One of the comments I have heard while traveling all over the world is, “I would love to have the opportunity to take some quality Bible College classes, but my current life circumstances will not allow it.” Boy, do we have some good news for you!

For the first time in PBC’s history, online classes will be available starting this week.  You can now grow and learn anywhere. Each of the online classes is designed to replicate a vibrant classroom experience. All of the elements necessary for a truly life-changing theological education are present in the new online format and now available at your fingertips.

If you are serious about taking the next step in your biblical education, it is worth clicking on a few of the links below and checking it out! If you know of anyone in your church, pass it on; it is a recommendation worth making.

Over the past few years I have posted some resource tools that are designed to help you in becoming a more effective leader. These items have been very popular and I have received many encouraging emails as to how they have helped others. I thought it would be good to put the list in front of you and allow you to download as many FREE resources as you want.

Let me know which ones have been a blessing to you!

FREE Downloadable Leadership Notes

Connecting to Community – Web Verison

Building a Thriving Team Culture – Web Version

Building a Leadership Pipeline – Web Version

Keys to a successful Volunteer Ministry- Web Version

Destroying Disabling Delusions of Discipleship – Web Version

2007_multi_site_survey

Combatting Perspectives of the Church – web

FREE Evangelism Resources

Irresistible Christianity Handbook

The Road Ahead Follow Up Booklet

Sharing the Gospel in the 21st Century – web version

FREE Pastoral Resources

Counseling in the Local Church

Water Baptism Booklet

FREE Self Assessment Tests

Identifying Your Spiritual Gifts

Defining Your Passions

Clarifying Your Talents and Abilities

Learning About Your Personal Makeup

Discerning Your Spiritual Maturity

Making Sense of Your Life Experiences

Making Priority Adjustments

FREE Downloadable Charts

Leader Development Chart BLANK

Leader Development Chart EXAMPLE

Growth Strategies Chart

Small Group Personal Growth and Development Chart

FREE Downloadable Miscellaneous Leadership Documents

Leadership Recruitment Code of Ethics

ENGAGEMENT READINESS EVALUATION

Most of us avoid conflict at all costs. First of all, it is no fun. Secondly, our natural tendency is to avoid confrontation. However, avoiding conflict will not solve the issue at hand, but will only multiply it.  The reality is, sooner or later, you will have to face the situation, and facing it early on in it’s conception will greatly reduce the potential of an all out war.

Here are some things you migh consider the next time you have to confront a situation or person:

1. Confront in private, not in public – Don’t create a scene, or embarrass someone. Have some wisdom and find a quiet place.

2. Don’t delay – The longer you wait, the harder it becomes and the easier it is to justify why you should leave it alone -

3. Deal only with a single iusse – Don’t bring a laundry list and attempt to address every issue that is on your mind. It may be overwhelming.

4. Don’t repeat yourself – Unless they didn’t hear what was being said, avoid be redundant. Most people comprehend the issues being presented.

5. Be careful of the words you use -  Don’t be condescending and don’t exaggerate of overstate your issues.

6.  Don’t confront issues that a person can’t change – There are some issues beyond a persons ability to control. Be sensitive to the battles you choose to face.

7.  Avoid demeaning or tearing the person down -  Talk to the person, don’t talk down to the person.

8. Help direct the person to acknowledging their problem by asking open ended questions -  You might consider asking questions that cause them to own the problem.

9. Don’t apologize for being truthful – Being sheepish will only minimize the truth that you are trying to communicate.

10. End on a positive note -  Reaffirm your support, thank them for listening and communicate your commitment to forgive and move forward.

Over the past few months our church has been investigating ways in which we might assist in combating the child sex trafficking in the Portland/Vancouver area.  Our city has been nicknamed, “Pornland” by Dan Rathers and has become one of the highest areas for sex trafficking in the entire United States.

Our journey has begun, by making a commitment to get involved and use our influence and resources to make a difference. On Sunday evening, August 15th, Pastor Frank presented our passion and commitment to get involved to the congregation at our Super Sunday Night. We asked our congregation to consider getting invovled in five different areas:

1. Commitment to Pray – We handed out thousands of prayer cards and asked people to pray. Over 300 people committed to pray daily for the cause.

2. Purchase a Care Package for Victims – Emergency Care Kits are available to any women who come into a S.A.R.C. drop in center.  Their need consisted of approximately 200 care packages for a year. We were able to commit to purchasing 246 Care Kits, thanks to the generosity of the CBC family.

3. Purchase Quilts – During the winter, most of these young girls are cold and need bedding to assist with their circumstance. The annual need is for 100 quilts. We were able to raise the money to purchase 127 quilts!

4. General Donations – We asked the congregation to donate money toward developing a ministry base in which we might be able to begin attacking the problem. The church raised over $1400 with many more commitments.

5. Volunteer to serve – Almost 200 people stepped up to the plate and made the commitment to serve in some capacity.

I am so proud of our church and their passion and commitment toward those in need. We truly do have a heart for the city and desire to make a difference.  If you are interested in helping us, you can also donate to help with the cause simply by clicking here, and selecting the ”Fight Sex Trafficking” category.

Here is a recent video that was also posted on Facebook, by a close friend, Tanell Morton. It will give you a fresh perspective at the challenges ahead.

This is one fact that is for sure; life is filled with challenges and problems.  We all have a desired outcome to each day in which we live, but often times there are ‘surprises’ that come our way that may detour our desired plans and goals. Much of the outcome of a potential problem lies in our ability to discern, assess and resolve the situation promptly.  A leader is not measure by the challenges they face, but their respsonse to them!

The Los Angeles Times ran a quote that stated, “If you can smile whenever something goes wrong, you are either a nitwit, or a repair man.” I prefer the second option.  Realizing the only problem you really have is the one you allow to be a problem due to the wrong response to the issue at hand. Problems are really opportunities in the making. If God is truly in control of all things, He must have caused or allowed the situation to evolve and has a purpose in it.  The list of reasons could be endless.

Here would be a few thoughts that might help you next time an ‘opportunity’ comes your way:

1.   Intuition: You must sense it before you actually see it – There are a variety of factors that will allow you to sense that a potential challenge is on the horizon.  Slow down long enough to recognize unusual changes unfolding right in front of you.

2.  Discernment:  Ask yourself some honest questions – Believing the best in every situation is a noble position to take, but it can also end up in disaster. Face the brutal facts, don’t ignore or minimize the challenge at hand. Look at it objectively and discern what is unfolding and where it might potentially end up. Look at your options.

3.  Investigate: Gather important information – You will never make an intelligent decision without intelligent information. Get the facts and write them down.

4.  Evaluate: List all of the potential outcomes and all the potential choices and solutions you might choose. Look to God’s Word for scriptures that apply to your situation.

5. Feedback: Present the options to those you respect – Get outside input; there is wisdom in a multitude of counsel.

6.  Process: Develop a written action plan – Sit down and take the time to list the process for change. Include the who, when, what and where to insure that you are making the changing in a strategic manner.

7. Lead: Activate the plan – Don’t be wishy-washy in implementing that which you know is best. Procrastination is the devil’s workshop.

The next time you are faced with a problem that has the potential of ruining you day, head it off at the pass!

I am once again overwhelmed with the urgent need to let a world know that Christ loves them. There are thousands that drive by the coffee shop as I type, many who are in desperate need of a savior.  I am forever grateful for what God has done for me and in me. I am passionate about serving Him and His cause due to His amazing grace at work in my life.  I am sure you feel the same.

Unfortunately 95% of Christians will not share their faith. This surprising statistic should be the catalyst for each of us to really assess our daily opportunity to share the best news ever. Most of us have the desire to share, but simply get busy or our deterred by fear or intimidation. However, there is an incredible joy that is released when we break through the barriers of silence and share with those that need Him.

I wanted to resurrect seven important posts from over four years ago, and challenge you to take the seven day challenge. Read one post a day, pray about the principles and ask God to activate these truths in your life. I would trust that you might be more fruitful in sharing your faith next week. Here they are:

Day 1: Building Relationship is the Key.

Day 2: Be an Example

Day 3: Be Aware of Your Enemy

Day 4: Fervently Pray

Day 5: Meet their Needs

Day 6: Be Ready when the Opportunity Comes

Day 7: Have Faith

I am sitting alone in Lake Tahoe at Alpen Sierra House sipping a fresh cup of hot coffee thoroughly enjoying my first day of summer vacation. I am not alone because I have no friends, it is just what I do while I wait for the rest of the family to wake up at the ‘crack of nine.’  I am reading one of my new magazines that I have wanted to read, but have had little time, and came across a statement that really got my attention.

Charles Swindoll is quoted from a conference saying, “One of my greatest goals in life is to live long enough to where I am in the pulpit, preaching my heart out, and I die on the spot, my chin hits the pulpit – BOOM! – and I am down and out.  What a way to die!”  Let that one germinate in y0ur thinker for a moment. Where is this guy coming from? Great goal in life? What about climbing Mount Everest or sailng around the world, or going on a safari, or even riding your bike in the Tour deFrance? But hitting your chin on the pulpit while preaching and dying?

I gulp another cup of my depth charge and sit back and realize, “Here is a guy that I can relate to. Maybe I am not crazy. Maybe it is o.k. to think about God and church all day long (obviously in between surges of thoughts and emotions about my great wife, kids and grand kids).  Maybe being passionate all the time about something purposeful is not an indictment on your refusal  to read Louie Lamore books on vacation (what is the point?). Some might call it being a work-a-holic, I might just choose to call it passion for God’s kingdom.

Don’t get me wrong; I am going to go to the beach, hang out with the wife, kids and grandkids and LOVE every second of it. I am passionate about my family. We are going to build sandcastles, go on hikes, play Marco Polo, and I will even let them win…most of the time. It is possible to have a passion for your family and ministry; they don’t have to conflict. In addition, recreation and relaxation have their place and finding balance is a true to key to ministry longevity.  But having a constant flow of passion pumping through your veins is not all that bad, in fact in might just be God.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said quite poignantly, “A man is what he thinks about all day long.” The inference here is that what you are passionate about is exactly the thing you have the greatest potential of becoming.

God intended passion to be all-consuming, “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight” (Phil. 2:13, AMP). God intended all-consuming passion to be for His good pleasure and delight. Passion is and must remain God-centered and God-focused.

So where is your passion focused? That passion you have for golf … where is it leading you? What about your passion for success … is it for God’s good pleasure and delight, or your own?

Passion directed by God is an unstoppable force. But make no mistake, the devil conspires to arrest your passion and redirect it to futile motives. Passion that isn’t carefully understood for its motive and regularly monitored for its effect has the potential to send anyone, even the most disciplined person, careening off course. This detour is, at minimum, a distraction and, in some cases, quite devastating.

John Maxwell said, “One of the greatest sins we commit against God is not reaching the potential he has placed in us.” Every person has been chosen, then given a purpose and a measure of passion. How you direct your passion in everyday life will greatly determine whether you are successful in fulfilling your purpose. Like a sharp knife in your kitchen drawer, passion can be extremely helpful or extremely harmful. It must be carefully directed and used for its intended purpose.

For many, being able to articulate a passion may be difficult, even though most of us have pursued our passions in some form or another. But have you ever taken time to define how God made you or to assess how your passions play a role in your overall makeup? Finding this important component just might be the thing that will propel you to a life of fruitfulness and fulfillment.

Well… my coffee is almost gone, and it is off to the beach.  It is going to be a great day.

1. Understand our Condition

2. Realize the Enemy’s Position

3. Embrace God’s Position

4. Solidify Our Decision

Here is the message. Why don’t you take some time, sit back with a cup of coffee and see if God might show up and really help you in your time of need:

Sermon 7/25/10 from City Bible Church on Vimeo.

Over the past few weeks, I have been spending a great deal of time looking into the horrific problem of sex-trafficking in our city. I fully understand the depth of this issue globally and am thankful for the countless ministries and social agencies that have dedicated their lives to stopping this unimaginable tragedy. However, I have become passionate for the issue in our city and looking for ways in which to be involved personally, as well as working with my Pastor, Frank Damazio as to what we might do as a local church.

For those of you that do not yet understood the magnitude of this issue in the Portland/Vancouver area, I wanted to post an article by The Huffington Post. It is listed below along with a link to a short video by Dan Rather on the Portland-Pornland area (located at the bottom of this post). Here it is:

Child prostitution has become a national problem in this country. Yes, I know that you have trouble believing that. You don’t want to believe it, so you tend not to.

“Widespread sex trafficking in children?”, you may be saying to yourself. “Sure, it happens overseas in places like Thailand and Moldova, and while there may be some of it here there’s not that much of it in our country.”

Based on a months long investigation and some reportorial digging, I’m here to tell you that you are wrong. We all are. We’re in denial.

In covering news for more than 60 years, I’d like to think that few stories shock me anymore. But this is one of them. We ran across it late last year and the more we dug, the more disturbing it became.

Eighty-year-old men paying a premium to violate teenage girls, sometimes supplied by former drug gangs now into child sex trafficking big time? You’ve got to be kidding. Nope. That’s happening and a lot more along the same lines.

The business is booming. One of the worst areas for it runs along lines running roughly from Seattle to Portland, to San Francisco and Los Angeles, to Las Vegas. But no place in the country is immune.

To pick just one example among many, Portland, Oregon is without doubt one of the nation’s treasures. It has been voted one of the best places to live and work. But according to police, the city and its outlying communities has become a hub for the sexual exploitation of children. In a recent nationwide sting by Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, Portland ranked second in the country for the number of rescued child prostitutes. And according to Doug Justus, the workhorse sergeant in charge of Portland’s tiny Vice Detail, many of the children caught up in this are middle class kids from the area.

The girls, sometimes as young as 12, often 13-16, are lured by a “front man” in his mid-to-late teens. He becomes her “boyfriend,” taking her to dinner, buying her nice things, sometimes meeting her parents. The girl eventually moves in with him. Then he says they need money to continue being together. First, she’s enticed to sleep with his friends to pay the rent. Soon she’s turning tricks for what police say is an endless supply of older men willing to pay top money for sex with very young girls. Other times convincing the young adolescent girls to sell themselves happens very quickly.

“It is an out-of-control problem. It’s unbelievable,” say Justus. “I’ve only done this vice-squad job for three years. I’ve been a cop for 29. If you had told me three years ago that a 14-year-old girl would go to a food court, meet a guy, and three hours later be selling herself, I’d a said, no frigging way. It happens every single day, every day.”

It is a very lucrative business, according to Justus. “An average pimp with one kid will make between $800 and $l,000 a day. That’s seven days a week, 30 days a month,” he said. And the pimps usually have a stable of young girls. No wonder so many criminals in the drug trade have turned to it which they have in droves. There’s less chance of being caught, less chance of being prosecuted if caught, lighter sentences — if any — if convicted.

There is, and has been for a long time, a national “War on Drugs.” There isn’t one on child prostitution and what amounts to a slave trade. Only feeble efforts at best.

Justus is frustrated that the Portland police have only two full-time vice investigators, compared to dozens of drug investigators.

“I’m not a politician. I’m just a cop. But if I’m a criminal and I got busted for drugs and I had a regional (drug) task force over here. And there’s another task force over there, and there, and then I know there’s only two vice investigators in the city of Portland, let me think. I think I’ll sell women because what are the chances of me being caught?”

The story we’ve prepared is not about prostitution per se. This is about child abuse. This is also about statutory rape and compelling prostitution among the young. All are difficult to prove. A major reason, according to police, is that it’s extremely difficult to convince a young girl to testify against their pimps and “johns”. They are afraid.

Sgt. Justus told us the story of a 16-year-old girl whom he convinced to “roll” on her pimp. But before she could testify against him she disappeared — and her pimp walked free. Justus has spent the last year looking for her and fears she’s dead.

How many children are being peddled on the streets of Portland and in other cities and towns, to say nothing of the Internet (Justus and other law enforcement people say Craigslist, along with other Internet sites, are major factors in the spread of child prostitution)? Hard to know about the real numbers. The most conservative estimates are that at least 100,000 American children are being victimized. Many experts say they believe it’s closer to 300,000 or more.

Whatever the number, it is a national outrage and disgrace. And the problem is growing, not diminishing.

Based on our investigation, we’ve prepared an hour long program on this problem. We’ve spoken with parents who never dreamed their young daughter would be caught up in underage prostitution but was. We’ve also interviewed several girls who lived to tell about their experiences of being sold. Tuesday night at 8pm Eastern time on HDNet, via satellite and cable.

PORNLAND VIDEO WITH DAN RATHER CLICK HERE

All of us are familiar with the story of the frog in the kettle. A frog placed in boiling water will immediately jump from the pot. A frog placed in room temperature water where the heat is gradually turned up will fry in the boiling water and never jump. So it is with a nation.

The Bible is filled with the repeated history of man following this unfortunate, yet predictable pattern. We seek God, He shows up. We get complacent in our success and forget God and he removes His blessing.  If you ever want to see just how many times this scenario repeats itself, just open up your bible and underline every time it says, “An Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord.”

Healing in a nation starts with God’s people.  2 Chronicles 7:14 states, “If MY PEOPLE, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land.” It starts with us! Change in a nation starts with change in us, in you, and in me.

It is time that we, as His people, examine our lives, our cities and our nation, and recognize that there is more that each of us can do to increase the spiritual atmosphere in our cities. The scripture is clear, if we exchange some spiritual activity for our carnal activities, stuff happens.

Here are some practical things you can DO! Not read, meditate on, study, but DO! God’s Word guarantees us a great reward!

1. Ask God to reveal to you any un-confessed sins or wrong behaviors in your life.

2. Ask God to forgive you of any wrong doing.

3. Seek forgiveness of anyone you have wronged. Humble yourself and repent.

4. Pray for Holy Spirit to fill you and help  you to walk a “Spirit-filled” life, not a “Natural-minded” life.

5. Resist complacency and apathy at all costs.

6. Surrender EVERY area of your life to Jesus Christ. He is Lord of all, or Lord not at all.

7. Ingest the Word of God in large doses. Fall in love with His voice.

8. Increase your times of prayer. Don’t settle for the amount of your current prayer times. Seek Him more.

9.  Add a day of fasting to your schedule.

10. Make a list of prayer needs for you, your family, your church, your city and your nation. Pray without ceasing.

11. Be prompt in your obedience to God. Don’t delay, obey Him in every situation and circumstance!

Let’s not remain content with our lives, situation and condition of our nation. Let’s step up the heat on the Devil, crucify the ‘flesh’ and give God the opportunity to move in us and through us. Exciting days are ahead!