This morning I came into my office to do my usual routine of reading the Word and praying. I got my cup of french press, french roast, rolled my chair back and peered across the desk to a small, tattered piece of familiar paper that I recite each morning as a way to start myday. It is only one of many things I ponder, but have grown fond of this little 4×6 piece of paper. There are days I read it and it nothing more than lip service. There are times where I read it and get inspired, and then there are the times I read it and it catapults from where I sit into the incredible possibilities that await me on the other side of my office door. I know you want me to give it to you right here, but just give me a few more seconds.
I believe that positioning yourself to succeed and fulfill purpose can only be accomplished by being strategically intentional. As humans, ‘we leak.’ Everything that we put into our lives has the tendency to be compacted or eroded into annals of history and the challenge to embrace another day with great faith and expectation stands right in front of us, requiring the same level of intensity to make it through another day as a winner. Starting your day by understanding what lies ahead and the attitude needed to succeed in those circumstance is strategic. Having the discipline to apply the truths that were deposited into your spirit throughout the day is intentional. Hence, the daily charge!
Here is my PERSONAL CHARGE that has inspired and challenged me many mornings. It was written by a guy who I grealy admire and allow to speak deeply into my life on a regular basis. It is filled with copious amounts of slow-release nuggets that will give you the energy and inspiration to make it through another day as a winner and not to just scrape by. I challenge you to print this out and try reading it every morning for thirty days and see if you don’t have a better perspective and great faith for each day you face:
MY PERSONAL CHARGE
“You’ve been to the stadium and seen the athletes’ race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnished and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got! No sloppy living for me. I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught up in napping, telling everyone else all about it and the missing out myself.”
By the way, these are the word of Paul, the apostle. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 MSG
There are many varying views on the definition and importance of church. There isn’t a day that passes where I don’t find myself baffled with the responses of people concerning this vital topic. As society continues to become increasingly secular, the need for Christians to understand the perceptions of the unchurched increase dramatically. Statistics show that only 15% of those under the age of 35 have any Christian influence in their lives. Times have certainly changed.
I felt it was important to address this subject with the college students in my Personal Evangelism Class. After putting my thoughts down on paper, I felt it would be good to put them into the hands of anyone that would be interested in sharing with others, ‘why church is important and how to deal with some of the rebuttals from the unchurched.’
Here is a link to download the notes, and you can find them on my Resource Page as well.
Combatting Perspectives of the Church – web
I thought I would just take a moment to share about our recent trip to Romania. We have been here for the past few days and seeing God moving in great ways. Romania is definitely ripe for the Gospel.
I am traveling with Pastor Poncho Lowder, our Lead Youth Pastor at CBC, along with a great friend from Catskill, NY, Pastor Calvin Ortiz. Both of these guys have preached some great messages and touching many lives.
We are speaking at a National Youth Pastors Conference that has attracted young people from all over the region. There are about 500-600 young people and leaders in attendance which is a great number due to the small numbers of Charismatic believers in Romania. There is definitely some momentum taking place.
Last night, we had a great move of God, with many people healed. God did a very special work in the lives of many people. In addition there were many salvations along with hundreds coming forward to consecrate their lives to the call of God on their lives.
We will be doing a leaders seminar on Saturday and speaking to the Salem Church on Sunday. It is a full week and we would appreciate your prayers.
Stay tuned!
I just finished speaking at a leader’s session at a conference in Romania, and many of the leaders there were challenged with the Word and wanted a copy of the notes for their review. I have developed a copy for the web and are posting them for your review. If you are interested, just simply click 0n below and enjoy.
Everyone Needs to Be Led – Web Version
I came across this daring prayer written by Sir Francis Drake, that challenged me deeply. To be honest, to pray a prayer of this magnitude will have huge ramifications. However, the challenges you may face in praying such a prayer, just might make you the person you are intended to be. God often times gets us to do what we don’t want to do, that we might become who we were destined to become. Often times a cost is attached. My charge to you today… pray this pray and then hold on for what God will do for you!
“Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we have sailed too close to the shore.
Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life; having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity; and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new Heaven to dim.
Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery; where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hopes; and to push into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love.”
One of the greatest measurements of leadership maturity is how well you do serving another person’s vision. Most of us today function in some form of support role, which requires us to be committed to being a team player to fulfill a vision that is not our own. Brailing your way through this process will create character or catastrophe depending on your approach. As an executive pastor of a fairly large multi-site mega church, I have had the wonderful privilege to sit at the table with some of the greatest leaders in the nation, as well as serve under one of the brightest minds in the body of Christ, Frank Damazio.
It is obvious that the leadership style and philosophy established by the senior leader has a great bearing as to what role you will ultimately play and the level of input you are allowed to interject into the development of the vision itself. However, you will also play a crucial role as to how you function in your r0le and respond/react to the decisions that affect your life personally and the area of ministry in which you serve. Over the years, I have learned the art of finding fulfillment in serving in a support role and can honestly say that it is possible for a leader to find great contentment serving in this capacity.
Recently, I came across a book that had a great affect on my perspective of support ministry leadership. The book is entitled, “Leading from the Second Chair,” and is written by Mike Bonenm and Roger Patterson. These two guys forged out some great principles from living out the principles in which they share. If you feel that you are called to be a leader and are serving a senior leader, may I highly recommend that you get this book and devote some time to devour that truths outlined in this great book.
Here is a link for you to check this book out a little further. Hope this helps!
