Sorry for the long delay between postings. As you may know, I was gone for eight days on a mission trip to the big island south of us. (Since this page is accessible to everyone, I want to limit some information to limit who can stumble upon where we went and the work we did.) I have a great number of stories and things I have learned from this experience. I will post some thoughts about the trip over the next few days.
I thought the first thing I would do is share what I learned about the church members who went on the trip. To sum up my thoughts concisely: Wow!
We have a very talented, gifted group of people who make up our church. We had seven team members in total, and all of them contributed in ways that made great use of those gifts and talents. Because of their unique gifts, personalities, and contributions to the group and mission, we would not have been as successful if they had not participated.
Each one of the team members shared their testimony during a worship service. Each one of them greatly encouraged the church and honored God with their testimonies. I have a deeper appreciation for who they are and what God has done and is doing in their lives. These testimonies did two things during the trip. One, people in the country we visited could better identify with us as we worked alongside them each day and worshiped together each night. More importantly, the testimonies reminded the people in this country that everyone, no matter what country they live in, face trials and difficulties that only God can address.
I would urge you to prayerfully consider going on a mission trip. It does not matter where. The reality is, God is at work all over the world. Additionally, God can use you when you say "Yes" to Him. You may not think you can make a contribution, but I saw God use six people in a way that made a huge impact to the people in the church that we served.
I could not be more proud or more pleased with how well the team members did during the trip. They represented their Savior and First Baptist Church at Weston well during the trip.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Monday, December 01, 2008
Seize Opportunities
I read an article today in The Financial Times that is very appropriate for you, your family, and our church. The article, written by Donald Sull, is titled "Why the worst of times can also be the best of times." The author's premise is that wise businesses can often turn tumultuous times into golden opportunities to increase market share, bring about needed changes in the business, and instill cost disciplines that were lacking.
The article got me to thinking, what opportunities is this economic mess presenting to myself, my family, and the church? I don't have time to share all of my thoughts on these issues, but I would like to point out some opportunities presented to small groups within our church.
These uncertain times has created a great opportunity to strengthen the fellowship that takes place among small group members. People have less money to travel, so they will be spending more time in town. Add to this the desire to have stable relationships, and you have people who are just waiting to be asked to a group fellowship or to share a meal. As people spend time with one another, friendships will grow and life will be shared.
A second great opportunity small groups have is to reach out to new people. Uncertainty, job loss, and worry all add up to pain in people's lives. As followers of Christ, we can share the truth that Jesus wants people to lay aside their own burdens (which are heavy and painful) and to take Jesus' yoke upon them (which is easy and light.) Invite people to your small group and encourage group members to bring their friends. As these visitors hear the Bible being taught and see the difference Christ makes in other's life, many will be drawn to Jesus.
As Sull points out in the article, seizing opportunities during difficult times requires keen perception and courage. As a leader, you must look for the opportunities when others see struggles, then help your group members see the opportunities.
Seeing opportunities is not enough though. You must exercise courage to act upon these opportunities. This will require you to step out of your comfort zone from time to time, but you can reach people when they are hurting most, thus transforming their lives. Let us be people who make the most of these "worst of times" by seeing them as opportunities and acting on those chances.
The article got me to thinking, what opportunities is this economic mess presenting to myself, my family, and the church? I don't have time to share all of my thoughts on these issues, but I would like to point out some opportunities presented to small groups within our church.
These uncertain times has created a great opportunity to strengthen the fellowship that takes place among small group members. People have less money to travel, so they will be spending more time in town. Add to this the desire to have stable relationships, and you have people who are just waiting to be asked to a group fellowship or to share a meal. As people spend time with one another, friendships will grow and life will be shared.
A second great opportunity small groups have is to reach out to new people. Uncertainty, job loss, and worry all add up to pain in people's lives. As followers of Christ, we can share the truth that Jesus wants people to lay aside their own burdens (which are heavy and painful) and to take Jesus' yoke upon them (which is easy and light.) Invite people to your small group and encourage group members to bring their friends. As these visitors hear the Bible being taught and see the difference Christ makes in other's life, many will be drawn to Jesus.
As Sull points out in the article, seizing opportunities during difficult times requires keen perception and courage. As a leader, you must look for the opportunities when others see struggles, then help your group members see the opportunities.
Seeing opportunities is not enough though. You must exercise courage to act upon these opportunities. This will require you to step out of your comfort zone from time to time, but you can reach people when they are hurting most, thus transforming their lives. Let us be people who make the most of these "worst of times" by seeing them as opportunities and acting on those chances.
Review of The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family
Sorry about the long lay-off between postings. I spent a week without any internet access. It was not too bad if I say so myself. During the Thanksgiving break I took some time to read. Every family needs to read The 3 Big Questions for a Frantic Family by Patrick Lencioni.
If you are unfamiliar with Lencioni's books, here is the basic style employed by him to communicate his message. Lencioni makes great use of the fable to communicate. He weaves a ficticious tale to breath life into the content he is sharing through the book. For those who migrate to fiction, this style will "pull you in" to communicate truths that can be applied to life. Lencioni is one of the better writers who employs this style of writing.
The premise behind the writing of this book is Lencioni putting into practice the leadership teachings he employs in the business world to his own family. This sounds very "dry" and almost "wrong" to use business practices in the family, but the reality is leadership is what is needed within the home.
Lencioni has boiled down leadership within the family to answering three basic questions. Obviously, a family is more complicated than three questions, and the author is clear that a family is not seeking perfection with this plan, just to be "good enough." By employing these three questions, the family will have a target to aim for and a plan on how to hit that target.
If you want to know what the three questions are, then you will need to read the book (or visit the website and view the tools available online.) Trust me, it is worth going to the library or purchasing the book. It could change your life.
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