Growth Points
• Years ago Lyle Schaller published a small but very important book, The Seven-Day-a-Week Church. One of the key things he anticipated in that classic volume was the fact that many churches would be offering several worship services every weekend. On this point Schaller nailed it. In many places we now see churches offering seven or eight worship services every weekend. For Schaller, the key was the stamina of the senior pastor. He did not foresee multi-site churches or the multiplication of the use of teaching pastors and the technology so many churches now use each weekend.
• But the theme of Schaller’s book is right on. Is your church a seven day a week church? The larger your church is, the more days it should be impacting your community. If your church is small you need to add impact with excellent, making it a part of your church culture before adding something else. Smaller churches historically try to do too much. They over commit resources, especially leaders. So what should you do to begin?
Small churches (fewer than 125), make sure you are a one-day-a-week church. Be tenacious, but kind, at looking at your Sunday services and programming. Find out what is working and what isn’t. Fix it before you move on.
Medium size churches (125-300 in attendance), look at your ministries and programming on Sunday evenings and mid-week services. What groups are growing? Which ones are struggling? Which need to be fed or starved? Are they outdated and/or outmoded? Are there needs that aren’t being met? Could this be an opportunity for your church?
Larger churches (300 +) should ask a couple of questions about everything they do: does this ministry align with our values and vision? Is this who we are? Is there enough support for us to do this? What kind of staff and resources do we need to do this or make it better?
• Your goal should be to create as many quality entry points as possible. How many do you have? If you don’t know how many you have, then that’s your first assignment. Get started. Now.
Leader Lifts
Winston Churchill is one of my heroes, for so many reasons: leader, writer, speaker, and his famous wit. He once said that “courage is the greatest of all virtues because it guarantees all others.’ So true. Pastor Ron Edmondson describes the seven traits that separate a courageous leader: http:www.ronedmondson.com/2011/7-traits-that-separate-a-leader-of-courage.html.@via RonEdmondson. Become a leader with courage! Enjoy.
Conversations from the field
Recently, I spent a couple of hours with a pastor. He’s been at his current ministry less than a year. His last church he served for nearly 40 years. So he’s not your typical new pastor. But he has fresh eyes for a church that needs it. He pastors a county seat ‘first church’ in a fast growing county of nearly 120,000 people. He’s in his mid-sixties. I asked him why he wasn’t bass fishing somewhere and he laughed, “I’ve still got too much preach in me I guess.” The fire still burns. The passion remains.
We talked about some of his leadership challenges. The next five years are critically important for his church. It will determine if they have a healthy future or see a decline in community impact and influence. I’ve had this conversation before. I have it on a regular basis. I believe that is the challenge of the vast majority of evangelical churches in North America. Yes, there are great islands of health. Yet, most of our churches continue to operate and make decisions like it’s the 1950s. This will not do. It cannot continue. Too many churches are past the tipping point.
My pastor friend has five years. So many of our churches have less. How many years does your church have? Be a difference maker. Be a leader. The fire must burn. The passion must remain.
Quotes for Preaching, Teaching & Leading
Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble.
Laura Maxwell, John Maxwell’s mother
If God only used perfect people nothing would get done. God will use anybody who’s available.
Rick Warren
Light houses blow no horns; they only shine.
D. L. Moody
Pride is the mother of all sin.
Martin Luther
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Summer tIME rEADING!
Summertime Reading
Summertime is a time for reading. Each summer I put together a list of certain subjects I want to cover before the summer ends. Among these subjects include Texas history, biography, World War II, biblical studies, and at least one work of fiction. Here’s what I’m reading or read this summer to stay out of this withering Texas heat:
This I read a couple of volumes of fiction. Usually don’t read a lot of fiction but Tom Clancy had a new book out this year so I read his Against All Enemies. It’s not part of his Jack Ryan series but a good work nonetheless. Just think about our worst nightmare: Al Qaeda partners with the largest drug cartel in Mexico. Enough said. But an ex-Seal is on the hunt. This past week I got a small paperback book Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia. It’s the basis of a new movie starring Robert Duvall and Lucas Black. To say it’s a story about golf would miss the point. It’s full of life lessons. Its gospel centered. I am looking forward to seeing the movie when it opens September 3.
My friends no I love World War II history so no summer would be complete if I didn’t read from that genre. This summer I read three books on the Second World War: 11 Days in September: Christmas at the Bulge, 1944 is the story of the Allied response to the last German counteroffensive on the western front during the war. I may have read it trying to get some relief from the Texas heat! The author is Stanley Weintraub a noted historian on World War II. He retells the story of Patton’s Third Army that stopped fighting the Germans head on and pivoted ninety degrees to cut off the German bulge. He even includes a chapter on Patton’s famous prayer for good weather telling the Lord: “Sir, you have to make up your mind whose side you’re on.” But mostly he uses new documents and interviews to tell the story of the ordinary citizen soldiers who made the difference. We should be grateful for all they have done. In Jonathan Jordan’s book, Brothers, Rivals, Victors he describes the partnership between Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley that led the American forces to victory in Europe. The three men began the war as longtime friends. But by the time V-E Day came they were barely talking to each other. Jordan describes how they argued and fought each other while at the same time vanquishing the Wehrmacht. It was both triumphant and tragic. When Patton died in December 1945 from injuries received in an automobile accident, Patton’s widow Bea refused to let Ike visit. It’s a reminder that even our heroes are human. Sir Martin Gilbert is one of my favorite historians; he is official biographer of Winston Churchill. In the spring I found a copy of Gilbert’s, Winston Churchill, Road to Victory, 1941-1945. Meticulously researched it reads almost like a daily diary of Churchill’s actions during the war. He is bluntly honest on the differences between Churchill and FDR. A must for anyone who loves Churchill or World War II.
I also try to read something related to Texas history each summer. This year I read David Stokes book, The Shooting Salvationist, the story of Dr. J. Frank Norris, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas for most of the first half of the 20th century. He was the first American mega church pastor. It was controversial. He was indicted three times. This is the story of his murder trial. He shot an unarmed man in his study at church. He was indicted and tried for murder in the late 1920s. This is the story of that trial. I had heard bits and pieces of this story my entire life. This is the complete history of that story. All I can say is that it is fascinating.
Summer is baseball time. I always try to include a book about baseball in my summer reading. This year I read two baseball bios: Jane Leavey’s The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood and George Vecsey’s, Stan Musial: An American Life. Mantle is a hero of mine from when I was a kid. He lived in Dallas in the off season. Leavy is sensitive to his struggle with alcoholism with shirking from telling his tragic story. She also details how Mickey got his life under control in the last 18 months before he died, going through Betty Ford, getting things right with his family and trusting Jesus. Vecsey’s book tells the story of a humble superstar, Stan Musial one of the greatest players in major league history. Musial is often overlooked by fans today. This bio will remind them of a man with humility and talent.
Finally I always try to read something in biblical studies and theology each summer. Because I am teaching from Genesis 1-11 this fall I read Kenneth A. Matthews, Genesis 1-11 New American Commentary. It’s been a longtime since I read a commentary cover to cover, but I did this year. It is a treasure of biblical exegesis, theological reflection and personal application. The last book I read this summer was actually a reread. Every year I try to read or reread from one of three: J.I. Packer, C.S. Lewis and Carl F. H. Henry. This was a Packer summer for me. So I reread his Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. It is a great essay from the reformed view on the Christian duty of evangelism.
What are you reading this summer? What should I read this fall? Love to hear your thoughts.
Summertime is a time for reading. Each summer I put together a list of certain subjects I want to cover before the summer ends. Among these subjects include Texas history, biography, World War II, biblical studies, and at least one work of fiction. Here’s what I’m reading or read this summer to stay out of this withering Texas heat:
This I read a couple of volumes of fiction. Usually don’t read a lot of fiction but Tom Clancy had a new book out this year so I read his Against All Enemies. It’s not part of his Jack Ryan series but a good work nonetheless. Just think about our worst nightmare: Al Qaeda partners with the largest drug cartel in Mexico. Enough said. But an ex-Seal is on the hunt. This past week I got a small paperback book Golf’s Sacred Journey: Seven Days at the Links of Utopia. It’s the basis of a new movie starring Robert Duvall and Lucas Black. To say it’s a story about golf would miss the point. It’s full of life lessons. Its gospel centered. I am looking forward to seeing the movie when it opens September 3.
My friends no I love World War II history so no summer would be complete if I didn’t read from that genre. This summer I read three books on the Second World War: 11 Days in September: Christmas at the Bulge, 1944 is the story of the Allied response to the last German counteroffensive on the western front during the war. I may have read it trying to get some relief from the Texas heat! The author is Stanley Weintraub a noted historian on World War II. He retells the story of Patton’s Third Army that stopped fighting the Germans head on and pivoted ninety degrees to cut off the German bulge. He even includes a chapter on Patton’s famous prayer for good weather telling the Lord: “Sir, you have to make up your mind whose side you’re on.” But mostly he uses new documents and interviews to tell the story of the ordinary citizen soldiers who made the difference. We should be grateful for all they have done. In Jonathan Jordan’s book, Brothers, Rivals, Victors he describes the partnership between Eisenhower, Patton and Bradley that led the American forces to victory in Europe. The three men began the war as longtime friends. But by the time V-E Day came they were barely talking to each other. Jordan describes how they argued and fought each other while at the same time vanquishing the Wehrmacht. It was both triumphant and tragic. When Patton died in December 1945 from injuries received in an automobile accident, Patton’s widow Bea refused to let Ike visit. It’s a reminder that even our heroes are human. Sir Martin Gilbert is one of my favorite historians; he is official biographer of Winston Churchill. In the spring I found a copy of Gilbert’s, Winston Churchill, Road to Victory, 1941-1945. Meticulously researched it reads almost like a daily diary of Churchill’s actions during the war. He is bluntly honest on the differences between Churchill and FDR. A must for anyone who loves Churchill or World War II.
I also try to read something related to Texas history each summer. This year I read David Stokes book, The Shooting Salvationist, the story of Dr. J. Frank Norris, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, Texas for most of the first half of the 20th century. He was the first American mega church pastor. It was controversial. He was indicted three times. This is the story of his murder trial. He shot an unarmed man in his study at church. He was indicted and tried for murder in the late 1920s. This is the story of that trial. I had heard bits and pieces of this story my entire life. This is the complete history of that story. All I can say is that it is fascinating.
Summer is baseball time. I always try to include a book about baseball in my summer reading. This year I read two baseball bios: Jane Leavey’s The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood and George Vecsey’s, Stan Musial: An American Life. Mantle is a hero of mine from when I was a kid. He lived in Dallas in the off season. Leavy is sensitive to his struggle with alcoholism with shirking from telling his tragic story. She also details how Mickey got his life under control in the last 18 months before he died, going through Betty Ford, getting things right with his family and trusting Jesus. Vecsey’s book tells the story of a humble superstar, Stan Musial one of the greatest players in major league history. Musial is often overlooked by fans today. This bio will remind them of a man with humility and talent.
Finally I always try to read something in biblical studies and theology each summer. Because I am teaching from Genesis 1-11 this fall I read Kenneth A. Matthews, Genesis 1-11 New American Commentary. It’s been a longtime since I read a commentary cover to cover, but I did this year. It is a treasure of biblical exegesis, theological reflection and personal application. The last book I read this summer was actually a reread. Every year I try to read or reread from one of three: J.I. Packer, C.S. Lewis and Carl F. H. Henry. This was a Packer summer for me. So I reread his Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. It is a great essay from the reformed view on the Christian duty of evangelism.
What are you reading this summer? What should I read this fall? Love to hear your thoughts.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
39 Simple Ways to Jump Start Your Spiritual Fitness
This is the second part of our series on jump starting your spiritual fitness.
21. Find an accountability partner or group and meet regularly.
22. Discover your spiritual gifts and put them to use!
23. Develop a list of people you know who need to know Jesus and begin to pray for opportuniities to share Jesus with them.
24. Mentor and encourage a new Christian and/or church member.
25. Write a letter of thanks to someone who has impacted you spiritually.
26. Turn your passion into a ministry.
27. Take notes on your pastor's sermons.
28. Conduct a Bible word study.
29. Go to your pastor or a church staff member and offer to help them with their greatest ministry need.
30. Give an anonymous gift to help meet someone's need.
31. Do a personal study of a Bible doctrine or theme for an extended period of time.
32. Practice the Sabbath----at least one day a week for rest, reflection & worship.
33. You can't outgive God but have fun trying.
34. Whenever you meet a person make them the focus.
35. Determine to show people love no matter what they say or do to you.
36. See every problem as an opportunity for God to be God.
37. Be positive and proactive by living a life that motivates people to go beyond where they are.
38. Pray for your critics. Better yet do something nice for them. It'll keep them up at night.
39. Remember to be Jesus to your family and friends by serving them.
Love to hear your comments! Find a few, suggest a few, but just do it!
21. Find an accountability partner or group and meet regularly.
22. Discover your spiritual gifts and put them to use!
23. Develop a list of people you know who need to know Jesus and begin to pray for opportuniities to share Jesus with them.
24. Mentor and encourage a new Christian and/or church member.
25. Write a letter of thanks to someone who has impacted you spiritually.
26. Turn your passion into a ministry.
27. Take notes on your pastor's sermons.
28. Conduct a Bible word study.
29. Go to your pastor or a church staff member and offer to help them with their greatest ministry need.
30. Give an anonymous gift to help meet someone's need.
31. Do a personal study of a Bible doctrine or theme for an extended period of time.
32. Practice the Sabbath----at least one day a week for rest, reflection & worship.
33. You can't outgive God but have fun trying.
34. Whenever you meet a person make them the focus.
35. Determine to show people love no matter what they say or do to you.
36. See every problem as an opportunity for God to be God.
37. Be positive and proactive by living a life that motivates people to go beyond where they are.
38. Pray for your critics. Better yet do something nice for them. It'll keep them up at night.
39. Remember to be Jesus to your family and friends by serving them.
Love to hear your comments! Find a few, suggest a few, but just do it!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
39 Simple Ways to Jump Start Your Spiritual Fitness, Part 1
Why are so many churches not growing? Whay are so many unhealthy? Why are so many local churches more like clubs and clans than the Church Jesus died for? A complete answer is rather complex. But in thirty years of ministry one thing I have learned: Our churches are unhealthy because many of our members are spiritually unhealthy. It has always been so-----Paul's letters in the New Testament show us that.
Here are 39 simple ways to get in spiritual shape. Get started today. It's time to own your faith. Accept responsibility for your own spiritual fitness. Don't outsource it to your spouse, or pastor or anyone else. Do it now!
1. Use a one year reading Bible to develop the discipline of daily time in God's Word.
2. Learn to meditate on a verse or passage of Scripture. Chew on it like a dog on a bone. You won't exhaust it but you will learn so much by trying.
3. As you go through your day ask the Philippians 4:8 questions. I'm not going to give them to you. Look it up.
4. Pray Scripture. Simple enuff!
5. Take a prayer walk through your neighborhood. Pray for that neighbor who's barking dog keeps you up at night. It'll do wonders for your attitude.
6. Adopt those areas in your daily life as your own mission field (work, school, gym, etc.). Ministry is where ever you find it or it finds you.
7.Pray over your daily to-do-list.
8. Use prayer prompts as reminders to pray for people. Prayer prompts can be anything from pictures of family and friends to your local school. The only limit is your own imagination.
9.Keep a spiritual journal. It's a great way to measure your spiritual growth, keep a proper perspective and count your blessings!
10. Fast from television, the internet or social media for a week. After six days, the last one is easy!
11. Participate in an in-depth Bible study.
12.use a hymnal in your quiet time. You should be able to find one cheap!
13. Go on a short term mission trip. You will recieve so much more in blessings than you will give. Trust me on that!
14. Develop your testimony to share with someone in 60 seconds or less.
15. Ask people how you can pray for them----and then do it!
16.Adopt a city, nation or people group to pray for.
17. Adopt a missionary (family) and pray for them each day.
18. Conduct a monthly or quarterly mission or ministry project.
19. Sharpen your saw----attend ministry training events a couple of times a year.
20. Memorize a verse or passage of Scripture every week.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
A Blessed Journey
Last fall, life was good. In early November our youngest son and I spent several days at our family ranch in the Hill Country of Texas. Part working vacation and part spiritual retreat, we had a great time. When we returned to the Metroplex, I spoke to a politics class a friend of mine teaches (on the mid-terms). Later that week our son and I met former President George W. Bush and bought several signed copies of his memoir, Decision Points. The next weekend, our oldest son came home from Baylor to celebrate his 20th birthday. Life was indeed good. Our new ministry helping churches and Christians live more missional lives was growing. Our preaching, speaking and equipping opportunities were growing. Life was indeed very good.
Then I got sick. Really, really sick. Early one Sunday morning my wife rushed me to a local emergency room. I had double pneumonia, I couldn't breathe. Baylor University Medical Center (BUMC) Dallas, where all my doctors are was full. No beds were available. So I was rushed to Lewisville (Texas) Memeorial Medical Center and placed in the ICU. There the wonderful doctors and nurses went to work on me immediately. They fought to keep me alive. I got sicker (not their fault). My kidney failed. And my liver, lungs and pancreas. That's right four major organs were failing. I also began to bleed internally. My wife Cheryl stayed at my bedside. Our boys, family, friends and church family were at the hospital everyday. Our pastor, Dr. Stephen Hatfield often beat my Mom and Dad to the hospital each day. I was put on Continous Renal Therapy to help my (one) kidney.
Cheryl began to mobilize our friends to pray. Eventually friends and others all over the world began to pray for me. The Catholic archdiocese of Dallas prayed for this ordained Baptist preacher every day by name during the Daily Mass. At a very critical juncture, Central Baptist Church in Warner Robins, Georgia dedicated an entire midweek service to intercession on my behalf. Within hours that particularly stubborn internal bleed stopped. On at least four different occassions my doctors prepared my family, telling them I might not live through the night. I was finally strong enough to be transferrred by ambulance to Baylor-Dallas. My admitting physician prayed over me with Cheryl when I got to BUMC. He told her, "I can't fix your husband. Only God can."The good news is, I don't remember a thing! I was in a drug induced coma for 26 days. I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas in our new home.
As God's people prayed, I held on. I woke up finally during the second weekend in December. I can remember that because it was the 30th anniversary of John Lennon's assassination. I couldn't talk much, couldn't walk, couldn't feed myself. But I was alive. Our youngest son had read portions of George W. Bush's book to me in the hospital when I was in a coma. My brain was not fully functioning when he asked if I wanted him to read to me after I had come out of the coma. One thing I do reget is saying, no. But my brain was not yet fully processing information!
After spendinga few weeks in 4 Truett ICU at Baylor, I was moved to Baylor Speciality Hospital to begin therapy to help me talk, walk, think, dress and fully function again. But my stubborn esophogeal bleed roared back with avengance. Cheryl, who teaches at Baylor University's Louise Harrington School of Nursing (across the street from Baylor Hospital) was set to attend a pinning ceremony at the school when I was rushed to the emergency room. I was out of my head. My blood count was dangerously low (4/13) for any of you with medical training. I couldn't keep still. I couldn't keep my robe on. I was nutty. I was holding the hand of a very attractive woman doctor (so my Dad tells me. He was there). Many members of the nursing school faculty who work with Cheryl rushed over after the ceremony. A couple of them took charge. Others offered prayers and support. My pastor set a NASCAR record, getting to BUMC from Lewisville. It was the 17th of December. I ended up back in 4 Truett ICU for several more days.
By Christmas I was back at Baylor Specialty Hospital starting rehab all over again. In 30 years of ministry I must admit not knowing much about this part of medicine. As difficult a time I was having I saw so many people suffering from strokes, or accidents, missing limbs and digits. I was blessed and I still am. Shortly after New Years I was moved to Baylor Institute of Rehabilitation. There my therapy intensified. One of my therapists there told me she loved what she does because in her words, "We see miracles happen." Indeed, they do. On January 15th I reached my goal: With the help of a walker, I walked out of the hospital, headed home. 63 days in the hospital. A medical bill of nearly 2 million dollars and 65 lbs. lighter, I was home.
I still had a couple of months of outpatient rehab, three times a week. But it was great to be home. I am thankful for all those who prayed for me, comforted my family. Many friends gave my family money to help with expenses, get my father-in-law here from Virginia and prepared us meals. Several friends and family drove where I needed to be until I was able to drive again. My doctors and nurses and BUMC and Lewiville Memorial were great. I am blessed to know so many people love and care for me and my family. Thank you to all who ministered to us. We love you all.
I am blessed.
Mike
Friday, July 9, 2010
What I Learned from Cancer
Three years ago today I had my left kidney removed. I had been diagnosed a couple of months earlier. Before I could deal with the cancer I ended up having two open heart surgeries. The three major surgeries I had in 2007 have become a defining moment in my life. In no particular order here are some of the things I’ve learned:
I am loved. Don’t get me wrong, I knew that before I got sick. The late Tony Snow once said the great thing about getting sick is “you find out how many people love you.” I experienced the same thing in spades. I heard from people in every church I served, colleagues and friends from all across the country. My family was (and is) amazing. Friends, ministry partners and our incredible church family performed countless acts of love to me and our family.
Prayer is important. My prayer time became precious to me. When you spend 35 days and nights in a five month period in the hospital you have plenty of time to talk to God. At times it was tough. I was frustrated, mad, lonely and had a “why me” moments. At other times, my time with the Lord was tender, comforting and assuring. The depth of my prayer life was never better.
The breath of prayer astounded me. My family and I heard from friends and churches from California to Florida. Friends sent us notes and cards from all over the world. We heard from a friend studying at Oxford and a colleague of my wife had my name added to a Vatican Prayer Service. Friends called and prayed with us over the phone. It was precious to us and is something I’ll never forget.
Make everyday count. No more wasted days doing nothing. I’m not talking about never resting, in fact since those trying days three years ago I’ve learned the importance of the daily power nap. What I mean is the importance of investing my life in the right things. The things that really matter: Family. Friends. Relationships. Churches. Leaders. I’m going to invest every day God gives me to those things that truly matter.
My friend David and I met when we got sick. We both went to Baylor and even to the same church but didn’t meet until we were both in the same hospital. By God’s grace I made it through. David didn’t. Last year we celebrated his homecoming. I don’t know why God brought me and not David. But I do know this: Every day is a gift. And I am determined to make it count.
I’ll see David soon enough.
I am loved. Don’t get me wrong, I knew that before I got sick. The late Tony Snow once said the great thing about getting sick is “you find out how many people love you.” I experienced the same thing in spades. I heard from people in every church I served, colleagues and friends from all across the country. My family was (and is) amazing. Friends, ministry partners and our incredible church family performed countless acts of love to me and our family.
Prayer is important. My prayer time became precious to me. When you spend 35 days and nights in a five month period in the hospital you have plenty of time to talk to God. At times it was tough. I was frustrated, mad, lonely and had a “why me” moments. At other times, my time with the Lord was tender, comforting and assuring. The depth of my prayer life was never better.
The breath of prayer astounded me. My family and I heard from friends and churches from California to Florida. Friends sent us notes and cards from all over the world. We heard from a friend studying at Oxford and a colleague of my wife had my name added to a Vatican Prayer Service. Friends called and prayed with us over the phone. It was precious to us and is something I’ll never forget.
Make everyday count. No more wasted days doing nothing. I’m not talking about never resting, in fact since those trying days three years ago I’ve learned the importance of the daily power nap. What I mean is the importance of investing my life in the right things. The things that really matter: Family. Friends. Relationships. Churches. Leaders. I’m going to invest every day God gives me to those things that truly matter.
My friend David and I met when we got sick. We both went to Baylor and even to the same church but didn’t meet until we were both in the same hospital. By God’s grace I made it through. David didn’t. Last year we celebrated his homecoming. I don’t know why God brought me and not David. But I do know this: Every day is a gift. And I am determined to make it count.
I’ll see David soon enough.
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