Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ministry. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Friday, September 18, 2009
Ministry has changed...
Ministry has undergone lots of change in recent years. Some things are never going to change. Like helping people learn to love and live for God. That is at the heart and core of ministry.
But how that gets accomplished has changed. It used to be that a minister would simply be able to go to someone's home, knock on the door, be invited in and be able to talk to that person (or people) about the Lord. Nowadays, if you tried that, you are most likely a Jehovah's Witness or Mormon and you aren't received too kindly.
We live in the era of Facebook, Twitter and emails. Life seems more techno-centric than it was 30 years ago. People have come to rely on computers and mobile devices.
I have found that ministering in this era can be a challenge but you can still accomplish the same goal of helping people learn to love and live for God but you have to embrace new methods.
Using my account on Facebook I have been able to keep up with those that I minister to as well as encourage them in their walk with the Lord. On Facebook, I created a group on Facebook for our church members who are on Facebook to have another place of connection. Click HERE to see our church's Facebook Group Page.
From that group page, I have created special "events" that help promote and advertise various activities and sermon series we have at The Fort. I have also incorporated Twitter into this at another level of fostering more communication and connection with our church body online. We have a Twitter feed on the home page of our web site that we update to broadcast special announcements or updates.
All of these are tools. Some might argue that it contributes to the increasing isolationist direction of our culture, but I would say that we are building community on many levels. Not everyone is online. But many are.
We want to be a church that embraces all the methods we can to help people become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. We want to help people get into the Word of God.
Recently a woman was publicly executed in North Korea. Her crime? Distributing Bibles. It is noteworthy that a book most Americans take for granted and rarely read was worthy of death in a far corner of the world.
Anything I can do to get people more invested in reading the Word of God I will do!
But how that gets accomplished has changed. It used to be that a minister would simply be able to go to someone's home, knock on the door, be invited in and be able to talk to that person (or people) about the Lord. Nowadays, if you tried that, you are most likely a Jehovah's Witness or Mormon and you aren't received too kindly.
We live in the era of Facebook, Twitter and emails. Life seems more techno-centric than it was 30 years ago. People have come to rely on computers and mobile devices.
I have found that ministering in this era can be a challenge but you can still accomplish the same goal of helping people learn to love and live for God but you have to embrace new methods.
Using my account on Facebook I have been able to keep up with those that I minister to as well as encourage them in their walk with the Lord. On Facebook, I created a group on Facebook for our church members who are on Facebook to have another place of connection. Click HERE to see our church's Facebook Group Page.
From that group page, I have created special "events" that help promote and advertise various activities and sermon series we have at The Fort. I have also incorporated Twitter into this at another level of fostering more communication and connection with our church body online. We have a Twitter feed on the home page of our web site that we update to broadcast special announcements or updates.
All of these are tools. Some might argue that it contributes to the increasing isolationist direction of our culture, but I would say that we are building community on many levels. Not everyone is online. But many are.
We want to be a church that embraces all the methods we can to help people become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ. We want to help people get into the Word of God.
Recently a woman was publicly executed in North Korea. Her crime? Distributing Bibles. It is noteworthy that a book most Americans take for granted and rarely read was worthy of death in a far corner of the world.
Anything I can do to get people more invested in reading the Word of God I will do!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Decluttering
Got to thinking about something today (after reading a blog post). What are the things that I do in ministry. So, not to sound self-promoting, but rather a critical analysis of my role and in no certain order here are the things I do:
I twitter.
I blog.
I maintain a Facebook account.
I write sermons each week. I preach a sermon most weeks (at least 45 weeks of the year) and I do it twice.
I prepare lessons for Sunday School and Wednesday evening class.
I teach Sunday School and Wednesday evening class.
I host a small group.
I facilitate discussion in small group and spend time preparing for small group.
I attend board meetings and prepare for board meetings.
I attend elders meetings and prepare for elders meetings.
I prepare powerpoint slides for my sermon.
I create sermon series graphics.
I help produce sermon videos.
I prepare iWorship slides for powerpoint.
I do book studies with different individuals.
I visit people in their homes, at the hospital or at their place of work.
I field numerous phone calls.
I field numerous emails.
I make numerous phone calls.
I compose numerous emails.
I capture the audio of my sermon on Sunday mornings.
I upload the audio of my sermon on Sunday afternoons to our web site.
I open up our building on Sunday mornings.
I close up the building on Sunday afternoon.
I prepare advertising slides for our lobby TV.
I handle any and all criticisms related to the church, ministry and my preaching.
I set communion out on our communion table each Sunday (and sometimes prepare it when the person that was supposed to prepare forgets).
I turn on all audio/visual equipment on Sunday mornings.
I turn off all audio/visual equipment on Sunday afternoon.
I make sure microphones are working on Sunday morning.
I practice with praise teams.
I perform with praise teams.
I handle IT problems and help troubleshoot PC and copier issues in the office.
I make runs to the office store to purchase office supplies and equipment.
I HAVE TO CLEAN UP MY OFFICE FROM TIME TO TIME!
I attend other meetings from time to time (worship, Joy Ladies, etc.)
I help distribute food pantry items to needy individuals and families from time to time.
I help out with youth group activities from time to time.
I try to stay fresh and continually keep casting the church's vision!
Wow! That list sucks! The common denominator I see in that list is the word "I" on the left column. I am definitely doing too much. And honestly, sometimes it is really hard to determine what I should let go of or not do anymore so that I can be more effective in what God has called me to do.
That is the dilemma most smaller church pastors face, honestly. They do too much but they kinda need to.
So my challenge is going to be to wade through what it is that I absolutely need to do (and no one else can) and what is it that I don't need to do (because someone else can) and what is it that I absolutely should not be doing (I'm thinking the clean my office part).
Pray for me because I really do want to declutter my life and focus to be the person that God called me to be in the first place. But the funny thing is the very thing He called me to (the church) is the thing that gets in the way of me doing His will!
I twitter.
I blog.
I maintain a Facebook account.
I write sermons each week. I preach a sermon most weeks (at least 45 weeks of the year) and I do it twice.
I prepare lessons for Sunday School and Wednesday evening class.
I teach Sunday School and Wednesday evening class.
I host a small group.
I facilitate discussion in small group and spend time preparing for small group.
I attend board meetings and prepare for board meetings.
I attend elders meetings and prepare for elders meetings.
I prepare powerpoint slides for my sermon.
I create sermon series graphics.
I help produce sermon videos.
I prepare iWorship slides for powerpoint.
I do book studies with different individuals.
I visit people in their homes, at the hospital or at their place of work.
I field numerous phone calls.
I field numerous emails.
I make numerous phone calls.
I compose numerous emails.
I capture the audio of my sermon on Sunday mornings.
I upload the audio of my sermon on Sunday afternoons to our web site.
I open up our building on Sunday mornings.
I close up the building on Sunday afternoon.
I prepare advertising slides for our lobby TV.
I handle any and all criticisms related to the church, ministry and my preaching.
I set communion out on our communion table each Sunday (and sometimes prepare it when the person that was supposed to prepare forgets).
I turn on all audio/visual equipment on Sunday mornings.
I turn off all audio/visual equipment on Sunday afternoon.
I make sure microphones are working on Sunday morning.
I practice with praise teams.
I perform with praise teams.
I handle IT problems and help troubleshoot PC and copier issues in the office.
I make runs to the office store to purchase office supplies and equipment.
I HAVE TO CLEAN UP MY OFFICE FROM TIME TO TIME!
I attend other meetings from time to time (worship, Joy Ladies, etc.)
I help distribute food pantry items to needy individuals and families from time to time.
I help out with youth group activities from time to time.
I try to stay fresh and continually keep casting the church's vision!
Wow! That list sucks! The common denominator I see in that list is the word "I" on the left column. I am definitely doing too much. And honestly, sometimes it is really hard to determine what I should let go of or not do anymore so that I can be more effective in what God has called me to do.
That is the dilemma most smaller church pastors face, honestly. They do too much but they kinda need to.
So my challenge is going to be to wade through what it is that I absolutely need to do (and no one else can) and what is it that I don't need to do (because someone else can) and what is it that I absolutely should not be doing (I'm thinking the clean my office part).
Pray for me because I really do want to declutter my life and focus to be the person that God called me to be in the first place. But the funny thing is the very thing He called me to (the church) is the thing that gets in the way of me doing His will!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
The worst ministry experience ever...
Today I think ranks very, very close to the worst ministry experience of my life. A 14 year old boy in our church overdosed and consequently died today. Going into his grandmother's home and ministering to his family was so tough. They are so heartbroken. My heart aches for them in such deep sorrow.
Please pray for them. Pray God's Presence in their life. Pray for strength.
Please pray for them. Pray God's Presence in their life. Pray for strength.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
We all need a tow...
I saw something interesting this morning while I was driving to my office. I saw a flat-bed tow truck with a car on it's bed. But there was another tow truck backing up to the first tow truck which had obviously broken down.
It made me think about how many times I've tried to help someone else and I "broke down" in the process. In fact, even though I may be equipped to help others...sometimes I can't do it.
There is only one that will never fail us...Jesus. His support never wanes. His help is always sure. He is our True Friend.
Maybe, you might be feeling a bit like the tow truck needing a tow. You've been trying to help a family member or friend and it has weighed so heavy on you that you don't feel like you can offer much more. Well, it may be time to step back for a while.
You can't do it all on your own. There are some things that only God can do for people. So don't try to take his place.
It is quite alright to "get a tow" every once in a while and just enjoy the refreshing of God's Spirit and not have someone on your back. We all need to be ministered to at times. Maybe your season of being ministered to has come.
It made me think about how many times I've tried to help someone else and I "broke down" in the process. In fact, even though I may be equipped to help others...sometimes I can't do it.
There is only one that will never fail us...Jesus. His support never wanes. His help is always sure. He is our True Friend.
Maybe, you might be feeling a bit like the tow truck needing a tow. You've been trying to help a family member or friend and it has weighed so heavy on you that you don't feel like you can offer much more. Well, it may be time to step back for a while.
You can't do it all on your own. There are some things that only God can do for people. So don't try to take his place.
It is quite alright to "get a tow" every once in a while and just enjoy the refreshing of God's Spirit and not have someone on your back. We all need to be ministered to at times. Maybe your season of being ministered to has come.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Meet Sam
Sam Breno found The Fort because of our food pantry. He began receiving help from the food pantry because he had fallen on some rough times. While he got help from our pantry a few times, he would have conversations with Roxie or me from time to time.
Well, Sam went through a crisis in his family. He decided that the same church that offered him help when he needed it most just might be able to help with another kind of help through this crisis he was now experiencing.
The first service he attended was the 30 Days To Live final service (you can watch the video of that service HERE). He has come each week since then. He came in for a personal visit (not for help from the pantry) to speak with me about his family crisis and for prayer also. We prayed together.
I genuinely was happy that for one of the first times in Sam's life he was turning to the church (and God) for help. And God answered his prayers. He worked out the issues within his family. Sam came bouncing into church last week so happy.
He wasn't there to get anything, he was there to worship and celebrate because this God whom he had turned to had heard his prayers. And so he worshiped.
The Fort helps people like Sam all the time. Not everyone who receives help from our food pantry starts attending services but that isn't why we do what we do. We're not trying to boost our attendance. We're simply trying to help people with a real need in their lives.
That's what true ministry is all about. Meet people where they are, help them with the real needs they are facing. Then you have built credibility in their eyes. It really is true that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
You can help us meet real needs in the lives of people just like Sam by giving to our food pantry. It is a very important ministry of The Fort. It is hard to believe that by simply giving a can of vegetables to our pantry can open a door in someone's heart to help them be able to hear the gospel, but that is exactly what can happen. So help us help people like Sam by giving to our food pantry.
Well, Sam went through a crisis in his family. He decided that the same church that offered him help when he needed it most just might be able to help with another kind of help through this crisis he was now experiencing.
The first service he attended was the 30 Days To Live final service (you can watch the video of that service HERE). He has come each week since then. He came in for a personal visit (not for help from the pantry) to speak with me about his family crisis and for prayer also. We prayed together.
I genuinely was happy that for one of the first times in Sam's life he was turning to the church (and God) for help. And God answered his prayers. He worked out the issues within his family. Sam came bouncing into church last week so happy.
He wasn't there to get anything, he was there to worship and celebrate because this God whom he had turned to had heard his prayers. And so he worshiped.
The Fort helps people like Sam all the time. Not everyone who receives help from our food pantry starts attending services but that isn't why we do what we do. We're not trying to boost our attendance. We're simply trying to help people with a real need in their lives.
That's what true ministry is all about. Meet people where they are, help them with the real needs they are facing. Then you have built credibility in their eyes. It really is true that people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.
You can help us meet real needs in the lives of people just like Sam by giving to our food pantry. It is a very important ministry of The Fort. It is hard to believe that by simply giving a can of vegetables to our pantry can open a door in someone's heart to help them be able to hear the gospel, but that is exactly what can happen. So help us help people like Sam by giving to our food pantry.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Ministry
Okay, I'm at home now. It's been a long day. A lot of stress and emotions. I wrapped up today with a meeting with my elders. They are a good group of men. They help me do what I do. They are a great encouragement to me. It is good to know that I have people on my leadership team that are in my corner...men that I know are FOR me.
If you are reading this, and you attend another church, make sure you encourage your pastor. Sometimes pastoral work can be very, very difficult. No, it isn't physically demanding, but I would take that any day over some of the emotional and spiritual stress that I come across at times.
I don't believe I could do this work with out support and encouragement. We all need that, you know? We need to have someone come alongside of us from time to time and simply say, "I'm with you, bro." Without that, ministry isn't possible.
So make sure you encourage those in ministry. I don't even think it is necessary that they be a paid pastor. Just anyone who is serving the Lord in any capacity...especially someone not being paid, frankly, they serve Jesus on a completely volunteer basis. Tell them you appreciate what they do. Send them a card. Write an e-mail. Whatever...you never know how your words can lift that person in just the right moment.
Maybe that person is just dying to hear something like that from someone. Take time to do it. It could mean more than you know.
If you are reading this, and you attend another church, make sure you encourage your pastor. Sometimes pastoral work can be very, very difficult. No, it isn't physically demanding, but I would take that any day over some of the emotional and spiritual stress that I come across at times.
I don't believe I could do this work with out support and encouragement. We all need that, you know? We need to have someone come alongside of us from time to time and simply say, "I'm with you, bro." Without that, ministry isn't possible.
So make sure you encourage those in ministry. I don't even think it is necessary that they be a paid pastor. Just anyone who is serving the Lord in any capacity...especially someone not being paid, frankly, they serve Jesus on a completely volunteer basis. Tell them you appreciate what they do. Send them a card. Write an e-mail. Whatever...you never know how your words can lift that person in just the right moment.
Maybe that person is just dying to hear something like that from someone. Take time to do it. It could mean more than you know.
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