Cheer Them On

Some people in our lives just make our day.  They are beacons of faith and hope in our world.  When the turbulence of life becomes overwhelming, we look to them as the lighthouse of hope and find our way through the storm.  For us, Cliff and Christie Graham (http://unisonharvest.com/) are just those kind of people.

Cliff and Christie are missionaries to the youth of the world.  They design and build youth rooms in local churches, do youth conferences and camps internationally, and travel at breakneck speed around the globe for the sake of the Gospel.  They deserve to be in the category of heroes for their tenacity in the face of adversity, their passion in the midst of an ambivalent world, and for their unwavering commitment to take the Good News of the Gospel to those who are shaping the future.

I have watched them go through things that would have sidelined the average minister and bankrupted the common believer, but not them.  They clung to the truth of the Word, encouraged themselves in the faithfulness of God, and accomplished the impossible.  We love them as if they are our own family, because they are.  We have the same Father.

Pastors, believers, this is the kind of ministry that we should be supporting.  No they aren't celebrities, they don't have a mega-church, they don't do the Christian TV circuit, but they are getting the job done, just doing what Jesus called us to do.  If you get a chance, sit down with them, hear their heart, let them challenge you to a new level of faith, a new level of service, and a new perspective on what it means to take this Gospel to the nations.

Coastal Family Church

We got the chance to meet the folks at Coastal Family Church face-to-face for the first time. (http://www.coastalfamilychurch.com/main.html)  It was a time of encouragment in the Word and celebration in the Holy Ghost that made us feel right at home.  Pastors Stephen and Tiffany are leading a group of people who are sold out to seeing the Gospel taken to all the world while changing their local community.

We couldn't help but feel like we had been at CFC before due to its similarity to our home church, Believers Fellowship Center.  I found myself identifying individuals by the person who filled their role at BFC.  What you may not know is that BFC is our home, the root we cling to to measure whether or not we are staying on track.  They are the ones we identify with as family.  To have CFC feel so closely like our home before we have had a chance to put down roots in the OBX is to have a tie to our new community via DNA that can only happen via the Holy Ghost.  We look forward to what the future holds with these folks when we move.

If you get a chance to stop in or hear Pastor Stephen, jump on it.  You will be blessed.

Wonderful Wave Conference

We are just back from the Wave Conference in Virginia Beach. (http://wavechurch.com/index.aspx?parentnavigationid=1555) The conference featured great speakers and top of the line worship.  We were so encouraged, not just by the word and the worship, but also by the fellowship with people from across the country and around the world.  Speakers this year included:

• Judah Smith  (http://www.generationchurch.org/)
• Joel Houston  (http://www2.hillsong.com/default.asp)
• Bayliss Conley  (http://www.cottonwood.org/)
• Chris Hill  (http://www.chrishill.org/main.htm)
• Mark Crow (http://www.victorychurch.tv/p/5949/Default.aspx)
• Steve Kelly  (http://wavechurch.com/index.aspx?parentnavigationid=1555)
• Scott Wilson
• AND MORE!

Three cheers to Pastors Steve and Sharon Kelly and their team for a job well done on putting together a great conference in their new facility.  I know there were challenges, but you did a fantastic job.

Pastors Steve and Sharon have been providing leadership in Virginia Beach for ten years.  They have taken a wounded church, brought healing and infused it with life through sharing a vision that is bigger than this church has ever been.  They didn't stop with the vision, they have gone on to build a team that has provided the leadership that it has taken to lift this church to greatness.  I like something Pastor Steve said this week.  "Don't try and build a great church, build great people.  A great church is the fruit of great people."

Having been in lots of churches over the course of the past year, it was a refreshing time to be back at the Wave Church.  They are friends and families to us and always make our visit full of life and encouragement.

I would invite you to make plans now for next year's Wave Conference.  It well be held August 5-7, 2009.  You can register now by calling (757)481-5005.  See you there!

What Makes A Church Worthwhile?

My wife and I were talking yesterday about what it is that keeps people hooked up to a church.  If you know us you might not be surprised that we have very differing views on many subjects, Lynn being a "Purple" person and me being "Crimson Red," but on this we have agreement.  People hook up with a church that touches their deepest needs, the needs of the inner man.

My mother-in-law feels the need to be brow beaten and told what a sinner she is, thus she is drawn to those who preach a fiery message of damnation and judgment.  My brother is eagerly anticipating the end of the world and is drawn to those who claim a special prophetic anointing.  I myself am drawn to those who preach "the whole counsel of God", that is, the Bible "from Genesis to Maps" as my pastor used to say.  I want practical Christian teaching for practical Christian living.

I was listening to Joel Osteen the other day and realized what it is that draws tens of thousands to his church.  Joel is an encourager, a cheerleader of champions.  After being under his ministry you feel like you can take on the devil, overcome temptation, and even walk on water if the need arose.  Isn't this what church is about?  Anyone can tell you you're a sinner, and it wouldn't even be a revelation.  All have sinned, and all know it.  The question is, who can give you a cure and lead you out to victorious Christian living?

Sometimes I come out of a service and wonder why people go to the church I just visited?  The pastor may say what the Bible says, but he says it with condemnation or condescension and you come away feeling depressed, beat down, and defeated.  Another minister can say the same thing with a different attitude and bring you to the place where you feel like you can overcome, be victorious, and live the life God intended.  Pastors, which message are you preaching?

I have come to really enjoy the ministry of Keith Moore. (www.moorelifeministries.org) He doesn't mince words when talking about sin, but he gives you what you need to beat it.  When I get to preach, that is my goal as well.  I like hanging out with people like this, people who build up, lift up, and encourage from a genuine heart of love and compassion.  To me, these are the real world changers.

How does Jesus fit into all this?  I'm glad you asked!  If you look at the ministry of Jesus you see Him dealing with three groups:  unbelievers, the "traditional" church, and His disciples.  The only people he is consistently hard on is the "traditional" church.  They were supposed to be the ones giving people what they needed, and instead were blocking people's access to God and keeping them down and depressed.  Jesus gave the masses clear teaching that inspired them to rise to a level that was foreign to them, a level that was far above where they lived, but not unattainable.  He called on them to become what God had created them to be in the first place.  His disciples got a powerful look at both the teaching and how to walk it out as they lived with Jesus day in and day out.  Now it is our turn.

Pastors, be the beacon of hope to your sheep.  Take your staff to a place of transparency where they can see you walk out the principles you are teaching.  Build into your church a culture that sees those who are unbelievers as people worth pursuing.  Go out where they are and let them know what God has for them.  Let them hear the "Good News" that gives them hope and draws them to levels of life that they have never known before.  And, oh yes, take a stand against anything in religion that blocks access to the presence, love, and blessing of the Father.  Remember, Jesus died to give us free and unfettered access, don't be trying to rehang the veil that keeps people from God.  We need not not compromise the message, after all, the whole earth is "groaning in eager expectation waiting for the sons of God to be revealed."  You are the hope and inspiration of a world out of control.  They are looking for your leadership, go get 'em!

Feasting in the Midst of Famine

Psalm 37 says of the righteous, "In the midst of famine, they shall have plenty."  It is a word of promise that should be comforting in these turbulent financial times.  When we listen to the news and talking heads we can grow increasingly anxious over what will happen in the future.  What we should be doing is giving thanks to God.

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Phil. 4:6 NKJV

You see, you may have no control over the circumstances or how they will affect your daily living, but you can control what you think about, what you feed on.  If you feed on things that make you worry, anxiety will be the dominant force in your life.

"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a good word makes him glad."  Prov. 12:25 NKJV

While the world is experiencing a feeding frenzy and seems to almost be craving a new Great Depression, that should not be the dream or outcome of the believer.  But, unless you are following God's Word and plan, you will be right there with the world when the house of cards all comes crashing down.  Like finances, your end will be determined by what you invest.  Lots of adages spring to mind, but let it suffice to say, your thought life will determine your direction, thus you need to make sure you think about the right things.

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of a good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things."  Phil. 4:8  NKJV

Doesn't sound much like the evening news, does it?  This doesn't mean you can't watch the news, but it should not be allowed to dominate your thought life.  If you are going to overcome the circumstances of life in the natural world, you are going to have to learn how to tap into the supernatural so that miraculous things happen in your life.  This is not just for you, but so that you can be a blessing to others.

"Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and feed on His faithfulness.  Delight yourself in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."  Psalm 37:3-5 NKJV

Remember, "you are what you eat," and if your diet is 24 hour news channels, it is likely you will be filled with anxiety and depression.  But, if you feed on the faithfulness of God, His power, resources, and willingness to get involved in your life will be the thing that springs to the forefront of your mind.  Remember Sarah?  Past menopause, a geriatric, and married to a guy pushing 100, she is supposed to be giving birth to the family of faith and the nation of Israel.  How did she overcome her circumstance to become a blessing?

"By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised."  Heb. 11:11 NKJV

You see, miraculous things happen when you let your thought life rise to the level of God's realm.  Just like Sarah, when you feed on His faithfulness the impossibility of your circumstance becomes no more than one more opportunity for God to act on your behalf.  Then, in the midst of global famine, economic destitution, or international pandemic, you have an answer that supercedes everything available to those in the world.  If you will be what God has made you to be, if you will draw on the supernatural resources available to all who believe, if you will be a real Christian, a real believer, then you will have help for those in need and hope for those who are without.  You are the answer to the problem!

So Much To Do, So Little Time

We get so busy in ministry, have you noticed?  A service here, a meeting there, one to visit and another to counsel, sometimes it is difficult to keep it all in perspective.  As I travel I am reminded that there is more to this world than the little part of it I inhabit.  What a healthy revelation!

With the hurricanes and flooding in Galveston, how many Americans will forget the Haitians that have no food or shelter or place to go?  How many people will fill their fuel tanks for winter and forget those displaced by the war in Georgia?  They say the news cycle has been compressed to about 36 hours.  Once a headline has dropped from the screen it will quickly be forgotten.  How sad if we can be so easily "pushed by the wind and tossed."  Pastor, here is your chance to shine.  You can keep the perspective by keeping God's heart in front of the people.

What God cares about is PEOPLE.  In the race for President, God cares about people's eternal condition as well as their temporal state.  In the midst of the storm, He is still aware of every windblown hair on their head.  I have always loved Jeremiah 29:11.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord, "plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future."

What encouragement we can draw from His words, but only if we have those who will come along side us and speak them into our lives.  Are you being a cheerleader for those around you?

Tuesday I was in Huntington, WV for the New Life Church (http://www.nlconline.org) Campmeeting.  What a wonderful time, a refreshing time, a time of inspiration and encouragement.  As Brother Mark Hankins ministered, I heard the Holy Ghost speak inside me and say,

"Where you are is the starting point, not the end.  This is not a stop along the way.  On this journey there is no reverse so let's get on with what is ahead."

It speaks to my heart and stirs in me a desire to finish the race set before me.  It should also be a word to each of us that reminds us that there is lots more to what is going on than what we have experienced.  As Rev. Jim Kaseman said recently,

"We need to focus on what God has commissioned us to do - reach the lost, train disciples - and know that God will supply everything we need to get the job done."

Let's not loose sight of our goal, not be distracted by the cares of this world, not be led astray by the circumstances that face us, but rather, let us rise with each new day and press on in our destiny to see the will of the Father done in the earth.

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.