Lasting Change

“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Ahh…2010…another New Near. The old, 2009, has gone and the new, 2010, has come, ready or not. Most of us will admit we have character traits or habits we would like to change. Some of us even try to modify our behavior. But just changing outward behavior is like rolling back the odometer on a car. You reduce the numbers from 200,000 to 20,000, but you still have a car with 200,000 miles on it.

However, there is hope for the person who sincerely desires to change. The power to change like that means admitting we can’t do it on our own. Remember, lasting change comes from within. We need the help of the Lord.

The Bible says if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old is gone and new has come. When we give our lives to Jesus Christ, He transforms us–changes us from the inside out. Instead of just rolling back the odometer and being the same old person inside, He gives us a spiritual heart transplant.

Now, that’s a change for the better. And a change that lasts.

-Tom

The Christmas Story

 

 

Luke 2:1-20

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, 
that all the world should be taxed . 
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)  
And all went to be taxed , every one into his own city.  
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, 
which is called Bethlehem;
(because he was of the house and lineage of David:)  
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  
And so it was , that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered .  
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes , and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were in the same country 
shepherds abiding in the field , keeping watch over their flockby night.  
And, lo , the angel of the Lord came upon them, 
and the glory of the Lord shone roundabout them: and they were sore afraid. 
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, 
behold , I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  
And this shall be a sign unto you; 
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes , lying in a manger.  
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying ,  
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  
And it came to pass , as the angels were gone away from them into heaven , the shepherds said one to another, 
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass , which the Lord hath made known unto us. 
And they came with haste , and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 
And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.  
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.  
But Mary kept all these things , and pondered them in her heart.  
And the shepherds returned , glorifying and praising God for all the things 
that they had heard and seen ,as it was told unto them.

Leading essentials for every team

From Shannon O’Dell who is the Lead Pastor of Brand New Church in Arkansas.

I am learning that every church staff or team must possess these four qualities…actually every organization needs these attributes in increasing measure…(it just happens to be so Rick Warrenish with my T.E.A.M. acrostic)

Teachability –
The instant I decide I know it all is the moment I am finished as a leader. Teachability is being a learner and a leader. Using what others pour into your life and pouring it in others lives. Willingness, openness, listener, and meek are just a few of the characteristics of a teachable leader. The moment we stop learning, we stop leading.(Thank you John Maxwell)

Effectiveness –
You are either an ANCHOR or an ENGINE on the ship of your organization. Effect leaders don’t hold others back, but pushing forward with the cylinders of passion, power and pursuit. Anchors have an affect as well. They stymie

vision, growth and futures.

Action –
Churches and organizations need men and women, ready for, and creating momentum. Not motion, but progress, and activity. Action is something that is purposed, and must have a clearly defined goal. Many leaders substitute strategy and systems for action. The action gets lost in the planning. A plan made is only effective when it is in action.

Maturity –
Spiritual, emotional, and relational maturity is a must for any church leader. You better be ready for war if you are going to serve on a church staff and you better have staff that are ready for war. Church work is not fun and games…it is “brutiful” (Ed Young Jr colloquialism).
It’s beautiful and brutal. We need to be spiritually mature, ready to handle to potential on-slot of issues, stories, needs, mentoring and creative wisdom necessary to lead the most important institution on earth…THE LOCAL CHURCH!

Focusing on the Essentials

Act 2:40-47 tells us that the Church lived out its faith in the neighborhoods of Jerusalem. They were sincere and glad people, winsome and authentic. They served the people around them expecting nothing in return. It was God who added to their numbers daily those who were being saved. I think the power is in the relationship.

If Christ is making a difference in us, then it will affect the seeker who spends time with us. These things are only barriers, not the real stuff that causes a person to cross the line of faith.

-Tom

Who get’s the credit?

Thought I’d copy this to myself and others who follow. I’ve found myself and seen others do the same thing about their churches and organizations. Thanks to the author/Pastor, Ron Edmondson,  for your leadership. Who do you give the credit to?

Quit Taking Credit For A God Thing!

A few weeks ago, in preparing a message for Grace Community Church in which I celebrated the victories we have seen in the last year at Grace, God convicted me for my line of thinking.  I was preparing to remind people of the strategy of the church, as we do at the beginning of each new fall season, to encourage them to continue giving their time and resources to further the vision.  I believe God gently reminded me that apart from Him, we would have no vision and we would certainly have no success.

Clearly what has happened at our church in the last four years is bigger than any vision, strategy, staff or volunteers could produce.  If we duplicated everything we are doing today elsewhere, we would have no guarantees of success without God’s intervention.  No doubt about it, what we are experiencing at Grace Community Church is a God-thing!  I also know that we are just a small part of all God is doing in many places around the world.

It was a needed reminder and one I wonder if other leaders, especially some of the big name leaders, need to hear.  The greater the success a person has and the more accolades a leader receives, the easier it becomes to begin to take credit for that success.  So, in simple terms, let me encourage you, if the shoe fits, to…

Quit taking credit for a God thing!

We can share wisdom and strategy from what we have learned.  We can write blogs and books to encourage others.  We can be invited to speak around the world about our successes.  People can look to us as “experts” in our field, but let’s be honest as leaders.  Most of us who are experiencing tremendous growths in our churches are…

• Not better leaders
• Not better speakers
• Don’t have a better strategy

Than some who are doing the same things we are doing, but not experiencing similar results.

I will continue to share my experiences.  Frankly I think I have been called to, but honestly, when you look at what is happening in our church, what looks like a God-thing, quite possibly is…actually, there is no question in my mind that it is.

Have you ever been guilty of taking credit, if only in your own mind, for something that truly God has done?

-Tom

It’s Sunday

It’s Sunday…and I am up early in preparation of a another day to make a difference my life and the lives of those around me. May God give us all the strength to do just that. And do it with a Christ like love that shows more than any other trait that we have.

-tom

Would you be willing (for someone to be saved)?

What would you be willing to do to see a friend or family member saved?  Every person is someone’s friend or family member.Would you be willing to…

• give up your style of music in church?
• come early to church so that the walk-through for the service is done properly?
• pray all week for Sunday mornings?
• welcome people who may not look like you?
• pick someone up on your way to church?
• give food to someone who is hungry?
• pack a shoebox for a kid who would otherwise not get Christmas presents?
• share the gospel with someone?

I dare you to take action this week to make a difference in someone’s life.

-tom

Oh yeah, Sunday’s coming!

Today I’m reminded that one Saturday morning some 2,000 years ago, surely there was a group of mixed-up, hurting, confused, sickly, tired, afraid, and desperate people. They had placed all their hopes in a man who claimed to be the promised Messiah. They were there when their hope was nailed to a cross. They watched their mentor and friend die a cruel death. What would they do now? What was next?

Are you feeling hopeless, afraid, confused, sick, broken or desperate today?

It’s Saturday, but Sunday’s coming!

life change, sorrow and death

Death is something that as a Christian we are taught is a “good thing” because if you are saved then leaving this life means that you are with God in heaven for eternity. That is a whole lot better then going to hell but death can still be a scary thing.

In the last week, two young people from our area passed away in automobile related accidents. My heart has sunk to a lower low than it’s been in quite sometime.  Having children the exact same ages as both of these girls made it even more real to me. Both were connected to my family in different but similar ways. 

 I was not devastated because I saw them every so often or even talked to them all that often. I was devastated because they were young, and had their whole earthly life ahead of them. I thought of the sorrow that their parents, brothers and sisters must be facing knowing that they are never going to see their wonderful daughter or sister on this earth in person again.

I then begun to think about my wife and kids and how sad it would be for them if I were not around to see them grow up. It was a lot to take in. There is a time for mourning but you cannot stay there too long without it affecting you and those around you.

This morning I spent some time alone with God to just sort out what I was feeling and why.  In the stillness of  just “being in His presence”, I felt God’s comfort reminding me that this is a big world and although tragedy happens, He is still large and in charge.

I came to a couple of conclusions that allowed me to have some closure on the issue. If anything, it has given me time to reflect on my own life and to value it. It has allowed me to look at me life and the lives of my family and see how blessed we truly are.

Philippians 4:8-9 says -

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

What God helped me to realize was that even though these two beautiful girls were gone, I was still here. I needed to take a look around and see the blessing that were in my life and think about these things.

The mind is far more powerful then most people understand and we as Christians have to be in control of it. We can choose to dwell on death and sorrow or we can look at the good things that God has done for us.

There is a time and place for mourning, but stay there only as long as necessary because although someone may have left, you are still here.

-tom

leading, yes I am (a work in progress)

Over the course of time (really, everyday), much has been made about leadership. Leadership does many things, some of which goes noticed and some is behind the scenes.  For those who have never lead a major project, planned a new business or built something from scratch…..well, it looks easy from the cheap seats. Over my career in healthcare as both a staff member and in management and in planting churches, much of my own experience has taken notice of some of these attributes about leadership (and NO,  I don’t claim to have many of these, but am prayerfully working on them):

1. Leadership provides the courage to begin - it’s about action.

2. Leadership is about self-control – respond rather than react.

3. Leadership has a keen sense of awareness in what is just – to gain respect of those they lead and work alongside.

4. Leadership is about definiteness of direction – not about meaningless activity for activity’s sake.

5. Leadership is about definiteness of plans – not about guesswork, but knowing what the next best step is.

6. Leadership is in the habit of doing more than your are paid to do – it’s all about going the extra mile (even when you are a volunteer).

7. Leadership is about likeability – nothing can substitute for a smile, a handshake, eye-to-eye contact, and engaging people.

8. Leadership is about empathy – they don’t care because it’s their job, they make it their job to care.

9. Leaders have the willingness to know more than anyone else – they are students, learners, readers, and constantly gaining knowledge about the subject at hand. If they don’t have the knowledge, they find someone who does.

10. Leaders seek and gain cooperation – they understand that you don’t pay people to excel, you pay them to show up. They create an atmosphere of cooperation.

Lastly, a great leader understands and applies the principle of collaboration and alignment, and he/she sets the standards for those who follow them and their teams.

Many people call themselves leaders and yet we are in desperate need of leadership in churches, families, government, businesses…..me on the other hand, am a prayerful work in progress.

Attend a bible teaching worship service this weekend!

-tom