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Resources For Living Your Faith Recklessly

Archives for October 2012

Organic Outreach Encouragement…For the Middle of the Week – Try Something

Organic Outreach Encouragement

When it comes to new outreach ideas, events, and programs, many pastors and their church boards can get nervous about taking risks.

We tried that back in 1964 and it did not work.  We’re never trying that again.

If we do that, it could mess us the church building and the custodian would get upset.

What if we try that and no one shows up, it could be a waste of money.

And, the list of excuses goes on and on!

Can I make a suggestion?  Try something!  Do something new that can help connect non-churches people to Jesus, to your church, or to Christians from your congregation.  Take a risk, take a chance, and try something.  If it works out, God gets the glory!  If it does not, no big deal…Just try something else.

If you are not sure what to try, here are three suggestions for places to find great ideas:

1)   Outreach Magazine (http://www.outreachmagazine.com/)

2)   Other churches and their website.  Feel free to borrow successful ideas from other churches in your community and around the world.  Just spend 30 minutes online looking at churches that do outreach well and you can discover lots of new ideas. Get started here: (http://www.shorelinechurch.org/)

3)   Old Faithful- Try something that worked in the past but has not been used for a long time.  Sometimes retro comes back in style!

Get trained in sharing your faith naturally.  Here are two ways to get started:

Come to the Organic Outreach Conference this November in Monterey California: http://www.organicoutreach.com/

Read one of the Organic Outreach books: Organic Outreach for Ordinary People, Organic Outreach for Churches, or Organic Outreach for Families.

Draw Near to God…Thoughts for a Monday Morning – Control Your Body

Draw Near to God

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 the apostle Paul talks about running the race to get the prize and engaging in strict training to win a crown.  He paints a picture of how hard people work to win a wreath that will wilt and get a trophy that will eventually gather dust on the back shelf of a closet.

As followers of Jesus, we should live with a deep awareness that we are doing what we do, serving with passion, and sacrificing daily for something far more enduring and important.  We will receive a crown that lasts forever!

What has God called you to do this week?  How is the Spirit of God leading and directing your life?  Are you ready to follow no matter what the cost?  The apostle Paul goes on to say that he does not run aimlessly and he does not beat the air randomly.  Instead, he beats his body into submission and strives for the prize God has placed in front of him.

How are you doing in surrendering your body fully to God’s will and plan?  Are you well rested?  Do you take Sabbaths?  Are you eating well so you can fuel your body for maximum performance?  Do you exercise and keep healthy so you can serve God for a lifetime?

You have one body for one lifetime.  Learn from the apostle Paul and make sure you are controlling your body so you can use the full strength God gives you for His glory!

Leadership Challenge…Heading Into the Weekend – The Power of No

Leadership Challenge

Your life will be defined as much by your no’s as your yes’.

No matter who you are, it is critical that you learn to say, “No.”  As life fills up and schedules become busy, this becomes more and more important.  I don’t know a single leader who has “Extra time” and is looking for more things to do.  Instead, many are over-extended and exhausted.

Try this simple exercise.  The next time someone asks you if you can do something (no matter how small, no matter how exciting it sounds), do not say, “Yes.”  Force yourself to not respond, “Sure, sounds great!  I’m in.”

Simply say, “Please give me a few days to think about it,” or, “I need a week to pray about that.”

Here is the truth.   If you say yes to this opportunity, you will have to drop something out of your schedule (time with a child, sleep, exercise, or time with Jesus).  Something will have to go to make room for this new thing.  So, slow down, take time, pray, identify what you will drop to make room for this, and then decide.  If you say yes, you will do so in a wise and informed way.  If you say no, you will do it with thoughtful conviction.

Organic Outreach Encouragement…For the Middle of the Week – Pray for Other Local Churches

Organic Outreach Encouragement

Many years ago, the founding pastor of Shoreline Community Church, Howie Hugo, decided to pray for one local church every week.  But, this went beyond his personal times of prayer…he did it in the weekend worship services!

I have been pastor of Shoreline Church for almost three years now and we still do this, every week.  We actually call one church early in the week, tell them we want to lift them up during our service, and ask for specific prayer needs.  In most cases, they are glad to share a need or two.

In our weekend services we pray for their needs and ask God to use their congregation as a beacon of God’s light in our community.  We thank God for our partnership with this church in the work of Jesus in our community.

I would encourage you to consider doing this at your church.  We are a family and need to act that way.  As you begin praying, God might even inspire you to work together to be the presence of Jesus right where he has placed you.

Get trained in sharing your faith naturally.  Here are two ways to get started:

Draw Near to God…Thoughts for a Monday Morning – How Much Do I Love You

Draw Near to God

When we love God, we love His people.

When we love God’s people, we will sacrifice for them.

I have been reading the book of 1 Corinthians each morning for a couple of weeks (and also reading the NIVAC commentary by Craig Blomberg on this same book…great stuff!).  In my studies, I have been struck by the call to love to the point of inconvenience, changing our tastes, limiting our freedom, and even sacrificing.

In 1 Corinthians 8 the apostle Paul declares that his love for his brothers and sisters is so great that if his freedom to eat meat sacrificed to idols causes others to stumble in their faith, he will refrain from eating this meat.

What a great reminder as we begin a new week.  Are there things I do, in my freedom that could cause someone Jesus loves to stumble?  If so, would I dare to love enough to limit my freedom for the sake of this person?  Do I love God and His people than much?

Leadership Challenge…Heading Into the Weekend

Leadership Challenge

Respond to E-Mails

OK, this will be short and sweet.  I have discovered something consistent in high-level leaders.  Here it is.  They respond to E-mails right away.  It does not take much, just a quick acknowledgement that you got it.  I use short responses such as:

Great!

Thanks.

Got it.

Or, I can’t respond in detail now, but will get back to you as soon as I can.

The point is, let people know you have received their communication and don’t leave them hanging.  This is one mark of a great leader.