This note was uploaded to Facebook via the author's blog.
During the season of Advent New Season Church will be having a season of corporate prayer and fasting. We are challenging regular attendees at New Season to fast once a week and pray every day during Advent. This is obviously all voluntary but we hope you will participate if you are able.
The idea behind fasting is to simply take our focus off of our physical wants, needs, and desires in order to better focus on our spiritual wants, needs, and desires. It is an intentional way for us to worship God and proclaim our need for Him. Though there are several relevant variations of fasting practiced in our current culture, we are inviting you to participate in a fast where we abstain from food in order to have heightened awareness of our craving for God.
(But please note, if you have any type of eating disorder, do not attempt to fast. If you have any kind of medical condition, please talk to your doctor before participating in this fast.)
Why are we doing this?
Scripture regards several instances where God calls his people to cooperate in a fast. As God prompted then, we believe we are responding to the Holy Spirit’s prompting now. We know God desires our church to move deeper in our intimacy and in our relationship with Him. This fast is our obedient response.
Second, we want to seek and ask God to continue to move each of us to the place where the love of God is the consistent foundation for everything we do. As quickly as each of us can move back to a place of dependency on so many other things, this fast is a statement of our desire to be dependent solely on the love of God.
Check out the whole Advent Prayer and Fasting Challenge here.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Service Precedes Proclamation
In a very real sense service must precede proclamation.
Here is what I mean. Sometimes, in order to gain an audience with someone or some persons, in order to gain street cred, in order for someone to giving a flyin' flip what you have to say about Jesus, your faith, or his power to change lives, you first must serve.
Serving someone or some people has the power to unfold arms, to smash stereotypes like here comes those whacked out religious zealots, and to gain a hearing. Whether an act of service is big or small it can help make a way in the desert for proclamation to be effective. And while Christ certainly does not need our preparatory handiwork in order for him to work, he calls us to serve. It is in our serving we move people closer to him because when we serve we are like him. Think of the many times Jesus served before saying anything.
Here is what I mean. Sometimes, in order to gain an audience with someone or some persons, in order to gain street cred, in order for someone to giving a flyin' flip what you have to say about Jesus, your faith, or his power to change lives, you first must serve.
Serving someone or some people has the power to unfold arms, to smash stereotypes like here comes those whacked out religious zealots, and to gain a hearing. Whether an act of service is big or small it can help make a way in the desert for proclamation to be effective. And while Christ certainly does not need our preparatory handiwork in order for him to work, he calls us to serve. It is in our serving we move people closer to him because when we serve we are like him. Think of the many times Jesus served before saying anything.
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Follow the Light
You hear many people who have near death experiences talk about being drawn to a light. During this season of waiting and anticipation in the church called Advent we are drawn to the light of the world, made known to us in Jesus Christ.
It is so very easy for that light to be diminished for us in all the busyness leading up to Christmas. I used a resource last year and am using a resource this year to help me to focus on the "Light of the World." It is called Following the Star and is a short devotional for each day of Advent. I use it to start my day. Maybe it could be helpful to you as you remember the "reason for the season" and you follow the light. Wisemen and wise women still seek him.
You can find the devotional here.
It is so very easy for that light to be diminished for us in all the busyness leading up to Christmas. I used a resource last year and am using a resource this year to help me to focus on the "Light of the World." It is called Following the Star and is a short devotional for each day of Advent. I use it to start my day. Maybe it could be helpful to you as you remember the "reason for the season" and you follow the light. Wisemen and wise women still seek him.
You can find the devotional here.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Zip It- Thoughts on Complaining
This note was uploaded to Facebook via the author's blog.
Do you ever get sick and tired of complaining? You go to work and people are complaining. You turn on the news and someone is complaining. You open up Facebook and people are complaining. Complaining is all around us. And, just as the Apostle Paul and I are chief among the sinners, I am chief among the complainers. I will admit it. If you want to hear a bunch of complaining go to lunch with two or three pastors. Good grief!
I was recently reading this post by Steven Furtick that helped me put my complaining in perspective. In the post Furtick writes:
If you are a follower of Jesus you have received salvation and a relationship with God through Jesus Christ for this world and the world to come. If you and I receive nothing else in this world we have nothing to complain about. After we have received salvation we have already received more than anything we deserve and we just need to zip it. Grace says we deserve none of it yet God in his infinite love gives it.
I find that helpful when I want to complain (which is often). But I would not stop there because that is approaches the issue of complaining from the negative. I don't deserve any good thing apart from what God in his goodness and love gives me. Yet, how much God has blessed me. When I count my blessings, especially all the things I take for granted, I stand amazed in the presence of a God whose love I cannot even begin to comprehend. No, I don't deserve anything, but look how good God is that he would become like me and take on flesh, that through his life, death, resurrection and return so that a sinful complaining person like me could have life.
So, when I want to complain, I just need to zip it!
I will stop complaining about people who complain now and be thankful to God even for people who complain and especially for a God who loves and blesses me and those I love even though we do not deserve it. That is grace.
Do you ever get sick and tired of complaining? You go to work and people are complaining. You turn on the news and someone is complaining. You open up Facebook and people are complaining. Complaining is all around us. And, just as the Apostle Paul and I are chief among the sinners, I am chief among the complainers. I will admit it. If you want to hear a bunch of complaining go to lunch with two or three pastors. Good grief!
I was recently reading this post by Steven Furtick that helped me put my complaining in perspective. In the post Furtick writes:
"Make sure you measure your circumstances from the baseline
of what you really deserve.
The reality of grace invalidates any claim to complaint you may stake.
The basis of all complaining is one of the following two erroneous beliefs:
1. I deserve something good I didn’t get.
2. I don’t deserve something bad I did get."
If you are a follower of Jesus you have received salvation and a relationship with God through Jesus Christ for this world and the world to come. If you and I receive nothing else in this world we have nothing to complain about. After we have received salvation we have already received more than anything we deserve and we just need to zip it. Grace says we deserve none of it yet God in his infinite love gives it.
I find that helpful when I want to complain (which is often). But I would not stop there because that is approaches the issue of complaining from the negative. I don't deserve any good thing apart from what God in his goodness and love gives me. Yet, how much God has blessed me. When I count my blessings, especially all the things I take for granted, I stand amazed in the presence of a God whose love I cannot even begin to comprehend. No, I don't deserve anything, but look how good God is that he would become like me and take on flesh, that through his life, death, resurrection and return so that a sinful complaining person like me could have life.
So, when I want to complain, I just need to zip it!
I will stop complaining about people who complain now and be thankful to God even for people who complain and especially for a God who loves and blesses me and those I love even though we do not deserve it. That is grace.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Financial Peace Friday- The Emergency Fund
This note was uploaded to Facebook via the author's blog.
I hereby declare today Financial Peace Friday.
As we as a church have been learning to better handle God's resources he lends to us through following the Bible based principles and teaching of Dave Ramsey I have come to appreciate the importance of the Emergency Fund.
The first step in any Total Money Makeover if to set aside $1,000 for emergencies. How do you get this $1,000? Have a yard sale, spend less than you make for a few months and save the difference, sell something. It doesn't matter, just find a way to put the money aside. Do this before moving on to Baby Step 2- paying off debt. The Emergency Fund of course comes into pay when you have an emergency (this is deep stuff!). The next time the furnace breaks, there is an unexpected car expense, you have to fly across the country for a funeral or whatever, you do not have to use a credit card or skip your car payment to pay for the emergency.
A few other things about the Emergency Fund. Just put it in a savings account, money market or under your mattress. This is not investing money. Put it in a place where you can get to it easily. If you do a great job and get your Emergency Fund and then have to use it then replenish it. Build it back up. Once you complete this step and once you move to paying off all your debt, you can then build a 3-6 month fully funded emergency fund. This fund will cover your expenses for 3-6 months if you lose your job, get sick or have some other calamity that affects your ability to work and earn money.
Let's face it. There will always be emergencies in life. The one thing we can bank on is that emergencies happen! Shouldn't we prepared?
I hereby declare today Financial Peace Friday.
As we as a church have been learning to better handle God's resources he lends to us through following the Bible based principles and teaching of Dave Ramsey I have come to appreciate the importance of the Emergency Fund.
The first step in any Total Money Makeover if to set aside $1,000 for emergencies. How do you get this $1,000? Have a yard sale, spend less than you make for a few months and save the difference, sell something. It doesn't matter, just find a way to put the money aside. Do this before moving on to Baby Step 2- paying off debt. The Emergency Fund of course comes into pay when you have an emergency (this is deep stuff!). The next time the furnace breaks, there is an unexpected car expense, you have to fly across the country for a funeral or whatever, you do not have to use a credit card or skip your car payment to pay for the emergency.
A few other things about the Emergency Fund. Just put it in a savings account, money market or under your mattress. This is not investing money. Put it in a place where you can get to it easily. If you do a great job and get your Emergency Fund and then have to use it then replenish it. Build it back up. Once you complete this step and once you move to paying off all your debt, you can then build a 3-6 month fully funded emergency fund. This fund will cover your expenses for 3-6 months if you lose your job, get sick or have some other calamity that affects your ability to work and earn money.
Let's face it. There will always be emergencies in life. The one thing we can bank on is that emergencies happen! Shouldn't we prepared?
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Supernatural Recap
This note has been uploaded to Facebook via the author's blog.
We have completed the Supernatural message series at New Season. If you missed any of the messages you can find them below. You can always find the text and most of the time the audio at our website's Message page.
Spiritual Warfare
The Holy Spirit
Angels and Saints
Satan and His Demons
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Don't Go To Church- Be The Church
This note has been uploaded to Facebook via the author's blog.
One thing we at New Season have learned being portable and meeting in schools and various venues is that the church is not a building, but a people. I think there is an old hymn about that. I think that is an important concept. One of the ways we seek to live out this conviction at New Season (in addition to slapping anybody who asks "When will we be a real church?" ((i.e. when will we have a building)) is to hold our annual Faith in Action Day.
Faith in Action Day is a day when we cancel morning worship and worship by serving in our community. We clean up yards, do minor repairs and paint indoors, go to serve at the nursing home, deliver goodies to emergency personnel, and more. In the evening we come back and eat together and worship. Part of why we do Faith in Action is to send the message that serving is not a once a year activity but a way of life and part of how we worship God. Faith in Action also teaches that the church is not a place where we go, it is not a destination, rather the church is a people and a movement.
Why not join us for Faith in Action this Sunday? You can sign up here.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Just Eating the Frosting
My three boys love cupcakes! When they eat cupcakes they really do not eat the cupcakes. They really only lick the frosting off. I always tell them they are missing out because the cake part is pretty good too! They don't listen, they continue to eat just the frosting.
This makes me think of my own journey of faith and how sometimes when it comes to receiving all the love, mercy, forgiveness and relationship God offers me in Jesus Christ I sometimes only eat the frosting and not the cake.
I only eat the frosting and forget enjoy the cake and miss out on God's grace when...
This makes me think of my own journey of faith and how sometimes when it comes to receiving all the love, mercy, forgiveness and relationship God offers me in Jesus Christ I sometimes only eat the frosting and not the cake.
I only eat the frosting and forget enjoy the cake and miss out on God's grace when...
- I do not spend daily time with him in prayer and in his word.
- I do not seek to see the lesson and the truths he is trying to convey in difficulties and suffering.
- I do not stop long enough to appreciate and give thanks for the little things (that are sometimes really big things)- a healthy family, the colors of fall, a great church, etc.
- I am too busy to gather with other Jesus followers and miss the community he created me for.
- I neglect to live in the moment and see his grace in the moment and am too busy thinking of what lies ahead.
- I find it easier to engage in transactional mission and witness and send money instead of building relationships with the poor and those far from God.
- I do not take time to worship apart from leading worship on Sunday morning.
- I do not invite him to invade and rule over every aspect of my life.
Monday, October 05, 2009
The Sins of Omission
The Bible says in Romans 3:23 "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." As I contemplate and confess my sin and brokenness I certainly have my list of sins of commission. Sins of commission are those things I have done that are apart from and not pleasing to God.
Most people have an easier time dealing with their sins of commission than sins of omission. I think the harder part is dealing with sins of omission. These are the things we are capable of doing and called to do that get left undone. Repentance is not only about confessing and turning away from what we have done to live a new life but also confessing what we have left undone and turning to do it. For me, and I suspect many others it is easier to deal with known sin that we do than the more enigmatic sin of the things we have left undone.
Asking for forgiveness for sins of omission is not just a personal thing. It is not just an individual thing. It is that- make no mistake. Scripture clearly shows that sins of omission were also corporate. For example, the prophets called the nation of Israel to task for neglecting the poor, the widow and the orphan. I recall the words of the prayer of confession in the communion liturgy "forgive us because we have not heard the cry of the needy." Of course, sins of omission move past beyond our forgetting the poor and the needy. A sin of omission might be refusing to go through the door God opens up for personal or corporate witness to our faith. It might be neglecting to heed a call on one's life to do something. It might be not doing something because it is uncomfortable. The list could go on and on and on.
I wonder if we might pray on an individual and corporate basis for God to reveal our sins of omission and then turn towards doing that which we should do.
Lord show us what we have left undone, forgive us for what we have left undone, and help us then to do it.
Most people have an easier time dealing with their sins of commission than sins of omission. I think the harder part is dealing with sins of omission. These are the things we are capable of doing and called to do that get left undone. Repentance is not only about confessing and turning away from what we have done to live a new life but also confessing what we have left undone and turning to do it. For me, and I suspect many others it is easier to deal with known sin that we do than the more enigmatic sin of the things we have left undone.
Asking for forgiveness for sins of omission is not just a personal thing. It is not just an individual thing. It is that- make no mistake. Scripture clearly shows that sins of omission were also corporate. For example, the prophets called the nation of Israel to task for neglecting the poor, the widow and the orphan. I recall the words of the prayer of confession in the communion liturgy "forgive us because we have not heard the cry of the needy." Of course, sins of omission move past beyond our forgetting the poor and the needy. A sin of omission might be refusing to go through the door God opens up for personal or corporate witness to our faith. It might be neglecting to heed a call on one's life to do something. It might be not doing something because it is uncomfortable. The list could go on and on and on.
I wonder if we might pray on an individual and corporate basis for God to reveal our sins of omission and then turn towards doing that which we should do.
Lord show us what we have left undone, forgive us for what we have left undone, and help us then to do it.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Financial Peace Wednesday
We at New Season Church are in the midst of the video series of studies by Dave Ramsey called Financial Peace University. Leading up to this study and during I have been sharing some of what I have been learning as it pertains to managing the resources God has given me stewardship over. Today I wanted to share about the 401k (or the non-profit equivalent of the 403b).
Here is what I am learning:
Please consult your professional adviser for how best to invest and allocate your hard earned money so you do not have to rely on Social (In)Security as your sole source of retirement income.
Here is what I am learning:
- The 401K is a great investment tool for saving for retirement as your contributions can be pre-tax (meaning you do not pay taxes on what you contribute on the front end) and they grow tax deferred (meaning you don't pay taxes on the growth while it is happening).
- If your employer has a program where they match your contribution to your 401K take full advantage of it as this is free money. Max out your match.
- Don't dip into your 401k except to avoid repossession of your car or foreclosure (these things drop atom bombs on your credit score). When you dip into your 401k you are giving the government a great gift. You pay a 10% penalty and then you pay your marginal tax rate on what you take out. In the end you can pay 40% in penalties and taxes on what you take out. Is it worth that to go on vacation?
- Don't take a loan on your 401k either. If you leave the company they often require FULL repayment of the loan amount and you could be up the creek without a paddle and quickly visiting the parasitic loan sharks at the pay day lending store.
- If you are young and do not have an employee match available for a 401k consider investing first in a Roth IRA which grows completely tax free! There are income limits to this (i.e. if you make above a certain amount of money you cannot do a Roth IRA- we must penalize those evil people that have succeeded!). There are also contribution limits.
Please consult your professional adviser for how best to invest and allocate your hard earned money so you do not have to rely on Social (In)Security as your sole source of retirement income.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
We're Not the Duggars- Parenting in the Real World
Have you see that show "18 Kids and Counting" featuring Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and their 18 kids with one on the way? It is amazing!! It is amazing they are able to keep that house running. What is equally amazing is the love, peace and harmony that exists amongst the children and how they are obedient to their parents. Whatever you want to say about Jim Bob and Michelle and them having 18 kids with one on the way somewhere along the way they have done a good job parenting. I think they are great and I think the show is good too.
But most of us who are parents don't live in that reality. We're not the Duggars in many ways. We do not have 18 kids we have 1, 2 or 5. And, our households don't run like the Duggars and most of us do not have children who behave like the Duggars. We are left to use the Bible to glean principles for parenting to help us be good parents which is more trustworthy than even the Duggars.
That is the premise of our current message series at New Season that we are having a lot of fun with. We started with the message "The Parents Priority" where we talked about our primary job as parent's is to shift our child's dependence on us to dependence on God. Then last week we talked about "Unchanging Biblical Principles of Parenting." We talked about the need to give our children:
1. Appropriate loving touch
2. Abundant time
3. Encouraging words
Parenting is one of the hardest jobs on the planet. Thankfully, God's word gives us guidance.
Check out the text of "The Parent's Priority" here (sorry no audio for this one).
Listen to the "Unchanging Principles of Parenting" here.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Lessons From a Dinosaur
Following up on my post from yesterday in regard to what I am reading I finished a couple of weeks ago 44 Questions for Church Planters by Lyle Schaller. Lyle Schaller seems to have been around for as long as the dinosaurs but he is the dean of church leadership and evangelism and has written tons and tons of books. Anyway, I wanted to share five quotes/ take aways from the book.
p. 22 New churches are more likely to reach more people and to grow in size than are long established parishes.
Confirmed by dozens of denominational studies.
p. 30 No one congregation possesses the skills that can muster the resources necessary to reach, attract, serve and be responsive to the needs of every resident.
p. 157 Getting to church on time with a one year old and a three year old is a big challenge that deserves a reserved parking spot.
p. 165 The key variable (for choosing where to plant) is not net growth.
The key indicator is the number of newcomers who do not identify with the subculture of the remaining residents.
Too often policy makers responsible for planting new churches are mesmerized by that glittering identification of high profile areas.
This usually means there are zip codes experiencing a rapid increase in the number of residents.
This might overlook areas not growing as quickly who have a high turnover.
For similar reasons it is not surprising to find disappointed denominational leaders who had expected rapid growth in the new mission that planted in what is really a highly competitive ecclesial environment.
p. 180 An examination of those denominations that are experiencing significant numerical growth suggests the common variables are: 1. Starting new churches. 2. Increasing the number of large churches. 3. Improving the quality of preaching in long-established churches.
p. 22 New churches are more likely to reach more people and to grow in size than are long established parishes.
Confirmed by dozens of denominational studies.
p. 30 No one congregation possesses the skills that can muster the resources necessary to reach, attract, serve and be responsive to the needs of every resident.
p. 157 Getting to church on time with a one year old and a three year old is a big challenge that deserves a reserved parking spot.
p. 165 The key variable (for choosing where to plant) is not net growth.
The key indicator is the number of newcomers who do not identify with the subculture of the remaining residents.
Too often policy makers responsible for planting new churches are mesmerized by that glittering identification of high profile areas.
This usually means there are zip codes experiencing a rapid increase in the number of residents.
This might overlook areas not growing as quickly who have a high turnover.
For similar reasons it is not surprising to find disappointed denominational leaders who had expected rapid growth in the new mission that planted in what is really a highly competitive ecclesial environment.
p. 180 An examination of those denominations that are experiencing significant numerical growth suggests the common variables are: 1. Starting new churches. 2. Increasing the number of large churches. 3. Improving the quality of preaching in long-established churches.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
What are you reading?
I have said many a time along with others that you can tell where a person's heart and passion are by taking a look at two things: their checkbook and their day planner (calendar). Where we spend our money and where we spend our time says a lot about us.
I might add a third item to that list. On what do you and I spend our time reading? On what you and I spend our time reading says a lot about us. If you are a follower of Jesus whether or not you read the Bible on a regular basis says something about you? The kinds of books you read on a regular basis says something about you- are they fiction or non-fiction, only fiction or only non-fiction, are they books related to your career or books about your hobby? Do you spend your time reading the sports section or Glamour or your favorite blogger? What we choose to spend time reading says something about us. The greater question is, just like when it comes to our checkbook and day planner, is whether or not what we read honors God?
For example, apart from the Bible and devotional reading I mostly read non-fiction books about church planting, church growth, evangelism, leadership and finance. I almost never read non-fiction.
One might say in light of this I am too serious or need to lighten up blah, blah, blah. The point is some statements could be made about me in light of my reading list. I focus not so much on what a friggin dork I am for reading mostly non-fiction books to focusing on what my choice of reading says about my passion. On the one hand I am glad that my passion is how to better help people experience the love of Christ and cooperate with God's action in the world to grow the Kingdom of God. I am glad I have an interest in handling God's resources and helping others to do so in the area of finances. But what about the missing stuff? What about reading about being a better dad, a better husband, a better friend? Hmm. What does this say or not say?
What does what you read or not read say about you? I wonder...what are you reading? (besides this!)
I might add a third item to that list. On what do you and I spend our time reading? On what you and I spend our time reading says a lot about us. If you are a follower of Jesus whether or not you read the Bible on a regular basis says something about you? The kinds of books you read on a regular basis says something about you- are they fiction or non-fiction, only fiction or only non-fiction, are they books related to your career or books about your hobby? Do you spend your time reading the sports section or Glamour or your favorite blogger? What we choose to spend time reading says something about us. The greater question is, just like when it comes to our checkbook and day planner, is whether or not what we read honors God?
For example, apart from the Bible and devotional reading I mostly read non-fiction books about church planting, church growth, evangelism, leadership and finance. I almost never read non-fiction.
One might say in light of this I am too serious or need to lighten up blah, blah, blah. The point is some statements could be made about me in light of my reading list. I focus not so much on what a friggin dork I am for reading mostly non-fiction books to focusing on what my choice of reading says about my passion. On the one hand I am glad that my passion is how to better help people experience the love of Christ and cooperate with God's action in the world to grow the Kingdom of God. I am glad I have an interest in handling God's resources and helping others to do so in the area of finances. But what about the missing stuff? What about reading about being a better dad, a better husband, a better friend? Hmm. What does this say or not say?
What does what you read or not read say about you? I wonder...what are you reading? (besides this!)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Things My Parent's Said I Swore I Would Never Say- but do!
I have been a dad for over 7 years and continue to be horrified that I find myself saying some of the same things my parents said to me though I swore I never would. I am not talking bad or hurtful things but the stupid little saying parents have. I think these things must be passed down in the DNA. Maybe your parent's said some of the same things. Maybe all parents say them. Maybe you say some of these things though you swore you would never. Things like...
...You want to cry and whine, I'll give you something to cry and whine about.
...I brought you into this world and I can take you out.
...If you brother told you to jump off the Bourne Bridge would you do that too!
...Don't make me stop this car.
...You better stop while you are ahead.
I guess that saying is true: the more things change the more they stay the same. I wonder if there are other sayings I am missing because I can't think of them right now.
...You want to cry and whine, I'll give you something to cry and whine about.
...I brought you into this world and I can take you out.
...If you brother told you to jump off the Bourne Bridge would you do that too!
...Don't make me stop this car.
...You better stop while you are ahead.
I guess that saying is true: the more things change the more they stay the same. I wonder if there are other sayings I am missing because I can't think of them right now.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Financial Peace Friday on Tuesday- Money is (A)moral
I previously have posted about the Total Money Makeover Simulcast on Saturday September 19th and the Financial Peace University class starting September 21st we are going to be holding at New Season. You can always sign up for those events at our website. Leading up to those events I had hoped (though I made no promises) to do a Financial Peace Friday on this blog. Well it is Tuesday but better late than never. I will be sharing some things I am learning about biblical principles for handling the resources God has given. I am no expert, I have a long way to go in living out some of these principles, but I am confident that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (and so can you!).
Today I want to write about how money is amoral. There is a difference between amoral and immoral. To be immoral is to be contrary to what is moral. To be amoral, like money, is to have no moral value either good or bad. Money in and of itself has no moral value. Many have mistakenly misquoted from the Bible 1 Timothy 6:10 that "Money is the root of all evil." Not so. A closer reading of that verse says "the love of money is the root of all evil."
So money is amoral, without positive or negative moral, until you put it into the hands of us people. How we use what God has given us becomes a moral issue. We can then either use it for good or ill like all that God has gifted us with. We can quickly see how we manage our money becomes a spiritual issue. If it comes from God and is to be used for God then gaining, saving and giving all we can are spiritual issues.
I like how St. Ambrose put it. "Just as riches are an impediment to virtue in the wicked, so in the good they are an aid to virtue."
Today I want to write about how money is amoral. There is a difference between amoral and immoral. To be immoral is to be contrary to what is moral. To be amoral, like money, is to have no moral value either good or bad. Money in and of itself has no moral value. Many have mistakenly misquoted from the Bible 1 Timothy 6:10 that "Money is the root of all evil." Not so. A closer reading of that verse says "the love of money is the root of all evil."
So money is amoral, without positive or negative moral, until you put it into the hands of us people. How we use what God has given us becomes a moral issue. We can then either use it for good or ill like all that God has gifted us with. We can quickly see how we manage our money becomes a spiritual issue. If it comes from God and is to be used for God then gaining, saving and giving all we can are spiritual issues.
I like how St. Ambrose put it. "Just as riches are an impediment to virtue in the wicked, so in the good they are an aid to virtue."
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Message Series Planning
I am sometimes asked how I come up with the various series we do at New Season Church. I actually do have a method I use and I plan them out a year in advance always allowing for the Holy Spirit to call an audible and to change a series or the sequence of messages. I have been in lectionary recovery for a number of years and so my hat goes off to any person who can do series preaching with the lectionary. That seems like a lot of work!
Since I am currently in the process of doing that for 2009-2010 I thought I would share how I do that. I got most of my method from Nelson Searcy and his resource about planning a preaching calendar.
Here is a word document describing the method.
Since I am currently in the process of doing that for 2009-2010 I thought I would share how I do that. I got most of my method from Nelson Searcy and his resource about planning a preaching calendar.
Here is a word document describing the method.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Christmas is Not An Emergency- Financial Peace Friday on Tuesday
I previously have posted about the Total Money Makeover Simulcast on Saturday September 19th and the Financial Peace University class starting September 21st we are going to be holding at New Season. You can always sign up for those events at our website. Leading up to those events I had hoped (though I made no promises) to do a Financial Peace Friday on this blog. Well it is Tuesday but better late than never. I will be sharing some things I am learning about biblical principles for handling the resources God has given. I am no expert, I have a long way to go in living out some of these principles, but I am confident that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (and so can you!).
Today I wanted to talk about credit cards. If you are like me then maybe you first got a credit card for emergencies. Perhaps, like me, you justify keeping those things around because of course you need them for emergencies like a car repair, a new furnace, or en emergency trip across the country to attend a funeral.
If you are like me, then your problem comes when you do not use them for emergencies. You end up using them to get something you "need" when you have more month than money left and the balance builds. Or, have you ever found yourself using your credit card for Christmas gifts or vacation?
Maybe you are one of the few who do not get caught up in these traps. Consider yourself among the minority in the US. I am learning that Christmas and vacations are not emergencies. I actually know they are coming. I know Christmas comes at least once a year and I know I will have en expenditure for gifts. I know I am going to take a summer vacation and it will mean an outlay of cash. I am learning that the key to these things is to save for them thus avoiding using the plastic. This is nothing new under the sun. Remember the Christmas club the bank used to offer?
Also, I am learning about how to manage these other emergencies that cannot be anticipated like things breaking or having to go away quickly. The effect of these emergencies can be alleviated with the saving of an emergency fund. In any plan to get out of debt the first step after providing for the necessities (food, utilities, rent) and being current on all your current bills is to save a $1,000 emergency fund. In Financial Peace University this is described as Baby Step 1. Baby Step 2 is to then work on paying off all your debt except for your home. Baby Step 3 is then to build up your emergency fund again this time saving 3 to 6 months of expenses (notice not salary). You can see then whether you have finished baby step 1 or baby step 3 you are more prepared for the emergencies. If you have a big car repair for $500 you take it out of your emergency fund instead of putting it on your credit card. You then rebuild your emergency fund. If you are able to get to baby step 3 where you have saved 3 to 6 months worth of expenses then if you lose your job for whatever reason then you have a little cushion before you find another one and you don't have to go into credit card debt to keep food on the table.
You can learn about the rest of these baby steps and begin to come up with your own plan for financial peace by attending the Total Money Makeover Simulcast or the Financial Peace University Class.
Today I wanted to talk about credit cards. If you are like me then maybe you first got a credit card for emergencies. Perhaps, like me, you justify keeping those things around because of course you need them for emergencies like a car repair, a new furnace, or en emergency trip across the country to attend a funeral.
If you are like me, then your problem comes when you do not use them for emergencies. You end up using them to get something you "need" when you have more month than money left and the balance builds. Or, have you ever found yourself using your credit card for Christmas gifts or vacation?
Maybe you are one of the few who do not get caught up in these traps. Consider yourself among the minority in the US. I am learning that Christmas and vacations are not emergencies. I actually know they are coming. I know Christmas comes at least once a year and I know I will have en expenditure for gifts. I know I am going to take a summer vacation and it will mean an outlay of cash. I am learning that the key to these things is to save for them thus avoiding using the plastic. This is nothing new under the sun. Remember the Christmas club the bank used to offer?
Also, I am learning about how to manage these other emergencies that cannot be anticipated like things breaking or having to go away quickly. The effect of these emergencies can be alleviated with the saving of an emergency fund. In any plan to get out of debt the first step after providing for the necessities (food, utilities, rent) and being current on all your current bills is to save a $1,000 emergency fund. In Financial Peace University this is described as Baby Step 1. Baby Step 2 is to then work on paying off all your debt except for your home. Baby Step 3 is then to build up your emergency fund again this time saving 3 to 6 months of expenses (notice not salary). You can see then whether you have finished baby step 1 or baby step 3 you are more prepared for the emergencies. If you have a big car repair for $500 you take it out of your emergency fund instead of putting it on your credit card. You then rebuild your emergency fund. If you are able to get to baby step 3 where you have saved 3 to 6 months worth of expenses then if you lose your job for whatever reason then you have a little cushion before you find another one and you don't have to go into credit card debt to keep food on the table.
You can learn about the rest of these baby steps and begin to come up with your own plan for financial peace by attending the Total Money Makeover Simulcast or the Financial Peace University Class.
Monday, August 17, 2009
When to Launch
When to launch a new faith community is a question that must be carefully considered by the church planter. To launch too early will mean quick and almost certain death for the church planter's and God's dream for the new faith community. To take too long to launch means losing or never gaining momentum. Thus there has to be a middle way- a via media.
I have found three main ways of thinking about when to launch. First and probably the oldest suggested launch date was Easter Sunday. How symbolic to launch this new work on the day of resurrection. After all, Easter is so well attended and unchurched people are more willing to attend church on Easter than any other Sunday. The drawback for an Easter launch is that the Sunday after Easter is one of the least attended Sundays and you quickly find yourself in the middle of the doldrums of summer.
Another school of thought says to take your time launching and spend about 15 months working the mission field, preparing your church systems, putting ministries in place and gathering as large a launch team as possible. For United Methodist people this would mean launching in September a year after one is appointed. The drawback with this approach is that the longer you get out the harder it is to sustain momentum and one must be especially strong to avoid the call to begin weekly worship and avoid the notion that once you start a bunch of people will automatically come and they are just waiting for you to start.
A third way that I have heard articulated recently which I really like is to consider launching in February. For UM people this would about 8 months after being appointed. This is a good time of the year to launch especially after Super Bowl Sunday. Persons are not as busy with spring or summer and you get a natural bounce come Easter. 8 months is enough time to put systems, ministries, and other essentials in place and to gain a launch team without losing momentum.
Whenever a church planter decides to launch they must obviously listen for God's direction. However, they must ensure that it is God's direction and not their own or a chili dog giving them heartburn that they mistake for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
I have found three main ways of thinking about when to launch. First and probably the oldest suggested launch date was Easter Sunday. How symbolic to launch this new work on the day of resurrection. After all, Easter is so well attended and unchurched people are more willing to attend church on Easter than any other Sunday. The drawback for an Easter launch is that the Sunday after Easter is one of the least attended Sundays and you quickly find yourself in the middle of the doldrums of summer.
Another school of thought says to take your time launching and spend about 15 months working the mission field, preparing your church systems, putting ministries in place and gathering as large a launch team as possible. For United Methodist people this would mean launching in September a year after one is appointed. The drawback with this approach is that the longer you get out the harder it is to sustain momentum and one must be especially strong to avoid the call to begin weekly worship and avoid the notion that once you start a bunch of people will automatically come and they are just waiting for you to start.
A third way that I have heard articulated recently which I really like is to consider launching in February. For UM people this would about 8 months after being appointed. This is a good time of the year to launch especially after Super Bowl Sunday. Persons are not as busy with spring or summer and you get a natural bounce come Easter. 8 months is enough time to put systems, ministries, and other essentials in place and to gain a launch team without losing momentum.
Whenever a church planter decides to launch they must obviously listen for God's direction. However, they must ensure that it is God's direction and not their own or a chili dog giving them heartburn that they mistake for the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Financial Peace Friday
I previously have posted about the Total Money Makeover Simulcast on Saturday September 19th and the Financial Peace University class starting September 21st we are going to be holding at New Season. You can always sign up for those events at our website. Leading up to those events I hope (I make no promises) to do a Financial Peace Friday on this blog. In it I will be sharing some things I am learning about biblical principles for handling the resources God has given. I am no expert, I have a long way to go in living out some of these principles, but I am confident that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (and so can you!).
This Friday I want to talk about debt. Anytime debt is talked about in the Bible it is never in a positive light. Proverbs 22:7 tells us "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender." The problem with debt and why debt is so heavily marketed in our society is that it becomes our master. Many of us are taught that debt is normal. We are told that debt is good in some cases (like student loan debt). We are told to invest and ignore small interest debt that we may be carrying because the numbers make better sense. While debt in and of itself is not a sin, and certainly not a salvation issue, the Bible is clear that debt is not a good things and nowhere does God call his people to go into debt for his purposes.
The problem comes in that when we are in debt we have another master besides the Master. The problem with any debt is that it carries risk. This has been a hard and painful lesson for many in the current recession. Debt seems to be OK until you or your spouse loses their job, you have a health emergency, or interest rates go up on you. Then you start to worry about debt and it becomes your master even further. Before you know it you are worshiping at the feet of the FICO score (your credit score). And yet, the Bible tells followers of Jesus there is only one God, one thing worthy of our love, attention and energy and it is not debt.
The Total Money Makeover Simulcast and Financial Peace University will help you to think about your own debt in light of biblical principles. It is interesting that when I follow God's instructions for life as found in God's word things turn out right. When I don't, that is when things go wrong. I guess God knows better than me. If you are sick and tired of being in debt to credit card companies, your student loan provider, the hospital for medical bills, or whoever else then get yourself over to our website where you will find a link for the one day Total Money Makeover Simulcast or the the more in-depth 13 week Financial Peace University. In both of these opportunities you will learn tried, true, and tested principles based in the authority of scripture for you to be free from debt.
This Friday I want to talk about debt. Anytime debt is talked about in the Bible it is never in a positive light. Proverbs 22:7 tells us "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is a slave to the lender." The problem with debt and why debt is so heavily marketed in our society is that it becomes our master. Many of us are taught that debt is normal. We are told that debt is good in some cases (like student loan debt). We are told to invest and ignore small interest debt that we may be carrying because the numbers make better sense. While debt in and of itself is not a sin, and certainly not a salvation issue, the Bible is clear that debt is not a good things and nowhere does God call his people to go into debt for his purposes.
The problem comes in that when we are in debt we have another master besides the Master. The problem with any debt is that it carries risk. This has been a hard and painful lesson for many in the current recession. Debt seems to be OK until you or your spouse loses their job, you have a health emergency, or interest rates go up on you. Then you start to worry about debt and it becomes your master even further. Before you know it you are worshiping at the feet of the FICO score (your credit score). And yet, the Bible tells followers of Jesus there is only one God, one thing worthy of our love, attention and energy and it is not debt.
The Total Money Makeover Simulcast and Financial Peace University will help you to think about your own debt in light of biblical principles. It is interesting that when I follow God's instructions for life as found in God's word things turn out right. When I don't, that is when things go wrong. I guess God knows better than me. If you are sick and tired of being in debt to credit card companies, your student loan provider, the hospital for medical bills, or whoever else then get yourself over to our website where you will find a link for the one day Total Money Makeover Simulcast or the the more in-depth 13 week Financial Peace University. In both of these opportunities you will learn tried, true, and tested principles based in the authority of scripture for you to be free from debt.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
God at the Movies
Here are the first two messages from our "God at the Movies" series. You can find the text for these messages here. Here is the audio.
The Hangover
Transformers
This week we finish up the series with "Up!"
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Keep Your Eye on the Ball
About a month ago I finished by stint coaching my oldest son Robert's baseball team- the Sidewinders. This was Robert's first year of coach pitch baseball. Do you know how hard it is to throw strikes to seven and eight year olds? Thank goodness we had another coach who did the pitching!! One of the refrains of the season the players heard from us coaches was "keep your eye on the ball." In other words, watch the ball so you can hit it with your bat. Often times kids would swing so hard they would pull their head and be looking at the moon or they would be swinging and looking down at their feet. Nine times out of ten when they did not keep their eye on the ball they would strike out or just foul the ball off if they were lucky.
That refrain to "keep your eye on the ball" is a refrain that has been playing in my head as it pertains to following Jesus. It occurs to me that as followers of Jesus our job is to keep our eye on the ball. In this case, to keep our eyes on Jesus. It is when we take our eyes off of Jesus that we stumble. When we take our eyes off of Jesus we strike out in life or at best hit foul balls. However, when we keep our eye on Jesus we will follow in his way and be obedient to his teachings marking the way of life for us. Keeping our eye on Jesus is necessarily all the time, but especially in the difficult times, the times of stress, the times when Jesus seems most far away to us. It is those times we especially have to remember to "keep our eye on the ball" and hear the refrain "keep your eye on Jesus."
Monday, August 10, 2009
Total Money Makeover Simulcast
Last week I announced that New Season Church would be holding the Financial Peace University class beginning September 21st featuring popular radio personality, author and follower of Jesus Dave Ramsey. You can read about it here. I am happy to further announce that on Saturday September 19th we will hos the Total Money Makeover Simulcast featuring Dave Ramsey at New Season Church. Dave will be teaching live from Atlanta and we will receive the video feed in Fredericksburg. The simulcast will be from 1PM-6PM and have time for breaks and snacks.
Are you interested in changing your financial future? Do you need a makeover- a money makeover? If so, the Total Money Makeover Simulcast featuring popular radio talk show host, best-selling author and financial counselor Dave Ramsey might just be for you. New Season United Methodist Church of Spotsylvania will host the Total Money Makeover simulcast on Saturday September 19th from 1PM-6PM with doors opening at noon. The simulcast will help viewers learn biblical principles about how to handle their money as well as practical principles that help in paying off debt, saving for emergencies, funding education, saving and investing, and giving generously. The cost to attend the simulcast is $25 and includes the workbook.
You can register for the Total Money Makeover by going to the church's website where we will soon have have a link to take you to a sign up page. Or, you can call the church at 540/ 834-4413.
What is the difference between the Total Money Makeover and the Financial Peace University class? Dave's teaching is essentially the same in both. However, Financial Peace University is 13 weeks as opposed to one day and thus goes into far greater detail and has the small group dynamic where you can gain ideas, support and realize you are not alone. The Total Money Makeover Simulcast is a great tool for you if you cannot commit to the thirteen weeks or want to check it out before committing to thirteen weeks. I encourage everybody to attend the simulcast and then consider going further with the Financial Peace University Class. If you are ready to sign up for the Financial Peace University Class already then go here.
Are you interested in changing your financial future? Do you need a makeover- a money makeover? If so, the Total Money Makeover Simulcast featuring popular radio talk show host, best-selling author and financial counselor Dave Ramsey might just be for you. New Season United Methodist Church of Spotsylvania will host the Total Money Makeover simulcast on Saturday September 19th from 1PM-6PM with doors opening at noon. The simulcast will help viewers learn biblical principles about how to handle their money as well as practical principles that help in paying off debt, saving for emergencies, funding education, saving and investing, and giving generously. The cost to attend the simulcast is $25 and includes the workbook.
You can register for the Total Money Makeover by going to the church's website where we will soon have have a link to take you to a sign up page. Or, you can call the church at 540/ 834-4413.
What is the difference between the Total Money Makeover and the Financial Peace University class? Dave's teaching is essentially the same in both. However, Financial Peace University is 13 weeks as opposed to one day and thus goes into far greater detail and has the small group dynamic where you can gain ideas, support and realize you are not alone. The Total Money Makeover Simulcast is a great tool for you if you cannot commit to the thirteen weeks or want to check it out before committing to thirteen weeks. I encourage everybody to attend the simulcast and then consider going further with the Financial Peace University Class. If you are ready to sign up for the Financial Peace University Class already then go here.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Isn't Using Movies in Worship of the Devil?
We have started a new series of messages at New Season Church called "God at the Movies."
Using movies as part of worship and as a jumping off point to talk about biblical principles, spiritual issues, and the sacred may seem a bit strange to some "and of the devil to others."
Using movies as part of worship and as a jumping off point to talk about biblical principles, spiritual issues, and the sacred may seem a bit strange to some "and of the devil to others."
I believe we we can use parts of our culture to point us to greater truths about who God is, what God has done, and how we are to be obedient to God. Instead of hiding from the culture I believe we are to engage it and exploit it for God’s glory. This is called plundering the Egyptians, remember how the Israelites under God's command took the gold and other items of the Egyptians during the Passover but left that which was not useful. Make no mistake, many movies have little redeeming value. However, whether it is a movie, or a popular song, or a television show or most anything else in culture there is a sacredness to it if you will.
Here is what I mean. The Bible says in Psalm 24:1 “The earth and all that is in it belongs to God.” God pervades all things. As Creator, God is part of everything. This doesn’t mean as some mistakenly have said that God is for instance “a tree, a rock, or a turtle.” But that tree, rock, and turtle reveal the glory of God, were created by God, and point us to God. The same is true for many other things in life. There is a sacredness to them that if we might just scratch hard enough reveals God’s glory, point us to God, and help us to follow Jesus.
Movies, songs, or television shows are all part of a grander narrative. Almost all of these things whether they are love stories, stories of friendships, stories of struggle, stories of looking for the meaning in life, they all point us to the greatest story ever told and that is the story of God’s love for humanity perfectly made known to us in Jesus Christ. These movies, songs, and television shows are mere shadows of the one story that defines all of human history. They are attempts to tell the greater story. All of our art and entertainment, apart from the truly grotesque and abominable, are just attempts to tell part of the greater story.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt Wrap-Up
Here are the last two messages from the series of messages we just finished "I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt." For those who want to listen you can listen here.
7/19/09 Imitate
7/26/09 Follow
For a text version go here.
New Season Message Center
To subscribe via I Tunes and automatically receive the messages you can go here.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Financial Peace University Coming to New Season Church
I am excited to announce that New Season will be hosting Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University Class beginning in late September. The Financial Peace University Class begins on Monday September 21st at 7PM at our new location at the Four Mile Fork Shopping Center next to Hard Times Cafe. The class will be thirteen weeks long.
Financial Peace University is a biblically based, video driven small group that teaches families to beat debt, build wealth and give like never before.
This program's for you if:
---Your credit cards ARE your emergency fund.
---Your dog responds to the name "Ebay".
---You have to sell your house to put your kids through college.
---You're intrigued by the word "plastectomy."
---You want to know what God says about money.
---You typically have more month than money left.
---You are tired of living in debt- car payments, student loans, credit card etc.
---You want to learn specific steps to take to help you retire well, fund your child's education and to give generously.
---Stocks, bonds, and Mutual Funds are friend's you haven't meant.
What will you learn? Each of the 13 Lessons deals with a different topic that will change the way you think about personal finance. Dave teaches about how to save money, live on a budget, communicate about money, eliminate debt, find bargains, and experience the joy of giving.
Over 650,000 families have completed FPU with amazing success. On average, they pay off $5,300 in debt and save $2,700 in just 13 weeks. That's an $8,000 change in position in just 91 days!
For more information about this life-changing program you can visit the The Financial Peace University website. The class materials cost $100 if ordered through the church. To sign up for Financial Peace University at New Season Church you can go here.
*Financial Peace University sells no products or services and you will not be asked to purchase anything beyond your class materials.
Financial Peace University is a biblically based, video driven small group that teaches families to beat debt, build wealth and give like never before.
This program's for you if:
---Your credit cards ARE your emergency fund.
---Your dog responds to the name "Ebay".
---You have to sell your house to put your kids through college.
---You're intrigued by the word "plastectomy."
---You want to know what God says about money.
---You typically have more month than money left.
---You are tired of living in debt- car payments, student loans, credit card etc.
---You want to learn specific steps to take to help you retire well, fund your child's education and to give generously.
---Stocks, bonds, and Mutual Funds are friend's you haven't meant.
What will you learn? Each of the 13 Lessons deals with a different topic that will change the way you think about personal finance. Dave teaches about how to save money, live on a budget, communicate about money, eliminate debt, find bargains, and experience the joy of giving.
Dave Explains:
- Investments
- Insurance
- Retirement
- Real Estate
- College Planning
- Careers
- Debt Collectors
- Credit Reports
- and More!
For more information about this life-changing program you can visit the The Financial Peace University website. The class materials cost $100 if ordered through the church. To sign up for Financial Peace University at New Season Church you can go here.
*Financial Peace University sells no products or services and you will not be asked to purchase anything beyond your class materials.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Change of Place + Change of Pace = Change of Perspective
I wish I could take credit for this equation. The best I can remember it this equation comes from Mark Batterson at National Community Church in Washington, DC. He may have stole it from someone else.
The beauty of this equation is that it is so true. Coming off vacation last week I can personally attest that getting out of your regular environment, going to a new place helps you change your perspective when you return. So many times we get caught up in the day to day monotony of whatever we do- work, schedules, etc. Changing our place and our pace helps jolt us out of this monotony and can move us from being tired, cynical, and overburdened to a new place and a new perspective.
This is true as well for teams and organizations. Some of the best thinking can occur outside the normal environment and pace of organizational life. This is why leadership retreats are such a good idea. They foster creativity, clear and different thinking, and team building that would probably not occur in the same environment at the same pace.
This equation can also be applied to individuals on a mini-scale. I mean it is great to take a week's vacation but how about a day away somewhere different than the office or work place. Maybe its a trip to the lake or the mountains or some other place where you won't be distracted by cell phones, emails and texts.
Change of place + change of pace can make all the difference.
The beauty of this equation is that it is so true. Coming off vacation last week I can personally attest that getting out of your regular environment, going to a new place helps you change your perspective when you return. So many times we get caught up in the day to day monotony of whatever we do- work, schedules, etc. Changing our place and our pace helps jolt us out of this monotony and can move us from being tired, cynical, and overburdened to a new place and a new perspective.
This is true as well for teams and organizations. Some of the best thinking can occur outside the normal environment and pace of organizational life. This is why leadership retreats are such a good idea. They foster creativity, clear and different thinking, and team building that would probably not occur in the same environment at the same pace.
This equation can also be applied to individuals on a mini-scale. I mean it is great to take a week's vacation but how about a day away somewhere different than the office or work place. Maybe its a trip to the lake or the mountains or some other place where you won't be distracted by cell phones, emails and texts.
Change of place + change of pace can make all the difference.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt
Here is the first message of the series "I Became a Christian and All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt" based on the book by the same name by Vince Antonucci. The first message is called "Hunger."
In this series we are looking at what it means to move from souvenir Christianity to authentic spirituality.
This coming Sunday the message will be "Imitate."
Check out Vince's blog. Vince is starting a church out on the Vegas strip.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Transactional versus Relational Ministry/ Service
I have been thinking some recently about the difference between transactional versus relational ministry. Here is what I mean.
In relational ministry and service toward others service is rendered to persons multiple times over a period of time. Because ministry happens over time and happens repeatedly relationships occur. Trust is gained that opens up further opportunities for service. An example of transactional ministry would be the weekly foot washing and Friday feeding program one church I know of conducts every Friday throughout the year. Persons who wash feet, feed and serve develop relationships with persons who come time and time again to receive services.
In transactional ministry service is also rendered. However, this ministry is more one and done. Here a church goes out and serves for a day with a person or family they may only see that one time. There are many examples of this: the group that goes to feed at the homeless shelter once or twice a year, giving away a water bottle as part of servant evangelism, going on a mission trip to a place you will not return.
It seems to me that the Bible is clear that Christ values service no matter what kind, whether it be relational or transactional. It is equally clear to me that in the church we do a better job with transactional ministry than relational ministry. I am doing some further thinking about why that is. I am also thinking about the example of Jesus' earthly ministry. As I read scripture it seems Jesus' ministry was both relational and transactional. On the one hand he invested in the lives of twelve other men (and no doubt women too that we do not hear about) over a period of time on a regular basis. Yet, there were others, the woman at the well, various people he healed, and others who he seems to serve only once (at least that is the impression the Bible leaves us with). I guess I come back to the blessing of the both/and instead of the tyranny of the either/or when it comes to the choice between transactional and relational ministry.
In relational ministry and service toward others service is rendered to persons multiple times over a period of time. Because ministry happens over time and happens repeatedly relationships occur. Trust is gained that opens up further opportunities for service. An example of transactional ministry would be the weekly foot washing and Friday feeding program one church I know of conducts every Friday throughout the year. Persons who wash feet, feed and serve develop relationships with persons who come time and time again to receive services.
In transactional ministry service is also rendered. However, this ministry is more one and done. Here a church goes out and serves for a day with a person or family they may only see that one time. There are many examples of this: the group that goes to feed at the homeless shelter once or twice a year, giving away a water bottle as part of servant evangelism, going on a mission trip to a place you will not return.
It seems to me that the Bible is clear that Christ values service no matter what kind, whether it be relational or transactional. It is equally clear to me that in the church we do a better job with transactional ministry than relational ministry. I am doing some further thinking about why that is. I am also thinking about the example of Jesus' earthly ministry. As I read scripture it seems Jesus' ministry was both relational and transactional. On the one hand he invested in the lives of twelve other men (and no doubt women too that we do not hear about) over a period of time on a regular basis. Yet, there were others, the woman at the well, various people he healed, and others who he seems to serve only once (at least that is the impression the Bible leaves us with). I guess I come back to the blessing of the both/and instead of the tyranny of the either/or when it comes to the choice between transactional and relational ministry.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Where Have all the Baseball Fields Gone?
Where have all the baseball fields gone? Maybe it is just me but I am finding there are less and less baseball fields to play on in communities. And, when there are baseball fields you can't just go and play on them but you need someone's permission whether it is the School System or an Athletic Association. In the league that I coached in this year (7-8 y/o coach pitch baseball) we had to share a field for practice. It is hard enough to teach 7-8 y/0 baseball but it is especially harder with throw down bases in the outfield which hasn't been cut in three weeks.
I do notice though that in most communities now there are acres of soccer fields. My purpose is not to start a soccer versus baseball war but it does seem to me that soccer has taken over as number one in most communities in terms of number of fields, quality of equipment, and number of players. In that same baseball league I coached in we did not even have our own equipment but shared equipment with the team we practiced with.
Perhaps what I am observing is the death of baseball. Hardly in this age of computers, game systems, and over protective parents do I see kids playing pick up game on a ball field or even in their yard. I don't hear about kids collecting baseball cards or stickers. As I grew up their were kids who could tell you the top ten players with the best average in the American and National League as well as the save leaders from each league. Granted, I do not hang out with ten year olds on a regular basis but I do not even hear much baseball chatter from kids of any age.
Bring back baseball!
I do notice though that in most communities now there are acres of soccer fields. My purpose is not to start a soccer versus baseball war but it does seem to me that soccer has taken over as number one in most communities in terms of number of fields, quality of equipment, and number of players. In that same baseball league I coached in we did not even have our own equipment but shared equipment with the team we practiced with.
Perhaps what I am observing is the death of baseball. Hardly in this age of computers, game systems, and over protective parents do I see kids playing pick up game on a ball field or even in their yard. I don't hear about kids collecting baseball cards or stickers. As I grew up their were kids who could tell you the top ten players with the best average in the American and National League as well as the save leaders from each league. Granted, I do not hang out with ten year olds on a regular basis but I do not even hear much baseball chatter from kids of any age.
Bring back baseball!
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Ministry On-ramps
On-ramps on the highway provide a safe way to merge into traffic and get up to speed and get on your journey to where you want to go. When you get on the on-ramp you accelerate and gain speed as you get closer to the entrance to the highway. As you get near the highway and are about to merge you have a decision to make. You look in your side or rear view mirror and if someone is coming in the slow lane you either have to go even faster and get on ahead of them, slow down and tuck in behind them, or if there is gridlock on the highway you have to stop and just get on when some kind soul lets you on.
On-ramps are also useful when it comes to beginning new ministries. We might look at new ministries with an "on-ramp" perspective. What I mean is that when it comes to beginning a new ministry in the church it is not necessary and maybe even harmful to start really big and put all your eggs in one basket. Instead it makes more sense to take the on-ramp approach where you start slow and small and then you gain speed and then make an evaluation. Is the ministry worthy of further acceleration, do you just need to slow down a bit and pull back some, or do you just need to stop altogether? During this season of ministry on-ramps you can see what gets momentum without risking it all. During this season of ministry on-ramps you can see who emerges as leadership and whether you have adequate leadership.
Use the ministry on-ramp it may just prevent an accident and get further you on your journey.
On-ramps are also useful when it comes to beginning new ministries. We might look at new ministries with an "on-ramp" perspective. What I mean is that when it comes to beginning a new ministry in the church it is not necessary and maybe even harmful to start really big and put all your eggs in one basket. Instead it makes more sense to take the on-ramp approach where you start slow and small and then you gain speed and then make an evaluation. Is the ministry worthy of further acceleration, do you just need to slow down a bit and pull back some, or do you just need to stop altogether? During this season of ministry on-ramps you can see what gets momentum without risking it all. During this season of ministry on-ramps you can see who emerges as leadership and whether you have adequate leadership.
Use the ministry on-ramp it may just prevent an accident and get further you on your journey.
Thursday, July 02, 2009
You Looked At Men More than God
I have recently been trudging through Wesley's 59 page pamphlet of 1743 "An Earnest Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion." Yeah, I know I am a dork. Anyhow, in talking smack about his opponents in the Church of England Wesley wrote, "You looked at men more than God" and this little phrase reminded me about a prayer I often pray that I came across before. My prayer asks God to fill me with grace that I seek not the approbation (approval) of man but of God in what I say and do.
God has been working on me about this one for some time. I think most of us, if we are honest, do to one degree or another seek the approval of man over God. This is especially true for clergy who are people pleasers. However, it goes for all people. We seek to please, win the approval of, impress, show how much we know to supervisors, co-workers, friends, and others in the hope that this will somehow gain us favor, make us feel better about ourselves and make us a person of worth. We do not always do this consciously. It seems it part of how we are wired as fallen people in whom God's image has been shattered. Many of us do this even though we know our identity and worth comes not from other people or even what we "do" for God but because of what God has done for us in Christ.
Perhaps our best example of seeking to please God over man is in Jesus who never really gave a crap about what other people thought. He was not afraid to offend the religious elite, speak difficult words into the lives of his parioshioners (disciples) for fear they might leave, or even to the governmental authorities who could have set him free. Through it all, he was confident of who he was and what he was to do and sought to be obedient to God's call and please God.
Oddly enough, such reliance on God and not the approval of man brings the most freedom. I think part of what it means when Jesus promises to set us free is it is a promise to be free from seeking the approval of man. I think this is an ongoing process and part of our journey of faith (sanctification for you theology nerds). I for one will continue to pray "let me not so much seek the approbation of man, but to please you O God."
God has been working on me about this one for some time. I think most of us, if we are honest, do to one degree or another seek the approval of man over God. This is especially true for clergy who are people pleasers. However, it goes for all people. We seek to please, win the approval of, impress, show how much we know to supervisors, co-workers, friends, and others in the hope that this will somehow gain us favor, make us feel better about ourselves and make us a person of worth. We do not always do this consciously. It seems it part of how we are wired as fallen people in whom God's image has been shattered. Many of us do this even though we know our identity and worth comes not from other people or even what we "do" for God but because of what God has done for us in Christ.
Perhaps our best example of seeking to please God over man is in Jesus who never really gave a crap about what other people thought. He was not afraid to offend the religious elite, speak difficult words into the lives of his parioshioners (disciples) for fear they might leave, or even to the governmental authorities who could have set him free. Through it all, he was confident of who he was and what he was to do and sought to be obedient to God's call and please God.
Oddly enough, such reliance on God and not the approval of man brings the most freedom. I think part of what it means when Jesus promises to set us free is it is a promise to be free from seeking the approval of man. I think this is an ongoing process and part of our journey of faith (sanctification for you theology nerds). I for one will continue to pray "let me not so much seek the approbation of man, but to please you O God."
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
How Do you Get People to Unfold Their Arms?
You have probably seen them before. They come to worship and are sitting in their seats and they have their arms folded the whole time. They don't want to be there. They may have been dragged there (they have a drug problem- they've been drug to church). They might have come willingly but have put up this wall. They may have been burnt by the church before. How do we help people to unfold their arms, open themselves up to the transforming power of God's love, let their guard down, and enjoy the presence of God in worship? In short, how do we help people unfold their arms?
Do we even think about the arm folders when it comes to worshipers or are we solely concerned with those who already in and know what to say, when to stand, and what to do with their hands?
I think one way to get people to unfold their arms is to use humor in presenting the Gospel. Though we have a hard time admitting in Christian circles God is a funny God. I mean just look at creation. God has a great sense of humor. So, using a humorous skit, video, or poking fun at oneself can help unfold the arms.
I think another thing that can help people unfold their arms is authenticity. This means being real. This means not trying to be somebody we are not or trying to give the perception we are somebody we are not. We all struggle, we all need prayer, we all sin, we all need God's grace. It is OK to say and admit that.
Being relevant also helps to get a person's arms unfolded. Using message illustrations that are fresh and contemporary instead of out of a book or from a website, using worship music that uses modern instruments and not ones from three centuries ago, and redeeming the culture and exploiting the culture for the cause of Christ can all help unfold arms.
And yet, no matter what we do, in the end it is God through the power of the Holy Spirit who will unfold arms. I think our job is to create an environment that cooperates with how God works so that arms may be unfolded.
Do we even think about the arm folders when it comes to worshipers or are we solely concerned with those who already in and know what to say, when to stand, and what to do with their hands?
I think one way to get people to unfold their arms is to use humor in presenting the Gospel. Though we have a hard time admitting in Christian circles God is a funny God. I mean just look at creation. God has a great sense of humor. So, using a humorous skit, video, or poking fun at oneself can help unfold the arms.
I think another thing that can help people unfold their arms is authenticity. This means being real. This means not trying to be somebody we are not or trying to give the perception we are somebody we are not. We all struggle, we all need prayer, we all sin, we all need God's grace. It is OK to say and admit that.
Being relevant also helps to get a person's arms unfolded. Using message illustrations that are fresh and contemporary instead of out of a book or from a website, using worship music that uses modern instruments and not ones from three centuries ago, and redeeming the culture and exploiting the culture for the cause of Christ can all help unfold arms.
And yet, no matter what we do, in the end it is God through the power of the Holy Spirit who will unfold arms. I think our job is to create an environment that cooperates with how God works so that arms may be unfolded.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
What Does the Church Value?
There is much talk about the need for churches to have a set of core values. These are the things that guide the church and make up who the church is. They are rather constant and are meant to anchor a church. For a new church, values are "wish to be" statements. Thus, when a new church lists its values they are listing "wish to" statements about how they want to be some day since they have not had any life yet to live out those values.
But, once a church does have some years how does one determine what values they hold? There are three things to look at in my mind.
1. The church calendar. What does the church spend its time doing. Is it putting on chicken dinners and gospel sings or doing servant evangelism and Habitat for Humanity?
2. Talent. How are persons deployed in the church? Are person's spiritual gifts discovered so they can serve the institution or serve Jesus as they do life in the workplace, on the ball field, or at school?
3. Treasures. Where is the money being spent? Do we say we value youth and give them $500 dollars in the budget and then tell them to hold a car wash and sell fruit to raise money while we spend $40,000 to restore the pipe organ?
Incidentally, or not so incidentally, these same measuring sticks (which are admittedly not exhaustive) can be used to determine an individual follower of Jesus' values. You can tell a lot about what people and churches value by looking at the calendar and checkbook.
But, once a church does have some years how does one determine what values they hold? There are three things to look at in my mind.
1. The church calendar. What does the church spend its time doing. Is it putting on chicken dinners and gospel sings or doing servant evangelism and Habitat for Humanity?
2. Talent. How are persons deployed in the church? Are person's spiritual gifts discovered so they can serve the institution or serve Jesus as they do life in the workplace, on the ball field, or at school?
3. Treasures. Where is the money being spent? Do we say we value youth and give them $500 dollars in the budget and then tell them to hold a car wash and sell fruit to raise money while we spend $40,000 to restore the pipe organ?
Incidentally, or not so incidentally, these same measuring sticks (which are admittedly not exhaustive) can be used to determine an individual follower of Jesus' values. You can tell a lot about what people and churches value by looking at the calendar and checkbook.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Thrift Store Opening on Saturday
The New Season Thrift Store will open this Saturday for the first time. We will have an official grand opening later on but we wanted to get it open as quickly as possible. Cathy and Gregg Stewart and their team have been busy at work getting everything set up and ready.
If you would like to volunteer at the Thrift Store for an hour, four hours or a whole day let me know. We are also receiving donations, so if you have some Thrift Store treasures then let me know and we can arrange for you to drop them off.
I am looking forward to the relationships we will make with customers and the opportunity to be in ministry. Plus, its just a lot of fun to start new things!
Come check us out on Saturday!
If you would like to volunteer at the Thrift Store for an hour, four hours or a whole day let me know. We are also receiving donations, so if you have some Thrift Store treasures then let me know and we can arrange for you to drop them off.
I am looking forward to the relationships we will make with customers and the opportunity to be in ministry. Plus, its just a lot of fun to start new things!
Come check us out on Saturday!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Grove UMC Youth Choir
This past Sunday at New Season Church we had the joy and privilege to host the Grove UMC Youth Choir from West Chester, PA. What a great bunch of kids and adults from the Youth Choir. They did an excellent job leading worship for us.
I was real proud of our church for stepping up and demonstrating radical hospitality to the youth and their chaperones. We housed them all, fed them, took then to Carls and more.
The choir continued on Sunday to Woodbridge, then Georgia, then Florida. I pray that God would continue to use these young persons mightily now and in the future.
Thank you Grove UMC Youth choir and people of New Season Church.
I was real proud of our church for stepping up and demonstrating radical hospitality to the youth and their chaperones. We housed them all, fed them, took then to Carls and more.
The choir continued on Sunday to Woodbridge, then Georgia, then Florida. I pray that God would continue to use these young persons mightily now and in the future.
Thank you Grove UMC Youth choir and people of New Season Church.
Friday, June 12, 2009
One Prayer
Don't miss out on One Prayer this coming Sunday at New Season Church. Once again this year we will be participating with other churches in doing the One Prayer message series.
We pray to Jesus asking Him to answer our prayers - what if we became the answer to His? In John 17:20-24, He prayed that we would be one, and One Prayer is an opportunity to see what can be accomplished when the Church works together.
In June 2008, God worked in amazing ways as more than two million believers stood together to pray, fast, learn, and love others. This year, we'll be joining forces once again for an extraordinary worldwide experience: One Prayer 2009.
We'll come together to learn more about our Creator and go out into the world to share, serve and give. We'll partner around the globe and explore the theme..."God is…"
We're looking forward to hearing what the gifted communicators participating in One Prayer have to say about this topic through messages like:
God is Strength Francis Chan
Cornerstone Community Church, Simi Valley, CA
God is Big Robb Almy
New Season United Methodist Church, Fredericksburg, VA
God is a Blast Brandon Thomas
Keystone Church, Keller, TX
God is Here Perry Noble
New Spring Church, Anderson, SC
New Season Church along with more than 1,800 churches will be united in action to reach our world—and we’re glad you will be a part of it. Just think: we are joining with churches around the globe…from Canada to Costa Rica, from Indonesia to Italy, from Ghana to Guatemala. We’re standing as one and sharing what the world needs more than anything else—the boundless love of Christ.
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