What keeps you in church?

As you may know, we travel around a great deal visiting churches of all kinds.  This week we were back with friends at Pittsburgh East.  The worship is, as always, tremendous.  The sermon was great.  The "Kids Stuff" presentation was powerful and inspiring.  After such a good day, I found myself pondering, what is it that keeps us coming back to a church.

We will tolerate mediocre preaching, children's ministry that is lacking, and off key music as long as we don't have them all at the same time.  But, we will tolerate a mediocre service IF the thing that makes church valuable for us is present.

Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another."  A church where you know or at least feel you are loved is a church where you will find it easy to "stick."

I see this at PECC.  These are people who genuinely care for each other.  They love their pastors, cheer their membership, and seem like one big extended family.  It doesn't take very long to feel the love here.  Youth loving on the little guys, staff loving on "the sheep", congregation loving on the Father, ... you get the picture.

As I took in all that was going on around me, I thought, "I could be part of this church."  Apparently, others feel the same way.  The church is growing, the community is noticing, and the city of Pittsburgh will never be the same.

Three cheers to Pastor Lee and his staff, to all those who give of themselves in ministry, and to those who make up PECC for building a church that is salt and light in the Pittsburgh area.

Getting the Job Done

Many ministries talk a great line about what they claim to be doing or what they have planned for the future. Not unlike those in the business world, we have big dreams and hope for future success. Sometimes what is accomplished is somewhat less than what we dream, but we keep putting on a good face and pressing forward. That is laudable, and I try to encourage those who are pressing on to their destiny.

While some ministries don't measure up to their advertising, I want to introduce you to one that exceeds what you would expect from reading their materials. Robert Dunphy is a man who walks in a genuine New Testament anointing. His outreach, Robert Dunphy Ministries, Inc. (http://www.bobdunphy.org/ or http://www.robertdunphyministries.org/) is an internationally impacting ministry.

I have had the pleasure of seeing first hand what the ministry is doing in Burkina Faso, West Africa, been present in services where Br. Dunphy has ministered in the US, and seen the changes in people who have benefited from Br. Bob's submission to the Father's leading.

Reports from Africa include four people raised from the dead, yes, certified to have been dead and raised to life when either Bob or one of his staff have prayed for them. Also reported are hundreds of people receiving deliverance from demon possession. These people were literally chained to trees to control their destructive and extreme behavior. Some delivered with just a word, others with great struggle, but all who have been brought have been set free as either Bob or one of those he has trained have come to the aid of those in need. Add to this the hundreds who have been healed of various diseases or injuries and the thousands who have received Christ as their Lord and Savior and you have a wonderful story that reads much like the Book of Acts.

Back in the states people are experiencing the same impact on their lives in the reports are being shared. One woman who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma, an incurable form of lung cancer, was certified to have been completely headed when Br. Bob laid his hands on her. This is typical of the services that happen here in the States. Blind eyes opened, cancer gone, blood disorders disappear, AIDS completely healed, and more. This is a ministry that restores hope in the preaching of the power of God on behalf of men.

Now, as if that is not enough, there is another side of this ministry that you need to know about. RDM also is the overseeing body for Child's Hope, an outreach which supplies the needs of thousands of orphans across Burkina. In addition, they are building orphanages, schools, and clinics to meet the needs of a nation marked by poverty and death. They support more than 1,200 widows and 300 pastors and are building a strong Christian community in an Islamic nation.

If you would like to be a partner with a ministry that has such great success and impact, you can get more information by contacting their offices.

http://www.bobdunphy.org/ or http://www.robertdunphyministries.org/

Stepping Up to the Plate

Step Up ... Step Out!

I had a wonderful visit by phone with a friend down south. I was thrilled with his excitement, exhuberance, and abandon in celebrating what God is doing in his part of the world. He has seen that numbers are no indication of success, but rather, it is when the people we serve are inspired to a greater hunger, a deeper intimacy for the Father that we are truly successful. He is seeing his church rise to a desire to see the manifest presence of God in every service, not so they can get their goosebumps going, but so that the needs of people can be met. What a wonderful spirit has descended on the house and God is getting all the glory.

Shortly we will be making our move south, finally. I am excited as we move to see the level of expectation and ministry for the area we are moving to. I miss preaching, but I love being part of what God is doing through the Local Church.

What about you? Are you excited to be part of what God is doing in your community? Are you willing to be the vehicle of His anointing that breaks every yoke? Will you be the Father's point of contact here on the earth for those who desperately need His touch? Rise up! Be what He has made you to be in the first place, the expression of His image and likeness. Go out where the people are and make a difference. Let those who know you see Him. They are waiting for you!

Christopher Laurie Moved to Heaven

Please pray for the family of Christopher Laurie, son of Pastor Greg Laurie. Christopher died in an auto accident leaving a pregnant wife, Brittany, and beautiful little girl, Stella. Oh that the Father would be their comfort and strength.

2008 has been a very tough year for us and for those who are our friends in ministry. I have lost so many friends and family that I don't want to go to one more funeral or memorial service this year.

How does one justify the losses of those who are righteous, those who are innocent, those with so much life to look forward to, and those who are taken from us far too soon? Teh reality is, you cannot. A beautiful, vibrant, and dedicated young woman taken on a country road in the dark of night, why? A darling and precious little girl taken in the middle of the night, how could this happen? A dear friend lost to us at the tender age of sixty-something, how could he go so young? Babies lost, friends passing, loved ones ... how can we make sense of it all? The reality is, you cannot. We have such a fragile existence, and it can so quickly gone, but we do not always keep the reality in perspective.

Two things stand out as I pray over such events, asking God for the insight and wisdom to deal with these tragedies. First, life happens. So much of what goes on is not a product of God's actions or the devil's diabolic plots. It is just life. We make bad decisions, take bad actions, and leave so much open to failure, all because we just didn't think or listen or obey like we should. Additionally, we have a real enemy who is out to steal from us, to kill us, and to wipe all memory of us out of existence. If we give him an opening, he'll exploit it. Don't let this be true of you.

Together we press on and get through the hard times, thank God. This is what the family of God is for, why we meet together, pledge ourselves to one another, and stand in intercession for our brothers and sisters. We need each other.

Building the Kingdom, One Friend at a Time

I spend lots of time on the road traveling to meet with those who are on the front lines of ministry. Some of those who I meet are purely by divine appointment are the most wonderful stories to hear. That was the case with my recent trip to Tulsa, OK.

Ministers all start somewhere, and Dave is just at the entrance ramp to ministry. As a student in his second year of bible school, Dave is learning what it means to flow in the gifting God has put on his life. I love talking to those whose level of anticipation and excitement about ministry is so fresh and encouraging.

Dave is experiencing the tangible leading and empowerment of the Spirit of God. He sees the vision of the ministry ahead of him and cannot wait to get going. He is investing himself in school, learning all he can. He has his values and priorities in order and will be a great man of God.

As one committed to the success of those in ministry, I love meeting people like Dave. They remind me of why the call of God is so powerful. They renew in me the excitement of following God in the course of daily life and ministry.

Those of you who have proteges coming up under your ministry, do all that you can to foster their excitement and encourage their vocation. The Father is seeking to use them, and your investment in them will not be in vain.

As for Dave, we will be praying for him on a regular basis, encouraging him every chance we get, and tracking his progress in ministry. What a great opportunity to be a part of what God is doing in the earth.

The Value of a Local Church

Since I got saved I have always been part of a Local Church. I haven't always appreciated the value of these relationships, but I have always valued them.

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out.
Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his
word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not
avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially
as we see the big Day approaching.
Peterson, E. H. (2003). The Message : The Bible in contemporary
language (Heb 10:22-25). Colorado Springs, Colo.: NavPress.

You see, we need each other. We have so much that is of value to one another, so much to make our brothers and sisters a success in living the Christian life. We need those who come along side to cheer us on, to encourage us, to build one another up, and to help each other realize our destiny together. We need to be speaking into one another's lives, sharing the truth that produces faith, and letting God speak through us. No, we are not all called to pulpit ministry, but Jesus did call us all to preach.

And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every
creature."
The New King James Version. 1982 (Mk 16:15). Nashville: Thomas
Nelson.

As we think about this we are often intimidated, but the truth is we don't need to come up with some rehearsed speech or clever argument, but rather, we need do nothing more than share the reality of what the Lord has done in our lives. We are here to share the Good News!

1. Good news, the healing God promised is real, I know because He has healed me of my sickness and disease.
2. Good news, God answers prayer, I know because He answers my prayers.
3. Good news, you can have peace in the midst of your turmoil, I know because He has given me the peace that passes all understanding.
4. Good news, God will set you free, I know you can have it, because I have been set free.
5. Good news, I know how you can have a sense of security that will keep you on top of any and every situation, I know because He has given me the safety and security that has changed my world.
6. Good news, God has a plan for your life, a plan to give you so much blessing, so many good things that you haven't even begun to imagine, I know because I am walking out HIs plan for me and am overwhelmed by His goodness.
7. God loves you, God wants to have an intimate personal friendship with you, to make you part of His family, and that is the best news of all.

Let us not forget how we got into the kingdom. Someone cared enough to tell us about the good news, to share with us what had become reality to them. As a result of what they "preached" to us, we joined God's family and now have a life that we could only have dreamed about before we met Christ.

This is what we, the Local Church, do. Then we join as members of the same family, gather to encourage one another, gather to disciple one another, and gather to make one another a success in following after God with all our hearts.

Wonderful Inroduction to TNT Church, NJ

We had the wonderful experience of meeting another part of the church family this week as we visited the New Testament Church of Mt. Olive, NJ. Pastors Bonnie and Arlo made us feel welcome and at home, and Rev. Phil Richiuso brought a message of hope and encouragement entitled "So You Want To Go Fishing."

New Testament Church (http://www.tntchurchnj.com/) is a Four Square Church. (http://www.foursquare.org/) This local church is very much in touch with their local community and ready to walk into a strong future. They have a great facility, an anointed worship team, and a committed staff. The congregation welcomes visitors with warm open arms and let's you know how valuable they feel you are.

TNTC has a contemporary worship style and Pastor Bonnie preaches the Word without apology.

If you are in the Mt. Olive area and looking for a church home, check out TNTC, you may find it to be all that you are looking for.