Blogs that made me think!

Here are a few blog posts from some of my favorite bloggers during the month of June...

• Aaron reminded us what kind of coaches we need in the sports world today!
• Bobby gave me some tips on how to shake things up from time to time and how to stay out of a rut
• Jon challenged me to think about the health of a church not simply the growth of a church.
• After reading Steve's blog on worship, I realized I would like to sit down with this man for an hour.
• Now I really want to meet Steve sometime this post really helped me consider teaching and preaching God's word.
• Perry pointed out there are some fights not worth fighting.
• I never thought of being Unbiblical as a pastor until I read Tony's post

Well there you have it, I hope these posts are helpful to you as they have been for me.

Do you understand Grace?

There is no word quite as beautiful as grace.

There are some words we hear over and over and after some time the power of the word starts to fade and the true meaning of it is lost in translation. I mean how many times have you heard the word awesome applied to just about everything; That was an awesome movie, that was an awesome game, that was an awesome experience - is anything truly awesome?

There is no word quite as beautiful as grace. In fact Philip Yancey calls grace the last best word. What is it about grace that makes such a difference? I think it is because grace goes against our human thinking. After all we have grown up thinking everything in life must be earned. Think about these statements...

We make money the old fashioned way, we... earn it

There is no such thing as a free... lunch

There is no gain without... pain

God helps those who... help themselves

Everything about the American way of life teaches us this simple truth. In life you get what you earn. You get what you work for. You get what you pay for. There is nothing wrong with that at all. That should be the American way. The problem is many people think the same way you relate to your paycheck or to your possessions is the way you relate to God. But God does not relate to us on the basis of our goodness. He relates to us on the basis of His Grace.

That is what makes grace so beautiful for grace is not a man made invention grace comes from God himself. He is the provider of grace, the deliverer of grace and the focus of grace. God's grace is seen in the incarnate Christ who came full of GRACE and Truth.

Today, why not think about how beautiful grace really is to each of us who are called by God.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Wow - we announced 5 baptisms today, 4 at CIY and One at Church Camp - Our youth ministry continues to make a difference!
• I have to confess sometimes I give in to OBS - When I do, I am thankful for God's Grace
• Today's message focussed on the prodigal son's brother - One commentator said the story of the prodigal son is a story of a boy who lost his way. But the question is which boy lost his way?
• Grumbling and complaining are pretty serious offenses in God's eyes just check out 1 Corinthians 10
• Remember God wants you more than he wants your service!
• Officiated at a wedding yesterday - I love seeing young people commit to married love.
• I hope I am more like the Loving Father than I am the Older Brother.
• Our Sunday Night at the Movies was a big success - Faith Like Potatoes is a good movie!
• Panera Bread Rocks!
• This is the 26th week of the year - yes the year is half over!
• A friend of mine is visiting Gulf Shores Alabama this week - he says the oil spill is devastating.
• Once again I realized every week there is a broken heart sitting in our worship.
• Majoring on the minors is futile.
• Question what breaks the heart of God more; those who leave his home or those who leave his heart?
• Remember there is a cure for OBS!

Changes

As I continue to reflect on the last five years of ministry at PBCC, I continue to think of the changes that have occurred in our church. I am not talking about the changes in our worship or the changes in our programs, I am talking about the changes I see in the people of PBCC. I have watched people grow from behind the scene ministries to leading as an elder. I have watched spectators become participants in ministry. I have seen people come into our church and take up a vital role in the life of the church.

Unfortunately, I have also seen people drop out of ministry; maybe they became tired, maybe they lost their desire to serve, maybe they just drifted away.

Stay in a ministry for any length of time and you are going to see people change. The key ifs to help them to change to become more life Christ. For this to happen we must show and practice a determined spirit. For as Paul said...

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. Colossians 1:28

This is the goal of every minister and it is accomplished by the actions found in 1 Corinthians 15:58...

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

I hope we are constantly changing for the better at PBCC

Opportunities

When it comes to opportunities in ministry, two verses come to mind...

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. Ephesians 5:15-17

As I look back over the last 5 years, I have been amazed at the open doors and opportunities God has placed before me. I have been able to participate in a special needs fundraiser called Hoops for Hope. I have witnessed enormous generosity as our congregation has participated in two significant stewardship campaigns; "Building a Better Ministry" and "More Than You Can Imagine". I am involved in two administrative boards; Unconditional Love (an AIDS Clinic) and Florida Christian College, both boards have given me new contacts and new opportunities to see God work in a variety of ways. I have officiated at several weddings (my favorite was my son's wedding in 2008) and have helped church members say good bye to their loved ones at funerals. I have had the privilege of baptizing people into faith and have watch babes in Christ grow in maturity. And I have reconnected with people whom I served with over 20 years ago!

But I count my greatest opportunity as the ability to stand up each Sunday and preach God's word. When I consider what is involved in speaking for God, I am grateful for the privilege He has given me and humbled by the fact that he chooses to use me!

What opportunities has God given you in the last 5 years?

Just the beginning

I ran across two interesting stats a few weeks ago regarding serving in ministry.

1. The median number of years pastors have served in their present assignment is four.
2. A pastor's maximum effectiveness does not occur until around the seventh year.

The point is clear: most pastors leave a church before they achieve their maximum impact in the ministry. This week I have been reflecting on the past five years of ministry at PBCC. I would be lying to say I have never thought about checking out other church opportunities, but the truth is I would simply be trading one set of problems for another. Pastoral ministry is not for cowards. It takes fortitude, determination, and nerves of steel. Ease and comfort are not the companions of the shepherd of the flock of God. Anonymous letters (and posts) and misunderstood intentions will be encountered along the path of ministry. How a minister fares during these times will set the parameters for pastoral tenure. One of the most healthy things a minister can do for the congregation he serves is stay long enough to have an impact on his flock. The past 5 years have been great at PBCC; yes there have been some setbacks, but overall we are moving in the right direction. I feel like I am just now learning the culture of PBCC and now I am beginning to see what we need to do in order to be the church God has planned for us. As I reflect on the last 5 years and consider the next five, I began to think about the benefits of a long term ministry...

1. Long Term Ministry Allows One to Establish Long Term Goals. I have been around long enough to know that 6 months in a life of a church is a very short period of time. If you want to make significant changes in ministry it will happen by establishing a long term plan and then working the plan. Changing a culture or expectations does not happen overnight, it takes time and in a long term pastorate time is a great benefit. I have a vision for PBCC, but it will not be accomplished overnight, it will take a few more years. However it will not happen if I am not committed to staying for the long haul.
2. Long Term Ministry Allows One to Develop a Strong Pulpit. When we move every 4 years or less, it is very easy for us to get lazy in the pulpit. We can simply rework our "Greatest Hits" over and over again. The danger is we do not grow as a preacher, nor do we allow the church to hear the full counsel of God. When we stay in one church for an extended period we are forced to provide "fresh bread' each week, this is healthy for both you and the congregation. I plan my preaching 6-9 months in advance, this keeps me focused on the goal and vision I have for the church, my preaching is tied very closely to the vision I have for PBCC.
3. Long Term Ministry Allows One to Develop Deep Friendships. No one understands the ministry like another minister, however it is not healthy to have just other ministers as friends. A long term ministry allows us to examine people closely and see who is available as a confident, accountability partner and friend. To find this type of friend one must invest time and effort, this only happens when we choose to stay for a long time.
4. Long Term Ministry Helps Us Develop out Dependence on God. When one is committed to a short term ministry, it is very easy to bail at the first sight of trouble. A long term ministry will face set backs, but that is not a time to send out resumes, that is the time to turn to God. When I am focused on the long haul I find myself focusing on God's plan and not my own agenda.
5. Long Term Ministry Gives One A Proper Perspective on Problems. When ever we run into a problem we must ask ourself is it a cold or is it a cancer. Colds last for a relatively short time and can usually be handled with some TLC. Cancer is different, cancer requires intense treatment and at times surgery. Long Term Ministry gives one the perspective to know the difference. It has been my experience that most problems in the church are colds and if treated properly they can be handled with ease. However if you face a cancer, long term ministry gives you the stamina to handle the problem.

These are just a few benefits of a long term ministry do you have any to add?

Reflecting on 5 years

Sunday I celebrated 5 years of ministry at PBCC. While the church celebrated by giving me a "Card Shower", I began reflecting on the past 5 years.

There have been some great victories; in our first year we raised $52,000 above our regular giving for some much needed projects - If you are a member of PBCC; what did we do before added the foyer? A new stage was added and we remodeled the chapel. While it was painful to see the pews go, we now have a great multi- purpose room to accommodate small groups of 80 are less. While the physical plant was improved, that paled in comparison to what happened early in our ministry as Knofel Staton spent a weekend teaching us the value and power of prayer in the local congregation. Little did I realize at the time how valuable this workshop would be to me personally in 2006!

There have been some losses as well; while we have seen many people join our church over the last 5 years (240 to date), we have also seen people leave our fellowship as well. Some left to go back home (Because, if you live in Florida, you are probably from someplace else!), or because of a job opportunity. Some went to their eternal home and we long for a reunion with these dear saints. Still others left because of personal preferences of worship or philosophy of ministry. Each departure breaks my heart and I agonize deeply when anyone leaves.

Yet I can honestly say there have been more wins than losses and over the next few days I will share a few more of our victories.