Discover Your Shape
One of the many privileges of being a pastor, one of the most fulfilling is the opportunity I have to explain to people the mystery of how God uses His people to carry out His will on earth. It is probably one of the most difficult things that I have to do but it can be powerful to help a somebody understand that after we become a Christ-follower we don’t just go to heaven but stay here to do amazing things for Him. We need to unlock their perspective and transform it, so they will see life with an eternal view. We must help them understand how they can get the most out of the few years they have to serve Christ. The best way to connect them to a life of service for God is to show them how they are uniquely made for an important role in God’s Kingdom. Here are a few ideas on helping students and others understand the importance of serving in their giftedness.
First, we need to challenge students’ world view. Typically students see the world as revolving around them. (By the way, so do most of us as adults.) They become self-reliant and prideful. When students are exposed to realities of this world – injustice, poverty, AIDS, slavery, lack of clean drinking water and the misfortunes of so many that we will see when we go to Russia and countries abroad – they have a greater desire to serve and take risks for God. When the reality of this world collides with the fake financial security of their lives, they stand at a crossroads and ask themselves: “What is God doing in this world and what part do I play in it?” This question, “What part do I play?” is what we as youth pastors need to hear. Once students ask this question we have an open door to teach them about how God has made them for a unique mission.
Second, we must help students understand that God’s plan for them can be known. The statement “God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life” begs the question, “so what’s the plan?” The plan is revealed through the way God has wired us. God not only gave us a mission but a SHAPE to accomplish that mission. By learning about our SHAPE and giftedness we begin to understand how God has made us.
S…sprititual gift-“How has God gifted you?”
H…heart-“What do you love to do? What are you passionate about?”
A…abilities-“What natural abilities or talents were you born with or did you develop before your relationship with Christ?”
P…personality-“How will your unique personality impact your ministry?”
E…experience-“How can your experiences, both good and bad, be used to help others?”
These five areas are crucial for students to understand that they are a huge part of God’s plan today.
Thank you to Doug Franklin & Doug Fields for their input on this.
Faith, Love and Pixie Dust
Apparently this is what my son thinks will make everything better. Faith, Love and Pixie Dust. Well, you know two out of three is not really that bad. Faith and love obviously make a difference in almost every aspect of our lives. Pixie dust on the other hand probably won’t change the world, lower gas prices or cause the cost of living to go down.
Even when my boys are fighting and at the end they go bff’s which is best friends forever. On the surface it seems like that would be a quick pixie dust fix when in reality it is just surface relationship fixing. Don’t you wish it would be that easy some times? Relationships take time. They take faith in each other and they take the ability to show each other love. Putting the other person first is hard. How great would it be that if everyone we came in contact with we would have faith in them and show them love? It would elevate the way we do relationships and that would be living differently.
Awesome!
Think with me for just a second…
God created the heavens and the Earth. This playground that we work, play, sleep, live and raise our families on. God created all the animals. The ones that float in our fish tanks because we forgot to feed them or the ones who pee on the carpet because you didn’t take them out, and yes even the little hairballs called cats. God gave us these animals to entertain us to intrigue us (zebra, giraffe, hippo, rhino, elephant, gerbal). There are birds who serve more than a simple purpose of pooping on our cars but are there to show the wonder of God and who have no limitations, except for when a hunter caps a goose in the head for pleasure. God created the seasons: Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer. With new seasons comes new hope and emotions that this season will be better than the last. God gives us each other. Other humans that have the power to shape the very fabric of our thoughts, feelings and emotions. We laugh together and play together. We also cry together and hurt each other. Through all of this that goes on around us we can still at times feel lonely and isolated.
Yet, there is a God who sticks closer than a brother. (That’s good, because sometimes I’m not a very good brother) There is a God who knows the number of hairs on my head. (Which is getting easier to count) There is a God who loves me so much that He cares about the inner feelings and emotions of my heart and mind. There is a God who is so big and has done so much but yet He cares about me. Have you talked to Him today? We get to talk to the creator of the universe who created it for us. Awesome!
Sabbatical
I have done something today that I don’t think I have ever done in ministry. I took an office sabbatical. Basically what I have done today is read blogs, listen to podcasts, read books, read God’s Word, listen, pray, wait and just get filled. I am not one to sit around very much, I like to move and keep busy. However with nothing on my agenda this weekend it allowed me time to slow down and listen to God. Hear what he is saying to me and what He saying to other pastors. I need to set aside more time like this to just pause.
On A Side Note:
- Glad David Cooke won American Idol.
- Felt bad for Carrie Underwood forgetting to wear any pants on stage last night.
- Lakers came back from 20 down in the middle of the third quarter to win by 4.
- Phil Jackson is 40-0 in a series when winning the first game.
- No soccer practice for the boys tonight.
- I have a lot of friends struggling in ministry right now and I am so thankful God has me where he does.
Past Success
“Every time you try new things, you fight your past success.” – Doug Fields
I’ve heard and read this quote for years. Today I was reading quotes from guys who are at a conference at Saddleback. I think this was on Perry Noble’s list of quotes. “Every time you try new things, you fight your past success.” That quote is so true because who really likes change? Every once in a while it is good and it stirs things up. But wouldn’t you rather just stay comfortable and do things because “it already works” or “because that is the way it is has been done”. Maybe it’s because, “that doesn’t fit in our schedule” or “it’s not enough”. At the root of it, there is comfort in knowing something works and is comfortable.
However there is the other side. The side that requires faith. The side that requires boldness. The side that says no matter what I will trust God even when it feels crazy. That is exactly where I have been for the last six months as God has worked and re-worked His vision in my heart. I don’t like to change, I am a creature of habit. I like when things are going well but I find I am less dependent on Him when they are. Maybe that is why God likes to change things up on us, to take us out of our comfort zone and force us to depend on Him. Maybe John was right about the whole living dangerously and living differently concept.
This next year in September we will be launching separate middle school and high school life groups. On Sunday nights at 6:00pm we will have the middle school on the 1st and 3rd Sundays and high school on the 2nd and 4th Sundays. Our leaders are pumped about this because they will have a true time for discipleship of our teenagers. On the first Saturday’s of every month we will have what is called United. Middle school and High school students coming together United on one night. I am very excited about this and will be sharing more information about all of this over the next couple weeks.
Renewal
“How to do personal renewal – learn to enjoy the grace of God. (II Corinthians 4:1) Paul knew his ministry was all because of God’s grace and mercy. Satan is often whispering in the ears of a pastor, “you are not good enough.” But we need to understand that God knew every stupid mistake we were going to make in ministry and still chose us!”
Read this quote and thanked God that He allows me to do what I do. I was with Jeff Sareyka yesterday as we headed down to Washington D.C. to watch the Phillies lose to the Nationals. While we were there I heard more cheers and saw more Phillies clothing than ever before at a “rival” stadium. As a player when you go into a stadium to compete, you can almost hear it in the voices of the crowd that you are not good enough. And yet there is something that causes an athlete to compete and push through the doubt and hostility.
When you are in life and you are competing. When you are trying to do your best to honor God and you keep failing and falling, just remember that God already knows the issues, obstacles and trials that will come along your path and he knows that there will be moments that we will slip and fall and yet he still chooses us.
The key is to remember that it is through God’s mercy and grace that we can get back up. We can ignore the “your not good enough” comment because you know what…were not, but He is. In those moments we are renewed to push through and push on.
Choices
“So others may live” That is the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard. The fact that they will unashamedly lay down their life so others may live is a perfect example of what our Saviour did for us. Dying so we may have life.
Each of us have a choice. A choice to lay down our pride. A choice to lay down our reputation. A choice to lay down our own agendas. And when we do that…just maybe, we make the choice to share what we have, so others may live.
Too many times in life I think about myself. I want the last piece of chocolate cake. I want the remote. I want to live a life that is not dangerous. I want to be in a comfort zone. BUT, each of us has a choice to step outside the comfort zone and to live a life that stares down the dangerous. For some it is sharing their faith. For some it is praying for someone. For some it is simply knowing when not to get involved in a situation.
I love what I do. I still have no clue why God allows me the privilege to do it. I still don’t know why others have taken a chance on me. But what I do know is that I don’t take it for granted. What I do know is that I will make that choice. What I do know is I will live dangerously. What I do know is that I will dream big dreams. What I do know is that I will lay down my pride, my reputation and my agendas so that others may live.
VIP
Tonight we get a chance to thank our VIP’s. The people who are the backbone of Fellowship and who are the ones that make ministry happen. We are so blessed to have so many people serve. Even last night I was talking with someone who had a hard time getting people to their church for set-up and take-down. (Would love your help for take-down on Sunday…shameless plug)
I have said this before I work with the greatest staff in the world. They are incredible. If you only knew their heart and the sacrifices that they make. God has assembled a great team who is led by a great pastor.
On another note…my youth staff is phenomenal. Our youth ministry would not be where it is if it wasn’t for the sacrifice of our youth staff…thank you guys!
Boycott
Alright I have to vent. I love Chick-Fil-A and I am pretty sure God does too. In fact there may be a Chick-Fil-A in heaven right next to the Famous Dave’s, although in heaven it is called Famous David’s because it just sounds more spiritual.
BUT, McDonalds…ok I was fine with the fact that they implemented sweet tea into their menu and in fact enjoy it when I gorge myself on their dollar (really becomes the $9) menu. Oh but now they have crossed the line by imitating the Chick-Fil-A sandwich. An all white chicken breast with 2 pickles and a buttery bun. It is like The Jeep pretending to be a Hummer. Both institutions are great but they both have what they are good at.
I can’t eat at McDonalds and have the poser chicken sandwich because I will simply feel dirty. It is like having an affair. Yes the new one might be cheap, quick and temporarily satisfying but in the end I will just be left with regret and shame. So out of respect for the Chick-Fil-A sandwich I will not attempt to lower my standards at the expense of convenience.
Hopefully you know I am just playing with this whole blog, it is simply for fun. If you have any hate mail because of this post please send all concerns to complaints@fellowshiptoday.com 
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Anyone who has been in the crosshairs of someone’s negative criticism knows how easy it is to become discouraged and disillusioned.
Long ago I had the naïve belief that if I was a believer, worked in the church, followed God’s purpose for my life and cared about students and families, those I served would be thankful, gracious and appreciative. Most often that is true; however, there are times when criticism can shake me to my core.
If you are anything like me, I take my ministry seriously (and personally), and have been wounded many times by a critic’s words or actions. Everyone who has been in ministry on any level and has dealt with people will experience criticism. Here are a couple things I have learned in the trenches:
LEAN. I cannot have a healthy ministry if I am not leaning on others for support and encouragement. Being a Christ-follower was never meant to be done alone. In the midst of criticism I’m often reminded of Paul when he tells the church in Galatia to “carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2 NIV).
When I have perspective from others who are supporting me, I find that I can deal with criticism much easier. I have a specific person I lean on regularly. This person knows my ministry and knows me, knows the overall mission of the church. This person is a good friend. I know when I talk with him, he is able to look at a situation from an unbiased perspective. He helps me identify what I need to listen to, and he can advise me on important decisions or responses I need to make. We have designed our meeting times to be a place where it is safe to be real and authentic about our struggles. I know I can be completely honest with him—I can say anything, think anything, and he will love me unconditionally. My accountability partner helps me not to harbor things in my heart. He challenges me to remember I am a servant of Christ, and that I need to love my foes just as much as my friends.
LEARN. In all criticism there is some piece of truth. It is important to sift through the criticism to see if there is any truth in what someone is saying, rather than just ignoring them. Have I not communicated clearly? Did I have tunnel vision and not think through all the implications of what I was planning just because I thought it was an amazing idea? Is there something I need to work on personally, like my attitude, pride or ego? Many times if I really reflect and seek God’s wisdom, I will often see something that I need address or change. It’s not always easy getting to that point, but we must constantly be learners in order to grow personally, spiritually and professionally.
LET GO. This is the toughest thing I have had to learn simply because I easily gravitate towards being a people-pleaser and wanting to be liked. But just as Moses, the Disciples, Paul and Jesus had their critics, I will have mine and you will have yours. The best way I have learned to let go is by giving the criticism over to God. I continually learn to give over my anger or frustration as well as lift up my critics in prayer. This helps me experience the freedom to move on, and not become weighed down over what one or two people think. The longer I hold on to something, the more paralyzed and hardened my heart becomes.
Finally, remember that critics will come and go. Engage them to see your vision and the fruits of your ministry. If that does not work, remain steadfast in your faith, seek praise from God, the One who has called you into ministry, and trust that He is working all things for good for those who love Him. You are never as good as people say you are and you are never as bad as people say you are. Find that balance and you will find success in the midst of the crosshairs.
