Scott's Blog

I am back!

2009-05-23T12:04:00.001-04:00

It has been awhile but I am back blogging. The last few months have been a whirl wind of God moving and risk taking. He has proven Himself to me over and over… not that He needed to He is God and I am the one who needs adjusting! Here are some things I have learned in the last few months…
1. When you are down to nothing God is up to something. I’ve preached that now I lived that.
2. When you chose to follow the Lord some people will not get it and they will shun you. Love them anyway!
3. Misery produces ministry.
4. People are looking for a spiritual leader who is wounded but loving.
5. Tara is amazing. She has great faith.
6. Moving to Canada is hard but worth it! Nobody understands why someone would move from Florida to Calgary...o well!
7. Prayer matters and makes a all the difference. I have discovered that God wants me to pray in order to build my dependence and excise my spiritual “muscles”. He can do whatever whenever but He chooses to work through my praying. He even “straightens out” my mistaken praying! (Romans 8:26)
8. When we receive Christ we get His favor! God is for you.
9. When you are done get out of the way.
10. Leadership is relationships.
I will have much more to say in the days ahead. Sorry I have not written for so long. Sometimes you have to re-find your voice! I am looking forward to the new adventure of Leading First Alliance Church Calgary, Alberta, Canada. www.facalgary.com.

Something deep

2009-02-05T21:41:00.000-05:00

It has been a while since I posted so I want to share something really deep…all church league competitions should be banned. Yea I said it. All of the team junk with church on church called off, called sinful and be cast into the pit of hell. Why, there is so much needless competition with each other that divides us that we should form one super team between all the churches and dominate all city leagues! We, as the body of Christ, must learn to get along! Just a thought!

Turkeys

2009-01-22T14:29:00.001-05:00

A few years ago I was hunting in south Texas with a friend. We were sitting in a box deer stand when just before 5 in the afternoon a drove of turkeys come out of the woods. It was an amazing sight. There we about 15 turkeys in the drove and they were headed toward a feeder. The owner of the land had several feeders on his property and all were set to go off twice a day at 7 am and 5 pm. Every critter in the area knew what time the feeders went off so the action was very predictable around those times. They call this hunting in Texas but it is more like shooting animals who are just trying to get something to eat.
I noticed something about these turkeys that is much like us. As they approached the feeder they were very noisy. They were strutting and gobbling. You could tell which were we the dominate ones by the way that bullied some of the others. There was even a one legged turkey. This one I felt compassion upon. I have no idea how it lost its leg but life had to be hard for a one legged turkey. I was amazed by the apparent social order when another drove of turkeys came out of the woods from the other side of the field. They were also headed toward the feeder.
When drove one spotted drove two it got fun. These two groups rushed each other and began an all out turkey war. You would think that one group of turkeys would be cool with another but this was not the case. Even the one legged turkey got into the fray. I was shocked.
Just when things were getting intense the feeder went off. On cue the whole group stopped fighting and rushed to the feeder and began to eat. The turkey drama was over and dinner was served. After all had dined each group they simply returned into the woods the way they came as if nothing ever happened.
I asked the owner about this activity and he said the same thing happens every day at 7 and 5. Amazing! Isn’t this what we do as churches? We tend to fuss and fight and once a week the feeder goes off and we all act like nothing has happened. I think we need to stop acting like turkeys and start acting like Jesus.

"Welling Up"

2009-01-21T11:09:00.002-05:00

There come a time in the life of every leader of “welling up”. I use that term to describe a feeling of “God is moving in me and I can’t keep still any longer”. The “welling up” comes after a season of pruning and testing that releases a new sense of urgency and conviction that something must change. I am in that season. I believe that the last 2 years of my life God has been pruning me to the point of “welling up”. I have heard other leaders call it a “Holy discontent” and that might be a better description. I heard one guy say that he is “sick and tired of being sick and tired”. I don’t think any effect change happens until we are “welled up” to the point of change.
I have come to discover that pure leadership is about submission and getting to the point of submission is that place of “welling up”. We must submit to God and then to the cause and people we are called to lead. God is not impressed with our abilities, our status, or our credentials. He is motivated to action by our hearts and willingness to submit to Him. As a pastor I am called by God to love Him deeply in full devotion and to love people. As a pastor I am called to lead the only thing in the world that can bring effective change and eternal life to people.

We are entering a new season of leadership in America. Our new president spoke of hope yesterday. Regardless of your political views we all know we need hope in America. What would it be like if the church of Jesus Christ was the dispenser of that hope? If that is to be then it will take leaders who are in total submission to the author of hope, the Lord Jesus Christ. We pastors must be “welled up” to the point that we lead with urgency, passion, and courage. Out of that God will stir His church to bring the hope! I have more to say but now is not the time. God is at work in Tallahassee and in our nation. These are the days of “welling up”.

Why we exsit

2009-01-14T18:00:00.000-05:00

If you don’t know where you are going don’t be in a hurry. What I have discovered out of so many pastors/church is they don’t really understand why God has started the church or why He has established it where He has.
This leads us into a discussion about why. Why are we here as a church or as a leader? Here is a statement from the Fellowship of the Hills vision document…
Why am I/we here?

Mission is the broad understanding and articulation of why you or your organization exist. Mission dictates the most general parameters within which you work and helps you focus your efforts in a vague direction. It does little more than identify the primary industry in which you work or the primary value you serve. Get comfortable with the notion that millions of people and organizations share the same mission. For instance, every Christian has essentially the same mission to love God and love others. Mission tells us who else is interested in the same general field of activity.

Our Purpose

Biblical Purposes that we will fulfill:
We long for every person to have a heart connection with God through Jesus Christ and a vital connection with other believers through the local church. Jesus wants every person to have a personal relationship with him that we call a heart connection. This relationship makes all believers a family therefore; we can have a heart connection with each other. This connection is expressed through the local church and lived out in biblical small groups. We will create environments where connection to Christ and His body are natural, intentional, and authentic.
We will be connected with our Hearts (Fellowship)

A relationship with Jesus Christ is marked by spiritual growth. This growth is not measured by knowledge alone but by the believer becoming like Christ in character. It is God’s desire that we see like Jesus, think like Jesus, believe the best about people like Jesus, and react like Jesus in every circumstance. This kind of spiritual growth is accomplished through the believer’s pursuit of spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, biblical stewardship, accountability, and other time honored practices of faith. The growth of the believer is best experienced in a biblical small group and through corporate worship experiences. The goal of the believer is to have the mind of Christ and this work is only completed by God through the power of the Holy Spirit. We will create contagious environments where growing into Christ-likeness is natural, normal, and expected.
We will grow with our Heads (Discipleship)

The Bible says “whatever your hand finds to do, do it for the glory of God.” God wants us to use our hands to serve Him by serving people. We believe that every member is a minister and every task is important. A life built by God is a life intentionally engaged in ministry. Because every believer has been shaped by God to serve, we will create environments and provide opportunities for each person to discover and use their God given abilities for His glory.
We will serve with our Hands (Ministry)
God expects those of us who believe to be on mission for Him. We are called to be fishers of men. A life built by God is a life that seeks to share the love of God with people wherever they go. God wants us to build authentic relationships with people in order to have the opportunity to share with them the love and grace of God. We will create environments and provide opportunities where sharing Christ is natural and normal both locally and around the world. We will willingly share our resources, experiences, and giftedness to train and encourage people whose intent is sharing the love of God.
We will go with our Feet (Evangelism)

A life built by God is a life of devotion. It is about worship. Worship is more than singing or attending a church service. It is a life that is transformed by the love of God where everything is an act of devotion. Life is then measured by an intentional commitment with our heart, head, hands and feet to be focused on Jesus Christ in all we do. We will create environments where personal and corporate expressions of devotions are natural and normal. We will provide biblical small groups with the expectation of transformation, corporate gatherings that use the arts in a culturally relevant way that touch the heart along with the teaching of God’s word that leads to God honoring life change.
We will live a Life of Devotion (Worship)

“Building lives that honor God.”

A little more vison stuff

2009-01-13T21:34:00.000-05:00

I am sitting here watching the biggest loser with Tara, Caleb, and Parker (our new golden retriever) and I felt compelled to add to the thoughts I shared yesterday regarding vision.
Living the vision is open warfare and attacks are a part of the deal. I told Brian that all the surgeries, wreaked cars, broken bones, money troubles, feeling of doom, discouragement, and despair are worth it if people meet Jesus. I would go through the pain of the last 18 months again if God was glorified and people came to Christ. God gave us a vision of a new church for Tallahassee and it has been a struggle but I know so many folks who are forever different because we came by the divine call of God. That makes it worth it! Vision drives our lives. We are in a raging battle for the hearts, souls and lives of men and women. It requires our brightest minds, our best efforts, our whole lives. We are called by God to depopulate hell. That is the vision.

Vision reality

2009-01-12T14:37:00.005-05:00

Godly vision ticks Satan off! How do I know that? The last 18 months of my life have been marked by attack. Far too many to go into here but trust me it is very real and very disturbing. In launching this new church for Tallahassee we have awakened the ire of the Devil and although filtered by the hand of our Holy God we have experienced attack after attack. When people say they want to hang out with me I cringe because they might get caught in the line of fire.
I say all of this to say that God‘s vision for a church planting movement comes at a high cost. I know that God will prevail and that the season of attacks will abate. Fellowship of the Hills is planted in Tallahassee for God’s glory and heaven is getting more crowed. Yesterday was evidence of that with a great crowd and a holy sense of God’s movement. I blogged about vision the last two entries but living the vision is another matter. Look forward to the days ahead as God keeps pushing us toward Him and keeps pushing this city toward revival.

Vision

2009-01-09T10:18:00.000-05:00

George Barna also says this regarding vision…

“Vision is not some mystical, ambiguous, or abstract fantasy. God’s vision for his people provides a clear and compelling mental portrait of a preferable future that he conveys to his chosen servants – that is, to his appointed leaders. It is a specific and unique calling to an individual or group that gives particular direction, limitations, and hope. It comes from God. He delivers it to those whom he has called as leaders; it acts as his primary marching orders for those servants. It is meant to be the central, organizing principle and directive of a leader’s activity.
God’s vision is instrumental and irreplaceable for those who wish to be and do all that God intends.
There are many of us who share the same mission, but God’s vision for us is like a fingerprint: There is no other one like it in the world.
Vision that we develop independent of God often conflicts with his holy and perfect plan for us. God cannot bless us or use us as if we were fully devoted to his vision, since our pursuits reflect our selfishness and spiritual immaturity.

I say vision is a dream with a plan. Vision for a leader comes from God and then burns in your heart until it is realized.

God's vision

2009-01-08T09:40:00.001-05:00

In his book “Fish Out of Water” George Barna gave some great insights to vision. Below are his thoughts.
How can we tell if it is God’s vision or ours?
 Human vision is based on trying to maximize our resources and skills. God’s vision is based on using us beyond our capacity.
 Human vision is based on accomplishing the most appealing dream. God’s vision challenges us to accomplish an impossible or improbable dream.
 Human vision is often based on what brings us delight. God’s vision is a reflection of what brings him delight.
 Human vision is dangerous because it inflates our ego. God’s vision is dangerous because it demonstrates his power at work within us – and our complete inadequacy.
 Human vision drives us to push ourselves to the limit. God’s vision drives us to our knees in submission, humility, and obedience.
 Human vision represents a commitment we develop and pursue until we tire of the battle. God’s vision becomes an obsession we embrace until he enables us to fulfill it or he brings us home.
 Human vision reflects our cultural obsessions: size, speed, status, and success. God’s vision reflects biblical obsessions: people, holiness, love, and transformation.

The process

2009-01-07T15:05:00.002-05:00

I just left a meeting with a great group of leaders in a local church. They are struggling with an age old problem of getting the church to function as the hope of the world as opposed to a group of folks who gather for their own benefit. Over the next several months they will intentionally delve into solutions and I will be their guide. This is a big task. Over the next few days I will be blogging about the process of how leaders bring vision into reality. Tomorrow we will talk about vision.

The Big Move

2009-01-05T09:52:00.000-05:00

We made the big move to Lincoln High School and it was great. I know the next few weeks our students will return and the space will fill up. God is really moving in this new church.
As with all change we have some areas to tighten up. Here are a few opportunities to serve…
• Kid’s ministry. We need people to serve in leading, set up, greeting, check in. E-mail kris@thefellowshipofthehills.org to plug in
• Greeting and guest services. We want folks to feel welcomed! E-mail chris@thefellowshipofthehills.org to plug in
• Production ministry in all areas e-mail jeremy@thefellowshipofthehills.org
• Over all set up and take down. We don’t have as much to do be there is a still a lot to do. E-mail chris@thefellowshipofthehills.org
I am excited about the days ahead for us. Be sure to invite your friends to the excitement “FOTH at Lincoln!”

The Big Move

2008-12-29T16:56:00.000-05:00

Fellowship of the Hills moves to Lincoln High School this week-end! Yea God. We have prayed for and waited for this day for 18 months. When we first came to Tallahassee we knew that Lincoln was the place for us. The problem was that Lincoln didn’t know it. After a gracious period of launch at Swift Creek Middle School we move to Lincoln for a great 2009. A few thought about the big move…
• We are so grateful for the staff at Swift Creek. Their principle Allen Burch and the entire staff showed us kindness and love.
• We have been welcomed to the family at Lincoln with open arms.
• Lincoln will allow us to better present the gospel through the use of the arts.
• Lincoln is closer to our wonderful students who call us their family.
• We will partner with the staff at Lincoln (as they lead) to encourage and build lives.
• The level of ownership and excitement is at an all time high about our big move.
I have a few more random thoughts…
• We had our highest attendance ever in December.
• We had the largest monthly offerings ever in December.
• FOTH a la la la was unbelievable! Our musical talent level is off the charts.
• Although we missed our college students we still had good attendance throughout the month.
• I am excited about 2009!

2008-12-23T14:44:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 59th anniversary for my parents, Poe and Jane Weatherford. Dad died in 2007 and mom no longer know who she is nor her children but my parents marriage has changed countless lives because to their influence and the influence of their children. Below is an excerpt from my book about Dad called “Hero” Enjoy and Merry Christmas!

In 1949 Dad was coaching high school basketball in Linwood, Mississippi. He was 31, single, and good looking.
One of his buddies was a principal in Bond, Mississippi, where my mother was teaching music. My Dad’s buddy decided that Dad needed to meet Mom, so he set up a blind date. The only problem was that he didn’t tell Mom about it.
One Sunday evening Dad arrived at my mother’s door and announced that he was there to take her out. Mom had no clue who he was or how this all came about. After a few awkward moments, Dad asked her if she wanted to go to church. Little did he know, but he said the right thing. Mom got ready and off they went.
They drove to the nearest town and went to the evening service at the Methodist church, even though they were both Baptist. He then took her out for a hamburger.
From that time on, they were together. They dated for six weeks and were married December 23, 1949.
Their marriage ceremony was a simple affair at the local pastor’s home, and then they honeymooned in Florida.
Over the years, they experienced a lot of life. They buried both of their parents, educated four children, welcomed five grandchildren, and one great grandchild, endured life threatening illness, moved several times, changed jobs, and so much more. Through all of this they forged a relationship that was an example to all who knew and loved them.
On September 10, 2007 mom gently laid dad into the arms of Jesus. Dad’s death marked the end of their earthly marriage but it did not end their love. Dad waits for mom in heaven and their reunion will be sweet and eternal.

It is true relationships make life rich!

Yesterday

2008-12-22T10:46:00.001-05:00

We gathered in the Middle School yesterday for our second to last time there. The crowd was small but the expectation for what is coming in January is high.
I spoke on Peace for Christmas. I don’t think I meant a message more than yesterday’s. I need God’s peace. In church planting the uncertainty will drive you crazy or it will drive you closer to the Lord. The peace of God is the only thing that gets me through. I know that God is in control and He will not leave me nor forsake me.
I pray that you experience God’s peace this Christmas and that you get ready for a big God move in 2009!

Thoughts

2008-12-10T11:25:00.001-05:00

I relearned something today, people need pastors! I was more reminded than anything. People need someone in their lives who they know walks with God and can stand in the gap for them. People need someone who loves God and loves them. Folks are looking for a Holy Man.
The humbling thing is that most often I feel far from holy. God is not concerned with my feelings; he is concerned with my obedience to His calling. We tell people that we have come to Tallahassee to be their pastors so I must live that out.

Flashback

2008-12-08T21:47:00.000-05:00

Sunday at FOTH I had a flashback! Setting in our congregation was Barbara and Hulan Howell. They are dear friends from Victoria Texas. They are really more than dear friends they are family. I love them both deeply and respect their walk with God. These two left the comfort of an established church to join a young inexperienced pastor in starting a new church in Victoria Texas. They set aside their personal preferences and joined God in the divine rescue that was and is Parkway Church.
Not only were they willing to step out in starting a new church, they reached out and loved me. Barbara was my assistant for 5 years and Hulan was my deacon! Seeing them sitting out in the crowd Sunday was such an affirmation that God was once again building His church here in Tallahassee.
Relationships make life rich and my life is indeed richer because of Barbara and Hulan!

Big Win for Jesus

2008-12-08T10:01:00.001-05:00

There are times in your life when God gives you the glimpse of the next and yesterday was one of those days for Fellowship of the Hills.
We had a Christmas preview service at our new home Lincoln High School and it was amazing! We had the largest crowd to date and the most excitement I have felt since coming to Tallahassee. I had seen this day in my mind for awhile and now the FOTH folks see it and they are “jazzed”.
We have three more weeks at Swift Creek Middle then we make the big move to Lincoln. I can’t wait to see what God does.
On a side note, last night Tara, Caleb, and I attend Christmas on the Moon sponsored by “The Well” our sister church start in Tallahassee lead by Dean Insera. It was amazing as well. Dean and his team turned a bar into a place where people meet Jesus! I love that guy! Tallahassee Florida is experiencing a church planting movement that will change the face of this city and more importantly the eternal destiny of a generation of people. We partner with the Well to reach people. My prayer that all churches in Tallahassee will do the same!
The Kingdom of God had a big day yesterday in Tallahassee!

FOTH A La La La

2008-12-05T11:57:00.000-05:00

I am so excited about singing this week-end at Fellowship of the Hills Christmas event, FOTH a la la la! I don’t get to sing much these days and I have let my “gift” slide. I have actually practiced! I hope all goes well.
FOTH a la la la is a great event to which to invite your friends. We will have some great music, some solid Biblical teachings, and a bunch of fun! Also this will be our first gathering a t Lincoln High School! We were there yesterday and the staff is so welcoming. We are so honored to be become a part of the family there!
Make your plans to join us Sunday @ 11 am or check us out on line next week as we experience FOTH a la la la!

Something different

2008-12-04T10:03:00.001-05:00

We did a fun thing the other night at our house. We turned off the T.V. and listened to Christmas music while decorating the Christmas tree. I didn’t decorate, I am not allowed, I am a very bad at such stuff. I did sing along with the music until I was told to stop, I sing too loud.
We had a lot of fun. We got out of the rut and experienced something a bit different. It is amazing how simple changes can make a big difference in our attitudes and our connections. I am following that advice in my daily routine as well. I am trying to slow up, listen more, spend more time in prayer, and really seeking God’s best for my life. Jesus called that abiding in Him. He said “when we abide in Him we will bear much fruit, apart from Him we can do nothing.” I am discovering how abiding works … I will let you know what I find!
So, today, turn off the T.V., listen to some Christmas music, sing along as loud as you like, and do some work on your soul by abiding.

Reconnecting

2008-12-03T10:36:00.000-05:00

I have had an interesting season of reconnecting with my kinfolks. The move back to the south has brought a renewed relationship with my sister and brothers and with many of my cousins. I don’t know what it is about living in Texas but folks in the south seem to think that it is a far off place and there is no use to reach out to folks there. Or it might be that I am making an effort to reach out. Either way I am renewing these family friendships and it is fun.
One of the cousins is a gator. I know there is one in every family. He currently lives in Alabama. If Florida beats Alabama this week he will have to move. We have had some fun with that this week.
I am reminded that relationships make life rich and reconnecting is a good thing.
One more thought. I am excited about this week. Fellowship of the Hills will be at Lincoln High School this week for our big Christmas concert/worship experience. It is going to be wonderful and if you are in town don’t miss it. The fun starts at 11. I have some really good stuff from God’s word to share and I am getting to sing!!!

Some thoughts on change

2008-11-30T21:50:00.000-05:00

I just returned from the panhandle (Northwest Florida). My mom is in an assisted living situation and is in failing health. My heart broke when she didn’t know me. I can’t express the grief I feel. There are some basic foundations in life and the love of your parents is one of the most important. My dad passed away eighteen month ago and now my mom doesn’t know who I am. I know countless others have experienced the same change but this is so very difficult. I feel my foundations are eroding. Tara has lost both of her parents and she has expressed the same emotions.
I have a few reflections regarding change and this season of life. Change is very difficult. What makes change so difficult is that there is no control. I can’t change the change that are happening in my family and that makes me afraid, unsettled, and pensive.
Change is very difficult on my children. My daughter, Calah, has had a hard time this thanksgiving. She stayed in Texas and we were here in Florida. She when back to Victoria where we lived for 15 years, she confessed that the change of us leaving Texas really shook her up. The relocation of her home and the sickness of her grandmother was a lot to manage. She feels displaced and disconnected.
Then there is the change of starting over. I am still struggling with what God wants from me in this second half. My changes have affected my whole family. All though I know that it was God who called me to start this new church and this new business, in this very difficult town and these very difficult days it is still very unsettling. There is no room in the Kingdom of God for regret so the decisions I have made must be confronted with the promises of God and the trust I have in His power and providence.
What I have found myself doing is leaning into Tara more and spending more time in prayer. My prayers are not the on your knees type of long hours of mediation but more of an ongoing conservation of desperation and seeking. I pour over scripture looking for guidance and cry out to God for answers. He says that went we seek Him we will be found by Him!
I can’t let the changes I am experience paralyze me into inactivity. I must keep seeking God’s vision and pursuing Him with passion that might appear to be reckless. There are days that I just want it all to go back to how it was, but that will never happen. I do believe that God has my best day ahead of me.
I do understand how life changes so I must depend on the God who doesn’t change. I have often preached on the immutability of God but now my theology is becoming my life. I think that’s what God wants. He wants me to trust Him and to not just know about Him. You really don’t believe until you live what you believe.

Spiritual lessons

2008-11-26T10:42:00.000-05:00

I love my brother Stan! Well, I love all of my siblings. Stan is a pastor as well so our connection is different because of our shared calling. During these days of struggle he has been my pastor.
I called him yesterday to chat and he said some things about spiritual struggle that hit me in the heart. He said that I could be sure of the power and presence of God when being attacked by Satan. He said Satan would not bother if there was not threat of God’s kingdom expanding. God would use this season of struggle to strengthen my faith. I responded with all the honesty I could muster and said “what if my faith fails and I stop believing”. He said “it is not your faith; faith comes from God as a gift, so if it is not yours to begin with it is not yours to fail.” He added “Scott, because you belong to Jesus, He will sustain you even when you fail to believe. He will help your unbelief.” My life is not about me but about the Lord who rules and reigns in me! I can relax in the care and control of the one who gave Himself for me so that I might die to me and live for Him.
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, here is my list…
• I am thankful for Jesus and His love, salvation, grace, and faithfulness
• I am thankful for Tara. She is my best and most trusted friend
• I am thankful for Caleb and Calah
• I am thankful for my extended family
• I am thankful for the call on my life to preach and lead
• I am thankful for FOTH and the chance to build lives in Tallahassee
• I am thankful for Brian, Jeremy, and our FOTH team!
• I am thankful that God is our provider. We have seen God rescue us several times this year.
• I am thankful that God never stops working on me
• I am thankful for my friends, who pray, give, encourage, and connect. Relationships make life rich!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Spiritual Lessons

2008-11-25T11:45:00.001-05:00

Spiritual lesson are very difficult to learn. God uses stuff in our lives to shape our character but I struggle with what in the heck is He up too. I trust God completely but I wonder how much longer he will allow me to endure hardship and struggle. I am at a point of thinking that I can do more for God than I am doing but He is working on my character to get me to the point of “being His” as opposed to “doing His work”. Maybe the lesson is being learned. I am reminded that God will often hurt you deeply before He uses you greatly! Ouch!!
In light of all of this, we have experienced an amazing month at FOTH. 18 people have made next steps toward Jesus and our crowd has grown every week. God is moving in a big way. He is planting this church in Tallahassee for His glory. One of the most compelling things is how many “Christians” are discovering how much God really loves them and escaping the lie of the program, performance based church!
Just a side thought, last night I had a dream about being the mayor of Victoria Texas! In my dream I wondered if I could be a pastor and a mayor. Crazy dream!

Influence

2008-11-21T10:12:00.001-05:00

I have been working on the book about my dad this week and it has been so very difficult. As I write I remember how amazing he was and I cry. I miss his influence so much.
I have heard it said that you impress from a distance but you influence up close. My dad was impressive but he chose to influence. He understood that leadership is influence (Plato). What has me stirred this morning is “who am I influencing?” “Who am I allowing access to my life?”
This week, I have watched as God has brought new people into His kingdom. Every one of these people who crossed the line of faith crossed because of the influence of a friend, every one! The influence of a trusted friend changed the eternal destiny of these folks. WOW!
As I go down this path of influence, I can’t help to think about pastors who think that isolation is leadership. They choose to only influence through their teaching. I can’t help but think “what the heck!” I have lead a church that had several thousand attending and I have lead a church with a few hundred. In both of these situations I had to not only preach the good news but give my life as well. (Paul) It gets messy when you allow people to access your life, so what! If you are going to lead, lead with your life or just stay out of the way. If you are a pastor remember God has not called you to be a “rock star” but a shepherd.
I have been working on the book about my dad and he knew that leadership was influence, thank God!

Ramdom thoughts

2008-11-18T09:48:00.001-05:00

We men, we manly men, we get our identity from what we do. We wear our “this is what I do label” with pride and confidence. If we are not thrilled with our vocation then we label ourselves with an activity or a loyalty. We hunt, we fish, we are fans of some team, or whatever. We men, we manly men this is what we do.
Recently I have looked deeply at my labels. In the past I have been a pastor of a mega church, I have been a owner of a leadership consulting company, I have been a world traveler, I have been the catcher of fish, slayer of deer, hitter of softball, catcher of waves, and on it goes. But something is changing in me. God is showing me that I am the beloved. I am His and that replaces any label in which I can try to find my worth.
Don’t misunderstand me; I still love to do those things. I hope to do more of those really soon. But I am not an activity I am a son. What about you?