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change of perspective

Heard this from Ben Arment , the creator and designer of a conference called STORY , that Matt and I will be at next Wednesday.  It calls for a change of perspective for most of us:

"When we go through difficult times, and God doesn't deliver us, it's not because he's forsaken us; it's because he wants us to walk through it."

What do you think?  Do you agree?

Leading is a team sport

Leading can be lonely, as I talked about, yesterday.  Many times it's just you and God.  And because of that, you can end up isolating yourself from others' good ideas.  The truth is, as much as people love The Journey, I would venture to guess that no one has poured in as much time, energy, or personal sacrifice as Matt and his family and Me and my family.  That provides some leverage.  That also bears some responsibility.  We're going to answer to God one day for how we led this church.  That's a weight that I don't take lightly.

That weight, also means that I don't give a rip how much you make and want to give to the church, or how influential you think you are, or how many people you know and can sway.  We're going to follow what God tells us to do, regardless of what "man" says to do.  Plain and simple.

BUT, that can also present a danger.  To think that I know everything there is to know about leading, about The Journey and the needs of the people here, well . . . that would be foolish.  We need all of us.  And, we as leaders, need to be able to listen to what others have to say and how God might be speaking to them.  It's a team sport, and we don't know everything.  That's something I'm continually working on.

Leading can be lonely

Leading is often a lonely place to be.  You might not think that, right?  After all, leaders are up front, they're communicating passionately, they're in the mix of what's happening, everyone knows them.  But, leading means that you're often out in front, alone, the first-adopter of something, or the initiator of something brand new.  You're pushing into new territory, and dreaming new dreams.  As a spiritual leader, it's often you and God.  That's it.  He tells you to do something, He speaks into your spirit, and you move forward.  No one else is with you . . . yet.

You often live in failure AND success.  People will cheerlead, and they will also question.  They will wonder if it's a good decision or not.  And, sometimes you don't even know.  You just know that's how God seems to be leading and so you need to pursue it.  You could look stupid, or look like the hero.

It's good news to know, that it's "God's power at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).  And, although you might be the point person, out front, isolated - there's no better place to be than leading, when you're FOLLOWING Jesus.  Ultimately we play "to an audience of one".  It's following Jesus that counts.  And, if you're following Jesus, you're always going in the right direction.

Leading

The thing about leading someone or something, is that most often you're leading others somewhere that NONE of you have ever been before.  That means, you don't totally know where you're going either.  You just have a vision and a dream and you HOPE that one day you'll get there.

I am consistently blown away that so many people have joined us as we pursue this dream of a different kind of church along the lakeshore.  Because (shhhh . . . don't tell anyone . . . ) we haven't been here before and we don't always know what we're doing, because it's new to us too.  We're simply striving to follow Jesus and do what He calls us to do.

What will tomorrow bring?  I don't know.  You don't either.  But, I am confident in the One who has called us to this great mission.  So, we continue to follow Him wherever He leads.

Missing Virginia

With Virginia not around as she recovers from her brain surgery, there’s not the balance of power between sane and others around The Office.  The coalition for reason is severely compromised right now.

 

P.S. That's my favorite quote from last nights episode of The Office.

How do you connect?

How do you best connect with God?  Praying, reading the Bible, walking through the woods, singing, something else?  I think I need variety in my life when it comes to connecting to God.  I don't think I "connect" with Him all the time - it's less than it is more.  I still meet with Him (prayer, reading the Bible, etc.), but sometimes it can seem like He's not there.  Like I'm not really connecting - and then other times, it's like I'm hearing Him speak into my heart in pretty profound ways.  How about you?  How do you best connect with God?

If you could do one thing over again . . .

I know, I know - many of you will say "I wouldn't do anything differently - because it's all made me who I am".  If that's you, just sit over there on the bench - you can't play this game!!  I know all of that, but setting that aside, if there's one thing you'd like a do over for, what would it be?

I'll tell you mine, if you tell me yours!  Go ahead . . . who will be first?

Going Up North

I spent yesterday afternoon with our Church Planting Network.  It's a 5 church collaborative where we're partnering together to start new like-minded churches in Michigan.  The first one will be launching this next spring in Boyne City.  We've participated together in drawing up the guidelines, funding, and assessing and coaching potential church leaders.  The first guy to lead out is Jaime Woodall in Boyne City.  He's a great guy, who has a big heart for those who are disconnected from God.  His main coach is Norm Byers up at Genesis Church in Petosky. 

I'm excited about our partnership and what it will mean long-term here in Michigan.  I know for many of you - you don't get to see all that is behind the scenes at The Journey.  But, I wanted you to know what's happening here - as it's BIG.  And, if you know people who are disconnected from church and Jesus and they live in the Kalamazoo/Portage/Paw Paw area, in the Sawyer area, in Petosky, or in Boyne City - let me know and we can hook you up with some great churches.

By the way - one of the ways we're working together is that we'll be sending $5,000 to the Boyne City team to help them get started.  Each of our 5 churches will be doing that.  We don't have an extra $5,000 sitting around, burning a hole in our pocket, but we're going to be generous and bless someone else.  God's the blessor, we're the blessed, to be a blessing.

More to come on some of the partnerships we're making and how we're planning to be generous as a church.

As easy as a . . . Monday morning.

I don't get "easy" Sunday mornings, but Monday mornings . . . actually they aren't that easy either.  I was up at 6 am this morning (my usual weekday), and here are some thoughts as I begin the week:

1.  Ab Ripper X is kicking my . . . abs.  They hurt today.

2.  It's good to see some energy and momentum at The Journey - but 9:30 am gang, you guys have GOT to step up the energy.  11 am is kicking your butt.

3.  Excited about the new Beginnings Group that's starting this next Sunday night!

4.  Spencer's Mona Shores middle school football team is 4-0.  They're trouncing everyone.

5.  I love my wife!  And she does a great job acting - that was her in the "Biggest Gainer".

6.  I was surprised that I got a little emotional yesterday during the service.

7.  We have some people at The Journey that have really stepped up.  Thanks Selena for all that you do!! Kristi - way to lead in the nursery!  Mike and Shanna, thanks for jumping in last minute in Journey Kids!  Elisabeth - way to go - thanks for all the extra that you take on.

8.  Love, love, love that a Journey group took on the idea of sponsoring a food truck - and then we didn't even host it at The Journey, but helped another church bless their neighborhood.  That's sweet!

9.  Meetings today in GR with the team that will be launching the church in Boyne City.

10.  Why is it winter already?

Generosity again

A generous heart, a generous spirit comes from an understanding of how generous God's been with us.  He's the giver of every good gift.  Everything we have is because of His hand.  He's given us the abilities and minds to hold the jobs we have, to use the talents He's created us with.  God was generous with His love for us, with His grace, with His mercy.

We believe that God is the blessor, we're the blessed, to be a blessing.  A generous heart comes from the understanding that we've been given SO much, that the overflow becomes one of gratitude.  We can't help give back out of gratitude for all we've been given.

Here's what I've found by the way - the more you're generous, the more, it seems, that God is generous with you.  I've seen it over and over again.  Sometimes financial, sometimes spiritual.  But, you can't outgive God.  You can try, but when your motives are to honor Him and out of gratitude and commitment to His mission.  You can't outgive Him.

(I hesitate to share this - really.)  Jen and I are committed to giving back 30% of our gross income.  Why?  Because God has blessed us so much.  As we've given, He's provided.  We want to be generous people in our life, and one of the best ways and closest to our heart, is through our wallet.  Although we're not at the 30% level yet - we're over 20 and God has taken care of us - even though our family income is less than most.

Just think if people would live with generosity!  How much more would they see God work and move among them in great ways.  Just think if churches and non-profits were supported by people who lived with generosity rather than the average 2% of income charitable giving that the American family gives away?!  What could we be doing to change our communities and world?!