Teamwork

I love watching our Life Groups in action on Sunday mornings....and through the week as they minister and reach out. This is teamwork in action.

I am reminded of one of Vince Lombardi's wise quotes: " Football is an individual commitment to a group effort--that's what makes a team, a company or a society work." This applies to us, as a church, too!

I am thankful for all those who have committed themselves to God's Kingdom work.

What's He Saying?

God is an awesome communicator. Will we listen?

May we learn how to effectively listen---and to act on what he's saying

vision!

I see a day when there is someone passionately pursuing every people group in the Lawton-Ft. Sill region. I see a day when every person from every people group has the opportunity to hear the Gospel in his/her context, respond to it and serve through the local body of believers known as First Baptist Church of Lawton-Ft. Sill.

Facing the Future without Fear

What is going to happen in the future? Should I be afraid? Should I dread what lies ahead?

I believe with all my heart that the greatest days are ahead! Perfect? No. Easy? Not necessarily. Worth it? You better believe it!

When a fear or discouragement creeps in, I am reminded of God's presence and His love and His ability to meet every need and circumstance.

I ran across the following thoughts from Joyce Moritz that sum up what I am trying to say:

I need not fear, I need not dread
The days that lie ahead.
I need not worry nor feel despair
My Savior is already there.

Have a great day...

Dennis

Making Disciples

Disciple making is not about a program or an event but about relationships....sharing in the life of Christ. (The Radical Experiment)

Wisdom from a Legendary Hero

Legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden died last night. Here are a couple of Woodenisms that come to mind:

*Failure is not fatal, but failure to change might be.

*Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.

My we, as God's servants, be open to change and may we always do our best for the Master!

Passionate, Profitable, and Productive

Succeeding in ministry---what does that mean? Many say that if we focus on people and amaze them with experiences that exceed their expectations, they will respond with repeat attendance, participation and loyalty. I agree to an extent, and yet I recognize that I must be careful with business-like terminology. But...what is really the measure of success?

We must focus on people. Do we really love people and strive to meet their needs? Or are people merely a way to achieve goals? Are we passionately obsessed with making people happy every day or are people a burden we bear because we want fulfillment? If we had all the money and attenders that we need and then some, would we still be energized every day by the mission to help people solve their problems, meet their needs and perhaps share Christ?

It's not about us...it's all about Him...and it's about sharing HIM with THEM. We are in the people business. We must never lose our passion to share the life-changing message of the Master...so that others are not only hearing about, but actually experiencing the transformational love of Jesus Christ.

Go for it!

I never cease to be amazed at the goodness of God. He is faithful in every circumstance.

What is God asking you to do? Will you trust Him to guide you?

Go for it! God will make a way even when there seems to be no way.

Planning is Good!

I ran across a definition for planning (by Dale McConkey) that pretty well hits it:

• Planing involves determining what should and can be done to achieve a future that is desirable and to help avoid a future that is not desirable but would occur if we do nothing.

I think this speaks for itself. What do you and your church desire for the future? Will you be proactive in acccomplishing God's plan for you and your church?

What Can I Say?

What can I say? Happy Mother's Day!

Pray for an Awakening

A lot of praying took place across our nation yesterday....may we continue to pray daily with that same fervor!

We need revival...an awakening! It will not happen automatically. We must humble ourselves, pray, and turn from any wicked ways.

May we do more than talk about it. Let's do it.

I can do all things through Christ

Sometimes we feel overwhelmed with the task before us. Ann Kiemel pens the following in response to that feeling:

i am going to change my world.
you watch.
you'll see.
because i have a giant of a Lord
inside of me.
and He and i with love
will push through the barriers.
i'm not afraid.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Need Life?

Peter Wagner once said that prayer is too often looked upon as a by-product of doing church. Reality is that prayer must be a proactive priority if a church really wants to grow.

Prayer is the lifeline of a healthy church. Are you (and/or your church) feeling a bit anemic? Infuse prayer into the very fabric of your congregation.

Hope

Yesterday I attended the funeral of a six year old grandaughter of one of my former ministry assistants. i cannot imagine the pain of the parents, brother, and grandparents.

The pastor shared a magnificent thought based on one of the Psalms. The pain is real. Grieving is necessary. Hope found only in God will carry you through.

How very true! Hope!

What a day for a daydream...

Better yet...what a day for a God-dream! God-sized-dream! Sky's the limit when God is involved!

Bright Hope for Tomorrow

Thinking today of one of my favorite hymns of all time: Great is Thy Faithfulness.

Thank you, Lord, for "strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow."

Will you help?

A recent study confirmed that many pastors today are suffering from physical and emotional exhaustion, overwhelming stress, painful loneliness, deep emotional scars, and spiritual burnout. Ministry is not glamorous!.

A new dream, a word of affirmation, regular respite, continuing prayer....are but a few things that we ought to provide for those who serve so faithfully. Will you help?

Because He Lives

The uncertainty of life becomes more real as I experience weekends like this past one. A good friend and fellow Christ follower collapsed at his home. Heart attacks can be vicious. He is clinging to life as I write this.

Yet Sunday brought hope (in the midst of crisis) as I was reminded of Jesus' victory over death. Those who believe have nothing to fear.

Beacuse HE lives, I can face tomorrow....

He Did It!

Jesus did just what He said!

What a Savior!

I cannot get Him off my mind....and that's good!

Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Ultimate Love

I cannot fully comprehend the geometry of God's love for us--its depth, its width, its height--but I sure am thankful for it.

Could it be that our ultimate task--our vision, our dream, our mandate-- is wrapped in the command to love Him and love others with that same kind of love?

Nearsighted and Astigmatism

Went to get my eyes checked recently. My optometrist says I am nearsighted and have astigmatism (main symptom: blurriness)...both can be corrected.

Seems like that might describe many churches today...we cannot see in the distance and our vision for today and the future is a bit fuzzy....but both can be corrected.

God's vision is perfect....look for it!

I Can See Clearly

An indicting quote from an unknown author:
"The most pathetic person is someone who has sight, but has no vision."

Dare to dream dreams and seek God's vision for you and your church.

How's Your Vision?

A recent trip to my ophthalmologist indicated less than perfect vision. But let's talk about a different kind of vision.

Joel Barker says this:

Vision without action is a dream.
Action without vision is simply passing the time.
Action with vision is making a positive difference.

Will you and your church make a difference?

Keep Dreaming

Do you ever feel like you and your church are in a rut?

We all see it from time to time.

Keep God's dream/mandate at the forefront. Focus on the target not the circumstances.

Keep on dreaming.

We Don't Want Our Church to Die

More than once I have visited with a church body that said in desperation, "Please help us . We do not want (our church) to die."

Good news! You and your church can make a comeback!

Easy? No, probably not. Worth it? You betcha!

Maybe you need to recharge the batteries...or maybe you need an overhaul.

I would love to help you and your church redream the dream! Let me know.

(I Can Get Mo') Satisfaction

The Rolling Stones said they couldn't get it. Humanity longs for it. God provides it. Satisfaction!

True satisfaction comes in knowing God's will and passionately pursuing (and living) it for the rest of your earthly life. Then comes Heaven. Go for it!

Yearning

Have you ever wanted something so much that you could almost taste it?

May we have that same passion to know God's will! Be thankful that He will grant it! Make sure that you do something with it!

Live the Dream

It is no surprise to most people I know that I love Big XII football. Their TV promo videos are based on the theme "Live the Dream."

My short-term memory may not be exact, but the thoughts behind the promos are to passionately pursue the dream and to live it out.

So, too, must we as God's churches passioantely pursue the unique dreams that God has laid out for us....and we must live those dreams out!

Plan On It

Ed Stetzer, in his book Comeback Churches, has found in his research that churches that do not plan for growth invariably do not grow.

Are you and your church planning for growth?

It's Good for You

Much secular research has been done concerning dreaming. An article I read today concludes with this statement: Dreaming is a necessity and helps to recharge the mind and revitalize the body.

The same could be said concerning the church and dreaming. Dreaming (and re-dreaming) God's unique vision and mandate for the church is a necessity. It helps to recharge the thinking of the church concerning God's direction for the days to come. The ultimate result of obeying (following) that mandate is new life (revitalization) for the Body of Christ.

Keep dreaming. It's good for you and your church!

Dreaming Big Dreams

I like what one pastor (whose church had made a big turnaround in attendance and growth) shared as a major factor in their comeback: there was an ongoing declaration of what God could do--in the past (there was) no big dream.

How long has it been since you and your church declared what God could do? Are you dreaming big (God-sized) dreams?

Does It Count?

"That goal doesn't count! You were..." Bring back childhood memories?

I am at a point in my life that I want everything I do to count for the cause of Christ. To do this I must seek Him, know Him, grow in Him....and to literally take on His mind.

Peter Drucker said that "There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all." Let's seek God for the things that really count!

Revitalization

I met with some of my DOM peers today for discussion and fellowship. We talked about a lot of things: Great Commission Resurgence, assisting pastor search committees, etc. One of the major take-aways from the meeting was the need to work together to develop a coordinated plan for church revitalization.

Great posssibilities for a definite need.

Lord, We Can't Do That!

Have you ever questioned God about your ability to do something He has asked you to do? "But I am just one person!" "We're just a small church!" "We haven't ever done that before!"

You were right...to a degree. You and your church cannot accomplish God's mandate by yourself!

But let me answer in another way: (J. Hudson Taylor, first missionary to the interior of China said) "God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies."

When God calls you to do something, He will provide the way to accomplish it.

What Do Others See?

I've heard it said that persons and organizations are largely explained by their dreams. What do others see when they look at your life and the life of your church?

Of course, we would hope that others would see Jesus in us. (Remember that great old hymn "Let Others See Jesus in You"?) What will we do with Jesus?

Jesus has great plans for you and your church. Seek Him and His plans! You'll be glad you did.

Keep Your Eyes on the Target

"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal." (Vince Lombardi)

Satan will do his best to distract you and your church as you seek to achieve God's unique mandate for your congregation. He will try to deceive, divert and disillusion you and your fellow believers.

Focus on the vision that God has given you. If you do not know what it is, find out and then follow. If your present dream seems dated and lethargic, if it has been awhile since you revisited it, re-dream the dream.

When you find it and you know it, keep your eyes on the target and determine that nothing or nobody will keep you from it.

Get It Together

Henry Blackaby once said, "the potential of each church is enormous, far greater still when they work together."

Are you and your church reaching your potential? Get it together!

Museum or Missional?

I have often visited the oldest church in the United States located in the heart of Santa Fe. Most spiritual activity there is a thing of the past...but they do have tours and a gift shop!

Would you describe your church as missional or museum in practice? Do you dwell on the glory days or are you proactively reaching folks in the 21st Century?

We should honor our past; but meeting needs in our present and future should take precedence over maintaining institutions.

Proactive or Reactive?

What do you and your church spend most of your time doing? Planning and implementing or reacting and problem-solving?

Healthy churches are proactive...less healthy churches are reactive.

Don't skate toward the puck...anticipate where the puck is going and skate there.

Don't Just Dream...Live It!

I saw a nice saying on a paper weight while waiting for my 8:00 appointment this morning at Cracker Barrel. I cannot remember the exact wording, but here is the essence: Don't just dream...live it!

How true for the church as well as for you and me! It is of little use for us to discover God's unique mandate for our churches if we do not live out that dream.

It is What it Is,,,Really?

I have heard the statement "it is what it is" a quadrillion times in the last few months. This may be justified in certain situations, but is it always the final word?

Can we have an effect on the future in our churches and our world? Or must we accept what it is?

Len sweet says we can "hunker in the bunker" (wait until the latest changes blow over) or we can "stick our head in the sand" (pretend our world isn't changing) ...or we can ride the surf of exponential change (proactively seek to have an effect on the future).

I say "surf's up!" Let's make a difference! Redream the dream!

Great Expectations

What we expect from life is what we usually get!

Dare to have great expectations--for your life and your church-- as you serve a great God.

Be Healthy!

Want to be a healthy church?

Build your church upon its God-given mandate. Renew yourself as a church by regularly revisiting and redreaming that dream!

What (and Who) Do You Know?

What does God really want us to do?

• Know the Person (Jesus Christ)
• Know your purpose (God has a purpose for your life)
• Know His power (Resurrection power)
• Know His plan (the local church)

Check it out (Eph. 1:15ff)! Dream it! Live it!

Whose dream is it anyway?

Henry Blackaby tells us that we don't dream our dreams for what we want to do for God; He (God) sets the directions that He is going and reveals them to us.

Proverbs 29:18 talks of perishing without vision. I recently heard that verse paraphrased this way: "When God's people don't have a clear word from Him, they do what is right in their own eyes!"

Wow! We, as God's people, need a clear word from Him. Dare to dream God-sized and God-breathed dreams!

Dream vs. Doubt

Would you rather dream or doubt?

If we really believe that God is able (and He is), we will dream God-sized dreams and then live them out.

Dreaming churches plan and take action; doubting churches solve problems.

Your church can be a dreaming church!

Why?

Contrary to the popular belief, the answer to "Why?" is not "just because."

Why should we dare to dream new dreams for our churches? One friend put it this way:"The future is not what it used to be. The thinking that got us to where we are today will not take us to where we need to be tomorrow. Effective ministry now and in the future must change; we must move to a different mindset."

Why? Because people need the Lord.

Your Unique Ministry Dream

Where are you as a church headed?Dunno!

Sound familiar?

Dare to dream!

No church can effectively minister until it identifies its unique ministry dream/ mandate from God...and lives it out.

Where is God working in your ministry context? Will you join Him?

Are You Ready?

Is your church ready to dream again?

Change or Die

Our world is changing exponentially. Our message does not change, but often our methods must.

A simple (yet impacting) statement: to sit still is to die!

How Big is Your Dream?

I heard a church growth consultant once say that a healthy church lives out of a healthy dream. How true!

God's health plan is for his church to grow spiritually and numerically. Small expectations yield small results. However, God's plan for churches (when actualized) produce magnificent results.

What are you and your church dreaming?

God has a Plan

Revitalization. New life. New energy. Renewal.

Sounds good, doesn't it? But....how?

How can this happen in your church? Some would say change your policies--change the way you do things. Others might say change your personnel. Still others might say change your organization.

I would say that the better approach would be to revisit and define (or redefine) your purpose. Redream the dream. Dare to dream God-sized dreams. Seeking God and His mandate for your church for 2010 and beyond will yield great benefits. Implementing action plans to reach that mandate will produce results beyond your wildest imagination.

Easy? No. But when God reveals His plan, He stands ready with the tools to accomplish it.