Intentional Interim Pastor

What's Wrong with an Attractional Church?

2009-07-06T12:13:00.006-04:00

Another good read on having a missional mindset rather than just being a "we'll leave the light on for you", and open the front door for you, and take care of your kids while you worship, and have a well orchestrated worship event for you church.

Something More!

What Church Isn't

2009-07-06T11:06:00.003-04:00

If you are a regular follower of this blog you know that I have been pretty focused on moving our church toward a missional mindset.

I found this post on another blog that comes from the flow of this missional reservoir.

Check it out: "What Church Isn't"

Random Reflections

2009-06-28T21:32:00.002-04:00

I am thankful for:
- our daughter visiting from Kentucky and taking care of her ailing mother so that I could attend the NC West District Conference and reconnect with old friends and associates.
- a great week of VBS at Neighbors Grove with over 100 children enrolled and over 40 children inviting Christ into their hearts or rededicating their lives to Him.
- a great day of worship at Neighbors Grove. Rev. Ken Reeves, Balfour Baptist pastor, started the service with a a powerful witness. The VBS staff and children led the congregation in worship music. I witnessed the church body minister to a grieving family and sensed the Lord's anointing while preaching. Not sure what the attendance was but the sanctuary looked full. There is such a different spirit in this place from when I arrived 11 months ago.

I have been reminded that:
- one year ago today I closed out our ministry at First Wesleyan in Bessemer City. God continues to bless that congregation as they move forward after our intentional interim ministry with them.
- God gives us opportunities for a ministry of presence when we don't even know it. I received an email today from a widower thanking me for attending his wife's funeral and how much it meant to him to see my face in the audience during the service.
- we need to continually drink from God's spiritual well. As I walked our neighborhood tonight I noticed the grass beginning to turn brown after about 10 days without rain. Earlier this spring we had an abundance of rain, but the grass needs water constantly. So do our souls.

I pray for:
- the Glenn McGrady family in their loss with his sudden death last week. He leaves a sweet five year old daughter, Emma, that will need our love and support.
- our daughter and son-in-law to find God's open doors for ministry and employment as they seek to follow His will for their lives.
- my wife, Pam, to continue to heal from her kidney stone attack and back surgery. We are thankful for seeing God's hand upon her life already.

Well, this post now has three sets of three items each so I guess I will close it out.
May God bless and keep you as you go on mission with Him this week!

Grooving At Neighbors Grove

2009-06-21T21:57:00.002-04:00

The summer slump has NOT come to Neighbors Grove. June has been and is a strong ministry month.

June 7th - Homecoming!! Great day of worship and fellowship. The choir "knocked it out of the park" with their special music and Rev. Luke Jackson returned home and preached with a fresh anointing.

June 14th - Experience has taught me that the week after a BIG day like Homecoming can be a real challenge to get up for. But we had a wonderful spirit in the service as we dedicated for newest baby in the congregation, Garrett Saunders, and honored our R.C.C. graduate, Justin Henderson. Our Intentional Interim focus point this summer is "Connections". We are using this time to reflect on our Wesleyan heritage and doctrine. Therefore, I started a sermon series - Wesleyans Believe In ... Worship attendance was over 100 (great for the summer).

June 21st - The choir sang for the last time before their summer break. They finished strong, doing a great job with some challenging music. Our Youth Director, Chris James, led us in prayer with special attention on our ten teens (largest number in several years) attending Youth Camps this month. There was a sweet spirit in our midst as I preached the sermon, Wesleyans Believe in the Saving Grace of God. Worship attendance was over 100 again.

Missional Measurement - Totals for the second week of reporting are better than I could have imagined. 21 people reported. Knowing that not everyone reported, we can say that that at least 44 conversations were transformed into spiritual conversations. There were at least 57 hours spent in prayer for spiritual needs and blessing others. And at least 125 hours were given in volunteer service to other people or organizations. Neighbors Grove has a bunch of missionaries in the field every week!

Vacation Bible School - Each morning this week we will be having VBS. Most churches offer VBS in the evenings because so many adults work during the day. We are doing VBS during the day for the same reason, because so many adults work during the day. We have had to stretch to get enough staffing but we are determined to offer VBS to all the children enrolled this summer in the Child Development Center and Academy Camp programs. This is another expression of our missional mindset. Though most of our own church children will be enrolled in VBS, we especially want to serve the families of the CDC and Academy.

Church Spotlight - Another part of our "Connections" focus point is to help the congregation appreciate it's place in the larger body of Christ. Over the next several weeks we will be spotlighting one of the other local churches in the area. Either the pastor will make a personal visit or we will share a ministry report from the church and offer special prayer for that congregation. I look forward to this opportunity to highlight what God is doing in other places.

Stay tuned for further ministry updates as we seek to groove with God at Neighbors Grove. We pray that God's Spirit is at work where you are as well.

2009-06-11T18:11:00.002-04:00

In yesterday's blog I spoke of the need to keep the missional vision before the NGWC congregation. I said, "This vision, like any other, or maybe more than any other, must be refreshed in the minds and hearts of the people about every 30 days." My sense is that the passion for evangelism and outreach leaks quicker than anything in our lives.

Well, I was reading a Christianity Today interview of Lee Strobel. This is part of what he said, "The evangelism value leaks away from us faster than any other value in the Christian life. Churches are faced with the problem of having to elevate many different values: Bible study, prayer, community, and so on. Evangelism is [just] one of them. But I haven't run into anybody who says, 'Man, my spiritual life is so dry right now. I feel like I'm in the middle of the desert and, oh, by the way, I have a friend next door who's not a Christian, and I'm really praying for opportunities to reach out to him. I've invited him to lunch next week, and I'm hoping God opens up a chance to talk about spiritual stuff.'"

Why does our evangelism value tend to leak quickly? My opinion is that evangelistic outreach and a missional mindset runs completely contrary to our natural self-centered human tendency.

What do you think? Why is so easy for us to lose our interest in reaching others for Jesus?

Are One or Need One?

2009-06-10T23:12:00.002-04:00

Found this quote on the "Revitalize Your Church" blog written by Mark Wilson:

Either you are a minister or you need one.
Either you are a missionary or you need one.
-- John Huffman (Presbyterian pastor)

I will be using this one in the future when I am recasting the missional vision to the NGWC congregation again in a month or so. This vision, like any other, or maybe more than any other, must be refreshed in the minds and hearts of the people about every 30 days.

If you are a pastor reading this - when was the last time you recast the vision to your church people?

2009-06-09T09:12:00.002-04:00

Over the last decade I have read dozens of business leadership books. Two are at the top of the list for impact on my pastoral career.
Good to Great by Jim Collins
The One Thing You Need to Know by Marcus Buckingham

Collins has written another book that holds promise for potential impact. I found the following review about his new book. Hope to pick it up soon and give it a read.

In his newest title, How the Mighty Fall, Jim Collins peers into the causes underlying the decline of greatness. In light of our economic plight, one of Collins' observations loudly rings true. He identifies the "undisciplined pursuit of more" as a key stage in the breakdown of a once-mighty business or nation. In doing so, he makes three points worthy of a closer look.

1) Fear Excessive Ambition More Than Idleness

In examining the histories of companies that regressed from great to good, Collins expected complacency or loss of initiative to be a common denominator. Instead, research showed the reverse to be true. As opposed to laziness, "Overreaching much better explains how the once-invincible self-destruct."

Collins points to Rubbermaid to illustrate. In the mid-'90s Rubbermaid committed itself to introducing a new product every day of the year. Although the company won acclaim for innovation, it abandoned cost discipline along the way. In its efforts to develop thousands of new products, Rubbermaid lost its grip on core competencies and eventually sunk into bankruptcy.

2) Do Not Confuse Growth with Excellence

Collins recounts Merck's decline as a cautionary tale of a company who floundered after pursuing a growth-above-all strategy. In 1995, Merck chose growth as its number one organizational objective. Chasing the holy grail of growth, Merck bet heavily on the success of prescription drug, Vioxx at the turn of the century. Bent on expansion, Merck neglected to investigate troubling data on the cardiovascular risks associated with Vioxx. As time went on, concerns about Vioxx became undeniable. Merck did voluntarily pull Vioxx off the shelves, but not before the company had taken a massive PR hit and had suffered a $15 billion drop in market value.

As Collins observes,

"The greatest leaders do seek growth - growth in performance, growth in distinctive impact, growth in creativity, growth in people - but they do not succumb to growth that undermines long-term value. And they certainly do not confuse growth with excellence. Big does not equal great, and great does not equal big."

3) You Grow Only as Fast as You Can Attract the Right People

More often than not, the attempt of a business to grow its operations becomes its undoing. In the words of David Packard, "More companies die of indigestion than of starvation." Why? Most companies don't bring in the right personnel to handle an uptick in business, and they go under as a result. Growth must be staffed with the talent.

Drawing inspiration from HP's co-founder, Collins and his team coined Packard's Law: "No company can consistently grow revenues faster than its ability to get enough of the right people to implement that growth and still become a great company." Internally motivated, self-disciplined people are the foundation for growth. Without them, new business ventures collapse.

Summary

In another groundbreaking leadership text, How the Mighty Fall, Jim Collins has hit upon a root cause of organizational / societal decline: The Undisciplined Pursuit of More. To maintain a healthy sense of discipline, leaders ought to be wary of the hazards of excessive ambition. In a similar vein, leaders must put growth in perspective. Bigger isn't necessarily better. Finally, leaders would be wise to realize that growth has to be fueled by the right people. Otherwise, the expansionist urge will bleed an organization of its resources.

While on the topic of good books - may I ask:

What was the last good book that you read?

When did you read it?

Homecoming and Memorial Service

2009-06-08T00:32:00.002-04:00

Sunday, June 7th, was the 130th Anniversary Homecoming and Memorial Service at Neighbors Grove Wesleyan Church. This service was a testament of God's faithfulness and His desire to continue to use this congregation to reach the Asheboro area with the gospel.

Attendance was 168. Our average attendance for the recent months is around 105. These figures compare to a mid 80s average for the summer months last year. The service had high energy and the sense of the Spirit's presence in our midst. Overall, I felt this was a great day for the church as we near the half way point in our intentional interim journey.

Rev. Luke Jackson, a young man who grew up in the church and who now serves as the Student Ministries Pastor at Mt Zion Wesleyan Church in Thomasville, was our guest speaker. His sister, Creath, and the church choir provided the special music. Luke's message centered on the nature of the God to whom the church prays. I thought this served as a great connection to the intentional interim emphasis of giving the church back to God (signified with the signing of a title deed giving God ownership).

I especially appreciated the closing prayer that Luke prayed over his home church.
"May God give you wet eyes, a broken heart and a bended knee.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done. Amen."

Changes to the NGWC Scorecard

2009-06-01T14:25:00.000-04:00

In our recent discussions focused on being a missional church we have been using Reggie McNeal’s definition: The people of God partnering with God in His redemptive mission in the world.

During the Mission Possible Pizza Party the Transition Team asked the participants to rate NGWC on a scale of 1 to 10 for having a missional mindset using the above definition. The average rating was 3.6. The participants were then asked to set a goal for where the church should be a year from now. The rating for this goal was 6.5 using the 1 to 10 scale. In other words, a desire for improvement was indicated.

Knowing that this will require the church to change the way some things are done, the Transition Team proposed some changes to the church scorecard. One of the best ways to change behavior is to change what gets counted, to change the scorecard. The L.B.A. agreed to the proposals and yesterday they were presented to the congregation.

1) To nurture a culture in our community of faith in which the importance of mission is continually present the following expectation is implemented throughout the church:

Every Sunday School class and other small group ministry is to have at least two designated “servant evangelism” or “missional” projects per year.

2) Realizing that a missional mindset flows primarily out of our individual lifestyles into the community culture we need a way to have accountability with one another. Therefore, adults and youth attending Sunday School are asked to respond weekly to three questions for the next four months and that the totals be shared with the congregation as a whole.

How many conversations were transformed into spiritual conversations?
How much time was spent in prayer for spiritual needs or blessing others?
How much time was given in individual volunteer service?

Can you think of other changes that a church could make to the scorecard that would emphasize a missional mindset throughout the congregation?

Is Your Church Sending or Sent?

2009-05-19T10:24:00.002-04:00

Many churches are "missionary" minded. They have large faith promise budgets and consider themselves a "sending" church as they prayerfully and financially support international and national missionaries. They receive reports and hear testimonies of what God is doing "over there" as the missionaries live and work cross culturally. These missionaries are valuable instruments in God's plan of reaching the whole world with the gospel. Yes, churches should be "sending".

Regrettably, fewer churches have a "missional" mindset. These churches see themselves as a "sent" church. They prayerfully and financially support the efforts of the local missionary members of their congregation. They receive reports and hear testimonies of what is doing "around here" as these missionaries live and work in their own culture. These missionaries are just as valuable instruments in God's plan of reaching the whole world with the gospel as those missionaries who leave home in vocational ministry positions.

In my opinion, congregations should ask themselves two questions:
Is our church a "sending" people that supports the spread of the gospel "over there"?
Is our church a "sent" people that encourages the spread of the gospel "around here?

It is only when both questions are answered with a "yes" answer that a church has fully joined with God in His mission of reaching the whole world with the good news of the gospel.

"Baby Steps" Aren't Baby Steps to Babies

2009-05-13T17:11:00.002-04:00

Have you ever heard a baby say, "Look at me, I'm taking baby steps!"? I know - babies walk before they talk real well. So what do we adults mean when we talk about taking baby steps?

Recently our Transition Team was discussing what "baby steps" could be taken by the congregation in order for us to move toward a more missional mindset in the church. As we were talking I was thinking - what would be easy for us to do? Later I realized that "baby steps" are small but never easy.

In fact, "baby steps" are more frightening to babies than adult steps are to adults. Have you ever noticed how a baby holds on to anything and everything when they are learning to walk. They have a fear of falling and don't like the pain of hitting the floor.

Leaders must remember this reality. Baby steps are frightening to anyone who has never walked before. If we are to help our followers to walk on their own we must hold their hand firmly enough that they know we will not let them hurt themselves if they are less than successful in their efforts. And we must offer enough encouragement that their courage will be strong enough to take the risk.

When was the last time you helped someone take some "baby steps" to venture out and try something new and different?

Becoming Part of the Answer to Your Prayers

2009-05-12T15:56:00.003-04:00

Recently while visiting an "eating restaurant" as my wife likes to call them (not sure what other kind of restaurants there are) I engaged the server in conversation and built up enough re pore that I was comfortable popping the question that I ask people as a believer on mission with God. "How can I pray for you?"

I explained to the server that I would be blessing my food and would like to bless him in prayer and that I would pray for any special needs that he might have. His response, "That I have a good night here at the restaurant and that the tips are good."

He left and I bowed my head to pray. I prayed for my food and then prayed for Jim to have a good night, get some good tips and that he would remember to give God the thanks for them. In that moment I realized that I had to be part of the answer to my own prayer.

I have heard all my life that we needed to be willing to be part of the answer to our prayers. And here it was coming true. This old tight wad was going to have to lay out some serious cash so that Jim would know that God really does love him.

Don't know if I will ever see Jim again on earth. But it would thrill my socks off (if we wear socks in heaven) to have Jim come up to me in heaven and tell me about a night in an Applebee's restaurant when he got one step closer to Jesus because this old guy prayed for him to have a good night and he had the best night of his serving career.

Are you praying for people to get one step closer to Jesus? Are you willing to become part of the answer to your prayers?

Sins of Omission

2009-05-06T16:47:00.002-04:00

One definition of sin that Wesleyans like is "a willful transgression of a known law". Where do sins of omission fit into this definition? They don't! But whether you are Wesleyan or not, you may find yourself struggling to admit it when you sin by your failure to do something.

Why do we have this struggle? I believe it is because sins of omission are never deliberate or intentional. Therefore, we tend to excuse them as "lesser" offenses and just sweep them under the proverbial rug. Recently I failed a brother through a sin of omission. I battled the conviction to go and to ask for forgiveness by justifying myself. It was just an oversight. I would do better next time.

I did ask the brother to forgive me. He had even felt offended and seemed a bit surprised by my request to be forgiven. So was my conscience just overly sensitive? Did I get all bothered for nothing? I don't think so! First, I was trying to obey the Lord! Obedience, even perceived, is a good thing. Second, I imagine that my confession will help me to be more alert the next time I am in a similar situation so that the same omission does not occur again.

When was the last time that you felt conviction over a sin of omission? How did you deal with it?

Wesleyans Can Dance!!!

2009-04-30T11:48:00.001-04:00

Two ladies, both over 70 years of age I guess, came into our midweek morning Bible study yesterday so excited that they could hardly contain themselves. They had danced with the Holy Spirit and He had worked through them to communicate God’s love and grace.

In both cases these ladies had sensed a strong internal prompting to ask the person they were talking to if they had any special needs that they would appreciate prayer for. These ladies were so very nervous but the internal Spirit compulsion was so strong that they overcame their fears and popped the question.

One of the ladies was told that there had just been a death (in an auto accident) in the family and the other was told about a recent house purchase and the fear of being able to make the payments for it. The Holy Spirit had led both these ladies to spiritually receptive people in which the moment was right to turn an ordinary conversation into a spiritual conversation. He had transformed an ordinary moment into a missional moment.

These ladies had been praying for God to help them to become a missionary and He answered their prayers. I explained to these ladies that praying this kind of prayer is like buying a new car. Before you buy the car you seldom notice that model car on the road. But after you make the purchase you see them everywhere you go. Before we pray to be used as a missionary we never notice people that we can strike up conversations with. After we pray we will see them everywhere.

During our evening midweek Bible study a gentleman in the congregation also told us that he had begun to look for opportunities to ask coworkers during breaks at work if they had needs that he could pray for. The Holy Spirit wants to dance with the people of NGWC and some of these Wesleyans have decided to give it a try. And they are having the time of their lives.

I wonder who will start dancing next? Will it be you?

How to Dance with the Holy Spirit

2009-04-28T10:22:00.002-04:00

The church in the book of Acts, under the anointing, direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, went out into the streets of Jerusalem and then down the roads to Judea and Samaria, and eventually to the ends of the earth. As the Holy Spirit moved, they moved with Him.

If Christians today are going to once again become missionaries, then we too must move with the Holy Spirit. Let me ask: are you moving with the Holy Spirit? Are you listening to His voice? Are you following His promptings?

I once had a class in seminary called “Creative Movement” where they tried to teach me to square dance along with some other dances that I don’t remember. If we are going to move with the Holy Spirit then we will need to learn how to dance with Him.

Since I am both a Wesleyan and don’t have much rhythm in my bones I never really learned to dance. So I decided to find some pointers and tips to being a good dance partner. This is what I found.

Men: Lead without pushing, pulling or forcing the follower.
If your partner misses a step or move do your best to cover for them.
(These two tips sound just like how I know the Holy Spirit to operate in my life. You could say that He is a gentleman. He will nudge but never force me to move or act. And He is always protecting and covering me.)

Ladies: Practice with your partner so you can better anticipate his steps and moves.
Develop following skills so leaders don’t have to work so hard to get you to respond.
(These tips are definitely how we should be responding to the promptings and leadings of the Holy Spirit in our lives.)

The real key to dancing with the Holy Spirit is to be a person of prayer because this is how we connect and commune with Him. These words from Acts 1:14, “They all joined together constantly in prayer” were true for the early church and should be true for us as well.

So I ask again, will you dance with the Holy Spirit this week?

Let's Dance with the Holy Spirit

2009-04-26T23:55:00.002-04:00

Last week I challenged the people of NGWC to become missionaries, each and every one of them. This challenge was based in 2 Corinthians 5:18-20 – “All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. … And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

This week I told them that they were incapable of becoming missionaries on their own; that they needed an empowerment beyond themselves. This assertion is based on Jesus’ words recorded in Acts 1:8 - “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus understood that His disciples would need help (power) beyond themselves to do the work that He was leaving to be done. This power source was the same one that He had while He served as a missionary on earth.

At Jesus’ baptism the heavens were torn open and the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove.
He was then led by the Spirit into the wilderness.
Jesus then returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit.
The first recorded time that Jesus spoke in the synagogue He quoted scripture and said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me …”

Before His crucifixion Jesus went to great length to explain to the disciples the promise of the Holy Spirit and His work in their lives and in the world (John 14-16). In Acts 1, before His return to heaven He restates the promise once more.

A careful read through the Acts of the Apostles (some would say of the Holy Spirit) reveals how the church was moved by God’s Spirit time and time again.

The church under the anointing, direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit went out into the streets of Jerusalem and then down the roads to Judea and Samaria, and eventually to the ends of the earth. As the Holy Spirit moved, they moved with Him.

Perhaps it was because of his experience of seeing how the Spirit worked in and through the church that he was prompted to write in Revelation 22:17 - "The Spirit and the bride say come!"

When the individual members of the bride of Christ are all (collectively) saying the same thing it speaks more loudly to the world and they are more apt to hear the message. But the Spirit must also be at work in our hearts and lives as well as those of the people we are communicating with.

So, if we are going to be missionaries then we must move with the Holy Spirit. Someone has referred to this moving with the Holy Spirit as a dance.

Question: are you dancing with the Holy Spirit? Are you listening to His voice? Are you following His promptings?

I may get in trouble as a Wesleyan pastor – but I challenge you to dance this week – dance with the Holy Spirit.

Later this week I will be sharing some tips on being a good dance partner.

Every Member - A Missionary

2009-04-23T13:47:00.002-04:00

(This is a redo of the post I made last Sunday night that got deleted. Long story - don't ask. Just read, if you didn't see the first one.)

Last Sunday I began a series of messages called: Every Member – A Missionary. Everyone is born with the desire to live a life of significance and meaning. As Christians we believe that we can find this significance and meaning only in and through God. This restless pursuit for worth and value is filled when we find true rest in God and our reason for being through Him. Many, no doubt, have found it and Acts 13:36 names one of them, “For when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep;”

So what is God’s purpose for us? Let’s find out what He is up to and join with Him in His work. A careful reading of Scripture reveals that God was and is on a mission of reconciliation and redemption. Some of the key scriptures are: Genesis 12:2-3; Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 43:10; 2 Corinthians 5:20; Galatians 3:6-9; and 1 Peter 2:9.

Once we have received this message of reconciliation ourselves, then our purpose (which will give us significance and worth) is to be messengers (missionaries) of reconciliation to the rest of the world. What does it mean to become a missionary?

Becoming a missionary is something I am more than something I do. But because of who I am, there are certain things I will or will not do.

Becoming a missionary gives me the opportunity to partner with God in His mission of bringing salvation to all mankind and restoring His kingdom on earth.

Becoming a missionary means that I am learning how to transform my daily interactions with others into opportunities to plant gospel seeds into their lives.

Becoming a missionary is a way of life. It can’t be reduced to special events organized by the church or overseas “missions” work.

Last Sunday I challenged the congregation to take the first step to becoming a missionary: submit to be a servant of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

In taking this first step they were asked to commit to:

1) Pray that God will gives you eyes to see others as He sees them by going to a mall, fast food restaurant, or park and pray, “Lord, help me to see what you see.” Then listen for the voice of God.

2) Begin to work at creating opportunities to engage others in spiritual conversations by asking them if you may pray for them and for specific ways to pray for them.

Are you ready to make this first step toward missionary service?

Ten or More Commandments for Drivers

2009-04-13T13:53:00.002-04:00

Not sure if this is a part of the official cannon or not, but in 2007, the Vatican recently released an official ten commandments for drivers. Here they are, as they were relayed to me ...

1. Thou shall not kill

2. The road shall be a means of communion between people and not of mortal harm

3. Courtesy, uprightness, and prudence will help you deal with unforeseeable events

4. Be charitable and help your neighbor in need, especially victims of accidents

5. Cars shall not be an expression of power and domination, or an occasion of sin...

6. Charitably convince the young and not so young not to drive when they are not in a fitting condition to do so

7. Support the families of accident victims

8. Bring guilty motorists and their victims together, at the appropriate time, so they can undergo the liberating experience of forgiveness

9. On the road, protect the more vulnerable party

10. Feel responsible toward others

Here are a some that I would like to add:

11. Take note of the speed limit and maintain it if at all possible.

12. When the traffic light turns green proceed to move, it will not get any greener if you wait.

13. Don't talk on a cell phone while driving if you can't do two things well at once.

14. If you’re going slower than me on the interstate, please move to the right as quickly as possible.

Do you have any driving commandments you’d like to add to the list?

An Inconvenient Truth

2009-04-03T11:05:00.000-04:00

Three years ago, Al Gore’s documentary on global warming was given the title of “An Inconvenient Truth”. Long before Al Gore decided that global warming was an inconvenient truth the Apostle Paul declared the cross to be not just an inconvenient truth but the inconvenient truth.

1 Cor. 1:18 > For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Phil. 3:18-19 > Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame.

Accepting or rejecting global warming as an inconvenient truth will not impact your eternal destiny. But what you and I decide to do with the cross will determine where we spend eternity. The cross is the inconvenient truth that must be dealt with. The cross is inconvenient because there is nothing convenient about embracing the cross. When we embrace the cross everything else must adjust to the centrality of the cross in our lives. Behaviors must change, relationships are impacted, and daily decisions will be altered.

Sunday morning I will ask the folks at NGWC what I now ask you: Where have you put the cross? If you are in the Asheboro area I invite you to worship with us @ 10 am this Sunday. We will receive the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper as we literally gather around the Lord’s Table. We are placing the communion table (with a cross sitting on it) in the center aisle of the church. The cross and communion will be in the center of the church. The same place that it needs to be in each of our lives.

IIM Mission Focus - Congregational Survey

2009-03-31T14:02:00.002-04:00

The NGWC Transition Team has prepared and is distributing surveys to get congregational input as we seek to determine what our specific vision and ministry focus should be within the larger mission of the universal church. This survey and a congregational event called "Mission Possible" Pizza Party scheduled for May 3rd are the primary tools that our Transition Team are using for the Mission focus of our Intentional Interim work.

Here is a sample survey:
Neighbors Grove is known as the church that ...

What church ministries, activities or programs bring you the greatest sense of joy and fulfillment?

What needs do you have that are not being met?

What needs do you see in the community that are not being met?

What are the church's distinctives/strengths which should draw others to this congregation?

What are the limitations that we will need to overcome to accomplish our church mission?

What are the current activities, programs and ministries that should continue, regardless of who the next pastor is?

What activities, programs or ministries would you like to see our church start that will be beneficial to future generations?

Two other special surveys have been distributed as well.
1) A 3 question survey that was given to the daycare and academy families.
2) A 8 question survey that was given to individuals who have attended NGWC for five years or less.

The Transition Team will develop an assessment based on the information obtained from these surveys and the small group discussions during the May 3rd "Mission Possible" Pizza Party.

In the interim I am continuing to direction my sermon development toward the challenge of being a more missional congregation. I think that more and more of the proverbial "light bulbs" are coming on and people are "getting it". Time will tell - if NGWC becomes more incarnational in its ministry outlook.

The Church Should Breathe the Breath of God

2009-03-30T16:20:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I preached a message that challenged NGWC once again to be a missional church. Here are my sermon notes:

Let’s do an exercise – breathe in and hold it. You can’t hold it in but so long before you have to exhale.

This illustrates the life and flow of the church (both in and out). We bring ourselves to church on Sunday and we bring the church to others every day. We come to church asking God to bless and help us; then we leave asking God to bless others and to make us a blessing.

Scripture: John 20:21-23

Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven."

Before we can be sent out we must breathe in the breath of God (H.S.) Before we can go out into the world we need to come near to God and each other to form a community of faith. But if all we ever do is come in then we will just inflate ourselves until we explode.

The church has done a pretty good job of gathering; so good that we have become very inwardly focused in everything we do. Our Lord said that we should pray for laborers to go out into the harvest field yet most of our labor is expended on ourselves.

Dare I say that we have become more interested in the barn than in the harvest? Have we become consumed with the operation of the machinery around the barn to the neglect of going out into the harvest?

This dominant inward focus can be seen in our church scorecards (attendance, offerings, membership, value of our buildings). When will we develop a scorecard that measures our impact on the community around us?

An outwardly focused church still comes in and meets together. But their reasons are different from those of an inwardly focused church. Ask yourself: Why did I come to church today?

Reasons for The Church To Come In While We Also Go Out:

Rejoice – Psalm 68:26 > Praise God in the great congregation; praise the LORD in the assembly of Israel.

Repent – James 5:16 > Confess your sins to each other.

Request – Matthew 21:13 > My house will be called a house of prayer.

Recharge – Ephesians 4:11-12 > It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service.

Once we have done these things together each of us goes out to serve on mission with God in the same way that Jesus was sent by God from heaven to this earth.

“As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

John 3:17 > For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

The Mission of Jesus is the Mission of His Followers:

1) To serve and sacrifice

Mark 10:45 > The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

2) To seek and save

Luke 19:10 > For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.

The Message of Jesus is the Message of His Followers:

Luke 4:18-19 > He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

It does not matter the style of worship, theological doctrines, size of the building, or denominational labels all followers of Jesus are called to go on mission in the power of the Holy Spirit with His message.

The Church Should Be Like the Month of March

2009-03-23T13:16:00.003-04:00

The old saying about March is that it comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. If we drop the lion and the lamb parts it seems to me that the church should be like the month of March. We are to both come in (for worship) and go out (for witness). Missional churches understand this concept.

The first word of what we call the Great Commission is “go”. Some commentators state that if we were to literally translate what Jesus said it would be expressed “as you are going”. Yesterday my sermon focus was divine appointments. As the people of God are going about their daily lives and understand themselves to be on mission for God they will frequently have meetings or events that have been arranged and orchestrated by God.

My basic premise is that God works through ordinary people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, in the ordinary moments of life. The story of the healing of the crippled man beside the temple gate called Beautiful is a classic example.

My sermon points on how to keep divine appointments are:

1) Do the things you are suppose to do.

Peter and John were just doing what good Jewish men did any day at 3 pm. They could just as easily been going to the grocery store. Are we doing the things we are supposed to be doing?

2) Pay attention to those around you.

Peter and John had probably passed by this man on other days (he had been there), but today they noticed him. He caught their attention on this day. Do we pay attention to the people around us?

3) Be ready for interruptions.

Peter and John had a schedule to keep but it was not as important as a need to meet. Like Jesus they were not so busy that they couldn’t be interrupted. What do you do when you are interrupted?

4) Be willing to share what you have.

Peter and John didn’t have any money but they had a miracle to share. You can’t give away what you don’t have. But you can’t keep what you have unless you give it away. Are you a river or a reservoir?

5) Risk involvement in the lives of others.

Peter and John didn’t just tell about Jesus, they helped a man to Jesus. Peter risked making himself “unclean” by touching this crippled man. Are we willing to get “dirty” in order to help people to Jesus?

6) Seize the moments of opportunity to talk about Jesus.

Once Peter and John had the attention of the people they turned the spotlight on Jesus. We must make sure people know who the One is that gets the glory and honor by turning conversations toward spiritual things. How often do we work Jesus into our conversations?

Prayer for the Week: Lord, help me to keep my divine appointments this week and be your instrument of peace.

Will you join me in praying this prayer?

Missional Church Scorecard

2009-03-18T15:33:00.002-04:00

In case you don't know it, churches have scorecards. They aren't called scorecards, they go by names like - Annual Statistical Report. But no matter what we call them, they are still scorecards because they serve to measure how well we are doing.

Church scorecards traditionally have kept tally of things like attendance, membership, giving, and frequency of meetings. In other words, how many and how much? Scorecards are still needed in missional churches. But the scorecards must change if a church is to become more effective at reaching beyond the walls of the sanctuary, educational wing and family life center.

Reggie McNeal, the author of "Missional Renaissance: Changing the Scorecard for the Church", proposes that we "expand the bandwith" of what we measure in order to determine our success as missional churches.

Instead of asking how many people showed up for an event, he suggests asking such questions as:

* How many better marriages do we have in our church today than a year ago?

* How much money did we give away last year? How much did we invest in our community?

* How many members are prayer partners with a public school teacher?

* How many people have figured out a way to show love for their neighbor instead of just coming to support our stuff?

To quote McNeil: "In a missional world, it’s about the size of your vision and impacting your community. A church with 33 people in the inner city that’s about making an impact is making a bigger difference than a big old honking suburban church with 3,000 people who are as busy as can be running the cruise ship."

So is your church more like a lifeboat that goes out into the stormy seas to rescue drowning people or a cruise ship that seeks to keep the passengers on board entertained?

A Missional Church Is Not ...

2009-03-16T16:31:00.001-04:00

The world missional is an adjective. An adjective, by definition, modifies a noun or a pronoun by describing, identifying, or quantifying words. So, missional is a descriptive word that provides a “word picture” of how a church might look or act. Missional churches don’t all look or act exactly alike. Though missional churches can take various forms and have different fashions, there are some things that they will not be or do.

A missional church is not:

1) a dispenser of religious goods and services or a place where people come for their weekly spiritual fix.
2) a place where mature Christians come to be fed and have their needs met.
3) a place where "professionals" are hired to do all the work of the church.
4) about a new strategy for evangelism.
5) missional just because it is contemporary, young, hip, postmodern-sensitive, seeker-sensitive or even traditional.
6) a church with a "good missions program." The people are the missions program and includes going to "Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Jesus said that we (all) “are the light of the world”. Too often churches expect the professionals to do all the light shining, usually on those already within the congregation, or only let the laity shine their lights on each other within the walls of the church rather than all of us getting our light into the dark places of the world that most desperately need the light of Christ.

Based on the “Is Nots” list, how well is your church doing at being a missional church?

Why be a Missional Church?

2009-03-13T13:28:00.003-04:00

For many years most statistical data has stated that 40% of Americans attend church on any given Sunday. More recently researchers have questioned this percentage and believe it to be overstated. It seems that people tend to answer survey questions by either giving answers that they think the questioners want or that are considered to be right. Simply, different questions yield different results. For example, in a survey you might ask, “What did you do last weekend?” listing for the person a number of possible activities, including church-going. This will yield a very different response than if you asked, “Did you attend church last Sunday?”

Dave Olson, director of church planting for the Evangelical Covenant Church, among many others, has now concluded that the percentage of Americans attending church on any given Sunday is less than 20% and will decline to less than 12% by 2050.

I don’t know if the correct number is 40% or 20%. But my “gut” tells me it is closer to the 20% number. This is a reminder that the church can’t operate like a Motel 6 and just leave the light on for people. We must move our ministry outside the four walls of the church because the vast majority of people aren’t coming to us.

Here are some of the best descriptions that I have found of what a missional church is trying to do:

1) exploring and rediscovering what it means to be Jesus' sent people as both our identity and vocation

2) willing and ready to be Christ's people in any situation and place

3) engaging with the culture (in the world) without being absorbed by the culture (not of the world)

4) becoming intentionally indigenous

5) aligning all our activities around the mission of God

6) seeking to put the good of our neighbor over our own

7) being desperately dependent on prayer

8) being orthodox in our message of the gospel and scripture, but culturally relevant in our methods and practice of ministry

The attractional model church does not seem to be working. When will we wake up and become a missional church?

Becoming a Missional Church

2009-03-10T10:20:00.001-04:00

Last year Christianity Today magazine asked the question: What makes a church missional? I desire to see NGWC become a more missional church. Before we can answer this question or achieve this goal, we need to know what “missional” means. Apparently it has come to mean different things to different people.

This week’s blog postings will explore what it means, in my mind, to be a missional church. Dan Kimball describes the missional church "as a body of people sent on a mission who gather in community for worship, encouragement, and teaching from the Word that supplements what they are feeding themselves throughout the week." I like to state it this way, this expression is borrowed from a forgotten source, “Don’t say that the church has a mission, rather that the mission has a church.” The mission is God’s mission of reaching the world and Jesus said, “as the Father has sent me, so send I you.”

Missional is a shift in thinking; not a phase or program. Ed Stetzer and David Putman in their book, "Breaking the Missional Code" express this new paradigm in the following types of shifts:

From attractional to incarnational
From programs to processes
From uniformity to diversity
From professional to passionate
From seating to sending
From decisions to disciples
From services to service
From ordained to the ordinary
From organizations to organisms

This shift from the historical American “build it and they will come” mindset to the biblical great commission “go and make disciples” mindset will be a challenge for many churches but a necessary one in our post-modern culture.

20 Resolutions Regarding the Tongue (#17-20)

2009-03-03T15:40:00.006-05:00

This poster serves as an introduction to the next phase of the intentional interim process at NGWC. Our current Focus Point is "Mission."

In Sunday's message, I stated that the intersection of passion and need is where you will find ministry. Upon further reflection I would change this statement to say, "Ministry is found where passion, talent (gifts) and need meet." Over the next few months I will attempt to help the congregation find their place of ministry within the mission that we all have.

A current buzzword is "missional". Everyone seems to have their own definition of the concept. But I like this way of expressing it - We should not speak of the church of God having a mission in the world but rather that the God of mission has a church in the world.

So, have you found your place of ministry within the missional church? Is so, what is it?

And now before I forget. Here is the final installment of the Sinclair Ferguson's 20 Resolutions regarding the Tongue from the Epistle of James (this list was begun last week).

17) I resolve to ask for the prayers of others when I’m in need (5:14).

18) I resolve to confess it whenever I have failed (5:15).

19) I resolve to pray with others for one another whenever I am together with them (5:15).

20) I resolve to speak words of restoration when I see another wander (5:19).

Let's hold our tongues and go on mission!!

20 Resolutions Regarding the Tongue (#12-16)

2009-02-27T12:30:00.000-05:00

Proverbs 6:16-19 > There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Did you notice that three of the seven things God finds detestable are things that we do with our tongue? No wonder that Jesus said, “I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

And Jesus’ half-brother James warns us, “Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.”

All the more reasons for trying to live by the 20 Resolutions for the Tongue from the Epistle of James by Sinclair Ferguson (refer back to the Feb. 23, 2009 blog when we began the listing of these 20 Resolutions). Here are the next four resolutions:

13) I resolve never to grumble. The judge is at the door (5:9).
14) I resolve never to allow anything but total integrity in everything I say (5:12).
15) I resolve to speak to God in prayer whenever I suffer (5:13).
16) I resolve to sing praises to God whenever I’m cheerful (5:14).

Only four more resolutions to go. Until next time …

20 Resolutions Regarding the Tongue (#9-12)

2009-02-25T14:45:00.000-05:00

As we continue with the list of “tongue resolutions” from Sinclair Ferguson, I will pass along some of my favorite quotes on the tongue and the words that we speak.

We are born with our eyes closed and mouths open. Then we spend the rest of our lives trying to reverse this mistake of nature.

Talking too much is like driving too fast. The brakes don’t always work and we pass the place where we should have stopped.

Like a whale, when spouting off you are most likely to get harpooned.

Someone should invent toothpaste with shoe polish in it for those who are always putting their foot in their mouth.

One reason a dog is such a lovable creature is his tail wags instead of his tongue.
There is no evidence that the tongue is connected to the brain.

Sinclair’s next four resolutions for the tongue from the Epistle of James are (refer back to the Feb. 23, 2009 blog when we began the listing of these 20 Resolutions):

9) I resolve to resist quarrelsome words as evidence of a bad heart that needs to be mortified (4:1).
10) I resolve never to speak decided evil against another out of a heart of antagonism (4:11).
11) I resolve never to boast in any thing but what I will accomplish (4:13).
12) I resolve to speak as one subject to the providences of God (4:15).

How valuable is your religion to you?
James says that if we don’t keep a tight rein on our tongue that it is worthless.

20 Resolutions Regarding the Tongue (#5-8)

2009-02-24T16:06:00.003-05:00

James says to be slow to speak. He does not say to not ever speak. In other words, we need to ponder over our words before we pour them forth. Let’s use “THINK” as an acrostic for some questions to ask ourselves before we talk.

T – Is it TRUE?
H – Is it HELPFUL?
I – Is it INSPIRING?
N – Is it NECESSARY?
K – Is it KIND?

Answering these five questions before speaking should result in less repenting after we speak.
Now, here are four more of Sinclair Ferguson’s 20 Resolutions for the Tongue from the Epistle of James (refer back to the Feb. 23, 2009 blog when we began the listing of these 20 Resolutions).

5) I resolve to learn the gospel way of speaking to both rich and poor (2:1-4).
6) I resolve to speak in the present consciousness of my final judgment (2:12).
7) I resolve never to stand on anyone’s face with the words I employ (2:16).
8) I resolve never to claim as reality in my life what I do not truly experience (3:14).

The rest of the 20 Resolutions are on the way. Until then – THINK FIRST; SPEAK SECOND!

20 Resolutions Regarding the Tongue (#1-4)

2009-02-23T11:16:00.000-05:00

Recently our mid-week Bible studies started a series of lessons from the Epistle of James. This five chapter book was chosen because of the abundance of practical living guidance that it has. Much of this guidance is on the use of our tongue and the power of words.

Those who choose to live as peacemakers and strive for healthy congregations understand the need to constantly work at thinking about what words we say and when we say them. Some recent research found the following at the 9Marks blog:

“At the 2008 Desiring God National Conference, Sinclair Ferguson preached a great message on James 3. In the spirit of Jonathan Edwards, he identified 20 resolutions that James makes in his letter regarding the tongue.
The book of James has at least 20 resolutions that need to be part of the Christian’s covenant with God about how the believer is going to employ the tongue and lips, and master the heart in such a way that the beauty of Jesus is expressed.”

I will be posting these 20 resolutions in piece meal form over the next few days. In so doing, I hope that all of us (myself especially) can digest the truth and better incorporate it into our daily living.

1) I resolve to ask God for wisdom to speak out of a single-minded devotion to him (1:5).
2) I resolve to boast only in the exultation I receive in Jesus Christ and also in the humiliation I receive for Jesus Christ (1:9-10).
3) I resolve to set a watch over my mouth (1:13).
4) I resolve to be constantly quick to hear and slow to speak (1:19).

Until next time, meditate on these things!

The Power of Forgiveness

2009-02-12T12:07:00.004-05:00

I found this incredible video on the Route 5:9 blog (Peacemakers Ministry): it shows Elwin Wilson, a former racist, fully confessing his wrongdoing and apologizing to African Americans in his town and to Congressman John Lewis, a man he assaulted 48 years ago at a bus station.

Rep. Lewis says, "I never thought this would happen. It says something about the power of love, the power of grace, and the power of people to say 'I'm sorry.'"

While the video doesn't overtly talk about the role of faith in motivating this reconciliation, it does allude to it: the commentator says that one of Wilson's deeply religious friends posed a question that would finally set him on this redemptive course. "He said, 'If you died right now, do you know where you would go?' I said, 'To hell.'"

The video ends with Wilson and Lewis encouraging other people to follow their example, both of confessing and of extending a welcoming hand to those seeking reconciliation. Amazing. Take about 4 minutes to watch this video -- it will be time well-spent.

In my intentional interim ministry I see the need for this type of spiritual breakthrough needed again and again. When it does happen the results are absolutely incredible. If God prompts you to pray for us, just pray that this is the kind of thing that we get to experience.

Church Unity

2009-02-11T11:36:00.002-05:00

The NGWC Transition Team is beginning to work on the "Mission" Focus Point of the Intentional Interim process. As we move from "Heritage" to "Mission", I am wanting the congregation to reflect on church unity. Why? Greater church unity should be the fruit of the just completed work on "Heritage" and this unity is needed to accomplish "Mission".

Last Sunday I preached from John 17 and challenged the congregation about the unanswered prayer of Jesus - church unity. The reason that this prayer has not been answered is because God has left the answer up to us. We have to choose to have church unity.

Unity is not easy because it requires submission. I love the movie "Hoosiers" for many reasons. The movie's emphasis on team unity is one of them. Watch this clip from the movie to see what I mean!

If you have watched the movie or know the history of Indiana high school basketball then you know that this small town school won the state championship against incredible odds.

There is much power in unity. Even when people are trying to do the wrong thing there is power in unity. Notice what God said when the people starting building the tower of Babel: "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them."

Need a Good Laugh?

2009-02-09T14:28:00.001-05:00

Mondays were made for laughing, not thinking. So here is a video found on YouTube of Tim Hawkins that made me laugh. I hope it will do the same for you!

The BIG Heritage Event

2009-02-05T14:55:00.002-05:00

The favor of God rested upon the congregation of NGWC as they gathered last Sunday for their 3 hour Heritage Event. God’s presence was felt in the worship service from the moment Pastor Randy Haithcock began leading the congregation in singing until we prayed the Lord’s Prayer together after partaking of communion at the Lord’s Table. Total attendance was 112; the adult and youth count in the sanctuary was 86.

After the worship service, 71 adults and teens stayed for the small group discussions led by the Transition Team members. Everyone was given the opportunity to express both pains and pleasures from their past experiences at the church. Once the small groups concluded their discussions, everyone enjoyed an abundance of soups, sandwiches and desserts in the Family Life Center.

As our stomachs digested the food, we gathered back in the sanctuary to enjoy a power point presentation reviewing the years of the last six pastors since 1979. Fond memories were shared by congregational members of times with both these senior pastors as well as the assistant pastors.

The Transition Team announced that they had composed letters to be sent to the former senior pastors. The letters expressed appreciation for their service, affirmation as our brothers in Christ, and a prayer for God’s grace to heal any painful memories or hurts received while pastoring at NGWC. The addresses of the former pastors were also provided in the church bulletin so that individual members could communicate with these men if they felt led to do so.

The Transition Team is now preparing to lead the congregation through our next focus point – Mission. It is anticipated that we will spend about 3 months working of clarifying the church’s identity, vision and purpose. Stay tuned for the ongoing progress on this Intentional Interim journey of NGWC.

Parting with the Painful - Offering Praises for the Positive

2009-01-29T13:07:00.001-05:00

This Sunday, February 1st, will be a significant day for Neighbors Grove Wesleyan Church. Our Transition Team will lead the congregation to reflect upon our heritage. This will be a 3 hour event (including our morning worship service) focused on: Parting with the Painful and Offering Praises for the Positive.

During the worship service, the sermon will be based on Matthew 6:12 – “forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”. This service will conclude by celebrating forgiveness, received and given, as we partake of the Lord’s Supper together. Forgiveness is the grace that enables us to break free of the bondage of past sins so that we can move forward into the future God desires for His church.

An afterglow time will follow the worship service. The congregation will divide into small groups led by Transition Team members. Each group will be given the opportunity to discuss these two questions: 1) What is the one thing in NGWC’s past that I have most needed to release to God so that we can move forward? 2) What time at NGWC did I feel most motivated and excited about our church? After these discussions the congregation will gather for a soup and sandwich lunch together.

Following the lunch, everyone will return to the sanctuary to celebrate God’s blessings upon the church during the last 30 years as highlights are given from the tenures of the last six pastors. As each former pastor is remembered, people will be given to stand if they came to faith or joined the church during these years. Words of affirmation and humorous memories will be shared by those who desire to do so.

Please join those who already in prayer for God to do a special work in our midst as the Neighbors Grove congregation gathers together this Sunday.

Individual Responsbility - Part 2

2009-01-23T19:24:00.002-05:00

The second item I read this week that reminded me of the great need for all of us to take individual responsibility was written by our oldest son, Stephen, who lives in Hong Kong. He is 30 years old and works as an assistant editor for a book publishing company. In my humble opinion, he has a gift for writing that I hope will be utilized for good. Here is what he wrote:

The Shoe is on the Other Foot

It will go down, perhaps, as one of the most historically important moments of this century. At 12:05 p.m. in Washington D.C., the son of an African immigrant took the oath of office to become the President of the United States. But as the world looked on, we all cringed in unison. We watched painfully as President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts stumbled over each other in trying to repeat the sacred oath.

But why? Why should a simple mistake immediately bring such trouble to our hearts? Understandably, both men were nervous on this monumental occasion. Indeed, it is not unusual at all to see a bride or groom stumble over their vows at a wedding. In fact, if such a thing happens at a wedding, we would merely smile and wish the happy couple all the best. So what exactly makes this slip up any different?

Simply put, the political discourse in American politics has gone off the deep end. Everyone’s actions, and none more so than the President, is examined and then re-examined under a microscope by their political opposition.

We saw this for eight years under former President Bush. Every mispronunciation, every stumble, every minute mistake was shown brightly to the world. The defenders of President Bush would, predictably, make excuses for the blunders. They would blame the mistake on others, or simply brush them off by saying everyone stumbles or mispronounces words occasionally, especially when they are under pressure.

Now, the shoe is on the other foot. Those who defended Bush’s blunders now point the finger at President Obama. Those who trumpeted the gaffes of President Bush now find themselves defending a stuttering Obama.

And so it goes on and on. We may remain hopeful for a change in the political discourse, but change will not come from one man alone. We must all change. From politicians, to the media, to the everyday man on the street, we must all change the way we think about and react to those whom we disagree with politically. Can we change? Yes, we can. But will we?

Individual Responsbility - Part 1

2009-01-22T18:03:00.002-05:00

This week I have read two different thoughts that have really stirred me to reflect on my individual responsibility instead of blaming others or expecting others to solve my problems.

This post will quote an email I received called: Peace Meal - Food for Thought on Biblical Peacemaking.

Let It Begin with Me

All it takes is one person who hears the call of God and responds, "Here am I. Send me!" (Isa. 6:8). Perhaps for your church, that person is you. Please pray about it and reflect on the Scriptures given above. Ask God to give you a longing to see a culture of peace in your church that reflects the love and power of his Son. If he gives you that longing, hard work awaits you, but great blessing is also in store, for Jesus' promise in Matthew 5:9 is absolutely dependable:
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."
Taken from The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 297.

It just takes one.

There is a theory in the study of family systems that says if just one person begins to change, then the family changes. For example, if a passive son begins to be more assertive in his decisions and behavior, then the whole family changes. They may look the same, drive the same old Honda, and still play Monopoly every Saturday night. But since he changed, the family is no longer the same. And the courage of one member to change often inspires others to change as well.

So who will begin to change your church's culture to one of peacemaking? Ken writes: "Perhaps…that person is you." What? Me? Surely not! I mean, doesn't that need to come through the pastor or the elders or the deacons or the Sunday school teachers? I'm just one person.

Exactly! That's where change begins--always has, always will. It begins with the man or woman in the mirror. If you begin to practice biblical peacemaking in your church, your church will change. It may keep the same street address, sing the same hymns, and keep the steel-blue pew cushions, but it will be different. It all begins with the courage of one with the power of One.

As a friend of mine loves to say - this is a trustworthy saying.
In my next post I will share something that our son, Stephen, recently wrote and has submitted to several newspapers for their opinion section.

2009-01-19T00:39:00.013-05:00

OK - this the last posting of pictures from our recent cruise. Enjoy!!

By Divine providence we met up with Josh and Joy Tietje while on the cruise. They were on their honeymoon. They are friends of our daughter and son-in-law and were in college together.

This is a picture of us together in front of the Water Tower in Nassau. It is a small world - we had no idea that anyone that we had any connection with would be on the same ship.

I decided to have a chat with Ernest Hemingway. Apparently he lived in Key West for a few years in a house across the street from the lighthouse that Pam and I climbed to the top of. I got some pics of the roof of the house but there was an admission fee to get in so we stayed out.

Here is Pam eating a chocolate dipped key lime pie on a stick from Kermit's in Key West. It was very, very good. I helped her eat it! I promise!

Cruising to the Lighthouses

2009-01-17T22:18:00.007-05:00

Pam and I are really into lighthouses. In the last six years we have visited approximately 25 lighthouses in our travels. Some of our vacations have even been planned with visits to certain lighthouses in mind. I wish I could say that there is something spiritual about it. Maybe there is but I am not sure.

We just like looking at them. They each have a different appearance and personality. We like climbing to the top of the ones where you can do that. Since I figured out how to take self pictures of Pam and myself, we usually take one of ourselves while we are at the top of these lighthouses.

During our cruise we got to climb the Key West lighthouse and sail by the lighthouse in the harbor of Nassau, Bahamas. So we have two more to our growing list of lighthouses visited. Above is a picture of the Nassau lighthouse with the Atlantis hotel complex in the background. Next is a picture of Pam and me at the top of the Key West lighthouse and then one of the Key West lighthouse from the ground. Enjoy!

Pam Went Parasailing

2009-01-16T12:12:00.003-05:00

The most often asked question about our vacation was: Did you go parasailing?

This was something that Pam had desired to do for several years. Santa Claus knew about her desire so he delivered a coupon on Christmas morning for her to do a tandem parasail in Key West with a companion of her choice.

Here is a photo to prove that she did indeed get to go parasailing and to reveal who she choose to be her partner.

Too Nice to Do Good

2009-01-15T17:45:00.002-05:00

"Nothing is so cruel as the tenderness that consigns another to his sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than the severe rebuke that calls a brother back from the path of sin."
-- Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together

This Bonhoeffer quote reflects the truth that I tried to teach during our mid-week Bible studies this week. After the holiday and vacation break I have returned briefly to the "one another" commands for our Bible study. This week we focused on Colossians 3:16 - Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

This is a difficult command for many Christians. We are often so afraid of hurting someone's feelings or being rejected by them that we neglect to confront them with the error of their ways. Jim Van Yperen points out that our credibility and integrity for admonishing is built up when we first practice some of the other "one another" commands like forbearing, forgiving, serving and loving one another. But even then, we may be so nice that we can't do good. The good being to try to help our brother or sister see the error of their way.

For those who have been waiting for some vacation pictures to get posted - please be patient, they will be here shortly. I am paying for last week's vacation with an extra load of work this week.

Title Deed

2009-01-03T14:15:00.003-05:00

I finally got blogspot to upload a copy of the Title Deed that the Transition Team will be distributing to the congregation during the month of January and signing on the first Sunday (tomorrow) in the worship service. This Title Deed is discussed in the previous blog from yesterday. If anyone would like to receive a jpeg file of this Title Deed just send me an email and I will reply with it attached.

Tomorrow, after the worship service, Pam and I leave for cruise out of Jacksonville, Florida. Hope to see Renee Reeves, a friend and former work associate from our years in Terre Haute, Indiana while there. So it will be at least a week before the next blog.

Giving Our Church Back to God

2009-01-02T19:22:00.005-05:00

The first statement in the NGWC Transition Team Covenant reads:
We will strive to abandon selfish motivations as we prayerfully seek to surrender ownership of Neighbors Grove Wesleyan Church to God.

The team has a strong desire to see all members of the congregation make a similar commitment. To that end, I will be preaching a message from Isaiah 6:1-8 (Isaiah responding to God's call after King Uzziah dies). The main point will be that Isaiah had to give his country and himself back to God before God could use it or him again. In the same way, our congregation must give the church back to God before He will use it or us in a powerful way.

At the close of this first worship service in 2009 all of the Transition Team members will stand before the congregation and sign a replicate Title Deed as an expression of their intent to give their church back to God. Everyone will also be given a smaller sized version of the same deed and asked to prayerfully consider signing their deed before the end of January and our first congregational event focused on the church heritage.

In this service the Transition Team will also be sharing a few details about our first congregational event to take place in four weeks. These details include:

Our Heritage:

Parting with the Painful and Offering Praises for the Positive
February 1, 2009 -- 10 am – 1 pm
Worship Service: Repenting of the Sinful
Afterglow: Releasing the Hurtful
Fellowship: Rejoicing for the Helpful
(Soup & Sandwich Lunch is Included)

Five Month Reflections

2009-01-01T20:30:00.002-05:00

The following will appear in this Sunday's bulletin at Neighors Grove Wesleyan Church as I share my assessment of our first five months together as their Intentional Interim Pastor.

I believe that God has chosen to grant favor to our church as we have begun the intentional interim process together. On what do I base this belief?
* Last August we were able to hire a great Youth Director – Chris James.
* Our weekly offerings are better now than when we arrived in July.
* The new roof on the sanctuary has been completely paid for.
* Worship attendance has picked up from the low 80's to 100 or more on an average Sunday.
* We had great participation for the shut-in Christmas caroling.
* Over 60 people attended the communion service on Christmas Eve.
* The church was able to have wonderful children's and adult Christmas musicals.
* In three weeks our new Assistant Pastor, Randy Haithcock, will be joining our staff.
* The Transition Team has gotten off to a great start preparing for our first congregational event.

There are other more intangible things that I see happening in us and through us as a congregation. These intangibles are just as important, if not more important, because they relate to our spiritual growth and maturity. God is at work among us! He will continue to grant us favor if we will continue to humble ourselves before Him and be obedient to His Word and Spirit.

The next posting tomorrow or Saturday will share more details about the work of the Transition Team and their plans for our first congreational event focused on the church heritage. After this next posting I will be on vacation for a week with Pam on a cruise. I hope to post a picture or two of our trip upon our return.

The Prayers of Chuck Colson

2008-12-30T12:21:00.002-05:00

Some times you read something that says what you have been thinking but much better than you can express it yourself. Today's Breakpoint Commentary by Chuck Colson is an example. Here is that commentary, I have only deleted one paragraph in which Colson speaks of praying for his family. May it stir your heart as it has mine.

In my devotions over the last two or three months, I have started my prayer time by concentrating on the Church. I pray—actually, I plead, the Lord would wake us up, cause us to repent, turn from our own false idols. I pray God’s Spirit would fill us with a burning desire to love Him and advance His kingdom.

It was on my knees a few months ago that God hit me like a 10-ton truck about the priority praying for the Church first. We can’t pray for our nation to be revived, to be saved, to receive God’s mercy; we can’t pray for our leaders to make wise decisions unless we first pray for the Church.

When it comes to the economy, our nation has dug a hole for itself. And sure enough, we are continuing to dig. At a recent meeting with President-elect Obama, the nation’s governors had their hands out, asking for federal dollars. The President-elect was all too happy to oblige. But South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford knows better. In a statement in front of Mr. Obama and his fellow governors, he said “We don’t believe economic problems that were in large measure created by too much debt will be solved by more debt.” Amen, and hallelujah! Finally somebody spoke the truth.

Our nation is in this crisis precisely because we’ve traded in a Christian worldview of work, thrift, savings, and prudence, and instead have embraced the false worldview of consumerism—of leisure, debt, and instant gratification.

That’s a false worldview, and it leads to the worst kind of idolatries. And it will also lead to our self-destruction. And insofar as we Christians have abandoned our heritage and have bought into the idolatry of consumerism, we have betrayed not only our God, but the nation we love. I want to put it in the plainest terms I know how: This nation cannot be saved unless the Church is first revived. Renewing the Church is the key to saving America.

I no longer know for sure that America has a special place in God’s sovereign plan for the world. I could argue that we have in the past. No other nation has played such a positive role—from helping the poor to defeating tyranny to stopping the spread of disease (just like we’re doing in Africa today in the fight against AIDS).

But we will be unable to continue to be a force for good in the world if we are bankrupt. The fact is, we are bankrupt today, neck-deep in debt, and our people have become self-indulgent. And it starts with us: the Church.

I truly believe my prayer priorities are correct. Pray that God will inspire us, His people, to reorganize our priorities. That we will reject the idolatry of consumerism, that we will reject the therapeutic gospel, and seek holiness. And that we will serve our neighbors in charity, that we will use this economic calamity as an opportunity to teach the culture what matters most—a relationship with God.

For if the Church continues to embrace the ways of the world, I don’t see how America can maintain it place in the world—much less survive in it.

Good for a Laugh or Two

2008-12-22T10:24:00.003-05:00

Even during down economic times church offerings tend to go up during the last two weeks of December. Tithe checks can have some interesting memo notes on them. Enjoy this Top Ten list of Tithe Check Memo Notes from holyobserver.com.

10. Gross, not net—as usual!
9. Hush Money
8. Casino winnings!
7. For voice lessons for worship team!
6. Thanks for last night…
5. This equals 12%
4. Don’t cash before Wednesday
3. $1 less for every minute past noon
2. Please don’t spend on crack, again.
1. NOT for children’s ministry!

Also, from the same website, I saw this picture of a church sign.

We church people usually mean well, we just don't always think well! But we get some good laughs at each other's expense!

Peace On Earth and In the Home!

2008-12-18T16:42:00.002-05:00

It’s that special time of year again. I always try warn couples going through pre-martial counseling about this special time of the year – the holidays. This is the time when we get to “connect” and spend HOURS, or even DAYS with families. This is the time when we hear a lot about peace on earth but can’t find it in our hearts or our homes. So what is the answer? Here is a video that offers one possibility.

But I have a better suggestion. Read these thoughts from Tara Barthel: “As we walk through the clamor of the holidays, our relationships may reflect a ‘peace’ as weak and flimsy as a sheet of thin gift-wrapping paper from the dollar store. How can we get past the façade of fake holiday happiness and truly wrap this season in a blanket of grace, joy, and love?”

Bartel offers three focus points:
1) Remember the Prince of Peace
2) Embrace defeat! Your holidays will not be perfect
3) Unpleasant people? Destroy ’Em-with Love

I would suggest that you read her entire article, “Walking in Peace amid Holiday Strife” by copying and pasting this link: www.peacemaker.net/site/c.aqKFLTOBIpH/b.1247127/

Lessons for Churches from the Airlines

2008-12-15T15:59:00.001-05:00

Todd Rhoades recently noted all the up-charges that the airlines have been passing on to customers. From paying for the first checked bag, to fuel surcharges, to purchasing soft drinks, they have really socked it to the consumer with all the new charges. This got him to thinking about how churches could learn from the airlines during these tough economic times. He developed a list of ways that churches could increase revenue. In that spirit of crisis management I now offer my own list.

--First cup of coffee free; each additional cup is 75 cents.
--Back three rows of pews are designated as premium seating with a $20 per week up-charge.
--Usher provided parking: $20 plus tip
--Use of Pew Bible charge: $10
--Cell phone ringing during service: $25 for each offense
--Late to service fee: $10/per person
--"Please sing my favorite song” request: $20
--Baby Sitting Service in Church Nursery: $10 per child
--Sunday School Book Fee (Quarterlies): $5
--KJV upgrade to NIV: $15
--NIV upgrade to NLT: $10
--Hit job on the drummer or organist (rates vary per city/church)
--First Sunday of the month tithing discount rate: 8%
--Turn the Heat Up fee: $20
--Turn the Heat Down fee: $20
--Get out of church in one hour or less charge: $10

What would you add?

Playing with Palindromes

2008-12-11T00:14:00.002-05:00

I love to play with words. Why? I had no friends to play when I was growing up. Seriously, finding the right word or words is important for successful communication and motivation. To better use words it is OK to have fun with words. When was the last time you spent some time playing with palindromes?

A palindrome is a word or sentence that is the same spelled forward or backward.

Examples and Occupational Applications:
Restaurant Staff > stressed no tips (spit on desserts)
First Couple > Madam, I’m Adam
Math Teacher > Never odd or even
Honeymooners > Niagara, O roar again
Zookeepers > Panda had nap
Philosopher > I saw I was I
Animal Lovers > Step on no pets
Cowboy > Too bad, I hid a boot
Theologians > Do geese see God?
Pastors > Dennis sinned
Church Attenders > We panic in a pew

Now, let’s return to some important thoughts about the words we use. In his recent book, Axiom, Bill Hybels writes, “The very best leaders I know wrestle with words until they are able to communicate their big ideas in a way that captures the imagination, catalyzes action, and lifts spirits. They coin creeds and fashion slogans and create rallying cries, all because they understand that language matters. … I often take long walks around our campus in search of one key word for a leadership talk I am working on. One word.”

Take some time to play with words. The more you play with them the better you will learn to use them as a powerful tool to communicate your ideas and motivate others to action.

Ever Felt Abandoned?

2008-12-08T15:49:00.005-05:00

I am a member of the WITH (Wolfpack In The House) club. Club members really enjoyed the recent NC State and UNC football game when our Wolfpack put a whipping on the Tar Heels. One of my friends in the club sent me this photo of the Carolina stadium near the end of the game.

After this past Sunday’s church service I know how the UNC football players feel. About 1/3 of the people who were present when the service started left before I even got up to preach. I’ll let you in on a secret – that kind of thing really works on the preacher. Here is how we lost 1/3 of the people about half way through the service.

NGWC has an annual tradition of having the 4 year olds from the Child Development Center do a little program during a church service on Sunday morning. When we started the service the place was packed but I had been told that some of the crowd would leave after the program so that they could attend their own church services (our service starts at 10 am). The children did their thing at the beginning of our service and went to the exit door to “high five” them as the left for doing a good job. Almost all their family members followed them out and I shook their hands as they were leaving. One man even suggested that I should preach on the exodus. I then had to go back into the sanctuary to preach.

Needless to say – we will be discussing in staff meeting this week how to better handle this situation next year. I know that some of the folk did go on to their own church after they left us but I wonder how many? It is good for our regular church folks to see the child care kids and their families but does it discourage them to see them all leave instead of staying for the rest of the service? I have some ideas but perhaps you can help us as well. What would you do differently next year if you were in our place?

The Church Is ... (Part 3)

2008-12-04T11:35:00.001-05:00

The Church is the Bride of Christ. Seldom is the groom as interested in the wedding as the bride, but Christ is one groom who is vitally interested in both the wedding and His bride.

Both the Old and New Testaments speak of the relationship that God has with His followers like that of a bride and groom. Note especially Ephesians chapter five and the prophet Isaiah. The book of Revelation speaks of the marriage supper of the Lamb as being like the reception after the wedding ceremony. Jesus told a parable in Matthew 22:1-14 that depicts what this wedding in heaven will be like.

Here are some points to ponder about Heaven’s wedding:

1) Heaven is preparing the wedding banquet for the bride.
“A King who prepared a wedding banquet”

2) The bride needs to be preparing for the wedding banquet.
“His bride has made herself ready” – Rev. 19:7

3) There is an open invitation to the wedding banquet.
“Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find”

4) Many who are invited will have excuses not to attend.
“They paid no attention and went off – one to his field, another to his business”

5) Anyone who rejects the invitation will reap the consequences.
“Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside into the darkness”

There is one last thing to remember about Christ and His bride. Like most grooms, Jesus doesn’t appreciate people criticizing and complaining about His bride. So, we need to be very careful what we say and how we say it when we are talking about His church.

My Christmas Gift List

2008-12-03T11:08:00.002-05:00

Warning: This is a transparency post! You have been warned and apparently decided to keep reading. By doing so you are becoming part of my accountability group on the following conviction. If you stop now you can still opt out. If you read any further you are in the group.

“The final principle for responding to a stubborn opponent is described in Romans 12:20-21: "On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Here is the ultimate weapon: deliberate, focused love (cf. Luke 6:27-28; 1 Cor. 13:4-7). Instead of reacting spitefully to those who mistreat you, Jesus wants you to discern their deepest needs and do all you can to meet those needs. Sometimes this will require going to them to show them their faults. At other times there may be a need for mercy and compassion, patience, and words of encouragement. You may even have opportunities to provide material and financial assistance to those who least deserve it or expect it from you.” – The Peacemaker by Ken Sande

Since I try to be an organized person I always make a Christmas spending budget with a list of those for whom I plan to purchase gifts. As I look over that list I see that every name is either a family member or friend. I don’t have a single enemy or stubborn opponent’s name on the list. Is that because I don’t have any enemies or opponents in my life or because I have reached this level of living as a peacemaker?

Jesus said, “"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.”

I am going to take some time this week to rethink my Christmas gift list. I will ask God to show me any enemies or opponents to whom I should show kindness or favor. Do you need to review your Christmas gift list as well?

Our Bodies Are Weak (Thank God, we will get new ones)

2008-12-03T10:55:00.004-05:00

Last Wednesday I promised the final installment of my "The Church Is ..." series. Let me explain why it has not been posted yet. My sermon notes are at the office and I have not been back to the office since Sunday morning.

The reason for my failure to return to Asheboro so far this week is that I have lost my voice and Pam has been found to be with kidney stone. Late last week Pam began to have symptoms that indicated something was wrong with her kidneys or bladder. The real pain did not hit until Monday night. After spending Tuesday at the doctor's office and hospital, she had the kidney stone surgically removed Tuesday night. I am now waiting to get her back home from the hospital.

While Pam was getting this stone I was losing my voice. I developed a head cold and sore throat late last week as well. I am a preacher so I preached Sunday morning. Sunday afternoon I had no voice left. It is three days later and I am still trying to get it all back. The cycle will probably run like this - voice back by Sunday, preach on Sunday, lose voice on Sunday, voice returns during the next week. About every 3 or 4 years this happens to me.

Bottom line: say a prayer for Doug and Pam if the Lord calls us to your minds during the next few days.

The Things Pastors Say

2008-11-29T11:44:00.001-05:00

Oxford University researchers have compiled a list of the ten most irritating phrases. Here they are:
1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It’s a nightmare
8 - Shouldn’t of
9 - 24/7
10 - It’s not rocket science

This list got me to thinking about overused or annoying words and phrases that pastors use. Here is my starter list:
1 – In conclusion
2 – Finally
3 – The Greek word here is
4 – Briefly let me explain
5 – This won’t take long
6 – And now for my last point
7 – In my last church
8 – The other day my spouse

Can you help me finish the list? What words or phrases do pastors say that are overused or annoying?

The Church Is ... (Part 2)

2008-11-26T09:35:00.000-05:00

The Church is the Body of Christ. Referring to Christ, Paul told the Ephesians that “God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, which is His body.”

The church is more than an organization; it is an organism, with life and vitality. Maintaining a healthy body does not happen by accident or without great effort.

The church as the body of Christ on earth needs to accept differences without allowing them to become divisions. It needs to defend unity without demanding unanimity. The church can learn something from the great Peanuts psychiatrist, Lucy, who held up her five fingers to Charlie Brown and said, “You see these five fingers. Individually they are nothing but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.”

Satan is afraid of this weapon and that is why he desires to tear us apart and sift us as wheat. He knows that if he can drive a wedge in the body and divide us into warring factions we are powerless to go to war against him.

This sermon outline uses 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 as a text.

As the Body of Christ the people of the church need to:
Acknowledge our differences as a part of God’s plan – “now the body is not made up of one part but of many” – v.14

Appreciate our differences as gifts of God’s grace – “in fact God has arranged the parts of the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be” – v.18

Affirm unity as the aim of God’s assembly – “so that there should be no divisions in the body” – v.25

Achieve unity as the pattern of God’s people – “as it is, there are many parts, but one body” – v.20

In His last prayer with the disciples before the garden and the cross Jesus prays for unity within the church, His body. This has been called the only unanswered prayer of Jesus. Is remains unanswered because this unity is entirely up to the members of the body.

Check back next week for the final sermon summary from the “The Church is …” series.

The Church Is ... (Part 1)

2008-11-25T11:08:00.000-05:00

The Church is the Building of Christ. This building is not made of bricks, blocks and boards but “living stones” according to Peter.

Jesus talked to Peter and the other disciples about the church being his building in Matthew chapter 16. The following is a sermon outline:

The Foundation is Jesus – “you are Peter and on this rock”
The Formation is by Jesus – “I will build”
The Fellowship is in Jesus – “my church”
The Future is with Jesus – “the gates of Hades will not overcome it”
The Function is through Jesus – “I will give you the keys of the kingdom”

From start to finish we are His church. What a privilege to be a part of a building that is bigger and better than we are.

Check back for the next sermon summary from the second part of my “The Church is …” series.

Mama Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Pastors

2008-11-24T11:54:00.002-05:00

Monday mornings have become, when possible, my internet research day. Pam says that she can't believe that I think this is a good use of my time. She just doesn't understand the wealth of stuff that I find. For instance, this video is priceless in my opinion.

I suppose your view on this video is determined by whether or not you are a pastor, live with one, know one well, or wish you didn't know one so well. No matter, I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.

"Thy will be done!"

2008-11-19T13:45:00.003-05:00

C.S. Lewis, now more widely known than ever before through the The Chronicles of Narnia series, once wrote these words: “There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’”

The same is true with churches. When NGWC or any church decides to abandon selfish motivations and prayerful seek to surrender ownership of the church to God as our Transition Team is challenging NGWC to do, they are saying to God, "Thy will be done." Sadly, there are too many churches where the members are only concerned about themselves and God is having to say to them, "Thy will be done."

"Thy will be done." Are you saying this to God or is He having to say it to you?

When the Going Gets Tough ...

2008-11-18T15:33:00.001-05:00

Why should a church consider Intentional Interim Ministry? When churches experience tough times filled with conflict or uncertainty the instinct is for the congregation to circle the wagons, cut back, hold on, and wait for the difficulties to pass by. But experience has taught me that this approach never solves the problems or changes the circumstances.

I love the story about General Ferdinand Foch, regarded as a World War I French hero, who sent the following dispatch to his superiors at a time when his army was in deep trouble: “Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I attack.”

General Foch's dispatch communicated courage instead of fear, faith instead of capitulation, and resolve instead of paralysis. And his counter-intuitive, counter-attack successfully stopped a strategic German advance. The church needs men and women with this same kind of courage, faith and resolve in turbulent times. The church needs intentional interim ministers with this kind of instinct.

The word – intentional – is in my job description for a reason. Moments of crisis are not the time to do nothing. They are the moments of opportunity to do something and to do something significant. They are moments to consider new ideas and new approaches to old problems. They allow us to not only make little changes to the little things but to try making big changes to the big things.

My prayer is that I will serve NGWC with intention and that God will bless those intentions because they align with His will and that the changes that flow out of those intentions will have a positive impact on the Kingdom.

Ecclesiology

2008-11-16T22:18:00.001-05:00

Since the Transition Team’s first statement states: “we will strive to abandon selfish motivations as we prayerfully seek to surrender ownership of Neighbors Grove Wesleyan Church to God “ I have decided to preach a 3 week series focused on ecclesiology. When I announced this topic to the congregation on Sunday morning they started jumping up and down for joy. NOT!! Ecclesiology is a word that is only found in systematic theology type books. The word root is found in the Greek word that translates into English as “church”.

So, I am preaching a 3 week series on the nature of the church. We will explore the nature of the church as the building of Christ, the body of Christ, and the bride of Christ. Our people will be challenged each week to realize that God has always had ownership of the church. The problem is that we, the people, don’t always behave as if He does. This decision to surrender ownership of the church to God is one that must be made consciously and continuously.

Sunday was another good day in the life of the Neighbors Grove Church. We celebrated the receipt of a significant anonymous donation that was recently made to the church. We had over 100 in attendance for the second Sunday in a row with several first time and returning guests. We celebrated the 94th birthday of Bill Brower. There was the sense of a sweet and warm spirit in the fellowship.

This week promises to be busy. I have some important meetings this week including both a Transition Team and Church Board meeting. And I hope to make a two day trip to the coast to visit my mother briefly.

Finally, a good quote: “It is better to have one person working with you than three people working for you.” Dwight D. Eisenhower

Transition Team Retreat

2008-11-13T17:30:00.002-05:00

The NGWC Transition Team met at the Victory Mountain Camp in Sophia, NC from 6 pm last Friday through 1 pm Saturday for the our kick-off retreat. This was a very intense time of team building as we developed a spirit of respect and trust for one another. We laughed and cried together. We reflected and prayed together. We met all five of our objectives, one of which was developing a team covenant. Here it is:

We will strive to abandon selfish motivations as we prayerfully seek to surrender ownership of Neighbors Grove Wesleyan Church to God.

We will listen with sensitivity to persons with various perspectives within the congregation.

We will strive to be available to everyone within the church family.

We will provide support and guidance to the interim pastor.

We will respect each other’s dignity and privacy.

We will communicate regularly with the congregation about the work of the Transition Team.

We will recommend activities and directions that will strengthen the congregation and move it through the interim period.

We will strive to model healthy life in Christian community.

The team begins regularly scheduled meetings next week on every other Tuesday night. Our first congregational event is being planned for February 1st around the Heritage (coming to terms with history) focus point. Come back to this blog for regular updates on the Transition Team in the near future.

Creating Communities of Grace

2008-11-12T15:03:00.003-05:00

I recently found a blog written by Tim Chester via the "Route 5:9" blog of the Peacemaker ministries. God seems to be giving him some good food for thought. In one of his post he talks about creating a community of grace. He defines a community of grace as one where "[we acknowledge] that we are all sinners, we are all messed up people, all struggling, all doubting at a functional level. But grace also affirms that in Christ we all belong, all make the grade, all are welcome, all are Christians (there are no lesser Christians)... When [broken people] come together they accept one another and celebrate God’s grace towards each other. They rejoice that they are all children of God through the work of Christ. And they remind one another of the truths each of them needs to keep going and to change. It’s a community of grace, a community of hope, a community of change."

I'd encourage you to click over and read the whole post, but here are his 7 main points for what we can do to help create a community of grace in our churches:

1. Make the connections (between teaching grace and what it looks like in daily life)
2. Welcome the mess
3. Stop pretending
4. Stop performing
5. Eat and drink with broken people
6. Give time to change
7. Focus on the heart

What a great list! My own prayer is that I won't think of this as something that other people in my church or community need to do (thereby placing myself in judgment over them), but that God will show me very specific ways that I can be an agent in creating a community of grace this week.

Seven Indicators of Church Health

2008-11-11T16:41:00.002-05:00

I just read a good article by Dan Reiland. Here are the highlights of his seven indicators of church health.

1) VIBRANT SPIRITUALITY
This includes things like passionate worship, robust prayer and a genuine eagerness to live the life of Christ. Dependency upon God is the overarching theme of a vibrant spirituality.

2) ENTHUSIASTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE
This is the muscle of your church. The more volunteer service is exercised, the stronger your church becomes. Volunteer recruitment isn't about getting the work of the church done. It's about developing the people by helping them find their sweet spot of service in God's Kingdom.

3) TRUSTED LEADERSHIP
This includes not only the pastor, but the staff, board and key leaders. Leaders can and will make mistakes, but a violation of trust is different and difficult to recover from. Integrity, character, morals, ethics are all in play when it comes to trust. But so is competence.

4) EXPRESSION OF COMPASSION
Helping the poor, the hungry, and people in need is just the tip of the iceberg. There are nearly limitless possibilities to show compassion to those outside your church. It's not so much about which cause(s) you choose to help, (you can't choose them all), but the heart behind your choice.

5) GENEROSITY IN FINANCES
There is no getting around the reality of money. Mature Christians give. In many churches, they give generously. Some of the generosity is connected to vision and momentum - the people believe in what's going on. But even in average churches, mature believers help shoulder the load financially. They give not as if it's a bill to pay, but because they love the Lord and follow the scriptural direction to give.

6) GENUINE COMMUNITY
Loving relationships in a local church not only reflects the heart of God, but also attracts people who are spiritually searching. Love is a universal language. Caring about people is something everyone understands. Finding a place to belong is something everyone wants. Negotiating life alone is difficult. Experiencing life without being loved is nearly impossible.

7) SALVATION ANTICIPATED
Evangelism. Call it by whatever name you want. Go after it however you like. When it's all said and done your church's purpose, in essence, is the Great Commission. Your congregation should get excited about nothing more than people coming to Christ. It's a party in heaven, so why not here on earth?

Reiland says, “I've never seen a church with all seven of these factors in good shape not grow at least at a modest rate. And the people love the church! It's not about a perfect church, but one that is alive, healthy, and living for the purposes of God. How is your church doing?”

Political Wonders and Hopes

2008-11-06T09:57:00.001-05:00

To those who read this blog for intentional interim stuff – please forgive me for today’s political sidetrack. I also realize that these opinions are personal but not very powerful (if they were, I would surely be on TV). But here are my hopes and wonders two days after the 2008 Election Day.

1) I hope that all Christians will pray for our national, state and local leaders as the Bible commands. This command is binding whether or not we voted for these individuals and whether or not we agree with their opinions and decisions.

2) I hope that the American voters get better than we deserve. Elections say more about the electorate than the elected and we seem to elect candidates who promise to pander to our self interest more than our national welfare.

3) I hope that our President elect will attempt to govern more like the centrist candidate who ran for office than the liberal Senator (both state and U.S.) who sat in the office. If George W. Bush can run on the right and move to the left then Barack Obama can surely run on the left and move to the right.

1) I wonder if the media and rest of the nation will ever realize that President elect Obama is bi-racial, not just African-American. This fact could certainly be used as a positive more than a negative except with the bigots.

2) I wonder what it will be like having a president that is younger than I am. I am 54 years old and for the first time I will be older than my president. It makes me also wonder – how does he have enough experience for the job?

3) I wonder what President Obama’s re-election campaign theme will be in four years. I don’t see how “change” will work again. I wonder if “change” will come back to haunt President Obama the way that “read my lips – no new taxes” haunted President George H.W. Bush.

So what are your hopes and wonders for our new President and other political leadership?

2008 A.I.I.M. Conference

2008-10-30T14:51:00.000-04:00

Pam and I enjoyed our three days near the top of the mountain in Blowing Rock, NC at the A.I.I.M. Conference. We actually saw snow on the ground and felt 50 mph winds in the air. It was cold outside and but our hearts were warmed by the fellowship with about two dozen other Intentional Interim Pastors and their spouses. Being one of the only, if not the only, Wesleyan currently serving in this type of ministry this network is important to me.

Why is the A.I.I.M. Conference so important? This conference reminds me of the calling that God has placed into my life. That calling is to assist churches in transition to refocus on the Great Commission and the Great Command of our Lord. The dream of most pastors, I believe, is to serve in churches that are healthy, thriving and growing. Who in their right mind would want to pastor a church that is struggling, grieving or in conflict? Yet that is where God has called me and in that call I am finding fulfillment and satisfaction. I hope to serve as a catalyst for several churches to recover their bearings and refocus on their mission before I retire some years from now. But even if I only can help one, it will be of great value for that one and for the Kingdom.

Here are a few quotes that I heard at the conference that impacted me. I hope that at least one of them speaks to you.

“You can’t talk yourself out of something that you behaved yourself into.” Stephen Covey

“If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” Outward Bound Motto

“We can become so caught up in the life of the church that we forget about the life of faith.” Barbara Brown Taylor

A Very Special Sunday

2008-10-26T23:34:00.002-04:00

Sunday was a special day in the life of NGWC. The congregation experienced three special events.

1) During the morning service the seven members of Transition Team was announced to the congregation. There are four ladies and three men on the team, they range from approximately age 35 to 80, span a range of 3 years attending the church to over 50 years. I believe that these seven people represent a full range of perspectives on the latest church conflict. As we concluded the service this morning the congregation gathered around this team and commissioned them in prayer. The first team meeting is an overnight retreat scheduled for November 7th and 8th.

2) The Youth of the church sponsored a spaghetti dinner after the morning service as a fundraiser. Approximately 50 people enjoyed a fine meal and supported the youth. Our current youth group consists of about eight teens and is led by a great young man, Chris James. I believe that great days are ahead for the youth ministry under his leadership.

3) During an afternoon baptismal service I had the privilege of baptizing five individuals. Each of them gave testimony to how they had come to faith in Christ, what God is doing in their lives and how much their church family meant to them. Our thanks go to Rushwood Park Wesleyan Church for letting us use their beautiful facilities for this service. My prayer is that the church will have additional baptismal services both during my two years with them and in the coming years.

Pam and I plan on attending the Annual Intentional Interim Conference in Blowing Rock, NC this Monday through Wednesday. Last year was my first conference and I found it very helpful and insightful. This is a great opportunity for us to network with others serving in this specialized field of ministry. I am going with two or three questions that I hope some of veteran IIMs will help me figure out the answers to. My intentions are to post an article later in the week about our trip.

Thanks to everyone for your prayers when the Lord calls us to your minds.

Revenge or Reconciliation

2008-10-24T19:52:00.002-04:00

Years ago we were entertained with the “revenge of the Nerds”. George Lucas first introduced to “the empire strikes back” and later to the “revenge of the Sith”. Some philosophers and psychologist would argue that thoughts of revenge are often entertained by most people.

This may be true since a brief google search found websites like: payback.com where you can buy revenge such as wilted roses and melted chocolates; revengeguy.com where you can purchase t-shirts with “life is too short to not get even” slogans; revengelady.com where you can get “advice on using the ancient art of revenge to bring humor and happiness back to your life. Come rediscover this traditional code of honor”; and, if you still don’t have enough revenge you can visit revengeunlimited.com.

But is revenge really all it is cracked up to be? Reflect on these nuggets of wisdom.

“There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.” Josh Billings

“An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” Mahatma Gandhi

“In taking revenge, a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over, he is superior.” Sir Francis Bacon

And here is the quote that got me to thinking about revenge in the first place – "To triumph fully evil needs two victories, not one. The first victory happens when an evil deed is perpetrated; the second victory, when evil is returned. After the first victory, evil would die if the second victory did not infuse it with new life." Miroslav Volf

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Romans 12:19-20

No matter what happens to us or is done to us our response is our responsibility. The next time you are wronged will you seek revenge or reconciliation?

Enablers to Encountering God

2008-10-20T14:32:00.002-04:00

Reflecting on the great moments of forgiveness in human history also got me to thinking about the moments when I am most aware of and sensitive to the presence of God in my life and around me. I wish that I was more like David when he wrote, "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you ... My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." (Psalm 63:1, 8)

It is in those moments that I most strongly feel the presence of God that I also feel most alive. So, I offer to you the following list that I call - Great Enablers to Encountering the Presence of God:

Hearing & Singing Heart Warming & Soul Stirring Music

Experiencing the Awe Inspiring Beauty in Nature

Observing the Honesty & Innocence of the Mentally Handicapped

Observing the Tender Care & Concern Shown to One Another by Lifelong Spouses

Experiencing the Faith & Hope of Christian Families in the face of Death

Witnessing the Church functioning as the Body of Christ

Receiving the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper

Experiencing Brokenness in a Moment of Vulnerability and Weakness

Having opportunity to Serve God & Others using One’s Spiritual Gifts

What enablers would you add to this list of experiences or activities that help you to encounter God in a more powerful way?

Great Moments of Forgiveness

2008-10-16T12:23:00.001-04:00

I came across this “gem” during a recent Internet expedition. It was found at www.incharacter.org.

Ten Great Moments in Forgiveness History:

8th Century BC: The Sabine women implore the Sabine men not to attack their Roman abductors, who are now their lawfully wedded husbands.

A.D. 29: Christ forgives from the cross.

13th Century: Genghis Khan (yes, that Genghis Khan) spares the life of blood-brother turned bloody revolt leader Jamukha, who, alas, admits he prefers death.

April 9, 1865: Union general Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain salutes Confederate soldiers on the eve of the surrender at Appomattox.

1947: After only a moment’s hesitation, Corrie ten Boom is glad to shake the hand of a guard from the concentration camp where she and her sister had been held.

December 27, 1983: Pope John Paul II visits his would-be assassin, Mehmet Ali Agca, who shot him in the abdomen in St. Peter’s Square, and forgives him.

September 16, 1990: Representative John Lewis, severely beaten during the civil rights movement, writes in a New York Times op-ed that George Wallace, former arch-segregationist governor of Alabama, is a “changed man” and should be forgiven.

1990: Nelson Mandela, recently released after twenty years in a South African prison, tells a rally, “We especially need to forgive each other, because when you intend to forgive, you heal part of the pain, but when you forgive you heal completely.”

2003: In a dramatic event captured on CBS, Reo Hatfield and Bo McCoy sign an “official truce” that formally ends a more than century-old family feud that began over a stolen pig.

October 2, 2006: Within hours of the school shootings that left five little Amish girls dead, members of the Amish community of Nickel Mines, Pennsylvania, visit the killer’s wife to offer comfort and support.

What events do you think should be added to this list of “Great Moments of Forgiveness”?

Selection of Transition Team

2008-10-15T15:15:00.000-04:00

NGWC has entered the Transition Team selection phase of our Intentional Interim ministry. Over the last two weeks congregational members have been submitting nomination ballots for this team. About 2/3 of the adult congregation participated in the nomination process by offering four names each of individuals for consideration.

The church board met last night and selected ten individuals from the list of nominations to be asked to serve on the team. These ten individuals are all considered to be trusted, respected and spiritually maturing individuals. They also represent a balance of gender, age, church tenure and perspective within the congregation. Our hope is that at least seven of these ten individuals will agree to serve on the transition team for the next 16 months. The team will meet, on average, twice per month with short breaks for Christmas and summer vacations.

Those asked to serve on the team have until October 24th to respond. The first Transition Team event is mandatory for all team members. This event is an overnight retreat on the weekend of November 7th and 8th. Our goals for this retreat will be:
1) Build a spirit of trust and respect within the team.
2) Establish a team covenant for our work together.
3) Select team officers and determine how decisions will be made.
4) Set up a schedule for future meetings.
5) Begin work on the first transformational task: Coming to Terms with History.

Continued prayers are appreciated for these ten individuals as they decide whether or not it is the Lord’s will for them to serve the Lord and their church as a member of the Transition Team.

Forgive Like God

2008-10-11T13:32:00.001-04:00

One of the major biblical themes that I continue going back to in my current ministry is forgiveness. I hope to preach a series of “forgiveness” messages in the near future. One of the things that I am constantly reminded of is that I will never be more godly than in that moment that I offer unconditional forgiveness to one who has hurt and offended me.

Thomas Watson, a Puritan Pastor of the 1600's, once gave this definition of forgiveness as he taught from the Lord’s Prayer about forgiving our debtors, "when we strive against all thoughts of revenge; when we will not do our enemy’s mischief, but wish well to them, grieve at their calamities, pray for them, seek reconciliation with them, and show ourselves ready on all occasions to relieve them".

Greg Oliphant of Peacemaker Ministries attaches scripture to each one of the seven points of forgiveness in Watson’s definition:

Resist thoughts of revenge; Romans 12:19
Don't seek to do them mischief; 1Thessalonians 5:15
Wish well to them; Luke 6:28
Grieve at their calamities; Proverbs 24:17
Pray for them; Matthew 5:44
Seek reconciliation with them; Romans 12:18
Be always willing to come to their relief; Exodus 23:4

Take a few devotional moments to read these verses and let God speak to you from His Word. Ask the Lord if there is anyone to whom you need to extend they type of forgiveness. Is there anything more godly that you can do than that?

Now, what am I suppose to do?

2008-10-07T23:15:00.000-04:00

My office is directly across the hall from the 4th-5th grades class of the church academy. There are two girls in the class who also attend our church. Both of these girls are affectionate so I often receive a hug when they see me. But today one of them also said this to me, “Pastor Doug, you did a good job on the sermon Sunday!” Needless to say, that comment made my day. But it also has gotten me a little unnerved.

I often get positive feedback on my sermons. I guess that is one of the reasons why I keep preaching every Sunday. I enjoy doing it and people seem to appreciate it most weeks. But this past Sunday’s message has received a significantly larger amount of compliments than normal. So why does this have me so shook up? Simply put, the message being complimented was not my normal style. Let me explain.

I am a very logic driven, analytical thinker. Therefore, most of my sermons are what I call a linear style. I try to engage the congregation at point A (usually something of human interest or that people can relate to) and move them through a sequence of steps to point B (the conclusion with a call for a decision). Another way of describing my typical sermon is that it is a journey with markers (or points) along the way.

Sunday’s message was far, far from this style. I consider this Sunday’s sermon’s style to be circular. The one main idea was stated very clearly at the beginning; namely, that we need to understand that Christ lives in us as believers. I then presented this truth via four vehicles: an object lesson, some brief teaching thoughts, reflecting on a poem, and the sacrament of communion.

Much of what I have been reading lately makes the case that this style of preaching is more effective in the post-modern culture we live in today. So how should I go about sermon development? Stick with a style that is my natural way of communicating or adapt to the times?

Any thoughts or feedback from both pastors and laity who read this blog would be appreciated! Pastors – what do you think of the different approaches to sermon development? Laity who have heard me preach before – do you think I have correctly identified my normal sermon style? Laity who heard last Sunday’s sermon – did you sense that this was a different type of sermon than the others I have preached at NGWC?

35 Years + 4 Days

2008-10-03T13:57:00.000-04:00

This past Monday Pam and I celebrated 35 years since our first date. I returned to my dorm room that night long ago and told my roommate that I was in love. When you are a 19 year old male falling in love is an easy thing to do. But over the last 35 years I have grown in love with Pam and stayed (most days) in love with her. God knew the kind of spouse I would need while I served in ministry even before He called me into the ministry. Pam, I believe, was His choice for me.

Because I read so much I often get credit for coming up with some great ideas. Little do people know that I am just sharing what I read some where. I don’t think I have ever had but one original idea but that was a great one. My one original idea in life was to marry Pam. I am greatly indebted to her for anything good in my life and ministry.

Speaking of reading – one recent book on my reading list was by Leonard Sweet entitled, Eleven indispensable relationships you can’t be without. Sweet shares the eleven key relationships that we need in our life to be successful. He says that more than one person can help to meet a particular relationship role and that a particular person can fill more than one relationship role. Here are the relationship roles from Sweet’s list that Pam helps to fill for me.

Pam is my Jonathan – a true friend. Sweet says, “A Jonathan believes in you when no one else does. …gives and gives and wants no payment. …walks with you in all seasons of life. …has seen you naked, in all your treachery and lechery, at your most heinous and most luminous, and loves you anyway. …grants you grace when you take him or her for granted. …sacrifices himself for you.” Pam has been all these things and so many more as only a true friend can be. My life has been quite a journey and she has been my soul mate through it all.

Pam is my Nathan – an editor. Again Sweet says of your Nathan – “a person who believes in you and wants the best for you, even when he or she shows up at the door with a sword.” A Nathan is someone whose greatest ambition is help you become the best you can possibility be for the Lord. A Nathan will get under your skin on occasion, ask direct questions when needed and tells the truth in such a way that we can see the truth about ourselves. No one knows how many times Pam has been my editor and spoke correction into my life in a loving but firm way.

Pam is my Deborah – a back-coverer. A Deborah is someone who provides you with protection; protection from attacks both from the enemy and yourself. “The world is full of people who like nothing better than to kill your reputation, your spirit, your mission. … If your life is on mission for good and God, you’ll be the first to be fired on by enemies and friends.” The greatest hedge of protection that any Deborah can provide is a covering of prayer. I know that Pam prays for me but even I don’t know how much protection she has provided for me over the last 35 years.

Thanks Pam for a great 35 years. How about let’s try for another 35 together?