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Fool Proof

This is the first in a regular series of posts where I'll share how I'm seeking to apply what was taught in the message on Sunday.  The title comes from the parable of the Wise & Foolish builders that Jesus talked about, saying the wise are ones who "hears these words of mine and puts them into practice".

Being that I preached on Sunday this is an odd way to kick off this regular series of posts.  But, one of the things I encouraged people to do was share stories of God's faithfulness in their past.  One of those stories for me is about money.

When I was about 20 years old I realized I was pursuing the American dream and not really living for God.  So, I tried to live more for God in every area of my life.  I watched a friend of mine tithe (give money to support the God's mission through the local church) and I realized I had never tithed.  It just wasn't modeled for me.  I tried to start, but I had little margin financially and could never make it work.  

So, I decided to hold God to his promise (that He would provide) and I sold my car to get a cheaper one, which created margin financially, and I began tithing.  God was faithful to that promise then and has been ever since in regards to provision.  In fact, I would say more often than not I've been blessed when giving, especially when it hasn't been easy.  I always point back to that first time when I'm faced with the decision of giving or hoarding it for myself.  Yet, I still seem to make the unwise choice too often.

Videoteaching.com

LifeChurch.tv is unveiling their newest web-based church resource today, videoteaching.com The site will allow church leaders to download video messages from other communicators to use in their churches.  You can follow them on twitter at @videoteaching

Personally I think the Church (universal) is full of people who are teaching the Bible but aren't gifted to do so.  In terms of spiritual gifts, teaching is 3rd for me every time I take one of the tests and the work I had to put in to preach this past week just confirms it's not my #1 or #2 gift.  The less you are naturally gifted at something the harder you have to work at it.  

The reason I think the Church has tons of people teaching that shouldn't be, is because we have assume the senior pastor should be the best pastor, teacher, and leader in the church but that is pretty much impossible.  Being great at 2 out of those 3 distinct spiritual gifts is pretty rare I believe.  I hope videoteaching.com will help pastors who aren't gifted in teaching leverage their gifts more while still providing excellent Biblical teaching.

Free Resource About Church Systems

Nelson Searcy and his Church Leader Insights website is probably the best resource for learning about church systems.  Andy Stanley says that "systems create behaviors".  As a pastor of a large church he knows how important systems are.  But, systems are important for any size church, they just become increasingly more important as the church grows.

Nelson has released the next version of the Church Systems Report on the CLI website.  I would encourage any church leader to download that free report and glean everything they can from it.  In there, Nelson highlights what he believes are the 8 primary systems of every church and ways every church can improve them.  

Behavioural Sciences

I love behavioural sciences.  I know very little about the subject but it intrigues me.  I think it is very interesting to learn why people do what they do and how their communication (verbal and non-verbal) can say more than they plan to share if one knows how to understand it.  

My interest in behavioural sciences is why I like shows like Criminal Minds, The Mentalist, and pretty much all crime shows because they always have criminals with unique behavior issues.  Another show that deals in this stuff is Lie to Me.  Unfortunately I haven't been able to watch it but a famous psychologist who specializes in that field of study blogs about the truth behind the episodes of that show.  His name is Paul Ekman.  His website is pretty cool, check it out here.

Maybe you'll think it's cool too, or maybe I'm just a huge nerd.  Probably both.

Famous Failures

Below is a video that highlights some famous failures in history.  They're famous because the people are famous, not because their failures are.  That's what is so great about them, they took risks, failed at times, but succeeded in the end.  

I don't think their success would have come without failure, probably more than we even know.

Message Application & Spiritual Gifts - Part 2

In my previous post I talked about the CCC message from 2 Sundays ago and the two thoughts/ideas I had coming out of that.  I talked about the first idea in the previous post and in this one I want to talk about something cool I learned from Darrin Patrick at the Exponential Conference this year.  

Darrin referenced something he learned from David Fairchild, that I will summarize here but can be found in better detail in David Fairchild's post.  In talking about spiritual gifts, and abilities, David talked about the 3 "offices" that Jesus held:

Prophet, Priest & King

In looking at those, Darrin was sharing how we all probably lean heavily into one area, partially in another, and not at all in one.  Here is how you can think of those 3 offices:

Prophets- Communicate God to people.  They are teachers and vision casters.  Prophets tell us where we need to go.  Their struggle is they idolize knowledge, the power of authority & take pride in it (which can lead to legalism).

Priests- Communicate to God for people & bring people to God.  Priests make sure we feel God’s presence & loving concern while we go there.  They care about people above all else.  Their struggle is they seek approval from other people.

Kings- Bring the reign of God to the church & this world.  Kings know how to get where we need to go.  They care about plans, systems and organization.  Their struggle is with control and comfort and caring for people.

I clearly fall in the prophet & king camps, while lacking in priest gifting.  I think I am naturally more of aa king but must move to more of a prophet as our team and church grows.  I may always be more of a king than a prophet but my ability to teach and cast vision must grow as our children's ministry grows.

How about you?  Where do you lean?

Message Application & Spiritual Gifts - Part 1

At CCC we're in the midst of the CCC at the Movies series, where we take some popular movies and look at the truths about God they communicate, whether on purpose or not.  Two Sundays ago David shared a message based on the movie Kung Fu Panda - which is a totally awesome movie. 

In the message David talked about spiritual gifts, and how in the movie the panda (Po) had to figure out how he was gifted and how to best use that.  Two thoughts came out of that message for me.  One, I'm thinking about adding something to my blogging rhythm.  I'd like to post each week about how I'm going to apply what I've heard in the message at CCC on Sundays.  Reason being, messages should move us to action because simply knowing more about the Bible makes us more proud, not more like Jesus.  I hope to start that this week.

It also reminded me of something cool I learned from Darrin Patrick at the Exponential Conference this year.  But, that will be in tomorrow's post.

Story....of Great Importance

I've heard more about the topic of story recently, particularly with Ben Arment's new project called STORY.  In following his blog I've heard a lot about the topic of story as he has blogged about it and as he has included links to other sources talking about the importance (or lack of) of story.  

Recently I watched the Q & A from the Advance Conference with Mark Driscoll, Matt Chandler and Bryan Chapell.  In that video, the question came up about how to transition an old church that isn't reaching new people well.  Mark had a great insight that involved story.  He said that churches need to do a good job of celebrating birth and new birth.  What he meant was churches should celebrate newborn babies and new Christians and the life change they experience.  In doing so he believes "old" churches who are resistant to change would be more willing to change and sacrifice their preferences because of the power of the stories they hear.  The stories would compel them to move beyond their personal preferences.

Most great leaders will say that great leaders also need to be great storytellers.  I definitely need to be a better storyteller and whoever pays my way to the STORY event will help me do that :)  

(totally kidding, don't buy me a ticket because I can't go anyway......I know you were thinking about it)