The Power of Thankfulness

There is power in thankfulness. I was reminded of this statement last Saturday night. Jolanta, Angie, Chris, and I left for Marshall, Texas on Saturday afternoon. Chris had played his game earlier in the day as Angie had cheered. We had just enough time to travel to East Texas Baptist University for the football game. We all entered the stadium as someone was praying from the public address system for the safety of the players. My plan all along was to leave after halftime to journey back to Baytown (since it is a four hour drive), but plans would soon change. We had traveled to watch Katey (our oldest) march in the ETBU Band during halftime. After the halftime show, Katey came to sit in the stands with us for a few moments with a request. She wanted us to stay until the end of the game and take her out to dinner. Immediately my mind went to the clock. I’m thinking (end of game, dinner, and travel back to Baytown) we won’t arrive home until at least 2:00 a.m. and I have to teach in the morning. But, then here’s my daughter wanting to spend time with her family. Well, you know what we did. We stayed until the end of the game and headed out for dinner afterwards. Because I’m the last of the big spenders (not quite), we went to Wendy’s only because it’s one of the few restaurants open late in Marshall. To be truthful here, I also thought it would be a faster eat, but I was wrong on that one. We walked into Wendy’s and stood in line behind four people. Have you ever been to a self-proclaimed “fast food” restaurant that didn’t quite live up to its name? Well that was the beginning of our dining experience. I actually felt sorry for the cashier (who appeared to be no older than 12) attempting to take the individual orders of the group in front of us. As I’m standing in line, inwardly I’m growing more impatient. I wanted a quick eat, but it was becoming increasingly obvious this would not be the case at all. Before long, there was a line to the door and it was apparent that those behind the counter were getting increasingly anxious about having just been slammed.

As I’m standing there a little unnerved, God reminds me of something pretty profound. It was almost as if I heard an audible voice inquiring about the subject matter of the message in the morning. Of course, we’ve been talking about living like Jesus and tomorrow’s message was going to be about the thankfulness Jesus demonstrated. Then it hit me, I needed to find something to be thankful for while standing in the fast food lane. I said, “Lord, I’m thankful for the dinner I will eat tonight.” Then it hit me almost instantaneously, this sort of peace feel over the entire situation for me. It was as if this attitude of thankfulness overcame my anxiousness for the clock. We finally ate dinner with our daughter and then dropped her back off at the dorm. Leaving the parking lot of ETBU, I thanked God for the good drive we were going to have on the way home (our departure a little after 10:00pm). I was concerned about getting “too sleepy” on the drive home. Guess what? I don’t think I’ve ever been more wide-awake driving in the early morning hours than I had been that morning. We arrived safely home. There’s power in thankfulness!

On Teams and Teamwork

As some of you know, my doctoral project entails developing a curriculum for teaching team building skills within the context of a multi-staffed church. Many churches, if not all, struggle with effective teamwork among its leadership groups. There are many reasons why, just not enough time or space to detail in one post. Most function as a group, just not necessarily as team. This is a distinct difference between a group and a team. Personally, I’d like to be a part of an intentional shift in modern church culture from groups to teams within the context of local church leadership. An organization discovers strength and synergy in effective teamwork. Here’s a short video of quotes and proverbs regarding the value of working together.

On Preventing Burnout

Burnout is very real and extremely costly. The New York Times ran an article about the pressures faced by physicians today. According to a studies sited in the article, anywhere from 33% to 50% of all doctors suffer from burnout. Burned out physicians can have tremendous clinical implications. Doctors experiencing burnout depersonalize patients, treat them as objects rather than persons, and are more likely to make errors in diagnosis and treatment. This is a serious problem in the medical community as with so many of our professionals.

Recently, there were published reports citing a study which examined the effects of a year long intensive and enrichment experience to help doctors challenged by the regimine routine in the medical field.. There were four components to the course: meditation, writing sessions, discussion, and lectures. The results were dramatic. Participating doctors became less burned out and less emotionally exhausted.

Reading through the article reminded me once again of the plague of burnout in the professional environment. There must be a conscious effort for care professionals to maintain a sense of spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional health. Anything less than promoting a pro-active and preventative self-care strategy will result in burnout. This is the same for ministers. As caring professionals, we are subject to burnout. In fact, I’m not so sure burnout isn’t the result that leads to a simple majority of resignations from ministry.

As I read through the components of the physician course, I re-interpreted their components as these for ministers. Here’s my list: study/reflection, journaling, authentic and transparent dialogue with a peer, and learning. Do you have a strategy to deter or defeat burnout? Are you running at extraordinary speeds impressing friends and churchgoers only to know you’re empty? Take the step to combat burnout. Allow God to fill your soul, mind, and heart through Scripture reading and reflection. Write down your thoughts, struggles, and blessings with God. Use them as a letter reflecting your heart. Find someone you can talk to who understands your role and profession. You need someone who knows you and what you do to be able to talk sensibly and godly with you. Take time to read and learn. Listen to sermons online, read books, or periodicals. Fill your mind with new tidbits of useful information. While this isn’t an exhaustive list, it’s a great place to start.

Burnout is real. No one is immune; it is no respecter of persons. Take care of yourself. God has a plan for you; don’t get shelved for a season because you’ve burned the candle at both ends. It is not worth it for you, your family, or your organization.

They're Burning Bibles in Canton!

I’m not sure where to begin on this one, but just couldn’t pass it up. This is the type of stuff we’re up against. Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, North Carolina is holding their first annual Bible, Book, and Music Burning on Halloween Night. Because of their opinion that the KJV (King James Version) is the only reliable and authoritative translation, they will burn Bibles from all other translations. In addition, they’ll burn books by popular Christian authors like Billy Graham and Rick Warren. Today’s popular Christian music won’t escape the flames either. Click here to see the Associated Press video.

While I believe in being creative and out-of-the box in reaching a community with the life-changing message of Christ, we must carefully think through the future ramifications and potential perceptions of our proposed actions. We ought to be careful in distinguishing the difference between truth and preference. Truth is worth taking a stand for while an opinion is only worth expressing some of the time. This is yet another great lesson on how unbridled preference and opinion can divide.

The press loves to get a hold of a story like this and promote events that picture ignorance and division among Christians. While we all have preferences and opinions about translations, I really do think (have the opinion that) this is a rather extreme action by Amazing Grace Baptist Church. Maybe we need more education about the history of translation. Maybe there should be an enlightened conversation about our modern translations. Here’s a thought? What about the 6,909 distinct and living languages spoken around the globe? Can they only be taught from the KJV? What about the 2,197 language translations of at least a portion of Scripture, are all to be termed heresy?

I think there are bigger battles out there to get involved in personally. But, then again, that’s my opinion.

I Won the Lottery!

Did you hear about the woman who arrived at a Burlington Coat Factory claiming to have won the lottery? After pulling up in a stretch Hummer limousine, Linda Brown proceeded to announce she would pay for all purchases up to $500.00 each. Pandemonium was in the air. There were people right and left pulling merchandise off shelves and racks. Shoppers called family and friends to hurry down to Burlington Coat Factory and take advantage of this self-proclaimed millionaire’s generosity. The store was soon packed with customers all wanting to get in on this deal. You can read the Associated Press article here to learn more of the would-be exciting day. But, there was just one hitch. Linda Brown never won the lottery. In fact, not only did she not have the money to cover people’s purchases, she didn’t have any money at all. Once Brown’s real financial condition became known, all sorts of chaos and mayhem ensued. People began to riot while demanding their free stuff. The Burlington Coat Factory was trashed giving the appearance of the aftermath of a natural disaster.

As I contemplate this story, it’s an illustration of the damage caused by hypocrisy. Linda Brown who suffers from mental illness decided to “play a role.” She wasn’t really who she claimed to be. Everyone believed her to be the lottery winner she professed. Why wouldn’t they believer her? There was a Hummer stretch limousine parked outside. People were responding to her claims just as she’d hoped. When the truth was discovered, disappointment and anger fueled the actions of all those let down by the revelation. When reality hit, it wasn’t a pretty site. Why the hoax? Why the act?

Christians must be mindful about the roles we profess, the actions we portray, and the expectations that other’s might have regarding those claims. If we claim to be one thing, but in reality we’re something else, people will not only find out, but will be greatly disappointed. The aftermath of the disillusionment isn’t pretty. We really don’t need more hypocrisy in the church; we need more authenticity. We need real people living out the process of sanctification. We need genuine believers to demonstrate the reality of the Christians faith – people who live it and don’t act it.

Why do I say all this? Don’t try to play or act out a part in a self-created religious drama. While hypocrisy may impress a few for a moment, authenticity will influence the many for a lifetime.

What is the most important quality in teambuilding?

The topic of teambuilding is at the center of my doctoral project. I’m in the process of completing a curriculum for “Teambuilding in a Multi-Staffed Church” environment. While I serve in both a multi-staffed and dual site (two campus) church, my focus isn’t primarily on the two campus dynamic though it is a part of the obvious equation. My focus is on teambuilding with our ministerial and professional staff. In the course of all this work, I’m interested in your perspective. This isn’t a scientific poll by any means and is simply an inquiry as to personal perceptions.

There are a number of factors that influence the dynamic of a team. Which of these factors or qualities do you consider to be the most important in an effective team? Here’s the list to choose from in the poll: trust, collaboration, communication, vision, learning and empowerment.

1. Trust – trust among the members of the team for each other.

2. Collaboration – an environment that fosters a value on group collaboration and contribution with a belief that individual contribution is valued by the whole.

3. Communication – consistent, authentic, and transparent communication among all team members.

4. Vision –a consistent vision and mission that is not only articulated, but is understood, supported, and valued by the team.

5. Learning – the team values learning and is actively involved in learning.

6. Empowerment – the team has authority to not only create, but has the opportunity to carry out a plan through an organization’s standard operation procedures and adoption.

These are limited definitions to the terminology regarding components of effective teamwork, but I think you get the idea. Out of this list, which would you choose to be singularly the most important component to effective teamwork? The poll is located in the right hand column. I appreciate you taking the time to vote! Thanks!

"Please" and "Thank You"

Be kind and compassionate to one another...

Ephesians 4:32a

We’re taught to be kind to one another. God even added the concept of compassion into the equation. But, in terms of kindness – we’re to express kindness to each other. I think sometimes we take kindness for granted and discount its effectiveness even to the point of neglect. In fact, kindness is sort of a theoretical concept. We understand we’re to practice it, but how do we demonstrate it?

Here’s an idea about how to exhibit kindness. Let’s start with something simple. Next time you ask someone for help, assistance, or input, preface the request with a “please”. It’s amazing how simple or even burdensome requests are far more palatable with a little bit of kindness. Instead of verbalizing marching orders, make the request with a “please”. Kindness will influence a timely response to your request. Here’s another word that’ll work, too. Next time someone does something for you respond to his or her assistance with a “thank you”. Demonstrating verbally your appreciation for someone’s effort communicates kindness and value. People respond positively to words of kindness.

You can make a difference in your home, workplace, church, or in other relationships just by expressing words of kindness. These simple gestures will go a long way to communicating care, value, and worth for others. Take the kindness challenge. Preface your requests with “please” and express your gratitude with a “thank you”. Watch how other react to your words – it’ll make a difference in their life and perception of you.

I Can't Sit Idly By Anymore

I know I’ve done it and I’m sure you have too. Out of guilt, compassion, and even empathy, we reluctantly approve and attempt to accommodate less than best practices. People are so busy with the activity in life we bless busyness by lowering the standard of spiritual expectations. A Christian’s non-involvement or non-participation is dismissed because of other obligations. We streamline schedules and simplified ministry in an effort to “fit into” the busy congregant’s schedule. I understand this all too well. I’m a husband, father of three, with a mortgage, cars, football, baseball, basketball, cheerleading, band, and everything else you can imagine going on in life. Yet, my busyness with the temporal doesn’t dismiss my obligation for the eternal. You can’t live an effective spiritual life fitting Jesus into your life; He must be your life.

As I get older (now 46), I see things quite differently than I did at 30. Call it age, call it experience, of course I prefer to call it wisdom. There is incredible life long value in one’s participation in spiritual meetings. I’m going to run the risk of being misunderstood (deemed legalistic) here, but I believe with few exceptions that one’s spiritual growth/life is tied to one’s church attendance and participation. I have known very few people who have been intentionally absent from church and have grown spiritually at the same time. There’s a reason why God instituted the church. With all its human misgivings, it is still the Bride.

Here’s my expectation as a pastor and undershepherd (because I care and have an insight into spiritual growth), Christians ought to be in church on a regular basis (as often as the door is open). If I do not communicate that expectation, I am not caring for those I serve. You may or may not agree with me on that statement, but I am thoroughly convinced this is an appropriate non-negotiable expectation. Scripture teaches us not to forsake the assembly. Let’s not waste time with attempting to justify absences, let’s make the commitment to be present. Every time you miss, you miss an opportunity God has for you.

I’m going to quit idly dismissing some of the nominal attendance patterns for the people I have the opportunity to serve. Make church a priority. If God has the expectation that we assemble on a regular basis, I don’t think that’s too great an expectation. Spiritual growth is at stake and one’s ability to do life well hangs in the balance with attendance patterns.

Choose church; live well.

Don't Settle

Listen and watch the words. The message is filled with truth and wisdom. It’s a call to those in ministry today. We need men and women to live out the call of God that is on their life. Live in the power of the call. Don’t settle for sin! Don’t settle for lukewarm! Don’t settle for second best! Don’t settle for complacency! Don’t settle for good enough! Don’t settle for a truth mix – settle only for TRUTH! Don’t settle for paralyzing fear! Live out your calling in boldness, courage, and confidence. You are God’s workman for this day. Live it!

Contemporary Worship and Church Attendance

Okay, I’m not trying to wage a battle or justify one’s position in the ever-long worship wars. The style of music, tempo, lyrics, and instrumentation continue to be at the heart of strife in many local congregations. Music ministers and worship leaders across the country listen appeasingly to worshipper’s justified positions of musical preference. We all have our preferences just as we all have a nose – and that’s fine. I’m not advocating a style, I simply interested in the results of recent study. According to the research, there appears to be a correlation between positive church growth and the use of contemporary music. What remains to be adequately defined is the “contemporary” term. Contemporary is relative to context. Regardless of one’s definition, contemporary music seems to have made its mark.

Click the link, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/life/religion/6635951.html it’s a short article regarding the study and worth the read.

Preventing Ministry Failure in its 3rd Printing

I received some good news today – at least I think it’s good. InterVarsity Press (my publisher) sent notice that Preventing Ministry Failure is in its third printing. I think that’s cool; it also means that someone somewhere is buying the book. There is an ever-growing list of colleges and seminaries using the book as a course or seminar text. Denominational groups are using the text as a springboard for training and developing ministerial peer groups across the country. Solo pastors are learning of the book, buying it, and walking through the material themselves. Ministry professionals (sorry to use that phrase) are learning about the importance of a self-care plan, creating one, and then doing it. People around the world are learning about Preventing Ministry Failure. I’m often amazed and humbled that God can use an average pastor (myself) and a great Christian therapist (my co-author) to write a book to influence leaders. It's about real stuff, real life, and real ministry.

Where Did I Leave My Child?

Had one of those moments this week. Jo called to inform me our youngest daughter was ill and running a fever. Someone needed to pick her up; I’d be the one. I left my meeting with the thoughts of the dialogue whirling in my head. I didn’t even turn on the radio as I pulled out of the parking lot. On autopilot, I made my way to 146 and headed north for a few miles ultimately heading west onto Massey Tompkins. I turned in the entrance of Austin Elementary. Finding an empty parking space, I parked and made my way to the office. Standing at the Reception Desk I handed over my license and stated I was there to pick up my daughter. It was then that my level of consciousness met my reality. I looked at the receptionist and she looked at me – we were both thinking the same thing. My daughter didn’t go to that school anymore. I’d spend 10 minutes driving to the wrong school in search of a sick child. I was now laughing, as was receptionist, except mine was out of the necessity to cover my embarrassment. I graciously retrieved my license and apologized once again as I scratched my name from the sign-out list – hoping to remove any evidence of this event.

In case you’re wondering, I finally made it the Gentry Junior School to rescue my daughter. She had the flu, but is well now and back in school – at Gentry and not Austin. But, here is where the plot thickens, I’m known for forgetting kids at church, too (every so often, but not lately). It’s not all too uncommon that I’ll travel between campuses only to leave a child at North while on my way to Sterling on Sunday morning. It’s so easy to get preoccupied (the message, drive, and schedule), that you forget the essential and very important – like my son.

Why do I tell you this story? Not to embarrass myself, but to illustrate life. See, sometimes we can get so preoccupied, we zone out our surroundings and ultimately our reality. We’re in the present, but absent from reality due to preoccupation. By running on autopilot, I missed my cues. I’ve made that drive so many times, I could have done it with my eyes closed – a little exaggeration. I’ve thought about this a lot over the last several days. How many times do I do life on autopilot? How many times am I so busy in my preoccupation that I miss the opportunities and the scenery around me? It’s easy to get preoccupied and subsequently fall back into a familiar “route.” I really don’t want to miss anything that God has for me – the important stuff.

I think preoccupation is a symptom of a more heinous disease (workaholism) for most. We’re at work even when we’re not at work. I know there are times for work, times for rest, and times for play. That goes with the mind, too. Preoccupation can consume the mind, making no room for rest, play, and other important stuff. We miss important conversations with our spouse, family, and memorable moments, too. Preoccupation comes at a great cost. Here’s to an attempt to turn off the preoccupying thoughts and to pay attention to the now.

The Elusive Search for Authenticity

I believe authenticity scares us, even though we know it to be of perceived value. We are fearful because we do not understand it and we’re afraid of what might happen if we risk it. Do I really want to be known? What will someone else think of me if they really knew me? In Richard Todd’s book, The Thing Itself: On Search for Authenticity, I find this quote, “Authenticity is what we want from the world around us, from others, and crucially from ourselves.” There’s a nominal expectation of authenticity. We want authentic products – the real McCoy. We want people to be real with us or at least we want to perceive them in that way – as if we’re unable to see through the mask. We ourselves crave the liberation of authenticity. To be oneself without the fear of rejection is freedom. I have to admit, I’m easily wearied at pretense spirituality; it’s stifling.

Here’s my dream – that believers can discover, experience, model, and thrive in authenticity in the community of believers called the local church or congregation. I want to see, observe, and interact with the real McCoy of believers – to know God’s work and grace in your life and for you to know His in mine.

I have this thought that when we’re unable to authentic in our earthly relationship, we transfer the act (drama) into our heavenly relationship. If we’re unable to be authentic with others, are we really able to be authentic with God? I really believe our ability to be authentic in our earthly relationship shapes our heavenly one. Let’s encourage a work towards authenticity.

The Ten Worst Bible Passages? What?

Not really sure how to take this list, but it caught my eye. The Episcopal Café reproduced a list called, “The Ten Worst Bible Passages.” Now that’s an eye opener for sure. Actually, I’ve never even thought the question or even asked it for that matter. The list is a composition of disagreements and misunderstandings at best. Some of the passages on this list are hard to understand or comprehend. For others, a particular passage is contrary to a personal belief system or theology. This list could even reflect cultural thought, too. A verse on this list begs to be explained to the wondering mind.

Would you add a verse to the list? What’s your initial response to the question of listing the worst Bible passages? How would you handle this list in a conversation?

Six Killer Tips to a Better Prayer Life

This is too funny. It’s a little bit of humor about prayer. This is Johnny and Chachi’s Six Killer Tips to a Better Prayer Life. I’ve posted some Johnny and Chachi stuff before. I died when I watched it. It’s a poke at what we do in prayer – some of our traditions and pet peeves. You have to laugh (at yourself).