People want to be part of something together

I have just started reading Unleashing the Power of Rubber Bands by Nancy Ortberg. She suggested starting with a chapter toward the end of the book and that is what I did. I would like to share with you her words.

Not only is the old model of the omnicompetent leader dated, it simply won't work anymore. There is too much to accomplish for one person to be responsible for or capable of handling everything. Too much is at stake and the world is moving too quickly for us to go back. People want to be a part of something together, not just following the leader.

Then she relates a story of her time as an Emergency Room nurse when a frantic babysitter rushed through the doors with a limp, barely conscious three-year-old boy. There was too much that had to be done too quickly so the lead physician began giving direction and each member of the team did his or her part while the Doctor monitored the progress and coordinated the team and adjusted the treatment as lab results began to come back. The child’s life was saved ONLY because the doctor was willing to lead others and allow them to make meaningful contributions so that the end result was greater than any one of them could have accomplished on their own.

You have been selected as a small group leader or Sunday School teacher because there are too many precious lives that need to be reached and so much important truth that needs to be communicated that one pastor or even a small team of paid specialists CAN’T get it all done! YOU ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS!

The people in your class or small group long to be part of something significant like that also. Don’t deny them of the pleasure of making their contributions to your group effort. The spiritual lives of the people you are trying to reach just may require a group effort that is greater than you can pull off by yourself!

More than Hot Air!

I have heard a lot of speakers who liked the sound of their own voice because they went on, and on, and on and on even though nobody else seemed to be paying attention. I have been in places where attempts at creativity were so blatant that the message got lost in all the pizzazz. This weekend I heard this message which I thought was a clarion call and a good reminder for all those tho desire to be an ambassador of Almighty God to remember that the content of our message matters.

The real "Hall of Justice"

When I was a kid I was never much of a reader. I didn’t even read many comic books, but that didn’t prevent my imagination from being stretched by the stories of the comic book heroes. More often than not, my Saturday morning included this…

I wondered if there might be a real place somewhere that superheroes came together to join powers to overcome evil. As I watched the stories of these superheroes, I learned that most were at one time ordinary people until some transformational event happened in their lives.
I later experienced that there really are places where ordinary people experience life-transforming power then work together to overcome evil. We call that transforming power the Gospel and the “Halls of Justice” are small groups and churches all across the globe.
I believe that is what the Body of Christ is intended to be in the world. A group of transformed people working together to see a community transformed by the Gospel to the glory of God.
What an honor and privilege it is to work with SuperHeroes to see God's kingdom come and to see God's will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

You only have a limited window!

I am preparing for a talk I will be giving in a little over a week on the life of the apostle Peter. Even though I have preached biographical sermons on him before, a new insight caught my attention this weekend--his most efficient ministry happened during a relatively short window of time.

Most leaders and Bible teachers are aware that his effectiveness did not take off until after the resurrection. The 3 denials at the crucifixion and the later restoration when he was asked 3 times by the risen Lord, "Do you love me?" had to refine his character before the promise made by Jesus in Matthew 16:19 could be fulfilled. You probably remember the bold sermon in Acts 2 where 3000 got saved. You may even remember Peter's interaction with Simon the tanner and Cornelius. You may remember the prominent role that Peter played in the Jerusalem council in Acts 15. But did you realize that Acts 15 was actually the beginning of Peters DECREASE in effectiveness? By Acts 12:3 Herod Agrippa had targeted Peter for persecution as an attempt to quiet the people. Peter is released from prison but the persecution is still fierce and Peter is forces to leave (Acts 12:17). So Acts 2-12 was Peters window of greatest influence.

I think many of us do not like to admit our mortality. We somehow believe that God is going to going to continue to give us opportunity and grow our influence until a ripe, old age. But the events of Fort Hood last week remind us that NOBODY is guaranteed of tomorrow. Neither you, nor the people you are seeking to influence! You may not lose your life tomorrow, but circumstances may change so that you lose your opportunity to influence change.

Some have observed that much preaching today lacks the passion of previous generations. Could it be because we have lost the sense of urgency? I know that some urgency has created panic and false alarms.

I would just like to encourage each of us to "number our days" (Psalm 90:12)

Pastor Dave.

Shadows or Substance?

This weekend I was reminded on several occasions of the great effort that goes into pursuing shallow goals.
* Some people spent WAY too much time worrying about Halloween costumes.
* Some children spent WAY too much time collecting candy that will be gone in less than a week.
* I met some people who spend WAY too much of their life pursuing pleasure that disappears like a wisp of cold breath.
* Some people spent WAY too much emotional energy on Brett Favre's first return to Lambeau Field.
* I have spend WAY too much time thinking about the newest computer operating system from Microsoft.

This all reminds me of a line from a 20-year-old song by Steve Camp "we're playing marbles with diamonds". My heart breaks when I consider all the disappointment people experience when they don't understand God's grander scheme and purpose for life. When they think "this is all that life has to offer" and they experience disappointment, then they are shattered.

BUT YOU KNOW BETTER! You know of the mystery of the riches of God's grace and the blessings He has in store for those whom He loves. By teaching and leading small groups I know that your desire is to help your students catch a glimpse of this beauty that waits beyond the disappointment of this world. You offer substance to those who have become frustrated with chasing after shadows.

The world around us is full of people who need to wake up and see the glory as communicated in this music video. I'm glad you are available to point people in that direction!!