Lunch with Roger
Yesterday, I had lunch with Roger Ciskie at Huong's Little Wok.
Roger is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. Before his retirement, he was the CEO of a Fortune 300 Company. In later years, he was "bitten by the missions bug", and has literally devoted his final years to serving the Lord full time in a global capacity.
He's done some outstanding work in Cambodia, India, Brazil, South Korea and several other places.
With a couple of friends, he has helped found Christian Ministry Alliance, which has some BHAGS (big, hairy, audacious, goals!) He's also been on the ground floor of starting a brand new congregation in Naples called, Summit Church -- which has grown from zero to 800 in two years. In a couple of months, they are hiving off 200 people to launch another church.
He lives in Hayward for a few months, and in Naples, Florida, the rest of the year. Each summer, I try to spend some time with him so I can learn more about being an effective leader and missional pastor. I need a little bit of Roger to rub off on me!
My brain and heart are stretched three sizes every time I come away from my lunches with Roger.
Here are the three biggie take-home points from yesterday's lunch:
1. On Wesleyan Church Planting In Wisconsin:
"I read your district brochure that says the Wesleyans in Wisconsin have a goal to plant 20 new churches in the next 20 years."
Roger then he raised his eyebrows, smiled, and said, "Now, that's a paltry goal, if I've ever seen one!
Do you guys only need 20 new Wesleyan Churches in Wisconsin in the next 20 years?
Wouldn't 200 be beter?
Why not just blow off the lid?"
I gulped and nodded.
2. On Loving Our Neighbors.
Roger has been teaching our High School Sunday School class. He told me that he'd asked the class a simple question: "In the early 1900's, if a farmer died, who would help the widow get her crops in?"
He was stunned when there was no reply -- they didn't know!
He went on to tell them how the neighbors would rally together and help the one in need. "Instead of doing that today," he said, " we write a check (taxes) and expect an organization (the government) to do it."
One of the older boys piped up, "And in God's work we have the same mindset! People write a check (tithe) and expect the organization (church) to do it.
BINGO!
Roger summed this exchange up with these words: "Our problem in American today is that we expect the organization to do what the organism USED to do. We are hiring out the work of loving our neighbors!"
3. How to Know if You're Stretched too Thin.
With the various ministry and mission projects consuming his energy, time, and money, Roger began to wonder if, perhaps, he was overtaxed -- stretched too thin. He happened to host Henry Blackaby at his home and thought he'd propose the question to Henry.
After supper, he pulled the great man of God aside and asked, "Dr. Blackaby, how do you know when you're overdoing it? How do you know when you're stretched to the limit?"
Blackaby responded, "The point of desparation is the point of your greatest usefulness! Don't quit at the point of desparation -- that's just the beginning! When you are desparate, you have to fully rely on God and not on your own resources."
We finished our time together with a drive through the LCO Reservation -- and discussing ways to effectively bless the tribal members with God's love.
I think something wonderful is going to happen!
Roger is one of the most inspiring people I've ever met. Before his retirement, he was the CEO of a Fortune 300 Company. In later years, he was "bitten by the missions bug", and has literally devoted his final years to serving the Lord full time in a global capacity.
He's done some outstanding work in Cambodia, India, Brazil, South Korea and several other places.
With a couple of friends, he has helped found Christian Ministry Alliance, which has some BHAGS (big, hairy, audacious, goals!) He's also been on the ground floor of starting a brand new congregation in Naples called, Summit Church -- which has grown from zero to 800 in two years. In a couple of months, they are hiving off 200 people to launch another church.
He lives in Hayward for a few months, and in Naples, Florida, the rest of the year. Each summer, I try to spend some time with him so I can learn more about being an effective leader and missional pastor. I need a little bit of Roger to rub off on me!
My brain and heart are stretched three sizes every time I come away from my lunches with Roger.
Here are the three biggie take-home points from yesterday's lunch:
1. On Wesleyan Church Planting In Wisconsin:
"I read your district brochure that says the Wesleyans in Wisconsin have a goal to plant 20 new churches in the next 20 years."
Roger then he raised his eyebrows, smiled, and said, "Now, that's a paltry goal, if I've ever seen one!
Do you guys only need 20 new Wesleyan Churches in Wisconsin in the next 20 years?
Wouldn't 200 be beter?
Why not just blow off the lid?"
I gulped and nodded.
2. On Loving Our Neighbors.
Roger has been teaching our High School Sunday School class. He told me that he'd asked the class a simple question: "In the early 1900's, if a farmer died, who would help the widow get her crops in?"
He was stunned when there was no reply -- they didn't know!
He went on to tell them how the neighbors would rally together and help the one in need. "Instead of doing that today," he said, " we write a check (taxes) and expect an organization (the government) to do it."
One of the older boys piped up, "And in God's work we have the same mindset! People write a check (tithe) and expect the organization (church) to do it.
BINGO!
Roger summed this exchange up with these words: "Our problem in American today is that we expect the organization to do what the organism USED to do. We are hiring out the work of loving our neighbors!"
3. How to Know if You're Stretched too Thin.
With the various ministry and mission projects consuming his energy, time, and money, Roger began to wonder if, perhaps, he was overtaxed -- stretched too thin. He happened to host Henry Blackaby at his home and thought he'd propose the question to Henry.
After supper, he pulled the great man of God aside and asked, "Dr. Blackaby, how do you know when you're overdoing it? How do you know when you're stretched to the limit?"
Blackaby responded, "The point of desparation is the point of your greatest usefulness! Don't quit at the point of desparation -- that's just the beginning! When you are desparate, you have to fully rely on God and not on your own resources."
We finished our time together with a drive through the LCO Reservation -- and discussing ways to effectively bless the tribal members with God's love.
I think something wonderful is going to happen!
Thanks for sharing what you gleaned from your discussions. That is really great stuff! So true that people know that there are things to be done and they tithe, expecting someone else to do it! Help us Lord!!
ReplyDeleteYour friend,
Rob Engler