BSP: How does the UMC appointment system today compare to what you believe was practiced in the 1st century church? TW: As I understand it, in the first century church based its understanding of leadership on spiritual gifts, the calling of the individual, and even the general authority of all believers to go and preach the gospel, as commanded by Jesus in Matthew 28. There was also an accepted form of church discipline regarding leadership, as seen in the writings of Paul and his warnings to come and deal with congregations who were either tolerating sin or accepting of false doctrine and practice in their midst. The appointment system of the UMC has many of these same dynamics, which can be very positive and helpful to congregations who are truly open to reaching their communities for Christ. However, I see differences in that the current appointment system is very slow to address ineffective congregations, who, despite receiving qualified and gifted pastors, have continued in a conflicting and combative state for many years. The appointment system would serve these churches well to design some sort of mechanism to help these churches turn around by appointing selective pastors with established skills of mediation, leadership and a “no nonsense” vision of moving forward. I also see in the early church how the role of mentoring younger leaders helped shape the congregations of the first century. Whether it was Paul and Timothy or Priscilla/Aquilla and Apollos, persons coming into the body of Christ as leaders were able to receive guidance, mentoring and personal attention from those more seasoned in the role as leaders. In some ways, District Superintendents are supposed to fill this role, but this rarely happens due to the fact that Superintendents spend much of their available time dealing with bureaucracy and crisis management. I believe that if there were a better system of mentoring new leaders and encouraging existing leadership through pastoral care, crisis management, consultation and constructive review, the appointment system could be much more effective in producing not only more effective pastors, but more effective congregations at reaching their communities for Christ.
BSP: How does the UMC appointment system today compare to what you believe was practiced in the 1st century church? AB: In some ways that is a difficult question to answer. I am not well enough versed on the episcopacy in the earliest centuries to compare to the modern practice of episcopal appointment. However, I am glad to speculate.
The modern itineracy system is based upon the idea that Christ has endowed the church with divine discernment. As the church must confirm those who are called to ministry, so the church has been given the wisdom to discern where pastors can best serve.
The dilemma as I see it as that often the appointment process is less determined by the leading of the Holy Spirit and more revealed in how dying churches can be revived while appointing gifted pastors into impossible situations that simply demoralize them.
Worship in Dance, Heartland HispanaThen little children were brought to him, that he should lay his hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, “Allow the little children, and don’t forbid them to come to me; for the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to ones like these.” Matthew 19:13-14 (WEB)
Are children a priority in your church/fellowship? Are children a priority in your life? Let me first make it clear, that I know that I am not called to work primarily in children’s ministry. I will not do well if I am put in a room with 5 or more children (under the age of 10) and told to teach. When I did work with children’s musicals for a few years, I taught the music and left the organization and crowd control to those who were good at it! That said, I am also convicted that children should be the #1 priority group in our fellowships.
I suspect that Jesus had a stern look on His face when He rebuked His disciples for ‘shushing’ the children. The disciples (and most adults in that society) thought children should be seen and not heard. Sound familiar? Jesus was not of the same opinion. He thought that we should all learn from children and pattern our own faith like theirs. Little children love without conditions. A child does not hold back their hugs or kisses. Daddy comes home from work and a toddler will rush to him with arms outstretched, laughing as he/she is tossed up in the air. Mom picks up a child from the care center, tired after a long day and figuring out in her mind what she is going to do about dinner. Her child rushes for a ‘knee hug’ as Mom appears in the doorway. The world goes from spinning out of control to pausing for that moment which brings a deep breath to the day. Little children are unfiltered with their joy and their sadness. Children live in the moment. When something happy is happening (like a birthday) they do not think about that they are also battling cancer. (I am speaking from personal experience.) “If it ain’t happening now, it ain’t happening!” When their pet dies or Mommy and Daddy decide not to live together any more, their world is crushed. We adults sometimes bring our uncomfortable feelings to bear on a child and do not allow them to express their sadness with tears and even anger. It is what we are ourselves may be feeling and yet we tell children that “big boys don’t cry” or “don’t let people see you cry (translation: see you weak)”. It’s always interesting to me that when I write down what I am thinking in my head, I see the truth (how ridiculous!) of what I am hearing. Little children trust without question. Children believe all things are possible. They don’t question how chubby Santa will get down their chimney (or back up!) or how the Tooth Fairy exchanges their tooth for money! Dad or Mom say it – it must be so! My big brother or sister do it – it must be OK. Until some adult breaks that trust, they trust completely.
We, as a Church, have a responsibility, no, a mandate, to put the children (whether they be 4-years-old or a baby Christian of 55-years-old) as the #1 priority of our fellowship. Everything we do including how we do worship, how we steward our money and resources, and how we, the mature and leaders, conduct ourselves, should be about raising up these precious children we have been given.
I wept and banged my fist on the table when I heard a recent story about children in a church. The children were putting on a play. They faithfully practiced hours to learn their lines and songs. Time for the final rehearsals and the adults who were responsible for sound and lighting in the church couldn’t be bothered to come because they did not want to give up their day off. I wonder how that excuse would have played out if they knew they had to give it to Jesus!
The best part of the worship service that I attend is the “Children’s Sermon”. Sorry, pastor, but many times I walk out of there remembering and thinking about the lesson in that sermon!
“Let the little children come to Me..” Check the road. Are there obstacles in the path of these children? Let us make a highway for our God to meet His children and bless them.
Pastor Eli Munoz
Pastor Eliecer Munoz lives in Euless, Texas where he and his wife, Drisana, pastor Heartland Hispana in Irving, TX. Eliecer was born and raised in Miami, Florida and is of Cuban descent. Called to ministry at a young age, his ministry is strong in evangelism and discipleship and the family. Together with his wife and two children, they serve the Latino Community in the metroplex of Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX. BSP:From Jesus clarifying who His mother and brothers truly were (Luke 8:21) to Paul writing about family in 1 Timothy 5, Ephesians 5 & 6, and Colossians 3, how do we bring God’s design for Christian family into focus for our church?
One of the most important concepts that we must understand as the Church is that God made the Church to be a family. He is the Father of this family.
Paul said in Ephesians 2:19 “you…are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” Unfortunately we live in a society where family values are distorted and in some instances non-existent.
We must return to the Father who ultimately brings us together. We must return to God’s design. He will tear down the walls that divide us, restore the love He intended for us to have, and bring healing to the wounds that hurt us. Family is supposed to be about love, relationship and respect. Family is supposed to be full of an atmosphere of acceptance and encouragement of where we are going. There might be a lot of things that make us different but there is Someone who unites us all, and that is God our Father. Let’s stop trying to be the family of God and let us begin being what we are, the family of God.
Chris ListerChris Lister has been mentoring someone ever since he was in ministry school in 1997. Born in Pensacola, FL, Chris struggled through an adolescence of alcohol and drugs until he was truly ‘saved’ from a life that could have ended in crime and early death. God opened the opportunity for service after ministry school when Rev. Steve Hill invited Chris and his new wife, Janet to move to the Dallas/Ft Wroth area. There Chris was able to travel with Steve to evangelistic crusades in Scotland, Finland, Spain, Wales, Brazil, and many others, as well as all over the United States. They personally saw hundreds of thousands come to Jesus and continue to do so during these crusades. In 2003, Chris and Janet were able to help Pastor Steve and his wife, Jeri in the planting of an evangelistic church in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex. Chris took teams out into the streets, building relationships with the homeless and rejected; showing them the love of God, not condemnation. The Heartland World Ministries Church grew to 1,500 in the first two years. Chris continues to live in the Ft. Worth area with his wife and two daughters.
BSP sat down with Chris recently to listen to him talk about a passion of his heart. Mentoring BSP: You have ‘mentored’ many Christians over the years. What is ‘mentoring’? Chris: It is an every day relationship with someone. It is being a friend. It is listening to their needs; not preaching at them. It is not making them feel like you are ‘holier’ than them or have all the answers. I made some mistakes early on. I had a roommate in ministry school that I mentored. I would give him Scriptures to memorize for the week and tell him, “We’ll discuss these on Friday”. He was in ministry school! He had teachers! He did not need another one! He needed a Christian friend who was willing to be real. I learned to just be myself. Not perfect but going after Jesus to teach me how to be a better man. And that is what I learned to do that has produced a lot of fruit in the lives of my friends. I am just open and honest – I am who I am – in Jesus. BSP: Who do you mentor? Chris: God brings people into my life for a time. I don’t ‘pick’ them. BSP: What Scriptures speak to you about mentoring? Chris: Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV) and How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word. Psalm 119:9 (NIV) BSP: If you are showing by example in mentoring, what would be some of the key points? Chris: Be real.
My relationship with Jesus must be fresh and growing. It’s an every day commitment, not as a ritual but because I want to spend time with Jesus. I love Him!
Avoid temptation. If alcohol has been a problem, then I do not meet my friends at a bar.
Be alert to what I allow in my ‘eye-gate’. I am a man of God. I am careful about what I watch on TV or the movies I watch. I am careful about how I look and think about women.
Share my faith. Again, it’s not about preaching. It’s sharing the most exciting and best part of my life.
Get together with Believers for fun! My wife and I have learned that it’s not about how clean an shiny the house is but it’s about the love and fun that happens when people come over. Everyone brings something to eat and we watch a game or play Wii. Lately a group of men having been going bowling. We have a lot of fun! BSP also had the opportunity to speak with Bryan Bratton. Bryan and Chris BSP: What do you think about ‘mentoring’? How has it affected your life in the recent years? Bryan: I don’t think of it as ‘mentoring’. Chris is the first true friend that I have ever had. I know that now. He cares about me spiritually and emotionally. He is showing me what it means to be a man of God. He is showing me how to be a man of God by how he lives his life. Just to give you an example: He gave me a Bible, not on my birthday but on his birthday. I have never forgotten that though he says he can’t remember it! BSP: How are you ‘playing it forward’? How are you witnessing what Jesus is doing in your life? Bryan: I have been watching Chris and how he speaks to people on his job and just in everyday life. He has a very soft and compassionate way with others. While I am not and can not be another “Chris”, I am learning to apply some of these things in my life. If you think about it, there are always opportunities for us to be more compassionate and Christlike with others. I try to look for those opportunities. For example, I have been spending time communicating with people I have known through Facebook. It’s interesting to talk to people who “knew me when” and let them see the change in me. They know I am not the same and I can share Who is responsible for that!
Pastors Drisana and Eliecer Munoz
Eliecer and Drisana Munoz currently live in Euless, Texas where they both pastor Heartland Hispana in Irving, TX. Heartland Hispana is the Spanish Church from Heartland World Ministries Church, led by Pastors Steve and Jeri Hill. Eliecer was born and raised in Miami, Florida with his family roots in Cuban. Drisana Munoz was born and raised in Chicago, IL; her roots are Puerto Rican. They both are bi-lingual and have a heart for the Latino Community. God called them both at a young age to ministry and both attended Bible college. While in Bible college, Eliecer and Drisana met and established a relationship. They have now been married for 9 years and have 2 wonderful children, Julissa,who is 7-years-old and Joshua, who is 2-years-old. Together as a family, they love the Lord and desire to serve Him more and more everyday; passionate about The Salvation of Souls! BSP: How did this ministry come about? Senior Pastors Jeri and Steve Hill D & E Munoz: We started to network with Spanish families in our home church, Heartland World Ministries, 6 years ago. Pastor Steve Hill and his wife, Jeri Hill, have a passion for the Latin community and so we, (Pastor Eli and Dee Munoz) started the Spanish Church as a mission of HWMC. Heartland Hispana is now a full-functioning church with different ministries for the entire family while preaching a non-compromising message of the Gospel as we reach out to souls. Let the little children comeBSP: What is the mission of your fellowship? D & E Munoz: Our mission at Heartland Hispana is to be a lighthouse in the Metroplex with the following; Worship, Reach Out, Build Relationships, Train, Send. BSP: What, if any, differences would we find within this fellowship vs. an English-speaking, stereotypical church? D & E Munoz: One of the great aspects of Heartland Hispana is the diversity in culture. It is awesome to worship the same God surrounded by men and women from different Latin American countries. We all speak the same language, which is Spanish, but we all have different cultural backgrounds. BSP: What is the vision that God has given to you, as pastors, for this fellowship? D & E Munoz: Our vision and desire is to see God’s love , power and glory be manifested in the hearts of our people, in such a way that they will rise up to experience all that God has for them.
Beautiful North Carolina
When at last the tires were turning, this author was enjoying a retreat in the mountains of North Carolina. If memory serves, the rushing sound of Dog Creek was drowning out the clicking of these keys as I hurried to meet my deadline last month. Deadline met, that day unfolded beautifully. It began with the best cup of decaf coffee I have ever had at Poppies Market in Brevard, NC. Make sure you get a muffin, any muffin, to go along with that cup o’ joe–in 3 days, I tried 3 different ones and had no complaints about any of them! What a cool store, with everything you need to stock a picnic basket or a cabin–Poppies is a delightful and appealing place.
Whether you take it into or out of the area, make sure that you travel part of your mountain trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s not a true mountain trip unless you travel the tops of those mountains that could be considered robbers in that they steal your gaze as they just quietly demand attention as you drive along. Breath-taking, majestic, and a wonder to behold if you take the time to look, really look, at them. Flowers, rocks, trees–living things that feed back into you what life can sometimes strip away. The drive itself was a vacation! Poppies Market
Now, let me take you with me into Cherokee, NC. Funny, when I was planning my little getaway, two friends reacted quite surprised that I would want to spend much time there. Cherokee, NC is a town where the majority of residents belong to the Cherokee Nation. My friends’ dismay came from a good place, as they both love their Native American brothers. The Eagle Dance
I had been there years ago and knew instinctively why they were wondering about my decision. I had seen and taken part in some of the Native American “culture” in the little mountain town that sits on the “boundary” along the Cherokee Nation’s land. Brightly dressed and feather-adorned local residents had lined the streets, performing dances under large tipi’s and singing and playing drums for the tourists who were crowding the small streets for a look at what they deemed to be “native culture.” Other tourists crowded into all the small stores and restaurants whose supply of t-shirts and continuous store fronts seemed to never end. A carnival atmosphere seemed to invade every nook and cranny. Slow moving cars and multitudes of pedestrians added a certain amount of sensationalism to the entire picture. It was definitely not an experience that I look back upon with any type of appreciation, except for what it afforded me on this most recent trip.
Unless you are a Native American reading this story, you and I will never Unto These Hills Sign
understand what it feels like to be told that you can only live in a certain geographic area, or that you must leave land that was yours for generations without any compensation. For the purposes of these articles, the entire history of this great people will not be debated here; however, some facts will come out through the process of exploring the area. It must be said that the Cherokee Nation and other Native American peoples were forced by our “white” ancestors to leave a land that had been inhabited by the “red” man for generations before white men ever thought of looking for this country. It must also be said that our “white” ancestors initiated a chain of events of which the Native American people are still trying to recover. In order to fully experience the true culture and magnitude of a people or a particular area, you must be willing to accept the truth that is housed in both the people and the area. Only then can you be used as a change agent while you are on such a trip as this.
Wherever we go, if our hearts are where they should be, we will always be shown what is grievous to Someone Else. While we, ourselves, cannot go back into time and right was wrong, we can work in this time through acts of prayer and compassion to undo what was done in the place that it matters the most–in the spirit. A hug, a smile, and welcoming word can go a long way to bridge a gap between races that still exists due to the choices and decisions of our ancestors. There are still opportunities to build rewarding relationships with people of all races, when we are seeking to do so.
If you ever decide to go to Cherokee, NC or any other boundary for that matter, do yourself a favor: skip the tourist shops when possible. You know the ones: t-shirts, candy, toys, and items that you saw in the last town you were in–only they had a different name stamped on it. Take a real walk through the culture and history of a people and their place in American history by seeking out authentic establishments. In these businesses, you will find real people who are seeking to live a real life doing what they do best—not exploit the heritage that is theirs. You might even make a new friend or have a conversation that will turn into a memory that no gaudily stamped coaster or key chain can be compared. There are plenty of places to do that in Cherokee.
The first place that you might want to visit is Talking Leaves Bookstore. The name, Talking Leaves, is what the Indians called the papers that Americans wrote on. They said that the “leaves” spoke. And, in many ways, good and bad, they did–through the words that were written on them. The Native Americans had never seen writing, in fact, their own syllabary was created by Sequoyah in the early 1800’s and not adopted by the Cherokees until 1821. Inside of this establishment, the written words on “leaves” still speak. The pages here tell the secrets, spiritual beliefs, and practices of Native Americans, as well as the happy times and sad events in their history. In addition, one can find publications about historical figures, outlaws, and many other highly esteemed men and women who have made a difference in the lineage of all Native Americans. The Native Americans’ colorful past as well their hopes for the future are both topics that are well stocked in this great little store. Taking the time to read about what one will see in this little town can transform the perspective on the Cherokee experience. Unto These Hills tell a story
If you are more of a casual learner, plan on attending a performance of Unto These Hills. This play, written in 1952, is the nation’s second longest-running outdoor drama and is performed nightly at the beautiful Mountainside Theater. The history of the Cherokees is played out by local residents and is an eye-opening, yet entertaining, history lesson. While watching the descendants of those whom the story is really about, it is difficult not to realize how intimately the races are connected. The truth delivered in this play is sobering and educational, yes, but packaged in fresh air, stars, and drama, it’s more touching than any account in any history book you’ll ever read.
Before the show, be sure to enjoy dinner at Paul’s Family Restaurant. Paul's Family Restaurant
Don’t worry, a seat on the deck near the little stream with its rushing water will drown out the traffic on the main drag–trust me on this. The waitress was right: the flatbread tacos were awesome! And for dessert, give yourself permission to enter at least one tourist shop like the Cherokee Fudge & More. It’s just across the street from the parking lot for the shuttle to the play. I don’t know about the “More” but, the “Fudge” will melt in your mouth.
The Native American people are such a wondrous group. They have weathered many storms and managed to retain a remnant of their heritage in today’s modern world. They are actively seeking to maintain their culture and traditions that have supported their walk. I’m sure that their belief in the Great Spirit has something to do with their resiliency in our society and in their every day lives–and after all, isn’t that where the rubber hits the road? — Iris Lloyd, feature writer
Note: Paul’s Family Restaurant, 1111 Tsali Boulevard, Cherokee, NC
Note: This is cross-posted from the Energion Publications Announcements blog. Only the first and fourth part of the series were corss-posted here. Links to all four parts of the series are given in the introduction below.
Pastor Patrick Badstibner is founder of World Prayr (on Twitter). Pat has been providing us with a monthly blog post, but I’m pleased to be able to present this blog post, the second in a series of four weekly posts by Pat, to our Energion Publications family.
Check the World Prayr organization and the World Prayr devotional blog as well. You’ll find a dynamic and growing group of Christians who are practicing the second great command, to love their neighbors as themselves, and thereby practicing the first command as well.
In the first part of this series we mentioned that we would be looking at three different sayings pastors today seem to be making. We also mentioned we would be visiting with my friends Dave and Paula. In the second part we talked about how to go deeper without making clones. The third part was Unmilitary people are not asking what methods you are using in basic training.
This is the final installment to this four part series. Part one we looked at “multiplication or addition which do you prefer?” In part two we looked at “can you really go deeper without making clones” Part three we covered what “unmilitary people are not asking what methods, techniques are you using in basic training?????” With this post we wrap up and prayerfully bring some clarity to this series if you have not caught on yet, as well as provide some challenges for to grab hold of.
First let’s visit with my friends Dave and Paula one last time. This time though let’s skip ahead a few years and see how the advice and leadership encouragement, that Dave gave to his management team, of not worrying so much about losing repeat customers and keeping on concentrating on adding numbers has worked out.
Today Dave and Paula’s head of operations is bringing him a report on the current state of affairs for the business. Let’s listen in as Robert, Dave’s operation manager, brings him the report.
“Hi Robert, I am excited about getting that report today.”
“Well Dave, as you know we had to close one of our stores at the end of last year.”
“Yes, Robert but that was so we can streamline operations as our competition has really been increasing on us with their aggressive training programs”
“You’re right Dave, however our competition’s training programs and their well trained sales force are really hurting us. Our numbers are down Dave, and our sales force is without a lot of answers, and they don’t have the ability to really share why our company is the right way to go. Dave, are you still sure that concentrating on being radical on getting new numbers, while not being as radical training our sales people how to build and concentrate on developing and maintaining relationships with our existing customers is the way to go?”
As Dave ponders this question and wonders if what he has been concentrating on has been effective in producing results. Let us walk away and look at we have learned and discovered along the way in this series by looking at some challenges and asking ourselves some questions.
“Unchurched” and Discipleship
In the last post we looked at what “unchurched” people are not asking. They are not asking what disciple program you are using. So how do you feel now? Is this the right question? Should we be worrying about what unchurched are not asking???
After all one would not expect or even give thought to what someone who has never served in the military had to say about what basic training is like. Why should those who are to be leading, guiding, protecting, and bringing the flock God has placed under them home be giving thought, credence, or consideration to how ones who do not even understand the purpose of that meeting on Sunday and how it should be conducted, much less what questions they should be asking about that church? That is not to say we should not be taking radical steps to reach those who are not part of the church, but to say we should not be lending an ear to what they think it should be doing and how they feel it should be conducted. That is unless on Sunday morning you are actually not going to church but rather instead going to an evangelistic meeting. Remember the Word of God is not written to those who do not know him but rather it is the love letter to believers from God. Shoot, they cannot even walk in the door, get on their knees and expect God to hear their prayers unless they first come asking for forgiveness and acknowledging a need to do it his way.
In fact if you are a church leader reading this and you are catering your service to the “unchurched,” let me plead with you please begin your service by giving the gospel so that those who accept will receive something from the rest of your message. Otherwise you will have lost the purpose of your service when you consider all things.
If one does know Christ and one is still asking those type of questions, you’re calling oneself “unchurhed” because you’re anti-establishment or you have not found that perfect church. Perhaps it would be more appropriate for the Pastor now to be asking “what type of discipleship program are you involved in? If none, why don’t you come try our church?” That would be better than than worrying about what they are not asking.
I am going to make some more bold and radical statements specifically directed at pastors, ministry leaders and anyone else God has led to a place of leadership in his kingdom.
Radical Statements
Ninety percent of Christians today fall into two categories for going or choosing the church they choose. First category, they are going for entertainment, to feel good. These are usually those who are choosing the mega church, the church that has set itself up for entertainment with loud contemporary music and the mega superstar leader. The second category is those who are still going to the same style church their parents went to or those where they feel they have a grown up daddy.
Here is a tip, the music; video usage, lack of media or too much media has no bearing on the discipleship program of the church. In fact one of the common issues of churches today, whether they use traditional hymns and no video media, or they use contemporary style worship and lots of media, is a lack of a discipleship program that is taking believers in Christ, as the writer of Hebrews said, past the point of needing to be taught, to the point of being able to teach. In fact here are the bold statements: If you are going to a church because you’re comfortable, but you are still at the same point years later where you still need to be taught, it may just be time to move onward and stretch you. Church leaders, pastors, ministry leaders: If any of the above can be said of your leadership perhaps it is time to stop and ask ourselves if we are really doing what God called or led us to do. You have great programs, entertaining uplifting music, radical media and you have no programs that are helping those underneath your leadership become craftsmen of the Word of God or have answers in order to defend their faith. You are still using the same ole, same ole methods you used, or have been using for the last fifty years. One can walk into what you are leading and as a friend of mine said today, they can immediately tell who is leading it.
Important Note Here:
Our job is to lead in such a waythat what you are leading comes to the point it no longer needs you. If those you are leading are still coming to you looking for answers or still directing others to you for answers (Example: I am not sure let me ask my pastor?), you may be missing something here. You want to really lead, develop an intensive discipling, training program that enables those who are sitting under it to have answers as to why they believe what they believe. Be as radical in your discipleship as you are in your outreach programs.
Some Direct Challenges
Pastor, let me challenge you to remember the purpose of gathering together.
Church member, let me encourage you by asking you to pray that you will grow in understanding and spiritual insight.
Pastors, don’t try to make your church the happening place. Teach less on leadership and more on the basic doctrinal tenets of the faith and along the way you may just discover you have built and developed some leaders.
Church attendees, stop looking for the happening place, the place that charges your emotional batteries, the place you leave feeling good, and start looking for a body of believers who are supporting, loving, pushing, encouraging, changing, and motivating each other to greater works and love.
Perhaps ask of that church “what type of discipleship programs are you using?”
Here’s another question right now. If a Jehovah’s Witness asked you “why do you believe in the trinity?” could you provide an answer? Is your church teaching you how to answer? If not, what are they teaching you if they are not teaching you how to defend your faith? Church ministry leader, if the majority of those God has given you cannot answer the above question, stop patting yourself on the back as though you’re doing a good job because you’re counting your conversions. Stop justifying your lack of doing your job with the same excuses that have been given in this series. If you are in leadership in God’s kingdom and you are not mentoring, discipling and encouraging those you are leading to the point they are able to teach, you are failing.
Pastors please consider using not only radical steps in reaching the “unchurched”; trust me, the same ole, same ole is not getting it done, but also using the same radical efforts in building and developing systems to push, pull, challenge, motivate, and encourage those God has put in your charge.
World Prayr family member, World Prayr leadership believes so strongly in that part of World Prayr’s mission it is aggressively doing and taking steps to be in the business of making true disciples; not counting conversions . That not only have we created a page for discipleship resources here: http://worldprayr.org/page/resources
We are also building a pastoral team for that purpose and we will be working with other ministries toward that purpose. Let me also challenge you to take this series of posts to your pastor or whoever you turn to for leadership and to remember these lessons yourself.
I pray this series has challenged you to understand the need for responsible grace, discipleship, personal responsibility and the role of a church in the growth of the believers life.
Thanks for taking the time to read, and reflect on a message that is and has always been very deep to my heart.
Once or twice in a life time an opportunity comes along to say, “Yes” and a job merges with something that has been a life-long love. I am beginning a season like that. I am humbled that God would give me such a gift.
God has gifted each of us for service in His Kingdom. He did not pick out gifts haphazardly. He did not ‘match up’ gifts and child randomly. He has a plan. He has a purpose for our lives.
Peter was the leader in the family fishing business. In order for the family to survive, Peter must have had physical strength and tenacity to do whatever needed to be done. He would have fished in roasting heat and in frigid rain. He fished all night despite no return on his time and effort (John 21). Peter had gifts that gave him the ability to run a business and lead a family. That was the beginning of his service in God’s Kingdom. Peter was faithful in the ‘small thing’ of his family and so God gave him more as a leader in the Church. Was he perfect? Had Peter taken leadership classes and gained certificates and diplomas of achievement prior to his appointment by Jesus? Uh, no. In fact, Peter probably would not have been recommended for ordination or approved by the nominating committee to be in leadership in most churches. He did not support the status quo.
Mary Magdalene would not be beaten down or humiliated into keeping quiet. The assurance of Jesus’ forgiveness meant more than any approval from others. She was fearless to serve in spite of opposition. Her reputation was meaningless to her.
Paul had it all. (Read 2 Corinthians 11) He had a plan on a path for his life. Jesus knocked Paul off that plan. I do not think it is any surprise that Paul’s letters include testimonies about how he wanted to go visit a church there and God said, “No” and sent him here instead. Paul thought he would evangelize the Jews and God sent him to the Gentiles.
God will frequently mess up my plans. When He takes me from an area in which I believe myself to be strong and places me ‘out of my comfort zone’ so that I feel weak, then He is the only one who gets credit for the success. In my weakness, I rely on God to bring me through and direct my path. That is where God wants me to kneel so that He can lift me up to stand firm in Him.
God has gifted us to build His Kingdom. To not use His gifts for what He intended is, at best, a miss on the blessings and, at worse, disobedience. Will I worship (Romans 12) my LORD and Savior in my answer to His call? Or will I say, “No.”
Renee Crosby sharing her passion for Jesus at a recent book signing.BSP: Soup Kitchen for the Soul begins as your testimony about how you found a closer relationship with God when you served at a local soup kitchen. What did you do at the soup kitchen? RC: It began with my husband and me standing behind the glass serving partition and just spooning out food. My son, then 6-years-old, was standing at the front of the serving line greeting each person. We dropped in over the next two weeks and helped out. BSP: How long had you been helping at the kitchen before you ‘got it’? RC: It was almost 9 months. I remember standing at a work table, de-boning a turkey, listening to a woman tell her story. She had left home at 13 and was homeless for the next eight years. “Then I hit rock bottom,” she said. I thought, “What?!! Then you hit rock bottom?” She said she got involved in drugs and that is when she had no where to go but to God. Even though my life had been different than hers, I, too, had come to God when I “ had no where to go but to God”. I finally ‘got it’ that we all come to God the same – with nothing to offer Him in and of ourselves. BSP: What is Christian Pep Rally? RC: Christian Pep Rally, Inc. (CPR) is a non-profit ministry focused on encouraging Christian passion. We organize regional Christian conferences to show the world we are united, excited people for Christ! Through our regional all-denominational conference events we desire to be an instrument of the Holy Spirit to bring Christians and seekers together to worship, and inspire and motivate Christians to live a life aligned with Godly vision and focus.
At our events we also raise money for local charities and collect items for the communities. We do not want it to be just an event but the jump start of an initial community outreach or the encouragement for greater ongoing outreach of Christ’s love. BSP: How did Christian Pep Rally come about? RC: God gave me a vision to motivate the laity in a venue separate from inside the Church. That was in September 2009. We have had several regional conferences since then. Now after prayerful consideration, our Board of Directors has expanded our outreach to respond, not just in major conferences, but to say, “We will come to your church and share with 10 people or 50 people!” We want to ask the question, “Who is your coach?” It is not your pastor. He is the assistant coach. Jesus is the coach. He is the One who has the plays and brings us on to victory. BSP: You and your family will soon be moving to Colorado. What is next for you there? RC: Revival is next. It has been hard for me to see the end of this ‘season’ in Florida but God has faithfully given me a look into what can be if I am willing ‘to go’. I am praying that I stay ‘hungry’ and can pass that hunger on to others.
and leadership encouragement, that Dave gave to his management team, of not worrying so much about losing repeat customers and keeping on concentrating on adding numbers has worked out.
In fact one of the common issues of churches today, whether they use traditional hymns and no video media, or they use contemporary style worship and lots of media, is a lack of a discipleship program that is taking believers in Christ, as the writer of Hebrews said, past the point of needing to be taught, to the point of being able to teach. 
BSP: You and your family will soon be moving to Colorado. What is next for you there?
