What Church Leaders Can Learn From Brett Favre

[From MMI Weblog by Todd Rhoades]

1. He Showed up to Play Every Sunday. Regardless of what was happening in his life (i.e. his father’s death and his wife’s cancer), he still found a way to get to the game on time.
2. He Played Through the Hurts. I’ve watched clobbered, hammered, hamstrung, smashed, and boggled. Yet, Brett kept getting back on his feet again. Remember the year when he played half a season with a broken thumb? Somehow, the desire for victory was far greater than the physical pain.
3. He Took Risks and Made Plenty of Mistakes. Not only does he hold the career touchdown record, he holds the interception record as well. You can’t win big by playing it safe. Consider the turtle, who makes no progress until he sticks his neck out. Brett stuck his neck out all the time. On countless occasions, I’ve seen him do something crazy, and yelled, “NO!! NO!! DON’T DO THAT!!” But then, it’s the crazy passes, completed as touchdowns which will go down in history as the greatest and most memorable.
4. After He Blew It, He Shook it Off. Nothing could rattle his confidence. On the next set of downs after an interception, he’d throw deep (and crazy) again. Favre didn’t allow failure to be final and always believed that setbacks are supposed to be followed by come-backs. He never blamed others for his mistakes, and always took responsibility for losses on the field.
5. He Inspired the Team. Brett always had a good word of encouragement for the younger guys around him. I remember when Ryan Longwell, as a rookie kicker, muffed an easy field goal against the Eagles, and lost the game. The crowd booed. Favre went over to his dejected teammate and said, “Hey, don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault. We lost this thing together.”

Mark has a couple other observations that you’ll want to read here...

A New Celebrate Recovery Website

The new and improved Celebrate Recovery website has just been launched. If you haven't gone to http://www.celebraterecovery.com/ for a while, check it out to see what's new.

They have implemented a new way to find local CR's with our new "Find a Group" page. I think this makes it lots easier to locate groups.

What do you think?

Are You Going Through A Storm?

A pastor had been on a long flight between church conferences. The first warning of the approaching problems came when the sign on the airplane flashed on: "Fasten Your SeatBelts."

Then, after a while, a calm voice said, "We shall not be serving the beverages at this time as we are expecting a little turbulence. Please be sure your seat belt is fastened."

As the pastor looked around the aircraft, it became obvious that many of the passengers were becoming apprehensive.

Later, the voice on the intercom said, "We are so sorry that we are unable to serve the meal at this time. The turbulence is still ahead of us."

And then the storm broke ... The ominous cracks of thunder could be heard even above the roar of the engines. Lightning lit up the darkening skies, and within moments that great plane was like a cork tossed around on a celestial ocean. One moment the airplane was lifted on terrific currents of air; the next, it dropped as it were about to crash.

The pastor confessed that he shared the discomfort and fear of those around him. He said, "As I looked around the plane, I could see that nearly all the passengers were upset and alarmed. Some were praying. The future seemed ominous and many were wondering if they would make it through the storm.

"Then, I suddenly saw a little girl. Apparently the storm meant nothing to her. She had tucked her feet beneath her as she sat on her seat; she was reading a book and everything within her small world was calm and orderly.

"Sometimes she closed her eyes, then she would read again; then she would straighten her legs, but worry and fear were not in her world. When the plane was being buffeted by the terrible storm, when it lurched this way and that, as it rose and fell with frightening severity, when all the adults were scared half to death, that marvelous child was completely composed and unafraid." The minister could hardly believe his eyes.

It was not surprising therefore, that when the plane finally reached its destination and all the passengers were hurrying to disembark, our pastor lingered to speak to the girl whom he had watched for such a long time.

Having commented about the storm and the behavior of the plane, he asked why she had not been afraid.

The child replied, "Cause my Daddy's the pilot, and he's taking me home."

There are many kinds of storms that buffet us. Physical, mental, financial, domestic, and many other storms can easily and quickly darken our skies and throw o ur plane into apparently uncontrollable movement. We have all known such times, and let us be honest and confess, it is much easier to be at rest when our feet are on the ground than when we are being tossed about a darkened sky.

Let us remember: Our Father is the Pilot. He is in control and taking us home. Don't worry!

Today's Challenge

Stretch your faith. Pray for something that feels "too hard."

Today's Prayer

Lord, "here am I, send me." Isaiah experienced your presence and fell on his face in repentance. He was so in awe that he cried out for you to send Him.

Lord, as a child of yours, I beg for Your forgiveness and ask You to send me out into my world of influence to do Your will, to reach others for You, to accomplish that which You would have me do. I pray for your guidance always and your wisdom, and boldness through the Holy Spirit.

I pray for my new neighbors, that those who know you would grow closer to you and be Christ-like in the community and that those who do not know you will see Jesus in me and my life. I pray that they will see themselves in need of a Savior, and see the blessings You have bestowed upon us, and know that You are God.

In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

How Can I Get My Team To Work Together?

[By Rick Muchow]

Q: Our worship team squabbles alot. How can I get us to work together?

A: It doesn't happen by accident. It takes a continual and concerted effort—along with the blessing of the Lord—to have healthy teams where those involved are called to a higher purpose than themselves.

Finish this article

Five Things You Should Never Hear From A Staff Member

[From Perry Noble dot com by Perry]

I have the privilege to serve with an incredible staff … a fired up group of “git ‘r done” men and women who love Jesus.

However, in my ministry experience, working in other churches and conversations with many pastors and leaders, I believe there are five phrases that we should NEVER hear from someone on staff.

1. “That’s Not My Job.” When a staff member is asked to do something and they reply, “That’s not my job,” then you can be assured that he/she does not have a heart that is fully devoted to the ministry. The staff should walk around with fire in their eyes … and when asked to do something they just make it happen. Now, I have seen this abused and do not think ANYONE should allow themselves to be ran over; however, when asked to do something that might not serve the person BUT WILL SERVE THE CHURCH … the answer should always be yes.
2. “That Can’t Be Done.” I have noticed something about staff members that say something cannot be done … USUALLY the ones who say that are the ones who are going to be asked to do the particular project they are freaking out about … and it will require tons of work … SO, they just say it can’t be done. I have a rule … I don’t ever want to hear can’t be done. They may say, “Now we CAN do that … but it will require such and such and we don’t have that – and if we want it then it is going to cost this … so what do you want to do?” I LOVE HIS ATTITUDE! Trust me, when a staff member continually says that something cannot be done they either have a lazy work ethic OR a very small view of who God is … neither are beneficial for your team.
3. “All I Need Is More Staff And Money To Make This Happen.” When people begin to use resources as an excuse for a stagnant or failing ministry then you can be sure they are in trouble and have most likely became spoiled, thus forgetting the art of being innovative.
4. “Recognize Me!” Beware of the staff member who is always telling you how much work they did, how many hours they put in and how tired they are. HOLD ON … as a leader it is our job to make sure that staff members are not sacrificed on the alter of ministry. We should pay them well and make sure they have adequate time off. More often than not we have to FORCE people around here to take time off. BUT, when someone is always demanding attention for the work they’ve done then you can be sure that either pride or insecurity is coming out … and neither are good!
5. “My ministry needs BLANK to … and if we don’t get it then …” When a staff member begins to focus on his/her ministry more than the church as a whole … trust me, you have a HUGE problem. A good staff member does have passion and vision for their particular area of ministry; however, they have an even greater passion for the church as a whole and will gladly lay aside their plans if it means that it is best for the church. The church will either operate as a loosely organized group of sub ministries … OR ONE BODY with many parts … and if a staff member cannot be a part of the body then they most likely do not have a kingdom mindset.

What Is The Highest Office On Planet Earth?

[By Pastor Steven Furtick]

Yesterday I indicated that today I would be writing about how to become a catalyst of courage. I changed my mind. Instead, today I want to share a few thoughts on how blessed and humbled I feel to hold what I consider to be the highest office on planet earth. I guess it sounds pretty funny to address the pastoral ministry that way. But that’s how I feel. I honestly feel like the office of the pastor is the most powerful office in the world.

I feel that way every time I watch the endless debates on CNN and Fox News. No matter who’s in office come November, and what kind of change they do or do not affect, I get to affect eternal change every Sunday as I speak for God … and that’s a fact.

In the next few days (for real this time) I’ll explain why I take my calling to be a pastor so seriously in a day and age when religious professionals often aren’t taken very seriously at all. I certainly don’t believe for a minute that being a pastor makes me better or more special to God than anyone else.

But I’ll tell you this: from my vantage point, it’s the greatest responsibility that could ever apprehend and consume a human being.

[http://www.stevenfurtick.com/]

Pastor Joel Osteen's Typical Schedule

(In a recent interview, Pastor Joel Osteen described his typical schedule as:)

Mondays and Tuesdays I try to take off.

Wednesdays I read and study and pray. I have a stack of notes for potential sermons. I get a theme, and once I feel good about a simple thought, I read and find stories on that.

I get up real early and write my sermon on Thursdays.

Fridays I finish writing it and take three hours to go over it. I really get it down in me.

Saturday I study it for several hours and finish getting it down in me. I have a real good memory. I rest Saturday afternoon before the Saturday night service, and I also preach two Sunday morning services.

Sunday afternoon I edit the sermon for the television broadcast. I’m just used to doing that. That’s how I started.

(What do you think? Does Joel Osteen's schedule place his priorities in line with Scripture? How much visitation does he do? How is pastoral care provided? Is it Biblical for a pastor to spend most of his time in the Word? What is the NT role of deacons? What is the NT role for all members of the Body of Christ? What church cultures prevent church growth?)

(Click on "comments" below and leave your comment.)

Today's Humor

[Click on image to enlarge it.]

Is Your Church Suffering From Apathy?

[From Pastor Milton Gordon]

How can you know for sure? Check out the following symptoms:

1. Lack of thought and meditation.
2. Legalism.
3. Lack of heartfelt, fervent prayer.
4. Leaders who do not preach the cross of Christ with power.
5. Little mourning for sin in the midst of the church.
6. Lack of a growing spiritual capacity to embrace the love of God.
7. Lyrical content lacking focus on Christ and the cross in worship.

(By Wm. P. Farley)

Death Notice - Adela Rodriguez

I regret to inform that last Saturday, in the early hours of the morning, Bishop Elías Rodríguez's (COGOP Southeast Hispanic Overseer) mother passed way in the Dominican Republic.

Sister Adela is survived by her husband Tulio Rodríguez, (COGOP ex-overseer of Peru) and her children. The Rodriguez family has been and continues to be a blessing to the Kingdom of God and the Church of God of Prophecy.

Please pray and remember the Rodriguez family during this time.

How Many Are In Rebellion?

[By Mark Beeson]

Maybe I'm bamboozled,flummoxed and confused. I can't be certain because, by definition, if I was certain I wouldn't be confused. I freely admit my bewilderment.

I'm sobered by our remarkable capacity for self-deception. We can hear clear teaching from Jesus and say, "We don't get it." Really? How is that? Is His instruction too complicated?

• What about "Love the Lord your God" don't we understand?
• What about "Love your neighbor" can't we grasp?
• What about "Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men" escapes our comprehension?

Are the fundamental teachings of Jesus imprecise and vague? Was Jesus too ambiguous? Do we simultaneously comprehend and disdain his instruction? (Mark Twain admitted to more scriptural understanding than he preferred when he said, "It ain't those parts of the Bible that I can't understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.")

What if we discover our protests about Jesus' direction have more to do with rebellion than ignorance? What if we ascertain our remonstration is birthed in selfish ambition rather than feigned longing for greater clarity?

What if Jesus meant what he said? What if we know precisely what Jesus meant when Jesus said what he said?

What if we just don't like what Jesus said?

What then?

Recommended Books Before Easter

In a recent Pastor's Conference in Atlanta, is was recommended that pastors read at least one hour per day. There are numerous reasons.

The following five books are highly recommended and would be a good read leading up to Easter:

• The Cross He Bore - Amazon Westminster Books Monergism Books
• Living the Cross Centered Life - Amazon Westminster Books Monergism Books
• The Truth of the Cross - Amazon Westminster Books Monergism Books
• The Cross of Christ - Amazon Westminster Books Monergism Books
• Pierced for Our Transgressions - Amazon Westminster Books Monergism Books

Fresh Oil New Wine Begins Tonight

Tommy Bates kicks off the Fresh Oil New Wine Conference tonight at Abba's House, Pastor Ron Phillips, in Chattanooga!

Pre-service music begins at 6:45 p.m., or watch LIVE on the web.

More information