Filed under: church, Conviction Hurts, Daily Living, Faith, God, Leadership, Legacy Fellowship, Religion | Tags: accountability, sin, talking to yourself, The Holy Spirit
Every week the men on staff at Legacy Fellowship fill out an accountability report. This is a form with eight simple questions that we answer and we return to our pastor. When I say “simple questions” I mean to say, “Terribly difficult, pride swallowing questions”. There are weeks I blow throw the form in a few minutes and I feel great. I know that I have had a great week. I think I have had two of those in the last two years (I gave myself a trophy).
Today was accountability report day. Today was a hard day. I hate admitting when I have failed in any area of my life. I hate admitting that I am not Superman. I don’t want to need prayer and encouragement for anything. I want to be the guy that prays for and encourages someone that is struggling. Clearly, I am a prideful person. I didn’t mention that in my report.
As much as I hate doing the report sometimes, I know that it helps to keep me in line. I think to myself, “Self, what are you going to write on your report if you do this?” 99% of the time I listen to myself and turn from whatever it is I am tempted to do. Is it at these moments I know the Holy Spirit is the voice I am hearing. If it were my own voice it would say something like, “Self, I think it’s time you look out for number one! Have a little fun. Do what you wanna do. ‘Report’, what report?”
Thank God for the Holy Spirit and that small, still voice. Thank God for accountability reports.
Filed under: church, Conviction Hurts, Daily Living, Faith, Jesus, Ministry, Prayer, Question of the day, Religion
Something has been on my heart a lot lately and I wanted to share it with you. It’s a question that my brother drew up in me when we were having a conversation no too long ago. We talked about overseas missions and witnessing and reaching the lost. I have been asking myself ever since, “Does my heart break for the lost?” It should and I have found lately that I think it does…but not enough.
With the passing of Heath Ledger and Brad Renfro in the last month I have found myself really pondering this question and becoming more and more saddened by my indifference as it applies to the Heath Ledger’s, Brad Renfro’s and John Q. Public’s of the world. I have been indifferent because I don’t spend a lot of time praying for the lost. I certainly don’t spend any time weeping for them. I have been praying lately that my attitude change toward the people in the world that I may never know and that seemingly will never affect my life. Even if that is true, do they need Jesus any less than the person sitting in the cubicle next to me? Do they need Jesus any less than my crazy in-laws? I prayer for them, why not those I don’t know? I don’t know if they will ever affect me but I know my attitude toward them can affect them. I know that there is power in prayer and if I pray for the lost that power can change lives.
So that is what is on my heart. That is a new resolution for me for the New Year.
So, what about you? Does your heart break for the lost?
Filed under: church, Daily Living, Faith, forgiveness, God, God is good, Jesus, Leadership, Ministry, Prayer, Religion | Tags: 1 Timothy, Grace, pastors, The Holy Spirit
I think we, as a people, expect too much of our pastors. No, I know we do. I firmly believe pastors should be held to a higher standard. I believe we should live our lives as purely and Godly as possible. I believe we will fail miserably and often and that is where the Holy Spirit is needed the most, in our failures. If we were infallible we would not need the Holy Spirit. If we were perfect we would not have needed Jesus to die for us on the cross. I know I needed Him to die for me, I know I need Him today and it’s a safe bet I will need Him tomorrow.
I don’t think we, as pastors, have to live our lives a boring and plainly as possible in order to be a good pastor. Now, I am not saying I am a good pastor; I am far from it. Paul said it best in 1 Timothy 15-17:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.
I was shown so much mercy in order to be saved. I have been shown more mercy to serve in the ministry and even more to serve alongside a wife such as mine. It is because of this mercy, because I remember where I came from, that I do my utmost to have mercy and grace for others, especially pastors. It seems as if people forget that we need it as much, if not more than others because we are held to a different standard. We are “graded” more severely. We live our lives. We aren’t perfect. Unfortunately, not everything we do or say will be as Jesus would have it. We may laugh at or tell an off color joke. We may not exclusively listen to gospel music. We may not begin every day with an hour’s worth of prayer. We surely won’t live every minute of our lives according to every word of the Bible. I wish I could. I am glad Jesus knew we couldn’t and had grace for me too.
Filed under: church, Daily Living, Faith, Family, God, Jesus, Leadership, Learning my trade, Legacy Fellowship, Marriage, Ministry, Prayer, Religion, Teenagers, Youth Ministry | Tags: The Cutting Edge, The Lion King, The Watchmen
For the last few weeks I have really felt the push to mix it up. I need to mix it up in my marriage, my prayer life, my bible reading, and especially the youth ministry I lead. I have started calling my wife during the day a whole lot more. Yesterday I met her for lunch. I even let her watch some ice skating movie last night; The Edges Being Cut by Blades of Glory on Ice…or something like that. It had the chick that voices Simba’s girlfriend in The Lion King. Anyway, I read The Watchmen. So, I think that is a good start mixing it up with the wife and I know she appreciated it; she told me so, otherwise I would still be wondering.
As far as the youth ministry goes, I have been mixing it up a little the last couple of weeks. I had Cheri preach to the teens last week and it was good. I think the girls liked the feminine touch she brought to the evening instead of constantly seeing me up there making funny faces with arms flailing like a wounded duck. But I digress. Tonight at Filter (the youth ministry) we are going to have a “round-table” discussion. We don’t have any round tables but you know what I mean, right? Basically, I really feel the need to lead the group to have a deep, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I want to talk to them tonight about pray and the importance of it. I want to teach them why Jesus prayed, and if the Son of God needed to pray then we definitely need to as well. I want to know what they think about prayer. I will never know how to address their issues, questions and concerns if I don’t know what they are. Hopefully tonight I will find them out.
Filed under: church, Daily Living, Faith, Family, Friends, God, Jesus, Legacy Fellowship, Ministry, Prayer, Relationships, Religion | Tags: John 15
Jesus should be the center of my life. I know it in my head and my heart. I know it and yet there are a lot of times that I can’t say He is. It has really been on my heart lately. As I planned for upcoming sermons, I really felt like Jesus wanted me to talk about getting back to the basics of Christianity. At the root of it all is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Without a relationship with Christ the rest is all moot.
Apparently, I am not the only one that is feeling this push from the Holy Spirit. My wife said she really had this on her heart lately so I let her preach last Wednesday about it. John 15 was her scripture base and it was great. I love that chapter.
Chad, our children’s pastor, taught the kids about focusing on Jesus yesterday. He said it was as much for himself as it was for the kids. As pastors, isn’t that often the case? Not always, but often.
It seems to really be hitting home with people lately that having a personal relationship with Jesus is key to our Christian lives. I think it must really be on His heart right now too?
Filed under: church, Faith, Food, God, Jesus, Legacy Fellowship, Ministry, Religion, Teenagers, Youth Ministry | Tags: pizza, public speaking
Last night my wife preached in youth. It was a nice change and she did well. Amidst countless distractions (there was construction going on in the building) and her nerves being on her skin, she did a fine job. There were twice as many students as usual too. We told them last week that we would buy them pizza if they brought friends. Let me tell you; food sells!!!
My observations from last night are few but poignant:
First, speaking requires practice. Regardless of the audience, one must practice, and practice well, in order to become a good speaker. The fact that one may not be a great public speaker can be outweighed (rarely) by knowledge or passion of a subject which leads me to my next observation.
Knowledge and/or passion for a subject can save a speaker that is out of practice. I witnessed two speakers last night; the Cheri that started and the Cheri that finished. Cheri had a clear vision of what she wanted to talk about last night. She knew what God wanted to get across and what the subject matter would be. She didn’t know how to get it there but when it got there it was great! The first few minutes of her sermon were a chore for her. I think she was finding her feet and trying to overcome the distractions of the incessant hammering and the blank stares. Once she found her footing and she was confident in what she was saying her sermon was very powerful and the kids thought so too. Two guests raised their hands at the “alter call”. That is what it’s all about people; leading people to a relationship with Christ.
My final observation from last night: FOOD SELLS! I said it already but I can’t stress it enough; if you offer food people will show up. It is a powerful tool and I can’t say I understand it but it works. It has worked every time. I am thinking about adding a pizza budget or putting an oven in the youth room.
It was a great night for Filter and a great job by Cheri. God really showed up and I can’t wait for our next meeting. That is if I still have a job. Cheri might have become my replacement.
[I placed alter call in quotes because I don’t know what else to call it but we don’t have anybody actually come up to the front, they just have to raise their hands.]
Filed under: church, Faith, Friends, God, Leadership, Learning my trade, Legacy Fellowship, Ministry, Religion, Teenagers, Youth Ministry | Tags: Children's Ministry, Spiritual Gifts, The Holy Spirit
Last night we had a little bit of a different meeting at Filter Youth Ministries. I felt like God really wanted me to let the youth in on my vision for the ministry and to have a somewhat interactive discussion about it. I spent some time going over what God has put in my heart in regard to youth ministry and I talked a little about some things we could do as individuals and as a group to infect and affect our schools, workplaces, communities and the world. It was pretty good.
Our (Legacy Fellowship’s) Children’s Pastor, Chad, decided to sit in on the service with his son. My, what a difference perspective can make. When we talked about the service afterward he used the word “phenomenal”. I think he over embellished a little bit but the point is he thought I did a fairly good job. He is my friend so he could have flat out lied too. You never know.
But what a difference perspective makes. He told me he would have a hard time preaching to youth, especially a small group like we have at Legacy. He said he would be too distracted by actually seeing who was talking/text messaging/sleeping in his class. I told him I thought they were really good last night. You see, from time to time the entire aforementioned behaviors/activities can and do happen but apparently kindergarteners up to 6th graders must just sit attentively in their chairs hanging on every word. Wait, huh? I teach them from time to time too. When I am done I usually am so frazzled I can’t see straight.
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Paul tells we each have different gifts:
4There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.
The reason I even mention this is because there have been times that I think I am not cut out for what I am doing. There are times that I think I am the absolute worst youth minister on the planet. I needed Chad to sit in that class last night. I needed him to tell me he couldn’t do what I do. I needed the Holy Spirit to remind me that we all have different gifts. And I needed to be reminded that I can’t do what I do without the Holy Spirit and the gifting He brings.
Yesterday someone asked me what I do for fun. I told him, “I’m a Youth Pastor”.
Filed under: church, Faith, God, Leadership, Legacy Fellowship, Ministry, Prayer, Religion, Teenagers, Youth Ministry
Tomorrow night I will be doing something a little differently in youth service; I am casting vision. This is something my Pastor, Tony, does on a fairly regular basis and I think it is a good way to get people excited about what the future could bring. I have never really done this with the youth. I have given them little nugget here and there about what I want to see happen in our youth ministry, but never really shared my full vision. I am actually a little nervous about it. Though I know what my vision for the ministry IS I don’t know exactly what it will look like or how to get it there.
My vision for Filter Student Ministries is for the students involved will truly be involved. I rarely use the word “group” when I refer to Filter; I refer to them as a ministry. We are a ministry and the difference is simple; the word group gives the impression of people coming together (and that is good) but the word ministry gives the impression of a person or group of people coming together in order to love God, His Word, His presence, His purpose and His people. We are not here just to suck air and soda pop. We are here to serve God and His people. We are not here to be the future of society and the church. We are here to be a functional and valuable part of society and the church, NOW.
So, where do we start? How do I get teenagers excited about serving people? I sure can’t do it on my own so I will start by praying…a lot.
Last night I went to my church’s 2nd annual Christmas party. There was lots of Italian food, lots of sweets…ummm, cheesecake…sorry, lots of fun with plenty of cheese and then the people. I don’t know how many we had but there was a bunch for our little, growing church. It was great.
I don’t think I will ever forget Buddy singing “I Saw Santa Kissing Santa Claus”. That has to be one of my favorite memories of 2007. I got it all on tape, anyone know how to use youtube?
Anyway, I was really glad we got to do this. I saw people laughing and talking. Relationships were being built and solidified. It really is a special thing to witness. “Church People” as a whole usually don’t take a lot of time to get to know people within their church body. Our church seems so different because we do. We spend between half to a full hour after church loitering in the entryway/lobby area. We end up having to arm our ushers with cattle prods to get everyone out. Last night I was thankful for that too.
At the end, Tony asked the staff to stay and help clean up. I don’t think anyone left. I think almost everyone did something to help. I have never witnessed that in a church. I am fortunate to have witnessed Christ’s love in so many. I am proud to be a part of this unique body of Christ.
Filed under: church, Faith, God is good, Jesus, Learning my trade, Legacy Fellowship, men's prayer, Ministry, Prayer, Relationships, Religion, wisdom | Tags: disciples, God, Jesus, Legacy Fellowship, Matthew 18, men's prayer, Palm Treo
For the past several months the men of Legacy Fellowship have been meeting for prayer on Friday mornings at 6:30. The first couple of months it was quite tough for me to get in the habit of waking up at 5:30 and going. I think I missed the first 5, went to the next, missed the next two and then I bought a Palm Treo, set it to remind me every Thursday and Friday about prayer. I have been going almost every Friday since. Now that I am in the habit of it I really enjoy it. If Sunday service is a time to refuel for the week then men’s prayer on Friday mornings is kind of like a weekly check-up or something.
The time I spend with God in the company of the men in my church is wonderful. I know that we are collectively praying for our church, the people that are part of it, our Pastor, Tony and for we the staff. We need this time together. Jesus tells his disciples in Matthew 18: 19-20, “Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” I have really tried to take hold of this so I have made it a goal of mine to make sure my pastor is not up at the church alone on Friday mornings. If he is not going to be there I will do what I can to be there and I will do what I can to encourage my brothers to be there as well.
I have a lot a room for growth in this department. With the help of my brothers in prayer and by the grace of God I will get to where He wants me to be; on my knees.
Filter Through Life 