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VIDEO: D6 CONFERENCE 2009 HIGHLIGHTS

D6 Conference 2009 Highlights from D6 Conference on Vimeo.

KEEP THE PROJECT ALIVE WITH "ACTION STEPS"

I just read a great article on "Action Steps" at www.the99percent.com website. As pastors, we need to bring this management tool into the DNA of our churches. 

Action Steps are the most important components of any project.  It's the oxygen for keeping projects alive.

No Action Steps = No Action = No Results!

The actual outcome of any idea is dependent on the Actions Steps that are captured and then completed by you or delegated to someone else. Action Steps are to be revered and treated as sacred in any project.

The more clear and concrete an Action Step is, the less friction you will encounter trying to do it. If an Action Step is vague or complicated, you will probably skip over it to others on your list that are more straightforward.

To avoid this, start each Action Step with a verb:

• Call programmer to discuss . . .
• Install new software for . . .
• Research the possibility of . . .
• Mock up a sample of the . . .
• Update XYZ document for . . .

Verbs help pull us into our Action Steps at first glance, efficiently indicating what type of action is required. For similar reasons, Action Steps should be kept short.

The more clear and concrete an Action Step is,

the less friction you will encounter trying to do it!

To read the entire article on "Action Steps" visit www.the99percent.com.

Video - D6 Conference 2010 - September 15-17

D6 Conference 2010 Promo (Short Version) from D6 Conference on Vimeo.

"Prioritize Your Life, Then Walk In God's Favor!"

I recently began a new ministry called "PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES (PMM)."

I am a Free Will Baptist pastor and former church planter, and one of my greatest desires is to be an encouragement to the local church pastor and congregation.  The purpose of PMM is to first and foremost assist the local church in fulfilling their God-given mission.

Through PMM, I am able to come along side the local church and minister in a variety of ways:

    * Revivals / Camp Meetings / Bible Conferences / Mission Conferences
    * Stewardship Seminars / Discipleship Training Seminars
    * Marriage Retreats or Seminars
    * Men’s and Ladies’ Retreats
    * Youth Camps, Retreats or Rally’s
    * Parenting Conferences or Seminars
    * Leadership Seminars, Conferences or Retreats
    * Local Church Leadership Team Strategic Planning Retreats

To learn more about me personally and PMM, please take time to visit www.PrioritiesMatterMinistries.org.

If you have questions about this ministry please email me; I would love to correspond with you about ways I can serve you and your church.

May God richly bless you and your ministry!

Video: Fred Factor - "Fear Nothing But To Waste The Present Moment"

Priorities Matter Ministies (PMM) is a ministry the Lord laid on my heart to begin in 2009.  Our purpose is to first and foremost assist the local church in fulfilling their God-given mission.  We have a tremendous desire to come along side the local church, pastors, and fellow Christ followers to encourage, train, and equip them so they can "walk in God's favor!"  

In 2 Samuel 7:29, King David went in and sat in the presence of the Lord.  He then asked, "Now, please bless your servant's house so that it will continue before You forever."  In short, David was asking for God's favor!

Throughout God's Word, the Bible, there are examples of individuals upon whom God's favor would rest.  It's the purpose of PMM to assist, equip, and train in the areas which will allow the blessing (favor) of God to flow in your life, family, secular career and/or ministry.

In order to "walk in God's" favor PMM focuses on four (4) areas of your life which we call priorities (click on each of the priorities in order to see how PMM is able to assist you):

Priority #1: Your relationship with Christ

Priority #2: Your relationship with your spouse

Priority #3: Your relationship with your children

Priority #4: Your career and/or ministry

Beginning in 2010, I am available to assist you in all four (4) of these priorities.  To schedule a service, or to gather more information, please send an email to [email protected] or call 618.581.1391 and we will be more than glad to share with you how PMM can assist you and your ministry.

Feel free to visit our PMM website for more information.  God bless!

SUNDAY'S D6 MESSAGE ON SERVANTHOOD IS NOW ON THE PODCAST

I realize many of our Victory Church family were traveling last Sunday, therefore, you can still hear the D6 message on "servanthood" on the podcast (the podcast player is to the right of this post).  Below are the D6 family take home sermon notes:

D6 Family Theme for Week 12/27

SERVANTHOOD

D6 Weekly Goal: To inspire Christians to love others practically by serving like Jesus.

__________________________________________________________

Fusion Facts

1. Service opportunities sometimes happen when we least expect them.  (John 2:1-11)
2. Jesus is able to take our limited resources and do the impossible. (John 6:1-13)
3. A praying heart opens the door to opportunities of service (Philippians 1:1-8)
4. When seeds of compassion are sown, service is grown           (John 9:1-11)
5. When we serve others we are serving Jesus (Ephesians 6:5-8)

____________________________________________________________

Servant Leadership (Mark 10:35-45)

Thought 1: Being a SERVANT is NECESSARY for the believer and Christian leadership.  (Mark 10:35-45)

Jesus taught them this lesson, “If they wanted to be leaders in His Kingdom, they had to be SERVANTS.”

Thought 2: The wrong attitude for servanthood is to serve out of the HOPE of REWARD! (Mark 10:35-45)

____________________________________________________________

Point #1: The world’s view of servant leadership IS NOT Jesus’s definition. (Mark 10:42-43)

Point #2: SERVICE is the measure of Christian  leadership. (Mark 10:43-44)

Point #3: Servant leadership is modeled after JESUS' behavior. (Mark 10:45; John 13:1-15)

____________________________________________________________

Six main points of servant leadership:

1. “Servants lead out of RELATIONSHIPS, not by coercion.”
2. “Servants lead by SUPPORT, not by control.”
3. “Servants lead by DEVELOPING OTHERS, not by doing all the ministry themselves.”
4. “Servants GUIDE people, not drive them.”
5. “Servants LEAD FROM LOVE, not domination."
6. “Servants seek GROWTH, not position.”

____________________________________________________________

Take Home Family Study: Read Mark 9:33-35; Luke 9:11; John13:1-15

Three questions for the believer:

1. What is your motivation in serving?
2. As you look around, what is the need in front of you now?
3. What do you have to give? (Acts 3:6)

Going deeper: Take time to ask yourself and those in your family these questions while pondering the idea of servanthood.

1. Who in your life best reflects Jesus’ servant heart?
2. What Christ-like qualities does he/she exhibit while serving?
3. How has God uniquely gifted you to serve?

This week be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit as He leads you to opportunities of “humble service.”

SERVANT LEADERSHIP - John 13:1-17

Turn in your bible and read John 13:1-17.  What a beautiful picture of a servant leader!

NBA coach Pat Riley wrote about the "danger of me."  He said,

"The most difficult thing for individuals to do when they're part of a team is to sacrifice.  It's so easy to become selfish in a team environment.  To play for me.  It's very vulnerable to drop your guard and say, 'This is who I am and I'm going to open up and give of myself to you.'  But that's exactly what you've got to do.  Willingness to sacrifice is the great paradox.  You must give up something in the immediate present - comfort, ease, recognition, quick rewards - to attract something even better in the future."

What's true on the basketball court is true in all of life.  Serving others can be tough; expending your energies and resources in the interest of others can be exhausting.  Yet the most effective leaders are servants.

Nobody demonstrated this better than Jesus on the night prior to His crucifixion.  Alone with His disciples in a room in Jerusalem, Jesus did the unthinkable.  When there was no servant to carry out the custom of foot washing, Jesus assumed the role. The Master became the servant!  The greatest and most high became the least and the lowest.

Jesus was able to do this because He was secure in Himself.  He knew who He was and where He was going (vs. 3).  But Jesus also served His disciples because He loved them (vs. 1).  While these two reasons would be adequate in and of themselves, the Lord had another reason for His actions.  When He finished washing the disciples feet, Jesus told them He had set them an example to follow (vs. 15).  The Lord didn't tell them to do what He had done.  He commanded them to do "as" He had done.  They weren't to become full-time foot-washers, but rather full-time servers of men and women.  They were to be servant leaders!

Are you a follower of Jesus?  Do you desire to be His disciple?  Then make a commitment to do as He did and expend your energies in service to others.

PMM - LEADERSHIP SEMINAR - NOV. 13-14 - HICKORY, NC

 

The final pieces of the puzzle are coming together!  The PMM - Strengthening His Church Leadership Seminar is just two weeks away!

Let's see...

• seminar developed - check!
• brochures made - check!
• workbooks made - check!
• lanyards made - check!
• registration forms made - check!
• mp3 order form cards made - check!
• propresenter slide show made - check!
• videos inserted - check!
• worship songs inserted - check!
• final pieces of sound equipment purchased - check!
• pmm gifts made - check!
• credit/debit card machine - check!
• prayer - check! - check! - check! - check! - check! - check! (Can never have enough prayer!)

If you are in the Hickory, NC are in two weeks plan on coming out to the seminar.  (Click here for details of seminar.)

I've had people ask me if this was open to all denominations?  The answer is YES!  This is open to anyone who cares about the leadership of their church or ministry.  For your convenience, we will have a credit/debit card machine at the registration table for those who have not preregistered.  Walk ins are welcome!!!!

If you know of any church in the area please let them know about this conference. If you have any questions please shoot me an email.

See you in two weeks!

PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES

After a season of prayer, I feel the Lord has led me to begin a new ministry called "PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES (PMM)." 

I am a Free Will Baptist pastor and former church planter, and one of my greatest desires is to be an encouragement to the local church pastor and congregation.  The purpose of PMM is to first and foremost assist the local church in fulfilling their God-given mission.

Through PMM, I am able to come along side the local church and minister in a variety of ways: 

• Revivals / Camp Meetings / Bible Conferences / Mission Conferences
• Stewardship Seminars / Discipleship Training Seminars
• Marriage Retreats or Seminars
• Men’s and Ladies’ Retreats
• Youth Camps, Retreats or Rally’s
• Parenting Conferences or Seminars
• Leadership Seminars, Conferences or Retreats
• Local Church Leadership Team Strategic Planning Retreats

To learn more about me personally and PMM, please take time to visit www.PrioritiesMatterMinistries.org. 

If you have questions about this ministry please give me a call; I would love to speak with you about ways we can serve you and your church.  I am scheduling now into 2010, but I do have some openings for the remainder of 2009. 

Just contact me and I would be thrilled to travel and speak in whatever venue you feel is needed.  May God richly bless you and your ministry!

STRENGTHENING HIS CHURCH LEADERSHIP SEMINAR - November 13-14, 2009 - Gateway Convention Center, Hickory, NC

ATTENTION ALL CHURCH LEADERS IN THE NORTH CAROLINA AREA! 

I would like to invite you to our "Strengthening His Church Leadership Seminar"  which Priorities Matter Ministries and I will be conducting at the Gateway Convention Center in Hickory, NC on November 13-14, 2009. Bring your entire church leadership team!

Click here to learn more about this leadership seminar.  Also, register before October 15th to take advantage of the Early Bird special!  With six or more registered the Senior Pastor attends free!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email them to me; I will respond ASAP.

REGISTER FOR D6 CONFERENCE BY 09/08 AND SAVE!

Come on, let's keep connecting the church and home!

Almost 1,350 people have registered for the D6 Conference , September 23-25, 2009 in Dallas, Texas.  The exciting to thing to know is there are more and more groups registering each day.

To make it as easy as possible on those who missed all of the early bird opportunities, the D6 Conference would like to extend a promotion to everyone who has not yet registered.  This will help you save a little extra. 

In order to take advantage of this offer, do the following:

1. Go to the D6 Conference website (click here)
2. Register by Tuesday, September 8th (click here)
3. Use the discount code SEPTD6 and groups of 2 - 9 will save $25 per person!!! (Individuals will save $30. Groups of 10+ will save $15 per person.)

See you in Dallas!!

FORMULA FOR FRUITFULNESS

In his book Be All You Can Be, John Maxwell shares the formula for fruitfulness taught by Jesus. 

Jesus gives us a three-word formula for fruitfulness in John 15. These three words are the ones I want you to remember, because they are the key to fruitful living.

1. REMAIN - The first word is remain. Throughout John 15 Jesus tells us to remain. In fact, the word abide in the original language can be translated "remain." "Remain in Me," Jesus says. He's talking about our willingness to take time with Him in prayer and in study of the Word. We need to let Him begin to be part of our lives and work on our lives.

2. RECEIVE - The second word in the formula is receive. Jesus says in John 15 that if we remain in Him, we will begin to receive certain things. What we'll receive is good, fruitful living.

3. REPRODUCE - The third word is reproduce. If we remain in Him, we're going to receive what He has for us, then and only then will we begin to reproduce in our lives.

Spend some time reading John chapter 15 from God's Word and then I encourage you to apply these principles to you life.  Decide today you are going to be fruitful!

IS YOUR SCHEDULE YOUR MASTER?

So as He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then He began to teach them many things. Mark 6:34 (HCSB)

Wise leaders will always have a schedule, a plan to use time most productively.  But the wisest leader never makes it his master!

Important but unplanned moments periodically occur that should not be lost, even though they disrupt a planned schedule.  One of the tensions of leadership is finding the proper balance between adhering to a well-planned schedule and being flexible enough not to lose those spontaneous opportunities that cross our paths.  This is not easy! I have seen both extremes.

Some leaders seem to stroll from one unplanned event to another, their schedules meaning nothing.  At the other extreme, I have seen leaders who rarely deviate from a planned schedule, resulting in many missed opportunities.  Both extremes are examples of ineffective leadership.

How do we find balance?

DEFINING YOUR MISSION STATEMENT

Disregarding the command of God, you keep the tradition of men. (Mark 7:8)

Effective leaders see beyond the traditional way of doing things and look for better ways.  They do this, however, realizing that some things are so sacred they are untouchable, and they always keep the ultimate goal in mind.

This is why it is so important to have a well-thought out, closely defined, easily understood mission statement.  Without this, even the most compelling and charismatic leaders get off track and go astray.  A mission statement is essential to quality leadership.  Otherwise, personality, pride, and the demands of the moment will be diverting.

For Jesus, "the command of God," doing His Father's will, constituted His mission statement. And the "tradition of men" was never going to sidetrack Him from His goal.  He was not to be diverted.

Again, the point to notice in Mark 7:8 is not that the Pharisees were holding on to the traditions of men.  We all do that to some extent becasue tradition helps to take the best of the past as a guide while we walk into the future.  Jesus might be wrongly seen here as attacking all tradition.  Instead, He criticized the Pharisees for having let go of the commands of God. When you place your own traditions underneath God's will, they will serve as a positive guide, but, when the order is reversed, you will end up exactly like the Pharisees - abandoning God's will for your own personal agenda.

Note the specific example Jesus gave in the following passage, verses 9-13.

REGISTER BY TUESDAY, AUGUST 4TH FOR REDUCED PRICE!

D6 CONFERENCE - SEPTEMBER 23-25 - DALLAS, TX

Just give a quick reminder that the August 4 price break for the D6 Conference is quickly approaching. If you register on or before next Tuesday (August 4), it will be your last change to SAVE BIG for the D6 Conference.

Don't forget to go and check out the new Main Event speaker topics that have recently been added, as well as the PreCon Lab Schedule, topics, topic descriptions, and bios of the Lab presenters. (Click here for D6 Conference website.)

 

D6 Conference Promo (Long Version) from D6 Conference on Vimeo.

PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES

After a season of prayer, I feel the Lord has led me to begin a new ministry called "PRIORITIES MATTER MINISTRIES (PMM)." 

I am a Free Will Baptist pastor and former church planter, and one of my greatest desires is to be an encouragement to the local church pastor and congregation.  The purpose of PMM is to first and foremost assist the local church in fulfilling their God-given mission.

Through PMM, I am able to come along side the local church and minister in a variety of ways: 

• Revivals / Camp Meetings / Bible Conferences / Mission Conferences
• Stewardship Seminars / Discipleship Training Seminars
• Marriage Retreats or Seminars
• Men’s and Ladies’ Retreats
• Youth Camps, Retreats or Rally’s
• Parenting Conferences or Seminars
• Leadership Seminars, Conferences or Retreats
• Local Church Leadership Team Strategic Planning Retreats

To learn more about me personally and PMM, please take time to visit my webpage at www.PrioritiesMatterMinistries.org. 

If you have questions about this ministry please give me a call; I would love to speak with you about ways we can serve you and your church.  I am scheduling now into 2010, but I do have some openings for the remainder of 2009. 

Just contact me and I would be thrilled to travel and speak in whatever venue you feel is needed.  May God richly bless you and your ministry!

LEADERSHIP AND ENDURANCE

Success is a marathon, not a sprint. The only way to truly prepare for a marathon is to train, to practice, to run. You need to get out on the road. You need to put in the miles. It takes time, it takes effort, and sometimes it hurts a lot. As the marathon runner Juma Ikanga said after winning the New York Marathon:

“The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare.” You can want to win more than anyone else in the world; yet if you do not want to put in the work to prepare, it will not matter.

A great example of enduring leadership was Samuel Adams, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. From as early as 1765 Adams called for America’s split from England; a decade before the Revolutionary War started. A recent IBD article illustrates the important qualities of strength and courage that helped Adams not only endure but also succeed: “Samuel Adams’ success came from his willingness to work tirelessly for the cause of liberty. Politics was a kind of ministry for him, and that kind of dedication makes a difference.”

Like the pre-Revolutionary times in which Adams lived, succeeding in today’s world requires endurance and perseverance. Success does not come overnight; it comes after months and years of hard work. Only after pushing through the difficulties we face will we achieve true success.

STRENGTHENING HIS CHURCH LEADERSHIP SEMINAR - November 13-14, 2009 - Gateway Convention Center, Hickory, NC

Attention all church leaders! 

I would like to invite you to our "Strengthening His Church Leadership Seminar"  which Priorities Matter Ministries and I will be conducting at the Gateway Convention Center in Hickory, NC on November 13-14, 2009. Bring your entire church leadership team!

Click here to learn more about this leadership seminar.  Also, register before October 15th to take advantage of the Early Bird special!  With six or more registered the Senior Pastor attends free!

If you have any questions, please feel free to email them to me; I will respond ASAP.

"D6" CONFERENCE - SEPTEMBER 23-25 DALLAS, TX

D6 Conference Promo (Long Version) from D6 Conference on Vimeo.

It’s time to take a different look at the way we minister to children, students, and families in the church. Research shows that the kids who grow up to be spiritual champions most often have parent(s) in the home who make a considerable contribution to their spiritual influence. Unfortunately far too many parents rely on the church to be responsible for the spiritual development of their kids. According to D6 (Deuteronomy 6:5-7) this is the job of dad and mom.

The D6 Conference will equip leaders with the tools and ideas they need to influence the parents in their church to be responsible for leading their kids spiritually. There is no other ministry of the Church that is more important than ministering to children. At any cost, we must equip dad and mom to connect with their kids spiritually in the home.

REGISTRATION NEWS FOR D6 CONFERENCE

The date for the D6 Conference in Dallas, TX is quickly coming upon us!  September 23rd will be here before you know it; and you will be beating yourself up if you miss this conference!

Also, if you register before Father's Day, June 22nd, you will get a $15.00 discount and a free D6 t-shirt. 

Just click here and enter this Father's Day special discount code D6DAD when you register.

It's going to be a great event.  I hope to see you there!  Also, if you register as a result of reading this blog, be sure to shoot me an email.  I would love to hear from you!

REMEMBER, TO RECEIVE THE DISCOUNT AND FREE D6 T-SHIRT, YOU MUST REGISTER BY JUNE 22ND!

Once again, here's the discount code: D6DAD

TABERNACLE OFFERING AND SERVANT EVANGELISM AT VICTORY!

Yesterday at Victory Church I shared with our congregation what must take place in order to begin building on our church property.  Primarily there are two areas of focus:

1. Debt reduction on the 21 acres of land we recently purchased.

2. Average 300 in our weekend service through servant evangelism is the key.

To address the subject of debt reduction, I spoke from Exodus 35 and 35.  What a great read for anyone going through a building project. 

Moses ask the people, "whose hearts were willing" to bring an offering for the building of the Tabernacle.  Everyone "whose hearts were willing" brought an offering. Some great, some small, but the key was everyone "whose heart was willing" brought something.  Now, wouldn't you know it!  There was a problem!  What was the problem?  The offering was too large!  The people brought MORE THAN WAS NEEDED!

PRINCIPLE #1: When the hearts of the people are willing, there is always more than is needed for ministry.

Beginning next Sunday at Victory, we are having our weekly "Tabernacle Freewill Offering March."  I have asked everyone to to sacrifice either a cup of coffee, a Diet Coke, a RC Cola and a moon pie, or whatever may cost you $2.oo!  I am asking everyone to bring, at a minimum, $2.oo for our "Tabernacle Freewill Offering."  This offering is to be above the tithe, and all of the Tabernacle Offering will go directly to the land debt!

Now, addressing the second area of focus: averaging 300 in our weekly worship service we are aggressively stepping out into our community to "SERVE."  Mark 10:45 says that Jesus "...came to serve, not to be served..."  We are relaunching our "Servant Evangelism" strategy.  Every Wednesday evening at 6PM we are meeting at the church office. Everyone is to wear their Victory t-shirts and we are going out to wash windshields.  We also have several nurses in our congregation, so we are planning a "Free Health Service" week.  We also are going to business in our community and are going to offer free service for them.  The exciting thing is that we are going to have opportunities to share Christ with those we are serving.

PRINCIPLE #2: You are never closed to the heart of our Lord than when you are meeting the physical needs of people!

ENJOYING A GREAT NEW BOOK - "PEAKS AND VALLEYS"

Enjoying a very good book by Spencer Johnson titled Peaks and Valleys.  Dr. Johnson is also the author of one of my all time favorite books titled Who Moved My Cheese?  If you have never read either of these books, then you must place these on your MUST READ book list.

Here is an excerpt from the book:

"Peaks and valleys are connected.  The errors you make in today's good times create tomorrow's bad times.  The wise things you do in today's bad times create tomorrow's good times."

Let that sink in and then let me know what you think!

If you would like to change your perspective on your life and situations, but don't really know how, then this book is for you!

21 IRREFUTABLE LAWS OF COMMUNICATION

As pastors, teachers, and leaders we must be continually developing our skills in the area of communication.  After all, for us pastors, it's what we do every week!

Therefore, I would like to share with you a great article I just read by Dr. James O. Davis titled "21 Irrefutable Laws of Communication."  Although I do not know a great deal about this man, I do think he is right on target when it comes to connecting and communicating from the pulpit.  (I have posted the entire article for you to review...enjoy!)

FAITH EVANGELISM BEGINS IN TWO DAYS!

The countdown continues...TWO DAYS and counting ...

FAITH Evangelism begins at Victory Church this Sunday, 21 September at 3:00 PM!

PRACTICE #3: BUILD KINGDOM LEADERS

After observing churches that have effectively used Sunday school in a strategic way, Ken Hemphill shares with us the top ten practices.  Practice #3: "Build Kingdom Leaders."

As pastors and church leaders, we must build Kingdom leaders who are committed to Sunday school strategy as an expression of faithfulness to Christ, His church, and the mission mandate He has given us by...

• Praying for God to call out leaders for kingdom service through Sunday school ministry.
• Implementing a leader-enlistment approach that focuses on helping people respond to their personal call from God rather than an approach that is primarily concerned with filling church or organizational positions.
• Enlisting leaders who themselves are committed to cultivating and multiplying new leaders.
• Devoting major attention to leadership meetings that focus on the mission, on relationships, and on Bible study.
• Providing training that equips leaders for their work and enhances the quality of their leadership.
• Calling out people who will give their lives to evangelizing the lost and who are willing to participate in ongoing evangelism training and multiplication of evangelism leaders.

Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments on this subject; and be sure to check back soon as I post the remaining seven practices.

IS PREACHING STILL IMPORTANT TODAY?

Pictured on the left is one of my favorite preachers who has influenced me greatly: Dr. Jerry Vines.  Wow!  What a great preacher!

Question: In the year 2008, have we become so sophisticated, so knowledgeable, so technological advanced that actually "preaching" the Word of God in our churches is no longer acceptable?  Well, if we listend to the pundits, we may think that preaching is no longer relevant to the younger generation, but (with my finger pointing toward the crowd) I disagree! 

In Essential Church? Reclaiming a Generation of Dropouts Dr. Thom Rainer and Sam Rainer ask and answer the following question, "Is Preaching Still Important?"

"Yes! Even in today’s hyper-techno-driven conversational-wiki-culture, preaching is of the utmost importance. Of the several church-related or pastor-related issues noted by dropouts, preaching came up several times as a critical issue in retaining college students and young adults."

Click here to read the remaining of the article.

PRACTICE #2: ORGANIZE WITH PURPOSE

After observing churches that have effectively used Sunday school in a strategic way, Ken Hemphill shares with us the top ten practices.  Practice #2: "Organize with Purpose."

As pastors and church leaders, we must organize our Sunday school ministry to accomplish the objectives of leading people to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and building on-mission Christians by...

• Using the concept of age-graded, open Bible study groups as the primary organizing principle for Bible study groups.
• Providing groups for all ages and generations, including preschool, children, youth, young adults, and adults.
• Relying on sound learner:leader ratios proven to be effective for each age in developing the  age-group organizational structures.       

Feel free to leave any thoughts or comments on this subject; and be sure to check back soon as I post the remaining eight practices.

SELF-DISCIPLINE: A VIRTUE FOR SUCCESSFUL LEADERS

This week I was reading in 1 Corinthians chapter nine and verses 24-27 jumped off the page once again for me:

"Do you not know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. However, they do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified."

The Apostle Paul understood the importance of discipline.  In this passage he emphasized that as followers of Christ our spiritual lives form the core of our character.  As we spend time in the disciplines of the spirit, we're to be like runners or boxers.  During the course of a race, runners do not stagger from one lane to another.  They rivet their attention on the finish line and run a disciplined race toward it.  So also boxers train with purpose so the can absorb powerful blows without falling.  They build up their physical stamina so that their legs will hold out for the final rounds.

Paul trained for his daily spiritual journey like a world-class athlete.  Why?  Because he wanted to have the self-control to finish the race without being disqualified.  Godly leaders need to cultivate this same kind of spiritual fitness.  Doing so can and will affect others areas of leadership life - how we treat others, where we go for answers to major decisions, and the skills we use in accomplishing our daily  tasks.

If you want to be an effective leader, identify the habits you need to build into your life so you can lead with diligence - habits such as physical fitness, balance between work and home, financial  and personal accountability, proactivity in workplace, etc.  Strap on your shoes and get going.  Disciplined habits will give you the momentum you need to not only move forward, but also to run your earthly race with strength and purpose. 

Read I Corinthians 9:24-27 again to see how this amazing man disciplined his life so magnificently that he became God's champion!

PERFORMANCE VS. WORSHIP LEADING

I will be the first to admit there is a "fine line" between performance and true worship as we stand before our congregation on Sunday mornings.  Paul Baloche is an awesome worship leader and he explains this pretty well.

Also, Pastor Travis Penn of Calvary Free Will Baptist Church has an interesting post on his blog "The Sweetest Frame" concerning songs sung in a worship set, check it out by clicking here.

Enjoy the video on "Performance vs. Worship Leading.

HOW GOOD OF A JOB ARE YOU DOING AT KICKING YOUR BALL?

Below is a video I used in our D6 Sunday School Teachers Training Seminar last evening. (It's in Japanese, but I think you will get the point!)

This is an example of how we DO NOT want to kink the ball in our Sunday school ministry. I shared how many churches show up every Sunday and just go through the motions, trying to "kick the ball." I then shared how that is NOT what we desire to do in the one hour we have to impact our student's life with God's Word.

There are many lessons to be seen in this video. Enjoy! Feel free to leave a comment; I'm interested in your thoughts.

VICTORY CHURCH "D6" TRAINING SEMINAR

Last night here at the Victory Church offices we had our first "D6" Sunday school teacher training seminar.  I was very encouraged with the attendance and the training our Sunday school teachers received.

We are strengthening the discipleship ministry here at Victory Church through our Sunday school.  Our goal for discipleship is to create an environment where families can talk about God's Word throughout the week.  In other words, we are strategically building D6 families at Victory!

Watch the video below to get a better understanding of what D6 is all about.

 

SADDLEBACK CIVIL FORUM (PART 4) Pastor Rick Warren and Senator John McCain

SADDLEBACK CIVIL FORUM (PART 3) Pastor Rick Warren and Senator John McCain

SADDLEBACK CIVIL FORUM (PART 2) Pastor Rick Warren and Senator Barack Obama

SADDLEBACK CIVIL FORUM (PART 1) Pastor Rick Warren and Senator Barack Obama

ZINGERS FROM ZIG

Here are a few "Zingers from Zig" about life and death I just read.  If you choose, you can subscribe to Zig Ziglar's newsletter - just click here.  Enjoy the zingers!

• Those who are prepared to die are the most prepared to live.
• Death is the last chapter of time but the first chapter of eternity.
• You cannot decide when or where you will die, but you can decide how you will live.
• Everyone should fear death until he has something that will live on after his death.
• What we weave in time we will wear in eternity.

PAUL BOYER SURRENDERS TO THE GOSPEL MINISTRY!

Last night Paul Boyer, currently a deacon at Victory Church and our men's ministry leader, shared with our leadership team that the Lord had called him into the ministry as a Free Will Baptist Minister!

Pictured with Paul is his wife of 32 years, Mayron.  Way to go guys, we are very proud of you both!

Pictured below is the Victory Leadership Team.  These guys and gals are awesome!

INTEGRITY UPHELD

This passage of Scripture in Psalm 41 got my attention this morning; listen to what it says in verse 12:

"You supported me because of my integrity and set me in Your presence forever."

The phrase in that verse, "because of my integrity" really caught my eye.  When I think about "integrity" I always think about Joesph. 

Joseph was a righteous man who had cultivated a reputation for Godliness in his community. Then word spread across the community that Mary, the woman to whom he was engaged, was expecting a child. There would be many who would assume the worst of this apparently scandalous situation. Joseph probably experienced gossip from some and even ostracism from others. Yet he was a man of integrity, aware that God knew the truth of his relationship with Mary.

There are times in your life that God will be the only witness to your righteous behavior. Sometimes God is the only one who will understand your motives.  I have experienced first hand that sometimes you will do all you know God has asked you to do, only to face ridicule from others. At such times all you can do is maintain your integrity, trusting that God always keeps His eyes on you. God looks favorably upon those who walk with integrity, doing what they know is right, regardless of how others perceive their actions.

The most important thing is not that people know the truth.

The most important thing is that you are a person of integrity before God.

When no one seems to understand why you have done something or when others question whether you have done all you should have done, your confidence should not be in the hope of vindication in the eyes of others. It should be in the knowledge that God keeps you in His sight. If you have this confidence, it will be enough to sustain you.

FROM VISION TO REALITY - COMMUNICATING YOUR VISION

It's an amazing thing to watch vision become a reality.  That is what is taking place once again in the life of Victory Church.  We are in the process of seeing our vision of becoming a "regional ministry" come to pass.  We have been prayerfully seeking the Lord about some property that would allow us to fulfill what we believe is His mission for our church. 

When thinking about "vision becoming a reality" I'm reminded how important it is to "SHARE" your vision.  We have a great example of this in I Chronicles 28:1-21. 

When God provided David with a vision of Jerusalem's temple, the king wanted to be personally instrumental in making that dream a reality.  But, the Lord told David that the job of building the temple would be given to Solomon, David's son and successor.  David chose not to view himself as having been cut out of the action; instead, he energetically undertook his new charge - that of communicating the vision for the temple in a manner that would infect Solomon and enlist his unqualified support.

In I Chronicles 28 notice how David went about doing this:

1. HE MADE IT CLEAR THAT THE VISION HAD COME FROM GOD. (vs. 1-3)

2. HE INFORMED SOLOMON THAT HIS ROLE WOULD BE TO LEAD THE CHARGE IN BUILDING THE TEMPLE. (vs. 6-7)

Such a task would require total devotion to the Lord an to the work.  A halfhearted effort would not get the job done.

3.  HE ASSURED THE PEOPLE THAT THIS ENORMOUS TASK WOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED BECAUSE GOD WOULD ENABLE SOLOMON TO GET THE JOB DONE. (vs. 6)

4. DAVID GAVE HIS SON SUCH SUFFICIENT DETAIL ABOUT THE TEMPLE THAT SOLOMON COULD VISUALIZE WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE. (vs. 11-19)

5. AFTER CASTING THE VISION, THE KING GAVE HIS SON ANOTHER DOSE OF ENCOURAGEMENT. (vs. 20-21)

One of the most significant tasks as a leader is to INFECT others with your organizational vision.  As you reflect on your own situation, think about David's strategies for "casting a vision" and consider which of those are transferable to your situation.

RECEIVING GOD'S FAVOR! 20.70 ACRES OF LAND!

Back in January and February of this year I lead Victory Church through a congregational fast.  During this fast we were asking for one thing...GOD'S FAVOR!  Well, we have received it!

Pictured are some members of our leadership team standing on 20.70 acres of land on Scott-Troy Road!  As you can tell, we are very excited about this property.  We are voting on this property on Thursday, 10 July and we hope to close on the land by the end of July.  God is good!  I will share more details with you concerning the property in the near future.

ORDAINING DANIEL RENFRO AS A FREE WILL BAPTIST MINISTER - NEW ASSISTANT PASTOR AT VICTORY CHURCH

On Sunday, 1 June I had the awesome privilege of ordaining Daniel Renfro as a Free Will Baptist Minister.  Daniel surrendered to the call of God on his life to preach the gospel about three years ago.  Since then, he has been going through the process of licensing and ordination.  It was an exciting Sunday to lay hands on this young man and ordain him into the ministry. 

Daniel is now the new Assistant Pastor of Victory Church.  Daniel is married to a very supporting wife, Beverly, and has two children.  I am really looking forward to having Daniel serve along side me. 

ORDAINING DEACONS AT VICTORY CHURCH

Last month I had the privilege of ordaining five great men as deacons at Victory Church.  These men went through extensive biblical training on the role and responsibility of deacons. 

In the picture I am seen laying hands on them and praying over each of them; it was an extremely emotional moment for me.  The men which make up the deacon ministry at Victory Church are: Darrell Renfro, Mike Collins, Eldon Schmidt, Paul Boyer, and Dave Hornyak.  Thank you men for allow the Lord to use you in His Kingdom work!

Below are some pictures of me washing their feet as an example of being a servant leader.  I then presented them with a bible, certificate and a towel which had their name embroidered on it along with the date and name of the church.  Once again, it was another "SPIRITUALLY HIGH" moment.

Top 10 Reasons Pastors Get Fired

I read a report today in the Leadership Journal Spring 2008 edition concerning the "Top 10 Reasons Pastors Get Fired."  This is a new report on the forced terminations of pastors in Southern Baptist Churches.  Here we go...

10. Conflict with other staff.

9. Sexual misconduct

8. Administrative  incompetence

7. Weak leadership style

6. Decline in attendance

5. Conflict pre-dating the pastor's arrival

4. Too-strong leadership style

3. Poor people skill

2. Church's resistance to change

1. Control issues (the same #1 reason since the surveys began in 1996!)

"Ten Pointers" for New Pastors

I ran across an article the other day titled "Ten Pointers for New Pastors" written by Joe McKeever.  After reading this article, I found it sound advice for seasoned pastors also.  I have been in the ministry for 22 years and I found this to be refreshing to say the least.

Below are the "Ten Pointers."  If you would like to read the entire article click here.

1. Remember to say 'we' and 'our,' not 'I' and 'my.'
2. Never claim any authority as the pastor.
3. Learn to listen.
4. Try not to over-talk.
5. With the office staff, always conduct yourself with quietness and strength.
6. Never put anything negative in a letter; deal with it personally.
7. Lower your expectations about your congregation.
8. Nothing is more important than staying close to the Lord.
9. Know how much of church stuff to keep from your wife.
10. Protect your sermon study time.

"Through the Dust" - Deacon Ministry of Victory Church

This week I began a training session for our deacons at Victory Church.  This is a six-week study titled "Deacons - Partners in Ministry and Growth" by Dr. Jim Henry.  We are having our training sessions on Wednesday evenings, and this first session was awesome.

In our first session we became familiar with the term "through the dust."  The word "deacons" in Acts 6 comes from two Greek words meaning "through the dust;" which means these men were rapidly and anxiously hurrying "through the dust" to serve and meet the needs of the people.  Our guys really picked up on this concept.

Since I planted Victory Church with just three people, it has taken us some time to grow the church, and the people to the point of implementing these men into this very important position of ministry.  I currently have two ordained deacons, Darrell Renfro and Eldon Schmidt.  I have set aside three other men for this ministry: Dave Hornyak, Mike Collins, and Paul Boyer.  All five of these men are deserving of this position and have proven themselves faithful to the Lord and to the ministry of Victory Church.

We will have an ordination service on Sunday, 18 May in which I will ordain them with the laying on of hands and then present them to our people.   I am very excited to see how the Lord is growing and establishing His church.

Time Management and What I Do

Have you read Psalm 39:4-5 lately?  If not, take a moment and read it below:

Psalm 39:4-5 (HCSB) “Lord, reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how transitory I am.  You, indeed, have made my days short in length, and my life span as nothing in Your sight. Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor. Selah

It's obvious that David accomplished great things during the course of his life.  But the question is, "How did he accomplish so much during his lifetime?" 

This particular passage of Scripture in Psalm reveals to us that David, like Moses (Psalm 90), was impressed with life's brevity and the consequent importance of using time wisely.  That of course is often easier said than done!

Peter Drucker, in his book The Effective Executive shares three activities and questions that might help leaders in dealing with time.

"Effective executives...do not start with their task.  They start with their time...They start by finding where their time actually goes.  Then they attempt to manage their time and to cut back unproductive demands on their time.  Finally, they consolidate their discretionary time into the largest possible continuing time units."

Drucker refers to the second step as time management.  After listing the activities to which we devote our time (step one), he suggests that we ask three questions about each of these activities to help us minimize the amount of time we waste:

    1. " 'What would happen if this were not done at all?' And if the answer is, 'Nothing would happen,' then obviously the conclusion is to stop doing it."

    2.  "Which of the activities on my time log could be done by somebody else just as well, if not better?"

    3.  "What do I do that wastes your time without contributing to your effectiveness?"

Drucker closes his chapter on time with this thought:

"Know Thyself," the old prescription for wisdom, is almost impossibly difficult for mortal man.  But everyone can follow the injunction "Know Thy Time" if they want to, and be well on the road toward contribution and effectiveness.

 

What Is Stewardship? (Matthew 25:14-30)

Consider for a moment that everyone on earth has the same amount of time in every day. President or paper boy, housewife or executive, farmer or financier -- they all have exactly twenty-four hours in each day.

What differentiates people isn't the amount of time available to them but the manner in which they exercise their gifts and talents within the available time. That's what stewardship is about: faithfully developing and using our gifts, talents and resources within the amount of time God has alloted to us.

God, the Ultimate Long Range Planner

God is the ultimate long-range planner. His purposes encompass the whole range from eternity to eternity and extend to every part of His dominion. Always remember this, from a short-range perspective, things may appear to be out of control, but God is ordering all things in such a way that they will reach a glorious consummation. Read the verses below to consider the long-range plans ordained by God.

Isaiah 37:26 (HCSB) Have you not heard? I designed it long ago; I planned it in days gone by. I have now brought it to pass, and you have crushed fortified cities into piles of rubble.

Isaiah 46:10 (HCSB) I declare the end from the beginning, and from long ago what is not yet done, saying: My plan will take place, and I will do all My will.

Don't Let the "Bozos" Grind You Down!

What a concept, "Don't let the BOZOS grind you down!" Wow! Thanks Dave and Guy, because that's exactly what I've been doing; and you want to know the sad thing? I did not even recognize the bozos in my life!

You may be thinking, "What in the world are you talking about?" I just read Dave Ferguson's blog (which I read weekly) and he just posted an article about Guy Kawasaki speaking on "The Art of Innovation." (Check out Guy's blog.) As I was reading the 11 things to remember about the art of innovation, the Lord really spoke to my heart. Listen to what he says:

#11 - Don't let the bozos grind you down. There will always be the bozo's who will say that it can't be done or will never work. Don't let the bozo's grind you down!

When I read that, the Lord spoke to my heart, no He shouted, 'THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE DOING SON! YOU'RE LETTING BOZOS GRIND YOU DOWN!"

Wow! Thanks God! Thanks Dave! Thanks Guy! That's what I needed. I have just identified the bozos!

What about you? Are you letting "bozos" grind you down?