First Loser: Helping Other People

Helping other people succeed can make me feel like a loser. I am competitive by nature and have plans to take over the world some day. It can be difficult for me to put others first. It is important for me to understand that helping other people succeed is far more powerful than my own success.

You and I are a limited resource. I hate to admit it but I can only accomplish so many things in a given day. When we enlist the help of others we can increase the potential output exponentially. The scary part is that it no longer becomes our output and is the output of others. I think this is why so many of us have a hard time empowering others to succeed: we lose control. The success is no longer accomplished how we would have done it. The end result may be different than we imagined it and the worst part: we may not get any credit!

How is this process more powerful? It sounds like a losing proposition.  Those of us who serve the church cannot make decisions based on our own egos. It is not about you. You and I must realize that we are serving a purpose that is far greater than ourselves.

If your church is going to make a difference then you need to help other people win. You propagate the life changing story of Jesus in this way: by teaching and training up others. Remind yourself that serving in the church should never bring glory to your own name. Serving the church means serving others. This service is where we can find value being the first loser.

2012
01/23
CATEGORY
Church
Culture
Leadership
Write comment

The Art of Manliness Review

Woah, woah… dont let the title fool you. The Art of Manliness is much more than a collection of macho manisims. Brett and Kay McKay aim to paint a picture of the modern day gentleman. Subjects incude gutting a fish, changing a diaper, landing a plane and delivering a baby: everything you need to know to operate as a true man (see: gentleman).

I was surprised by the tone that Brett and Kay took towards the end of the book as they progressed through the superficial qualities of manliness and began to take a closer look at heart matters. I got the feeling that the authors suckered me in with fisticuffs and hit me with paternal advice. It was good! This book lacks any spiritual insight regarding masculinity but still offers a fun look into the life of a modern day gentleman. It was a fun read and I would recommend it for anyone interested in some casual, and sometimes challenging, fun.

2012
01/19
CATEGORY
Culture
Reviews
Write comment

Sunday School and Allah

Today Allah came to Sunday School. I teach at an evangelical Christian church and we were learning about the book of Judges. The kids have been reading about the pattern of apostasy that the Israleites were caught up in (we actually taught them the word apostasy). In short: the Israelites were doing what was right in their own eyes. I decided to throw the group a softball: “We should not obey ourselves, who should we obey?” One little girl shot up her hand. I was excited because she was a first time guest. She stood up to answer the question in front of the whole group and boldly stated, “Allah!”

Yes, Allah.

I was reminded that today’s culture in North America is becoming more ignorant of the Christian tradition. At the same time I believe that our culture is becoming more religiously aware. The lines between religions are becoming less and less distinguishable for an entire generation. God or Allah: its all the same to them. Christian or Mormon: same difference. I understand that the name Allah can be used outside of the context of Islam. Our guest this Sunday had innocently confused the two faiths.

Does this change the way that we present the Bible to kids? Do you see a greater awareness of world religions emerging in your Sunday school classes? Could this be a good thing for the Church?

2012
01/16
CATEGORY
Church
Culture
Write comment

Think Orange Review

Think Orange discusses the disconnect that exists between the church and the family. The premise of the book is simple: red and yellow make orange, therefore think orange. OK, it is not exactly that simple. Reggie Joiner paints the church yellow and the family red; something about halos and hearts (or something like that). The important part is how he challenges families and ministry leaders to consider each other when raising up children. He does a good job at highlighting strengths of orange thinking citing Biblical, historical and social studies.

This is not Joiner’s doctoral thesis on family ministry. It is, however, a useful guide to help you start thinking about family ministry. The second half of the book offers some helpful images of family ministry that would be useful for any church. If any of us could begin to implement some of the concepts that Joiner and his team have captured we would be in a better place.  I have brought some of Joiners ideas to my team already. This book is well worth your time… but dont read it alone. Make sure that everyone in your church who works with babies to eighteen year olds gets their hands on this book. It is really that good.

What about your church? Does your church think orange? Is the family regarded as one unit or do you ministries take a narrow view of children and students?

Chrissy Wilson Najarro liked this post
2012
01/12
CATEGORY
Church
Reviews
Write comment

God is Not in Your Toolbox

God is Not in Your Toolbox

God is not in your toolbox; he is not at your disposal.

He is not something for you to apply to a problem. That is not how it works. Some of us work hard in ministry and think that if we can find the best way to apply God then we will succede. This approach inverts the relationship between us and God. We are to be his hands and feet in ministry, not the other way around.

We are in God’s toolbox, we are at his disposal.

We should see ourselves as God’s instruments. We are the tools in his hand and should be at work to accomplish His mission. When you tell yourself that you can’t do it you are correct. You cant. God can and does work through us. It is by His design that we carry out the mission of Jesus. We must deliver the good news about Jesus to every one. Our own message and messengers should not get in the way of this task.
2012
01/09
CATEGORY
Church
Leadership
1 comment