Calvin's Corner

The "Acclaimed Leader"

2009-03-03T08:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-03T07:34:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-01-18T11:02:00.000-08:00

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

2008-10-15T07:38:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-06T14:33:00.000-07:00

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.

Reaching People Under 40 While Keeping People Over 60

2008-03-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

One of my key responsibilities as a pastoral leader is to define reality. In this article I want to deal with a huge reality that will upset some and make a few stop and reflect.

It’s 2008. We live in a post-modern, post-Christian world. Everything is shifting. Families have changed. Schools have children who speak different languages. Businesses have become culturally sensitive. Communication is instant – all over the world. The pace of life is faster. And, most churches are stuck in an antiquated, irrelevant methodology.

One of the greatest tensions in the church today is that many want ‘their church’ to remain stuck. Now this is not intentional, but it is reality. They like their comfort, their fellowship with life-long friends, their preferred worship setting and styles, and their familiar ways of connecting with God. Yet, to reach out to a new generation will mean that a lot of ‘sacred’ things – not the message of hope in Christ – will require a new way of functioning. This causes tension. Does the church change to reach this new generation or does it keep doing things that used to work and bypass the mission of making disciples? Does the church honor – and live in the past – such that it ‘fumbles the ball’ by seeking to do what it takes to reach new people? The challenges ahead are immense, even for us here at Friendship.

For me, a sign of spiritual maturity is realizing that ‘it’s not about me.’ It’s about loving God by loving His people. I’ve given up my comfort, my preferred worship setting and style in order to help a new generation connect with God and others. I’ve had to ‘disconnect’ from my preferred ‘friend base’ in order to welcome new friends who desire to connect with others – that’s me – within the body of Christ.

A sign of spiritual immaturity is when I hear people say something like, “If you don’t meet my needs, the way I want you too, then I’ll find a new church.” Sadly, I’ve heard this lately more than I care to admit. I don’t like threats or being held hostage by immature, ‘it’s all about me’ so-called Christians.

My friends, God has a huge calling upon His body called Friendship. When we strive to love each other, when we hold one another accountable to biblical mandates, and when we seek to be obedient by making disciples, it will not always be easy. But experiencing the joy of changed lives makes everything worth it. In reality, who cares what age you or I might be? We have a mission – and it’s not about being served – it’s about serving others for the greater joy of welcoming new people into God’s family. We get to invest our lives for others – this generation and the one which is coming.

Thanks for the privilege of being your pastor.

Calvin

The Discipline of Blogging!

2008-01-20T05:08:00.001-08:00

OK! I’ll admit it. I stink at blogging. I understand its benefits and I know this is something I need to incorporate into my disciplines, but I’m just not there yet. It’s a little like exercising. There are great benefits to working out at the gym. Yet, to make this a discipline requires a commitment that is often difficult to ascribe too in our busy, demanding world. So, with this blog, I aspire to do better – at least weekly.

I started this year off vision casting for Friendship. A vision is a glimpse at a preferred future. A God–vision is a revelation from God’s Spirit to do greater things for the kingdom. For the past five months I have been going through a discernment process that has resulted in an expanded vision for Friendship. Basically I’ve come to believe that I am to give my life for this generation – those who are presently here – and the next generation – those who are yet to come. And, I have a special affinity for those in their 20’s and 30’s. So, God’s vision for Friendship is to step up for the greater spiritual dimensions of welcoming people into the faith, helping them become disciples of Christ, and together experiencing the joy of serving God’s people.

In last Sunday’s sermon I outlined a plan for God’s greater vision to be accomplished here. Now, a plan is just that – a plan – it can be revised, ignored or accepted as is. I realize that we are still in a discernment season so I ask for your prayers and encouragement as we seek to make disciples for Jesus Christ.

Until next time, I am,

Calvin

An Expanded Vision

2007-10-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

Well, God has done it again. After seeking what’s next for Friendship; thinking we had discerned a plan of action; and starting the process to implement the plan; even when things didn’t seem quite right in my spirit, God enlarged our small thinking into a God-sized vision. He did this in 1998 and I believe strongly He is doing it again in 2007.

In early ’98 the plan was to build a sanctuary that would seat around 500. As we prayed and listened we sensed God calling us to also build a multi-purpose building to welcome a people that do not like a ‘traditional’ service. So, in acting in obedience we built two facilities.

Since the completion of our sanctuary and multi-purpose building in 2000, our attendance has grown three fold. From an average attendance of 250 in early 2000 in two services, to around 750 today in three services, God has shown us the fruit of our obedience to the enlarged vision He gave us in ’98.

As we’ve maxed out our current facilities we began to ask ‘what’s next.’ Initially we sensed it would be to construct a worship center, as the bulk of our growth has occurred in the two contemporary services. Yet, something didn’t seem quite right about this.

Over the past two months God has led me through a spiritual discernment process. He has pierced my heart during this time with a wake-up call to discover where He’s at work at Friendship. We are blessed to have people of all ages and backgrounds coming, but over the last six months God has brought to us good numbers of 20’s and 30’s. So many in this younger generation are not in church and resist even thinking about attending church. “Boring and irrelevant” are the two words I keep hearing from this age group.

Yet, we are attracting this new generation in good numbers. God has opened for us a window of opportunity to reach a significant segment of our area that is turned off to ‘old ways of doing church.’

Picture with me a Sunday morning in 2010! A couple with two children, park their car. The little boy and girl eagerly exit the car, pulling on their parents to hurry up. They cannot wait to enter the Children’s Center where they can join hundreds of other kids eager to have a fun
time and learn about Jesus. After dropping off their children and feeling secure doing so, this late 20’s couple enter our worship center looking forward to experiencing God in a real and refreshing way. They encounter Jesus and their lives are transformed. Friendship met them where they were, welcomed them, invested in them and they will go invite others to join them as there is something powerful happening here.

We have an opportunity before us to reach this new generation for Christ. It will take a new way of thinking and a different kind of vehicle than what’s gone before. I am willing to die for his vision of doing whatever it takes to reach this generation that are now in our care and influence. I hope you will join me.

And, on that Sunday in 2010, we can praise God that we had the courage and obedience to invest our lives in those who come behind us; those who have joined us in the quest for a life-changing relationship with God’s Son.

The Potential Is Here

2007-09-05T14:35:00.001-07:00

Friendship is a church filled with great, God-gifted potential. I strongly believe that God is bringing together the right people to accomplish His greater mission for us. The people who are here and those a’coming have great potential. It blows my mind. And, I’m not just talking about talent. Potential is everywhere I turn.

We have potential leaders needing to pop out of their cocoon and allow God to use them to lead. And, with what’s ahead I believe leadership is more critical than ever. It’s amazing to me how people want to be led – to be challenged – to give their lives to something greater than themselves. So, potential leaders, step up, and do what God has gifted you to do – LEAD!!!

We have potential teachers everywhere. And, God is bringing more. Starting this month we have more small groups starting and continuing than at any point in Friendship’s history. And, if you have the gift of teaching – TEACH! Don’t sit back and complain. Get in the game. TEACH! We need you.

We have potential workers all among us. If you haven’t found your niche of ministry yet, I wish to ask you: why haven’t you? You are needed! I am tired of people sitting on the sidelines missing out on God’s blessings when they could be in the game, touching people’s lives in powerful ways with the gospel. Find your ministry and work for the Lord. So, workers, WORK!

We have more potential givers than ever. All of us are blessed to be a blessing. Those of us who trust God and tithe know we cannot out give Him. If you are having trouble financially, tithe. Trust God. Learn the joy of giving, instead of always hording or taking. Yes, I believe more and more Friendshippers are stepping up to tithing and I wish to encourage everyone to GIVE.

We have more talented people than I can comprehend. God has brought us and is bringing us people with significant talent musically, organizationally, technologically, relationally, and in so many other areas. The potential is enormous in this talent area. And, if God has gifted you with a talent and you’re not using it, shame on you. The blessings you are missing and those you could bless are tremendous. If you have talent potential, use your TALENT.

The days ahead for Friendship are bright. Yes, we will have struggles and we will have difficulties. But, when we trust God, keep the main thing the main thing, and are not afraid to take risks, we will continue being part of something special – this body of Christ called Friendship.

Until next time,

Calvin

IS IT OK FOR A PASTOR TO ADMIT HIS FRUSTRATIONS?

2007-07-30T07:34:00.000-07:00

More often than I wish to admit, I feel frustrated about what could be but for whatever reasons, it’s not happening. As a pastor I know it’s risky to unveil that I have frustrations, so I ask you to take these and make them prayer requests. Oh, do pray for me as I strive to be the spiritual leader and pastoral leader that God needs for Friendship. Sometimes my frustrations do get the better of me.

What are some of my frustrations?

First, I sense Friendship could become a really great church, but we are not embracing all our God-given opportunities. This frustrates me. I have a lot of people willing to be in advisory positions, and not nearly enough willing to step up and discover the joy of investing their lives for kingdom purposes.

Second, it frustrates me that I’m expected to ‘perform’ at a high level but most of ‘my people’ can get by with being average. And, I better not call them on this!

Third, it frustrates me that so many of ‘my people’ are missing out on the joy of being a bold witness for Christ and have settled for mediocrity in their spiritual lives.

Fourth, it frustrates me that we could be averaging 200+ more in worship attendance, but so many of ‘my people’ are satisfied with sporadic attendance.

Fifth, it frustrates me that so many of my people are stingy and have not discovered the joy of tithing. This is preventing us from doing all we could be doing. I ask you to join me in praying for some huge financial gifts that we can pay off existing debt to get into a position for Friendship’s next adventure of faith.

Sixth, it frustrates me that too many people feel strong about their opinions without any basis in God’s Word. Honestly it seems we still have too much immaturity among long term followers of Christ.

How do I deal with my frustrations?

I seek your prayers, patience, and deployment. If only we had the courage to forget about what’s in it for me and ask, “God, what do you want from me?” we could reach so many more people for Christ.

And, I’ve courageously shared them with you. I will strive to operate with the old adage, “Let him – or her – that gripeth, be the ones that grab hold of the situation.”

Still, even with all my frustrations, God is at work and lives are being challenged and changed for Him.

What Defines Greatness?

2007-04-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

All my life I've heard people described in the context of "good." He is a "good" man. She was a "good" Christian. What does this mean? I know around here there are alot of "good" churches. Yet, if "good" is the enemy of "great," what is greatness? How can we be "great?" Well, as I think about this, I remember Jesus saying that we are going to do greater things than he did while on earth, because he is going to be with the Father - interceding on our behalf. So, what is greatness? Is is possible for Friendship to become a great church? Just what are the essentials of greatness?As I reflect on this, I believe God is calling us to be a great people - a people with passion for whose we are and who we are. And, if we are passionate about our relationship with Christ, it will pave the way for us to become great - according to biblical standards - which will be proven in our character, commitment and courage. Sadly, most people settle for good, when the possibility is real to be great - in God's eyes. I want to be remembered one day as a great man - by my family and by the people whom I ministered too. And, I hope to be remembered as a pastor of a great church called Friendship - a church passionate about its mission, filled with great people - people with Christ-like character, a significant commitment and the courage to do whatever it takes to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Yes, good is the enemy of great and great people and great churches don't just happen. Together, let's intentionally march toward God's call of greatness.Until next time,Calvin

Dexter's homegoing

2007-03-16T11:45:00.002-07:00

In about an hour I will be part of a beloved man's homegoing celebration. Dexer Greenhaw, my music director and friend for the past 17 years, went to the other side Wednesday morning after a long battle with ALS. Dexter became my hero in how he handled his diagnosis and in how he showed me the joy of living while dying. He touched the lives of scores of people, many in his high school bands. He had a great sense of humor even in these last weeks. I never heard him complain. He was always positive and he made everybody who visited him feel better, while he suffered greatly. I'll miss him big time and so will his family and all his friends. I believe we are all better off because of this man called Dexter Greenhaw. Pray for us here at Friendship as well as his family as we go on with life.

God is good and all the time God is good. The best is yet to come.

Sunday, March 4th

2007-03-05T09:57:00.000-08:00

This is my first attempt at blogging, so bear with me as I learn to do this. So, periodically I plan to share what's going on in my life and in the life of Friendship UMC. I begin with thougths on yesterday.

I felt awful. In fact, during the 8:20 service I had spots before my eyes and could not focus on my sermon. Thank goodness we did communion, so I didn't have quite as long of a sermon. During the time of coming forward to receiving the elements, it was interesting watching people place their commitment cards in the basket. Almost it seemed the longer a person had been in church the less likely they wrote down a financial commitment. For me, tithing is a life standard and I believe God blesses my life in proportion to my tithing. I can not longer afford not to tithe. If only people would get this spiritual principle, their lives would be better off.

The other two services went well. I felt a little better, though I've got a doctor's appointment at 2:15 today.

More later.

Calvin