Worth It All

As we race into 2009, with many if not all news outlets reporting doom and gloom for the economy, I was reminded this morning in my devotion as well as earlier in the week that God's economy is much different:

11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

This is not about eternal destiny. It's about what we've chosen as priorities while living life on the earth. It's about what we've done. What we've chosen to spend our time with. What we've chosen to waste our time with. Ouch. That hurts! I know of much time I've wasted, and could have spent furthering eternal things. When I stand before Christ, I pray that this time in my life, and beyond would speak of an increasing desire to build on the foundation of Christ, with things that last:

Time spent fostering relationships that seek to walk with Christ.

Time spent being a good father and husband, and the spiritual leader God calls me to be.

Time spent praying for the needs of the broken and downcast person who many forget.

Time spent using my resources to exalt Christ rather than my own wants or comfort.

Time spent leading others to understand how to live out all the above.

Those ideas, that kind of time, is time well spent, and a foundation rightly laid.

The Blend...Coming Soon!

Check Out The Blend!

Jealous?

One thing that's become very clear to me recently is that jealously can be an Achilles' heel of churches doing work together.

Well what if we lose "members"? Ok, fine. You lose them. But we have to ask ourselves, (and often do)...why did we lose them? Don't get me wrong, I understand the framework for people covenanting with a community of believers. The commitment is to Christ and his people, and the common purpose of glorifying Christ and building of the kingdom--not commitment to a building or a name or an individual.

So when we see other churches doing incredible things, why not seek to join them? A merger is not the idea here, but some have went down that road with success. But actually coming along side and pairing up our fellow believers of other churches, with the community of believers we've chosen to walk in life together with, is what I'm getting at. One of the ways we're seeking to do this is to go to a church that's thinking outside the box. We're taking a team to the Unleash conference in March. It's not the only way to do church. But they're successful and we want to tap into that and see if we can apply some of their techniques to help our own community be a better place to serve God in.

I want our students to go to other student ministries. I've told them this. I'm not afraid of them joining another ministry. I want them to see what God is doing in other churches, and to bring back ideas that will improve our kingdom impact! If they leave and start going somewhere else...ok I shouldn't be one bit jealous, but rather question my efforts at making sure their connections within our community were actually helping them live life for God, and not just filling a void on Sunday or Wednesday.

Shame on us if we think that church is "our" church. It's God's Church. We identify with the community he has brought together, and to those we covenant our lives to.

We all know eyes are on the church and how we interact with different "flocks". Let's give them something to talk about rather than validating their suspicions!

Do You Need To Be Rescued?

It takes effort to be rescued. A profound lesson learned by my son as he climbed out of the firetruck after a tour of the Wilmington Fire Department at Station #7. It was quite a site! All the parents standing in the background, all the cubscouts clamoring to get close enough that one could probably tell what the firemen had for dinner!

Millions of dollars and training hours go into a fire fighter's training--all for the purpose of rescuing someone from a fire or other emergency. As the fireman donned his fire suit and breathing apparatus, he let the scouts know that they may not recognize him at a time when they needed rescuing. He encouraged them not to be scared, but to listen for his voice through the mask if they encountered him in their bedroom, and that being said, if they needed to be rescued.

Many people go throughout life not knowing that they need to be rescued. They're comfortable. It's easy to be comfortable here. Right now I'm sitting in a cozy warm home, in a comfy chair, so you could say I'm comfortable. Spiritual emergencies often prepare our hearts for rescue. Even then, it's hard to listen. Take a moment to examine what we've been rescued from, and what we need rescuing from still, from the only One who can rescue what really needs rescuing...make sense?

"Wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:24-25

DNA Pt. 6 Replace Yourself

At some point, someone will replace you.

This is the next element effective ministries realize and act upon. As I was reading this chapter in 7 Habits of Effective Ministry, I looked at that reality within my own ministry. Whether it's 1 day or 1 decade or until God takes me home, being a part of the process of laying the ground work for the ministry to continue to be effective as a direct result of my choice to lead, will determine whether the legacy I leave is me-centered or Kingdom centered.

Leadership is not about control or power. Leadership is about vision and influence. If you can't influence people in moving towards the God-inspired vision God's given you for ministry, then they will not follow you. It's been said that a leader in which no one follows is only taking a walk.

So with the humbling realization that I will be replaced...I can either lead with an inward focus, trying to "protect my ground" which looks like me putting out scuffles and naysayers' fires...or I can lead with an investing focus, trying to give my job away, teaching others to do ministry, while serving alongside them, with the realization that I may be replaced, and so might they. Investing allows the vision to continue long after I'm gone.

In our series, Life Hurts, God Heals, several of our leaders have stepped up to the plate to deliver a home run, leading the mid-week message. I've asked them to do it. I could have done every week of the series, but that's not being replaced. God's doing amazing things. Pray for our ministry. So many teens hurt. It seems like every week God shows me students with pain that breaks your heart. We lead for them. We, by the leadership of the Holy Spirit, want to be totally replaced, totally consumed, by the indwelling Spirit of God within our lives.

So replace yourself. Give your ministry away. Be led by the Spirit.

God At Work

I just love to be surprised by God! He surprises me and it's awesome! Tonight we had around 70 with adults and students, and we had also had the Holy Spirit moving among many of our adults and students. Ten students accepted Christ tonight, no guilt trips here, just a clear presentation, and an opportunity to respond, with follow up afterwards by our adult leaders.

Why do I say this to you in this blog?? Because I can think of no better thing to share with anyone! People going to see Jesus is the most incredible thing and it never gets old! I was just glad God allowed me to see it! Right here. Right now. Go Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Those who are now His are transformed, and will never be the same.

Leadership 101

I get to minister alongside some of the greatest, most dedicated youth volunteers in the world! Seriously. These team players are dedicated to seeing students mature in their faith, and modeling that commitment in their own lives as well. We just had a leader appreciation luncheon, and at this luncheon, I also shared our vision and goals for the new year. Here's what our ministry is focusing on in 2009 in four simple words: ACCEPT...FOLLOW...LEAD...MODEL.

That's it. If you can't narrow down your focus, its too broad. We've narrowed it down to these concepts and they will define our ministry for this year and I believe in the years to come. Here's the four goals spelled out a bit more:

1. We must provide opportunities for non-believing students to accept Christ.

2. We must have more opportunities for students to follow Christ.

3. We must have more opportunities for students to lead with Christ..

4. We must deepen relationships with more students and parents in order to model Christ.

Looking to see these goals fleshed out in 09 with the strategies we outlined today. Pretty cool stuff. I'm excited. Our team's pumped, and students will receive greater impact from Christ as a result of being focused on what's important, and tossing everything else to the side.

What's Your Whale?

I just realized something very intriguing. Not once has Jonah and his encounter with the big fish been ever mentioned in regards to Thanksgiving. Strange you ask? Here's why...Jonah was in the belly of the fish because he chose to run from God in disobedience. What does he do after 3 days of putrid existence? (in a stomach ok?!) He cries out to his God for rescue and says, "But I with the voice of thanksgiving will sacrifice to you what I have vowed I will pay. Salvation belongs to the Lord." (Jonah 2:9)

Jonah was thankful in the whale, but it took three days. After that a new life. Obvious is the reference to the resurrection life, as Jesus referred to this in Matthew. We must get this part. We must begin with the resurrection life. But what about the whale? Do we realize we're in a whale sometimes in our lives and stay there without crying out? Becoming numb to a putrid way of living can keep us from living as God is calling us to. Yet God in his mercy allowed Jonah to begin the new life on dry land. He didn't have to drown. God's effort. Not his. But Jonah cried out.

You could say, from looking at my life, that I've been vomited up from the whale. As a result of disobedience? On some level yes. God got my attention. I'm a different man now. From trials can come joy and thanksgiving. Would I go through that experience to get to where I am now? Not ever. That's where God steps in, and takes us where we need to go.

If you or someone you know is running from God, pray they realize they're in a whale, and pray for their rescue from the stinking stew. Pray they live as though they've never lived before...and seek to give thanks for the whale they've just been vomited up from.

Carolina and Caroina

Ok so both of my teams lost...one didn't play so well, the other played pretty good to the end, on the road. Hats off to the 14-0 Demon Deacons, they've done well to represent the ACC.

Bridge Building

God continues to shape hearts and minds as we progress towards an incredible vision for Wilmington! Check out some really neat thoughts from my pastor on bridge building here.

If You Like Sushi...

Here's a great laugh! (and a good point too)

Sushi Fail

Whilst we were away on our Christmas break, I stopped by a local sushi shop and while browsing the menu, I found this little gem…

Not judging those who take the time to learn a second language, but the devil’s in the the details folks. Skip the small stuff enough and all you’ll end up with is crap filled dragon rolls.

So, a little rhetorical question to kick off your new year right: What are the details you’re overlooking or brushing off that are keeping you from a creative breakthrough this year? What’s gotta change? You’re only 2 days into the year, so no excuses. Do it.

-Ryan Hollingsworth, Graphic Designer

You MIght Be A Youth Worker If...

Here's a just for fun top ten list from my friend Tim:

1 You know what a blue flame is and think it’s fun, you might be a youth worker.

2. You’ve heard these words from a Sr. Pastor, “Son, step into my office. We need to talk,” you might be a youth worker.

3. You can devise an impromptu ice-breaker game with 3 paper-clips, 4 tissues and a sharpie, you might be a youth worker.

4. You can justify surfing as work, you might be a youth worker.

5. People pull up to a red light and you have the bass cranked up singing to the top of your lungs in the church van, you might be a youth worker.

6. You've ever declared, “Dude, that would be soooo hardcore!” in response to a senior pastor’s suggestion, you might be a youth worker.

7. You're the one who made a fart sound after lights out just to laugh at the junior high boys with how they react, you might be a youth worker.

8. You've ever sat with a student while they tell they’re parents they are struggling with cutting (put your addiction here) you might be a youth worker.

9 You see a kid sitting off by themselves and your heart feels a tug and you go sit and talk with them all night if need be, you might be a youth worker.

10. It makes you sad that your youth members are growing up, you might be a youth worker.

Are We Listening? DNA Pt. 5

As I tear apart (or slowly digest) 7 Practices of Effective Ministry, one idea is very clear: North Point Community Church has intensely thought through who they are and what it is that they are to be doing. This chapter makes such thinking all the more precise. In emphasizing what NPCC is about, they emphasize the outsider's opinion over the person "in the pew" so to speak.

If we're trying to reach those who need Jesus, it would be pertinent to know what they think about such efforts. The authors aren't condoning pandering to popular opinion about God. But what is clear is that churches, lots of them, don't listen to outsiders or what it would take to get an outsider to come through the church door. It takes the insider. Invest and Invite is NPCC's mantra when it comes to reaching those far from God.

When you invite someone to church--a friend that you've cultivated a relationship with intentionally, and they tell you they're coming--you're going to intensely care about what's coming up for that Sunday: the message, the music, the extras. All of a sudden you, not the "experts" become the most important factor in bringing your friend closer to Christ.

When Southside speaks...who do we want to listen?