healthier pastors

CHARACTER REFLECTIONS Part 2

2012-02-11T10:42:00.001-07:00

I will share with you 4 more reflections that identify godly character in a leader.

The effective leader works with respect and understanding for each member of the team or organization. One of the greatest signs of godly character is a person who is willing to identify, develop, and celebrate the gifts of those who work for you. This requires confidence and acceptance in your own gifts and abilities. If you can't, your insecurities will shine through and frustrate those on your team.

Secondly, a leader with character works for the greater good of the organization. Instead of using the position to promote themselves, leaders with character are more concerned about the interests of the organization. The most satisfying work will be to promote something bigger than ourselves.

Thirdly, a leader who reflects character is temperate in all matters. A leader who demonstrates moderation in all things, including a lack of retaliation when attacked, over reacting, and rash responses.
Maintaining composure in all circumstances is critical to a leader's credibility.

(Just a side note regarding this issue) I was told early on in my ministry to pray every day for beauty and balance in my life. This advice speaks to this third reflection.

Finally the leader who reflects character must balance a confidence in their ability with humility in their approach. An effective leader should have low ego needs and find their greatest satisfaction in leading toward successful results. Being confident in your ability but humble in your approach requires that you learn to celebrate the gifts of those around you recognizing that things could change at any time.

CHARACTER REFLECTIONS

2012-02-01T15:21:00.003-07:00

In a recent article written by Gayle D. Beebe, who is the president of Westmont College, there were some really great insights regarding the essential qualities that reflect our character. For the next several blogs I would like to amplify those.

The first is a leader who leads from a foundation of integrity. Essentially this means being true to our word and avoiding any kind of false appearances. Because a leader's life is always on display, people can be intrusive and critical. We can either embrace that fact or resent it. If we embrace it, we live a life above board and above reproach. If we resent it we can resort to our privacy and perhaps send the wrong messages.

The second characteristic of somebody who has great character is relational competency. Often times we get jobs and have responsibility because of our technical competence. Our technical abilities can take us so far, but if we can't foster emotionally mature relationships that are meaningful we can find ourselves isolated and misunderstood. The higher we go in any organization the more we have to work through people. That is why people skills are so essential.

The third characteristic of somebody with great character is the ability to absorb and undo the evil of others. Attacks and criticism are inevitable in any organization. It is critical for a leader to be able to sift through what is true and what isn't. A person with great character should be emotionally mature enough to discern the real issues at stake and try to remove the personal side of things.

Until next time. How do you stack up against these first 3?

SPIRITUAL BOLEMICS

2012-01-26T09:50:00.000-07:00

It is my fear that all too many of us who prepare Bible studies or sermons have a propensity to jump the gun when it comes to our own transformation. What do I mean by this?

How often have you studied a passage and prepared a talk and found it hugely stimulating. Stimulating because it really will resonate with those who will listen. In fact it is so stimulating, that you binge on it for several hours. It is like you have just eaten a delicious meal. You have gorged yourself with God's finest cuisine.

The problem all too often is that we can't wait to throw it up. We get so excited to share it that we forget to let it digest into our own heart. We fool ourselves into thinking that just because we have studied, that somehow it has taken root into our lives.

The bigger problem is that we are misleading those who are listening. They see this lean and mean Bible teacher on the outside, but who is really starving on the inside. So we go on living this secret lifestyle where no personal transformation has taken place.

God told Joshua not to let the book of the law depart from his mouth but to also meditate on it day and night. Meditate means to ruminate. This means to chew on it over and over and then make sure your swallow.

Vulnerability

2012-01-05T13:03:00.003-07:00

Let me begin with a quote from a great book called "Getting Naked" by Patrick Lencioni.
"Vulnerability. It is one of the most undervalued and misunderstood of all human qualities.
Without the willingness to be vulnerable, we will not build deep and lasting relationships in life. That's because there is no better way to earn a person's trust than by putting ourselves in a position of unprotected weakness and demonstrating that we believe they will support us. Yet society encourages us to avoid vulnerability, to always project strength, confidence, and poise. Although this is certainly advisable in some situations in life, when tit comes to important, ongoing relationships, it stifles our ability to build trust."

In order for us to be vulnerable as ministry we must get over 3 basic fears: The first is the fear of losing people. We are often afraid if we show weakness that people will not follow us. On the contrary people respect honest humility.

Secondly there is always a fear of being embarrassed. None of us like to make mistakes but it is always better to admit them and take responsibility for them. I don't know about you, but I have great respect for those who are willing to admit they messed up rather than covering it up or blaming somebody else.

Finally the fear of feeling inferior. None of us like to admit that we don't have all the answers, especially when people are counting on us for advice. Unfortunately we are all too often concerned about protecting our intellectual pride and maintaining our social status.

Why do I bring this up? Too many pastors and leaders are insecure enough not to make themselves vulnerable, when in reality we can best emulate Jesus when those opportunities confront us.

After all didn't almighty God become a man?

JOY!

2011-12-19T13:40:00.002-07:00

Joy is something every disciple of Christ needs to understand. Let me just quote Eugene Peterson:

"Joy is not a requirement of Christian discipleship, it a a consequence. It is not what we have to acquire in order to experience life in Christ; it is what comes to us when we are walking in the way of faith and obedience. Joy is a product of abundance; it is the overflow of vitality. It is life working together harmoniously. It is exuberance. Inadequate sinners as we are, none of us can manage that for very long.

The entertainment industry in America is a sign of the depletion of joy in our culture. Society is a bored, gluttonous king employing a court jester to divert it after an overindulgent meal. But that kind of joy never penetrates our lives, never changes our basic constitution. The effects are extremely temporary--a few minutes, a few hours, a few days at the most. We cannot make ourselves joyful. Joy cannot be commanded, purchased or arranged.

But there is something we can do. We can decide to live in response to the abundance of God and not under the dictatorship of our own poor needs. We can decide to live in the environment of a living God and not our own dying selves. We can decide to center ourselves in the God who generously gives and not in our own egos which greedily grab. One of the certain consequences of such a life is joy."

May the joy you experience this Christmas be more than a fleeting moment but a life time of walking in faith and obedience.

ACQUIRING THE SKILL OF SERVICE

2011-12-07T14:07:00.001-07:00

Karl Barth defines service in this way: "In general terms, service is a willing, working and doing in which a person acts not according to his own purposes or plans but with a view to the purpose of another person and according to the need, disposition, and direction of others. It is an act whose freedom is limited and determined by the other's freedom, an act whose glory becomes increasingly greater to the extent that the doer is not concerned about his own glory but about the glory of the other."

With this definition in place you can see how critical for us as disciples to master the art of serving on our spiritual journey. Psalm 123 tells us, "Like servants, alert to their master's commands, like a maiden attending her lady, we're watching and waiting, holding our breath awaiting for your word of mercy."

"Unfortunately there are many so called followers of Jesus that think of religion as a far-off, mysteriously run bureaucracy to which we apply for assistance when we feel the need. We go to a local branch office and direct the clerk (sometimes called a pastor) to fill out our order for God. Then we go home and wait for God to be delivered to us according the the specifications that we have set down." ( Eugene Peterson)

We will never be true disciples until we learn what it means to serve. We desperately need to learn what it is like to be fully under our Master's leadership. Who came, by the way, TO SERVE.

WHY WORSHIP?

2011-11-29T11:05:00.001-07:00

So far we have detected two critical components to being a disciple. The first is a comprehension of repentance and second, how important it is to trust in the providence of God along our spiritual journey.

The third component to our discipleship journey is worship. The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 122:1 "When they said, "Let us go to the house of God," my heart leaped with joy.

Christians can find all kinds of excuses not to go to church, but a disciple seizes the opportunity. Why?

The first reason is that we all need structure in our lives. Sunday worship should give us a framework for leaving the humdrum and distractions of life so that we can focus on what is really important. Unless we set aside that time our relationship with God can become fragmented and meaningless.

The second reason we need to worship God is that it fulfills a command for us to bring praise to Him. Augustine wrote, " A Christian should be an alleluia from head to foot". Even though we may not feel like worshiping God it is something we need to do to keep our relationship with Him a priority. We need to learn more about acting our way into better feelings. One writer puts it this way, "Worship is an act that develops feelings for God, not a feeling for God that is expressed in a act of worship".

The third reason we need to worship is that we will hear a word from God. We can certainly do that alone, but there is something special about large corporate worship when the whole family gathers together. We can control what we take in from God when we are alone but when we are together there are multiple mechanisms that kick in. There is a spontaneity that flows from corporate worship. When we come to corporate worship there should be an expectation to hear from God.

So as a pastor/ leader let these truths resonate with those who you lead. Statistics tell us that there are still more people worshipping on Sunday than all the people who go to football games, hunting, fishing, taking walks and playing golf combined.

God's PROVIDENCE

2011-11-22T11:27:00.001-07:00

One thing we have learned is that discipleship is a journey. As Eugene Peterson states, "It is a long obedience in the same direction." The first step in that obedience, is truly owning the concept of repentance.

As we move on in our journey we must also understand the message of God's providence in our lives.

It has been described pretty well in Psalm 121. The Psalmist says that his strength doesn't come from the mountains, or anything natural, but from God. Essentially he is saying that nothing in life will sustain us in those difficult times other than God.

The Psalmist goes on to say that we have a guardian God who will never fall asleep on the job. In other words nothing falls through the cracks of life without God's watchful care, as his child. The Hebrew writer tells us that he will never leave us forsake us.

It is absolutely critical for us as disciples to comprehend these truths about our God. We must understand that no matter what circumstances we are in, God still cares and is ultimately in control.

These truths can only be comprehended through the ups and downs of living our lives and experiencing his providence through 20/20 hindsight. The more we see in the mirror of our lives the greater this truth becomes a reality.

How to Measure a True Disciple

2011-11-07T16:08:00.002-07:00

I have heard discussed over and over again in the local church the definition of a true disciple. Most discussions end with the concept of student, learner, or follower of Jesus Christ. While these are good definitions, we also know it doesn't define the aspects of being a disciple more specifically.

I have been reading a book by Eugene Peterson called " A Long Obedience in the Same Direction" with the subtitle Discipleship in and Instant Society. Peterson walks through Psalm 120-134 gleaning the qualities that must be present in a true follower of Jesus Christ. For the next several blogs I will try to summarize the qualities that may help shed some light on what we need to be modeling and teaching as we attempt to disciple others.

The first concept we need to understand is "repentance". We do not become a true follower of Jesus until we come to a point of turning from our sin and intentionally turning toward a whole new lifestyle of following Christ. I truly believe that one cannot become a disciple until there is true repentance.

Unfortunately too many people want to come to Christ with an emotional decision that does not come with the mindful disgust of the world around us and a deep desire to live out something totally different.

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 120 I'm in trouble. I cry to God, desperate for an answer: "Deliver me from the liars, God! They smile so sweetly but lie through their teeth." Do you know what's next, can you see what's coming, all you barefaced liars? Pointed arrows and burning coals will be your reward. I'm doomed to live in Meshech cursed with a home in Kedar. My whole life lived camping among quarreling neighbors. I'm all for peace, but the minute I tell them, they go to war!

Repentance sees with disgust the world we live in and is convinced to live life differently.

Mencius said, "Before a man can do things there must be things he will not do.

Shepherd or CEO

2011-10-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

One of the things I have discovered in the church today is that pastors are being held accountable to be the visionary leader for the church. This is a necessary ingredient for any church or organization, but it puts a not so subtle pressure on the pastor to be a CEO rather than a shepherd.

Our first priority should always be the shepherd. I believe we are called pastor not president or chairman.

Lest any of us fall into the trap of minimizing our need to shepherd the flock let me remind you that we were created for community. God was not pleased with his creation accept in one area. "It wasn't good for man to be alone".

When pastors turn into CEO's they can slowly remove themselves from the community. Let me share a paragraph from John Ortberg's book on community.

"To live in and contribute to God's dream of community is the reason you were born. It is what you were created for. Neglect this, and it doesn't matter what else you do--how many pyramids you build, how impressive your resume--you are at cross-purposes with the Gulf Stream. Neglect this, and you will die a failure. Devote yourself to this one task, to loving "as-is people" and no matter what else you may not achieve, you will lead a a magnificent life.

While being a visionary leader is important let us remember that first we are shepherds, guarding and protecting the integrity of the flock so that no sheep is left behind including ourselves.

Temptation's Pitfalls

2011-10-10T14:35:00.002-07:00

What is difficult for me as a pastor to pastor is to see various leaders lose their ministries because they have fallen to temptation. In my recent study of Joseph I was impressed by this young man's integrity in the incident with Potipher's wife. As I was reading Swindol's take on this incident I was impressed by his 4 requirements that we must meet in order to resist temptation. So here they are:

1. You must not be weakened by your situation. Often when we are the most trusted, respected, and secure in our situation we can be blindsided by temptation. It is not always when we are tired, vulnerable and burned out.

2. You must not be deceived by the persuasion. There are many rationalizations that become very persuasive in our minds to deceive us. The most common rationalization: "Just this once,", or "Who will ever find out?" "Isn't that what grace is all about?"

3. You must not be gentle with your emotions. In times of temptation our emotions try to dictate our behavior. It is in those times we need to keep them in check the most.

4. You must not be confused with immediate results. Just like Joseph, when we take the high road there may be some immediate consequences. The immediate results on the other hand can be very satisfying for the moment but in the long run bring grave consequences.

THE POWER OF HUMILITY

2011-09-27T10:28:00.001-07:00

Philippians 2:l tells us: "And being found in appearance as a a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! THEREFORE God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth..."

James tells us if we humble ourselves we will be exalted.

St. Benedict has given us a reminder of what humility looks like by sharing with us his "Ladder of Humility".

Step 1 Fear of God and mindfulness of Him.

Step 2 Doing God's will (not our own or other people's).

Step 3 Willing to subject ourselves to directions of others.

Step 4 Patience to accept the difficulty of others.

Step 5 Radical honesty to others about our weaknesses.

Step 6 Deeply aware of being chief of all sinners.

Step 7 Speaking less.

Step 8 Transformation into the love of God.

May we find ourselves on this powerful journey to new heights of humility.

WHAT ABOUT "SHE"?

2011-09-22T10:52:00.002-07:00

One of the loneliest places in the church is being a pastor's wife. Most pastor wives find themselves usually living in the shadows of their husbands. Many pastor wives are struggling for their own identity and the role they should play in the local church. The glass house is often haunted for many pastor wives.
These factors, among others, can cause a pastor's wife to feel isolated, scrutinized, and minimized.

So what role do healthy pastor's play in the life of their wife? Here are some tips that might help alleviate some of the pressure they feel.

1. Make sure that they feel more important than your ministry.
- Plan a date night once a week.
- Limit your nights out to no more than 3 a week.
- Have a set aside time once a week to have a marriage summit where both of you need to engage in
honest communication.
- Give her your best not your leftovers.

2. Give her the freedom to explore her own gifts and abilities as it relates to the church.
- Protect her from unrealistic expectations and demands of her time and talents
- Let her know that being a mom and supportive wife is the best gift she can give to your ministry.

3. Encourage her to find relationships with other pastor's wives where she can be transparent and
feel safe in sharing her concerns.

4. Try not to bring the church home with you. This is a struggle for all of us, but we have to learn to shut
it off once in a while. Remember your identity is not in the church it is in Christ.

5. Make sure you know exactly how she feels about being a pastor's wife. Those feelings may change
from one day to the next. So give her the freedom to fully express her heart, and thank her for her
support.

Monitoring your Leadership Guage

2011-09-10T10:01:00.000-07:00

In Daniel Henderson's book called "Defying Gravity", he gives us 9 different gauges in our lives to monitor if we intend to stay healthy as a leader. If we monitor these gauges regularly we can prevent some serious mishaps in our leadership. They are as follows:

1. If we monitor applied truth, we will prevent false doctrine, superficial teaching, and apostasy.

2. If we monitor spiritual intimacy, we will prevent a lack of passion, spiritual power, and carnality.

3. If we monitor personal integrity, we will prevent hypocrisy, compartmentalization, and a poor
example.

4. If we monitor Biblical identity, we will prevent insecurity, drivenness, compromise, and over reacting.

5. If we monitor genuine accountability, we will prevent secret sin, blind spots, and isolation.

6. I we monitor eternal significance, we will prevent discouragement, comparison, and loss of reward.

7. If we monitor healthy family life, we will prevent surface relationships, pride, and moral infidelity.

8. If we monitor indispensable pain, we will prevent pride, bitterness, and resentment.

9. If we monitor a captivating call, we will prevent giving up, wrong decisions, and subjectivity.

Which gauges are not on your radar?

FAMILIY TIED

2011-08-31T18:12:00.003-07:00

In a recent meeting with some pastors one of the guys asked if anybody was dealing with their kids suffering from the "PK" syndrome.

The discussion was broken down into 3 categories: Do pastor's kid live under the undue expectations of their parents, the people of the local church, or are they self inflicted?

The results of that discussion were pretty profound.

1. We should ask our kids if they feel any pressure living in the home of the pastor. This question should be visited occasionally to give the family an opportunity to air out potential frustration.

2. As pastor parents we need to make sure the family is not getting our leftovers. If the church becomes a blockage to family intimacy the family will resent the church.

3. It is critical that we have freedom to be ourselves as parents so the kids see that the church is not dictating our behavior but God is.

4. Holy living is not an option for anybody who claims to be a Christian. In a sense we all live in glass houses.

5. We should be careful not to over legislate our teenagers lives who are beginning to pull away and establishing their own identity as believers.

6. Any discipline we may apply should be designed to bear the fruit of righteousness in their lives not protect our reputation.

7. Take advantage of having a flexible schedule so that you can be involved in your kid's events.

8. Be a student of your kids. Each temperament is unique and may respond differently to your expectations, the church folks, or their own.

Hopefully these responses will be helpful on your journey with family ties.

MOTIVE

2011-08-16T19:56:00.002-07:00

Motive is something that gets below the surface of ones being. If I had to define it differently from Webster it would be the "real" part of our being. The part that gets to the intent of our heart.

We have used the terms pure motives, mixed motives, and hidden motives to evaluate the "whys" behind someone's behavior.

I have discovered in my own life how easy it is to judge somebody's intent with these terms. Even though scripture tells us that man looks at the outer appearance but God looks at the heart, we insist on doing God's job at times.

Maybe we should spend more time examining our own motives. David prayed that God would search his own heart to see if there would be any wicked intent. That takes a lot of honesty and vulnerability to say that to God.

The apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 1:12 Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to the God's grace.

What is your boast? Have you recently done an honest examination of your motives in your ministry ? If so, do they come up pure, mixed, or hidden? God knows.

5 Marks of Interpersonal Integrity

2011-08-06T15:24:00.002-07:00

In a recent book I have been reading by Daniel Henderson, called "Defying Gravity" he describes 5 marks of "Interpersonal Integrity. They were so good and convicting I wanted to pass them on to you.

1. Healthy speech. When we are away from a person, we speak well of the individual. There is no slander or gossip

2. Good deeds. We display good behavior to individuals, even when their actions show indifference or hostility toward us. Instead of feeling bitter or wanting to pay back a perceived or real injustice, we show them respect and teat them with kind deeds.

3. Attuned ears. We are selective in what we listen to about others. If someone would complain or gossip about another, we refuse to believe anything negative about the person (unless the evidence of multiple witnesses confirms it.).

4. Proper evaluation. We always need to be seeking God's evaluation and perspective of others no matter how man may see them.

5. Reliable words. People can count on our word as being realiable; our statements reflect a commitment to the truth.

Thanks to Daniel for these reminders.

MANAGING STRESS Part 3

2011-07-27T16:04:00.003-07:00

Accepting the things you can't change:

1. Don't try to control the uncontrollable. We can't control how other people behave but we can control how we react.

2. Look for the upside. Try to look for opportunities for personal growth. Mistakes are inevitable. Learn from the mistakes.

3. Learn to forgive. Forgiveness is recognizing that you were wounded, not sweeping it under the carpet. It is better to free yourself from bitterness rather than holding another person hostage.

Make time for fun and relaxation:

1. Set aside time for relaxation. This must be intentional.

2. Connect with people that fill you up not drain you.

3. Try to do something you enjoy every day.

4. Keep your sense of humor. Don't take yourself so seriously.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle:

1. Exercise regularly

2. Eat healthy

3. Reduce caffeine and sugar.

4. Get enough sleep.

Hopefully these last three blogs have been helpful in your journey to a more balanced and less stressed life.

(Thanks to HELPGUIDE.ORG for these helpful tips.)

MANAGING STRESS Part 2

2011-07-16T10:50:00.002-07:00

Alter the situation:

If you can't avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn't present itself in the future. Here are some ways to do that.

1. Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If you don't express your feelings you may build up resentment and the situation may remain the same.

2. Be willing to compromise. If you are willing to bend a little bit, compromise could likely be found. But if you remain rigid the stressful situation may never change.

3. Be more assertive. Deal with problems head on. Procrastinating can often keep the situation in limbo.

4. Learn to manage your time better. Poor time management can cause a lot of stress. Do a better job of planning ahead rather than always running behind. Running behind always increases your stress level.

Adapt to the stressor:

1. Reframe the problem. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Look at it as time to pause and regroup.

2. Look at the big picture. Ask yourself, "Will it matter in a month?" Is it really worth getting upset over.

3. Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection.

4. Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, focus on all the great things God has done in your life. It often puts things back into perspective.

Until next time: RELAX

STRESS part 1

2011-07-05T11:17:00.003-07:00

It has been documented that being a pastor is ranked as one of the number one most stressful jobs in America, along with being a University President and a Hospital Administrator.

So the question I want to address is this: How are you coping with stress. The next several blogs will give you some practical ways to manage the stress in your life.

#1 Avoid unnecessary stress. Not all stress can be avoided but some stressors can be eliminated.

- Learn how to say no. Refuse to accept added responsibilities when you are close to reaching your limit.

- Avoid people who stress you out. Try to limit the time you spend with the person other than your family who stresses you out the most.

- Take control of your environment. Turn the radio or TV off, or shut your door. Find some solitude. Etc.

- Pare down your to-do list. Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you have too much on your plate distinguish between the "shoulds" and "musts". You may need to drop some of the things on the bottom of the list.

#2 Alter the situation. This may involve changing the way you communicate.

- This may mean you will need to express your feelings instead of bottling them up.

- Be willing to compromise. Find middle ground

- Be more assertive. Deal with problems don't run from them.

- Manage your time better. Plan ahead and don't overextend yourself.

I hope these suggestions will help. I will deal with more the next time.

Beauty and Balance

2011-06-18T10:22:00.002-07:00

Over 30 years ago I had the privilege of having dinner with Stephen Olford. (A British Keswick preacher) He gave me some advice for my life ministry that I will never forget. He told me to pray for two things every day when I wake up.

"Pray for beauty and balance." I have contemplated that statement and prayed that prayer many times over the last 30 years. But what does that really mean?

Beauty means that as a representative of the Bride of Christ I need to be attractive. When a bride walks down the aisle everybody's eyes are fixed on her beauty. The groom is especially captivated by her beauty.

Let's face it. As pastors, all eyes are fixed on us to be a beautiful representative of what Christ intended for his bride to be. We have a high calling to be pure and right before the Lord. Our hearts must be kept up to date. Our lives must be in accountability.

Balance on the other hand, must not be seen as wishy- washy. Balance simply recognizes that tangents and extremes can be dangerous and disheartening; that dogmatism and legalism can lead to arrogance and inflexibility. Balance means finding some equilibrium, not out of control, temperate.

I want to encourage you to begin praying the prayer of beauty and balance in your life. It has made a difference in mine.

Getting Your Hunger Back

2011-06-06T15:39:00.002-07:00

In his book "Leading on Empty", Wayne Cordeiro writes:

"Hunger is renewable. It may require that you disconnect for a while, do something a little bit different from what you've been used to, but that's okay. It's better than playing the game after the hunger and desire have faded--just because everyone expects you to. Whatever it takes you need to find it.

Over the years of ministry, I have found that even good ideas get tired. So good men and women, and when that happens, the endeavor that you are leading is affected. The growth areas are left unattended, the vision flattens, and a leader slowly morphs into a manager.

When that happens, you need a break--a break that has one purpose alone: to restore your hunger.

So what about you? Have you lost your hunger as a leader? Maybe it is time to take a break from the routine? That may be a sabbatical, or a day off, or letting someone else preach this Sunday.

Pains that Signal Disaster

2011-05-21T09:41:00.002-07:00

What are some of the warning signs that can signal potential disaster in your ministry?

Here is a list you may or may not be familiar with:

1. Lack of consistency in setting aside time to recreate, rest and refill.

2. Failure to prioritize extended time with the Lord.

3. Lack of personal quality time with one's spouse and family.

4. The lingering presence of unresolved wounds--of hurts that refuse to heal.

5. Consistently working well over 50 hours a week.

6. The inability to set boundaries from those who either drain us or continue to hurt us.

7. An unwillingness to exercise regularly and eat properly.

8. A weak prayer life. (Especially with the family)

9. Added stress from difficult circumstances.

10. Unconfessed sin.

If you are finding yourself identifying with several of these components, chances are you are headed for burnout or worse moral failure.

I recently had a disappointing phone call from a pastor who ignored these signs and is experiencing some very dark times in his life.

Please don't let it happen to you.

The Zoo

2011-05-05T10:48:00.002-07:00

I recently reread "The Barbarian Way" by Irwin McMannus. One paragraph jumped off the page at me. Here it is:

To have the Spirit of God dwelling within the heart of someone who chooses a domesticated faith is like having a tiger trapped with in a cage. You not intended to be a spiritual zoo where people can look at god in you from a safe distance. You are a jungle where the Spirit roams wild and free in your life. You are the recipient of the God who cannot be tamed and of a faith that must not be tamed. You are no longer a prisoner of time and space, but a citizen of the kingdom of God---a resident of the barbarian tribe. God is not a sedative that keeps you calm and under control by dulling your senses. He does quite the opposite. He awakens your spirit to be truly alive.

As I look back on my ministry the questions that haunt me are these: Was I a zookeeper or a lion tamer? What did the community see in my church? Did they see a bunch of safe domesticated caged animals or some untamed men and women of faith? Was I too comfortable living in the zoo?

What about you?

A Prophet Without Honor

2011-04-26T09:10:00.002-07:00

I have been reading in the Gospel of Mark and was contemplating the passage where Jesus went to his hometown of Nazareth to do some ministry. Up to that point Jesus healed many and performed many miracles. However in his hometown there was skepticism and criticism.

Jesus must have been truly disappointed in those he grew up with along with his own family members. The same message and persona was delivered just like in the other towns he had been.

Besides the rejection Jesus could only laid hands on a few folks to be healed

Mark tells us that, "He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith."

The thought that struck me is this: In the church today, among His family and friends, is Jesus a prophet without honor. Is it possible that Jesus wants to do more miracles in the life of the church but he can't because of our lack of faith?

What miracles are you trusting God for? As the leader of the flock does the Prophet have honor in your church?

Why Do Pastors Burn Out?

2011-04-07T15:59:00.002-07:00

In his book The crazy-Making Workplace, Dr. Arch Hart lists reason people in "helping" professions are particularly prone to burnout:

1. They usually have not been taught to care for others in the right way.

2. They care too much out of guilt.

3. They feel inadequate in providing solutions.

4. They allow caring to dominate their thinking.

5. They don't take adequate steps to care for their own feelings or facilitate their own

recovery.

Leith Andersen quotes Peter Drucker as saying the position of senior pastor is one of the three most demanding jobs in America, along with hospital administrator and university president.

One last thought from Chuck Swindoll: "Busyness rapes relationships. It substitutes shallow frenzy for deep friendship. It feeds the ego but starves the inner man. It fills a calendar but fractures a family. It cultivates a program that plows under priorities. Many a church boasts about its active program: 'Something for every night of the week for everybody.' What a shame! With good intentions the local assembly can create the very atmosphere it was designed to curb."

Burnout! Don't let it happen to you!

Teaching with Authority

2011-03-25T10:10:00.003-07:00

As I was reading Mark 1:22 it struck me again that Jesus taught with authority, quite unlike the teachers of religious law. How does that translate into our lives as Biblical teachers?

Studying what this meant proved to be quite revealing as a model for us to follow.

William Hendriksen's commentary distinguishes the difference between the way our Lord taught and the teachers of religious law:

1. Jesus spoke complete truth, while many of the scribes teaching was evasive.

(truth not compromised)

2. Jesus spoke to matters of great significance, matters of life, death, and the eternal while the religious leaders wasted their time often on the trivial. (relevance)

3. Jesus aroused curiosity and interest by using many illustrations. (metaphorical)

4. There was a system in Jesus' preaching. Those teaching the Talmud often rambled on and on.

(systematic, easy to follow)

5. Jesus spoke as a lover of men, deeply concerned for the listeners, while the teachers of the law lacked love and grace. ( relational )

6. Jesus' message came straight from the heart, from his inner being, while scribes were constantly borrowing from other resources. ( passionate with conviction)

What a wonderful compliment it would be if our listeners said that we taught as one who had authority?

Transformed Heart of a Leader part 4

2011-03-22T10:21:00.002-07:00

Honesty, humility, and contemplation are 3 keys to owning the issues that God is speaking to us. While ownership and conviction are absolutely critical to transformation, there needs to be a fourth piece in place. The fourth chamber of the transformed heart is intentionality.

The inward conviction should manifest itself in outward obedience. This is when the will gets activated.

Paul tells us that, "I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches". ,

I would define intentionality as "doing life on purpose". I believe that people who live life on purpose are able to ask the right questions. Such as:

1. Why am I doing this? (motive)

2. What do I need to accomplish? (goals and objectives)

3. When can I expect to do it? (deadlines)

4. Who can help me accomplish this change or goal? (accountability)

In conclusion:

What are the four chambers of the heart? Honesty, Humility, Contemplation, and Intentionality.

All four chambers of the heart must be synchronized in order for transformation to take place. We can be honest and have good intentions but that doesn't constitute legitimate change. We can be humble and honest but without the conviction that comes through contemplation there is no change.

Leaving any one of the chambers out will not produce transformation.

So how much transformation is taking place in the lives of those you shepherd? Or for that matter, how much transformation is taking place in your life?

"Be not conformed this world but be transformed, by the renewing of your mind."

The Transformed Heart of a Leader part 3

2011-03-14T10:36:00.003-07:00

While honesty and humility are great steps to a transformed heart the transaction is still not complete. One needs to engage a third ventricle to help complete the metamorphosis.

This third chamber of the heart is contemplation. Contemplation could be defined as, "slowing down long enough to hear what God has to say". Isaiah 46:20 says "Be still and know that I am God."

While honesty and humility are keys to transformation we may not assume that we have gone vertically to hear directly from the Lord. Often this takes time where we can listen in silence, solitude, and sensitivity to God.

Unfortunately time is a rare commodity in our culture. We prefer micro-waves to ovens and e-mail to snail mail. But as we look at the many saints of scripture, we see that great transformation took place in those solitary moments on mountain tops, deserts, and caves, sometimes lasting for days.

Until God truly speaks to us we can be more about behavioral modification than true transformation from the inside out.

So when is the last time you had what I call a "Jacob moment"? When have you spent enough time in communion with God to where you can say, "I won't let you go until you bless me"?

Here are some questions to ponder:

1. Do you truly believe that God wants to speak to you? Revelation 3:20

2. Are you so busy in your ministry that you have become a Martha instead of a Mary?

3. Have you been intentional about setting aside extended time with Lord?

Remember: The greatest gift you can give to the Body of Christ is a healthy heart.

The Heart of a Transformed Leader part 2

2011-03-04T17:28:00.003-07:00

Real life transformation cannot happen with just one ventricle pumping. Honesty is a great start but one can be honest with God and oneself, but transformation has still not taken place. Honesty is where open heart surgery can begin.

The second ventricle that needs to be engaged is humility. If honesty represents the open heart then humility is the broken heart.

Psalm 25:6 says: He leads the humble in what is right, teaching them His way.

Isaiah 66:2b says: I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my

word.

The word contrite in this text means to be smitten, to be weakened or vulnerable.

Honesty without humility hinders the truth from penetrating deep into the soil of the heart.

How many times have you been honest about the truth but have refused to surrender because pride gets in the way?

Let me ask some questions to see if the ventricle of humility pumps freely in your heart.

1. What truth are you presently rationalizing?

2. Are you procrastinating about some truth that God wants you to obey?

3. When is the last time you truly have repented from sin?

4. Are you approachable and teachable?

I am reminded of Romans 12:2 where Paul tells us that we are to be continually transformed by the renewing of our mind.

This transformation cannot be complete with just honesty and humility. There are two more ventricles that need to be engaged before the transaction is fully completed.

Until next time. Keep pumping.

THE HEARTBEAT OF A TRANSFORMED LEADER part 1

2011-02-19T09:17:00.002-07:00

Every pastor/leader needs to be continually transformed into the likeness of Christ. That transformation takes place in the heart. Inside the human heart there are four ventricles that must be functioning in order to pump life through the body.

Likewise the spiritual heart has 4 ventricles that must be functioning in order for transformation to take place. In the next several blogs I will explore each ventricle that contributes to real life transformation.

The first ventricle must be honesty. David writes in Psalm 26:2-3: "Put me on trial, Lord, cross examine me. Test my motives and affections. For I am constantly aware of your unfailing love and I have lived according to your truth".

All truth must be dealt with honesty for it to have any real effect. It requires honesty with ourselves and honesty with God.

Honesty is the willingness to take off the blinders, to stop the rationalizations, and to swim out of the river of denial.

Honesty is the ability to ask the right questions.

What are some good questions a good leader should be asking? Let me name a few.

Am I making disciples?

Am I empowering and equipping others to do the work of ministry?

Am I neglecting my spiritual gift?

Am I consistently and intentionally sharing my faith?

Am I loving my neighbor as myself?

Where have I become more Christlike as a leader?

Am I cultivating an intimate relationship with Christ or am I busy doing instead of being?

While honesty is a key component to life transformation, if we stop there, we have only just initiated the transaction.

Until next time.

EXPOSITORY PREACHING BEWARE!

2011-01-31T15:37:00.003-07:00

There is a sense of pride among evangelicals when good expository preaching is being modeled in their churches. Expository preaching is viewed by most mature believers as the model of good scholarship and and depth.

However if expository preaching doesn't include life transforming application it can be lifeless and just another academic exercise. Worse yet it can communicate to the body of Christ that you can substitute knowing for growing.

While most of us would agree that this is true, I have sat under far too many sermons that were obviously prepared well. The Greek and Hebrew were dissected along with the historical context. But it is empty and lifeless. There is no passion or practical application. There seems to be no heart connection between and message and messenger.

While we quote that "the Word will not return void unto us", let me remind us that the Word decided to become flesh.

H. H. H.

2011-01-08T10:13:00.002-07:00

What does H. H. H. stand for? Head, Heart, Hands.

What kind of church is yours?

A "Head" church would be categorized as a "teaching church". A heavily guarded pulpit with expository preaching. These churches have a tendency to attract the believer who wants to grow deeper. Unfortunately many of those folks just like to substitute knowing for growing. While strong Biblically based teaching is essential it is not the end all to a church that transforms lives.

A "Heart" church emphasizes the experiential. This might include many of our "charismatic churches". This kind of church can easily fall prey to emotional urgings while bypassing the teaching of the Word. I truly believe that this component is sometimes sadly lacking in the evangelical church however if this is only emphasized we are in danger of substituting feelings for facts.

A "Hands" church emphasizes the missional. These churches are extremely busy fulfilling the mandate of meeting the needs of those around us. The more active these churches are in the community the greater level of maturity is manifested. Not necessarily so. The danger here is to fall into a social gospel mentality, substituting doing for being.

So what is the answer? All three must be in balance in order to be healthy and successful in God's economy. This holistic approach was defined for Joshua before he took the nation of Israel into the promise land. God tells Joshua that in order to be successful he must study the book of the law, (head) meditate on it day and night, (heart) and be careful to obey it (hands).

Healthy pastors must be keenly aware of and practice all three in there lives and in the life of their church.

Are you out of balance?

Your Life in Rhythm

2010-12-12T19:06:00.002-07:00

In a book by Bruce Miller called "Your Life in Rhythm", he essentially says it is a myth to live a life in balance. This requires a continual balancing act that is always compensating based upon the demands life. He states that we should stop the balancing act and yield to a higher calling from scripture that is described in Ecclesiastes 3. In essence, Ecclesiastes tells us that there are times and seasons that come and go. Miller tells us that we all have personal seasons in life that are unique to us as well as rhythms that come with stages in life. A stage in life can be teenage years, young adult, married life, family, empty nest, retirement etc. A personal season might be an immediate crisis that is unique to us.

A great question every healthy pastor needs to answer is what stage of life am I in and what personal season is affecting my life? Once we have answered that we can find rhythm by practicing these three disciplines.

1. Release expectations. Take the pressure off by rethinking priorities based upon stage and season and let go of those things that are least important.

2. Seize the moment. Rather than wish you were in another season or stage, embrace the stage you are in. Look for the blessings of the moment. What opportunities that are unique to the moment that can be seized?

3. Anticipate what comes next. This is a matter of hope for the future. We need to anticipate light at the end of the tunnel while embracing the present.

Tis the SEASON!

Spiritual Receptivity

2010-12-01T10:28:00.002-07:00

I was recently reading one of my favorite authors and came across this devotional from A. W. Tozer.

Pick at random a score of great saints whose lives and testimonies are widely known. Let them be Bible characters or well-known Christians of post-biblical times. I venture to suggest that the one vital quality which they had in common was spiritual receptivity. They acquired the lifelong habit of spiritual response. They were not disobedient to the heavenly vision

Receptivity is not a single thing; it is a compound, rather, a blending of several elements within the soul. It is an affinity for, a bent toward, a sympathetic response to, a desire to have. It may be increased by exercise or destroyed by neglect. It is a gift of god, indeed, but one which must be recognized and cultivated as any other gift if it is to realize the purpose for which it was given.

The idea of spiritual cultivation and exercise, so dear to the saints of old, has now no place in our total religious picture. It is too slow, too common. We now demand glamour and fast flowing dramatic action. We have been trying to apply machine-age methods to our relations with God. We read our chapter, have our short devotions and rush away, hoping to make up for our deep inward bankruptcy by attending another gospel meeting or listening to another thrilling story told by a religious adventurer lately returned from afar.

It will require a determined heart and more than a little courage to wrench ourselves loose from the grip of our times and return to biblical ways!

MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR TIME

2010-11-24T13:55:00.002-07:00

Ephesians 5:17 tells us to make the most of our time. Americans seem to be the most time poor in all of the world. Full-time ministry probably ranks as high as any profession, when it comes to demand for our time. The needs are endless. The guilt piles up. The ability to set boundaries becomes more and more difficult. Let me suggest some ways you can be a better time manager.

1. Make a time budget. We have financial budgets to see how we spend our money. Why not make a time budget for a week and see where you spend your time? You might be surprised where your time is spent.

2. Be purpose driven. I would suggest taking the time to sit down before God and develop a mission statement for your life. It will help set your priorities so you know what the "big rocks" are. The apostle Paul tells us to run the race with purpose. Without it the tail can wag the dog.

3. Know your rhythms of effectiveness. What are the most productive times in your average day? Are you a morning person or a night owl? How much rest do you need to stay energized and alert? Make good use of working on your priorities during those productive times.

4. Simplify. The recession of the last couple of years has taught us to downsize and simplify.

What are the activities that need to cease? How can you integrate your systems of efficiency?

What kinds of projects or responsibilities can be downloaded?

5. Prioritize some extended time with the Lord. There is no higher priority in life than to maintain your relationship with the Lord. Out of those times God will reveal his will for your life and thus set your agenda.

6. Learn to say no. It is important for us to pay attention to the signals of burnout in our lives.

5. Prioritize intimacy with G

Personally Transformed

2010-11-12T15:58:00.002-07:00

I recently asked a group of pastors, "What is the one thing you would like to see in your ministry above anything else?" The answer was, "To see lives transformed".

I would assume all of us in ministry would respond the same way, but let me ask a different question. How have you been transformed in your ministry this past year?

If God isn't moving us toward Christlikeness then how can we expect those we minister to be conforming to the image of Christ.

As I have asked that question to numerous pastors recently, here are some of the responses.

- I have become more comfortable in my own skin.

- I have become a more courageous leaders.

- I have learned to set better boundaries and maintain my priorities.

- I have grown in the area of intimacy with my wife and kids.

- I have become gentler, more approachable.

- I have become more assertive in my leadership.

- I haven't changed a bit.

- I have developed a little tougher skin.

How has God transformed your life this past year?

PAST PRESENT OR FUTURE

2010-10-30T09:21:00.002-07:00

I was talking with a young ambitious pastor the other day. He was sharing with me how disappointed he was in the progress of the church. The reality was, that God had been doing great things in his church.

As leaders we are called to be visionary. We dream dreams. We set goals. We have a great desire to "become". To become what? A finally tuned organization with all the bases covered,

or a fully staffed team team hitting on all cylinders, or a dynamic ministry that attracts people to the services like a magnet, or maybe a more attractive facility to accommodate the growth.

During my pastorate, it was difficult for me to enjoy what God was doing in the present or rejoice in the victories of the past because my mind would always take me to the future. The tapes kept playing like: "If we just could hire that next staff person". "What do we need to change to be more effective?" "We need to do a better job of assimilating." The list could go on and on.

While thinking ahead is a part of leadership, we dare not get so caught in the future that we miss the blessings of present and the victories of the past. Getting caught up in the future can breed impatience, a critical spirit, and great discouragement.

When was the last time you just sat down and contemplated the Lord's blessings of the past and present? The old hymn we used to sing, "Count Your Many Blessings" name them one by one" might be appropriate.

Keep being farsighted, but don't forget 20/20 hindsight, and the joy of being near sighted as well.

Are You a Prophet?

2010-10-19T21:19:00.000-07:00

A. W. Tozer has always been one of my favorite writers. I was challenged by these thoughts in one of his devotionals.

"To be effective the preacher's message must be alive; it must alarm, arouse, challenge; it must be God's present voice to a particular people. Then, and not till then, is it the prophetic word and the man himself a prophet.

To fulfill his calling the prophet must be under the constant sway of the Holy Ghost; and further, he must be alert to moral and spiritual conditions. All spiritual teaching should be related to life. It should intrude into the daily and private living the hearers

Without being personal, the true prophet will yet pierce the conscience of each listener as if the message had been directed to him alone.

Really to preach the truth it is often necessary that the man of God know the people's hearts better than they themselves do!

Thus a minister is driven to God for wisdom. He must speak the mind of christ and throw himself on the Holy Spirit for spiritual power and mental acumen equal to the task. "

May God put more prophets in the pulpit!

COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP

2010-10-12T09:50:00.000-07:00

For many of us as leaders of ministry there are times when we have to be courageous. These are times when consequences can trump what God wants us to do.

Pastor/shepherds probably find it most difficult to act courageously because it may require some tough calls that leave some segment of people disenchanted. Let's face it, most pastor/shepherds would rather avoid controversy or confrontation at all cost. However we also know there are those moments when we must step up to the plate and lead courageously.

So the question becomes this: How do we find the courage to confront or make the hard decisions that come with the responsibility of leadership? Here is how I have discovered a "holy boldness" over the course of 30 years of ministry.

1. It always starts with "communion" with God. I first must spend enough time with God listening to what he has to say.

I truly believe that God wants to speak to us if we take the time to listen. Hearing from God is the key.

2. It is important to seek "counsel" from others. Scripture says there is wisdom in many counselors. (Be certain that they are mature

objective and trustworthy people).

3. Once we have heard from God and others there must be "conviction" established. This is where we are fully convinced in our own mind as Paul tells us in Romans 14. Once that is established, conviction will trump consequences. Paul goes on to say, "happy is the man who

doesn't condemn himself in what he approves.

4. Conviction will lead to ultimate "contentment". This means that you can rest assured that no matter what the cost, God is pleased with

us. We are most content when we sense that God is pleased with us even if there are men who are not.

So let me encourage you to find that holy boldness in your ministry.

LET'S GET PHYSICAL!

2010-09-27T10:37:00.002-07:00

For months I have addressed pastor's spiritual and emotional health, without once calling us into account for our physical health.

In a recent study by Kansas State University it was discovered that there was a direct correlation between the pastor's physical health and the physical health of the congregation. It became clear in the study that pastors are indeed a role model for their congregation's to emulate.

Statistics are staggering for the United States when it comes to the rise in obesity. 32.7 % of adults over 20 in America are overweight. In almost every state in the U.S. 25-30% of the population is obese. That means they exceed the number 30 on the Body Mass Index. (BMI)

A part of the Kansas State study revealed that 77% of middle class white males are overweight.

That would include most pastors in America today. This would lead us to believe that pastors need to be the "biggest losers".

There are certainly some sins that we can hide, but a lack of fitness and obesity is one we can't.

So what steps do you need to take to do a better job of caring for your temple?

What preventative ministries could be developed in your church to increase better health?

Let's get physical!

CONSCIOUS AWARENESS

2010-09-20T10:57:00.002-07:00

How many times have you been asked this leading question? "How is your prayer life?"

If you are like me, the answer to that question immediately creates a little bit of dissonance.

I have to sift through in my mind what the person is asking. Are they asking how much time I spend praying each day? Are they asking if I am a good prayer warrior? Are they asking me if I really connect with God or just going through the motions? Are they asking me if I am getting some great answers to prayers? Are they asking me if I keep a journal? The list goes on.

What does a good prayer life look like for those of us who want to be healthy? The fact of the matter is that it will look different for each of us. God has uniquely created all of us to relate to Him somewhat differently. For many it will be in our prayer closet. For some it will be lengthy prayer sessions on our knees, and for some it may be one liners throughout the day.

The bottom line is this: Are we living our lives so that all the words we speak will be said with the conscious awareness of God's presence? That sounds to me like the essence of a what a good "prayer Life" should look like.

So the question I want to leave you today is this: Has your prayer life become something so compartmentalized that it has become a to-do list?

HEALTHY ELDERS

2010-09-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

For months now I have been discussing the need to be a healthy pastor. In order to be healthy, each pastor must be continually transformed as stated in in Romans 12:2. This shouldn't stop with just pastors. Elders need to be continually transformed as well. A great way for this dynamic to take place is to have elder meetings that are more than micro-managing the church.

Micro-managing the church is not the first priority of an elder board. There must be time set aside for personal growth and development of each elder. The elder board should be a close knit brotherhood of men who are willing to be vulnerable with each other. If the elders are not held accountable for their own spiritual transformation than how can we expect the folks in the pew to be transformed.

There must be a high degree of trust and unity in order for the elders to function in a healthy way, not only with each other, but with those who represent the staff. When there is tension between the staff and elders it demonstrates deficiencies in the spiritual and emotional maturity of the individuals involved.

With these thoughts in mind let me leave you with some questions that need to be answered:

1. Do you look forward to elder meetings, or have they become a necessary evil in your ministry life?

2. Have your elders demonstrated transformational growth as a member of the board?

3. Do you take time in your meetings to equip and challenge your elders to spiritual growth.

4. How much time do you spend in elder meetings micro-managing the business of the church rather then giving spiritual oversight?

5. Is there a deep trust between you and the elders.

6. Is there an atmosphere of transparency and love for one another on the board?

7. How much time do you spend praying together for the church and each other at your elder meetings?

Living out my spirituality uniquely

2010-09-03T14:42:00.000-07:00

I have recently been reading Ortberg's book, "The Me I Want to Be". It has resonated with something that has been on my heart for a long time. We have done a dis-service in Evangelical Christianity by putting people in boxes of performance to measure their spiritual maturity.

We have dangerously externalized ones spiritual maturity into a bunch of rules just like the pharisees of old, thus not honoring how God has created us uniquely.

In Ortberg's book he illustrates the individuality of becoming intimate with God by quoting Gary Thomas's book "Sacred Pathways".

The following are ways we can all uniquely find our pathway to God:

Naturalist- find God in nature

Ascetic- is drawn to disciplines

Traditionalist - lives historical liturgies

Activist - comes alive spiritually in a great cause.

Caregiver - meets God in serving

Sensate - senses God through five senses

Enthusiast - loves to grow through people

Contemplative - is drawn to solitary reflection and prayer

Intellectual - loves God by learning

"It is good to be familiar with each pathway, but you will find that one or two are the most gripping for you. When you do identify which ones you resonate with most, you will also find that they are the most sustainable for you, because your desire for them will be highest."

Let's seek God uniquely together!

RISK REQUIRES FAITH

2010-08-20T10:14:00.003-07:00

Healthy things grow, growing things change, change requires risk, risk requires faith, and faith keeps you healthy.

Acts 16:5 tells us, "So the churches were strengthened in their faith and grew daily in numbers".

The word strengthened is used in Colossians 2:7 where Paul writes, "Let your roots grow down into him and draw up nourishment from him, so you will grow in faith, strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught".

What kind of faith was strengthened in the early church?

First there was a courageous faith.

In Acts 4:29 it says, "And now O Lord hear their threats, and give your servants great boldness in their preaching". Courageous faith is a necessity for healthy leaders.

Secondly there was a generous faith. The early church stopped at nothing when it came to sharing their possessions. There was a clearly a motivation for meeting the needs of those around them.

Third there was a tenacious faith. Acts 14:22 Paul tells the church to continue in the faith, reminding them that they must enter in to the Kingdom of God through many tribulations.

Finally we see that the church exercised miraculous faith. Acts 2:43 says that a deep sense of awe came over them as the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders.

It is obvious that exercising our faith is the very thing that makes us strong and vigorous.

(HEALTHY) AND HEALTHY THINGS GROW!

CHANGE REQUIRES RISK

2010-08-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

So far I have said that, "Healthy things grow, growing things change, change requires risk". Risk is the X factor in any changes that need to be made along the way. The risk the apostles took was to identify with the message of grace that Jesus introduced into the establishment.

The traditions of the past were being revolutionized by a new relevant message of grace. New wine was being put into new wineskins.

The pharisees tried to do everything they could to stop the progress of the gospel. Threats were made, along with the Roman government becoming more vigilant in stomping out the Way.

Whenever there is change you always risk opposition. Opposition can come in all shapes and sizes , from active to passive. This typically is when the boo birds come out with the "we never have done it this way" slogan. Not only are there always opposers to change but there is a risk of failure with the new direction or philosophy that is enforced. However, without these risks the early church would would have stagnated into oblivion. Praise God for healthy leaders who were willing risk their lives for cause of the Gospel.

Courageous leadership is willing to take a risk. The greater the risk often the greater reward. The greater the risk the greater the conviction of the Holy Spirit must be present.

Scripture tells us to count the cost before we build a tower. I am sure that accounting includes all the risk factors.

What is God asking you to risk as you seek to grow stronger as a leader?

GROWING THINGS CHANGE

2010-08-02T15:19:00.002-07:00

A fact of nature is that when things grow they change. Change doesn't often come easy however.

Most resist change because it makes us feel uncomfortable, perhaps insecure, and takes a lot of effort. It is a lot easier to maintain the status quo.

We see how exponential growth impacted the early church as the Greek speaking widows were not being properly cared for. The influx of the gentiles caused a need to change their outlook on circumcision. So logistical and traditional matters were being challenged. Fortunately the apostles were flexible enough and knew how to set their boundaries. It was also exciting to see how the early church had great men of God waiting in the wings to serve.

Change is good for us when we are forced to ask the right questions. Such as:

Are the present ministries being effective in their present state?

Do our ministries align with our vision and values?

Is there a more relevant or effective way to do ministry?

What are some of those modern day changes that affect a growing church?

- Change of influencers. Homesteaders get invaded by squatters. This can be a vulnerable

time in the life of the church.

- Change in polity. Growth can force structural changes to create greater efficiency.

- Change in strategy. Such as two services, small group ministries, etc.

- Changing traditions. Dealing with those sacred cows.

- Change in vision. Setting a new course. Dreaming new dreams.

- Change in leadership style. Maybe more empowering and letting go.

Remember, healthy things grow and growing things change.

2010-08-02T15:18:00.001-07:00

THE LIFE CYCLE OF A HEALTHY LEADER/CHURCH

2010-07-26T12:32:00.005-07:00

If you have been around me much you have heard me say this many times:

Healthy things grow

Growing things change

Change requires risk

Risk requires faith

Faith makes you healthy.

This is what I call the life cycle of a healthy leader, or for that matter, a healthy church.

For the next several blogs I would like to dissect these modules. So let's start with "healthy things grow".

We often use the early church as our picture of health. When you read the book of Acts you see two very profound things taking place. There was incredible numerical growth as well as spiritual growth. In other words we can safely say that the early church grew both in depth and breadth. More than 10 times Luke tells us that the church grew numerically because of the many conversions taking place. It was also critical to the early church to continue to be strengthened. The level of persecution and trials the early church endured required them to persevere and grow deeper. That is why Paul challenged the church in Collosse to be strong and vigorous in the truth so their spiritual roots would grow deep. You read the same thing in Acts 14 where Paul and Barnabas were strengthening the believers so that they would persevere in the faith.

The bottom line is this. In order for any leader or church to be healthy there must be evidence of fruit in two areas. One is that of conversion growth and the other of growing deeper in love with Jesus Christ.

So the question for you and your church is this: Are you healthy? If so, are you growing in these two areas?

SUFFERING FROM INFLATION?

2010-07-05T10:44:00.003-07:00

I have seen many preaching pastors that seem to have an inflated view of their skills. Unfortunately too much of our identity is wrapped up in our ability to preach. Therefore it is often a difficult issue to bring up in many pastor's lives. So let me take a risk by challenging you to do a little self evaluation,

1. Have you ever seen people checking out during your messages?

2. Are your too long? (Sometimes more is less and less is more.)

3. Is your message congruent, logical, and systematic so they are easily followed?

4. Are your messages too academic and not practical enough?

5. Is there any evidence of life change as a result of your messages?

6. Are your sermons pointing out the obvious or is there some intrigue that captures both the

immature and mature listener?

7. Is your delivery sort of flat rather than dynamic and captivating?

8. Are your sermons transforming your life?

9. Are your listeners able to connect with you as much as the message?

10. Are you leaving room for the Holy Spirit?

11. Have you done a thorough study of the text?

These are just some questions you might want to give someone whom you trust and know will give you some loving and honest feedback. You also may want to listen and watch your preaching if you haven't done so in a long time. It may give you some clues as to how you can improve. Remember, healthy pastors aren't afraid to ask the hard questions.

Think and Do Christianity

2010-06-29T10:05:00.002-07:00

Christianity in America today has become a performance based religion. Our linear mindsets coupled with microwave results have caused an alarming drift from a relationship with Christ. We "born again" Christians have boasted that our belief system is based on a relationship not a religion. However it grieves me to see too many Christian leaders who have fallen into a trap of performance. Our success driven churches have become more enamored with the bottom line than true intimacy with the living Christ.

We Evangelicals have been proud of our loyalty to the scriptures, thus we have had a measure of success in increasing the knowledge of the average person in the pew. Unfortunately most Christians find themselves motivated intellectually to obey what they have learned without taking the time to allow God to cultivate truth in the depths of their hearts. Thus there is no ownership, conviction, or real transformation. The result is, we try and obey what God's truth is telling us without the real inward motivation of the Spirit.

No wonder we are not seeing as many transformed lives. We have bought into a a think and do mentality, skipping the most important part: "the being".

When is the last time you really have allowed God some extended time to have truth penetrate your heart instead of taking the usual bypass?

I thought heart bypass was only in the medical world. Maybe not?

SECRET SHOPPER

2010-06-01T12:07:00.002-07:00

When I worked in a retail store many years ago, often a secret shopper would come and evaluate everything from the curb appeal to the service.

Have you ever enlisted an objective outsider to come to your church as a secret shopper? What would they experience from the curb appeal to the parking lot to the service?

I would encourage you to solicit someone from off the street to do an evaluation as well as someone who has been in many churches. Wil Mancini writes in his book, "Unique Church" these insightful words. "Most churches are like an animal at the zoo that only looks in the mirror. They have a hard time seeing their unique potential because there is little experience comparing and contrasting with other animals."

Here are some questions you can ask yourself that might bring a more objective view of your church from Mancini's book.

1. If a guest visited your church how would they answer this question? What did they like best about your church? What did they like least?

2. If you were bringing a guest to your church for the first time, what singular promise would you most be willing to make, in what they would experience?

3. If you were stop nonmembers who drive by the church regularly and ask them how they feel about the church, what would they say?

4. If your church was gone from the neighborhood what would the community be missing?

5. What is the biggest impact our church has made in the community?

6. What atmosphere do you tend to create when your people meet together on Sunday?

7. What do your new members say attracted them to your church?

8. If your church were a hotel or department store, which one would it be?

Maybe it is time for other animals to check out your cage?

LEADERSHIP STYLE

2010-05-28T14:55:00.002-07:00

What kind of a leader are you? Bill Hybel's book "Courageous Leadership" is descriptive of 10 different styles of leadership. Let me list them:

1. Visionary. Carries a crystal clear picture of what needs to happen and recruits others to the dream. Idealistic, black and white. Will die for the vision

2. Directional. Uncanny ability to choose the right path for an organization. Can sort through the options based on an organization's purpose, values, personnel, and opportunities

3. Strategic. Ability to break an exciting vision down to sequential, advisable steps. Gets team to work together on the various components.

4. Managing. Ability to organize people, processes, resources and systems to achieve vision.

5. Motivational. Ability to keep teammates inspired. Overcomes tiredness, low morale, discouragement, apathy and fogginess.

6. Shepherding. Slowly builds a team. Loves them deeply and draws them into community so that mission is accomplished through commitment to each other.

7. Team building. Can recruit, develop the right people for the right positions and tun them loose to lead. Drive by vision, strategy and correct placement of personnel.

8. Entrepreneur. Exemplifies and of the proceeding styles but functions best in a start-up mode. High energy, creative, easily bored, loses energy, looks for challenge.

9. Re-engineering. Creates a turn-around environment, renews vision and focus, revitalizes organizations. Takes a consulting approach.

10. Bridge building. Builds alliances to achieve mission. Flexible, skilled in negotiating and achieving compromises. loves a wide variety of people and a complex environment.

All these styles have their strengths. We need to embrace all these as effective leadership styles.

Which ones do you most identify? Can you accept other styles that may be brought to your leadership table? Are you functioning outside of your leadership wiring?

CAN DO vs. MUST DO

2010-05-17T21:48:00.002-07:00

Leonardo da Vinci said, " Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." Too many pastor/leaders get bogged down with complexity. Let me give you a quote from Wil Mancini's book called "Unique Church".

"Leaders must constantly fight the good fight of clarity to overcome complexity. When God blesses the ministry, the discipline to say no determines whether the battle is won or lost. This is true for both the church as a whole and the individual leader."

The more the church grows the greater the opportunities. The more opportunities multiply, the greater the temptation to make ministry more complex. The key is to have a clear vision and be able to sort out the can do's from the must do's. Healthy leaders must learn to sort out what opportunities could be a distraction from the primary focus that God has called the church to have.

Unfortunately too many churches have never articulated clearly their vision. When that happens leaders become reactive rather than proactive. So let me challenge you to think through two issues. Have you clearly articulated your vision and are you able to sort through well the must do's from the can do's? If you haven't let me recommend Mancini's book.

Until next time!

SHEEP BITES

2010-05-06T12:55:00.002-07:00

It is inevitable that we shepherds will have the sheep turn on us. When that happens our response can be critical to our own spiritual health much less the health of the herd.

We can respond like I did for many years. I was brilliant at substituting rationalization for reconciliation. Some of the rationalizations sounded like this: "They are just having a bad day." "The enemy is alive and well in the church." "This is the life of a pastor, so just get over it." "It isn't about me." "I am spiritually mature, so I can handle it." "It comes with the territory." "Being a leader means being misunderstood."

While all these statements have some truth, the reality is this: I was wounded and hurt and needed to forgive. In stead of spiritually sweeping it under the rug I needed to face the fact that I was hurt and needed to take healthy steps toward reconciliation.

Unfortunately for many years I failed to do this and the sun subtly kept going down on my anger. As we know this is dangerous territory for giving satan a foothold. It took me 14 years to figure this out, when all the anger and hurt bubbled to the surface of my life. Needless to say it wasn't a pretty picture. Now I am able to keep an up to date heart.

How are you handling those sheep bites in your life? Have you found your own ways of sweeping those bites under your spiritual rug?

THINK GREEN!

2010-04-28T14:04:00.002-07:00

Everywhere we look now the message is being sent that we need to think green. Conserving resources, using renewable energy, and protecting the environment is in vogue. Unfortunately that is not the case in many pastor's lives. Spiritual and emotional energy is being depleted from the pastors because there has been a failure to think "green" much less do something about it.

Let me give you 1o suggestions to thinking green in your ministry life so you don't end up with global warming in your spirit.

1. Do a time budget. Keep track of how you spend your time in an average week and see where it is spent. You may be surprised how much time is wasted.

2. Know your rhythms of maximum effectiveness, and guard them with your life.

3. Create a mission statement that helps you define your priorities and revisit it consistently

4. Take time to plan. Strategic planning keeps the tail from wagging the dog.

5. Understand and accept your hard wiring. The more you operate in your weaknesses the more draining and fruitless your ministry will be.

6. Carve out extended time with Lord. Your intimacy with God will directly affect your fruitfulness. Ministry from an empty cup is done in the flesh.

7. Seek out accountability. Be approachable. Allow people to speak into your blind spots.

8. Learn to say "no". The word "no" can be the most energizing word in your vocabulary.

9. Simplify, simplify, simplify.

10. Find a way to relax and de-stress. No ifs ands or buts.

In the name of "GREEN" Think it! Do it!

GOOD LISTENER

2010-04-13T13:04:00.004-07:00

Healthy pastors must be good listeners. Let me again take a quote from an article on leadership from the Arizona Republic.

Leading others: "Listen for truth. Consciously choose to be in the moment when you listen to another person. When a leader truly listens and understands another, they create an environment for trust and new ideas." Healthy pastors must be approachable. That includes being an exceptional listener.

As the article states however we need to listen for truth. That means we must sort through our own grids of defensiveness and insecurities. When we don't sort through these issues we can become unapproachable, breaking the bonds of community that is necessary for good teamwork.

Ephesians tells us we need to speak the truth in love. We must also listen for the truth in love.

It is critical that we as leaders need to create an environment of trust and understanding. The basic needs of anybody in life are, to be listened to, understood, and loved.

What kind of environment have you created in your realm of influence?

LEADING YOURSELF

2010-04-08T07:53:00.002-07:00

BEFORE YOU CAN LEAD OTHERS YOU MUST LEAD YOURSELF

In a recent article in the Arizona Republic I was impressed by these leadership principles that will help us be healthier pastors.

Assess yourself: Ask five of your most trusted friends,colleagues or family members about your strengths and weaknesses. Take two of your strengths and find ways to make them great. Then take two areas that you're not as good at and develop actions to improve them.

Manage your priorities: Before you start each week, schedule your work, not just your meetings.

Build Accountability: Develop a list called, "What am I avoiding, what am I not being responsible for, what am I afraid to say and to whom? Always start by tackling the easiest items first.

Improve your emotional IQ: The next time you assess what caused a painful discussion, break it down into three areas to avoid blaming others. What do I own about this situation? What should they own? And what perception do they have of me that I need to manage?

Build Confidence: the next time someone praises you for the work you've done, fully accept it and say thank you.

WHAT ARE WE PRODUCING?

2010-04-02T11:10:00.003-07:00

Jesus told us to, "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and Son, and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you."

Notice he didn't say make Christians of all nations. He said make apprentices or followers who want to obey all of His commands.

The question I want to ask is this. Are we really baptizing people in our churches today who fully understand what a disciple of Christ really is?

Dallas Willard writes in his book "The Great Omission" these words: "For those who lead or minister, there are yet graver questions. What authority or basis do I have to baptize people who have not been brought to a clear decision to be a disciple of Christ? Dare I tell people, as "believers" without discipleship that they are at peace with God and God with them? Where can I find justification for this message? Perhaps most important: Do I as a minister have the faith to undertake the work of disciple-making? Is my first aim to make disciples? Or do I just run and operation?"

You may or may not agree with Dallas Willard, but we can say without reservation that we are in the disciple-making business? At the very least we must be careful to teach people that obedience is the primary external force that indicates internal transformation.

What do you think?

MINISTRY MOTIVATIONS

2010-03-26T09:54:00.002-07:00

What motivates you for your life long ministry? What keeps those fires burning?

Paul writes in II Corinthians 4 and 5 four motivating factors for persevering in ministry.

1. Looking forward to the day when troubles will be over. The frustrations and stresses of ministry will someday be rapt in the joys to come that will last forever. The tough issues we face in the ministry are brief compared to eternity.

2. Someday we will all be judged for what we have accomplished in his name. That is a sobering and motivating thought. May that kind of healthy fear reign in our lives!

3. Whatever we do it is because Christ's love controls us. There is only one person we need to please in our ministries. Jesus Christ. Aren't you glad that His compelling love is unconditional.

4. We have the privilege of bringing a message of reconciliation to the world. We get to be his ambassadors that God is using daily in the lives of people. What could be more motivating than that?

What motivates us brings back to our hearts once again. Paul writes: "Are we trying to pat ourselves on the back again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart before God."

Are our sincere hearts the reason people brag about us or is it spectacular ministry?

WHERE IS THE POWER?

2010-03-16T11:11:00.004-07:00

As I have recently read the book of Acts I was again astounded by the power that was present in the early church. Thousands were coming to Christ, while many signs and wonders were taking place.

We know the New Testament church wasn't perfect by any means. We don't have to go much further than Ephesus or Corinth to realize that any church can get messy Even in the early days there were certainly logistical adjustments being made via deacons coming onto the scene.

While I am not into the signs and wonders movement, I do sense something missing in the evangelical church today. I sometimes think what is missing is the power of God's presence being clearly manifested. I wonder if more seekers would be attracted to a church where God's power had a clearer expression?

In my mind there is nothing more powerful than a transformed life. Maybe we aren't giving enough opportunity for transformed lives to tell their stories. Maybe we are so fixed on the teaching of the word that we aren't spending enough time on the transformed lives of the word?

I am convinced that God may want to do far more then we could ask or imagine if we would just be more sensitive to his voice. I believe we have tipped the scales so heavily toward the teaching of the Word being the only way God speaks that we have missed many wonderful opportunities that the still small voice has prompted. In fact, I wonder if we listened and obeyed the still small voice more often maybe his power would be more visible.

Where is the power in your church?

Subtle Celebrating

2010-03-03T10:41:00.002-07:00

I recently had a discussion with a pastor who was discouraged in the overall progress of the ministry in his local church. His response to me sounded something like this:

"People don't seem to get it."

"Leaders aren't stepping up."

" I feel like I am the life support of the church."

" We aren't really catching the vision for our community."

" It seems like everybody is satisfied living in maintenance mode."

" The giving is down."

How I remember those very words periodically in my 30 years of pastoral ministry.

As pastors we have big dreams and ideals that motivate us to make an impact for the Kingdom.

We understand what the scriptures are calling the church to be and when we can't see the tangible momentum in our ministries we get frustrated.

Let me help you out of that spiral with a suggestion. Learn to celebrate those subtle victories.

Hang on to that person who recently gave their life to Christ. The elder who stepped up to the plate. The person who you recently counseled who had an "aha" moment. The budget being met, even though the giving is down. The spiritual growth in some of the individuals. The recent baptism.

The point is this: Our stress and discouragement is often measured by the distance between expectations and reality. Reality is, that God is at work when one life is changed. So before you get too discouraged maybe it is time to either lower ones expectations, or get in better touch with reality.

In the meantime keep celebrating the subtleties of ministry.

Spiritual Arrythmia

2010-02-22T14:23:00.002-07:00

Ministry can be so fast-paced, so demanding, that your heart gets to the point that it beats out of control. Why is it that the hearts of many ministers are in a racing mode?

People in our culture have grown accustomed to an endless parade of choices. Needless to say, we are living in a culture of gratification and fulfillment.

"What's in it for me?" This is the question that the consumer asks routinely. The Church can get caught up in the market-driven mentality of the free enterprise system, just like a secular business. Once this happens, the law of supply-and-demand becomes the governing principle.

As a result, church leaders find themselves shopping for competitive answers and cutting-edge innovative technology that will improve their product. Pastors begin to spend inordinate amounts of time comparing, contrasting and following the latest church-growth guru in their quest for a newer and more successful formula.

We add more programs, more marketing techniques,more staff-demands, and more of ourselves in the process. In an attempt to market themselves in an ever-changing society, leaders embrace a corporate mentality.

My question is, what sort of impact does this relentless blitz of activity have on the rhythm of the pastor's heart?

My other concern is that-like anything else-our frenzied activity can become an idol in itself.. a substitute for the living God. A wearying pace is hardly the source of any minister's power.

"Power belongs to God" (Ps. 62:11

Dead or Alive Preaching

2010-02-11T15:21:00.002-07:00

In a recent article by Dave McCellan in Leadership magazine he writes about sermon preparation.

One of the more recent trends is to preach without notes. I like what he had to say at the end of his article:

"When a sermon is properly prepared and delivered, it is likely that its preacher will not be fixated on the issue of notes: either their presence or their absence. The goal becomes to be so consumed by an urgent message that we forget ourselves and our methods for a short while to concentrate on communicating with those in the room.

When that happens, we probably won't be looking down to find the next phrase. Something much more alive will be happening. Newman refers to this as well: Nothing that is anonymous will preach; nothing that is dead and gone; nothing that is of yesterday, however religious in itself and useful. Thought and word are one in the Eternal Logos, and must not be separate in those who are his shadows on earth. they must issue fresh, as from the preacher's mouth, so from his breast, if they are to be 'spirit and life' to the hearts of his hearers.

Whether we use or don't use notes, I trust every preacher's desire is that our sermons reflect the kind of personal acquaintance with the sacred text that can't help but reanimate it for the pe0ple of God." David McClellan @ Preaching Today.com

Good words!

Who Are the Wrong People on the Bus?

2010-02-09T09:13:00.002-07:00

In my last blog I gave some thoughts of how to approach the person who needs to get off the bus. As I contemplated that, the next question that came to my mind is: How do you know if they are the wrong person on the bus? We can be a lot more courageous and confident if we know. So let me give you some thoughts.

1. Wrong people usually have a self serving agenda. They fail to see the big picture.

2. Wrong people do not possess the skill sets to meet the demands of the task.

3. Wrong people may be competent but may have a prideful spirit or flaw that destroys the

chemistry of the team.

4. Wrong people show a pattern of not being teachable.

5. Wrong people are those who sabotage a decision made by the team. This often shows itself

when a decision is made by the team in session, and outside of the session the team

member will disagree openly.

6. Wrong people are those who love to be a Monday morning quarterback. These are people

who love to criticize the leader with 20/20 hindsight.

7. Wrong people are those who want to be a decision maker but who don't model

servanthood.

8. Wrong people are those who have a pattern of resistance to any kind of change.

9. Wrong people can be "yes" men. These people are the opposite of those who have agendas.

A bus full of compliant people can dangerously empower the leader to be too controlling.

Are there any wrong people on your bus?

Getting the Wrong People Off the Bus

2010-02-01T10:06:00.002-07:00

Jim Collins in his book "Good to Great" has challenged us to make sure we get the right people on the bus. But what if it is too late, and now we are stuck with the wrong people on the bus? Let me give you some things to think about as you face this challenge:

1. Have you tried everything to clarify your expectations? Some people under perform because they don't know what you expect.

2. At what capacity is this person performing to your expectations? I have had an 80% rule.

If they are functioning at an 80% effectiveness then I am willing to be patient and work with that person.

3. Chemistry and character should trump competency. Does this person get along well with the other team members and do they demonstrate humility and teachability? I would rather have a person who is functioning at 80% with good character instead of 100% and out of control.

4. There is no substitute for speaking the truth in love. If it is not working then it is not working. There should be no blindsiding when the time comes to ask somebody to get off the bus.

5. The bus driver must be courageous in making the decision. Indecisiveness can frustrate the rest of the team when one of the members is being dispensed with too much grace.

Until next time.... Safe Driving!

Codependent Pastor

2010-01-06T11:26:00.002-07:00

Moses was a codependent leader. He was very dependent on those who were depending on him.

It was so important for Jethro to intervene in Moses' life or he would have clearly burned out.

What are those tempting or covert thoughts that motivate you to be a codependent pastor?

"Pastoring the flock is my calling in life, therefore my highest priority."

"I need to be validated, feel needed, besides I am good at it."

"If I don't do this what will people think of me?"

"I strive to be the very best."

"If I don't do it, who will?"

"I am the best and most qualified person to be responsible for this task."

" It is a rush to stay busy."

" I am a highly motivated type A personality."

The list could go on. What is the solution to codependency?

1. Set healthy boundaries.

2. Find accountability

3. Delegate and empower

4. Listen to your spouse and kids

5. Find your security in Christ

So what thoughts or excuses do you use to be codependent? What are you going to do about it?

Sincerely, Jethro

Real Authority

2009-12-31T09:58:00.002-07:00

"After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching. For he taught as one who had real authority-quite unlike the teachers of the religious law." Matthew 7:28-29 NLT

What was it that made Jesus' teaching so powerful? How was it different from the teachers of the law?

The first difference would be one was anointed and one wasn't. There was something powerful and penetrating about the truths that Jesus spoke. Jesus was delivering more than just good information. There was something transforming about his message.

The second difference would be one was filled with integrity and the other was filled with hypocrisy. True character displaced the white washed teaching of the religious leaders. Jesus never taught anything he didn't model in his own life.

Thirdly, the crowds were amazed. It was obvious to the listener that something was unique, motivating, and liberating about Jesus teaching even though he was a carpenter's son from Nazareth. The teaching of the religious leaders had been basked in religious higher education that burdened people with rules and regulations.

How do you measure up to the standards that Jesus set? When you teach do you have real authority?

God's Authentication

2009-12-22T09:18:00.004-07:00

I have been rereading Blackaby's book, "Spiritual Leadership" again. I would recommend it to you if you haven't picked it up lately. In it he reminds us that every leader needs God authentication with 5 overriding principles. Here they are:

1. God will fulfill his promises to the leader and the leader's organization. In other words there should be ample evidence of God's affirmation on a leader's life.

2. God will vindicate a leader's reputation over time. Criticism is not necessarily a sign of poor leadership.

3. Changed lives will be a true sign of God's affirmation. Spiritual advancement must be evident in lives the leader's influence.

4. Others will recognize that God is the driving force behind the leader's agenda.

5. The leader will have an unmistakable mark of Christlikeness in his public and private life.

How do you stack up against these principles?

Shepherd's Advantage

2009-12-09T10:11:00.002-07:00

Two summers ago we made a trek into Bethlehem to visit the Shepherd Fields and the Church of the Nativity. It was awesome to be at the birthplace of Jesus and to identify with the shepherds.

Ordinary men, doing their job, watching over their flock. Men who were called by God to come and be the first visitors to the Christ child. They immediately left what they were doing to see the Christ child the savior of the world, the Messiah. What a privilege and delight to these men to be the first to see the baby Jesus.

As I thought about this familiar part of the Christmas story, I began to identify with the shepherds as a pastor. Our job is to keep watch over the flock. But a higher calling is to connect with Jesus. If we connect with Him intimately the flock will be better protected.

Secondly, we need to count it a privilege to be called "pastor" shepherd. Healthy pastors should never forget that our first responsibility is to be a shepherd, not a prophet, not a CEO, not an administrator.

Third, good shepherds need to be the first to proclaim the joy of meeting Jesus. The shepherds left the encounter with the baby Jesus telling everyone the good news. Healthy pastors need to be excited, intentional, and role model about sharing what it means to meet Jesus face to face.

Over this holiday season I want to again remind you what a privilege it is to be a shepherd.

You may feel ordinary but have been given an extraordinary opportunity to proclaim the good news!

Merry Christmas.

Defining Success

2009-11-23T10:08:00.002-07:00

After spending hours with over a 100 pastors the past 3 years a dialogue usually erupts regarding the definition of success. Unfortunately pastors have gotten caught up in the same components that exist in the secular arena; such as bottom lines like numbers, budgets, baptisms, and other tangible results. Consequently the church continues to hold up the success stories and gurus of the faith as our role models of success.

As I was contemplating this blog, God showed me 4 measurements of success that could define anybody's ministry without the bottom line being the paramount issue. Here they are:

1. Operating in, understanding and accepting our giftedness. When we fail to operate and understand our giftedness we end up spending our time on compensating for our weaknesses and thus exposing our insecurity.

2. Maintaining honest intimacy with God. We must continually allow God to transform our lives from the inside out. Remember that Joshua's success was based on the meditation of God's word.

3. Being intentional about the Great Commission and Great Commandment. When we lose sight of the simple calling of God in our lives we have missed the target. Success is hitting what we are aiming at.

4. People's lives are being transformed. This is where we need to be alert to those individual lives that are being touched. Even though numbers are not the issue there should be signs of tangible fruit.

I truly believe if we keep these four principles of success in mind a "well done thou good and faithful servant" will be waiting for us. What do you think?

Anonymity

2009-11-16T11:17:00.002-07:00

I recently received this email with a quote from Dr. Dan Rotach:

When did anonymity get sanctified? I met with a pastor who was told recently that "a number of people" in the church had concerns about his ministry. When he tried to discern who these individuals are with the hopes of communicating with them, He was dealt with the evangelical trump card: "These matters were shared in confidence." Once again, I found myself asking the question. : When did anonymity get sanctified?

Confidences (code for secret and often destructive communication) are appropriate when they involve destructive personal matters of the heart, or when the leadership is wrestling through tough matters that are not to be disclosed to the congregation. But the rule of thumb in the Scriptures is this: I must own my conversation. Further, I am called to "speak the truth in love " for in doing so I am contributing to the health of the Body (Ephesians 4:15). Yet, I find that many of our churches have spiritualized a very destructive pattern of communication, that is, it is okay to speak negatively of one another without owning it, and without going straight to the source of the communication. those who write about systemic health believe anonymity to be one of the most counterproductive practices to healthy church life.

As a pastor, how have you proactively handled this kind of destructive behavior in your church?

Living in Hope

2009-11-03T10:55:00.002-07:00

Jeremiah had a very unique opportunity presented to him to purchase a tract of land in his hometown just a few miles from Jerusalem. At the time of the offer he was in prison and the Babylonians were about to completely destroy the Holy City and send all the Jews into exile. (Jeremiah 32:17,24-25)

Jeremiah, from a human standpoint, made a very foolish decision. He went ahead and purchased it for just 17 shekels. At the time it didn't make a bit of sense, but he was banking on a promise that was given to him by God. That promise included the fact that someday God would restore Israel to its homeland and once again prosper.

Jeremiah defines to us what living in hope is all about. It is about making investments for the future based upon God's promise in present.

Healthy pastors must learn to live in hope. If we constantly play it safe or yield to human wisdom or practicality, nothing would ever really be accomplished for the Kingdom.

So what investments are on your plate right now that demands you to live in hope.? Are you willing to take a risk even though the naysayers are out there saying how impractical it may be?

2009-11-03T10:54:00.001-07:00

A Fire in Your Bones

2009-10-28T15:58:00.003-07:00

Jeremiah was whipped and and put in stocks by Pashhur, the priest of the temple, for speaking the truth about future judgment upon Judah. In response to this, Jeremiah says to the Lord that essentially the Lord has overpowered him in order to speak with such passion and honesty. Pashhur told him never to speak of this judgment again. However Jeremiah says to the Lord, "If I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones. I am weary of holding it in." (Jeremiah 20:7-9)

Does a fire burn in your bones when it comes to the compelling message of the Gospel? Jeremiah was no doubt a passionate preacher. He connected daily with his Lord and that became the fuel to keep the fire burning.

I fear I haven't seen enough passionate preaching in these modern days. Many pastors are doing a good job of exposing the scripture but the passion is missing. I fear the Evangelical church could become the church who lost its first love because the pastor doesn't have a fire in his bones.

2009-10-13T10:17:00.001-07:00

Technological Facade

2009-10-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

With the advent of e-mail, face book, twitter, and text messaging, we have fallen into the trap of substituting technology for face to face relationships.

We have found it easier at times to hide behind the screen. It doesn't take as much courage to write a scathing editorial or a confrontational message when we don't have to be in the room with the person. Technology can't interpret tone or perceive body language, or give us a hug.

I have witnessed in the last 3 years, churches who use the web and other forms of technology very effectively to communicate to their constituency. Technological advancements have been a tremendous blessing for sure in getting out the message of the gospel. However I have also seen the devastating effects of those who use e-mail and face book as a tool of control and gossip in the local church. Bulk e-mails can give a very angry or critical person an avenue of venting and fostering a selfish agenda to a much broader audience with just the touch of a button. Even a well intentioned e-mail in the hands of the wrong person can end up being misinterpreted because of our tendency to read between the lines.

So what is the solution?

- We need to teach our people that technology can enhance "body life" but is no substitute for it.

- We might need to pray before we press send.

- We need to ask ourselves if we are using a quick e-mail to avoid a relational connection that maybe God wants us to have.

- We need to ask ourselves if are we using e-mail as a shield of cover, because we don't have the courage to go face to face?

Praise God for all the new modes of keeping in touch. But let's remember that there is no substitute for a literal touch.

Oxymoron? Pastor's Enjoying Community

2009-09-23T11:10:00.000-07:00

I have recently read a book by Joe Hellerman called "When the Church was a Family". He challenged me with this thought in particular. If the church is truly an community then why are pastors often the outsider? If the church is a supposed to be the family of brothers and sisters, then how come pastors are the last ones to experience community in their own church? How can a pastor preach and encourage people to authentic community and not have a close trusted relationship with anyone in the church.

The disconnect for pastors is an all too familiar scenario. Pastors have a greater tendency to limit closer relationships with peers outside of the immediate family. The reasons for that may be obvious. Perhaps they have been burned by an insider who has abused confidential information? Maybe the expectations for pastors to have it together precludes vulnerability? Maybe the pastor is convinced that they are an exception? Whatever the reason, far too many pastors go without community all their ministry life.

Allow me to share a quote from Hellerman's book. This is why we must answer the question, (who are my brothers and sisters ?) in terms of of the people in our own congregations. It will not do for us to share our lives only with other leaders in the broader Christian community, as helpful as that might be on occassion. If a pastor is unwilling to risk openness with a handful of brothers is his church--for whatever reason--the the members will surely do likewise. We simply cannot take our people where we are unwilling to go. We must be willing to go there whatever the cost. AGREE?

Is the pastor enjoying community an oxymoron in your life?

MIDDLE GROUND

2009-09-13T09:57:00.000-07:00

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 these words: "In this meaningless life, I have seen everything, including the fact that some good people die young and some wicked people live on and on. So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand don't be too wicked either--don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time: so try to walk a middle course--but those who fear God will succeed either way."

Solomon is proposing a priniciple that a life lived in some kind of balance while fearing God is the pathway to success.

A question we all have to answer then is this: Where do we find middle ground in our lives? Balanced living seems to be a pretty illusive concept in our culture.

Every pastor especially needs to find that balance or the church can quickly impact their equilibrium.

I believe the church is more demanding than ever before. Let me share some lines from my book: "People in our culture have grown accustomed to an endless parade of choices. Needless to say, we live in a culture of gratification and fulfillment. What's in it for me? This is the question that the consumer asks routinely. The church can get caught up in the market-driven mentality of the free enterprise system, just like secular business. Once this happens, the law of supply and demand becomes the governing principle. As a result, church leaders find themselves shopping for the competitive answers and cutting-edge innovative technology that will improve their product. Pastors begin to spend inordinate amounts of time comparing, contrasting and following the latest church-growth guru in their quest for a newer and more successful formula. Pretty soon, the man of God is driven in ministry. the tail is now wagging the dog."

Does this sound like a pastor who has found middle ground? Is the tail wagging the dog in your life? Where are you out of balance?

Communion or Call

2009-09-02T15:01:00.000-07:00

I was listening to Dr Dobson interview H. B. London last night and H.B. said something that struck me. He said, many pastors are enamored more with their call to ministry than the one who called them. What he meant is that too many pastors are caught up in the grind and success of performing good ministry without taking the time for real communion with God. Needless to say I have witnessed too many pastors in my ministry that are caught up in the same grind.

John Owen, Puritan theologian wrote this prayer, " I pray with all my heart that I may be weary of everything else but.....communion with Him"

What excites you more about your ministry, numerical growth, sermon preparation, people's lives changing, or communion with Abba Father?

May I add this prayer to the list: Lord I pray that my ministry is an overflow of intimacy with you. May it never be flesh driven or mechanical.

Help me not to get so caught in my call that I miss the one who called me. AMEN

The Narcissistic Church

2009-08-27T10:04:00.003-07:00

I have been reading from Larry Crab's book "Real Church" and have been challenged by some of his thoughts. I would like to share a quote from his book:

"Who gets Jesus right? Augustine,Perpetua,and Polycarp? Or the church leaders of today who insist that Jesus is committed to making our lives happier by providing us with all the legitimate blessings we want now? Am I content to love God for my sake? Or do I long to love myself for God's sake?

I don't want to burn at the stake, and I really don't think I ever will, but I want a faith that would make me willing to follow Jsesus at any cost. And I want to go to a church that won't give in to my natural appetite to the Chrisitanity to give me blsessings-dependent happiness.

Using God that way prevents me from knowing God in a way that makes my soul healthy and anchors me in joyful hope. A gathering that meets to make people happy in their blessings is not a church. It is a self-help club that feeds a narcissistic spirit of entitlement and dignifies as acceptable (or ignores altogether) the flesh-driven demand for self protection."

Here are my questions. Are we leading narcissistic churches? With our consumer driven, feel good culture what message are we sending in the local church? Are we somehow conveying to our flock that God is Mr Fix-It in the sky?

Maybe we need a good gut check and look at the predominant prayers that go up from are own lives and those we serve?

Reading Your Idiot Lights

2009-08-19T08:54:00.003-07:00

Idiot lights on our dashboards signal to us that something is malfunctioning in our vehicle. The most common one is "check engine". It could be something as simple as a service call or a major problem with the power plant. Whichever, if we don't pay attention to them, some serious damage could result.

God graciously has put into all of us our own set of idiot lights that tell us when our power plant is on overload or malfunctioning. Let me list a few typical ones:

Fatigue, lack of compassion, anger, cynicism, depression, sleeplessness, defensiveness, excessive control, fear, anxiety, boredom, aimlessness, withdrawal.

When these lights go off there should be an immediate response. The signal is essentially telling us that we are operating our ministry in the flesh. When that is happening there is little fruit to be picked.

So what should be my response? Timeout with Mr. Goodwrench; or better known as a come to Jesus moment. What does that look like? Stop, look, and listen!

STOP: Don't use your busy schedule as an excuse not to pull over to the side of the road.

You probably got into this predicament because you failed to do preventive

maintenance.

LOOK: When the church at Ephesus lost it's first love God said that they needed to look to see

where they had fallen. Then they were told to repent, and do the things they did when

they were first in love. This means we need to root out the origin of the problem.

LISTEN: Take time to hear what God has to say. We often do not slow down long enough to

hear what He has to say. Your heart may need more than a tune up or oil change.

It may need a complete overhaul.

Happy motoring!

Me, Myself, and God

2009-08-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

As you know I am a strong believer in a contemplative approach to God for the survival of our souls. Most pastors I have met find it extremely difficult to find silence, solitude and sensitivity with God. The pastorate has become an even more complicated and stressful calling because of a fickled post-modern culture and the demands of parishoners who have been overwhelmed with it's influence.

Just for the record I would like to re-emphasize the need for us in ministry to make sure we are replenishing our souls. We dare not minister from an empty tank.

Here is one pastor's thoughts written recently in Leadership Magazine on this issue:

"Silence is not meant to be a practice for navelgazers and recluses. Silence is the spiritual practice that puts us in a place to hear God, so that we can lead from something other than just strategic and organizational ideas. The great temptation that stalks ministers today is the temptation to put hours and hours into strategic agendas-because preparing agendas feels like doing something. That is easier to do than be silent and listen on the deep levels of the soul, levels where real discernment can happen. For me lack of silence is laziness-laziness in staying close to God." Adele Calhoun, Redeemer Community Church, Boston Massachusetts.

Let me insert one more testimony of a pastor from that same article in Leadership:

"As I write this, I am away from my normal stomping ground in Wisconsin, listening to the crashing surf of the ocean. At this merging point between the familiar world of dry land and that wild other -world at sea, I am reminded that the untamed power of God sometimes smashes into the laps against the world I know-or think I know. At home I engage with people continually, but I have nothing to offer them if I have not engaged with God. In solitude, I learn again that the purpose of ministry is not control, but awe."

Mel Lawrenz, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Fear Factor!

2009-07-26T20:44:00.003-07:00

"Elijah was afraid and he fled for his life."

I guess if Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of God, could be afraid of a wicked queen then we shepherds may struggle with fear now and then.

The question then becomes not if you become afraid but when do you become afraid?

Fear can have a paralyzing affect on our ministries. When I asked over a hundred pastors what they were afraid of the following answers were given:

1. "I am afraid of failure"

2. "I am afraid of becoming irrelevant."

3. "I am afraid of losing control."

4. "I am afraid that my family will not measure up."

5. "I am afraid of losing people."

6. "I am afraid that people will find out I'm not as spiritual as they think I am."

7. "I am afraid of history repeating itself."

8. "I afraid of what people think of me."

There are many more fears out there so you can fill in the blank.

Paul gave some good advice to a fearful and timid young pastor Timothy. "But God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline." NLT

There is great power in the truth. The word of God is powerful. Fear is essentially believing a lie. Paul tells us to fix our minds on truth. What lies are you buying into?

Perfect love casts out or drives out fear. Fear and Love cannot coexist. When we understand specifially how much God really loves us fears have a tendency to melt away. When we trust in that love our faith becomes our reality. When is the last time you sat down and truly contemplated the love that God has demonstrated in your life?

Paul reminds us to think with sound judgment in Romans. This takes discipline. Paul also tells us to take every thought captive. Are you being proactive in the battle for your mind?

It all starts by facing your fears rather then rationalizing or running from them.

The good news is that God met Elijah in his fear so that he got up off the mat and continued to fight the good fight.

We must discipline our minds to focus on truth.

2009-07-26T20:44:00.000-07:00

Keeping Your Life Under the Speed Limit

2009-07-10T09:47:00.002-07:00

Arizona has been blessed with photo radar on all the freeways. Motorists for the most part detest big brother watching. However these devices do have an affect on overall speed. If you aren't paying attention the next thing you know you are getting flashed for doing 15 over.

Are you consistently going 15 over?

Let me throw up a warning sign to those of you who insist on going over your human speed limit.

Sooner or later you will get flashed and pay the consequences.

One of the biggest problems I am seeing in the lives of pastors is an inability to set boundaries. I recently heard from a pastor who is bi-vocational feeling guilty that he can only give 3 hours a day to counseling those in his congregation. I hear from other pastors who don't enjoy a day off or have been on a legitimate vacation for years much less a sabbatical. Most pastors I talk to are exceeding the speed limit and are not paying attention to the warning signs.

What are those warning signs? How about fatigue, depression, lack of compassion, cynicism, anxiety,guilt, physical problems, loss of patience, loneliness, sleeplessness, too many nights out,

disengagement with the family? The list can go on.

So how do we keep under the speed limit?

1. Distinguish between real guilt and false guilt. Real guilt comes from God not your own or others expextations.

2. Be intentional about setting boundaries. If you can't do it well, then ask for help. Find a secretary or person who will hold you accountable.

3. Understand your own idiot lights. God has uniquely given us alarms in our systems that go off when we are on overload. We need to determine what they are and pay attention to them.

4. Give yourself permission to take some time to rest. Remember boundary setting should lead to margins and margins should give you time to rest. You can bet in ministry that nobody will do it for you. The demands are too great.

5. Ask your spouse and kids if they feel significant and understood.

6. Make sure you are not in denial. As you know that is a deep and long river.

The bottom line is this: SLOW DOWN AND LIVE!

Incarnational Preaching

2009-06-28T18:16:00.003-07:00

The past two and half years have been an interesting journey into sitting under sermons of many different pastors. I have discovered that there are some really talented teachers who are givng out tremendous biblical truth. However I have not seen very often where the one preaching is not only expressing truth but their life.

I believe good preaching takes the truth of God's word and really brings it to life. Jesus became a man so that we could see God operate in real life. I believe preaching should be the same way. Preaching is our opportunity to put flesh and bones on truth.

The average person in church will not connect the dots of truth unless they can see the truth somehow is being lived out in the life of the preacher. The Word became flesh so we could identify with the messenger as much as the message.

Church goers live a very compatmentalized life. If the message is not modeled so that they understand how it integrates into their life, then they can safely isolate it as irrrelevant.

If we want to see lives impacted with truth, then we must inject it with real life. Sometimes that means we must expose our own weaknesses, struggles, and victories.

The bottom line is that we need to be sharing enough of our own journey in our preaching so that those who hear us can identify with the preacher or so that the preacher can identfy with those who hear us.

Is it time for you to begin to do a little "incarnatinal preaching"?

Comeback churches

2009-06-21T16:35:00.002-07:00

Does your church qualify as a comeback church?

In a recent article by Ed Stetzer he writes that pastors of small churches (200 and under) have heard all the strategies and promises, but for many small-church leaders, the conferences, led by rock star celebrity pastors, are like "ministry pornography"- an unrealistic depiction of an experience they"ll never have that distracts from from the real and wonderful thing. In other words, the lust of the megachurch distracts them from the mission of their church. Ed goes on to say that in reality the small church should concentrate on the critical but simple things. Small churches that are on the comeback trail should focus on the the bascis of prayer and outreach to the community.

Smaller comeback churches are often praying churches. Comeback leaders of smaller churches believed even more strongly that real, intentional, stratigic prayer made a significant difference in their revitalization process. God can change attitudes in your church through passionate, persistent prayer for renewal. Second, if smaller churchs are going to thrive, they must focus their attenion on reaching the lost in their communities. Again delving deeper into the survey of churches under 200 making a comeback, Stetzer discovered that intentional evangelism in the community was the other catylist in making a comeback.

Is strategic prayer and intentional outreach a part of your churches DNA? Is it a part of your DNA as a healthy pastor? Is it time for your church to make a comeback?

NOTE: If you want Ed Stetzer's complete article you can go online to www.outreachmagazine.com.

Prayer and outreach are not exactly revolutionary ideas, but they can change the focus in our churches from the latest growth strategies and magic formulas to an opportunity for real impact.

Stonewall Elders

2009-06-17T09:44:00.002-07:00

For the first 9 years of my ministry in a church plant I was blessed with two elders who consistently had their own agendas. Whenever I would cast vision for a new direction there was always some excuse or cold water why it wouldn't work or they would put their spin on it and create gridlock with the other elders. During that period of time I would get emotionally and spiritually exhausted trying to engineer around those two to accomplish what I thought God had in mind for our church. Unfortunately during those years we had elders who annually renewed their commitment to the board. This was difficult for me that I considered resigning several times.

However, thanks to the sovereignty of God the two elders disagreed so mightily on one issue that they got into an argument and both left the board at the same time. Needless to say after 9 years I felt liberated. After that, the board renewed their faith in my leadership and asked me to redefine our vision and become the real spiritual leader of the flock. From that moment on, God really blessed the growth and development of the church.

So what are the ways we can avoid these stonewallers?

First: It is important to guard the gate. I was way too careless and hasty to have an elder board in the early days of ministry. We can never be too careful to measure the potential leaders Biblical character, competency, and chemistry.

Second: It is critical to have a clearly defined governance model so the roles of elders and staff are understood by all.

Third: It is important that the elder board and pastor have mutual respect and trust. Too many pastors do not trust their elders and vice versa.

Fourth: You may want to implement a 3 year rotation off the elder board. This gives an elder a break and may resolve naturally an elder who needs to be removed.

Fifth: Be prepared for some loving courageous confrontation. There is no substitute for godly leaders who lead with conviction and grace.

May you keep those walls torn down!

Are You Into Organized Religion?

2009-06-07T19:17:00.004-07:00

I have frequently been in conversation with folks who don't go to church and when I ask them why, the usual answer is that they are not into organized religion. My normal response to that is, "Neither am I". This gets their attention, especially when they find out I am a minister.

As Evangelicals we have relegated organized religion to the mainliners and have prided ourselves in the fact that we are about the relationship. However, the longer I have been associated with the evangelical church I have found that it is not isolated to the mainline denominations. So what does organized religion look like in the Evangelcial church?

1. The church that plays church. This is the church that has forgotton to ask the question why.

It is a church that has plateaued and found themselves in maintenance mode. The Great Commission has been repressed into the great omission. It is no longer mission or purpose driven. Vision has been lost and people are just going through the motions.

2. The church filled with political agendas. This is a church where the staff is siloed into their ministry and miss the big picture. Church bosses are misusing their power of influence. Leadership is more concerned about serving men rather than God. Committees and boards become roadblocks to sprit filled leadership. Sacred cows are protected at all cost.

3. The church that is run like a business. This is a church that is market driven that often has a board made up of businessmen in the community who have influence and prestige but are not necessarily in tune with the organism of the church. Decisions are simply driven by finances, logic, marketing appeal, policies, and bottom lines, rather than prayerful deliberation.

4. The church that has lost it's lampstand. This church could burn down tomorrow and nobody in the community would really care. The compassion for the community has been lost under the bushel of complacency. People see this church as a club that only has percs for it's members.

5. The church without authentcity. Everyone is looking for a genuine community of people that they can identify. From the pastor to the pew there must be enough transparency and vulnerabilty for people to connect. The church without authenticity often has a spirtual facade that comunicates in Christianese where the average person on the street sees as pious platitudes.

6. The church that doesn't connect the Bible to real life. The Bible was written to be powerfully transforming not academically informing. People come to this kind of church and find no relevance to scripture in their daily lives. It is no wonder people do not find the church to be a relevant institution.

Over the years we evangelicals have prided ourselves in the fact that we are not about religion but a relationship. Sometimes I wonder.

2009-06-07T19:17:00.001-07:00

A Really Deep Subject

2009-06-01T14:03:00.002-07:00

When is the last time you heard these words from one of the saints in the church?

"I want something deeper for myself." "Your messages aren't deep enough. "

"I want something meatier." " I want a Bible study that goes deeper."

After 30 years of ministry I am still trying to figure what "deeper" really means.

Does it mean more expositional? Does it mean more detailed? Does it mean more background or historical support of the teaching? Does it mean a better parsing of verbs or Greek renderings? Does it mean more in your face? Does it mean getting past milk issues regarding salvation or onto bigger and better discipleship issues? Does it mean "Precepts Bible Studies"?

Let me put just a cynical spin on the concept of deeper.....

I have learned that those who complain about depth are often those who want to substitute knowledge for obedience. The assumption is that the more they know the more mature they are. These people want more information not transformation.

People who complain about depth often have a personal doctrinal agenda that needs to be served. If that agenda isn't being taught or presented then it isn't deep. For intance if we don't preach on "end times" or the sovereignty of God frequently we are not deep enough.

People who complain about depth are often those without consideration of the larger body.
There are many different levels of understanding in the average church today. Martin Luther used to use the k.i.s.s. method. (Keep it simple. ) Simplicity is often associated with shallowness.
It is unfortunate, because the most simple can be the most profound.

So when somebody uses the "d" word in your church what do you think they really mean?

In any case, let's make sure we keep on digging.

If Christ Were not There

2009-05-26T09:20:00.002-07:00

I have been reading a book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It is another one of those books that challenges us to the pursuit of love for our Lord. I was totally convicted by a quote in his book by John Piper. He writes:

The citical question for our generation--and for every generation--is this:

"If you could have heaven, with no sickness and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satistied with heaven if Christ were not there?"

How many of us would read that statement and would say, "You know, I would be okay with that." I had to admit I struggled with that thought. How about you?

Can we say with the Psalmist, "O God , you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you , in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you."

Could we honestly pray to the Lord, "I want You, And when I don't, I want to want you."

Amen

Simplify

2009-05-15T19:58:00.002-07:00

There are far too many sacred cows in the local church that may make for some very good hamburger. Are you able to ask the following questions when it comes to the complexity of your ministry?

Are all the programs, committeees and various ministries necessary?

Is each ministry fulfilling its intended purpose?

Do you continuously ask why you are doing what you do in the church?

What are the motives driving the ministries in your church?

Are people burning out in various ministries?

Are you burning yourself out?

How many nights out could the average family in your church have on their plate?

You are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10. Martha became distracted and unsettled while serving Jesus and His disciples. On the other hand Mary sat calmly and quiet at His feet, listening to Him speak to her heart. Mary wanted communion with her Savior and Martha opted for activity. I believe that quiet worship will give us the presence of mind that we need to simplify even pare down the things that we do in active service, lest we end up becoming "worried and bothered about so many things,"as Martha was.

It seems to me that the local church has bought into Martha's philosphy hook line and sinker.

Maybe we have opted for activity over communion. Is your church distracted and unsettled?

When was the last time you or you and your leaders just sat at the feet of Jesus?

The Bullseye on Your Back

2009-05-11T07:53:00.002-07:00

Criticism and leadershp can certainly be synonymous. . I might be a little prejudiced, but I think there is a greater propensity for criticism in the church then any other institution. Why it that?
First: We are servant leaders. Servant leaders are more approachable, teachable, and vulnerable. Those qualities add up to be an easier target. Secondly: People are consumers of the church and are selfishly prone to have the menu they want. When we can't feed them what they want, they find another "restaurant" down the street. Third: It seems that everyone is an expert when it comes to the church. A pastor would never tell a pilot how to fly a plane or a CEO how to run his business, but parishoners will tell a pastor how to lead the church.

So what are the results of the inevitable arrows that strike our back side? "WOUNDS"

So how do you deal with the wounds of criticism that come your way? I managed to repress my wounds over the years. I would excuse the unfair, nasty, carnal criticism in the name of "Suck it up Christianity". "After all these people love God like I do." "It isn't a personal attack." "They are just having a bad day." "That's just life in the ministry." "They aren't the enemy." "I'm a big boy, I can take it."

While all those statements had truth attached, it didn't make the sting go away. So I would rationalize my own hurt thus piling up offense after offense without really treating the wound. What I really needed to do was to honestly admit it hurt and intentionally forgive the person by faith. Unfortunately it took too many years to figure that out.

How are you handling the bullseye on your back? Are you responding in a healthy way?

Getting Out of the Ivory Tower

2009-05-04T14:31:00.002-07:00

How many sermons have you preached about the Great Commission? But how many people have you led to Christ outside the context of your local church? What this means is getting out of the Ivory Tower and making intentional contacts in the community.

For many pastors it means adding one more thing to their already busy schedule. However if we take seriously the great commission, then shouldn't it be a priority?

Let me share the advatages of being intentional about your own evangelism:

1. It demontstrates proper role modeling.
2. It brings greater integrity to your preaching.
3. It can change the DNA of your church to become more reproductive.
4. It personally motivates and ignites passion in a a pastor's heart when someone's life is
transformed.

If you have been wondering why God hasn't blessed you with more conversion growth maybe it's because you have set a poor example.

There have been many pastors who have joined health clubs, reached out to their neighbors, done chaplaincy work, coached, or gotten involved in various community or school movements.
The list can go on.

Rather than settling for being a good equipper maybe it is time to be intentional about your own personal evangelism. Wouldn't it be fun to share how you led someone to Christ during a Sunday morning sermon? How contagious and challenging would that be?

Hope to see you on the street and out of the tower.

Church...Center for the performing arts?

2009-04-28T09:43:00.003-07:00

The church today has become the center for the performing arts. Sermons are slickly crafted, and worship is wonderfully choreographed, while the patrons in the pews are entertained to do the same. Entertained to do what? Perform, of course.

Our breaknecked pace of American culture has put us on a treadmill of "behavioral Christianity"
Evangelical Christianity has slipped into a think and do mentality. We have measured spiritual maturity simply by external behavior. After all, doesn't man look at the outer appearance? It seems to me that we have done a great job reducing Christianity to a series of disciplines. If a person goes to church, studies the Bible, prays, and is involved actively in ministry they are mature in Christ. Why? Because they are "acting" like a Christian should act.

Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus to comprehend the love of Christ, but we find in Revelation, they lost their first love. What happened? Revelation tells us they were doctrinely sound, patiently enduring, and extremely active. From all the externals the church was behaving in a healthy vibrant way. They had behavioral Christianity mastered. They had great knowledge and were busy being obedient but there was one huge problem. Their passion was missing.

Has that happened to you.? You have been so busy thinking and doing that you forgot to "be".

Maybe it is time for you to go backstage, behind the curtain of "behavioral Christianity" and reconnect with the loving intimate Abba Father.

Know and Understand Your Limits

2009-04-27T15:10:00.002-07:00

Accepting who you are, and understanding how you are unique, will enable you to find a better rhythm for your ministry. Beyond that, consider whether you've come to terms with your giftedness. For within that realm lies your greatest potential for productivity....authentic fruit bearing as directed by the Holy Spirit. "I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you,"said Paul to Timothy.

Stay within your limits. Don't spend most of your time doing work that is outside of your giftedness. As much as possible, stick to the things that you do best. Otherwise your heart will lose it's rhythm. In his book, Contrarians, Larry Osborne wisely observes that "we must learn to listen to the still small voice of the Spirit as He calls and equips us to be a better us , rather than a poor imitation of someone else."

I have observed that whenever pastors take on responsiblities that they're not fitted for, they end up operating in self-protect mode. That's because their weaknesses--and insecurities--are dictating their ministry. They're restless, uncomfortable...and it shows.

Is it showing in your life?

Gut Check for Sermon Prep

2009-04-26T19:52:00.002-07:00

I remember the days when it was easy to be the lean mean sermon machine. I loved to study and crank out great sermons for those needy folks of the flock. I would be excited about the illustrations, wonderful alliterations, and three point slam dunks that would knock their wooly socks off. However this was one shepherd who needed to take a look inward before delivering a life changing message.

Here is the question. Are you allowing your sermon preparation to touch your own heart? Are you being transformed by your own preaching? If not, how can you expect your flock to hear a message of integrity, authenticity, and passion?

What checks and balances are in your life to protect you from preparing just for others?

Isn't it a shame that some pastors have compartmentalized their devotional life from their sermon preparation.

When God's Love is Taken for Granted

2009-04-22T09:57:00.000-07:00

April 22nd 2009

How many pastors really comprehend the love of Abba Father in their lives? We may know his love in our heads but what about our hearts. Brennan Manning, in his book Ragamuffin Gospel gives insight on what God might want to say to us if we are taking his love for granted:

"And God answers, That's what you don't know. You know how much I love you. The moment you think you understand is the moment you do not understand. I am God, not man. You tell others about Me--that I am a loving God. Your words are glib. My words are written in the blood of My only Son. The next time you you preach about me with such obnoxious familiarity, I may come and blow your whole prayer meeting apart. When you come at Me with studied professionalism, I will expose you as a rank amateur. When you try to convince others that you understand what you are talking about, I will tell you to shut up and fall flat on your face. you claim to know I love you.

Did you know that every time you tell Me you love Me, I say thank you? When your son comes to you asking, "Do you like Susan 'cause she skates better and she's a girl?" are you grieved and saddened over your child's lack of trust? Do you know that you do the same thing to Me?

Do you claim to know what we shared when Jesus withdrew to a deserted place or spent the night on a hillside alone with Me? Do you know from where the inspiration to wash the feet of the Twelve came? Do you understand that, motivated by love alone, your God became your slave in the upper room? Have you forgotten that on Good Friday no angel intervened? That sacrifice was carried out, and it was My heart that was broken".......

Brennen concludes, "When I become so spiritually advanced that Abba is old hat, then the Father has been had, Jesus has been tamed, the Spirit has been corralled, and the Pentecostal fire has been extinguished. Evangelical faith is the antitheseis of lukewarmness: It always means a profound dissatisfaction with our present state. When Scripture, prayer, worship, ministry become routine, they are dead. When I conclude that I can now cope with the awful love of God, I have headed for the shallows to avoid the deeps. I could more easily contain Niagara Falls in a teacup than I can comprehend the wild, uncontainable love of God.

When was the last time you spent some solitary moments basking in the love of his presence?