We completed our work on the staff retreat about 10:45 this morning. It was a great time of teambuilding, dreaming, digging into the Word, and even a little fun :-). [By the way, don't even think about taking on Laura McDade in Wii boxing]
With all the support staff joining in Monday afternoon and evening, we had a learning experience around what it means to be a team. We then had a pretty intense time of reflection on a message (as in sermon) for church leaders by David Platt, Pastor of The Church at Brookhills (see links to the right).
Tuesday morning began with Ministerial and Professional Staff working through some biblical passages related to the Church. We had some open discussion about our God given mission and some biblical core values we seek to live out.
Each staff member reported on the Present State of their ministry areas.
All of the above information was incorporated into an exercise and discussion related to the future of ClearView. Finally, we laid out three key initiatives we feel will take ClearView to the next level over the next 18 months. We asked ourselves and each other what three initiatives could we take on that will get us further down the road faster as a church body over the next 12 - 18 monhts. Let me share those with you.
1. Leadership Development. We will design and implement a leadership development process that will permeate each of our staff and over 100 lay leaders over the next 18 months. In order to multiply at the rate we will need to multiply in the near future, we must have leaders who are equipped (see Ephesians 4) AND who are all moving in the same direction. This initiative was assigned to yours truly (Mark).
2. First Impressions. This initiative will be led by Michael Smith. It will cover all of our communications (Insights, worship folders, web site, etc.) and a look at all branding issues. It will also do some major overhauling of our parking lot and greeter systems for Sundays. Our signage throughout our property (outside and inside) will need some major upgrading as the new building comes online to accomodate the numbers of new people we are anticipating.
3. Evangelism. The heartbeat of God is to see people come into a right relationship with Him through Jesus Christ. We (all of us) are the instruments through which He has chosen to accomplish this mission. We are seeing growth in many areas at ClearView. It is my intention (and it always will be) to see us do a better job of reaching people with the good news of Jesus Christ. We are to impact lostness. We must raise the value of sharing our faith. John Duval will be taking the point for our staff on this initiative.
Everyone will be impacted by these three key initiatives. You may be asked to serve on a team by Michael or John Duval related to their initiatives. I am asking all of you to pray for these three areas of work.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Today's prayer
Lord,
Thank you. Thank you for helping me through yesterday's message. Thank you for the attentiveness of the people. Thank you for the many who have responded and are responding. Thank you for the staff of ClearView and our time together today. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of whatever it is you seem to be doing at ClearView. Thank you for the privilege of serving you in this place at this time.
Mark
Thank you. Thank you for helping me through yesterday's message. Thank you for the attentiveness of the people. Thank you for the many who have responded and are responding. Thank you for the staff of ClearView and our time together today. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of whatever it is you seem to be doing at ClearView. Thank you for the privilege of serving you in this place at this time.
Mark
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Staff Retreat
We leave tomorrow for a staff retreat. The entire staff will be meeting Monday afternoon and spending time together Monday night. The "Ministerial and Professional" staff will be staying through Wednesday noon. I look forward to having some time with this special group of leaders.
Pray for us as we come to mind. The next 12 - 18 months will be very busy and foundational for the future of ClearView.
Pray for us as we come to mind. The next 12 - 18 months will be very busy and foundational for the future of ClearView.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Are you for real? (follow-up to message)
This is the title to a message I brought April 6, 2008 and this is a follow up to that message. We saw in Acts 8 a picture of a guy named Simon who had it all wrong related to salvation. [I am posting this on the eve of the message in order to have this available immediately after the services on the 6th.]
In the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13), Jesus warned us there would be those who look like Christians on the outside, who go through the motions of church membership and baptism, but who will not spend eternity in Heaven. This is not the only place Jesus signals this warning. Matthew 7 is another place He warned us of this same danger.
In Matthew 7 He is speaking to the religious crowd. He told them the gate is narrow and the road is difficult that leads to life … “and few find it” (Mt. 7:14). This specific post is targeted to those who want to know, “How can I know?”
One place we look is in this same passage (Matthew 7). Jesus tells them one way to know if you are truly a follower of Christ is that your life will produce fruit. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Matt 7:20 (HCSB).
Does your life produce the fruit of the Spirit we see in Galatians 5? Does your life exude the righteousness of Christ?
The second characteristic of a true follower of Christ is a life of obedience. This does not mean we don’t stumble from time to time. We all do. But the pattern of your life … the dominant characteristic should be obedience. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus tells the parable of two houses … one built on sand and the other built on a rock. The solid foundation (the rock) is obedience to God’s Word. Jesus says the same thing in John 15:14 when He said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” In other words, we demonstrate our relationship to Christ through our obedience.
We are saved through faith in Christ (see Ephesians 2:8). Scripture also teaches that this faith WILL lead to a life of obedience (works). 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works? Can his faith save him? James 2:14 (HCSB). You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:24 (HCSB). Clearly, if the faith you claim to have does not lead to a life of obedience, you do not have the faith that will save you.
Western Christianity has become something of a formula of easy-believism. “Are you looking for a way to fix all your problems? Pray this prayer and all your marriage / finance / family / etc. problems will go away. Don’t you want that?”
“Well of course.”
“Good. Pray this simple prayer and you're in."
I know that is a bit exaggerated. But not much. Somehow, we leave out the parts about “difficult road” … narrow gate … obedience … sanctification (salvation is a process as much as it is a crisis).
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’ Matt 7:21-23 (HCSB)
This is the religious crowd. They thought they were “safe”. They even did a lot of religious work. Even miracles! But Jesus said, He never knew them. Paul tells us to examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith. We come to Christ by faith ... the kind of faith that leads to a life sold out to following Christ ... that leads to repentance ... the kind of faith that results in a life of obedience.
In the parable of the wheat and the weeds (Matthew 13), Jesus warned us there would be those who look like Christians on the outside, who go through the motions of church membership and baptism, but who will not spend eternity in Heaven. This is not the only place Jesus signals this warning. Matthew 7 is another place He warned us of this same danger.
In Matthew 7 He is speaking to the religious crowd. He told them the gate is narrow and the road is difficult that leads to life … “and few find it” (Mt. 7:14). This specific post is targeted to those who want to know, “How can I know?”
One place we look is in this same passage (Matthew 7). Jesus tells them one way to know if you are truly a follower of Christ is that your life will produce fruit. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit. Matt 7:20 (HCSB).
Does your life produce the fruit of the Spirit we see in Galatians 5? Does your life exude the righteousness of Christ?
The second characteristic of a true follower of Christ is a life of obedience. This does not mean we don’t stumble from time to time. We all do. But the pattern of your life … the dominant characteristic should be obedience. In Matthew 7:24-27 Jesus tells the parable of two houses … one built on sand and the other built on a rock. The solid foundation (the rock) is obedience to God’s Word. Jesus says the same thing in John 15:14 when He said, “You are my friends if you do what I command you.” In other words, we demonstrate our relationship to Christ through our obedience.
We are saved through faith in Christ (see Ephesians 2:8). Scripture also teaches that this faith WILL lead to a life of obedience (works). 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith, but does not have works? Can his faith save him? James 2:14 (HCSB). You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone. James 2:24 (HCSB). Clearly, if the faith you claim to have does not lead to a life of obedience, you do not have the faith that will save you.
Western Christianity has become something of a formula of easy-believism. “Are you looking for a way to fix all your problems? Pray this prayer and all your marriage / finance / family / etc. problems will go away. Don’t you want that?”
“Well of course.”
“Good. Pray this simple prayer and you're in."
I know that is a bit exaggerated. But not much. Somehow, we leave out the parts about “difficult road” … narrow gate … obedience … sanctification (salvation is a process as much as it is a crisis).
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but [only] the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to Me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name?’ 23 Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers!’ Matt 7:21-23 (HCSB)
This is the religious crowd. They thought they were “safe”. They even did a lot of religious work. Even miracles! But Jesus said, He never knew them. Paul tells us to examine ourselves to see that we are in the faith. We come to Christ by faith ... the kind of faith that leads to a life sold out to following Christ ... that leads to repentance ... the kind of faith that results in a life of obedience.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Why I left the local church and why I returned
This one could be a series. And honestly, it is one I am quite sure I do not yet know all the answers to. Many who read this blog know that I served as a local church pastor for 12 years. Then I went to LifeWay where I ministered in a completely different world for 10 years. Almost one year ago (May 1) I returned to pastor a local church (ClearView Baptist Church in Franklin, TN).
The church I came to out of seminary (I pastored for 2 years in seminary) was in suburban Atlanta. We relocated and experienced some significant numerical growth. So, why leave and go to a denominational role? In reflection, there were several mixed reasons. Some were for the right reasons and some were not.
Why I left ...
1. I felt I could have a broader impact by leaving the local church and taking a role that allowed me to travel and touch many ministers. I have always had an interest and a passion for leadership development. Going to LifeWay (then known as the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention) was an invitation to do this on a national level.
2. A chance to work with pastors. My dad is a pastor and I had pastored for 12 years at that point. I just love pastors. They (we) are a strange breed. I admit. But I don't know of a group of people that, as a whole, are more passionate about what they do. Most pastors (despite the few that might make the headlines) are committed to The Mission. They (we) come in all shapes, sizes (no preacher jokes here), ages, and personalities. Most do what they do because they believe God has called them to do it.
3. I was tired. I went to the church in Atlanta in my mid 20's with all the energy and strength of somone that age. I ran at an all out sprint for 10 years. We relocated the church. We physically built a 28,000 sq. foot building volunteer over a year span of time. We transitioned a church from the 1950's (I arrived in 1988) to about 1980 (I left in 1997). We added a lot of people (In the last 6 years we went from 70 to over 500 in average attendance). That's a lot of change to manage for a kid (remember, mid 20's to mid 30's ... I was a kid). That's messing with alot of people's world in a short period of time. It truly felt like changing a flat while traveling at 60 mph. Some didn't like it and I just didn't know that was normal. I really didn't realize just how tired I was until the first day I sat down in my office at LifeWay.
But God blessed the church in ways I would never have imagined. And He taught me things I would never have learned otherwise. He then provide rest and a learning experience during my 10 years at LifeWay I could not have gotten any place else on earth. I will forever be grateful for the people and the opportunities I encountered while there.
But there was always that "song in my heart" (phrase I borrow from my friend Ralph Hodge) that would not go away. The song to pastor again. I was not sure God would ever lead me back to the local church, but heart really never left.
Why I returned ...
1. Seeing lives changed. This really is the big one. To see someone come to Christ and sell out. To see them begin to understand what it means to follow Christ and live their faith out loud. What a rush! There is nothing like it in the world.
2. It is who I am and what I was made to be. The "song in my heart" turned out to be what many refer to as "the Call". At the core of who God made me to be is a pastor.
3. Turns out, the local church is the best place to base the broader ministry I was seeking. During my time at LifeWay I had the opportunity to study churches. Churches with a Kingdom mindset helped me understand, it is from the local church we could best launch ministries with broader impact than the local church.
4. The right church. God made it possible for me to spend time with the people of ClearView before I was asked to serve as pastor. I served as their preahing interim for 8 months. It gave them time most churches don't get to take a close look before they felt God leading that direction. It gave me time to fall in love with the people before taking the leap back into the only role for which I was made. Thank you ClearView for allowing me back in the game!
This is a subject I come back to in my mind often. I'm sure there will be more ...
The church I came to out of seminary (I pastored for 2 years in seminary) was in suburban Atlanta. We relocated and experienced some significant numerical growth. So, why leave and go to a denominational role? In reflection, there were several mixed reasons. Some were for the right reasons and some were not.
Why I left ...
1. I felt I could have a broader impact by leaving the local church and taking a role that allowed me to travel and touch many ministers. I have always had an interest and a passion for leadership development. Going to LifeWay (then known as the Sunday School Board of the Southern Baptist Convention) was an invitation to do this on a national level.
2. A chance to work with pastors. My dad is a pastor and I had pastored for 12 years at that point. I just love pastors. They (we) are a strange breed. I admit. But I don't know of a group of people that, as a whole, are more passionate about what they do. Most pastors (despite the few that might make the headlines) are committed to The Mission. They (we) come in all shapes, sizes (no preacher jokes here), ages, and personalities. Most do what they do because they believe God has called them to do it.
3. I was tired. I went to the church in Atlanta in my mid 20's with all the energy and strength of somone that age. I ran at an all out sprint for 10 years. We relocated the church. We physically built a 28,000 sq. foot building volunteer over a year span of time. We transitioned a church from the 1950's (I arrived in 1988) to about 1980 (I left in 1997). We added a lot of people (In the last 6 years we went from 70 to over 500 in average attendance). That's a lot of change to manage for a kid (remember, mid 20's to mid 30's ... I was a kid). That's messing with alot of people's world in a short period of time. It truly felt like changing a flat while traveling at 60 mph. Some didn't like it and I just didn't know that was normal. I really didn't realize just how tired I was until the first day I sat down in my office at LifeWay.
But God blessed the church in ways I would never have imagined. And He taught me things I would never have learned otherwise. He then provide rest and a learning experience during my 10 years at LifeWay I could not have gotten any place else on earth. I will forever be grateful for the people and the opportunities I encountered while there.
But there was always that "song in my heart" (phrase I borrow from my friend Ralph Hodge) that would not go away. The song to pastor again. I was not sure God would ever lead me back to the local church, but heart really never left.
Why I returned ...
1. Seeing lives changed. This really is the big one. To see someone come to Christ and sell out. To see them begin to understand what it means to follow Christ and live their faith out loud. What a rush! There is nothing like it in the world.
2. It is who I am and what I was made to be. The "song in my heart" turned out to be what many refer to as "the Call". At the core of who God made me to be is a pastor.
3. Turns out, the local church is the best place to base the broader ministry I was seeking. During my time at LifeWay I had the opportunity to study churches. Churches with a Kingdom mindset helped me understand, it is from the local church we could best launch ministries with broader impact than the local church.
4. The right church. God made it possible for me to spend time with the people of ClearView before I was asked to serve as pastor. I served as their preahing interim for 8 months. It gave them time most churches don't get to take a close look before they felt God leading that direction. It gave me time to fall in love with the people before taking the leap back into the only role for which I was made. Thank you ClearView for allowing me back in the game!
This is a subject I come back to in my mind often. I'm sure there will be more ...
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