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Archive for the ‘Community’ Category

Serving Jesus By Adapting

Posted in Church, Community, Motivational on April 29, 2014| Leave a Comment »

There is so much going on at the church, it has been difficult for me to sit still long enough to devote much time to my ramblings here.  We celebrated a wonderful Easter season and then moved right into some much needed facility renovations that have consumed much of my time.  But progress is a wonderful thing and the changes that are coming about to our facility are going to make a huge difference for years and years to come.

Taking walls down and changing the look of the facility has caused me to pause and think about the last 60 or so years in the life of the church.  The facility looks much the same today as it did when it was constructed in the early 1950’s.  It has served our family and our community well.  Countless lives have been impacted by the ministry of our church and the facilities have played a major role in that impact.

But times change.  Culture changes.  What was relevant many years ago, does not carry the same weight today.  So things must change – ministry needs require adaptation.  We still have wonderful facilities but in order for them to be used effectively, we need to shift a bit and make a few changes here and there in order to utilize what God has given us to the best of our ability.

As I have thought about the renovations, I have thought about how each of us face decisions regarding adaptation.  We are called to make disciples.  But the tools we used 20 years ago, may not be effective today.  We have to be willing to strive to remain relevant – and that is a challenge.  We like things to stay the same.  We like to hold on to things.  We often resist change – particularly if it effects us personally.

Jesus did not die on the cross to save me for a life of comfort.  He died to call me out of my sin and into a life of service and devotion to him.  That service is a life of sharing the good news of his mercy and hope with others.  It is not a calling that we grow out of or that has a time limit.  If we are still drawing breath, we are still called to impact other for Christ.

Are there areas of your life that need to adapt in order to make a greater impact for Christ possible?

Think about it.

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What Would Success Look Like?

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on April 2, 2014| 5 Comments »

Today, I am asking for you feedback.  Yesterday, I discussed the state of the church today and left the post with the haunting question of whether or not what we call church today is what God intended it to be.  In yesterday’s post, I quoted Jim Denison’s statement that “Rather than measuring success by how many people go to church, let’s measure success by how effectively the church goes to people.”

I am continuing to wrestle with this idea.  So today, I am asking for you input.  Comment here or email me your thoughts on what this would look like.

If we were to try and measure the effectiveness of the church going to people, what would success look like?

I look forward to your thoughts.

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Is Today’s Church What God Intended?

Posted in Church, Community, Leadership on April 1, 2014| 2 Comments »

Yesterday, I was reading a daily blog post from Jim Denison.  You can link to it here.  Jim writes each weekday with relevant and timely postings dealing with our faith, our world and how the two interact.

Yesterday, his post caught my attention and has had my thoughts on house arrest since.  The title of the post was, “51% of U.S. Adults Say Church Is Not Important.”  For a pastor, the title alone caught my eye.  I wish I could say it was new information.  I have read these statistics before and even worse, I see it in my own community and church.

The information in his article comes primarily from the Barna Group which is known for statistical research within the faith community.  There are stats dealing with age characteristics that say that the older generations are more tied to the church than the younger – again, not necessarily new news.  But one comment opened my eyes a bit.  There is a new perception among Americans about what constitutes “regular church attendance.”  Regular church attendance used to be defined as attending 3 or 4 times per month.  Now, the new perception of what constitutes “regular” is attending church once in 4 to 6 weeks.  While this is shocking to see it in print, the reality is, we see it every week in our churches – we just haven’t quantified it.

The old school can sit back, cross arms and look down noses with pious attitudes toward the derelict society but that does nothing to encourage church attendance – in fact, it has the opposite effect.

Jim makes a very audacious suggestion at the end of the post.  He says, “Rather than measuring success by how many people go to church, let’s measure success by how effectively the church goes to people . . . Our Lord launched a movement, not an institution.  His church is an army attacking the gates of hell, not an ark built to weather the storm.”

For years, I have seen the church as a huge machine that humanity has built that now must be maintained.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the church.  I believe the church is God’s plan A to redeem mankind.  But I have to wonder if what we call church today is what God intended.

Something to ponder . . .

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Created To Influence

Posted in Church, Community, Hope, Leadership on February 19, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Yesterday, I reflected on a friend and the influence he has had on my life.  (You can read about Bill here).

Since that time I have been thinking about influence.  Influence, by definition, is the ability to affect change in others.  And I believe influence in its purest form is the ability to affect change in others through respect.

Respect is not something that has to be requested – and it can never be commanded.  In fact, if one has to ask for another’s respect, it most likely has not been earned.  Character breeds respect.  And respect leads to influence.

As believers, we are called to be influencers.  Jesus is the ultimate change agent.  In his short life here on earth, he started a revolution that has lasted over 2000 years.  As his followers, we are to be change agents – influencers for him.  Every single believer is called to this, it is not a choice.  This is not a calling for a select few.  It is not the destiny of those gifted with the ability to speak.  This calling is for each and every one of us.

The cool thing is that each and every one of us has a sphere of influence.  We each have those we do life with – those with whom we relate each day.  It may be those we work with or those who work where we shop.  And most definitely those we live with under the same roof.

So here’s the deal.  God has given you a sphere of influence.  What are you doing to influence others?  Are you living in such a way that others respect you?

That is the call.  And it is not a call for the faint of heart.  But you can do it!

So go influence someone today for the sake of the Kingdom.

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Bill Brooke – A Man Whose Impact Has Staying Power

Posted in Community, Leadership, Motivational on February 18, 2014| 2 Comments »

When we think of life, we have to come to terms with the fact that we have a very myopic view.  We can only see life from our own perspective.  As hard as we may try, we can never truly see life through another’s eyes.  So when people come in and out of our lives, we can only really feel the touch and the impact they have made on us personally.  We can try and determine the difference a person has made with their life, but the irrefutable evidence is limited to our own experience.  So some come into our lives and pass right through with little or no lasting effect on us.

But then – occasionally – there is that person who, regardless of the length they linger in your midst, they leave an indelible mark.  Your encounter with them leaves a permanent impression that neither time nor circumstance can erase.

This week, a saint passed this way.  He walked right through my life and stepped right out of it.

For the past three years, I have had the privilege to know and interact with a gentlemen (true to the word) who has left his mark on this world and particularly on my life.

He has been described as a “pillar” in our church family.

How does someone reach “pillar” status?  Is there something that has to happen?   Does the church have to vote?

I am not sure how one reaches this status but Bill Brooke was there.

I have an idea that it has something to do with his character, his experience – who he was.  It has something to do with the value of a man’s word.  Some men’s word is only as good as the distance you can throw them.  But Bill’s word was gold.

On more than one occasion I asked Bill if I could just record our conversations.  I did not want to miss anything that he said – and almost as important as what he said was the way he said it.  Bill had a knack for “home-spun” wisdom.  I only wish we had assigned a scribe to follow him around and write down everything he said!

I am a people person.  I love people.  I love connecting to people.  In my 40 plus years, I have not run across too many people I just couldn’t get along with.  But on the other hand, in that same time, I have not run across too many people who have made such a lasting impact on my life that I rank them in the top influencers of my life.  But Bill Brooke is on that list!

Bill – you are gentleman – a pillar – a true man of God.  You will be missed and your legacy will live on in my life – and so very many others!

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Stay Faithful

Posted in Community, Grace, Hope, Motivational on February 3, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Last year, our church began an effort to put adult believers in front of 2nd graders in our community.  We call it Reading Buddies.  Twice per month for an hour each time, an adult volunteer goes into the Primary School, signs in, and meets up with their assigned Reading Buddy in the computer lab.  For an hour or so, the two interact.  The basic activity normally focuses on reading.  But there is so much more that goes on.  Relationships are built – concerns are shared – the hope and love of Jesus are shared.

We now have 39 adults going into the school each month.  God has blessed this ministry.  I hear all kinds of stories about how these adults are impacting the kids (and visa versa).  I have to say, my experience has been a little different.

I began meeting with my buddy in September.  He is shy and doesn’t really say much.  In fact, I haven’t been certain that he even cared that I was there.  Now, I know that my feeling of satisfaction is not what this ministry is about, so I have stayed with it.

Last month was the first time I saw much interest in my being there.  But today, it was obvious.  I was already standing at the computer lab door when the class came around the corner.  Nearly the entire class was into the room before I heard the teacher say, “He’s here,” to two stragglers that had not rounded the corner of the hall yet.  When I heard her say that, I looked up and here he came bounding around the corner in a half run half skip with a huge smile on his face.

The look in his eye told me that he was glad to see me.

I tell this story not to brag but to confess.  This morning, I had thousands of things on my mind.  I had a list of things to do as long as my arm.  My attitude about going and spending an hour was not what it should have been.  But when I saw my little guy’s face, I knew that there was not much else more important for me to do today.

God calls us to be faithful – even when we don’t feel like it.

I find it amazing how God can use faithfulness to make a difference.

Stay faithful today!

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Who Is Thankful For You?

Posted in Community, Formation, Motivational on January 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »

We are beginning to work through the book of Colossians on Wednesday nights.  In the first chapter, Paul opens his letter to the believers by telling them that he always gives thanks for them.  Here is what he says in verses 3 and 4 of chapter 1:

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people.

What a great witness to the faithfulness of the people in Colossae!  The believers there were so in-tune with God and living to follow Jesus that Paul felt compelled to offer thanks for them every time he prayed for them.

As I read what Paul wrote I have to ask myself this question:  Am I living in such a way that others are thankful for me?  Or maybe a more pointed question would be:  Who is thankful for the way I live and represent Jesus?

Does your faith in Jesus and your commitment to live by his example positively influence others you meet each day?  Will others be drawn to God because they encounter you today?

Who is thankful for you and the way you live out your faith?

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A Bag of Candy and the Heart of God

Posted in Community, Formation, Hope on October 29, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Have you ever been inspired and moved by a child?  It is a wonderful experience – and maybe this experience is intensified as a pastor.  It is humbling to watch a child live out what they are being taught.  I was asked years ago what the best part of ministry is for me.  I would have to say that different days would dictate how I answer that question.  But the most universal answer I have for that question is seeing people “get it.”  When that light finally comes on and all the pieces begin to come together and a passion for Christ is fostered – seeing that happen is breathtaking.  That would be one of the best things about ministry – getting to see that happen in the lives and hearts of people.

At any rate, a couple of weeks ago, I told you about a young girl who made bracelets and sold them in order to raise money to help the less fortunate.  She gave her entire $55 in order to buy food to go in the bags for our snack pack ministry (food that goes home with 36 grade school children each Friday).

Well, Sunday night it happened again.  We hosted one of the coolest things I have seen in quite some time.  We had church members who answered the call to come to the church Sunday evening, decorate their cars (and even themselves) and open their car trunks to the community to give out candy and treats.  It was a home run.  We had 200 to 250 kids show up to go through the parking lot in their costumes – car to SUV to car – collecting candy, smiles and hugs.

It was so successful, one of the families that had come to participate in giving out treats ran out about two thirds of the way through the event.  As I was walking through, the mother of the family approached me to apologize for running out too soon.  She said she was just going to close the trunk of her car and help out as needed.  As we stood there talking about it, I noticed something that made my eyes water and my heart smile.  Her 8 year old son was standing there in his costume holding his own candy collection in hand.  As kids would come by his car, he would reach into his own bag and give out his candy to them as they passed by.  As I watched this selfless act of generosity and love, I was speechless.  All I could do was kneel and give him a hug and tell him he was awesome.

Sometimes the most powerful of all inspiration comes in very simple acts.  Sometimes we have the blessing of watching as someone “gets it.”  And when that happens, we are reminded that all of this is worth it and that God still moves in the hearts of mankind – every single day.

How is God moving you today?

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What An Adventure!

Posted in Church, Community, Formation, Hope, Motivational on October 15, 2013| 2 Comments »

In preparing for this coming Sunday, I pulled a little book off the shelf that I read years ago and have re-read a time or two.  The book is by Erwin McManus and is entitled, The Barbarian Way.  It is a quick read and is one of those books that should be used as a reminder from time to time.

All of us need to remember what this following in The Way is all about.  So many people look at Christianity and say, “Why would I want to be involved in a system of rules that leads to a boring life of restriction from the things I enjoy doing and that bring excitement?  No thanks, you can have it.”

But I am reminded that Jesus did not call us to a boring life.  In fact, following Christ is the most exciting, fulfilling adventure offered to mankind.  When we approach our faith completely surrendered to Jesus, we realize that we are living right on the edge.  The X-Games have nothing on following Jesus!

McManus reminds us that there is a difference between what religion has become and the way Jesus calls us to live.  Here is what he says:

When Christianity becomes just another religion, it focuses on requirements.  Just to keep people in line, we build our own Christian civilization and then demand that everyone who believes in Jesus become a good citizen.  

It’s hard to imagine that Jesus would endure the agony of the Cross just to keep us in line.  Jesus began a revolution to secure our freedom.

Following The Way is more than living by a set of rules.  In fact, it is not about conforming but rather being transformed.  Jesus did not call us to conform to a system, he called us to join the battle for the hearts of humanity.  This calling is far from boring.  It is a call to live outside our comfort zone every day.  It is a call to give everything we have to the movement of God.  And this movement is bigger than we are and greater than anything we can even imagine.

Will you join the adventure?

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I Saw Jesus In a Restaurant Downtown

Posted in Church, Community, Hope on September 18, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Monday night, I saw Jesus and it was amazing and humbling all at the same time.  No, I didn’t have some mystical experience.  I physically saw the hands and feet of Jesus.

I saw his hands carrying a bowl of stew to man who walked in with a confused look on his face as he was told to find a place to sit and we would serve him.  I saw Jesus’ arms as they hugged a senior adult lady before she left the restaurant.  I saw Jesus in the smiles of the nearly 20 volunteers from our 1st B family who gave of their time to serve a free meal to those in our community who could use something to eat.

But more than anywhere else, I saw Jesus in the hearts of the two ladies who opened their restaurant and cooked the food at their own expense in order to provide a free meal to those who needed it.

Yes, Monday night I saw Jesus and my life may never be the same!

Be a blessing to someone else today!

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