By Dr. Matthew Lee Smith

My phone rang yesterday afternoon. It was one of our city council members in El Segundo, California, where I recently accepted a lead pastor position. His kind words of welcome and thanks for my recent note touched my heart. He also offered to go to lunch or coffee soon and get better acquainted.

He was responding to a note I had sent to him, and all of our elected officials, the week before. The note said, in part, “I wanted to introduce myself and let you know I am looking forward to getting to know you in the coming months and years. One of the things that are very important to me is developing a good working relationship with each of the community leaders, including you.

“Part of what I want to accomplish is to build this great relationship with our congregation and the community. As I begin to work on this, I have asked the members of our church to invest in you and the entire council. To start do this on our part, I have asked the congregation to pray for you, our city leaders and our city. In order to make that happen, we have given them a set of prayer targets (on the inside flap of the enclosed church program). We adapted these prayer targets from the city website and newsletter.

“It is my hope that we can get together soon and have coffee or lunch, my treat! Melodee, my wife, and I have yet to move into the community. Until then, be assured of my support.”

With the note, I also included a copy of that week’s worship program, and drew attention to the flap which had this information in it:

Praying for Our Community … Praying for Our City Leaders

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” (1 Timothy 2:1–2, NLT)

This week we ask you to pray for the leaders of the city of El Segundo. Please pray for wisdom as they lead, understanding as they work and compassion as they serve the city. Please pray for the following leaders.” And then we posted the names and positions of all city elected leaders. We let our congregation know that our prayer points are adapted directly from the city’s web page.

One of the tenants of our vision and mission is this: “A community will not care about the church until the church cares for it’s community.”

Could your community use a dose of tangible care from your church? We believe ours could.

I hope you would consider attending the Moody Pastors Conference this May. Through Eagles In Leadership, I am able to provide a $50 discount for Moody Pastors Conference using discount code: EAGLES. Register now!

Every year God blesses my life with his presence in a powerful way! I know you will want to attend as well!

Moody Bible Institute has a burden and passion for pastors. Each year, the campus is host to one of the premiere conference events for pastors from a variety of denominations and from all over the globe.

Through some of the most gifted communicators of God’s Word, powerful worship, skilled breakout session leaders and fellowship with over 1,000 fellow pastors, this conference is a week that can transform your entire life!

I hope you join me for re|FOCUS Pastors’ Conference 2012, May 21–24.

Today we wrap up a 4 message series on the ABCs of Loving God with the study, My Donations: What will I do to make a difference?

As Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, opens the Bible to Luke 6, he focuses our attention on an issue that is dear to many of us: How can I make a difference in this life?

As he wraps us this series, let’s open our Bibles and discover that it’s not the duration of your life but your donation in life that really matters.

As we enter into February, we will turn our attention to the Biblical focus of “loving our neighbor as our self.” Dr. Smith will begin a new series next time entitled “Walking with the Wounded: Having God’s heart for our next-door neighbors!” We know you will want to invite a friend to sign up for the podcast notices at our website, EaglesInLeadership.org, so they can enjoy these Biblical messages of inspiration and growth!

Who are they? What’s their story? Do they know Christ? What aches and pains do they carry?

“Hi, we’re your neighbor and wanted to give you this bag of Valentine’s candy and say, ‘Happy Valentine’s Day!’” The reactions were positive and several remarked how no one had ever done this before that they could remember.

Just a few candies and a flier for the upcoming month’s small group and worship schedule; No hard sell. We just wanted to let the people around us know that we were their neighbors and that we cared.

“No one has ever done this before,” keeps ringing in my heart and head. How can we live near people and not “see” them, get to know them and connect with them?

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39, NKJV)

It’s our 101^st episode of the Transformed podcast today. We are so glad you have joined us we seek to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood.”

Today we examine a powerful encounter between a rich young ruler and Jesus. As the conversation progresses, we discover that possessing eternal life – from Jesus’ point of view – means something far different than is often understood.

Indeed, this young, powerful and deeply religious man walks away from Jesus refusing eternal life as a result of his encounter.

As Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, continues a 4-message series on the ABCs of Loving God, let’s open our Bibles to Mark 10 and listen in as Pastor Matt walks us through Jesus’ answer to the question: How Can I Be Spiritually Fulfilled?

We would also ask you to check out the resources on our website and consider one of the year-long devotionals for 2012: either, In His Image, which focuses on the theme, “God Created YOU to Love You!” or, In His Presence, which centers on the truth, “God Welcomes YOU into His Presence with Joy and Pleasure!”

Over the course of the past 2 years I have been thinking about the alarming statistics concerning the American Church. My friend, Len Sweet, says that 75% of the churches in America are dying, 23% of them are plateaued (often taking those from dying churches) and the remaining 2% are growing due to conversion growth. (Personal conversation) Even the simplest of anecdotal evidence shows the vast majority of churches in America are in trouble.

With that in mind, I have been focused on the paradigm we Church leaders use for commitment of Christ and His Church in the USA and find it flawed. In fact, when we talk about “commitment,” we often use softer words like “attendance.” However, in the real word “commitment” has some harsh realities. Take housing as one example …

• Owners pay for everything – and take the responsibility for everything. In return, all of the benefits belong to them. Their hard work and total investment often pays off over the long term with great rewards.

• Renters pay for some things – and take the responsibility for only their things.  In contrast, a renter has a short-term commitment (a monthly or annual lease) and gains the benefits of the home / apartment / room for a short period of time, without the long-term appreciation of the property and the financial pay-off it might bring. They also enjoy none of the maintenance and financial responsibility beyond the negotiated rental agreement.

• Freeloaders pay for nothing – and take no responsibility for anything. All too often someone, often children or friends, take advantage of us through an unforeseen tragedy or the misguided goodness of our hearts. Once in, these parasites consume our resources returning nothing of value. In fact, it is these sponges that often seem to think we exist to clean their clothes, feed their stomachs and put up with their messes – again, without ever lifting a hand to help with their own untidiness.

The applications of such a thought pattern are many … and are reinforced by the King Himself who said,

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23, NKJV)

Paul reinforces this line of thought by saying …

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10, NKJV)

Perhaps 2012 is a time to call our people to ownership of the Kingdom of God and to stop renting or worse, freeloading … should membership or leadership be filled with renters or freeloaders?

That’s my thought. I’d love to hear yours. Take a moment and give me your feedback in the comment section.

It’s our 100^th podcast today and we are so glad you have chosen to join us!

Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, continues a 4-message series on the ABCs of Loving God.

Today we are looking into the Old Testament to discover how we will utilize all of the blessings God has given us as we seek to love Him, love our neighbors and love one another!

So let’s open our Bibles to 1 Chronicles 29 and listen in as Pastor Matt provides great help in unlocking the door to the closed hearts of those in your sphere of life …

As they did renovation on the old building not far from my house recently, I noticed that the frontage of the building was, in reality a façade! While it appeared to be a very large structure, it was, in reality a much smaller building, hiding behind a false front … like many Christians I fear.

Have you ever read these verses … I mean, ever REALLY read them?

“So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.” (Matthew 5:23-24, ESV)

The façade of faith simply ignores verses like this. I mean, does Jesus really expect us to do this? I have become convinced that he does.

My friend Dave Ferguson has challenged us this year to lead ourselves every day. As I have taken time to review my life each morning, using the REMS tool he wrote about at the beginning of the month, I have come to realize that I simply need to do an accounting of my relationships each day.

Is there anyone who “has something against you?” is one of the questions I ask myself often. As I ask and answer this question honestly, and take the steps to reconcile relationships, I painfully rip off the façade of faith. What a liberating feeling it is to live in genuine faith!

So, let me ask you: Is there anyone who “has something against you” right now? How are you going to take care of it? How will you “be reconciled to your brother” before you go back to worship next weekend?

As 2012 runs ahead full speed, Dr. Matthew Smith, lead pastor at Pacific Baptist Church of El Segundo, begins a 4-message series on the ABCs of Loving God.

As we open Luke 10, we will look at our attitude and ask, “How do I respond to God?”

Let’s listen now as Pastor Matt prepares the congregation in El Segundo for whatever 2012 will bring …

As the Christmas season came to a close, I can remember how the focus for many was on themselves. They were interested in what THEY were going to get, what parties THEY were going to and what things THEY were going to be doing.

In contrast to this was Christmas morning as we bundled out of the car to head for the restaurant for breakfast … a Christmas tradition in our family. As we stepped onto the sidewalk a homeless man with a shopping cart and a little dog asked if we could spare any change. Since I don’t carry any, I politely told him I had nothing on me.

Sitting at the booth, my wife Melodee ordered him a “to go” breakfast, and when it arrived, she immediately took it to him. The jumbo coffee and hot breakfast were gratefully received. When she came back to the table I sat there in awe of my wife who was more interested in being of service to this one man in a difficult situation than she was about how well we were served our traditional Christmas breakfast – her breakfast was cold.

This year, we can all remember that there are two motivations in life – one selfish, the other selfless. Do we see the needs all around us? Do we love our neighbor as we love ourselves? As we ate our breakfast Christmas morning, I was sure that one person did, and she was sitting right across from me.

And that brought a question to my mind as I sat there: Will I be more interested in my service of others or how others serve me in 2012? What about you?

We are thrilled you have rejoined us for another year of Encouraging Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood!

In today’s episode, Dr. Smith starts us on a journey through the most important subject in life: How do I please God?

As we open our Bibles to 2 Chronicles 7, let’s listen in as Pastor Matt explains to the people of Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo, CA how we please God by knowing him personally!

We welcome our good friend Dave Ferguson back to Eagles in Leadership today. We know this article could change your 2012 in ways only God can imagine. With that in mind, we submit this great idea to you for your consideration:

My good friend Bob Bouwer was having lunch with the campus pastor of COMMUNITY a couple weeks ago when he said, “Everyday at the top of my journal I write these three letters:  E (emotional), P (physical) and S (spiritual) and then give myself a 1-10 rating.” He went on to explain how this daily routine of rigorous self-evaluation helps keep him in a healthy place.

As I heard Bob talk I was inspired to do the same; but to use a tool that is a regular part of our coaching of leaders at COMMUNITY and explained on page 120 of Exponential:  How You and Your Friends Can Start a Missional Church Movement.  We refer to this tool as “checking your RPM’S.”  This tool is based on Luke 2:52 that says, “Jesus grew in wisdom (mental) and stature (physical), and in favor with God (spiritual) and men (relational).”  So for the last week on a daily bais I have put at the top of my journal these four letters: R (relational), P (physicial), M (mental) and S (spiritual) and given myself a 1-10 rating.

I am already convinced that using this tool on a daily basis, rather than just during coaching sessions may be one of the most powerful self-leadership tools around.  I would strongly encourage you to try it for yourself.  Let me briefly explain each of these and give you a few questions to ask in your own daily self-evaluation.

RELATIONAL:  Our relational world typically includes the people with whom we interact on a regular basis: our immediate family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and small group members. Here are some questions you can ask yourself.

• How are my relationships at home?
• What about my marriage, dating, or family life is going well? What’s not going so well? What would I like to change?
• Who do I consider my closest friend? How is God using that relationship to grow me?
• What are my relationships at work like?
• Which of my relationships give my energy and life? Which are the most challenging or draining?

PHYSICAL:  Our physical well-being is often the most overlooked aspect of a leaders life. Yet diet, exercise, sleep, and rest are all vital to our ability to lead effectively. If we are serious about developing as a whole person, we have to take seriously our physical well-being.  Here are some good questions to ask:

• Am I getting enough rest?
• How is my current energy level?
• What am I doing to maintain good health when it comes to exercise and eating habits?
• Is there anything about my physical health that I’d like to change?

MENTAL:  Another often-overlooked aspect is the development of our minds. In order for us to stay sharp and be a lifelong learners, we need to be challenged. Here are some questions we can ask to see if we are developing mentally:

• What have I been learning lately?
• How am I applying what I are learning?
• What magazines, books, or websites do I read or access?
• What thoughts have been dominating my mind? Are they drawing me closer to God? Are they pulling me away from him?

SPIRITUAL:   It is also imperative that we discover and act on whatever it is that helps us grow deeper in our relationship with Jesus. Here are some questions we can ask to see how we are developing spiritually:

• How would I describe my relationship with Christ right now?
• What does it look like when I am feeling closely connected to God?
• Which spiritual disciplines seem to help me draw closer to Jesus? Prayer? Journaling? Worship? Solitude?
• Who is holding me accountable to practicing these disciplines?
• What has God been saying to me lately through his Word? The Holy Spirit? Other Christ followers? Prayer?

The longer I am in leadership the more I am convinced that the most important leadership we can offer is self-leadership.  Use this tool everyday and lead yourself!

This article was first published on December 15, 2011 at daveferguson.org and is used by permission.

Welcome back to the Transformed podcast! In today’s holiday episode, Dr. Matthew Lee Smith, Lead Pastor at Pacific Baptist Church in El Segundo, California shows us how to have a character of compassion.

Using the birth and life of Jesus as a springboard, Pastor Matt shows us three ways to enjoy and share the love of Christ throughout the New Year!

Let’s sit back, open our Bibles to 2 Corinthians 1, and listen to this last podcast of 2011 as Dr. Smith teaches the congregation in El Segundo.

And in the New Year we look forward to our mutual partnership to Encourage Achievement in Godly Leaders by Emphasizing Servanthood!

“We see that happening in the public school population among the young people here, and if we don’t set our sails to our future residents in this state, recognizing this change that’s occurring, we definitely will miss the boat,” Paden said. “There is no question in my mind that, not only here but all across our Southern Baptist Convention, changes are needed.

Eagles in Leadership would ask you to read the following paragraph very closely …

“We are basically an agrarian-structured denomination, and our structure and frame-work of our convention life have not changed very much, even though the world has changed significantly,” Paden added. “The geography from which our denomination was constructed was so limited, and now through electronic media and other ways, those lines have all gone, but we still maintain those structures.”

Urban centers are so radically different from agrarian society that we must think new thoughts if we are to do more than have a token presence in the city!

That’s our thoughts and we would love to hear yours!

<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>

Original quotes from an article entitled, CSBC task force to bring recommendations By Mark Kelly in the California Southern Baptist, Volume 70, October 2011, Number 10.

I know you will want to be there for the encouragement and inspiration the Word of God and the Spirit of God will bring along with the AMAZING John Scott leading worship!

He will speak that the 9:30 am worship service on the subject, It’s All About the Mission!

This powerful message will inspire you and encourage you to reach out to friends, family, and neighbors during the holiday season with the life-changing message of the Good News of Jesus Christ!

The church is located at 6251 S. Brainard Avenue, Countryside, IL 60525.

You are invited to attend and encouraged to bring family and friends!

For more information, you can contact the church at 708-354-6797.

On the web at http://www.brainardavenue.org/

For more than a decade, Big Daddy Weave has been one of Christian music’s most successful and musically compelling groups. Their songs, including hits like “In Christ,” “Audience of One,” “What Life Would Be Like,” “Every Time I Breathe,” “You Found Me” and “You’re Worthy Of My Praise,” have been among the genre’s most treasured.

Formed at the University of Mobile, the quintet—Mike Weaver, Jay Weaver, Joe Shirk, Jeremy Redmon and Jeff Jones—has earned a reputation both for the musical conviction that has carried their songs to the top of the charts and for the joy and passion that have made their live performances such moving and memorable experiences.

Big Daddy Weave has also compiled a stellar list of milestones: “One And Only” debuted in SoundScan’s Christian Top 5 and stayed in the Top 20 for six weeks; “In Christ” peaked at #2, stayed for 24 weeks on R&R’s AC chart, and became one of ASCAP’s 25 most performed songs of 2002; the group was nominated for a Dove Award as New Artist of the Year in 2002, honored at ASCAP’s Christian Music Awards in 2003 and 2004, chosen for the WOW Hits compilations in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011, and won a Dove Award for Christmas Album of the Year in 2010.

“The Ultimate Collection” summarizes the group’s career to this point and, with their new single “Love Come To Life,” points the way to one of music’s most promising futures.

Happy

Thanksgiving!

Remember that we show our thanks by the way we give!

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ” (Acts 20:35, ESV)

If you look and listen carefully, you will find many signs of the impending death of that local church. But, like many other topics in life, no one speaks of the elephant in the room. What are we avoiding?

#1 – Infrequent adult baptisms

Adult baptisms indicate conversions … life is happening on a missional level. When there have been few to none of these in the recent past, death is lurking at the door!

#2 – Reluctance to participate

Whatever the reason for the attitude, when people disengage from the ministry to and mission of the church, forward momentum ceases.

#3 – A desire to decide

Coupled with the reluctance to participate, an urban church often has to deal with people who would rather tell others how to live and do church. Such hypocrisy taints the spirit of the body and people flee such manipulation, thus shrinking the resources and size of the congregation even more.

#4 – Acceptance of entropy

With less, the church services and facilities deteriorate. Since the Gospel is “go and serve,” the urban church now stands as a statue to a by-gone era in the midst of a teeming metropolis of lost people.

#5 – A hostility towards innovation

Arthritis sets in to the small group left and any new movement causes an eruption of the inflammation that plagues God’s people. Stakeholders nix any new idea for fear what remains will be lost.

While no one seems to speak of these things, they are crushing the urban church. Innovation and a fresh wind of the Spirit are needed to restore the vision and mission of Jesus Christ in the local, urban church. Eagles In Leadership exists to help you live and thrive in the changing setting of your urban center. If you would like to learn more, feel free to contact us at admin[@]eaglesinleadership.org.