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We’re Not Just God’s Servants, but Also His Children, Heirs and Friends

By
Randy Alcorn
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I love to read Scripture, but I also love to listen to it on audio. There are free apps that offer you audio, including YouVersion, but I’ve used Audible.com to purchase and download the Bible read by actor and Christ-follower David Suchet, whose voice and inflections I love. Whatever audio version you use, there’s nothing like HEARING God’s Word. When you’re driving or doing something mindless, why not listen to God?

I was listening to David Suchet reading Galatians, and I kept hitting the reverse button on my Audible app to go back and listen to this verse again and again: “So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:7).

The words “no longer a slave” reminded me of what Jesus said: “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15).

So, if we are “no longer” God’s slaves or servants, why does the Bible continue to refer to us as those in other places? For example:

  • “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty’” (Luke 17:10).
  • “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life” (Romans 6:22).
  • “For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave” (1 Corinthians 7:22).
  • “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God” (1 Peter 2:16).

I think the answer is we are no longer only slaves or only servants. God looks at us genuinely as both His children and His friends. Incredible! I think this means we should never deny or minimize the fact that we are God’s servants, and should realize that itself is a high calling. But we should simultaneously affirm the wondrous fact that we are His children and His friends—and also His heirs and delegated rulers of His creation. We are all of those simultaneously.

As Nanci and I face the battle with her cancer, we know we are indeed God’s servants, but how encouraging to know we are not just that. We are also His beloved children and His trusted friends, and heirs that will one day help rule the New Earth to His glory! As such we can trust Him fully, and know that what He has for us really is for our good, as Romans 8:28 promises. We are heirs of the family business, which is ruling the universe, a task He is, often through our hardships, preparing us for.

God can and does love His servants, but He certainly loves wholeheartedly His children and His friends. And He intends to do His best for us, even when that best takes a different form than we might have chosen.

This article originally appeared here.

Matt Chandler: We Need to Address White Privilege

By
Megan Briggs
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Growing up, Matt Chandler’s education primarily consisted of learning about “people that looked like [him].” Chandler, who describes himself as being from a “lower class, Anglo family,” says he realized he was seeing the world through a “lens” of white privilege.

“Almost all my understanding of what made America great is because of efforts and the work ethic of people like me,” Chandler says in a video addressed to his congregation. Chandler, who is the pastor of The Village Church located in a suburb of the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas area, says he identifies with the cliche of “pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.” However, Chandler began to realize that he had grown up with an “invisible tool kit” of privilege that “a lot of brothers and sisters” don’t possess.

Yes, This Is About White Privilege

Speaking plainly, he explains he’s talking about the controversial subject of white privilege and asks his viewers not to shut out his words. Nothing makes Anglos angrier than a conversation about white privilege, Chandler suggests.

Chandler explains that white privilege is not overt racism. Rather, it is the experience of belonging to the predominant culture. In America, Chandler explains, we often gloss over the contributions of other ethnicities to the forming and building of our nation. We might study Black History in the month of February, for instance, but that is insufficient at best. He also gives the example of looking for a book for a child that features a main character that is his or her same ethnicity; it’s hard to find unless you’re white.

The problem with this type of subtle privilege, Chandler warns, is that if we don’t allow the gospel to purify our hearts, we’ll begin to judge harshly those who cannot get where we are. This is a terrible place to sit, Chandler warns.

However, he’s not saying being white is a bad thing. “We don’t need to feel bad about our experience in the predominant culture, we just need to be aware of it so it doesn’t shape how we interact with the world around us,” Chandler says.

Concluding his thoughts on race, Chandler says we all need to identify with the race of Christ:

We know, when all is said and done, there are sons of Adam and sons of God. There are those who have sinned and are outside the covenant promises, and there are those that have been bought by the blood of Christ and are inside the covenant promises. When all is said and done, there is the race of Adam and the race of Christ. We’re going to identify with the race of Christ—regardless of skin color.

We want to live in such a way that shows that we understand that God has brought together in Christ men and women from every tribe, tongue, and nation on earth every ethnicity, every language, every culture, and it’s created a new culture of mutual submission and joy in the differences found in one another as it rounds us out more as the people of God.

The video is far from being exhaustive on the subject of white privilege—perhaps deliberately so. Chandler often brings up hot-button topics in these video-vignettes that seem to be designed to spur discussion more than provide definitive answers.

Eugene Peterson Likely in ‘last months of life’

By
Stephanie Martin
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Best-selling Christian author and pastor Eugene Peterson is expected to enter hospice care this week. That announcement came last Friday from his son, Eric, who emailed friends and family members about his father’s recent hospitalization.

Eugene Peterson, who turns 86 in three weeks, faced “a sudden and dramatic turn in his health caused by an infection,” his son wrote. In addition to being treated for pneumonia, the elder Peterson also has been dealing with heart failure and dementia. Based on doctors’ advice, his son says, the retired scholar “will come under the care of hospice, and his medical care will be primarily palliative.”

When Eric Peterson recounted the situation to his father, he assured him that he’s “deeply loved” and that caregivers will “try to help make these remaining months as comfortable and enjoyable for you as possible.” Upon hearing he’s likely in the last months of his life, Eugene Peterson replied, “I feel good about that.”

In his email, Eric Peterson wrote, “One of the last things he said to me this evening was, ‘It just seems so sacred that they trust me so much.’” Eric concluded by saying, “Every moment in this man’s presence is sacred.”

A “Shepherd’s Shepherd”

When sharing Eric Peterson’s email on Facebook, Robert Creech, professor of Christian ministries at Baylor University’s Truett Seminary, wrote:

“Eugene Peterson has encouraged, formed and often literally saved the ministry of more than one pastor over the years through his writing and thinking (I would include myself in that list). He has refreshed Scripture for many through his thoughtful paraphrase of the Bible published as The Message. He has taught us to pray. It is time for those who have benefited from his ministry to return the favor to him and his family with prayer.”

The author of more than 30 books, Peterson is best known for his Gold Medallion Book Award winner The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language. That paraphrase has been lauded for being accessible to modern-day readers yet criticized for being too contemporary. Peterson’s other books about faith, theology and pastoral ministry include A Long Obedience in the Same Direction and Run With the Horses. His most recent title, As Kingfishers Catch Fire, was released in May 2017.

Fans of Peterson’s work include U2 lead singer Bono, who appeared with him in a short film titled “The Psalms.”

For almost 30 years, Peterson served as pastor at a church he founded, Christ Our King Presbyterian in Bel Air, Maryland. Until his retirement in 2006, Peterson also was a professor of spiritual theology at Regent College in Vancouver. In his memoir The Pastor, Peterson encourages congregational shepherds and their flocks.

In an interview with ChurchLeaders earlier this year, Peterson reflected on his ministry and the state of American churches. “There’s not very much good preaching these days,” he said. Instead, there’s “a lot of entertainment, lot of stories.” He also observed, “I think pastors need to be more modest in what they’re doing.” 

“I’m Not Afraid” of Death

Last year, when asked about the prospect of dying, Peterson replied, “I don’t think it’s anything to be afraid of.” He continued: “I’ve been with a lot of people who are dying. I think those conversations are some of the best I’ve ever had. These are people who have lived a good life and who have embraced their faith. They’re not afraid.”

Pastors play a key role in helping people face death, Peterson says. Pastors shouldn’t “talk about death in terms of something where we don’t know what’s going to happen,” he advises. “There are people who die well, and I want to be one.”

Please join us in praying for peace and comfort for Eugene Peterson and his family during the challenging days ahead.

Brunsons Pray for ‘spirit of counsel and might’ for President Trump

By
Megan Briggs
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Andrew Brunson, the American pastor who spent nearly two years in prison in Turkey under charges of aiding terrorists, has returned to the United States. As he met with President Trump in the Oval Office, Brunson took the opportunity to pray for Trump, who had been key in securing his release.

“I really want to thank the administration,” Brunson told President Trump and others gathered on Saturday, October 13, 2018. “You really fought for us, unusually so. From the time you took office, I know that you’ve been engaged.”

Andrew Brunson and His Wife Pray for President Trump

Brunson asked Trump if he could pray for him. Consenting, Brunson kneeled next to Trump and placed a hand on his shoulder. The pastor prayed for “supernatural wisdom” to be granted to the President. Brunson’s wife, Norine, also prayed for Trump. She asked for “the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord” to be granted the President.

In addition to President Trump and Brunson, included in the meeting were Vice President Mike Pence, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Senator Thom Thillis of North Carolina, Senator Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, and members of Brunson’s family. All the politicians in the room had worked on Brunson’s release.

Brunson was released from prison in Turkey on Friday, October 12. After a brief stop at a U.S. Air Force base in Germany, Brunson landed at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington D.C.

Tony Perkins, a member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, attended Brunson’s final trial in Turkey. While he, along with so many others who worked for securing his freedom, was encouraged by his release, Perkins pointed to the ongoing struggle for religious freedom in Turkey.

“While we are relieved by today’s decision on Pastor Brunson’s unjust detention, we remain concerned for the Turkish people because numerous religious communities, such as the Greek Orthodox community and the Alevis, continue to face discrimination and restrictions on registration and ownership of property. Turkey must continue to work to treat all of its citizens equally and with respect for their religious freedom,” Perkins said.

Indeed, it is encouraging that Brunson was released, although the fact remains that he was convicted of terrorism charges, charges which he vehemently denies. Brunson was arrested in 2016 after a failed coup attempt left Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan leery of anyone who may have been involved. Somehow Brunson was swept up among the thousands of people who were imprisoned.

While some speculate Trump and Erdogan struck a “secret” deal that resulted in Brunson’s release, on Saturday Trump denied the speculation. “The only deal, if you could call it a deal, is a psychological one,” Trump said. “We feel much different about Turkey today than we did yesterday.”

Trump told Brunson, “I just want to congratulate you because you have galvanized this country. There’s so much interest, and it’s your faith, it’s your strength, what you’ve done, gone through.”

One-on One With Mike Burnette, Pastor of America’s Fastest Growing Church

By
Ed Stetzer
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Today, I am glad to welcome Mike Burnette to The Exchange. Mike is Lead Pastor of LifePoint Church in Clarksville, Tennessee. LifePoint is one of the fastest growing churches in America.

Ed: You’ve just been announced as the pastor of the fastest growing church in the country. Tell me about last year’s growth.

Mike: The church started in 2005. I became pastor in 2010, and at the time, we had 85 people my first Sunday. It has grown every year since then. We opened a new building, started two new locations, and have gone from 85 to 4,200 in eight years.

Ed: How does the church not just implode?

Mike: We always try to build ahead of our growth. We are constantly building our volunteer teams—we call them our Dream Team—and empowering them to get ready for growth. We look ahead, planning for growth, leading our staff through next phases, and putting voices of larger churches ahead of us to be ahead of the growth. We never want to chase growth. That’s when it things fall apart.

Ed: Is there strategy? Have you done anything that helped this growth to come, or did it just come surprisingly?

Mike: I teach a lot that culture and systems is how you design the leadership, culture and structure of your church. This way, when God brings growth, you’re ready for it. We’ve got a pretty streamlined structure and systems in place. We do four things: We have Sundays, we have small groups, we assimilate people through a program we call our Growth Track, and then we have people serving on our Dream Team volunteer team.

The goal in church leadership is to build a culture and to lead systems that are ready to receive growth. You can’t produce it; you have to receive it.

Ed: What other human factors might have gone into such quick growth? Was it an influx of people in the community or a church split, for instance?

Mike: Clarksville is a fast-growing town. They say eight people a day are moving into the city, and our church is on the interstate of the fastest growing part of the community as well. We also opened a new building in 2017 and we grew by 1,012 people in one weekend.

Four months prior to that, I preached our growth track as the sermon series, and I kept telling our church, “We need 500 volunteers because people are coming. And this building is going to open.” We were at a middle school at the time.

Ed: Tell me about the assimilation process in the church.

Mike: Our assimilation process is immediate and quick. As soon as you come, you can join. It’s a four-step process, and it happens every week. The first Sunday of the month is our step one, the second Sunday is step two, et cetera. On your first Sunday, you can join it and just get right into the flow of that whole system.

Ed: What percentage of the people are now involved in a small group?

Mike: Our numbers are low for the size of our church now, but of course, discipleship always follows growth by 12 to 18 months, whether it’s giving, serving or small group attendance. We now must re-strategize how to deepen the well of small group. So we’ve started a new group called Group One, and we’re using the Rooted curriculum that we got from Mariners Church.

People love the big room, but new folks struggle with living rooms. Moving from the big room to a living room is a big jump for people who are new to our church, so Group One meets in the auditorium in the big room, which fits about 150 people, and then we put them into 12 groups. This is another way we’re launching people into groups.

With fast growth, you have to have different systems to expedite the process for people. So Growth Track still works, but we’ve changed the structure of our small groups in order to assimilate people faster. The thing we don’t want people to do is just sit, observe and consume for too long because then they get used to it and they’re not challenged to move forward. We’re always challenging people to step forward in every area, whether it’s giving, attending, serving, being in small groups, whatever.

Ed: What would you say to people who say, “I want to be the fastest growing church in America?”

Mike: Don’t want to be the fastest growing church, let God choose to do that. We didn’t set out for that. I started out with 85 and my goal was just to get healthy. Focus on healthy systems and culture more than growth. God will grow it.

Since we believe the Bible, I say this a lot: One guy will plant seeds, one guy will water seeds, but only God grows the church. You can’t set out to say, “I want to grow my church”; instead, you’ve got to set out to say, “I want to lead it to be healthy.” That’s in systems, culture, practices, high integrity and more. And God will grow the church when he chooses to grow it.

This article originally appeared here.

New Baby—New Opportunity to Reach a Family

By
Dale Hudson
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Last week, as I was reading God’s Word, a verse jumped out at me. Here it is.
Did you notice when Enoch began walking with God?

It was when he became a father. The birth of his son, Methuselah, was a catalyst that brought Him closer to God and prompted Him to begin walking with God faithfully.

I believe this still rings true today. One of the best times to reach parents is when they have a new baby. It’s a wake-up call. It causes many parents to begin feeling the weight of giving their child some type of religious training and life foundation.

And so they walk into your church, looking for some help with this new “parenting” season of their life.

If you want to reach them, then make sure your nursery is clean, calm and comforting. Nursery team members have a huge role in making the new family feel welcome. If there is any hint that the baby won’t be cared for, you’ll have a hard time convincing the new mother to leave her child with you.

In this post, I share 10 keys to effective nursery ministry.

Another great way to connect with new parents is through baby dedication. Attach a class to your dedication and require parents to go through it before their child is dedicated. In the class, explain what the dedication is about and then teach them how to raise their children to love Jesus. And most importantly, share the Gospel with the parents as part of the class. I have done this and seen many parents come to Christ as they experienced the class.

Here is the child dedication curriculum I created for churches. Hundreds of parents have gone through it and taken spiritual steps because they attended. People have also invited Jesus into their life as the Gospel is shared in the class. You can get more info and check it out at this link.

There is a statement I think about often. Here it is.

“When you take a child by the hand, you take a parent by the heart.”

It happened to Enoch and it can happen to the young families in your community. Seize the opportunity.

This article originally appeared here.

How to Be an All Generations Worship Leader Effectively

By
Kade Young
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When you try to stay ‘relevant’ as a worship leader, people gripe that you are not singing enough hymns. Then, when you schedule older songs every week, people complain that worship is not relevant and will run off the younger generation. Can you really be an all generations worship leader?

Sound familiar? I bet it does. Even folks who are not overly opinionated have an opinion when it comes to music style.

To be a good worship leader, you may think that it is your job to offer a wide variety of music styles to keep the congregation happy. But, there are two problems with this:

Problem #1: You cannot make everyone happy.

The moment you start trying to make everyone happy is the moment you set off on a wild goose chase. And I’ll give you a hint…you’ll never catch it.

If you are choosing songs to make certain people happy, you are not serving your congregation well.

You see, people will suggest songs just because they like to listen to them, but choosing songs for worship should go much deeper than what we like or don’t like.

I believe the Holy Spirit leads us as worship leaders (if we let Him) to the songs our congregation needs to sing in that specific season. He knows what is going on in our lives, in our country and in our city. He also knows what is going to happen and can prepare our hearts through the songs we sing.

Problem #2: We should not come to church to be served.

Lots of people go to church because of what it can do for them. Yet, any mature christian knows that the purpose of church is to serve others.

When we allow people to govern our song selection, in most cases, we are feeding a selfish attitude. We are confirming their belief that church is all about them and what they like. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be part of the problem, I want to be part of the solution.

Am I saying that you should never take a song suggestion from the congregation? No. I am simply saying that other’s personal preferences should not distract from how the Holy Spirit is leading you.

So, how do I effectively lead all generations?

This post is about how to be an effective worship leader to all generations. Maybe you came expecting a formula on how often to schedule new songs versus hymns. Well, there isn’t one and here’s why.

To be an effective worship leader, you must be led by the Holy Spirit (not the congregation). When you give into others’ opinions, worship falls flat because you are not leading the congregation in the songs they need, you are leading them in the songs they want.

Every church is different.

One worship leader may be led to sing all modern songs where another may be led to sing mostly hymns. Even then, there will be worship leaders that are led to sing a mixture of styles.

There is no right or wrong answer to how many new songs you should sing versus old. The thing that matters most is that you are being led by the Holy Spirit and not others’ opinions.

When you are led by the Holy Spirit in your song selection, Sunday worship becomes powerful. And even those who are upset because you are not singing their style will eventually recognize the power in worship and forget all about their personal preference.

This article originally appeared here.

10 Ways to Deal With Sacred Cows in Your Church

By
Chuck Lawless
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I was surprised to learn that both my friend Thom Rainer and I dealt with sacred cows in our blog posts yesterday. Apparently, this issue is an important one. Here are some options for dealing with a sacred cow:

  1. Affirm it. Actually, others may recognize a sacred cow before you do if you’re directly connected with it. You may, in fact, be part of the problem.
  2. Ignore it. This may be the easiest option, since a “sacred cow” by definition is already entrenched in the church—and may well have been around long before you came to the church. Just ignore it and hope it will disappear.
  3. Idolize it. What I mean by “idolizing” a sacred cow may surprise you: It’s being so frustrated by it that you allow it to dominate your thinking and your attitude. It becomes your God if you can’t give it to God.
  4. Pray about it. Because emotion and tradition usually mark sacred cows, it’s wise to seek God’s direction in dealing with one. Ask Him to help you understand the wisest approach to follow. He might even take care of it in an unexpected way.
  5. Challenge it. To challenge a sacred cow is to give its leaders one more opportunity to prove its value. This option offers both time for leaders to make a difference and time for you to plan for the gentle death of a sacred cow if necessary.
  6. Murder it. By “murder,” I mean killing a sacred cow unexpectedly and violently, without regard for somebody else’s well-being. That’s what happens when we put a sacred cow to death and do it without respect for the members whose hearts are connected to it.
  7. Let it die a natural death. Even sacred cows need to be fed in order to survive. If no new dollars or personnel are dedicated to a sacred cow, it will likely die on its own. It may not die as quickly as you like, but it will not last forever.
  8. Change its leader. This suggestion is directly related to #9 below, especially if the sacred cow is a program. My experience is that it’s people who make the cow sacred by refusing to change it or give it up. A new leader can bring new life and relevance to that same program.
  9. Redeem it. Sometimes a sacred cow started out as a vital part of the church, and its purpose is still critical to the congregation’s life. What makes it “sacred” are things like the time and place it meets, the dollars devoted to it, the energy given to protect it, etc. These things are changeable, though, if the purpose is still important. If you redeem it, it’s no longer a sacred cow.
  10. Replace it. The original sacred cow probably met some need. If that sacred cow is not redeemable, perhaps there’s another strategy/program that will better meet that same need. Sometimes, a church will let go of a sacred cow when they see a much better alternative (though, be careful not to allow the replacement to become the next sacred cow).

What other ways of dealing with sacred cows would you add to this list?

This article originally appeared here.

7 False Assumptions About Introverts

By
Ron Edmondson
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I am an introvert. Some people can question whether they are introverts or not. I don’t. I’m certified in Myers Briggs, so I know the language well. I’ve studied the concept, but it didn’t require much study or an assessment for me. I know I’m in the club.

As a pastor, it meant I was more tired when I went home on Sunday. It means I avoid certain crowds unless I have a clear purpose for being there. It means I usually run and exercise alone and I’m OK with that. It means I’m probably harder to get to know than some people. I get all that. I own it. It’s me.

I realize I have to work harder as a leader to allow my team to know me or what I’m thinking. I can’t allow introversion to be an excuse for poor leadership.

I’ve written before about the struggles of introversion in ministry and how I adapted with it as a pastor. What surprises me, however, is how misunderstood introverts are sometimes. There are a lot of false assumptions made when someone is introverted; maybe especially an introverted leader. (And, I know lots of pastors—even of very large churches—who are introverted.)

Here are seven false assumptions that have been made of me as an introvert:

Some think I’m shy.

That may be your word, but it’s not mine. I prefer purposeful for me. Others may call it something else. I talk when there’s a purpose and I’m not afraid to do so. Three-year-olds are shy when they hide behind their daddy. That’s not me.

Some have thought I must need more courage.

“Why I oughta!” (You’ll get that only if you are a Moe Howard-Three Stooges fan.) Seriously, I “ain’t chicken.” Again, when I choose to speak I’ll speak. Choosing not to isn’t a fear. It’s just being comfortable.

It’s been thought that I must not have anything to say.

Actually I have lots to say. Have you noticed I blog frequently? I wrote a book even. Have you noticed how often I update Twitter and Facebook? I have bunches to say. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t express it, but many times how I choose to communicate will be different than how others choose to communicate.

In some settings, when I’m quieter than others, it’s been assumed I’m not as intelligent as others in the room.

And, that’s probably true in a lot of ways; depending on the subject. I try to surround myself with people smarter than me. And, I listen well. Actually, I have a few degrees hanging on my wall. But, in some ways I think I may be smarter than the one who never quits talking. You know the one. I am less likely to say the thing I wish I hadn’t said, because I didn’t think before I talked. It happens, but not as often as it might for some.

Sadly, some have thought I am arrogant or don’t like people.

That is definitely not true. Honestly, I love everyone. I have a biblical commitment and a personal goal to do so. Whether or not I talk to you will not be a good determination of whether or not I like you. It might even mean I respect you enough to listen more than speak. Maybe.

Some have thought I need someone to talk for me.

And, actually I’d rather you not. Now that said, I sometimes let my wife talk for me. She’s good at it too. But, if I have an opinion I think needs sharing, I’ll speak for myself. Or regret later than I didn’t. But, either way, please don’t try to be my voice.

And, some have even told me I need to change, mature, or grow as a person or leader.

Yeah, I had that said a number of times as a pastor. But, let me assure you there’s nothing wrong with me. Actually, there’s a lot wrong with me, but introversion isn’t one of the things. I’m just quieter than some leaders you may know—or your immediate perception of a leader.

Those are some of the false assumptions that have been made of this introvert.

Introverts, what misunderstandings have been made about you?

This article originally appeared here.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Well-Known Pastors

By
David Prince
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Preacher, you can preach better than John MacArthur, John Piper, David Platt and H.B. Charles. I wonder if that surprises you? It should not. You can preach better to your flock than any of those world-renowned expositional preachers. If you played their sermons at your church by way of video or hologram, it would be far less effective than the biblically faithful, Christ-centered sermons you preach to your congregation. If this were not true, we should all just get recordings of preachers like D. Martyn Lloyd Jones or Adrian Rogers and sit out with the congregation on Sunday mornings.

You may not have the gifting of historic pulpit legends past and present, but you do have the same Word of God, gospel of Christ and calling as a shepherd of Jesus Christ. You also have something they do not have: the specific flock entrusted to you by Jesus to shepherd with His Word.

Feed the Sheep
John Broadus was the first to teach preaching at Southern Seminary where I now have the privilege to do the same. Consider the personal way Broadus describes the preaching moment at the beginning of his classic, A Treatise on the Preparation and Delivery of Sermons:

When a man who is apt in teaching, whose soul is on fire with the truth which he trusts has saved him and hopes will save others, speaks to his fellow-men, face to face, eye to eye, and electric sympathies flash to and fro between him and his hearers, till they lift each other up, higher and higher, into the intensest thought, and the most impassioned emotion—higher and yet higher, till they are borne as on chariots of fire above the world—there is a power to move men, to influence character, life, destiny, such as no printed page can ever possess.[1]

What does it mean to be a shepherd under the Good Shepherd, possessing the Word of God and a particular flock of God (1 Peter 5:2, John 10:11, 2 Timothy 3:16, Acts 20:28)? Jesus, the Good Shepherd, said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). The Good Shepherd’s words, which are the God-breathed words of the entire Bible, are the food upon which His sheep feed; they “are spirit and life” (John 6:63).

As shepherds, our authority is based solely on the words we have from the mouth of God—the Scriptures (Matthew 4:4, 2 Timothy 3:16). Apart from the words of God, we are all sheep without a shepherd. Disciples of Christ, His sheep, continue to hear Christ’s voice today through the living voice of the Spirit-empowered preacher of God’s Word (Romans 10:14, Ephesians 2:17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13).

Preach the Word
God has always revealed Himself through his Word: He spoke the world into existence, He spoke to his image-bearers at creation, He spoke through the prophets and they proclaimed His Word, He spoke as the Living Word become flesh, He spoke through His apostles and they proclaimed His Word, and He continues to speak today through pastors who preach his Word.

Pastor, whether the flock you shepherd by preaching His Word is a 10,000 member mega-church in an urban center or a tiny rural church in small town USA, you stand in that line as one ordained by God to speak His Word to His people. As hard as it is for us to believe, in faithful preaching of the Word of God, the listener is not simply hearing about Christ, they are hearing from Christ. Christ himself speaks through his feeble but faithful preachers. John Calvin asserts,

Pastor’s Kids: Why You Should Raise PKs in the Ministry

By
Todd Jones
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Being a youth worker is a calling and so is being a parent. Does one calling trump the other? Do you quit your job as a youth worker? You obviously can’t quit your family, so do you isolate your kids? Parenting your own pastor’s kids and being in student ministry can be very difficult, but they do not have to be in opposition. I try to mix the two as often as I can.

Now, there are definitely times when your kids can’t come to certain events or may cause a distraction. But I do bring my kids to events and camps as often as I can and you should too.

It is objectively more work to bring them along and would not be possible without my wife. She is amazing at caring for my four young kids at youth events, allowing me to do my job, and knowing the balance of family and ministry.

Here are some of the benefits to both your own kids and the ministry:

Bringing your kids to student ministry events is important for the students

1. They need to see you as a parent

Many students (even church kids) do not have an example of loving, caring, involved parents. Students can learn so much from us that we never actually teach from up front, and you better believe they are watching. It can be so important for students to see you interact with your kids and be an example of the type of parent they should be in the future.

2. They need to see the real you

When you allow students to see you with your family, interacting with your spouse and kids, you become a real person, not just a pastor. It is natural for people to put those in leadership on a pedestal, and often a very far-removed pedestal. They can almost view you as half human, half super hero which is why it is extremely important for students to see the real you.

Bringing your kids to student ministry events is important for your kids

1. They need to know church can be fun, not just something that steals their parent

Let your kids have fun! Just this last weekend we had our student ministry community groups launch party and my kids spent hours going down the giant slide we had in the parking lot, playing on the rock climbing wall, and eating ice cream. They had a blast and were able to see student ministry as something fun for them instead of something that just ends up taking me away from them.

2. They need to have you be their parent, not just be the youth pastor

Like we said, there is definitely a balance here, but it is so important for your kids to see you love, care and pour time into them even in the middle of an event or group meeting. They need to know they are more important to you than the ministry. (Again, I am not saying to neglect the ministry—do both!)

3. They need to see why you do what you do

One of the best lessons you can teach your kids is allowing them to see the reason you do ministry. Hopefully the reason you are in ministry is out of a heart for people and a heart for the Lord. My prayer for my kids is that they will learn to love God with all their hearts, and love the people around them. Both of which they can do by serving in ministry. When our kids see our hearts for ministry, the hard work ministry takes, the fun that can be had, the relationships that can be built, and the fruit that results, it makes a lasting impact!

This article originally appeared here.

Moral Failing: 5 Warning Signs Every Ministry Leader Must Notice

By
Eric Geiger
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Moral failing is a frightening term. It succinctly describes a disqualifying behavior in a church leader’s life. Often moral failure signifies some type of sexual sin. The leader has failed to live up to expected morals and integrity. He or she has lost the moral authority and credibility to lead.

An important note: Abuse differs from an affair. This distinction is important because an affair is consensual, while abuse is not. Abuse doesn’t belong in the moral failure category. It comes from a much darker place in someone’s heart and is much more damaging.

Moral failing is a phrase that makes my stomach churn. So many moral failures occur, some in the lives of partners my team works alongside. The phrase reminds me of the devastation left in the wake, impacting families and ministries.

I’ve learned that common warning signs appear in the lives of people who fall. Sometimes these warning signs of moral failing are more apparent afterward. People gather and say to one another, “Looking back, we see what was going on.”

Sure, it’s possible to hide these warning signs. But sin makes us incredibly stupid. So people caught up in the cycle of sin often don’t see the signals their foolishness is sending.

5 Warning Signs of Moral Failing

Ministry leaders: Please heed these warning signs of moral failure before it’s too late.

1. Considerable amounts of time away from home

If a husband or wife is comfortable being away from their spouse continually and for long periods of time, something is wrong. Some professions require frequent or lengthy absences (such as military deployments). But there’s a difference between longing to be with your spouse while away and being very comfortable with extensive periods apart.

2. A sudden obsession with physical fitness

We should steward our physical health well. After all, the Lord gave us our body, and we have only one. But when adults are suddenly obsessed with how they look, something else is likely going on. The provocative post-workout selfie pic on Facebook isn’t only weird. It could be saying something else.

3. Rarely talking about one’s spouse

Recently, after I received word that another church leader fell, I went to his social media accounts and perused his posts. I wasn’t sure what I was looking for, but I prayed for him as I scrolled.

One thing became apparent. I saw zero posts of him and his wife together. And lots of posts of him with arms around other women. What stood out wasn’t the pictures of him with friends (men or women) but the absence of his wife. Other than his bio, you wouldn’t have known he was married.

Many Churches Are Living in the 1980s. Here’s Why.

By
Thom Rainer
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Is your church stuck in the 80s?

Nine out of 10 churches in America are either declining or they are growing so slowly they are not keeping up with the growth rate of the community in which they are located.

It’s a long sentence. Read it again carefully. Soak it in. Across America, 90 percent of the churches are losing ground in their respective communities. Most of them are declining. Many of them will close.

As I have worked with thousands of churches over the past three decades, I have noticed something fascinating, yet disturbing, about many of these churches. They are still acting like it’s the 1980s. The world has passed them by. They are deemed irrelevant by members of their communities. They are frozen in a time warp.

Why Are Churches Stuck in the 80s?

Why has this tragedy fallen on so many churches? Though I don’t want to oversimplify the issue, I see at least eight reasons for the crisis of churches being stuck in the 80s.

1. They are trying to shelter themselves from culture.

In the 1980s, congregations were typically part of the mainstream culture. They were accepted in most places, and embraced in some. That is not the culture of today. Many church members use their churches as a getaway from the realities they don’t want to face.

2. Programs were easy answers.

The vast majority of churches in the 1980s were program-driven. If there was a perceived need, they would order a resource that best solved that need. Many churches today still think they can get quick fixes from programs.

3. Churches largely catered to the needs of church members in the 1980s.

We thus created a culture of membership that is me-driven. Many church members do not want to make the sacrifices necessary to reach our communities and culture today. They are demanding their own needs and preferences to be the priority of their churches.

4. Change was more incremental.

If your church is stuck in the 1980s, it does not have to worry about the rapid pace of change today. Members can pretend like their church does not need to change despite the massive upheavals of change in the world.

5. Church growth was easier.

In the 1980s, a number of people would visit our churches without much effort on the members’ part. One church member told me recently, “If lost people want to come to our church, they know where we are.” Sigh.

6. Denominations provided solutions.

Not all churches in the 1980s belonged to a denomination, but many did. And many members expected the denominational organizations to guide them and resource them. Denominations work best today in partnership with churches, but too many church members want to return to the paradigm of the 1980s.

7. Others did evangelism for the members in the 1980s.

Evangelism was the responsibility of the pastor or the denomination or a few people in a program. Church members paid others to do the work they were supposed to do. Some church members today are more concerned about their worship style preference than lost people who need to hear the gospel.

8. Some churches would rather die than to get out of the comfort of their 1980s paradigm.

I feel certain they will do just that.

What do you think of these issues of time-warp churches? Let me hear from you.

This article originally appeared here.

Dr. Charles Stanley Says Retirement Is Unbiblical in His Succession Announcement for Megachurch

By
Christine Yount Jones
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Dr. Charles Stanley says his recommended Pastoral Succession Plan for First Baptist Atlanta involves Stanley never retiring—even though he named Anthony George as his successor for the Atlanta megachurch.

This was the Facebook announcement for the church on December 10, 2017:

Pastoral Succession Plan
This plan officially provides for the orderly transition of the title, duties, and responsibilities of the role of Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, from Dr. Charles Stanley to Dr. Anthony George at such time in the future, known only to God, that Dr. Stanley ceases to be the Senior Pastor of the church.
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Dr. Charles Stanley said, “While I intend to remain the pastor as long as God gives me health and strength, this plan will be officially in place to ensure a seamless transition in leadership whenever God ordains that to occur.” 

According to an article in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Stanley who is 85 made it clear that he doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon. Stanley said, he intends to remain as acting senior pastor “as long as God gives me health and strength, this plan will be officially in place to ensure a seamless transition in leadership whenever God ordains that to occur.”

Not the founding pastor of the 13,000-member First Baptist Atlanta, Stanley came to the church in 1969 as an associate pastor and became the senior pastor in 1971. Stanley is also the founder of In Touch Ministries which produces radio and TV broadcasts.

On November 24, 2017 on the In Touch website, the ministry listed this summary of the message for that day:

“Aging is inevitable, but it doesn’t have to make us unfruitful and useless. The secret to living a productive life is not found in a pill, a drink, or an exercise routine but in heeding what the Lord says. None of us know how long we’ll live, but while we have breath, we should desire to be useful and fruitful for God. He is the one who ultimately determines the number of our days, but we have the responsibility of doing what we can to live long and productive lives.”

An article from the Baptist Press, reports that…

Stanley, in his introductory remarks, clarified that the succession plan was not an indicator of an imminent retirement. “As you know, I don’t believe in retirement. It’s not biblical,” he told the church. He assured the congregation that the succession plan would not alter his role as pastor and George’s role as his associate.

Charles Stanley is not the only notable church leader who advocates spending an entire lifetime in service. Listen to John Piper’s iconic 7-minute message that inspired “Don’t Waste Your Life.”

More about Charles Stanley

  • Charles Stanley Sermons
    Here are several written sermons by Charles Stanley that are a “Landmine” series. The Landmine of Sexual Sins, The Landmine of Fear, The Landmine of Unforgiveness, The Landmine of Compromise, The Landmine of Slothfulness
  • Charles Stanley Holy Spirit Book – people far and wide talk about this book. The book titled, Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit is a best-seller. In the book, Stanley talks about how we never spiritually outgrow our dependency upon the Holy Spirit. The more mature we are in our faith and the more intimate our relationship with our heavenly Father, the more dependent we must be on the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who guides us into the right path for us to talk and convicts us of our sin if we stray from that path. It is the Holy Spirit who reminds us of the truth of God’s Word and teaches us how to apply God’s Word to our daily lives. Is is the Holy Spirit who works in us to conform us to the image of Christ Jesus, and who works through us to minister the presence and power of Christ to others. The ongoing lesson all Christians must learn is how to experience and live daily in the power of the Holy Spirit! No matter where you are in your journey with the Lord, this is the key to your being a truly successful Christian. Read more on the Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit PDF.
  • Charles Stanley Church
    Charles Frazier Stanley (born September 25, 1932) is the senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the founder and president of In Touch Ministries and also served two one-year terms as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1984 to 1986.
  • How much money is Charles Stanley worth? 
    Dr. Charles Stanley net worth: Charles Frazier Stanley is a pastor and religious fundamentalist who has a net worth of $1.5 million. He the senior pastor of First Baptist Church, a mega-church in Atlanta, and is the founder and president of In Touch Ministries, a Christian Evangelical non-profit ministry.
  • Charles Stanley most watched sermons on YouTube:
    Taking Control of Our Thoughts– Dr. Charles Stanley
    The Bible is full of truth about the importance of controlling our minds. In this sermon, Dr. Stanley shares Biblical truth found in Colossians 3 about how our tendencies to think as unbelievers change when we become believers. Christ gives us renewed thoughts and the Bible to guide us towards thinking like Christ—godly and positive thoughts.Waiting on God’s Timing, Part 1 – Charles F. Stanley
    God loves us and desires to meet the needs of our lives. He promises to answer our prayers, but not always according to our timing or method. Dr. Stanley reminds us that waiting on the Lord is a vital principle for every Christian. God, above all others, knows when the timing is right for His perfect plan to go into action. After all, He knows our lives from beginning to end, so He knows exactly where we are at this moment.Walking in the Holy Spirit – Dr. Charles Stanley
    Do you want to live with real peace, contentment and joy in life? Do you want to have the power to overcome temptation or persevere through adversity?Prayer That Moves God – Dr. Charles Stanley
    Prayer is seriously powerful business. So often, though, we treat it as a perfunctory task to be checked off our daily to-do list. How can we shift our attitudes from boredom and obligation to joy and expectation? The Lord always inclines His ear to His children. Learn the foundational principles of effective prayer, and how to confidently approach God with our petitions and requests.

Caring for Fellow Believers in a World Filled With Trauma

By
Curtis Solomon
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

“Our church doesn’t need training for PTSD counseling: We aren’t in a military community.”

This statement betrays a faulty understanding of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and, more importantly, it demonstrates a poor understanding of the world. While there are legitimate reasons for equating PTSD with military life, the reality is that trauma occurs everywhere, not just on the battlefield. Not only is trauma everywhere in the world, it is also all throughout the pages of Scripture. This truth gives us hope that God has given answers to address the aftermath of deep, dark wickedness in this world.

Think with me for a moment about all the ways trauma invades our lives. Military combat immediately comes to mind. Police shootings are often next in line. But think about all the other traumatic events people witness: murder investigation, violent crimes, car accidents. Naturally that brings to mind first responders like firefighters and EMTs. What about the victims and others who require first responders?

These merely scratch the surface of man-made trauma. Think about all the trauma that occurs without human causation. Natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, massive storms and floods strike regularly.

More Common Than You Think
All of this trauma affects us. The APA (American Psychological Association) reports that 8.7 percent of the U.S. population will experience PTSD. That means nearly 1 in 10 Americans will have severe negative reactions to traumatic events in their lives. When you look at populations of people who are more likely to be exposed to trauma (veterans, first responders, etc.), the prevalence rates of PTSD increase to 30-50 percent.[1] That is between 1 out of every 3 and 1 out of every 2 people.

Churches in America should realize that for every 100 people in a church, it is likely that around 10 of those people wrestle with some level of post traumatic stress. Churches in areas where populations are at a greater risk of exposure to traumatic events (near military installations, prison communities, high crime neighborhoods, places with a history of natural disasters, or places where manmade disasters have occurred, such school shootings, bombings and racially motivated crimes) should expect to see even more trauma issues.

Recall with me just a smattering of the traumas described in the Bible. Right out of the gate, we learn that the first child born to Adam and Eve murders his brother. What do you think that was like for Eve? Skip ahead and a worldwide flood obliterates almost every living being from the earth. Did you ever wonder how that would impact those who remained? Ever consider a connection between that and Noah’s drunkenness recorded in Genesis 9? What about the killing of all the Israelite children in Egypt? The military conquests and defeats Israel faced in the Old Testament? Think of specific warriors like Samson, Saul and David. Next time you read the psalms, remember that many were penned by a man who shed gallons of blood and mutilated some of the bodies of his dead enemies. Recall Jonah’s attempted suicide. Jeremiah’s persecution. The Roman occupation of Israel and Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus. Then reflect on the greatest trauma ever inflicted on a human being: the illegal torture and execution of our Savior.

The Lens of the Cross
Focusing on all the trauma in life is depressing, but ignoring it leads to other problems. We need to see trauma the way God does—through the lens of the cross. As I mentioned, the crucifixion of Jesus was the most horrendous trauma ever enacted by men on a man. But the other side of the coin is that God ordained that pinnacle of trauma to be the catalyst of the greatest good in all history—the redemption of His children.

Scripture tells us as the cross brings about redemption, so the sufferings of His people bring about various goods. That is why James can instruct us to count it all joy when we encounter various trials (James 1:2–4). Romans 5:3–5 tells us that we can “rejoice” or “exult” in our sufferings because of the work that God brings about through them. Paul encourages Christians by reminding us that God is transforming us into Christ-likeness through all things in life, including trauma (Romans 8:28–30).

The cross of Jesus Christ offers great hope. It offers hope for eternal healing and restoration of a sinful people to their loving God. It also offers hope of healing and restoration to those afflicted by trauma.

Next time you are tempted to believe that PTSD is not an issue in your church, think again. Trauma is everywhere. But do not dismay: Offer hope and healing to those who have experienced great suffering by pointing them to the Bible and its Author, who endured the greatest suffering of anyone.

This article cannot fully equip you to deal with PTSD, but it can bring awareness to the prevalence of this reality and the fact that God’s Word addresses it. Go here to learn more about a conference a colleague and I gave to equip people for this challenging problem. You can also find helpful resources to address many other problems of life with God’s Word at the Biblical Counseling Coalition website.  

[1]American Psychiatric Association and DSM-5 Task Force, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-5. (Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Association, 2013), 276.

This article originally appeared here.

5 More Reasons to Go to Church in Person

By
Karl Vaters
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

If we want to get everything we can from our church experience, we need to start by showing up in person.

That may seem obvious to most churchgoers, but there is a large and growing number of people who think that watching a service online is all the church they need.

And no, this is not always because of laziness or lack of spiritual passion.

In a growing number of cases, it’s because they’ve been hurt deeply, sometimes repeatedly by church people. Or they’ve grown tired of a church experience that doesn’t seem to grow deeper with them.

But they still have a passion to follow Jesus. So they stay at home and watch online or listen to podcasts.

So Many Good Reasons to Show Up

If what I’ve described sounds like your experience in any way, let me encourage you that, despite the downsides you’ve experienced, there are so many good reasons to go through the time and hassle of leaving your house and attending a church in person every week.

Yes, we are the church, whether we show up on Sunday or not, but the experience of going to church matters. By every indication, going helps the being.

First, because the Bible is clear that we need to.

Second, because it strengthens our faith to physically gather with other believers.

Third, because everyone takes time from their schedules for the things that matter to us. And the more often we take that time, the more important they become.

Fourth, because we can actually contribute when we’re in the room.

Now, here’s another reason. Actually five more reasons. Unlike online church, which only engages two of our senses (sight and sound) physically leaving home and showing up to be with other believers engages all five of our senses.

When all our senses are involved we learn more, engage more, enjoy more, contribute more and remember more.

I’m not against online church. Our church live streams and podcasts our services. And when I can’t physically be at a weekend church service, I watch online. So online church is real church—it’s just not enough church.

If we want to get everything we can from the church experience, we need to start by showing up. While there are aspects of our spiritual lives that can and should be done in solitude, lack of face-to-face, person-to-person connection with other believers will limit our spiritual growth.

The Limits of Technology

In recent years, there’s been a pullback in our understanding of how far technology can take us. Even proficiency experts like Michael Hyatt are backing off from an all-digital experience for everyday tasks. As Erin Wildermuth wrote for Hyatt’s blog in The Science of Putting Pen to Paper, “When we engage across multiple sensations we are better able to tie things together, recall them later and, in short, learn.”

Like online church, we have visual and audible experiences when we show up in person. But, unlike watching a live stream, we also engage our senses of touch, taste and smell.

For instance, there are several touch experiences that we get at church that we cannot get from the comfort of our couch. A handshake or a hug. Holding or laying on of hands in prayer.

These are not secondary to the Christian, or human, experience. Positive physical contact with other people is essential for our emotional well-being. It actually releases a chemical called oxytocin which, according to the APA, helps people bond, increasing our sense of connectedness, trust and generosity.

We also experience taste and touch when we gather together for church. This may be more obvious in high-liturgy worship where candles and incense are used, but even in less formal churches, we receive communion together.

I’m also convinced that this is a lot of what is behind the recent surge in coffee bars at church. In addition to giving us a place and time to gather, chat and connect, something as mundane as grabbing a cup of coffee in the church lobby engages our senses of smell and taste, drawing us in to connect with others on a deeper level.

Also, taste and smell are the senses most closely associated with memory. If you’ve ever had a nostalgic memory flood your heart without knowing why, it was probably triggered by taste or smell.

All of these are helpful in creating a richer, deeper, more meaningful church experience. And they better prepare us to put our faith in practice after we head out of the church doors.

Using What God Gave Us

Engaging our five senses is not why we go to church, of course. We go for worship, fellowship, discipleship and ministry—and to prepare to live and share our faith in the week ahead.

But if we really want to get the most out of those experiences, if we really want to become more fully-formed followers of Jesus, we should do it with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. And that certainly includes every one of our physical senses.

God had a purpose for giving us five senses, not just two.

When we use all five senses to worship him and interact with other believers, we honor him and his generous gifts.

This article originally appeared here.

7 Reasons People Are Not Leading Who Could Be

By
Ron Edmondson
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Every church I know needs leaders. Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few…” I’m convinced, based on other Scriptures, some of those workers should be leaders of other workers. Throughout the Scriptures God used men and women to lead others to accomplish great things—all to His glory.

And, I’m equally convinced, just as there are not enough people working who should be working—there are not enough leaders who should be leading.

The question all church leaders need to know is why are they not!

Here are seven reasons people are not leading who could be:

They weren’t ever willing to face their fears. Fear of failure, fear of rejection and the fear of the unknown are very real fears. But, fear is an emotion and not necessarily based on truth. Faith is a substance based on a certain, though unseen, reality.

Tip: We must encourage and challenge people to live by faith.

They never had the self-confidence to allow people to follow. I know so many people who sit on the sidelines—even though people believe in them, but they just don’t believe in themselves.

Tip: We must speak words of affirmation into people; helping them believe in themselves, because God believes in them.

They felt it was self-serving to step into the role of leadership. One of my favorite sayings is “Don’t trip over your own humility by refusing to do the right thing.” Yes, leaders can be in the center of attention, and some people are too “humble” to step into the role, but in the meantime we are missing their leadership.

Tip: Help people understand humility and the danger of pride. But, allow people to feel enabled to gain position when they willingly point to God for all the glory.

They waited for someone else to do it. They had a call, or at least they knew what needed to be done, and they could have taken the initiative and made it work. They simply never did—hoping, waiting, for someone else to make the move.

Tip: Teach people understand the priesthood of the believer, the church as a body with indispensable members.

They tried once, it didn’t work, and they gave up too soon. It’s been said failure is a critical step toward success. Failure helps us mature as a leader. If you give up after the first try you miss out on the best of leadership.

Tip: Have an environment where failure is accepted as a part of leadership. Be agents of grace and encouragement to continue in spite of setbacks.

They couldn’t find their place—and nobody made one for them. I would encourage people to find something to lead! The world is full of problems. Choose one you are passionate about and start leading. We need you! But churches need to create margins of opportunities. Expecting a high-level female leader in the corporate space to want to rock babies is often unrealistic. If they want to fine, but they may want to chair a committee.

Tip: Build opportunities around the people and their individual interests. The best leaders have to be recruited to lead!

They thought they didn’t know how to lead. I’ve been a student of leadership for over 20 years—and in leadership positions for 35 years—and I would answer this one with a question. Who does know how to lead? Sure, there are skills to be acquired, leadership is an art to be shaped, but leadership is new every morning, because there world is ever changing. Leadership involves people. When we can completely figure them out we can completely figure out leadership. Until then we watch, listen, read, learn and ask questions. Everyone can learn some skills of leadership if they are teachable. The best leaders are still learning how to lead.

Tip: Build a leadership training pipeline. Encourage everyone in leadership to be recruiting and training another future leader.

Are any of these the reasons people in your church are not currently leading, but you know they should be?

This article originally appeared here.

Andrew Brunson Released After 2 Years Prison Time

By
Megan Briggs
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Pastor Andrew Brunson
U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson, center, sits inside a car as he arrives for his trial in Izmir, Turkey, early Friday, Oct. 12, 2018. The trial against an American pastor at the heart of a diplomatic dispute between Turkey and the United States is to resume in Turkey.(DHA via AP)

Two years after he was detained in Turkey, American Pastor Andrew Brunson has been released. A court in Aliaga, Turkey, ruled today that Brunson could go free

“I am an innocent man. I love Jesus. I love Turkey,” Brunson said. The pastor, originally from North Carolina, has lived in Turkey for two decades, leading the Izmir Resurrection Church.

Prosecutors were seeking a 10-year jail term for Brunson on charges of “Christianization” and acting as “an agent of unconventional warfare” under the guise of being an evangelical church pastor. The court sentenced Brunson to three years and one month prison time but decided to release him due to his manner during the hearings and the time he has already served in prison.

Brunson was detained for 17 months before being placed on trial the first time in April of this year. He was accused of working with the FETO network of Islamic cleric Fethullah Gülen and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party to overthrow the Turkish government. As ChurchLeaders reported in March:

Brunson was caught up in a sweep orchestrated by Muslim President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and was just one of many Christians who were arrested or deported after the failed coup attempt in Turkey back in 2016, when 161 were killed.

American Politicians Interceded on Behalf of Andrew Brunson

Attempts to free Brunson included various American politicians intervening on his behalf. North Carolina’s Senator Thom Tillis visited Brunson in prison earlier this year. Senator Tillis and Sam Brownback, U.S. ambassador at large for religious freedoms, also appeared with Brunson in a second trial that occurred in July. After this trial, the court went back and forth a time or two before deciding to allow Brunson to leave the prison but remain under house arrest.

The latest ruling in Brunson’s favor occurs after it appears relations are warming between the U.S. and Turkey. In August, President Trump’s administration put pressure on the Turkish government to release Brunson by doubling steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey. In September, Edogan and Trump met while attending the UN General Assembly. After this brief meeting, Erdogan indicated relations would improve.

This morning, President Trump posted a series of tweets about Brunson’s case.

While Brunson was seeking permanent residence in Turkey before the incident in 2016 that landed him in prison, he will return to the United States for the immediate future. Before returning, however, Brunson will need to pay close attention to his safety while he is still in Turkey. CNN reports Brunson will also need to fly to the U.S. Air Force Base in Rammstein, Germany, for a medical evaluation before continuing on to the United States.

Sprinting to the Finish Line

By
Daniel Henderson
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thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

The Bible describes the Christian life as a race—and it’s definitely more like a marathon than a sprint. The writer of Hebrews calls us to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). Paul compels us to run with discipline and resolve to win an eternal prize. He expressed his concern that he would run the race in “vain” (Philippians 2:16; Galatians 2:2). He expressed regret that the believers in Galatia had once run well but had been hindered in their faith (Galatians 5:7).

Sprinting to the Finish Line

Every race is judged not by how it starts, but how it is finished. I ran track as a sprinter in high school. In the relay races, I always ran the first leg. No matter how fast I was in getting out of the blocks and making a hand-off to the next runner, it mattered for nothing unless our fourth leg was fast enough to win the race.

I’ve always been impressed with distance runners who know how to excel in a race of multiple laps or even many miles. A key to their performance in long-distance contests is the ability to “kick” in the final segment of the race. Usually the winner’s best effort is his last one as he reserves a sprint-like reserve to finish the race at an extraordinary pace.

Finishing Our Race

Knowing the Christian life is a long-distance event compels us to ask the question: How will I finish the race? What will my spiritual pace look like as I approach the finish line? Will my last lap be my best one? Or will I dribble across the finish line with a “spiritual retirement” mindset, running without purpose?

Paul finished impressively. In what amounted to the final press of his pen to the parchment he wrote,

“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

Paul was so spiritually resolute in his final steps before touching eternity’s tape that he actually described his death as an act of worship. He spoke with passion about the grace of God that enabled him to finish his race, and spoke with great anticipation of the crown that made every effort worth it.

I’ll never forget a time some years ago when I encountered two 72-year-old pastors who were complete opposites in their approach to the last strides in their ministry race. One was retired, grumpy, negative and aimless. The other was still in the pulpit, gracious, optimistic and dreaming about his future. One complained about the younger generation and how they had forsaken his old ministry preferences. The second was busy investing in young men, with a desire to help them live like Christ. One was stumbling toward the finish line with his head down in despair and morbid introspection. The other had his eyes on the prize with growing spiritual impact as the years went by. It was not hard to decide which model I hope to follow as my golden years approach.

The 98-Year-Old Sprinter

A few years back, I was deeply impressed with a man who attended a three-day Men’s Prayer Summit. His name was Chet. He was 98 years old. Not only was I astonished that he was willing to commit to this very intense, unscripted prayer experience—but even more amazed with his active participation during the entire event. He watched, he listened, he sang and he prayed with an open heart and joyful attitude.

On the final evening of the Summit, we enjoyed a two-hour communion experience. The service included the option for men to wash the feet of other men at a prayer station in the back of the room, if they felt led to do so. Of course, a handful of younger men were eager to honor Chet by washing his feet. One of our leaders told me that Chet also served some of the other men in this way. They said the entire time he was washing their feet he just quoted an array of Scripture passages.

I want to be like Chet when I grow up! What passion, humility and depth. He is a living picture of Psalm 92:13-15:

“Those who are planted in the house of the LORD

Shall flourish in the courts of our God.

They shall still bear fruit in old age;

They shall be fresh and flourishing,

To declare that the LORD is upright;

He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.”

Secrets to the Finish Line Sprint

To understand people like Chet, we would do well to turn to the Scriptures to observe some of the keys to running well until the end. Paul’s personal commentary from Acts 20:24 gives us great insight. He was on his way to Jerusalem, knowing he would suffer there for the cause of Christ. Still, he made this bold declaration: “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Here we see Paul’s determination to finish his race.

Let’s observe five key insights for a strong final lap:

Seeing beyond the moment – Even though “chains and tribulations” awaited Paul, he wrote, “None of these things move me.” Paul saw beyond the present press and pain of circumstances to the good and Christ-honoring eventual outcome. This kind of eternal perspective and spiritual vision empowers us to grasp the real meaning of life. I remember an interview I conducted with Jerry Falwell when he told me that “real vision never allows you the luxury of discouragement.”

Let go and live – Paul also notes, “Nor do I count my life dear to myself.” Jesus made it clear that when we  try and preserve our life, we lose it (Matthew 16:25). Sacrifice for the cause of Christ is a life-giving reality for the believer. The gray twilight of half-hearted commitment is the dead zone that robs believers of passion and impact.

Joy just like Jesus – Paul was determined to finish his race with joy. This is just like Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, “who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Joy comes not from easy circumstances or an absence of suffering, but from knowing it is always worth it in light of the eternal reward.

A steward to serve – Paul remained motivated by “the ministry which (he) received from the Lord Jesus.” Later in this same sermon, Paul quoted his Jesus stating that it is more blessed (or happy) to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). Givers are always happier and healthier. They see themselves as stewards responsible to bless others with all they have been given. Hoarders are miserable and weary. They finish their race limping and laboring under a load of self-absorbed concern.

Keeping mission central – Paul lived to “to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” His life was not about himself, but focused on the greatest cause in the world. This kind of purpose ennobles and invigorates a life.

As I think of Chet’s passionate prayers for three days and his deep devotion to the Scriptures, I know that he is a man fully-devoted to the mission of Jesus in this world. Although long-since retired from his successful business career, he has remained loyal to his greater calling to know Christ and make Him known.

Some live their final years with hardening of the arteries. Others finish with hardening of the attitudes, which is much worse. Lord, keep my attitudes soft and my heart passionate so that my final effort will be my best as I cross the finish line of this race into the reward of eternal glory in the presence of Jesus—the Joyful Finisher!

This article originally appeared here.

Prayer Stations for Kids to Keep Them Rooted in Scripture

By
Danielle Bell
-
thank you notes for children’s ministry volunteers

Keeping with our tradition this year at our weekend kids event, we are bringing back prayer stations. Our theme this year is Rooted and we are focusing on God’s Word. We only have five stations this year because we are encouraging them to spend at least 10 minutes at each station.

Here they are:

Leader instructions: Please divide your Bible study groups into smaller groups and guide your smaller group through these five prayer stations. (You can move in any order, but please watch your time and try not to spend more than 10 minutes at each station.) Even though these prayer experiences are hands-on, please make sure they are approaching it with the attitude and respect our great God deserves. Before you begin, pray as a small group asking God to help you focus during this time.

Words That Encourage Station:
Read this Scripture to your group – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Prayer experience – Share with your group that they are going to get to use God’s Word to encourage our leaders in the church. Hold up one of the encouraging scripture sheets (a sheet that has encouraging scriptures listed) and explain how God’s Word can comfort and encourage others. Explain to the kids that they will each get a sheet and a marker and will be given several minutes to spread out along the staff hall and write scriptures on staff members’ sheets, located on their doors.  They will have time to write on two or three doors, but make sure they spread out to all the offices and are not waiting on a door.
Prayer Time – As a small group, pick a staff member to pray for and gather in front of their door. Pray “popcorn style” for this church leader allowing each child to say a sentence prayer for them in any order. The adult leader will close this time in prayer.
Supplies – encouraging scripture sheet, marker and white sheets on staff doors

Scripture Path Station:
Prayer experience – Give each child a piece of sidewalk chalk and a scripture sheets. Explain that each one of them will have their own sidewalk square to decorate with these scriptures. Instruct them to take their time and write a scripture large and decorate it. After 10 minutes give them a cue that time is up. Then have them pray silently over their square.
Prayer Time – As a small group pray for all the runners, walkers and church people that will walk over these scriptures. Ask God to give them eyes to see what He would have for them.
Location – This station begins in the area right outside the back doors of the Chapel. Kids will decorate sidewalks down the street and welcome center.
Supplies – sidewalk chalk, scripture sheet

Hidden Name Rocks Station:
Prayer experience – Review the names of God you studied in session two: MIGHTY, CREATOR, HEALER, SHEPHERD, EVERLASTING, MOST HIGH, LORD OF LORDS. Ask kids to share which name means the most to them at this time in their life and why. (Give them time to share.) Instruct them to decorate one side of their rock with the name and put the scripture reference on the other side of the rock.
Prayer Time – Once they have completed their rocks, have them hold it tightly in their hands asking God to reveal Himself to them in a new way. Close this time in prayer.
Prayer experience – Escort your small group to the area of their grade’s assigned location. Instruct them to hide their rocks. Explain that we will share with the church that these rocks are hidden all over campus. Ask a child to pray out loud for those that might find their rocks.
Supplies – Names of God sheet, rocks and sharpies

Psalm Tree Station:
Prayer experience – Give each child a Psalm 1:1-3 card. As a small group read this passage out loud. Discuss what this scripture means and how it encourages us to be rooted in God’s Word. Invite children to color the front and the back of their card. When complete, direct them to tie it to one of the branches on one of the three threes on the right outside the Welcome Center doors. 
Prayer Time – After everyone has attached their Psalm to the tree, circle around the tree and ask each child to pray a one-sentence prayer asking God to help them delight in His Word.
Supplies – Psalm 1:1-3 card, ribbon, markers

Hands of Prayer Station:
Prayer experience – In our country we are blessed to be able to freely own a Bible. How many of you own more than one Bible? In some countries it is very dangerous to own a copy of God’s Word. Gather around a country poster (either North Korea, Somalia, Maldives, Libya or Uzbekistan). Read the information about why it is dangerous to own a Bible in this country. Discuss with the children ways they can pray for the believers and nonbelievers in this country. Guide kids to place their hand on the poster of the country and trace their hand. After they have traced their hand, have them pray silently for the people in that country.
Prayer Time – After everyone has had a moment to pray silently, gather together as a group and ask a member of your small group to pray out loud over this country.
Supplies – five different outlines of countries with an information sheet on each country

This article originally appeared here.

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