Archive for October, 2010
Sunday Night Reflections October 31, 2010
WOW…what a day at NewSpring Church…so in awe of all God is doing! Here are a few thoughts…
- Today we saw around 100 people surrender their lives to Christ…and, you guessed it…that NEVER gets old.
- PUMPED about the 98 people who showed up for a membership/ownership class in Charleston this morning…cannot WAIT to officially launch on January 9th!
- Clayton King preached one of THE BEST messages on preparing for (and staying in) a marriage that I have ever heard.
- Some of the Scriptures he used (that are definitely worth going back and looking through) were Proverbs 12:4, Proverbs 22:3, Proverbs 26:11, Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 27:15-16, Proverbs 5:1-6, Proverbs 29:1, Proverbs 28:26!
- The homework he gave was for all of us this week to read through Proverbs 31:10-31 every day and ask the Lord what is the ONE THING I can do RIGHT NOW to either prepare me for marriage or make me a better spouse? (AND…even though that passage is written to primarily women it also applies to men as well!)
- The outline for Clayton’s message is covered in this post of his that I reposted on my blog…as I said, it was amazing…if you missed it then don’t worry…it will be on itunes and on our website by Tuesday at 12pm EST.
Two more things…
#1 – THANK YOU to everyone who prayed for our trip this past week to London…it literally was one of the most amazing days I’ve ever had in ministry. God is using our church all over the world…it literally blew my mind when I began to meet people who had been impacted by the ministry of our church living so far away. For all of this I say…to God be the glory…ONLY HE could do something this amazing and awesome, and I so look forward to the continual opportunities He is going to place in front of us for ministry.
#2 – THANK YOU for the kindness that you guys showed me and my family for pastors appreciation month. It is an honor to serve here as the pastor of this church…and I am anticipating 2011 to be most FRUITFUL year of ministry we’ve ever had. I love this church…and I believe God has called us NOT to just do church…but to IMPACT and CHANGE the world that we live in by lifting up JESUS in a way that people can understand.
The best really is yet to come!
Four ESSENTIAL Leadership Truths! October 29, 2010
A rare Friday post…
Today’s blog is one of the best I’ve ever read…because it was not written by me! Shane Duffey, our creative arts pastor, wrote this post on his website several weeks back…and I asked for his permission to share it on this site…so here goes…
Over the past several months I have been chewing on four critical leadership principles that I believe God showed me as I read through the book of Philemon. As you may know, the book of Philemon was written by Paul and in this book (which is just one chapter) Paul is appealing to Philemon on behalf of a dude named Onesimus (we’re just not very creative with names anymore, are we?). It’s out of Paul’s appeal to Philemon on how to care for Onesimus that the four leadership principles emerge.
(These principles are offered from the vantage point of leading in ministry, however, my experience leading outside the ministry supports the truth of these principles regardless of the type of organization. The second principle is specific to ministry, but if as leaders we execute the other three well, we may just lead someone in the most import direction… to Jesus.)
As I lead, I should…
1 – Share my Faith
Philemon v6
I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.
Anyone in leadership that is trying to lead well wants more knowledge. Leaders want to make good decisions that lead to team victories and increase team morale. Most of the time these victories come from the leaders effectiveness in creating the right environment or process that allows the individuals on the team to succeed. In this verse Paul say that if I am active in sharing my faith that I will “have full knowledge of every good thing…”.
How do I share my faith as I lead? I don’t think this means walking each team member down the “Romans Road” everyday, but do I think its as simple as leading by living out what I say I believe in as a follower of Christ. As a leader, I’m not one person at church and another at home and another at work. I walk the talk and as I instruct/challenge/discipline my team, I do it through the filter of my faith in Christ.
2 – Trust God
Philemon v8-9
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.
If you are in the position of a leader (there is a difference between being a leader and being in the position of a leader – other posts address this issue) then you can demand actions from your team. What Paul is demonstrating to me in this verse is that although he could demand action (because of his position), he is choosing to appeal to the Spirit that lives inside of Philemon.
To me, the biggest win I can achieve as a leader is to cultivate an environment where each person on my team carries out his/her role not out of duty but out of faith (Colossians 3:23). The primary benefit of leading in ministry is that each person on your team is a follower of Jesus (at least in theory). If I am following God’s direction to lead “by sharing my faith” then I need to trust God’s work in the person I am leading. Over time if I find that the person I’m leading is not responding from their own faith, but begrudgingly out of duty or not at all, then I have someone who rightfully needs to be led off my team or out of my organization.
3 – Invest in the Person
Philemon v14
But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced.
Simply, in this verse Paul is seeking Philemon’s buy in before any decisions or actions take place. My own experience has shown me that if I invest time into my team by seeking their input on a particular decision or course of action, then I am more likely to get their best effort in the execution of that decision. If I choose to not invest this time into my team, then there will be unanswered questions or confusion or a process that isn’t as good as it could have been with their input. That’s just bad and egotistical leadership.
4 – Serve the Person
Philemon v18-19
If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul… will pay it back.
My team needs to know that I will stand up for them no matter the personal cost to me. It is clear from this verse Paul is willing to go out on a personal limb for Onesimus. For me, if I don’t think my leader will take a bullet for me or seek to put himself out for me then I am slow to do the same for him. If I want to be led with that type of commitment, why would I not think I should lead with that type of commitment?
Leaders must first be servants of those they lead. Securing leadership equity (the need to call in and have something done with no questions asked by the team) will only happen if the leader earns it. I have found that the only way to earn that equity is through serving each individual on the team in a way that lets them know they are not on an island and that they are safe under my leadership. Leaders go first, take bullets, deflect criticism, and make sure the people on the team feel served… a guy named Jesus thought this was a good leadership principle too (John 13:1-17).
Leadership is as easy (and as challenging) as sharing our faith, trusting God, investing in our team and serving our team. And, its as easy (and challenging) as simply loving those you lead.
A Weird Present October 28, 2010
Lucretia (my wife) had a birthday a few weeks ago. I was talking to Charisse (my three year old) about what to get her mommy for her birthday and she told me that we should get her a princess book.
At first I thought that was really sweet…until I realized that Charisse did not want to get Cretia a princess book because that is what Cretia really wanted…but rather it is what Charisse wanted.
I wonder if we do the same thing to God at times…we try to offer Him what HE wants rather than seeking Him with all of our hearts and completely offering ourselves to Him.
We all say we want to “find” what God wants for our lives…but Scripture says that we will find Him when we seek Him with ALL of our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13) AND with the right motives (James 4:3).
I am SO guilty of this at times…approaching God with what I want rather than seeking Him for who He is and what He wants! (AND…what He wants for me/us is “good, pleasing AND perfect, see Romans 12:2, why wouldn’t we want that? MAYBE because so many times we think God needs our help…crazy huh, the Creator needing advice from what He created!)
May we be the kind of people that Jesus described in Matthew 6:33…ones who will seek Him FIRST…and doing so means that we put our plans at His feet and surrender to His!
UK Update October 27, 2010
Hey NewSpring Church…I just wanted to say thanks for the prayers this week as I’ve been “across the pond” talking to church leaders…this has been an amazing trip, honestly, it’s been one of the best events I have ever had the privilege of being a part of.
I don’t really have the words to describe what I experienced today. I can honestly say that I had the privilege to speak to what I would consider to be one of the hungriest group of leaders I’ve ever seen.
I will talk a little more about it this Sunday…but for now I just wanted to say “thanks” for the prayers…God answered them today! AND…if you could please continue to pray for “safe travels” I would appreciate that as well.
Can’t wait ’till Sunday and week three of our marriage series!!!
Things I Personally Have A Hard Time Doing October 27, 2010
We all have struggles…I could actually write a book about mine…but here are a few things that I have a hard time doing…
#1 – Shutting My Mind Down!
I can’t do it!
AND…it is especially frustrating when I get up to go to the restroom at 1 or 2 in the morning and when I lay back down in bed my mind begins to think about something I’ve read or an upcoming sermon and…BAM…it’s over. I will lie awake in bed for the next 2-3 hours so angry at myself and thinking, “Dude, just close your eyes and go to sleep…it can’t be that hard!”
One thing that HAS helped is that I always have something nearby to write ideas down…that way I know they are there and I can let my mind rest afterwards.
#2 – Having Fun!
One of the biggest regrets I have in the past 10 years is that I haven’t enjoyed life as much as I think I could have…I refused to allow myself to have fun because I thought that in doing so I somehow was being lazy and failing as a leader.
THEN…as I began to get away a little more and do things I enjoyed I discovered that doing so really energized me…and in those times I would get hit with ideas and concepts seemingly out of nowhere. It’s unbelievable what the Lord will do in our lives if we will just learn to enjoy this life He has called us to live.
#3 – Resting
This kind of goes along with the one I mentioned above…but I used to be the guy who said, “The devil never takes a day off…why should I?” I am so glad that a mentor of mine took the time to tell me that the devil wasn’t supposed to be my example!
The longest command in the 10 commandments is the one on rest…yet it seems to be the one I believe most leaders struggle with the most. Most of the time because we either don’t trust God OR we think we are actually the Messiah instead of Him!
#4 – Being Wherever I Am
I am SO guilty of being at dinner with Lucretia and, while she is telling me about her day I am completely disconnected from her and still thinking about work! (It is really weird when I get called out on this!) I have had to learn to fight mentally to be WITH her when I am with her!
#5 – Celebrating What God Has Done
It’s crazy…God will do something HUGE and instead of celebrating I will, often times, be thinking about the next big thing. I believe there should be a level of anticipation as leaders; however, as our levels of celebration increase I believe it will allow us to have greater anticipation of what is next…but anticipation of the future without celebration of the past has always caused anxiety in my life…not freedom.
Those are just some things I wrestle with…whew…I hope you feel more normal now.
Seven Distractions We Must Resist October 26, 2010
Getting distracted is DANGEROUS! (I remember taking my eyes off the road for just a few seconds the other day…and when I looked up I was about to take out a row of mailboxes! I immediately jerked the car back into the road…and if there had been another car coming I would have NAILED them!)
In ministry we can’t allow ourselves to become distracted (which is SO MUCH more of a challenge than it was 10 years ago because of the “advancement” of social media.)
So…what are four distractions that we are constantly going to have to resist as leader?
#1 – Pleasure – We are going to have to fight doing what is easy rather than what is right!
#2 – Pride – There WILL come the temptation to begin to think, “Look at all of this great work I have done!” I can think of two leaders in the Scripture who had simular thoughts…it didn’t go well for them! (See Daniel 4:28-33 and Acts 12:19-23)
#3 – Procrastination - Many times we KNOW what the right decision that needs to be made…but because it may be tough to do so we delay it, hoping that maybe God either just “work it out” or change His mind!
#4 – People – Someone is always going to not like what you do, who you are and what you stand for…always! When you get in the people pleasing business you get out of the business of pleasing God! (See Galatians 1:10)
#5 – Performance – One of the greatest problems with success is that leaders can actually begin to believe that they are the ones that caused success to happen…and in order to keep/maintain it they have to work harder and harder…thus establishing a pace that literally sends them into a wall at 100 mph.
#6 – Problems - We can’t view problems as God’s punishment…but rather we must view them as God’s preparation! David didn’t see the lion and the bear as a problem…but rather he viewed them as opportunities to prepare him for the greater problems in life he knew that were sure to come. (See I Samuel 17:33-37)
#7 – Passion - Passion can be a distraction when we use it to run over people rather than lead them! God did NOT give us the Spirit of timidity…but of power, LOVE and self discipline! (II Timothy 1:7) Power without love always leads to legalism and domination. We MUST be passionate about what God has called us to…but we must also learn how to use that passion to lead others to where they need to be…not drive them there!
It’s Monday… October 25, 2010
For those who are in the ministry…well…it’s Monday, time to either celebrate or second guess what happened yesterday!
I know from personal experience that the number one thing I second guess on Monday’s when I am “in a valley” is me! (Did God REALLY call me…or was it the pizza I had the night before?)
BUT…something has caught my attention lately while reading through Paul’s letters…he begins each one of them by identifying the fact that he has been called to be an Apostle by God Himself. (See II Timothy 1:1, I Timothy 1:1, Colossians 1:1)
As I’ve been reading through these letters there has been a thought that has kept coming up over and over…
God knew EXACTLY what He was doing when He called you…and not only has He called you but has gifted and empowered you to do the work that He has prepared for you to do!
Think about that…God knew exactly what He was doing when He called you. He didn’t dial the wrong number, there wasn’t an angel that messed up and went to you instead of your next door neighbor. He called YOU (and…when we learn to allow our identity to be in the fact that the CREATOR of the UNIVERSE called us instead of who retweets us or how many people we have in church…we can truly learn to rely on His strength and not our own!)
He called us…not because of who we were but in spite of it!!! He knew everything about us…all of our previous sins (and the future ones as well) and yet still chose to call us to Himself and give us stewardship of something that is very near to His heart…His church!
He called you not because He knew you could get it done…but because He knew you were the person who would bring Him the most glory. I once heard Rick Warren say that God most often puts His strongest gifts in His weakest vessels! (II Corinthians 4:7)
He called us…AND gifted/empowered us to do HIS work! Sure, there are times when we feel like we literally can’t go on…that our strength is zapped and we want to tap out…and it is in those times that I have discovered that He most often does His best work!
He called you, equipped you, will sustain you and be with you always! SO…if you are second guessing yesterday…just remember that God isn’t second guessing you!!! Fix your eyes on Him and get on with whatever He’s called you to do!