There are so many things I like about this book that it is difficult to know where to begin. Right from the start the book is a source of encouragement. The first four words of chapter one are, "You can do it." Then throughout the book this message is repeated over and over. There is not the typical rhetoric of why it won't work, only "You can do it."
I like the understanding and application of Scripture throughout the book starting with the example from Acts 1:8. YOU are important to this process and YOU are important to God's program. YOU can do it.
I also liked the emphasis on the fact that God is able to "do more" than we can dream or imagine so let's dream big. Why not dream about reaching an entire city, even the size of Chicago, with the Gospel. God has the same dream and God is more than able, so why not dream along with God and allow Him to lead you. Those kind of dreams really do come true!
I appreciated the idea of using the word "apprentice" as opposed to the word "disciple." I was part of a large church for two decades and the leadership of this church could never agree on what a disciple was. And now our denomination is having these same discussions and they can't agree of a definition of disciple. But we all know what an apprentice is. Thanks to the Ferguson's for this insight.
Over and over the idea of being proactive towards growth, reproducing and developing leaders is presented. Examples are provided as to how these things work in the lives of folks. It was exciting to read how lives were changed and also know that these were not just for Community Christian Church or the Ferguson's.
There are several lists of questions designed to evaluate ministry, future sites and even leaders. I really liked the sections on coaching and in the future will use the questions designed to check a leaders RPM'S. (A leader's RPM'S are based on Luke 2:52 and helps with things Relational, Physical, Mental and Spiritual.)
The discussion of planting a church vs multi site is interesting. it's too bad the church has waited this long to grab hold of these ideas. It's been done right in front of us for decades by McDonald's, Starbucks and a myriad of other businesses in our communities but for some reason the church is slow to catch on. Perhaps it's due to the way we were trained. To do these things takes a different kind of leader.One that is not afraid to take risks, share the glory, or afraid to allow others to step forward and use their gifts to help build the church. And it takes someone who is willing to think and live outside the box. But the more I see, the more I see a thickening line between leaders who are willing to think and live outside the box and those who seem to reinforce the lines of the box so we don't color outside the lines.
I've liked the Ferguson's ever since I read "The Big Idea" and believe that these brothers and the leadership team around them are on to something that needs to be reproduced. I would recommend this book and encourage leaders to read it, share, discuss it and then be prepared to do things outside their box in the days ahead. In addition, be prepared to see others come alongside who have perhaps been waiting for this time to leave their box and start reproducing themselves in the lives of others.
Get the book. Read the book and be ready for God to challenge you to think and live outside your box.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Book Review for "You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be" by Max Lucado, published by Thomas Nelson
I'm sure I'm a bit unusual but this was the very first book by Max Lucado I've read. No, I don't live in a cave. I just have never gotten around to reading one of his books. I know he's a masterful wordsmith and that is delightfully displayed. I also know he is an anointed man of God and that too comes through loud and clear.
On the front of the copy of the book is a sticker that says, "Perfect Gift for the Graduate." I would most certainly agree with that but those of us who have long since graduated can benefit from this book as well.
My eldest son has just been graduated from High School and this book is one that I will place in his hands to read and discuss. I know it will help him and will serve as a guide in discovering the things God has created him for.
I also think it would be a great book to put in the hands of new believers who are searching for their way in the Kingdom of God. And it would be a great reminder for those who have been around the block a time or two. It's an effective tool to help us remember what God's desires for us are and how we were created to pursue those desires and make them ours.
One thing I loved most about this book was how Max was continually putting across the idea of God creating us with certain desires, passions, likes and dislikes. In all likelihood these are things that help lead you in discovering what God has for you to do throughout your life.
When I was graduated from High School and even from Bible College it was often presented to me that I must spend a great deal of time, prayer, soul searching, sweat and blood trying to discover God's will for my life. It was almost as if it was something that was attained only by the super-spiritual or the highly enlightened and often would be something that you had to learn to like rather than being something that would wake you up before the alarm went off and something that kept the juices flowing "round the clock." No one even thought of suggesting that God's will might be something that I really like or something that I have a "natural bent" for.
This book will be a great tool in discovering God's will for anyone's life, no matter if you just graduated or find yourself attending that fortieth High School reunion. It's not too early nor is it too late.
Max Lucado is an anointed scribe. He is a gift God has given to us and now serves as an instrument designed to prod us on to greater works than ever before, with bigger smiles and a great sense of satisfaction than we've ever known.
I highly recommend this book, "You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be" by Max Lucado.
I'm sure I'm a bit unusual but this was the very first book by Max Lucado I've read. No, I don't live in a cave. I just have never gotten around to reading one of his books. I know he's a masterful wordsmith and that is delightfully displayed. I also know he is an anointed man of God and that too comes through loud and clear.
On the front of the copy of the book is a sticker that says, "Perfect Gift for the Graduate." I would most certainly agree with that but those of us who have long since graduated can benefit from this book as well.
My eldest son has just been graduated from High School and this book is one that I will place in his hands to read and discuss. I know it will help him and will serve as a guide in discovering the things God has created him for.
I also think it would be a great book to put in the hands of new believers who are searching for their way in the Kingdom of God. And it would be a great reminder for those who have been around the block a time or two. It's an effective tool to help us remember what God's desires for us are and how we were created to pursue those desires and make them ours.
One thing I loved most about this book was how Max was continually putting across the idea of God creating us with certain desires, passions, likes and dislikes. In all likelihood these are things that help lead you in discovering what God has for you to do throughout your life.
When I was graduated from High School and even from Bible College it was often presented to me that I must spend a great deal of time, prayer, soul searching, sweat and blood trying to discover God's will for my life. It was almost as if it was something that was attained only by the super-spiritual or the highly enlightened and often would be something that you had to learn to like rather than being something that would wake you up before the alarm went off and something that kept the juices flowing "round the clock." No one even thought of suggesting that God's will might be something that I really like or something that I have a "natural bent" for.
This book will be a great tool in discovering God's will for anyone's life, no matter if you just graduated or find yourself attending that fortieth High School reunion. It's not too early nor is it too late.
Max Lucado is an anointed scribe. He is a gift God has given to us and now serves as an instrument designed to prod us on to greater works than ever before, with bigger smiles and a great sense of satisfaction than we've ever known.
I highly recommend this book, "You Can Be Everything God Wants You to Be" by Max Lucado.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Tribute to my friend and former boss, Ron Hembree
I awoke Monday morning to news that Ron Hembree, my boss at First Assembly in Rockford, IL had passed away. It wasn't the way I would choose to start a new week off but it was what life had for us.
Ron was always one of those bigger than life guys and I just never thought there would be a time when he wouldn't be around. But as all of us will, Ron came to that point where God said it was time for him to come home. His race was completed and it was time to be with Jesus.
I remember playing racquetball with Ron. He was a bull on the court. I will have to admit that there were times during those games when I thought I was going to be with Jesus. Fortunately, the golf course proved to be a tamer venue for us. Although playing golf with Ron was likened by some other staff as being similar to the Bataan Death March. Ron always had one speed........and the pedal was always on the floor.
I learned so much from Ron during the short time I got work with him. He was big ball of energy most of the time and had a vision that truly was larger than life itself. But then he believed that God could do anything. You just never knew what was coming from him next but you knew it would be exciting and it would help proclaim the name of God in greater ways than ever. Ron was always on the lookout for new ways to tell the Old Story.
I learned more about the importance of vision and communicating vision from Ron than from anyone I've been around or from anything I've read.
During my time with Ron, he endured great tragedy. His marriage dissolved. I've never felt so sorry for someone and wanted to do something to help them but all we could do was to love him, pray for him and make sure he knew that we were standing with him. None of those things were difficult. As a matter of fact, it was an honor to stand with someone like Ron Hembree. He was a giant of a man, physically and spiritually.
One thing I remember about Ron is that I never heard him preach a bad sermon. Even on the darkest of days he put his trust in God, ask God to help and then preached a great message to the church. One of my cherished possessions is a file drawer full of every sermon Ron preached at First Assembly in Rockford, Illinois. Every once in awhile I get them out and read through one or two. For some reason I've never preached one of his sermons. But it really feels good to just read through the message and listen as I hear Ron's booming voice bring the truth and proclaim it clearly even though I knew he was hurting.
I know Ron's death is a huge loss to his family, friends and co-workers in Pittsburgh. But I also know that the God Ron was so familiar with will bring comfort and will fill the void that has been created.
Rest well my friend. Dance long and hard in the presence of a God who never stopped loving you, never was anything but faithful and who was and is able to do more than even you could imagine.
I awoke Monday morning to news that Ron Hembree, my boss at First Assembly in Rockford, IL had passed away. It wasn't the way I would choose to start a new week off but it was what life had for us.
Ron was always one of those bigger than life guys and I just never thought there would be a time when he wouldn't be around. But as all of us will, Ron came to that point where God said it was time for him to come home. His race was completed and it was time to be with Jesus.
I remember playing racquetball with Ron. He was a bull on the court. I will have to admit that there were times during those games when I thought I was going to be with Jesus. Fortunately, the golf course proved to be a tamer venue for us. Although playing golf with Ron was likened by some other staff as being similar to the Bataan Death March. Ron always had one speed........and the pedal was always on the floor.
I learned so much from Ron during the short time I got work with him. He was big ball of energy most of the time and had a vision that truly was larger than life itself. But then he believed that God could do anything. You just never knew what was coming from him next but you knew it would be exciting and it would help proclaim the name of God in greater ways than ever. Ron was always on the lookout for new ways to tell the Old Story.
I learned more about the importance of vision and communicating vision from Ron than from anyone I've been around or from anything I've read.
During my time with Ron, he endured great tragedy. His marriage dissolved. I've never felt so sorry for someone and wanted to do something to help them but all we could do was to love him, pray for him and make sure he knew that we were standing with him. None of those things were difficult. As a matter of fact, it was an honor to stand with someone like Ron Hembree. He was a giant of a man, physically and spiritually.
One thing I remember about Ron is that I never heard him preach a bad sermon. Even on the darkest of days he put his trust in God, ask God to help and then preached a great message to the church. One of my cherished possessions is a file drawer full of every sermon Ron preached at First Assembly in Rockford, Illinois. Every once in awhile I get them out and read through one or two. For some reason I've never preached one of his sermons. But it really feels good to just read through the message and listen as I hear Ron's booming voice bring the truth and proclaim it clearly even though I knew he was hurting.
I know Ron's death is a huge loss to his family, friends and co-workers in Pittsburgh. But I also know that the God Ron was so familiar with will bring comfort and will fill the void that has been created.
Rest well my friend. Dance long and hard in the presence of a God who never stopped loving you, never was anything but faithful and who was and is able to do more than even you could imagine.
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