Sent Ones

This week we've been talking about a missional mindset for ministry. The concept flows out of the reality that Christians are the sent people of God. God, first and foremost, is a sending God. God sent the Son (John 3:16) and the Son sent people (John 20:21) full of His Spirit. 

Jesus said, "Go" into all nations and carry out his mission (Matthew 28). Christianity was originally intended to be a movement. We are called to "move out" or to "go". And here's the cool thing, Jesus promises to move out with us because at the end of his Great Commandment he says "and I will be with you to the very end of the age."

So, what is God calling you to "move out" towards today? Who is he calling you to reach out to? Don't be inward focuses ... move out with Jesus.

Of course, if you are like me, you often feel the fear level rise with the thought of the unknown. Remember that postponement, indecision and over analysis fuels your fear. On the other hand, movement and action will neutralize that fear. 

So, move out with faith and be on mission today!

Personal Renewal

This week I'm teaching a class at VFCC in Phonexville, PA. This class has both undergrad Bible college students and seminary grad students from AGTS. 

We are off to a great start of our 42 hour marathon. It's going to be a full week - kind of like taking a drink from a fire hydrant. The title of the class is Missional Ministry: Growing Healthy Churches in the 21st century. 

Today we spent a lot of time talking about personal renewal. Healthy churches are led by healthy leaders. So, we talked a lot about what healthy leaders look like and what they do. I've learned that my personal growth will always proceed my churches growth. The great axiom of leadership says: The speed of the leader determines the speed of the team.

Another concept we discussed was that the interior life of the leader will eventually, over time, become the exterior life of the organization he/she leads. So, if you, as the leader, possess an anxious presence, overtime that will be born out in the life of your church/organization. On the other hand, if you are one who trusts in God and maintains a peaceful presence - so too will your people/church.

This is my first time ever to teach a class and I'm loving it. It's refreshing to me to pour into other leaders. I don't know who's getting more out of this - me or my students.

Servant Evangelism Outreach

Don't Back Down

Hebrews 10:35ff says, "So don't throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised ... But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved."

I'm a big fan of Tom Petty's music. One of my all-time favorite lyrics is, "I will stand my ground, no I won't back down." It's like he lifted that right out of the book of Hebrews. The Hebrews writer, like Petty, encourages us to stand up, not shrink back.

God is seeking men and women of action. Those that are willing to forcefully advance the cause of Christ, which is the Church. He said, "I will build my church and the gates of hell won't prevail against it." The church is on the offensive. God is building is church and he's using courageous followers of Christ who walk by faith and not by sight.

God says, "If you shrink back and cower in fear and play prevent defense when the game is on the line ... I will not be pleased."

So let's live lives that are full of risk and bold moves of faith. After all, "without faith, it is impossible to please God." I want to live a life that pleases God. That requires faith.

More Pictures of New Building

We had another awesome Sunday at PCC. Even though it was a holiday weekend (which was crazy here in the Poconos) we had a great attendance and powerful service. I've included some more pictures of the actual building. I feel like a proud father showing off pictures of my newborn. Ok, it's not as exciting as having a baby, put pretty close. Of course, what makes the building really shine are the people because the church is not a building, but a family of God that is open to everyone.

Last Service Pics in High School

First Service Report

Valentines Day Gift Idea

New Day!

Last night was an amazing night at PCC. Thank you all for showing up and celebrating the Journey To A New Day gathering. The level of excitement and enthusiasm was off the charts. It was certainly a night that I will never forget. Thanks again to all of you who came out and for making it such a memorable evening.

On a side note, I apologize for running out of t-shirts and food last night. We had 500 t-shirts and they were all taken. So, if you came last night and didn't get a free t-shirt, we'll get some more and make them available to you. Thanks again for your patience and understanding.

I can't wait to see what God is going to do this Sunday. Please invite your friends and come prayed up.

The Commercial You Didn't See

During Sunday's Superbowl, almost 300 million dollars was spent in advertising. Here's a commercial that NBC wouldn't air during the Superbowl.

Six-Burg!

Congratulations to the Pittsburgh Steelers for winning their all-time leading record 6th Superbowl. As an official member of the Steeler-nation, I am so proud of the Steelers for this historic win.

What's more important that a single victory are the men of faith that were on the field last night that I'm sure will leverage this game for the Kingdom of God. Check out this article below.

Faith In Football: A Time To Reflect

Friday, January 30, 2009

ANN ARBOR, MI — This Super Bowl week has not only focused on the physical prowess of the playmakers, but has also highlighted the Christian faith that is the bedrock of not only the team owners, but also many of the players.

The Thomas More Law Center, a national public-interest law firm, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has for the past three years given away (raffled) two tickets to the Super Bowl courtesy of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ ownership by the Rooney Family. This is the first time in those three years that the Pittsburgh Steelers will be going to the Super Bowl themselves.

Brian Rooney, the Law Center’s Director of Communications and Development, is also a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers Board of Directors.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center, observed that faith and football seem to go hand in hand: “The Rooney family’s generous support of the Law Center’s mission through donations and Steelers’ items for auction is indicative of their patriotism and Christian faith, a faith foundation that obviously began with Art Rooney, Sr. — the founder of the Pittsburgh Steelers.”

The Arizona Cardinals are owned the Bidwell family. The Bidwells also have a strong Christian faith, and have been friends with the Rooney family literally since the founding of the NFL.

Kurt Warner, the quarterback of the Cardinals is known for starting every interview by thanking God. Troy Polamalu, the long-haired free safety for the Steelers said at Super Bowl media day, "I feel like faith is the foundation of everything I do on the field and off. It determines how you live your life when you love God." Steelers defensive end Aaron Smith said he relies on his faith and prayers to God, along with a men's ministry book, "The Sampson Syndrome, " as his 5-year-old son Elijah battles leukemia. "My prayers are thanking the Lord for every minute I get to raise him, " Smith said. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said, "First and foremost, I want people to know who I am and what the most important thing is in my life, my relationship with Jesus Christ. Football is what we do; faith is who we are all the time."

Brian Rooney commented, “My grandfather, Art Rooney, went to church service everyday — no matter where he was or how important any single game may be. He was always interacting with the players, coaches, and everyone else in the organization. His faith was infectious and still sets the tone for the team today. Before every game we have a family Mass. In fact, when I get to Tampa on Saturday, the first place I will be is the Saturday family Mass before the big game.”

Rooney went on to say, “I remember as a young boy, after every game — no matter how big — the team would come into the locker room, take a knee, and recite the Lord’s Prayer. Only after the prayer would Coach Chuck Noll, another man of great Christian faith, say his post game comments. Former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy was a Steelers player and assistant coach then, and Noll’s quiet faith and leadership style shaped Coach Dungy’s. It’s no accident that Coach Mike Tomlin, a protégé of Coach Dungy, leads the team in line with how Noll and Dungy led. This has always been the Steelers’ way, the Rooney way, which is really founded upon the rock of our Christian faith. No matter who wins the game on Sunday, the Bidwell’s, Rooney’s, and many players on both sides will give thanks to God after, and this says more about out country then the game itself.”

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.