I can hear pastors all over the country asking, "Where was this book when I first got started?" The answer is that these things were being learned in the heart and mind of the author as he lived these things, learned some of them the hard way, learned some of them by observation and learned some of them through times of prayer and dialogue with other pastors who learned them the hard way, learned them by observing and learned them through times of prayer and dialogue with other pastors. It's a time honored process and one that brings about great results. Because they are tried and proven. This is not theory but real life.
Fortunately for you and me, God uses this process often and then taps someone on the shoulder and asks for these things to be put in print. One such person who was tapped on the shoulder is Dick Hardy. And not only was Dick willing to obey and did a great job of putting these lessons in print but he's a really nice guy!
This book, "27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask," is a great "how to manual." Not everything will fit everyone but everyone will find something in this book that will assist them in the process of leading a ministry to new levels of effectiveness.
It will also serve as a manual for pastors to use with leadership teams as they process the wide variety of things that need to be done in order to reach the lost with the Good News.
History has proven there are many different ways to do the work of the ministry, but history has also proven all of it can be done better and nothing is intended to remain the same over the span of time.
This book will help you process through areas of ministry that are severely lacking as well as those areas that are doing well but could be doing better. With a book like this, there is no reason to settle for just "getting by" or for mediocrity.
Get the book. Read the book. Share the book and discuss the book. You'll be glad you did!
Monday, May 10, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
"Steering Through Chaos" by Scott Wilson
I can hear voices all over the country saying, "where was this book 10 years ago?" or "where was this when we were building the new building or launching that new ministry?" It's just one of those books you wish you had had at some earlier point in your journey. But since it wasn't available then, one would have to assume that God is going to use this book to prepare you to lead through the chaos that is yet to come. There is a greater harvest coming which will mean we have to change the way we've been doing things and Scott Wilson's book will be a great asset to you to accomplish this task.
Over the years I've also heard a number of people in leadership says, "I wasn't trained to do that" or they back away from what needs to be done and continue doing things the way they are comfortable. Leadership is not comfortable. Wilson's statement early in chapter 1 simply says, "Your church will grow only to the level of your pain threshold" resonates with many of us.
This is a book that I will keep handy in the coming days. It's a great resource. It's a reminder of how to do the things that will pave the way for all the changes that need to be brought about. We are fortunate. We don't have to make the same mistakes. We can read, pray and learn from the unique insights of Scott Wilson. This is a manual for change!
There are great questions at the conclusion of each chapter designed to help clarify the path you are to steer to. These questions would also make a great study for a church staff or church leaders to do together.
The book is peppered with Scriptures, personal experiences (which is an extension of the transparency Scott Wilson has developed and is needed in all leaders as they motor down the path God has prepared.)
I was particularly interested and benefited from, the "modified sigmoid curve" developed by Scott's personal coach, Dr. Sam Chand. It is something that every church and each department of the church would find helpful in creating an atmosphere of continual growth. With this tool alone, plateaus could become obsolete.
At the risk of "plugging" another author, Mark Batterson is often heard to say, "I believe there are ways to do church that haven't been thought of yet." This book, "Steering Through Chaos" will be a tool to help discover those ways of doing church that have yet to be dreamed of and it will be a tool that God will use to get you from where you are to where He wants you to be.
Always in Pursuit!
Over the years I've also heard a number of people in leadership says, "I wasn't trained to do that" or they back away from what needs to be done and continue doing things the way they are comfortable. Leadership is not comfortable. Wilson's statement early in chapter 1 simply says, "Your church will grow only to the level of your pain threshold" resonates with many of us.
This is a book that I will keep handy in the coming days. It's a great resource. It's a reminder of how to do the things that will pave the way for all the changes that need to be brought about. We are fortunate. We don't have to make the same mistakes. We can read, pray and learn from the unique insights of Scott Wilson. This is a manual for change!
There are great questions at the conclusion of each chapter designed to help clarify the path you are to steer to. These questions would also make a great study for a church staff or church leaders to do together.
The book is peppered with Scriptures, personal experiences (which is an extension of the transparency Scott Wilson has developed and is needed in all leaders as they motor down the path God has prepared.)
I was particularly interested and benefited from, the "modified sigmoid curve" developed by Scott's personal coach, Dr. Sam Chand. It is something that every church and each department of the church would find helpful in creating an atmosphere of continual growth. With this tool alone, plateaus could become obsolete.
At the risk of "plugging" another author, Mark Batterson is often heard to say, "I believe there are ways to do church that haven't been thought of yet." This book, "Steering Through Chaos" will be a tool to help discover those ways of doing church that have yet to be dreamed of and it will be a tool that God will use to get you from where you are to where He wants you to be.
Always in Pursuit!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Book Review of Tithing, Test Me In This by Douglas Leblanc
The idea of tithing as a life style or better yet as a stewardship of all that is given to us in life was very refreshing and challenging. The idea of purposely living onless than we make so we can use our resources to support our church, ministries and those in need is veyr biblical and very much a part of what Christ modeled for us while on the earth.
Author Douglas LeBlanc interviewed 13 different people for this book. I loved the variety of backgrounds he chose. It was energizing to hear of how all the disciplines incorporated tithing into their lives simply because it was first of all commanded but even more it represented a faith that said God was their provided and they were dependent upon Him.
Too often tithing a club used by bully's in the pulpit who try guilt and manipulation in order to get people to give. It's usually preached on because the church is in trouble financially or a project needs to be funded. Seldom is tithing explored as a lifestyle or a stewardship of life's resources. It's also an indication that each of us is really part of something bigger than we are and we are called to do what we can with the God given resources.
I would highly recommend this book for those who struggle with the concept of tithing or for those who want to lead their congregation and their families into this experience.
The book is part of The Ancient Practices Series published by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Always in Pursuit!
Author Douglas LeBlanc interviewed 13 different people for this book. I loved the variety of backgrounds he chose. It was energizing to hear of how all the disciplines incorporated tithing into their lives simply because it was first of all commanded but even more it represented a faith that said God was their provided and they were dependent upon Him.
Too often tithing a club used by bully's in the pulpit who try guilt and manipulation in order to get people to give. It's usually preached on because the church is in trouble financially or a project needs to be funded. Seldom is tithing explored as a lifestyle or a stewardship of life's resources. It's also an indication that each of us is really part of something bigger than we are and we are called to do what we can with the God given resources.
I would highly recommend this book for those who struggle with the concept of tithing or for those who want to lead their congregation and their families into this experience.
The book is part of The Ancient Practices Series published by Thomas Nelson Publishing.
Always in Pursuit!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Moses Not Jephthah!
I just finished a three part sermon series on "How to Be Good." The first week we found ourselves in final few verses of Romans 8. Then the first part of Romans 8 was home for the second week. The series concluded with a study of Romans 6. Both weeks I talked about Romans 7. Romans 7 is not a prescription for a good day if you read it alone. It's actually pretty depressing and doesn't produce much hope for any of us.
I concluded with the encouragement that being good, even with an "Abba Father" relationship and grace abounding with the Holy Spirit as our Helper, being good was still a choice. Joshua remarked about the importance of choosing "this day" whom you would serve. Jesus referred to taking up the cross "daily." And there is also the admonition that "the steps" of the righteous are ordered by God. (I think I live in the place of having to choose with each step, not just for the day. Can't even think about the week all at once either.)
I wanted to follow up this short series with a two part series on two people who made the choice to "be good" in spite of difficult circumstances. My choices were Jephthah and Moses. I really wanted to point out how God would be faithful when we make the right choices.
On the Friday before I was to preach, God spoke very plainly to me about reversing the order of the messages. That meant preaching on Moses last week and on Jephthah this coming Sunday. I really couldn't see a reason to change since I had spent a lot of time preparing a message on Jephthah and his choices. But the more God and I discussed this, the more I felt I had no choice. I needed to choose to obey. And I prepared a message from Moses' life.
I still don't know why God wanted the change. I suppose there's a chance I might learn why after this coming Sunday, but there's an even greater chance I will never know why. It's not my job to know why. It's just my job to be obedient and trust that God knows best.
In the course of the sermon on Moses, I ran across Moses' question to God about why he should be the one chosen to go to Egypt. I also noticed that God never answered that question. He just continued to encourage Moses to go to Egypt. He had a job for him down there.
Then recently I read the story of Gideon in Judges 6. I noticed Gideon asked God about why all the bad things had happened to Israel. God didn't answer that question either. He just told Gideon to "save Israel."
If you move into the New Testament, particularly Matthew 14, you will notice that Jesus fed the multitude (5,000 men plus their families) with just a few pieces of fish and bread. I find myself relating more to the disciples and the folks who were hungry than to what Jesus was doing.
The disciples were busy trying to figure out how to get the job done. Their conclusion was that Jesus needed to send the folks away. They didn't have enough money nor food to even think about feeding this many people. When they went to explain this to Jesus, He just told them to give him everything they had and then do their job of feeding the people. He never tired to explain their questions or their doubts, He just went about His business and expected them to do the same. (I've always imagined Jesus chuckling the whole time the disciples were out picking up leftovers.)
I don't think it's wrong to ask the "why questions." It's part of who we are and how we are created. But if God chooses not to answer our question, we need to make sure that we don't get stuck in the void of not knowing the answer. Instead we need to choose to continue to do what He tells us to do. It's a choice on our part. A choice to obey. And a choice to believe that He knows what He's doing.
I may never know why I was supposed to preach on Moses last week and Jephthah this week, but I did it and I am resting on the promise that Father really does know best.
Always in Pursuit!
I just finished a three part sermon series on "How to Be Good." The first week we found ourselves in final few verses of Romans 8. Then the first part of Romans 8 was home for the second week. The series concluded with a study of Romans 6. Both weeks I talked about Romans 7. Romans 7 is not a prescription for a good day if you read it alone. It's actually pretty depressing and doesn't produce much hope for any of us.
I concluded with the encouragement that being good, even with an "Abba Father" relationship and grace abounding with the Holy Spirit as our Helper, being good was still a choice. Joshua remarked about the importance of choosing "this day" whom you would serve. Jesus referred to taking up the cross "daily." And there is also the admonition that "the steps" of the righteous are ordered by God. (I think I live in the place of having to choose with each step, not just for the day. Can't even think about the week all at once either.)
I wanted to follow up this short series with a two part series on two people who made the choice to "be good" in spite of difficult circumstances. My choices were Jephthah and Moses. I really wanted to point out how God would be faithful when we make the right choices.
On the Friday before I was to preach, God spoke very plainly to me about reversing the order of the messages. That meant preaching on Moses last week and on Jephthah this coming Sunday. I really couldn't see a reason to change since I had spent a lot of time preparing a message on Jephthah and his choices. But the more God and I discussed this, the more I felt I had no choice. I needed to choose to obey. And I prepared a message from Moses' life.
I still don't know why God wanted the change. I suppose there's a chance I might learn why after this coming Sunday, but there's an even greater chance I will never know why. It's not my job to know why. It's just my job to be obedient and trust that God knows best.
In the course of the sermon on Moses, I ran across Moses' question to God about why he should be the one chosen to go to Egypt. I also noticed that God never answered that question. He just continued to encourage Moses to go to Egypt. He had a job for him down there.
Then recently I read the story of Gideon in Judges 6. I noticed Gideon asked God about why all the bad things had happened to Israel. God didn't answer that question either. He just told Gideon to "save Israel."
If you move into the New Testament, particularly Matthew 14, you will notice that Jesus fed the multitude (5,000 men plus their families) with just a few pieces of fish and bread. I find myself relating more to the disciples and the folks who were hungry than to what Jesus was doing.
The disciples were busy trying to figure out how to get the job done. Their conclusion was that Jesus needed to send the folks away. They didn't have enough money nor food to even think about feeding this many people. When they went to explain this to Jesus, He just told them to give him everything they had and then do their job of feeding the people. He never tired to explain their questions or their doubts, He just went about His business and expected them to do the same. (I've always imagined Jesus chuckling the whole time the disciples were out picking up leftovers.)
I don't think it's wrong to ask the "why questions." It's part of who we are and how we are created. But if God chooses not to answer our question, we need to make sure that we don't get stuck in the void of not knowing the answer. Instead we need to choose to continue to do what He tells us to do. It's a choice on our part. A choice to obey. And a choice to believe that He knows what He's doing.
I may never know why I was supposed to preach on Moses last week and Jephthah this week, but I did it and I am resting on the promise that Father really does know best.
Always in Pursuit!
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Review of Mark Batterson's book, "Primal"
Mark Batterson has done it again. No, he didn't drive off with the gas pump still in his car or forget another wedding, but he has written another book that will challenge you to the very core of your being.
Just like "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" and "Wild Goose Chase," Mark is calling us back to basics or to a "Primal" faith in God.
When I first started reading the book, I felt it was a call back to our "first love." But very quickly I discovered there was more to it than that. Mark was giving us a great picture of what the Great Commandment means for our lives.
When Jesus was asked about the most important or greatest commandment of all, he was quick with the response to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." In a very easy to read writing style, Mark quickly defines what it means to love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, mind and strength.
The explanation and application of what these four elements represent in our lives is life changing. I would dare say most of us have never been challenged to love God with our sense of humor or with our imagination. But those things are part of loving God with our mind.
I've also heard people say that their "heart" tells them one thing but their "head" or their "mind" is telling them something else. It's almost as if they have to detach their heart from their mind when there really shouldn't be a disconnect. If we are truly going to love God with all four of these elements, heart, soul, mind and strength, then all of these need to be working together to bring honor to God.
I tell people frequently that when truth is presented to us, we have to bear responsibility for what we do with it. One day God will ask us what we did with the truth that was illuminated for us. So please be advised that after Primal, you will be responsible for a lot more than you are responsible for at this moment in time.
It's not too late to go out and purchase a copy for yourself and for someone else as a Christmas gift. You will be glad you did and your friend will be glad you did too.
Primal is published by Multnomah Books and should be available in your local Christian Book stores, Amazon, Christian Book Distributors or through your favorite place to purchase books.
Always in Pursuit!
Just like "In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day" and "Wild Goose Chase," Mark is calling us back to basics or to a "Primal" faith in God.
When I first started reading the book, I felt it was a call back to our "first love." But very quickly I discovered there was more to it than that. Mark was giving us a great picture of what the Great Commandment means for our lives.
When Jesus was asked about the most important or greatest commandment of all, he was quick with the response to "love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength." In a very easy to read writing style, Mark quickly defines what it means to love the Lord your God with your heart, soul, mind and strength.
The explanation and application of what these four elements represent in our lives is life changing. I would dare say most of us have never been challenged to love God with our sense of humor or with our imagination. But those things are part of loving God with our mind.
I've also heard people say that their "heart" tells them one thing but their "head" or their "mind" is telling them something else. It's almost as if they have to detach their heart from their mind when there really shouldn't be a disconnect. If we are truly going to love God with all four of these elements, heart, soul, mind and strength, then all of these need to be working together to bring honor to God.
I tell people frequently that when truth is presented to us, we have to bear responsibility for what we do with it. One day God will ask us what we did with the truth that was illuminated for us. So please be advised that after Primal, you will be responsible for a lot more than you are responsible for at this moment in time.
It's not too late to go out and purchase a copy for yourself and for someone else as a Christmas gift. You will be glad you did and your friend will be glad you did too.
Primal is published by Multnomah Books and should be available in your local Christian Book stores, Amazon, Christian Book Distributors or through your favorite place to purchase books.
Always in Pursuit!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Livin' Ready
The third Sunday of Advent found me preaching about the Wise Men. Several lessons jumped out at me while preparing for the message. For example:
The third Sunday of Advent found me preaching about the Wise Men. Several lessons jumped out at me while preparing for the message. For example:
- they were the first Gentile believers after the birth of the Messiah. What a great Missions Message and a challenge to those who thought the Messiah was only for the Jews.
- they came bringing their best as gifts to the Messiah. They didn't search around at the last minute for an offering, er I mean gift.......they came prepared to worship Him through their gifts. And God was able to use their gifts to finance the trip into Egypt and back.
- they had studied the Word. They knew what the prophets had stated about the coming Messiah. And they accepted it as absolute truth.
- they were sensitive to the leading of God. Through this they may have saved the life of Joseph & Mary and perhaps others. I wonder how many other lives would be saved if all of us were this sensitive to the Spirit.
- they were not content with only knowing about the Messiah but they wanted to be in His presence. Contrast this with the chief priests and teachers of the Law for the Jews. They could not have cared less even though they knew.
- finally and perhaps most importantly to me, once they knew about the coming birth of the Messiah, they watched for the star and lived ready so they could follow the star. They stayed packed up and ready to go. The writer of Hebrews encourages us to live our lives in such a way that we are not "entangled" by the things of this life. (Hebrews 12:1)
What great messages wrapped up in the lives of these Wise Men from the East. May these lessons become real to all of us during this time and throughout the rest of our lives.
Always in Pursuit!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Nevertheless
The idea of the Messiah being born to a virgin was something that brought great hope to every Jewish man for centuries. Nevertheless, I wonder if their hope was for the daughter of another to be chosen.
One resource I read during preparation for the second Sunday of Advent (December 6) challenged me to read the words of Gabriel to the Virgin Mary as asking "permission" rather than giving a "command." To be honest, I'd never done that before but as I read through the words with that attitude, I discovered that Mary's willingness was key to everything the angel said. She did have a choice.
Fortunately, she was willing. She was willing to be momma before her time.She was willing to deal with the "looks" and the whispers behind her back. She was willing to deal with the possibilities of being turned out by Joseph and perhaps even being stoned, although I would assume she had more confidence in Joseph and his love for her AND for God than to think he might have her stoned. Nevertheless, it was still a possibility she was willing to deal with.
She was a willing servant to the Lord Most High. And once that was established, the Holy Spirit could "come upon" her and "overshadow her" in order to usher the Messiah to the earth.
I was reminded a bit of the three Hebrew princes in Daniel 3. They were called to live their lives in a "willing" manner as well. They faced a fired up king and furnace. Their words to Nebuchadnezzar stand out: "the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your had, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold."
I think Mary had the same attitude. I'm will to do this no matter what happens. Hoping for the best but nevertheless, I'm the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said.
Made me think a bit.....but that's what Advent is all about, isn't it?
Next week, the Wise Men.
Always in Pursuit!
The idea of the Messiah being born to a virgin was something that brought great hope to every Jewish man for centuries. Nevertheless, I wonder if their hope was for the daughter of another to be chosen.
One resource I read during preparation for the second Sunday of Advent (December 6) challenged me to read the words of Gabriel to the Virgin Mary as asking "permission" rather than giving a "command." To be honest, I'd never done that before but as I read through the words with that attitude, I discovered that Mary's willingness was key to everything the angel said. She did have a choice.
Fortunately, she was willing. She was willing to be momma before her time.She was willing to deal with the "looks" and the whispers behind her back. She was willing to deal with the possibilities of being turned out by Joseph and perhaps even being stoned, although I would assume she had more confidence in Joseph and his love for her AND for God than to think he might have her stoned. Nevertheless, it was still a possibility she was willing to deal with.
She was a willing servant to the Lord Most High. And once that was established, the Holy Spirit could "come upon" her and "overshadow her" in order to usher the Messiah to the earth.
I was reminded a bit of the three Hebrew princes in Daniel 3. They were called to live their lives in a "willing" manner as well. They faced a fired up king and furnace. Their words to Nebuchadnezzar stand out: "the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your had, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold."
I think Mary had the same attitude. I'm will to do this no matter what happens. Hoping for the best but nevertheless, I'm the Lord's servant. May it be to me as you have said.
Made me think a bit.....but that's what Advent is all about, isn't it?
Next week, the Wise Men.
Always in Pursuit!
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