It is that time of year when United Methodist churches recommend
leadership positions for the coming year (affirmed at the Charge
Conference, the annual church-wide business meeting to be held on
October 28th at 5:30pm). Sometimes questions arise as to how this
happens. Folks sometimes think the pastor just picks people for the
positions. This is not the United Methodist process and not the Good News process. Here is what we do.
1. A group called Lay Leader Development (nominated and voted on at
the Charge Conference each year) meets to nominate new leaders or
consider changes in lay leadership. The group is co-chaired by the Lay
Leader and the Pastor (in our case the Lay Leader take the lead role, runs the meetings and coordinates the recommendations).
2. We pray a lot, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year
when we are bringing in ideas and recommendations. That prayer
continues to be part of our meetings and part of the process.
3.
Our recommendations for leaders start with thinking about people who
love other people and God (the Great Commandment from Jesus), are
available year round (Luke 9:59-62), are regular participants in the
life of the church (prayer, presence, gifts, service, witness ... Acts
2:42-47), play well with others (i.e., people who edify and build up the
Church using their gifts per 1 Corinthians 12), and bear the fruit of
the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
4. We don't have members of the same household (husband and wife) on
the Executive Council ... a necessary but difficult rule since we have
many husbands and wives at Good News are so capable of being leaders.
5. Prior to the Charge Conference our entire Church Council is asked to
affirm and endorse the work of the Lay Leadership Development Team.
We
also have many teams that are assigned special duties but operate as
task forces of an administrative team or of the Executive Council.
These might be some of the most important teams at Good News since they
implement ministry in close proximity to the people God has sent us.
Finally, we sometimes (because we are people) have misunderstandings
which lead us to connect and pray together over our differences. We
deal with these matters with the person with whom we have the dispute,
telling the truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-16).
That's a short synopsis of what happens each year. We would love for
you to add your prayers to the process. Thanks! Pastor Randy
Monday, October 1, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
WOW
Wow have we had lots of new people and
visitors at Good News over the past few weeks. I could give all of the
Good News regulars a pep talk to be friendly, attentive and "step across
the room" to get to know these new folks. Many of you will do a great
job of this anyway so what I would like to do is address this blog to
the folks who are new members, visitors, people who are seeking a place
to worship God and to hear God's Word. Here goes:
1. First, I am honored to be in worship with you! Isn't it wonderful that we can come together and collectively point toward God, seeking His advice, hearing His word, giving to His work and loving His people? Just so you know, my goal in worship and in preaching isn't to tell you what I know, give you some pop psychology or tell you some platitudes that will make you feel good. My goal is to tell you, in the best way I know how, what the Lord says. This calling goes all the way back to the Patriarchs in the Old Testament to the writers of the short letters in the New Testament. Jesus said in John that we would worship in Spirit and Truth. We will strive to do that.
2. Second, we are very far from perfect. Good News is relatively new and there are ways we don't have our act as together as we should. Be patient and become part of our ability to do all things better ... we need your help and your giftedness. We are not a refuge of saints but rather a place where sick people gather for healing. After all, Jesus said He came to reach and heal the sick ... not to help those who think they are righteous. If you want to be part of a ministry, if you desire to serve in some way, if you have an idea for a new ministry or if you just want to participate in some meaningful way we hope Good News will be just the place for you. I will personally try to connect you to a place where you can make a difference to God.
3. Third, Good News is committed to making the community better because God placed us here. So we will be more and more focused on mission. This will mean all of our groups, old and new, will be challenged to be in a missional posture as it related to God and our community. After all ... we ARE the mission.
4. Finally, we are serious about knowing God (learning/Bible study) ... loving God (worship, giving and nurture) ... serving God (mission). Through these paths we hope to relate to God with our heart, soul, mind and strength and love those people God sends our way.
On October 7th I hope you will join me after the 2nd service (NOON) and have PIZZA WITH THE PASTOR. I will supply pizza, drinks and salad. We will gather in the sanctuary and you will have the opportunity to ask questions of me and the ministry staff. All of you who have visited (even one time) or are regular attenders who just have questions, please come. Also new members and people who are seeking a place to worship God are welcome. I will be honored to meet you and get to know you!
Pastor Randy
1. First, I am honored to be in worship with you! Isn't it wonderful that we can come together and collectively point toward God, seeking His advice, hearing His word, giving to His work and loving His people? Just so you know, my goal in worship and in preaching isn't to tell you what I know, give you some pop psychology or tell you some platitudes that will make you feel good. My goal is to tell you, in the best way I know how, what the Lord says. This calling goes all the way back to the Patriarchs in the Old Testament to the writers of the short letters in the New Testament. Jesus said in John that we would worship in Spirit and Truth. We will strive to do that.
2. Second, we are very far from perfect. Good News is relatively new and there are ways we don't have our act as together as we should. Be patient and become part of our ability to do all things better ... we need your help and your giftedness. We are not a refuge of saints but rather a place where sick people gather for healing. After all, Jesus said He came to reach and heal the sick ... not to help those who think they are righteous. If you want to be part of a ministry, if you desire to serve in some way, if you have an idea for a new ministry or if you just want to participate in some meaningful way we hope Good News will be just the place for you. I will personally try to connect you to a place where you can make a difference to God.
3. Third, Good News is committed to making the community better because God placed us here. So we will be more and more focused on mission. This will mean all of our groups, old and new, will be challenged to be in a missional posture as it related to God and our community. After all ... we ARE the mission.
4. Finally, we are serious about knowing God (learning/Bible study) ... loving God (worship, giving and nurture) ... serving God (mission). Through these paths we hope to relate to God with our heart, soul, mind and strength and love those people God sends our way.
On October 7th I hope you will join me after the 2nd service (NOON) and have PIZZA WITH THE PASTOR. I will supply pizza, drinks and salad. We will gather in the sanctuary and you will have the opportunity to ask questions of me and the ministry staff. All of you who have visited (even one time) or are regular attenders who just have questions, please come. Also new members and people who are seeking a place to worship God are welcome. I will be honored to meet you and get to know you!
Pastor Randy
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Every December Sky
The lyrics (below) by Beth Nielson Chapman closely relate to my message for this Sunday. I will be talking about grief, grieving, mourning and how we deal with these issues in a healthy way. Jesus has some very short and helpful words in the Beatitudes from Matthew 5:4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." There is scholarly speculation whether this mourning is about personal sin or personal loss. My take is it is both, but Sunday I will focus on the second ... dealing with loss. This is why I love the poetry of the lyrics to "Every December Sky" which touch my heart and help me to see past the veil of death to "the spring inside the trees."
As I watch life unfold I marvel at how small we make God and the spirit God has placed inside His treasure, people. We grieve like God didn't see this coming. We, rather than mourn, often think that death is an end even God cannot overcome. The song below reminds us ... 1) there is spring inside the trees ... 2) we must sometimes trust God's nature and promises rather than the difficult vision of a dying friend ... 3) we are invited to God's paradise (for all who say yes to God) ... 4) heaven isn't far away, it is close and we will be provided for even there. Here is my favorite part ... we can look around us and see the assurance of God in every vision of beauty He shows us.
As I write today my friend and Assistant Leah Manning is mourning the imminent loss of her mother. There will be lots of tears but God will bless and comfort them. There will be stories (also part of mourning) and God will bless the hearts of the tellers and the hearers. There will be outbursts of emotion, and God will provide grace and understanding to those mourners who seek Him. Because if we mourn in the context of God's nurture we truly will receive comfort and the answer to the 'why' that so permeates out thoughts at these difficult times. The answer to 'why' is a God who, in the midst of loss, tells us it is well with our soul. He truly has it under control so that death and the toils of life truly have no sting for those who call on Him. Praise God!
As I watch life unfold I marvel at how small we make God and the spirit God has placed inside His treasure, people. We grieve like God didn't see this coming. We, rather than mourn, often think that death is an end even God cannot overcome. The song below reminds us ... 1) there is spring inside the trees ... 2) we must sometimes trust God's nature and promises rather than the difficult vision of a dying friend ... 3) we are invited to God's paradise (for all who say yes to God) ... 4) heaven isn't far away, it is close and we will be provided for even there. Here is my favorite part ... we can look around us and see the assurance of God in every vision of beauty He shows us.
As I write today my friend and Assistant Leah Manning is mourning the imminent loss of her mother. There will be lots of tears but God will bless and comfort them. There will be stories (also part of mourning) and God will bless the hearts of the tellers and the hearers. There will be outbursts of emotion, and God will provide grace and understanding to those mourners who seek Him. Because if we mourn in the context of God's nurture we truly will receive comfort and the answer to the 'why' that so permeates out thoughts at these difficult times. The answer to 'why' is a God who, in the midst of loss, tells us it is well with our soul. He truly has it under control so that death and the toils of life truly have no sting for those who call on Him. Praise God!
Every December sky must lose it's faith in leaves and dream of the spring inside the trees.
How heavy the empty heart, how light the heart that's full.
Sometimes I have to trust what I can't know ... sometimes I have to trust what I can't know
We walk into Paradise; the angels lend us shoes.
'Cause all that we own, we'll come to lose,
And Heaven is not so far, outside this womb of words.
With every rose that blooms, my soul is assured
It's just like a song I've known yet still unheard.
How heavy the empty heart, how light the heart that's full.
Sometimes I have to trust what I can't know ... sometimes I have to trust what I can't know
We walk into Paradise; the angels lend us shoes.
'Cause all that we own, we'll come to lose,
And Heaven is not so far, outside this womb of words.
With every rose that blooms, my soul is assured
It's just like a song I've known yet still unheard.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Kiosk is Coming
OK ... many of you are asking ... what? Has Pastor Randy gone crazy (those of you who didn't already think that)? But, upon approval by our Finance Team ... kiosk is coming! What am I talking about?
Here is the background. At a conference I attended a speaker asked about 1,000 people a question. "How many of you have your checkbook?" Five people raised their hand. Then he asked, "How many of you have $200 in your wallet?" Another five people. Then he asked, "How many of you have less than $20 cash?" A solid majority. To further make a point, I stood in line at a convenience store today and three people in front of me, all spending less than $10, used debit cards to pay for their purchase.
Fact is, the world is changed. We are in a debit-card society and we sit in church beside people who pay most of their bills online, many of their recurring bills by automatic withdrawal and look with puzzlement at the traditional offering plate wondering what to do.
Tonight I met with the 14% Team of Good News. The name comes from a statistic that only 14% of churches (from a survey of 1,079 churches) are exceeding their budgets. We need to be in that 14%, not for financial reasons but because we want to do all the ministry God is calling Good News to do. Truly, all we do ... every meeting, every plan, every expense, every move we make ... should be focused on making disciples of Jesus who know God, love God and serve God. So ... the kiosk is coming.
The kiosk is simply a computer that allows us (any and all of us) to give online right at church ... right in the narthex ... and in the way that our current society handles their money. It meets our people where they are and is the offering plate of this current age. We will be able to give to a mission, the building fund, the regular budget ... and we will be able to do this in the same way we give to any cause on the planet. We will still be able to go to the Good News website and give (we can all do this right now ... just click on online giving from the website and follow instructions ... if you get lost or confused call Leah at 850-622-9191). But if we want to give to the Wednesday night dinner fund ... a special mission project ... an appeal for giving to a specific fund ... or just do your weekly, monthly or annual giving, you will be able to do it all right at church.
For the naysayers (there will be some) I will quote a very traditional song that has the following lyrics (words I have sung many times) "To serve this present age, my calling to fulfill). Jesus told stories using agricultural and herdsman terminology ... He spoke to His present age. John (in the Revelation) used the metaphoric language of Hebrew apocalyptic literature. Paul understood that to communicate was to speak the language and step into the culture you were trying to reach. So ... the kiosk is coming. All I ask is your tolerance, your understanding and your willingness to allow this current generation the awesome blessing of giving to God's work in the way they do life! Thanks for listening! Pastor Randy
Here is the background. At a conference I attended a speaker asked about 1,000 people a question. "How many of you have your checkbook?" Five people raised their hand. Then he asked, "How many of you have $200 in your wallet?" Another five people. Then he asked, "How many of you have less than $20 cash?" A solid majority. To further make a point, I stood in line at a convenience store today and three people in front of me, all spending less than $10, used debit cards to pay for their purchase.
Fact is, the world is changed. We are in a debit-card society and we sit in church beside people who pay most of their bills online, many of their recurring bills by automatic withdrawal and look with puzzlement at the traditional offering plate wondering what to do.
Tonight I met with the 14% Team of Good News. The name comes from a statistic that only 14% of churches (from a survey of 1,079 churches) are exceeding their budgets. We need to be in that 14%, not for financial reasons but because we want to do all the ministry God is calling Good News to do. Truly, all we do ... every meeting, every plan, every expense, every move we make ... should be focused on making disciples of Jesus who know God, love God and serve God. So ... the kiosk is coming.
The kiosk is simply a computer that allows us (any and all of us) to give online right at church ... right in the narthex ... and in the way that our current society handles their money. It meets our people where they are and is the offering plate of this current age. We will be able to give to a mission, the building fund, the regular budget ... and we will be able to do this in the same way we give to any cause on the planet. We will still be able to go to the Good News website and give (we can all do this right now ... just click on online giving from the website and follow instructions ... if you get lost or confused call Leah at 850-622-9191). But if we want to give to the Wednesday night dinner fund ... a special mission project ... an appeal for giving to a specific fund ... or just do your weekly, monthly or annual giving, you will be able to do it all right at church.
For the naysayers (there will be some) I will quote a very traditional song that has the following lyrics (words I have sung many times) "To serve this present age, my calling to fulfill). Jesus told stories using agricultural and herdsman terminology ... He spoke to His present age. John (in the Revelation) used the metaphoric language of Hebrew apocalyptic literature. Paul understood that to communicate was to speak the language and step into the culture you were trying to reach. So ... the kiosk is coming. All I ask is your tolerance, your understanding and your willingness to allow this current generation the awesome blessing of giving to God's work in the way they do life! Thanks for listening! Pastor Randy
Sunday, August 19, 2012
The Job Description
It is interesting to look at Biblical text from a variety of views. I am reading Matthew 10 and it could be viewed as a job description of sorts. It describes the job ahead ... the compensation ... the challenges ... the authority under which the work is done ... warnings about how the job will be evaluated by both the friendly and unfriendly ... it describes impossible tasks and both rewards and punishment of doing the job right. Paul might (in 1 Corinthians 2) describe this job description as part of God's foolishness that is contra to everything worldly and in tune with everything Godly. If you read the job description you might think "Why would anyone agree to do that?"
So it is with those who would be Christ followers. I have a friend in Montgomery who is involved with youth ministry. She doesn't get paid well ... she doesn't get much support ... she isn't appreciated like she probably deserves ... but she continues. Why? Because she loves the kids and she has a servant heart. I have talked lots with those in youth ministry and have found that my friend is the rule ... not the exception. This scenario is happening all around the country and is epidemic. As I read Matthew 10 it ends with a phrase that convicts me ... "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42. When I think about "the least of these" our youth come to mind. They are seeking God ... they are asking questions ... they are hungry and thirsty to hear the Good News of God's Word ... they often have no guidance from home ... they see the world around them and (like most older folks I know) know something is wrong. They seek ways to follow God and live in the plan God has for them but they have learned to distrust many of their adult role models. Again, why?
I think the answer (or at least one of them) lies in Matthew 10. They hear of a simple Gospel that leads to difficulty, hardship and even suffering ... all for a cause worth the effort. Then they look around and see comfort ... fear of hardship ... a church that hires people to deal with the messiness of life ... and they hear everything we are saying (be careful little mouth what you say). The fact of the matter is, they see our fear of jumping into their messiness in stark contrast to a Jesus who ran to the messiness of life (and to the messy people).
Your church will not be one of those who runs away from the messiness of our youth or of our adults. We will be looking at creative solutions to ministering to our youth and college kids because we don't consider the do-nothing alternative a viable one. We will do what Jesus asked when He understood that doing ministry was sometimes lonely ... "He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:37-38). It is probably no accident that these are the two verses preceding Jesus sending out disciples in Matthew 10. And it is a call to each of us who say we are followers and disciples ... to follow and disciple! What say you?
So it is with those who would be Christ followers. I have a friend in Montgomery who is involved with youth ministry. She doesn't get paid well ... she doesn't get much support ... she isn't appreciated like she probably deserves ... but she continues. Why? Because she loves the kids and she has a servant heart. I have talked lots with those in youth ministry and have found that my friend is the rule ... not the exception. This scenario is happening all around the country and is epidemic. As I read Matthew 10 it ends with a phrase that convicts me ... "And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." Matthew 10:42. When I think about "the least of these" our youth come to mind. They are seeking God ... they are asking questions ... they are hungry and thirsty to hear the Good News of God's Word ... they often have no guidance from home ... they see the world around them and (like most older folks I know) know something is wrong. They seek ways to follow God and live in the plan God has for them but they have learned to distrust many of their adult role models. Again, why?
I think the answer (or at least one of them) lies in Matthew 10. They hear of a simple Gospel that leads to difficulty, hardship and even suffering ... all for a cause worth the effort. Then they look around and see comfort ... fear of hardship ... a church that hires people to deal with the messiness of life ... and they hear everything we are saying (be careful little mouth what you say). The fact of the matter is, they see our fear of jumping into their messiness in stark contrast to a Jesus who ran to the messiness of life (and to the messy people).
Your church will not be one of those who runs away from the messiness of our youth or of our adults. We will be looking at creative solutions to ministering to our youth and college kids because we don't consider the do-nothing alternative a viable one. We will do what Jesus asked when He understood that doing ministry was sometimes lonely ... "He said to his disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.” (Matthew 9:37-38). It is probably no accident that these are the two verses preceding Jesus sending out disciples in Matthew 10. And it is a call to each of us who say we are followers and disciples ... to follow and disciple! What say you?
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Directions
Tomorrow I will be riding to Montgomery, Millbrook and Nashville on a mini-vacation ... then Sunday I will be preaching both services at Prattville 1st United Methodist Church in Prattville, Alabama. It will be a bit of a homecoming and I will meet old and new friends, see my grand kids and I will miss my flock here in Santa Rosa Beach. To get the places I am going I will be driving Lee's car and using the GPS on my phone. Other travelers will come to these locations by bus, plane and other modes of travel.
As I was thinking about this I wondered how people reach the place where they meet and develop a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ? For some this will be an event. For others it will be a process that may take months or years. In any case, it is our primary calling to lead people to that place. My journey went a bit like this ...
When I was 9 I gave my life to Christ at a Baptist church in Charlotte. I had little clue what that moment actually meant and received little directional guidance from that church. Thankfully I had some home guidance that was solid and cumulative over the years. At 34 I finally reached that place where I had the heart, head and soul knowledge that all came together in what I would call a true faith decision and I was baptized into the faith with my son and daughter in Louisiana. I would count that as my true faith decision. I am not alone. John Wesley served as an Anglican pastor for years ... was a religious person ... was actually an ordained minister ... and even served as a missionary in Georgia until one day, at age 35, his heart was 'strangely warmed' and he too reached that place of salvation and conversion. Millions have come to know Jesus because of what God did with John Wesley, and his conversion is directly connected to my conversion as we share similar experiences in our conversion/salvation experience. But without the foundation of learning, serving, family and church I don't think either of us would have reached that place where we became the people God could use for His Kingdom work.
Some of you tell me you had different experiences and directions. While I am thankful for those who led and taught me in those early years (and I am truly thankful for Godly parents who upheld God's direction at home) I am truly indebted to a pastor named Jimmy Pyles who taught, preached, modeled and led me to a place of true faith. He is the reason I am a pastor ... and he was a solid foundation for my family in a little church in Louisiana. I so recall the value and necessity of those who taught me during that time I was watching, listening, learning and observing. It is interesting ... the people that taught me the faith were not the 'religious' people who pushed me down the 'Roman Road' or fed me the Christian 'cliche' of the week.' They were those who stopped from their busy life and taught me ... spent time with me ... engaged me in conversation ... took the time to break down theology into bite sized chunks that I could digest and save for that day when God called me. I think John Wesley would say the same about those who influenced him. In fact, a group of Moravians who were unafraid of God's provision during a terrible storm showed John that his faith needed a gut check. I also believe Jesus knew this key to faith when he told amazing stories ... gave people the truth whether they wanted it or not ... and generally avoided much of the 'church-speak' we somehow believe is effective.
Are you needing direction? God says we can come to him by bus, plane, car or on foot ... just come empty handed, empty-hearted and ready to be filled. I, our staff and hopefully our worship will tell you the truth in a way that challenges you to process what Jesus said. I pray that you will come (as I did when I was 34 years old) to a place of humility when I realized my path ... my direction ... my plan ... was clearly not working. My pastor told me about a God with a plan for me and a path I could follow. He didn't ask me to wash up before I came in the door. He didn't profess the holiness of liturgical hoops I needed to jump through to be saved. He just said God loved me where I was and that I didn't need to fear the journey forward ... God had a plan and a way. Thank you, Jimmy! You told me and showed me Jesus. You prayed for me and my family. You didn't feed me Christian one-liners. You reflected Jesus to me. I will try to do the same for my flock too! And thank you Jesus for sending Jimmy to me right at the perfect time.
As I was thinking about this I wondered how people reach the place where they meet and develop a life-long relationship with Jesus Christ? For some this will be an event. For others it will be a process that may take months or years. In any case, it is our primary calling to lead people to that place. My journey went a bit like this ...
When I was 9 I gave my life to Christ at a Baptist church in Charlotte. I had little clue what that moment actually meant and received little directional guidance from that church. Thankfully I had some home guidance that was solid and cumulative over the years. At 34 I finally reached that place where I had the heart, head and soul knowledge that all came together in what I would call a true faith decision and I was baptized into the faith with my son and daughter in Louisiana. I would count that as my true faith decision. I am not alone. John Wesley served as an Anglican pastor for years ... was a religious person ... was actually an ordained minister ... and even served as a missionary in Georgia until one day, at age 35, his heart was 'strangely warmed' and he too reached that place of salvation and conversion. Millions have come to know Jesus because of what God did with John Wesley, and his conversion is directly connected to my conversion as we share similar experiences in our conversion/salvation experience. But without the foundation of learning, serving, family and church I don't think either of us would have reached that place where we became the people God could use for His Kingdom work.
Some of you tell me you had different experiences and directions. While I am thankful for those who led and taught me in those early years (and I am truly thankful for Godly parents who upheld God's direction at home) I am truly indebted to a pastor named Jimmy Pyles who taught, preached, modeled and led me to a place of true faith. He is the reason I am a pastor ... and he was a solid foundation for my family in a little church in Louisiana. I so recall the value and necessity of those who taught me during that time I was watching, listening, learning and observing. It is interesting ... the people that taught me the faith were not the 'religious' people who pushed me down the 'Roman Road' or fed me the Christian 'cliche' of the week.' They were those who stopped from their busy life and taught me ... spent time with me ... engaged me in conversation ... took the time to break down theology into bite sized chunks that I could digest and save for that day when God called me. I think John Wesley would say the same about those who influenced him. In fact, a group of Moravians who were unafraid of God's provision during a terrible storm showed John that his faith needed a gut check. I also believe Jesus knew this key to faith when he told amazing stories ... gave people the truth whether they wanted it or not ... and generally avoided much of the 'church-speak' we somehow believe is effective.
Are you needing direction? God says we can come to him by bus, plane, car or on foot ... just come empty handed, empty-hearted and ready to be filled. I, our staff and hopefully our worship will tell you the truth in a way that challenges you to process what Jesus said. I pray that you will come (as I did when I was 34 years old) to a place of humility when I realized my path ... my direction ... my plan ... was clearly not working. My pastor told me about a God with a plan for me and a path I could follow. He didn't ask me to wash up before I came in the door. He didn't profess the holiness of liturgical hoops I needed to jump through to be saved. He just said God loved me where I was and that I didn't need to fear the journey forward ... God had a plan and a way. Thank you, Jimmy! You told me and showed me Jesus. You prayed for me and my family. You didn't feed me Christian one-liners. You reflected Jesus to me. I will try to do the same for my flock too! And thank you Jesus for sending Jimmy to me right at the perfect time.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Depth
Do you want our church to be a deep, lasting, loving and difference-making influence in our community? I know I would be honored to be used by God in that way. But to accomplish this goal, we need depth.
As I watch both US Olympic basketball teams I see other countries with some great players. In the games with the US they hold their own for awhile and sometimes are able to get the upper hand. But in the end (at least most of the time) the US is relentless. How can we do this? We have more good players on the squad than any other team. We have depth.
Good News has depth. We have loads of talented adults who could be part of our ministry team. Sunday I spoke about Paul telling Timothy to "throw yourself into the game." Our talented adults could do this. They could come into the game and say "How can I help us win? How can I be a part of difference-making for children and youth? How can God use me in the battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of our children?" Here's the problem ... to help the the team we must join the team. Here are some places you can make our team better ...
Be part of our Joy Club ministry on Wednesday afternoons. With your help we will be able to serve 80+ children each week ... at current volunteer levels we will need to turn kids and families away. In Olympic terms we have the talent to be in the podium for a medal but without depth we won't be able to make the finals in an event God has appointed us to win.
So ... you aren't into children? OK ... become a volunteer with our youth. They will challenge you, grow you, frustrate you and bless you with their view of life and the world. Our Youth Pastor is three volunteers short ... yet we know God has called us to field a winning team. We have lots to do ... just not many willing to be used and be the doers. Our depth needs your help.
I write this blog knowing that some of you will say "Yes ... somebody should help but I am so busy ... I sure hope someone helps Josh and Dayna." Some of you will say (with your inaction) what is said so often throughout our county ... our state ... our country. I would rather be home watching someone else invest and sacrifice for the 'win.' I'll stay on the sidelines while others try to win one for the home team.
I want to leave you with a verse and a question. The verse follows Jesus sending out his 'team' called disciples. People liked the team and wanted to be part of the team, but on their terms. Jesus knew that to have a 'team' He needed people who were willing to invest ... be led by the team leader ... be followers ... be willing to be used however they were going to be most useful to the overall goal. I won't add commentary here ... I just ask you to think about how God would like to use you. Here are Jesus' words from Luke ...
"As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 NLT
As I watch both US Olympic basketball teams I see other countries with some great players. In the games with the US they hold their own for awhile and sometimes are able to get the upper hand. But in the end (at least most of the time) the US is relentless. How can we do this? We have more good players on the squad than any other team. We have depth.
Good News has depth. We have loads of talented adults who could be part of our ministry team. Sunday I spoke about Paul telling Timothy to "throw yourself into the game." Our talented adults could do this. They could come into the game and say "How can I help us win? How can I be a part of difference-making for children and youth? How can God use me in the battle for the hearts, minds, and souls of our children?" Here's the problem ... to help the the team we must join the team. Here are some places you can make our team better ...
Be part of our Joy Club ministry on Wednesday afternoons. With your help we will be able to serve 80+ children each week ... at current volunteer levels we will need to turn kids and families away. In Olympic terms we have the talent to be in the podium for a medal but without depth we won't be able to make the finals in an event God has appointed us to win.
So ... you aren't into children? OK ... become a volunteer with our youth. They will challenge you, grow you, frustrate you and bless you with their view of life and the world. Our Youth Pastor is three volunteers short ... yet we know God has called us to field a winning team. We have lots to do ... just not many willing to be used and be the doers. Our depth needs your help.
I write this blog knowing that some of you will say "Yes ... somebody should help but I am so busy ... I sure hope someone helps Josh and Dayna." Some of you will say (with your inaction) what is said so often throughout our county ... our state ... our country. I would rather be home watching someone else invest and sacrifice for the 'win.' I'll stay on the sidelines while others try to win one for the home team.
I want to leave you with a verse and a question. The verse follows Jesus sending out his 'team' called disciples. People liked the team and wanted to be part of the team, but on their terms. Jesus knew that to have a 'team' He needed people who were willing to invest ... be led by the team leader ... be followers ... be willing to be used however they were going to be most useful to the overall goal. I won't add commentary here ... I just ask you to think about how God would like to use you. Here are Jesus' words from Luke ...
"As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.” But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.” He said to another person, “Come, follow me.” The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.” But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.” But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” Luke 9:57-62 NLT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)