Greater by Steven Furtick

The book, Greater is a great read! I would highly recommend it. You won't find a lot in the book that you don't already know but you will find the book to be a great reminder of the life God has called us to and the life God has prepared for us to live.

I noticed as I was reading each chapter in the book, my reading would accelerate. I was sitting on the edge of my seat by the time I would finish a chapter.  I also found myself wrapped up in the stories Furtick would tell; challenged by the study of Elisha, the prophet; and usually needing to pause before starting the next chapter to give thanks to a God who has greater things in store for me than I can imagine or to pause and repent for allowing myself to settle for the ordinary. (For a first hand sense of this, click here to read the first chapter: Read Chapter One)

As a Bible teacher/preacher, I loved the application that was given for John 14:12. The idea of "being greater than Christ was" has always been a bit of a stretch for me. Even the idea of "doing" greater things than Christ was a stretch. But doing the things Christ puts in my path to do with Christ, through His Spirit, is something that I can latch on to for my life and something I can encourage others to latch onto for their lives.

As you read through the book you will pick out many phrases that you will repeat to yourself and to others. Here are a couple of examples: "He'll do the showing if you do the going." Or "The cost of following Jesus is great. The cost of not following him is greater."  Perhaps my favorite quote from the book, "Greater isn't an automatic permanent position; it's an intentional daily decisions."

In the chapter titled "Trust Fund Baby", Furtick uses the illustration of a trust fund to describe what God desires to do in us; through us; and for us. It was a great illustration and one that I will use in the future when challenging folks to live their greater lives.

The book is not a difficult read but it is a read that will challenge you to leave the humdrum of the ordinary and the comfort of the known to search out the greater things God has planned for you. No longer will you be able to settle for the ordinary life, it's on to the greater life.

If you would like more information about Steven Furtick, click here: Author Bio

Furtick’s web site: Author's Web Site

He is also available to follow on Face Book: Steven Furtick on Facebook

 Greater was published by Multnomah Books in 2012. For ordering information click here: Greater Book Website

 "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review."

 

Churches Merge for A Great Sunday Night!

Churches Merge for a Sunday Night Service

 Note: Once again I'm posting a short article I wrote while thinking about the upcoming Merge Conference the Iowa Ministry Network is hosting later this month. This event happened while Kris and I were serving as interim pastors at Freedom Assembly in Davenport, Iowa a couple of years ago. Thanks for taking the time to read it.

A few years ago, my wife and I were privileged to work with a church here in the state as interim pastors. It was a great time of ministry with a small group of folks who were dedicated and committed to God and their church. During our time there, I became friends with a couple of neighboring pastors and in the course of our conversations we decided to merge our three churches for a Sunday night potluck and water baptism. All three churches were small; growing but small. One church didn’t have a baptismal; one had covered theirs up in a remodel; but one had one that was just right and ready to be used. We chose a Sunday night; gathered those who wanted to be baptized; and had a three-church potluck followed by a great water baptismal service. It was great fun.

Together we had more people attend than if we had stayed separate. Together we baptized more people than we would have on our own. Together we made new friends; established relationships that would have been missed out on if we had stayed on our own. Merging made us stronger; made it more fun; and created a level of excitement that would not have been there had we stayed alone.

 We are always better together. Don't forget that!

 

Merge For Strength

Merge for Strength

Note: I've been doing some thinking and writing for the Iowa Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God. The topic for all of this is the word "Merge." Part of the reason for this is the upcoming Merge conference in September. But the word has sparked some memories of things I've learned about the idea of merging as opposed to standing alone. It is much better to merge. Here is the first of two short articles on the topic of "Merge." 

A number of years ago I was the Christian Education Pastor at a large church in northern Illinois. There were several pastors on the staff and each one had been encouraged to develop his own little "kingdom" so to speak under previous leadership. The current pastor wanted us to work together and build one great church instead of several good churches.

On my first Sunday at this church, I was in the Christian Education Office when one of the other pastors walked in, looked at the offerings that had come in from the various classes that met during that hour and announced to me that the offering from his class was not mine. It went into his budget. I said okay and let it go. After I had been there for a few months, it was time for new budgets.  I approached the pastor who expressed concern about his class offering and ask him if he wanted to merge budgets. I discovered that the CE budget was many times larger than his class budget and I thought it would give him access to more resources. I had no desire to control him or even to influence him. However,  he declined. He wanted his budget. He didn’t want to be a part of something bigger.  He missed a great lesson.

We are stronger together; we have more resources together; we will reach more people together.  No one ministry or person in our church is going to be enough. When we merge ourselves with one another, we will be able to do more.