May 4, 2009
There are times in life that you quickly realize that you are part of something so big – so God ordained – that it stops you in your tracks. It forces you to pause and look at life through an entire different set of lenses. You encounter a picture of God that blows your over simplified vision of who you think God is.
This past weekend . . .was one of those weekends.
Central Christian Church had a "Baptism Celebration" weekend. The vision: Give people an opportunity to get baptized. The Goal: 500 people. The results . . . the impact . . .the movement of God . . . difficult to put into words.
Here is my feeble attempt to share what I learned through this incredible movement of God. (These thoughts are extremely raw. Still trying to process what I experienced the past 2 days.)
- Set a big goal . . .and then expect God to blow it out of the water.
I remember the exact day where the goal of 500 baptisms was thrown out. Wow!! Big. It stretched us. It made us get strategic in all areas of the church. God had an entirely different plan. 500. Small. What did God do? He tripled it.
- Teach Clearly – Simply – with Conviction
Jud Wilhite (our Sr. Pastor) taught one of the best messages on the subject of baptism that I have ever heard. He laid out clearly what the Bible taught. He dispelled traditions that have plagued this action and even held the "church" accountable to their choices (or lack there of). If someone didn't get God's desire for their life . . .they were asleep!
- Take the excuses away
Jud, in his message, laid out a series of "excuses" why people might not want to get baptized that day. He then shared the remedy to their excuse. 1) You don't have clothes with you . . .we have shirts and shorts for you. 2) You don't want to get your car wet . ..we have plastic bags for you to place your wet stuff in. 3) You don't have time . . .we are letting church out early today. (and the list goes on). He then said . . ."If Jesus walked 60 miles to be baptized. If Jesus walked to a cross to die for you. You can walk 100 feet and get wet." Powerful statement. People had no excuse except to follow God's command.
- Let the Mess Ensue (aka – Flexibility)
It is important for me to state this first: The Reach team had this event extremely well organized. They hit the ball out of the park! So this thought doesn't fall under the category of "you don't have to plan and prepare adequately. With that said . . . it was organized chaos. The biggest services brought over 400 people at one time to be baptized. It was crazy at times, but there was a sense of calm that I discovere. People were taking a bold step of faith. They didn't mind. Don't control it. Don't over structure it. Smile and allow the experience to happen.
- PAUSE:
Don't let the bigness and craziness of the weekend stop you from experience the movement of God. I forced myself several times to just stop and watch and allow what was happening in the lives of so many settle deep into my heart. I saw a teenage girl baptize her grandma. I saw multiple dad's baptize their kids. I saw husbands and wives baptize each other. I saw entire families baptized at once. God's movement was mighty and profound.
April 29, 2009
I was in the gym Sunday running on a treadmill. (I hate treadmill's!! I would rather be outside running in hurricane force winds instead of running on a treadmill.) It is the same treadmill that I have been running on for the past week. It is kind of like church . . .you find the exact seat/pew/chair that you like and then you sit in it every Sunday. Well I walked into the gym, went into the movie cardio room (very cool), and started up the treadmill. I had 7 miles to run, so I was going to be there a while. Over the past week I had noticed the cardio machine right next to me was out of commission. Let me be clear. There wasn't a sign on the treadmill stating that it was "out of commission". It wasn't unplugged. Countless people would walk onto this treadmill, try to start it and discover that there was a message scrolling across the screen in red letters.
Motor Failure
Each person would push several buttons, quickly give up, and would leave to find another treadmill. I thought to myself each time, "I wonder if anyone has told the gym workers that this treadmill wasn't working?"
On Sunday, something interesting happened. The scenario repeated itself several times until this one guy walked in. He followed the same procedures as every other person over the past week . . .except . . . When he got off the treamill he didn't leave to find a new one. He walked infront of the treadmill. Bent over. Unplugged the treamill . . .waited a few seconds . . .and plugged it back in.
Guess What?
It Worked!
Think about this for a second. How many people over the past week do you think walked into that gym (that's open 24 hours) got on the treadmill – gave up – and found a new one? Hundreds? Thousands?
Here is the point:
The "FIX" is sometimes just that "SIMPLE"!
What issues within your leadership sphere that needs to be fixed? Have you been overcomplicating the "FIX"? Have you been putting off dealing with it because the "fix" seems to be just to overwhelming? Have you been overcompicating the "FIX"? Have you been allowing your team to overcomplicate the "FIX".
Maybe . . .just maybe . . .the FIX is as simple as unplugging and plugging the treadmill back in.
April 28, 2009
Jud Wilhite has just release a new book titled Eyes Wide Open.
This book invites you to discover the real
you. Not the you who pretends to be perfect to satisfy everyone’s
expectations. Not the you who always feels guilty before God. Not the
you who secretly feels God forgives everyone else but only tolerates
you. Not the you who looks in the mirror and sees a failure. The real
you, loved and forgiven by God, living out of your identity in Christ.
A travel guide through real spirituality from one incomplete person to another, Eyes Wide Open
is a book of stories about following God in the messes of life, about
broken pasts and our lifelong need for grace. It is a book about seeing
ourselves and God with new eyes–eyes wide open to a God of love.
I have read through this book and it has personally challenged me in so many ways! I would recommend you pickup a copy and allow it to mess you up a bit!
April 27, 2009
YouVersion 2.0 was released on Friday. This great resource from LifeChurch.tv just continues to get better and better. Here are several links for more information.
April 27, 2009
I am a member at Gold's Gym. The Gold's Gym that I am at has a movie room where you can go in – run on a treadmill – and watch a movie. (Whoever thought of that concept? Genius!) Well I was at the gym last week running on the tread mill – in the movie room – and the movie Batman Begins was showing. I am not a huge batman fan, but it was entertaining and helped my 7 mile run go a lot quicker.
During my run (i think it was mile 3 or 4) Alfred said something to Bruce Wayne (AKA: Batman) that literally caused me to to push pause on the treadmill and write it down on my phone.
The scene: There was a turning point in the movie where Alfred stops Bruce Wayne, looks at him and says:
Why do we fall Sir?
So we can learn to pick ourselves up!
Now, I have heard countless times in conference and in leadership books that you should "fail forward".
John Maxwell actually has a book entitled
Failing Forward. What caught my attention wasn't this concept of failing forward. What caught my spirit was this simple word of "LEARN".
Nobody likes to fail. Nobody likes to drop the ball . . .let a team down . . . create chaos from a decision gone bad. The reality: Every person on the face on the earth will fail. The key . . .is learning how to pick yourself up. Face reality. Face the people you let down. It is so easy to try to hide from failure. It is human to try to lessen the impact of failure by deflecting the failure.
What are some of the best lessens you have learned from failing?
April 24, 2009
Francis Chan said: I don't like the book of acts. Why? I never read the book of Acts and put it down and say, "WOW! It's just like us!"
What bother's me is that our church are so "UNSTOPPABLE" today!
We have raised a generation of terrified believers.
We have believers who have been believers for 10 years that can't disciple someone else?
Acts 4:29 . . .29Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.
BOLDNESS!
We got to learn to love the Gospel not just the delivery.
JUST START WITH SCRIPTURE!
If you started with scripture . . . would your church look like it does now?
If you started with scripture . . .what would your life look like now?
John 6:63 – 63The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
There is only 1 factor . . .the Holy Spirit of God.
6 months ago the Holy Spirit came into Rachel (his jr . high daughter)!!!! In your house . . .when you see the Holy Spirit of God . . .this is it!
It's about the Holy Spirit of God . . .we got to believe that again!!
April 24, 2009
I was taught and then I thought
What we believe is what we do.
#1: I was taught and thought that the church should be a safe place (seeker movement). I am learning that the church should become the dangerous place again.
- Create healthy environments -yes!
- We have been inviting people to a very "safe God". God . . .is a dangerous God (not safe).
- We have been inviting people to a safe church.
- Trust in the power of the GOSPEL to change lives!
- Let the word of God drive CREATIVITY . . .not Creativity drive what you teach!
- Preach a dangerous message.
- Be daring enough to follow those "faith moments" where God is leading!
At the church i lead there are so many "CULTURAL CHRISTIANS" . . . Practical Atheists . . .
#2: I was taught and thought that I should build MY church. I am learning that I should be building HIS KINGDOM.
- Would I be "happy" if God blessed another church more than yours?
- It is dangerous when we build "our little kingdom" . .. not God's Kingdom.
- Build your church on "WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT" not "WHAT YOU ARE NOT ABOUT".
- Your church can not affect your entire community by yourself!
- We can do more together!
#3: I was taught and thought that success is only found in the big numbers. I am learning that the score card is changing.
- What's your attendance – giving – small groups – baptized.
- For me . . .is not "how many people are coming" . . .the big win for "me" (craig) might be taking a step backward to GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACE.
- Don't always blame your self for the declines . . .because you might take credit for the increases.
- to be real successful . . . you must get your identity in Christ.
We have to redefine "SUCCESS".
- How can we call ourselves a "MEGA CHURCH" when there are 4Billion people that needs CHRIST.
- We are a small church with a MEGA Vision!
- GUARDIAN Movie: 22 . . .that is the number of people that i have lost and that is the only number that matter.
We must become LINE 3 believers.
Line #1: I believe in the gospel enough to benefit from it.
Line #2: I believe in the gospel enough to contribute comfortably
Line #3: I believe in the gospel enough to give my life to it.
We die to ourselves .. .. you can't stay the same . . .
*These notes are unfiltered and unedited.
April 24, 2009
Andy Stanley interviewed Rick Warren in this session.
AS: Talk a little about what you have learned about pacing.
RW:
- had my mid life crisis at 25.
- 1st year of Saddleback . . . was working 18-20 hours a day.
- "I am addicted to changed lives."
- You can't win your enemies to Christ . . .just your friends.
- grew up in a town of less than 500 people.
During that year of burn out . . . God taught me a ton.
- Out of Joshua . . .I will drive the giants out little by little . . .pacing.
- Churches the explode over night are not "healthy" churches . . .they are a cancer. They will die. They are churches
AS: address the "numbers" issue
RW:
- Every number represents a person that Jesus died for.
- Jesus counted the sheep.
AS: How do you live How do you do Rythym.
RW:
divert daily – withdraw weekly – abandom yearly
- You can get a crowd fast . . . but
Divert Daily:
- What energizes you?
- Sports? play with kids?
- relax with your hands . .
- Learn how to "let it go" before you walk into the door
Withdraw Weekly
- If you are not taking a day off every week . . .you are breaking the 10 Commandments! So important that God
- Don't call it a "DAY OFF" . . .call it the "SABBATH". You will cheat on your "day off" . . .if you cheat the sabbath . . .you sin!
- Your Sabbath is not the day where you do your "honey do List".
- RW: Family night is every Monday night (his Sabbath)
Abandon Annually
- Go away . . .don't take your laptop or cell phone with you.
- Forget time management . . .do energy management.
AS: Talk about how people compare themselves with other "pastors".
RW:
- Neither I nor anybody else is the model. Your model should be Jesus.
- Bill Hybels . . .andy stanley . . . are not the models.
Never stop learning – never compare yourself – never give up!
Don't Compare Yourself to anyone.
- you will always find someone better than you and you will be discouraged.
- you will always find someone better than you and you will be full of pride.
- either way . . .you are doomed!
Learn from Everyone
- The person that can't learn from others is stupid.
- You can learn from anybody . . .if you are humble. The humble are teachable.
- READ – READ – READ (especially books before 1990
)
- I don't try to be profound . . .be simple!
- LISTEN
The purposes never change . . .the language does . . .the packaging does . . . it's the great commandment and great commission.
AS: What's your final thought . . .give it to us.
RW:
I have learned to move peopel from unbeliever (bring in the front door) to missionary (send them out the back) . . .you must have some intentional plan. This is not a RW plan . . .it is Jesus'
To many people develop a "come and see church" . . .and never move people to the next step.
Jesus not only wants "faithful people" but people who produce "FRUIT"! (he cursed the fig tree.
You have to have an intentional process from COME AND SEE to COME AND DIE!
- Most churches are the one or the other.
- Jesus wants BOTH . . .and have a process for BOTH!
- What is your discipleship process
- It's not about your "SITTING" capacity . . .but "SENDING" capacity.
*This post is unfiltered and unedited.
April 24, 2009
The world needs us to live our most heroic life. (Book: Wide Awake)
What happened to this movement of "dreamers" and "visionaries"?
- we have become managers and leaders . . .not dreamers.
Jesus died so that we can live our most heroic life?
Moses: Was not an "ordinary" child.
There is not one ORDINARY child born . . .but most of us end up living an ORDINARY life.
We usually spend time putting people in boxes . . .but in places where we give them freedom.
- Places where I have liberty – freedom – hope.
- Discovering the power of who I am.
- Looking for a place to be free.
- Needing someone who will take the time to get them out.
What does it mean that we were sent by God to be liberators to humanity?
- Our destiny is to liberate them.
- awaken the peoples visions – dreams – around us!
Living out this "GOD SIZED DREAM" as we live in this life.
What would happen if "we" became the place where your biggest dreams were unlocked?
Find the life you were created to live!
Is there a dream inside of you that has been waiting to come to life?
- You don't have to teach a child to dream.
- When you were a child . . .you could do anything!!
Before we are pounded into the ORDINARY . . . we dreamed BIG dreams!
We all of dreams that will never come to fruition unless we come into community – living life together.
There are people everywhere that has their dreams trapped under the rubble of "fear" in their lives.
Living a Heroic life doesn't mean you have to be Mandela or Gandhi!
- Maybe "you" can't change the world . . .but you can help "TILT" it in the right direction?
How many of us have dreams trapped inside of us?
We must jump into that moment of fear . . .and know that God will detonate the pain of Glass.
- He then flipped that statement around and said . . . WE – as LEADERS must be the ones to detonate the pain of glass for those we lead!
In small packages . . .there are great dreams!
*These notes are unfiltered and unedited.
April 24, 2009
A panel of people were on stage discussing the world wide epidemic of Sex Trafficking.
27 Million people in slavery today.
(bought – sold – traded)
Random Thoughts:
- The problem with you people is "YOU TELL ME TO LEAVE" but you "NEVER LET ME FORGET WHERE I CAME FROM". (Naomi shared this from a prostitute she talked to in Amsterdam.)
- The church is the answer to this issue!
- 1) Guns; 2) Drugs; 3) People – Top 3 black market things being sold in the world!
Other than cash is their other opportunities for the church to help with this issue?
- Pray (Must be
- Talk about it – get the conversation going
- God will multiply your efforts.
- Most cities have "anti trafficking" organizations.
Is sex trafficking legal in these countries?
- India – not legal – but it is everywhere. The corruption goes to the highest government officials.
What do we do with "rescue girls"?
- There has to be somewhere where these girls can go after they are rescued.
Resource:
Naomi Zacharias: http://wellspringinternational.org/
International Justice Mission: www.ijm.org