Archive for September, 2009
Seven Things That Leaders Should Never Apologize For September 30, 2009
#1 – Never Apologize For Dreaming Big!
We have a HUGE GOD who can do things that are absolutely MIND BLOWING…and if we focus on HIS POWER rather than our limitations we will always be willing to hear what He says and then do it…even though we don’t have all of our questions answered.
He’s God…He wants more for the church than we want for it…ask big!
#2 – Never Apologize For Your Passion!
I once had a guy tell me, “Dude, I think you would be more effective as a leader/communicator if you would just calm down a little.”
Here’s the problem…I can’t! Jeremiah 20:9 is my verse…Jesus began a fire inside of me on May 27, 1990…and it’s only gotten hotter.
You can be consumed with passion…or be content with being passive. One Jesus will use to change the world…the other the enemy will use to dull your soul.
#3 – Never Apologize For Wanting To Lead!
If you are called by God & gifted by God to lead…THEN LEAD! Here’s the deal…someone is going to make the decisions. Someone is going to call the shots…and if that is the call that God has put on your life then DO IT!
BTW…when you do this it IS going to make people mad. AND…if you can’t handle the fact that people ARE going to hate you simply because you try your best to listen to Jesus and then do what He says…you may not be called to lead!
#4 – Never Apologize For Not Embracing Someone Else’s Agenda!
You have got to understand that, as a leader, if you experience any level of success then other people will always want to attach themselves and their agenda to you. I often tell people, “your burden is not my passion!”
As a leader we are responsible for embracing God’s vision for our lives…not everyone else’s!
I am not saying everyone else’s idea is bad…or even wrong…it’s just that you can’t embrace something that God didn’t truly birth inside of you…and doing so will only lead to personal frustration and your organization trying to manufacture energy for something that they hate!
#5 – Never Apologize For Expecting The Best From Others!
Leaders cannot be afraid to set high standards…EVER! I believe it is WRONG to expect perfection from others…we’re all humans, we screw up! BUT…it isn’t wrong to expect others to give their best. (BTW…MOST of the time if people see the leader giving their best it will inspire them to do the same!)
#6 – Never Apologize For Wanting To Reach More People!
From time to time people will take a shot at me for wanting to see more people come to church…and…
I AM GUILTY AS CHARGED!
I can’t help it…the change in life that Jesus has brought about in me…I want as many people as possible to hear about it! I want as many people as possible to have their lives changed. I want as many people as possible to KNOW that they KNOW JESUS! I just don’t see anywhere in Scripture where that is a bad thing.
Don’t EVER apologize for embracing the fact that God has called us to RECONCILE (not REVILE) the world! (II Corinthians 5:16-21!)
#7 – Never Apologize For Saying “No” To What You KNOW You Need To Say “No” to!
One of the biggest frustrations I’ve ever had as a leader is when I commit “sins of obligation,” you know, when I do something because I feel like I have to rather than doing it because I truly feel led to do it because of the Holy Spirit’s leadership in my life.
Just because we have opportunities doesn’t mean we need to embrace them…because saying “yes” to everything often means we have to say “no” to the things that are REALLY important.
14 Things That Jesus Did Not Say… September 29, 2009
We get things messed up from time to time…especially the words of Jesus…here is what He did NOT say…
#1 – “They will know you are my disciples by your theology, and the arrogance that accompanies it.” (John 13:35)
#2 – “Dream really small dreams and make sure you never ask for anything big!” (John 14:12-14, Psalm 2:8)
#3 – “If someone doesn’t believe just like you believe…make sure to do all you can to attack, criticize and beat them down as much as possible.” (Mark 9:38-41)
#4 – “Be tolerant of everyone…I am one of the many ways to God.” (John 14:6)
#5 – “Make sure you make the church about you…that you are served well…please, don’t do anything that might cause you any type of inconvenience. My goal is for you to be happy!” (Matthew 20:28, Luke 9:23-24)
#6 – “Please, whatever you do, DO NOT tell people the good news…keep it to yourself! The reason I died on the cross is so that you could get into really small groups of people and talk about ‘deep things’ that aren’t going to help anyone when it comes to eternity.” (Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:15, Luke 24:48, John 20:21, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:14, Romans 10:17)
#7 – “Don’t EVER try anything new…don’t ever take a risk…don’t ever take a step of faith. Be AVERAGE!” (Isaiah 43:18-19, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6)
#8 – “You can follow me and it will not impact your money at all!” (Matthew 6:19-24)
#9 – “Pray a prayer to get out of hell…and then live however you want.” (John 14:15, John 14:21)
#10 – “You can do it without me!” (John 15:5)
#11 – “I don’t expect you OR your church to be fruitful in any way.” (John 15:4)
#12 – “Isolate yourself from the world!” (John 17:15)
#13 – “Make sure there is a time when you question my word because it will one day be no longer relevant.” (Luke 21:33)
#14 – “Stop crying out to me in desperation…can’t you see I’m busy.” (Mark 10:46-52)
God Has NOT Forgotten You! September 28, 2009
If you are a pastor/church leader reading this today…I feel like the Lord specifically wanted me to write about this fact…
HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN YOU!
I know some reading this feel forgotten…alone…abandoned…and maybe even like you once heard the voice of God…but you, for some reason, can’t hear it now…
You used to feel like you were close to Him…but ministry has taken away your intimacy, and You feel like the One who called you is SO far away.
And so you assume He’s forgotten you…sent you where you are basically to get you out of the way so that He can get to other “important” things.
You’ve prayed…you’ve read your Bible…you’ve fasted…and NOTHING. And so…the only “logical” conclusion is that He’s forgotten you and that you, for some reason, no longer matter.
NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
Isaiah 49:14-16 says, “But Zion said, ‘The Lord has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me.” Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? The she may forget, I WILL NOT FORGET YOU! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…” (Emphasis mine)
We think we’ve been forgotten for various reasons…
- The critics seem to be getting louder…and maybe even more numerous. (You will either be shaped by them or HIM!)
- We’re not getting enough rest…and you really do feel like the key to getting His attention again is to DO MORE, WORK HARDER…and so you are desperately seeking His approval. (See Matthew 3:17)
- We’re not seeing the “success” that other ministries are seeing. (Comparison kills!)
- The “new idea” that we had and were convinced that it was going to be successful was a miserable failure.
- The enemy is real…and wants us to feel abandoned and alone!
But reality is this…if He called you then He WILL finish what He started! (Philippians 1:6)
He is still with you…and will NEVER leave you or forsake you!
I don’t know where you are…OR what you are going through…but HE DOES…and He will fill you with HIS Spirit and HIS strength and sustain you.
DO NOT give up on the God who hasn’t given up on you…even though you can FEEL that He’s with you…that doesn’t change the FACT that He’s there.
You’re not forgotten. If you are still breathing then He isn’t finished with you. The churches best days are ahead of her…not behind her…and He’s called you to be a part of it!!!
He has NOT forgotten you!
Sunday Night Reflections September 27, 2009
Sitting on my couch…in awe of who HE is and what HE is doing…want to share a few thoughts…
- Saw over 20 people give their lives to Jesus today…THAT never gets old.
- Opened our newest location in Columbia today (thanks for all of the tweets who kept me updated!)
- We were expecting 200 to show up…prayed that we would see at least 300…and 527 people showed up…THANK YOU JESUS that we are seeing Ephesians 3:20 come to life right in front of our eyes.
- God has been SO faithful to us…I can’t believe this, and yet again why would I expect anything less from a God who has plans that would absolutely blow my mind if He downloaded them on me! (I Corinthians 2:9)
- We began our series on the end times today…looked at Matthew 24…and we did NOT SET A DATE as to when Jesus is going to return.
- Jesus said we would not know the date…but we would be able to see the season (Matthew 24:32-33)
- I did NOT get into pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-millennial, post-millennial…or ANYTHING else along those lines because…I do not CARE!
- I know this…Jesus said He is coming, that means He is coming…and I am READY when He does show up!
- The point of this series is not to focus on WHEN He’s coming back…but WHO He is and WHAT is going to happen. (It will happen when He decides it will happen!!!)
- The point in the message today that was the most disturbing was when I shared about the sex trade industry in regards to the love of most growing cold (See Matthew 24:12)
- The two organizations we are talking with in trying to see what we, as a church, can do to help in rescuing girls from this industry is A21 and IJM…I linked their websites. AMAZING people doing amazing things.
- I will keep you posted in our services and on this blog in regards to what we are going to be doing…I do know this, now that I have been informed about what is going on the Lord is pressing into me for us to do something.
- BTW…when God gives you a burden it isn’t so you can “pray about it” and try to convince others to do something…but rather because He wants YOU TO DO SOMETHING.
- Too many times God calls us to action and we miss it because getting involved would cause our comfort zones to be SHATTERED!
- I am SO GLAD Jesus got out of HIS comfort zone (Isaiah 53:5-6)…and…as HIS followers we are called to do the same!!!
- Heaven is NOT a place where we get to have our questions answered…but rather a place where we see who Jesus is!!!
- I LOVED the way our services ended today…amazing!
- NEXT week we will be talking about the two judgments that will be taking place in the end times.
- AND…the next week I will attempt to preach through the entire book of Revelation in one message.
- REALLY looking forward to our 10 year anniversary service in the BILO Center on Sunday, January 24…expecting over 15,000 people…can’t wait!
- ALSO really looking forward to our series beginning in November specifically targeting singles entitled, “Don’t Get Married Until…”
- Church planters…Rick Warren is saying that you need to go ahead and mark off February 9-11 of next year for the most radical church planting conference that has ever been put on…I can’t wait!
That’s about it…I am WIPED OUT…need some time with my pillow!
Seven Ways To Catch Your Breath! September 25, 2009
Yesterday I posted about not being able to turn “it” off.
YET…if we do not learn how to manage “it” then “it” will literally run us into the ground.
Before I share these ways…let me be VERY clear in the fact that I have NOT mastered this!!! BUT…I am in the process of learning! We started NewSpring Church 10 years ago in a living room…and I came out of the starting blocks in a dead sprint.
Here I am 10 years later (and I’m definitely 10 years OLDER) and I am trying my best to wrap my mind around all that has happened…and get myself ready for the next 10 years. One of the HARDEST things for a leader to do is take his foot off the gas…and I am not that good at it…but here are some things I am doing that help.
#1 – You’ve GOT To Rest…and Make No Apologies For Doing So!
First of all…the LONGEST command (the one God spent the most time explaining) in the ten commandments is the one having to do with rest. God said take a Sabbath…to not do so is a sin!
(AND…you REALLY need to read this post by Clayton as to WHY rest is SO important…SERIOUSLY!!!) (Especially if you are a senior pastor!)
#2 – Find A Hobby!
I am still in the process of doing this…and I know it is necessary. You’ve got to find something you love to do at least a couple of times per week that relaxes your mind. (Watching television is NOT a hobby!) So…hit the golf course, ride a motorcycle or a jeep, play tennis…SOMETHING…but you’ve GOT to find a way to focus on something fun from time to time.
#3 – Get A Journal!
One of the things I do now ANYTIME I am traveling is carry my journal with me…that way when I have a great idea I can write it down (along with all of the thoughts that come with it) and after doing so KNOW that the thought has been captured…then I can proceed to enjoy time with my family because I not trying to remember the idea.
(Let me be clear…I don’t try to DEVELOP the idea…I just write it down…the time for development of it will come later.)
#4 – Have A Date Night With Your Spouse WITHOUT The Telephone!
Let me be clear…no calls, no text messages, no twitters…ANYTHING! Just you and her…in a restaurant (that doesn’t have a value menu) talking about whats going on in your life.
Let me take this a step further…spend time with your family WITHOUT having to have the computer on! The online world will survive without you!
#5 – Take A Season Of Rest Every Year.
Every single year I take at least three weeks in a row off from speaking. (I haven’t always done this…but since I have it has been awesome!) Trust me…it will recharge you like never before. (When you take just one week off you never really shut it down or disconnect…at LEAST try two!)
#6 – Focus on God’s Sovereingty And Not Your Ability.
He loves the church more than you! He said that HE would build the church…which means you don’t have to. AND…if you think you are SO essential to your church that it could not survive without you for a few weeks…then you either suck as a leader OR are struggling with pride!
#7 – Have Someone You Can Spill Your Guts Out To…Other Than Your Spouse!
You need someone you can be honest with…very honest, DANGEROUSLY honest…you can scream, cry, throw things…you get the picture. AND…it should not be your wife. Find a dude…someone in the ministry who you trust…and be real with them. One of the problems that I see that church leaders have is that many of us live as if our crap doesn’t stink…that we don’t have any problems…that our lives are perfect…and that just ISN’T the case!
Do you have someone in your life that you can vent with?
I don’t know if this helps anyone…but starting these things has definitely kept me sane! :-)
You’re “Normal,” (Whatever That Means!) September 24, 2009
One of the questions I get often in leadership circles is, “How do you turn ‘it’ off? How do you go home and just not think about the church anymore? How can you sleep at night and not let your mind begin to obsess about the things you need to do?”
I think that is a GREAT question…because I’ve been asking it for years.
If you are a leader you know exactly what I’m talking about…
- You go home…but while you are at dinner you catch yourself thinking about the next day. (You’ve got to fight to stay focused on your family.)
- You try to lay down and go to sleep…but your mind starts churning about things that you have coming up.
- You get up in the middle of the night to use the restroom…and a sermon idea or a leadership solution hits you and you are up for the rest of the night thinking about it.
- You go on vacation…and while you are there (usually about three days in) ideas begin to hit you out of nowhere and you have to find a journal to write them down in.
I could go on and on…but I am sure if you are a leader then you get the point.
I used to think I was crazy…that I was cracking up…that there was a switch inside of me that I could flip and that by doing so I would be able to disconnect and not really care about the church, the Great Commission and/or the calling that God has placed on my life.
Until I had this thought one day…if you can turn “it” off…then you probably never had “it” to begin with.
If you can leave the church and completely disconnect…then you’re probably not that connected to begin with…what you do is a paycheck & not your passion.
Reality is this…if you are called by God…if He has placed HIS zeal and passion inside of you…THEN THERE ISN’T A SWITCH ANYWHERE that you can flip to make that go away.
When I read the Scriptures I don’t see people like Nehemiah “turning the switch off.” He cast vision, built a wall, dealt with critics and did a great work.
I don’t see JESUS “turning off the switch.” He met the needs of people everywhere He went…and when He did try to go on a “retreat” to catch His breath and crowds followed them He would heal and feed them.
I don’t see Paul “turning off the switch.” Everywhere he went He could not stop talking about Jesus and starting churches.
So…if you can’t “turn off the switch” you are NORMAL! It means that Jesus, through His Holy Spirit, lives in you and is PUSHING you to do something about the things He is bringing into your awareness.
I used to feel bad that I could not “turn it off,” now I feel blessed because it affirms His calling on my life and His leadership in my life.
NOW…saying all of that there are some things you can do to make sure that this calling doesn’t drive you insane and/or cause you to flame out/burn out/do something incredibly stupid. We’ll chat about that tomorrow.
Hey NewSpring…Five Prayer Requests September 23, 2009
For those of you who are NewSpringers (and even those who are not) I wanted to share five prayer requests today…
#1 – Our Columbia campus opens up THIS SUNDAY!!! Pray for Alden Ellis, the campus pastor…and also pray that God will use our church to impact thousands of lives in that area for Jesus.
#2 – We begin our, “How To Survive The End of the World” series this Sunday. Pray that God will open people’s hearts to the Gospel…and also PRAY ABOUT WHO HE WANTS YOU TO BRING WITH YOU THIS WEEKEND!!! (Seriously…people will come to church if you just invite them…I PROMISE they ARE interested in what we will be talking about!!!)
#3 – Our worship band is going to be doing a live CD recording at the end of next month. Pray for them as they write and prepare for it!!!
#4 – Pray for our 10 year anniversary service at the BILO Center on Sunday, January 24th…we are expecting over 15,000 people to be there and we can’t wait to see what God does!
#5 – Pray for me (and BCoop, my traveling buddy) as I head out to LA tomorrow to speak at the Youth Specialities Conference. We will leave early Thursday morning and be back Saturday afternoon…so pray we will be safe (AND my girls will be safe as well) and that Jesus will use me as I speak to these amazing leaders.