The Leadership DNA of a Pastor

If you are a pastor or ministry leader I wrote a new series at my blog, Making Difference Makers.

Lots of stuff was packed into this series this week. This weeks series called, "The Leadership DNA of a Pastor", was a series devoted to helping a pastor or ministry leader to be more effective.

All week we dug into some leadership principles for a pastor or department head that can help make them more successful.

To read any and all parts here are the links:
Part 1 - Intro
Part 2 - PACESETTER and VISIONARY
Part 3 - DIRECTOR and RECRUITER
Part 4 - COACH and FRIEND
Part 5 - Wrap Up and Resources

Journey Through Acts (Acts 6)

Read - Acts 6

My Key Verse - Acts 6:2-4 So the Twelve called a meeting of the disciples. They said, “It wouldn’t be right for us to abandon our responsibilities for preaching and teaching the Word of God to help with the care of the poor. So, friends, choose seven men from among you whom everyone trusts, men full of the Holy Spirit and good sense, and we’ll assign them this task. Meanwhile, we’ll stick to our assigned tasks of prayer and speaking God’s Word.”

My Reflection - Imagine some pastors today going to say that to their congregation. This is such a valuable word for us today. As the church grew the disciples, now apostles, delegated leadership to others.

This is such a valuable example to us. Praying and teaching the Word of God is a high priority for today's pastor and many of the other tasks and ministry jobs should be filled with people from within the congregation. They had an easy list:

1) Do you trust them?
2) Are they filled with the Holy Spirit?
3) Do they have basic good common sense?

I think often we create barriers to serving in ministry...although some of these barriers sound good, it almost makes it impossible for volunteers.

BUT, when the apostles delegated and the people responded, what was the result? Acts 6:7 The Word of God prospered. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased dramatically.

My Prayer - Lord, help me to have the wisdom to delegate to the right people and the constitution to stay focused on the important task of communicating your Word.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 5)

Read - Acts 5

My Key Verse - Acts 4:38-39 “So I am telling you: Hands off these men! Let them alone. If this program or this work is merely human, it will fall apart, but if it is of God, there is nothing you can do about it—and you better not be found fighting against God!”

My Reflection - What is it that God has laid on your heart to do for Him? Whatever it is He is for you. So often so many people don't do anything for fear that it is not God.

I say go for it. You have a vision for helping teens...go for it. You feel God has laid it on your heart to plant a church...go for it. You feel like starting a home bible study...go for it. I could go on and on.

I'm saying go for it. That is what faith is all about anyway. You can set and let your questioning of whether on not it's of God stall you into doing nothing.

If you see the need and have a passion for it....then go for it. God is the one who lays up those desires on your heart. And know this...God is going to make it happen. He said, "if it's of God, there is nothing you can do about it"

My Prayer - Father kick my faith into overdrive. As I step out help me to be secure in my faith and believe you are going to make it happen. Open the doors ahead of me and bring in all the connections to make it happen.

unChristian

Just got a new book in the mail today. A month or so ago I signed up to receive the book, unChristian: What a New Generation Really Thinks about Christianity... and Why It Matters by David Kinnaman and Gabe Lyons.

I've been looking forward to reading this book, as it presents a very, very revealing picture from the perceptions of 16 to 29 year olds. My hopes are that as we seek to launch Journey Community Church we can be a church that reaches this younger generation and doesn't turn them off.

Here is what it says on the back cover:

Christians are supposed to represent Christ to the world. But according to the latest report card, something has gone terribly wrong. Using descriptions like "hypocritical," "insensitive," and "judgmental," young Americans share an impression of Christians that's nothing short of...unChristian.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 4)

Read - Acts 4

My Key Verse - Acts 4:32 The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their own possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything.

My Reflection - Two reflections off this verse:

1. One word, five power-packed letters: U.N.I.T.Y. This is what made the early church so dangerous and powerful. If a church could get behind the vision as powerfully as the first church did, there would be nothing to stop it.

2. They looked out for others. They used their possessions to help others. They made sure no one was lacking or was in need. Another failure of today's hording and prosperity Americanized Gospel. God gives to us so we can be an extension of Him.

I honestly believe the unity led to them being so self-less in their giving.

I could go on and on about these two points, but what are your thoughts?

My Prayer - Father supply me with the whatever it takes to be a blessing and meet the needs of those around me. Give me creative ideas to give me increase so that I might further your kingdom. Help me stay centered on the vision you have laid out for Your church.

Work Bible Study

I was so excited because this morning I started a weekly bible study before work. One of the teachers and I got together and talked about John 1:1-4 this morning and then prayed over our school.

It is so awesome to be putting many of the things that I have preached over and over into effect in a secular work place. I think it is important that every Christian figure out how they can make an impact at their work place.

1. By Being a Witness - arrive on time, work hard, give extra effort. As you seek to be a witness these are things that matter most to your employer first.
2. By Praying - Praying for your workplace can change the spiritual dynamic. Pray for favor on your co-workers and employers. Remember when you walk on the property...you are bringing God on the scene.
3. By Starting A Bible Study - This is what I did. Before work starts I am now meeting with one teacher once a week to read, talk, and pray for the school.

What are some other ways you can think of that we can impact our work place?

Tree Man

Talk about freaking me out. Check out tree man. His hands and feet look like tree roots growing out of them.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 3)

Read - Acts 3

My Key Verse - Acts 3:6 Peter said, "I don't have a nickel to my name, but what I do have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk!"

My Reflection - This is a great example of one of the main dynamics of a Christian's life. Using the gifts that He gives us is one way that we can fulfill bringing the life of Christ to this world.

The big thing is that Peter didn't wait, didn't question or just walk on by. This was a divine interaction in which Peter gave what he had.

It is important that wherever we are we give what we have. Each of us has a unique mix with our strengths, personalities, talents, passions, and attributes. God divinely interacts our lives with others when they or us need it. It is in that moment that we are challenged to give what we have.

My Prayer - Help me to give what I have. To use my spiritual gifts with boldness. Not to hold back in fear. Help me to see around me those that are hurting or need healing and allow me to be used by You.

Should A Church Be "Seeker-Sensitive"?

As we begin to establish Journey Community Church, one of the organizational values is going to be "Oriented To Seekers".

That is a question that is up for debate in a lot of church circles. I'm not sure if I like the term sensitive. Although I think that a church should be sensitive to seekers.

One of the challenges often is with the word "seekers". I believe that there are seekers out there. The way I see it happening is that God draws someone to Him. When He places that drawing tug within them...they are seeking what is going on. No one seeks God on their own.

"Sensitive"....I don't like the word. Maybe that is why my wife always tells me I need to be more sensitive. I'm a guy. I played football and got muddy. I didn't cry. I didn't want to be in touch with my sensitive side. Home Improvement with Tim Allen resonated with me.

For me the term "seeker-oriented" would be a lot better term. As we seek to instill the values and principles that will guide our church, one of those principles will be be an orientation towards seekers. This principle should permeate the atmosphere of our Sunday Morning meetings.

The vision of Jesus' life was to seek and save that which was lost. This should be our main priority, to seek and present the Gospel to those who God is drawing.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 2)

Read - Acts 2

My Key Verse - Acts 2:11 ...“They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”

My Reflection - There is so much written and taught about the Holy Spirit. Whole movements have been based on this. The baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I'm not going to get into any of it here. I'm just going to reflect on what I am seeing and hearing God speak through this verse to me.

It is vital that as we seek to build the church that God wants to build that we speak the language of our culture around us. At the time of Pentecost, there were Jews who came from around the world to be in Jerusalem at the time. When the Holy Spirit was poured out, the believers spoke supernaturally the languages of those around. These Jews were amazed and perplexed.

I think when we, led by the Holy Spirit, begin speaking the language of our surrounding culture. It will do the same. They will scratch there heads and say "what does this mean?"

The language of our culture is media. Music, movies, tv, etc...is what drives our culture. When we begin to speak with boldness, as Peter did, through todays media I believe there will be a supernatural response just as happened on day one of the church.

My Prayer - Father as we seek to build your kingdom and the church you want to build, help us to speak the language of the culture around us. Don't let us get so inward focused that we aren't in tune with those who are in our world.

Rider Falls

That has to hurt...just goes to show you...it ain't over 'til it's over!!!!

Annual Lighting Of The Christmas Tree(s)

This weekend was our annual family lighting of the Christmas Tree. Well more like tree's since we have eight. This year we decided to memorialize it on youtube. Here it is!



Then today it came crashing down...all 9' of it.

Churches Hatin On Churches

It's really quite funny when I think about it. I have been in Corpus almost two years now. I have lived within two hours of Corpus all my life in various cities.

During the last ten years Bay Area Fellowship has practically exploded and done something in Corpus that has never been done before. This past year they moved into their new 3,000 seat facility and do three services on Sunday and one on Saturday.

Over those past years I had heard so many rumors and things about Bay Area. I'm not even going to go into all of them. The main things is that they came from churches. These churches were blasting Bay Area.

One of the philosophies I had was don't blast a church especially if you have never been to it. I can tell you this, over the past two months I have been attending there as we are getting settled into the destiny God has for us and during that time it has been so awesome.

BAY AREA FELLOWSHIP is the real deal. The worship is outstanding. The messages are awesome. In fact, just a month ago I heard God speak in so many ways to me through the message Pastor Bil spoke. God hadn't done that for me in many, many years. It was like the whole message was just for me.

Two or three weeks ago, Pastor Bil spoke on repentance in probably the best way I had ever heard someone preach on it. Today, he was hitting the hard issues. There is no fluff there my friends.

All I can say is my charismatic/pentecostal friends that are running down Bay Area and any other church. You need to step down and repent. God is using these churches in a big way. It may not fit your style of ministry or your core beliefs but I can tell you this, IT IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!

Bogus Championship Series

This is the most absolute craziest college football season every.

Can everybody say with me? PLAYOFF SYSTEM

In my opinion none of these teams should even have a shot at the national title. NONE!!!

Take out your favorite team. Sure you might be happy they are there and are playing for it. But none of them deserve the BCS title.

It is more like the BOGUS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES.

I hate it. It is ruining college football. PLAYOFF SYSTEM. It's time.

Journey Through Acts (Acts 1)

Read - Acts 1

My Key Verse - Acts 1:7 He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business.

My Reflection - It always seems like God doesn't move on our time. Me? I always want it right now. If I'm hungry and I need to it, I head over to my favorite fast food spot and get it right then. If I'm thristy, I hit the convenience store and get something. Only problem is, when it comes to God...He doesn't move on my time.

I'm in a financial problem, where's God? I need healing, where's God?

I'll tell you where He always is, right on time. God transcends time and space. He sees what we need and when we will need it. Not only that, but He sees even further up the road. Only thing about all this is that it's not the time I want Him. I always think that God moves on His time and that time usually stretches me. It stretches my faith and trust in Him. Over the past few months I truly don't know how we have made it. I only know that God has been there at the right time and with exactly what we need.

My Prayer - Help me to be patient...help my faith to stay strong. When I'm under the gun and I need it right then, help me to have the faith that I need.