Last week, while I was an assessor at the ConvergeUSA Church Planting Assessment Center, I met fellow assessor and pastor, Jason Helveston. Jason is a church planter in San Jose, CA, and he is doing a great job at reaching the people of his city. We immediately had a kindred spirit and enjoyed visiting as well as picking each others brains….what brains I have left!
Today I read his blog and so much of it reminded me of some of our discussions last week in San Diego, CA, that I had to share them with you.
So this week’s addition of my weekly blog will actually be written by a guest blogger. Jason, thanks for insight, creativity and friendship. May God richly bless your work there in San Jose!
Jason writes:
We are all pretty good at diagnosing previous generations' shortcomings. From where we sit it's easy to find the weaknesses in our parents' parenting, our grandparents' retirement plans, and their parents' medical practices. For better or worse each new generation is fully aware of their own supposed progress. For instance this current generation has righteously advanced beyond spanking their children and has unapologetically developed a pill for everything from headaches to energy depletion. How great are we?
This recurring and collective perspective is known as generational arrogance or generational superiority. It's the assumption of each new group of humans that they are more enlightened, more educated, stronger, faster, and at the end of the day, better than the last. Sometimes we're right. Sometimes we're wrong. And regretfully this ubiquitous tendency shows no variance between the greater culture and the Christian church.
A few years ago I transitioned from the ranks of laity and became a professional Christian--aka a pastor. When I became a pastor I thought the role was pretty straight forward. Can you blame me? I only had one pastor for my entire life--my dad. So not only were my definitions of pastor and dad understandably interwoven, but "pastor" was strictly defined by who my dad was and the pastoral things he did.
Over the course of a few years I started learning and exploring varying approaches and examples of pastoral ministry. As I looked, I discover a simple truth: there are multiple ways to do church and multiple expressions of the pastoral role. That may not seem like a life-altering epiphany. But to me--who pretty much went to one church and knew one pastor my whole life--it was big news. But it was also a bit troubling.
For the first time I was faced with a vocational identity crisis. What kind of pastor was I? What kind of pastor did I want to be? I never had to answer those questions before (and I'm still answering them by the way).
I'm sure everyone has to answer questions like these at some point in their own professional journeys. Most people are introduced to a particular field by a mentor, teacher, or parent who represents a certain approach to the job. Consequently the work is largely enmeshed with the mentor. In fact initially they're pretty much the same thing. However when you gain increased exposure you inevitably realize that there are different approaches to the same job.
You also realize something else--there is a foundation, basics that make a particular job that job. Some things about a vocation are non-negotiable. If you take away certain elements of a profession it ceases to be that profession.
A teacher must teach.
A painter needs to use paint.
A NASCAR driver has to know how to drive a car (and drink PBR).
A farmer must own a ton of overalls.
Though it is vital to uniquely express yourself in your work, there are certain things that must remain.
In my process, I came across a lot of different pastoral examples. Large scale CEO pastors. Reserved country pastors. Renegade tattoo, gaming pastors. Quite steady kind-of-like-your-grandpa pastors. And young hipster utility-shirt pastors. For whatever reason I was drawn to a group of pastors that used the word "missional" like a common. Everything was about engaging real people in real life. I loved it.
I soon discovered that the missional mindset was (and is) a pseudo-response to previous generations' lack of focus, understanding, and attention for unchurch folks. Rather, as the criticism goes, churches in the past have been overly enthralled with buildings, budgets, and pot-lucks and neglected the least, last, and the lost. A lot of that sounded right to me. So I jumped on board. I became a "missional" pastor--at least in my mind.
Being “missional” meant being focused on and moving toward the people left out of previous generations' philosophies of ministry. It meant knowing my neighbors, serving the poor, and finding and alleviating practical needs. It meant getting out of my office and pounding the pavement of the city. Meeting people. Helping people. Hanging out with people. And telling people about Jesus. This was all really good stuff.
However in my evolving construct of what it meant for me to be a pastor, I think I neglected certain fundamental aspects of what it meant to be a pastor. I became a unique expression of the position, but in that development I neglected the core of what a pastor is.
The office became a bad place.
The people who were already coming to church became secondary.
Sunday morning became less important.
And potlucks became ridiculous.
In my over-caffeinated “missional” pastor identity I stopped being or even wanting to be a shepherd. Shepherding is foundational to the pastoral job description! When you stop loving, caring for, feeding, discipling, and just being with the people, you are no longer a pastor.
I know it might sound crazy, but I think that's one thing the previous generation got right.
This week I am privileged to be in San Diego, CA at the ConvergeUSA Church Planting Assessment Center where I am a part of assessing nine potential church planting couples. I absolutely love doing this. I love seeing the potential in couples who are ready to embark on what I believe is the greatest ride in life: Church Planting.
We started Monday at noon and will wrap up Thursday night. It is so cool to look back at when Sarah and I were assessed by this same organization back in 2006. It is also cool to see how far God has brought us and COC since that time. I am also re-fueled by the passion I see in these couples lives for reaching people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I am not only assessing but I am representing Greg and ConSonya Owens at the assessment center as potential Converge Southwest church planters on the 380 Corridor as they have such a desire to reach the African-American culture of our communities. I am super excited to see what God is doing in their lives as well as praying about what part God would have COC play in this endeavor. Please be praying for the Owens as well as myself as this week could very well be one of the defining moments in their ministry lives.
This Sunday at COC we kick off our Project 1:8 Missions Emphasis Month. We have some great things in store this month as we continue to be witnesses for Jesus Christ not only in North Texas but also around the world. I am super stoked to have my dear friend, Pastor Jerry Thorpe, with us this Sunday to kick our month long missions emphasis off. We will have missionaries to the Dominican Republic, the Netherlands and East Asia with us this month. Don't miss your opportunity to help build the Kingdom of God with these great servants of Christ.
Have a great week and don't forget to pray for the Owens as well as myself as we wrap up the assessment center at the end of this week.
This Sunday at COC we wrap our 4G Challenge month with the last G.
The last G that actually complements and takes GIVE to the next level….
GO…. “We, the church, have to GO!”
RADICAL FOLLOWERS of JESUS… “Go”
FANS of JESUS….Sit in the stands and watch those who are “Going”
Radical Followers understand that in their ordinary state they can be used to do extra ordinary things.
When I was a kid….everyone went to church….WELL MOST everyone.
We found Jesus by walking into the doors of any local Bible believing / Bible preaching church.
However, that is NOT the case TODAY!
We can’t wait for THEM (a lost and dying world) to walk into our doors…..We have to walk THROUGH theirs!
So what is or what are some was COC is being Jesus to our community…..Not just on Sunday?
1. We will never meet anyone that cannot be used by a Great & Merciful God!
9 or 90….God’s got something BIG for you to do in HIS name.
“I can’t” for whatever reason is simply a lie of the Devil.
Maybe for you it’s: “Well you don’t know what I did or who I once was.”
You’re right, I don’t…..But I know a Savior who does.
If he can restore a denying disciple named Peter who became an incredible witness of Jesus….He can use you.
2. FOUND People FIND People….. PERIOD….No matter how….Just find them!
Fishers of men FISH…..and by the way skilled fishermen do something very unique….They study the FISH they are trying to catch.
We did the same thing here at COC.
Shortly after starting this church we began to study the FISH of our community….We FOUND that the kids of our community were a BIG DEAL and their SPORTS even bigger.
Now since we are such skilled spiritual anglers we dove into a little Sports Ministry called UPWARD.
After 3 seasons of Football / Cheerleading & 2 seasons of Soccer well over 100 salvations (That’s fish) and our church has grown well over 150 due to Upward.
3. We will never come across anyone who isn’t the object of God’s love and concern!
The problem is that most of the time when we come across them….we are just too busy to notice their need.
This happened to me a little less than a year ago.
March 2011, sitting in the Ignite Church Planters Conference in Phoenix, AZ listening to Reggie McNeal bring the word….I mean bring the word.
He starts talking stuff like not just spiritual fishing but actually meeting the physical needs of those in your community….in particular the kids in our public school.
He states that on average 82% of the kids on the reduced or free lunch program are not eating on the weekends.
Reggie McNeal simply said, “Hey church, hey Pastors, one question, WHY?”
This rocked my world.
I told God, I don’t when it will start or how we’ll get it done….But I’ll make sure it gets done in my world on the 380 Corridor
So in November 2011 COC launched our POWER PACK PROGRAM.
Power Packs simply places food in the backpacks of these kids every other Friday so that they will have food to eat each weekend of every month.
The latter verses of Matt 28 is actually referred to as the: GREAT COMMISSION
It is our marching orders….It's what Jesus has left for us to do before He returns.
No FOLLOWER is excluded from this COMMISSION.
FANS….only participate until it gets to tough….until the price gets too high.
FOLLOWERS…..They are ALL IN….No quit in them when it comes to the COMMISSION!
Reality….All of us have the ability to be Jesus to someone in some shape, form or fashion.
Who has Jesus called you to GO to and what means has he given to you to FISH?
All you have to do is simply take the CHALLENGE & GO!
The crew at COC Metro is now well into, "The 4G Challenge!"
That's right....we started the year at COC Metro with a CHALLENGE! We have always been a church that was up to any CHALLENGE and this year is no different.
The 4G Challenge is simply getting back to the basics of the original vision that COC Metro started out with over four years ago. Our church was and will always be about Jesus and his life changing message.
In regards to that message, COC Metro, will always exist for those outside our church walls. We must always be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium. We must keep focused and sold out to the dream of making HIS name more famous on the 380 Corridor....not ours!
So, I have taken the month of January, to challenge myself as well as the great people of COC Metro on the issue of complacency. I am asking them to join me in stepping up the level of our commitment. Commitment ~ Not to the church.....but rather to the one who died for the church.
So this week.....we are looking at the challenge of 90 days of GIVING.
COC Metro is committing as a group of sold out (RADICAL ~ DANGEROUS) Followers of Christ to give of our time, talents and yes our treasures for the next 90 days leading to a lifestyle and lifetime change.
When speaking on the term GIVING, we need to look at this in two aspects:
COC WILL “GIVE” THROUGH STEWARDSHIP BECAUSE…
1. It's God's plan to finance the local church.
2. It's an act of obedience to God's command.
COC WILL “GIVE” THROUGH SERVICE BECAUSE…
1. It keeps us humble.
2. We grow secure in Christ by using our gifts and talents.
3. We are wiser when we are servers.
Are you ready to get crazy, radical, dangerous and become a FOLLOWER not a FAN of Jesus.
It's time to go to the next level. Let's do it.
Last Sunday, I launched my first message series of 2012, "The 4G Challenge!" That's right....we started the year at COC Metro with a CHALLENGE! We have always been a church that was up to any CHALLENGE and this year is no different.
The 4G Challenge is simply getting back to the basics of the original vision that COC Metro started out with now over four years ago. Our church was and will always be about Jesus and his life changing message. In regards to that message, COC Metro, will always exist for those outside our church walls. We must always be fishers of men, not keepers of the aquarium. We must keep focused and sold out to the dream of making HIS name more famous on the 380 Corridor....not ours!
It's so easy for a church to relax and rest in it's past victories. It's so easy to just take it easy. It's so easy to be Easy Like Sunday Morning. Growth (numerical & financial), blessings, success, routine.....it can all lead to the danger of complacency.
It is a known fact, in the church world, that attacks from the outside cannot destroy the church but complacency on the inside can be a cancer that eventually kills the passions and life of any great church.
So, I have taken the month of January, to challenge myself as well as the great people of COC Metro on the issue of complacency. I am asking them to join me in stepping up the level of our commitment. Commitment ~ Not to the church.....but rather to the one who died for the church.
So this week.....we are looking at Gathering & Growing.
Gathering: Going to church / worshipping with brothers and sisters in Christ.
Growing: It is exactly what it is.....GROW UP in Christ.
COC Metro is committing as a group of sold out (RADICAL ~ DANGEROUS) Followers of Christ to not miss church for 13 weeks.
We are also committing to GROW in our faith by being involved in a G2 Life (Discipleship) Group for the next 90 days as well as read the entire New Testament between now and Easter 2012.
I am convinced if we will finish what we set out to do in the next 90 days it will lead to a lifestyle change in each of us. It will lead to a spiritual breakthrough in the lives of the people of COC Metro. If we can do it for 90 days.....we can do it for a lifetime!!!
Are you ready to take the challenge?
Are you ready to get crazy, radical, dangerous and become a FOLLOWER not a FAN of Jesus.
It's time to go to the next level. Let's do it.
As I enter into the first days of 2012, God has been challenging me on a major issue (priority) in my life. He has just simply been asking me, "Are you truly a radical follower of Me or are you just a fan." I am truly convinced in my own life as well as in the life of COC Metro that to reach new spiritual levels for HIM in 2012 there must be a paradigm switch. We all must move from being Fans to be Fully Devoted Followers of Christ.
This process is not easy but it can be accomplished in the life of a believer. I am convinced that COC Metro has the right plan for this process. To be a fully devoted follower of Christ...He must be priority ONE in our lives. This happens when we Gather to worship Him, Grow in our relationship with Him and His church, Give to Him our time, talents and yes treasures and finally Go and share our faith with others.
This is where the 4G Challenge comes into affect. Over the next four weeks I will be challenging COC Metro to commit & put into the practice of their lives this philosophy for a minimum of 90 days leading to a spiritual break through that will change their lives to the point that the 90 days will result in a lifetime change.
I encourage each of you to join me in the challenge and move from being a FAN to a FOLLOWER....Jesus never called us to be FANS but rather FOLLOWERS.
Are you up to the challenge? The answer is up to YOU!
As I count down the days left in 2011, I approach 2012 with great expectations and hopes. 2011, as tough as a year as it was, has been a growing year for not only me but for our entire family. I am excited to shut the door on 2011 and open the door to a whole new set of opportunities and dreams in 2012. Wherever you are in your life, whatever you are facing, whatever unknowns lie out there for you, rest assured that God is in control and He isn't stressed about the days to come.
Make 2012 a year of big dreams, a positive life approach, a year of great love & grace, great visions & plans and of course a year of great devotion to your Lord.
As you ring in the new year Sunday at mid-night I pray that each of you take full advantage of being used of God in 2012 like no other year before. I look forward to watching God use our family in 2012 to continue to do great things in His name as we continue to strive to make HIS name more famous.
Happy New Year!!!
Tonight our creative team met with the Lord and with each other and laid out plans for Christmas Eve. Wow, I wouldn't miss it. Christmas Eve is a great time to step back, lay all the business of the season aside and focus on Jesus. That is exactly what we are going to do this year. Focus on JESUS....but we will do it with excellence and a lot of hard work in preparation for YOU!
This year's theme is, Magi. Magi is simply the name of what we would know as the "wise men". Now I know for all you ladies out there "wise men" is a bit of an oxymoron so we will refer to them as Magi. Either way these Magi were simply pagan astrologers who were lead to Jesus through a miraculous light. Once they got to Bethlehem they worshipped, gave gifts and never went back the way they came.
As you approach this Christmas let me encourage you to be a "wise man" or a "wise woman". Seek HIM first, give Jesus a gift for Christmas (it is HIS birthday you know) and once you come face to face with the Savior, don't go back the same way.
Join us for Magi, Christmas Eve 4 & 6 p.m. at Navo Middle School....it might just change your life!
I have recently been struggling and challenged on many items in my daily leading of a church / ministry. I have done my best to approach this struggle / challenge with heart and mindset of, "What is God teaching me?" However, through some of the moments in this venture I have found myself, when it comes to dealing with brothers and sister in Christ, asking the question, "Where is the love?" In this journey I have researched and read many different articles / post from other ministers about love and it's place in the church. Today, God has spoken to me in such a fresh way on this topic that I thought I'd share it with you. One of my favorite authors and pastors is Francis Chan (Crazy Love / Forgotten God fame). He wrote this post and as I read it this morning it's as if God said to me.... "Keep on keeping on and in doing so remember love never fails. Always extend love even if you have to speak hard truths. Do it with a heart of love, not of anger, fear, or law. Thanks Francis for encouraging me today and I hope his words encourage each of you.
As you read, remember, what this world needs to see from Christians is love for each other. Jesus said the two most important commandments are to love God and love others as yourself. I am still trying to master those two. Until I can master those two....I am spinning my wheels on going any deeper with God.
Francis writes:
Knowledge is essential, but it’s not sufficient. It takes knowledge for me to write this. We need to think. We must know the truth.
But knowledge alone is not sufficient for the Christian life. It’s not enough just to have knowledge. That’s why Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:2: “If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” Think hard. But know that it’s not enough. Paul says even if he had all knowledge but didn’t love, he would amount to nothing. In other words, you can be brilliant and worthless.
It would be like a great basketball player who never misses a shot but keeps shooting into the opponent’s basket. He may say, “I was five for five today from the three-point line,” but his teammates would respond, “But you’re killing our team! You’re shooting at the wrong basket!” He answers confidently, “But I did not miss.” That is the kind of attitude that Paul is confronting here. You might be brilliant, but you’re killing our team. You’re not building up the brothers; you’re making them feel dumb and wounding their conscience. You’re not stirring them up to love and good deeds. You just keep making them feel inadequate. By your knowledge, this weaker brother is being destroyed!
Your brilliance is worthless if you’re not building up your brother—and even worse if you’re destroying him with your knowledge. So when you look at people, do you love them? Do you think, Let me use my knowledge to build this person up?
I hope this short word from Francis was as much a blessing to you as it was to me. Have a great week.
As the month of November closes out and we enter the busiest month of the year, I wanted to take a moment to just say some things to the great people at COC Metro:
1. I Love each of you. I Love our church. I Love Sundays. I Love what God is doing in, through and with us.
2. I love our Staff Team. We have great leadership in all the areas of ministry at COC Metro. COC Metro is what it is because of God and the great TEAM he has assembled here.
3. I love the creativity of our worship planning / creative team. From lighting to stage sets it is so cool to see what they do every week.
4. I love our hospitality ladies. I love my coffee on Sunday and they take great care to make sure we have everything we need on Sundays.
5. I love our set up and tear down people. You amaze me....the most sold out, committed people I have ever met. Don't stop...keep on keeping on.
6. I love our worship. Best worship I have ever been a part of....PERIOD. Our band is second to none and they ROCK.
7. I love all those who put so much time into Upward Football and Cheerleading this year. 33 souls have a ticket to Heaven because you gave. Well done, good and faithful servants.
8. I love our G2 Life Group leadership and our upcoming Spring line up of classes. It's gonna be awesome.
9. I love God's Word. I have to say, in a world where everything is constantly changing....God's Word never does....yet it speaks to me a new and fresh everyday.
10. I love our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who left all He had in the glories of Heaven, took on human flesh and gave Himself a ransom for me.....That's freaking awesome....Oh what a Savior we have!
Have a great week.