This week we are continuing the process of the transition between Pastor Dave and me. We are changing offices. This is more of a logistical matter than anything else. The office really doesn't mean anything. I know pastors who believe they are leaders because of the office they occupy or the title they hold. An office and a title have nothing to do with leadership.
I have learned through this time of transition that the more I go up, the more I give up. I have read so much from pastors and leadership gurus about this. I thought I understood it, but I really didn't. I could try to explain it to you as it was explained to me, but until you actually get to the leadership position, you can't really understand it. I know I didn't.
I have been very humbled lately. This is a huge job with huge responsibilities. Every day, at different times in the day, it hits me. Without God I will fail. I need to be on my knees more. I need to be in the Bible more. I need people around me who are praying for me. I need people around me who love Jesus, who love Charter Oak Church, and who love me.
I don't need people who criticize me, just because. I don't need people around me who just say yes, no matter what. I don't need people around me that aren't willing to pick up the servant's towel.
I see people very differently now. More than anything I want to look at each person and know that Jesus went to the cross for them.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Monday, June 16, 2008
PowerPoint from this Weekend
I had a number of people ask me about getting a copy of the PowerPoint from this past weekend's message. If you send me an email, I will get you a copy of it. If you weren't here this weekend, you can't order a CD, we did something that we have never done before. We practiced being quiet - silence is not easy, but oh, so good when you are listening to God.
Tons of Kids!!
Just a few minutes ago we kicked off the biggest summer program in the history of Charter Oak Church. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 240 kids showed up to learn about what it means to be a follower of Jesus. We have 50-60 volunteers to walk along side of these kids in their journey. This place looks incredible. We have also set up a room just for those moms who are dropping off their kids. We have soft chairs, coffee, sweets, and people in there to just build relationships with these moms. Brilliant!
If you think about it today or any day this week from 9am-noon, pray for what is happening here.
If you think about it today or any day this week from 9am-noon, pray for what is happening here.
Monday, June 9, 2008
On Mission
Yesterday morning 50 adults and high school students pulled out of the Charter Oak Church parking lot to drive to West Virginia to be on mission this week. They are working in conjunction with the Appalachian Service Project better known around here as ASP. Our congregation has been working with the organization for over 25 years now. My first mission experience was with ASP, many, many years ago. It made a huge difference in my life. I hope and pray that it will have an even greater impact on the lives of those who are there now. Please join me in praying for them every day this week. Pray for their safety, their ability to stay hydrated, their ability to be the hands and feet of Jesus. I pray that every person they come in contact with, whoever it may be, that each one of them will look at that person as some one for whom Jesus went to the cross.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Students Praying
Wow! A group of students from Charter Oak Church have made a decision that they are going to gather together every Thursday at 9am to pray here through the summer. Most high school students don't see the light of the morning during their summer break and yet here is a group that are not only up but are willing to go down on their knees before their heavenly Father to pray. That is a wow for me. Our Pastor of Students - Mark McMahon is leading and leading well.
Influencing the Jesus Way
Rob Wegner of Granger Community Church recently wrote of what I call influencing the Jesus way. He wrote, "Jesus taught thousands. He trained seventy. He discipled twelve. He mentored three." I love that strategy. I love the connection between verb and number. For me, it's all about capacity.
Jesus had the capacity to teach thousands. He had the capacity to train seventy. He had the capacity to disciple twelve. He had the capacity to mentor three. But here's the thing...it seems wrong to say that Jesus had the capacity to only do what he did at each level. He is God. Come on, God should be able to do anything and everything. So maybe it is that the capacity isn't on Jesus, but it is on us - those receiving.
So let's change it then. We have the capacity to be taught by the thousands. We have the capacity to be trained in groups of seventy. We have the capacity to be discipled in groups of twelve. We have the capacity to be mentored in groups of three.
What I am trying to get at is that we need to realize what we are capable of doing and do that, not doing more than what we have the capacity to do. Often times we will put ourselves in situations that just do not lend themselves to accomplishing what we want to do. If we could get the right combination of high capacity leaders with the right number of people in the group that goes with what we are trying to accomplish, how much more would we be successful?
Jesus used these numbers in each of these situations, aren't we supposed to be becoming more like Jesus in every aspect of our lives down to the last detail? Let's start influencing the Jesus way.
Jesus had the capacity to teach thousands. He had the capacity to train seventy. He had the capacity to disciple twelve. He had the capacity to mentor three. But here's the thing...it seems wrong to say that Jesus had the capacity to only do what he did at each level. He is God. Come on, God should be able to do anything and everything. So maybe it is that the capacity isn't on Jesus, but it is on us - those receiving.
So let's change it then. We have the capacity to be taught by the thousands. We have the capacity to be trained in groups of seventy. We have the capacity to be discipled in groups of twelve. We have the capacity to be mentored in groups of three.
What I am trying to get at is that we need to realize what we are capable of doing and do that, not doing more than what we have the capacity to do. Often times we will put ourselves in situations that just do not lend themselves to accomplishing what we want to do. If we could get the right combination of high capacity leaders with the right number of people in the group that goes with what we are trying to accomplish, how much more would we be successful?
Jesus used these numbers in each of these situations, aren't we supposed to be becoming more like Jesus in every aspect of our lives down to the last detail? Let's start influencing the Jesus way.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Worship and Sunday School Stats - May 2008
Here are the stats for May...
May 3/4 - I preached
740 in worship (.9% decrease from 2007)
289 in Sunday school (19.4% increase from 2007)
May 10/11 - I preached
756 in worship (.1% increase from 2007)
259 in Sunday school (7.5% increase from 2007)
May 17/18 - Dave preached
694 in worship (10.5% decrease from 2007)
274 in Sunday school (9.2% increase from 2007)
May 23/24 - Dave preached
622 in worship (6.1% decrease from 2007)
195 in Sunday school (2.1% increase from 2007)
May 3/4 - I preached
740 in worship (.9% decrease from 2007)
289 in Sunday school (19.4% increase from 2007)
May 10/11 - I preached
756 in worship (.1% increase from 2007)
259 in Sunday school (7.5% increase from 2007)
May 17/18 - Dave preached
694 in worship (10.5% decrease from 2007)
274 in Sunday school (9.2% increase from 2007)
May 23/24 - Dave preached
622 in worship (6.1% decrease from 2007)
195 in Sunday school (2.1% increase from 2007)
Good Stuff from the Blog World
Here are some good things I have read from the blog world recently...
From Perry Noble - Pray for your pastor in these ways...#1 - Our Connection With God, #2 - Our Family, #3 - His Relationship With The Staff, #4 - His Battle With Spiritual Warfare, #5 - Rest. Read the whole post here.
From Scott Hodge - Who are you focused on leading? "Until you get your focus OFF of the people who are disgruntled, unhappy, unsupportive, and resistant to the direction God has called you to go, and ONTO those who are excited, supportive and on board, you will NEVER gain momentum and see a new culture created in your church." Read the whole post here.
From Craig Groeschel - Breaking growth barriers. You are going to have to change your mindset. Much of what you are doing now won’t work later. Read the whole post here.
From Rob Wagner - Jesus taught thousands. He trained seventy. He discipled twelve. He mentored three. Read the whole post here.
From Sherry Moorhead - One question I get a lot from other churches is how do you effectively communicate with the some 2500 volunteers that you guys have here at NewSpring? My answer always goes something like this “every way possible”. Here’s what we do right now. Read the whole post here.
From Kurt Johnson - What are areas in your ministry that are working well that may need a check up?I'm great at evaluating and improving on the weak areas of my ministry, but this morning's conversation reminded me that even some of the strongest aspects of our ministry need to be examined on a regular basis. Read the whole post here.
From Church Marketing Sucks - There's probably 718,000 churches in America that offer free breakfast. The catch? You have to come on Sundays, be greeted and stick around for the service. Westchester Church looked to take a different approach. Every Friday morning before 8:00, you can drop by their parking lot (at the corner of a busy intersection) for some free breakfast. From Stephen Webb's blog: "We show up at daybreak, set up a table, unload the signs, cones, coolers, and muffins, and invite the traffic. We have about 3-9 people on the street holding signs and waving them in. We have about 2-5 people handing out the free stuff. It takes about 20 seconds to take an order and have them on their way. Every morning we have new people. And we hear each week that “This absolutely makes my day.” Free stuff is always a great way to reach people; so is going out of your way for them. Sounds like a great combination to me.
Just a few random thoughts that have been going through my reading brain today. Enjoy.
From Perry Noble - Pray for your pastor in these ways...#1 - Our Connection With God, #2 - Our Family, #3 - His Relationship With The Staff, #4 - His Battle With Spiritual Warfare, #5 - Rest. Read the whole post here.
From Scott Hodge - Who are you focused on leading? "Until you get your focus OFF of the people who are disgruntled, unhappy, unsupportive, and resistant to the direction God has called you to go, and ONTO those who are excited, supportive and on board, you will NEVER gain momentum and see a new culture created in your church." Read the whole post here.
From Craig Groeschel - Breaking growth barriers. You are going to have to change your mindset. Much of what you are doing now won’t work later. Read the whole post here.
From Rob Wagner - Jesus taught thousands. He trained seventy. He discipled twelve. He mentored three. Read the whole post here.
From Sherry Moorhead - One question I get a lot from other churches is how do you effectively communicate with the some 2500 volunteers that you guys have here at NewSpring? My answer always goes something like this “every way possible”. Here’s what we do right now. Read the whole post here.
From Kurt Johnson - What are areas in your ministry that are working well that may need a check up?I'm great at evaluating and improving on the weak areas of my ministry, but this morning's conversation reminded me that even some of the strongest aspects of our ministry need to be examined on a regular basis. Read the whole post here.
From Church Marketing Sucks - There's probably 718,000 churches in America that offer free breakfast. The catch? You have to come on Sundays, be greeted and stick around for the service. Westchester Church looked to take a different approach. Every Friday morning before 8:00, you can drop by their parking lot (at the corner of a busy intersection) for some free breakfast. From Stephen Webb's blog: "We show up at daybreak, set up a table, unload the signs, cones, coolers, and muffins, and invite the traffic. We have about 3-9 people on the street holding signs and waving them in. We have about 2-5 people handing out the free stuff. It takes about 20 seconds to take an order and have them on their way. Every morning we have new people. And we hear each week that “This absolutely makes my day.” Free stuff is always a great way to reach people; so is going out of your way for them. Sounds like a great combination to me.
Just a few random thoughts that have been going through my reading brain today. Enjoy.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Won by One to Jamaica Summer Staff
The summer staff of Won by One to Jamaica have started a blog. You can follow what is happening by clicking here. If you haven't been to Harmons and want a little flavor of what it is like, there is also a video that is on their blog site - watch it to get a point of view that is very different than what we experience here at home.
New Books
Here are some new books that I either purchased or were given to me in the last week. Now to figure out how I am going to read them all in the next few weeks...
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
Classic Christianity by Bob George
The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch
It's Okay to be the Boss by Bruce Tulgan (Currently reading)
The Offsite by Robert Thompson
The Encouraging the Heart Workbook by Kouzes and Posner
Yours are the Hands of Christ by James Howell
Everybody's Normal till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman
Permission is Granted to Do Church Differently in the 21st Century by Cooke and Goodell (Currently reading)
People know I love to read and they just give me books - I love it!!
The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne
Classic Christianity by Bob George
The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch
It's Okay to be the Boss by Bruce Tulgan (Currently reading)
The Offsite by Robert Thompson
The Encouraging the Heart Workbook by Kouzes and Posner
Yours are the Hands of Christ by James Howell
Everybody's Normal till You Get to Know Them by John Ortberg
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman
Permission is Granted to Do Church Differently in the 21st Century by Cooke and Goodell (Currently reading)
People know I love to read and they just give me books - I love it!!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Spiritual Mentor
This past weekend I took some time away from Charter Oak Church to begin the process of developing relationships with eight college students that I will be mentoring this summer for Won by One to Jamaica. As many of you know I have a passion for the people of Jamaica. Any opportunity I get to serve in connection to Jamaica I will do it. Many of you also know of my connection to Won by One to Jamaica - the organization that leads the trips to Jamaica.
Here's the mission of Won by One to Jamaica:
"We see change in the lives of Jamaicans because God's grace and unconditional love is shared with them in a way that can be fully understood.
We see change in the lives of Americans who come to serve, because they are exposed to the harsh reality of a poverty culture and see in a meaningful way that the only chance of lasting hope can only be found in Christ."
This summer eight college students from around the country will spend ten weeks in Harmons, Jamaica living out this mission as leaders. My job is to mentor these young adults throughout the summer. Kelli and I even get to spend a week in the middle of the summer in Jamaica with them. Seth, McKenzie, Tayler, Klarissa, Tim, Nichole, Justin, and John will be pouring the best of who they are into Jamaicans and Americans all summer long. Please join with me in praying that this will be the best summer of their lives.
Here's the mission of Won by One to Jamaica:
"We see change in the lives of Jamaicans because God's grace and unconditional love is shared with them in a way that can be fully understood.
We see change in the lives of Americans who come to serve, because they are exposed to the harsh reality of a poverty culture and see in a meaningful way that the only chance of lasting hope can only be found in Christ."
This summer eight college students from around the country will spend ten weeks in Harmons, Jamaica living out this mission as leaders. My job is to mentor these young adults throughout the summer. Kelli and I even get to spend a week in the middle of the summer in Jamaica with them. Seth, McKenzie, Tayler, Klarissa, Tim, Nichole, Justin, and John will be pouring the best of who they are into Jamaicans and Americans all summer long. Please join with me in praying that this will be the best summer of their lives.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Book #11 - Three Simple Rules
Our bishop gave every pastor a book at Christmas last year - Three Simple Rules: A Wesleyan Way of Living by Bishop Rueben P. Job. I sat down and read it yesterday, it didn't take very long. The simple rules are...
- Do no harm.
- Do good.
- Stay in love with God
Simple, but not easy. A pretty good model for living.
Newest Nooma Video Available
I just found out that the newest Nooma video is now available to be watched on Facebook. Click here if you want to watch it. I don't know how long it will be available. But if you read this regularly, you know I am struggling with creating margin in my life. That is the essence of this video. Check it out.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Great Weekend
This past weekend was one of those weekends that reminds me of why I do what I do.
The weekend began with tons of people showing up on Saturday morning to put the servant's towel over their arm and live beyond themselves. There were so many projects that we cared for through the day. We now have over 125 people receiving food through the Food Bank. There is something special about watching disciples of Jesus get into the dirt and love doing it.
Then we worshipped God at all four of our worship services as we concluded our Unlocking the Future capital stewardship program. On Saturday night while we were inside worshipping, a team of people were setting up for a huge BBQ and movie night in a monster size tent. When the rain stopped and the sun came out one of our volunteers snapped this picture of a rainbow over Charter Oak Church at about the time people were coming forward to present God with their commitment cards. Incredible!
Throughout the weekend worship services I saw young and old and everyone in between come forward trusting God to move in their lives in dramatic ways. As I watched tears of joy streamed down my face as I saw the Body of Christ at her best. It hit me at the 11:00 worship service in a very profound way - this is a defining moment for us. I also thought of something else at that moment - we said at each of the worship services that if there were any first time guests that they should come back next week when we aren't going to be talking about money. I realized that what was happening in the life of our church didn't have anything to do with money at all. This weekend was all about faithful obedience to what God was doing in and through the people of God. When we live as disciples of Jesus, people who are first time guests and people who are not here yet will be drawn to God.
It was an incredible time of worship for us all. The applause of heaven was thunderous. Way to go Charter Oak Church. God received the glory, honor, and praise He deserves.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Margin Allows Vision and Creativity
When I am purposeful about creating margin in my life it allows me to get on track with God's vision and creativity. I am fortunate to be given two weeks of study leave a year by Charter Oak Church. I usually use one week for vision and one for creativity.
I want to make sure that I am right in the middle of God's will for my life so that I can be able to hear where I am to be leading the people of Charter Oak Church through God's vision for His church. When I am so busy and running on empty most of the time it is very difficult to hear from God. I love the Old Testament story that says that God was not in the earthquake, fire, or storm, but in the whisper. God is not going to shout over the noise of my life. I must be rigorous about the creation of margin to hear God's still and small voice leading me.
I also believe that the weekend worship service should be one of the most creative, engaging environments that people enter into each week. I am saddened by pastors and churches who are willing to "phone it in" every week with no preparation, no inspiration, and little to no creativity. Our God is Creator. His very name means creativity and we are made in His image. Jesus consistently used creative means to get people's attention in order to point people to a truth about God. As long as I am buried in the details and putting out fires I will never be as creative as I can be. I must set aside significant chunks of time to creativity. I want to say things in such a way that helps people to become more like Jesus. That's my responsibility. That only happens when I have margin in my life.
What happens when you create margin in your life?
I want to make sure that I am right in the middle of God's will for my life so that I can be able to hear where I am to be leading the people of Charter Oak Church through God's vision for His church. When I am so busy and running on empty most of the time it is very difficult to hear from God. I love the Old Testament story that says that God was not in the earthquake, fire, or storm, but in the whisper. God is not going to shout over the noise of my life. I must be rigorous about the creation of margin to hear God's still and small voice leading me.
I also believe that the weekend worship service should be one of the most creative, engaging environments that people enter into each week. I am saddened by pastors and churches who are willing to "phone it in" every week with no preparation, no inspiration, and little to no creativity. Our God is Creator. His very name means creativity and we are made in His image. Jesus consistently used creative means to get people's attention in order to point people to a truth about God. As long as I am buried in the details and putting out fires I will never be as creative as I can be. I must set aside significant chunks of time to creativity. I want to say things in such a way that helps people to become more like Jesus. That's my responsibility. That only happens when I have margin in my life.
What happens when you create margin in your life?
Friday, May 16, 2008
It Takes Time to Create Margin
Yesterday I said I would blog about what was going on in my head about margin - if I could get some. That's probably the biggest learn about margin right now. It doesn't just happen and it takes time to create margin.
First, it doesn't just happen. We don't do Sabbath very well. We don't even really know what it means to take a day off. That's when we get caught up on cutting the grass, building a new deck on the back of the house, cleaning out the gutters, etc, etc, etc. I don't know about you, but my list of things to do is much longer than my dates available. We have to be brutal about our schedule. If we don't hold it sacred, then others will fill it up. We must schedule our Sabbath, my good friend Tom does that better than anyone I know. We must also schedule our days off to be days off. We need rest.
Second, it takes time to create margin. That means that if we have made decisions in the past to fill up our schedules it will take time to unclutter those schedules. I joked yesterday about blogging if I could create some margin, but the reality was I knew that it would have been extremely difficult for me to blog because I had scheduled meetings all day long. I can't just will it to happen. It takes time to make those blocks in your schedule that will allow you to have margin.
Next time I want to blog about what happens when you get margin in your life.
First, it doesn't just happen. We don't do Sabbath very well. We don't even really know what it means to take a day off. That's when we get caught up on cutting the grass, building a new deck on the back of the house, cleaning out the gutters, etc, etc, etc. I don't know about you, but my list of things to do is much longer than my dates available. We have to be brutal about our schedule. If we don't hold it sacred, then others will fill it up. We must schedule our Sabbath, my good friend Tom does that better than anyone I know. We must also schedule our days off to be days off. We need rest.
Second, it takes time to create margin. That means that if we have made decisions in the past to fill up our schedules it will take time to unclutter those schedules. I joked yesterday about blogging if I could create some margin, but the reality was I knew that it would have been extremely difficult for me to blog because I had scheduled meetings all day long. I can't just will it to happen. It takes time to make those blocks in your schedule that will allow you to have margin.
Next time I want to blog about what happens when you get margin in your life.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Sprint/Rest
Over the last month I haven't been posting very much. For those of you who tell me you read my blog regularly, I am sorry for the inconsistency.
I have been taught that life is a marathon, but within it there are times when you sprint and times when you rest. I have been sprinting pretty hard the last month and half. It wasn't a surprise. I told my wife before it started that it was coming and would go until the end of April. Here it is the middle of May and I haven't slowed down. That's my choice.
I have a huge work ethic. I am more impressed by people who have a huge work ethic than I am about anything else. That's just who I am. I'm not going to apologize for it. The people who are my real friends love me for it and in spite of it. I also realize that the only commandment that we brag about breaking is the one on keeping the Sabbath.
We all need to keep the Sabbath, whatever that may mean for you or for me. One of the things I have really been thinking about lately is margin in my life. If I have some time today, I will try to blog about what's going on in my head about margin. That is if I can create some...:-)
I have been taught that life is a marathon, but within it there are times when you sprint and times when you rest. I have been sprinting pretty hard the last month and half. It wasn't a surprise. I told my wife before it started that it was coming and would go until the end of April. Here it is the middle of May and I haven't slowed down. That's my choice.
I have a huge work ethic. I am more impressed by people who have a huge work ethic than I am about anything else. That's just who I am. I'm not going to apologize for it. The people who are my real friends love me for it and in spite of it. I also realize that the only commandment that we brag about breaking is the one on keeping the Sabbath.
We all need to keep the Sabbath, whatever that may mean for you or for me. One of the things I have really been thinking about lately is margin in my life. If I have some time today, I will try to blog about what's going on in my head about margin. That is if I can create some...:-)
Friday, May 2, 2008
Question #6 - Ministry
I am continuing to answer the questions that Craig Groeschel posed on 10 questions each leader should ask in several different areas of life. I am tackling the questions on ministry first.
Question #6 - Have I repented to my team at least once in the last year for a failure in leadership?
Did I mention that these questions are getting harder and harder? One of the things that I have been really working on lately is being pruned (John 15) by God of all the things, activities, and sins that God wants to remove from my life. Some people call this being broken. Whatever you want to call it, it is difficult and often very painful.
I think the power of this question is that it is done in community with the people you do life with as a leader. Yes, I can and do repent of my sins everyday. I walk in God's grace and forgiveness. Our faith is a personal faith, but it was never intended to be private. When I get vulnerable with my team I am opening myself up to being held accountable to the ways of Jesus. I will only be as strong as I am willing to be open and honest. This also includes having a very high level of trust within the team. If I repent of something, then I have made myself vulnerable to their thoughts and even their words to me or to others. But I also open myself up to their prayers, their encouragement, and their love. That's right where I want and need to be.
Please pray with me that as leaders we will build teams that has a foundation of trust, love, and accountability.
Question #6 - Have I repented to my team at least once in the last year for a failure in leadership?
Did I mention that these questions are getting harder and harder? One of the things that I have been really working on lately is being pruned (John 15) by God of all the things, activities, and sins that God wants to remove from my life. Some people call this being broken. Whatever you want to call it, it is difficult and often very painful.
I think the power of this question is that it is done in community with the people you do life with as a leader. Yes, I can and do repent of my sins everyday. I walk in God's grace and forgiveness. Our faith is a personal faith, but it was never intended to be private. When I get vulnerable with my team I am opening myself up to being held accountable to the ways of Jesus. I will only be as strong as I am willing to be open and honest. This also includes having a very high level of trust within the team. If I repent of something, then I have made myself vulnerable to their thoughts and even their words to me or to others. But I also open myself up to their prayers, their encouragement, and their love. That's right where I want and need to be.
Please pray with me that as leaders we will build teams that has a foundation of trust, love, and accountability.
Risk
This weekend I am going to be talking about risk. I have been praying and thinking about this message for a few months now. The scripture passage that I will be using is 1 Samuel 14:1-23.
Every time I read through this passage I see something new and I realize what is really happening in this scene. If you have time before you arrive at Charter Oak Church this weekend, take a few minutes and read this passage. And if you have more time, read it a few times, there is a lot there.
See you in worship!
Every time I read through this passage I see something new and I realize what is really happening in this scene. If you have time before you arrive at Charter Oak Church this weekend, take a few minutes and read this passage. And if you have more time, read it a few times, there is a lot there.
See you in worship!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Question #5 - Ministry
I am continuing to answer the questions that Craig Groeschel posed on 10 questions each leader should ask in several different areas of life. I am tackling the questions on ministry first.
Question #5 - What faith risk is God calling me to take?
There isn't a more appropriate question for me and the people of Charter Oak Church right now. I am preaching on risk this weekend. We are in the middle of one of the most risk intense seasons in our church.
We are in the middle of the Unlocking the Future capital stewardship program. We are seeking to raise $3 million. We are in the middle of a pastoral transition. This has risk written all over it.
We are asking people to trust and obey God's leading in this stewardship program. When the leadership of a church begins to talk about money - it is risky because people hold so tightly to their money. Money is the god of this nation. When we ask people to give of it obediently, out of their relationship with Jesus, it kicks up some dissension. But what I have learned is that it isn't about me, but it is a spiritual wrestling that is occurring in people's hearts over who is God. This is a huge spiritual development process.
Please pray that people's hearts will be softened to Jesus. Please pray that the people of Charter Oak Church will choose to live into what God is inviting them to instead of kicking up dissension and dis-unity. Please pray that Satan will not gain a foothold during this risky season in the life of our church.
Question #5 - What faith risk is God calling me to take?
There isn't a more appropriate question for me and the people of Charter Oak Church right now. I am preaching on risk this weekend. We are in the middle of one of the most risk intense seasons in our church.
We are in the middle of the Unlocking the Future capital stewardship program. We are seeking to raise $3 million. We are in the middle of a pastoral transition. This has risk written all over it.
We are asking people to trust and obey God's leading in this stewardship program. When the leadership of a church begins to talk about money - it is risky because people hold so tightly to their money. Money is the god of this nation. When we ask people to give of it obediently, out of their relationship with Jesus, it kicks up some dissension. But what I have learned is that it isn't about me, but it is a spiritual wrestling that is occurring in people's hearts over who is God. This is a huge spiritual development process.
Please pray that people's hearts will be softened to Jesus. Please pray that the people of Charter Oak Church will choose to live into what God is inviting them to instead of kicking up dissension and dis-unity. Please pray that Satan will not gain a foothold during this risky season in the life of our church.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Book #10 - Pop Goes the Church
Last week I had the honor of spending two full days with the senior management team at Granger Community Church. I received a free copy of Tim Steven's new book Pop Goes the Church: Should the Church Engage Pop Culture?
This is a great book and I would highly recommend it to anyone, especially pastors who are in main-line denominational churches who have done the same thing year after year and who expect different results.
Tim wants to use pop culture to serve the church. He wants to explore what pop culture says about the reality of people's lives who are in the church now and who are not in the church. What would happen if we actually decided to be relevant?
I am a huge fan of Tim Stevens and I hope his book will open people's eyes and hearts to what is given to us from God to let people know that they matter to Him. Way to go, Tim!!
Informational Meeting #1 - Tonight
Tonight is the first of three informational meetings at Charter Oak Church. We will be meeting at 7:00 in the chapel and any one is invited to be present. This is a time we have carved out to make sure that anyone who has a question or concern has the opportunity to share it in a biblical manner.
I want to make sure the people of Charter Oak Church fully realize that what we are doing and the direction we are moving is right in the middle of God's will. That doesn't mean that it is a comfortable place, as a matter of fact, it means that we will be doing things that if God doesn't show up and if we aren't obedient, then we will fail.
I don't want to fail. I don't want to give Satan a foothold either. It is human nature to be curious. People have questions. I don't have a problem with that, I welcome it. However, I do know that Satan will try to use a lack of information to his advantage. It is very easy to make conclusions that are not correct, but they have been drawn based on a lack of information.
Therefore, I will speak openly about the Unlocking the Future capital stewardship program, the next building phase, the transition between Pastor Dave and me, and anything else someone wants to ask. There will be representatives there from Church Council, the building team, the finance team, and me.
I am so excited about the future of Charter Oak Church. I love to see lives changed for eternity. I love to see people who are already a part of our congregation become more like Jesus. These are exciting times. When we are doing God's work the Bride of Christ is at her best.
I want to make sure the people of Charter Oak Church fully realize that what we are doing and the direction we are moving is right in the middle of God's will. That doesn't mean that it is a comfortable place, as a matter of fact, it means that we will be doing things that if God doesn't show up and if we aren't obedient, then we will fail.
I don't want to fail. I don't want to give Satan a foothold either. It is human nature to be curious. People have questions. I don't have a problem with that, I welcome it. However, I do know that Satan will try to use a lack of information to his advantage. It is very easy to make conclusions that are not correct, but they have been drawn based on a lack of information.
Therefore, I will speak openly about the Unlocking the Future capital stewardship program, the next building phase, the transition between Pastor Dave and me, and anything else someone wants to ask. There will be representatives there from Church Council, the building team, the finance team, and me.
I am so excited about the future of Charter Oak Church. I love to see lives changed for eternity. I love to see people who are already a part of our congregation become more like Jesus. These are exciting times. When we are doing God's work the Bride of Christ is at her best.
Question #4 - Ministry
I am continuing to answer the questions that Craig Groeschel posed on 10 questions each leader should ask in several different areas of life. I am tackling the questions on ministry first.
Question #4 - Is there a person who needs to be moved to another role (or removed), and I haven't done it?
These questions don't get any easier, but they really do force leaders to make sure they have the right people on the bus and in the right seats. As Pastor Dave and I shared a couple of weeks ago about the transition of me moving into the lead pastor role for Charter Oak Church, I shared that what moved us from 250 in worship 10 years ago to 750 in worship today isn't the same. We are staffed differently. We are structured differently. The staffing that we have now won't be the same that we will need at 1,000 in worship.
One of the most important parts of my job is to lead the staff of this church, who in turn lead the leaders of ministries that God reveals that He wants accomplished at Charter Oak Church. It is critical that the people leading (especially me) are growing and developing as followers of Jesus. When that isn't happening then we must have the courage to go to that leader and have a spiritual development conversation. It is all too easy to just be "doing" ministry. If that is the case, then, that leader is going to crash and burn eventually.
Sometimes leaders choose to make it all about them. They will say something like "I have a word from God" or "God told me to do this." I think of Miriam in Number 12. This is the attitude that she had. She didn't want to be under the biblical authority that God had set up through Moses. She wanted to be the one through whom God spoke. Because of this attitude in her, the Israelites could not move on in their journey toward the Promised Land. She was even kicked out of the community for a while because of this attitude. When someone who is in leadership chooses to make it about them instead of the vision that God has given, then the momentum of that church is stopped. This is when a leader has to be removed. This is probably one of the most difficult and painful conversations that I have ever had to have with someone. But as God has shown through scripture, it is the right thing to do.
Please pray that the leaders (paid and volunteer) at Charter Oak Church will have humble, servant hearts that do not seek self-promotion, but Kingdom promotion.
Question #4 - Is there a person who needs to be moved to another role (or removed), and I haven't done it?
These questions don't get any easier, but they really do force leaders to make sure they have the right people on the bus and in the right seats. As Pastor Dave and I shared a couple of weeks ago about the transition of me moving into the lead pastor role for Charter Oak Church, I shared that what moved us from 250 in worship 10 years ago to 750 in worship today isn't the same. We are staffed differently. We are structured differently. The staffing that we have now won't be the same that we will need at 1,000 in worship.
One of the most important parts of my job is to lead the staff of this church, who in turn lead the leaders of ministries that God reveals that He wants accomplished at Charter Oak Church. It is critical that the people leading (especially me) are growing and developing as followers of Jesus. When that isn't happening then we must have the courage to go to that leader and have a spiritual development conversation. It is all too easy to just be "doing" ministry. If that is the case, then, that leader is going to crash and burn eventually.
Sometimes leaders choose to make it all about them. They will say something like "I have a word from God" or "God told me to do this." I think of Miriam in Number 12. This is the attitude that she had. She didn't want to be under the biblical authority that God had set up through Moses. She wanted to be the one through whom God spoke. Because of this attitude in her, the Israelites could not move on in their journey toward the Promised Land. She was even kicked out of the community for a while because of this attitude. When someone who is in leadership chooses to make it about them instead of the vision that God has given, then the momentum of that church is stopped. This is when a leader has to be removed. This is probably one of the most difficult and painful conversations that I have ever had to have with someone. But as God has shown through scripture, it is the right thing to do.
Please pray that the leaders (paid and volunteer) at Charter Oak Church will have humble, servant hearts that do not seek self-promotion, but Kingdom promotion.
Phrases from Mark B
Here are some great phrases that Mark Beeson, Lead Pastor of Granger Community Church said during the Leadership Live event:
- "Put your big boy pants on."
- "Pour into those who pour into you."
- "Invest in people before buildings."
- "Don't pay people to pull against you."
- "You can call the best out of people - it's all about vision."
- "Never hire a do-er, hire leaders of leaders."
- "God is sovereign. God is for you. God is for your family. God is for your church."
- "Get a stranglehold on what renews you - then do it."
- "Be crystal clear on the things you cannot hand-off no matter what."
- "Hire monster leaders."
Mark Beeson is an incredible leader. Every where we went he poured into people. He encouraged everyone he came into contact. It didn't matter if it was his staff or a waitress at a restaurant. He doesn't just bleed Jesus, he has Jesus coming out of every pore of his skin. I was blessed to spend two full days learning from this master leader.
It Takes a While to Catch Up
The last time I posted to my blog I was preparing for the start of Leadership Live at Granger Community Church. That was a week ago. It has taken me a while to catch up from being gone and because we are in a very important time in the life of Charter Oak Church as we have launched the inspirational phase of the Unlocking the Future capital stewardship program.
I really wanted to post some comments throughout the Leadership Live event, but I was so busy taking notes and talking to the members of the Senior Management Team that I didn't do it.
Over the next few days I hope to catch up on the posts that I have wanted to write.
I really wanted to post some comments throughout the Leadership Live event, but I was so busy taking notes and talking to the members of the Senior Management Team that I didn't do it.
Over the next few days I hope to catch up on the posts that I have wanted to write.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Leadership Live Starts Tomorrow
We have just arrived in Granger, Indiana after a seven hour drive. Great seven hours of talking to Pastor Dave, bouncing ideas off of him, he asking me questions about the future of Charter Oak Church - tons of laughing. This is one of the main reasons I wanted to go to this conference with PD, the ride time here and back to Greensburg - PRICELESS. You want to know why we are doing the transition one year before he retires, this is it.
Granger Community Church is all about the First Impression and creating a WOW! experience. They have done it with the hotel suite. This is a great hotel. This is a wow. As I walked into my room there was a gift waiting for me, that I will have to save to share with Kelli. It's from the South Bend Chocolate Company. There was also a personal note from Lindsay welcoming me to Granger.
The expectation is already building. PD and I get to spend the next 48 hours with the senior management team of Granger Community Church. We begin at 8:00am tomorrow and end at 9:30pm. I can't wait.
Here's the question I am going to bed thinking about...my expectation is heightened by the small wow factors already, what can we do at Charter Oak Church to create special, small wow factors that get people excited about being at Charter Oak Church?
Please pray for us tomorrow as we have a very long day and I'm sure a ton of information to learn.
Granger Community Church is all about the First Impression and creating a WOW! experience. They have done it with the hotel suite. This is a great hotel. This is a wow. As I walked into my room there was a gift waiting for me, that I will have to save to share with Kelli. It's from the South Bend Chocolate Company. There was also a personal note from Lindsay welcoming me to Granger.
The expectation is already building. PD and I get to spend the next 48 hours with the senior management team of Granger Community Church. We begin at 8:00am tomorrow and end at 9:30pm. I can't wait.
Here's the question I am going to bed thinking about...my expectation is heightened by the small wow factors already, what can we do at Charter Oak Church to create special, small wow factors that get people excited about being at Charter Oak Church?
Please pray for us tomorrow as we have a very long day and I'm sure a ton of information to learn.
Question #3 - Ministry
I am continuing to answer the questions that Craig Groeschel posed on 10 questions each leader should ask in several different areas of life. I am tackling the questions on ministry first.
Question #3 - What ministry (or program or meeting) has lost its effectiveness and should be stopped?
This is a really tough question because every ministry, program and meeting affect people. We have people who are leading them and we have people who are being served, taught, or ministered to through these activities.
However, it becomes very easy for us to just do things because people want us to do them. Many people over the years have approached our leadership team and told us that we should do "X" ministry. We ask them if they are willing to lead it or to work to make it a reality and most say no. But they are very upset with us when we choose not to do what they think we should do. I know they have the best of intentions, but that particular ministry or activity would not be in line with the direction God is leading Charter Oak Church so we have to say no.
Our leadership team has to make some very difficult decisions, especially when it comes to questions like this one of stopping ministry. Occasionally it is easy to make the decision - the leader can no longer lead or there are no more people showing up. But sometimes we have to make this decision when there is a leader and there are people showing up. We just don't randomly make that decision, we struggle, we pray, we really work hard at getting at the right decision. We honestly seek God's direction and then follow it to the best of our ability.
I hope that you will pray for our leadership team everyday. We are making decisions that affect over 1,000 people in our church and in this region. Pray that God's wisdom and discernment will be upon us. Pray that Satan will not have a place to stand in those decisions and following those decisions. Pray that the people of Charter Oak Church will grow to be more like Jesus through the ministries provided inside and outside the walls of our church.
Question #3 - What ministry (or program or meeting) has lost its effectiveness and should be stopped?
This is a really tough question because every ministry, program and meeting affect people. We have people who are leading them and we have people who are being served, taught, or ministered to through these activities.
However, it becomes very easy for us to just do things because people want us to do them. Many people over the years have approached our leadership team and told us that we should do "X" ministry. We ask them if they are willing to lead it or to work to make it a reality and most say no. But they are very upset with us when we choose not to do what they think we should do. I know they have the best of intentions, but that particular ministry or activity would not be in line with the direction God is leading Charter Oak Church so we have to say no.
Our leadership team has to make some very difficult decisions, especially when it comes to questions like this one of stopping ministry. Occasionally it is easy to make the decision - the leader can no longer lead or there are no more people showing up. But sometimes we have to make this decision when there is a leader and there are people showing up. We just don't randomly make that decision, we struggle, we pray, we really work hard at getting at the right decision. We honestly seek God's direction and then follow it to the best of our ability.
I hope that you will pray for our leadership team everyday. We are making decisions that affect over 1,000 people in our church and in this region. Pray that God's wisdom and discernment will be upon us. Pray that Satan will not have a place to stand in those decisions and following those decisions. Pray that the people of Charter Oak Church will grow to be more like Jesus through the ministries provided inside and outside the walls of our church.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Book #9 - The Three Signs of a Miserable Job
I just finished reading the latest book from one of my favorite authors, Patrick Lencioni, The Three Signs of a Miserable Job. I didn't get the book because my job is miserable, I bought it because I wanted to make sure that I was leading and managing the staff of Charter Oak Church well.
The three signs of a miserable job are:
1. Anonymity
People cannot be fulfilled in their work if they are not known.
2. Irrelevance
Everyone needs to know that their job matters, to someone.
3. Immeasurement
Employees need to be able to gauge their progress and level of contribution for themselves.
If any of these signs are true then an employee has a high probability that they are in a miserable job. The key for the manager is to remove these three signs for every employee's job.
Question #2 - Ministry
Today I am continuing to answer the questions that Craig Groeschel posed on 10 questions each leader should ask in several different areas of life. I am tackling the questions on ministry first.
Question #2: Am I doing ministry from memory or from fresh direction from God?
This is a very difficult question because I think there are different seasons in ministry. There will be times when everything is fresh and there is a powerful anointing from God that is being poured out. Those are the times that I enjoy ministry the most. I love being out on the bleeding edge of where God wants me to be and having to totally rely on him because without God I would fail.
I also recognize that there are seasons of ministry that I go through when I am doing ministry from memory because I am worn out, tired, or just beat up by the rigors of leading a growing church. But it was for these seasons that I studied hard to lay a strong foundation with Jesus. I knew that there would be times that I would not be doing anything new or out there, but just holding on to the love of Jesus. In those seasons I am doing ministry from the memory that God is the one in charge, that he is the only one I seek, that I have an audience of one for my life.
Here is the interesting thing in all of this...when I am going through the season of doing ministry from memory and it is the memory of who Jesus is and who I am in him that I come out of that season and I am put into the season of fresh direction from God. I remember that God is made perfect in my weakness. When it moves from being about me to being all about God, I am changed. I am set free from being worn out, tired, and beat up. I am filled up with a fresh anointing from God.
Please join me in praying that no matter what season you or I am going through that we will place God at the center and remember that it is all about him. Please pray that the leadership - pastors, staff, and volunteers will find their focus and true north from God and God alone.
Question #2: Am I doing ministry from memory or from fresh direction from God?
This is a very difficult question because I think there are different seasons in ministry. There will be times when everything is fresh and there is a powerful anointing from God that is being poured out. Those are the times that I enjoy ministry the most. I love being out on the bleeding edge of where God wants me to be and having to totally rely on him because without God I would fail.
I also recognize that there are seasons of ministry that I go through when I am doing ministry from memory because I am worn out, tired, or just beat up by the rigors of leading a growing church. But it was for these seasons that I studied hard to lay a strong foundation with Jesus. I knew that there would be times that I would not be doing anything new or out there, but just holding on to the love of Jesus. In those seasons I am doing ministry from the memory that God is the one in charge, that he is the only one I seek, that I have an audience of one for my life.
Here is the interesting thing in all of this...when I am going through the season of doing ministry from memory and it is the memory of who Jesus is and who I am in him that I come out of that season and I am put into the season of fresh direction from God. I remember that God is made perfect in my weakness. When it moves from being about me to being all about God, I am changed. I am set free from being worn out, tired, and beat up. I am filled up with a fresh anointing from God.
Please join me in praying that no matter what season you or I am going through that we will place God at the center and remember that it is all about him. Please pray that the leadership - pastors, staff, and volunteers will find their focus and true north from God and God alone.
Announcement from this Weekend
This past weekend we announced that effective July 1, 2008 I will be the new lead pastor of Charter Oak Church. Pastor Dave and I spent 30 minutes at each worship service talking about the transition. Here are some highlight of what we said...
Biblical understanding of great transitions of leadership
- Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (Moses & Joshua)
- 2 Kings 2:1-13 (Elijah & Elisha)
- John 21:15-17 (Jesus & Peter)
- Philippians 2:19-23 (Paul & Timothy)
Impact of this appointment
- You will notice very little change in the way we function pastorally
- It is Dave and Judy’s intent & desire to retire June 30, 2009
- The God-given vision for Charter Oak Church that began with Dave will continue with Chris
What happens next?
- We are a growing church and we will seek God’s will to the best way to staff for the future health and growth of the people of Charter Oak Church
- Will Mark move into a teaching pastor role?
- Mark already is in a teaching pastor role. He teaches our students every week.
- Mark is the Pastor to Student Ministries at Charter Oak Church
Informational meetings upcoming
- Wednesday, April 30
- Thursday, May 8
- Tuesday, May 13
We will have representatives from Church Council, the building team, and Senior Management Team to answer your questions about the transition, the “Unlocking the Future” capital stewardship program, or anything else you would like to know.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Question #1 - Ministry
Back on March 31, Craig Groeschel started a series of posts on 10 questions that he believes every leader should be asking in several areas of life. I want to start answering these questions from my place here at Charter Oak Church. The first series of questions is on Ministry.
Question #1 - Is our vision so big that we obviously can't accomplish it without God?
Our vision at Charter Oak Church, when it is boiled down, is changed lives for eternity. We want people to give their lives to Jesus and then to equip them to become more like Jesus in everything they do and say down to the last detail. I think that is a huge vision. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." I love that - Jesus will build His church. It's not my responsibility. I am to be obedient to His word and to live His truth with grace and love.
To put this in an even clearer context of how huge the vision God has laid upon the people of Charter Oak Church think about two things...first, there are 33,000 people within a five mile radius of our church that do not attend church. Even if we were to reach 1% of those people this year, that would be 330! That's God size growth.
Second, we live in a very me oriented society and we are asking people to become more like Jesus. That doesn't just happen. The discipleship process is not an easy one and should not be done alone. We are the Body of Christ, shaped and formed to do life together.
Is our vision so big that we obviously can't accomplish it without God? Absolutely!
Please join me in praying that no matter what we will stay true to the vision God has given us and that we will be obedient to what God wants to do in and through us as He builds His church.
Question #1 - Is our vision so big that we obviously can't accomplish it without God?
Our vision at Charter Oak Church, when it is boiled down, is changed lives for eternity. We want people to give their lives to Jesus and then to equip them to become more like Jesus in everything they do and say down to the last detail. I think that is a huge vision. In Matthew 16:18 Jesus said, "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." I love that - Jesus will build His church. It's not my responsibility. I am to be obedient to His word and to live His truth with grace and love.
To put this in an even clearer context of how huge the vision God has laid upon the people of Charter Oak Church think about two things...first, there are 33,000 people within a five mile radius of our church that do not attend church. Even if we were to reach 1% of those people this year, that would be 330! That's God size growth.
Second, we live in a very me oriented society and we are asking people to become more like Jesus. That doesn't just happen. The discipleship process is not an easy one and should not be done alone. We are the Body of Christ, shaped and formed to do life together.
Is our vision so big that we obviously can't accomplish it without God? Absolutely!
Please join me in praying that no matter what we will stay true to the vision God has given us and that we will be obedient to what God wants to do in and through us as He builds His church.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Book #8 - Chasing Daylight
I finished reading book #8 of the year last night. I am a bit behind in my reading. This was the right book for me to read right now. Chasing Daylight: Seize the Power of Every Moment by Erwin McManus was a breath of fresh air for me. It challenged me through the story of Jonathan, Saul's son, and his willingness to risk and be obedient to God no matter what.
I loved this book. I meet people all the time that tell me that they think Charter Oak Church is out on the edge with the way we are seeking to do things and lead in a dying denomination. What is perceived outside these walls may not always reflect what is going on inside. I don't think we are trying to do anything outside of what God is leading us. To me, it doesn't seem very edgy, just obedience. I challenge the people of Charter Oak Church every week to be open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and to act in obedience to that prompting. I want all of us to seize the power of every moment. I know I need to do that if I am going to stay where God wants me.
Take a moment to ask God to give you courage today to seize the power of every moment, to give you an openness to His prompting, and the courage to follow through. Pray for me too, that I will always be in obedience to God no matter how risky those around us may think it is.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Isaiah 41:10-20
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
"All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,
O little Israel,
for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
"See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,
new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains and crush them,
and reduce the hills to chaff.
You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up,
and a gale will blow them away.
But you will rejoice in the LORD
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
"The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the LORD will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
My prayer is that in all that we do at Charter Oak Church will be done so that the name of the Lord God Almighty might be known in this region for His glory and honor and praise. Will you make that your prayer?
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
"All who rage against you
will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
will be as nothing and perish.
Though you search for your enemies,
you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
will be as nothing at all.
For I am the LORD, your God,
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob,
O little Israel,
for I myself will help you," declares the LORD,
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
"See, I will make you into a threshing sledge,
new and sharp, with many teeth.
You will thresh the mountains and crush them,
and reduce the hills to chaff.
You will winnow them, the wind will pick them up,
and a gale will blow them away.
But you will rejoice in the LORD
and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
"The poor and needy search for water,
but there is none;
their tongues are parched with thirst.
But I the LORD will answer them;
I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.
I will make rivers flow on barren heights,
and springs within the valleys.
I will turn the desert into pools of water,
and the parched ground into springs.
I will put in the desert
the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive.
I will set pines in the wasteland,
the fir and the cypress together,
so that people may see and know,
may consider and understand,
that the hand of the LORD has done this,
that the Holy One of Israel has created it.
My prayer is that in all that we do at Charter Oak Church will be done so that the name of the Lord God Almighty might be known in this region for His glory and honor and praise. Will you make that your prayer?
Together
I am studying Nehemiah right now. I was inspired this morning by chapter three. I am willing to guess that most people just want to hurry over this chapter. It is name after name after name - kind of like the book of Numbers. Here's the thing that grabbed my attention - the people who are listed are done so with the work that they are doing on re-building the wall around Jerusalem. Nehemiah didn't just take up this cause of God to do this incredible work, but he realized that they had to do it together. He cast a God-size vision of what needed to happen and the people responded by working together to repair the wall.
I think about the work that God has called us to at Charter Oak Church - changed lives for eternity. I think about the people who have come to faith in Jesus here. I think about the people who have become more like Jesus here. This call from God isn't just upon me or the other pastors or the staff, it is upon all of us. We are in this together. It doesn't matter if it is helping a child understand the love of Jesus or a student to live the character of Jesus or an adult to serve with the heart of Jesus - we are all in this together. We serve together, we love together, we do life together.
I hope that you will join me in praying for this call that God has placed on the lives of the people of Charter Oak Church to live into all that God wants to do in us and through us for His glory.
I think about the work that God has called us to at Charter Oak Church - changed lives for eternity. I think about the people who have come to faith in Jesus here. I think about the people who have become more like Jesus here. This call from God isn't just upon me or the other pastors or the staff, it is upon all of us. We are in this together. It doesn't matter if it is helping a child understand the love of Jesus or a student to live the character of Jesus or an adult to serve with the heart of Jesus - we are all in this together. We serve together, we love together, we do life together.
I hope that you will join me in praying for this call that God has placed on the lives of the people of Charter Oak Church to live into all that God wants to do in us and through us for His glory.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Unlocking the Future Website
This past weekend we handed out "Unlocking the Future" information packets to every family in attendance. It is our hope that every family will use the information within those packets to begin a spiritual journey of what God is asking EVERY family in our congregation to do to be a part of this capital stewardship program. This is not really about money, it is really about God and getting right in the middle of his will for our lives.
We also launched a brand new website that was designed by one of our members that goes along with the "Unlocking the Future" program. You can check it out here.
Join me in praying, "God, what will be my part in this journey of faith? How can I be obedient to your will in order to fulfill your vision for my life and my church? Jesus, draw me closer to you than I have ever been before."
Worship and Sunday School Stats
Here are the statistics for March 2008:
March 1/2 - Dave preached (Desperate Households Series)
711 in worship (5.3% increase from 2007)
302 in Sunday school (6.7% increase from 2007)
March 8/9 - Dave preached (Children's Musical)
865 in worship (39.6% increase from 2007)
No Sunday school
March 15/16 - Mark preached (Palm Sunday)
751 in worship (7.9% increase from 2007)
265 in Sunday school (3% decrease from 2007)
March 22/23 - Chris preached (Easter) (Transformed Series)
1245 in worship (24.9% increase from 2007)
243 in Sunday school (5.4% decrease from 2007)
March 29/30 - Chris preached (Transformed Series)
655 in worship (6.7% decrease from 2007)
236 in Sunday school (24.6% decrease from 2007)
March 1/2 - Dave preached (Desperate Households Series)
711 in worship (5.3% increase from 2007)
302 in Sunday school (6.7% increase from 2007)
March 8/9 - Dave preached (Children's Musical)
865 in worship (39.6% increase from 2007)
No Sunday school
March 15/16 - Mark preached (Palm Sunday)
751 in worship (7.9% increase from 2007)
265 in Sunday school (3% decrease from 2007)
March 22/23 - Chris preached (Easter) (Transformed Series)
1245 in worship (24.9% increase from 2007)
243 in Sunday school (5.4% decrease from 2007)
March 29/30 - Chris preached (Transformed Series)
655 in worship (6.7% decrease from 2007)
236 in Sunday school (24.6% decrease from 2007)
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Stopped By Barnes & Noble
I stopped by Barnes & Noble and picked up a couple of new books that I have been wanting.
The Small Things
On April 23 and 24, I am going to Granger Community Church in Granger, Indiana to spend two days with their Senior Management Team. I have been looking forward to this time of learning and being challenged to think with an even bigger picture for the future of Charter Oak Church.
Granger is really doing this small gathering of pastors well. The accommodations are top notch. The person who is the staff liaison for this gathering, Lindsay Wasik has been communicating with us and giving us great insight of what to expect. She even gave us her cell phone number, just in case something developed that we needed to be able to reach her.
Yesterday she sent a copy of Tim Stevens' new book Pop Goes the Church: Should the Church Engage Pop Culture? When I heard about this book I immediately put it on my "must buy" list. Now I don't have to because the people at Granger Community Church has blessed me with a free copy. Another reason to look forward to the time with the Senior Management Team.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
I read Tony Morgan's blog everyday. I like to read what leaders who are ahead of me are thinking. I love to learn. There are seasons for me that I just want to drink from a fire hydrant of leadership development because I am so thirsty to learn. Tony had a pretty long post yesterday that really has me thinking. I have copied just a portion of the post below. If you want to read the whole post click here.
"By the way, as a side note, people don't attend ministry programs or events because of slick promotions. They attend ministry programs and events because those events add value to their lives. You can do all the clever marketing you want, but, if the experience is stinky, people will not show up. That's why staff should be focusing more on leading their ministries rather than promoting their ministries. If the experience is positive, people will tell and invite their friends--that's how ministry programs grow."
What would it mean if we decided to only do what God is calling us to do? What if we poured all of our collective leadership energy into just doing those things?
First, we would make people angry because we aren't doing all the things they think we should be doing. On a regular basis I meet with someone who thinks we should start this program or that ministry at Charter Oak Church. When we try to do everything it is like diffused light - it's nice, but not very powerful. But when we have laser beam intense focus - that's the power of God at work.
Second, we will become very good at fulfilling our purpose of changed lives for eternity. Third, we will be right where God wants us to be - in the middle of His will. When we try to do the things that are not of God then God cannot bless it. Fourth, people will tell their friends and invite their friends and we will fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples of Jesus.
"By the way, as a side note, people don't attend ministry programs or events because of slick promotions. They attend ministry programs and events because those events add value to their lives. You can do all the clever marketing you want, but, if the experience is stinky, people will not show up. That's why staff should be focusing more on leading their ministries rather than promoting their ministries. If the experience is positive, people will tell and invite their friends--that's how ministry programs grow."
What would it mean if we decided to only do what God is calling us to do? What if we poured all of our collective leadership energy into just doing those things?
First, we would make people angry because we aren't doing all the things they think we should be doing. On a regular basis I meet with someone who thinks we should start this program or that ministry at Charter Oak Church. When we try to do everything it is like diffused light - it's nice, but not very powerful. But when we have laser beam intense focus - that's the power of God at work.
Second, we will become very good at fulfilling our purpose of changed lives for eternity. Third, we will be right where God wants us to be - in the middle of His will. When we try to do the things that are not of God then God cannot bless it. Fourth, people will tell their friends and invite their friends and we will fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples of Jesus.
Monday, March 31, 2008
My Verse for Today
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8)
Competing Voices
This weekend, Bill and Karen Thompson, announced in a formal way the launch of our next capital stewardship program - Unlocking the Future. For those who have been around Charter Oak Church for a while, this next stewardship program is not a surprise. We had to borrow $3.4 million to build our new facility. We knew that we didn't want to take away from ministry and missions, so we need a second stream of income to pay our mortgage.
At our one year anniversary we announced to the congregation that we were in the preliminary stages of designing the second phase of our master building plan and we would be building again in the near future to accommodate our numerical growth and to make room to ensure that we could continue to grow. Then about a month ago we introduced the leadership team of the Unlocking the Future program. As we introduced the leadership team we also shared the vision and purpose of the program.
Even though we have been communicating clearly along the way and even though we have shared that we will answer any questions along the way, people still choose to say things that are not true or act in an un-biblical manner. This breaks my heart as a pastor. Instead of asking me or someone on the leadership team to answer a legitimate question, they choose to make things up. It seems to be easier to justify it in their minds than to get to the truth.
This weekend we are giving a packet of information to every household connected to Charter Oak Church. The information will again explain what we are seeking to do through the Unlocking the Future program. It will challenge the people of Charter Oak Church to seek God's will for their lives. It will lead us through a discernment process by reading scripture and prayer. I also hope that it will help people to know the truth and not make speculations.
There are no competing voices at Charter Oak Church - there is only One. We follow God. I am looking forward to the spiritual journey that we are about to embark on as a faith community to do all God wants us to do and to be a part of the incredible things that He is already at work doing.
At our one year anniversary we announced to the congregation that we were in the preliminary stages of designing the second phase of our master building plan and we would be building again in the near future to accommodate our numerical growth and to make room to ensure that we could continue to grow. Then about a month ago we introduced the leadership team of the Unlocking the Future program. As we introduced the leadership team we also shared the vision and purpose of the program.
Even though we have been communicating clearly along the way and even though we have shared that we will answer any questions along the way, people still choose to say things that are not true or act in an un-biblical manner. This breaks my heart as a pastor. Instead of asking me or someone on the leadership team to answer a legitimate question, they choose to make things up. It seems to be easier to justify it in their minds than to get to the truth.
This weekend we are giving a packet of information to every household connected to Charter Oak Church. The information will again explain what we are seeking to do through the Unlocking the Future program. It will challenge the people of Charter Oak Church to seek God's will for their lives. It will lead us through a discernment process by reading scripture and prayer. I also hope that it will help people to know the truth and not make speculations.
There are no competing voices at Charter Oak Church - there is only One. We follow God. I am looking forward to the spiritual journey that we are about to embark on as a faith community to do all God wants us to do and to be a part of the incredible things that He is already at work doing.
New Appreciation for Life
I knew yesterday was going to be a long day - teach at our three morning worship services, meet with the leadership team of a local congregation who is going to be building soon and wanted to spend some time with me, having a very late lunch or early dinner with my district superintendent, and then some work at home. I never got the chance to do the work at home because I received a call that one of our members had a heart attack after worship this morning.
When I finally made it to the hospital, Jim was already in surgery. They were going to do five or six by-passes. That meant that all of the arteries coming out of Jim's heart were almost completely blocked. This is a strong, healthy man. He loves his wife and his daughter. He works very hard at his job. And bam! everything is changing for them now.
I immediately thought of my 30 Days to Live series that I kicked off the year with. It is times like these that people get a new appreciation for life. And because I get the privilege of walking beside them in some small way, I also get a new appreciation for life.
The doctors told Jim he could never eat meat again - not even fish. That's a drastic change. But I think about the change that we are asked to make as followers of Jesus. We are to be transformed. We aren't asked to be a little bit different, but instead we are invited to be like Jesus. I am praying for Jim and Susie, I hope you will too. They have a new appreciation for life and I believe for the amazing grace and love of God that has sustained them through this.
When I finally made it to the hospital, Jim was already in surgery. They were going to do five or six by-passes. That meant that all of the arteries coming out of Jim's heart were almost completely blocked. This is a strong, healthy man. He loves his wife and his daughter. He works very hard at his job. And bam! everything is changing for them now.
I immediately thought of my 30 Days to Live series that I kicked off the year with. It is times like these that people get a new appreciation for life. And because I get the privilege of walking beside them in some small way, I also get a new appreciation for life.
The doctors told Jim he could never eat meat again - not even fish. That's a drastic change. But I think about the change that we are asked to make as followers of Jesus. We are to be transformed. We aren't asked to be a little bit different, but instead we are invited to be like Jesus. I am praying for Jim and Susie, I hope you will too. They have a new appreciation for life and I believe for the amazing grace and love of God that has sustained them through this.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The Character of Daniel
My wife, Kelli, is in a Beth Moore Bible study right now on the book of Daniel. Every time she watches the DVD and does the corresponding work, we have some pretty incredible conversations. I have read the book of Daniel many, many times. She was pulling out things that I hadn't heard in a while or never thought of. This morning I have spent some time reading the first six chapters of Daniel.
One of the things that jumped out at me more than anything else is the character of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These are men after God's own heart. Time and time again they are given the opportunity to choose a different path than the will of God, but at every turn they are walking with God, even when it can cost them their lives. They take the narrow road. They always give God glory and never take it for themselves.
I love what people said about the character of Daniel. "The administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent." What a statement by a group of people who hated him. This made me realize that my true God-centered character is revealed by what people who don't love me or care for me say about me. It may come out negatively as did it against Daniel. But the root cause of it is because Daniel's heart and life was with God. That's right where I want to be.
One of the things that jumped out at me more than anything else is the character of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These are men after God's own heart. Time and time again they are given the opportunity to choose a different path than the will of God, but at every turn they are walking with God, even when it can cost them their lives. They take the narrow road. They always give God glory and never take it for themselves.
I love what people said about the character of Daniel. "The administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent." What a statement by a group of people who hated him. This made me realize that my true God-centered character is revealed by what people who don't love me or care for me say about me. It may come out negatively as did it against Daniel. But the root cause of it is because Daniel's heart and life was with God. That's right where I want to be.
Conversation
Yesterday I was given the opportunity to step into a God moment. I didn't really want to step into it. I wanted to be praying because I was praying. I needed some one-on-one time with God. But a man in our community that I have been building a relationship with for two years came to see me yesterday. He knew I was praying. He scratched on the window to get my attention, but I wouldn't look up. He knocked on the door, but I wouldn't look up. He finally came in and started talking to me.
I often challenge the people of Charter Oak Church to say yes ,when by the power of the Holy Spirit, God prompts us to step into a moment he has prepared for us. I didn't want to step into it yesterday, but God was not going to allow that to happen. I am glad that God's faithfulness is much greater than my obedience!
For about 45 minutes the man and I had an incredible conversation about faith, family, and life. He walked away from God after 9/11. He has had a major problem with God since then. But he knows that there is something or someone missing from his life and from the life of his family. He wants a change. He needs someone he can put his entire life, family, and trust. He needs Jesus and deep down inside he knows it.
This man took a risk to come see me yesterday. I wasn't open like I should have been, but God intervened and a man and his family's life trajectory is now changed. Everything changed on Easter morning and this man who felt unlovable and untouchable has received both.
Thank you God for not giving up on me and even more so on him.
I often challenge the people of Charter Oak Church to say yes ,when by the power of the Holy Spirit, God prompts us to step into a moment he has prepared for us. I didn't want to step into it yesterday, but God was not going to allow that to happen. I am glad that God's faithfulness is much greater than my obedience!
For about 45 minutes the man and I had an incredible conversation about faith, family, and life. He walked away from God after 9/11. He has had a major problem with God since then. But he knows that there is something or someone missing from his life and from the life of his family. He wants a change. He needs someone he can put his entire life, family, and trust. He needs Jesus and deep down inside he knows it.
This man took a risk to come see me yesterday. I wasn't open like I should have been, but God intervened and a man and his family's life trajectory is now changed. Everything changed on Easter morning and this man who felt unlovable and untouchable has received both.
Thank you God for not giving up on me and even more so on him.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
After the Resurrection
What happened after the resurrection in the disciples' lives? What was going through their minds? What did they do the day after, the week after? I've been studying the aftermath of the resurrection of Jesus because that is where we are now. We call Easter weekend the Super Bowl of the church - more people and more excitement than any other time of the year. The weekend after Easter is often called the Great Letdown because those same people who had such great excitement a week before aren't back.
As I read the four Gospels, I don't think we are so different from the disciples - we should be because time gives us perspective, but we aren't. Check out what each describes as happening after the resurrection:
Matthew
Matthew 28:8-20 has Jesus appearing and wanting to meet the disciples in Galilee. The religious leaders want to play down the "disappearance" of Jesus so they bribe the guards. Then we get the Great Commission.
Mark
Mark 16:9-20 gives us a bit more information. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, then appears to two of them, then he appears to them all because they lack faith in his resurrection. We get another Great Commission and a promise of signs and wonders. Finally, Jesus ascends to heaven and the disciples go to work spreading the Gospel.
Luke
Luke 24:13-53 begins with the walk to Emmaus as Jesus joins two of his followers, but they are going away from Jerusalem, not in the direction that he asked his disciples to go. Then Jesus appears to the disciples, but they are not heading to Galilee as instructed. He appears to them again and opens their minds to everything he needed them to understand. Finally, Jesus leads them to where he is going to ascend to heaven. After he goes the disciples stick around for a while and worship.
John
John 20:19-21:25 has Jesus appearing to the disciples behind locked doors, telling them to receive the Holy Spirit and to forgive one another. Then Jesus appears two more times and then to Thomas who is doubting everything going on post resurrection, but believes after seeing Jesus. Then we get the story of the disciples fishing and Peter jumping into the water when he recognizes Jesus. It is here that Jesus and Peter have a one on one session where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times to represent the three denials of Peter before the crucifixion.
All of these accounts are fascinating to me. I ask myself - what do we learn from this? The life, death and resurrection of Jesus really happened, but we don't stay where we are. We are called to obediently continue the work that was started in Jesus and has now been passed on to us - that the world may know the Good News of Jesus.
What does that mean for you and me? What's our next move after the resurrection? Do we allow the resurrection to transform us? Or do we go back to our everyday, ordinary lives as if nothing happened? Our response to the resurrection today shows where our hearts are with God. It means everything, because everything changed on Easter.
As I read the four Gospels, I don't think we are so different from the disciples - we should be because time gives us perspective, but we aren't. Check out what each describes as happening after the resurrection:
Matthew
Matthew 28:8-20 has Jesus appearing and wanting to meet the disciples in Galilee. The religious leaders want to play down the "disappearance" of Jesus so they bribe the guards. Then we get the Great Commission.
Mark
Mark 16:9-20 gives us a bit more information. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene, then appears to two of them, then he appears to them all because they lack faith in his resurrection. We get another Great Commission and a promise of signs and wonders. Finally, Jesus ascends to heaven and the disciples go to work spreading the Gospel.
Luke
Luke 24:13-53 begins with the walk to Emmaus as Jesus joins two of his followers, but they are going away from Jerusalem, not in the direction that he asked his disciples to go. Then Jesus appears to the disciples, but they are not heading to Galilee as instructed. He appears to them again and opens their minds to everything he needed them to understand. Finally, Jesus leads them to where he is going to ascend to heaven. After he goes the disciples stick around for a while and worship.
John
John 20:19-21:25 has Jesus appearing to the disciples behind locked doors, telling them to receive the Holy Spirit and to forgive one another. Then Jesus appears two more times and then to Thomas who is doubting everything going on post resurrection, but believes after seeing Jesus. Then we get the story of the disciples fishing and Peter jumping into the water when he recognizes Jesus. It is here that Jesus and Peter have a one on one session where Jesus asks Peter if he loves him three times to represent the three denials of Peter before the crucifixion.
All of these accounts are fascinating to me. I ask myself - what do we learn from this? The life, death and resurrection of Jesus really happened, but we don't stay where we are. We are called to obediently continue the work that was started in Jesus and has now been passed on to us - that the world may know the Good News of Jesus.
What does that mean for you and me? What's our next move after the resurrection? Do we allow the resurrection to transform us? Or do we go back to our everyday, ordinary lives as if nothing happened? Our response to the resurrection today shows where our hearts are with God. It means everything, because everything changed on Easter.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Easter Weekend
What a great weekend of worship we had at Charter Oak Church this Easter. We celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. We celebrated that on that first Easter morning when the tomb was empty - everything changed! My challenge to the people of Charter Oak Church was/is - have just a few things changed in your life or has everything changed? Are you transformed?
Even our time leading up to Easter weekend was special. On Thursday night Pastor Dave led the Maundy Thursday worship by talking about the impact of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. Then in groups of 12 we sat around a table to share in Holy Communion. Last year we had 120 people, this year we had 178! That's a 48% increase. On Friday night we celebrated the Tenebrae service. 160 people heard the scripture readings of the betrayal, abandonment, and death of Jesus. Then over Easter weekend 1,245 people worshipped together as we magnified the risen Savior - a 10% increase over last year. What an awesome opportunity for us to join our hearts together and press play on the soundtrack of God in this world!
Even our time leading up to Easter weekend was special. On Thursday night Pastor Dave led the Maundy Thursday worship by talking about the impact of Jesus washing the disciples' feet. Then in groups of 12 we sat around a table to share in Holy Communion. Last year we had 120 people, this year we had 178! That's a 48% increase. On Friday night we celebrated the Tenebrae service. 160 people heard the scripture readings of the betrayal, abandonment, and death of Jesus. Then over Easter weekend 1,245 people worshipped together as we magnified the risen Savior - a 10% increase over last year. What an awesome opportunity for us to join our hearts together and press play on the soundtrack of God in this world!
Friday, March 21, 2008
Who Are You Inviting
There is no better time to invite someone to church than Easter. You have a circle of friends that matter to you and more importantly, matter to God. These are people you do life with. Why not invite them into a journey that will transform their life forever?
It's a simple ask. A phone call. An email. A text message. It may be the most important thing you do this entire year. Go ahead, take the risk, invite someone to worship with you at Charter Oak Church this Easter.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Book # 7 - Sex God
I just finished reading Rob Bell's book Sex God: Exploring the Endless Connections between Sexuality and Spirituality. Everything I read or watch (Nooma videos) by Rob Bell challenges me to think differently and to know why I believe what I believe. I always learn something new about the Bible and what was really happening behind the words - because there is almost always something else going on behind the words. And I always learn something about myself - why I believe something or why I don't.
This book is about sex, but it is about so much more than just sex. I would put this book in the hands of every couple getting married and those who have been married, and for that matter - the hands of single people too.
The end of the book really nailed it. Marriage, God, bride of Christ, death, resurrection, wow - good, good stuff. Read it.
What I'm Praying for this Easter
As I have been preparing for this weekend, I have been praying some very specific prayers that I would love for you to join me in praying.
- I'm praying for those in this region who do not go to church for whatever reason. Some of them have stepped away because of a bad experience in a former church. Some just fell away because of the speed of life. Some are new to the area. And some have never even heard the name Jesus. I am asking that God will soften their hearts, minds, and even their souls to his tender voice to seek him this Easter. I am praying that when people from Charter Oak Church invite these people they will say yes.
- I'm praying for those who call Charter Oak Church home. We have many people who consider this church the place they connect with God, but they don't show up on a weekly basis. There are also those who are here every week or some where between the two. I am praying that this Easter will be a brand new experience for them. I am praying that they will have new eyes and ears. I am praying that they will be open to what God wants to do in them and through them this weekend and beyond. I am praying they will have courage to invite those in their circle of influence that do not go to church to worship here this weekend.
- I'm also praying for myself. That may sound selfish to many, but I need God, probably more than any other weekend, I need God to be the point. I am praying that it will be God that speaks and not me. I am praying that I will have God's energy, passion, excitement, wisdom, words, and love. Mine are not enough. Without God I will fail. There is too much hanging in the balance - people's eternity, for me to try to do this on my own. So I am praying for myself to bring all that God has for the people of Charter Oak Church this weekend.
I hope that you will join me in these prayers. Your authentic words to God on behalf of the people of this region, the people of Charter Oak Church, and me, will make an eternal difference.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Easter at Charter Oak Church
This weekend I am starting a new series called "Transformed." This past weekend Bill Gates put together a video teaser for the series using movie clips from Transformers. He did an awesome job setting up the series. The tag line for the movie and the cartoon it is based upon is "more than meets the eye." What would happen if we as followers of Jesus went deeper than just what people see? What would happen if we lived into the Easter miracle of a transformed life - not just parts of us. I'm talking about a complete overhaul - we were once living our own way and now we are living the way of Jesus.
This Easter is a great time for you to invite the people in your circle of influence to check out God and see what God is doing in this place. Most people are open to an invitation by a friend on Easter. I am asking you to prayerfully consider who you will invite and then give them a call, go see them, stop by their office at work, send then an email or a text message. Whatever it takes because the people in your circle of influence matter to you, but even more, they matter to God.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Eyes Wide Shut
On Saturday Charter Oak Church did what it has been doing for years once a month - open our doors as a distribution center for the Westmoreland County Food Bank. We now serve over 110 people each month. On the same day we were opening our doors, our local newspaper ran an article about the hungry in Westmoreland County. Right now about 15,000 people are served through the Food Bank. However, they estimate that an additional 40,000 are eligible to receive services.
That number completely blew my mind. It haunted me through the weekend - 55,000 people in Westmoreland County potentially need help putting food on their table. That really bothers me. I don't know if it bothers me because I don't have a solution to fix it, because I don't want to become an enabler of unemployment. I don't know if it bothers me because I don't have a solution to fix it, because it would mean that the church (all churches) would have to come together in unity to meet the need. I don't know if it bothers me because I don't have a solution to fix it, because I want to get to the root of the cause and I don't think I'm going to like what I find if I can get there. So I think I am like most people and I shut myself away from the truth.
More and more God is pressing on me that "where much is given, much is required." I cannot begin to list all the ways that we have been given much at Charter Oak Church. But at the same time we are not expected to be the only church in the arena. What I am wrestling with is how we can be leaders in the arena that will cast a vision that other churches will join us in the arena and we will see God at work at His best through His bride - the church.
Join me in praying that God will reveal to us where He is already at work in this region alleviating poverty so that we may join Him in that work and help lead others to that place as well.
That number completely blew my mind. It haunted me through the weekend - 55,000 people in Westmoreland County potentially need help putting food on their table. That really bothers me. I don't know if it bothers me because I don't have a solution to fix it, because I don't want to become an enabler of unemployment. I don't know if it bothers me because I don't have a solution to fix it, because it would mean that the church (all churches) would have to come together in unity to meet the need. I don't know if it bothers me because I don't have a solution to fix it, because I want to get to the root of the cause and I don't think I'm going to like what I find if I can get there. So I think I am like most people and I shut myself away from the truth.
More and more God is pressing on me that "where much is given, much is required." I cannot begin to list all the ways that we have been given much at Charter Oak Church. But at the same time we are not expected to be the only church in the arena. What I am wrestling with is how we can be leaders in the arena that will cast a vision that other churches will join us in the arena and we will see God at work at His best through His bride - the church.
Join me in praying that God will reveal to us where He is already at work in this region alleviating poverty so that we may join Him in that work and help lead others to that place as well.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Book #6 - 7 Practices of Effective Ministry
While on study leave I re-read Reggie Joiner and Lane Jones' great book 7 Practices of Effective Ministry. I didn't include Andy Stanley as an author because he only has the introduction in the book, the rest is written by Reggie and Lane. I am sure that it was Andy who authored the whole idea of the 7 practices, but the book itself was written by Reggie and Lane.
I have read this book just about every year since it first came out. This time I read the book with our Senior Management Team and Church Council. I can't tell you how good it is to read the same book as the key leaders in your church. We all have a common vocabulary now. We all are starting on the same page. I would highly recommend to other pastors and leaders to read books together with your teams. I know our Senior Management Team and Church Council will be talking about this book for a very long time.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Obsession
What can I do with my obsession
With the things I cannot see
Is there madness in my being
Is it the wind that moves the trees?
Sometimes You're further than the moon
Sometimes You're closer than my skin
And You surround me like a winter fog
You've come and burned me with a kiss
And my heart burns for You
And my heart burns...for You
And I'm so filthy with my sin
I carry pride like a disease
You know I'm stubborn, Lord, and I'm longing to be close
You burn me deeper than I know
And I feel lonely without hope
And I feel desperate without vision
You wrap around me like a winter coat
You come and free me like a bird
My love burns for You
And my heart feels for You
(David Crowder)
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Study Leave
From time to time Jesus would slip away for some one-on-one time with His heavenly Father. It gave Him a chance to be reminded about God's plan for His life and it re-energized Him for doing day to day ministry. I am going to follow in the footsteps of Jesus this week. I am going to the mountains for a week of one-on-one time with God.
With the speed that we do life, what would happen if we all ordered our lives after the example of Jesus? What if we really took a day of rest? It was designed with you and me in mind - to help us to re-connect with God on a weekly basis. What if we slipped away from time to time to spend long time chunks with God? Many will say, that would be impossible with my schedule. Well, if you looked at my schedule right now, you would realize that I could say the same thing. As a matter of fact, I had someone ask me how I could go away now with everything that is going on at Charter Oak Church. I simply responded that if I didn't go away, we wouldn't be able to do everything we are supposed to do going forward. We make time for what's important.
How can you schedule time to be alone with God?
Friday, March 7, 2008
Strategic Planning Process
Tomorrow morning our Church Council and Senior Management Team will join together to begin the process of creating a strategic plan for the future God has designed for Charter Oak Church. I know God must be planning some very big things because I haven't had a more difficult week in ministry in a very long time. I am asking all of you who read this to be in prayer for our time tomorrow and the entire process. We want to be right in the middle of God's will. I know there is a deceiver who does not want us to be there. Please pray for me through this, I need it right now.
The scripture I have just kept in my mind is from Ephesians 4, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Please stand in the gap for me, our Church Council, and our Senior Management Team.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Communicating Information
On Tuesday our Senior Management Team spent a couple of hours talking about communicating information to the people of Charter Oak Church. We listed all of the ways we currently communicate with people:
- Worship Folder
- Circuit Rider (newsletter)
- Platform/Stage
- Announcement Slides
- Web Sites
- Seed Planters (children's ministry newsletter)
- Blogs
- Team Meetings
- Phone Calls
- Letters
- Brochures/Pamphlets
- Information Center
- Well-Informed Leaders
We have a variety of ways to communicate information around Charter Oak Church, and yet, often times we hear that people don't know what is going on. I scratch my head and wonder why. I was taught that you have to say something six different times in six different ways for someone to really receive the information.
I am beginning to wonder if we don't have too many lines of communication. What if we really began to narrow our focus of what we are trying to communicate and how we communicate it? If people were not inundated with information and instead given the opportunity to have just a few places to go to get that information and then only the information that is important to them.
I have two places I go to get news - the newspaper and the Internet. And then I narrow it from there. I read the newspaper from cover to cover, but I don't read everything, just that which is important to me. I would not be happy if the newspaper didn't cover all of the news that it does, but I get to choose what I read. The same goes for the Internet. I have a news site I read a couple of time a day and I go to espn.com a few times a day. I don't read everything that is there, I just read what I want.
We need to learn from those who are distributing information as their primary purpose in life. If we can learn from them, I believe we will be able to communicate information in a way that will help the people of Charter Oak Church know what's important to them.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Worship and Sunday School Stats
Here are the statistics for February 2008...
Feb 2/3 (Chris preached - 30 Days to Live Series)
690 in worship (4.4% increase from 2007)
286 in Sunday school (1.1% increase from 2007)
Feb 9/10 (Dave preached - Desperate Households Series)
696 in worship (14.7% increase from 2007)
267 in Sunday school (4.3% decrease from 2007)
Feb 16/17 (Dave preached - Desperate Households Series)
683 in worship (21.1% increase from 2007)
298 in Sunday school (16.9% increase from 2007)
Feb 23/24 (Dave preached - Desperate Households Series)
750 in worship (18.9% increase from 2007)
250 in Sunday school (45.3% increase from 2007)
Feb 2/3 (Chris preached - 30 Days to Live Series)
690 in worship (4.4% increase from 2007)
286 in Sunday school (1.1% increase from 2007)
Feb 9/10 (Dave preached - Desperate Households Series)
696 in worship (14.7% increase from 2007)
267 in Sunday school (4.3% decrease from 2007)
Feb 16/17 (Dave preached - Desperate Households Series)
683 in worship (21.1% increase from 2007)
298 in Sunday school (16.9% increase from 2007)
Feb 23/24 (Dave preached - Desperate Households Series)
750 in worship (18.9% increase from 2007)
250 in Sunday school (45.3% increase from 2007)
Book #5 - Going All the Way
As I was traveling to Jamaica I finished reading Craig Groeschel's book Going All the Way: Preparing for a Marriage that Goes the Distance. This is my new source for my pre-marital meetings that I conduct with couples. I require six meetings with couples before I will preform their wedding. I share with them that while they are preparing for one day (their wedding day) by spending a ton of money, energy, and emotions, my job is to prepare them for the rest of their lives together.
I would love to get this book into every college age or even high school aged person's hands. The stuff that Craig shares is critical to a life long marriage and it begins long before a couple says their I do's and I will's.
I also appreciated Craig's honesty about his marriage now. It was good to be reminded about my role as a husband and some of the things that are expected of me that so easily fall through the cracks of life when I am so busy. This is a great book to be given away by pastors and pastors of students to those who are single.
More than Enough
This is a picture of our group at the dedication of one of the houses we built last week. Caleb and I walked into the house and I said, "This is it. This is the house of a family of six. This is it - 12 feet by 16 feet. This is it, a little bit bigger than your bedroom at home. It helps us to put into perspective what we have and what we need." Later I asked Caleb what touched him the most about the trip. He said the house dedication.This week I have been spending a ton of time and energy getting ready for the launch of our next capital campaign. This weekend we are going to introduce the leadership team to the congregation. I know people will be asking a lot of tough questions about money. They will turn on the television and listen to the media talk about a recession. They will look at their expenses and their debt. The evil one will seek to confuse and will try to deceive.
I am here to tell you this will be a watershed season for the people of Charter Oak Church. Without a doubt this capital campaign will be unlocking the future for us in so many ways. I believe people are going to trust God, many for the first time, with everything that they have. I believe people will give sacrificially because they are putting their faith in the providence of God and not in their possessions. I believe this campaign will grow our faith more than anything else we have ever done. Without God, we will fail. I believe with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
We're Back
We are back from our mission trip to Jamaica. For the last week our family has been serving in Harmons, Jamaica. We helped to build two houses and two foundations for the next team to build upon. We built great relationships with some people who need to know the love and grace of Jesus.
It seems strange to me to say that our family went on a mission trip. It says that our every day living here in this region isn't missional when the reality is, we are always on mission - in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Why does it seem so much more important to say I have been on a mission trip? Yes, I was in my Samaria, but that isn't the only place Jesus calls his disciples to be on mission. We are to be on mission here in the region around Charter Oak Church.
If you are reading this and you are a part of the Charter Oak Church family then you are on mission right where God has you. If you are a student, it is in school. If you work outside the home, it is at your job. If you work inside your home, it is your home. For all of us, it is our family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Remember, your life is very short, a breath, a mist, then it's gone. Do what God wants you to do and say what God wants you to say. You are on mission wherever you are.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Missional Work
I am leaving on another mission trip to Jamaica this weekend. This time I have an incredible twist to my trip. I am going with Kelli, Caleb, and Abby. I get to slip on the hands and feet of Jesus with my wife and kids. Wow! This will be Kelli's first trip since the first time she went down to Jamaica when we first met. Caleb and Abby have been saying good bye to me many many times over the years as I left to go to Jamaica. Now they get to go too. I love it!!
If you look at the map on the left, look for the town - May Pen. We will be about 30 minutes away in the middle of the mountains. Please pray for us.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Book #4 - Confessions of a Pastor
Last night before watching Lost, I finished reading my first book by Craig Groeschel, Confessions of a Pastor: Adventures in Dropping the Pose and Getting Real with God. This was an important book for me. I was initially interested in reading this book because of the title and all of the junk that all pastors deal with that just comes along with our jobs. Every pastor deals with it differently, but I find myself wired up very similarly to Craig. He is way ahead of me in every area - especially leadership, but I do think we have many things in common. After reading this book I would say I know we have a lot in common. This should be required reading for all pastors.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Worship and Sunday School Stats
Here are the statistics for worship and Sunday school in January:
January 5/6 (I preached)
641 in worship (.8% decrease from 2007)
257 in Sunday school (7.5% decrease from 2007)
January 12/13 (I preached)
744 in worship (.7% increase from 2007)
279 in Sunday school (11.8% decrease from 2007)
January 19/20 (I preached)
687 in worship (.6% decrease from 2007)
260 in Sunday school (13.1% decrease from 2007)
January 26/27 (I preached)
685 in worship (39.6% decrease - Children's musical in 2007)
283 in Sunday school (17.4% increase from 2007)
January 5/6 (I preached)
641 in worship (.8% decrease from 2007)
257 in Sunday school (7.5% decrease from 2007)
January 12/13 (I preached)
744 in worship (.7% increase from 2007)
279 in Sunday school (11.8% decrease from 2007)
January 19/20 (I preached)
687 in worship (.6% decrease from 2007)
260 in Sunday school (13.1% decrease from 2007)
January 26/27 (I preached)
685 in worship (39.6% decrease - Children's musical in 2007)
283 in Sunday school (17.4% increase from 2007)
Friday, February 1, 2008
Responding to God
I was just doing a little reading and I came across this question that in essence asked, "How do you live out your relationship with Jesus?" There were three options - worship - obey - witness. It was really looking for a singular answer. I know we all live out of each of these at one time or another through the day or week. But if you had to answer that question, what would you say is your primary way of living out your relationship with Jesus: worship, obey, witness?
The 2 Hour Delay
All of the local schools around Charter Oak Church are on a 2 hour delay. Typically, I take that as good news because I go into the office at my regualr time, but I know things are going to be quiet for a little longer. Not today. I'm taking a 2 hour delay also. I have been working such long hours this week that I am just going to read and drink coffee until my wife and kids wake up, then I'm going to have some fun with them. Today I am rejoicing over a 2 hour delay. I'm taking it as a gift from God. Enjoy moments like these.
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