The Rest Of Random Takeaways

Well...Church Planters is a wrap. Although my left ear is totally plugged from the flight, I'm grateful for the opportunities. Here are my remaining takeaways...

The sins you find most appalling to God are the ones you don't struggle with. Pete Wilson.

It's the church's job to create an environment where we help people discover their new name. Pete Wilson.

Are you equipping the saints or are you just building numbers? Dave Gibbons.

We impress people from afar, but impact them from up close. Dave Gibbons.

If you treated your wife like your iPhone, you'd have a great marriage. Dave Gibbons. (Ha...now that's a good one.)

What's the big deal if you only love people who are like you. Dave Gibbons.

Don't take early loses seriously. Ignore them! Rick Warren.

God grows a mushroom in six hours and an oak in sixty years. Which one are you? Rick Warren.

Determine the health of your church not on seating but on sending. Rick Warren.

Never confuse your value with your valuables. Rick Warren.

Learn humility. Remember the whales. When they get to the top and are about to blow, then they get harpooned. Rick Warren.

Stop building church and build people as when you build people God will build the church. Rick Warren.

The six phases of faith. Rick Warren.
1. Dream
2. Decision
3. Delay
4. Difficulty
5. Dead End
6. Deliverance

That's all folks. Until next time. Jed.

Random Takeaways

Day one of Church Planters is a wrap and I'm wiped. Here are my random takeaways from the past twelve hours.

Church is driven by God and fueled by volunteers.

If you don't need the Gospel more than the people you're sharing it with, you ought not be sharing it with them.

You must learn to develop leaders or the mission will die or kill you and your team.

Systems aren't sexy but they produce success.

On church systems, you can learn them every week or you can learn them once.

You must be bold and fear God...not man.

What's the most important next step?
1. The ability to sense where God is leading.
2. The courage or insanity to actually do it.
3. The leadership to convince a few to come along.

Excuse the sporadic order as I type just moments from sleep with Seinfeld keeping me company. Until next time. Jed.

What's Your Theology

This past week, I attended a lunch where Neil Cole spoke of Organic Church. I admit...I was skeptical as my exposure to Neil was minimal. But, I loved every minute. Here's what stuck with me more than anything else...one simple quote.

"The greatest sin of the American Church is self preservation," Neil Cole.

Wow. That one calls for a good gut check. Neil took it a step further and outlined two differing theologies.

The theology of SAFE:

- Self preservation is the mission.
- Avoidance of risk and/or world is also mission.
- Financial security equates to responsible faith.
- Education equates to maturity.

The theology of DEATH:

- Die daily to who we are.
- Empowerment of others is our life.
- Acceptance of risk is normative.
- Theology is not just knowledge it's practice.
- Hold on to Christ with open hands to all else.

Which one are you living out? How about your church?

Are we trusting in self through safe or trusting in Christ through death?

I simply love these thoughts and will let them stand alone without much comment. Take them to heart, be honest, and pursue Christ!

Thanks Neil for the challenge. Feel free to visit his blog here. Until next time. Jed.

Permission To Pull The Plug

Why do we do what we do? Lately, this question has lodged and rattled within my mind...specifically in relation with my church. So, why do we do what we do?

Let's first start with yet another question - who do we exist for? After all, once we define the who we can then define the why. Luckily, we don't need to look far as Jesus already answered both of these questions.

For the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost. Luke 19:20.

Who - the lost. Why - seek and save.

Funny how questions we often complicate are really pretty simple. As such, the core question quickly becomes - does any given ministry bear the fruit of seeking and saving? A simple yes or no question. Flat out easy to assess with the one caveat of honesty. And sometimes honesty stings. But, if the answer is no, why continue on?

Don't get me wrong. It's not easy pulling the plug...although, sometimes necessary. And let's not forget...Jesus already gave permission. That's right! Your permission slip is already signed.

You may think this post is a tad harsh. After all, aren't we called to care for the orphans and widows? Sure we are...but, why do we assume these orphans and widows are already believers?

More to follow along these lines at a later date. Until next time. Jed.

The Memorial Driven Life

Got lost with my six year old last night. Laughing and watching movies of her just a few months old. Chilling on the living room floor...surrounded by those baby toys. Crying at times. Trying to roll over without success.

As I said, we got lost. Bed time was long overdue. But...this time together was amazing. Made me stop and think. Sometimes, it's good to get lost.

Get lost in the memories. The memories of where we've been and where we're going.

This stone I have set up as a memorial pillar will mark this as a place where God lives. Genesis 28:22.

A memorial pillar. A place where God lives. These simple truths resonate with my six year old. Through the memories of movies. Reflecting how God has blessed and provided. No joke...this time together was the best sixty minutes over the past few months. And...all because we slowed down and got lost.

Good thoughts for church leaders. Getting lost that is. How about your staff? Your lay leaders? Even your congregation? Perhaps we should pause and point to the memorial pillar as a place where God lives. The memories of where we've been and where we're going. Providing the fuel of purpose.

Celebrate the life change. Build the memorial. Whether streaming online or broadcasting within, we must not overlook. You already know the people. Those changed and impacted by your ministries. They're flashing through your mind. So...go! Capture the life change. Build the memorial. Then...all will know this place is a place where God lives!

Here's the very next verse after the one above. Jacob set out again... Not stalled with the past. Rather...fueled by the past. The fuel of purpose.

Time for the practicals...

- Record some testimonies. Show them online and during gatherings.
- Create some tangibles. A picture and quote within handouts. Or, why not some standing banners.
- Spread some stories. People being asked, "Did you hear...?" They'll be contagious.

Now, go get em for Christ! Until next time. Jed.

Who's Your Target Audience

A few posts back...I noted target audience. As a church, do you know your target audience? Not the group. Rather, the specific. Knowing the specific will frame and shape nearly every decision. Just consider these statements and questions in relation to the specific.

I am...
My occupation is...
I would describe my family situation as...

I am originally from...
I spend my free time...
My life would be better if...
My favorite television show is...
My favorite radio station is...
I buy my cloths at...
I read...
The most important thing in my life is...
My dream is to...
My greatest practical need is...
I socialize with...
I think Christians and churches are...
I would attend church only if...
I would grow spiritually if...
My name is...

Huh. You may say... What's the point? Don't we exist to be all for all to all? But, I would challenge the opposite. Through honing and narrowing, you're actually broadening. Let's break that one down a bit...

Say your target audience is Sam. Sam is only ten years old and he loves your church. Why? Well...your church speaks his language. After all, your church knows his aspirations, dreams, favorites, and needs. Your ministries address and engage these areas. With Sam...his parents now come and sit during your messages. His grandparents come as well...so they can partner with a vision and impact their Sam and others like him. United with cause and purpose! Sam just grew across three generations and all by honing and narrowing upon him.

Once again, as leaders, close your doors and address these statements and questions. Who is your target audience. A ten year old girl? A thirty year old mom? A seventy year old grandfather?

The specific will guide and shape events, outreaches, and services. Why? Because you're now able to answer - what's your target audience hoping and seeking and how does your congregation rally around and reach out to your target audience. That's how you spell IMPACT!

Without the specific...hours and resources may be wasted and/or underutilized as the context of target audience is null and void. And...context is often the majority. Until next time. Jed.

Dirty Laundry

A church and a pub just a few blocks apart. How do these worlds interact and intersect? Better yet...do these or should these worlds interact and intersect?

Let's travel back a few posts. Perhaps it's time for a reverse Jericho...with the church blowing their trumpets and allowing their walls to crumble. Sounds poetic. But, what does it mean? What does it mean for this church and this pub?

For some reason, these questions are craving my attention. Jumping up and down and waving their hands within my mind. So, I'm letting my walls crumble and venturing out into the world of what ifs...

- What if my church eliminated the word orphans throughout my county?
- What if my church opened a coffee house, counseling center, or laundry mat?
- What if my church provided attorneys or physicians to those without means?
- What if my church united with area churches on any of the above?

These what ifs engage the community and reach the lost. Take the simple laundry mat. The relationships and opportunities. The life change through simple soap and water. Potentially, bringing this church and this pub together.

Or...providing the attorney or physician to the struggling dad or mom. Helping preserve families and kids instead of despair and distraught through secondhand tales.

My church functioning and operating downtown next to the flower shop and insurance agent. Joining the Chamber of Commerce. Waving at the barber across the street. Loving every chime of the front door.

How much more does uniting with area churches impact and improve these what ifs?

So, what should my church be doing beyond their walls? These questions will likely jump and wave throughout my life. What I do know? Don't glance over. Rather buckle down. Break the rules. Stretch the thoughts. Who knows where God will lead! Until next time. Jed.

Steeple Transformation

No thank you. I'm simply too busy and not in need of any additional business. These words were recently spoken to me. Pretty much leaving me speechless. I thanked him for his time and then hung up the phone.

Let's call this guy Hank. Hank owns a business and I was offering referrals with virtually no investment from Hank. Potentially generating thousands in sales for Hank. From my perspective, it was a huge win win. From Hank's perspective, it was simply additional noise in an already noisy world.

Huh. Shortly after this experience, my head started to spin. I was amazed, astonished, confused, and puzzled. What just happened? What went wrong?

The church and the lost instantly popped to mind. The lost are everywhere. The car behind us, the cubicle next to us, the house next to us, or the seat in front of us. Ironically enough, the church is everywhere. Across the bridge or down the street, a steeple is likely around the corner.

But, does the church ever relate with Hank? Looking at referrals, the lost, as simply additional noise in an already noisy world. The lost walking past these steeples. The church huddling underneath these steeples. Only drywall and lumber separating the two. Yet, this drywall and lumber appearing as mighty walls. Perhaps it's time for a reverse Jericho...with the church blowing their trumpets and allowing their walls to crumble.

I'm not here to condemn or convict. I love the church! I'm part of the church. But, I cannot ignore the stirring of God. Telling me to roll up my sleeves and get dirty as reaching and saving the lost is dirty business. It will stretch our comforts and customs. It will remold and reshape our steeples. It will not only change the lives of the lost...but, it will change me and you.

I can only speak for myself. But, I'm ready...ready to...

- Let go of my me mentality.
- Stand behind the leaders God has lead my way.
- And...short of sin, do whatever it takes to reach and save the lost.

Anyone with me? Let not Hank infiltrate our steeples as these steeples cost God the life of Christ. Until next time. Jed.

Innovate Arts Mash Up

The sessions from this year's Innovate Conference are up. Although, all are well worth your time. Don't miss this one. Needing a boost of innovative inspiration? This one is the ticket. Noted as the Arts Mash Up and highlighted by the folks at:

- Community Christian Church
- Relevant Church
- Crossover Church
- Liquid Church

Words cannot express the coolness and uniqueness of each. The simple wow factor of reaching their culture for Christ. Invest the time. Watch it and please let me know your thoughts.

Innovate

I'm sitting here at Innovate 09 at Granger Community Church. So far, I've been blown away by a few simple principles.

- Hospitality. Now, I'm all about hospitality and have shaken many a hand while walking through church doors. But, something is different here...permeating and resonating throughout their culture. The annoying part? I can't quite put a finger on it. I believe it relates to being overwhelmed. Overwhelmed by people who will do anything and everything to ensure my visit is simply the best! Overwhelmed by love. And...I love it! After all, aren't we introducing guests to an overwhelming God. Seems to make sense to me.

- Impressions. The entry doors are glass. Glass of course attracts fingerprints. Anyone with kids will attest to this simple truth. I just watched these doors get cleaned...only a couple hours into the day. No need to do so. They looked ok. But, the attention to this minor detail speaks volumes to their heart. And...don't be fooled. Hospitality and impressions are virtually one in the same!

- Innovations. This one shouldn't be a surprise. Innovations at Innovate 09. The world screams innovations in every market place. From cars, computers, homes, or phones. Why should the church get an exemption? I greatly appreciate their creativity...as this creativity clearly reaches out and speaks into their community.

- Questions. From the first session, there are still two questions rattling within my head. Why should people go to church? And...why should people go to my church? Pretty basic. But, these questions will frame and form the foundation of your congregation. Do you know your answers?

Hats off to the folks here at Granger! Thanks for everything and I'm looking forward to the remainder of Innovate 09.

Say How, Say What, & To Whom

Lingo, language, and buzz. Culture is flooded with all of the above. Just look at this list...

- 16 Yards to 27 Yards
- Adjustable Rib
- Clay Pigeons
- Interchangeable Chokes
- Krieghoff, Ljutic, or Perazzi
- Point of Impact
- Pull or Release Trigger

Kind of confusing. Isn't it? Well...this list is the lingo of trap shooters. Once upon a time, I was immersed within this lingo. It rattled and rolled off my tongue with ease. Then, I had kids and this lingo was shelved. A somewhat depressing but emerging pattern within my life. Well worth it though!

Imagine jumping headfirst into this lingo...

"Hey bud. What point of impact is your Ljutic? I shoot 70 / 30 myself. Now, a new Adjustable Pro 3 sure would be nice. Would open a whole new world of possibilities. Wouldn't it? Perhaps start shooting with two eyes."

I envision a simple blank stare with a quiet yet pronounced withdrawal. As such, I would never unleash this lingo upon an innocent bystander. What's the point? That's right. There isn't one!

Now, think of your church...your congregation. In walks the un-churched. Hopefully, your first reaction isn't, "Why would that happen?" ;-) Once through the front doors, the lingo of church is unleashed. Innocently and seemingly gunning down the un-churched...as an innocent bystander.

- Blended, Contemporary, or Traditional
- Confirmation Age, Doxology, or Lord's Prayer
- Cool Hip Name Programs (College Chaos, Elevate Kids, or God's Orchard)
- Home Teams, Life Groups, or Small Groups
- Justification, Redemption, or Salvation
- New King James, New International, or The Message
- Pastor Such, Pastor That, or Pastor This

Same principle. An innocent bystander will scratch their head and stare blankly. My advice. Don't trash the lingo. After all, the lingo often defines the substance. But...be cognizant of the how, when, where, who, and why of the lingo. Break it down into bite size and easily digestive chunks. Be very very very very very vey very intentional. Did I mention very? Starting with come as you are and finishing with the same.

Come as you are. We'll love you. No qualifiers. And...along the way, we'll unpack the greatest love story ever told.

One more thing...

Imagine the innocent bystander. Aware of a void and intrigued by Christ. Questions in hand. Perhaps wanting a Bible. Hmmm. Where to go? Sure enough...there's the information hub. But, which question to ask or how to ask it? What's this lingo again?

I think you get the point. Your information hub must be disarming, warming, and welcoming. Perhaps serve coffee from the same along with some donuts. The innocent bystander may be cautious of bare counters. But, coffee and donuts...that's worth the risk.

How is your church lingo? Is it broken down into bite size and easily digestive chunks? What about your information hub? Is it disarming, warming, and welcoming? What needs to be done to break down these false barriers and walls? Your false barriers and walls? Now...go do it!

Can You Hear Me Now

Once upon a time, I was just about to dream and...a nudge. It was my wife. I'm sure out of love and respect.

"There's a cricket," she says. "Do you hear him?"

Internally, "What in the world. I'm sleeping over here." Externally, "No sweetie." Rolling over. Drifting and longing to dream...another nudge.

"Not inside. The little sucker is outside. Go get him!"

For a moment - a very brief moment - I considered arguing, disagreeing, and flat out refusing. Rather - after coming to my senses - I headed out with flashlight in hand. Now, pinpointing one cricket is basically an impossibility. So, combined with lots and lots of Raid, I reverted to scare tactics (aka loud noises). Somehow, I conquered and tamed the midnight beast. Dumb luck I guess.

Peripheral noise. Sometimes cricket like and other times giant like. A sleep robber nonetheless and often times for more than just one. Sending some out into the darkness while others fear and fret. Paralyzing. Debilitating. Conquering the directives, goals, and objectives of life. Leaving you drained, exhausted, and tired. Leaving you one and only one option. Simple surrender!

Perhaps peripheral noise is better noted as persistent noise. Either way, this noise is annoying and distracting. Only masking the real disease. The fatal disease of misguiding and unraveling.

What persistent noise is annoying and distracting you? Leading to misguiding and unraveling your life? Time to get out the Raid! Don't rely on dumb luck. After all...dumb luck is just that...dumb. Until next time. Jed.

Nostalgia - Memories, Moments, & Smiles

Nostalgia. A sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time. We all have at least one. One memory. One moment. One smile. So, here's some nostalgia from my childhood...a little trip down memory lane.

• Within the parking lot of McDonald's. Sitting alongside my grandpa. In his old truck. Eating a fish sandwich after an afternoon of fishing. Laughing and smiling.
• Watching the nightly show of flickering fireflies. A masterpiece.
• Resting against a fence post. Looking across the snow covered fields. Falling in love with the amazing beauty of creation.
• Soaking in the warmth of a radiator. Lying on the kitchen floor. Listening to the old farm house creak and clank.
• Playing hide and seek with Scottie, my dog. (Side note. I was an only child.)
• Listening to the sounds of holiday prep. Blenders, buzzers, pots, and pans. Basking in the glow of holiday lights.
• Enjoying a Mars Bar after golf lessons. Thanks dad!

These memories, moments, and smiles have defined and molded the person before you today. The person sitting opposite your monitor. Blogging and typing away my nostalgia.

What's your nostalgia? How has this nostalgia defined and molded you?

Just as important. This nostalgia plugs into the local church. Into your church. The hugs, laughs, lessons, ministries, prayers, sermons, and tears of yesteryear. Defining and molding. Thus, here's the important point. Ready? Get your notepad and pen. And...go.

The only way for a church to move forward is to look back. Paradoxically, change can come only when the good past is guarded with passion. (pg. 69 of Transforming Church by Kevin Ford)

That Mystery Key

Sitting in my driveway…my friend managed to lock himself within his trunk. Keys within his pocket and no other way in or out. Don’t ask. Stupid high school stuff. In the end, his sister came to the rescue. A spare was left behind…just in case history repeated itself. Fortunately, it was never needed.

Just yesterday I went though our keys. Keys for anything and everything. Cars, churches, clubs, halls, homes, and offices. Kind of a mess. I still ended up with a pile of mystery keys. Holding on as if someday I’ll remember. Ya right.

Keys gain access…even through the hardest and toughest of doors. A simple twist and there you go. Boldly walking across the threshold.

People so often lug and tug the baggage and luggage of life. Searching and seeking for the mystery key. The key that will open, unlock, and free. Perhaps a counselor or doctor. Perhaps our friend Google. That key is out there somewhere. But…these people still lug and tug. Lugging and tugging past you and your church. Looking up and neglecting or even scoffing. At least never thinking. The church? Do they make keys?

Not the church…but, Jesus Christ who is embodied and represented through the church. Through us. We have that key. That mystery key. Do your relatives know? How about your colleagues or friends? Better yet…how about you?

People lugging and tugging past you and your church. Please stop, pause, and consider. But how? Relationships! After all…we were once lugging and tugging. But, we’re free (John 8:32). Not perfect or even all together. Simply freed and united through the blood of Jesus Christ. Related with the beliefs, experiences, and thoughts of fellow brothers and sisters.

Relationships. Or should I say…transparent relationships will get those luggers and tuggers to stop, pause, and consider. And when they do…we'll be there with the Key! Opening, unlocking, and freeing. Boldly walking across the threshold. Until next time. Jed.

The Earth Opened & Swallowed

The story of Korah within Numbers 16. One of my favorites. A twist of bizarre and simple…topped off with a wow. Israel stranded within a wilderness. Moses with the lead.

Korah was sick and tired. Sick and tired of roaming, wandering, and wondering. Come on…there must be a better way. What’s wrong with Moses? Where's this land of honey and milk? The battle cry was sounded!

Have you ever been there? I have. Near the back…tossing comments near the front…with the best intentions and motives. Right?

Don’t get me wrong. I’m a proponent of change. After all...change is now embraced and expected. So, shouldn’t we cheer for Korah? Perhaps a high five or two on his way to Moses. Who wouldn’t be sick and tired? Stranded within a wilderness.

So…what became of Korah? Numbers 16:32-33 notes, “The earth opened its mouth and swallowed the men, along with their households and all their followers who were standing with them, and everything they owned. So they went down alive into the grave, along with all their belongings. The earth closed over them, and they all vanished from among the people of Israel.” Numbers 6:35 notes, “Then fire blazed forth from the Lord and burned up the 250 men who were offering incense.”

Ouch and wow! Korah went down…literally. Can you imagine? Now…that would be something to blog about. So, what does all this mean? How can I relate?

We all have ideas and thoughts. How to preach better, reach better, and teach better. Ideas and thoughts are sweet. Implementation and presentation? At times…a little bitter. Let’s not get lost within the strategies and tactics of Korah. Stop tossing from back to front. Instead…stand front and partner and implement new stuff!

New stuff is good. New stuff is embraced and expected. Israel was in the midst of new stuff. And…this new stuff appeared to be flawed. Marketing guru Seth Godin stirred the pot earlier today. Seth notes, “When the new stuff doesn’t work, do the stuff more and better.” Just because the new doesn’t work - let’s not revert to the old. Let’s not leave a wilderness to return to slavery. Stay the course. Stand front and partner and implement new stuff! Until next time. Jed.

Church Marketing Sucks...Huh

Yesterday…I looked down and noticed a goof. My socks! I was wearing one gray and one tan. Oh well…who hasn’t been there? That moment. Keeping one eye open and wondering what to do next. Is anyone looking? Did anyone see?

How about your church? Do visitors feel out of place…as if wearing different socks? Or, is the opposite true? Let’s resurrect the same guy from an earlier post. Same jeans. Same shirt. We should give this guy a name. After all…he may want to make a future appearance within this blog. I like Abe.

Abe is curious. His friend has talked of Jesus. But, who is this Jesus and why should Abe care? Figuring he has nothing to lose…he walks through the doors of your church (if only it were that easy). Now what?

We so often get immersed in church culture that we seldom slow down. Slow down and think about people such as Abe. Sure…it’s easy for you and me. Through the door. Shake a few hands. Laugh a few laughs. Take our token seat. Rattle through the service. Sip some coffee. Talk the lingo. And…off to Sunday School we go for a repeat of the above. No doubts, fears, or worries. What about Abe? He is unsure about the shakes, laughs, takes, rattles, sips, and talks. Is anyone looking? Did anyone see?

My dad walked into the emergency room about a decade ago. Throwing his wallet at the desk…he announced he was having a heart attack. The response was impressive! My dad survived this heart attack due to this response and the hand of God. He didn’t have to ponder or wonder. He was welcomed. The shakes, laughs, takes, rattles, sips, and talks were not a big deal. Our church should mimic this emergency room. Welcoming those with heart conditions…washing away doubts, fears, or worries.

Take a hard look at your church. What will Abe see? Will he be welcomed? Will he know what to do or where to go? Will he ponder or wonder? Worse yet…will he sit in our token seat (just kidding)? Don’t ignore these questions. Take action! Implement change where needed. Nothing to change? If so…please let me know and I’ll pray for your ego. :)

Dan Kimball recently posted about this topic. Click here for this post. Also, I stumbled upon a blog named Church Marketing Sucks. An interesting name. And…there’s some interesting reads within this blog. Take a look here. Until next time. Jed.

Change For 2008, 2009, & Beyond

2008 may be marked by a simple word. Change! The mantra and motto of Barack Obama. And…it worked. The nation fell in love with change and Mr. Obama is now President Elect Obama.

What's changed? Careers have changed. Families have changed. Markets have changed. Politics have changed. Travels have changed. Pepsi revamped their beloved blue, red, and white circle. Walmart is now followed by an asterisk or perhaps a sun burst. Does anyone truly know?

Once feared...change is now embraced and expected.

The plan of my parents was simple. Have fun in high school. Flirt with a draft and float through college. Then…pursue a factory. An anchor. A safe and stable career. Whether at factory x, y, or z. It was a defined paycheck. A fixed standard. Followed by a family, pension, and vacation. Topped off with some golf. This plan no longer exists. It has changed.

With 2009 on the doorstep…one thing remains constant. Change. How will the church respond? How will you respond?

What if Apple took a year off? Or…what if Google simply gave up? Would they be missed? Who would deliver the next iPhone or iPod? Who would continue the evolution and revolution of everything web? Why not you? If not you…that gal or guy a cubicle or two away will. Life will go on and a new Apple or Google will emerge. Nothing should be taken for granted. Remember? Change is now embraced and expected.

What an amazing opportunity for the church! We can change the belief and perception of culture. Instead of being known for what we are against…we can be known for what we are for. Instead of judgmental or just plain mental depending on the voice…we can be known for the love of Christ. John 3:17 notes, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” Now…that’s exciting!

We’ll explore this topic within the early days of 2009. Bringing the church from condemnation to salvation. Until next time. Jed.

Invite Your Friend To Church

More thoughts to follow...but, let's start with the lighter side

That Six Letter Word

This tractor caught my eye last year. It sits along side a really goofy antique shop on the outskirts of Galena, IL. At one point...it must have been proud and strong. A true workhorse for the owner. Now...forgotten and neglected. A pile of rust.
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How does one go from proud and strong to a pile of rust? How about your church? How about your family? How about you? Proud and strong or a pile of rust?
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Change. Am I allowed to type that? That dreaded six letter word. Change may be bad or good. But...as the phrase goes...change is constant. As such, the question quickly becomes how to adapt to or implement change.
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This tractor may run. If so...is it effective or useful? Let's look at your church. Your church may run. But...what's the substance? What's the focus? Is there life or is there death?
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Here are eight signs of death...
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- Have lost their sense of mission to those who have not heard about Jesus Christ and do not pant after the Great Commission;
- Exist primarily to provide fellowship for the “members of the club;”
- Expect their pastors to focus primarily on ministering to the members’ personal spiritual needs;
- Design ministry to meet the needs of their members;
- Have no idea about the needs of the “stranger outside the gates;”
- Are focused more on the past than the future;
- Often experience major forms of conflict;
- And watch the bottom line of the financial statement more than the number of confessions of faith.
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Huh. How about your church? How about your family? How about you? Proud and strong or a pile of rust? How does your church adapt to or implement change? We want to do more than run. We want to reach. Reach a hurting and lost world. Stop looking in and cast your gaze out!
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On a separate note...Come and enjoy...watch the crazy youth pastor risk limb and life. Now...I'm all about being relevant. But...let's try and not run anyone over. Until next time. Jed.