Deep and Wide

I seem to be having a reoccurring conversation lately. I have been talking with staff members, church council and people who call Charter Oak Church home about our focus. Is our focus to equip people to go deeper in their faith or is our focus to reach out to the people in this region who don’t have a church home? People ask me which one I think is most important. Many tell me which one they think is the most important for us to zero in on.

First of all I want to pull out the middle word – “and/or.” For some this is a one or the other question. Either we will focus on going deeper in our faith or we will reach out to the un-churched. For me and many I have talked with, it is not an either/or, but both/and. We will go deeper in our commitment to be obedient to God’s Word and we will reach out to those who don’t have a church home. I believe it has to be both. But it is dangerous when a congregation makes the commitment to go deep and wide.

It’s dangerous because it becomes abundantly clear that there are no perfect people at Charter Oak Church. The people who make the commitment to go deeper, which really has more to do with transformation than information, realize submission to the will of God has to happen in every area of their lives. The deeper a follower of Jesus goes in their faith the more they realize it isn’t about them. Worship isn’t for us, it is for God and God alone – we worship for an audience of One. Bible study isn’t about how much someone knows. It’s about surrendering ourselves to our Master. The deeper our roots go into our relationship with our heavenly Father, the more we will realize our mandate is to reach out to others.

So I am thankful that there are people here who don’t have it all together. I am thankful that there are people here with broken marriages and relationships because this is a place where they can experience the love and grace of God. I am thankful there are people here who have gone off the cliff in an area of their life because they didn’t have guardrails because we have “go to people” that can extend compassion and mercy in a healthy biblical way.

We don’t go deeper for ourselves. We go deeper so we can go wider. As your heart for God grows larger, you can’t keep it from growing larger for others. So let me ask you, is your heart growing larger for people outside of our church? If so, then your heart is growing larger for God. I believe God calls you and me to be both deep and wide. So what’s the next right thing for you to do? Be in worship every week? Study your Bible and pray every day? Invite a friend in your Circle of Influence to worship? Something else? What is God saying to you?

Quote #3 - Problems

"Every problem you have right now is a perfect one. If it wasn’t perfect you would have solved it by now." - Seth Godin

Quote #2 - Mistakes

"We don’t need you to be good at what we were doing yesterday we need you to be good at making mistakes on what you want to do tomorrow." - Seth Godin

Quote #1 - An Idea

"An idea planted in the right spot is like a pair of glasses that can change the way you look at things. What are you going to do when you notice the world is changing? Great ideas don’t require assets, they require insight. They have nothing to do with technology but has everything to do with intention." - Seth Godin

Inspiration

The cover of my wife's Organic Gardening magazine says - "Inspiration." I was caught by surprise by this word choice. Can gardening truly be inspirational in the way that I typically think about it? I have come to the realization that some people truly experience the fullness of God in nature.

This summer while we were on vacation we toured Laurel Caverns. My wife said she felt extremely close to God as we walked beneath the earth. Then we went swimming at Ohiopyle. I have to admit, I too could sense the power and beauty of God.
I have come to realize that I am not inspired by gardening, but I am inspired by the hand of God at work. So when I limit my experience of God to only a more traditional setting then I miss out on the fullness of who God is. I want all of God. I know that no one has seen God and lived and yet I think I am willing to risk it. I want more and more and more of God in my life. I want to drink in the living water. I want to eat of the bread of life. I want to be inspired by the power of the Holy Spirit.

10 Personal Growth Questions

Love this from Perry Noble

#1 – Am I reading my Bible for information or transformation? (James 1:22-25)

#2 – Am I allowing people or circumstances to steal the joy that Jesus promised to me? (John 10:10)

#3 – Is there anything in my life that God is consistently dealing with that I am trying to ignore? (Ezekiel 14:1-5)

#4 – Who are the people in my life that God has placed around me for the purpose of me sharing Christ with them and/or inviting them to church? (II Corinthians 5:16-21)

#5 – Is there anyone I need to apologize to? (Ephesians 4:25:27)

#6 – Is there anyone I need to forgive? (Ephesians 4:32)

#7 – Is there a sin I need to confess to others and ask for help? (James 5:16)

#8 – Am I fully utilizing the gifts and abilities that God has blessed me with…or am I simply choosing to waste my life? (I Peter 4:10)

#9 – Do I know more lines from the movies that I love than verse from the Bible that I read? (Psalm 119:11)

#10 – Is there anything going on in my life privately that, if it became public, would cause me and/or the body of Christ to be embarrassed? (I John 1:9, James 5:16)

10 Things We Need To Focus On!

Read this from Perry Noble's blog yesterday...

From all of the research I’ve seen…Monday’s are the days when we are most tempted to quit, to give up…to just walk away and start a brand new job as a people greeter at Wal Mart.
Just remember…
#1 – He called you…and it wasn’t to get to this place so He can drop you on your face! (Philippians 1:6)

#2 – He WILL build HIS church! (Matthew 16:18)

#3 – He did not necessarily promise to deliver you from the fire…but He did promise to walk with you through it! (Isaiah 43:1-3)

#4 – There is MORE in STORE for your life and ministry! (Hosea 10:12)

#5 – When we obey the voice of God we are unstoppable (Joel 2:11)

#6 – Have courage, be strong, don’t back down from what He has called you to do! (I Corinthians 16:13)

#7 – God didn’t call you because of your greatness but rather because of HIS…and HE’S STILL GREAT despite at times you may feel like you are not! (II Corinthians 4:1)

#8 – “This” problem will NOT destroy you! (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

#9 – STOP comparing yourself to others…the same God who called and empowered them did the same for you! (Galatians 2:8)

#10 – STOP praying for protection…PRAY FOR BOLDNESS!!! (Acts 4:29-31)

Contributing

I read this from Seth Godin this morning...

If you want to get things moving at a meeting or in an online forum, start discussing what to order for lunch. Even the most reticent attendee has something to contribute.

Same thing when you start discussing the logo for your new venture, or what to call the subcommittee on committees... Have you noticed how many people are willing to weigh in on redecorating your office?

It's so easy to speak up on the things that are trivial, defensible, matters of taste. So easy to imagine that you're a valuable contributor because you're willing to share your personal taste on a matter that's beyond reproach.

If I want your opinion, I'm going to want it for something where you might be wrong, for something that actually makes a difference and most of all, for something where you are putting yourself at risk. Not lunch.

I am in a lot of meetings every week. It is easy to stay on the surface and talk about things that are trivial. As long as we stay at that level, no one is stretched, everyone is comfortable, but honestly we don't get very much done. It takes great risk to go deeper. People have to be willing to be vulnerable to be stretched and uncomfortable. It is when we get to this place that we are most open to each other, but more importantly we are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

The most productive meetings that I am in each week are the ones that drill down to places that God has to show up and we have to set ourselves aside. My heart beats fast in those meetings. I love it when everyone around the table sets aside their own agendas and personal attachments and seeks the Kingdom of God. When everyone at that table opens themselves to the possibility of what God wants to do, then we will see lives changed for eternity. It begins with moving beyond the surface to risking opening ourselves up to each other and God. It's scary, but even more so, it is glorious!

Looking for Pockets and Creating Pockets

Jim Collins writes, "If we look hard enough we can find pockets of greatness in nearly every difficult environment. Every institution has its unique set of difficult constraints, yet some make the leap to greatness while others facing the same environmental challenges do not. This is perhaps the single most important point in all of Good to Great. Greatness is not a function of circumstances. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline."

I want to look for these pockets of greatness and I want to create these pockets of greatness.

I want everyone in our congregation to have a great relationship with our heavenly Father. That relationship really isn't a function of your circumstances. I want you to have that great relationship no matter what is going on in your life - good or bad. That's why we are taking most of the summer to talk about spiritual disciplines. It takes a conscious choice to practice these disciplines, but when you do, it leads to a great relationship with God.

One of the most important steps people need to make is moving from intentions to actions. I have never met a Christian who didn't intend to live out their faith, but because of circumstances of life - busyness, work, kids, life in general - it just didn't actually get lived out. The people I know who have a vibrant, spirit-filled relationship with God through Jesus make the conscious choice to live it out, not just have great intentions.

I have to ask myself everyday, what am I going to do TODAY to live out my faith? When I follow through, I create a pocket for a great relationship with my heavenly Father.

Validation

I just read this from Seth Godin...

If you're waiting for a boss or an editor or a college to tell you that you do good work, you're handing over too much power to someone who doesn't care nearly as much as you do.

We spend a lot of time organizing and then waiting for the system to pick us, approve of us and give us permission to do our work.

There's a difference between achieving your goals and realizing your work matters.

If you have a book to write, write it. If you want to record an album, record it. No need to wait for someone in a cubicle halfway across the country to decide if you're worthy.

Our validation doesn't come from others, it comes from our relationship with our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. Everyone of us has been called and gifted by Him "to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip God's people for works of service." (Eph 4:11-12)

Don't wait for someone else to validate your call or your gifting. It's already been done. You have the power of the Holy Spirit within you. You have the power and authority to do what it is that God has called you to do, so don't wait, listen to God and obey.

I believe in you, but more importantly, God does.

Closing VBS Program

Great Quote

The most dangerous man in the world is the contemplative who is guided by nobody. He trusts his own visions. He obeys the attractions of an interior voice but will not listen to other men. He identifies the will of God with anything that makes him feel, within his own heart, a big, warm, sweet interior glow. The sweeter and the warmer the feeling is the more he is convinced of his own infallibility.
- Thomas Merton

Kicking Off VBS 2010

New Life

Last weekend we celebrated! We shouted out in joy! We lowered people down into the waters of baptism. They died. They rose again into a new life in Jesus.

Incredible!

This is what we do as followers of Jesus - build relationships with people with the hope and faith that they will one day build a relationship with God through giving their lives to Jesus.

Great Quote

Don't feel sorry for yourself for the sacrifices you are making. Sacrifices are privileges. You don't have to. You get to. And if you forget that, a sense of entitlement will rob you of the title to your calling.

- Chuck Swindoll at Innovate Church Conference

12 Indicators

I read this from Dave Ferguson...12 Indicators that Leadership Is Lacking

1. I wait for someone to tell me what to do rather than taking the initiative myself.
2. I spend too much time talking about how things should be different.
3. I blame the context, surroundings, or other people for my current situation.
4. I am more concerned about being cool or accepted than doing the right thing.
5. I seek consensus rather than casting vision for a preferable future.
6. I am not taking any significant risks.
7. I accept the status quo as the way it's always been and always will be.
8. I start protecting my reputation instead of opening myself up to opposition.
9. I procrastinate to avoid making a tough call.
10. I talk to others about the problem rather than taking it to the person responsible.
11. I don't feel my butt is on the line for anything significant.
12. I ask for way too many opinions before taking action.

Productive Work

I was reading 1 Thessalonians 1 this morning and I spent some time on verse 3 - "We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ." I love that!

I think of all the ways in which I want to work productively everyday. As I read Paul's words I am reminded of what should lead us...
Work produced by faith
Labor prompted by love
Endurance inspired by hope

What would happen if all of us approached our work with this attitude?

The result would be the same as it was for the Thessalonians - "your faith in God has become known everywhere."

Love Is

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
Love never dies.

Family

My family is extremely important to me. My relationship with Kelli is second only to my relationship with my heavenly Father. Every day I give God thanks for Kelli, Caleb, and Abby. Because of my strong commitment to my family, I dedicate my time and my attention to them like no one else. However, in the midst of that, I am one of the pastors at Charter Oak Church. And thanks to you I was reminded that I am also connected to a much larger family called our church.

As most of you probably know my grandfather passed away the week before Easter. I flew down to South Carolina in the middle of Holy Week (the busiest week of my year). I have to tell you that I felt incredibly encouraged and lifted up by your words, your cards, and your hugs. I felt like you lifted me up on to your spiritual shoulders and you carried me through by the power of the Holy Spirit. I intellectually know that as followers of Jesus we are all brothers and sisters – we are family. But to be honest with you, it was so good to be able to live into it. Thank you.

Thank you for being my spiritual family. But more importantly thank you for being our church’s spiritual family. Every week I see how people love each other by being a brother or sister in Christ to them. I always say I am one of the pastors at Charter Oak Church; it’s even the title of my blog (http://chriswhitehead.blogspot.com/). I say I am one of the pastors because I believe God’s design is that we are all pastors. If one of my kids gets hurt, Kelli doesn’t say, “you are the pastor, you take care of this.” If someone in our congregation is sick, if there is a death, if there is celebration of 65 years of marriage all of us are there, all of us pray, all of us mourn, all of us rejoice. Why? Because we are family, we are all a part of the family of God.

When I flew to South Carolina I saw family I had not seen in a long time. We all said we shouldn’t let that happen. As I lived in that moment I thought of our church family. As spring blossoms and the weather turns nice, it is very easy to “skip” worship. When summer hits full stride, it’s even easier. Hebrews 10:25 says, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” I want you to know that I love you. I want to love God with you. I want to love each other with you. I want to love the world with you. You are my family. Let’s be the family of God called Charter Oak Church together.

Getting Things Done

I receive an email every so often from David Allen over at Getting Things Done (GTD). Yesterday I received one of those emails. Here's a section of it...

"Let's get something really clear: success doesn't come from getting organized—it comes from following your heart. Or your intuition. Or the seat of your pants. Or your gut. (Pick the words you like or that you're not allergic to.)"

Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding."

I love being organized. I get more done when I am organized that I do when there is a mess on my desk and nothing scheduled on my calendar. It's why I get the emails from David Allen.

He is correct when he writes that success doesn't come from getting organized. But according to Proverbs it doesn't come from following your heart, it comes from trusting God with your heart.

Proverbs 5:6 goes on to say, "in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

Me being organized doesn't set me on the right path, trusting God and acknowledging Him does. I love being organized and GTD helps me a great deal, but I have to remember it's a tool that helps me to get on God's agenda.

Book #11 - Primal

Jesus said to love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. In Primal: A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity, Mark Batterson takes this commandment and breaks it down into the heart, soul, mind, and strength of Christianity. Batterson has to be one of the most brilliant leaders in the church today. He was able to take this very foundation teaching of Jesus and explain the depth of what Jesus was really saying.

I love Batterson's humility and sharing of personal stories that brings the reader into the context of the narrative. You can't help but get sucked into this book. I didn't want to put it down as I read it. Many times throughout the book, my pulse quickened at the truth that was revealed. Good, good stuff!

Book #10 - Breaking the Missional Code

I first heard Ed Stetzer speak at the Innovate conference held annually at Thomas Road Baptist Church last year. It is being held this year on May 18-19. While I was there I purchased his book Breaking the Missional Code: Your Church Can Become a Missionary in Your Community.

A change needs to occur in the church today. We have moved away from the original design and responsibility of the local church as set forth in the New Testament. But as Stetzer puts it, "it has been our experience that many are simply not ready or wiling to pay the price, at least not to the extent that it needs to be paid" to be a missional presence in our communities. We must be willing to commit to being the incarnational Body of Christ in today's world.

If that makes your heart beat fast and if you want to learn what that looks like in other places and how it can happen in your community, then I recommend you reading this book.

Book #9 - Swtich

This is the most practical book I have read this year, maybe in the last couple of years. For some reason Chip and Dan Heath sent me their latest book Switch: How to Change Things when Change Is Hard a few months before it was released to the public. I am so glad that they did. I loved their first book - Made to Stick, but this one was even better.

Change is always happening. Sometimes the change is good and healthy and other times it isn't. Whatever kind of change that is happening, it is almost always difficult. Here are three big takeaways for me:

1. What looks like a people problem is often a situation problem.
2. What looks like laziness is often exhaustion.
3. What looks like resistance is often a lack of clarity.

This book practically equips you to realize these three truths and what to do about it. I highly, highly, highly recommend this book.

Book #8 - Sticky Church

Too many churches have a small front door and a revolving back door. Larry Osborne's book Sticky Church describes how his church North Coast Church in northern San Diego County addresses this issue head on.

I learned so much from this book that I have passed it on to many on our staff and leaders in our congregation. Our small group leadership team has studied it together to learn best practices. Larry has been the pastor of North Coast Church for over 20 years and he has learned a great deal over the years. I love to learn from leaders who have been there, made mistakes, learned from them, and then pass on that great wisdom.

The essence of the book is about small groups. What I love about this book is that it isn't about plug and play what is happening at this one church and all of your problems with be eliminated. It is a very practical book, but it also makes it very clear that what works in some places doesn't work in others. What is important is doing what God is leading your church to do. We all need to be reminded of that.

P90x

On Easter I completed P90x!

I didn't take a before picture and I am vain enough that I didn't take an after picture either. The picture to the right is Tony, he is the one who beat my body for the last 90 days. I don't look like him. LOL! But I did lose 12 pounds and two inches on my waist. I have more energy, more strength, and I can run a couple of miles without having a heart attack.

This morning I read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." I think we need a biblical understanding of how we look at our bodies - in a healthy way. My response to what I believe God expects of me in honoring Him with my body is to be in better shape - exercise, eat healthy food, and get the rest I need. Doing P90x was my way to jump start that process.

One of the things I was reminded about through my 90 days is the power of community. I typically got up at 5:30 in the morning to work out for the 60-90 minutes it takes to do P90x. There were plenty of mornings that I didn't want to get up and do it, but I knew that my friends at church and on Facebook would ask me about it. It was great accountability. I didn't want to say that I bagged it that morning. And you know what, when I didn't post that I did my workout, someone would ask me. That was huge.

It's the same way with our journey to be more like Jesus. There are days that it is just plain tough. I believe that is why God gave us a church family and people who care about us and love us. We are not to do life alone. We are a community of believers. We are to encourage one another and love each other. We need each other.

So what's next for me? I am going for a long run tonight and continuing to eat healthy. Many of you have asked what I ate to celebrate. I had a calazone, a half a piece of Oreo cookie pie, and a bowl of ice cream. It tasted very good, but to be honest, I was sick to my stomach. My body now likes to eat healthy, it craves it. I want that for all aspects of my life that I can honor God.

Holy Thursday

We welcome you to Charter Oak Church during this Holy season.

Thursday, April1, 7:30 p.m.

Christian Life Center

A special service celebrating The Last Supper.

Communion will be served around a table in groups of twelve.

PD's New Role

We welcome Pastor Dave back at Charter Oak Church as the new Pastor Emeritus. This is a great way to honor PD and recognize his faithful service to the people of Charter Oak Church and this region. Pastor Emeritus is an honorary title and is not given out very often. For us, it means he will be preaching periodically, which we all know is one of his gifts from God. He will not have an office in the church or office hours. He is still retired, but getting to do what he loves - care for the people of this church and share the love of Jesus with us. It's a pretty good deal for him and us. Below is what was read on March 13/14 when he officially became the Pastor Emeritus of Charter Oak Church.

“Recognizing your pastoral leadership of this congregation since the year 1992, we bestow upon you the honor of being known to us and to others as Pastor Emeritus of Charter Oak Church.”

“We remember with regard your spiritual leadership, biblical preaching, heartfelt teaching, and incredible pastoral care.

“In conferring this honor, we join with you in a continued appreciation for the pastoral office. And though you will no longer actively serve as pastor, your integrity, commitment to Jesus, and a heart for this church help us to regard you and the pastoral office you held in our midst.”

In conferring this honor, we pledge ourselves to continued concern for your health and happiness. We will hold you in our prayers and cherish the contributions you have made.”

If you promise to uphold Pastor Dave with your prayers, encourage him with your words, and support him with your actions, please stand up. If you really mean it say “we will!”

A Cabin in the Woods

Mark Batterson wrote...

Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective

I'm going on study leave Sunday evening. The leadership of Charter Oak Church holds such a high value on my spiritual health that I am able to take two weeks a year to change my pace and change my place so that I can change my perspective. My pace becomes God's pace, my place becomes the feet of Jesus, and that leads to a whole new perspective.

Easter is on the horizon. The series we are creating to follow the resurrection of our Savior is going to be incredible. This is my opportunity to get away to a cabin in the woods to be on the same page as God. God's vision for the people of Charter Oak Church and this region is so huge we cannot accomplish it apart from God.

Book #7 - The Imperfect Board Member

For the third or fourth time I have read Jim Brown's book, The Imperfect Board Member: Discovering the Seven Disciplines of Governance Excellence. This time I am reading this book with our Church Council. The leadership of this church is too important not to work at it and have a clearly defined path and expectations to achieve what it is that God is leading us to do.

Over the next seven months we are going to study the disciplines of governance excellence. I want our Church Council to be smart and healthy.

If you are on a board of directors, if you lead a board, or if you want to understand in greater depth how a healthy board operates, I highly recommend this book to you. I also challenge you to read it with your board, struggle through it to become the very best board of directors you can. God is counting on us to lead well.

Book #6 - The Prodigal God

This is the first book I have read by Tim Keller. I am preparing to talk about grace starting in May and I want to use the story of the Prodigal Son as the launch point of that discussion. As I read The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, I quickly realized how superficial I have been taught about this parable of Jesus.

Keller states that he wrote this book for the seeker or the new believer to help explain the foundational truth of the grace of God. I have a better understanding of grace because I read this book. No matter where you are on the spiritual spectrum, I highly recommend this book.

When I preach the series on grace in May, I will suggest to our congregation that they get this book, read it, then pass it on to someone in their circle of influence.

Listen Carefully

I was reading Numbers 20 yesterday and I can't shake it from my brain. The Israelites are in the Desert of Zin. It's hot. It's the desert! The people complain against God that they should have stayed in Egypt because they are now going to die in the desert. God tells Moses to speak to a rock and water will come out of it for the whole community to drink. Moses and Aaron gather the people, Moses uses his staff to strike the rock, and the water comes gushing out. Problem solved. People happy.

God is now hot. God is angry with Moses and Aaron. Why? Moses used the staff and did not speak to the rock. It is so easy to miss this. For this reason, both Moses and Aaron will not be allowed to enter into the Promised Land. As a matter of fact Aaron will die before the end of the chapter.

Do you see what is going on here? When God speaks, when God tells us His will, His expectation is that we will listen carefully and follow perfectly. I cannot tell you how many times I listened to God, fast forwarded to the end result, and then made my own plans on how to get there. That's what Moses did. The voices of the Israelites were ringing in his ears as God spoke with the solution to the problem. He didn't follow God's exact command. The fallout was not good.

I wonder how many times do we hear from God, understand what God wants, but we make decisions on how we think it should be done instead of continuing to listen for how God wants it done. This challenges me to be all the more sure I am listening carefully, that I am developing my relationship with God more intentionally, and not hurrying off to do things my way.

Book #5 - Linchpin

When Seth Godin writes a book, I buy it. As soon as I heard Linchpin: Are You Indispensable? was released I went to the book store to buy it. I'm telling you, I was not disappointed. It was what I expected and more.

We really are in a new day and what you bring to your day, whether it is at work, home, school, wherever - you can add tremendous value. A linchpin is someone who invents, leads, connects to and with others, they just plain make things happen. The speed that a Linchpin lives is very different from everyone else around them. They are truly indispensable.

This book inspired me, it convicted me, it reminded me of dreams I once had about how I wanted to contribute to making everyone around me better. I asked myself time and time again, what if we had more Linchpins in our church, in our conference, in our country, in our world - what would be the result?

I know I want to be a Linchpin - I am called and gifted to be one. Are you?

Forgiveness

I have been thinking about forgiveness a lot lately. Pastor Dave preached an incredible message this past weekend about it. Tiger Woods stood before the world and for about 13 minutes asked for forgiveness. Because Friday is my day off I was able to watch and listen to the TV announcers talk about what they thought would happen and should happen in Tiger's statement.

As I listened to people on a variety of stations, from ESPN to CNN to Fox News, I was surprised at how much they wanted to define repentance and forgiveness. It was as if they were chained up to the belief that Tiger was perfect and he really hurt them by his actions. They wanted him to say to them exactly what they wanted to hear.

As I listened, I began to ask myself, is saying, "I'm sorry" and genuinely meaning it no longer sufficient? Is the act of repentance no longer adequate in the eyes of today's society?

I realize that when someone asks for forgiveness, we have the power to grant it or not. I wonder if the pull of that power is greater than the act of releasing the person.

I listened to Tiger's speech. I thought it was good. I didn't think he owed me an apology, but I appreciated the act as a recognition of what he did was wrong. He does have influence over millions of people.

As I listened I heard the still, small voice of God remind me that I am a forgiven sinner. I am able to forgive because I have been forgiven of so much by my heavenly Father. I am a receiver of grace, more than I can even imagine.

Then later as the news casters of all of those stations re-capped the Tiger Woods' story, I began to hear something that totally blew me away. People started saying that he didn't do enough. He didn't show enough emotion. He didn't say the right words. He didn't apologize to all the different groups of people he needed to apologize to. It was at that moment I decided not to watch any more. I couldn't take it any more.

I know I am not perfect - far from it. I hope and pray that when I wrong someone and ask for forgiveness they will grant it. I hope and pray that when someone wrongs me and asks for forgiveness that I will grant it - no strings attached. And as Pastor Dave reminded us this past weekend, I hope and pray that I will give forgiveness before it is even asked of me because then I am truly free.

As I listened to the reporting of the Tiger Woods' story, I wonder, how many of them are truly free? Are you?

Haiti - Getting Skin in the Game

If you were not in worship this past weekend you missed seeing an incredibly large pile of health kits on the stage at Charter Oak Church. By the end of the day, we boxed up 2,104 health kits to be shipped to Haiti. I can't believe I only challenged our congregation to bring in one per person! I guess I showed my lack of faith. God really showed me a thing or two about what He can do through His people! By taking the time to put these health kits together, you were able to get skin in the game. I believe it is all to easy to just send money, which of course we are doing. But I don't ever want us to pay, pray, and get out of the way.

When you and your family went shopping and driving all over Westmoreland County to find the items, it took time. It gave you the opportunity to talk with your family about why you were doing what you were doing. The Old Testament started as an oral tradition - they told stories about their faith. They told stories about God. They told stories of faithfulness and disobedience to remind them that what they did and said mattered to God. As you talked about purchasing the health kit items you were walking in the footprints of our historical roots.

Here's something else that happened, you were given the opportunity to tell others why you were doing what you were doing. Some people have shared stories of telling store employees and managers why we were doing this. Others have told stories of people who don't attend our church, but as you told them what you were doing, they wanted to get involved.

I love the story of the St. Vincent College swim team putting over 200 health kits together. I love the story of the Mt. View Elementary School 3rd graders putting together over 100. I am blown away by the boys' correctional unit that put together over 50 kits and prayed over each one of them before bringing them over to the church on Sunday afternoon. I love the story of a business man who invited the people he worked with to join him in this work and they put together 20 health kits. I know there are so many, many more of these stories that you personally experienced as you got involved in the work of God to bring hope to the people of Haiti.

I pray that this will not just be a one and done deal for you. I hope that you will realize that God wants to work in you and through you in very real and tangible ways - sometimes in Haiti and other times in your Circle of Influence. As you lean into the power of the Holy Spirit you will get to know His voice and promptings and will see God at work in more and more ways all around you everyday.

What a great start to the New Year! Keep praying, keep looking to God for direction, and I will see you in worship this weekend!

Book #4 - The Dip

I am inspired and challenged by Seth Godin. I try to read something by him everyday - his blog or blogs, or one of his books. His books are always short and to the point. He doesn't play games, and more often than not, kicks you in the teeth because most people know what he is saying to be true, but aren't willing to pay the price themselves.

This is so true about The Dip:A Little Book that Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick). Most people give up too soon. They quit when they are going through the tough times - the Dip. If they would persevere through that Dip knowing that they will be the very best, then the payoff would be huge. The flip side to that is that many people, perhaps more than those who quit too soon, just stay in the Dip because it is just easier to do so than to quit and focus on something they can be the best at. They are stuck in the Dip and will never get through it because they won't ever be the best at what they are working on.

Seth Godin helps to sift through those decisions. He asks hard hitting questions about quitting too soon and staying too long. Do you really believe you can be the absolute best at something? Will you pay the price? Will you stop doing everything else in order to work through the Dip and be the best?

If you have a Barnes and Noble Nook, let me know and I will be happy to "share" this book with you.

Book #3 - Training Camp

I recently ordered a bunch of books using gift cards from Christmas. One of the books I picked up was Jon Gordon's latest fable about excellence - Training Camp: What the Best Do Better than Everyone Else. It was a very easy read, but was able to teach 11 great principals of excellence in the context of a story.

Most people and in my opinion, most churches, don't want to be great. It is just easier to settle. It takes great effort and intentionality to be great. I believe the church is God's and He will build His church. But I also know there are tons of ways to prevent that from happening.

Training Camp is a great book to make sure that leaders and pastors are doing what is their responsibility in developing themselves, their people, and God's church. Don't go for mediocrity, God deserves so much better and so do His people and the people who need Him.

Book #2 - Making Vision Stick

My staff gave me the Barnes and Noble e-reader - Nook for Christmas. The first book I downloaded on it was Andy Stanley's Making Vision Stick. I wanted to read it because I was putting together my vision message for 2010 and beyond for the people of Charter Oak Church. It was a huge help!

I love this line from Andy, "When it comes to making your vision stick, here is the most important thing to remember: you are responsible." As I was reading this book this point really hit home and I began to look at all of the different places and times that I could be and should be casting vision. It's true for all of us in leadership positions.

After getting this idea that we are responsible for making the vision stick then you can drill down into the five main points of the book:

1. State the vision simply.
2. Cast the vision convincingly.
3. Repeat the vision regularly.
4. Celebrate the vision systematically.
5. Embrace the vision personally.

This was a great book. It is very short so it can be read quickly and often. I am guessing that I will read through this book on a monthly basis.

Book #1 - The Starfish and the Spider

It's time to start posting the books I am reading again. My in-laws gave me a book that has been on my reading list for quite some time now - The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations by Ori Brafman and Rod Beckstrom.

We have been talking a lot about small groups and empowering small group leaders to be the front line facilitators of spiritual growth at Charter Oak Church. This means that authority and responsibility are taken out of the hands of the paid staff and into the called and trained leaders. Reading this book was obviously God's timing because that really is at the heart of this book.

I really appreciated the use of real examples of what it means to be a leaderless organization. This isn't something new. The more diffused the power the more likely and organization is able to survive. The harder an organization tries to preserve it's hierarchy and power, the more likely it is going to fail over the long haul.

If we have given the authority to the small group leaders and they continue to multiply, then if the church burns down or if something happened to me or our staff, the church would continue to be the church because we won't be completely centralized in one location or in one person. I realized we do have some centralization, that is why I really appreciated the chapter on the hybrid organization.

If you are a leader in an organization that you want to see succeed and survive, even thrive beyond you, I would highly recommend reading this book.

Working Out

I have started a new work out program called P90x. Yes, I am trying to capitalize on the start of the New Year and making some healthy decisions - both in exercise and in eating.

One of the reasons I picked P90x is because it lasts for 90 days. If I can be disciplined to do this for three months, I am hoping that it will become a lifestyle decision instead of just an opportunity to fail on another New Year's resolution. Another reason I picked P90x is because it is intense. I need to jump start my routine, not with something that is just going to fill some time but not really do anything - I want results. Soccer season is coming and so is the possibility of going to the beach this summer. How awesome it would be to go to the beach without a shirt on for the first time since like high school!

As I think about the discipline of working out physically I also think about it spiritually. I know lots of people start new things in the New Year when it comes to their faith. Our church - Charter Oak Church is kicking off an all church study for small groups to jump start the New Year. What if you started praying every day for the next 90 days - a different kind of P90x? What if you started reading and studying the Bible everyday for the next 90 days - B90x? Instead of prayer and Bible study being something that you just do everyone once in a while or in fits and starts, perhaps it would become a lifestyle. Just think about the difference that would make in your relationship with God. It's not about summer coming, maybe it's about Jesus coming.

Back from a Break

Many years ago I heard Bill Hybels say, "Doing the work of God was killing the work of God in me." Then at the Leadership Summit in August 2009, I heard him say it again. About the same time my assistant gave me the book Leading on Empty by Wayne Cordeiro. I think God was trying to get my attention.

I went away for a week of study leave and began to realize that I had too much information coming into my life. I was reading about 50 blogs a day. I had about the same number of people I was following on Twitter. I was subscribed to a number of podcast that I listened to each week. I was reading about one book every week or two. I joined Facebook and have over 700 friends. I was posting to my own blog, Twitter, and Facebook. It was all too much while also trying to deepen my relationship with God and lead a growing church. Something had to give.

I walked away from all of the influx of information. I turned off Twitter. I unsubscribed to all of the blogs I was reading. I stopped posting to my blog and to Twitter. I only checked Facebook once a day. I only read the books that I was committed to reading with others. When I made this decision, it gave me more time to spend in prayer and Bible study. That's what I really needed more than anything else.

I have concluded my fast from information, but not completely. I am not going to be a slave to it anymore, at least that is my hope and plan. I want information to serve me and add value to me and to the people around me, not kill the work of God in me.

So I hope to post to my blog again on a consistent basis. I have a plan of what I want all of this ability to communicate to accomplish. I am looking forward to a renewed, healthy interest in all of the social media that is available.

In Our Time, In Our Day

Habakkuk 3:2, “Lord, I have heard the news about you; I am amazed at what you have done. Lord, do great things once again in our time; make those things happen again in our own days.”

The fulfillment of the God’s vision for the people of Charter Oak Church starts in your heart. Do you really believe that God wants to do great things once again in our time, in our day? What you believe will determine what you do.

You Never Let Go

When clouds veil sun
And disaster comes
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rise
And hope takes flight
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Ever faithful
Ever true
You I know
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go
You never let go

When clouds brought rain
And disaster came
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
When waters rose
And hope had flown
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul
Oh, my soul

Overflows
Oh, what love, oh, what love
Oh, my soul
Fills hope
Perfect love that never lets go
Oh, what love, oh what love
Oh, what love, oh what love

In joy and pain
In sun and rain
You’re the same
Oh, You never let go

God's Word

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
John 14:27

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to the faithful.
For the Lord knows our frame, and remembers that we are dust.
The steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon the faithful,
and the righteousness of the Lord to children's children.
Psalms 103:8, 13-14, 17

Jesus, You wept at the grave of Your friend Lazarus, You know all our sorrows. Behold our tears, and bind up the wounds of our hearts. Through the mystery of pain, bring us into closer communion with You and with one another. Raise us from death to life. And grant, in Your mercy, that with Joe, who has passed within the veil, we may come to live, with You and with all whom we love, in our heavenly Father's home. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Book #18 - Crazy Love

After seeing Francis Chan live this past spring, I knew I wanted to read Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. Then when someone gave me a copy of his book that was just released I knew I had to make it a priority to read it. This past weekend I did.

This book is not for someone who is satisfied with where they are in the faith journey. This book will stretch you, challenge you, and make you wrestle with what you really believe about God. I was talking to a student about this book last week. She said she had to stop reading it half way through because there was just too much she needed to work on before she went on to the next chapter. That's the potential this book has for the reader. I highly recommend this book for all students and adults.

After I finish this post I am going to subscribe to Francis Chan's podcast on iTunes.

The Sacrament of Living

"Lord, I would trust Thee completely; I would be altogether Thine; I would exalt Thee above all. I desire that I may feel no sense of possessing anything outside of Thee. I want constantly to be aware of Thy overshadowing presence and to hear Thy speaking voice. I long to live in the restful sincerity of heart. I want to live so fully in the Spirit that all my thoughts may be as sweet incense ascending to Thee and every act of my life may be an act of worship. Therefore I pray in the words of The great servant of old, 'I beseech Thee so for to cleanse the intent of mine heart with the unspeakable gift of Thy grace, that I may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise Thee.' And all this I confidently believe Thou wilt grant me through the merits of Jesus Christ Thy Son. Amen."

A. W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

Meekness and Rest

"Lord, make me childlike. Deliver me from the urge to compete with another for place or prestige or position. I would be simple and artless as a little child. Deliver me from pose and pretense. Forgive me for thinking of myself. Help me to forget myself and find my true peace in beholding Thee. That Thou may answer this prayer I humble myself before Thee. Lay upon me Thy easy yoke of self-forgetfulness that through it I may find rest. Amen."

A. W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

Restoring the Creator-Creature Relation

"O God, be Thou exalted over my possessions. Nothing of earth's treasures shall seem dear unto me if only Thou art glorified in my life. Be Thou exalted over my friendships. I am determined that Thou shalt be above all, though I must stand deserted and alone in the midst of the earth. Be Thou exalted above my comforts. Though it means the loss of bodily comforts and the carrying of heavy crosses, I shall keep my vow made this day before Thee. Be Thou exalted over my reputation. Make me ambitious to please Thee even if as a result I must sink into obscurity and my name be forgotten as a dream. Rise, O Lord, into Thy proper place of honor, above my ambitions, above my likes and dislikes, above my family, my health and even my life itself. Let me sink that Thou mayest rise above. Ride forth upon me as Thou didst ride into Jerusalem mounted upon the humble little beast, a colt, the foal of an ass, and let me hear the children cry to Thee, "Hosanna in the highest.' Amen."

A. W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

Book #17 - The Offsite

This past weekend I read Robert H. Thompson's book The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable. I initially picked the book up for two reason. First, because we do a handful of offsite meetings as a Senior Management Team - sometimes one day and at least once a year, multiple days. I am always looking to learn. The second reason is because there is a relatively new movement within the business world to write leadership fables. I really love Patrick Lencioni's version of this style of writing. It's usually a good story that builds around a leadership or business principle. Then at the end the principle is drilled down into clear and precise language.

The Offsite had the good story built around a business and leadership principle, unfortunately because it is a spin off of a bigger leadership principle - the Leadership Challenge, there wasn't a breakdown at the end of the book.

If you get this book, then I would also recommend getting The Leadership Challenge.

The Gaze of the Soul

"O Lord, I have heard a good word inviting me to look away to Thee and be satisfied. My heart longs to respond, but sin has clouded my vision till I see Thee but dimly. Be pleased to cleanse me in Thine own precious blood, and make me inwardly pure, so that I may with unveiled eyes gaze upon Thee all the days of my earthly pilgrimage. Then shall I be prepared to behold Thee in full splendor in the day when Thou shalt appear to be glorified in Thy saints and admired in all them that believe. Amen"

A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

The Speaking Voice

"Lord, teach me to listen. The times are noisy and my ears are weary with the thousand raucous sounds which continuously assault them. Give me the spirit of the boy Samuel when he said to Thee, 'Speak, for Thy servant heareth.' Let me hear Thee speaking in my heart. Let me get used to the sound of Thy voice, that its tones may be familiar when the sounds of earth die away and the only sound will be the music of Thy speaking voice. Amen."

A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

The Universal Presence

"O God and Father, I repent of my sinful preoccupation with visible things. The world has been too much with me. Thou hast been here and I knew it not. I have been blind to Thy presence. Open my eyes that I may behold Thee in and around me. For Christ's sake. Amen."

A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

Apprehending God

"O God, quicken to life every power within me, that I may lay hold on eternal things. Open my eyes that I may see; give me acute spiritual perception; enable me to taste Thee and know that Thou art good. Make heaven more real to me than earthly thing has ever been. Amen."

A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

Removing the Veil

"Lord, how excellent are Thy ways, and how devious and dark are the ways of man. Show us how to die, that we may rise again to newness of life. Rend the veil of our self-life from the top down as Thou didst rend the veil of the Temple. We would draw near in full assurance of faith. We would dwell with Thee in daily experience here on this earth so that we may be accustomed to the glory when we enter Thy heaven to dwell with Thee there. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

The Blessedness of Possessing Nothing

"Father, I want to know Thee, but my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from Thee the terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart all those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that Thou mayest enter and dwell there without a rival. Then shalt Thou make the place of Thy feet glorious. Then shall my heart have no need of the sun to shine in it, for Thyself wilt be the light of it, and there shall be no night there. In Jesus' name. Amen."

A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

Following Hard after God

"O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. I am painfully conscious of my need of further grace. I am ashamed of my lack of desire. O God, the Triune God, I want to want Thee; I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still. Show me Thy glory, I pray Thee, that so I may know Thee indeed. Begin in mercy a new work of love within me. Say to my soul, 'Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.' Then give me grace to rise and follow Thee up from this misty lowland where I have wandered so long. In Jesus' name. Amen.

A.W. Tozer
The Pursuit of God

Book #16 - The Pursuit of God

This weekend I read a book my friend Jeff gave me at the beginning of the summer. It's written by one of those 20th century theologians that I had to read in seminary, but don't rush to get at the bookstore any more. I'm glad Jeff gave me this book.

The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine by A.W. Tozer reminded me of some things that I haven't wrestled with in a few years. It also spoke life into me. I get so tired of the cotton candy pop theology that floats around today that it actually causes me to read less theologically based books. Tozer in essence wrote - this is who God is and this is who we become when we go after God with everything we are and everything we have. Good stuff.

At the end of each chapter Tozer closed with a prayer. I am going to post one prayer each day for the next 10 days. I hope each one speaks to you as they did to me.

New Series Starting This Weekend

Think about the last time you were traveling and got lost. You had your destination in mind. You had every intention of getting there. But you took the wrong path, and you didn't end up where you wanted to be. A disconnect often occurs between the path you choose and where you want to end up. This is the principle of the path and we'll discover how it impacts every area of your life.

Take the time to invite someone to worship with you this weekend at Charter Oak Church.

15 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me

I loved Perry's post:

15 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me
#1 – Everyone Will Not Understand You…SO Stop Trying To Explain Yourself. Cast Vision…And MOVE Forward!

#2 – Everyone Will Not Like You…So STOP Trying To Be Popular.

#3 – You Don’t Have To Be The Person Who Actually Solves Every Problem….Admit You Are Not The Smartest Person and Let Your Experts Be Your Experts.

#4 – Spend WAY More Time Talking About Who You Are Rather Than Who You Are Not.

#5 – A Leader Is Always An East Target Because They Are…A Leader. So, Get Over Yourself And Get On With What God Called You To Do!

#6 – When The Holy Spirit Presses Something Into Your Heart…Don’t Ignore Him.

#7 – Do NOT Expect God’s Next Step To Make Sense.

#8 – You Can’t Plan A Move Of God…But You Must Be Prepared For One!

#9 – Do Not Resist Something Just Because You Do Not Understand It!

#10 – People Who Claim You “Are Not Deep Enough” Are Obsessed With Information But Have No Desire To Live Out Transformation.

#11 – You Don’t Need To Listen To Everybody…But You Had Better Be Listening To Somebody Because God Didn’t Ask You To Take This Journey Alone.

#12 – Never Apologize For Asking People To Commit To Something…Jesus Didn’t!

#13 – The Church Has Been Underachieving For Way Too Long…So Dream BIG And Don’t Apologize For It.

#14 – There Will Be Days When You Want To Quit…Don’t…Jesus Didn’t! (Remember…DON’T GIVE UP…if you are discouraged, take a second and read this!)

#15 – The Gospel Changes Lives…PREACH Every Sermon Like It’s Your Last!!!

New Hires

Charter Oak Church welcomes our new Pastor to Senior High School Students – Dave Hendrickson. Dave has served as a missionary in Russia, a youth pastor for three years in England, and on staff at a mega church in Arizona. Dave and his wife, Janelle, will have been married for 10 years in October. They have two sons, Ben– 3 years old, and Liam – 2 years old. Dave graduated from Geneva College and has his Masters of Divinity from Trinity Evangelical School of Ministry. Please welcome the Hendrickson Family to Charter Oak Church. Dave can be reached at ext. 265 or by email at dhendrickson@charteroakumc.org.

Charter Oak Church welcomes an old face into a new position. Josh Ricketts is our new Pastor to Junior High Students. Josh has been a volunteer and/or a paid staff member for the last seven years. Josh and his wife, Karen, have been married for 5 years. They have a daughter Aryn who is two years old. Josh graduated from Grove City College and has a Masters Degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. Josh can be reached at ext. 266 or by email at jricketts@charteroakumc.org.

Great Quote

“You can tell the quality of a person by how they treat the people they don’t need.”- Malcolm Gladwell

Dancing: Getting into Position

This weekend we begin a new series at Charter Oak Church called - So You Think You Can Dance? The first part of the series is called "Getting into Position."

To get started you can read Nehemiah 1 and Acts 2.

As the song begins to play those who step on to the dance floor must get into the right position before they can begin the dance. Nehemiah was a prisoner of war serving the king, but God had a vision for His people that began with Nehemiah getting into the right position for God to work in him and through him. As followers of Jesus we need to make sure that we are in the right position to follow God’s lead.

New Series Starting This Weekend

Book #15 - The Back of the Napkin

Dan Roam's book, The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures, is one of the coolest books I have read in terms of taking my ability to communicate in a new and fresh way to a whole different level. I wish I could take a semester class with Dan to really get all of this incredible information downloaded into my brain in such a way that it would become second nature. Last week I tried to put it into practice as often as I could.

If you are a leader and you want to communicate your ideas in any setting, then you should pick up this book. It isn't one you just sit down and read in an hour or two, you could, but you would miss so much application. This will be on my desk for a long time as I apply what I have read and learned.

Book #14 - Ten Stupid Things that Keep Churches from Growing

Sometimes I just like to walk through Barnes & Noble looking for books that jump out at me. That's how I came to pick up Geoff Surratt's new book, Ten Stupid Things that Keep Churches from Growing: How Leaders Can Overcome Costly Mistakes.

I thought that I would love to read a book about how I often times do ministry and what I can learn from all of those mistakes that I have made over the years. Geoff didn't write from research from other pastors. He wrote out of his own decisions and his own learning. Then he asked another pastor to do the same. This is a powerful book written for pastors and leaders in the church.

Here are the 10 things, see if you are like me in doing them:

1. Trying to do it all.

2. Establishing the wrong role for the pastor's family.

3. Providing second-rate worship experiences.

4. Settling for low quality in children's ministry.

5. Promoting talent over integrity.

6. Clinging to a bad location.

7. Copy another successful church.

8. Favoring discipline over reconciliation.

9. Mixing ministry and business.

10. Letting committees steer the ship.

Some of these are probably not what you think from the title. If you are a pastor or a church leader - get this book.

Book #13 - The Imperfect Board Member

About two years ago I read The Imperfect Board Member: Discovering the Seven Disciplines of Governance Excellence by Jim Brown. I blogged my thought and Jim even called me to talk about what I thought. At that time I wasn't the lead pastor of Charter Oak Church yet. I worked with our board, but I wasn't accountable to the board at that time. Now I am. I thought it was a good time to re-read this book. I'm glad I did. It is one thing to learn about something when you are involved but it is something completely different when you are committed. It's the difference in breakfast - the chicken is involved with the eggs, the pig is committed in the bacon.

I'm committed to bringing out the very best in our board at Charter Oak Church. They are a group of people who are the most spiritually mature and discerning that I have ever had the privilege to serve.

I know that I will be studying this book intently over the next few months and I will be giving a copy to each board member.

To peak your interest, here are the seven disciplines

1. Direct...Organizational Performance

2. Protect...Organizational Performance

3. Respect...Owner Expectations

4. Reflect...on Organizational Results

5. Select...your Prominent leadership

6. Expect...great Board-Management Interaction

7. Connect...for healthy Board Relations

Book #12 - Not Just a One Night Stand

Donna Gabler who is Charter Oak Church's Pastor of Congregational Care and Missions handed me a book a few weeks ago and asked me to read it. Let me just say as a side note, when my staff give me a book and asks me to read it, they are speaking my love language. The book she gave me is Not Just a One Night Stand: Ministry with the Homeless by John Flowers and Karen Vannoy.

It is short, simple book about how two pastors practically made the decision at their church to minister to homeless people. It is the story of their journey from not having a clue really to the harsh reality of ministering to a people group that are often forgotten or at best pushed around with very little respect from the church or society. This is a challenging book on what I really believe, what the church really believes about the least, the last, and the lost.

Encouragement

Just read this great blog from Elevation Church E-Kidz Director, Brandon Hibbard. I needed to be reminded of these words on encouragement.

It’s been an honor for me to have the opportunity to serve Pastor Furtick over the past couple years, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to be a voice of encouragement in his life. I heard Pastor Furtick explain one time that the word “encourage” literally means “to give courage,” and that totally transformed my concept of encouragement. Hopefully the thoughts below will help you maximize the impact of your encouragement.

Effective encouragement is specific. That means you have to pay attention to the people around you. Exist with an inclination for encouragement, always looking for the positive in people. Specificity in encouragement communicates value.

Effective encouragement speaks to things that are meaningful to the recipient. Know what they put time and energy into and acknowledge the difference it makes.

Effective encouragement is timely. It should be regular and consistent, but you must also learn specific times or seasons when someone will need extra encouragement.

Effective encouragement is unprompted. If someone has to ask you for encouragement, it kinda defeats the purpose. I’ve heard that if you feel thirsty, you’re already dehydrated. The same applies for encouragement. Don’t let your spouse, kids, pastor, or coworkers get dehydrated.

Effective encouragement is communicated through the right means. If face-to-face is available, it’s the most effective. But heed Proverbs 27:14 and use some common sense.

Effective encouragement does not just come from people with the gift of encouraging, it’s commanded of everyone. It can also be learned, if you put in the practice.
I think the most important element to effective encouragement is the “Holy Spirit Factor.” Listen to the prompts in your spirit. God is all-knowing and will ultimately orchestrate timely encouragement for His people. He wants to use you – don’t miss the opportunity!