The Power of Presence

 In a few days if not before, children will be ripping into presents.  I remember when our girls were younger Christmas morning was about shaking packages, tearing the paper, peaking into boxes and then tossing them off to the side to see what was in the next package.  Whether the package was small or large, it didn't matter - the anticipation was the same.

The family dynamics change when your children grow older; Christmas begins to be about sleeping in on Christmas mornings and the kids receiving gifts and giving gifts to their friends.  Lisa and I are looking forward to being home this year for Christmas - one of the first ever if not the first.  We will exchange gifts - have a cup of coffee - the phone will probably not ring unless it is family.  Not sure if we will see our married daughter until later and our youngest daughter (age 20) - only the Sovereignty of God knows what she will be doing.  

Now onto what I am thinking this morning: it's not about presents for me and I don't think it has been for years.  It's about presence.  It's about being together with those you love.  I think that is the key to discipleship too by the way - it's not curriculum or knowledge it the power of your presence letting Christ shine through you to someone else.

Henri Nouwen told the story of a student who, many years after graduation, returned to sit in his old professor's office where so many questions had been answered and so many problems had been solved. When the student entered he told his professor that he didn't need anything, he came just to visit, to be together. They sat for a while in silence and looked at each other. One broke the silence by telling the other how nice it was to see each other. The other agreed, and then there was silence. Then the student said, "When I look at you it is as if I am in the presence of Christ." The professor remembers that did not startle or surprise him and that he could only respond with, "It is the Christ in you who recognizes the Christ in me." The student replied with the most healing words Nouwen had heard in many years. "Yes, Christ indeed is in our midst. From now on, wherever you go, or wherever I go, all the ground between us will be holy ground."

Have a great Christmas filled with the presence of Jesus and the presence of those whom you love!
 

A View On Suffering

One of the best selling books of 1982 was Rabbi Harold Kushner’s book, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People.” Rabbi Kushner wrote the book out of his own personal grief experience in the loss of his young son Aaron to a rapid-aging disease. Harold Kushner felt a deep, aching sense of unfairness and he wonders out loud: “Why would God do this to me. I’m a Rabbi!” But then an even more haunting question came: “Why would He do this to Aaron? Why does this innocent, happy, outgoing little boy have to suffer so?” As Rabbi Kushner lived through this nightmare, he struggled with his own faith, studied various responses to tragedy and made a significant theological breakthrough. “Maybe God does not cause our suffering. Maybe our suffering, after all, is NOT the will of God.”

Harold Kushner said that he had before this time, grown up with the idea that we get what we deserve... that God blesses us when we are good, and punishes us when we get out of line. But then came Aaron’s undeserved illness... diagnosed when he was three years old, and then Aaron’s death two days after his 14^th birthday. And out of that came for Harold Kushner a new understanding of suffering. For, you see, deep down in his soul, he could not blame that on God. God doesn’t do cruel things to innocent children. He knew that God loved him and was suffering with him. Then he remembered that the psalmist didn’t say, “My pain comes from the Lord,” or “My tragedy comes from the Lord.” NO! He said, “My help comes from the Lord!” Rabbi Kushner came then to the conclusion that the question, “How could God do this to me?” is the wrong question to ask. The question is “God, see what’s happening to me – can you help me?”

In his suffering, Rabbi Kushner chose not to break down in self-pity. He chose not to break out with resentment. Rather, he chose to break through with trust in God! So did Moses, and Ruth and Job and Jesus... and so can we... because, you see, nothing... can separate us from God and His love. God is always with us in every circumstance of this life and indeed beyond this life. So nothing, not tragedies, not shootings, not storms, not illness, not even death, nothing can separate us from God’s love in Jesus Christ.

An Effective Discipleship Model

1st Step

• I do
• You Watch
• We talk

2nd Step

• I do 
• you help
• we talk

3rd Step

• You do
• I help
• we talk

4th Step

• You do 
• someone else watches
• the two of you talk

*Model gleaned from the Master Discipler!

O Breath of Life

Many of you know that my quiet time includes my bible, a journal, a hymnal, and a cup of coffee.  This morning I was praying the words to this hymn - I tweaked the words to this great hymn and put it to the tune of the familiar "In Christ Alone" by Getty and Townend.  I think it works quite well.  The words just moved me deeply this morning and I hope it does you as well!

The chorus is in italics.

O Breath of Life, come sweeping through.

Revive Thy Church with life and pow’r; 

O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew

Prepare thy Church to meet this hour.

O Wind of God, come bend ,break us,

till humbly we confess our need;

then in Thy tenderness remake

revive, restore, for this we plead.

O Breath of Love, come breathe within 

renewing thought and will and heart; 

Come, Love of Christ, afresh to win

revive Thy Church in ev’ry part.

O Heart of Christ, once broke for us

’tis there we find our strength and rest;

our broken contrite heart at peace

So  let Thy waiting Church be blest.

Revive us, Lord! With zeal and fire

while harvest fields are vast and white.

Revive us, Lord, the world in wait.

Equip Thy Church to spread the light.

Funk

I told someone recently that I have been in a funk for about a month.  I looked up the word funk and have to correct myself.  I’ve not been in a funk.  I’m wrong.  I have misused the word, I hope.  A funk is an awful odor or a type of music.  It can also mean failing because of fear but that is not the dominant definition.  So I stand corrected, I’ve not been in a funk. 

It doesn’t feel like depression.  The ‘to do’ list is long but I am not overwhelmed by it just not enough time to do what I know needs to be done.  Relationships are in tact – I feel like my time with God is not just an hour in the morning but I’m with him through the day – So, what is it?

Perhaps it is a fear.  Fear of inadequacy for the task that lies ahead.  Fear of not finding the right words to encourage a church.  Fear of saying the wrong words to a hurting pastor.  Fear of not being there for a friend who needs a hand.  Fear of watching a family member make a wrong decision. 

I did it – I talked my way through it and my friends, I am in a funk; look it up – failing because of fear and a foul odor (I have yet to shower this morning)

What is a man to do? “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

I’m reminding myself that the world does not operate around me.  I am inadequate for the role that I play out in this divine plan but He is not.  He is all I need.  In my weakness He becomes strong.  In my fear, He can be my confidence. I must decrease so that He can increase.

My thoughts are straight and I’m getting ready for the day.  I’m turning on some music and going to hammer out the ‘to do’ list.  What kind of music?  Did I just hear someone say, “Play that funky music white boy!”

Vulnerability; Is It Worth It?

In the computer world vulnerability is a weakness to your system.  It is a point of entry for someone or something to attack.  In the emotional sense, vulnerability has a tremendous sense of risk and hurt as well.  So is it worth it?  I have met a number of people who would say, “absolutely not! I tried that once and it destroyed my family and I found myself unemployed.”

My experience is that vulnerability is worth it (most of the time).  To me, vulnerability is enlarging my capacity to connect with others.  It’s about being transparent with my thoughts and feelings.  Admittedly, that’s not easy for a lot of individuals for a number of reasons.  It doesn’t come natural to most people.  If you happen to come across someone that is excessive in vulnerability red flags immediately go up!  And should.

You might say I am a selective vulnerable person.  I know that if my relationships are going to be deepened it requires vulnerability. It requires in a real sense to show the weakness to my system.  My family knows those things – I have a few close friends that know enough things about me that they could easily attack me, spread juicy gossip or call me a ‘big baby’.  It’s strange however; those are the people that I feel safest around.

Is it worth it?  Yes; most of the time.  Vulnerability opens the risk of being hurt but the opposite is to have a firewall so high that nothing can penetrate it.  I’m not talking about a virus, I’m talking about people.  My life is rich because I risked vulnerability.

Do you think it’s worth it?

Three Things That Can Take A Leader Out

GUEST BLOG from Chad Missildine (LIFE Church Forth Worth, TX)

www.thewayitcouldbe.com

Those of us in leadership can easily be taken down. Often, the causes are not HUGE mishaps. Instead, they are small yet vital details that can easily be overlooked.

Here are 3 Things that Can Take Any Leader Out:

1. Thought life.

By thought life, I mean what you think about all the time. The conversation going on inside your head is arguably more important than what takes place between yourself and those you lead. If your thought life is negative, what comes out of your mouth will likely be negative. If your thought life is centered around what will benefit YOU the leader the most, this will become quickly evident among those you lead.

What you think about you truly do bring about. Watch your thought life and don’t let it take you out. Instead, let it help you rise to the challenges that life presents and lead strong!

2. Energy levels.

Everyone talks about managing your time, but time is fixed and limited. Managing time is important, but I personally believe managing your energy is even more important. Your amount (or lack of) energy impacts EVERYTHING you do as a leader. Lower your energy levels and lower your influence and impact.

Raise your energy levels and multiply your influence and impact. Manage your energy levels by watching your diet, exercise, alcohol intake levels, sleeping patterns, and by taking proper amounts of time off from work.

3. Self-awareness.

Do you have an accurate view of yourself? Are you aware of your strengths, weaknesses, personality type, and emotional intelligence levels? Do others around you have permission to give you feedback?

If the answer to any of these questions is “I’m not sure” or “no,” you may not be very self-aware. The result could be BIG blind spots that can take you out as a leader. Take advantage of feedback and other self-awareness tools to help you gain a higher self-awareness.

What are your thoughts on the above three areas? What are other things that can take a leader or a person of influence out? Please share!

Back to me:  For a great conference/seminar on self-awareness go to www.indianaministries.org and sign up for the Lifting Your Leadership Lid.  Great opportunity to learn more about emotional intelligence.

The Impact of Smaller Churches

Currently we are made up of several small congregations throughout the state of IL.  16% of our population in IL live in rural areas.  100 years ago, 60 % percent of IL residents were in rural areas.

So what is the future of smaller congregations?  Can they have a powerful impact? What is the definition of a small church?  It really depends on who you ask the question.  In our tribe, I define small as 50 and less.  In other regions or groups anything under 350 people is small.    Since my interest is in IL and our 90 churches then for the sake of this article, let's say 50 and under. 

SERVE THE COMMUNITY WELL

Communities, regardless of size need churches.  Harrisburg, IL has leaned heavily upon the churches in their community to organize and help heal the community from the tornadoes.  In fact, smaller churches can have a greater influence in smaller communities.  For years I served a church in the suburbs, thousands upon thousands of individuals and hundreds of churches all around.  Churches could disappear and few people would notice.  In a small community even the smallest church everyone would know. (and talked about all over town).  What breaks my heart is when I see small churches in small communities have little to no impact.

The Church of God in Benton keeps the city food pantry stocked and running smoothly. Marseilles runs an Awana Program for 6 kids in the community. Hazel Crest has a drive through prayer time for people that remain in their car and the people just pray.  Dixon has a back to school bash and Easter Egg hunt that reaches fives times their Sunday morning attendance.  Stanford Church of God is the ONLY church in the community.  

LARGE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER

I have said, "if the church is reaching people for Christ, it should be growing."  I agree with that statement but let me make a few comments.  A large church could be large for many reasons - remember we are consumer based.  Recently a friend said to me that it surprised him that the church I served for over 20 years didn't grow more with the growth in the community.  Pretty humbling statement.  The church grew consistently for 20 years at a very slow rate but we in no way kept up with the population growth.  While other communities lost population, churches lost attendance but not at the pace of the population.  Were we reaching people for Christ?  Yes.  But the pool that I was fishing in was huge compared to a smaller congregation. 

Many churches have seen few people come to Christ over the last five years but have rendered wonderful service to the community.  They are building disciples and active in missions.  They are supporting others that are growing.  There investments are global.  The key for me is always vision.  I want every Church of God in IL to win people to Christ but even more than that I would say I want every church to reach her full kingdom potential; winning people Christ, discipling one another, sending young people into ministry, supporting other churches, investing in children, serving their community....

So to all of you who serve faithfully in smaller churches, I appreciate you.  I honor you for all you do for the glory of God.  You serve faithfully in places that are seldom recognized.  On behalf of a thankful State Pastor, I want to say thank you for pouring your heart and soul into ministry.  Remember the greatest reward comes from the One who has said that the last will be first.

Thank you!

Church of God in Illinois

Would you like to hear some good news about the Church of God in Illinois?  I have wanted to take the time to record some of these things and can never seem to find time to do it.  While the day is closing fast, I cannot let another day slip by without sharing.  So, this is going to be fast - probably grammatically horrifying - but hopefully very encouraging.  I am purposely not sharing the names... if you want to know give me a call and I can tell you more behind the stories.

1) There is a church that had over 600 in church on Easter and 400 since then.  This church was 125 a year and a half ago.  IL Ministries is partnering with this church in a coaching relationship to help sustain the growth.
2) We had a church that was very close to closing two years ago. Financially they were going under.  Truth be told they were sinking! They were disjointed and fighting.  They are running over 500 people today - bills are current and staff is being added to sustain the growth.
3) A Church less than 4 years old has baptized over 90 people in one year!  They are averaging over 200 on Sunday with an additional 150 attending the Friday Night.  It is not uncommon for this church to have over 20 people stay for all night prayer meetings.
4) I have recently covenanted with 7 churches in a Turn Around Covenant leading from the Dr. McIntosh's conference.
5) A church attended the Children's Ministry Conference and went home to start the first ever Children's Ministry.  In the past their Children's Ministry consisted of Christian Babysitting.  They now have 45 children every Sunday.  They are busting out of the facility.
6) A church that had been searching for a new pastor for 2 years welcomed their new pastor two Sundays ago.  It took a long time and they had a number of disappointments along the way -- but they were convinced that they would hear from God - they did!
7) I attended a church recently that has had significant growth in the 20's and 30's age group.  Contemporary Worship - and Guesterizing their church has been a huge part of the reason.
8) A new worship leader, a renewed focus on outreach and strong leadership has turned a congregation around.  Their growth rate has been over 20% in 8 months.
9) Two churches (different cultures) celebrated Maunday Thursday together in fellowship and communion.
10) Two churches (different races) accomplished a huge mission project together.  The fellowship and unity is growing stronger and stronger between these two congregations.
11) A new pastor with an exciting vision has led to about 60% growth in one year.  Ministries have been aligned with their vision.  The church is on fire in worship and children's ministry.
12) Bishop Timothy Clark bestowed upon me an Ornery Doctorate a few weeks ago.  I believe that honorary doctorates are humbling.  I believe that earned doctorates are incredible.  What do you with an Ornery Doctorate from Tim Clark?  I'm not sure but I want a robe and a funny hat to wear!

Rejoice with me and give thanks to the Lord for He is adding to the Church daily those who are being saved!

Only the Church!

I am in Arizona this morning with my brother and cousin.  We are finishing up taking care of all the things that have to be done when a loved one passes.  My 90 year old aunt passed away after a long difficult year.  Physically she suffered like any 90 year old person.  This past year she suffered from loss.  The loss of her husband, the loss of her luxurious living in a senior center, the loss of control of making decisions.  She was so angry with my brother and I a year ago when we decided it was best for her not to be in independent living.  She eventually accepted it and started telling us that she made the decision and that she loves us.  I've been coming almost yearly to see her since I was 13 years old.  It was strange to land in this familiar city knowing she was gone.

My day yesterday started in Carrier Mills.  This church was torn apart by a tornado last Wednesday morning at 5:30am.  We met in a large living room in the parsonage.  They started the service with a song of thanksgiving and praise.  I thought to myself 'only the church'!  The whole service was moving and I was humbled to speak to them yesterday.  They were sad and have no idea what they are going to do but I'm confident their faith has not been shaken.  They were safe.  A few tears during the service but mostly smiles and confidence.  Only the Church!

Since Carrier Mills begins at 9:00am I was able to get to Harrisburg to be in their service.  The community looks like a war zone.  I passed a restaurant called Wok and Roll - No roof and missing a wall or two but a sign in the window said, "open".  Of course they weren't - but they will be again.  That's the spirit of southern Illinois - Nothing will keep us down.  I was impressed by the help and professional organizations like Samaritan's Purse that was set up and doing strategic ministry.  Then I arrived at the church.  The tornado passed over our church in Harrisburg.  The building is filled with thousands of bags of potato chips, a warehouse full of water and they were expecting hams to arrive that afternoon and wondered where they would put all the ham.  It was impressive.

It was once again the people that I cannot say enough about.  Both pastors of the these churches  (John Neace and Dan Masters) are under tremendous stress but are on top of it and doing great.  They are moved by the support of the Church of God in IL and others that have called.  Pastor Dan allowed everyone that wanted to share their story to speak in the service.  This was a masterful thought - allowing people to tell their story was so healing.

I was humbled to be with this 'family' yesterday as they shared.  Several had lost their homes.  One elderly couple shared their story with their teenage/young adult grand kids sitting closer to them than ever before I imagine.  Another 80 year old couple had lost their home, car, clothes, heirloom... yet they praised God.  Really?  Losing it all and four days later they are in church praising God.  One of the grandchildren told a story of walking the golf course behind his grandparents "previous" home.  He looked down on the green he was standing on and picked up a necklace from his grandpa's heirlooms.  He was so overcome with joy.  He put the necklace (it was masculine) around his neck and hasn't taken it off.

I thought of the joy that came over him when he found this heirloom that he thought was gone forever.  It made me think of the joy that God finds when one lost person comes home.  This young man in his 20's wept as he professed his faith in Christ.

I went to these two churches to encourage them - to brings words of hope - to share with them that we care... I was the one encouraged, cared for, ministered to, and hopeful.  Only the Church!  The day started early for me.  4:30am to be exact because I woke up sick - it ended with dinner in Pheonix with my brother and cousin - laughing around the table as we shared in our loss.

It was a spirit filled day full of emotion.  I'm so thankful to have lived yesterday.  To see the church, to be in a family, to have friends --- all deeply in love with Jesus... it doesn't get any better than that.

Why Visitors Don't Return

I have been working with several churches on the same subject and it has caused me to do some evaluating of guest services when it comes to the church.  Why do some churches have a high return of guests that eventually make the church their home church?  Why do other churches struggle to get one return visit?   Here are some thoughts:

1) The smell test - my "one time" associate and "still" best friend and I would joke about the smell test but it's true.  Sometimes churches smell like an old musty building that has sat empty for years and someone opened the door for the first time an hour before worship.  An easy fix: light 'warm vanilla' candles.  Keep the scent vanilla because many people are allergic to flowery smells.  Remember, if you are in the church every Sunday you won't smell it so ask a friend to be honest with you.  Buy a neighbor a cup of coffee if they will stop by the church and smell it with you.  Best idea, bake cookies on Sunday Morning in the church!

2) Don't ask - don't tell. Have a serious plan to get guest information.  I suggest having them drop by the guest information center and receive a gift (and one for the children) when they give you their information.  Have information that a newcomer would desire - a coffee cup is nice but it doesn't tell you anything about the church.  If you don't ask for information they will not tell you!  Have a serious plan and do it every Sunday.

3) Inside Information.  This will make someone unhappy.  There are words and phrases spoken on a Sunday Morning that I have know idea what people are saying. Think about what you are saying.   Prayer Request (that can go on and on) about people that newcomers don't know is a zoning out time.  It is reminding them that they are guests and it will be overwhelming to ever break through the "family feel" of this church.  Phrases like "You know how it is around here" "regular time" "monthly offering" "narthex".  They don't know your favorite songs, favorite traditions, or that good ole Church of God people have to eat when they get together.  By the way, do you know Baptist, Lutherans, and Assembly of God folk say the same thing?  Be aware of inside information and phrases that newcomers are clueless about.

4) The closing of the service. Have a Benediction or a sending off phrase.  Wrap up the worship experience with a kind word.  "thanks for coming and have a great week" is better than walking off the stage or having the band play a closing song and then people just start moving out.  I used to close every service with the same Benediction. I would ask the congregation to stand and then I would say, "Go forth into the streets of this world.  Go with the memory of this hour when you have refreshed your souls in the presence of God and with His people.  God with the intention to be faithful to Jesus.  Carry His love and extend it to everyone you meet.  Go with courage - with a resolve not to sin and Go with the exciting reminder that at any moment, Jesus may came again!  In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Walk with God!"  Over the course of time, people would say it with me, the teenagers could recite it, even the children would smile.  Recently I spoke at this same church and they said, "do your ending".

5) Culture of generosity.  I didn't realize this while I was pastoring but I sure notice it now.  A church that is generous touches me deeply.  A stingy spirit when things are all about them sticks out to a newcomer worse than a smelly building.  A congregation that is demonstrating love to a mission, the poor, helping the youth go to a convention, blessing a college student with an offering, celebrating an accomplishment of a teacher, whatever... it is deeply moving to a guest.

6) Where's Waldo?  Pastor Waldo that is.  I think a pastor should say something like this: "If you are a guest this morning I would really like to meet you so I am going to be (in the front, at the guest services table, under the clock in the lobby) and I would love to have a chance to thank you for being with us today and get to connect with you."  I don't understand why it's so hard to find pastors after the service. Also, if you are standing and talking to all the regulars - guest will not wait in line.  Greet the regulars before the service or earlier in the day and save the after service for newcomers.  Tell your congregation the plan and they will get onboard as well. I am thinking of John Maxwell's Law of the Picture.  People do what people see!

I'm sure you have some ideas.  What are they?  I would love to hear from some that have been a guest at a church and what drew you in or away?

The Day of the Lord

Tomorrow is Sunday.  For over 25 years it has been a 'work' day for me.  If I wasn't preaching I was leading worship or leading a congregational prayer or offering a chance for the people of God to respond to the call of God.  I love Sundays.  I love worship.  I love being with the people of God and joining in praise of song.  It doesn't matter to me if it is a song written in 2011 or a song written in 1940.  Recently I have enjoyed listening to gifted preachers in the Church of God in IL, men and women alike craft messages that deserve to be heard by the world.  Typically on a Sunday Morning I am thinking of the scripture "I was glad when they said unto me, let us go to the house of the Lord."

This morning I read in Amos 5:21-23 that God hates our worship; our songs sound like noise to Him, and he refuses our offerings (even though we give them) if we don't treat people with love.  If we oppress people, abandon morality, throw out godly values, and deprive people of justice we might as well sleep in on Sundays - put the instruments away - let the Bible gather dust if we are not going to live by the teaching... because that thing we do on Sunday morning and hopefully throughout the week is ticking God off.  He even calls the women of Israel, "cows".  Can you imagine?

But of course the other option is to Love God with all your heart, soul and mind - love others - even love yourself.  Let your worship be pure, your lives be holy, and your songs be sweet to the Master's ears.

How do you prepare your hearts for worship?  How do you enter his courts with thanksgiving without carrying junk like unforgiveness, bitterness? If we haven't treated others with love, does it matter in your worship?