I converted!
I moved to a better blog server like the rest and have more options.
www.reallifeforever.wordpress.com
Monday, December 17, 2007
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Mexico
Anybody need anything from Mexico? I will be leaving the 24th and will return on the 5th of January. Since Margarita is finally a resident we get to enjoy Mexico instead of being stuck there! We are spending Christmas with her family. We will be in Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico just south of El Paso, TX.
Pastor/Elder & Women???
I came across the below thoughts from a recent post on the M Blog. I am preaching through the book of First Timothy and will be dealing with some very difficult subjects (from a woman's role and speaking in the church to the office of bishop vs. the term pastor). Is the word pastor and elder/bishop used interchangeably or is a pastor a gift/role and not an office? Is a woman allowed to speak in an assembly meeting (according to the Bible)? Here's a QUESTION... Could a woman be a pastor and NOT a bishop/elder? Meaning... Could a woman have a pastoral role and never speak in an assembly? Read the following and share your thoughts?
In the New Testament, a pastor (or shepherd) is one who provides spiritual care for the flock, the local gathering of believers; it is a role or function or gifting. An elder is a local church leader; it is a biblical office and includes the functions of shepherding, teaching, and overseeing (ruling as an authority in the local church).
Alexander Strauch explains further in Biblical Eldership as follows (p. 31-32):
Although the term elder is the predominate New Testament term used to local church leaders and is especially suited to the nature of the new Testament churches, it conveys to the overwhelming majority of Christians and non-Christians today ideas that are different from those found in the New Testament. People today think of church elders as lay, church-board members who are separate and distinct from the professional, ordained pastor (or clergyman). I refer to these elders as “board elders;” they are not true New Testament, Christian elders. They are advisors, committee men, executives, and directors.A true biblical eldership is not a businesslike committee. It’s a biblically qualified council of men that jointly pastors the local church. So to communicate the New Testament idea of eldership, we need to reeducate ourselves as to the New Testament usage of the term elder, and in some cases choose a different term.The New Testament uses [another] to describe local church leaders. The term is overseer [or bishop], and it comes from the Greek word episkopos. The term overseer was a common designation used by Greeks for a variety of officials. In contrast to all priestly or lordly titles, nothing in the title overseer (or elder) violated the local church’s family character, humble-servant nature, or priestly and holy status. The fact that the apostles and first Christians used the term overseer as a synonym for elder demonstrates flexibility in the use of leadership terminology and the desire to communicate effectively among Greek-speaking people.
In the New Testament, a pastor (or shepherd) is one who provides spiritual care for the flock, the local gathering of believers; it is a role or function or gifting. An elder is a local church leader; it is a biblical office and includes the functions of shepherding, teaching, and overseeing (ruling as an authority in the local church).
Alexander Strauch explains further in Biblical Eldership as follows (p. 31-32):
Although the term elder is the predominate New Testament term used to local church leaders and is especially suited to the nature of the new Testament churches, it conveys to the overwhelming majority of Christians and non-Christians today ideas that are different from those found in the New Testament. People today think of church elders as lay, church-board members who are separate and distinct from the professional, ordained pastor (or clergyman). I refer to these elders as “board elders;” they are not true New Testament, Christian elders. They are advisors, committee men, executives, and directors.A true biblical eldership is not a businesslike committee. It’s a biblically qualified council of men that jointly pastors the local church. So to communicate the New Testament idea of eldership, we need to reeducate ourselves as to the New Testament usage of the term elder, and in some cases choose a different term.The New Testament uses [another] to describe local church leaders. The term is overseer [or bishop], and it comes from the Greek word episkopos. The term overseer was a common designation used by Greeks for a variety of officials. In contrast to all priestly or lordly titles, nothing in the title overseer (or elder) violated the local church’s family character, humble-servant nature, or priestly and holy status. The fact that the apostles and first Christians used the term overseer as a synonym for elder demonstrates flexibility in the use of leadership terminology and the desire to communicate effectively among Greek-speaking people.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
The Shack
This little hut doesn't compare to the many mansions my Jesus has prepared in Heaven! ;)“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know.” John 14:1-4
What would you do with a house like this? It has 103 bedrooms! For more craziness click here.
Sunday, December 09, 2007
A Must Read!
Just got this great book in the mail. Thanks to Jonathon Johnson for posting it on his blog several weeks ago. I feel like I need to pay Jonathon since I got it for free. :)
You need to get this book! I just started reading it yesterday and the information is incredible insite into the minds of the people we are trying to reach. The homework has been done. You may not agree with the opinions of the outsiders, but it will give you a heads up on the way unchurched people think. This book is not about letting unchurched people tell us how to do church, but we do need to understand them if we are going to meet them where they are!
Friday, December 07, 2007
Pure Leadership
"Pure Leadership" (in the context of ministry) is leadership with biblical purpose and determination to follow Christ and keep His commands consistently while loving even those who object.
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Onsite Gatherings
In order for what we do onsite not to become just a routine we have defined the purpose of each onsite gathering. The ultimate goal of each gathering is for those involved to become passionate followers of Jesus Christ. Church Life was never intended to become a routine, but worship. All of the below meetings do not necessarily have a planned agenda for each time they meet, however the purpose remains the same for each.
SUNDAY
Sunday School- The purpose of Sunday School is to pray, fellowship, and study the Word in a way that will provoke accountability and change in the daily lifestyle of every believer (disciple of Christ).
Morning Worship- The purpose of MW is to exalt our resurrected Savior through prayer, singing, giving, listening and learning about God, and by change of heart/actions in response to God's Word.
Evening Worship- The purpose of EW is to train the church in the area of making disciples. All lessons are centered around making disciples and then how to help new disciples take the next steps of faith. Common individual members learn how to be a part of the discipleship process (7) days a week!
MONDAY
Women's Bible Study- The purpose of Monday night WBS is to stay in the Word and give those who aren't able to attend other meetings the opportunity to be fed and fellowship with other women of faith.
TUESDAY
Manhood- The purpose of Manhood is the spiritual growth of young and middle aged men. It could be described as laid-back leadership training, prayer, and discussing how to be the leaders that God has called men to be in Family Life and Church Life.
WEDNESDAY
Awana- The purpose of AWANA is to teach boys and girls to be approved workers who are not ashamed of Jesus. Boys and Girls learn memory verses and how to work together through organized team games.
Student Ministry- The purpose of SM is to challenge students with the Word and give them the tools and friendships they need to live for Jesus under challenging cultural circumstances.
Adult Bible Study- The purpose of ABS is to encourage and challenge believers with the Word.
CP Tadd Grandstaff Interview on NBC
I post the following interview for information purposes only. However, I would like to know what you think about it?!
Monday, December 03, 2007
CP Training
Go here and listen to the Structure vs. Strategy talk. This is great information for anyone planting a church or considering to do so. (by David Watson)
Sunday, December 02, 2007
Leaders
Leaders know where they are going and they take people with them! If you consider yourself a leader how many people are following you? If they are following you what are they actually doing? In other words-what are you doing?
Not that anyone comments on my blog anyways... but this will probably get 0 comments. Some of you guys that tell me you read my blog need to start posting your thoughts.
I don't have it all figured out, but I want to learn as much as I can! One of the main reasons I blog is to strecth others and be streched by others.
Not that anyone comments on my blog anyways... but this will probably get 0 comments. Some of you guys that tell me you read my blog need to start posting your thoughts.
I don't have it all figured out, but I want to learn as much as I can! One of the main reasons I blog is to strecth others and be streched by others.
A Routine Instead Of A Movement
I’ve been praying about my last 2 posts and thinking about what I’m really trying to say and so here goes.
“Church” has become a routine that we DO at a particular location instead of a movement that we are living. A church that is GOING is moving! There is nothing wrong with owning property and stationing church meetings at a particular location, but “Church” is more than meeting at the “House of God.” If the church is the people then those same people are to be actively participating in the mission of making disciples (7) days a week! As one commented, 99% of our communities do not meet at our locations. Why have we been called into the ministry? The answer is to GO MAKE DISCIPLES!
How many of our church members have ever taken part in making one disciple much less involved in this proceess on a daily basis?
“Church” has become a routine that we DO at a particular location instead of a movement that we are living. A church that is GOING is moving! There is nothing wrong with owning property and stationing church meetings at a particular location, but “Church” is more than meeting at the “House of God.” If the church is the people then those same people are to be actively participating in the mission of making disciples (7) days a week! As one commented, 99% of our communities do not meet at our locations. Why have we been called into the ministry? The answer is to GO MAKE DISCIPLES!
How many of our church members have ever taken part in making one disciple much less involved in this proceess on a daily basis?
Friday, November 30, 2007
The "ekklesia"
Is it possible that the word “ecclesia" or "ekklesia” is used to identify individuals with a particular group who embrace a particular mission, but that the success of the mission is generally determined by what happens while the church is disassembled?
Please post your comments if this makes sense or if it doesn't share why.
Please post your comments if this makes sense or if it doesn't share why.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
A Plan That Works!
I’m tearing apart the ideology most common to my affiliated work. Our focus has been shifted to maintaining an organization instead of obeying the commands of Christ. I know this is going to blow some out of the water, but Jesus never said, “Go start churches.” Jesus never suggested the sinner’s prayer. He never invited someone to church for all we know. His words were/are clear, “Make disciples of all nations” or “Teach all nations.” Church buildings are not holy or sacred in the eyes of God-it is the body/life of the believer that is to be holy and set apart for God. Our mission has become too much about being a true church instead of being true followers (disciples) of Jesus Christ. Call it a play on words, I call it a mixed up mission!
My point is simple, the spiritual growth of a “church” is generally defined by how well all the members participate in the organization instead of how they live (7) seven days a week. Who cares if everyone brings a bible to church-do they read it when they are not on the church property? Who cares if they show up on Sunday night-are they spending quality/spiritual time with their families during the week? Who cares if Darrel knows how to pray publicly-does he pray in his closet? Who cares how big the church is-are the people lifting up holy (clean) hands to God? Who cares that Jim hasn’t missed a service his entire life-has he ever made a disciple?
Yes, the church is the byproduct of making disciples, but are we going about things the wrong way or even backwards? We need to redefine our priorities!
1. Salvation comes by someone putting their confidence completely in Jesus after hearing the gospel. It is a personal decision of the heart expressed by calling out to the Lord. John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13
2.Genuine faith initiates a desire to follow. John 10:27, James 2
3. Fellow disciples hold the responsibility of mentoring the ones embracing Christ by faith. Acts 9:19, 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Each person of faith is to be baptized for the sole purpose of obeying Christ and NOT to join a church. Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:13-17 (yes I know it’s a requisite to being in the body of a local church)
5. The first thing a new disciple should learn to do is to reproduce themselves by making new disciples. If this is not learned nothing else matters. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8
6. After one begins to reproduce themselves the process of learning varies in subjects ONE at a time beginning with loving God, then loving others, and everything that falls under those two categories such as prayer, giving, and good works pertaining to others. Matthew 22:37-40, James 2
7. Discipleship takes place through a variety of avenues like one on one mentorship, small group Bible studies/prayer groups, and yes even congregational worship meetings. All of which could take place at different locations (not purchased or set apart for worship).
If the above principles are used in dependence upon the Jesus who commissioned the “church” visible results of life change will be frequent! To make disciples is to add or even multiply to the body. A church that is not making disciples dies!
My point is simple, the spiritual growth of a “church” is generally defined by how well all the members participate in the organization instead of how they live (7) seven days a week. Who cares if everyone brings a bible to church-do they read it when they are not on the church property? Who cares if they show up on Sunday night-are they spending quality/spiritual time with their families during the week? Who cares if Darrel knows how to pray publicly-does he pray in his closet? Who cares how big the church is-are the people lifting up holy (clean) hands to God? Who cares that Jim hasn’t missed a service his entire life-has he ever made a disciple?
Yes, the church is the byproduct of making disciples, but are we going about things the wrong way or even backwards? We need to redefine our priorities!
1. Salvation comes by someone putting their confidence completely in Jesus after hearing the gospel. It is a personal decision of the heart expressed by calling out to the Lord. John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13
2.Genuine faith initiates a desire to follow. John 10:27, James 2
3. Fellow disciples hold the responsibility of mentoring the ones embracing Christ by faith. Acts 9:19, 2 Timothy 2:2
4. Each person of faith is to be baptized for the sole purpose of obeying Christ and NOT to join a church. Acts 2:38, Matthew 3:13-17 (yes I know it’s a requisite to being in the body of a local church)
5. The first thing a new disciple should learn to do is to reproduce themselves by making new disciples. If this is not learned nothing else matters. Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 1:8
6. After one begins to reproduce themselves the process of learning varies in subjects ONE at a time beginning with loving God, then loving others, and everything that falls under those two categories such as prayer, giving, and good works pertaining to others. Matthew 22:37-40, James 2
7. Discipleship takes place through a variety of avenues like one on one mentorship, small group Bible studies/prayer groups, and yes even congregational worship meetings. All of which could take place at different locations (not purchased or set apart for worship).
If the above principles are used in dependence upon the Jesus who commissioned the “church” visible results of life change will be frequent! To make disciples is to add or even multiply to the body. A church that is not making disciples dies!
I am changing!
My desire is to become more like Jesus every second of every day. I am far from arriving and won't completely until He appears at His return, but I'm trying. I John 3:2-3 makes clear that Jesus is pure, but we must continually purify ourselves like Him. This is the difference in us and Him-He is perfectly pure and we are not. I don't need anyone to tell me I'm not perfectly pure (i get it), but I am changing!
God is helping me...
1. Become a better husband and father
2. Become a better pastor and leader
3. Become a better witness
4. Become more passionate about Him and His work in general
5. Become a better listener
6. Become less judgmental
7. Become more merciful
8. Become willing to admit my faults
9. Become more understanding and tolerant
10. Become more willing to please Him than anyone else
11. Be patient
12. Be kind
13. Be a peacemaker
The areas I really need to work on are...
1. How I come across in conversations and being misunderstood
2. My attitude toward good people doing nothing for God
3. Humility especially at home and around my extended family
4. Using words that might not be wrong or all that bad, but portray a negative attitude Example: "Look at that ugly car." or "What's wrong with that idiot?"
5. Spending quality time with my kids
6. Picking up after myself for my wife's sake
7. Reading my bible more
8. Spending more time in prayer
9. Having a balanced ministry in my current church setting
10. Not allowing preconceived positions I hold to keep me from seeing from other points of view
11. Becoming a better communicator
12. Teaching less for more
13. Choosing my battles
14. Living at peace with everyone-Romans 12:18
15. For some reason I don't get along with a lot of pastors and preachers. I commonly say, "I don't like preachers."
Lord, help me to keep changing!
God is helping me...
1. Become a better husband and father
2. Become a better pastor and leader
3. Become a better witness
4. Become more passionate about Him and His work in general
5. Become a better listener
6. Become less judgmental
7. Become more merciful
8. Become willing to admit my faults
9. Become more understanding and tolerant
10. Become more willing to please Him than anyone else
11. Be patient
12. Be kind
13. Be a peacemaker
The areas I really need to work on are...
1. How I come across in conversations and being misunderstood
2. My attitude toward good people doing nothing for God
3. Humility especially at home and around my extended family
4. Using words that might not be wrong or all that bad, but portray a negative attitude Example: "Look at that ugly car." or "What's wrong with that idiot?"
5. Spending quality time with my kids
6. Picking up after myself for my wife's sake
7. Reading my bible more
8. Spending more time in prayer
9. Having a balanced ministry in my current church setting
10. Not allowing preconceived positions I hold to keep me from seeing from other points of view
11. Becoming a better communicator
12. Teaching less for more
13. Choosing my battles
14. Living at peace with everyone-Romans 12:18
15. For some reason I don't get along with a lot of pastors and preachers. I commonly say, "I don't like preachers."
Lord, help me to keep changing!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Crossing All Racial Boundries!
Eunice and Chris were saved tonight in their home. Mercedes was saved two weeks ago during Sunday night live and God blessed me with the opportunity to lead her mother and brother to the Lord tonight. When they get baptized it will be the second black family I have baptized at TBC. Thank you Jesus!
The Refuge
If I were to start a church today and probably will later, I would/will call it The Refuge. I have thought about this a lot and think it's the perfect name. A church is made up of saved baptized believers who encourage one another to live for Jesus-who is our REFUGE-therefore with Jesus as our Refuge and believers commanded to meet together to encourage/exhort one another what better name! Also, it is a name that calls to the unbeliever to come and find refuge in Christ.A church is a place where sinners come together to learn how to live a better way. No one is perfect, but needs guidance. I can hear it now... "What church do you go to? Dude, I go to Refuge, its awesome, you ought to come and check it out! Everyone is normal, even the pastor, and there aren't a bunch of people staring at you because you aren't dressed like them."
If your church isn't open to sinners then you better leave!
Is your church a place of Refuge?
Monday, November 26, 2007
Great Thoughts On CPM's (Church Planting Movements)
The following post was written by church planter David Watson...
God began to teach me through many failures that I had to focus on making Disciples of Christ, not followers of my church or denomination, and teach them to obey all the commands of Jesus, not my church/denominational doctrines or traditions. And this is what led to the breakthrough that has resulted in more than 40,000 churches among a people who were once considered unreachable.
Many people use the term “CPM” to describe or justify what they are doing. But, on closer examination, I find that many groups who use this term are simply applying it to what they have always done. CPM is not a method! It is an observation of results. In my experience, and this is what I teach, CPM is the result of obedience-based discipleship that sees disciples reproducing disciples, leaders reproducing leaders, and churches reproducing churches. If this is not happening, it is not CPM.
True CPM methodology is about being disciplined in education, training, and mentoring to obey all the commands of Jesus, regardless of consequences. The results are not quick. They only appear to be quick because of exponential growth. When one is truly engaged in the process that leads to observable CPM, then one is spending years investing in leaders. The typical investment timeline is two to four years. But, because of the replication process due to obedience to make disciples and teach them to obey, in this same two to four years, as many as five more leaders, who are also developing more leaders, will emerge. Each leader is investing two to four years in other leaders who invest two to four years in other leaders, and so on. The apparent result is explosive growth that does not seem to take much time and energy. But appearances are misleading.CPM is extremely time and energy intensive. Leaders invest a major portion of their time in equipping other leaders. Churches invest in starting more groups that will become churches as they obey the teachings of Christ and begin to fulfill the nature and functions of church, which means they teach others to do the same.
There were no visible or measureable results the first four years of my ministry among a very resistant unreached people group. My mission was ready to discipline me for failure to do my job. But during those years I was equipping five leaders. These five leaders began to equip twenty-five more leaders, who in turned equipped hundreds of other leaders.A few churches became more churches as leaders were equipped and trained to obey all the commands of Christ. More churches became hundreds of churches as the leadership equipping process continued. Every leader has years invested in him or her by other leaders. Nothing is quick. It only appears to be quick because more and more leaders are being produced in obedience to the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
So, CPM rapid multiplication really isn’t. We go slow in order to appear to go fast. We invest extensively in one in order to reach and train many. Our goal is to add at least two new leaders to our mentoring process each year, and equip the new leaders to do the same every year. As leaders multiply, churches grow and multiply.If you really want to have CPM anywhere in the world, invest in teaching, training and mentoring leaders to obey all the commands of Christ. If you want to evaluate a so-called CPM, examine the discipleship and leadership equipping process. Real and lasting CPMs invest heavily in leadership and training. CPM is a result, not a cause.
God began to teach me through many failures that I had to focus on making Disciples of Christ, not followers of my church or denomination, and teach them to obey all the commands of Jesus, not my church/denominational doctrines or traditions. And this is what led to the breakthrough that has resulted in more than 40,000 churches among a people who were once considered unreachable.
Many people use the term “CPM” to describe or justify what they are doing. But, on closer examination, I find that many groups who use this term are simply applying it to what they have always done. CPM is not a method! It is an observation of results. In my experience, and this is what I teach, CPM is the result of obedience-based discipleship that sees disciples reproducing disciples, leaders reproducing leaders, and churches reproducing churches. If this is not happening, it is not CPM.
True CPM methodology is about being disciplined in education, training, and mentoring to obey all the commands of Jesus, regardless of consequences. The results are not quick. They only appear to be quick because of exponential growth. When one is truly engaged in the process that leads to observable CPM, then one is spending years investing in leaders. The typical investment timeline is two to four years. But, because of the replication process due to obedience to make disciples and teach them to obey, in this same two to four years, as many as five more leaders, who are also developing more leaders, will emerge. Each leader is investing two to four years in other leaders who invest two to four years in other leaders, and so on. The apparent result is explosive growth that does not seem to take much time and energy. But appearances are misleading.CPM is extremely time and energy intensive. Leaders invest a major portion of their time in equipping other leaders. Churches invest in starting more groups that will become churches as they obey the teachings of Christ and begin to fulfill the nature and functions of church, which means they teach others to do the same.
There were no visible or measureable results the first four years of my ministry among a very resistant unreached people group. My mission was ready to discipline me for failure to do my job. But during those years I was equipping five leaders. These five leaders began to equip twenty-five more leaders, who in turned equipped hundreds of other leaders.A few churches became more churches as leaders were equipped and trained to obey all the commands of Christ. More churches became hundreds of churches as the leadership equipping process continued. Every leader has years invested in him or her by other leaders. Nothing is quick. It only appears to be quick because more and more leaders are being produced in obedience to the command of Christ to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV)
So, CPM rapid multiplication really isn’t. We go slow in order to appear to go fast. We invest extensively in one in order to reach and train many. Our goal is to add at least two new leaders to our mentoring process each year, and equip the new leaders to do the same every year. As leaders multiply, churches grow and multiply.If you really want to have CPM anywhere in the world, invest in teaching, training and mentoring leaders to obey all the commands of Christ. If you want to evaluate a so-called CPM, examine the discipleship and leadership equipping process. Real and lasting CPMs invest heavily in leadership and training. CPM is a result, not a cause.
C H A N G E
In the month of January we will be kicking off a new ministry called "CHANGE." It will be a monthly outreach to students in our area. Local churches that are ready for change are also invited to participate. The ministry will feature a band, drama, media, and relevant biblical messages to students. The current monthly youth meeting we participate in does not work to make disciples of the younger generation. WE NEED TO CHANGE!
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