Real Authority

"After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching. For he taught as one who had real authority-quite unlike the teachers of the religious law." Matthew 7:28-29 NLT

What was it that made Jesus' teaching so powerful? How was it different from the teachers of the law?

The first difference would be one was anointed and one wasn't. There was something powerful and penetrating about the truths that Jesus spoke. Jesus was delivering more than just good information. There was something transforming about his message.

The second difference would be one was filled with integrity and the other was filled with hypocrisy. True character displaced the white washed teaching of the religious leaders. Jesus never taught anything he didn't model in his own life.

Thirdly, the crowds were amazed. It was obvious to the listener that something was unique, motivating, and liberating about Jesus teaching even though he was a carpenter's son from Nazareth. The teaching of the religious leaders had been basked in religious higher education that burdened people with rules and regulations.

How do you measure up to the standards that Jesus set? When you teach do you have real authority?

God's Authentication

I have been rereading Blackaby's book, "Spiritual Leadership" again. I would recommend it to you if you haven't picked it up lately. In it he reminds us that every leader needs God authentication with 5 overriding principles. Here they are:

1. God will fulfill his promises to the leader and the leader's organization. In other words there should be ample evidence of God's affirmation on a leader's life.

2. God will vindicate a leader's reputation over time. Criticism is not necessarily a sign of poor leadership.

3. Changed lives will be a true sign of God's affirmation. Spiritual advancement must be evident in lives the leader's influence.

4. Others will recognize that God is the driving force behind the leader's agenda.

5. The leader will have an unmistakable mark of Christlikeness in his public and private life.

How do you stack up against these principles?

Shepherd's Advantage

Two summers ago we made a trek into Bethlehem to visit the Shepherd Fields and the Church of the Nativity. It was awesome to be at the birthplace of Jesus and to identify with the shepherds.

Ordinary men, doing their job, watching over their flock. Men who were called by God to come and be the first visitors to the Christ child. They immediately left what they were doing to see the Christ child the savior of the world, the Messiah. What a privilege and delight to these men to be the first to see the baby Jesus.

As I thought about this familiar part of the Christmas story, I began to identify with the shepherds as a pastor. Our job is to keep watch over the flock. But a higher calling is to connect with Jesus. If we connect with Him intimately the flock will be better protected.

Secondly, we need to count it a privilege to be called "pastor" shepherd. Healthy pastors should never forget that our first responsibility is to be a shepherd, not a prophet, not a CEO, not an administrator.

Third, good shepherds need to be the first to proclaim the joy of meeting Jesus. The shepherds left the encounter with the baby Jesus telling everyone the good news. Healthy pastors need to be excited, intentional, and role model about sharing what it means to meet Jesus face to face.

Over this holiday season I want to again remind you what a privilege it is to be a shepherd.

You may feel ordinary but have been given an extraordinary opportunity to proclaim the good news!

Merry Christmas.

Defining Success

After spending hours with over a 100 pastors the past 3 years a dialogue usually erupts regarding the definition of success. Unfortunately pastors have gotten caught up in the same components that exist in the secular arena; such as bottom lines like numbers, budgets, baptisms, and other tangible results. Consequently the church continues to hold up the success stories and gurus of the faith as our role models of success.

As I was contemplating this blog, God showed me 4 measurements of success that could define anybody's ministry without the bottom line being the paramount issue. Here they are:

1. Operating in, understanding and accepting our giftedness. When we fail to operate and understand our giftedness we end up spending our time on compensating for our weaknesses and thus exposing our insecurity.

2. Maintaining honest intimacy with God. We must continually allow God to transform our lives from the inside out. Remember that Joshua's success was based on the meditation of God's word.

3. Being intentional about the Great Commission and Great Commandment. When we lose sight of the simple calling of God in our lives we have missed the target. Success is hitting what we are aiming at.

4. People's lives are being transformed. This is where we need to be alert to those individual lives that are being touched. Even though numbers are not the issue there should be signs of tangible fruit.

I truly believe if we keep these four principles of success in mind a "well done thou good and faithful servant" will be waiting for us. What do you think?

Anonymity

I recently received this email with a quote from Dr. Dan Rotach:

When did anonymity get sanctified? I met with a pastor who was told recently that "a number of people" in the church had concerns about his ministry. When he tried to discern who these individuals are with the hopes of communicating with them, He was dealt with the evangelical trump card: "These matters were shared in confidence." Once again, I found myself asking the question. : When did anonymity get sanctified?

Confidences (code for secret and often destructive communication) are appropriate when they involve destructive personal matters of the heart, or when the leadership is wrestling through tough matters that are not to be disclosed to the congregation. But the rule of thumb in the Scriptures is this: I must own my conversation. Further, I am called to "speak the truth in love " for in doing so I am contributing to the health of the Body (Ephesians 4:15). Yet, I find that many of our churches have spiritualized a very destructive pattern of communication, that is, it is okay to speak negatively of one another without owning it, and without going straight to the source of the communication. those who write about systemic health believe anonymity to be one of the most counterproductive practices to healthy church life.

As a pastor, how have you proactively handled this kind of destructive behavior in your church?

Living in Hope

Jeremiah had a very unique opportunity presented to him to purchase a tract of land in his hometown just a few miles from Jerusalem. At the time of the offer he was in prison and the Babylonians were about to completely destroy the Holy City and send all the Jews into exile. (Jeremiah 32:17,24-25)

Jeremiah, from a human standpoint, made a very foolish decision. He went ahead and purchased it for just 17 shekels. At the time it didn't make a bit of sense, but he was banking on a promise that was given to him by God. That promise included the fact that someday God would restore Israel to its homeland and once again prosper.

Jeremiah defines to us what living in hope is all about. It is about making investments for the future based upon God's promise in present.

Healthy pastors must learn to live in hope. If we constantly play it safe or yield to human wisdom or practicality, nothing would ever really be accomplished for the Kingdom.

So what investments are on your plate right now that demands you to live in hope.? Are you willing to take a risk even though the naysayers are out there saying how impractical it may be?

A Fire in Your Bones

Jeremiah was whipped and and put in stocks by Pashhur, the priest of the temple, for speaking the truth about future judgment upon Judah. In response to this, Jeremiah says to the Lord that essentially the Lord has overpowered him in order to speak with such passion and honesty. Pashhur told him never to speak of this judgment again. However Jeremiah says to the Lord, "If I say I'll never mention the Lord or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It's like a fire in my bones. I am weary of holding it in." (Jeremiah 20:7-9)

Does a fire burn in your bones when it comes to the compelling message of the Gospel? Jeremiah was no doubt a passionate preacher. He connected daily with his Lord and that became the fuel to keep the fire burning.

I fear I haven't seen enough passionate preaching in these modern days. Many pastors are doing a good job of exposing the scripture but the passion is missing. I fear the Evangelical church could become the church who lost its first love because the pastor doesn't have a fire in his bones.

Technological Facade

With the advent of e-mail, face book, twitter, and text messaging, we have fallen into the trap of substituting technology for face to face relationships.

We have found it easier at times to hide behind the screen. It doesn't take as much courage to write a scathing editorial or a confrontational message when we don't have to be in the room with the person. Technology can't interpret tone or perceive body language, or give us a hug.

I have witnessed in the last 3 years, churches who use the web and other forms of technology very effectively to communicate to their constituency. Technological advancements have been a tremendous blessing for sure in getting out the message of the gospel. However I have also seen the devastating effects of those who use e-mail and face book as a tool of control and gossip in the local church. Bulk e-mails can give a very angry or critical person an avenue of venting and fostering a selfish agenda to a much broader audience with just the touch of a button. Even a well intentioned e-mail in the hands of the wrong person can end up being misinterpreted because of our tendency to read between the lines.

So what is the solution?

- We need to teach our people that technology can enhance "body life" but is no substitute for it.

- We might need to pray before we press send.

- We need to ask ourselves if we are using a quick e-mail to avoid a relational connection that maybe God wants us to have.

- We need to ask ourselves if are we using e-mail as a shield of cover, because we don't have the courage to go face to face?

Praise God for all the new modes of keeping in touch. But let's remember that there is no substitute for a literal touch.

Oxymoron? Pastor's Enjoying Community

I have recently read a book by Joe Hellerman called "When the Church was a Family". He challenged me with this thought in particular. If the church is truly an community then why are pastors often the outsider? If the church is a supposed to be the family of brothers and sisters, then how come pastors are the last ones to experience community in their own church? How can a pastor preach and encourage people to authentic community and not have a close trusted relationship with anyone in the church.

The disconnect for pastors is an all too familiar scenario. Pastors have a greater tendency to limit closer relationships with peers outside of the immediate family. The reasons for that may be obvious. Perhaps they have been burned by an insider who has abused confidential information? Maybe the expectations for pastors to have it together precludes vulnerability? Maybe the pastor is convinced that they are an exception? Whatever the reason, far too many pastors go without community all their ministry life.

Allow me to share a quote from Hellerman's book. This is why we must answer the question, (who are my brothers and sisters ?) in terms of of the people in our own congregations. It will not do for us to share our lives only with other leaders in the broader Christian community, as helpful as that might be on occassion. If a pastor is unwilling to risk openness with a handful of brothers is his church--for whatever reason--the the members will surely do likewise. We simply cannot take our people where we are unwilling to go. We must be willing to go there whatever the cost. AGREE?

Is the pastor enjoying community an oxymoron in your life?

MIDDLE GROUND

Solomon writes in Ecclesiastes 7:15-18 these words: "In this meaningless life, I have seen everything, including the fact that some good people die young and some wicked people live on and on. So don't be too good or too wise! Why destroy yourself? On the other hand don't be too wicked either--don't be a fool! Why should you die before your time: so try to walk a middle course--but those who fear God will succeed either way."

Solomon is proposing a priniciple that a life lived in some kind of balance while fearing God is the pathway to success.

A question we all have to answer then is this: Where do we find middle ground in our lives? Balanced living seems to be a pretty illusive concept in our culture.

Every pastor especially needs to find that balance or the church can quickly impact their equilibrium.

I believe the church is more demanding than ever before. Let me share some lines from my book: "People in our culture have grown accustomed to an endless parade of choices. Needless to say, we live in a culture of gratification and fulfillment. What's in it for me? This is the question that the consumer asks routinely. The church can get caught up in the market-driven mentality of the free enterprise system, just like secular business. Once this happens, the law of supply and demand becomes the governing principle. As a result, church leaders find themselves shopping for the competitive answers and cutting-edge innovative technology that will improve their product. Pastors begin to spend inordinate amounts of time comparing, contrasting and following the latest church-growth guru in their quest for a newer and more successful formula. Pretty soon, the man of God is driven in ministry. the tail is now wagging the dog."

Does this sound like a pastor who has found middle ground? Is the tail wagging the dog in your life? Where are you out of balance?

Communion or Call

I was listening to Dr Dobson interview H. B. London last night and H.B. said something that struck me. He said, many pastors are enamored more with their call to ministry than the one who called them. What he meant is that too many pastors are caught up in the grind and success of performing good ministry without taking the time for real communion with God. Needless to say I have witnessed too many pastors in my ministry that are caught up in the same grind.

John Owen, Puritan theologian wrote this prayer, " I pray with all my heart that I may be weary of everything else but.....communion with Him"

What excites you more about your ministry, numerical growth, sermon preparation, people's lives changing, or communion with Abba Father?

May I add this prayer to the list: Lord I pray that my ministry is an overflow of intimacy with you. May it never be flesh driven or mechanical.

Help me not to get so caught in my call that I miss the one who called me. AMEN

The Narcissistic Church

I have been reading from Larry Crab's book "Real Church" and have been challenged by some of his thoughts. I would like to share a quote from his book:

"Who gets Jesus right? Augustine,Perpetua,and Polycarp? Or the church leaders of today who insist that Jesus is committed to making our lives happier by providing us with all the legitimate blessings we want now? Am I content to love God for my sake? Or do I long to love myself for God's sake?

I don't want to burn at the stake, and I really don't think I ever will, but I want a faith that would make me willing to follow Jsesus at any cost. And I want to go to a church that won't give in to my natural appetite to the Chrisitanity to give me blsessings-dependent happiness.

Using God that way prevents me from knowing God in a way that makes my soul healthy and anchors me in joyful hope. A gathering that meets to make people happy in their blessings is not a church. It is a self-help club that feeds a narcissistic spirit of entitlement and dignifies as acceptable (or ignores altogether) the flesh-driven demand for self protection."

Here are my questions. Are we leading narcissistic churches? With our consumer driven, feel good culture what message are we sending in the local church? Are we somehow conveying to our flock that God is Mr Fix-It in the sky?

Maybe we need a good gut check and look at the predominant prayers that go up from are own lives and those we serve?

Reading Your Idiot Lights

Idiot lights on our dashboards signal to us that something is malfunctioning in our vehicle. The most common one is "check engine". It could be something as simple as a service call or a major problem with the power plant. Whichever, if we don't pay attention to them, some serious damage could result.

God graciously has put into all of us our own set of idiot lights that tell us when our power plant is on overload or malfunctioning. Let me list a few typical ones:

Fatigue, lack of compassion, anger, cynicism, depression, sleeplessness, defensiveness, excessive control, fear, anxiety, boredom, aimlessness, withdrawal.

When these lights go off there should be an immediate response. The signal is essentially telling us that we are operating our ministry in the flesh. When that is happening there is little fruit to be picked.

So what should be my response? Timeout with Mr. Goodwrench; or better known as a come to Jesus moment. What does that look like? Stop, look, and listen!

STOP: Don't use your busy schedule as an excuse not to pull over to the side of the road.

You probably got into this predicament because you failed to do preventive

maintenance.

LOOK: When the church at Ephesus lost it's first love God said that they needed to look to see

where they had fallen. Then they were told to repent, and do the things they did when

they were first in love. This means we need to root out the origin of the problem.

LISTEN: Take time to hear what God has to say. We often do not slow down long enough to

hear what He has to say. Your heart may need more than a tune up or oil change.

It may need a complete overhaul.

Happy motoring!

Me, Myself, and God

As you know I am a strong believer in a contemplative approach to God for the survival of our souls. Most pastors I have met find it extremely difficult to find silence, solitude and sensitivity with God. The pastorate has become an even more complicated and stressful calling because of a fickled post-modern culture and the demands of parishoners who have been overwhelmed with it's influence.

Just for the record I would like to re-emphasize the need for us in ministry to make sure we are replenishing our souls. We dare not minister from an empty tank.

Here is one pastor's thoughts written recently in Leadership Magazine on this issue:

"Silence is not meant to be a practice for navelgazers and recluses. Silence is the spiritual practice that puts us in a place to hear God, so that we can lead from something other than just strategic and organizational ideas. The great temptation that stalks ministers today is the temptation to put hours and hours into strategic agendas-because preparing agendas feels like doing something. That is easier to do than be silent and listen on the deep levels of the soul, levels where real discernment can happen. For me lack of silence is laziness-laziness in staying close to God." Adele Calhoun, Redeemer Community Church, Boston Massachusetts.

Let me insert one more testimony of a pastor from that same article in Leadership:

"As I write this, I am away from my normal stomping ground in Wisconsin, listening to the crashing surf of the ocean. At this merging point between the familiar world of dry land and that wild other -world at sea, I am reminded that the untamed power of God sometimes smashes into the laps against the world I know-or think I know. At home I engage with people continually, but I have nothing to offer them if I have not engaged with God. In solitude, I learn again that the purpose of ministry is not control, but awe."

Mel Lawrenz, Elmbrook Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin.

Fear Factor!

"Elijah was afraid and he fled for his life."

I guess if Elijah, one of the greatest prophets of God, could be afraid of a wicked queen then we shepherds may struggle with fear now and then.

The question then becomes not if you become afraid but when do you become afraid?

Fear can have a paralyzing affect on our ministries. When I asked over a hundred pastors what they were afraid of the following answers were given:

1. "I am afraid of failure"

2. "I am afraid of becoming irrelevant."

3. "I am afraid of losing control."

4. "I am afraid that my family will not measure up."

5. "I am afraid of losing people."

6. "I am afraid that people will find out I'm not as spiritual as they think I am."

7. "I am afraid of history repeating itself."

8. "I afraid of what people think of me."

There are many more fears out there so you can fill in the blank.

Paul gave some good advice to a fearful and timid young pastor Timothy. "But God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline." NLT

There is great power in the truth. The word of God is powerful. Fear is essentially believing a lie. Paul tells us to fix our minds on truth. What lies are you buying into?

Perfect love casts out or drives out fear. Fear and Love cannot coexist. When we understand specifially how much God really loves us fears have a tendency to melt away. When we trust in that love our faith becomes our reality. When is the last time you sat down and truly contemplated the love that God has demonstrated in your life?

Paul reminds us to think with sound judgment in Romans. This takes discipline. Paul also tells us to take every thought captive. Are you being proactive in the battle for your mind?

It all starts by facing your fears rather then rationalizing or running from them.

The good news is that God met Elijah in his fear so that he got up off the mat and continued to fight the good fight.

We must discipline our minds to focus on truth.

Keeping Your Life Under the Speed Limit

Arizona has been blessed with photo radar on all the freeways. Motorists for the most part detest big brother watching. However these devices do have an affect on overall speed. If you aren't paying attention the next thing you know you are getting flashed for doing 15 over.

Are you consistently going 15 over?

Let me throw up a warning sign to those of you who insist on going over your human speed limit.

Sooner or later you will get flashed and pay the consequences.

One of the biggest problems I am seeing in the lives of pastors is an inability to set boundaries. I recently heard from a pastor who is bi-vocational feeling guilty that he can only give 3 hours a day to counseling those in his congregation. I hear from other pastors who don't enjoy a day off or have been on a legitimate vacation for years much less a sabbatical. Most pastors I talk to are exceeding the speed limit and are not paying attention to the warning signs.

What are those warning signs? How about fatigue, depression, lack of compassion, cynicism, anxiety,guilt, physical problems, loss of patience, loneliness, sleeplessness, too many nights out,

disengagement with the family? The list can go on.

So how do we keep under the speed limit?

1. Distinguish between real guilt and false guilt. Real guilt comes from God not your own or others expextations.

2. Be intentional about setting boundaries. If you can't do it well, then ask for help. Find a secretary or person who will hold you accountable.

3. Understand your own idiot lights. God has uniquely given us alarms in our systems that go off when we are on overload. We need to determine what they are and pay attention to them.

4. Give yourself permission to take some time to rest. Remember boundary setting should lead to margins and margins should give you time to rest. You can bet in ministry that nobody will do it for you. The demands are too great.

5. Ask your spouse and kids if they feel significant and understood.

6. Make sure you are not in denial. As you know that is a deep and long river.

The bottom line is this: SLOW DOWN AND LIVE!

Incarnational Preaching

The past two and half years have been an interesting journey into sitting under sermons of many different pastors. I have discovered that there are some really talented teachers who are givng out tremendous biblical truth. However I have not seen very often where the one preaching is not only expressing truth but their life.

I believe good preaching takes the truth of God's word and really brings it to life. Jesus became a man so that we could see God operate in real life. I believe preaching should be the same way. Preaching is our opportunity to put flesh and bones on truth.

The average person in church will not connect the dots of truth unless they can see the truth somehow is being lived out in the life of the preacher. The Word became flesh so we could identify with the messenger as much as the message.

Church goers live a very compatmentalized life. If the message is not modeled so that they understand how it integrates into their life, then they can safely isolate it as irrrelevant.

If we want to see lives impacted with truth, then we must inject it with real life. Sometimes that means we must expose our own weaknesses, struggles, and victories.

The bottom line is that we need to be sharing enough of our own journey in our preaching so that those who hear us can identify with the preacher or so that the preacher can identfy with those who hear us.

Is it time for you to begin to do a little "incarnatinal preaching"?

Comeback churches

Does your church qualify as a comeback church?

In a recent article by Ed Stetzer he writes that pastors of small churches (200 and under) have heard all the strategies and promises, but for many small-church leaders, the conferences, led by rock star celebrity pastors, are like "ministry pornography"- an unrealistic depiction of an experience they"ll never have that distracts from from the real and wonderful thing. In other words, the lust of the megachurch distracts them from the mission of their church. Ed goes on to say that in reality the small church should concentrate on the critical but simple things. Small churches that are on the comeback trail should focus on the the bascis of prayer and outreach to the community.

Smaller comeback churches are often praying churches. Comeback leaders of smaller churches believed even more strongly that real, intentional, stratigic prayer made a significant difference in their revitalization process. God can change attitudes in your church through passionate, persistent prayer for renewal. Second, if smaller churchs are going to thrive, they must focus their attenion on reaching the lost in their communities. Again delving deeper into the survey of churches under 200 making a comeback, Stetzer discovered that intentional evangelism in the community was the other catylist in making a comeback.

Is strategic prayer and intentional outreach a part of your churches DNA? Is it a part of your DNA as a healthy pastor? Is it time for your church to make a comeback?

NOTE: If you want Ed Stetzer's complete article you can go online to www.outreachmagazine.com.

Prayer and outreach are not exactly revolutionary ideas, but they can change the focus in our churches from the latest growth strategies and magic formulas to an opportunity for real impact.

Stonewall Elders

For the first 9 years of my ministry in a church plant I was blessed with two elders who consistently had their own agendas. Whenever I would cast vision for a new direction there was always some excuse or cold water why it wouldn't work or they would put their spin on it and create gridlock with the other elders. During that period of time I would get emotionally and spiritually exhausted trying to engineer around those two to accomplish what I thought God had in mind for our church. Unfortunately during those years we had elders who annually renewed their commitment to the board. This was difficult for me that I considered resigning several times.

However, thanks to the sovereignty of God the two elders disagreed so mightily on one issue that they got into an argument and both left the board at the same time. Needless to say after 9 years I felt liberated. After that, the board renewed their faith in my leadership and asked me to redefine our vision and become the real spiritual leader of the flock. From that moment on, God really blessed the growth and development of the church.

So what are the ways we can avoid these stonewallers?

First: It is important to guard the gate. I was way too careless and hasty to have an elder board in the early days of ministry. We can never be too careful to measure the potential leaders Biblical character, competency, and chemistry.

Second: It is critical to have a clearly defined governance model so the roles of elders and staff are understood by all.

Third: It is important that the elder board and pastor have mutual respect and trust. Too many pastors do not trust their elders and vice versa.

Fourth: You may want to implement a 3 year rotation off the elder board. This gives an elder a break and may resolve naturally an elder who needs to be removed.

Fifth: Be prepared for some loving courageous confrontation. There is no substitute for godly leaders who lead with conviction and grace.

May you keep those walls torn down!

Are You Into Organized Religion?

I have frequently been in conversation with folks who don't go to church and when I ask them why, the usual answer is that they are not into organized religion. My normal response to that is, "Neither am I". This gets their attention, especially when they find out I am a minister.

As Evangelicals we have relegated organized religion to the mainliners and have prided ourselves in the fact that we are about the relationship. However, the longer I have been associated with the evangelical church I have found that it is not isolated to the mainline denominations. So what does organized religion look like in the Evangelcial church?

1. The church that plays church. This is the church that has forgotton to ask the question why.

It is a church that has plateaued and found themselves in maintenance mode. The Great Commission has been repressed into the great omission. It is no longer mission or purpose driven. Vision has been lost and people are just going through the motions.

2. The church filled with political agendas. This is a church where the staff is siloed into their ministry and miss the big picture. Church bosses are misusing their power of influence. Leadership is more concerned about serving men rather than God. Committees and boards become roadblocks to sprit filled leadership. Sacred cows are protected at all cost.

3. The church that is run like a business. This is a church that is market driven that often has a board made up of businessmen in the community who have influence and prestige but are not necessarily in tune with the organism of the church. Decisions are simply driven by finances, logic, marketing appeal, policies, and bottom lines, rather than prayerful deliberation.

4. The church that has lost it's lampstand. This church could burn down tomorrow and nobody in the community would really care. The compassion for the community has been lost under the bushel of complacency. People see this church as a club that only has percs for it's members.

5. The church without authentcity. Everyone is looking for a genuine community of people that they can identify. From the pastor to the pew there must be enough transparency and vulnerabilty for people to connect. The church without authenticity often has a spirtual facade that comunicates in Christianese where the average person on the street sees as pious platitudes.

6. The church that doesn't connect the Bible to real life. The Bible was written to be powerfully transforming not academically informing. People come to this kind of church and find no relevance to scripture in their daily lives. It is no wonder people do not find the church to be a relevant institution.

Over the years we evangelicals have prided ourselves in the fact that we are not about religion but a relationship. Sometimes I wonder.

A Really Deep Subject

When is the last time you heard these words from one of the saints in the church?



"I want something deeper for myself." "Your messages aren't deep enough. "



"I want something meatier." " I want a Bible study that goes deeper."



After 30 years of ministry I am still trying to figure what "deeper" really means.



Does it mean more expositional? Does it mean more detailed? Does it mean more background or historical support of the teaching? Does it mean a better parsing of verbs or Greek renderings? Does it mean more in your face? Does it mean getting past milk issues regarding salvation or onto bigger and better discipleship issues? Does it mean "Precepts Bible Studies"?


Let me put just a cynical spin on the concept of deeper.....

I have learned that those who complain about depth are often those who want to substitute knowledge for obedience. The assumption is that the more they know the more mature they are. These people want more information not transformation.

People who complain about depth often have a personal doctrinal agenda that needs to be served. If that agenda isn't being taught or presented then it isn't deep. For intance if we don't preach on "end times" or the sovereignty of God frequently we are not deep enough.

People who complain about depth are often those without consideration of the larger body.
There are many different levels of understanding in the average church today. Martin Luther used to use the k.i.s.s. method. (Keep it simple. ) Simplicity is often associated with shallowness.
It is unfortunate, because the most simple can be the most profound.

So when somebody uses the "d" word in your church what do you think they really mean?

In any case, let's make sure we keep on digging.

If Christ Were not There

I have been reading a book called "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan. It is another one of those books that challenges us to the pursuit of love for our Lord. I was totally convicted by a quote in his book by John Piper. He writes:

The citical question for our generation--and for every generation--is this:

"If you could have heaven, with no sickness and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satistied with heaven if Christ were not there?"

How many of us would read that statement and would say, "You know, I would be okay with that." I had to admit I struggled with that thought. How about you?

Can we say with the Psalmist, "O God , you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you , in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you."

Could we honestly pray to the Lord, "I want You, And when I don't, I want to want you."

Amen

Simplify

There are far too many sacred cows in the local church that may make for some very good hamburger. Are you able to ask the following questions when it comes to the complexity of your ministry?

Are all the programs, committeees and various ministries necessary?

Is each ministry fulfilling its intended purpose?

Do you continuously ask why you are doing what you do in the church?

What are the motives driving the ministries in your church?

Are people burning out in various ministries?

Are you burning yourself out?

How many nights out could the average family in your church have on their plate?

You are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha in Luke chapter 10. Martha became distracted and unsettled while serving Jesus and His disciples. On the other hand Mary sat calmly and quiet at His feet, listening to Him speak to her heart. Mary wanted communion with her Savior and Martha opted for activity. I believe that quiet worship will give us the presence of mind that we need to simplify even pare down the things that we do in active service, lest we end up becoming "worried and bothered about so many things,"as Martha was.

It seems to me that the local church has bought into Martha's philosphy hook line and sinker.

Maybe we have opted for activity over communion. Is your church distracted and unsettled?

When was the last time you or you and your leaders just sat at the feet of Jesus?

The Bullseye on Your Back

Criticism and leadershp can certainly be synonymous. . I might be a little prejudiced, but I think there is a greater propensity for criticism in the church then any other institution. Why it that?
First: We are servant leaders. Servant leaders are more approachable, teachable, and vulnerable. Those qualities add up to be an easier target. Secondly: People are consumers of the church and are selfishly prone to have the menu they want. When we can't feed them what they want, they find another "restaurant" down the street. Third: It seems that everyone is an expert when it comes to the church. A pastor would never tell a pilot how to fly a plane or a CEO how to run his business, but parishoners will tell a pastor how to lead the church.

So what are the results of the inevitable arrows that strike our back side? "WOUNDS"

So how do you deal with the wounds of criticism that come your way? I managed to repress my wounds over the years. I would excuse the unfair, nasty, carnal criticism in the name of "Suck it up Christianity". "After all these people love God like I do." "It isn't a personal attack." "They are just having a bad day." "That's just life in the ministry." "They aren't the enemy." "I'm a big boy, I can take it."

While all those statements had truth attached, it didn't make the sting go away. So I would rationalize my own hurt thus piling up offense after offense without really treating the wound. What I really needed to do was to honestly admit it hurt and intentionally forgive the person by faith. Unfortunately it took too many years to figure that out.

How are you handling the bullseye on your back? Are you responding in a healthy way?

Getting Out of the Ivory Tower

How many sermons have you preached about the Great Commission? But how many people have you led to Christ outside the context of your local church? What this means is getting out of the Ivory Tower and making intentional contacts in the community.

For many pastors it means adding one more thing to their already busy schedule. However if we take seriously the great commission, then shouldn't it be a priority?

Let me share the advatages of being intentional about your own evangelism:

1. It demontstrates proper role modeling.
2. It brings greater integrity to your preaching.
3. It can change the DNA of your church to become more reproductive.
4. It personally motivates and ignites passion in a a pastor's heart when someone's life is
transformed.

If you have been wondering why God hasn't blessed you with more conversion growth maybe it's because you have set a poor example.

There have been many pastors who have joined health clubs, reached out to their neighbors, done chaplaincy work, coached, or gotten involved in various community or school movements.
The list can go on.

Rather than settling for being a good equipper maybe it is time to be intentional about your own personal evangelism. Wouldn't it be fun to share how you led someone to Christ during a Sunday morning sermon? How contagious and challenging would that be?

Hope to see you on the street and out of the tower.

Church...Center for the performing arts?

The church today has become the center for the performing arts. Sermons are slickly crafted, and worship is wonderfully choreographed, while the patrons in the pews are entertained to do the same. Entertained to do what? Perform, of course.

Our breaknecked pace of American culture has put us on a treadmill of "behavioral Christianity"
Evangelical Christianity has slipped into a think and do mentality. We have measured spiritual maturity simply by external behavior. After all, doesn't man look at the outer appearance? It seems to me that we have done a great job reducing Christianity to a series of disciplines. If a person goes to church, studies the Bible, prays, and is involved actively in ministry they are mature in Christ. Why? Because they are "acting" like a Christian should act.

Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus to comprehend the love of Christ, but we find in Revelation, they lost their first love. What happened? Revelation tells us they were doctrinely sound, patiently enduring, and extremely active. From all the externals the church was behaving in a healthy vibrant way. They had behavioral Christianity mastered. They had great knowledge and were busy being obedient but there was one huge problem. Their passion was missing.

Has that happened to you.? You have been so busy thinking and doing that you forgot to "be".

Maybe it is time for you to go backstage, behind the curtain of "behavioral Christianity" and reconnect with the loving intimate Abba Father.

Know and Understand Your Limits

Accepting who you are, and understanding how you are unique, will enable you to find a better rhythm for your ministry. Beyond that, consider whether you've come to terms with your giftedness. For within that realm lies your greatest potential for productivity....authentic fruit bearing as directed by the Holy Spirit. "I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you,"said Paul to Timothy.

Stay within your limits. Don't spend most of your time doing work that is outside of your giftedness. As much as possible, stick to the things that you do best. Otherwise your heart will lose it's rhythm. In his book, Contrarians, Larry Osborne wisely observes that "we must learn to listen to the still small voice of the Spirit as He calls and equips us to be a better us , rather than a poor imitation of someone else."

I have observed that whenever pastors take on responsiblities that they're not fitted for, they end up operating in self-protect mode. That's because their weaknesses--and insecurities--are dictating their ministry. They're restless, uncomfortable...and it shows.

Is it showing in your life?

Gut Check for Sermon Prep

I remember the days when it was easy to be the lean mean sermon machine. I loved to study and crank out great sermons for those needy folks of the flock. I would be excited about the illustrations, wonderful alliterations, and three point slam dunks that would knock their wooly socks off. However this was one shepherd who needed to take a look inward before delivering a life changing message.

Here is the question. Are you allowing your sermon preparation to touch your own heart? Are you being transformed by your own preaching? If not, how can you expect your flock to hear a message of integrity, authenticity, and passion?

What checks and balances are in your life to protect you from preparing just for others?

Isn't it a shame that some pastors have compartmentalized their devotional life from their sermon preparation.

When God's Love is Taken for Granted

April 22nd 2009

How many pastors really comprehend the love of Abba Father in their lives? We may know his love in our heads but what about our hearts. Brennan Manning, in his book Ragamuffin Gospel gives insight on what God might want to say to us if we are taking his love for granted:

"And God answers, That's what you don't know. You know how much I love you. The moment you think you understand is the moment you do not understand. I am God, not man. You tell others about Me--that I am a loving God. Your words are glib. My words are written in the blood of My only Son. The next time you you preach about me with such obnoxious familiarity, I may come and blow your whole prayer meeting apart. When you come at Me with studied professionalism, I will expose you as a rank amateur. When you try to convince others that you understand what you are talking about, I will tell you to shut up and fall flat on your face. you claim to know I love you.

Did you know that every time you tell Me you love Me, I say thank you? When your son comes to you asking, "Do you like Susan 'cause she skates better and she's a girl?" are you grieved and saddened over your child's lack of trust? Do you know that you do the same thing to Me?

Do you claim to know what we shared when Jesus withdrew to a deserted place or spent the night on a hillside alone with Me? Do you know from where the inspiration to wash the feet of the Twelve came? Do you understand that, motivated by love alone, your God became your slave in the upper room? Have you forgotten that on Good Friday no angel intervened? That sacrifice was carried out, and it was My heart that was broken".......

Brennen concludes, "When I become so spiritually advanced that Abba is old hat, then the Father has been had, Jesus has been tamed, the Spirit has been corralled, and the Pentecostal fire has been extinguished. Evangelical faith is the antitheseis of lukewarmness: It always means a profound dissatisfaction with our present state. When Scripture, prayer, worship, ministry become routine, they are dead. When I conclude that I can now cope with the awful love of God, I have headed for the shallows to avoid the deeps. I could more easily contain Niagara Falls in a teacup than I can comprehend the wild, uncontainable love of God.

When was the last time you spent some solitary moments basking in the love of his presence?