Thursday, April 25, 2019
So What Are These Hope for Life Campaigns
So as most of you know, I travel 15-20 weekends/weeks per year doing campaigns and seminars for Herald of Truth. Occasionally I do blog about the various campaigns but I thought today I would give a quick overview of what they actually involve.
We only do campaigns where the local congregations "buy-in" to an all-out effort to reach the lost among their friends, family, and communities. Our preference is for multiple congregations in a given area to work together in partnership with Herald of Truth. The local congregations form a steering committee and make most of the decisions about the campaign.
After an initial interest meeting to see how many congregations will commit to the effort, Christians begin to pray for God to connect them to non-believers. We will conduct a seminar/seminars to inspire, equip, and motivate Christians to share their faith. I do the Followers Making Followers seminar to help believers live as disciple makers. Living as forgiven people, serving in the name of Jesus, and speaking boldly about Jesus. I also do Can I Tell You a Story. This focuses on starting Jesus conversations, telling your Jesus story, and what stories to use to share Jesus. Often we will also have Tim Archer conduct his Church Inside Out seminar, especially for leaders. This helps a church's leadership guide their congregation into healthy practices and outlooks to be welcoming to outsiders.
These are followed by an evangelistic capstone event where I share Jesus stories designed to communicate with non-believers. Often held at a central location -- rarely in a church building -- this is designed to invite friends to hear about Jesus, or to spark conversation, to move non-Christians toward Jesus, or to persuade them to make a decision to become a disciple.
I am often asked how we get congregations to actually work together in a major effort like this. The main reason is that this is about making disciples in our world. These campaigns are about Jesus, his death and resurrection. We emphasize Christian living as loving God and loving your neighbor. We believe those that want to follow Jesus will be baptized and that they will live forgiven among a community of believers. If a church can agree to those convictions, they are welcome to participate. The discipling of new believers we leave to individual congregations.
And here is what happens: non-believers are introduced to Jesus, conversations are started, stories are shared, and souls are saved. Congregations work together, encourage each other, share conversion stories, and trade ideas for continued evangelism.
And these campaigns do not end. They continue. Making disciples who make disciples who make disciples.
So that is what I am currently doing in Princeton, NJ, Concord, NH, and Morro Bay, CA area. Just finished in Wichita, KS and the Dexter/Chelsea area of Michigan.
So if you are in an area where you think this would fit your church, contact me and we will go from there.
What a great job.
Thanks God.
We only do campaigns where the local congregations "buy-in" to an all-out effort to reach the lost among their friends, family, and communities. Our preference is for multiple congregations in a given area to work together in partnership with Herald of Truth. The local congregations form a steering committee and make most of the decisions about the campaign.
After an initial interest meeting to see how many congregations will commit to the effort, Christians begin to pray for God to connect them to non-believers. We will conduct a seminar/seminars to inspire, equip, and motivate Christians to share their faith. I do the Followers Making Followers seminar to help believers live as disciple makers. Living as forgiven people, serving in the name of Jesus, and speaking boldly about Jesus. I also do Can I Tell You a Story. This focuses on starting Jesus conversations, telling your Jesus story, and what stories to use to share Jesus. Often we will also have Tim Archer conduct his Church Inside Out seminar, especially for leaders. This helps a church's leadership guide their congregation into healthy practices and outlooks to be welcoming to outsiders.
These are followed by an evangelistic capstone event where I share Jesus stories designed to communicate with non-believers. Often held at a central location -- rarely in a church building -- this is designed to invite friends to hear about Jesus, or to spark conversation, to move non-Christians toward Jesus, or to persuade them to make a decision to become a disciple.
I am often asked how we get congregations to actually work together in a major effort like this. The main reason is that this is about making disciples in our world. These campaigns are about Jesus, his death and resurrection. We emphasize Christian living as loving God and loving your neighbor. We believe those that want to follow Jesus will be baptized and that they will live forgiven among a community of believers. If a church can agree to those convictions, they are welcome to participate. The discipling of new believers we leave to individual congregations.
And here is what happens: non-believers are introduced to Jesus, conversations are started, stories are shared, and souls are saved. Congregations work together, encourage each other, share conversion stories, and trade ideas for continued evangelism.
And these campaigns do not end. They continue. Making disciples who make disciples who make disciples.
So that is what I am currently doing in Princeton, NJ, Concord, NH, and Morro Bay, CA area. Just finished in Wichita, KS and the Dexter/Chelsea area of Michigan.
So if you are in an area where you think this would fit your church, contact me and we will go from there.
What a great job.
Thanks God.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
I Have Seen Living Proof of the Resurrection
It is one of the most referenced texts in Easter sermons. Doubting Thomas. I get it. Everyone was so confident and so sure but they had seen the risen Lord. Thomas had not. He wanted -- needed -- to see the proof. He did and he believed. And we are blessed when we do not see but yet believe.
Often we imply that our believe is strictly a matter of faith because we have no proof to go own. I understand the point being made but I am not sure it is entirely true.
I do believe I have seen evidence of the resurrection.
One of the great truths of our baptism is that we are raised (resurrected) to a new life. Just like Christ was raised by the glory/power of God, we are raised to a new life. The old body of sin destroyed by grace, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit. Living according to the Spirit and not by the desires of our body.
And I have seen that power -- the power of a resurrected life.
In the life of a believer who fought the demons of pornography and is now pure.
The gossip who now speaks affirmation and encouragement.
The one battling same sex attraction now sexually sober for years.
The adulterer who is now pure.
The greedy businessman who now gives his money to ministries and the needy.
The angry and violent believer who is now full of joy, smiles, and hugs.
And on and on it goes.
The same God power that raised Jesus from the dead has raised us to new life. And we are changing, becoming righteous by that power.
Living proof of the resurrection.
And I see it every day in my life and in the lives of my community of faith.
It is real. He is risen. And I see that every day.
And so do others.
Leading them to believe.
Often we imply that our believe is strictly a matter of faith because we have no proof to go own. I understand the point being made but I am not sure it is entirely true.
I do believe I have seen evidence of the resurrection.
One of the great truths of our baptism is that we are raised (resurrected) to a new life. Just like Christ was raised by the glory/power of God, we are raised to a new life. The old body of sin destroyed by grace, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit. Living according to the Spirit and not by the desires of our body.
And I have seen that power -- the power of a resurrected life.
In the life of a believer who fought the demons of pornography and is now pure.
The gossip who now speaks affirmation and encouragement.
The one battling same sex attraction now sexually sober for years.
The adulterer who is now pure.
The greedy businessman who now gives his money to ministries and the needy.
The angry and violent believer who is now full of joy, smiles, and hugs.
And on and on it goes.
The same God power that raised Jesus from the dead has raised us to new life. And we are changing, becoming righteous by that power.
Living proof of the resurrection.
And I see it every day in my life and in the lives of my community of faith.
It is real. He is risen. And I see that every day.
And so do others.
Leading them to believe.
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Easter, life, resurrection, death, and baptism
The Resurrection changes everything. We will live forever. Jesus defeated death when God raised him from the dead. That enemy has lost the war. That is a great Easter message. Worth preaching. Needed truth for our friends and neighbors. Because of the Resurrection no believer has to fear death.
I have seen Easter lived out in powerful ways in hospital rooms and funerals. I have seen men I love face death with confidence and courage. I have seen their families grieve, but grieve with hope.
Easter is a great message of hope for when we face death.
But the resurrection message is more than that. When Paul was reminding the Roman believers about what their baptism meant, he connected it not just to the death of Jesus on the cross, but also to the resurrection. In baptism, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God, we are raised to new life.
Live resurrected. Our old life was put to death. No more shame or guilt over our sins. They are forgiven at the cross. But there is more to the message. We are raised as a new person. So for all those living a life that does not work. A life of pain or hurt. Life without hope or purpose. No joy. No peace. You can have new life. Different life. Because of the power of God to raise Jesus from the dead.
So I would suggest the Easter message has three great pieces of news.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
When we are raised from the water of baptism we have new life.
And because Jesus was raised from the dead after the cross, we too will be raised from the dead never to die again.
So I have seen Easter in the hospital and funeral homes.
And I have seen Easter in redeemed life. I have seen Easter in those whose heart holes have been filled by Jesus.
Changed lives because he rose from the dead.
Good news: he died for our sins, they buried him, and God raised him from the dead.
You can share in that death, be buried, and by the power of God be resurrected to new life.
Forever.
I have seen Easter lived out in powerful ways in hospital rooms and funerals. I have seen men I love face death with confidence and courage. I have seen their families grieve, but grieve with hope.
Easter is a great message of hope for when we face death.
But the resurrection message is more than that. When Paul was reminding the Roman believers about what their baptism meant, he connected it not just to the death of Jesus on the cross, but also to the resurrection. In baptism, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the power of God, we are raised to new life.
Live resurrected. Our old life was put to death. No more shame or guilt over our sins. They are forgiven at the cross. But there is more to the message. We are raised as a new person. So for all those living a life that does not work. A life of pain or hurt. Life without hope or purpose. No joy. No peace. You can have new life. Different life. Because of the power of God to raise Jesus from the dead.
So I would suggest the Easter message has three great pieces of news.
Jesus died on the cross for our sins.
When we are raised from the water of baptism we have new life.
And because Jesus was raised from the dead after the cross, we too will be raised from the dead never to die again.
So I have seen Easter in the hospital and funeral homes.
And I have seen Easter in redeemed life. I have seen Easter in those whose heart holes have been filled by Jesus.
Changed lives because he rose from the dead.
Good news: he died for our sins, they buried him, and God raised him from the dead.
You can share in that death, be buried, and by the power of God be resurrected to new life.
Forever.
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
When Your Church Building Burns Down...
Notre Dame cathedral in Paris burned up and immediately speculation turned to the rebuilding. Which of course got me to thinking. Maybe you thought about it also. What would your church do if the church building burned to the ground?
Most churches would immediately commit to the rebuild. Insurance settlement, savings, a bond program and get back to normal as soon as possible.
But what if we decided to really think outside the box about what is best for Kingdom growth?
This is not about the building is not the church. Not about would the community even miss the building if it was not there. I would hope we all understand the building is not the church and that the most important ministry churches do does not happen at the building.
But I dreamed about what could we do with that money if we did not build again. No buildings. Or utility bills. Or insurance. Or janitorial staff.
So what if we took the rebuild money and ...
Decide no more than 20% could go to any kind of Admin or church support. Rent for a Sunday morning assembly space. Or whatever support cost deemed necessary. Maybe house churches would be the answer. Members would have to be way more engaged, but...
How about 20% to missions? Find places where Christians are planting churches where Christians are few and far between. Maybe that would be right here in the U.S. I can think of 1/2 dozen efforts right now in our country that could use support.
20% for the poor in our community. Feed the hungry once a week. Have it in a fund where members could draw on it to help people they know who are in need. What a statement to our community. And if you need some structure, find some smart guys full of the Holy Spirit and put them in charge.
20% support of full-time elders. Have them work for their faith community as teachers, counselors, and shepherds. Spend their time studying Scripture to teach, correct, and instruct. Work with marriages, addictions, and spiritual growth. Hire some of your widows to work in a dynamic women's ministry, especially with younger women.
And the rest to hire evangelists. Tell your preachers they are freed from building and program responsibilities. Don't have to teach the members. Elders will. Don't have to pastor everyone. Elders are. So free them to be evangelists. Tell the Jesus story to the poor you are helping. Equip members to teach their family and friends. Grow the Kingdom. Change the world. Not change the church. Change the world.
So is this a realistic plan? Of course not. It is not even a plan. I wouldn't even know what a "if your church burns up" program would look like.
But how interesting would it be if as a church...
Everyone knew the money was not going mostly to buildings, staff, and programs.
That members knew their money was making a difference in places where real growth happened because we gave.
What would our community think if they knew that we were putting our money where our mouth is about caring for each other and for the poor in our communities?
Would members grow spiritually if Godly men and their wives committed to real teaching, praying, and shepherding?
And how much would the Kingdom grow if we supported evangelists?
And even more outside the box...
What if we decided to do these things even before our buildings burnt up?
Most churches would immediately commit to the rebuild. Insurance settlement, savings, a bond program and get back to normal as soon as possible.
But what if we decided to really think outside the box about what is best for Kingdom growth?
This is not about the building is not the church. Not about would the community even miss the building if it was not there. I would hope we all understand the building is not the church and that the most important ministry churches do does not happen at the building.
But I dreamed about what could we do with that money if we did not build again. No buildings. Or utility bills. Or insurance. Or janitorial staff.
So what if we took the rebuild money and ...
Decide no more than 20% could go to any kind of Admin or church support. Rent for a Sunday morning assembly space. Or whatever support cost deemed necessary. Maybe house churches would be the answer. Members would have to be way more engaged, but...
How about 20% to missions? Find places where Christians are planting churches where Christians are few and far between. Maybe that would be right here in the U.S. I can think of 1/2 dozen efforts right now in our country that could use support.
20% for the poor in our community. Feed the hungry once a week. Have it in a fund where members could draw on it to help people they know who are in need. What a statement to our community. And if you need some structure, find some smart guys full of the Holy Spirit and put them in charge.
20% support of full-time elders. Have them work for their faith community as teachers, counselors, and shepherds. Spend their time studying Scripture to teach, correct, and instruct. Work with marriages, addictions, and spiritual growth. Hire some of your widows to work in a dynamic women's ministry, especially with younger women.
And the rest to hire evangelists. Tell your preachers they are freed from building and program responsibilities. Don't have to teach the members. Elders will. Don't have to pastor everyone. Elders are. So free them to be evangelists. Tell the Jesus story to the poor you are helping. Equip members to teach their family and friends. Grow the Kingdom. Change the world. Not change the church. Change the world.
So is this a realistic plan? Of course not. It is not even a plan. I wouldn't even know what a "if your church burns up" program would look like.
But how interesting would it be if as a church...
Everyone knew the money was not going mostly to buildings, staff, and programs.
That members knew their money was making a difference in places where real growth happened because we gave.
What would our community think if they knew that we were putting our money where our mouth is about caring for each other and for the poor in our communities?
Would members grow spiritually if Godly men and their wives committed to real teaching, praying, and shepherding?
And how much would the Kingdom grow if we supported evangelists?
And even more outside the box...
What if we decided to do these things even before our buildings burnt up?
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Seeing Jesus in the Funeral Home, Rehab, and the Hospital
So I saw Jesus this week in funeral homes, Rehab centers, and the hospital. And I learned some things about him by watching and listening to his people.
Charles died this week of lung cancer. He was an elder at the Winters church of Christ and here is what I learned from him. When first diagnosed, it was bad. But in one of his "feeling good enough to attend" Sundays, he asked the church to pray for him. And we did. The whole church gathered around him down at the front and we prayed. Prayed for healing, comfort, peace, for God's will to be done, and for God to be glorified. And he got three more months of comfort. Went thru treatment with very little issue. I listened to him talk about the peace he had. He was ready to go. Enjoyed the time with friends and family, but was ready. I will always remember that church praying over him. And I will remember his peace about whatever came. God was honored.
Patsy is up in Rehab. She falls more than she wants and every time it seems like something is hurt. Every time. She has enough trust in God to ask why this keeps happening. She has enough faith to say she does not have to know. Or to understand. Just has to be faithful. Everyone teaches the lessons of Job. Some people live those lessons.
Byron had me come over this week to work on his funeral. He can see the end. Maybe not real soon. But not long either. He is a "might as well be" member at Southern Hills. Never would place membership. Kept his membership where it has been for 75 years. Where he was baptized. Says he believes everything we do. I've known him since Marsha and I were dating and I was Youth Minister/Song Leader in the early 70's. And he is right. His church life centered around Southern Hills, not where his membership was. I am at a time in my life when I really need to be reminded that my church/my community of faith is much bigger than the membership roll wherever I am currently attending.
Uncle Jerry fell and broke his hip. I was over at the house while we waited on the ambulance. Hung out in the ER with him. Listened to him talk about recovery, going home, and what he was going to do next. 93 in the ER facing surgery and he was talking about the future. I need to remember that as long as I am here, I have a purpose.
So here is the recap about what I learned from Charles, Patsy, Byron, and Jerry.
Church is a lot bigger and different than a lot of our congregations think it is.
Be ready to go home.
But until you do, look for what God has planned next.
And I don't have to understand it all. Just be faithful.
Tuesday, April 09, 2019
So Marsha had a birthday last Saturday...
My wife Marsha turned 66 last Saturday. And some of you are thinking never tell a women's age. But that;s one of the great things about her. She doesn't care. It helps that she doesn't look it or act it, but she is good with life. So age to her really is just a number.
So here are a few of the reasons she needs to be celebrated.
Wife. Couldn't do life without her. And wouldn't want to. You will hear more about us next month when our anniversary comes.
Mom. She is a great Mom. Loves Julie and Joe Don. And Jamie (our daughter-in-law who is now really our daughter). Prays for them. Talks to them. Is proud of them. Still inversts in their life.
Mimi. OK. At this stage of life, this is the biggie. She adores our five grands. And they love her passionately. She loves watching them play sports, perform in school functions, and getting to hang out. Cousin Camp will be one of those lifetime memories she has given them.
Daughter. Took fantastic care of her parents while they were alive. Now takes care of my Mom. She is just a great family person. Hosts most of the family get-togethers. Keeps up with everyone.
Friend. I cannot count the number of people who consider her their "sister", "Mom", "Mimi", and best friend. She lives to do for others. Great listener and advice giver. Prayer warrior.
Daughter of the King. But here is the best things about Mimi. She keeps growing as a Jesus follower. She sees the disenfranchised and the lonely. She opens our home for meals, conversation, and sometimes as a bed and breakfast. Really hurts for those in pain. Physical pain, emotional pain, spiritual pain.
Lots of people can talk about what they want to do and who they want to be.
She actually lives it.
Those of us that know her are blessed.
So thanks God for an amazing wife, Mom, Mimi, friend, and follower. Give her strength and energy. And raise up more women like her.
So here are a few of the reasons she needs to be celebrated.
Wife. Couldn't do life without her. And wouldn't want to. You will hear more about us next month when our anniversary comes.
Mom. She is a great Mom. Loves Julie and Joe Don. And Jamie (our daughter-in-law who is now really our daughter). Prays for them. Talks to them. Is proud of them. Still inversts in their life.
Mimi. OK. At this stage of life, this is the biggie. She adores our five grands. And they love her passionately. She loves watching them play sports, perform in school functions, and getting to hang out. Cousin Camp will be one of those lifetime memories she has given them.
Daughter. Took fantastic care of her parents while they were alive. Now takes care of my Mom. She is just a great family person. Hosts most of the family get-togethers. Keeps up with everyone.
Friend. I cannot count the number of people who consider her their "sister", "Mom", "Mimi", and best friend. She lives to do for others. Great listener and advice giver. Prayer warrior.
Daughter of the King. But here is the best things about Mimi. She keeps growing as a Jesus follower. She sees the disenfranchised and the lonely. She opens our home for meals, conversation, and sometimes as a bed and breakfast. Really hurts for those in pain. Physical pain, emotional pain, spiritual pain.
Lots of people can talk about what they want to do and who they want to be.
She actually lives it.
Those of us that know her are blessed.
So thanks God for an amazing wife, Mom, Mimi, friend, and follower. Give her strength and energy. And raise up more women like her.
