this are possible in a society that is becoming more diverse, Leroy Barber converses about the Biblical mandate to love our neighbors.

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Think MTV

by Owen Leimbach

From baby-boomers to Gen X to millennials, generational change is taking place faster than ever before. What can we learn from MTV as they have adapted and innovated their methods and message for almost three decades?

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Thoughts On Influencing Culture

by Rick Warren

Hear an honest dialogue with one of the most influential pastors in our culture, as he shares the struggle he has establishing cultural context, the power of incarnational preaching and the potential of truly loving people through that.

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Not For Sale

by David Batstone

Slavery is illegal everywhere, yet there are 27 million slaves in the world today. Through the Not For Sale Campaign, thousands of inspired modern day abolitionists are joining together in open source activism to save humanity from this horrific way of life.

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Redeeming Justice

by Catherine Rohr

Put prisoners together with some Harvard MBA students, a business plan competition, and a gutsy New York investment banker and amazing things happen. This idea turned into a national program and is reshaping the justice system’s commitment to prisoners reentering society.

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Stepping Into Culture

by Andy Crouch

Understand your postures and gestures toward culture and your potential to cultivate and create culture.

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An Introduction to Culture Shaping

by Gabe Lyons

Where do we begin? Shaping culture is a big idea that is simply difficult to comprehend and achieve. So, as we all begin this journey to help the church regain influence in society, there are four essentials to understand that will define the opportunity: culture, future, church and gospel. Learn the foundational elements for culture-shaping and hear an introduction to the conversation.

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