Archive for September, 2009

Faith Quiz

1.  When I pick up my Bible do I put on a hard hat and get ready for reconstruction?

2.  When start my day as a Christ follower do I put on my seat belt and get ready for adventure?

3.  Am I letting Christ guide me through the conversations, obligations, and journey of the Day?

4.  Do I experience God’s amazing grace in my heart and in my relationships?

5.  Do I have expectations of people benefiting and serving me or am I the servant benefiting others?

6.  Do I pray about my decisions, seek Biblical direction, and then accept responsibility?

7.  Does Jesus make a difference in my life or is He a default when trouble comes.

8.  Am I defined by generosity, faith,  love, and selflessness, (Christ Centered)  or am I self centered willing to sacrifice others on the altar of my own happiness?

9.  Is my live a monument to Jesus (what I believe)  or is it a mission for Jesus (what I believe, how I live, and what I do?

Rethink Church

Just began our fall emphais “Rethink Church”  a denominational wide theme.  The Church is not just a building, where you go, or what we call ourselves.  It is not a monument to Jesus, but a mission for Jesus.  Rethink Church with us each weekend for the next few weeks.  It might change your life, your relationship with Jesus, and maybe your relationship with the Church.  This coming week I am preparing the message, “Rethink Amazing Grace!” 

Patriots Day, 9/11 A picture says a Thousand words

Remembering

This Sunday: Life-Check Sermon

The Leading Edge 3

This morning, Wednesday, we begin the last day of  “The Leading Edge”.  We were late last night talking about the major issues that divide the Church and hope to make a recommendation for the 100 largest churches at next general conference that might allow us to more effectively do the real work of the Church, bringing people to Christ and serving the world.  I went to a seminar yesterday with Mike Slaughter;  it was on stewardship.  His blue collar Church in  Tipp City Ohio has given over one million dollars to Darfur, even with the decline in this area fueled by the auto industry.  But he did say they needed new Audio Visual equipment badly but could not afford them at this time.  He had a lot of great ideas how a Church can focus on the importance of generosity, generosity that reflects one’s faith in Christ.  One idea I have long believed,  generosity is a spiritual gift, coming from the same place as Love, Joy, and Peace.  Also spent two hours with John Ed Mathison from Alabama.  He led the same Church, Frasier Memorial, for 36 years.  He was talking about longevity and effectiveness in the same Church.  I hope I can, at least come close, lead First Mansfield effectively for 20 plus years as well.   One thing he said I especially remember is the important idea  that churches must examine themselves regularly, as must their pastors, and then change and grow as needed to continue to be effective. The church can’t, and the pastor can’t just maintain things,  they must continue to be innovative in reaching the world for Christ in faith and mission.This is exactly what we are doing this year with our “Reveal” survey, strategic planning, and “Rethink” Church that begins next week. I have been both inspired and challenged by this amazing event.  Rhonda, also for the first time, met with Pastor’s wives form the large churchs;  met with Lynn Hybels, the spouse of Bill Hybels.  I know she was encouraged a great deal.   Hope to be back in Mansfield this evening if the thunderstorms don’t hold off.

The leading Edge 2

It is early Tuesday morning as we are preparing for the second day of this gathering of the Sr Pastors of the 100 largest attended Methodist Churches.  It is exciting to gather with these leading pastors,  Adam Hamilton who has written many materials some of our classes use, Mike and Carolyn Slaughter who put together Transformation Journal  our Bible reading program, Kirbyjohn Cauldwell who gave the invocation for George Bushes inauguration, Mark Beeson who was picked as one of the top 100 most influential pastors in the US.  As we connect, pray, and fellowship, we are talking about ways to revitalize the United Methodist Church we all love.  Three of the new topics we will be looking at is how we might come along the side of our Bishops to help them be successful, encourage and help direct our seminaries more effectively, and how we might revitalize smaller neighboring Churches who might be struggling.  There is a tangible sense of the importance of what we are doing, especially as we have been made aware that last year the Methodist Church lost 73,000 people in average worship attendance nationally. Something has to be done.  Maybe God will use these 100 Churches that have found a way to reverse this trend in our own communities. I anticipate a great day today as we look at ways each of our Churches can be more effective in our mission.  I expect to learn a lot.  On a side note, I am once again proud of our Church family.  This weekend you gave 11,000 in a special offering to help build The House of Community and Blessing United Methodist Church in Mexico.  With the 9,000 we already have this will be enough to match their gifts and complete the Church.  As we expand our Church in the Mansfield area, God is using us to help expand the Church in the Matamoros area.  Thanks be to God and Thanks for being one of the most generous churches in North America.