Friendship’s “A-Team”

In 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum-security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team. (Sounds like a current movie, doesn’t it?)

Well, Friendship, we have our own “A-Team.” Their names are Nikki, Sheri, Jody, and Dave. They are our champions in the arena of discipleship - essentially from the cradle to the grave. We have a plan to help everyone grow in their faith. And, we’re executing the plan.

During the unveiling of the Orange Strategy this past Sunday I sat there almost in tears - wishing for a re-do. I needed help as a parent. We all do. Friendship has a strategy to help parents raise their children in the ways they should go.

From my perspective, never in Friendship’s lifecycle have we had the kind of discipleship foundation we have in place right now. We have something monumental and special to build upon. As Hannibal on the A-Team often said, “I love it when a plan comes together.” I’m more excited than ever about the possibilities ahead. I ask you to join me as we build upon the solid foundation God has given us as we influence Limestone County for Jesus. Let’s get behind these champions of discipleship as we invest our lives in kingdom purposes – starting with our children.

Please visit our website at friendshipumc.org. Check out the new look and re-watch or share the panel discussion from Sunday’s message. You’ll find it on the “Video” tab.

I do love it when a plan comes together.

The "Acclaimed Leader"

Once upon a time a leader faced a daunting task. The organization he loved and felt an allegiance to was in a tailspin. He recognized that if things didn't turn around soon, the future looked bleak.

As was his mode of operation this leader sat down and wrote another 'toasty' letter to his subjects. In addressing his underlings, he blasted them with 'gloom and doom' numbers. He next ordered his hirelings to develop an immediate plan to let him know how they were going to deal with things in their specific areas. Then at some point in the future he would hold a serious discussion about their progress in accomplishing 'his' goals.

When his subordinates received his letter it broke their spirit. They too loved this establishment and they too had devoted their lives to its success. As his minions read the 'hot correspondence' they felt demoralized, offended and angry. Some even expressed outrage to colleagues, but did not covey their strong feelings to their superior. He had a history of vindictiveness.

Begrudgingly these associates obeyed the leader's orders. They developed a plan. They endured the leader's tirades. They even worked harder, yet not smarter. They pushed their own subjects for greater results. The outcome: things got worse, not better.

So, the leader wrote another letter- demanding more. The pressure escalated. Good people left. The leader continued his attack, without changing one tactic. Even when finally confronted, h e denied his bullying ways. He refused to accept any responsibility in how he handled his people. "I am not insensitive and demeaning." He didn't understand the power of vision, teamwork, or celebrating small victories that can add up to huge ones. The organization didn't hit any of the leaders' demands. He just could not understand. And, in typical fashion for this company, this leader was applauded, while the frustration level and anger rose, for the few who dared to 'stay the course.'

Questions: how do you personally lead in this kind of toxic environment? How to you stay focused on the main thing (not the leader's goals but higher goals) knowing that if this leader discovered your true feelings he would turn up the heat even more?

How do you even attempt to help this leader who thinks he doesn't need help and is operating in an out of tune, out of touch way?

This is an allegorical dilemma. Wisdom sought!

The Need for Hope - Excerpts from my message on Feb. 1, 2009

News about the struggling economy dominates the airwaves. It is part of nearly every conversation we have. It is impacting lives. Our shaky financial climate is scaring people, even those who are in a good place. It is taking a toll on marriages, families, employers, employees, even churches. We cannot escape this reality. Do we like it? No! How do we deal with it? There are no simple answers. Yet, throughout history when times are difficult people look to God for hope. There is a huge need for hope as our world struggles with continual bad news regarding our fragile economy.

Listen as much as you might not like hearing this: the state and fate of the economy is not our hope – it’s not our future. At least not for us who profess that we are followers of Christ. Although everything in our society seems to be dependant upon money, it is not our salvation; it’s not our ultimate hope. We brought nothing into the world and we will take nothing with us when we leave. Our hope and future is not based on money. It’s not the stuff we accumulate or the size of our bank account. It’s dependant on God; our intimacy with Him and our obedience to Him.

My friends, in ways we cannot fully understand, in Jesus we have ‘enough!’ He is our hope – now – He is our future – tomorrow. Yet, we have to call upon Him. We have to come to Him with our prayers. We are to seek Him with all our heart. And He promises us that He will listen. He will answer our prayers. Yet there is a requirement. It’s our hearts.

Cut-backs! Lay-offs! Bail-outs! Economic Troubles!

We’re living in troubling times! Finger pointing and casting blame does no good. Our global economy is in turmoil. Solutions are needed, even if they are painful.

I liken where we are to a person waiting on a diagnosis. They have been sick for a season. All kinds of tests performed. Then more tests are needed. This person enters a limbo state – not knowing what’s really going on. When the diagnosis is finally rendered, it might be bad news, but knowing what’s ahead is better than remaining ill, without any possible solutions.

As my above title indicates we have entered a real season of scarcity.

One ‘good’ thing about economic woes is it forces people and organizations to focus on what’s really important. For example, if our mission at Friendship is ‘to do whatever it takes to make disciples for Jesus Christ,’ the question that should consume us is ‘Are we?’ And, if there are there ‘good things’ we are doing but these efforts are draining energy, people and resources and keeping us from doing ‘the main thing,’ shouldn’t we discontinue them?

The answer is an unequivocal ‘yes.’ Sometimes we can get so caught up doing ‘good things’ that it’s easy to forget the key mission of the church. In my second church a huge discussion centered on feeding the fire and police departments (every quarter) a meal to show them appreciation. Everyone agreed that this would be a nice gesture. It would show the community we valued our servants. Then ‘EF Hutton’ spoke up. This highly respected ‘older’ gentleman simply asked, “Is this what we really should be about? Isn’t the job of the church to ‘make disciples’?” Quickly the discussion ended.

In a time of scarcity it is vital to evaluate everything through the lens, “Is this ministry essential? Is this activity, ministry, project, even person, fulfilling our essential mission?” Even though all churches have what Bill Easum calls ‘sacred cows,’ there are times – like this particular time we are in - that some sacred cows make ‘gourmet burgers.’

If Friendship’s vision is to invest in this generation and the next – those already here and those yet to come – with a special affinity to 20’s and 30’s- and if our #1 ‘hedgehog principle’ is to have worship that is ‘real, relevant and not boring,’ then this should drive our resources, not ‘we’ve always done this.’ There will be some ‘good things’ that will likely go, but in making these ‘tough calls’ I believe we will better fulfill the mission God has for us.

Will we take flak? Yes! Do pioneers get shot at? Yes! Is it fun? No! It is gut-wrenching to cancel ‘good things.’ It is difficult to look people in the eyes and say, “We value you but your ministry is not making disciples; though it might be doing some ‘good things,’ we can no longer support or endorse it.”

Yes, scarcity defines vision. We are in a defining mode.

Please pray that we can hear from God as we strive to keep ‘the main thing the main thing.’

I'm Glad I'm Not Obama!

This coming Tuesday Barack Obama will be sworn in as our new president. This is an exciting and pivotal moment in our country's history. He is popular, in some circles considered a rock star, a hero, even a superman.

Though he wanted this position and he campaigned for it - for years - I'm glad I'm not him. In my life memory there has never been a time when we need leadership as our country - even our world - does at this time. I'm praying that God has raised Obama up 'for such a time as this.'

Few would say their lives are better off than four years ago. Most would admit that the days ahead are filled with fear and uncertainty. For economic, moral, even spiritual reasons I hope Obama leads, even calling on God's power to guide and help him. From my perspective he has been given an amazing opportunity to step up and do just this. Numerous people are willing to trust him, to follow him, and to buy into his vision for the future. There will be some rocky days, but it is imperative that he lead. Will he make mistakes? Probably! Will he be criticized? Isn't he in leadership? Yet, no matter where we stand in our support or lack of support for Obama, we need to pray for him as he strives to lead us. It is time to come together in unity as a nation and trust that through God's help 'the best is yet to be!'

Five Things Andy Stanley is Thinking About

Every week I follow a blog by Tim Stevens, executive pastor of Granger Community Church. Recently he posted a blog talking about Andy Stanley’s talk at Catalyst. I thought it interesting enough to post on my blog. And, since I haven’t posted in a while, I thought this would be good. Read with an open mind as we seek “to invest our lives in this generation and the next.”

Five Things Andy Stanley is Thinking About

Andy Stanley closed the last session of Catalyst talking about stuff that is on his mind...

1) To reach people no one else is reaching, we have to do things no one else is doing (Craig Groeschel) - we have 175,000 people within 10 miles of Northpoint, and we aren't reaching them. We aren't going to reach them by building another church building. We have to do something no one else is doing.

* Become preoccupied with those you want to reach rather than those you are trying to keep.

2) The best idea for reaching the next generation isn't going to come from the existing generation, it's going to come from the next generation.

* If you are over 45 years old, you aren't going to have any good ideas. It's your job to recognize the good ideas.

* Don't do to the next generation what the previous generation did to you.

* Be a student, not a critic.

3) I'm looking for what can't be done in church, but if it could be done would fundamentally change the church.

* It always used to drive me nuts that the communicator and the leader had to be the same thing.

* Multi-site solved this. Now the great leader doesn't have to be the teacher.

* Like that, you may be the one to crack the code on something no one else has figured out that will fundamentally change our "business."

* Pay attention to people who are breaking the rules. It's the rule-breakers who are oftentimes the problem solvers.

4) If we got kicked out by our board, and they hired a new guy, what would the new guy change or do different? Let's walk out the door and walk back in, and make those changes.

* The problem with ministry is that we've fallen in love with the way we've done ministry.

* It's not "no pain, no gain" -- it's "no pain, no change." Without pain, there typically isn't any change.

* Ask: "Where are we manufacturing energy?" The things we aren't very excited about, it takes energy to get it done, but the results aren't stellar.

* Acknowledge what's not working. Own up to it. And own up to why you aren't willing to do anything about it. What is it you fear? You need to deal with that. It is a leadership lid for you.

5) When your memories exceed your dreams, the end is near. You look back with smiles and lots to celebrate, but you don't have a lot to work forward to.

* Are you willing to be involved in the future more than the present?

* Don't let success overshadow your vision.

* Success breeds complacency and complacency breeds failure.

My Life

This is the title of our newest sermon series that begins August 10th. There are a few things in life that nobody else can do for us. We have to grow up and take responsibility for our faith, our family, our job and our health. I sure wish someone had run for me this morning. I couldn’t get out of bed. Dorothy did. It would have been nice to have gotten the two miles in, but there was no one else I could call to do it for me. Heck!

Our fall season looks promising. Not only have we raised the bar in publicizing this new series, but we have opened up more nursery rooms, added children’s rooms, and taken two houses on our property to help with the addition of small groups. Just this past Sunday we had close to a hundred children here, ages five and under. I love investing my life in God’s people, especially those in their 20’s and 30’s. I hope to learn how to twitter as soon as I get a new cell phone. I would like an I-phone, but the cost is steep.

A great book I read late last year has appeared on the ‘hot list.’ It is "The Shack." If you want to read a book on better understanding grief, God and healing, I recommend highly.