ChurchApplied

Grow Your Own Ministry

Do you feel the tug to embark on a new mission for God? Our fulfillment in life is directly related to our willingness to venture out and respond to the promptings and ideas God sends our way. 

The problem is, so many of us are on auto pilot with our unending to-do lists, we seldom have time to hear God’s invitation to adventure though service! A unique kind of joy awaits each one who is ready to accept God’s challenge!

Small Group - Photo by Lisa F. Young. All rights reserved.

Here are some tips to help you listen, identify and follow God’s call: 

1). Be still. Read Psalm 46:10 and allow it to permeate your heart. Make a list of the things in your life that presently give you a sense of unrest. Conclude your meditation by reading Mark 4:39.  

2). Listen carefully. Read Luke 9:28-35. Listen for signals from God. For a period of time, avoid television, radio and Internet media outlets so you can clear your mind. As you go through the day, pause to jot down your thoughts. Listen more carefully to the people around you. At the end of your prayer times, be quite for a while before you finish. 

"Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long" (Psalm 25:4,5, NIV).

3). Look at the trend of your life. What areas of interests do you have? How has God led in your past? Make a list of the things you like to do. 

4). Seek input from a friend. Ask a friend to give their perspective on your strengths as they relate to starting a ministry.  

5). Make a decision. Starting a ministry need not be frightening or permanent. Don’t be afraid to experiment. You may go through several ideas before you find one that fits you. You may also want to establish a particular time frame for your efforts.  

6). Think big, start small. One man decided to start a ministry of encouragement by sending out cards and notes to people in need. If there are others who share a similar interest this could be expanded to a team effort. An academy chaplain and some students decided to send letters of encouragement to local church leaders throughout their conference. The ripple effect from such efforts is unending. 

7). Give it Time. Whether you’re starting a small group, sharing your music in a coffee house setting, creating uplifting graphics for a web page, or visiting shut-ins, give it time. Ask yourself, “what am I expecting to get out of this?” Ultimately, ministries are about touching lives to share grace. Bathe your life and ministry in God’s grace and give it time to grow.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

Under the Circumstances

Whatever our circumstances, there's a good chance there is something about them we don't like. Any number of factors can alter the way we feel about our lives. Our relationships, jobs, where we live, even the weather factors into and colors our personal perspectives. The question is how much? To what extent are we affected by our surroundings and the people we know?

Man Looking in Mirror - Dreamstime

H.M.S Richards Sr. tells about a man who once responded to his cheery greeting with, "I doing pretty well, under the circumstances." To which Richards replied, "What on earth are you doing under there?"

By and large our circumstances are not random or arbitrary but determined by our decisions and actions (or in-actions). For example, I live where I live because I made the choice to move there. I chose to rent or buy the house I live in. I accepted the job I hold and bought the car I drive. The person I'm married to didn't just show up. We met, dated and finally decided to marry one another.

Of course, there are circumstances that are beyond our control. We did not get to pick our parents, and many of the diseases that plague us are hereditary. Like ticking time bombs they explode into our bodies when we least expect it.

Being born into a sinful world is not something we had any say over, yet we are directly affected by Adam and Eve's choice to disobey God. Through time and space their self imposed circumstances intersects with ours and we are afflicted by the consequences of their actions. And because we are genetically linked to Adam and Eve, we mimic their positive and negative traits.

The best news I've ever heard is that we don't have to live under our circumstances or anyone else's. We can rise above them. Through God's grace we can make better choices than those we've made in the past, or those made by any of our ancestors. We don't have to listen to the many voices who tell us to just give up and accept our fate.

Prayer - Dear God. Today, I choose to let You be Lord of my circumstances. You know better than I how to order my life. You have promised to restore me to perfect communion with Yourself. I desperately need this and claim it just now.

Further Application - Apply the above ideas to your church and its mission. To what extent is your church affected by its members and surrounding community? Are your leaders driven by a sense of purpose and mission, or disheartened and stifled by their circumstances? Read 2 Kings 18-19.

By Rich DuBose, Director, Pacific Union Conference Church Support Services

Vaporware Christianity

The term "vaporware" originated with magazine reviewers in the late 1970s/early 80s, originally to mock the tendency of software marketers to attach -ware to whatever noun described the application of their products. Now it more widely describes software that is promoted or advertised before it is commercially available, often to discourage people from buying competing software already in the market (adapted from Answers.com). Those who use this technique resort to the old "smoke and mirrors" approach of promoting what "ain't really there." In scripture, the Pharisees and the scribes were really good at this. On at least one occasion, Jesus called their bluff.

"The Pharisees and scribes occupy the seat of Moses. So you should do the things they tell you--but don't do the things they do. Mind their words, not their examples. For they talk about righteousness and faithfulness, but they are a faithless and unrighteous crew." (Matthew 23:2-3) The Voice

Behind the Mask - by Richard Thomas

Sometimes parents say to their kids, "do as I say, not as I do." That's pretty lame, but there may be times when it applies. The less dissonance there is between what you say and what you do, the greater success you will have as a teacher. To be effective you've got to "live what you teach." Intentional modeling and mentoring is the best way to teach desired behavior.

The church leaders that Jesus talked about here were good at presenting the letter of the law, but they lacked the spirit--which is essential to its positive application.

"They are interested, above all, in presentation: they wrap their heads and arms in the accoutrements of prayer, they cloak themselves with flowing tasseled prayer garments, they covet the seats of honor at fine banquets and in the synagogue, and they love it when people recognize them in the marketplace, call them 'Teacher,' and beam at them." (Matthew 23:5-7) The Voice

All of this makes for good church politics, but it fails miserably when to comes to ministering to people's needs. Speaking of these, Jesus said, "They heap heavy burdens upon their neighbor's backs, and they prove unwilling to do anything to help shoulder the load."

What kind of "leader" are you? Whether you hold a church office or not, you are a leader to someone--a child, a work assocaite, a friend or sibling. What kind of leader am I? Do I "heap" heavy burdens on others through my negative spirit and words? Or, do I generate an attitude of grace and joy?

Today by God's grace, I choose to live without "presentation," without the smoke and mirrors; to be an authentic follower of Jesus who truly lives what I recommend.

What Do You Believe?

This excerpt is from a recent article by Betty Cooney in the Pacific Union Recorder.

"Our congregation had been reflecting on the Apostles' Creed in a series of sermons" said Ryan Bell, pastor of the Hollywood Church. "throughout this series we challenged people to think about one question: 'What do you believe?' While many Christians repeat the creed weekly in worship, it is quite foreign to most Adventists. I felt it would be a fresh way to approach the subject of "belief."

Read full Recorder article.

Susan Nwankpa designed "Unity" with her computer.
Photographer: C. Elwyn Platner

Reason to Hope

"O my lovin' brother, when the world's on fire, don't you want God's bosom, to be your pillow. Hide me over in the Rock of Ages, Rock of Ages, cleft for me."

This old chorus seems to fit the mood of many hearts today. The world is an increasingly fragile place to live. This past week has seen thousands die in earthquakes and storms (China's 7.8 earthquake, Myanmar's devastating cyclone, and scores of tornadoes throughout the mid-west United States).

No, the sky isn't falling--yet. There are still beauties to behold and pockets of tranquility to enjoy. But economic and environmental changes are rapidly transforming our world. The prospects of global energy and food shortages are real.

More than ever, the world (our neighbors, friends and associates) need reasons to hope. We all do. We can hope that things will get better, and in specific ways do what we can to make them so. Through our involvement in local causes (food banks, Habitat or Humanity, community gardens, youth mentoring, etc) we can show others that we care--not because we are Adventist, or because we want them to join our church, but because Jesus reigns in our hearts and we are doing His bidding.

Regardless of our walk in life, many opportunities exists for us to be used by God. Mary Jo Lauderdale shares how God is using her to meet some of the needs of others.   

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Photo by Stockxpert

Delusional Leaders

Jesus said that in the last days some would claim to be the Messiah and would try to get others to follow them.

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand."

“Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it..."

Matthew 24:23-28 (NKJV)

Throughout my life I have heard of numerous incidents where charismatic leaders have made such claims. For me, the question that always begs to be answered is--how can someone be so naive to fall for such a claim?

Three Self-Proclaimed Messiahs

Here are three examples of individuals who have boldly proclaimed themselves to be either Jesus Christ, or a Messiah figure.

1. Jim Jones - Answers.com provides the following summary of his life and ministry.

"Jim Jones was the founder and leader of Jonestown, Guyana, a community of over 900 members of The People's Temple Full Gospel Church, an offshoot of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Jones had been an untrained preacher in Indiana and California before moving his congregation to Guyana to avoid government scrutiny. In November of 1978, U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan visited Jonestown to investigate allegations of human rights abuses. Ryan and his group were murdered at Jonestown, and on November 18, 1978 Jim Jones and 911 of his followers committed suicide or were murdered." --Answers.com | Watch YouTube (part 1) account

2. Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda - This Puerto Rican pastor claims to be Jesus Christ: CNN Article | Watch YouTube account

3. Wayne Bent - Recently we've heard about Warren Jeffs and his followers in Texas, and now we are hearing about another group in New Mexico whose leader, Wayne Bent (a.k.a. Michael Travesser), claims to be a Messiah. Evidently he used to be an Adventist minister (1970-1982) in southern California. According to church news sources, "He voluntarily terminated his employment with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1982. He has had no affiliation with the Seventh-day Adventist Church since then." You can read more about Bent and his claims on his website at StrongCity.Info | CNN Article

This is a good topic for discussion. Watch the video (part 1) and then respond to the questions that follow.

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Discussion Questions

1. Google the word "cult" in a dictionary and describe what it is.

2. With this definition in mind, would Jesus and His disciples have been classified as a cult by His contemporaries?

3. Are people who strongly embrace spiritual values and beliefs more susceptible to cultish deception?

4. Jesus said, "false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." What criteria should be used to establish personal faith? How can we be kept from this kind of deception? 

5. At what point should we walk away from a religious leader or group of people making spiritual claims?

Final Considerations

David said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105). Solomon said, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding..." (Proverbs 3:5-6).

We are cautioned, "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety" (Proverbs 11:14).

Jesus said, "When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth..." (John 16:13).

As Seventh-day Adventist Christians, it is important for us to study God's Word, and to allow His Spirit to guide our steps.

Photo by Alistair Scott

20-Church Districts

Dr. David Clevenger currently supervises a church District in South Central Pennsylvania where he is responsible for six churches, a branch Sabbath School, and an approaching new church plant. His goal is to potentially supervise as many as 20 churches. His thinking is as follows:

"The key is lay people and pastors working harmoniously together, while both follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Pastors become trainers and equippers, empowering the lay people instead of hovering over them and enfeebling them. As a District Pastoral Supervisor, training lay pastors and members to do the work is my main concern. And the membership’s main concern is winning people to the Lord, and nurturing those they win by the power of the Holy Spirit."

You can read more of his thoughts here: Church the Early Church's Way

Questions to Consider

1. Is this a viable approach in North America?

2. What positives and negatives might be associated with such an approach?

3. Do you believe finances will mandate that we eventually go this direction?

Photo by Dreamstime