Ok so I got a little time, so here are my thoughts on this past week before I take a break.
In dealing with our home builder we have had to use the discipline of pestering nicely in stead of yelling angrily. Just like you find everywhere else in the world there are some things worth fighting for like getting things done right on the house. Heather and I find the practice of pestering vs expressing anger works a lot better. Check it out here for a biblical perspective Proverbs 15:1-5. I will write about this specifically later next week.
Sometimes I have avoided what I considered to be ‘hot topics’ with my wife. Like disciplining kids, budgeting, management of the home. What I have noticed lately is that Heather and I have been developing a closer relationship as we actually talk about it more. We find out we are both on the same page and we discuss outcomes and wants instead of pointing fingers at each other.
Still working through how to use pastoral influence instead of pastoral authority. It’s a lot like counseling. As a pastor we need to reserve the right for telling people what they ’should’ do and try to get people to ’see why’ they should be doing something. We need to save the authority card for when we need it.
For the past few weeks the staff has been working late about 1 night a week. I am seeing this really cool thing happen. As we get bogged down in the desk work of the day the evenings are coming alive with special projects. What makes it fun is that we are engaging with our volunteers and attendees during these times. I think I am going to be pushing for two office days and work two nights Just so we can hang with our folks.
I talked about Baptism with a few people who are getting baptized this weekend. Great stories from all walks of life. From people suffering job loss, pregnant moms, kids, and prodigal sons. Just more testimony that Jesus is for everyone and He is definitely moving in our midst here at Oak Leaf. By the way if you want to get baptized we do it at the end of every month so let me know if you want to get dunked and we’ll talk.
Alright I am about to go wrestle with the boy for a while but if you need some help in discovering what God has called you to do at Oak Leaf let me know. Now go and make sure to rest and reflect on what God is doing in your life.
This video is a little something extra to go along with the sermon below. We can have more effective prayers when we decide to be in biblical community.
We all have a part in ministering doesn't matter what your position is.
I had a cool talk with one of our Lead Volunteers here at Oak Leaf this week. We were discussing how he was handling the ‘management’ of some of our volunteers. I use that term ‘managing’ loosely because if you knew this guy then you would know people look up at him as the caring leader type.
As I was standing there I also told him that as far as his volunteers were concerned he was the one speaking for God during our weekend service times. He was the one making our volunteers aware that we had guests that were coming that had a divine appointment with God that day. The way that they behaved affected our guests in connecting with God.
This particular leader understood the commitment involved here and what was at cost. What he did find hard to believe was that he himself was working along with God. Paul says in I Corinthians 3:9 that we are ‘co-workers’ with God and that means he is every bit a minister as I am.
Which brings me to this. As a church leader we have to be constantly aware of helping our people, across every area of influence (ministry) realize the fact that they have just as much at stake here as we do. We all are partners in this church. We work together while working with God. When you are called to God through Christ it’s not just for your benefit. You have been given the task of ministering to other people. And if you are a ‘Leafer’ then that means you are to “Lead people from where they are to where God wants them to be”.
As I was laying in bed at 5am this morning with Charlee crying in the room above and trying to get comfortable while my lower back is sending me pain signals I was thinking about the week. Then it occurred to me either I have had way too much coffee or this was a great way to start my Sabbath and reflect on what transpired. So here is what I gathered from my week.
When visiting someone in jail the visiting hours are not for your convenience. You have two choices, Sunday or Wednesday 8-11 am. Not only that, but you have to get there the first hour to get on the waiting list or it won’t happen. Bottom line when you get arrested you have rights but you don’t get a say.
It’s good to have a sermon done a week ahead. It allows you to go through it in your head and tweak final thoughts. Also, it never fails, usually all the kids are home which makes it impossible to practice delivery since wherever I am there they are .
Twitter is fun but just like emails communication can be misconstrued. People will interpret your ‘tweets’ based on how their day is going. When you lay your life on twitter people will post their comments on you publicly. It seems they forget about DM.
Second twitter thought. Twitter is not just about you but about others. If you are using it just to fill people in on your things like going, “going to the broom”, “just ate” and “sleeping now” I am about to stop following you. Tell us something that helps us, makes us laugh, ask a question, something! Then the, “I just got home” tweets can be taken a lot easier.
There is something magical about walking past your 3 month old and then she coos and smiles at you trying to get your attention. Then you stop and do baby talk for five minutes. You have just given them a memory, even thought it won’t last forever, that this guy likes me and I like him. Can’t beat that!
Often times the very things that you are studying or just reading in the Bible will be something that you encounter that week. Call me crazy but I believe all that stuff is planned out. God will use what you are learning, not just for you, but to help others.
Lastly we had a talk in staff about Systems about shaping people’s behaviors using your system which regulates intervals of times for rewards and consequences. I was in an occupation for 11 years where that was all I did. That stuff comes easy to me. So, I definitely will be righting more about that in the future because giving positive feedback seems to be a foreign concept to a lot of people.
You can also catch about how the Holy Spirit uses you (see #6 above) by checking out Suzy’s page and catch her message on how God expects you to listen and partner with Him.
Alright that’s all I remember from 5 am. The kids are up and I am about to relax and enjoy my Sabbath. I hope you get the chance to do the same.
The views shared here are my own. They do not necessarily reflect those of Oak Leaf Church or its staff, partners or attenders, the Miami Dolphins, or any other organization(s).
Just so we can hang with our folks.
