The past two weeks have been incredibly intense, and I am so glad the Lord has a sense of humor. Our Associate Pastor had surgery on his broken elbow. Our Church Administrator is out on vacation. Two other clergy are on vacation. We began a new worship schedule on Sundays adding a new service at 7:45 a.m. The A Word from the Lord office is in the process of moving. And I have had eleven serious pastoral situations with individuals in crisis. All this on top of the normal schedule. Fortunately, the Lord has been His GRACious Self and given me and others around me His Presence and Anointing to be His servants in the Kingdom.
The last part of this week I have taken my wife, Allison, to join some other parishioners for a few days to a house at the Beach. We had bought a week together at our Youth Auction last February. Although I have just returned from a Sabbatical, I wish I could say I was resting and relaxing here, but the reality is that I am working. However, the scenery is wonderful! The food is great!! And my breaks are good -- a walk on the beach. Just finished my sermon prep for Sunday entitled: "Humble as A Child," a sermon about how God calls us to live and serve in His Kingdom.
Interesting Quotes from my reading.....
John Stott on Genesis 3:16-17 -- "Adam and Eve went into hiding, and the greatest of all tragedies began, namely that human beings made by God like God and for God should now try to live their lives without God."
Steven M. W. Covey -- "You can judge a person's character by the way he treats people who can't help him or hurt him."
Immanuel Kant -- "In law, a man is guilty when he violates the rights of another. In ethics, he is guilty if he only thinks of doing so."
"People don't listen to you speak; they watch your feet"
Steven M. W. Covey -- "The truth is that in every relationship -- personal and professional -- what you do has far greater impact than anything you say. You can say you love someone -- but unless you demonstrate that love with your actions, your words become meaningless."
Jesus -- "I tell you the truth that unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3,4)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
God Bless the U.S.A.
As we hear calls which politicize September 11 (i.e., our president's call to ask Americans to give a day of service to the State, and then those who criticize him for it), let us take a few minutes and thank God for the incredible nation in which we live.
Yesterday, I participated in the dedication of the Strickland Memorial Chapel at Gwinnett Medical Center in North Atlanta. Mr. Clyde Strickland got up to speak after hearing a hindu, a muslim, and a rabbi speak about their perspective. Mr. Strickland said: "Only in America can this happen today. America is about freedom. Freedom to worship God in your own way. This could not have happened in most countries of the world." So let us thank God for the incredible nation in which we live.
But let us also take a few minutes and remember those who have suffered because of the attacks on our country that day. Let us remember the families of the over 3000 who died on that day. Over 700 children lost their parents that day! Let us remember those who sacrificed so much so that we all could overcome and move forward individually and as a nation.
A friend, Doug DeBolt, who used to be with Acts 29 Ministries put together a video from his time of ministry in New York days after the attack. It is worth a watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmGuFs3dJxc.
Yesterday, I participated in the dedication of the Strickland Memorial Chapel at Gwinnett Medical Center in North Atlanta. Mr. Clyde Strickland got up to speak after hearing a hindu, a muslim, and a rabbi speak about their perspective. Mr. Strickland said: "Only in America can this happen today. America is about freedom. Freedom to worship God in your own way. This could not have happened in most countries of the world." So let us thank God for the incredible nation in which we live.
But let us also take a few minutes and remember those who have suffered because of the attacks on our country that day. Let us remember the families of the over 3000 who died on that day. Over 700 children lost their parents that day! Let us remember those who sacrificed so much so that we all could overcome and move forward individually and as a nation.
A friend, Doug DeBolt, who used to be with Acts 29 Ministries put together a video from his time of ministry in New York days after the attack. It is worth a watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmGuFs3dJxc.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Re-Entry
What a great week!!!I have been blessed to hear from our church staff about all that the Lord has been doing this summer while I have been gone. Wow! The Lord has confirmed again to me that to obey Him is always right. While I was away on Sabbatical, the church remained strong, people came to the Lord, attendance held, giving remained strong, people served, and lives were touched in the name of the Lord. I am blessed to be surrounded by a great staff, gifted clergy, a dedicated Leadership Team, and a congregation of people seeking to serve the Lord.
This weekend I had a wedding, two baptisms, and preached two times. I preached on "Working for What?" In honor of Labor Day, I attempted to share the beginnings of a Christian Work Ethic for those who are followers of Jesus. It should be available online at www.hcanglican.org within the next day or so.One humorous event from the wedding yesterday... A woman came up to me and said she listens every Sunday to our weekly broadcast, but I DIDN'T LOOK ANYTHING LIKE SHE THOUGHT I WOULD! (I am not sure if that was good or bad). She went on to share how much the weekly sermon ministers to her. I was deeply touched.
Colossians 3:22-24 -- "Servants, do what you are told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from your heart for the real Master, for God, confident that you will come into your inheritance. Keep in mind that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being Christian doesn't cover up bad work."
Martin Luther: "The Lord’s blessing does not come upon those who are sluggish . . . I would not want you to indulge in inactivity and idleness; I want you to work. For God does not give His blessing to those who snore according to the flesh; He wants the flesh to be exercised and mortified . . . Therefore although it is not this work that accomplishes what the blessing bestows, yet God wants us to do our duty and to work diligently, in order that the flesh may be exercised and may not snore and become listless from inactivity . . . Accordingly, we should not give ourselves to ease and laziness; but with all zeal and diligence we should submit to the labors which the calling of each and every one requires. And to these labors there should be added at the same time a cheerful spirit in every trouble, exertion, and tribulation. In this way a blessing should be expected from the Lord."
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Feedback
I have just about completed my Sabbatical -- will be back in the office on Tuesday and in the pulpit on Sunday. It has been an incredible summer with the Lord. I am amazed at how run-down I was... I knew I was weary, but I was really sucking eggs. I have had some good rest, lots of exercise, lots of quiet, good times with the family, some vacation-time, lots of challenging reading, and I have visited many churches of various types.I have learned much about myself, the Lord, and about ministry in the Kingdom of God. I have been working toward a new hobby with my son -- kite-boarding! I ran the Peachtree Road Race (6.2 miles) with my wife (it was her 29th in a row).
I feel like I am heading back to Holy Cross with a fresh perspective on the church's ministry, my ministry, and where we are headed as a church. I have been able to review my personal life-mission statement, values, and my goals for the upcoming months and years.
The Lord has been gracious to me -- pointing out my sin, areas of growth, reminding me of his love for me, and giving me a new appreciation for his death on the cross. He is SO faithful, even when we fall short. He is absolutely intent on working out all things for good in our lives and for His ultimate purpose in the kingdom. For those of you who prayed for me during this time, I am so grateful! Thank you!!!!
Now, I need your feedback. I set up this blog for my Sabbatical. Shall I keep it going? Has it been helpful -- not just in letting you know what I am doing, but in sharing some truths about the kingdom and following Jesus?? Please send me your feedback as to whether or not I should continue in the "blog-a-sphere"?
Proverbs 3:5,6 -- "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Thursday, August 27, 2009
What Do You Say
Theodore Roosevelt... "It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly... who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while doing greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never known neither victory nor defeat."
Rocky Balboa... "The world ain't all sunshine and roses. It is a downright cruel place and it will knock you down and keep you on your knees... It is not how about hard you get hit, it is about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward. It is about getting knocked down and then getting back up."
From The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey...
"Keep in mind that whatever your role at work or at home, you are an influencer. You are a leader, even if only of yourself."
Joe Patterno (Penn State) -- "Whether you are on a sports team, in an office, or a member of a family, if you can't trust one another there's going to be trouble."
"If you think the problem is out there, that very thought is the problem."
Booker T. Washington... "Few things can help and individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let know that you trust him."
"People want to be trusted. They respond to trust. They thrive on trust."
"If we can't trust ourselves, we'll have a hard time trusting others."
"We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their behavior."
Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount...
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16, NIV)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:43-45, NIV)
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
(Matt 7:3-5, NIV)
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matt 7:16-20, NIV)
Rocky Balboa... "The world ain't all sunshine and roses. It is a downright cruel place and it will knock you down and keep you on your knees... It is not how about hard you get hit, it is about how hard you get hit and keep moving forward. It is about getting knocked down and then getting back up."
From The Speed of Trust by Stephen M. R. Covey...
"Keep in mind that whatever your role at work or at home, you are an influencer. You are a leader, even if only of yourself."
Joe Patterno (Penn State) -- "Whether you are on a sports team, in an office, or a member of a family, if you can't trust one another there's going to be trouble."
"If you think the problem is out there, that very thought is the problem."
Booker T. Washington... "Few things can help and individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let know that you trust him."
"People want to be trusted. They respond to trust. They thrive on trust."
"If we can't trust ourselves, we'll have a hard time trusting others."
"We judge ourselves by our intentions, and others by their behavior."
Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount...
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:14-16, NIV)
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." (Matt 5:43-45, NIV)
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."
(Matt 7:3-5, NIV)
"By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." (Matt 7:16-20, NIV)
Monday, August 24, 2009
Visiting a Church
Sometimes visiting a church can be quite a challenge. Today I set out to visit the Church of Jesus Our Shepherd in Norcross, Georgia, a northern suburb of Atlanta. I looked up the website and clicked on the "get directions" tab and printed out directions to the church. I timed my drive so I would arrive about 10 minutes early, leaving time for traffic or other distractions.
When I arrived at the address, it was an office complex in an old warehouse district -- it was not the hotel where the church meets. It was not even the office of the church. Turns out it was the address of the office many years ago. I called the number listed on the website and it was disconnected! (take note any pastors who may be reading this -- make sure your website is updated!) Fortunately, I remembered that it was meeting in the Hilton in Norcross, but I had no idea where that was. After calling 411, then the hotel, and then after a couple of wrong turns, I arrived 25 minutes late. I almost didn't go in, but I am glad I did.
The Church of Jesus our Shepherd is an Anglican congregation with the Anglican Mission in
America. They meet in a hotel and have no plans to build a building. Instead, they want to be able to support missions and start new congregations with their offerings. They proclaim on their bulletin that they are "Spirit-led Anglican Worship" and have "Bible-based preaching, prayer and healing." The service was all of that. When I arrived, the singing could be heard down the hall so I knew exactly where to find them. About 40-50 folks had gathered in a meeting room which had been set up to look like a church. Most of the congregation was in their 60's and 70's although there were a handful of young people present.
The service was a charismatic worship service with Anglican liturgy. It begins with about 30 minutes of praise music and I arrived during the last song. So actually, even though I was late, I didn't miss any of the liturgy! The congregation has an incredibly sweet spirit which was exhibited not only in their worship, but in conversations after the service. The service was 2 hours long and included a sermon by the Rev. Tom Belt. Tom is an old colleague from ministry days about 20 years ago. Much of the liturgy was sung to arrangements by Tom and was quite worshipful.
A couple of quotes from the sermon which spoke loudly....
"God knows all about us; we all need help; we all need healing; we all need direction. And God is hanging in there with us."
"When you fail, when you sin, just keep on coming to Jesus. He has the words of life. He is life."
"Sadly, too often we like what God gives us rather than liking God Himself."
"We like our opinion of who Jesus is rather than what the Bible tells us about who He is."
We had communion as part of the service, and after receiving communion, people were invited to go to one of two prayer teams if they wanted prayer for healing or had other needs. It was a wonderful time of worship, and encouraging to see the vibrancy and confidence the congregation has in the Lord. One surprise for me was the number of people who said, "I heard you on the radio this morning." Evidently, quite of number of these folks listen to A Word from the Lord on the Atlanta station.
One last comment... I was able to see Helen and Tom Boyd. Helen was my senior honor's English teacher in high school over 30 years ago! She has a vibrant and strong faith and witness for the Lord. It was truly a blessing to see her again.
When I arrived at the address, it was an office complex in an old warehouse district -- it was not the hotel where the church meets. It was not even the office of the church. Turns out it was the address of the office many years ago. I called the number listed on the website and it was disconnected! (take note any pastors who may be reading this -- make sure your website is updated!) Fortunately, I remembered that it was meeting in the Hilton in Norcross, but I had no idea where that was. After calling 411, then the hotel, and then after a couple of wrong turns, I arrived 25 minutes late. I almost didn't go in, but I am glad I did.
The Church of Jesus our Shepherd is an Anglican congregation with the Anglican Mission in
America. They meet in a hotel and have no plans to build a building. Instead, they want to be able to support missions and start new congregations with their offerings. They proclaim on their bulletin that they are "Spirit-led Anglican Worship" and have "Bible-based preaching, prayer and healing." The service was all of that. When I arrived, the singing could be heard down the hall so I knew exactly where to find them. About 40-50 folks had gathered in a meeting room which had been set up to look like a church. Most of the congregation was in their 60's and 70's although there were a handful of young people present.The service was a charismatic worship service with Anglican liturgy. It begins with about 30 minutes of praise music and I arrived during the last song. So actually, even though I was late, I didn't miss any of the liturgy! The congregation has an incredibly sweet spirit which was exhibited not only in their worship, but in conversations after the service. The service was 2 hours long and included a sermon by the Rev. Tom Belt. Tom is an old colleague from ministry days about 20 years ago. Much of the liturgy was sung to arrangements by Tom and was quite worshipful.
A couple of quotes from the sermon which spoke loudly....
"God knows all about us; we all need help; we all need healing; we all need direction. And God is hanging in there with us."
"When you fail, when you sin, just keep on coming to Jesus. He has the words of life. He is life."
"Sadly, too often we like what God gives us rather than liking God Himself."
"We like our opinion of who Jesus is rather than what the Bible tells us about who He is."
We had communion as part of the service, and after receiving communion, people were invited to go to one of two prayer teams if they wanted prayer for healing or had other needs. It was a wonderful time of worship, and encouraging to see the vibrancy and confidence the congregation has in the Lord. One surprise for me was the number of people who said, "I heard you on the radio this morning." Evidently, quite of number of these folks listen to A Word from the Lord on the Atlanta station.
One last comment... I was able to see Helen and Tom Boyd. Helen was my senior honor's English teacher in high school over 30 years ago! She has a vibrant and strong faith and witness for the Lord. It was truly a blessing to see her again.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Avoiding Burnout
In the previous post I wrote about Reggie McNeal's book on 7 Diciplines of Spiritual Leaders. I thought this paragraph was very well-said to clergy and those in lay leadership positions in ministry...
Our strengths are also our needs. Said another way, we each need to do what we do well. If we don't get a chance to perform in the area of our talents, we feel cheated, grow frustrated, and court burnout.
Most ministry burnout among spiritual leaders is not the exotic type (usually involving some egregious moral failure) that garners all the press and gossip. Instead, it is typically the common garden variety of burnout that results from leaders day in and day out with stuff that brings them no energy and does not play to their talents. Eventually, leaders run out of emotional, psychological, and spiritual reserve.
A strong sense of call or commitment or a highly developed sense of responsibility may keep the leader in place, but only a shell of the formerly vibrant person remains. This happens far too frequently in spiritual leadership circles to be ignored. Moving toward areas of strength, including talent and passions, provides one clear strategy for avoiding burnout.
Our strengths are also our needs. Said another way, we each need to do what we do well. If we don't get a chance to perform in the area of our talents, we feel cheated, grow frustrated, and court burnout.
Most ministry burnout among spiritual leaders is not the exotic type (usually involving some egregious moral failure) that garners all the press and gossip. Instead, it is typically the common garden variety of burnout that results from leaders day in and day out with stuff that brings them no energy and does not play to their talents. Eventually, leaders run out of emotional, psychological, and spiritual reserve.
A strong sense of call or commitment or a highly developed sense of responsibility may keep the leader in place, but only a shell of the formerly vibrant person remains. This happens far too frequently in spiritual leadership circles to be ignored. Moving toward areas of strength, including talent and passions, provides one clear strategy for avoiding burnout.
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