Tebowing

OK. I'll admit it. I've jumped on the Tim Tebow wagon.

I actually look for the Broncos games on Sundays, because I know the chances are good that the end is going to be dramatic and that somehow Tim is going to lead the Broncs to an unlikely win.

But I'm also smart enough to know that while Tebow is getting all the attention, it would not be happening if it were not for the other 23 guys. I know.... There are 22 positions on a football team. But you also have to count the punter and especially the Broncos' place kicker...whatever his name is.

Without the whole team charging forward together Tim Tebow doesn't win a thing. We'd never even know he was there.

My friend Roscoe Brewer died last week. Likely you've never heard of him. But because of his passion for living out God's purpose for his life perhaps millions around the world have had their lives changed.

Please take the 15 minutes or so to watch and listen to the video. It was filmed recently. He's obviously frail from the cancer that finally took his life, but the passion was still there as he talked missions.

Communicating Vision

"I don't have a vision for my church and don't know how to get one."

Sad words spoken to me by a pastor friend a few months ago. The church he leads has been in decline for over a decade. He's the third in a string of pastors during that time. The latest news I have heard is pretty bleak.

As my church's "Lead Pastor" part of my responsibility is to not only get God's vision for our church, but to communicate it to our leaders and to the congregation. It's that pastoral role Paul wrote to Timothy about, saying, "Exhort...". Exhortation is really a form of encouragement, and that's what clear, God-given vision does for a church: it inspires and encourages. It's the idea God communicated to the prophet Habakkuk.

A recent request for questions from my church about how and why we do some of the things we do revealed to me something that I needed to hear: Vision leaks. Many of the questions indicated the askers didn't understand the "Why"s of our church. And if the "Why"s aren't in a firm grasp by the flock neither will be the "How"s.

That gave me clear direction as to the initial series of this new year. I usually spend the month of January doing some vision-casting and encouragement, challenging the church to take on the new year with a renewed commitment to Christ, His Word and His family. But it has been a while since I went through our Vision Statement* point by point with clarity.

Our church has many young believers. Leaders of a growing church can sometimes forget that unless doctrine and values are frequently addressed those who are new to the faith can't understand. And those who are older and have been around awhile tend to forget.

So the first 6 weeks of the New Year will cover our church's vision. We began Sunday, January 2. The question cards were a wake-up call to me, and I'm excited not only to hear the "reveille", but also to urge the "troops" to "charge" and because Jesus' vision for the church is clear, to never hear "retreat".

*To read our church's Vision Statement go to our web site, click on the "About" tab and then "Core Values".

Everything Rises and Falls

Watching the American political scene, especially the last 10 months has reaffirmed the maxim that "everything rises and falls on leadership" in my mind.

Leaders set the tone and the pace. They say, "Follow me", and whether it's to utopia or the blind are leading the blind, the destination and course of the journey rides on their vision or lack of it.

They also lead by example. People follow what they see more than what they hear.

I don't envy political/governmental leaders - not at the national level - not at the local level. They have to try to please everyone and that's just plain impossible. If you ever hear that I'm considering running for anything, even dog catcher, please break out the two-by-four.

But I am a leader, not by choice or by election but by calling. And I have to wonder, especially when those I lead are straying from the flock, or ignoring the warnings from the shepherd that there are predators nearby, how responsible am I for their wandering? Did I do my job? Did I stumble or fail to act because of fear?

It weighs heavy on my heart. Some days more so than others.

Sunday Flashback

So what does a pastor do on Sundays when he's away from home and his home church? I'll confess - visiting churches unknown to me isn't my favorite crap shoot. But I try to find a church that is at least attempting to think out of the box and not be content with the status quo, whatever that might be.

I'm all about learning from others. If someone has been where I'm trying to get to they've got something to teach me. I'm also about having a kingdom mindset - we're all part of the same family and we ought to share. At NHC we've adopted the role that God has given us as a teaching church. With so many (thousands each year due to our resort location) out of town guests worshipping with us, God has placed us in the position of at least planting seeds in their minds of different ways of "doing church".

On this trip we've passed through 3 different churches in three different cultures. All three are at different points on their journey. The first is in the early stages of transitioning from traditional and irrelevant to the current generation to contemporary and relevant. It was my second visit with them in 14 months and the changes were evident. The biggest differences were in the worship style and in the average age of the congregants in the service. With baby steps they're getting there!

The second church was already miles ahead of the first church. We attended the middle of three Sunday morning gatherings and the house was jammed full of young adult types. (That's where I want to be!) Their staff is young and their creative juices obviously flow. What particularly impressed me is that this church is also in transition. Last Spring their Lead Pastor left for another church in another state. Often when that happens there is a void in leadership and pulpit presentation resulting in sheep searching for another pasture. But not so here! Their Student Pastor has stepped up to the plate, handling the Sunday sermons and doing so with excellence. They brought on a new Worship Pastor who clearly has a passion for not only leading the church to God's throne, but doing so with exelllence. Whoever gets called to serve with this team better have his running shoes on already. This church hasn't slowed down a step.

The third church perhaps surprised me the most. Founded over 50 years ago and for most of that time in a very traditional, conservative brand of fundamentalism, they are reaching their city in a refreshing way. The founding pastor was there for his entire "career". They've had some challenges since his retirement with charismatic "senior pastors" giving them a bump then falling morally. And not just once. But they've overcome that and in doing so changed their leadership structure to one that is far more biblical than what they had in the past. A new building that features cutting edge technology and relevant teaching and outreach into the community has resulted in having a church with 3 Sunday morning gatherings with room to grow. This church reminded Gail and I very much of Nags Head Church in many ways.

I'm taking mental notes about what works well and what doesn't. I get to see church as a first time guest, and that helps me think through what our first time guests experience. It's not so much about the sermon or the music that is so vital that first time, although they matter in a big way. But simple things like how you're greeted; signage that shows you where to enter and where to take the kids; friendliness, not by those paid to be so, but by the congregants; and a good web site!

So just so you know, I'm on a mission these three months that I'm away. And hopefully God will stretch me and give me some fresh ideas to introduce when I get back in the saddle.

10-42*

Today I was in attendance at the retirement party of a true gentleman and a tribute to his profession. The venue (his church's gymnasium) was crowded as many of his oldest and closest friends and fellow police officers stood and gave tribute to Nags Head Police Chief Wayne Byrum.

As the chaplain for the Nags Head Fire Department most incidents requesting my response will include police response as well. And on many occasions, more often than not it seemed, Chief Byrum was there, not because he had to be, but because it was important to him to do whatever he could to lend a hand, even if it was just his presence. On more than one accident scene, while junior officers were conducting the investigation I've seen Chief Byrum quietly directing traffic, allowing his troops to do their jobs.

Of course, I often found ways to raise the chief's blood pressure. He is not fond of donut jokes (I discovered), and when I posted a Krispy Kreme logo over the coffee pot in the mobile incident command center he didn't find the humor. He told me that one day he was going to "take me for a ride...". Something about the Oregon Inlet Bridge. He was a cop through and through!

Earlier this year Wayne and I worked together on the most difficult of duties for a chief or a chaplain. As we walked up the driveway at 0430 to inform a wife and children that their husband and father died in the line of duty I asked him, "Wayne, have you ever had to do this before?" He was a 30 year veteran. Surely, I thought, he's been through this before. His presence was giving me strength. But he replied, "No. Never." I could feel from the way he said it that this was the hardest moment of his long career.

I also knew that Wayne is a committed believer in Jesus Christ. So I said, "Let's stop and pray." And right there in the driveway we bowed our heads and asked God to help us, but more importantly to wrap His arms around the four people we were about to wake up and give the most devastaing news of their lives.

Then I asked him, "Wayne, do you want to talk, or do you want me to do it?" And here's where I truly saw his leadership as the chief. He quietly said, "I'll start, but you might have to finish." And there on the porch he both started and finished. I'll be honest. I'm was grateful he did.

Today at 1700 he began his well-deserved retirement. He served and protected us well. May he enjoy farming and have the best times with family. And the deer and trout of southwest Virginia need to be put on notice.

Today as I approached to shake his hand he reminded me, "I never did take you on that ride."

(*10-42 is "ten code" for "ending tour of duty")

Leadership bytes

This past week a group of leaders from our church attended the Leadership Summit (Willow Creek Community Church) at a satellite venue in VA Beach. As a leader I'm always looking for solid and challenging teaching on how to be better at it. This conference did not let me down.

Among those speaking were leaders from the corporate, church and other non-profit sectors. Here are a few of the "bytes" I jotted down. Some were the speakers' own thought; some were quoted by the speakers; some are my thoughts from listening to them.

• Write down your own leadership axioms.
• Create a clash of ideas.
• Get the right people around the table.
• Leadership that matters to God comes forward when the calling seems hopeless, scary or hard.
• Jesus didn't come to make us safe - He came to make us brave.
• Follow your compass not your clock.
• If you're looking to lead a life of impact then do something to influence children.
• For a while the leader may have to raise the level of personal investment to sustain the vision.
• Leaders cultivate the soil so that people can grow.
• Soil gets messy. You'll get your hands dirty.
• Fruit happens by staying connected to the Vine.
• God brings revelation. Revelation brings revolution.
• In God's eyes being qualified isn't as important as being crucified.
• If you have "it" doesn't mean you're going to keep "it" (whatever "it" is!)
• A leader/shepherd's job is not to pander to the flock but to lead them.
• Just show up in the morning; get your orders for the day and execute in obedience.
• If as a leader I'm not in good shape (physical, emotional, spiritual) I'm hurting the entire organization.
• If we're going to be good at what we do we must be strategic at what we do.
• Every leader knows a time when the dream almost died.
• Callings are holy things; precious commodities. Carry out your calling even if you don't feel the presence of God.

Lots to chew on. I look forward to doing some debriefing with our leaders soon.

Guest Blogger: Roger Blackmore

Being a pastor I'm attracted to other pastors' blogs - especially those who challenge me and force me to think out of the box. Roger's one of those pastors.

He's a few years older than me, which gives him the right to tell me things I ought to know. His family speaks to his integrity as a man of God. The church he pastors he also planted and isn't confined to any certain mold. Although our churches have much in common, there are differences as well. After all, we're located in different cultures.

We've eaten meals together on both coasts (I owe him lunch), sharing ideas and building our friendship over the past 6 or so years.

This post titled "Whatever" hit home with me as a pastor.

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine this morning in my favorite local Diner. He was asking me how I deal with the frustrations triggered by people who never seem to get it - they’re not comitted to Sunday worship on a really regular basis, never get into small groups, don’t serve and don’t tithe.

The bottom line is it’s important that leaders remember we are there to serve the church (the people) and the people are not there to serve the leaders and their programs.

So a few weeks shy of 38 years down the pastoring road, how have I avoided an ulcer, a nervous breakdown, a heart attack or total disillusionment that has driven me from ministry altogether?

1. I have come to appreciate that some people never will get it.

2. I recognize that while they may be wonderful people and are without question children of God, they are not going to play a significant role in achieving God’s purposes. So I don’t focus on them.

3. I don’t preach sermons that beat up a few people whose lack of commitment is ticking me off. They won’t hear it anyway and instead good people will begin to question whether they themselves are really up to the mark.

4. I lay everything out before people - provide small groups, encourage small group participation, talk about serving, organize opportunities for them to get plugged in, preach about money, emphasize that tithing is a foundation issue, etc. In doing so I am serving them - whether they take it up is their responsibility.

5. If we hold a prayer night and a handful of people show up, so be it. If we come into a small groups semester and don’t fill every one we made available, well at least we offered them.

I’m dead serious about what I’m doing and so I won’t let my energy be sapped by those who don’t want to move on. I’d rather get exhausted keeping up with those that are racing forward to reach more of the unreached.

As the world turns

I began reading a new book yesterday entitled "Courageous Church Leadership". I’m just getting into it, so I can’t tell you what it’s all about, but the little bit I have read has me intrigued. The book is a series of interviews with church leaders who have led their congregations to “attempt great things for God and expect great things from God.”

Give me some more of that!

Leadership is necessary – some would say a necessary evil – in every facet of life. And part of being a leader is being willing to be courageous and take risks. Families without courageous leadership are called “dysfunctional”. Businesses without courageous leadership are called “out of business”. Sports teams without courageous leadership are called cellar dwellers. But what about churches?

Jesus believed in it so much that He modeled it perfectly. His goal was for 11 men to take the baton as He passed it to them and with Spirit empowered boldness turn the world upside down. With leaders like Peter, John and later Paul the first century church accomplished so much because those men and others like them took huge risks. When everything and everyone told them “No way” they dared to prove them wrong.

They are our example for today. When modern churches and leaders have the courage to trust and believe God like the apostolic church did and God responds to their faith by taking them down roads that are both scary and at the same time exhilarating I want to find out who they are and how they stepped out so boldly.

It’s not my nature to be bold and courageous. And often times I think, “I’d rather not be leading”. But my nature and those thoughts are not from God’s Holy Spirit. And I can’t escape the prospect that in His sovereignty He has positioned me where I am not to sit on the sideline; not to cower when everyone and everything says, “No”; but to ask for a double dose of His boldness to lead.

If you’re a leader at home, at work or in the church I would guess He’s positioned you for the same purposes. Your family, your workplace, your church are all teams. If you’re not a leader (and not everyone is) then He’s positioned you to follow and support those He’s appointed to lead you and to pray for their courage in the face of fearful opposition.

God wants to use you to turn the world upside down.

Leadership Issues - Church Hop #4

I serve a church that is affiliated with a denomination notorious for both church hopping and short-term pastorates. If a scientific study were conducted, my hunch is that there is a correlation between the two. IE, churches that are constantly in the "pastor search" mode are also churches where the back door opens just as frequently as the front.

Leadership in the church is no less crucial its health and growth than it is in any institution. Everything rises and falls on leadership. That may sound very "secular", but check out the many instances in the Bible of how leaders impacted their nations, churches and families both in positive and negative ways.

For reasons perhaps only He knows, God's design is for there to be human leadership in those institutions.

Yet here are some realities in the church:

1. Not everyone in a leadership position is either gifted or called to lead. I've met lots of square pegs in round holes. Just because someone has the title doesn't mean he can. And if he can't, that poses a genuine threat to the future of the church.
2. Some who are called and gifted but are in churches where they've been hog-tied. They want to lead. God's given them vision. But there's a refusal among the sheep (or the deacons) to follow a shepherd. Rural churches often are plagued by this. I've tried pastoring a church where there was a small control group who battled me. Those kind of churches are legion in my denomination.
3. Some leaders have no clue what it means to lead like a shepherd. Sheep are led from the front and follow the shepherd. They scatter when a shepherd tries to push them from the rear. They see themselves as the 4th person of the Trinity and never know what it means to love those they are called to serve. Those kind of pastors are common in many churches. Shepherds "serve" and are willing to give their lives for the sheep.
4. Other pastors see themselves as hired staff with a temporary position and their current church as a stepping stone to something bigger and better. So they really never bond with their congregation and always have their resumes out. With every pastor the church takes a step forward, and with his exit two steps back.
5. Some pastors are just plain lazy. Maybe they've got a comfy job and are satisfied with the status quo. Maybe they've got just a few years left until retirement, so they're short-timers mentally and spiritually. In any case, they need to move on if they're not going to lead.
6. Some have outlived their effectiveness. That's a snare for older pastors. Personal growth hasn't been a priority. They remember how it was in the old days and think nothing has changed. So the church stagnates while the culture moves on by.

So what to do when there is a real problem (as opposed to perceived) leadership stalemate or vacuum? Do you leave and find another flock? Maybe. But first I'd ask some questions.

1. Is this the historical pattern for this church? Is there a constant power struggle that never ends? Do we change pastors more often than what seems right? If so, why is that, and am I part of the problem or part of the solution? (Maybe that last one isn't such a good question because it's rarely answered objectively.) Fact: some churches are never going to change. Power struggles are ingrained in their congregational structure and DNA.
2. What's the vision the leadership has for the church? Where are we going? How are we going to accomplish our mission? (Note the use of the word "we", not "you".) Ask the pastor or elders or whoever leads. If you can't get a real answer guess what? You got your answer. Better yet, ask this question before you ever hook up with a church. It'll save a lot of heartache later.
3. Is there a real chance things are going to change and get better? If not, then you should consider making a quiet exit. But if there is a chance, then pray and serve and encourage the leaders. The last thing the church needs is for people to bail when God's about to make a difference. Revivals are a God thing, and you don't want to miss out on it. But if you're part of the problem, maybe revival won't come until you leave.

I realize that some of my comments and suggestions put some in a quandary. You're in a denomination where the hierarchy moves pastors around every few years. The facts, however, don't lie. The healthiest churches have long-term pastorates. The good news is that some denominations are catching on to that and changing their policies.

But for you in independent, non-denominational or autonomous churches (like Baptists) the same holds true. Yet I doubt the average length of stay for a Baptist pastor is 3 years. That tells me there needs to be some real introspection regarding our views of leadership within the leaders and the congregations.

Finding God in the "commonplace"

After grabbing a 20oz. coffee at 7-11 this morning I met with 3 of our 5 pastors at 6AM for our monthly book discussion meeting. The fact that I was still sleepy was aided when the lady at 7-11 said the coffee was on the house! There's a grace story!

We're finishing up Reggie McNeal's book on leadership "A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders". An excellent book, by the way.

Today's chapter was about leaders being cognizant of the fact that God wants to be seen and found 24/7 in our lives. Everywhere we go; in everything we do. Even in the painful things, God can be found. Not that everything has some sense of the divine - that's pantheism. But that the omnipresent God wants to use the commonplace events in our lives - trips to the store - the walk around the park - to give us opportunities to make Him known by living as His representatives.

Those of us in American evangelicalism have to move way beyond the shallow, comfortable fallacy that our "God time" is an hour on Sunday morning. But that's comfy and non-threatening to us.

When we who are leaders of the church catch on to the commonplace opportunities to reflect Christ, the church will follow. And when the church catches on it will be once again "turned upside down" ala the first century.

"When". I guess I should have said "if". Let's hope it's "when".

What's interesting is that later this morning one of those "commonplace" encounters with one of my neighbors. We talked about some spiritual things as he sat in his truck in my driveway.

Where's your "commonplace" going to be tomorrow?

Communicating Vision

Remember when Ronald Reagan was President? Well, you can if you’re over 30. One of the nicknames given to him was “The Great Communicator”, because he had a natural gift of being able to say what needed to be said in such a way that we as a nation heard and understood (whether we agreed or not). The ability to communicate clearly and effectively is crucial for anyone in a leadership post, whether it’s at home, at work, in government or in church.

Fortunately for us God has communicated Himself to us in a way we can hear and understand. He gave us a book, the Bible that reveals His will. He gave us His Son, who came to earth in human flesh to reveal His desire to bring us back to a relationship with Him. He gave us His Holy Spirit who lives in every believer to guide and teach us. God’s all about communication, isn’t He?

One of my great frustrations is how ineffectively I communicate as a pastor. Part of my calling and responsibility is to deliver the goods in such a way that we get it. So I’m always looking for better ways to do that. Too much is at stake for the message and the vision to get muddled.

Soon I’ll be using Sunday mornings to teach from two sources – the Word of God and my heart – where God is leading us as a church family. He’s taken us to so many amazing places on our journey over the years, but it doesn’t end here! There’s a next level to where He wants us to ascend.

We’re getting the Sunday morning thing down pretty well. From the welcome to the worship and everything in between our weekly gatherings are going so well. We like being the people of God in the “house” of God. But I’m not sure we all understand why we do what we do. And I think it’s important that we have that understanding.

But we’ve got to be so much more than a Sunday morning gathering, as vital as that is to our health. Exciting things are happening the rest of the week, many that I’m sure I don’t even know about. And those things, like healthy, growing and reproducing Connection Groups are the early steps toward this next level of being the people of God in the world. But it’s got to be much more if we’re going to reach our community with the Gospel.

So I’ll be communicating these things over the fall months. Please listen! Read my weekly emails. Visit my blog. Listen to the messages on the pod cast. I really am trying to make the vision plain, as the Word says. And I’m trying so hard because I believe it’s urgent that we blaze some new trails and without fear follow Christ out of the safety of the fortress and into the enemy’s terrain.

He promised that the gates of hell couldn’t hold us back. Let’s find out if He was serious.

Transitioning...again!

Because the church is organic it has life, and that life is expected to grow and flourish. My experience has been that for that to happen the church has to occasionally (maybe even consistently) go through periods of transition - movement from where we are now to where we need to be tomorrow. Otherwise we'll stay the same. You know the saying, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always had" (or something like that).

In my 16 years here we've been through at least 4 major transitions that have brought us to where we are today, not including the transition from an old traditional building to a new, modern contemporary one. I almost forgot about that, and yes, that's a big transition. But in my heart I'm sensing that we're on the brink of another transition here - that to becoming a truly "missional" congregation.

It's already happening. We can see the wave coming and are beginning to paddle. So hang on for the ride. Transitions are always exciting!

Sure, we'll lose some who choose not to paddle their boards and will choose to miss the wave. That's sad. It's painful. But it also always happens in a transition because it's necessary. The gain and the realization of looking more and more like what Jesus envisions us to be far outweighs the loss.

Cowabunga!