Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Headed To Catalyst
Every fall the leaves change, the football teams take the field, bands loudly proclaim the fight songs of their schools, and pastors are head to Atlanta for Catalyst! I must confess that 2009 will be my first Catalyst Conference and I'm looking forward to experiencing the Kool-Aid of Catalyst. In the end my prayer is to experience something that will refresh our vision and gives us the tools to better equip our people.! Personally, a conference isn't worth the time and resources if we can not bring back the material and place it in the hands of our people. So I'm Catalyst bound and excited about what can teach me and how it can help NRC!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Last Letter
Ed Stetzer wrote an article that has captured my mind and I wanted to share it with you!
She was 22 years old, had just given birth, and was in prison for her faith. Perpetua was a Christian of the 3rd century. Her judges and father begged her to recant for the sake of her child. She refused. Instead she used her final days to write the story of why she chose to die. Upon hearing their verdict, she wrote, “we were condemned to the beasts, and we returned to prison in high spirits.” Later, Perpetua sang triumphantly as she marched into the Roman amphitheater to face execution.1700 years later, in Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat in prison awaiting his execution. One of the few Christians to resist the Nazis, he took a bold stand for the Gospel. Bonhoeffer was arrested after a failed attempt on Hitler’s life. During his last days, he wrote reflections on the end of life. They were mixed with courage and fear as he confessed his loneliness but proudly concluding, “Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine. Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am Thine!”Soon after, Bonhoeffer's “full and wonderful life” ended at the end of a noose. A doctor who was present at his death later wrote, “In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”These stories confront us with the penetrating question: Have I made a difference worth recording? The power of these stories—these last letters—is they lay us bare before the call of the Gospel. The light of these men and women who burned for Christ exposes our lives as dying embers in comparison.John Piper once noted that in our prosperous culture, Christians are able to “give to the church and then devote themselves financially to building the good life and all the while keep a clear conscience.” He's right.For example, giving to the poor is thoroughly divorced from any real sacrifice. New technologies allow us to make giving possible, even when born of greed. I can sign up for programs in which a portion of my purchase goes to help the poor in Third World slums. Nice. We have created a 21st century form of indulgences in which we buy for ourselves—both goods and a clear conscience.We need to recapture the sacrificial hearts of the Perpetua and Bonhoeffer. Living in a quasi-spiritual generation, there seems no need to embrace their courage. Yet as Christians, we step into a history paved by men and women who willingly died for causes greater than themselves—from fighting injustice to radical evangelism. Jesus was the first, but His followers, in countless numbers, have counted their lives as nothing for the sake of His glory.How can we continue this legacy? Those stories undoubtedly stir our hearts, but only for a fleeting moment at best. We read, we applaud, we commit, and then we move on. Again. How do we break free of this complacency and step into the story begun for us 2,000 years ago on the cross? It can begin by writing your own story.It has been the tradition of soldiers and missionaries to leave their families a “Last Letter,” only to be read in the event of their death. These letters not only contained emotional goodbyes, but were also personal statements about why they chose risk over safety. Why the cause was worth dying for.These Last Letters are harrowingly honest. There’s no room for clichés or braggarts when you’re staring death in the face. You either intend to die for the cause, or you wouldn’t be writing the letter.These are letters of testimony. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul writes that our very lives are letters also, written by the Spirit of the Living God. In the spiritual sense, our lives are a kind of “last letter,” the only testimony we will ever have to bear about how and why we live for the Gospel.If our life letters were assembled, what would be our contribution? Are we taking up our cross and going into the slums of Bangladesh, the brothels of Thailand and the HIV plagued orphanages of South Africa? Are we carrying on the legacy of Robert J. Thomas, who died on the shores of Korea, beaten to death as he tossed Bibles into the hands of his murderers? For all the Christians who quote Jim Eliot’s famous words about “giving what we cannot keep to gain what we cannot lose,” what exactly are we giving?Karen Watson was a member of this generation who understood her call. She was a young missionary recently murdered in Iraq. At her funeral, her “last letter” was read:
Dear Pastor,
You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death. When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward…The missionary heart: Cares more than some think is wise. Risks more than some think is safe. Dreams more than some think is practical. Expects more than some think is possible.I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience… There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you and my church family.In His care,
Salaam, Karen
Do I have the ability and willingness to see my life through these words? I do enough to easy my conscious but do I do enough to make a difference through the sacrifices of my life?
She was 22 years old, had just given birth, and was in prison for her faith. Perpetua was a Christian of the 3rd century. Her judges and father begged her to recant for the sake of her child. She refused. Instead she used her final days to write the story of why she chose to die. Upon hearing their verdict, she wrote, “we were condemned to the beasts, and we returned to prison in high spirits.” Later, Perpetua sang triumphantly as she marched into the Roman amphitheater to face execution.1700 years later, in Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer sat in prison awaiting his execution. One of the few Christians to resist the Nazis, he took a bold stand for the Gospel. Bonhoeffer was arrested after a failed attempt on Hitler’s life. During his last days, he wrote reflections on the end of life. They were mixed with courage and fear as he confessed his loneliness but proudly concluding, “Who am I? They mock me, these lonely questions of mine. Whoever I am, Thou knowest, O God, I am Thine!”Soon after, Bonhoeffer's “full and wonderful life” ended at the end of a noose. A doctor who was present at his death later wrote, “In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a man die so entirely submissive to the will of God.”These stories confront us with the penetrating question: Have I made a difference worth recording? The power of these stories—these last letters—is they lay us bare before the call of the Gospel. The light of these men and women who burned for Christ exposes our lives as dying embers in comparison.John Piper once noted that in our prosperous culture, Christians are able to “give to the church and then devote themselves financially to building the good life and all the while keep a clear conscience.” He's right.For example, giving to the poor is thoroughly divorced from any real sacrifice. New technologies allow us to make giving possible, even when born of greed. I can sign up for programs in which a portion of my purchase goes to help the poor in Third World slums. Nice. We have created a 21st century form of indulgences in which we buy for ourselves—both goods and a clear conscience.We need to recapture the sacrificial hearts of the Perpetua and Bonhoeffer. Living in a quasi-spiritual generation, there seems no need to embrace their courage. Yet as Christians, we step into a history paved by men and women who willingly died for causes greater than themselves—from fighting injustice to radical evangelism. Jesus was the first, but His followers, in countless numbers, have counted their lives as nothing for the sake of His glory.How can we continue this legacy? Those stories undoubtedly stir our hearts, but only for a fleeting moment at best. We read, we applaud, we commit, and then we move on. Again. How do we break free of this complacency and step into the story begun for us 2,000 years ago on the cross? It can begin by writing your own story.It has been the tradition of soldiers and missionaries to leave their families a “Last Letter,” only to be read in the event of their death. These letters not only contained emotional goodbyes, but were also personal statements about why they chose risk over safety. Why the cause was worth dying for.These Last Letters are harrowingly honest. There’s no room for clichés or braggarts when you’re staring death in the face. You either intend to die for the cause, or you wouldn’t be writing the letter.These are letters of testimony. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul writes that our very lives are letters also, written by the Spirit of the Living God. In the spiritual sense, our lives are a kind of “last letter,” the only testimony we will ever have to bear about how and why we live for the Gospel.If our life letters were assembled, what would be our contribution? Are we taking up our cross and going into the slums of Bangladesh, the brothels of Thailand and the HIV plagued orphanages of South Africa? Are we carrying on the legacy of Robert J. Thomas, who died on the shores of Korea, beaten to death as he tossed Bibles into the hands of his murderers? For all the Christians who quote Jim Eliot’s famous words about “giving what we cannot keep to gain what we cannot lose,” what exactly are we giving?Karen Watson was a member of this generation who understood her call. She was a young missionary recently murdered in Iraq. At her funeral, her “last letter” was read:
Dear Pastor,
You should only be opening this letter in the event of my death. When God calls there are no regrets. I tried to share my heart with you as much as possible, my heart for the nations. I wasn’t called to a place; I was called to Him. To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory my reward, His glory my reward…The missionary heart: Cares more than some think is wise. Risks more than some think is safe. Dreams more than some think is practical. Expects more than some think is possible.I was called not to comfort or to success but to obedience… There is no Joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him. I love you and my church family.In His care,
Salaam, Karen
Do I have the ability and willingness to see my life through these words? I do enough to easy my conscious but do I do enough to make a difference through the sacrifices of my life?
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Quiet Desperation
Henry David Thoreau made the statement that "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." I believe all of us want to do something significant with our lives but fail to achieve the greatness we seek with our lives. When I look around at the situations around me I see huge stories, life changing stories, but more importantly I see the opportunity for greatness. Many times we want to do something significant with our lives but we want to pick what that something is!!! We want to be president, cure cancer, or picture ourselves pulling someone out of a burning building. However, what if God has called us to significance through our ability to rise about a difficult situation. What if our significance is found in amazing abilities to handle the situations of our lives. I don't want to look back on my life and realize that I miss the opportunity to have done something extraordinary with my life. I don't want to realize that I was called to do something great with the situations of my life and my greatness was forsaken because I missed the blessings right in front of me. I no longer want to look at my trials with quiet desperation but with the resolve to be significant with the life God's given me!
None of this might make any sense but it was running through my mind so I just wrote it down.
None of this might make any sense but it was running through my mind so I just wrote it down.
Monday, August 24, 2009
What Ifs!
When we started North River Church we started with a bunch of "what ifs!?!" What if, no one was about to say we've never done it this way before? What if, we designed the church to hold its members to higher expectations? What if, we committed ourselves and our resources to always be concerned about those outside the walls of our church? What if, we only did programming that fit into our clearly defined process and that only helped accomplish our clearly defined goals? Now that would mean NOT starting a few things people want and expect to be started but what if we could do it? What if, we could develop members who would calendar the church first, instead of last? What if, we could raise up members who would tell the coaches of the community the priorities of their home (Assuming Christ was the priority of their home.)
Well... as we enter another fall, I'm still passionate about working to build a healthy church. I am even more convinced that the church of our community needs to change its relationship with the community. The world believes that the church is angry and hates them. We as Christ-followers cannot embrace that view but must commit to loving those whom Christ loves and HE loves everybody!
Well... as we enter another fall, I'm still passionate about working to build a healthy church. I am even more convinced that the church of our community needs to change its relationship with the community. The world believes that the church is angry and hates them. We as Christ-followers cannot embrace that view but must commit to loving those whom Christ loves and HE loves everybody!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Where Have I Been?
I can't believe how fast time seems to get away from me. As a young person I use to listen to old people talk about how time flies and I just knew they were crazy. Now I'm older and I am watching my days get away from me. I want to be a part of doing something significant for the Kingdom of God but instead I seem to get caught doing so many little things that I can't seem to get back to the main things. I use to think at 25 that I was so disciplined with my time but now as I approach 40 I realized I've never known the demands of a full schedule. Everything in ministry seems like a priority. I hear words like balance and prioritize but when the people need you all I know is that the people need you!
So what am I trying to say? I don't know!?!? Just learn a lesson from someone who is watching his days; and hold each moment precious. Make sure you give your minutes to those things worthy of your life and know what we do in this life is limited! Spend your time wisely!
So what am I trying to say? I don't know!?!? Just learn a lesson from someone who is watching his days; and hold each moment precious. Make sure you give your minutes to those things worthy of your life and know what we do in this life is limited! Spend your time wisely!
Monday, June 29, 2009
I LOVE KIDS
I know VBS is a major use of resources and manpower. I watched our church members make great sacrifices to serve the children who walked through the doors of our church. It is no small sacrifice for a worker to get off work and grab a quick bite to eat before running up to the church full of energy and pour their lives into children helping every child feel like the most important person in the world. When we look back over the last week and we think about all the man hours and money that went into making our VBS a success, you might ask what did we gain!?! And I can't answer that question for someone else but I gained the joy of having a couple boys and girls give their lives to Jesus. I was fueled watching certain children completely engaged in the Bible Stories. I left the week satisfied with the knowledge that an army full of children know how much God loves them and that the church is here for them!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Routines
I sometimes feel like my life is filled with routines. I maintain a fairly standard schedule at work, I like going to the same places to eat lunch, I love traveling to same spots, and I have certain TV shows I'm showing addiction issues with. But I have found two things that allow me to break free from my routines. Two little slices of heaven that recharge the creativity of my life. But, they are also two little things that no one else pushes me to do, they are two little things that often times get pushed back in my day or even later in the week. Even if I feel drained without them I still allow everything to block me from taking the time to do them. SO what are these amazing little nuggets of life? My quiet time and sharing my faith. There is just something so energizing about studying God's word and watching where HE takes me, and nothing more miraculous than sharing my story and watching someone give their heart to Christ. I just wonder why I allow so many other things to fill my days with ordinary routines and push two of the most miraculous elements of my life to the back burner?!?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Way Outside The Box
I'm wrestling again. I can't resolve why the body of Christ is struggling so much to make any kind of significant impact in our culture. I've heard church leaders talk about how church is suppose to be done, and the world will simply have to adjust to our traditions. If they want to hear about Jesus then they will simply have to adjust to us. I have also listened to new church leaders talk about connecting to culture. I'm afraid we have blended to the point of ,"what's the difference?!?" Every generation points to the another generation with great blame. Every kind of church points to churches of different methodology with great blame.
I guess I'm needing to ask, when did winning the church wars become more important than seeing the gospel proclaimed to a hurting and disconnected world?!? I know church leaders talk about wanting to change their church's culture, but many feel blocked by the people in the pews. SO, here's my idea, what if we didn't start with changes in worship? What if we, as church leaders, instilled a passion for the world, a larger world view of the gospel in our people? What if we changed the culture of church by getting them beyond the walls of the church? What if we taught our people how to stop going to church and start being the church? We could stop worrying about what we sing and start worrying about how we serve! I don't know, just a thought!
I guess I'm needing to ask, when did winning the church wars become more important than seeing the gospel proclaimed to a hurting and disconnected world?!? I know church leaders talk about wanting to change their church's culture, but many feel blocked by the people in the pews. SO, here's my idea, what if we didn't start with changes in worship? What if we, as church leaders, instilled a passion for the world, a larger world view of the gospel in our people? What if we changed the culture of church by getting them beyond the walls of the church? What if we taught our people how to stop going to church and start being the church? We could stop worrying about what we sing and start worrying about how we serve! I don't know, just a thought!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
The Mask of Perfect People
I've often wondered why Christ-followers feel the need to put on the mask of perfection. Why we feel the need to hide our issues, struggle with the reality of our own sin, and deny the truths of our problems?!? I wonder if its embarrassment for the sins in our lives, or our inability to solve certain relational life issues. In the end, I think we all feel the need to cover for God! Somewhere along the way we thought, "Well, I gave my life to Jesus but I'm still struggling with whatever, so HE must not be able to solve this, therefore, I"ll hide it for Him."
I wonder what would happen in the church, if we stop trying to cover for God and simply admitted that, "I've fallen short of God's glory and I need help getting to where God wants me!?!" What if we admitted that ALL marriages go through tough times? What would happen if we ALL admitted that we are still sinners and in constant need of accountability? Or dealt with sins in the church with the same passion as we deal with sins of our culture? What do you think the church would look like? I wonder if we would enjoy it more and dread it less? I wonder if the world would finally feel welcomed to explore the claims of Christ from inside the church?
In other words, I wonder why we don't do it? I guess we're all scared to go first!
I wonder what would happen in the church, if we stop trying to cover for God and simply admitted that, "I've fallen short of God's glory and I need help getting to where God wants me!?!" What if we admitted that ALL marriages go through tough times? What would happen if we ALL admitted that we are still sinners and in constant need of accountability? Or dealt with sins in the church with the same passion as we deal with sins of our culture? What do you think the church would look like? I wonder if we would enjoy it more and dread it less? I wonder if the world would finally feel welcomed to explore the claims of Christ from inside the church?
In other words, I wonder why we don't do it? I guess we're all scared to go first!
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Man I'm OLD
Well, it's May 13 and I'm another year older. If the truth be known I'm kinda nostalgic and do a lot of reflecting back on opportunities missed and blessing experienced. Being nostalgic is bad because I cry sometimes when I'm alone (yes, I know that's weird) but it also good because it makes me reflect on what's really important! Years ago, I decided to be at peace with God no matter where He took me. I wanted His name and His renown to be known and not mine.
OK, I'm willing to admit it, I am 39 years old and body is gong faster than I wanted but I hope God can use me in a greater way this next. I want the best year of my spiritual journey to be next year not last year. My prayer is to not be dealing with the sames sins next year that I struggled with this year. Yes, I'm old but still hungry to see God do great things through my obedience to His will!
OK, I'm willing to admit it, I am 39 years old and body is gong faster than I wanted but I hope God can use me in a greater way this next. I want the best year of my spiritual journey to be next year not last year. My prayer is to not be dealing with the sames sins next year that I struggled with this year. Yes, I'm old but still hungry to see God do great things through my obedience to His will!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Thankfulness
Sunday, May 10th was a great day of celebration at NRC. Mother's day is one of those significant dates on the calendar. Lately, I have tried to stop and watch all that Lori does for our children and I am floored by her ability to juggle her life and and the lives of our children. I am so thankful for the spiritual legacy being modeled by Lori and all the moms at NRC. Now I'm finding myself wanting to advocate more Sundays at year to celebrate our mothers. "Y'all let me know what you think about a quarterly mother's day!?!" Ladies-Thank you!
We also recognized our Seniors on Sunday. NRC has been blessed by 10 extraordinary student leaders and I pray we have grounded them to enjoy their faith! In the months ahead each and every one of them will face the decision to make their faith their own. Please prayer for another class of Christian Seniors who all over the nation will face the decision to make their faith their own. Statistics tell us 14% of Christian seniors will activity practice their faith in college. Please pray for our seniors and seniors all over the country! I can't speak for them all but I love our seniors and I want them equipped to do great things for the Kingdom of God!
We also recognized our Seniors on Sunday. NRC has been blessed by 10 extraordinary student leaders and I pray we have grounded them to enjoy their faith! In the months ahead each and every one of them will face the decision to make their faith their own. Please prayer for another class of Christian Seniors who all over the nation will face the decision to make their faith their own. Statistics tell us 14% of Christian seniors will activity practice their faith in college. Please pray for our seniors and seniors all over the country! I can't speak for them all but I love our seniors and I want them equipped to do great things for the Kingdom of God!
Monday, May 4, 2009
IS IT A GREAT NEED OR AN OVERWHELMING NEED?
I have been wrestling with the size of problems in our culture and even more specifically in our city. When we look around and we see the amount of poverty in our city, and need for the church to rise up and make a difference in the lives of other people, I get overwhelmed. Recently, I realized that the world doesn't believe the church is full of hypocrites because a Christ-follower slips a curse word in anger, or is seen having a drink. I believe the world sees the church as a building full of hypocrites because we limit when and how we serve the poor in our community. I know I have sent mixed messages to the city when I've turned a deaf ear to community needs. I fell into the trap of "homelessness isn't cool for church growth, meals aren't cool for leadership development," but I think Jesus is longing for His church to make a difference in the lives of hurting people. If I am HIS then I must serve those whom He loves! ...and honestly I'm wrestling with the size of that challenge?!?
Monday, April 27, 2009
transfering worship to life application
I know good bloggers raise questions and provide answers but I seem to be full of more questions, than answers. I am wrestling with worship and watching a room full of believers emotionally connected to the truths of scripture, walk back into society unchanged by what they have received. Somewhere in my academic history I sat in a seminary class and was taught that it is my job to accurately teach God's word and it was the people's job to receive it and apply it. Well I have a problem, I am too emotionally connected to lives of these people! I cannot watch people I love listen to God's word but live untransformed lives. I'm drawn back to the different images of a cowboy and a shepherd. Cowboys are the image of our country; tough, independent, and very task oriented because he knows that every animal he leads will be sacrificed to reach his goals. However, the shepherd is strong, involved, and very compassionate because he knows that every animal must survive to reach his goals. As a shepherd, I want the best for the people God's asked me to shepherd. I long for them to see the amazing life found in living a life conformed to the image of Jesus and not a life bent on the do's and don'ts of religion. In my pursuit of Jesus I discover the life of His word!
Monday, April 20, 2009
Watching Love Grow
I find it amazing and somewhat confusing to know that I love my wife more today than the day I married her. I know how much I loved her then and I was just hoping to hold onto that level of love for a lifetime but the more we grow together, the more I fall in love with her. I want to spend time with her, I want to know what she's thinking, what she likes, what she dislikes. The longer we are married the bolder I am in proclaiming my love for her.
Therefore, I looked around and began to ask myself do I feel the same way about my love for Jesus. Am I deeper in love with my Savior today than the day I meet Him? Do I want to spend more time with Him, do I want to know what He's thinking, what He likes, or dislikes? The longer we maintain a covenant relationship together, am I bolder in proclaiming my love for Him?
Time together reveals truth! The longer we stay in a relationship with someone the more we will reveal our true feeling for the other person. "Puppy-Dog" love can and will only carry you so far and then life and time will reveal truth. I want the best days of my journey with Jesus to be ahead of me! I want to discover greater worship, deeper truths, and far more intimate guidance in the days ahead. I love you Jesus!
PS I love you too, Lori!
Therefore, I looked around and began to ask myself do I feel the same way about my love for Jesus. Am I deeper in love with my Savior today than the day I meet Him? Do I want to spend more time with Him, do I want to know what He's thinking, what He likes, or dislikes? The longer we maintain a covenant relationship together, am I bolder in proclaiming my love for Him?
Time together reveals truth! The longer we stay in a relationship with someone the more we will reveal our true feeling for the other person. "Puppy-Dog" love can and will only carry you so far and then life and time will reveal truth. I want the best days of my journey with Jesus to be ahead of me! I want to discover greater worship, deeper truths, and far more intimate guidance in the days ahead. I love you Jesus!
PS I love you too, Lori!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Leadership Resolution
I've recently tried to define my basic strategy when it comes to leadership. I've read, watched, and listened to hundreds of men and women describe leadership, and ultimately I've realized that Christian Leadership should not be defined by the terms of the world by the words of my scriptures. Therefore, I want to lay out what I see as God's leadership lesson as described through His word.
2 Peter 1:5-8 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. NASU
Scripture tells us to add to our faith with ALL DILIGENCE, these additional characteristics and I see a leadership journey in these verse necessary if we want to lead as Jesus led. However, I need to admit each characteristic is harder for a Christian leader than the one before it. Peter begins with faith and no christian leader can lead as Jesus led without faith, you would think this is a no brainer but you'd be surprise how many of us as Christian leaders try to lead through with the same leadership tactic as world but hoping for spiritual results. Peter then tells us to add to our faith with complete passion these additional characteristics and I want to list them for you with a basic definition. Remember, each level is progressive and harder to live out than the one before it.
Moral Excellence is the God given ability to perform heroic deeds.
Knowledge is the truth of God properly comprehended and applied.
Self Control is the restraint to trust the will of God over the will of self.
Perseverance is the spiritual staying power that will die before it gives in.
Godliness is a reverent loyalty to the obedient pursuit of Christ likeness.
Brotherly kindness is the selflessness of being a living sacrifice.
Love is the surrendered choice of dying to self so others can experience Christ.
I find it amazing the two hardest characteristics of the christian life is kindness and love. Knowledge of our field is much easier than finding the time to be kind and to love others. As a christian leader I am reminded of how hard it is to die to self and to live and love as Christ did. But I am committed to the leadership principles of scripture and I hope I can influence others in the body of Christ to the same banner!
2 Peter 1:5-8 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, 6 and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, 7 and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. NASU
Scripture tells us to add to our faith with ALL DILIGENCE, these additional characteristics and I see a leadership journey in these verse necessary if we want to lead as Jesus led. However, I need to admit each characteristic is harder for a Christian leader than the one before it. Peter begins with faith and no christian leader can lead as Jesus led without faith, you would think this is a no brainer but you'd be surprise how many of us as Christian leaders try to lead through with the same leadership tactic as world but hoping for spiritual results. Peter then tells us to add to our faith with complete passion these additional characteristics and I want to list them for you with a basic definition. Remember, each level is progressive and harder to live out than the one before it.
Moral Excellence is the God given ability to perform heroic deeds.
Knowledge is the truth of God properly comprehended and applied.
Self Control is the restraint to trust the will of God over the will of self.
Perseverance is the spiritual staying power that will die before it gives in.
Godliness is a reverent loyalty to the obedient pursuit of Christ likeness.
Brotherly kindness is the selflessness of being a living sacrifice.
Love is the surrendered choice of dying to self so others can experience Christ.
I find it amazing the two hardest characteristics of the christian life is kindness and love. Knowledge of our field is much easier than finding the time to be kind and to love others. As a christian leader I am reminded of how hard it is to die to self and to live and love as Christ did. But I am committed to the leadership principles of scripture and I hope I can influence others in the body of Christ to the same banner!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
What defines your life?!?
After spending 4 amazing days with my son in Washington DC, I have started reflecting on what defines my life. Throughout history most men have been defined by their careers. We have allowed our self worth to be captured in our paychecks and job titles. However, over the last few days I have been in a place where no one knows what I do for a living, with my son who only cared that I was with him. I meet people who were shocked when I opened doors for someone, offered up my seat, or demonstrated kindness to complete strangers. Over the last 4 days I was not defined by my career (pastor) but by my character. I am convinced that God is telling me to focus on the weight of my character. It is easy to allow the prestige of what I do to define my character and to allow everyone to assume things about my character simply because they associate me with my career. But, I want my obedience to the pursuit of God and my transformation to the image of God to define me. I do not live with a hunger for God because it will further my career, if God were to call me out of ministry and into the workplace, I would still live with a commitment to the covenant relationship of my faith. So, what defines you... and do you like what it says about you?
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
beliefs verses convictions
I guess blogs are a great place to think out loud and I'm wrestling with an idea I need to let out! I listen all the time to people talk about their beliefs. They make statement after statement about their beliefs and it gets me jazzed up to hear the passion in their voices! Now, listening to people talk about beliefs is not unusual since everybody's got an opinion and don't mind sharing it with you. What confuses me is their ability to make decisions to support their beliefs. In other words, what I'm wrestling with understanding the difference between belief and conviction. I here people talk all the time about the priority of their faith but then I watch the development of their faith become their last option. (ie. When did church camp and a mountain top experience with God become less important than sports camp, band camp, cheer camp, dance camp, etc?!?) I'm scared for the next generation of Christ-followers who are watching us proclaim our beliefs and yet live with mixed conviction. I'm not opposed to sports camps, please know I've spent enough time and sent enough money to places all over the south but I pray my children will see me place faith development before athletic or music or art development. Our children will know our convictions by how we set our calendars and how we write our checks. In my own life, I'm trying to be slow to speak and deliberate in what I hold to be my convictions! OK, well now I've got that out of my head.
Monday, March 16, 2009
People vs. Programming
I've always found it so ironic how differently church staff and church members see church programming. Church staff members can become so passionate and emotionally attached to a new program because they see all the different ways it can help and minister to the people. While at the same time church members see programming as another night of the week gone or another activity where the staff wants me out of the house. The church member believes that by coming to the event or program they have done the church staff member a favor and boosted his or her numbers. However, the staff member is hoping and praying that God will use the event to change the church member's life forever. So where's the balance?!? How do we as church leaders help church members see the need for spiritual development, while not making it feel like a spiritual burden? It may be different for every church leader but I believe the answer begins with identifying the church's priorities. As leaders we need to clearly define and clearly communicate the vision and priorities of the church. If we fail to communicate clearly defined priorities then church members are more likely to believe we have a greater interest and investment in the program than the people.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
from Sidewalks to Social Networks
I was listening to a man talk one day about the disappearance of sidewalks in neighborhoods. A generation ago families would come home and walk up down their sidewalks learning about the lives of their neighbors. However, somewhere ago the way we stopped using sidewalks, we'd come home with our take-out dinners, close the garage door, and cocoon in our homes isolated from our neighbors. I don't know why, maybe we got busier, maybe we just stop liking our next door neighbors, and wanted to find a way to hand pick our neighbors. We all seemed isolated until the emergence of the SOCIAL NETWORK. Networks like Facebook, My Space, God's Social Network, and personal blogs gave all of us the freedom to hand pick our new neighbors. No longer do we need to learn the social skills necessary for interacting with a next door neighbor who sees life differently, now we can shut them out and simply focus on a network of friends built around common interest or ideologies. Is it good or bad? I don't know, all I do know is that it gives a whole new perspective on the Biblical question, "Who is my neighbor?" Social networks have replaced sidewalks but I hope they don't replace the Good Samaritan.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Healing
Psalms 30:1-2
I will exalt You, Lord, because You have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me. 2 Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
Healing comes in different forms at some of the most unusual times from some of the most unlikely places. One of the great mysteries of the Lord is seen in the way He moves and works in the lives of His people. What we think is an easy no-brainer and obvious request for God to answer, can often times find God taking us on a spiritual journey we never expected. When God moves we can be assured of two things: 1. He has never lost control of the situation. We may feel abandoned and confused as we experience the results of living in a fallen world but God is still present and still in control. 2. God is always answering prayer, even when we can’t see the results. We are willing to acknowledge God’s presence when we see Him answer prayer according to our request and our will, but God is always moving and we must come to a place of trust, especially when we see His hand move in a different direction from our will.
I will exalt You, Lord, because You have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me. 2 Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.
Healing comes in different forms at some of the most unusual times from some of the most unlikely places. One of the great mysteries of the Lord is seen in the way He moves and works in the lives of His people. What we think is an easy no-brainer and obvious request for God to answer, can often times find God taking us on a spiritual journey we never expected. When God moves we can be assured of two things: 1. He has never lost control of the situation. We may feel abandoned and confused as we experience the results of living in a fallen world but God is still present and still in control. 2. God is always answering prayer, even when we can’t see the results. We are willing to acknowledge God’s presence when we see Him answer prayer according to our request and our will, but God is always moving and we must come to a place of trust, especially when we see His hand move in a different direction from our will.
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