Revitalize Your Church

When you feel you can't accomplish what you once set out to do; And you feel you are not abole To press on and see it through; When you've failed and tired of trying And there's no use, so you think, Struggling on beneath the burden, When you've reached "Old Failure's" brink, Take your burden to the Savior; Put it in His hands, and say, "I have tried, but failed completely, Lored direct it in Your way. What a wondrous transformation! Such a glorious change takes place When you follow Jesus' leadings, Lifted up by loving grace. Though we try, we are but mortals -- "'Tis impossible" we say. Then comes Jesus to the rescue, Showing us there is a way. Just when we have gone our limit, And the paths of failure trod, Then we'll find that human failure Does not mean defeat to God. --  Ruth Shaw

  There are two important kinds of thinkers necessary to lead any organization in a positive direction: "What If?" thinkers and "Why?" thinkers. The "What If" folks are idea farmers who create new ways of doing things. They also usually have the energy to do them. Entrepreneurs at heart, they are always considering options. To them, every situation is loaded with potential. Every problem carries the seeds of its own solution. While the rest of the world looks at the way things are and asks, "Why?” The "What Iffers" look to the way things COULD BE and ask, "Why not?" "What If" thinkers always see the possibilities and seize the opportunities. They possess a positive bias for action. However, the world would fall apart at the seams if EVERYBODY was a "What If" thinker. Every good idea produced by a "What Iffer", is accompanied by about twenty lousy ones. Often, the "What If" th...

A few years ago, I met Shawn Cossin, who is one of the most inspiring pastors I know.  Check out his blog:  Live Sent .   Shawn is a former Pennsylvania state trooper, turned pastor with a great passion for church planting and missional ministry.

"Who, me?  Play dirty?   I didn't mean to do it.   It was an accidental stomping!"  --  Ndamukong Suh, Detroit Lion's defensive tackle, on his ejection from yesterday's game for unsportsmanlike conduct. 

Sometimes, you just have to take a stand !

I was pleasantly surprised to receive a complimentary advance copy of Joe Kissack's new book, The Fourth Fisherman, the other day.  This work is a powerful blending of two tales -- one of three Mexican fishermen who survived nine months adrift at sea -- and that of the author himself, a Hollywood executive who found himself lost and floundering in life. In this book, Kissack gives an account of his unraveling, and subsequent quest to find faith and purpose in life.  Eventually, following a mysterious inner nudge, he found his life intertwined with the fishermen. At first glance, a high rolling television executive and three fishermen from Mexico have very little in common.  However, as the story unfolds, we find they have much more in common that one would suppose. The second half of the book, detailing Kissack's adventures in Mexico is especially engaging.  A great read -- which will be released March 2012. You can pre-order here....

Greet One Another With a Holy Smooch"

My friend and colleague, Heath Davis, sent an e-mail to our church staff this morning asking us to list 5 things we're thankful for,  Here was my response, based off the beautiful Thanksgiving hymn, "For the Beauty of the Earth." 1) For the Beauty of the Earth Although Wes and I haven’t seen any deer in our forest sittings, we’ve really been overwhelmed by the grandeur of God’s creation. 2) For the Wonder of Each Hour Time is fleeting, but I’m thankful for the moments – the special moments we pause to treasure, sitting in the Thanksgiving Chair. 3) For Thy Church – in worship (holy hands above) and service (pure sacrifice of love). I am so thankful for our church, and the outstanding leaders who serve with me. 4) For the Joy of Human Love – brother, sister, parent, child. I am thankful for my beautiful family, and am looking forward to celebrating Thanksgiving with them. We will miss Luke dearly – but I’m thankful for Skype! 5) For Thyself – Best Gift Divine. God has ...

Bingo!  This is what I believe about church announcements.

Mystery of Dead Sea Scroll Authors Possibly Solved

Be thankful for the pile of dishes in the sink, because it means you had plenty to eat. Be thankful for the dog hair on the carpet, because it means you have a loyal friend who shows unconditional love. Be thankful for the messes, because it means some living is happening in your home. Be thankful for the difficult conversations you have with your spouse, because they mean you have a partner who cares. Be thankful for the annoyances at work, because they mean you have a job. Be thankful for paperwork, because it means you have been trusted with responsibility. Be thankful for the light bulb that needs replacing, because it means you have electricity. Be thankful for the leaves that need raking, because it means you have beautiful trees. Be thankful for clutter in the living room, because it means you have a family. Be thankful for a lawn that needs mowing, because it means you have yard. Be thankful for your lumpy mattress, because it means you ...

God is in every tomorrow, Therefore I live for today, Certain of finding at sunrise,  Guidance and strength for my way; Power for each moment of weakness, Hope for each moment of pain, Comfort for every sorrow, Sunshine and joy after rain. God is in every tomorrow, Planning for you and for me. E'en in the dark will I follow, Trust where my eyes cannot see; Stilled by his promise of blessing, Soothed by the touch of His hand, Confident in His protection, Knowing my life-path is planned. --  F. B. Meyer

From Scot McKnight: http://www.patheos.com/community/jesuscreed/2011/11/18/22339/ "Even more dangerous is the tendency of evangelical churches to unintentionally exalt extroverted qualities as the “ideals” of faithfulness. Too often “ideal” Christians are social and gregarious, with an overt passion and enthusiasm. They find it easy to share the gospel with strangers, eagerly invite people into their homes, participate in a wide variety of activities, and quickly assume leadership responsibilities. Those are wonderful qualities, and our churches suffer when we don’t have those sorts of people, but if these qualities epitomize the Christian life, many of us introverts are left feeling excluded and spiritually inadequate."  (HT Steve Gerich)

A wonderful post from my friend, Lenny Luchetti regarding how his understanding of ministry shifted as he grew and matured as a pastor: 1)  Methodology to Spirituality 2)  Programmer to Architect 3)  Church to Community 4)  Powerful to Empowering You can find whole article unpacking these profound insights here at Wesley Seminary Blog

Lord, never let me tag a moral to a tale, nor tell a story without a meaning.  Make me respect my material so much that I dare not slight my work.  Help me to deal very honestly with words and with people for they are both alive.  Show me that as in a river, so in writing, clearness is the best quality, and a little that is pure is worth more than much that is mixed.  Teach me to see the local color without being blind to the inner light.  Give me an ideal that will stand the strain of weaving into human stuff on the loom of the real.  Keep me from caring more for books than for folks, for art than life.  Steady me to do the full stint of work as well as I can; and when that is done, stop me; pay what wages Thou wilt, and help me to say, from a quiet heart, a grateful Amen . -- Henry Van Dyke , Presbyterian pastor, author, and composer of "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee" . I love the way Van Dyke embraced both ministry responsibiliti...

I just read that 63% of pastors have not led one person to Christ in the last two years, and that 49% of pastors spend NO time outside of the church ministering during the week. I think it's important for fishermen to remember they won't catch any fish unless they go fishing.

W -- Witness with Humble Love           You are called to be a witness, not a judge. I -- Inquire with Good Questions.           "Tell me, what are your spiritual beliefs?"           "To you, who is Jesus?" T --  Take the Common Ground          Look for the things you have in common.  The Gospel flies best on the wings of relationship.  Find your point of agreement, looking for a connection rather than an argument. N --  Negotiate the Terms          Be honest and respectful.  If they don't want to have a spiritual conversation, respect them,  They are people, not projects.  nobody wants to be someone's project. E  --  Explain your Testimony (Faith Story)          Nobody can...

A fascinating graph of religious affiliation in the USA since 1910

This brought tears to my eyes.

“We live by encouragement,” said actress Celeste Holm, “and we die without it – slowly, sadly, angrily.” Every person you meet needs encouragement.  It’s part of what it means to be human.  All of us need a boost from time to time, and nobody lives constantly on the mountaintop.  We need each other for regular upliftings. Most of us recognize this responsibility, and have a desire to encourage others, but often our attempts misfire.  Perhaps this is because personalities differ, and what encourages one person may not encourage another. Authors such as Joyce Littauer, Gary Smalley and Tim LaHaye, have identified four basic temperament types: Sanguine – “Let’s have fun.” Melancholy --  “Let’s go deep.” Choleric --  “Let’s get moving.” Phlegmatic – “Let’s get along.” Personally, as a sanguine, I’m inspired by inspiration.  Just give me an uplifting quote or idea, and that will pump up my spirit.  Positive thoughts help me...

A New Batch of Presbyterians

My good friend, Phil Stevenson, has developed an outstanding blog for church leaders. I especially appreciated his recent post on Core Competencies for spiritual leadership .  Good food for thought, which I intend to take back and share with my leadership team.

Attending Religious Services Lowers Depression Risk and Raises Optimism

The sad situation at Penn State serves as a solemn reminder that dead skunks don't smell better when you hide them under the bed.

"Most of what people do all day is roach stomping.  The little tasks that distract us from the act of the work, that slow us down and wear us out." -- Seth Godin

"If I am something, then God is everything; but when I beome nothing, God can become all." -- Andrew Murray in Absolute Surrender

Build a little fence of trust around today. Fill the space with love and work, and therein stay. Look not through the sheltering bars upon tomorrow. God will help you bear whatever comes of joy or sorrow. -- Mary F. Bulls

"Prayer must carry on our work, as well as preaching.  He does not preach heartily to his people who does not pray for them.  If we do not prevail with God to give them repentance and faith, we are not likely to prevail with them to repent and believe.  Paul gives us frequently his example of praying night and day for his hearers." --  Richard Baxter For power in the pulpit, pastors must devote at least as much time to prayer as sermon preparation. The first step in preparing sermons that speak deeply and directly to the hearers' hearts is the preparation of the preacher.

Heath Davis, our pastor of Spiritual Formation, wrote this insightful article: The Tourist Growing up in a beach community in Delaware there were locals, and then there were the tourists. During the safe summer months when the sun was shining, the beaches were pristine and the waves manageable, the tourist saturated the seashore, like ants at a picnic. Tourists are always associated by crowds, prime real estate and main attractions. The tourist carefully selects the times and seasons of his arrival through the grid of comfort and convenience. During November when the nor'easters stir up an angry Atlantic, the beaches are always bare and no tourist can be spotted. (To the local, November is one of the best times to comb the beach and visit the pounding surf.) By definition the tourist avoids the tough, the painful and the messy. Growing up I despised the tourist. I always wanted to buy that infamous bumper sticker in Delaware that read, "You've seen the beach. No...

My friend, Lenny Luchetti, shared this inspiring post in Wesleyan Life: We have a dream of a church that sees human beings not based upon the level of that person’s income or education but based upon their value in the eyes of God . . . A church that is unashamedly committed to Christ and because of that commitment is radically dedicated to loving all kinds of people with all kinds of issues in all kinds of ways . . . A church that is not consumed by petty deliberations about the color of the sanctuary carpet because she is too consumed by the mission of love Christ has called us to live . . . A church that sees overwhelming needs in our community and world and instead of turning away in fear and defeat runs right toward the needs by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, and caring for the sick, the addicted, and the depressed . . . A church that helps seekers become servants of Christ, a church that is led not by perfect people but by people ...

I was saddened to hear of Andy Rooney's passing, and grateful to have caught his last broadcast.  I loved the way he could turn a phrase. In memory of our departed reporter, here are a few of his quotes: "Happiness depends more on how life strikes you than on what happens." "Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.” "Elephants and grandchildren never forget." “I've learned .... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.” "One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly." “The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” “Nothing in fine print is ever good news.” “Writers don't often say anything that readers don't already know, unless its a news story. A writer's greatest pleasure is revealing to peopl...

"Then keep thy conscience sensitive, No inward token miss, And go where grace entices thee, Perfection lies in this." -- Faber.

In every communication, there are at least eight communications: 1)  What I think. 2)  What I feel because of what I think. 3)  What I speak because of what I feel. 4)  How I speak  (tone, body language, etc.) 5)  How you perceive  (tone body language, etc.) 6)  What you hear 7)  What you think because of what you hear. 8)  What you feel because of what you think. A breakdown can occur at any point along this perplexing maze.  No wonder there are so many mis-communications.

With faith in Christ we walk each day, Accepting all that comes our way. So let us view each task at hand, As being His divine command. -- D. De Haan

Yesterday, the world's population reached the seven billion mark. Here's a fascinating NPR report on how this occurred.