*taken from newsletter article from Rock Springs Church of God in Decatur, IL
Don't know if you like amusement parks? If you do maybe you have said something like, "Oh what a ride!" I know I have said that many times I had a thrill on a rollercaoster. I have that same feeling pastoring Rock Springs Church of God. Let me just say it after serving the last 7 months as your pastor, "Oh what a ride"
It has been the thrill of my life to preach, teach, visit, evangelize, disciple and love the people. Thanks so much for getting on the ride with me and experiencing the thrill together.
The theme of our church is, "Becoming all things to all people". It is a challenge to serve. It is a challenge to get beyond our prejudices. It excites me so much to see you catch the vision. We witnessed this by you serving Enterprise Elementary through your giving of food baskets, warm clothes and volunteering each week. I get positive reports on how we have been affecting student's lifes. The eighty Christmas Shoe Boxes that were donated show your love for children abroad and I just want to thank you for your commitment to missions. So proud to see you serve, in whatever capacity that you serve.
We have seen our children's ministry and youth ministry grow. What amazing leaders that have been sent to invest in our most prized possession, our children. For without them both the leaders and the students, we would not see the vision of Rock Springs carried through generation after generation. Im so excited to see what God has in store for them.
Rock Springs continues to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For without Him, none of what I wrote about would be possible. It is only by His strength, spirit and power that we exist. I am glad to just be on His team.
*taken from Pastor Tim Lusitana's article
THE FEW MORE DETAILS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Before I tell you the rest of the story I want you to notice how many times Pastor Tim encourages the volunteers with great words like, "Im proud of you." As I reflect back over 25 years I wish I would have said that more... Just a thought now for the rest of the story.
Rock Springs had less than 20 people in July 2010. They didn't know what to do until someone connected them with Pastor Tim. Pastor Tim was just starting the search for a pastoral position and went to talk with Rock Springs. He had been a youth pastor at Rock Springs several years earlier. He agreed to candidate if they would agree to change... to embrace his vision for a missional church... to let go of a few sacred cows... to be open to new things...
Desperate people do desperate things and they said "Yes!"
Now let me say to them - Im proud of you!
He and his dear wife Adrian started the ministry at Rock Springs on all cylinders. God has sent experienced youth leaders, a dynamic children's pastor, a great worship team to lead with them. It's hard to count the new conversions and baptisms. For the last three weeks the church has had over 135 people in attendance. They are out of parking and are praying about starting their first capital fund campaign for future ministry projects.
I believe we have only seen the beginning of what God is going to do with Rock Springs and the leadership team over the next 10 years.
Oh what a ride! And Tim - Im proud of you too!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
The Power of Two Words
Lincoln Avenue Church of God
Dixon, IL
On February 20, 2011, Lincoln Avenue Church of God installed Mike and Carrie Worrell as their new pastor. Prior to the Worrell's coming the congregation had suffered tremendous losses and were questioning if they would survive a few more years. The energy level was about a 5%. They were concerned over survival, paying their bills, boring worship, no vision.
Mike, who grew up in the church was home for a visit and was asked to preach. The few members called everyone they knew to announce that Mike was home and he agreed to preach and his wife was going to sing and lead worship. They started calling the service a homecoming.
The place was full. For one Sunday, the few members of Lincoln Ave Church of God thought, what if this could happen every Sunday. They asked Mike if he and Carried would be interested in coming home to Dixon to pastor. Mike said "no". He was pastoring a growing church in Southeast MO and his wife Carrie was full time worship leader on staff as well. The church in MO had grown significantly under their ministry and they were excited. The people at Lincoln Ave. kept praying.
When the Worrells returned to MO, they couldn't leave the experience in Dixon behind. They started praying and felt like God was telling them to go to Dixon. They called the few people in Dixon and said they felt like God was telling them to come home. The people in Dixon said, "we knew He would!"
The Worrells left a nice home, two full time jobs, and uprooted their three beautiful daughters and moved to Dixon after Christmas. They moved into a parsonage that needed significant upgrades. Both he and Carried have found full time jobs. The kids are in a new school.
As if you are not moved yet - the story gets better.
The last time I was in Dixon with 12 people I could see no hope! A few days ago I preached the installation service for Mike and Carrie. I am telling you the place is full of energy. Young people are singing in a worship team, they had an ensemble sing that was spectacular, the laughter and excitement is contagious, a children and youth ministry has been started. There were a minimum of 90 people in attendance maybe even 100. The fellowship hall was so full after the service people had to walk sideways through the aisle. I cannot express in words what I felt as I spoke with people on Sunday - brand new christians, people that have returned to home, seekers... it was thrilling.
The church is meeting next week to already revisit Pastor Mike's salary. Much needed work on the facility is being done. When you plan a budget with 12 people giving and in 8 weeks grow to 80 people you have a few extra dollars to do ministry.
I lift up Christ! I write this to remind you - Jesus did this! Jesus gave the hope to Lincoln Ave Church of God. Jesus spoke to Mike and Carrie. Jesus touched their daughters to make them okay with the move. Jesus is moving in the hearts of new people at Lincoln Ave. And Jesus will continue to move in the city of Dixon for his glory. All Jesus needs is for you to believe and stay open to His movement.
Oh the power of two words, "Yes Jesus!"
Dixon, IL
On February 20, 2011, Lincoln Avenue Church of God installed Mike and Carrie Worrell as their new pastor. Prior to the Worrell's coming the congregation had suffered tremendous losses and were questioning if they would survive a few more years. The energy level was about a 5%. They were concerned over survival, paying their bills, boring worship, no vision.
Mike, who grew up in the church was home for a visit and was asked to preach. The few members called everyone they knew to announce that Mike was home and he agreed to preach and his wife was going to sing and lead worship. They started calling the service a homecoming.
The place was full. For one Sunday, the few members of Lincoln Ave Church of God thought, what if this could happen every Sunday. They asked Mike if he and Carried would be interested in coming home to Dixon to pastor. Mike said "no". He was pastoring a growing church in Southeast MO and his wife Carrie was full time worship leader on staff as well. The church in MO had grown significantly under their ministry and they were excited. The people at Lincoln Ave. kept praying.
When the Worrells returned to MO, they couldn't leave the experience in Dixon behind. They started praying and felt like God was telling them to go to Dixon. They called the few people in Dixon and said they felt like God was telling them to come home. The people in Dixon said, "we knew He would!"
The Worrells left a nice home, two full time jobs, and uprooted their three beautiful daughters and moved to Dixon after Christmas. They moved into a parsonage that needed significant upgrades. Both he and Carried have found full time jobs. The kids are in a new school.
As if you are not moved yet - the story gets better.
The last time I was in Dixon with 12 people I could see no hope! A few days ago I preached the installation service for Mike and Carrie. I am telling you the place is full of energy. Young people are singing in a worship team, they had an ensemble sing that was spectacular, the laughter and excitement is contagious, a children and youth ministry has been started. There were a minimum of 90 people in attendance maybe even 100. The fellowship hall was so full after the service people had to walk sideways through the aisle. I cannot express in words what I felt as I spoke with people on Sunday - brand new christians, people that have returned to home, seekers... it was thrilling.
The church is meeting next week to already revisit Pastor Mike's salary. Much needed work on the facility is being done. When you plan a budget with 12 people giving and in 8 weeks grow to 80 people you have a few extra dollars to do ministry.
I lift up Christ! I write this to remind you - Jesus did this! Jesus gave the hope to Lincoln Ave Church of God. Jesus spoke to Mike and Carrie. Jesus touched their daughters to make them okay with the move. Jesus is moving in the hearts of new people at Lincoln Ave. And Jesus will continue to move in the city of Dixon for his glory. All Jesus needs is for you to believe and stay open to His movement.
Oh the power of two words, "Yes Jesus!"
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
The Quest of Serving in Your Sweet Spot
I believe that God created each of us with a perfect place to fit. I just finished writing an article for Illinois’ LINK and I mention the ‘sweet spot’. I think the sweet spot exists within every person. I think God shaped us to have a perfect spot to serve. I’m not getting all Joel Olsteen on you. We still go through tough times. We still work hard. We still seek God’s will.
Yesterday I finished an Assessment on me as a pastor/leader. The findings were painful to hear but certainly were a direct hit. Ben Franklin said, “there are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self.” Getting to know yourself better allows you to understand where the sweet spot is. What are the things in your life that you can become so involved with that nothing else matters and you would do it for free? You are getting close to your sweet spot?
When I am not in my sweet spot, I work harder that I should and get less results. I begin to worry about things that I can’t control. I am easily distracted by all the things that I could be doing. I try to convince myself that watching television is “being in the world but not of the world.”
When I am in my sweet spot, results flow from my work. I have a dramatic sense that what I did mattered today. I have a real joy in my service.
Where is your sweet spot? Is it study, helping someone, giving to a need, writing an article, preaching, teaching, leading others...?
Will Macini says that if you aren’t serving in your sweet spot, you will work in your sweat spot. He uses words like Lack of vision, exhaustion, monotony, distractions, and jealousy. I’ve been there and don’t want to go back. The more I can discover who I am, the better I can find my sweet spot. I’m on the quest. You wanna join me?
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