Spring Training

This post continues the thought from my last post considering 4 important questions for congregations.

Question #1 (see previous post) was, "How is your congregation being the church right now?"

Question # 2 (see previous post) was, "What is God doing in this church right now?"

Question #3 - "What are you doing to prepare yourself for the next chapter in your congregation's story?" 

Now, if you have read the previous posts, you may be wondering if I am contradicting them by suggesting that you should be doing something.  Not at all!  The fact that we should focus on what we are being and on what God is doing, doesn't mean that our faith is passive.

The idea of preparation is that we are proactively and intentionally focusing forward.  We are praying for God's guidance.  We are praying for God to open our eyes to the opportunities before us.  We are asking God to show us what we are doing that hinders our readiness for His next work in us.  What do I need to start doing?  What to I need to stop doing?  How ready am I for God to work in me in connection with the mission of His church?

My favorite metaphor for the church is the Body of Christ.  Check out what the Bible says in 1 Corinthians chapter 12.   The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body (v. 12) ... Now the body is not made up of one part but of many (v. 14) ...  But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be (v. 18) ... As it is, there are many parts, but one body (v. 20) ...  that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it (v. 26-27).
That means that my congregation will not be adequately prepared for what is next if I am not prepared for what is next.

We are almost a month into the Major League Baseball season.  Every team had Spring Training before the first game.  They didn't just show up on opening day and expect to be ready for the 162 game season.  They had to prepare individually and as a team.  

What are you in training for?

Hey! Watch This!

This post continues the thought from my last post considering 4 important questions for congregations.

Question #1 (see previous post) was, "How is your congregation being the church right now?"

Question # 2 - What is God doing in this church right now?

When I have asked that question, I usually get one of two responses.  (1) A blank stare because we haven't given a thought to what God might be doing in a long time or (2) An enthusiastic assertion that God is really at work, but we really can't give any example except that we've been able to keep the doors open.

The sad fact is that many Christians have never been told that God is at work and that He wants to show up and show off among His people.  We have only been told what we, as Christians, are supposed to be doing.  

Can I let you in on a secret?  God is not terribly concerned about what you might do for Him.  He is abundantly concerned about what He wants to do in and through you.  In fact, the Bible says that apart from Him we can do nothing.  So that means that if He is not doing something, then whatever we are doing is empty and without meaning.

So, let's re-frame the question.  How is God bringing about His purpose through your congregation?  What unexpected ministry opportunities have arisen?  Whose life is being transformed?  Who is God moving into expanded ministry roles?  How are forgiveness and grace being offered and unity being restored?  How are people being released from bondage to sin and self-centeredness?

These are all works of God.  When you see those things happening, you can say, along with my friend Paul Atkinson, "God showed up."

If you are not seeing those things, either something is standing in the way, or your eyes need to be opened.  God is saying, "Hey! Watch this!"

Are you watching?

To Be or to Attend ... That is the Question

I recently preached to a congregation that is currently searching for a pastor.  In challenging them that day to consider this time of transition, I asked four questions.  As I reflected afterward on those questions, it occurred to me that they are good questions to ask any congregation, whether they have a pastor or not.  So, I'd like to consider those four questions one at a time in this blog for the next few weeks.

Question #1 - How is your congregation being the church right now?

All too often, church members see church as an event or location.  We are going to church Sunday ...  I go to the church on the corner of ... Are we going to Sunday School today or just church?

Common statements, but not very Biblical.  I can find nowhere in the New Testament where "church" is seen as an event to attend or a location to show up at.  The "church" is the company of Christ-followers who meet together for worship and discipleship and disburse for ministry and mission, being the visible representation (Body) of Christ in the world.

It sounds goofy to say it this way, but to say, "I'm going to the church-house to meet with a local gathering (congregation) of my fellow Christ-followers, who make up part of the church, so we can be prepared to go out and be the church in our community and participate in the church beyond our community," might be a more Biblical statement than any of the above.

If all you are doing is meeting, singing, preaching, praying, and teaching in a central location, how is that being the church?  What needs to happen for your congregation to be the church in your context?

What Can We Learn From a Chile Relleno?

During a recent trip to the Southern Baptists of Texas annual meeting in San Antonio, I took the opportunity to eat at one of my long-time favorite restaurants, Mi Tierra.  Actually, I took the opportunity to eat at several of my long-time favorite restaurants, but we won't go there.

At the end of a wonderful meal, which for me was the Poblano Dinner, our waiter asked if he could take a moment to share the mission statement of the Cortez family, who founded the restaurant in 1941.  I can't remember it verbatim but it had to do with glorifying God by providing excellent food, service, and atmosphere.  He shared the mission statement with pride and enthusiasm.

My dining party was 4 guys who have the same ministry as mine.  We work for regional networks of Baptist churches, assisting those churches as ministry partners.  As we prepared to depart the restaurant, we wondered aloud how many members of the churches we work with could recite with pride and enthusiasm their own church's mission statement. How many church leaders could do it?  How many of those churches even have a mission statement?

Someone once said, "If you aim for nothing, you'll probably hit it."  What is your church or ministry organization aiming for?  What is the mission that God has given you?  And how will you achieve it? 

You see, the Cortez family could have simply said they wanted to glorify God in their restaurant.  That's a pretty decent mission and about as far as most churches go with their own mission statements.  But, they didn't stop there.  The put some specific markers in place (a vision statement) for how they would achieve their mission. 

So what can we learn from a chile relleno?  You tell me.

With an eye on the Harvest,

Gerry

A Missional Surprise

I had the opportunity a few days ago to catch up with a long time pastor friend who I haven't seen in a few years.  It was great to hear about what the Lord is doing in his life and in the church he has pastored for the past 23 years.

In the course of the conversation, he told me about several upcoming mission trips that his church is planning.  He also told me about how they have really embraced the idea of being "on mission" in their own community.  He said, "It is amazing how the church's buying into the idea of being on-mission, has eliminated most of the little squabbles over things that don't really matter."

As one who often gets to see the results of both church members and ministry leaders behaving badly, I have come to a pretty firm conclusion: churches who truly embrace the concept of being on-mission don't have a lot of time for petty squabbles.

The opposite is also true: churches who spend all their emotional capital being inwardly focused and conflicted over eternal things like the color of the carpet or musical preferences usually don't have much energy left to focus on being on-mission for Christ.

I love the term "missional", but not so much as a technical term of a certain kind of church.  My definition of "missional" is a congregation that is deliberately on-mission for Christ.  The unexpected surprise of being on-mission is what happens to conflict.  It tends to die from starvation when the focus is our mission.  When the focus is dealing with our conflict, the conflict may consume the mission.

So, here's the question for today:  What would it take for you, personally, to focus on being on-mission for Christ?  What would it take for your church or ministry organization to really focus on the mission?  Who can be your partner is seeking that focus?

With an eye on the Harvest,
Gerry

The Gift of Trust

What are you going to give the members of your team for Christmas this year?  In almost a quarter century of ministry leadership, I have annually given gifts to my ministry associates and assistants.  Sometimes a lot of thought has gone into each gift.  Sometimes it has been a matter of convenience (or a "good deal" on a bulk purchase).  This year's tangible gift has not yet been determined, but I have been thinking about a larger gift that will multiply our ministry.  I suspect there is an application in your ministry setting as well.  I am talking about giving the gift of trust.  By "trust" I mean celebrating and empowering that team member's ministry.


I am thinking of an incident recorded in John 21 when Jesus asked Peter three times,"Do you love me?"  Three times Peter answered in the affirmative and three times Jesus pointed him toward ministry.  "Tend my lambs ... Shepherd my sheep ... Tend my sheep".  This incident came a few days after a colossal failure on Peter's part.  Peter seemed to be convinced that his ministry was over and that his best option was to go back to his previous profession.


I see what Jesus did with Peter as being more of an affirmation than a command.  In a sense, Jesus was saying, "Peter, I trust you.  I value your ministry.  I've got your back."  He didn't promise Peter smooth sailing.  In fact, he promised him martyrdom.  But he also awakened Peter's sense of purpose.

What would it be like is the members of our team knew that we trust them and we value their ministry?  That we don't see them simply as those who assist us with our ministry, but as those with whom we partner for the sake of the Kingdom? 

Whose ministry can you celebrate and empower today?  To whom can you give the gift of trust?

What can we learn from critics?

Not long ago I read this passage in my personal devotional time: Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool (Ecclesiastes 7:5, NLT).  I posted the verse on Facebook, along with this comment: We don't learn much by listening to our fans.  What if we asked God for wise critics?

Seems a little masochistic, doesn't it ... asking God for critics?  But, think about it.  How much have you ever learned from the people who always tell you how wonderful you are?  Our encourages are certainly valuable to us.  We probably spend waaaay too much time serving as the complaint dumping ground.

But, what if we started intentionally asking God what we could learn from those who criticize us?  What if we were able to put our defensiveness on hold and listen for the kernel of truth that may be found within the chaff of a complaint?  What might happen if we see the dissenting voice as valuable?

Certainly, we don't want to just accept and internalize every criticism (just as we don't want to get too puffed up by the kudos).  The key is to be teachable and open to a new perspective that just might show up from an unexpected source.  Are you willing to ask God for wise critics?

With an eye on the Harvest,
Gerry