Masterpastor's Blog

Two deaths...

2009-07-07T10:07:00.005-06:00

I am writing this on July 7, 2009. The day the earth stopped (or so it seemed) to watch Michael Jackson's funeral. A sad, untimely death for one so talented and still young.

As I watched a little bit of the coverage (a little bit is honestly all I could stand) I couldn't help but think of another death just as tragic and just as untimely and sad as Jackson's. But in the case of the latter, there is no round-the-clock coverage. There is no one that even knows really except for a very small amount of people.

In the case of the latter, this one's demise did not come because of shady medical practices or a longing to stay addicted to medications. The death of this other unknown person came about very intentionally when a young woman entered a clinic labeled "Planned Parenthood" on the outside and she willingly, knowingly ended the life of her own child.

There are no tributes. In fact, this child isn't even named (by the mother, at least, but the child has been named by Father God). This child is not given a funeral. The "body" (it isn't even allowed to be called that) is simply discarded as garbage.

No one speaks about the life lost. No one even dares mention it.

But here's the thing this unknown baby and Michael Jackson have in common. They both went to Jesus. The king of pop met the King of Kings. And this unnamed infant found itself in a very sure and certain future in heaven with Jesus. And Michael Jackson found himself standing before the Righteous Judge having to give an account for his life.

On this day, where so many are so focused on the death of one. I can't help but think about the death of so many and no one seems to care.

Rescue!

2009-07-01T08:24:00.004-06:00

Yesterday an amazing rescue took place on the river downtown here in Des Moines. You can read about it HERE. This amazing image was taken during that rescue when an ordinary citizen (in fact he was a construction worker) used his buddies who operated a crane to do what the trained rescue professionals could not...he rescued her from certain death.

That is what evangelism is all about folks! Rescuing those we know are dying. You don't need to be a professional (a pastor)...you just need to be an ordinary citizen who uses whatever resources available to get to that lost person! In Colossians 4:2-6 Paul tells us to make the most of every opportunity. Always be ready for rescue!

What kind of person would you be if your neighbor's house was on fire and you didn't want to interfere because you might upset them? That is precisely why we Christians can come across so obnoxious sometimes. We look at people who don't know Jesus like they are in a burning house! So we are a little pushy...even desperate at times to get people safely rescued from their own impending doom. Jesus is the only answer for that kind of rescue!

Wow! What transpired on the river in downtown Des Moines yesterday afternoon should be a wake up call for all of us! God bless that brave construction worker for doing what he did.

I'm Back!

2009-06-30T09:43:00.003-06:00

I have been on a self-imposed hiatus from blogging. I want to get back into the swing of things with the blog again. I have just had a hard time slotting out a time to sit down and write on the blog.

While I was away I had something interesting occur to me. I had received some criticism about my preaching (not all that uncommon a thing to be honest). The criticism wasn't focused on my ability to preach or even my handling of Scripture per se (although there was some disagreement about a particular verse) but the focus was on my TONE.

Now the problem I had was that I didn't get to talk to the individual. The individual chose to not come directly to me (even though that is the clear directive of Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20). I would still urge the individual to come to me personally (I don't bite!)

But this person's view of the local church's pastor is that he is the "hired hand" (their words) and the eldership are the ones who "run the church" (again, their words). I would have you read John 10:11-13 to get a good perspective on how a "hired hand" operates.

I still wish I could have a discussion with the person that got upset about the tone of my preaching, but I think that will probably never happen. That bums me out. But from this experience, my elders affirmed me big time and stood behind me (that really means more than you know).

I wish with all my heart that people would just simply do what Scripture says. Talk to the person you have something against...not about the person!

I know I have been called by my Master to preach the truth. I am not called to make people happy. I must preach God's Word with conviction and passion and clarity. Everything else is up to God.

Something else I have been struggling with lately is attendance slumps at The Fort. We are definitely in the summer slump. But last week God's Word really spoke to me on this. In 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Paul says "we do not lose heart." That has been difficult when you focus on dwindling numbers during the summer months. It is discouraging, to be honest. But he continues and says that we need to focus "not on what is seen" (like attendance patterns) "but on what is unseen" (like how God's Word is changing the hearts of those who are hearing it!)

Man, did I need that encouragement! And it came straight from God's Word. So don't lose heart! Even if you are criticized, even if the amount of people you were hoping for doesn't come...don't lose heart. Focus on the unseen work of your heavenly Father! That's what I need to do!

10 Principles for Church Growth (Pt. 2)

2009-05-23T16:25:00.002-06:00

Principle #2: WORSHIP

For starters, it really needs to be something that the church truly understands and that is that worship is not something that only occurs on Sunday mornings. Sunday morning is only a culmination of a week long, 24/7 experience of worship.

Worship is our life. It is all that we are offered to our heavenly Father every day we are alive. What happens on Sunday morning is different in that it is a celebration experience. It is the time that we all gather together to celebrate who God is and what He has done in our lives and to remember the sacrifice of His Son and His death on a cross. Worship on Sunday differs only in that it is no longer an individual experience but a corporate one.

And a growing church understands this basic principle of worship in a corporate environment: That we gather to celebrate and NOT to fellowship. Smaller, unhealthy churches try to replace worship celebrations with fellowship. The corporate worship experience is Not a fellowship experience. It isn't about US...it is about HIM, our heavenly Father.

When a church tries to accomplish fellowship when we are supposed to be focused on God, we lose out and a church that does this will NOT grow. Some of the most intense battles I have faced have not been about different musical styles, they have been about taking away a fellowship focus on Sunday morning and replacing with a celebration experience.

When we moved to two services, some of the arguments I heard were: I don't see anyone I know anymore. Well, as long as you see Jesus...does it really matter. Besides, if you want to see those people, then give them a flipping phone call and don't wait till Sunday morning to do what you probably should have done beforehand.

Fellowship is supposed to take place in small groups or in Sunday School or on your own in individual relationships throughout the church. But if you think the only place it should be done is on Sunday morning (and a lot of people do) then you have missed the point of the corporate worship experience.

Another note about worship being a reason that a church will grow is this...when we gather and celebrate Jesus as One Body, we better worship God with our very best efforts together. And if we offer lousy singing, lousy services, lousy preaching then we will never grow. God deserves our VERY BEST. Anything less means we do not take our faith very seriously. God is worth the best that we can offer in singing, preaching, and even ambiance when it comes to our corporate experience.

Choices 2

2009-05-22T09:28:00.000-06:00

A little Photoshop Americana Tribute:

2009-05-15T09:56:00.003-06:00

I did this in Photoshop yesterday as I am thinking ahead about Memorial Day and also will do a two-part series in July on "God and Country."

10 Principles for Growing a Church (Pt. 1)

2009-05-15T09:29:00.003-06:00

Years ago I read Bob Russell's book When God Builds A Church. I remember being really motivated by this book to implement all that I learned. In the book he shares 10 principles that I want to outline over the next few weeks that I believe are critical to the process of building a church as well. I am only sharing his principles but I will share how I see it working out in a real world scenario.

Principle #1: TRUTH

It may seem like a funny place to start but I know more and more that you can't do anything with God unless this is the first step in the process. We live in a day and age when people in the culture no longer fear God. That is solely because churches and pastors have stopped proclaiming the truth of God's Word.

Bob Russell wrote: Truth without love is dogmatism. Love with truth is sentimentality. Speaking the truth in love is Christianity. How true!

We need to balance our approach. We need to speak clearly on issues that our culture would rather us not even speak on at all but we need to do it in a way that earns our hearing. So we need to do it in love. That is hard.

What the church needs now more than ever are not the latest three point steps in living a fulfilled life. We need more than veiled pop-psychology, we need God's sometimes offensive, even abrasive but always relevant truth spoken from our pulpits. We need to use a lot of Scripture when we teach and help people to crave God's Word. We need to instill a desire amongst our people to want more from God's Word.

We need to clearly proclaim that man's ultimate problem is sin. And without Jesus Christ's transformational grace applied to his life then man will spend eternity in a very real place called Hell. We need to have the same mindset as Paul did about preaching in 1 Corinthians 9:16.

What we need right now in the church, now more than ever, is churches that have preachers who will believe the truth, teach the truth and apply the truth. There is no possible way for a church to grow without this element. It is the foundational step to growing.

And it is something that I see as the MOST important step in the process of growing a church.

Shire Syndrome

2009-04-28T14:54:00.003-06:00

In J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings he describes a beautiful homey place that is green and safe for small people known as hobbits. The shire is simple. The shire is far away from the cares of a bigger, busier world.

I think one of the problems in the church today is that many have what I call "Shire Syndrome." Shire Syndrome comes from a particular scene in Peter Jackson's movie of Tolkien's classic where there are hobbits gathered at the local pub in the shire discussing world events over some ale. And one of the older wiser hobbits speaks up about all the "strange goings on" and says that it isn't any concern of a hobbits about what goes on in middle earth. Hobbits need to simply care about what happens in the shire.

That is Shire Syndrome. People in the church quit really caring about the subtle inroads that the homosexual community had been making in the political sphere and in the cultural sphere. They hadn't made any inroads in the church, that's all that matters.

Well, now they are in the shire. We cannot stay silent and dumb any longer. The homosexual agenda is not satisfied with mere acceptance and tolerance any longer, the end goal is silence and a complete dismantling of the Christian religion. And if the church doesn't wake up, get up and speak up we are going to be replaced by God with those who will.

Who would have ever thought that marriage could have a new definition in the culture? No one really. But it does now. The culture views marriage as a simple civil act affording anyone who wants it legal rights and privileges. But marriage is not a simple civil act. Marriage is a SACRED act.

Marriage is one man and one woman making a covenantal commitment that lasts a lifetime before a Holy God ( Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6 ). There is NO OTHER definition. Not one. And culture, courts and popular opinion do not get the privilege to rewrite, redefine or revise it.

Common Objections and Answers to Same Sex Marriage

2009-04-24T22:19:00.003-06:00

The following list comes from an internet resource:

1. Are you a bigot? “Why do you want to take away people’s rights?”
“Isn’t it wrong to write discrimination into the constitution?”

A: “Do you really believe people like me who believe mothers and fathers both matter to kids are like bigots and racists? I think that’s pretty offensive, don’t you? Particularly to the 60 percent of African-Americans who oppose same-sex marriage. Marriage as the union of husband and wife isn’t new; it’s not taking away anyone’s rights. It’s common sense.”

2. Isn’t the ban on gay marriage like bans on interracial marriage?

A: “Bans on interracial marriage were about keeping two races apart so that one race could oppress the other. Marriage is about bringing two sexes together, so that children get the love of their own mom and a dad, and women don’t get stuck with the enormous disadvantages of parenting alone.” “Having a parent of two different races is just not the same as being deprived of your mother—or your father.”

3. Why do we need a constitutional amendment? “Isn’t DOMA enough?”

A: “Lawsuits like the one that imposed gay marriage in Massachusetts now threaten marriage in at least 12 other states so far. We need a marriage amendment to settle the issue once and for all, so we don’t have this debate in our face every day. The people get to decide what marriage means. No-end run around the rules by activist judges or grandstanding San-Francisco-style politicians.”

4. What’s the harm from Same Sex Marriage? “How can Bobby and Billy hurt your marriage?”

A: “Who gets harmed? The people of this state who lose our right to define marriage as the union of husband and wife, that’s who. That is just not right.”

A: “If courts rule that same-sex marriage is a civil right, then, people like you and me who believe children need moms and dads will be treated like bigots and racists.”

“Religious groups like Catholic Charities or the Salvation Army may lose their tax exemptions, or be denied the use of parks and other public facilities, unless they endorse gay marriage."

“Public schools will teach young children that two men being intimate are just the same as a husband and wife, even when it comes to raising kids.”

“When the idea that children need moms and dads get legally stigmatized as bigotry, the job of parents and faith communities trying to transmit a marriage culture to their kids is going to get a lot harder.”

“One thing is for sure: The people of this state will lose our right to keep marriage as the union of a husband and wife. That’s not right.”

5. Why do you want to interfere with love?

A: “Love is a great thing. But marriage isn’t just any kind of love; it’s the special love of husband and wife for each other and their children.”

6. What about benefits? Don’t gay couples and their kids need the benefits and protections of marriage?”

A: “If medical proxies aren’t working, let’s fix that problem. If people need health care, let’s get them health care. Don’t mess with marriage.”

A: “The issue isn’t benefits, it is marriage. Local folks can decide benefits. This is about the meaning of marriage, our most basic social institution for protecting children. “

7. Isn’t divorce the real threat to marriage?

A: “High rates of divorce are one more reason we should be strengthening marriage, not conducting radical social experiments on it.”

8. Are you saying gays cannot be good parents?

A: “Two men might each be a good father, but neither can be a mom. The ideal for children is the love of their own mom and dad. No same-sex couple can provide that.”

9. What about older or infertile couples? If they marry why not same-sex couples?

A: “Every man and woman who marries is capable of giving any child they create (or adopt) a mother and a father. No same-sex couple can do this. It’s apples and oranges.”

Are the issues that homosexuals face on par with civil rights issues?

2009-04-22T06:17:00.004-06:00

This is a question that has been getting asked a lot lately. I have had this particular side of the argument used many times by advocates of same sex marriage (even in the comment threads on this blog).

So to phrase the question properly: Are homosexuals an oppressed minority that should have the same civil rights extended to them regarding the homosexuality as other minorities?

Homosexuals are seeking not only to affect public policy, but also to determine the terms of the debate. The more the homosexual community is able to construe the issue of homosexuality and public policy along the lines of "civil rights," the more success it seems to have in achieving its agenda.

There are several things wrong with regarding homosexuality as a civil right. First, the law already protects the civil rights of citizens. Homosexuals now enjoy these civil rights as everyone else does. It is true that individual homosexuals have had certain rights deprived at times (just as anybody could), and it may be because of their homosexuality, but this is nothing that the law does not already address.

For example, it is already against the law to beat someone up. If a homosexual is beaten up by someone who hates homosexuals, the offending party is already culpable by law. To extend protection to a homosexual on the basis of his homosexuality is unnecessary and unfair.

One's behavior should not be the subject of civil rights laws. With the new onslaught of potential hate crimes legislation being proposed before Congress, we are potentially going to be saying that it is more brutal to beat up a 22 year old homosexual than a 92 year old lady. I say, both crimes are equally evil and wrong. But with the hate crimes legislation, it would add more weight for the one perpetrating a crime against a homosexual. That puts a class distinction on victims. That is wrong.

Homosexuality is not a benign factor like race. It is a behavior and a choice...no matter how hard those who are homosexuals stomp their feet and say it wasn't a choice. That's precisely what it is.

Also the criteria to judge whether or not a group is an oppressed minority do not apply to the homosexual community. Tony Marco, in his book Special Class Protection for Gays: A Question of Behavior and Consequences, notes the three criteria that the Supreme Court established in awarding special protected status:

1. There must be a history of discrimination evidenced by a lack of ability to obtain economic mean income, adequate education or cultural opportunity. This certainly does not apply to homosexuals. Homosexuals have an average annual income that is $20,000 more than the general population. More than three times as many homosexuals are college graduates than average Americans. Three times as many homosexuals as average Americans hold professional or managerial positions...some 65% of homosexuals are overseas travelers - four times the national average.

2. Protected classes should exhibit obvious immutable, or distinguishable characteristics like race, color, gender, that define them as a discrete group. It should be clear that this does not apply to the homosexual community.

3. Protected classes should clearly demonstrate political powerlessness. Again, it should be clear from the impact that the lobbying arm of the homosexual community is having across the nation currently. Our recent ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court makes this a mute point. The homosexual community is far from being politically powerless.

There is no one who can rightfully argue that homosexuals should be a protected class using the very criteria that our Supreme Court used. But I believe that it isn't merely acceptance and tolerance that is the true spirit of the homosexual agenda. I believe that they are fully intent on silencing anyone who would question their lifestyle. That, I think, is the end goal.

Nation For Marriage Ads

2009-04-21T20:42:00.002-06:00

Nation For Marriage has launched a series of ads that are very well done educating people on the issue of same sex marriage. Here are a couple of them:

Phil Keoghan in Des Moines

2009-04-20T07:37:00.003-06:00

Phil Keoghan, host of The Amazing Race was in Des Moines yesterday on his ride across America. Yesterday was day 23 of his ride and he started the day in Atlantic, IA and rode into Des Moines (to the capital steps) around 5:30PM. Today, day 24, he will be riding to Iowa City, IA. You can read more about his stop in Des Moines Here. These are a few pics I snapped at the event. He was actually very close to where we were...

By the way, in case you are wondering, I am rooting for Margie and Luke this season.

Same-Sex Marriage in Iowa

2009-04-18T22:08:00.008-06:00

Let me begin by saying this, I believe wholeheartedly that under no circumstance should any Christian attack the character of a person who claims to be homosexual. People who make trite, offensive comments like, "God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve" only work to close down the dialogue that needs to take place on this issue.

What we see from Scripture is that Jesus showed grace and truth in all He did ( John 1:14 ). We need to follow Jesus' example. We are to demonstrate grace to a person who claims to be homosexual, but we should also have the courage to speak the truth in love about homosexuality.

Solomon said that a "friend loves at all times" ( Proverbs 17:17 ). He also said that "wounds from a friend can be trusted" ( Proverbs 27:6 ). This is the kind of friend that a Christian needs to be to the person who says he or she is a homosexual.

Currently there are four states that have sought to legalize same-sex marriage. Iowa was the third state in that list. No matter what rogue Justices decide on a bench as they revise and reinterpret state constitutions, Marriage has always had one uniform definition. It is a religiously and civil sanctioned union between a man and a woman.

Biblically, marriage is a divinely ordered institution designed to form a permanent union between one man and one woman for the purpose not only of bringing blessing to each other but also of procreating or propagating the human race ( Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5 ). Obviously the Biblical definition is not only impossible, but ultimately wrong in a same-sex marriage.

Jesus Himself only understood marriage in a heterosexual way ( Matthew 19:4-5 ).

Traditional marriage has a stabilizing effect on society and provides an optimal and healthy environment for raising children. Same-sex marriages, by contrast, have a destabilizing effect on society and do not provide an optimal and healthy environment for raising children. Research has proven that in countries that grant marriage rights to same-sex couples, traditional marriages decline, out-of-wedlock births increase, and the family unit suffers injury.

What happened on Friday, April 4th here in Iowa with the ruling by our State Supreme Court has sent our state into an out-of-control tailspin. The majority of citizens of this state have been left without a voice and without representation in their legislature.

This is NOT a political issue. This is an issue of right and wrong. Either marriage is what the Bible says it is or our Courts are right. I choose to believe the Bible over the pirates who have taken hostage our State's constitution to rewrite and revise it in order to fit in with our current slouching toward Gomorrah.

What this decision means, if left unchallenged, is that someone like me (a Pastor) may in the future face criminal prosecution for not being willing to perform a same-sex marriage. This issue is very important.

Again, every homosexual person deserves our respect and no one should ever be demeaned or devalued. We should always treat others with the love and respect that Jesus showed us. But we can very strongly disagree. (It is okay to disagree...you just don't have to be disagreeable!)

Homosexuality is a dangerous lifestyle. And it is wrong. Not because I say so or because I hate any people group but simply because the Bible is true.

In this time of increasing darkness we need to know what God's Word says and be willing to stand up for what is right. The issue of marriage is an issue that I personally would be willing to be jailed over in order to fight for the truth. I will never let a judge or a legislator dictate to me what God's Word has clearly spoken on.

Pray for our State and our battle for marriage! One positive result from the Supreme Court ruling is that they have awakened a sleeping giant! There are many who are standing now to defend marriage. The Bible says that marriage should be honored by all ( Hebrews 13:4 ).

Rick Warren Waffling on Same-Sex Marriage

2009-04-08T12:15:00.002-06:00

I have to be honest, I have very high regard for Rick Warren. I respect him and admire his love for the church. But he has been called in to serious question lately concerning his position on same-sex marriage. And his appearance on Larry King Live the other night did NOT help his case. Watch the video...

It is sad when pastors begin to sound like politicians. What people need from our pulpits is a CLEAR statment of truth. Hear me, small church guy, say it as loudly and clearly as I can: SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS WRONG! That is something I will never change my position on. In fact, I'd be willing to be thrown into jail on this one.

Flutter: The New Twitter (This is Hilarious!)

2009-04-06T15:42:00.001-06:00

There are eyes watching my eyes...

2009-04-05T07:01:00.004-06:00

Last night my oldest son and I were talking and he shared with me that he had seen me earlier that day when we are at a party for someone we know. We both were sitting at a table and right next to us a young mother came and bent over to deal with her child. As she did this you could see right down her blouse.

I quickly turned my head away because I didn't want to see that and didn't think anything else of it. That is, until my son brought it up to me later that night. He told me that he saw me look away and he knew what I was turning my head away from. He told me that is why he turned his head away as well.

It makes me glad that I scored one right (finally). But I have to be constantly aware of the fact that if I become the guy that is always turning my head to notice a pretty female that my sons will become that same guy. If I am the guy that is always looking for those brief shots down a woman's blouse then my son's will also see my wandering eye.

My discussion with my son brought to mind the Scripture Job 31:1 and I need to remember the same thing it says and keep the same covenant myself with my own eyes. Where I look, my sons see it. What I look at, my sons look at too.

So this time I won! And if you are a dad and you have a son, you need to remember this. Train your eyes now! Because if you aren't training your own eyes you are training his regardless.

Crispus Cremus and the importance of baptism

2009-03-27T10:49:00.002-06:00

Crispus Cremus from Granger Community on Vimeo

My Review of "Knowing"

2009-03-24T16:06:00.003-06:00

I went to see the new Nicolas Cage film Knowing today. I went in not sure of what to expect because one review I had read said that Christians will either love this film or absolutely hate it...there will be no in between.

After having seen the film now, I think that is a very accurate statement.

The story opens in the sweet-and-innocent 1950s. The children—at least the children at William Dawes Elementary School—are full of optimism and hope: When their teacher asks them to draw pictures of what they think the world will look like in 50 years—pictures to place in a time capsule—they draw rockets and flying cars.

Well, except for one little girl named Lucinda, who instead covers her paper with lines and lines of numbers. So absorbed is she that she doesn't even get to finish writing before the teacher whisks her paper away.

Fast-forward 50 years, and a new generation of William Dawes students opens the capsule to marvel at these bright pictures of the future. Well, except for the kid who sees Lucinda's numbers.

The kid—Caleb's his name—brings home the paper and obliquely suggests that it might be a code of some sort. John, Caleb's father and a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, decides (after a few whiskeys) that Caleb could be right. In fact, many of the numbers seem to correspond with the dates of every major tragedy in the last 50 years, along with the number of those killed. 9/11? It's on there. Tsunamis in southeast Asia? Check. Oklahoma City bombing? Check.

John sees that there are just three dates left on the sheet—and all of them are set to take place over the next few days. Which leaves John to ask himself some pretty hard questions:

Does this mean that our lives are guided?

That our fates are predetermined?

Can we change our future?

Am I going crazy?

Could this sheet of paper represent an even more ominous future than a few plane crashes?

Here's the deal. This movie deals with some very tough issues. Determinism, fatalism, random evolution are all themes that pop up in this movie with lots and lots of spiritual overtones.

There is a ton of biblical imagery in the movie...especially end time imagery. They have the earth being destroyed by fire, they have angel-like creatures that come to hearken the world's end (four of them actually). There is one scene when one of these creatures opens his mouth and light and a trumpet-like blast comes forth.

There is the Bible placed on a bed side of the one woman who seemed to be able to predict all of this (she's also portrayed as crazy).

So the movie is full of biblical images. Even a new earth is shown at the end.

But there are unsettling themes as well. I only heard two cuss words. The darkness of all of this was a bit unnerving. There is no return of Jesus. There is no Bible usage per se. The number code is the most important thing...not references to Scripture.

And the other oddly disturbing thing is the fact that all that happened could have a simple scientific explanation or it could be a spiritual thing or it could even be an alien thing. The angelic creatures I spoke of, could very well be aliens...but they are very intentionally given angelic-like qualities...but they have also have a "ship" which is unlike your typical flying saucer.

So all in all, the movie kind of leaves you feeling the tension between is it spiritual or is it scientific? They really don't make a conclusion one way or the other.

I enjoyed the film, but it made me think. I like movies that do that. This is probably not a movie for little kids because there are some pretty scary scenes. I actually cowered in my seat at one point!

But it is definitely worth the time. I think you may either hate it or love it!

I got stimulated

2009-03-23T10:25:00.002-06:00

This morning I opened up my check to find that it was $9.00 more than normal. I called my treasurer to see what happened. She told me that was my part of the economic stimulus package. So that totals out to $468.00 more per year in my pocket. So they used my money to give me more of my money. That's kinda weird.

My personal plan with this extra windfall is to add it to what I put in my savings account every week. I know that really isn't stimulating the overall economy but otherwise this amazing windfall would most probably land me at McDonald's every week! And I don't think they need any extra stimulating.

Decluttering

2009-03-17T16:22:00.003-06:00

Got to thinking about something today (after reading a blog post). What are the things that I do in ministry. So, not to sound self-promoting, but rather a critical analysis of my role and in no certain order here are the things I do:

I twitter.
I blog.
I maintain a Facebook account.
I write sermons each week. I preach a sermon most weeks (at least 45 weeks of the year) and I do it twice.
I prepare lessons for Sunday School and Wednesday evening class.
I teach Sunday School and Wednesday evening class.
I host a small group.
I facilitate discussion in small group and spend time preparing for small group.
I attend board meetings and prepare for board meetings.
I attend elders meetings and prepare for elders meetings.
I prepare powerpoint slides for my sermon.
I create sermon series graphics.
I help produce sermon videos.
I prepare iWorship slides for powerpoint.
I do book studies with different individuals.
I visit people in their homes, at the hospital or at their place of work.
I field numerous phone calls.
I field numerous emails.
I make numerous phone calls.
I compose numerous emails.
I capture the audio of my sermon on Sunday mornings.
I upload the audio of my sermon on Sunday afternoons to our web site.
I open up our building on Sunday mornings.
I close up the building on Sunday afternoon.
I prepare advertising slides for our lobby TV.
I handle any and all criticisms related to the church, ministry and my preaching.
I set communion out on our communion table each Sunday (and sometimes prepare it when the person that was supposed to prepare forgets).
I turn on all audio/visual equipment on Sunday mornings.
I turn off all audio/visual equipment on Sunday afternoon.
I make sure microphones are working on Sunday morning.
I practice with praise teams.
I perform with praise teams.
I handle IT problems and help troubleshoot PC and copier issues in the office.
I make runs to the office store to purchase office supplies and equipment.
I HAVE TO CLEAN UP MY OFFICE FROM TIME TO TIME!
I attend other meetings from time to time (worship, Joy Ladies, etc.)
I help distribute food pantry items to needy individuals and families from time to time.
I help out with youth group activities from time to time.
I try to stay fresh and continually keep casting the church's vision!

Wow! That list sucks! The common denominator I see in that list is the word "I" on the left column. I am definitely doing too much. And honestly, sometimes it is really hard to determine what I should let go of or not do anymore so that I can be more effective in what God has called me to do.

That is the dilemma most smaller church pastors face, honestly. They do too much but they kinda need to.

So my challenge is going to be to wade through what it is that I absolutely need to do (and no one else can) and what is it that I don't need to do (because someone else can) and what is it that I absolutely should not be doing (I'm thinking the clean my office part).

Pray for me because I really do want to declutter my life and focus to be the person that God called me to be in the first place. But the funny thing is the very thing He called me to (the church) is the thing that gets in the way of me doing His will!

Being a 1st Time Visitor Again

2009-03-15T15:02:00.004-06:00

Today was a little outside the norm for me. I wasn't preaching, my youth pastor was, so I didn't even attend services at The Fort this morning. We don't let anyone know in advance anymore when I won't be preaching because people have a tendency to skip church when they know I am going to be gone.

It was kind of funny as well because we got a very concerned person call today worried that I was looking at another church this morning. Don't worry, I ain't going anywhere...you're stuck with me at The Fort!

We decided to see if we could glean any insights by going to a local megachurch this morning. We went to Lutheran Church of Hope. I have attended services at both Willow Creek in Chicago and Lifechurch in Oklahoma City. Let me say right up front that Hope is neither.

We had people pleasantly smile at us as we entered but no one spoke directly to us. I had to ask (TWICE) which way and what it was I should expect. That is nothing like what I experienced in Chicago or Oklahoma City where we started receiving our first welcomes in the parking lot.

After being seated in the massive auditorium (and after finding it), we looked through our bulletin. It was very busy with loads of information. I felt a sense of anticipation though as I sat there.

Musicians and singers began to line up on stage just a couple minutes prior to service. I noticed five screens that were used for projection up front plus two more in the back that were for the praise teams.

Worship began (and it was very good). Didn't know the first song, but that was okay. I enjoyed listening to it. After it was done, there were a few announcements given (the first of which was a video that advertised their upcoming Easter services...and it was done by a local news media personality Eric Hanson). Very nicely produced video. Then a couple more were given by a pastor on staff.

Then we were to greet others around us. There were a couple folks right next to us that shook hands with us. They seemed very friendly.

Music began again and we were off into two more worship songs. During this phase of worship, a 19 member choir joined the other 11 musicians and singers on stage. There was also an American Sign Language interpreter on stage the whole time as well (she was great!) And during the last song an interpretive dancer joined everyone on stage (I found her to be pretty distracting personally).

Then it was offering time (but it wasn't announced, it just kind of happened) while a special solo took place.

Then it was time for the sermon. The speaker was an associate pastor on staff Molly Junjunet. I wondered what I'd think because I really am not fond of women preachers to be blunt with you. But she did a good job.

My only two serious critiques of her sermon were that she spoke entirely too fast (making her hard to follow at times) and her sermon was way too dang long! She spoke for close to 50 minutes! No joke!

Although her content was good...it was too much. She needs to learn to trim the fat!

And here is the other really funky weird thing for me. At the end of her sermon, she simply raised her hand and said, "Go in peace." And that concluded the whole service.

No closing song or prayer or anything. Just a hand gesture and a little saying. That felt really weird! There should have been something more there to close everything out.

Overall, I didn't come back with any great ideas (except maybe a sermon idea) and I was a little surprised at how Hope wasn't as friendly as I thought it would be. They need to work on their greeters helping people (from the parking lot) know exactly where to go.

Plus, at the end of the day, I still don't care for women preaching that much!

Worship Unplugged...

2009-03-14T15:40:00.004-06:00

Next Sunday worship will be "unplugged". The whole service will be entirely acoustic (two acoustic guitars and one string acoustic bass). I am jazzed about it. We had a practice this morning. Check out the pics from practice...

Jonathan and Jacob

2009-03-13T12:03:00.003-06:00

These past couple of weeks I got to see Jacob and Jonathan take on challenging roles in plays that they performed in. Jacob played a character named "Chase Hermann" in the play "Clues Encounter of a Third Kind." His production wasn't as large-scale as his brother's but Jacob definitely stole the show. He had the most laughs and really did a fabulous job acting.

Jonathan played "Atticus Finch" in the play adaptation of Harper Lee's novel To Kill A Mockingbird. I have to be honest and tell you that I was blown away by my son's acting ability. Jonathan had the lead role and he had some incredibly difficult lines and scenes but he did it all with great skill!

I am bursting proud of both of my sons! They are really talented! They get that from their mother!

I only had video of Jacob's play, but here are a few pics from Jonathan's big night...

My Favorite Halo 3 Screenshot!

2009-03-08T16:36:00.002-06:00

In honor of Halo 3's amazing milestone last weekend I thought I would post my favorite screenshot from the game...it is called "We love you." I think it is a pretty cool tribute for Christian gamers!

Shot in Pulpit

2009-03-08T15:29:00.004-06:00

Today's news is headed with the tragic story of the church shooting in Maryville, IL at First Baptist Church. Pastor Fred Winters wasn't long into his sermon when an unknown gunman walked down the middle aisle of the church and started shooting.

The story said that he held up the Bible he was preaching from to shield himself from the coming bullets. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.One week ago Fred Winters preached a sermon about finances. He had no idea that one week later he would be dead.

My hope and my prayer is that every Sunday when I get up to preach that I will leave everything there. My heart needs to be completely exhausted so that I know that I have preached as if it was my very last sermon I will ever preach.

Fred Winters was a good man. What a horrible tragedy for his family and the church he served. Please pray for them.