I work part time doing youth ministry at a church where the average age is over 50. At first, this was a strange experience for me because I've never been part of an 'older' church. Being part of a more traditional church has definitely stretched me. I'm still not entirely used to it, but it's been awesome to get to know people better there. They have great hearts.
The youth group I lead meets on Sunday nights in various homes of people in the congregation. I've been really blessed by their generosity. Because of them we have a youth group that can meet in comfy living rooms where we can eat delicious snacks and play awesome games. Earlier tonight I met with students at a house where the owners' grandchildren are around my age. They even have two great-grandchildren! I really respect their leadership in the church. Like other people in the congregation, they realize that unless they change things, the average age of the members will continue to increase until there is no more church there. They are beginning to form a plan of action to reach out to the community to make more disciples, and it's been an exciting and challenging time!
I used to think that it would be difficult for this church to change because they seemed to be so set in their ways, but they are making some good steps forward. It seems like it would be so hard for an 'old' church to become 'young.'
But tonight, I was filled with more hope for the church. I had a short but meaningful conversation with the man of the house. He's a war vet and a patriot and a good leader and a follower of Christ. He asked me about me and my fiance and I told him that we are excited to get married in two months! He is also excited for us, but he's still also very excited about his marriage. On March 1st, he and his wife will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. How awesome is that! I respect couples who can say that...they should brag about it as much as they want...maybe not brag, but they should celebrate ti as much as they want. Anyway, I told him that I really appreciate and respect that.
He told me that, for their marriage to work, they had to move from "I" to "we." He said it gets fun when you get to the point of "we." But he said it gets even more fun when you move from "we" to "others." He and his wife have enjoyed their marriage. Just then I realized that this little church has a unique opportunity to get this church to grow. First, they are committed. If they can commit to marriage for that long, then they certainly can stay committed to changing the face of their church. I realized that the members of this congregation are very wise. They have the ability to invest in younger generations and pass on the wisdom they've acquired over time. That would create meaningful and lasting relationships.
I don't know...like I said, they have a way to go but they're on the right track. The Lord wants to be made greater in Penns Valley, so He'll use that church. He's given them a very unique set of skills and gifts to do a God-sized task, and I'm excited to see how it all plays out!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Winning
I'm in a goofy mood right now...jamming to U2, watching youtube...which put together = U2b (bad joke...told you I'm in a mood). But there's a lot in store for me soon. I am getting married in 72 days which means that I will also (hopefully) be starting a new job doing full time ministry shortly after that. Both of these things make me more excited than anything, but they also intimidate me a little bit. These two responsibilities are no easy tasks to do well. And I want to do them well.
These huge responsibilities make me feel small. I can't do them as well as I want by myself. These are God sized things, and God sized things are hard, and it's easy to give up. When I do that, I feel lost. Something within me (and pretty much everyone) wants to win, to overcome, to succeed. Oftentimes we get excited, have good intentions, and then fizzle out. Lately I've been reading through different parts of the Old Testament (mostly Joshua and 1, 2 Samuel) looking at some of the early leaders of Israel. It's interesting to see how that tiny little nation prospered and seemed to fizzle out with the coming and going of leaders. Israel was strong and prosperous with godly leaders and weak with ungodly leaders. Joshua may have been the most 'successful' leader of Israel: he led them into the promised land by driving out other nations (this dude was a stud) all the while keeping Israel focused on the Lord (a solid politician as well).
While I'm not going to be leading a nation, it made me think about my leadership. What are my strengths/weaknesses? Where do I need to grow? Where am I failing or falling short? Having all of that in mind, I thought about Joshua and all of his success. Was this guy just a superhuman stud with an incredible competitive drive to succeed? I think that's what the world wants us to be like. "You want it? Go and get it for yourself! Don't let anyone take it from you!"
I don't think this was the core of Joshua's character. He may have been competitive, but that didn't drive him. What made him so great was that he didn't view himself as great. All he did was follow the Lord. At the beginning of the book of Joshua, God gives him some promises (paraphrased): "Every place your foot touches I have given to you. You will have success wherever you go if you be careful to do according to all the law. All you need to do is be strong and courageous."
Well, Joshua did that. He obeyed God and he was strong and courageous, and I think Joshua would say that God did the rest. Do you know what Joshua means in its original language? It means 'Yahweh is salvation.' His name reminded him (and others) every day that he wasn't the one with the plan. Joshua wasn't saving Israel from the cities of people who didn't want the Israelites there. God did it. Israel entered the promised land and drove all sorts of people out of it, and they became wealthy from the spoils of war. And not one time did Joshua fall or lead Israel astray. Because Joshua was faithful, Israel prospered. Other generations weren't so lucky. Israel seemed like a roller coaster of good and evil leaders.
Joshua seemed to be the prototypical leader for the Israelites - obey God, follow him boldly and you'll win. Failing to be obedient is disastrous. I'm surprised at how devoted he was to following God's will. He must have been so focused and he must have cared so much for his people to be disciplined enough to always seek God first.
...Which leads me back to me. If I'm a husband and a pastor and I'm not seeking God first, of course it's going to be a disaster! And that's because I can't do those things by myself. My plans and vision and dreams and desires will fizzle out when I get discouraged or lost. But when I do begin to fizzle out, that doesn't change God's plans, and his plans are perfect. Thank goodness he doesn't change them based on my emotions!
I think that sometimes people get so focused on leadership that they forget how to follow. I've found that when I am not obedient and I forget what it looks like to follow the Lord, my life is way less fruitful (branches can't produce fruit unless they're connected to the vine). And how much despair do we have when we're lost! So quickly do we forget God's promises: "I will never leave you nor forsake you...do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
If God makes that promise, as long as we're faithful, we're winning. Sure, it's not easy, but isn't it harder to try to do it without the Lord?
These huge responsibilities make me feel small. I can't do them as well as I want by myself. These are God sized things, and God sized things are hard, and it's easy to give up. When I do that, I feel lost. Something within me (and pretty much everyone) wants to win, to overcome, to succeed. Oftentimes we get excited, have good intentions, and then fizzle out. Lately I've been reading through different parts of the Old Testament (mostly Joshua and 1, 2 Samuel) looking at some of the early leaders of Israel. It's interesting to see how that tiny little nation prospered and seemed to fizzle out with the coming and going of leaders. Israel was strong and prosperous with godly leaders and weak with ungodly leaders. Joshua may have been the most 'successful' leader of Israel: he led them into the promised land by driving out other nations (this dude was a stud) all the while keeping Israel focused on the Lord (a solid politician as well).
While I'm not going to be leading a nation, it made me think about my leadership. What are my strengths/weaknesses? Where do I need to grow? Where am I failing or falling short? Having all of that in mind, I thought about Joshua and all of his success. Was this guy just a superhuman stud with an incredible competitive drive to succeed? I think that's what the world wants us to be like. "You want it? Go and get it for yourself! Don't let anyone take it from you!"
I don't think this was the core of Joshua's character. He may have been competitive, but that didn't drive him. What made him so great was that he didn't view himself as great. All he did was follow the Lord. At the beginning of the book of Joshua, God gives him some promises (paraphrased): "Every place your foot touches I have given to you. You will have success wherever you go if you be careful to do according to all the law. All you need to do is be strong and courageous."
Well, Joshua did that. He obeyed God and he was strong and courageous, and I think Joshua would say that God did the rest. Do you know what Joshua means in its original language? It means 'Yahweh is salvation.' His name reminded him (and others) every day that he wasn't the one with the plan. Joshua wasn't saving Israel from the cities of people who didn't want the Israelites there. God did it. Israel entered the promised land and drove all sorts of people out of it, and they became wealthy from the spoils of war. And not one time did Joshua fall or lead Israel astray. Because Joshua was faithful, Israel prospered. Other generations weren't so lucky. Israel seemed like a roller coaster of good and evil leaders.
Joshua seemed to be the prototypical leader for the Israelites - obey God, follow him boldly and you'll win. Failing to be obedient is disastrous. I'm surprised at how devoted he was to following God's will. He must have been so focused and he must have cared so much for his people to be disciplined enough to always seek God first.
...Which leads me back to me. If I'm a husband and a pastor and I'm not seeking God first, of course it's going to be a disaster! And that's because I can't do those things by myself. My plans and vision and dreams and desires will fizzle out when I get discouraged or lost. But when I do begin to fizzle out, that doesn't change God's plans, and his plans are perfect. Thank goodness he doesn't change them based on my emotions!
I think that sometimes people get so focused on leadership that they forget how to follow. I've found that when I am not obedient and I forget what it looks like to follow the Lord, my life is way less fruitful (branches can't produce fruit unless they're connected to the vine). And how much despair do we have when we're lost! So quickly do we forget God's promises: "I will never leave you nor forsake you...do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
If God makes that promise, as long as we're faithful, we're winning. Sure, it's not easy, but isn't it harder to try to do it without the Lord?
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Say It Out Loud
This is a game I've been playing the past couple weeks. The game is "Say It Out Loud," and it's quite simple. Basically, if you're in a situation and you don't know what to do, say it out loud. If you need to make a decision, say it out loud. Saying it out loud helps make sense of the pros and cons.
A semi-humorous example:
My old roommate Ryan is a really intelligent guy who says whatever he thinks. Some of the things he says are ridiculous, and that always makes for fun conversation. One day I walked in and Ryan was sitting on the couch watching tv and he told me about 'a brilliant idea' he had.
When Ryan says this, I always listen. I listen because his ideas are always interesting. However, my most common response to his ideas is "Ryan, that's a terrible idea." And we proceed to debate and discuss.
Anyway, Ryan told me that he was going to become a millionaire. When I asked how he was going to make that happen, he told me that he was going to gain 200 pounds and go on the tv show The Biggest Loser.
"Ryan, that's a terrible idea."
While we both agreed that it might be fun to sit and play video games and eat tons of food, I was surprised to hear him say it. Ryan loves being active - he's always doing something: mountain biking, basketball, tennis, snowboarding. After talking with him a little more, he realized that he liked his life too much the way it was, and decided not to change it.
This isn't a story to make fun of Ryan. He's going to be my best man, and he isn't an idiot - this guy is intelligent. Saying it out loud helped him see the situation more clearly. But I think that everyone gets excited about ideas or thoughts that they have. I think we get too excited about our thoughts, and that's why we need to say it out loud. I don't know why, but saying stuff out loud helps me to organize my thoughts and it helps me to think more clearly.
"I'm going to eat this whole bag of beef jerky. Ya know, I just said it out loud, and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Yes it tastes good, but if I'm that hungry I might as well make myself an actual meal."
"I want to play xbox...but you know what, my xbox will still be there after I do my laundry and get my other work done."
"I just got paid and I can't wait to buy some new clothes. Actually, Adam, you have a closet full of clothes. Save your money because you'll need it more when you're married (in three months!!!).
"I want to sleep in another 30 minutes. Well, since you got some stuff done yesterday, it wouldn't be a problem to sleep in."
Here's one I've heard on campus a few times: "This weekend I just want to get drunk and forget everything that happened." You said it out loud...how does that make any sense? This is where we need to make good decisions before doing the things we want to do.
Seriously, this is a good game. It's fun to play by yourself or with a group of friends. While it's fun to think of ridiculous things to 'say out loud,' it's also good practice for making responsible decisions.
A semi-humorous example:
My old roommate Ryan is a really intelligent guy who says whatever he thinks. Some of the things he says are ridiculous, and that always makes for fun conversation. One day I walked in and Ryan was sitting on the couch watching tv and he told me about 'a brilliant idea' he had.
When Ryan says this, I always listen. I listen because his ideas are always interesting. However, my most common response to his ideas is "Ryan, that's a terrible idea." And we proceed to debate and discuss.
Anyway, Ryan told me that he was going to become a millionaire. When I asked how he was going to make that happen, he told me that he was going to gain 200 pounds and go on the tv show The Biggest Loser.
"Ryan, that's a terrible idea."
While we both agreed that it might be fun to sit and play video games and eat tons of food, I was surprised to hear him say it. Ryan loves being active - he's always doing something: mountain biking, basketball, tennis, snowboarding. After talking with him a little more, he realized that he liked his life too much the way it was, and decided not to change it.
This isn't a story to make fun of Ryan. He's going to be my best man, and he isn't an idiot - this guy is intelligent. Saying it out loud helped him see the situation more clearly. But I think that everyone gets excited about ideas or thoughts that they have. I think we get too excited about our thoughts, and that's why we need to say it out loud. I don't know why, but saying stuff out loud helps me to organize my thoughts and it helps me to think more clearly.
"I'm going to eat this whole bag of beef jerky. Ya know, I just said it out loud, and it doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Yes it tastes good, but if I'm that hungry I might as well make myself an actual meal."
"I want to play xbox...but you know what, my xbox will still be there after I do my laundry and get my other work done."
"I just got paid and I can't wait to buy some new clothes. Actually, Adam, you have a closet full of clothes. Save your money because you'll need it more when you're married (in three months!!!).
"I want to sleep in another 30 minutes. Well, since you got some stuff done yesterday, it wouldn't be a problem to sleep in."
Here's one I've heard on campus a few times: "This weekend I just want to get drunk and forget everything that happened." You said it out loud...how does that make any sense? This is where we need to make good decisions before doing the things we want to do.
Seriously, this is a good game. It's fun to play by yourself or with a group of friends. While it's fun to think of ridiculous things to 'say out loud,' it's also good practice for making responsible decisions.
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