There was a time, just a few centuries ago, when nautical maps of Europe
had legends that included the location of churches on land. Church
steeples doubled as navigational tools for ship captains. Churches were
typically built on choice real estate in the center of town or atop the
highest hill. And in some places, there were ordinances against building
anything taller than the church steeple so it would occupy the place
closest to heaven. Nothing was more visible on the pre-modern skyline
than church steeples. And in a sense, church steeples symbolized the
place of the church in culture. There was a day, in the not too distant
past, when church was the center of culture. Church was the place to go.
Church was the thing to do. Nothing was more visible than the church
steeple. Nothing was more audible than the church bells. And it might
be a slight exaggeration, but all the pre-modern church had to do was
raise a steeple and ring a bell.
Is it safe to say that things have changed?
The church no longer enjoys a cultural monopoly! We are the minority
in post-Christian America. And the significance of that is this: we can’t
afford to do church the way it’s always been done. Our incarnational
tactics must change.
Don’t get me wrong: the message is sacred. But methods are not. And the
moment we anoint our methods as sacred, we stop creating the future
and start repeating the past. We stop doing ministry out of imagination
and start doing ministry out of memory. And if we think that raising the
steeple or ringing the bells will get the job done; the church in America
will end up right where the Israelites found themselves in Judges 2:10:
After that generation died, another generation grew up who
did not acknowledge the Lord or remember the mighty things
he had done for Israel.
According to George Barna, 61% of twenty-somethings who grew
up going to church stop going to church at some point during their
twenties. They become dechurched. They still feel connected to God in
some form or fashion, but there is a disconnect with organized religion
and the institutional church. And for one reason or another, they are
checking out of the church at an alarming rate.
I love the church. I believe in the church.
Some people hear statistics like the one just cited — 61% of twenty-
somethings that grew up in church leave the church — and they wonder
what’s wrong with this generation. I think that’s the wrong reaction. I
can’t help but wonder what’s wrong with the church.
In the words of Pogo: we have seen the enemy and he is us.
As long as the
church stays on the
periphery, our culture will
never experience an epiphany.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, June 13, 2008
Ten Simple Things to Change Your Day
1. Get healthier
Eat smaller portions
Eat 5-6 times daily
Stay hydrated
Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity if you’re really serious
2. Call a past customer and ask what you could do to get him or her back.
3. Send a thank you note.
4. Write a personal note of encouragement to someone on your team.
5. Plan your day the night before or first thing in the morning.
6. Schedule accomplishment, not activity.
7. Read, study, pray for the first 30 minutes of each day.
8. Do one intentional act of kindness for a family member, friend or stranger.
9. End the day remembering all the good things that happened.
10. Tell someone you love them.
Let me know how your day went!
Eat smaller portions
Eat 5-6 times daily
Stay hydrated
Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity if you’re really serious
2. Call a past customer and ask what you could do to get him or her back.
3. Send a thank you note.
4. Write a personal note of encouragement to someone on your team.
5. Plan your day the night before or first thing in the morning.
6. Schedule accomplishment, not activity.
7. Read, study, pray for the first 30 minutes of each day.
8. Do one intentional act of kindness for a family member, friend or stranger.
9. End the day remembering all the good things that happened.
10. Tell someone you love them.
Let me know how your day went!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Ten Common Qualities of Effective Churches
It has been my extreme privilege during the past month or so to visit some great churches… some churches that are really firing on all cylinders. I was thinking about my visits the past few days and decided that there were some similarities in these churches that I really should write down. At least six of these churches have reported over 250 decisions for Christ over the past year. In my opinion, with that many conversions per year, that should place these churches in at least the top 5% of churches who are making a real Kingdom impact in the country today. Here are some serious (and not so serious) observations about these churches:
1. Each church has a pastor with a vision. And it’s not just that these pastors have a vision… it’s that they have a gift for communicating that vision to their staff and their entire church. While it might not be a surprise to anyone that churches that ‘get it’ have pastors who ‘get it’, it is a glaring similarity among these churches: their pastors are great leaders with a great vision.
2. Each church hires almost exclusively from within. Most every staff member of these churches was hired from within. When asked if this was intentional, most said that it was. Here’s the deal: most of these churches do a tremendous job of training leaders and empowering people in ministry. When that happens, the cream rises to the top, and that’s how they find their best staff people. Most do not have church staff experience, but rather bring their expertise from another area of business or commerce. And, I have to say, these are some sharp people.
3. Speaking of staff, the staff of these churches ‘get it’ too. The staff in these churches are very loyal to their church and to their leadership. These are people that have a long history with the church; and they are totally sold on the mission, vision and values of their church. They also view their job not only as to serve God, and the church; but also to come along side and support the vision and leadership of the senior pastor. These churches have very loyal staff.
4. A larger percentage of their staff (or staff wives) are pregnant. Just an observation here… but there are a lot of staff pregnancies at these churches. I’ve done no official polling or investigation here… it’s just a trend I’m seeing in these churches that ‘get it’.
5. These churches and pastors don’t have a clue what they’re doing. No really… more than one of the senior pastors told me something to the effect of “I really have no idea what I’m doing.” But, they’re having a great time doing it! Most of these leaders have never led a church larger than what they’re currently pastoring. One pastor said, “I’ve never even attended a church like this one.” They expressed the amount of faith they need to place in God just to lead where they are. In other words, they don’t have it all figured out!
6. Since they don’t have it all figured out, these pastors all shared with me their desire to connect with other leaders who can help mentor them. Each and every leader I’ve spoken to has asked in one way or another, “Who are some people that you think I should talk with?” In other words… who are the people out there that can help mentor me? Another encouraging thing is that these pastors are also excited about mentoring others.
7. These churches are not shy about sharing resources. Each one of these churches that I visited share their stuff with others freely. These aren’t a group of stingy churches… they are sold on their mission; and at the same time want to help other churches and their leaders however they can. Some are becoming ‘teaching churches’ who actively put the ‘helping other churches’ right in their DNA as a part of their identity and mission.
8. Most all of these pastors are bloggers. Not sure what the correlation is here; but four out of the six senior pastors are active bloggers. Some blog more to their church audience; others blog for other church leaders. Many of these churches have multiple church staff blogs. And the influence of their blogs and voice is expanding.
9. These churches are not afraid to make tough calls. If they see a ministry that needs cut, they’ll cut it. A staff member that’s not pulling his/her weight? They’ll reassign them or help ‘free their future’. They are not afraid to make gutsy and/or controversial calls. And best of all, it is their vision and mission that make these decisions, according to them, much easier.
10. Numbers are important to them. Each and every one of them. Because each person represents someone that Jesus died for, they make an effort to count that person because that person matters. While numbers is not the end-all measurement; it does provide insight into the amount of ministry and serves as one stat to how well you are achieving your ministry goals. As I said, each of these churches have counted at least 250 conversions in the past year. That’s something to count and get excited about.
Am I saying that these churches are flawless? Not by any means. And their pastors would tell you the same thing. I am saying that after visiting these churches fairly closely together that these are some of the common threads that I see. Take them for what they are worth, and see how many of these things these churches have in common with your church. It could be an interesting exercise!
1. Each church has a pastor with a vision. And it’s not just that these pastors have a vision… it’s that they have a gift for communicating that vision to their staff and their entire church. While it might not be a surprise to anyone that churches that ‘get it’ have pastors who ‘get it’, it is a glaring similarity among these churches: their pastors are great leaders with a great vision.
2. Each church hires almost exclusively from within. Most every staff member of these churches was hired from within. When asked if this was intentional, most said that it was. Here’s the deal: most of these churches do a tremendous job of training leaders and empowering people in ministry. When that happens, the cream rises to the top, and that’s how they find their best staff people. Most do not have church staff experience, but rather bring their expertise from another area of business or commerce. And, I have to say, these are some sharp people.
3. Speaking of staff, the staff of these churches ‘get it’ too. The staff in these churches are very loyal to their church and to their leadership. These are people that have a long history with the church; and they are totally sold on the mission, vision and values of their church. They also view their job not only as to serve God, and the church; but also to come along side and support the vision and leadership of the senior pastor. These churches have very loyal staff.
4. A larger percentage of their staff (or staff wives) are pregnant. Just an observation here… but there are a lot of staff pregnancies at these churches. I’ve done no official polling or investigation here… it’s just a trend I’m seeing in these churches that ‘get it’.
5. These churches and pastors don’t have a clue what they’re doing. No really… more than one of the senior pastors told me something to the effect of “I really have no idea what I’m doing.” But, they’re having a great time doing it! Most of these leaders have never led a church larger than what they’re currently pastoring. One pastor said, “I’ve never even attended a church like this one.” They expressed the amount of faith they need to place in God just to lead where they are. In other words, they don’t have it all figured out!
6. Since they don’t have it all figured out, these pastors all shared with me their desire to connect with other leaders who can help mentor them. Each and every leader I’ve spoken to has asked in one way or another, “Who are some people that you think I should talk with?” In other words… who are the people out there that can help mentor me? Another encouraging thing is that these pastors are also excited about mentoring others.
7. These churches are not shy about sharing resources. Each one of these churches that I visited share their stuff with others freely. These aren’t a group of stingy churches… they are sold on their mission; and at the same time want to help other churches and their leaders however they can. Some are becoming ‘teaching churches’ who actively put the ‘helping other churches’ right in their DNA as a part of their identity and mission.
8. Most all of these pastors are bloggers. Not sure what the correlation is here; but four out of the six senior pastors are active bloggers. Some blog more to their church audience; others blog for other church leaders. Many of these churches have multiple church staff blogs. And the influence of their blogs and voice is expanding.
9. These churches are not afraid to make tough calls. If they see a ministry that needs cut, they’ll cut it. A staff member that’s not pulling his/her weight? They’ll reassign them or help ‘free their future’. They are not afraid to make gutsy and/or controversial calls. And best of all, it is their vision and mission that make these decisions, according to them, much easier.
10. Numbers are important to them. Each and every one of them. Because each person represents someone that Jesus died for, they make an effort to count that person because that person matters. While numbers is not the end-all measurement; it does provide insight into the amount of ministry and serves as one stat to how well you are achieving your ministry goals. As I said, each of these churches have counted at least 250 conversions in the past year. That’s something to count and get excited about.
Am I saying that these churches are flawless? Not by any means. And their pastors would tell you the same thing. I am saying that after visiting these churches fairly closely together that these are some of the common threads that I see. Take them for what they are worth, and see how many of these things these churches have in common with your church. It could be an interesting exercise!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Remolding Your Whole House
A friend of mine has a 55-year-old kitchen. Because of the increasingly busy pace of his life, he had let things go until there was no practical remedy except to tear everything out and start over. The project has involved a lot of research on kitchens to see what is available. He then had to brace himself for the sound and sight of the old being smashed, torn out and discarded. Then he had to be focused on executing the plan that has been prayerfully and painstakingly laid out, knowing he would need perseverance to see the project through to completion.
In some ways, my life is like his kitchen. I have decided to survey the condition of my life to make sure I'm not letting things go until drastic change is required! In my recent study of the Book of Hebrews I have been challenged to research the lives of others as role models for my own life, to tear out and repent of sin that impedes the effectiveness of my Christian life, and to refocus on the goal of a life lived for God's glory and honor, a life that brings Him pleasure as it reflects His own Son.
Isn't it time you surveyed the condition of your life? Then join me in this late summer’s resolution that lasts a lifetime.
RESEARCH YOUR PROJECT ...
By Remembering the Saints
Read Hebrews 12:1
From the following Scriptures, list one or more outstanding characteristics of each of these saints named in Hebrews 11 that serve as an inspiration and example for your life: Abel—Hebrews 11:4 and Genesis 4:1-8; Enoch—Hebrews 11:5-6 and Genesis 5:21-24; Noah—Hebrews 11:7 and Genesis 6:5-22; Abraham—Hebrews 11:8-19, and Genesis 12:1-5; Isaac—Hebrews 11:20 and Genesis 22:1-14; Jacob—Hebrews 11:21 and Genesis 32:22-32; Joseph—Hebrews 11:22 and Genesis 37:23-28, 50:15-21; Moses—Hebrews 11:24-28 and Exodus 4:1-12; Joshua—Hebrews 11:30 and Joshua 3:1-8, 10, 14; Rahab—Hebrews 11:31 and Joshua 2:1-14, 6:20-25.
What one characteristic did each of these saints have in common? Give the phrase from Hebrews 11 that emphasizes the importance of this characteristic. What do you need to do to make it a defining characteristic of your life?
What do you think was the motivation for these saints to live as they did? Give phrases from Hebrews 11 as the basis for your answer.
TEAR OUT THE OLD ...
By Repenting of Your Sin
REPENT OF HINDRANCES
From the following verses, list things that can hinder you from living out your commitment to Christ: Matthew 6:24; Matthew 6:25-27; 2 Timothy 1:7; 2 Timothy 1:8; 2 Timothy 2:16, 23; 2 Timothy 4:10;
1 John 1:6; 1 John 2:15-16; Revelation 3:15-17.
What other specific things are hindering you?
What will you do today to "throw off everything that hinders" you from living a life pleasing to God this year?
REPENT OF ENTANGLEMENTS
What sins are tripping you up now and will continue to do so this next year as you seek to live for Christ? List the sins named in Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 4:25, 31; Ephesians 5:3-4; 2 Timothy 3:1-5; Revelation 2:4. Which of these sins are entangling you? Ask God to reveal any other sin that is preventing you from living a life pleasing to Him.
What similar command is given in Hebrews 12:1; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:5, 8-10? Describe practically how you will obey this command.
FOCUS ON THE GOAL ...
By Refocusing on the Savior
Read Hebrews 12:2
REFOCUS ON HIS PURPOSE
What phrase indicates how long your "remodeling project" will last?
What do you need to build into your life to make sure that you see your project through to the end so that you finish well?
What phrase indicates that God has a specific, unique purpose for your life? How does Ephesians 2:10 confirm this?
What is God's ultimate purpose for your life, according to Ephesians 1:5? Romans 8:29?
What do you believe is the specific race God has marked out for you that enables you to fulfill His ultimate purpose?
REFOCUS ON HIS PERSON
What evidence do we have that Jesus, as the Author of our faith, lived by faith when He was on earth? See Matthew 4:1-4; John 1:1, 14; Philippians 2:6-7; Hebrews 2:10, 4:15.
How does Jesus' own experience of living by faith give Him credibility in your eyes as you seek to do the same?
How does Philippians 1:6 encourage you that He is not only the Author but also the Perfecter of your faith?
How does Hebrews 13:7-8 encourage you when you reflect back on the saints in Hebrews 11?
REFOCUS ON HIS PERSEVERANCE
What was the ultimate purpose for Jesus' life, according to John 17:1, 4? What was His specific purpose, according to Matthew 1:21; John 3:16, 14:6, 17:2-3? Was this purpose easily accomplished, according to Hebrews 12:3-4?
What are some of the obstacles Jesus faced as He ran His "race," according to Matthew 4:1-2, 8:20, 11:2-3, 12:22-24; John 8:56-59; Matthew 16:21-23, 26:1-5, 26:14-16; John 18:12; Matthew 27:26, 27-31; John 19:16-18?
What are some of the obstacles you face as you seek to fulfill this resolution for a lifetime?
What was Jesus' ultimate goal that enabled Him to persevere? Compare Hebrews 12:2 with 1:9.
What do you think His joy was? See Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 13:44, Luke 15:7.
Having surveyed the "kitchen" of your life, are you long overdue for ...
a major overhaul?
a clean sweep?
a limited remodeling?
or simple, minor repairs?
After doing the "research," would you begin today with the tear-out, keeping your focus on the end result, which is a fresh, more efficient and effective lifetime commitment that brings God glory as it reflects His Son, Jesus?
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Run To the Shepherd
Hey friends,
I am wondering a couple of things here; Do you ever wonder if the life you live is REALLY worth the fight? Do you "say" to everyone around you that you trust God's provison but "live" as if you have no clue?
WHEW!! I thought I was the only one there for a minute........
“God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day.”
Luke 18:7
Jesus tends to his sheep. And he will tend to you.
If you will let him. How? How do you let him? The steps are so simple.
First, go to him. David would trust his wounds to no other person but God. He said, “You anoint my head with oil” (Ps. 23:5 NKJV). Not, “your prophets,” “your teachers,” or “your counselors.”
Your second step is to assume the right posture. Bow before God.
In order to be anointed, the sheep must stand still, lower their heads, and let the shepherd do his work. Peter urges us to “be humble under God’s powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes” (I Pet. 5:6).
When we come to God, we make requests; we don’t make demands. We come with high hopes and a humble heart. We state what we want, but we pray for what is right. We go to him. We bow before him, and we trust in him.”
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