Think About It

Have you ever thought about what you would change about how someone else does things? I think we all do that. But as we go through life, we should be sensitive to the things other people see in our lives. We should be open to the things in our lives that might need to change. As pastors we should be aware of the truth of an old adage, "As goes the head, so goes the body."

Where are you leading your flock? Are you so tied to the past that your still only singing stuff from the 70's? You see, if you aren't able to change with the times, neither will your church. How often have I heard pastors complain that their young people are leaving in droves, but is that because we are anchored to the past and can't find a way to relate to them?

I am amazed by the Hillsongs Church and how well they do church. Their congregation is huge and has a wonderful cross-section of age groups. It is nothing to see senior citizens worshiping side-by-side with teens, to see singles and marrieds shoulder to shoulder. Their worship is so rich and moving, and not at the expense of the past, to the contrary, you'll hear hymns and old choruses mixed with brand new expressions of worship. True, the older stuff may have a new arrangement, but you know all the words. And they are changing their world.

I'm not here to dictate how you should do church, but let me encourage you to be courageous in the face of change. Let your past be a launchpad for the ministry you have today. Remember, were are enjoined to hold fast to the good, and just because it provokes a memory or a feeling doesn't make it good. What God is doing, that is what is good. Get in there and do it with Him.

What is a friend worth?

Life has a way of teaching us things that we might miss otherwise.

This past weekend we had the chance to visit with friends who pastor St. John's Church (http://www.saintjohnschurch.us/) in Grantsville, MD. St Johns is a traditional church with some contemporary crossover elements. The pastors, Jerry and Judi Rogers, have been dear friends of ours for years and have served in three different pastorates since we have known them.

I am reminded by my visit of how vitally important these two precious people have been to our lives. At a time when I was ready to leave the ministry it was Jerry who came along side and encouraged me in my calling and vision. Where we were hurting, they brought healing, and I couldn't be more grateful. After their ministry to us we went on to pioneer Household of Faith and saw 16 wonderful years of success.

Jerry and Judi are great pastors. You cannot be in their presence without knowing that you are loved and that they place a high value on you. No matter where you fit in the body, they always have a place for you. It is obvious that they have what it takes to build a strong church, look at what they have accomplished.

Jerry comes from a sordid and corrupt past, no stranger to the vices of men. Judi's background is as pure as Jerry's is corrupt. It took a miracle to bring them together and make them the successful team that today set such a wonderful example for the flock they lead and the ministers around them. It isn't that they don't have problems, flaws, or failings, it is just that they have shown how to handle them with God. These two are in my book of heroes, and I encourage you to let them be an example of what it means to follow God.

The life lesson here: friends are of inestimable value, cherish them.

If you are in the Grantsville area stop by St. Johns and enjoy the worship, the solid biblical teaching, and inspiring leadership of Jerry and Judi Rogers. You will be blessed.

What are you doing to make the neighborhood better?

I have been thinking more about what God has done in many of the churches I have been visiting lately. Several are good sized, healthy, and prosperous. Many others are small churches where the lives of people are so entwined that church and family are one in the same. They have great vision, but little resource to work with. As I think about my own experience as Pastor, I realize that most of these pastors are just like me. They work hard, invest themselves in building relationships and pulling the team together to build the vision God has given them. They aren't asking for help and would likely be shocked if it was offered. But shouldn't we be helping each other?

Hebrews 10 says, "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together ... let us consider one another ... provoking one another to love and good works." We are supposed to be on the same winning team. We are supposed to be headed for the same goal, to bring people into the Kingdom. There is no need for competition, no room for shutting each other out, and a clear mandate from our Lord to contribute to one another's success. Are we?

Pastor, who are you helping succeed, not just inside your four walls? Whose vision are you helping bring to manifestation? Who sees you as a partner for their success and feels teamed together with you? Remember, "Two are better than one, ... and a threefold cord is not easily broken." We can do more together than we can ever do alone. Let's take time to "consider one another," be proactive, and, TOGETHER, change our world.

"...and be thankful."

Over and over we are enjoined to be thankful by the Word. We have so much to be thankful for, and yet we seem so negligent at times. Let me see if I can make up for lost time.

• I am so thankful that God gave me time and opportunity to meet Christ and learn to love Him.
• I am thankful that the grace of God gave me a wonderful wife and five kids I am proud to brag on.
• I am forever grateful for the great men of God who have invested themselves in my destiny. Br. Nat Saginario - who gave us the opportunity to discover and then answer the call of God on our lives; Pastor Wayne Elston - who had enough security in his calling to share his pulpit and classrooms with those of us God sent across his path; Lowell MacDonald - a friend, mentor, and encourager.
• My heart swells with joy at the thought of the likes of Kenneth E. Hagin, Billy Graham, Charles Stanley, AW Tozer, FF Bosworth, and other great fathers of faith whose insight into the Word and ability to communicate the heart of the Father have changed my life.
• I am unable to express my gratitude to all of the ministers who have shared the Word at conferences, services, and gatherings. Peers, students, teachers, and so many more that I cannot begin to list.

The Lord is so good to me, I only hope that He will use me to be good to someone else.

What about you? Who are you investing in? Who are you helping become a success? May our success, all that we have learned, and all that God has done in us become the stepping stones to other's success.

Check Out Pittsburgh East

We had a great first time visit at Pittsburgh East Community Church.

Pittsburgh East was founded in 1976 as a Bible study by Pastor Lee Kichner. It has grown into a wonderful and dynamic fellowship that is changing the face of Pittsburgh.

Today's service was typical of what you will find at Pittsburgh East. The worship was amazing, the word was powerful, and the congregation made us feel right at home. The church shows the power of vision and what can be accomplished when people work together in agreement.

The way they have designed the Children's Ministry area is really creative and reflects a connection to the local community. The whole wing is done in a Main Street theme with a Post Office, hardware store, candy store, community center and "Savings and Trust." The Children's Auditorium is done in a movie theater theme outside and stage theater theme inside. The outside is decked with posters that are parody's of popular movies in Gospel remakes. It was quite impressive and professional in every respect.

At Pittsburgh East you will find an alive and vital ministry to young people who have outgrown "The Underground" and are impacting their community. Though the congregation is large, they maintain a close knit community through "xcel" Groups which meet inside and outside the church building. Couples with young children find the freedom to be part of xcel through the ministry of xcel.central at the church. Childcare is provided during their xcel group meeting. The strength and vitality of this congregation says what they are doing is working!

Check out their web site, and, if you are in the area, stop in.
http://www.pittsburgheast.com/flash/index.html