Somewhere...

It's not that I'm lost or even feel lost. Quite the contrary, I'm excited at what God is doing in my life, my family and the ministry to which He has called me. Things are going surprisingly well in spite of me.

However, there is this dichotomy between the vision that God has given me and the resources for the vision.

I, being the hopeless visionary and daredevil who, often, at the sheer terror to others, trusts God enough to walk off of a cliff if He told me to do it, find myself in a new arena of ministry.

Recently, I've contemplated praying that God would shut down his impartation of the vision until there is even a minute resemblance of adequate provision.

I recently heard that the distance between expectation and reality is called frustration and similar quotes such as, "If God gives the vision, He will (I don't like using a contraction here) give the provision." Or. "If it's God's will, it's God's bill," can add to that distance.

Am I still a man of faith? Yes! But seeing the fruition of the vision requires a journey. And, that's where I am. Somewhere on the Journey...

Just Ask

Last night, I had the privilege of serving at a community food giveaway. Near the end of the evening, I was carrying boxes of food to people's cars for them. As I carried one gentleman's box to his car, we struck up a conversation and, immediately, the Holy Spirit prompted me to pray for him.

Sure, I could have prayed a vague and generic prayer, but I wanted to see God meet his need. I placed my hand on his shoulder and asked him what I could pray with him about. Instantly, his eyes welled up in tears as he shared his greatest need.

I prayed a prayer of faith with this man, asking God to specifically work in, through and around his need. It wasn't fancy, it wasn't a prayer full of eloquent words, but it was heartfelt and full of faith. When I finished praying, I gave him a hug and felt the love of God all over the both of us.

If you want to start a conversation that will engage people, ask about their need and then ask if you can pray for them in their need. Watch what God does in them and you.

The Higher the Climb - Confessions of an Introvert Pastor - Part 3

I am naive. There, I admitted it. I feel better, although, I don't really like the definition of the word, especially since it describes me at times.

naive - having or showing a lack of experience, judgment, or information; credulous: (Websters)

Just 8 months into my first lead pastorate, much of what I thought I knew, proved to be only partially correct. In college and in my associate roles, I was schooled on the basics of being a new pastor.

"Don't change things too fast."
"Work with established leadership."
"Believe the best in people."
"Be a part of the people"
"Lead from the middle."

These are just some of the things that I thought I knew or that I thought would serve me well. All of these hold some truth, but not all of these are the whole truth, all of the time and in every situation.

In the past 8 months, I have experienced some of the greatest joys of my life. I've watched as individuals gave their lives to Christ. I've watched as they take steps that are more and more like Christ everyday. I've celebrated God's provision and blessings. I've marveled at how God knits people together for His unique purposes. I've watched as person after person started "Getting It".  I've watched as this expression of Christ's Church grew. It seemed as if we were climbing higher everyday.

But, there has been something in the pit of my stomach since day one. As each new height was attained, I was acutely aware of that height and the speed at which we were attaining it. I remember telling myself, "This can't be real." "This shouldn't be happening this fast." "We don't have the foundations or structures in place to support this growth." That's what I was thinking. However, the whole time, I was speaking, "Praise God, look what He is doing."

A roller coaster's initial hill can only be as tall as the support system beneath it can handle. When a building is built quickly on a foundation that isn't ready to support it, the whole building collapses. When a church grows beyond that of the leadership structure, it collapses.

As a pastor, I read and hear leadership quotes and principals from books and during training conferences all the time. However, until I became a lead pastor, I shrugged off most of those as being arrogant and self-centered. During the last few months, my thinking on the matter of leadership has changed. I've often pondered the reason why so many churches grow and decline, numerically and spiritually, over and over again. Knowing what I know now, I can say with near absolute certainty, the reason for this sickening roller coaster ride is leadership structure.

My error has been in moving too slow in developing leaders so as not to offend people. When the situation called for strong leadership, I opted, at times, for a more passive approach to protect individuals and avoid confrontation. I wonder now if God was offended. I was naive in thinking that we would continue climbing as a church, if I didn't exert much of my authority as a pastor.

I've ridden several roller coasters in my life. I don't like them. I'm often told that going down the hill is what makes a coaster fun. However, in our churches, the track ends when we stop climbing - we stop discipling, we stop establishing leadership and delegating responsibilities and begin descending. When a church starts to descend, people are thrown in every direction as individuals as well as entire families take offense, over step Biblical boundaries and ministries collapse.

John Maxwell has stated that, "Everything rises and falls with leadership." While I still struggle a bit with the word "Everything", I am closer to accepting the truth of that statement than I have ever been before.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Roman Church said this.

4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

 

Romans 12:4-8 NLT

I recently heard a pastor at a conference speak on leadership. He said that, "Whenever we are influencing people, we are leading." So the question is, will God consider me a good leader or a bad leader?

I still do not like roller coasters, but I am loving the people on this ride called being a pastor.

Less naive, leading God's people and climbing higher with my eyes on Christ.

Backing Up is Hard to Do - A transparent look at life from my perspective.

The following really is not intended for any benefit for readers. It is meant to allow me to see my thoughts in a media that I have a connection with. Feel free to skip this post - you won't be missing anything important. I've been a college student for a long time - a REALLY LONG time. Starting late, and trying to tailor fit a degree plan that fits me has been fraught with exhausting obstacles. Lately, actually, the last two years, I have been struggling with coursework, or, more accurately, fitting coursework into my schedule. As a husband, father, pastor, ministry leader and friend, my plate is full as is my satisfaction with life. So why the struggle, I wonder? It hit me today. I struggle with coursework because I have never been a scholar, (I passed high school with mainly C's & D's) I'm an audible and interactive learner and, most importantly, I am already living my dream. I've realized that all I've ever really wanted in life is to be a husband, father and pastor. Mounting student debt for classes which are purported to enable me to do that which I'm already doing and have been doing for nearly 5 years has become very disheartening. While there is something to be said for finishing what I started, I am beginning to question the cost - both financial and physical. Continuing classes for the sole purpose of keeping large loans at bay doesn't seem like such a healthy option anymore. My college has been awarded major grants which go toward larger and more beautiful buildings and facilities while tuition increases follow suit. Honesty time, I am completely burnt on school and completely hooked on being a husband. father and pastor. For the sake of my sanity and health, again, both physical and financial, I need to make some changes in regard to school. If I must choose, I'm choosing people. The people that comprise my family and those entrusted to my care as their pastor. Battling through coursework is too much like backing up.

Dancing With the Devil

As Christians, we used to spend a great deal of time talking to our kids about the importance of obeying Paul's command in scripture that says that we are not to be unevenly yoked. Simply put, we are not to form close relationships with those outside of the faith. Such is true for romantic, business and, even some friendships.

However, in recent years, many Christians have become lax in following that command. "Evangelistic" dating, the desire to show acceptance to everyone and the flat-out ignoring of scripture's mandate because “we want to” have taken root and are flourishing patterns in this area now.

It is hard to sit and watch solid Christians, get pulled down while thinking they will be the exception - they will be the strong one. Seldom if ever, is this the case. How many of God’s family do we have to see fall, before we say something? Or, will we ever say anything?

Additionally, there is a growing trend that indicates that staying equally yoked has become fraught with complex problems. I know of several spouses of ministry leaders, pastors and solid Christians that have not only walked out of their marriage, but have walked out on their faith as well. These things could not have happened overnight. What led to the shocking change of heart and mind?

What or who came between husband and wife, parent and child and family and God.

In an effort to appear non-judgmental and accepting, I fear that the church has accepted an invitation - an invitation to dance with the devil.

This is all very alarming to me. That doesn't mean that I am panicking - running down my street heralding a catastrophe, but I am alarmed. I am concerned because I have seen where the party ends up. It leads to death – death of a marriage, a family, ones faith and even one’s body.

Parents, please wake up, parent up and set an example. Ask the tough questions of yourself first and then ask those same questions of your children. Is who I’m (your) dating pleasing God? Or, are they dragging me (you) down – into compromise and sin?

What are you and your spouse teaching your kids about their choices in who they date? What are you doing to ensure that you and your spouse stay equally yoked in your faith? If you are married and not equally yoked, STAY MARRIED - God’s Holy Spirit will minister to your spouse through you, as long as you stay rooted in Christ. God will reward you for your faithfulness to Him and your spouse.

Don’t fall for a cheap invitation – it will cost you more than you ever wanted to pay.

GPS

At the risk of being redundant, I have often looked at the abbreviation for "Global Positioning System - GPS" and wondered if anyone had ever thought about using the same abbreviation for GOD's Positioning System?

Samuel must of had one of these...

1 Samuel 3:3-4 NLT

"The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle near the Ark of God."
Samuel was still a young boy when he first heard God call his name. But it is interesting that scripture mentions where Samuel was sleeping - "near the Ark of God". Samuel grew up learning the priestly duties and the ways of God. Samuel honored God and God bestowed His favor on Samuel.

1 Sam 3:19-4:1NLT

"As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord. The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh and gave messages to Samuel there at the Tabernacle. And Samuel's words went out to all the people of Israel."
Samuel chose a position near the Ark and God spoke to Him. What position are you choosing?

Besides coming to church once or twice a week, where are you spiritually? Are you in a position to hear from God's Spirit? Do you have a clean heart and clean hands so God can speak into your life and use you? Or, are there things that keep you away from such a position? Things like pride, sin, selfish and/or ungodly ambitions and complacency.

Samuel positioned himself in God and unknowingly or knowingly positioned himself for God to greatly use him.

Where are you positioning yourself today?

Un-Comfortable

<p>I had some time to think today, so I was contemplating about why I never feel relaxed, comfortable or calm. I didnt come up with any profound conclusions but as i was thinking about it a friend posted the title of a chapter in a Len Sweet book. The title?

"Life wouldn't be interesting if you didnt feel out-of-place."

Thanks God!

Get Off of the Cycle

  So Israel was reduced to starvation by the Midianites. Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord for help.

Judges 6:6 NLT

That's the cost of exalting oneself. When we exalt ourselves, God has a way of making us humble. Learning and walking humbly before God is a way of life.

All to often, we point our finger at the ancient Israelites as their continual disobedience brought about what is known... as "the cycle of the judges".
1. Israel would be at peace with their needs provided for.
2. They would drift away from God and His commands and begin to worship other gods.
3. They would fall under God's judgement at the hands of their enemies.
4. They would gather at an altar, repent and turn back to God.
5. Then God would raise up a leader to deliver them.
Repeat! Repeat! Repeat!

If we actually think about it, don't we do the same thing?

1. We walk humbly before God and in the power of His Spirit.
2. We become lax in our devotions, in prayer, in church attendance - following and making gods out of the TV, entertainment figures, sport heroes, hobbies and our family.
3. We fall under the results of our sin - those destructive habits and beliefs that following the other gods mentioned above produce.
4. We hear a sermon that speaks to us and we repent at an altar.
5. God welcomes us back and forgives through the shed blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

It's the same cycle. But, don't we get tired of it? Some of us may even be getting dizzy! Christ desires an intimate relationship with each of us. Pride and selfishness starve that relationship. Learning and walking humbly before God feeds it.

Are you selfishly starving or humbly feeding the source that will enable you to really live?

Wolf Patrol

"Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears."
 Acts 20:28-31 NIV

"They are going to think I am so rude!" The thought flashed through my mind as soon as the man left the building. My heartrate slowed to normal, as my wife gently caressed my arm. The whole incident lasted only a minute, we were enjoying a Sunday night time of fellowship with the married couples of the church, when I heard the front door open. In an instant, in walked a man in a trenchcoat. I recognized him immediately and remembered the discernment the Holy Spirit gave me about him a few years back.

"You don't have an evening service?" the man asked. When I explained that we used our Sunday nights for specialized ministry, he left in a huff. I never rose out of my chair.

After a brief moment, I stated something to the group of couples that was to the effect of, "You might be thinking that was rude, but I know who that man is." One man immediately responded, "We trust your judgement."

I believe that all of us and especially pastors, need the Holy Spirit's gift of discernment. In an effort to be inviting, friendly and welcoming to everyone, there is bound to be a wolf that is trying to slip in among the sheep at some point.

We need discernment to identify these predators and we also need the same gift to evaluate our own thoughts, our own actions and our own motives. As a pastor I am charged to love and care for the people God has placed in my charge. I pray daily that God would help me to remain pure in thought, speech, actions and motives. I also pray for discernment in order to protect the church from wolves.

When a shepherd spots a wolf, he acts and rightly so. I would rather appear rude by not welcoming an individual that I have been warned by the Holy Spirit about, than to risk the spiritual lives of so many people that both God and I love.

Pastors, watch out for wolves.

What A Ride

I was thinking back over the last few months today and am totally amazed at what God has been doing in mine and my family's lives. If someone would have told me 6 months ago that I would be where I am today, doing what I am doing and loving it as much as I am, I probably would not have believed them.

There is just so much to be thankful for.

1. I am blessed with a wonderful wife - who I love more than ever.
2. I have great kids who are serving the Lord, making wise decisions and are giving me reasons to be proud of them.
3. I am privileged to pastor a great church, full of friendly, loving people who are ready to impact the community and world.
4. God is opening new doors, that only he can open and is giving us favor with the community.
5. Lives are being changed as people are making decision for Christ regularly.

God is good.

If Jesus Came To Walmart

OK. I'll admit it, I'm on facebook a lot. I enjoy the encouragement from God's Word - posted by individuals from their daily devotions. I enjoy connecting with people that I do not and cannot physically see and communicate with on a regular basis. I enjoy the connectivity!

One thing that I have noticed in the connections through facebook, that has me greatly concerned lately, is the fact that some of God's people have become lulled to sleep by an exclusionary gospel and have limited Christ's love to people who are, to them, acceptable. Some have become incredibly and especially cruel towards the people who shop at Walmart. We shop at Walmart - extensively and, yes, we also shop at Save-A-Lot and Aldi's.

Every time I go into any one of these stores, I pray that God would give me the eyes of Christ, that I might be a blessing to someone, that I might touch someones life. I think of the Apostle's Paul's words to the church in Rome, to which he wrote,

"Live in harmony with each other. Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.

And don't think you know it all! "

Rom 12:16 NLT

If I can't enjoy the company of ordinary people, then I can't even enjoy my own company because I'm as ordinary as they come. In fact, if I'm completely honest, most of the people who I encounter at Walmart are, simply, real people with real needs and real feelings. If Jesus was physically on the earth, I think his favorite place would be Walmart. He always went where the needs were.
It doesn't matter what people look like, dress like, what their manners are like, how they interact or fail to interact with us. What matters is that Jesus loves them and we are the only ones who can carry his love to them. When it comes right down to it, "them" is US.
 

If Jesus came to Walmart

with aisles and aisles to shop

the need would move him to compassion

he wouldn't dare think to stop.

 

 

The next time you are in Walmart, as you shop, notice the people around you, smile and say, "Hi". Grab an item from the top shelf that an elderly woman is trying to reach. Wave at the kids that are waiting impatiently in the carts. Show everyone Christ's love. When you do, Jesus will indeed be walking the aisles of Walmart.

GROWth

It has been a thrilling Month. We have been watching God do amazing things in our services at True North Church. God has increased our number of attendees from 39 people to nearly 70 people. 12 people have made decisions for Christ. Nearly 20 have recommitted their life to Christ, this past week alone. Wednesday night Bible Study and Prayer has doubled in attendance. We have seen a $450.00 increase per month in Missions Faith Promises. And I am believing that God's just getting started.

As excited as we are at what God is doing, I am equally excited at what God is doing in me. I know that to be an effective leader that I must grow in God. Is this growth exciting?  Yes. Is it challenging? Yes. Is it scary? Oh Yeah. That's why I have to grow.

Someone once said that it is great if you feel as though you are in over your head. Then, you'll be totally dependent on God. I am on both parts. Indeed.

To grow in God, I have become very determined and protective of my daily time in His Word. I am striving to be more disciplined and passionate in prayer. I can always do better but I must also let Christ work in me while realizing that I can't "DO" it at all. 

My prayer is that I will stay out of the Holy Spirit's way and let God be God at True North Church. It's exciting but I am keeping my eyes wide open and fixed on Jesus. 

Climb Everyday

"When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down

and taught his climbing companions."  

Matt 5:1-2 - THE MESSAGE

 
 
One of the advantages of reading different translations and versions of the Bible, is that you see new things is passages that you have read before, perhaps, many times before.
 
This morning in my devotions, I read the passage that the above verses come from - Matt 5. I had never noticed The Message's depiction of only the disciples following him up the mountain.  
 
Just as those disciples were committed to Christ - hanging on his every word, so too must we. Where in your life do you need to climb higher after Christ? Lace up your climbing boots! There is so much waiting for you!