Last Sunday was my 30th anniversary for Ordination as Deacon and my 25 anniversary of Ordination as Elder in the United Methodist Church. Oh what things we have seen in these years. I remember some of the benchmarks I thought would be important. I remember some of the dreams. I think I have always focused on souls, but sometimes did not know what process to use. I think I have always wanted to serve God first with a whole heart, but things got in the way. A couple of turning points or change points would be first trip to Uganda - wow, that was a big one. then call to church planting and that was a major step of change. I remain a missionary and that fed into church planting. I have that desire to approach all of ministry as a missionary. I also know that does not sit well with everybody. But I press on.
I believe that I am entering another of those turning points. It will be a good one and a large one. Every appointment I have had called out new and different leadership skills in me. This phase might just be more "coach" than "expert." A coach calls out the best in those on the team. The discipline of a coach is that even if you know how to do what needs to be done you must call it out or call whatever it is out of the ones being coached. We'll see how this goes. And, in this case, again I submit myself to coaching.
There's that funny thing - Tiger Woods - great golfer, millionaire, father... still gets coaching to keep on getting better. Several pastors I respect, learn from and enjoy are getting coached even as they coach others. What am I afraid of?
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Counting it a privilege Acts 5
Friends,
In the book of Acts we find the disciples and the church doing what Jesus charged them to do... Go spread the word of forgiveness and salvation. Check this out... Acts 5:38-41
“So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
The council accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.”
This got me thinking - is what I am up to today of me or of God? Second - Have I ever really felt dishonor for the name of Jesus and rejoiced in suffering for it? I am not thinking of anything right off the top - there was the time I was nearly arrested in Home Depot because of an electrician I had hired to do some work on a building. But real persecution, no. Maybe a bit of stress, too much change, or some frustration ... dishonor, no. Maybe I should work on that? Often I have had privilege and blessing because of the name of Jesus. It is not easy to uproot and move again for the connection and as a UM preacher. But that is not dishonor.
As I come the newest change and appointment to Rome 1st. UMC I say goodbye to some great people and wonderful friends. Most inside the church and thankfully some outside the church. I am engaging a Coach for this changeover process so that I can do my very best in a new congregation. It is exciting, always has been. I get a lot of new energy going into a new appointment. But truly I have a deep desire to be focused on the right things and doing what God wants and not what I think is good.
So we go ... less than a month now. Lots to do. And when I whine or complain or feel sorry for myself let me pause and think - isn't this for the sake of the Name of Jesus?
Shalom,Alan
In the book of Acts we find the disciples and the church doing what Jesus charged them to do... Go spread the word of forgiveness and salvation. Check this out... Acts 5:38-41
“So my advice is, leave these men alone. If they are teaching and doing these things merely on their own, it will soon be overthrown. But if it is of God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.”
The council accepted his advice. They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus. And every day, in the Temple and in their homes, they continued to teach and preach this message: “The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus.”
This got me thinking - is what I am up to today of me or of God? Second - Have I ever really felt dishonor for the name of Jesus and rejoiced in suffering for it? I am not thinking of anything right off the top - there was the time I was nearly arrested in Home Depot because of an electrician I had hired to do some work on a building. But real persecution, no. Maybe a bit of stress, too much change, or some frustration ... dishonor, no. Maybe I should work on that? Often I have had privilege and blessing because of the name of Jesus. It is not easy to uproot and move again for the connection and as a UM preacher. But that is not dishonor.
As I come the newest change and appointment to Rome 1st. UMC I say goodbye to some great people and wonderful friends. Most inside the church and thankfully some outside the church. I am engaging a Coach for this changeover process so that I can do my very best in a new congregation. It is exciting, always has been. I get a lot of new energy going into a new appointment. But truly I have a deep desire to be focused on the right things and doing what God wants and not what I think is good.
So we go ... less than a month now. Lots to do. And when I whine or complain or feel sorry for myself let me pause and think - isn't this for the sake of the Name of Jesus?
Shalom,Alan
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