Going full time into full time ministry…Again

As I sit at one of my favorite places in Davis (Crepeville) and ponder what I am going to do different this time around. In my years of ministry, I am reminded now and it is quickly approaching 14 years of being a pastor of some sort. Here are some random thoughts to help me as I get started again.

I will be….

People centered vs. Systems Centered

Creating culture vs. Church mandates

Try differently vs. Trying harder

Listen first vs. Speak first (gonna try on this one!)

I vividly remember my first invitation to serve in ministry (thanks Lee Coate). We were at Applebees in Vegas and I was powering back some BBQ ribs and Lee was eating a Chicken Caesar Salad and then the offer came. “Tom would you like to be a Jr. High Pastor? We can either pay you a stipend per month or have the church pay your college tuition?” I chose the stipend because I thought I should get used to getting paid as a minister. Pretty funny stuff though.

That started me on a climb in life that I had no idea of the result. I just kept climbing and then I fell and got up and kept climbing, met and married Rochele, kept climbing some more. After the 11 years of climbing, there was a pause. Rochele and I heard God leading us to start a church in Davis, CA. The most educated city per capita in the nation!  No money, No denomination, very little friends around and a handful of people looking at me to lead them with this awesome endeavor. So Rochele and I said ok God, here we go on another climb. I have pastored in a few environments that I would consider challenging but this would be a huge challenge for us.

After a little over two years, here we are climbing and now putting in every ounce of energy, time, prayers and hope into our church. We  love the city of Davis and the mission we are on and can’t wait to see what happens next!

 

Transition

Leadership transition is a very tricky thing. From my days of operations at Target, transition is normal and happens all the time. There is product transition, i.e Tide detergent going from 1X to 2X and there is leadership transition, leaders taking new jobs or being fired from jobs. All transition should be flawless. The guests that are shopping at Target should need feel or see transition, it should be executed without “seeing dust from construction.” As a shopper at Target if you don’t see half filled aisles and clearance everywhere then the Target teams are doing their jobs but it the aisles begin to look like Walmart and extremely messy and unorganized then the team is not doing their job.  I am not sure it is possible to have flawless transition when you have transition that affects people and leaders. I believe in all transition there should be truth and diplomacy. We must be authentic about the change that is right around the corner and we must make sure we carry an attitude of compassion and human warmth to the situation. Transitions require us to change and we all have a difficulty accepting and buying into change. Just another insight, leaders are always excited about implementing transition but it is necessary for organizations to do if they will move forward. One of the quickest ways to stump or hinder momentum is to avoid or put off transition. At the beginning of each year there seems to always be some sort of transition, new jobs, new responsibilities, new boss or change of venue. If we can have weekly talks with our leaders and teams it can help with transition and it won’t so daunting. At Renaissance we have some transition approaching us and my God give us wisdom with our decisions.

 

God can move fast

It has been a while since I have written a post and I am reminded how fast God can move. As the year comes to an end, we can feel stuck or short changed from the year before but what God is up to, might just be around the corner. How can I remind myself that God can move fast? Faith seems like an abstract thought or a journey with no end but in reality, there is something that God wants us to see. Looking for a new job? Want to start a new spiritual discipline? Want a new relationship? Have to move from one place to the next? I see a pattern and our need to rely on God during these transitional moments. No matter how good or bad the previous year was to you, can you acknowledge that God can move fast in your life? Defining moments take place when we are prepared to be amazed by God’s power and intervention. Please God move fast in my life.

 

More then one way to do things

As I contemplate what it means to be progressive as a church planter and believe that Jesus can take us places that we cannot go on our own. My confidence is not in the things that we create or our religious hierarchies that we create but rather in the kind of community we read about in the New Testament. I am amazed how so many people continue to go the same route when it comes to ministry, life and beyond. I have always done it that way and that is the only way that I know. There seems to be a rigidness that I come in contact with daily. Why can’t we understand that there is more than one way to do things. One main reason is our livelihood is tied to our decisions. We make so many decisions based on money and security and it seems perplexing to me. I am no better than any of you but if all our decisions are financial based then where is the faith? Where is the courage to start a new ministry or be an entrepreneur? Another example is our work ethic. We will only do what we think is important or productive for our schedule. What if there is a different way to enjoy our jobs but we would never experience it if we keep to ourselves. I guess what I am saying is, how can we come to a place with our decisions where we factor in, more than one way to do things. I am pretty sure there are more then one way to plant a church, work a job, raise a family, have financial security……etc.

 

Get on the Jesus Bandwagon

As I am excited about the coming NFL season, I think about all the bandwagon hoppers there are out there. Some will join the Vikings wagon, now that Brett Favre is there. Some will get back on the Patriots wagon now that Brady is healthy again. Some should just get on the Dolphins wagon because they are good. (That is my favorite team and want you all to get on that wagon)

With bandwagons we get people going in the same direction and we want others to join the journey we are on. What a great time of year as the fall approaches to call others to get on the Jesus bandwagon. Now for some theological clarification let me remind you that there is and has to be something extremely contagious about following Jesus. If you can’t find or catch Jesus like a sneeze then something needs to be fixed in us not in Jesus.

We can want the bandwagon to have pimped out wheels or special snacks on board but in all honesty the direction matters more then what is on the wagon. Sound familiar to those of going to church? So pick your church wisely.

But the phrase “jump on the bandwagon” first appeared in U.S. politics in the mid-1800s when Dan Rice, a popular circus clown, “used his bandwagon and its music to gain attention for campaign appearances. As campaigns became more successful, more politicians strove for a seat on the bandwagon, hoping to be associated with the success.”  ***Found this quote somewhere, sorry author

May Jesus be the most brilliant thing you have ever seen, the strongest arm you could ever ask for? The most beautiful thing you have ever seen.

 

Church is social for most of us

As I ponder the importance of church, I can’t give up the fact that church is social for most of us. We can be missional, prayerful, care for those that the rest of the world doesn’t and do lots of ministry together. In the end most of us want to go to church because we need others around us to connect with. It is part of being human and there is nothing wrong with it. There seems to be a who’s who when we gather for church. I don’t doubt we want to experience the hope and grace of Christ but there has to be a certain number of people present in order for there to be a connection. We want to go to church and we want to have a social connection to the rest of the world. Maybe this is why I want to see everyone together all the time for this reason. The church should be the place where safe relationships and conversations should occur from week to week. Do you think a certain number of people must be at church in order for you to feel connected?

As as a leader, ministry momentum is like a fickle girlfriend. Hard to harness and create but once you do, it can get some serious traction. I love our church and would do anything in for it, including wearing red and khaki most of the time. Church is social for most of us. The church is resilient and Jesus said it best in

 Matt 16:18

And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

Jesus was having a conversation with the disciples. Jesus was asking them what others are saying regarding his identity. The church is more then social it is transformational. Jesus can do that and we have the opportunity to share in that transformation with the church.

 

We all need some small town in us

I just got back from playing golf with a friend of mine up in the Sierra Mountains for the past two days. While being up there we were also playing with a guy from his church. We were playing and as the day went along the other guy began to develop an attitude. He showed frustration by avoiding us and created lots of tension in the group. We kept playing and to my friend’s credit he continued to reach out to him and try to be kind. I made the comment that tomorrow you all will have to go and live together again.

My friend lives in a town of 850 people. You cannot just forget about things or try to never talk to a person again. His kids are friends with his kids, they go to same church and are in the community together. It just got me thinking that we all need to have this kind of conflict management if we are going to be a people that are on a mission with Jesus.

Conflict is hard, tiring and very confusing at times  but we must resolve and restore things. Don’t give up on people in your community. Those we work with, play with and share life with. Being the consumers that we are regarding service, commodities and social networking. We can’t take it or leave it.

To finish the story, my friend had a follow up conversation with the guy and the guy mentioned, “this is just the way that I am.” Jesus doesn’t want to leave you the same, he wants to transform you. Will you let Him?

 

Disciple those in front of you

Christians don’t follow Christianity; Christians follow Christ.
Christians don’t preach themselves; Christians proclaim Christ.
Christians don’t point people to core values; Christians point people to the cross.
Christians don’t preach about Christ: Christians preach Christ.

By Alan Hirsch

I think we are enamored with the chase. We chase boys and girls when we are young (or some of us are still chasing), We chase wealth and security, We chase purpose like it is something we can find. I would also say we chase discipleship. We want to track down someone and disciple them because we think they need it or because we are willing. We get this strong desire to make a difference but sometimes that can be pointed at the wrong person. We all know what it feels like when someone pushes an agenda or cause onto us and we aren’t receptive.

I believe that God brings people, situations, and circumstances into our lives so discipleship can be maximized. Following Jesus is really about following and not leading. Letting Jesus dictate where, when and whom is the ultimate struggle we all face.

As a community of followers we must trust where God has placed us. Another challenge we all seem to face? Can we really believe that God has us right where He wants us? When we get restless is when we begin to chase. The funny thing is that our identity is tied to the chase. We cannot be satisfied until we get what we think we want. Are you seeing a pattern here?

Trust where God has placed you and disciple whoever is in front of you. Don’t go to the past and try to relive or try to predict the future but embrace the people that God has placed right in front of you, I think there is enough people in front of us already if we can realize it.

 

Promotion comes in a variety of forms

As I come upon a major interview process at Target regarding a promotion, I am reminded of the different kinds of promotions that we all experience.

• Job Promotion-as Biggie Smalls said, “More Money, More Problems.”
• Athletic Promotion-achieve athletic goal
• Spiritual Promotion-receiving God’s favor
• Being an advocate for someone-helping them succeed

It is amazing to me how long Renaissance has been alive and well as a church community but it just seems like yesterday, that we started the church. Promotion does come ina  variety of forms but it also comes in a variety of timings. We cannot try to time or be wishful on promotion but rather be accountable to what God has called us to do. I am always amazed at leaders packing it in when they are so close to a breakthrough. There are countless biblical leaders that were promoted but not according to their plan. People like Joseph, Deborah, Moses, Ruth, Peter and Paul.

In each case, God used situations to promote these leaders to places that require responsibility and care. God is into taking care of his creation and we are blessed enough to play a small role in God’s purposes.

 

Hopelessness

As I sit and pray on UC Davis campus, one thing that plagues my mind is a spirit of hopelessness. It is that spirit that drives people to addictions, depression and ultimately suicide. It is a spirit that drives all cultures and both male and female to pack it in. It is a terrible feeling and I know lots of people that struggle with hopelessness. I am reminded constantly of how my life was radically impacted by suicide. First my mother and then my grandfather. My life has been forever altered.

As I follow Jesus I realize that it is not enough to believe in Him but rather we must behave like Him. There is a constant battle for our minds and lives and we must be aware of it. Any kind of tweaks or deception that can swing us into a hopelessness mindset is a victory for the opposing team. I met with a friend of mine to discuss his testimony and how he was going to share at Intervarsity. He was so authentic and willing to do whatever Jesus wanted him to do and I was so proud of him. I know God can breakthrough any hopelessness but I have to say that if there is a antithesis to the gospel it is hopelessness.

²⁰ But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died.

 ²¹ So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man. ²² Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. ²³ But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

1 Corinthians 15

 

Keep yourself guarded  and I am praying that Jesus would intevene in Davis and bring healing to all who are affected by hopelessness.