Deep Thoughts by Gman

Three Books I'm currently reading.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:39:00 +0000

They say every leader is a reader. So here is what I am currently reading. What are you currently reading?

How the Disciples Began and Grew - MM Davis - A book Review!

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:58:00 +0000

I just finished reading "A short History of the Christian Church" published in 1915.

Several things stood out to me especially the quote from President Johnson of former Johnson Bible College now Johnson University ... pg. 171;

"President Johnson says we must do one of two things: train more preachers, or become a 'disappearing brotherhood' amd he prefers the former, and is doing his part in preacher-training." How true a Statement!!! Even for the 21st Century over 97 yrs later.

The other thing that stood out to me was on pg. 192

"Canada now has 100 churches, 10, 000 members, 90 ministers ..."

I don't know if that is true for today. (I'll have to do some research - but thinking it is less thus more of a mission field needed)

I loved reading this book, couldn't put it down. It helped this reader give reason why He loves the Restoration Movement and part of the plea ... and being who God called us to be.

May we stand firm on the principles of God's Word.

Not a Fan Series: More Than Rules.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 17:46:00 +0000

There is more than rules to Christianity. Fans have rules. Followers go beyond the rules ....

Rules tend to hinder and make a religion. Jesus wants a relationship. Rules define, and bound. A relationship is ongoing, and consuming.... helping the journey, not hindering the outcome.

So this week - we look at why Christianity, Jesus, and the Bible is more than rules ....

Cell phones in Church

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 22:50:00 +0000

Shows I Watch Today.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Here are some TV shows I occasionally like watching:

10. America's Funniest Videos

9. World's Dumbest ....

8. Psych

7. Shipping Wars

6. American Pickers

5. Pawn Stars

4. Ice Road Truckers

3. Lizard Lick Towing

2. Today show

1. Storage Wars.

What Shows do you watch?

Top 10 Movies I've seen Several Times!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:53:00 +0000

Not including certain movies based upon books (LOTR, Chronicles, Potter) Here are films I've seen again and again and can quote lines from

10. Footloose. (Original)

9. Spaceballs.

8. Field of Dreams.

7. Princess Bride

6. Indiana Jones and Last Crusade (Exception to the Rule ... but best of the movies)

5. Way of the Dragon (Aka Return of the Dragon)

4. A Christmas Story

3. Superman

2. Bill N. Ted's Excellent Adventure

1. Lost Boys.

Weird assortment of movies looking over the list.

Top 10 Sports Movies.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:44:00 +0000

These are movies I watch again and again. Notice a few based on true stories.

10. A League of their Own.

9. Rudy.

8. Remember the Titans

7. Miracle

6. Field of Dreams

5. Major League

4. Slap Shot

3. Mighty Ducks

2. Rocky

1. Hoosiers

Top 10 Christmas Movies

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 01:38:00 +0000

Everyone loves a Christmas movie (Even up to a month later)

Here are my Top 10:

10. Die Hard

9. Christmas Vacation

8. Scrooged.

7. Home Alone

6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

5. White Christmas

4. Miracle on 34th Street (Original)

3. The Nativity

2. The Polar Express

1. A Christmas Story

What are your Favourites?

A Minister and a Taxi Driver.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:43:00 +0000

A taxi driver and a minister arrived at heavens gates at the same time. The taxi driver was given a beautiful suite of rooms while the minister got just a tiny cubicle of a room.

The minister said, I just dont get it. All he did was drive a cab and I was in the ministery for years.

He was told by St. Peter: Up here we go by results. While you preached, people slept, while he drove, people prayed.

(I told this story on Sunday)

Not a Fan Series: The Comfortable Cross

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:32:00 +0000

In preparing for this week's message I couldn't get this song out of my head. (Michael W. smith's Cross of Gold)

this week we look at the meaning behind the cross, and why we are so comfortable with it?

Hope you can join us.

Not a Fan: Choosing Intimacy

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:28:00 +0000

This week we look at Luke 7 and the relationship God wants with us ..... as we continue on our journey to be Followers, not Fans of Jesus.

Precious Memories of Cathy Reese Newcomer.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Catherine M. Newcomer

I just finished reading Cathy Reese Newcomer's 3 books Precious Memories series.

(From Boonsboro Mountain) (The Rest of the Way) (A New Life).

I must say it gave me a great insight to Cathy's life and her family and people I serve near South mountain and the surrounding area. Her stories brought life, joy, and yet some tears.

The way she talkied about her mother, her family, and how God was in the midst of it all. It was a joy to have met Cathy and known her even though she was struggling with illness these last 3years of her life.

I do know her family and friends loved her. Charlie did as well.

It was good to hear stories about Janet Swain, Bryan Bailey and others that I can say I know that person. The testimony she leaves is one on how she depended on God and now is in the arms of a loving Savior. Thanks Cathy for the Precious Memories .... maybe your children will write Precious Memories 2.0

What Pastors Wish Church Members knew.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:12:00 +0000

I had just picked up this book ... and really couldn't put it down. I would recommend to any of my church members.

The book is broken into 3 section on the Church Leader's Life:

I. Personal Life.

II. the Church

III. The World and Community.

The conclusion is that the church leader takes their calling seriously. Ministry is tough. It isn't meant for sissies. It is also rewarding. Church leaders aren't perfect; but serve a perfect God. Sometimes we need to remind people of that.

The Pastor's Handbook.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:08:00 +0000

I just finished reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It really is a handbook and great resource. I wish I had this resource and book when I was in Bible College. I remember taking a class entitled: Life and Work of the Minister. This book definitely needs to be recommended reading for any student now and those currently in the ministry.

The book goes over the ministry of the church leader. From Church organization, programs, calling and how one handles different issues. A good resource for any preacher to have in their library.

9 Marks of a Healthy Church

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:05:00 +0000

So for my Fusion (Church Leaders' monthly Group of Church Leaders
that gets together to discuss, pray, and meet together about the challenges in ministry)we were to read this book.

The Nine Marks being:

I. Expositional Preaching.

II. Biblical Theology.

III. The Gospel.

IV. Understanding of Conversion

V. Evangelism

VI. Church Membership

VII. Church Discipline

VIII. Concern for Discipleship and Growth.

IX. Church Leadership.

(though truth be told I think a lot of these marks go together and are hard to separate one from another ....).

I liked the book at first, but it got a little dry and redundant in the middle. I liked what Dever had to say ... some of it was very well taken. The last Appendix of Tips for leading Healthy Churches in the Right Direction is worth the price of the book. what books are you currently reading?

The Failure of Youth Ministry.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:23:00 +0000

The experiment of youth ministry is a failure. Few will say it. Few will say it has flatlined or could do better. But the ole youth ministry of glorified babysitting, games, gimmicks, and glamour is over. Some of the parachurch organizations and that of Youth Ministry 1.0 "If you build it ... they will come" had died. Youth Ministry 2.0 being about this "Youth pastor - Youth group" is still hanging on but slowly people see it dying. And then people are seeing well, what about Youth Ministry 3.0 or beyond?

Let's face it - the experiment has died. What youth need is not another program, group, activity. What youth ministry needs ius to stop being well, youth ministry. Youth Ministry needs to go beyond that of just youth lead, or youth leader lead; but help both adults and students instead of being separated from the church to be well, The Church. Afterall, that is what students are - the Church.

You won't find too much about "Youth Ministry" programs in the Bible .... but what you will find is people's lives transformed - both young and old - and being changed for Jesus.

So let's quit pretending youth ministry is ok .... and its about the status quo or about reaching more students.

How about instead of being this program based gimmick ... we give adults and students - the opportunity to be the Church to their community? To be Jesus' hands and feet to others.

Hmmm, I'm all in; are you?

Oh, those Bereans!!

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:15:00 +0000

Acts 17:11

New International Version (NIV)

"Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

The Bereans did three things:

I. Evaluated themselves. They compared themselves and tried to make themselves better and be of more noble character.

II. Examined the Scriptures. They examined to see if what their leader said was true.

III. Established rapport with their leader. They encouraged their leader to see what was true, and also was encouraging to him, because they didn't just take his word for it; but were in the WORD.

Don't you wish more people in our churches would be more like the Bereans??

Not a Fan Series

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 17:01:00 +0000

So I kicked off our "Not a Fan" series this week. This week's sermon was on Fan or Follower. You see "Not a Fan" is more than a slogan - it's a movement of sorts. By definition a fan(n)/faen/: an enthusiastic admirer. The church seems to be full of fans. We don't want to be just fans of Jesus, but a Complete, committed follower. So as God's people, I hope they declare that they are "Not a fan" but a follower of Jesus and able to tell the difference.

This Sunday we talk about the "Open Invitation" that Jesus gives to us.

Cat Litter Cake and some Cookies

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:55:00 +0000

So my wife made a Cat Litter cake for my Son's Birthday so we brought to the New Year's Eve Party at Church. The Cookies are actually dog biscuits that a friend had. Such unusual items ... don't you think?

so what is the most unusual cake or cookies you ever ate?

'Twas the Nite Before Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:12:00 +0000

I wrote a few years ago a parody about "twas the Nite before Youth Ministry" and revised for ministry and from a preacher perspective ...Here is the Result:

'Twas the Nite Before Ministry,

When all through the church
Not a person was stirring, not even a preacher.
The budget minutes were done for the year with care.
In hopes that funds for the ministry next year would be there.
The church-goers had gone. All full of themselves.
With visions of only thinking of Thyself.
Some people wanted the last say on everything.
And there was alaways that one person that had to be right on every theological thing.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter.
Several of us had sprung out of the church to see what was the matter.
As we entered the church parking lot What did we see?
But Angry people wanted everything for FREE!

More rapid than insults, the crowd made demands.
They had expectations of what they thought ministry looked like and added their demands.

They started to name the Mega Churches by Name by name:

"Now We want to be like Saddleback, Willow Creek and such .... maybe through Joel Osteen and that Henny Guy as such ... so it could put our own preacher to shame ..."

"To the top of the denomination, to the top of the glee of the crowd, we'd rather have glorified ministry and we want it now."

So as the demands of the parents, full of themselves ....
Several others had cried as the silly demands had abound.

Ministry is not a thing dressed up and made good.
It sometimes speaks of sex, drinking and peer pressure other sins to repent of as one should.

It isn't about looking cool.
Or even having a Dodge Viper or Hummer or 2.

Ministry is sometimes about stuff you don't have a clue.

It's about Jesus, church, loving God and others too.
And not another marketing tool.

All of the gimmicks make me want to laugh.
"Teach like Jesus" or get this item for half price and have your church grow without having the Spirit in it at all!

O the marketing - be the next Mega Thing rather than
Be Who God created you to be and not something else.

When will we learn?
When will we turn from this ministry as glorified thing?

Then I knew I had nothing to dread.
Jesus loved me, instead of these angry people instead.

Jesus spoke such kindness and did such a good work.
He gave of Himself, and never was a jerk.
He was born as God's Son.
Human became.
Loved, died, rose, and is Coming Again!

As I think of Jesus, Ministry and all ....
Its about being the church
And not this programming call.
So the next time someone gives you a complain.
Turn to them and proudly proclaim:

"I serve my Christ offering Him to all;
Love God and others is my Call."

Thus Ministry is a calling and not sort of thing.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Parody by Gerrard R. Fess.

Copyright 2011 Permission granted to share everywhere just note the author

A Crowder Christmas Carol!

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0000

The Christmas Eve Invite

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:25:00 +0000

Two Plays - Two Different Audiences. One Reason.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:42:00 +0000

So Sunday night we had our Children's Christmas Play at our congregation. Great job by all the children and Heather for directing it. The play was Star of Wonder. Seeing the Christmas Story through the Stars' view.

On Monday night we had our children's public school put on a choral performance for the holidays. It was called Once Upon a Housetop. Very amusing play - goes through a lot of the holiday traditions ....... interesting how it presented Jesus as well.

May all we do this season and throughout the year always point to Jesus.

The Simplicity of Christmas.

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:29:00 +0000

There are alot of assumptions and misconceptions about Christmas and Christ's birth.

The facts are we don't know where exactly Jesus was born other than Bethlehem. We know the magi didn't arrive the night Jesus was born. And sometimes we mix up some of the traditions and legends with facts. (Donkeys, drummer boy, angels singing were added)

Here is the simple fact that is summed up in scripture though:

Matt. 1:21 "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins."

Why do Bad Things happen to Good people?

noreply@blogger.com (Gerrard Fess) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 15:46:00 +0000

I get this question a lot. In fact I ask it myself. Why? why is there sin? Why do bad things happen?

Things I've asked myself:

1. Why did my friend have to die?

2. Why was my friend murdered?

3. Why did my Dad die?

4. Why did this disaster happen? (And the several I've helped with from 9-11 to several natural disasters)

5. Why do Christians sometimes shoot their own?

6. Why is this person going through this? (Social, mental, physical, spiritual issue)

And in answering I'm careful to not use some pat answer and say

I. It was for the best.

II. It was God's will.

III. It was for God's purpose and quote Romans 8:28

IV. I understand how you feel (Because really you don't)

One can empathize and relate but you are not that person; nor had that relationship that person did with the other.

So what is the answer:

I. I don't know.

II. I'm here for you.

III. I'll be praying.

IV. I know God's in control and will be praying.

V. Scriptures like: Job, and 2 Cor. 1:1-11. Knowing God uses others and others went through trials and tribulations as well.

VI. You are not alone.(See above)

VII. Just being there and listening and the ministry of Presence speaks volumes.

VIII. Be encouraging without being self-righteous.

In my own faith journey of this battle and continuing process of the "Why?" I've come to the "Why not?" and trusting God more.

such books as:

CS Lewis' The Problem of Pain.

The Four Things That Matter Most - Ira Byock

Tracks of a Fellow Struggler - John Claypool