I don't like Mondays. Yes, that's also the title of a Boomtown Rats song from the late 80's, but that's not why I said it. I don't like Mondays. After the excitement and energy of a Sunday like yesterday, I'm so fired up about life and God and church and everything that when I finally get to crash, I crash hard. Monday mornings become this giant effort to remind myself that the rest of the week starts now, and I have to get going or nothing good will happen next Sunday. I pray almost every Monday that it's a snow day and I can stay home and sleep in. Even in September.
I used to take Mondays off, but I just hated feeling that bad on my own time. I would get less than nothing done at my house, couldn't get motivated on any hobbies, and left myself feeling both wiped out and guilty when it was all over. At least when I work Mondays I can force myself to step one foot in front of the other until either the Holy Spirit or Starbucks kicks in and moves me.
The melancholy is always greater after the bigger events. After Christmas, I'm a waste-oid, and the Monday after Easter is the bottom of an emotional and physical sink hole that takes a couple days to get out of. Big Sundays, like when we have a baptism or some other big deal, always take it out of me just a little bit more than an 'average' Sunday. Which makes how I feel today a little strange.
I'm pasted. I'm gassed. I'm rung out. I'm toast. I'm blotto. It feels like the Monday after Easter without the ham leftovers in my fridge. It took me a little while to figure out why I'm so empty today, but here's what I think it was: this was a big Sunday in disguise. It was a message about giving God control of our lives, letting Him make the call for us, and God moved a bunch of people to sign up for ministry, make time to talk through sticky issues with someone, and give financially. We had the best offering of the year at a time when we truely needed it. God moved in our service and through our people, and He's positioning us for the next steps. It wasn't the biggest crowd ever, but people were engaged. It wasn't the best message I've ever preached, but people were listening. It wasn't the BIG PRODUCTION Sunday, but it was a day that something changed.
I don't know if I'm over reading, or if I'm just coming down with the flu, but the way I feel, coupled with the response of God's people to the Word as it was preached makes me think that God nudged us a step yesterday. So I'm looking for the joy today. I'm looking for the opportunity to give God the Praise for what He's doing in our church and in my life today. I'm excited to hear what comes from the ministry sign ups and the personal decisions people made yesterday. I'm believing God that this is the begining of having the resources we need to step our ministry up a couple notches. I'm praising God for the time, talent and treasure that will be released into His hands for ministry in the weeks to come, and what impact that's going to have on our valley.
So Melancholy Monday, move over. I'm busy praising today.
9.22.2008
9.17.2008
Bill turns 41
Yes, it's my birthday. And having listened to my dad tell people he was 29 until I was 37, I don't pretend. I'm 41 today, and I'm excited about what comes next in my life. If I'm not as athletically gifted as I once was, maybe (and I do mean maybe) I've collected some wisdom in it's place. It's a fair trade. :)
All glory to God that I'm even here after all I've been through, and much love to my amazing family, my gift-from-God friends, and all the roof crashers I've been privileged to serve with and know over the years.
All glory to God that I'm even here after all I've been through, and much love to my amazing family, my gift-from-God friends, and all the roof crashers I've been privileged to serve with and know over the years.
9.15.2008
Living and Learning
I've posted the summaries from my book reviews from my study leave this summer, and a couple people have asked for the full review, which I'm glad to share. Now, before we get into the full swing of fall, I want to tell you what it is that God showed me in the three weeks I was studying.
First, God refreshed the fire in my heart for the ministry He's called me to do. I'll spare you the details, but there have been a number of de-motivators in my life over the last several months, and it's been a time of sorting through to make sure I really had heard from God about what I'm supposed to be doing, what the ministry here at First Baptist was supposed to be about, what is supposed to get my attention and what I need to avoid and ignore. Honestly, there's been a lot of struggle with all of that. I've questioned my calling, my gifts, my heart. Other people have questioned my commitment, my character and my integrity. It's been a difficult season.
But in fighting to take a study leave, I've been reminded that the best gift I have to give to God's work at First Baptist is myself. I give myself to this ministry, with all my faults and failings, all my shortcomings and self-doubt, all my gifts and abilities, and everything else. I give that gift because I want to and because God has asked it of me. So if I take time to take care of myself, it's to tend to the gift that God has provided for me to give to His church. It may not make everyone happy that I miss a few Sundays to try to learn and to grow as a person, but it's still the right thing to do.
I guess that it's the biggest lesson of the summer: I can't make everyone happy. I can't make everyone around me all feel good about me, good about church, good about their own life; I can't make anyone feel anything. I am limited in my ability to 'make' people do or feel anything. God has called me to this ministry, and I'm not supposed to surrender that calling to anyone, for any reason. The Holy Discontent book was the start of remembering that it's God's calling in my life to serve, not to make people happy. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team book was the tool God used to show me that the way I've handled my life has made it hard for trust to flourish in the leadership of the church, because I have not handled the conflict that is always a part of any human endeavor with the right spirit, the right tools, or the right timing. The Coaching For Performance book reminded me that with a little patience and some good questions, even people who disagree can be brought on board or at least made to feel like they've been heard. And the final piece that fell into place was the Emotionally Healthy Church book that said, "If you're a Senior Pastor, you need to be emotionally healthy or your church will not be emotionally healthy."
Okay, you put all that together and I hear this message: I've got a lot to work on in my life in terms of learning limits, building better relationships and learning to be vulnerable to people, handling conflict more effectively, creating space in my life to both celebrate and mourn, and taking intentional steps to keep the fire of God's Spirit stoked and burning at the maximum in my life. There are other, smaller pieces as well, but these are the biggies. I am more excited than scared at the prospect of God doing that much 'spiritual surgery' in my life, because I can see the ultimate outcomes being very good for me, for the church and, by extension, for the Kingdom of God. That being said, there's going to be a bunch of pain attached to this. I am not a fan of pain, but I'm looking for the outcome. Like I said on Sunday, looking past the giants to see the grapes.
As much as I'd like to not have all this to learn, it does mean that God is not yet done with me. I like to think that I'm still teachable, that I can still learn a few things and that my heart is not hardened to what God might want to show me next. The people who have stopped learning in life have stopped living, and I want to keep living right up to the end of my life. So here's to the next season of learning, living and all that God has next. Pray for me, I think I'm going to need it.
First, God refreshed the fire in my heart for the ministry He's called me to do. I'll spare you the details, but there have been a number of de-motivators in my life over the last several months, and it's been a time of sorting through to make sure I really had heard from God about what I'm supposed to be doing, what the ministry here at First Baptist was supposed to be about, what is supposed to get my attention and what I need to avoid and ignore. Honestly, there's been a lot of struggle with all of that. I've questioned my calling, my gifts, my heart. Other people have questioned my commitment, my character and my integrity. It's been a difficult season.
But in fighting to take a study leave, I've been reminded that the best gift I have to give to God's work at First Baptist is myself. I give myself to this ministry, with all my faults and failings, all my shortcomings and self-doubt, all my gifts and abilities, and everything else. I give that gift because I want to and because God has asked it of me. So if I take time to take care of myself, it's to tend to the gift that God has provided for me to give to His church. It may not make everyone happy that I miss a few Sundays to try to learn and to grow as a person, but it's still the right thing to do.
I guess that it's the biggest lesson of the summer: I can't make everyone happy. I can't make everyone around me all feel good about me, good about church, good about their own life; I can't make anyone feel anything. I am limited in my ability to 'make' people do or feel anything. God has called me to this ministry, and I'm not supposed to surrender that calling to anyone, for any reason. The Holy Discontent book was the start of remembering that it's God's calling in my life to serve, not to make people happy. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team book was the tool God used to show me that the way I've handled my life has made it hard for trust to flourish in the leadership of the church, because I have not handled the conflict that is always a part of any human endeavor with the right spirit, the right tools, or the right timing. The Coaching For Performance book reminded me that with a little patience and some good questions, even people who disagree can be brought on board or at least made to feel like they've been heard. And the final piece that fell into place was the Emotionally Healthy Church book that said, "If you're a Senior Pastor, you need to be emotionally healthy or your church will not be emotionally healthy."
Okay, you put all that together and I hear this message: I've got a lot to work on in my life in terms of learning limits, building better relationships and learning to be vulnerable to people, handling conflict more effectively, creating space in my life to both celebrate and mourn, and taking intentional steps to keep the fire of God's Spirit stoked and burning at the maximum in my life. There are other, smaller pieces as well, but these are the biggies. I am more excited than scared at the prospect of God doing that much 'spiritual surgery' in my life, because I can see the ultimate outcomes being very good for me, for the church and, by extension, for the Kingdom of God. That being said, there's going to be a bunch of pain attached to this. I am not a fan of pain, but I'm looking for the outcome. Like I said on Sunday, looking past the giants to see the grapes.
As much as I'd like to not have all this to learn, it does mean that God is not yet done with me. I like to think that I'm still teachable, that I can still learn a few things and that my heart is not hardened to what God might want to show me next. The people who have stopped learning in life have stopped living, and I want to keep living right up to the end of my life. So here's to the next season of learning, living and all that God has next. Pray for me, I think I'm going to need it.
9.12.2008
Feeling God Work On Me
Back in town, trying to catch up, and there's a bunch of stuff in my head. God has been messing with me for the last 6-8 weeks on some stuff, and I'm slowly getting my bearings on what direction I need to go and where we as a church family need to move as this all propels us forward. I have some personal issues that have been pushed to the surface, and I'm starting to get them in perspective in order to let God work them through. I just told someone today that it's like there are parts of my life that are in need of being ground off. They have been painted bright red so I can see them clearly, and now God has the grinder turned on and is starting to take the first layers off. Not pretty, not fun, but once it's over, I'll be in a better place. That's the hope and promise of God.
One of those issues is conflict. I don't like conflict. I've had many, MANY negative experiences with conflict, especially in church. When people disagree with one another, we don't always deal with that in the most effective, helpful, God-honoring way. I know that I am not in a hurry to deal with the conflicts in my life most of the time because I'm not looking to have my butt handed to me in someone's moment of anger. It's happened too many times, and what I've learned from those experiences is that conflict is bad.
Unfortunately I've learned the wrong lesson.
Conflict doesn't have to leave me feeling battered and bruised. What God has been getting into my head is that having disagreements is not bad, and we can all learn and grow if we deal with our differences in healthy, loving and honest ways. I need to be more honest with people when we get crossways with each other. I need to listen and say back what I hear, and I need to honestly describe my feelings and my position in a way that will allow more conversation. I also have to learn that one conversation will not always get it done. One is better than none, and two might be the beginning of healing.
I can't expect that people will understand me in one dose, and I will probably need to hear it more than once to understand someone else's position. That's more work, and it's more patience, and it's more grace and a need for more of God's love in my life. But if what God is trying to do in my life and in our church is worth anything, it's worth the effort to get conflict right. Not avoid it, which is my preferred dysfunction, or to make it a fight to the death, which is how it gets portrayed in a lot of people's experience. We need to listen to each other (me to you, you to me), and we need to remember that God is in charge, trying to make both of us more like Jesus.
So let me say it this way: I'm still feeling God work on me. If you're still feeling God work on you, then we're in the same boat. We have to be gentle with each other, but we also need to get 'stuff' out in the open and deal with it together. So let's purpose together to do our conflict better than ever so that we can grow more than ever and see God's kingdom expand further than ever.
One of those issues is conflict. I don't like conflict. I've had many, MANY negative experiences with conflict, especially in church. When people disagree with one another, we don't always deal with that in the most effective, helpful, God-honoring way. I know that I am not in a hurry to deal with the conflicts in my life most of the time because I'm not looking to have my butt handed to me in someone's moment of anger. It's happened too many times, and what I've learned from those experiences is that conflict is bad.
Unfortunately I've learned the wrong lesson.
Conflict doesn't have to leave me feeling battered and bruised. What God has been getting into my head is that having disagreements is not bad, and we can all learn and grow if we deal with our differences in healthy, loving and honest ways. I need to be more honest with people when we get crossways with each other. I need to listen and say back what I hear, and I need to honestly describe my feelings and my position in a way that will allow more conversation. I also have to learn that one conversation will not always get it done. One is better than none, and two might be the beginning of healing.
I can't expect that people will understand me in one dose, and I will probably need to hear it more than once to understand someone else's position. That's more work, and it's more patience, and it's more grace and a need for more of God's love in my life. But if what God is trying to do in my life and in our church is worth anything, it's worth the effort to get conflict right. Not avoid it, which is my preferred dysfunction, or to make it a fight to the death, which is how it gets portrayed in a lot of people's experience. We need to listen to each other (me to you, you to me), and we need to remember that God is in charge, trying to make both of us more like Jesus.
So let me say it this way: I'm still feeling God work on me. If you're still feeling God work on you, then we're in the same boat. We have to be gentle with each other, but we also need to get 'stuff' out in the open and deal with it together. So let's purpose together to do our conflict better than ever so that we can grow more than ever and see God's kingdom expand further than ever.
9.08.2008
From the Panhandle
I'm a little behind schedule on my Monday post because I flew to Post Falls for a conference (paid for by our Region, so thank God for Dr. Charles and Co.!!), and it was a mad rush to get from the Spokane Airport to the convention center, then right into the middle of the learning. The speaker is Jim Putman from Real Life Ministries here in Post Falls, one of the fastest growing churches in America. A 10 year old church, they had close to 9,000 people in 5 services this weekend, and they do some of the most amazing reach out stuff going in the Northwest. The most impressive part isn't that they have such a big crowd, though that does get your attention. No, what's really amazing about this church is the spiritual growth of it's people and how they go about creating an atmosphere where spiritual maturity happens. He's been talking about discipleship and what it means to help people grow in their relationship with God, a subject that gets a lot of discussion back in Pocatello, to be sure.
I'm in the midst of processing what he's saying while trying to understand what's been going on in the the life of our First Baptist Church family and what God has been teaching us. All the transitions of the last 30 months or so have left us asking some good questions about what we're supposed to be doing, what we're supposed to be learning and sharing, and what we're supposed to do about it when we see God stirring in our midst. We've known that discipleship is a major chunk of what we have to do to keep moving forward for a long time. Hiring Pastor Brian Neely was one major attempt to address the issue of increasing the level of spiritual maturity, and our attempts to re-vamp the Connection Group ministry are another.
I think we're getting closer to cracking the code of growing Christians in the culture where we live. Some of the parts are in place, and some of the pieces are still out there for us to find, but I believe we will soon be in position to reach, disciple and deploy and ever increasing number of Christ-followers in our valley for the Glory of God. It's going to take effort and sacrifice from lots of us, and a boatload of prayer and listening to God, but I'm more convinced today that we're getting closer to it than we've been in a long time.
There has been a good response to our series on prayer, and now the first of the Game Plan messages seemed to connect with folks. Here's my favorite connection: a couple people asked, "So what are we supposed to do when we get 'disturbed,' Bill?" Great question!! Keep listening, because I think God is going to let us know. If you're disturbed by the need for more and better discipleship in our church family, then keep praying, keep listening, and keep watching for God's lead, and be ready to jump on it when God shows it to us.
Meantime, I'll be taking good notes while I'm here, and we'll all see what God's up to.
I'm in the midst of processing what he's saying while trying to understand what's been going on in the the life of our First Baptist Church family and what God has been teaching us. All the transitions of the last 30 months or so have left us asking some good questions about what we're supposed to be doing, what we're supposed to be learning and sharing, and what we're supposed to do about it when we see God stirring in our midst. We've known that discipleship is a major chunk of what we have to do to keep moving forward for a long time. Hiring Pastor Brian Neely was one major attempt to address the issue of increasing the level of spiritual maturity, and our attempts to re-vamp the Connection Group ministry are another.
I think we're getting closer to cracking the code of growing Christians in the culture where we live. Some of the parts are in place, and some of the pieces are still out there for us to find, but I believe we will soon be in position to reach, disciple and deploy and ever increasing number of Christ-followers in our valley for the Glory of God. It's going to take effort and sacrifice from lots of us, and a boatload of prayer and listening to God, but I'm more convinced today that we're getting closer to it than we've been in a long time.
There has been a good response to our series on prayer, and now the first of the Game Plan messages seemed to connect with folks. Here's my favorite connection: a couple people asked, "So what are we supposed to do when we get 'disturbed,' Bill?" Great question!! Keep listening, because I think God is going to let us know. If you're disturbed by the need for more and better discipleship in our church family, then keep praying, keep listening, and keep watching for God's lead, and be ready to jump on it when God shows it to us.
Meantime, I'll be taking good notes while I'm here, and we'll all see what God's up to.
9.04.2008
Study Leave Book Reflection #4
The last of the four books I read on Study Leave. This one was more personal than the other three, but as I will share with you next week, it was the capstone set of ideas for the entire three weeks of spending time with God and studying. Props to my friends who have been telling me to read this, and props again to Dr. Charles for making it a part of our LLC reading this next year.
As always, I'll be happy to send the full reflection to anyone who wants it, and thanks to the folks who have requested other reviews. Enjoy!
Reflections on The Emotionally Healthy Church
As always, I'll be happy to send the full reflection to anyone who wants it, and thanks to the folks who have requested other reviews. Enjoy!
Reflections on The Emotionally Healthy Church
Author: Peter Scazzero 223 pages. Published by Zondervan
Scazzero is a pastor in Queens, New York who discovered that the training he received to be a pastor did not prepare him for personal emotional health, nor did it prepare him to lead people to real spiritual health which includes emotional health. The basis of the book is his own journey to discover the need for emotional health in his spiritual life, and how that has transformed his ministry and his church. The premise is that without emotional health, our spiritual growth as Christians is stunted. When we don’t allow God to work on our emotional health, we miss a portion of the grace, healing and wholeness that Jesus wants to work out in our lives. The five principles for emotional health that Scazzero puts forth are 1) Look beneath the surface, 2) Break the power of the past, 3) Live in brokenness and vulnerability, 4) Receive the gift of limits, and 5) embrace grieving and loss. The key is that emotional health begins in the life of the senior pastor, then needs to be practiced and mentored into the lives of the staff, leaders, volunteers and then onto the congregation of a church.
9.01.2008
Catching Up On a Great Weekend
First off, a big THANK YOU to Paul Austin for his amazing message on Sunday. Having been on the sidelines at the ISU game in Boise all evening, then sitting on a bus for 4+ hours, getting in after 2 am, then preaching two services for us - what an effort! But more importantly, he let God use him to bring a powerful close to our Simply Pray series. If you didn't make it to worship, you need to get a copy of this message, God spoke clearly through Paul to tell us that paying attention to prayer matters, and God loves us enough to both listen and speak to us in prayer.
The next series up is Game Plan, talking about God's strategy for our lives. Yes, there is a movie by the same name, but no, this is not a Blockbuster. This is a series on faith, following God and staying focused. We start this Sunday, the kickoff of our ministry year, and I'm excited to see where God is taking us.
Speaking of where God is taking us, I need to ask a favor: if you are a regular in the 11 o'clock service, and if it's possible, could you move to the 9 o'clock service? We are filling up in the 11, and we have some space available in the 9, so if you could make that move, it would help us put off creating a third service for a little longer. The last two Sundays, with school back in session and people inviting their friends, we've been pretty full in the second service (even on a holiday weekend!!) It's a good problem to have, but we need to get a few details ironed out before we can launch a third service, and if we could get 25 people to move services, we would be in great shape for a couple more months. And keep praying and inviting folks, God is making a move!!
Last, but not least, I'm praising God for the amazing Leadership Team meeting we had on Saturday. You need to know that the leaders of our church are a committed, engaged, prayerful bunch of God-chasers. I'm proud to be a part of such a team, and I'm looking forward to the good that God is going to do in us and through us as a team and as a church. There is a lot to do, but we are on our way, and I'm feeling blessed by the whole experience.
I'll look for you on Wednesday night as we gather for one more Night of Prayer and give praise to God for all the good He's doing and going to do.
The next series up is Game Plan, talking about God's strategy for our lives. Yes, there is a movie by the same name, but no, this is not a Blockbuster. This is a series on faith, following God and staying focused. We start this Sunday, the kickoff of our ministry year, and I'm excited to see where God is taking us.
Speaking of where God is taking us, I need to ask a favor: if you are a regular in the 11 o'clock service, and if it's possible, could you move to the 9 o'clock service? We are filling up in the 11, and we have some space available in the 9, so if you could make that move, it would help us put off creating a third service for a little longer. The last two Sundays, with school back in session and people inviting their friends, we've been pretty full in the second service (even on a holiday weekend!!) It's a good problem to have, but we need to get a few details ironed out before we can launch a third service, and if we could get 25 people to move services, we would be in great shape for a couple more months. And keep praying and inviting folks, God is making a move!!
Last, but not least, I'm praising God for the amazing Leadership Team meeting we had on Saturday. You need to know that the leaders of our church are a committed, engaged, prayerful bunch of God-chasers. I'm proud to be a part of such a team, and I'm looking forward to the good that God is going to do in us and through us as a team and as a church. There is a lot to do, but we are on our way, and I'm feeling blessed by the whole experience.
I'll look for you on Wednesday night as we gather for one more Night of Prayer and give praise to God for all the good He's doing and going to do.
8.28.2008
Study Leave Book Reflection #3
This book is not about sports! The term coaching is not exclusive to the arena of athletics, but most people instantly relate the two, and since I'm such a sports nut, I'm sure that seeing the title made most people think: "Bill read a football book on Study Leave!!" No, I did not. :)
I was introduced to the idea of coaching almost two years ago, and a friend gave me this book a while back. I've begun to incorporate more of the concepts and techniques in my ministry already, and it's helped in a number of ways. As always, if you want the rest of my reflection paper on this book, drop me an e-mail and let me know, I'll be glad to send it along!
Reflection on: Coaching For Performance
I was introduced to the idea of coaching almost two years ago, and a friend gave me this book a while back. I've begun to incorporate more of the concepts and techniques in my ministry already, and it's helped in a number of ways. As always, if you want the rest of my reflection paper on this book, drop me an e-mail and let me know, I'll be glad to send it along!
Reflection on: Coaching For Performance
Author: John Witmore 180 pages. Published by Nicholas Brealey Publishing
8.25.2008
So Far... GOD!
This is what I love about God working in our midst:
I'm looking forward to this week's Night of Prayer. We're also having a time of teaching/training afterward for anyone interested in fasting as a part of prayer, so plan to be there Wednesday and stick around for 20 minutes or so after for the training. God is on the move, and we need to be in step with Him.
- Last Thursday, after the Night of Prayer asking God to move His kingdom forward through us, I was walking downtown for some lunch and ran into someone who attends our church sometimes. Out of they blue, they start talking to me about wanting to get baptized. Okay, apparently God was listening to our prayers...
- Someone came up to me after the message on Sunday and told me that they had been suffering with depression for a few months, but they came to our Night of Prayer last Wednesday and when they left, the depression had lifted. He was tearing up when he told me that he was so excited to be over it, and how blessed he felt just to be there.
- So many new people in the worship services, and so many of them looking ready to engage God at whatever level they could. All ages, all places in life, all different kinds of folks. It was especially cool to see our college students come back and bring friends with them their first Sunday back in town. And it was great to see first service fill up quite a bit. Love you, first service people!
- I could see people connecting to the song, "Better Hands Now" that Theresa sang, and having that extra element in the message helps it connect to people. I hope that piece went home with you, that God's hands are better hands to hold the struggles and issues of your life.
- I'm so proud of the Worship Team leading us into God's presence. Karl wasn't feeling well, but from where I was sitting, you couldn't tell. We're so blessed as a church family to have dedicated, talented, God-honoring, God-loving people to lead us in worship every week, but Sunday was a notch above.
- The Elders were excited to be leading the next Night of Prayer, and hoping to get the opportunity to pray for someone.
I'm looking forward to this week's Night of Prayer. We're also having a time of teaching/training afterward for anyone interested in fasting as a part of prayer, so plan to be there Wednesday and stick around for 20 minutes or so after for the training. God is on the move, and we need to be in step with Him.
8.21.2008
Night of Prayer #1 Recap
All I can tell you is that it feels lighter around here today. I'm not sure if there have been any answers or if anyone else feels it, but it feels lighter around here. Prayer makes things happen, not in a "magic" way, but in God's way, and I think that the line got moved last night. Can't put my finger on it, but that's how it feels.
Big thanks to everyone who came and participated, and be sure to invite your friends along next week when we'll do some more praying. It wasn't big and splashy, but it was prayer that we needed to pray, and I'm grateful to everyone who made it.
And bonus props to Tawna Brockett who painted the three figures on the platform. I didn't know she was creating art for the Simply Pray series, but she created three figures in different postures of prayer that exactly depict what we're talking about the three messages in the series. Look at what God was already doing...
So we keep praying.
Big thanks to everyone who came and participated, and be sure to invite your friends along next week when we'll do some more praying. It wasn't big and splashy, but it was prayer that we needed to pray, and I'm grateful to everyone who made it.
And bonus props to Tawna Brockett who painted the three figures on the platform. I didn't know she was creating art for the Simply Pray series, but she created three figures in different postures of prayer that exactly depict what we're talking about the three messages in the series. Look at what God was already doing...
So we keep praying.
8.20.2008
Night of Prayer - August 20
In 27 minutes, we will have our first of three Nights of Prayer as a part of the message series we're doing on the subject of prayer. Honestly, I'm a little nervous, it's been a long time since we did something like this, and there's a lot at stake. We're praying for God to do big things in our church family, for Him to break through on whatever the heart issue is that is holding back our financial health as a church, and we want to see His kingdom move ahead. That's all big time stuff.
This has to be important, because there have been so many distractions and discouragements in the last couple days that I'm losing count. Everything from the silly to the serious. I'm trying hard to focus on Jesus in the middle of this all, and the drive over here was a big help. I heard the new Third Day song "Call My Name," and I decided that would be a good idea. I am calling on Jesus to be here while we pray, and to help me concentrate while the distractions either resolve, disappear, or find some perspective. Nothing in our ministry here ever goes easy. Nothing. It's always an uphill battle for every inch of territory, and my hope is that tonight, we move the line. More to the point, we see God move the line. I'll let you know what happens, but keep praying, okay?
This has to be important, because there have been so many distractions and discouragements in the last couple days that I'm losing count. Everything from the silly to the serious. I'm trying hard to focus on Jesus in the middle of this all, and the drive over here was a big help. I heard the new Third Day song "Call My Name," and I decided that would be a good idea. I am calling on Jesus to be here while we pray, and to help me concentrate while the distractions either resolve, disappear, or find some perspective. Nothing in our ministry here ever goes easy. Nothing. It's always an uphill battle for every inch of territory, and my hope is that tonight, we move the line. More to the point, we see God move the line. I'll let you know what happens, but keep praying, okay?
8.18.2008
Study Leave Book Reflection #2
This is the second book I read on my Study Leave, one that several friends had recommended. I have always liked the idea of team as a metaphor for the church, even if the Bible doesn't use it. I think in our modern context, it works well and communicates much, especially to men who don't always feel comfortable in church.
That being said, I'm pretty sure that when it comes to dysfunctions, churches have as many as any other team, whether in the corporate world, the athletic world, or anywhere else you might look. This is a business book, but as you can see, the applications are clear for a church context without much translation. If you'd like to read the personal reflection portion of my paper, drop me an e-mail and I'll shoot you a copy.
REFLECTION ON 5 DYSFUNCTIONS OF A TEAM
That being said, I'm pretty sure that when it comes to dysfunctions, churches have as many as any other team, whether in the corporate world, the athletic world, or anywhere else you might look. This is a business book, but as you can see, the applications are clear for a church context without much translation. If you'd like to read the personal reflection portion of my paper, drop me an e-mail and I'll shoot you a copy.
REFLECTION ON 5 DYSFUNCTIONS OF A TEAM
Author: Patrick Lencioni 230 pages. Published by Jossey-Bass
This particular book is about the power of teamwork in the workplace and how, without it, a more talented and better resourced team can fall into habits and situations that hold them back from their full potential. In the case of this fable, the department heads that formed the executive staff of a software company, but the application to a church Leadership Team were obvious. The dysfunctions are: Lack of Trust, Fear of (constructive, positive) Conflict, Lack of Commitment (to the decisions made by the team), Avoidance of Accountability (to each other and to the team), and finally, Inattention to Results.
The ‘cure’ for each of these dysfunctions would be – build a foundation of trust so that there is positive, helpful conflict over ideas that do not damage relationships, therefore allowing each team member to share how they feel, positive or negative, about each idea. When conflict is working in a team, there is greater buy-in to decisions, even when a team member had issues and even strong opinions against it, because they had their opportunity to be heard and their ideas on the subject vetted by the entire team. This creates a higher level of accountability (and requires a higher level of accountability) among the team as they all hold each other to a higher standard of functionality in the wake of team-created decisions. All this leads to placing a higher value on results, because instead of individual performance being the focus, the good of the whole team is the greater consideration, and the positive results of the entire operation will be the standard of measure for everyone.
8.14.2008
Study Leave Book Reflection #1
I'm posting the summary portion of the reflection papers I wrote and gave to the Elder Team for each of the books I read on my Study Leave. There are more personal reflections that accompany these summaries, and if you want to read those, drop me an e-mail and I'll send you a copy.
This is the first book I read on Study Leave. It's one that I've had on my shelf for a year and was apprehensive about picking up because I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down. I was right, so thank God for a Study Leave to focus some time on learning.
This is the first book I read on Study Leave. It's one that I've had on my shelf for a year and was apprehensive about picking up because I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down. I was right, so thank God for a Study Leave to focus some time on learning.
Reflection on HOLY DISCONTENT
Author: Bill Hybels 155 pages. Published by Zondervan
8.11.2008
Back In The Office
I've come to realize I probably need to post more often, so I'm going to try, feel free to pray for me.
Some issues at the end of my Study Leave: first, it was a productive time, with 4 very helpful and important books that I read, a bunch of sermon work that got done, and four very effective meetings that took place (though the meetings were not originally supposed to be a part of the Study Leave). I will post my reflections on each of the books over the next 4 weeks, and you can see for yourself what God was trying to say to me and to our church family as well. I'd love to hear your comments on the reflections.
The two sermons I wrote while away are coming up the next two weeks, and honestly, I've never written a sermon before the week I was going to give it, so this will be a new experience. The series is called "Simply Pray", and I'm looking forward to it in a whole new way after these last few Sunday's messages during the Blockbuster series. Endure, trust, believe, die to self: these are all leading our church family toward something God is trying to say to us and build in us, so the next logical step is to talk to Him about it all. Can't wait to see what God does when we go to prayer with all that He's already giving us.
Just so you know, coming back early to share with the congregation about the financial situation Sunday was not a hard decision, but I wish I hadn't had to make it. If you weren't there, I came back a day early in order to share with the church family that we are 25% behind in our giving from last year, and last year we weren't meeting expenses, either, so something needed to be said. I hate begging for money, so I didn't do that, I just pointed out that, with attendance up over last year, it was obvious that this was not really a money issue, it's a heart issue. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also," so we know that people are willing to come and willing to bring their friends to church, but not everyone's heart is in it. We are going to pray, listen, and then obey what God is telling us on this, and hopefully we can see some breakthrough. Please keep that in prayer. But I want you to know that I believe in this church family, I believe in God's promises for us, and I believe in my role here as the pastor, so it was not hard to decide to be here and be the one to tell folks what's going on. I love this church, and I am living in the hope that God is going to fix what's in our hearts and continue to use us to make a difference in the Portneuf Valley for Christ.
One more thing you need to know: the Elder Team and I met twice in the last two weeks for a total of 10 hours. We studied the Bible together, prayed together, shared our hearts and our past, and we pounded out the Guiding Principles and Goals for the 2008-2009 ministry year. I am so excited to be working with these guys, they are dedicated, open to learn, and ready to trust God for big things. Once we get the typos all cleaned up, you will be able to get a copy of both of those documents from the church office via e-mail or hard copy. I'm looking forward to what God has for us this year in way that is fresh and exciting. I hope you will pray for and participate in what God is up to in this church family.
So, back in the office today, and back in the pulpit on Sunday. We'll see if I remember how to do this. :)
Some issues at the end of my Study Leave: first, it was a productive time, with 4 very helpful and important books that I read, a bunch of sermon work that got done, and four very effective meetings that took place (though the meetings were not originally supposed to be a part of the Study Leave). I will post my reflections on each of the books over the next 4 weeks, and you can see for yourself what God was trying to say to me and to our church family as well. I'd love to hear your comments on the reflections.
The two sermons I wrote while away are coming up the next two weeks, and honestly, I've never written a sermon before the week I was going to give it, so this will be a new experience. The series is called "Simply Pray", and I'm looking forward to it in a whole new way after these last few Sunday's messages during the Blockbuster series. Endure, trust, believe, die to self: these are all leading our church family toward something God is trying to say to us and build in us, so the next logical step is to talk to Him about it all. Can't wait to see what God does when we go to prayer with all that He's already giving us.
Just so you know, coming back early to share with the congregation about the financial situation Sunday was not a hard decision, but I wish I hadn't had to make it. If you weren't there, I came back a day early in order to share with the church family that we are 25% behind in our giving from last year, and last year we weren't meeting expenses, either, so something needed to be said. I hate begging for money, so I didn't do that, I just pointed out that, with attendance up over last year, it was obvious that this was not really a money issue, it's a heart issue. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also," so we know that people are willing to come and willing to bring their friends to church, but not everyone's heart is in it. We are going to pray, listen, and then obey what God is telling us on this, and hopefully we can see some breakthrough. Please keep that in prayer. But I want you to know that I believe in this church family, I believe in God's promises for us, and I believe in my role here as the pastor, so it was not hard to decide to be here and be the one to tell folks what's going on. I love this church, and I am living in the hope that God is going to fix what's in our hearts and continue to use us to make a difference in the Portneuf Valley for Christ.
One more thing you need to know: the Elder Team and I met twice in the last two weeks for a total of 10 hours. We studied the Bible together, prayed together, shared our hearts and our past, and we pounded out the Guiding Principles and Goals for the 2008-2009 ministry year. I am so excited to be working with these guys, they are dedicated, open to learn, and ready to trust God for big things. Once we get the typos all cleaned up, you will be able to get a copy of both of those documents from the church office via e-mail or hard copy. I'm looking forward to what God has for us this year in way that is fresh and exciting. I hope you will pray for and participate in what God is up to in this church family.
So, back in the office today, and back in the pulpit on Sunday. We'll see if I remember how to do this. :)
8.04.2008
Two and a half Anniversaries
This past couple weeks have been full of reminders of time passing in my life, and for a change, I'm really okay with it. At least today I am. :)
The most important was the past Friday, August 1, the 16th wedding anniversary for Beth and I, so let me start there. I love her more today than I did that day, and I know she feels the same. We've been through so much together, and it's hard to imagine anyone being able to put up with so much 'stuff' for so long. When I talk about marriage, I always say people want to sign up for better, richer and health, but in reality we get worse, poorer and sickness just as often. There have been so many amazing moments, and so many ridiculous challenges, but through it all, God has kept us together, and kept us at each other's side. I am blessed to call Beth my friend, my partner, and my wife. After a great dinner (thanks to some good friends, another blessing in my life), we laid in bed and shared some of the highlights of the past 16 years. Aside from the birth of our children, we chased so many memories that made us laugh and gave us pause to thank God for allowing us to survive and see fruit. Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." Found it, Got it, Thanks Be To God!!
Another anniversary I stumbled across in my life was the 4th year of being past my cancer treatment. For those who don't know, in 2004, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and was treated at the Cancer Center here at the Portneuf Medical Center. I stopped in there on Friday to see a friend who was receiving her last chemo treatment and was reminded that July of '04 was my last chemo. What a blessing to have good people and good facilities available, and to know that so many people were praying for me. I never know if I talk about it too much or not enough, but the entire cancer experience was a major part of my journey, and one that I continue to be amazed by as God uses it over and over again to help other people.
Later that same day, I was called to the home of a dear couple in our church family that got some bad news: her cancer was no longer responding to treatment. I don't have any magic words for moments like that, but I came, I sat, we talked and prayed and we put our hope in God for the best He has to offer.
The 'half' anniversary was the reminder of how long I have been the pastor here in Pocatello. If you stay in a place long enough as pastor, you have these experiences: I was invited to pray at the reception of a newly married couple, David and Lacey Engle. David was in grade school when Beth and I were called to Poky, and I've watched Dave grow up. Now in his twenties, he's married and starting the next chapter of his life, and I get to marvel at how many precious moments like this I have received in my ministry. Someone asked me how long I have been pastor here at FBC Pocatello, and when I told them it was 12 1/2 years, they asked me if that was normal. I held my laughter (barely), and said that no, it was not the norm for a pastor to stay that long, but when you're having this much fun, who wants to go anywhere else?!
I know that God isn't done with me yet. He's not done making me a better husband, father, friend and pastor, and He's not done making me a better Christ-follower. I love how He reminds me that He has been faithful in bringing me this far, just so He can remind me that He's going to keep working on me.
The most important was the past Friday, August 1, the 16th wedding anniversary for Beth and I, so let me start there. I love her more today than I did that day, and I know she feels the same. We've been through so much together, and it's hard to imagine anyone being able to put up with so much 'stuff' for so long. When I talk about marriage, I always say people want to sign up for better, richer and health, but in reality we get worse, poorer and sickness just as often. There have been so many amazing moments, and so many ridiculous challenges, but through it all, God has kept us together, and kept us at each other's side. I am blessed to call Beth my friend, my partner, and my wife. After a great dinner (thanks to some good friends, another blessing in my life), we laid in bed and shared some of the highlights of the past 16 years. Aside from the birth of our children, we chased so many memories that made us laugh and gave us pause to thank God for allowing us to survive and see fruit. Proverbs 18:22 says, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord." Found it, Got it, Thanks Be To God!!
Another anniversary I stumbled across in my life was the 4th year of being past my cancer treatment. For those who don't know, in 2004, I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and was treated at the Cancer Center here at the Portneuf Medical Center. I stopped in there on Friday to see a friend who was receiving her last chemo treatment and was reminded that July of '04 was my last chemo. What a blessing to have good people and good facilities available, and to know that so many people were praying for me. I never know if I talk about it too much or not enough, but the entire cancer experience was a major part of my journey, and one that I continue to be amazed by as God uses it over and over again to help other people.
Later that same day, I was called to the home of a dear couple in our church family that got some bad news: her cancer was no longer responding to treatment. I don't have any magic words for moments like that, but I came, I sat, we talked and prayed and we put our hope in God for the best He has to offer.
The 'half' anniversary was the reminder of how long I have been the pastor here in Pocatello. If you stay in a place long enough as pastor, you have these experiences: I was invited to pray at the reception of a newly married couple, David and Lacey Engle. David was in grade school when Beth and I were called to Poky, and I've watched Dave grow up. Now in his twenties, he's married and starting the next chapter of his life, and I get to marvel at how many precious moments like this I have received in my ministry. Someone asked me how long I have been pastor here at FBC Pocatello, and when I told them it was 12 1/2 years, they asked me if that was normal. I held my laughter (barely), and said that no, it was not the norm for a pastor to stay that long, but when you're having this much fun, who wants to go anywhere else?!
I know that God isn't done with me yet. He's not done making me a better husband, father, friend and pastor, and He's not done making me a better Christ-follower. I love how He reminds me that He has been faithful in bringing me this far, just so He can remind me that He's going to keep working on me.
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