Monday, December 20, 2010

2011 Signet Leadership Group

I am super excited to begin a Signet Leadership Group with lay leaders at Yankton 1st Assembly next month! I have invited people that are currently involved in leadership in our church, and those that have accepted have a desire to GROW in the calling that God has placed on their lives. Here's the info...


1 Corinthians 9 says... 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

To me, this verse speaks of being INTENTIONAL in our spiritual growth! We can't just sit back and hope it happens. We must PURSUE Jesus Christ and His work in our lives! My desire for each of you, as we work together in ministry, is that we don't just run aimlessly. That we're not just showing up to our church activities and "beating the air" - just following what's on the schedule. My desire is that we are seeking supernatural intervention in every opportunity! That we follow God's leading in how to minister to the people we've been entrusted with...and what we need to do in order to bring other people to Christ. We all know that doesn't happen by accident!

Can you look back at the last 6 months and identify areas of your life in which you made specific effort to grow? That’s a very pointed question. To be "realistic", I know that we cannot continuously strive, and wrestle, and struggle...we would burn out pretty quickly. But we should be able to identify some things that we are doing to GROW OUT LOUD and on purpose! So in January, we are going to begin a Yankton 1st A/G Signet group. It will last one year and will include lay leaders who are currently active in leadership.

Here are some of the expectations over the course of this year:
  1. The purpose of this leadership development group is to grow as Christian leaders and increase our level of influence in the areas we lead.
  2. We will read 2 assigned books during the year together. You will not have to purchase these books, and I'm working on selecting those books right now and will develop a reading schedule.
  3. You will also select a personal growth book to read during the year. That will be your choice – and your expense. It should be a book that focuses on something that you feel is an area that you need to improve in.
  4. You will be asked to blog about the reading once a month. For those who are not "computer savvy", you can email your thoughts to me (or call me, or keep a journal of notes and give it to me) and I will post them on the blog for you. Just because I get wordy in my blogs, you are not required to have a certain number of words or anything. :o) I am just asking for at least a couple of thoughtful sentences about what you read...why it was significant to you, if you think it will change your spiritual life in any way, if you disagreed with anything you read, etc. The purpose for blogging is two-fold: accountability and to stretch one another! Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
  5. You will be asked to set goals at various times – it will vary – 30, 60, 90 day goals. The goal should be focused on your own personal growth and your growth in leadership. I will give some examples, and I can help you formulate one if you need it. The goal should be measurable and provide action steps for how you will work on it.
  6. We will have a Signet conference every 3 months. Typically, we will meet for lunch after a Sunday morning service (since we all eat at that time anyway). At the conference, we will discuss the book in more detail, we will talk about how we're living the values of Hunger, Humility, and Excellence, and we will give an update on our goals.

Why “Signet?” (copied from the District Signet blog which is where I first encountered this process)

At the end of Haggai, the Lord speaks directly to Zerubbable and says “I will make you my signet ring.” I believe he says this for three reasons.
  • A Mark of Envelopment: Having the signet ring meant you knew who you worked for. You belonged to the king and represented him when he was not visible. Lest we forget that we are representatives of the Most High, we are enveloped in His purpose for our life and ministry.
  • A Method of Encouragement: To know you are the “signature of God” is encouraging. Many leaders today simply need encouragement. Participants of Signet may be challenged and stretched, but we are here to encourage each other in leadership development.
  • A Means of Empowerment: Having the “signet ring” meant power or authority. Signet should provide a sense of empowerment that says to each leader “I can do this.” As we grow together we should become more confident of leadership abilities that we are developing. (Thanks Pastor Mark.)

Well, by now, you're probably either feeling invigorated for the challenge...or a bit overwhelmed. I truly do not intend this to cause you stress, but it will be inconvenient at times. Growth always is. I guess I don't apologize for that. When I look back on the years I spent as a volunteer, I can definitely say I was under-challenged. There were very few opportunities available to develop my leadership life. It's just something most people either do on their own, or they don't, and they end up stuck in the same spot for years. So I present this opportunity to you...it will be good for you. And it will probably be hard sometimes. But I look forward to the sharpening process! Prayerfully prepare yourself...this is gonna be quite a ride. :o)

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Book Review: Change Your Church for Good

Okay, I didn't necessarily intentionally select this book - I am reviewing it for BookSneeze.  But I am SOOO glad it was the book that was available.  Wow.  And it's cool to see how God works in all things, because we're talking about this transition issue as a church staff right now.  So it's so cool to see how it fits together!

I was so challenged by what I read - as a pastor and as a member of a church I love.  Brad Powell accurately pinpoints the different types of transitions that are often necessary for a church that is "stuck" or even dying.  It's not just about changing the carpet color to bring a fresh look.  A change in THINKING must take place in order to remain relevant to your mission field.  Sometimes how a church feels, looks or even smells can be sentimental for people - they're comfortable with how it is when they've attended for many years.  But to the outside coming in, that same church can appear outdated and out of touch with the outside world.

One of the things Powell challenges us to consider is whether there is diversity in your congregation or if you're just welcoming certain types of people.  I believe that happens a lot, but it's not always intentional!  It has just become the church's personality and what everyone is used to.  God wants to TRANSFORM our thinking to reach this world - not just modify our ministry philosophy.  And if people across the congregation are not transformed, just making changes without vision can be death to a church.

Powell compares this process to starting the wave at a sporting event.  If only one person wants to start the wave, they look foolish standing up and sitting down over and over.  But if they motivate those around them, the wave will begin to catch on.  Furthermore, if you equip and invest in other leaders in your church, the wave will begin in different corners as well, and the ripple will come together faster.  So even though there will still be people who choose not to participate once the wave has spread, it is still a very inspiring thing to watch people working in cooperation together.  And transformation is not an easy process to start - you must be patient and not rush it - but Christ did not create the Church to be some static entity.  It is always growing and changing and reproducing...

I HIGHLY recommend this book for pastors and leaders who feel stuck.  5 stars

Monday, August 9, 2010

Benefits of maturity...?

Maturity is awesome. It's so much better than immaturity. You have learned to deal with the petty troubles of life with minimal drama. You can have deep, meaningful connections with people. And even when they let you down (and they will), it doesn't destroy you anymore! It's great!  In my walk with God, I'm more disciplined and consistent.  I don't have to ride the roller coaster anymore - where I'm desperately running to the altar of repentance every week...

But I definitely notice a downside to "maturity" (if that's what it really is). Lack of passion. When you're young and impetuous, you passionately pursue God. You come to His presence with a super high level of expectancy - you're waiting for God to send tongues of fire and the sound of a mighty wind... You just believe God will do CRAZY things!

So as we mature...why do we stop believing for the "wind and fire"?


I have never personally experienced a great "revival"; like the ones that have happened at Azusa Street or more recently, Brownsville. I have never seen hundreds of people slain in the Spirit, or someone in a wheelchair get up and walk, or people drawn to the church from the streets with no real reason why - they just felt compelled to go in.  I believe those things have happened.  I know there was a time when a school had to be shut down for ten days, because every time the students came, the power of God swept over them and they just cried and fell to their knees; all because Christians had prayed.  Over 2,000 students came to know Christ with no real preaching happening!  I know those things have happened.  I've heard amazing stories of miracles around the world.  But I've never experienced it personally. 

Neither have my children so far. So will their generation only hear the stories as well? Will they seek to experience it when they've never known it? ...I don't know.

In my prayer time lately, I have been asking God to allow me to be a part of a great move of His Spirit on this earth. I'm praying that it happens here - in the middle of nowhere, South Dakota. I'm willing to go overseas to be a part of that, but I really want to see it happen HERE.

The sad thing is - I spend time with lots of "mature" Christians and I don't hear this as a part of their heart's cry.  It wasn't a part of my own heart's desires until recently.  The one thing I know about revival from the Bible and church history is that the people hungered for it.  When I look at those who are mature (including myself), I don't see hunger for revival.  I see a lot of good and godly things - but I don't see a desperation for God to shake our whole community so that people are running for the church to hear more. 

Do we believe that God will still do that?  Or are we "mature" enough that we don't NEED a mighty move of God.  We have our salvation.  We have knowledge to teach our children the ways of the Lord.  We've taken the discipleship classes.  We're involved in ministering to our own church family.  We have Jesus for ourselves...

Maturity is awesome.  But maturity should not equal comfort and satisfaction.  Only seeking "consistency" in faith can innocuate us to the point of irrelevancy in our world.  Spiritual maturity is not a plateau where we set up camp...it should be a steeper incline that builds our muscle - our capacity to climb higher and desire MORE.

There's got to be more than what I've already experienced.  I want MORE!  But I don't wanna experience it alone.  Father, how do we become hungry when we live in a nation that appeases our every need?

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Transitions

Well, I have failed at blogging the last several months.  There are so many reflective times during my week, but I forget to utilize this tool. 

It feels like a time of TRANSITION right now...in ministry life.  Like there's some kind of paradigm shift going on.  What I mean by that is that people are considering a change in the way they do some things.  The desired result is the same, but the method of getting there seems to be changing.  My good friend described it as a collective "holding our breath". 

It seems like we all feel there's something coming, but no one can identify what that might be, and we have no idea what we're supposed to do...so we wait.  I guess I'm okay with transition seasons.  But all I know is that when it comes to a point of movement, I MUST have forward momentum.  I can't resolve to back up or stay the same.  I'll die in that environment.  Not physically (that's a little dramatic)...but spiritually, creatively, personally, emotionally.  I have to keep moving forward.

Honestly, I don't know how people can stand to just stay the same.  I know most people hate change - but what about boredom with the mundane, same old thing?  Maybe it's my personality type.  But I think that God has called us to continually learn - seek more of Him - stretch our giftings - reach new people...  Forward momentum is necessary.  You definitely slow up at times and accelerate at other times, but always move forward. 

Are you in a holding pattern?  Repeating the same cycle over and over?  If so, either God is trying to teach you something that you're not grasping, or maybe you haven't been giving much effort to moving forward.  Something I'm thinking about...

Monday, May 3, 2010

Book Review: Free Book

Title: Free Book
Author: Brian Tome

This book started out by frustrating me A LOT.  It seemed like Pastor Brian Tome was just out to shock the Christian community by some of the things he does.  I was annoyed and actually in one story he told, I thought he showed a serious lack of compassion to a "weaker brother".

BUT as soon as I passed the first couple of chapters, I could see he was making a great point.  I agree that most Christians are overly focused on the DONTs of their walk with Christ, rather than walking in the freedom that life in Christ brings.  We have so many DOs to consider as we strive to be like Christ...the DONTs should be a natural product of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.  Don't get me wrong - he does address the seriousness of obedience to the Word of God.  He has some great insight about strongholds in our lives.  So many people are stuck in a cycle of dysfunction, they never accomplish much for the Kingdom of God.  He uses creative language to give scriptural answers to life's difficulties. 

He is definitely a fanatic about freedom!  As long as you give it a little time, I think you'll see that his heart is in the right place, and his ideas are based on scripture.  Great read.

Monday, February 8, 2010

Desperate Prayer

There have been several new students coming to youth ministry.  I've heard stories of cutting, years of addiction and abuse in families, suicide, loneliness, getting locked up...  Then this beautiful girl comes and tells me that now she knows there is a purpose for her life because she feels special when we smile at her (those of us at church). 

My heart is just broken...I am so humbled and so scared.  Father, it's such a tremendous responsibility to love these kids that come here looking for love and acceptance.  And there's such a fine line in maintaining a connection with them.  It doesn't take much for them to feel disappointed and unwanted.  They go through so much at home - they almost expect us to let them down.  Sometimes I feel so inadequate to the task...

Father, please grant me the grace to do what needs to be done.  Please fill me with supernatural anointing to be the things that I know I cannot be without You.  Please surround me with godly people who passionately love You and will walk alongside me.  Please help us (the Body of Christ) to selflessly love each other so that we're not distracted by our differences or offenses and hindered from accomplishing the Kingdom work that must be done to save lives.  Please give me the strength to stand when the burden is so heavy. 

I'm humbled by Your presence and Your request of the use of my life.  I want to walk boldly in what You've asked me to do.  Some days, boldness eludes me.  So I will walk humbly at those times.  And when the Holy Spirit grants me boldness, I will pour it all out for You. 

I just have this one life...and it's Yours.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Living With Confidence in a Chaotic World by Dr. David Jeremiah

This book is certainly timely. I'm sure we would all agree on some level, that the world is in a pretty chaotic state. There is a lot of uncertainty in the global economy and U.S. job market, and people are definitely looking for someone to provide the "magic formula" to get through it. As Dr. Jeremiah so artfully explains, there is no magic formula or easy answer.

This book outlines solid Biblical principles that provide comfort, direction, and a challenge for the days that we're living in.  Dr. Jeremiah reminds us that Jesus' teachings hold all the answers for the uncertainty that is before us. When he reminds us to "Stay Compassionate" and "Stay Connected", it is a simple but powerful truth.  We need each other more than ever during precarious times.  It's easy (and perhaps more "natural") for us to panic and want to give up.  This book is full of those simple truths...not complex or very difficult to understand...but not easy to apply and live out. 

The pages are teaming with scripture, and He carefully makes the connection with each chapter.  One criticism I might offer would be that sometimes the principles may be a bit overstated.  I think that the issues he addresses are insightful and articulate, but could probably be explained with a little less repetition.  He does make great use of personal stories to help the reader relate. 

The tone of the book is encouraging, but he is realistic about the challenges that the world is facing.  But as he asks in the Afterword, although the condition of the world is changing, "how has the condition of your spirit changed?"  Ultimately, he contends that God is on the throne, and His plan will be worked out on this earth.  Our hope and assurance rests in Him, and we must rise to the challenge and show the world that chaos does not equal hopelessness.  What on earth should we do?  "Let's go light it up."  Share your faith and the hope that is within you. 

Dr. Jeremiah's no-nonsense style of teaching is present in this book, and if you are fond of his ministry style, you will not be disappointed. 

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year Refocus

The Christmas season is so fun and crazy...and a total departure from "regular life". The regular routine of life is pretty much out the window for most of us! You stay up late - talking, playing games, watching movies - with relatives, friends...then go to bed (usually in the guest room or on the pull-out couch)...then wake up, after sleeping in late, and eat an incredible amount of fattening food all day long. There are always plenty of emotions to tap into when you're with family you don't see very often. Someone's usually annoyed or frustrated because of someone else, the kids are usually loud and easily bored, and it's difficult to remember what day it is because things are so "not normal". Hopefully there are also wonderful family moments, warm hugs to share, and maybe even a few sentimental words exchanged.

And I look forward to the crazy wonderful chaos of it all every year! But now that's it's winding down, I am really looking forward to a week to refocus and "start fresh". I am looking forward to the week of prayer and fasting more than ever this year. I don't know if you've ever set aside time for fasting before, but here are a few reasons why I enjoy this time (even though it's very difficult at the same time).

  • The end of the year usually seems to end with lots of disorganization (for the reasons I mentioned in the first paragraph). So after the new year begins, I am SO ready to get refocused. I don't really buy into the whole New Year Resolution thing, but I do believe that it's important to take time to evaluate where you are, where you'd like to go, and how you think you'll get there. I think that the perfect time to do that is while you're fasting! Your body is cleansing itself of impurity - what better time to allow your mind to be washed by the Holy Spirit? There's a certain spiritual clarity that comes when you commit yourself to a fast.
  • Don't allow your fear of having wrong motives stop you from fasting. Something I hear from a lot of people about fasting is that they are afraid they're doing it for the wong reasons. Like "I like losing weight, I feel like I'm being more 'spiritual', I'm going to try to convince God to do something for me..." Those are all things we've all thought about. I've decided in the last couple of years that I'm not going to let those things stop me from developing a spiritual discipline that Jesus Himself practiced! Yes, I think I will struggle at times with having right motives while I'm fasting. I think that's part of the struggle between the spirit and the flesh. But instead of giving up, I'm going to talk to God about it (He already knows), and ask Him to help me grow in faith so that my motives come into line with His will. Developing a discipline is always a good idea! You may waffle a bit in why you're doing it, but it will be another weapon in your spiritual arsenal...and when you get stuck in a difficult place, you will be glad it's there.
  • I don't want to just keep trudging along in life. I know that God has guided my life and will continue to do so. But I'm serious when I say I want to see Him do something HUGE here. I think there are a lot of amazing stories that He's waiting to write, but He's waiting on us to be ready. We get too caught up with just trying to make our life better that we miss some incredible opportunities to impact others for the Kingdom of God! Wouldn't it be awesome to see a great move of God in our community? Like to see people crammed into a church service because they just can't wait to see what God is going to do next? Maybe it won't look like I imagine it - but I know God desires to see an epic revival - even in little old South Dakota. :o) On whatever scale (large or small) it might be, I want to see God's Spirit move among us...and I want to do whatever my part of that might be. From what I see in the Word, Jesus said that His followers will fast when they're seeking His return. I'M READY!!!
  • Good death practice. Paul says that we have to die daily as we walk this Christian life. Fasting is definitely dying to the fleshly appetites. By telling your body NO, you are setting aside the natural desires and appetites, and asking the Lord to fill you with supernatural nourishment. We ALL need more of this. If you really want to see your loved ones come to know Christ, if you really want to see your school or workplace filled with believers, if you really want to find God's purpose for your life...then this is a great time to put more of you to death. Less of me, more of Him.
I'd like to challenge you to go a step farther in your fasting this year. We are fasting together as a church - to seek God's direction for us. If you have no other reason to fast - that's your reason! We are only as effective as we are surrendered to the will of our Heavenly Father. Without His direction and the fuel of the Holy Spirit, we are just running in place here. Working hard - but not going anywhere.