Cancer is the best thing that happened to me – Zac Smith’s Story
All I can say is WOW!! Lord help me to have this type of perspective on life, on hope, and on hurting. To God be the glory! Thank you so much for living a life of trust in God!
Zac went home to be with the Lord May 16th, 2010.
This is such a beautiful picture of what happens when we allow ourselves to be an extension of Christ to the hopeless and hurting. We simply become an extension of His hands, His feet, His heart.
I am so jazzed about our upcoming missions trip to Guatemala! This year is especially exciting as we see TWO youth groups, from TWO different states come together for ONE purpose…to spread the love and hope of Christ in Guatemala this summer.
While most students are coming off the 4th of July Bar-B-Que, fun in the sun, hanging at the lake and playing volleyball high. 30 students will be hitting the ground in Guatemala building homes for widows, give food to those in need, providing wheel chairs for special needs children, and ministering in drama and testimony. I can’t wait this will be my fourth time down in Guatemala and each time is life changing for me.
This little video just continues to solidify for me why it’s so importnat for us as pastors and leaders to keep a global biblical perspective, and to give those we lead an opportunity to experience that as well. I can’t wait to see the transformation that happens in the student’s lives that we take this year, as well as the hope we give through Christ for those we serve.
Please be praying for us and our two teams of students we take from Keller, Tx. @ Milestone Church and Lafayette, La. @ Our Savior’s Church. Guatemala – “Hand, Feet, Heart Tour 2010″
This is a great little humorous video from the guys at Northpoint about getting locked into a rut in our Sunday morning worship services. Thank you Pastor Andy for always keeping it real. When I saw this it reminded me of what I wrote yesterday about leadership.
Again this isn’t a blast on worship teams at all. Once again it’s an example of getting locked into convenience…locked into what we know and not challenging ourselves to continue to change, develop, or ultimately lead.
As a communicator at our church and someone who has a hand in the structure and creativity of our weekend services this is humorous because I see so much truth in it, and for the record I do believe it is good to be able to laugh at yourself.
That being the case I do believe that at the core of this video that there is a challenge that we must catch. Which honestly I think is the purpose of the video.
To shake us up, cause us to think and return to what got us to the point of creativity before…CHANGE! It’s in change that creativity and innovation are sparked.
I think there are three simple keys to keeping from getting stuck in “Sunday Morning Rut” or any other rut for that matter.
1. Always evaluate the negotiables…sets lists, order of service, style, etc… Don’t get locked into them and be willing to change it up. Anytime you make some thing that is negotiable nonnegotiable or core you are in for certain death. Harsh???? Well read Proverbs 29:18 and tell me your interpretation of that text.
2. Always keep the main thing the main thing…worshiping Christ and preaching His Word unashamed as lives are transformed. The reality is all the externals help create an environment but none of those things create a lasting change or healing in someone’s life. Only Christ can do that!
3. Always build and lead with others in mind…When creating and changing things up don’t let your personal convenience be the filter you view through when building. As I said yesterday the trap can be to build or establish based off of what is best for you rather than for the people you lead. It is your role as a leader to help get them to where they need to be. That’s why you are the leader.
I told you…pretty simple. It’s not rocket science, but it sure is hard.
I’m challenged to continue to evaluate the areas that I might be locked into a rut in my life due to convenience, change things up and lead.
Lately I have been spending more time with the worship team, which honestly is a dream come true…
I have always wanted to be on the worship team. I have always had this burning desire to be a part of a team like that and lead people in that way. I know you might be thinking, “well then why have I waited so long to jump into that vein of ministry?”
Well you see there are these two small hang ups…I can’t sing and I can’t play an instrument. Although for some bands that doesn’t seem to stop them…ha! (I don’t have any in mind…well ok maybe one or two, but I’m not saying who.)
As I’ve been thinking about my new-found connection with the worship team it has made me think a lot about leadership and leadership tendencies I/we have when “building.”
Often times I find that when creating, “leading” at times is the last thought in the creative building process. Whether making a worship set, creating a new way of check in, volunteer training, you name it…it happens to the best of us. In fact it amazes me how little “leading” is actually in the creative “building” process.
DISCLAIMER: Let me set one thing straight before worship leaders near and far are out for my blood. This is not a malicious attack on worship leaders. For me, my involvement with worship has simply been a tool the Lord has used to show me my short comings when I make a decision.
What I have found is that often the first step when creating is convenience meaning (what is convient for me) not leading.
What do I mean???
What I’m saying is that when I pick something to build or establish it can become easy to make a decision based on examining how much work it’s going to cause me, verses what is the best way to lead those God has entrusted to me to steward!
Now trust me, I am all for simplifying and “working smarter and not harder.” That isn’t what I’m talking about. I’m talking about selfishness.
For example, When I am making a new way of check in for our nursery department, the work that it’s going to cause ME tends to be my first thought in trying to find a solution. Rather than serving the people and creating what would be best for them and my role in serving them.
The truth is that the challenge of creating something new is almost always inconvenient, but necessary. It’s that challenge itself that God often uses to make me grow. That is why it’s necessary, necessary for growth and for change, but I don’t have to allow the inconvenience to cause me to become selfish in how I build.
The problem is that when I build out of convenience sake I do two things:
1. I limit myself
2. I limit those around me
I don’t want to take the easy way out. I want to challenge myself and those around me. I want to choose to build, construct, and establish through the lens of what will chanllenge me and those around me! Not through the lens of what is easiest for me.
That is how I want to LEAD…for leading sake!
Last night’s message with Pastor Dino Rizzo was incredible! I was so challenged and encouraged that I’ve decided to work ALL of my desires down to two simple focuses.
1. Make God Great
2. Make Others Great
I know that it might seem hard to simplify to ONLY two focuses, but in all honesty all other focuses comes from those two veins.
Here is a little recap from the first night and the first full day.
The leaders here at the ARC are some of the most innovative and forward thinking that I have ever met. While this is an incredible attribute that probably lends to the structure that helps facilitate the growth of many of these leaders churches that isn’t want stands out to me the most!
It is their pursuit of God…just a simply hunger and longing to know God more and to love Him more. It is from that overflow that lives are touched and changed.
Last night was kicked off by John Maxwell and Pastor Brian Houston, then followed today by Pastor Rick Bezet, Priscilla Shirer,Pastor Robert Morris and Pastor Miles McPherson.
Let me just say all of them were INCREDIBLE, but the two that truly shook me were Priscilla Shirer and Pastor Robert Morris.
Priscilla hit the nail on the head…so often we create an event and extinguish the very presence of God. How? By pursuing the event and inviting everyone one else but forgetting to invite the most important person, Christ! I don’t want more creativity, I want more of Christ. The truth is just because I have an event in Christ’s name doesn’t mean He is going to just show up. I have to invite Him.
To be a MAGNET that doesn’t draw people to myself but draws down the presence of God and peoples lives are changed because of HIS presence…WOW!
Then Pastor Robert Morris’ message on living a life of giving. There have been few times that there is an opportunity for impartation at such a large conference, but Pastor Robert didn’t miss the opportunity!
To live a life of obedience…
1. In tithing which is simply returning what is already His.
2. Then in giving, which is the principle of how I should live not just what I should do with my money.
He also keyed in on the principle difference between Grace and Law…sure to be a topic of discussion and blogging later on this week.
As I said yesterday the fresh vision and ideas along with the incredible new and renewed relationships is life changing. There is such an energizing that happens when a group of people who are seeking both of those things come together.
Hmmm…make you think, who do you surround yourself with? What and who is energizing you?
This week I am at All Access 2010 in Baton Rouge at Healing Place Church. I have to say this is one of my favorite times of the year for two reasons.
1. Relationship
2. Fresh Vision and Ideas
Both of those become the primary base of personal growth that results in church, ministry, or business growth. Whatever area you oversee or steward growing in these two areas are vital.
I have already had the opportunity to connect with some incredible people spending time with the ARC School of Ministry directors. There are truly some amazing people connecting, planning, dreaming, and learning how we can impact and build this next generation.
If this week is anything like the time that I have already had to spend with the ARC School of Ministry directors, then this week is going to be amazing!!
More to come!
I heard this quote from Wade Phillips, coach of the Dallas Cowboys and it has stuck with me ever since. When asked about his players this is what he said that he tells them in pre-season, practice, and game time.
“You guys don’t worry about the mistakes. The mistakes are on me, you worry about the EFFORT.”
Wow, I think that EFFORT is one of the most under appreciated, under utilized tools and characteristics looked at when evaluating and building at young leaders.
Imagine what would happen if all of my team gave 100% effort on everything that they put their hand to. Tasks that need to be accomplished, relationships that need to be pursued, dreams that need to be dreamed, and change that needs to be initiated would begin to happen.
Now there is a powerful word…INITIATIVE!
I think that for so many young leaders INITIATIVE and EFFORT is one of the least tapped into God-given resources that we all have free access to. I heard a wise pastor once says that so often young people are WAITING to do what God has called them to do. When the truth is God is waiting for us to do what He created us to do.
He said that often times he will hear statements like this from young staff or interns. ”Pastor, when are we going to start that outreach?” His response is always quick and to the point. “Are you serious? You mean the outreach that you feel called to do, the very thing that you feel God designed you for? Well probably when you stop waiting around take INITIATIVE and get after it.”
So true!!
There is another side to that statement. As a leader think what would happen if I gave those that I lead the freedom to focus on the effort and not the possibility of failure. Maybe their INITIATIVE is being locked up by my response when they try something and it doesn’t quit go as planned.
I think if I did give them that freedom that I just might see the POTENTIAL in people be unleashed! That is so important when building young leaders, why? Because POTENTIAL is God’s gift to us, but what we do with that potential is our gift to Him.
I want to create an enviroment for those I lead that cultivates EFFORT and INITIATIVE! I want to lead them by telling them, “don’t worry about the mistakes, the mistakes are on me. You just worry about the effort!”
I’ve been reflecting on what I feel is one of the most challenging scriptures in the New Testament.
John the Baptist writes, “He must increase and I must decrease.”
John is saying this in the midst of being in prison and his disciples asking him his thoughts on the fact that all that he has worked for and all the focus that was once on him is now being directed toward this man named Jesus. His cousin, the one who he had been assigned to prepare the way for. In fact some of those who once followed him are now following Jesus, and what was once his calling card…baptisms is now being down by Jesus.
It is in this moment that for must, (myself included) would be probably our lowest moment. The moment where we realize that all that we had worked for, all that we had done, the name that we had established and the niche which we had created for ourselves is gone. The moment we realize that we are not “ALL THAT” and there is someone out there waiting to do what we do and do it better.
Yet John’s perspective wasn’t one of sorrow, grief, or self loathing due to the fact that he had lost his “place” in doing the thing that he was known for, baptizing. He in fact in verse 28 & 29 said that he is not “the man” and he is well aware of that. In fact he rejoices in the fact that he has accomplished his role in preparing the way for the one who is “the man,” Jesus!
As I focus on John 3:30 the first part is easy, “He must increase.” I mean really who doesn’t want more of Christ? Even if you were a non-believe, even those who don’t believe He is the Son of God marvel at His life and the example that He lived. They find themselves challenged by Him and admit that if they lived a life similar to His, they would be better for it.
It’s the second part of the verse that gets me, “but I must decrease.” I’ll be honest, my selfish, self-centered, prideful, materialistic, narcissistic self doesn’t really get excited about this. Regardless of how extreme you are at any of the previous listed descriptions, “LESS of me” doesn’t sound really appealing.
I’m learning thought that LESS of me isn’t always about giving up things as much as it is giving up ME. What do I mean by that? Well my prayer this week has sounded a little like this. “Jesus more of you and less of me in my response, more of you and less of me in the wisdom I give, more of you and less of me in the council I give, more of you and less of me in how I love others.”
As I continue to focus on what this looks like in my life, I know that my heart’s desire is MORE of Him in my life, but the simple fact is that will only happen if there is LESS of me in my life!
Chris Lerma is the Student Ministries/College and 20 Somethings Pastor at Our Savior's Church in Lafayette, La. Simply put he loves the Lord, loves his wife, and loves connecting with youth and young adult culture.
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