Momentum

411 Network

Charlie and I spent two days this week leading 20 pastors from across the country in what is called the Equipping Leaders Network.  This is a network of pastors that are studying Ephesians 4:11 and the 5-fold leadership gifts in God's kingdom: apostle, prophet, evangelist, shepherd and teacher.  The premise is that the Christian church has historically been led by only 2/5ths of the 5-fold leadership gifts, shepherd and teacher.  We are discipling one another to balance the church out with all 5 gifts.  Charlie has a strong prophetic leadership gift and I have a strong apostolic leadership gift.  I'm not going to run around calling myself an apostle, but I am going to lead like one by expanding God's kingdom and making the King's (Jesus) name greater.  Truth is, when I look at apostolic gifts, I see myself.  That doesn't make me better, it makes me more effective. 

Wrestle with me over Ephesians 4:11: "It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers."  Any thoughts?

Three Hours of Power

Yesterday I spent three hours in a small conference room at O’Hare Airport.  I came in exhausted from the weekend and missing my day off, but things quickly changed. 

 

I was one of 15 senior pastors from across the country there to dialogue and hang out with Bill Hybels, Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church.  For those three hours he shared his thoughts on leadership concerning things like taking care of ourselves, church finances, church security, staffing and much more.  I felt like I was on the receiving end of a fire hose on leadership.  I was blessed, energized, and empowered and I can’t wait to share these leadership insights.

Life Coach

Every week I see in the local Shopper an advertisement about a "life coach."  A life coach is a new buzzword for consultant/advisor.  I like the concept.  To me it's discipleship, Jesus-style.  When Jesus was walking earth's soil, He was a life coach to 12 guys and some gals.  He walked, talked, hung out, advised, counseled and coached them about life and life in the Kingdom of God. 

Our son Grant just finished his high school athletic career at Illiana Christian High School.  Last night we attended the player/parent post-season pizza supper and awards.  Each player was blessed, encouraged and honored in a unique way by Lance Davids, the head coach.  I want to thank him for being Grant's life coach.  Grant was his student helper during the day and walked and talked with Lance.  Grant listened to Lance talk about the game of basketball, but more importantly the game of life - the Christian life.  I believe Lance will receive a reward and honor in heaven some day for being a life coach to many young men.  Thanks Lance! - from grateful parents.

Prayer Request

I am in northwest Iowa today along with Scott Gibson and we are going to meet with 125 pastors, elders and church leaders in the East/West Sioux Classis.  Our purpose is to coach and encourage them as they embark on change in their churches.  We ask for your prayers for the words we speak and for welcoming hearts to receive them.  You could offer a prayer for us as you read this, or tonight at 7:00 when our meeting starts.

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."  James 5:16 (TNIV)

An Energizing Retreat

I had one of those "pinch me is this real?" weekends.  Faith Church's Consistory Leadership team and the Management Team (and their spouses) spent the weekend on a retreat.  Our purpose was to pray and wrestle with what we believe God wants for our future.  It was fantastic.  We worshipped, prayed, played, fellowshipped, worked, laughed, cried, ate, relaxed, and praised God.  It was a home run for me.  We were united in what God wants us to do and still in a quandary over a few ideas. 

I can't wait to share the ideas with the congregation.  I believe part of the movement of God at Faith Church can be traced to God's movement at these retreats.

Wild and Crazy Day in Omaha

                  

   "I spent a week in Omaha one day," is that the line?

     Check out this day:

·         Get up at 3:45amTuesday to fly to Omaha, Nebraska

·         Land in Omaha at 8:30am

·         Start journey to speaking engagement in Northwest Iowa

·         Hit ice storm, saw cars and trucks in the ditch

·         They cancel the meeting I was to speak at (good move)

·         Turn around and head back to Omaha

·         Spend day in Omaha, fly home, back in bed at 11:00pm

·         Only to re-do next Tuesday

The question is why?  What was God’s sovereign plan?  I’m not sure, but it could be the woman whose car went into the ditch and needed a ride back to the airport?  My buddy and I talked to her about her connect with God.  She didn’t have any, yet?  We had a great opportunity to communicate the hope we have in Christ.  I’m praying for Lisa.  I’m praying that in God’s plan I will see her in heaven.  Crazy huh?   

Theological Running

I love to read historical Reformed Theological books.  There, I admit it.  I used to think I was not smart enough to admit I read theological books, and that it would seem odd.  However with my love for Doctrinal Theology, at age 47 I am confident enough in the Lord to go public.  I really enjoy the deeper theological things of God.  I just finished the book John Calvin, A Heart for Devotion, Doctrine and Doxology.  I finished it on the plane.  I was so pumped reading it that I wanted to stand up and tell everyone how delighted I was in God’s richness and glory.  But then on second thought I remained seated, so as not to cause unnecessary turbulence. 

I also recently memorized a great verse, “Watch your life and doctrine closely.  Persevere in them because if you do you will save both yourself and your hearers”.  1Timothy 4:16

Here is what is says:

·         Watch your Life:  Not so much others; watch your own.  Watch your desires, attitudes, tongue,  lifestyle, priorities, sins, (at all ages and levels), food intake, drinking, body, mind, marriage, singleness, business ethics and stewardship.

·         Watch your Doctrine: The doctrine of God, Trinity, salvation, Word of God, holiness, purity, human beings, reformed, eternal life, life, sexuality, the cross, the resurrection, the ascension, second coming, etc.

·         The Promise: You will save yourself and hearers, not salvation by works, but salvation from yourself.   Save yourself from falling into sin that will kill you (Romans 8:13), and save those around you when they see and hear you.

When I pondered, memorized, and ran with this verse I was convicted, inspired, challenged and pumped so much I wanted the whole plane to know God.  But I settled on telling Faith Church Staff and you.  Run baby run!  Thoughts?  Comments?

Arizona Reflections

1.       Why is it when I read on the plane, I seem to get so much more out of the reading?

2.       I love to read books on historic Reformed Theology.

3.       I memorized 1 Timothy 4:16 when I went for a run one day.  It really spoke to me.

4.       There is a very cool church called Christ’s Church of the Valley that we worshipped at, very inspiring.

5.       Laurie and I are really good friends. We laughed a lot about the stupidest things; mostly about ourselves.

6.       Friends are more important than most anything else.

7.       I ran and meditated on Luke 18:13.  That simple prayer if prayed daily, and hourly, “God have mercy on me a sinner” will change you.

8.       “Airport people watching” is part of the vacation experience.

9.       Cicero Ave. is really not a great welcome home road.  (Not counting the potholes)

10.   We were only able to take this break because of God’s great mercy.

Fun in the Sun

Last week Wednesday afternoon till late Tuesday night, Laurie and I were in Arizona.  We ended up there “by accident.”  Originally, I was supposed to go to Arizona for the Leadership Summit training for senior pastors and other Summit site leaders.  However, the Willow Creek Association cancelled the training.  That cancellation turned into relaxation for Bob & Laurie in Arizona for five days and four nights. 

 

I had time to enjoy my beautiful wife of almost 25 years, run in the sun, watch the Cubs, see some friends, read several books, go to the movies, and relax.  It was so much fun.  The average temperature in Phoenix this time of year is 73 degrees.  While we were there, it was 80-89 degrees.  Those of you in the midwest, it’s coming!!

 

In a couple of days I’ll blog about what I reflected on while I was there.