Matthew is a devout disciple. Tedious tax collector converted to a devout disciple, what else could you ask for? Matthew wrote his own Gospel and followed Christ all around to witness the great works. Some times I wonder if Matthew did get upset because he wasn't in the triad of Peter, James, and John (three of the initial four) to go with Jesus to the main points of life (Transfiguration, Gesthemane). I know if I were Matthew, I would be questioning "Why not me, Teacher? I want to be as close as they are to you." Jesus would reply that I am but then I would still feel left out like a pipsqueak at kickball in the schoolyard. Personally, I would be on edge and angry at times with the special treatment.
For the most part, I would feel privileged if I were in Matthew's shoes because of being with Jesus all the time and being a converted tax collector. How many IRS employees can say that they were a disciple of Jesus? Probably not many.
I count it a privilege to have read Matthew's account and get inside his mindset.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Class Project: StrengthFinders
My top five strengths are Maximizer, Responsibility, Arranger, Achiever, and Relator. I can definitely see myself within all five strengths (which I would guess is good considering they are my strengths). The first time I took the assessment it was totally different (Adaptability, Includer, Self-Assurance, Strategic, and Focus). Both assessments show strengths of mine...From the first, I can adapt to the changes I deal with on a daily basis. I try to include almost everyone on things. I always love to strategize my next moves and goals in life. I have had flashes of focus, sometimes I do not and it hurts my productivity. I sometimes can re-assure myself of stuff but there are times where I just don't have the confidence to do it.
The second definitely defines me at the present moment. I try to maximize each moment. For example, I have friends who I am close with and we are communicating together to build a church. I try to hold a lot of responsibility on my shoulders but that can either be great for me or backfire depending on how I trust people. I love to arrange things, mainly things like baseball cards, statistics and information (on rare occasion, certain things in life). I am an achiever. I love achievements and goals to attain; it gives me something to push forward to. I am a person who is gentle and can relate to situations whether I have been in them or not because I place myself in their shoes and think about how I would feel.
People who know me would truly attest to these five as my most prominent traits that they can see. I know if I was to tell my mother and explain to her, she would just nod her head and smile because that is how my family works. We maximize opportunities in responsible fashion. We arrange everything so it has a place and get irritated when someone doesn't follow the exact system we have. We are efficient in achieving what we want to achieve and we can relate to many because we listen.
Whenever I do not utilize a certain strength for some reason, I feel stupid because I should know better. According to Rath, we shouldn't focus on our weaknesses. I try not to do that because of my main focus of striving to be the best person God wants me to be. My future plans for a church utilize all five of these strengths from the assessment. Maximizing opportunities is a huge part of ministry, especially when you are building a church. Responsibility is big anywhere but especially in ministry to maintain a low stress level. Being able to arrange things within a church like an order of service is beneficial in the organization of a church staff and body. Being a pastor within a church, you need to be able to relate with people. That is why I love having this trait. Achieving my goals of ministry in my life is something I am looking forward to in my lifetime. Being with those who complement my strengths with their strengths will be able to further those goals even further. Sometimes being with people with your own strengths can make things too organized and potentially too stiff. I know that I could see positive things come out of people with like strengths. I already see it with the people who I associate with here at Valley Forge Christian College when we discuss future ministry together if we are able to do so.
My boss has noticed my strengths at their highest moment and at times, I have missed my mark and he is very tough on me to see me succeed because he knows my strengths and wants to see me use them in their fullest extent. People are not perfect but try to be successful in their weaknesses instead of their strengths. It irks me when I see people not using their strengths for the betterment of their life and career. My one friend, who is a pastoral assistant, agrees with these strengths and has seen them in use within my life throughout the years he has known me.
Just today, I was talking with a professor about my goals and it felt so encouraging and full of blessing, knowing that I have had such a vision and it has stuck with me over the years and my strengths are able to be utilized to further this vision, which is even more exciting for me because I know I have the support of many behind my vision and goals. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me over the next few years to prepare me and my staff for this endeavor of faith.
To conclude, I often think about my future and what I can look forward to or what I can do with the talents and knowledge I have and what I can build upon them. The vision of ministry is the tip of the iceberg compared to what has and is actually across my mind and what I had written down on paper back in 1998. A ministry complex is what was drawn up, even before ministries in the Northeastern part of the country chose to focus on huge complexes, thanks to Rick Warren and Tommy Barnett. Most pastors, however, utilize the wrong motives and ideas and lose focus on the purpose of ministry trying to be big when normally they cannot be. I intend to use my strengths and my staff's strengths in order for the success of the ministry complex that we (myself and a few others (the staff)) plan on building so we may have a wonderful, successful ministry in a place where it may be least expected.
Be blessed as you all discover your strengths and talents in God over your days, months and years to come. God has a lot in store for all his people, we just have to accept it.
The second definitely defines me at the present moment. I try to maximize each moment. For example, I have friends who I am close with and we are communicating together to build a church. I try to hold a lot of responsibility on my shoulders but that can either be great for me or backfire depending on how I trust people. I love to arrange things, mainly things like baseball cards, statistics and information (on rare occasion, certain things in life). I am an achiever. I love achievements and goals to attain; it gives me something to push forward to. I am a person who is gentle and can relate to situations whether I have been in them or not because I place myself in their shoes and think about how I would feel.
People who know me would truly attest to these five as my most prominent traits that they can see. I know if I was to tell my mother and explain to her, she would just nod her head and smile because that is how my family works. We maximize opportunities in responsible fashion. We arrange everything so it has a place and get irritated when someone doesn't follow the exact system we have. We are efficient in achieving what we want to achieve and we can relate to many because we listen.
Whenever I do not utilize a certain strength for some reason, I feel stupid because I should know better. According to Rath, we shouldn't focus on our weaknesses. I try not to do that because of my main focus of striving to be the best person God wants me to be. My future plans for a church utilize all five of these strengths from the assessment. Maximizing opportunities is a huge part of ministry, especially when you are building a church. Responsibility is big anywhere but especially in ministry to maintain a low stress level. Being able to arrange things within a church like an order of service is beneficial in the organization of a church staff and body. Being a pastor within a church, you need to be able to relate with people. That is why I love having this trait. Achieving my goals of ministry in my life is something I am looking forward to in my lifetime. Being with those who complement my strengths with their strengths will be able to further those goals even further. Sometimes being with people with your own strengths can make things too organized and potentially too stiff. I know that I could see positive things come out of people with like strengths. I already see it with the people who I associate with here at Valley Forge Christian College when we discuss future ministry together if we are able to do so.
My boss has noticed my strengths at their highest moment and at times, I have missed my mark and he is very tough on me to see me succeed because he knows my strengths and wants to see me use them in their fullest extent. People are not perfect but try to be successful in their weaknesses instead of their strengths. It irks me when I see people not using their strengths for the betterment of their life and career. My one friend, who is a pastoral assistant, agrees with these strengths and has seen them in use within my life throughout the years he has known me.
Just today, I was talking with a professor about my goals and it felt so encouraging and full of blessing, knowing that I have had such a vision and it has stuck with me over the years and my strengths are able to be utilized to further this vision, which is even more exciting for me because I know I have the support of many behind my vision and goals. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for me over the next few years to prepare me and my staff for this endeavor of faith.
To conclude, I often think about my future and what I can look forward to or what I can do with the talents and knowledge I have and what I can build upon them. The vision of ministry is the tip of the iceberg compared to what has and is actually across my mind and what I had written down on paper back in 1998. A ministry complex is what was drawn up, even before ministries in the Northeastern part of the country chose to focus on huge complexes, thanks to Rick Warren and Tommy Barnett. Most pastors, however, utilize the wrong motives and ideas and lose focus on the purpose of ministry trying to be big when normally they cannot be. I intend to use my strengths and my staff's strengths in order for the success of the ministry complex that we (myself and a few others (the staff)) plan on building so we may have a wonderful, successful ministry in a place where it may be least expected.
Be blessed as you all discover your strengths and talents in God over your days, months and years to come. God has a lot in store for all his people, we just have to accept it.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Chapter 20: God's Purpose for Your Church
God's purpose for a church is for it to fulfill the purposes and not to worry about growth or anything else related to it. I have seen many churches break down for not fulfilling the purposes that they set up to start. Most pastors will measure success by the attendance record when the success is the souls saved and ministers made.
I tend to measure success by how much love I am able to share. If I can't do that, then I am not doing what God wants me to do. God has called me to fulfill His purposes and my plans are to do such.
I tend to measure success by how much love I am able to share. If I can't do that, then I am not doing what God wants me to do. God has called me to fulfill His purposes and my plans are to do such.
Chapter 19: Turning Members into Ministers
After becoming members and becoming mature, the church aims to build ministers for the mission field. Anyone can minister, however, not everyone is a minister. Confusing, I know. What I mean is that anyone has the opportunity but not everyone pursues/feels led to it. Being actively involved as a member can lead to a lay leadership position. Every believer is a minister with each ministry being important so we are dependent on each other and their ministry and that it's the expression of the 5 elements (SHAPE) that determine what ministry you should be in. Each ministry needs a minister and each minister needs to run with their ministry so they don't miss out on any opportunities that may arise for them. If people aren't comfortable in the ministry they are in, allow them to change without any issues or concerns. Just have someone ready for replacement in that ministry.
Don't vote on ministry positions. It's ministry not politics. Also, streamline a organization structure so it gives you, the senior pastor, a breather from time to time. Support from other pastors within the ministry staff is beneficial and uplifting showing care. The vision of the entire ministry should be evident within individual ministries, therefore it should be renewed just as much as it is preached behind the pulpit.
Don't vote on ministry positions. It's ministry not politics. Also, streamline a organization structure so it gives you, the senior pastor, a breather from time to time. Support from other pastors within the ministry staff is beneficial and uplifting showing care. The vision of the entire ministry should be evident within individual ministries, therefore it should be renewed just as much as it is preached behind the pulpit.
Chapter 18: Developing Mature Members
Mature Christians can mentor those not as mature which is a positive thing so there is an extension of the pastor in case the church is over the plateau and continuing upward in growth. Growing is a process no matter whether it is physical, mental or spiritual. We all need to mature and everyone can mature not just a certain few. It will take time and may be painful but it will be well worth it in the long run. We know the phrase "Actions speak louder than words" and maturity is noticed by the actions of a person than by what they belief. Christ stated it in Matt 7:16 that by their fruit (actions), people will recognize them. People need others to help them grow in maturity. To have complete maturity, you need a variety of experiences in order to attain it.
I know personally my maturity started with experiences in release-time classes studying memory verses and in children's church learning kids' songs then I was just continued to mature through different methods through worship settings until most recently, taking time during a Praise and Worship chapel, and reflecting on God, writing song lyrics that I am proud of because they are from the heart. Mature members help them distinguish what they do and don't do while a member of the church they belong to.
Chapter 17: Turning Attenders into Members
This is where the CORE Classes are more in-depth within Warren's book. This is where people go from talking about this church and start talking like they own it, "This is our church." Many people are associated with a denomination and are a member of a certain church, but they will go from church to church and still hold that membership. In order to get new members, you have to assimilate them to the ways of the church. Each side has their own questions as to what they want from the other side. The ultimate question will be "Do you fit?" If you don't, then it's not the church for you. Don't be discouraged because every church is different with its dynamic. Most times when people do go for membership, they know they fit. Most have requirements that you have to be at the church for a certain length of time before you can even take the CORE classes. The value of membership has to be communicated because members have rights in the congregation when business meetings come around, but the membership value is very strong. A class on membership usually is required in most churches I've been at which is a smart idea to filter out who has the desire and who doesn't. God created covenants with his people, and Warren suggests a membership covenant so that membership standards are upheld. Holding a Membership Sunday is what many churches do in order to recognize new members both old and young alike.
Opportunities to get acquainted with others should be created whether it is cups of coffee or small groups and keeping the lines of communication open just is better for community.
Opportunities to get acquainted with others should be created whether it is cups of coffee or small groups and keeping the lines of communication open just is better for community.
Chapter 16: Preaching to the Unchurched
The thing that I have seen that has been a problem is the problem of sermon irrelevancy to those who are unchurched. The biblical jargon and Christian-ese won't cut the cheese when it comes to evangelism and growth from within the person. We are able to however adapt our style of preaching to our audience. Knowing the audience helps you to identify and adapt to them. Have Bibles and Scripture accessible to those who don't know Scripture and outlines with the Scripture on them are beneficial. Titles should be appealing to the unchurched because the jargon and Christian-ese still doesn't cut it.
Series are very good to have to keep a consistent pattern in a sense but also planning them around holidays is a big drawing point. Have consistency with the messages you preach and find guest speakers carefully or utilize a pastoral team to preach for commitments. Having opportunities to respond to the message is a crucial aspect. You always have to be tactful when speaking to the unchurched about God.
Series are very good to have to keep a consistent pattern in a sense but also planning them around holidays is a big drawing point. Have consistency with the messages you preach and find guest speakers carefully or utilize a pastoral team to preach for commitments. Having opportunities to respond to the message is a crucial aspect. You always have to be tactful when speaking to the unchurched about God.
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