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

Who's on Your Team?

Last night I watched my Dallas Mavericks wrap up their first NBA Championship. I say "championship" with certainty and "first" with hope. Much of the local sports talk has been that it was a victory of a TEAM that played together, depended on each other, had one another's backs, didn't care who had the ball at crunch time ... and, other than Dirk Nowitzki, had no superstars. The other team seemed to be a collection of superstars that couldn't figure out how the pieces fit together. They couldn't decide which one of them should be the "go-to" guy and take the game over, imposing his will to win on his teammates and his opponents alike. I am not jumping on the "evil Miami Heat" bandwagon. I am just intrigued by what it meant for the Mavs' MVP to have a TEAM. Dirk had arguably his worst game of the entire playoffs. At the end of the first half, he had 3 points and had missed 11 of 12 shots. Yet, amazingly, his TEAM held the lead. They scored when they needed to, they played monster defense, and they never lost trust in him when he was missing all those shots. When he found his shot in the second half and scored 18 points, his TEAM kept doing what they had done before and scored 34. If you are a leader in your church, ministry, or organization--especially if you are the senior leader--I have some crucial questions for you:

Who's on your TEAM? Who has your back? Who can you count on to step up when you are not at peak performance? Who trusts you enough to keep passing you the ball until you find your shot?

If you can come up with a few names in answer to those questions, good for you! So, how are you using your TEAM to increase the effectiveness of your church or organization? What help to you need to develop that kind of TEAM? With an Eye on the Harvest, Gerry

Vision or Memory?

Almost 20 years ago, I had a good friend come and conduct a Sunday School teachers' training for the church where I had been pastor for a few months. As a part of the weekend of training, he asked an open ended question ... What is your vision for your church? It was surprising (or maybe not) that many of the answers given had a common theme. The vision that folks had was for the church to be like it was when they were growing up. It made for an interesting discussion of the difference between vision and memory. Now, as a teenager of the late 1970's, I can tell you without reservation that the best music ever recorded happened in that time period (ok, maybe with the exception of the disco thing). You don't agree? Must be because you are not in my age bracket. I can also look back and tell you some really meaningful and powerful connections that churches made in my formative years. It is tempting to look back and say that things would be better if we would only go back to _________________ (you fill in the blank). Here's the question ... Are you living out of vision or memory? Can you identify where God is leading you and your congregation (or ministry organization)? Or do you have to rely on memory to identify the work of God? I am reminded of the words of Philippians 3:13-14 ... But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus. (Holman Christian Standard Bible). One more question ... how can your memory serve you in moving forward into the vision to which God is calling you? I would love to hear your answers. With an eye on the harvest, Gerry

No Fear

Do you remember the No Fear t-shirts and stuff from a few years back? I think the idea was about living life on the edge ... taking risks ... going out on a limb ... getting out of your comfort zone. It was kind of inspiring and they had some really cool logos. Those of us who have opportunities to speak to churches and other ministries can talk a good game when it comes to challenging people to get out of their comfort zones. But when our own comfort zones are challenged, the game changes ... our fears show up ... we begin risk analysis ... we step back from the edge ... security and safety come to the fore ... and before long, we suffer vision paralysis. When vision paralysis sets in, we begin to become guided by what it will cost rather than what the Lord is asking us to do. We worry more about what a failed risk will cost than we do about what the status quo will cost. We begin reacting to the whims of people rather than responding to the inspiration of the Spirit of God. I did a quick concordance search (NIV) to see how many times the words do not fear or do not be afraid show up in Scripture. The answer - 69 and 18. Then I did a search to see how many times be careful and be safe and be cautious show up. The answer - 50, 3, and 0. None of the "be safe" occurrences were commands. They were all in the middle of a larger phrase ... you will be safe ... I will be safe ... no one will be safe. Most of the occurrences of "be careful" did not give the idea of caution, but of attention and focus ... be careful to do ... be careful to follow ... be careful not to neglect. Certainly this is not an exhaustive and systematic study of Scripture, but I think it gives a pretty good indication that God usually doesn't encourage us to put our energy into playing it safe. It was actually a sermon that I preached a little over 3 years ago on living dangerously that boosted me out of my comfort zone of being a Senior Pastor and led me out onto this skinny branch of seeking to empower vision and impact in leaders and churches. So, here's the question of the day - What are you afraid of? What ministry are you afraid to begin? What conversation are you afraid to have? What passion are you afraid to pursue? What step are you afraid to take? And what is the Lord saying to you about it? With an eye on the harvest ...

Looking Through New Lenses

Eight years ago I went to the doctor to see if he could fix an unfortunate impediment ... my arms had gotten too short. I couldn't hold a book far enough away to read it. That guy didn't even look at my arms. He suggested that I needed bifocals. To see life as I wanted to, I needed to look at it through new lenses. Two years ago, after a few months into my new ministry as Director of Missions of Harvest Baptist Association, I started writing this blog. An Eye on the Harvest was born out of my desire to celebrate what the Lord was doing in our churches. The idea was that the sharing of stories of what happened in one church might be an encouragement to other churches. Rather than focusing on what we need, we would focus on how we see the Lord at work. It is the idea of looking at church life through new lenses. After a few months, I began using this blog to share some things regarding the mission, vision, and values of Harvest Baptist Association. We were looking at the association through new lenses. Well, it is time to look through new lenses again. I still plan to celebrate and share stories as the Lord gives me opportunity. I still plan to focus on sharing the mission, vision, and values of our missional network of churches. But I also have sensed the Lord's direction to look through new lenses once more. In the weeks and months ahead, this blog will focus on Empowering Kingdom Focused Vision for leaders of churches and other religious organizations who choose to network with us. I love sharing my vision and passion. But what excites me even more is the vision and passion I have for encouraging and empowering your vision and passion. I can't wait to share this journey with you.

Change the Question

I have been thinking about blogging this idea for awhile. "So," you may ask, "what has kept you from it?" If you were to ask that question, you are already ahead of me. Sometimes we get stuck because we either stop asking questions OR we ask the wrong question. There are all kinds of applications to life, but I want to focus these few lines on our churches. Not long ago, I had a conversation with someone about some issues in that person's home church. Here are the some of the questions they were asking: Why are people leaving our church ... How can we get those that left to come back ... What's the problem? Now, I am not suggesting that those are not legitimate questions. I am suggesting there is a question that is more powerful. Why would anyone want to come to our church? That question is not a criticism (unless we can't come up with a single answer for it). It is a way of refocusing. Here are some other ways to ask the same question: What do we have to offer ... What do we do well ... What are our strengths ... What sets us apart ... How is God "showing up" in our church? You see, this is not just a powerful question for a struggling church. This is even a powerful question for a growing church. Imagine what we might learn if we asked a new church member, "What drew you to our church?" Do you think it might empower our people if they heard that their lives and ministry investment actually impacted someone's life in a positive way? Do you think it might help us know how to be good stewards of our resources if we found out what ministries are truly having an impact (and maybe which ones aren't)? Do you think it might assist in the assimilation process if new members saw themselves as valuable resources to help the church expand its ministries rather than new blood (and money) to support current ministries? What questions do you want to ask? What's keeping you from asking them?

Kingdom-Focused Vision

BF and AF are new markers in my historical timeline. Since the electrical fire that destroyed our Harvest Baptist Association Mission Center on July 11, many conversations now reference things before the fire and after the fire. One thing that is not fire-related is my conviction that we are to be focused on the Kingdom of God and that we should celebrate Kingdom-focused vision whenever it shows up. In the past week, I have seen two examples of Kingdom-focused vision at work. Our New Church/Mission Starting Team met last week with the pastor of a new church plant, Country Church in Runaway Bay. This new church has been blessed with the gift of a church building and six acres of land (debt free). The gift came from a non-denominational church that had ceased to be viable, but had a kingdom vision that extended beyond their own life cycle. The local congregation no longer exists, but the kingdom-focused vision carries on through the birthing of a new congregation that will be a participating member of HBA. A few days later, a representative group from our Executive Ministry Team met with a group of leaders from Primera Iglesia Bautista in Decatur. We met in the building that is being given (debt free) to this growing congregation by another congregation that had completed its life cycle and was no longer viable. Primera now has room to continue to grow and expand. Their vision is to grow in that current location and to start new missions and ministries ... and to use their former facilities to bless another ministry, continuing the Kingdom-focused vision that has been a blessing to them. The purpose of our meeting was to facilitate their becoming a participating member congregation of HBA. Two struggling congregations reached the end of their life cycle with assets that could either be divided up and sold off OR could be invested in the Kingdom of God. They chose the latter. So what can we learn from this? Probably many things, but the number one lesson for me is this--missions, ministries, programs, and congregations all have a life span. The Kingdom of God is eternal. A vision that is Kingd0m-focused enables us to see beyond the life span and invest in eternity. Where is your vision focused?

Got Life? - Vision, Part 5

This is the final posting on the mission, values, and vision statements posted on the Mission Wall at the HBA Mission Center. Our final statement of vision is ...

Life-sharing congregations that are seeking to live out the Christ-life tangibly.

I am convince that, of all the things we do as Christ-followers, the driving purpose of our lives is to demonstrate the character of Jesus Christ in all we do and say. There is an old saying that says, "You are the only Jesus some people will ever see." While I hope we are not the ONLY Jesus people see, we may be the representation of Christ that determines whether or not they are interested in seeing any more of Him. So, here's the crucial question ... when they look at us, do they see more of us or more of Him? The Apostle Paul said it this way,

"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20, NASB)

In our congregations, are we individually and collectively seeking to live out the Christ-life in a way that tangibly displays His character? Or are we doing our own thing and asking Him to bless it? Are our congregations sharing life or making statements? At the association level, what can we do to encourage one another to be life-sharing Christ-followers? Got life? Share it!

How's Your Focus? - Vision, Part 4

Remember your last vision exam? "Cover your right eye and read the lowest line you can on the chart ... now your left ... good!" If you are like me, a time came in your life when your vision began to need some correction to see clearly. The focus was not what it once was. (We won't mention anything about that being a sign of aging). Whatever the cause, the remedy is proper focus and the doctor has a prescription for helping us focus properly based on his or her expertise and training in the science of sight. So, can the vision of our churches get out of focus? Absolutely! How does it happen? My own personal bias is that it happens when a church gets too focused on ... are you ready for this ... the church! That's right, focusing on the church gets the church out of focus. What are WE going to do? Who are WE trying to reach? What is OUR ministry plan? What are OUR resources? Congregational vision statement number four on the mission wall at the HBA Mission Center says that we have a vision of ...

Kingdom focused congregations that recognize that the kingdom agenda of God extends beyond personal, congregational, associational, or denominational agendas.

Now that doesn't mean that what God is doing in one's personal life is not important. Nor does it mean that congregational, associational, and denominational visions and missions are passe. (I certainly don't want anyone to think that I am ready to bail on associational or denominational ministry--especially since God placed me here in HBA for this season of my ministry). What I mean is that we need eyes to see where God is at work in the world and where He might be inviting us to join Him ... are you ready for this ... even if it didn't originate in our yard. Jesus said it this way, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33, NASB). During the 20 years I served as a pastor, I developed a simple philosophy ... if I would focus on the kingdom and keep a kingdom vision always before the church, the Lord Jesus Christ would take care of needs of this congregation. I am convinced that He did and I am convinced that He does. So, how's your focus?

Competitive or Complementary - Vision, Part 3

How much do you resemble your parents? Do you have your mom's nose? Your dad's chin? How about bone structure? Or personality and temperament? Do you demonstrate their values and character qualities? When people look at you, do they observe anything about your heritage? How can people see what God is like? Certainly, they look to the Scriptures and to the person of Christ. But what is the first thing they see? They see the visible representation of Christ in the world - the Body of Christ. They see the Church. And sometimes we bear little resemblance to our Father! We may give a distorted view in many ways, but one of the most common (in my opinion) is in operating in isolated independence. In one of my previous blogs in highlighting the vision statements on the mission wall of the HBA Mission Center, I talked about our vision of autonomous congregations. A common misperception is that autonomous = independent. I don't believe an "independent" congregation is a New Testament congregation. A simple reading of the book of Acts and the letters of Paul should quickly dispel that myth. A congregation my be self-determining of its course under the direction of the Holy Spirit, but no congregation is self-sufficient. Even if a congregation has the resources to function without the assistance of other congregations, there is one thing an individual congregation cannot do ... BE the Body of Christ. Hence, our third congregational vision statement:

Interdependent congregations that are committed to voluntarily and cooperatively doing life and ministry together.

How does your congregation view other congregations? Are you suspicious of their methods and motives? Do you secretly envy their successes? Are you unconcerned toward their struggles? How much time does your congregation spend praying for other congregations who are co-laborers for the sake of the gospel in our communities? How are you joining with other congregations to present the reality of Christ and to be His hands and feet to lost people ... hurting people ... broken people ... ignorant people ... even rebellious people? You see, there are not multiple Bodies of Christ. There is one. And we present a fractured witness when we operate in a competitive way rather than a complementary way. The difference? Competitive is focusing attention on our methods as the right way. Complementary is focusing attention on the sovereign work of God in the world and using our methods and unique gift mix to cooperate in that work. Don't misunderstand me, I am talking about the ministry methods and unique gift mix of each local congregation as being complementary. I am not talking about a wide and unclear theology that distorts the clear message of the gospel. We just need to be sure that our "theological" issues really are based in absolute truth rather than in preferred terminology. The reality is that we need each other. Not because we cannot function separately, but because we should not function separately and present a divided Christ to the world. It seems to me that the association is uniquely poised to assist congregations in operating interdependently by focusing attention on how we can unite our hearts and hands to impact our communities with the reality of Christ. How can we assist you in being an effective member of the Body?

Fad or Foundation? - Vision, Part 2

I can't remember when I first heard the word. I know it has been within the last 3-4 years. I also don't know for sure who said it first. What I do know is that I am hearing it a lot now, with both positive and negative reactions. The word? Missional. I know it probably has an "official" meaning. I also know that people respond to it based on their understanding of that "official" definition. I also know that it has become a label for a certain kind of congregation and I REALLY DON'T LIKE LABELS (missional, attractional, contemporary, traditional, blended, ...). However, I REALLY DO LIKE the word missional. Or I should say I like it the way I define it. My definition is expressed in the second congregational vision statement on the Mission Wall at the HBA Mission Center.

Missional congregations that are on mission to make Christ known in their communities and beyond.

I have been a part of congregations that described themselves as mission-minded (and that is a good thing, by the way). What that means sometimes is that they are committed to giving great prayer and financial support to our "missionaries". One of the hallmarks of Southern Baptist history and practice is our cooperative mission work. We have been the greatest missionary sending entity in the history of Christianity. However, Jesus didn't simply call us to pray and write checks. He called us to pray, to give, and to go. Sometimes that means to go to the other side of the world. Sometimes it means to go to the other side of town. Sometimes it means to go to the other side of the room. Always it means to move from being mission-minded to being on-mission. That is why the role of the association is not to "promote missions" among our congregations, but to assist churches in fulfilling the mission to which they have been called. That means that any congregation--regardless of their worship style ... or organizational structure ... or history ... or ministry plan--can be a missional congregation. If the "official" definition drives you, it might be fad. If you are mission-driven, it is foundation.

Two Down, ?? to Go!

I should have blogged this yesterday, but my plate was too full to add one other task. (By the way, who would have thought just 3 or 4 years ago that there would be such a verb as "blogged"? It actually sounds a little messy). Anyway ... Two years ago yesterday, I began my ministry as Director of Missions of Harvest Baptist Association. My first day on the job was a Sunday and I began by visiting the First Baptist Church in Boyd for the (very spiritual) reason that it was close to my home and I knew where it was. Two years and 47,000 miles later (yes, that is how many miles I have put on my Kia in the past two years) I have finally been to all 62 HBA churches. There are still a couple that I haven't been there for Sunday morning worship, but I have been to all of them for something. Some I have been to on several occasions. In many of them, I have had the privilege of preaching, leading in worship, or singing special (hopefully) music. A few months ago, I sang at the funeral of the mother of one of my close friends. When her pastor read her obituary, he mentioned that she grew up in Montague, went to school in Saint Jo, and graduated from High School in Nocona. As I listened, it amused me that I didn't even know where those places were two years ago. Now, they are a part of my life. Two years ago, I left a pastorate that I loved and only left because God made it abundantly clear that it was His will. Two years later, I stand amazed at the grace He has shown in allowing me to be part of what He is doing in HBA. Two years ago, I worked IN a system. I led (and sometimes pushed) ministries based on the vision and passion God had given me. Now I work ON a system, channeling my passion into assisting congregations with the agenda God has given them and seeking to foster a cooperative and interdependent ministry focus among those congregations. I don't measure success by what someone sees God doing in my visible ministries, but by what someone sees God doing through the ministries of our churches. Today, I heard that a crew from FBC Chico was at work building a ramp for a person in need. I found out about the need last week and sent out an email asking for someone to respond. I didn't know that anyone had taken on that project until it was already in process. Today, God is getting the glory. That may be one of my favorite parts of this ministry ... sharing a need and watching God move. I just want to say thanks to God and to each person who is a part of HBA for allowing me to be your partner in ministry and mission. We've got two years behind us and I am planning and praying for a whole lot more ahead.

And One to Grow On - Wisconsin, Day 3

Does the title of this post bring back memories for you? Unless you had most of your birthdays in the previous century, it probably didn't. If you don't know what I am talking about, I'll leave it to your imagination. We are packing to check out of the hotel, go pick up some Wisconsin cheese, have one final lunch with the DOM of BLBA before we fly out for home this afternoon. Yesterday was a cool and rainy day, so hopefully all the people who complained about the sweltering 80 degrees the day before were more comfortable. One of the pastors (newly elected to our Partnership Planning Group) picked us up at the hotel and drove us to Manitowoc to look at a possible new location for the only Southern Baptist Church there. New Beginnings Baptist Church is about 4 years old. It began in a living room and has been in its current rented facility for about 3 years. They have completely outgrown the building that is only about 1000 square feet (for the entire building). They have about 500 sf for worship space and are already plateaued because there is no more room for worship, a nursery about the size of a restaurant booth, and restroom/storage room/library combination. The church has been trying to find new space for almost a year and has even been in process of trying to purchase a couple of buildings and both have fallen through. Understandably, they are getting discouraged. A couple of weeks ago part of a building next door to their current facility came available for rent. The landlord of that space is their current landlord. We met there yesterday and talked about how the space might be configured for their use. That space would increase their worship space and allow them space for two classrooms, office, nursery, and welcome center. None of the interior walls are load-bearing, and the landlord has given them permission to tear out walls and build new ones in whatever configuration works for them. And, as of our meeting yesterday, he has agreed to a rental cost for the first two years that will actually be less than what they are paying now and will give them almost double the space. As Jerry Clower used to say, "Ain't God good!" Sorry about the Jerry Clower reference for those of you who didn't get "one to grow on". There are a few details to iron out, but it looks like this church will be gaining some much added space. They even have first option on the adjacent space in the same building that is currently occupied by a resale shop. If that were to be available, it would provide a great worship space that would easily allow the church to double in size. It is more than they could handle financially right now, but we will be in prayer that the new space will allow them to grow to the point that they could handle the financial increase. God has been directing this trip in ways that we didn't anticipate, but I believe some good groundwork has been laid. Please pray with us about what happens next.

Getting to Know You - Wisconsin, Day 2

Thursday was "Meeting" Day and it was a hot one. At least the folks from Wisconsin thought so. Every place we went people commented on the temperature. Even the local news channel commented on how it was about 10 degrees above normal for this time of year. The sweltering temperature? 80. With hardly any humidity. Ron and I would have been dancing in the streets if we hadn't been Baptists! We began the day's agenda with a two hour meeting of BLBA pastors. They have this meeting every month and call it their monthly pastor mentoring meeting. What they do is mentor each other. They sometimes study a book together and discuss it. They always pray together about their personal needs, the needs of their churches, and the association. For some of them, this meeting each month is the only contact they have with another pastor. When you are truly isolated, you realize how important those relationships are. Eight of their pastors were present. There are currently only 19 pastors in this 26 county association, so it was a pretty good representation. I would love to see that percentage of our 57 current pastors at our monthly pastor/staff prayer luncheon (that would be 24 if my math is correct). After the prayer time, Dennis Hansen (BLBA DOM) asked me to share about the partnership. I told them how God had put the pieces in place going back to Henry Blackaby challenging me to pray about God's plan for my ministry in August '08, meeting Steve Melvin (Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention) and Dan Casper (BLBA) in October '08, hearing about the BLBA Vision Tour in Jan '09, and my first trip to Wisconsin in June '09. We spent time talking, discussing, answering questions, enjoying each other's company, laughing together, and just getting to know each other as brothers in Christ and potential kingdom partners. We gained a new appreciation for their concerns that (1) people from Texas would come and try to tell them how to do their ministry and (2) people from Texas would come and do things for them and their churches would become dependent. So, part of our conversation was about how we could keep those things from happening. I believe it was truly a fruitful meeting and we are beginning to put some things in place that will bear longterm fruit for the health of both associations and the benefit of all our churches. After enjoying lunch with several of the pastors, we went back for the second meeting of the day. This one was with the administrative team of BLBA. During that meeting, we talked about some financial arrangements that are being made in both associations and BLBA elected three people to serve on the Partnership Planning Group (along with the three that have been elected from HBA). Again, a fruitful meeting that lasted until mid-afternoon. Ron and I drove back to Green Bay and did a little more driving exploration around town. We found the downtown area, drove across one of the drawbridges that crosses the river, and even found a "Beach" Park on the Bay that had a little amusement park with rides, go-carts, a wildlife sanctuary, picnic area, etc. Should one of our churches bring a youth group up here for ministry next summer, it could be a cool place to spend part of a day. The reason "Beach" was in quotations is because the word was in the name, but there was no beach to be seen, unless the word is defined as the grassy, weedy area next to the water. So, my day two reflections go this way. In my 20 years as a pastor, I had quite a few times when the Lord had given me a vision for ministry. I thought about it and prayed about it and spent a lot of time on it for days ... weeks ... sometimes months. When I shared my excitement with the church, the response was often less than enthusiastic. It was not necessarily opposition, they just couldn't be as excited as I was because they hadn't spent all the time thinking and praying about it and they couldn't see it like I saw it. I think it is the same with this partnership both in HBA and in BLBA. We have a couple of DOMs who are pumped. We have spent months thinking, praying, dreaming and (sometimes) forgetting that those we work with haven't been in on all that. That realization helped me explain things to the pastors yesterday because they know what that experience is like. It is a great reminder that the Lord's work is always about people. It is always carried out in relationships. Getting to know one another and trust one another is not preliminary to ministry. It is part of the ministry. I can't wait to see what God is going to do next.