Are we Robbing from the Future?

Days on end of Fireworks and making money for missionaries. As much as I love this, I wonder if it creates the lasting goal of developing a heart of missions giving in my students. I wonder if we have become so event driven that we have neglected the personal aspect of giving. In reading Scotty Gibbons book "Overflow" I question the plight of my, and many other leaders students. What happens when they graduate and move on? We already see an enormous drop off in church attendance in the transition years, so what about giving. Of those who stay true to their faith, do they continue to give?

I am sure that fundraising events are always going to be part of what I do, but it will not be all we do. Giving must be learned at the intimate level. I've failed there before. And there are still times I have to correct myself. But a giving lifestyle should just be part of the DNA of the believer.

Laughable?

PJ Productions is now somewhat official, at least to me it is anyway.  The PJ Productions site is now up (www.pjpro.org) and the first workshop has concluded with very positive and optimistic feedback.   I have to admit, I was really nervous going in and promoting this whole launch.  But this is the thing:  if I just keep doing the same thing, I'll always be doing the same thing.  (gee, I bet you are now wowed with my theological processes)  

I have always been known as the type that is up front, obnoxious, and probably not too serious. Truth is, some of that helps me deal with my insecurities.  But in turn, it does tend to create a stereotype.  Now, as I see and feel God moving me in certain directions, the stereotype has created some hurdles that I must clear.  Don't get me wrong.  People are not lining up to point fingers and make jokes, but there is a degree of trust that has to be earned.

Starting out in ministry, my wife and I both felt God placing some specific things in our heart. Not and agenda, but rather a destination.  Part of me wants to identify with Joseph, knowing something is coming that no one else sees.  Then, I begin to think that such thoughts are arrogant, misplaced, or just totally...laughable.  I have tried to protect my dream, only letting select people know so they can mentor and challenge me to make the changes necessary for the journey.  

In my dream, I am not seeing the haystacks bowing down or any of that.  (not sure what I would do with a bowing haystack)  I just have this renewed sense of urgency.  God is leaning on me to move out of my comfort zone, and kind of make myself vulnerable for people to...laugh.  I find it interesting how I have always used humor hide insecurities, but now I'm afraid people might laugh at me, not recognizing growth and depth that God is leading me in.  

You know, I believe God will still see this through as I do my part.  That is why I am choosing to be proactive.  No more sitting and waiting for God to do my part for me.  I'm putting myself out there.  

Defining Moments

I watched American Idol faithfully.  I was an AI stalker, and with good reason.  The guy that eventually won is from a small town in Arkansas and many college student from our church know him.  In fact, he sang at a wedding last year at our church, on our stage, with our awful sound system.  How cool is that.

Kris had his defining moment out there for the world to see.  We watched as the so called underdog knocked off the prodigy.  He even had the big inspirational song, pyrotechnics, and confetti to boot.  Now the season is over, his family back to rural america, and Kris and his very new bride are touring the planet.  Sounds kind of cool.  What a life changer.

On the very night that Kris had his defining moment, a young girl in our youth ministry had hers.  She comes from a broken family that is far from functional.  For some reason, I've just had a soft spot for this young lady, even though she has given me plenty or reasons not to.  (including theft while on a trip)  Shared my heart that night, and talked about depression, suicide and cutting.  (http://accelerateyourlife.org/Download3.html)  God was working in an amazing way that night.  Several student who were contemplating suicide found hope, cutters found healing, the those struggling with depression found new meaning.  It was a great night.  

One of the unique features was that several kids wanted to talk, up close, one on one.  This young lady was one.  She began to talk about home and the issues there, and about being expelled from school.  (mixing in a few colorful adjectives along the way)  At that moment I saw that young lady sitting in a wreck home, fatherless children, drugs and alcohol running rampant.  Then a second image appeared, and it was her, with a loving husband, beautiful kids, and she was speaking to other students.  I shared that with her, prayed, and let her know that I really believed in her and we were going to see her through it.  She looked up at me, with tears in her eyes and said, "I wish you were my dad."  Now I am sure that you have already jumped ahead to say this was her defining moment, but you would only be half right.  It was mine as well,

Friendliness vs. Relationship

It has been a bit since the last post for several reasons, but will not discuss all of that.  Over the last few weeks I have been developing an idea on relationship perspectives.  Where I am at now, people are genuinely friendly.  Sure, there are the church scabs, (people who refuse to heal from the past wounds) but for the most part, people are friendly.  In the south, we just refer to it as southern hospitality.  If you don't know what that is, just work for a yankee for a while.  Sorry DA, not throwing you under the bus here, because i think you get it, but southerners just know hospitality.  Love ya, bro.

The problem is this:  there are few quality relationships.  Relationship has been replaced with friendliness, and that is only a superficial connection.  It won't weather the storms and can be easily replaced.  Value is lessened.  Everyone is your postman.  They see you regularly, know you by what they can read on the outside, and are not interested in the dogs in your life.  

I have people with whom I have a genuine relationship.  We know each other well.  We know our faults, of which I have plenty, and they still hang around.  Even if my dog has bit them in the past, they heal the wound and come back.  Beyond that, I seek out new relationships.  Now I find myself connecting with a newer, younger generation of leaders because of the whole reverse mentoring paradigm.  (see previous posts)  Without the depth of relationship, we will remain superficial and self-centered.

This carries over to our spiritual life as well.  We have all heard the phrases thrown around in Christendom about a "relationship" with Christ, but seldom see it modeled.  I believe, in part, because relationship is personal and private.  We don't wear relationship on our sleeve.  I don't tell of my wife's secrets to the world.  It is part of our relationship.  It's the depth and value of who we are together.  When I pour out my insecurities and failures to God, He doesn't need to tell you.  That is relationship.  Friendliness is fantastic, but relationship is forever.

Reverse Mentoring

My friend Steve just posted on his Facebook about how the church in India, where his is currently visiting, is grasping and discussing the concept of reverse mentoring.  How does it work to see a struggling church in a distinctly non-christian country grasp leadership concepts that the western church has ignored.  Where I serve now, few churches have true team oriented leadership that thrives on feedback.  For the most part, it is the "top-down" leadership model that functions rarely and only if weaker leaders are hired into staff positions.  

Micromanagement without feedback breeds discontent.  Discontent is the world where most staff  members I know are forced to live.  Divine calling is thrown out the window. Organizational policies supersede God's call to any ministry outside the realm of Senior Pastor. If God has called you to a specific generation or ministry field, you will no doubt experience insecurity and disrespect.  Daily it seems leaders fall by the wayside, choosing instead a secular life, often devoid of God entirely.  How sad that often it is God's people, even God's elect, that push great potential over the edge.  I am not making excuses for those who choose moral failure or to simply quit.  Actually, quite the opposite.  I hope I didn't contribute to the exasperation of another leader, though I am sure in my bull-headed nature, I have, either through disrespect or even neglect.  

It is all I can do at times to keep myself focused on the call.  Disillusionment with ministry can creep in fast.  It is a battle, however, worth fighting.  

Overrated Optimism?

I have this friend named Eddie.  No seriously, I really do.  And he is always this little beam of sunshine.  He has been an influence in my life for many years, and encouraged me through some really tough times.  I saw Eddie again this weekend.  We were at an event, and quite honestly I was pretty agitated bout some of the goings on before we ran into each other.

We met up later in the day, and he asked his favorite question, "How is everything going?"  I proceeded to pour out my frustration and discontent.  

Eddie, just hugged me.

His words were, "there is so much more that is important..."  Really?  Is ministry to the point to where we are all expected to put on a happy face and fall in line?  Our event was chaotic and ill prepared.  Mediocrity from mid level workers was eroding the purpose of the meeting.  Well prepared invitees, several whom I brought, were negatively influenced in the process.  

I would love to be part of an element of change.  Not some radical revolution leader, but someone who can help get people to put on the eyeglasses of realism and understand change must come.  We cant lead a future generation of leaders with failed ideas of our generation.  By putting on the "required happy face" we allow the proponents  of mediocrity to continue in their journey to the land of average.

Don't get me wrong.  I need Eddie.  He gives me balance and perspective.  But I can't be Eddy.  I don't want to be Eddie.  If God has called to to lead, I must lead with the skills (and calluses) that He has given me.  Have we forgotten that the New Testament was written by those who broke from the norm, made the religious establishment unhappy at times, end reached their known world in an unheard of 30 year span?  I feel we have exchanged our passion as leaders for the comfort of establishment.