The Cutting Edge Idol
Where is the headquarters of the person who sells the "cool factor"? Who is he, anyway? How is he or she, able to sell us on a product or an idea only to tell us months later that "where it was, is not where it is"? Who decided that jeans couldn't be dark and then about the time we got all our jeans washed out finally, they told us they weren't cool any longer, dark jeans is now, "what's happening". Then, if that wasn't confusing enough, about the time we bought new dark jeans, we were back to the faded jeans but now they had to be ripped in the knees. Man, you have to stay on the Internet constantly, just to keep up. Back to our question: where is the person who determines these things? Maybe it's movie stars or other celebs. If you notice , they will wear something, start a new rage and never wear it again. What is the deal? No matter, they are doing a very successful job and the masses are marching to their tune.
All that really doesn't matter much at the end of the day. However, if we aren't careful, as leaders in the church, we will succumb to the same patterns and find ourselves captured by a desire to be on the cutting edge at all cost. That's not necessarily wrong either unless, unless, we abandon our first pursuit of seeking God and wanting to know his will, and exchange it for, "what is the latest cutting edge thing in the pages of the latest preacher celeb magazine". We need to remember, most everyone is selling something.
If I could say one thing on this subject, it would be, back away, take a deep breath and get alone with God. Ask Him what he wants from you and what is the direction He wants you to take. It might not be in the direction of all the rest. It might not even be cutting edge. Ouch!!!! Would the Lord actually call me to do something that can't be looked upon as cool? Most of the heroes in the Bible were considered peculiar or different, but not necessarily cool.
Be bold enough to hear from God and follow the individual path He has chosen for you and your ministry. Relax, he will probably allow you to wear whatever jeans you like!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Trust... the foundation of Team.
It should be obvious to most by now that the Church is not a democracy. In our Southern part of United States, however, there are many that haven't discovered that yet. They think there is a link between American democracy and the Bible. There is not. Actually, the vast majority of the church universal seem to understand this foundational point regarding the life of the church; most of the church world doesn't allow the most common expression of this misconception, the vote. It takes great trust to allow a group of leaders, or a leadership team, to lead us and the church on our spiritual journey. Of course to me it takes much greater faith to believe in the vote of a majority, and especially when novices and often times the disinfranchised get the same vote as mature, stable believers.
My primary focus today is the trust that must exist within the leadership team. The kind of trust that doesn't have to wonder if another member of the team has my best interest or the best interest of the church at heart. It has no question or fear of a "hidden agenda". Is this possible? Absolutely! Not only is it possible, it is critical to the success of any spiritual team. A group can arrive at a place where there is the safety of the input of the diversity of the group while held together by the trust factor within the group. Each member of the team knows and trusts the others in the group. Sound impossible? It's not. It takes several things to get there:
1. The correct choices of the right leaders in the first place.
2. Much time spent develolping respect and trust. There are no short cuts here, "time is the cost of every relationship".
3. Handling confrontation Biblically to keep confrontation from becoming conflict.
4. Developing and honoring confidentiallity.
5. Time and experience in the relationship.
6. A commitment to preferring others above yourself.
7. A belief that other members of the team are there in the will of God.
8. A decision to trust.
If trust is lost, God's ability to lead through the leadership team is weakened. That is probably what caused many to abandon this process and deteriorate to the vote in the first place.
It should be obvious to most by now that the Church is not a democracy. In our Southern part of United States, however, there are many that haven't discovered that yet. They think there is a link between American democracy and the Bible. There is not. Actually, the vast majority of the church universal seem to understand this foundational point regarding the life of the church; most of the church world doesn't allow the most common expression of this misconception, the vote. It takes great trust to allow a group of leaders, or a leadership team, to lead us and the church on our spiritual journey. Of course to me it takes much greater faith to believe in the vote of a majority, and especially when novices and often times the disinfranchised get the same vote as mature, stable believers.
My primary focus today is the trust that must exist within the leadership team. The kind of trust that doesn't have to wonder if another member of the team has my best interest or the best interest of the church at heart. It has no question or fear of a "hidden agenda". Is this possible? Absolutely! Not only is it possible, it is critical to the success of any spiritual team. A group can arrive at a place where there is the safety of the input of the diversity of the group while held together by the trust factor within the group. Each member of the team knows and trusts the others in the group. Sound impossible? It's not. It takes several things to get there:
1. The correct choices of the right leaders in the first place.
2. Much time spent develolping respect and trust. There are no short cuts here, "time is the cost of every relationship".
3. Handling confrontation Biblically to keep confrontation from becoming conflict.
4. Developing and honoring confidentiallity.
5. Time and experience in the relationship.
6. A commitment to preferring others above yourself.
7. A belief that other members of the team are there in the will of God.
8. A decision to trust.
If trust is lost, God's ability to lead through the leadership team is weakened. That is probably what caused many to abandon this process and deteriorate to the vote in the first place.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
America, land of the free, home of the independent!
America was founded by many who were coming here to escape religious persecution. There was a pioneer spirit in these rugged adventurers. They were tired of people "telling them what to do", and vowed to never again allow someone else to rule over them in religious matters. As an old friend once told me, "it seems the Church goes from ditch to ditch". From his analogy, we have a hard time finding the middle of the road and making progress. Rather than actually making progress, too often the church has been satisfied just fighting to preserve freedom. High atop the Oregon state capitol stands the Golden Pioneer. He is a symbol of "rugged individualism". That figure and what it stands for seems to be embedded in much of the church leadership in America. A "team spirit" is hard to find. In the Church we have learned how to clothe independence in religious garb. Rather than saying, "he's a rebel", we say, "he marches to the beat of a different drum".
1Ch 12:38 says, "All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. Here we see how David was raised to his place as King. He was supported by a team "who could keep ranks". The result was that all the rest of Israel followed this leadership team and their ability to function in their place of order by having one mind. Those we lead are mostly a reflection of our leadership team. One of the most important things we can do as leaders is to learn to "march in ranks" in the team. New Testament Christianity is not a solo act, it is a concert of harmony. Good harmony is achieved when no one person stands out of the group as the main player. A Senior Leader is more like a director and the team and/or congregation should be working dilligently to discover and maintain that melodic sound. It has been said that there is a "new sound" coming. Could it be that the new sound is the "old sound" finally arriving at harmony?
America was founded by many who were coming here to escape religious persecution. There was a pioneer spirit in these rugged adventurers. They were tired of people "telling them what to do", and vowed to never again allow someone else to rule over them in religious matters. As an old friend once told me, "it seems the Church goes from ditch to ditch". From his analogy, we have a hard time finding the middle of the road and making progress. Rather than actually making progress, too often the church has been satisfied just fighting to preserve freedom. High atop the Oregon state capitol stands the Golden Pioneer. He is a symbol of "rugged individualism". That figure and what it stands for seems to be embedded in much of the church leadership in America. A "team spirit" is hard to find. In the Church we have learned how to clothe independence in religious garb. Rather than saying, "he's a rebel", we say, "he marches to the beat of a different drum".
1Ch 12:38 says, "All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. Here we see how David was raised to his place as King. He was supported by a team "who could keep ranks". The result was that all the rest of Israel followed this leadership team and their ability to function in their place of order by having one mind. Those we lead are mostly a reflection of our leadership team. One of the most important things we can do as leaders is to learn to "march in ranks" in the team. New Testament Christianity is not a solo act, it is a concert of harmony. Good harmony is achieved when no one person stands out of the group as the main player. A Senior Leader is more like a director and the team and/or congregation should be working dilligently to discover and maintain that melodic sound. It has been said that there is a "new sound" coming. Could it be that the new sound is the "old sound" finally arriving at harmony?
Monday, June 1, 2009
You Vs. Team
One of the primary differences between Old Covenant Ministry and New Covenant Ministry is a move away from the "one man show". Old Testament heroes appeared, did great exploits for God and everyone around them stood in awe. In the New Testament we see a new paradigm emerge. We see it especially clear after Pentecost. The single hero image disappears and we see TEAM function. In team there is a dependence upon one another and a valuing of one another that is critical to success. There is a learning curve involved in team function. There is also a humility and mutual submission that some find difficult to embrace. Is it possible to remain a loner and experience success as a "Lone Ranger"? Absolutely! There is no question, a person who is called and gifted can accomplish much without ever being connected to others in the Body of Christ in a functional way. The outcome of such independence is:
1. Pride and self-promotion - It's hard to walk in humility in the shadow of your own statue.
2. Mistakes - You will make mistakes without the input of the diversity around you.
3. Loneliness - When you are self-sufficient, others back away and withdraw from you.
4. Duplication without multiplication - You may have one or two who try to duplicate your
ministry. However, multiplication is impossible without diversity of input from TEAM.
5. When you die the ministry dies - When you are gone there are memories but no posterity.
6. Rebellion - You experience repetitive uprisings and rebellion among your followers. The
calling and giftings within them cries out to be used but there is no room for others on
your stage.
Today we need to reevaluate our philosophy and mode of operation. We need to repent of the pride that says, "I am so anointed that I can't afford to take time to train and disciple others". In truth, such thinking is counter-Christ thinking. Jesus said, "I will build my Church". We need to understand that at Pentecost Jesus released his Holy Spirit to build and empower a Body of believers, an army of ministries. It is our job to multiply what we have into them and release and oversee them.
One of the primary differences between Old Covenant Ministry and New Covenant Ministry is a move away from the "one man show". Old Testament heroes appeared, did great exploits for God and everyone around them stood in awe. In the New Testament we see a new paradigm emerge. We see it especially clear after Pentecost. The single hero image disappears and we see TEAM function. In team there is a dependence upon one another and a valuing of one another that is critical to success. There is a learning curve involved in team function. There is also a humility and mutual submission that some find difficult to embrace. Is it possible to remain a loner and experience success as a "Lone Ranger"? Absolutely! There is no question, a person who is called and gifted can accomplish much without ever being connected to others in the Body of Christ in a functional way. The outcome of such independence is:
1. Pride and self-promotion - It's hard to walk in humility in the shadow of your own statue.
2. Mistakes - You will make mistakes without the input of the diversity around you.
3. Loneliness - When you are self-sufficient, others back away and withdraw from you.
4. Duplication without multiplication - You may have one or two who try to duplicate your
ministry. However, multiplication is impossible without diversity of input from TEAM.
5. When you die the ministry dies - When you are gone there are memories but no posterity.
6. Rebellion - You experience repetitive uprisings and rebellion among your followers. The
calling and giftings within them cries out to be used but there is no room for others on
your stage.
Today we need to reevaluate our philosophy and mode of operation. We need to repent of the pride that says, "I am so anointed that I can't afford to take time to train and disciple others". In truth, such thinking is counter-Christ thinking. Jesus said, "I will build my Church". We need to understand that at Pentecost Jesus released his Holy Spirit to build and empower a Body of believers, an army of ministries. It is our job to multiply what we have into them and release and oversee them.
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