John Bishop's Blog

MOTHERS DAY.

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:09:54 -0700

Did you know that more cards are given out on Mothers Day (83% by daughters), and many restaurants report Mothers Day to be their busiest day. It is the second highest gift giving holiday in the United States (only to Christmas). It is the peak day for long distance phone calls. Statistically 96% of Americans recognize or celebrate Mothers Day.

Mothers Day.

The National Holiday first came about when President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill declaring the second Sunday in May a day to recognize and appreciate mothers. Cheers to the woman Anna Jarvis who, in remembering her mother's words, "I hope and pray that someone, sometime, will found a memorial mother’s day. There are many days for men, but none for mothers,” lobbied businessmen and three US presidents before the day was signed into legislation. Her mother founded "Mother's Work Day" to raise concerns in the Civil War torn West Virginia of poor health conditions. She believed the cause would be best advocated by mothers. Did you know, however that before 1914 two other women were key in creating a day to honor mothers? In the United States, Julia Ward Howe suggested the idea of Mother's Day in 1872.

Julia Ward Howe was a Boston poet, pacifist, suffragist, and author of the lyrics to the "Battle Hymn of the Republic." She organized a day encouraging mothers to rally for peace all over the world, since she believed they bore the loss of human life more harshly than anyone else. She invited mothers of all nationalities, races, and creeds to make a stand. Another woman, Juliet Calhoun Blakeley was a mother of three and a member of the temperance (prohibition) movement. On her 59th birthday, May 13th, 1877, three boys were found drunk on the streets of Albion, her hometown. One of the boys was Charles Daughterty, son of local Methodist minister Rev. Myron Daughterty, who was speaking at the Methodist Church. Rev. Daughtery began services at the church, but according to sources, "the grief which resulted from finding his son intoxicated the day before made it necessary for him to leave the pulpit before the services had been concluded." Juliet, who was in the front row, stepped up into the pulpit and urged mothers in the congregation to make a stand for the health and safety of their children and society. Two of her sons were travelling salesmen and as they entered a new city, urged the residents to commemorate this day as a day for honoring mothers because of what their mother had done.

I know of no other imprint on a persons life like the one a mom makes. Talk about sacrifice. Moms just do. When people are interviewed and asked the question, who has impacted your life the most of anyone, people always respond with my mom.

President Theodore Roosevelt recognized the power and value of mothers and wrote this "When all is said, it is the mother who is the better citizen than the soldier who for fights for his country. The successful mother, the mother who does her part in rearing and training aright the boys and girls who are to be men and women of the next generation is of greater use to the community and occupies a more honorable as well as a more important position than any man in it."

He went on to write, "The mother is the one supreme asset of the national life. She is far more important than the successful statesman, businessman, artist or scientist."

Proverbs 31 says, "we are to rise up and call her blessed."

So to all mothers who happen to read this blog. THANK YOU. Your imprint has touched the lives of everyone around you. In a series about success and status, I can't think of a position of more importance to our world. Thank you. We cannot erase your influence and appreciate you so much.

I love Mothers Day weekends.

John

MADE in China?

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Tue, 06 May 2008 13:18:56 -0700

I am sitting in my office looking at an HP printer that I can't quite figure out. My life. As I turn it over, trying to find instructions, I notice a little sticker. A product of China. Nice. Doesn't help me alot, but at least I know where it was "made".

Most everything we buy has a label or a tag that says "Made in China", Korea, USA or somewhere else in the world. A label that marks the product. Maybe it is a sticker, but inevitably you can always find the origination of something that was created, that you ended up with. The country of orgin, the place where the work happened. The factory it came from or the hands that made it.

I have NEVER picked something up, and questioned the authenticity of creation or origin.

It made me think of our new series, which is called Rockstar, and is all about image and identity and worth.

I was thinking how we were "made" or created by God Himself. Why is it that we never question where a printer or stuffed animal was made but we have this acute tendency to question where we were made, or who made us?

We talked about how, at creation, God spoke everything but one thing into existence. We are the only part of creation that was breathed into existence by God Himself. Created in the Image of God. The latin term is Imago Dei. It is something that is in you and has never or will never change. You were made in His image. It is the beginning point of our journey. The "made in..." part of the series. From here we will be able to hopefully learn some things and really unlearn some things.

The big thought for the weekend was "What you dance with is what you will eventually love the most." When our value or identity is about a car, a job, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, money, retirement or whatever you will eventually get your worth from that person or thing.

The Bible says your worth is settled. Created in God's image, and made new in Christ.

I for sure think it is one of the most difficult things to change, our self concept, but I really believe it really changes our lives the most.

Romans 12:2 says that we can let God transform us into a new person by changing the way we think. The principle works in every area of life. All change begins with first changing how we think.

When you change the way you think about God, you change how you think about yourself. Over time, as you change the way you think about yourself, you inevitably change the way you see people and love the people who were created in God's image.

Over the course of this critical series, we will be able to rest in the reality that our identity is in Christ alone. When we realize that we were "made" in the image of God, it settles two things. First, it settles our worth, and secondly, it elevates our attitude toward each other.

I was thinking about how in our world it is so easy to get our identity from our activity. Is that you?

When the day is over will we allow culture to push us or God to lead us?

Satan's most pervasive lie about our identity is: WHAT WE DO PLUS WHAT PEOPLE SAY EQUALS WHO WE ARE.

Our Image distortion becomes our mission distraction.

We were made to do good works. We get it backwards, thinking that good works bring value to our lives, when really the good works ought to reflect God's glory through our lives.

"We are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10

Not sure if you were able to see the service, but I love the Paul Potts story.

I see a community filled with people destined to do the GOOD, God things that He planned for us before He created the world.

Hopefully, together we can get a little further in our journey toward seeing and believing what God says about us.

This weekend, I want to talk about the moms, the ones who change our world because of their investment in their children. I think moms believe in us more than anyone else does or even could.

I LOVE MOTHER'S DAY AT LIVING HOPE. It is one of those precious weekends where we have the undeniable privilege of speaking into the lives of so many women and especially moms.

You probably won't want to miss the weekend.

John

Multi-site conference sessions

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:25:18 -0700

Here are the sessions from the conference we did in Seattle about Multi-Site.

People have asked for the ability to either watch or download, so thanks to Mars Hill you can do both.

Check it out. The first session is with Greg Ligon from Leadership Network (who sponsored the event), Mark Driscoll, Dave Browning and myself.

There is so much to learn, and I wanted to thank all of our volunteers who went up and served so faithfully and willingly. It was noticed.

Here is a link to the videos from the conference: http://theresurgence.com/multi-site_exposed

My most important campus

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 16:54:05 -0700

So officially this is the longest blog silence I think I have had (at least lately.....be nice).

I haven't had much success with internet in Mexico, and wanted to make quick connection.

Michelle and I got a bit delayed here. I know, how can you beat Cabo, but for her it was a necessity thing.

She was able to get in to see a doctor who specializes in tropical diseases etc. which sometimes can go undetected by American doctors. Some of you know she has been sick on and off now for over a year and we are not sure what is up, and what to do next concerning her health. Can I just say I have never met someone who complains less than she does. Over a year she has lost weight and really is sick a lot of the time. She has had over 40 or 50 different tests and no one knows, except God, what is wrong. Staying here of course meant that I couldn't be at church this weekend.

I was thinking and talking to a friend and praying with her and realized she is my most important campus. Seriously, no pun intended. If I could get her better by traveling to anywhere in the world, I would do it. The appointment went well, she had an ultrasound and some other tests. We will wait and see, but in the end, I am praying for her and with her more than ever.

Priorities in our lives will always determine capacities in our lives. It is a law we live by relationally, financially, vocationally and spiritually. What is the most important thing will be the first on the calender, the first in the finances, first in regards to your time and first in our relationships. For me, outside of Jesus, there is nothing and no one more important than Michelle. Don't pat me on the back, because the truth is it is SO easy to slip and get off center as to what matters. I have not done the best I can, or in fact have done and need to do better. We all need to be constantly reminded of priorities in every area of our lives.

If you can, pray for Michelle, and her health. AND for God to give some answers as to what we need to do next. Thanks.

That leads me to the next thing. When I contemplated having to stay for a few extra days here, I only called a few people outside of my kids. Dave, Danny, Missy and Rick.

Danny Joe. What a gift to Living Hope Church. He is such an incredible communicator and I simply want to say thanks to him, Dave and the weekend teams who once again did what they do best. I have heard so many amazing comments about the weekend. ONLY GOD.

See you this weekend. For real. We are starting a new series called "ROCKSTAR". I have heard from the creative teams some of the ideas and am excited.

John

FOR MEN ONLY

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:27:12 -0700

What if you thought your prayers could be hindered?

If you knew, wouldn't it make you think a little bit?

There is a verse that is spiritually profound in it's connection between relational harmony and our prayers being hindered.

"In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered." 1 Peter 3:7

I love that verse but frankly it is a bit overwhelming.

This year in December I will have been married 25 years to the person I love the most on this planet. That is the good news. The worst part is, when I look back over the course of all of those years, I have been a Christ follower for almost 20 of them. Jesus has completely, radically and really changed our marriage. He has been the difference. BUT (don't you hate the 'but' in a sentence sometimes???) how often were my prayers hindered BECAUSE I was being a flippin jerk? How often did I think God was answering or would answer and because of the way I was treating the woman I am married to, whom God has blessed my life with, in reality my prayers were being hindered?

God's Word has made a huge impact in my life. This one key for us guys would change so much. I think one of the most relationally important principles is simple understanding. Often we just are pursuing "being right" when in reality we are called to "be one". To understand, to love, to respect, to honor and as always when we do our part, God promises to do His part.

So, ya, we can't change the past, but we certainly can change today.

Have a great day.

John

Words to a church

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 12:10:57 -0700

I was reading this morning in my Bible. It is a real good thing for a pastor to be about reading the Bible.....

Paul wrote 4 letters to a church in Corinth. We only have two of them in the cannon of Scripture. The church at Corinth was weak and struggled in their faith. The two letters we have are very encouraging, but for them it was very corrective. Paul had connection with this church, and because of his connection to them, he was able to give appropriate correction to them. 1 Corinthians was sent to them to answer questions about specific moral issues like sex and marriage.

This morning I was reading in 2 Corinthians (which was Paul's fourth and last letter to the church). The key verse is "We are Christ's ambassadors, and God is using us to speak to you. We urge you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you. 'be reconciled to God!'" (2 Corinthians 5:20)

If you have time, read the letter. It is an intensely personal letter, with words of both love and exhortation. Many of the people heard and responded to his previous letter, but because of their wavering faith they were drifting and losing heart and listening to false teaching. I am reading it lately in my devotions. If you can, read it. It is a good and short book. It is 13 chapters.

In chapter 11 is one of the verses that has kept me focused and grounded over the last couple years.

"...But I fear that somehow you will be led away from your pure and simple devotion to Christ, just as Eve was deceived by the serpent." 2 Corinthians 11:3

They did it. Eve did it Truth is we all do it.

We are led away or drift from what matters because of our agendas, our fears, our inability to listen to God. We drift because we get "caught" up in so much that seems good that we miss what is best.

Pure and simple devotion to Jesus.

What isn't pure that needs to be?

What isn't simple that could be?

I hope you allow God to speak to you. The moments we are still become the moments that change things the most. Battles are decided sometimes in the moments before it begins.

Excited for the future.

Paul closes with these words.

"I close my letter with these last words: Rejoice. Change your ways. Encourage each other. Living in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you." 2 Corinthians 13: 11

I just love that. Maybe in fact those are the "simple" and "pure" things that we are called back to? Maybe somehow that is what we get led away from?

Hope you are having a good day.

John

Seattle Conference (DAY TWO)

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:21:43 -0700

Quick updates from the conference here in Seattle.

This was the first of three multi-site conferences led by Leadership Network in the country for this year. www.multisiteexposed.com

I think it went pretty well. The volunteers were good, the facility supported the vision well, the speakers delivered well and the leadership (Greg Ligon, Todd Rhoades and Missy Hannon) did a great job keeping things on task. Can't wait to hear about what ONLY GOD will do in the next couple gatherings of church leaders who are talking and learning together about the multi-site movement.

Tueday AM Main Session: Dave Browning. Christ the King Community Church. This church really gets it. I love the heart of a man who simply wants to do what God wants and in and through the vision of simplicity, is willing to risk and challenge status quo to reach people for God's Kingdom. Dave Browning is a guy that I could hang out with. If you are in the Bellingham area, I would recommend visiting their church. (Heck check out their website, I guess I would say any area). Their model is vastly different, yet far reaching. It is both simple and complex at the same time. Multiple campuses, multiple countries. Good session. I enjoyed hearing Dave's heart.

Break-out Session #1. Our creative team did a great job this morning. The core people in the team are such gifted artists. Dave Clinton, Danny Joe Clinton, Teresa Petker, Carly Major and Erin Clinton. They shared how everyone is creative, not everyone is an artist. George talked about translating creativity from our "Saturday Scramble" to the campuses the next day. They talked also about campus creativity and translate-ability. Very good, practical session. There were so many really good questions and the team did a stupendous job (good word, huh) of talking in a practical, helpful, inspiring and encouraging way. It was really good.

Most all of our leaders taught break-out sessions. Technology, Kids Ministry, etc. I couldn't make it to very many... SO PROUD OF OUR TEAMS.

Break-out Session #2. After Lunch I had a basic Q and A about leadership mistakes I have made over the years. First question, in my break-out, "What is the greatest strength and greatest weakness of your life." I asked are we talking personal or ministry? He said "BOTH".

1. Church Victory/Success: I am grateful that we have stayed on target. Reaching lost people with a sense of authentic desperation. From day one, through criticism, people leaving the church and lots of changes, the one thing I feel the best about is we haven't got too much mission drift. The other thing is our team. I have always held a strong conviction and dream to do church with people I love the most for the rest of my life. One life, right? God has honored those two things and for that I would say we have had ONLY GOD "success"

2. Church failures. I would say the times where we "planned" and left out God.

3. Personal victory/success: Without hesitation I shared that outside of my relationship with Jesus Christ, the greatest success in my life is being married to Michelle for 25 years (this December). SO EXCITED. I go to her first when I need support, prayer or advice. I call her different times most every day. We pray for each other lately more than ever. Ya. Pretty much, not sure there is a victory that I want to brag about more in a God honoring way.

4. Personal failure. Let me begin with saying that mostly our strengths (mostly) will play to our weaknesses. One of my few strengths is drive fast, go full speed, turn on a dime, change things, interacting with our teams, etc. Also, I am pretty high on the relational side of things. The weakness is I HAVE NO BALANCE. I want to and am working on it, but just isn't there yet. I never know when to shut off the phone. The truth is who gets hurt most are my family. Failure? NO DOUBT.

I shared, and people asked questions. I did my best to give answers. Other than the room being like 119 degrees, it was good.

Main Session #4: Mark Driscoll, Mars Hill Church: Mark shared some incredibly helpful thoughts about the theological, philosophical and historical contextualization of the multi site movement. Good information. He gave a good working definition of what the church is and isn't.

Thanks to all the pastors and church leaders who came to the conference. My personal goal is that hopefully there was value added to their ministries and are going home "the way they came" to talk, pray, implement and think about the local church AND LISTEN TO ONLY GOD.

After the conference, most of the campus pastors headed to a Mariners game. My first time ever in Safeco field. We got there late, so the ticket prices were $8.00 each. That's the good part. Mariners won the game. That is good and maybe even stupendously good. Not bad, except for the rain blowing in sideways. I wonder if it rains sideways anywhere else in the world? Baseball is difficult to stay focused on. I know, although thoroughly an american thing, it can be marginally boring.

Wasn't about the game for me, but who I was able to hang out with. We are packing up, getting ready to head home.

Everyone from Living Hope. You did really good. God was honored and pastors and leaders were encouraged and challenged.

John

Seattle Conference (DAY ONE)

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 00:50:35 -0700

Hey. Thanks for your prayers.

I wanted to give a quick update for the first day of the conference.

First, Mars Hill has a kller building (their Ballard campus) and I appreciate their willingness to host the conference.

Second. Thanks to Missy, Maria, Dondi, Marlette, Diane, Marlene and SO many others who served, volunteered, etc to make the conference what it seems to becoming.

Also, thanks to our worship team who sacrificed a bunch to be here and serve these pastors. Thanks to everyone. Worship was a out of the part home run. It made the difference.

Third. Leadership Network rocks. They are all about helping to connect local churches and pastors and innovative thought. I am pumped to be part of what God is doing through their ministry.

Fourth. Mark Driscoll and Dave Browning are pretty much amazingly smart and gifted guys who are affecting changes everywhere. I felt pretty honored and humbled to be on the platform with two guys who are on their game, staying focused and obedient to what God wants for their lives. I am pretty pumped about their sessions Tuesday. Dave is in the AM and Mark is in the afternoon.

Our "collecdtive" session was insightful and fun. I just pray for value added to the pastors who have traveled from as far away as Miami Florida to learn from our churches.

The main session I was able to teach went well. Main thing.....Glad it is over. I gave what I had, but am super excited to be done.

One more day and then we will head home.

Our campus pastors just might have to see a Mariners Game?

John

The home of Starbucks.

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:15:44 -0700

Some of our team is in Seattle now, some will be on their way bright and early.

I am excited that Phil Baker from Perth Australia will be joining us to hang out and go to the Multisiteexposed.com conference. Phil is probably one of the best communicators I have ever heard.

I was thinking about Leadership Network. They are pretty much on their game as they support churches and bring ministries together. I know my life is better because of men of God like Warren Bird, Greg Ligon and so many others...

Thanks to EVERYONE from Living Hope who is here or will be on their way here to invest into the life of pastors and church leaders.

Still a few details to work out. I think about what to teach and really think about ONLY GOD.

Today I talked about faith expressing itself in a few different ways.

Faith that WORKS (Noah building an Ark for 120 years...)

Faith that WAITS (Abraham and Sarah trusted God to fulfill a promsie, against all odds....)

Faith that WALKS (Moses and so many others 'walked' out their faith. .... or didn't

Faith that WINS (Joshua. Love his heart. Love his extreme military strategy. March around the walls of Jericho for 7 days and the walls will fall down....)

Mostly what I love about the stories in Scripture is that they are pretty average people, messed up and YET they risked everything they had.

We will never know what God would do UNTIL we step into the waters of what God COULD do.

Pray for us. I love hanging out with pastors. I love that our campus pastors will get to 'maybe' see a Mariners game. Not so much a baseball guy, but I love hanging out with friends.

See you later.

JOHN

Multisite Conference!

johnbishop@kuzoa.com (John Bishop) — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:03:06 -0700

Volunteers are stuffing programs for the conference next Monday and Tuesday. The staff and teams are preparing for the break-out sessions they will be leading. I am working on my talks, and planning to drive to Seattle Sunday after services.

So, two years ago as we were "learning" to be a campus focused church, we are today still "learning" to be one church in multiple locations, now in multiple countries.

Key words...... STILL LEARNING.

I am pretty nervous to speak at the Multisite Exposed conference at Mars Hill Church in Seattle next week, and to hang out with our teams and other pastors and leaders who love the beauty of the local church. I am excited to learn from the other speakers, and I'll be sharing with pastors who are curious and have questions about what it means to be a multisite church. I know, for us, campuses have changed the face of Living Hope.

Campuses have allowed our church to grow smaller and larger at the same time. When I get to visit our campuses I enjoy seeing the community, friendships, and outreach that they do. Each one is all unique, but all campuses have the Living Hope DNA.

The conference begins Monday, and we are so excited to share what ONLY GOD has done with other pastors and their teams.

Please pray for our teams and also for the people driving or flying to Seattle. I pray that God will speak to every leader and that every leader will listen to God.

Thank you to everyone who belongs to a campus and calls it their church home. Thank you to the campus pastors and their teams. Great meeting today with the campus leaders. Excited about the conference. Well, I am "nervously" excited to share and excited to learn.

To know more about the conference just click here.