Here are some final thoughts from Craig Groeschel's Book.
Maybe its time for you to ask him for it. For him to become the true center of your life.
- First, I had to admit that I had lost it. I’ve lost it. Ive taken my eyes off the prize. I’ve been distracted from a wholehearted pursuit of Christ.
- Second, decide to get it back. My role as a pastor was interfering with my passion for God. Slowly I started to fall in love with God again – not with his bride, the church.
I’ve made three prayers a part of my daily prayer life. These heartfelt and dangerous prayers have helped me to keep it.
Stretch Me
God wants to stretch you. He wants you to live by faith, to believe him. It will mean putting yourself in new environments. Experiencing something new. Something different. Ask God to stretch you. Then follow his direction. He might direct you to change your leadership style or the way you preach. He might challenge you to go to a third world country and leave behind part of your heart. He might ask you to give like you’ve never given before. He might lead you to do something your closest friends believe is foolish and impossible. Attempt what others say can’t be done. You have more in you than you realize. God has put more in you than anyone else sees.
Ruin Me
Whenever I meet someone who has it – a heart abandoned for Christ – I’m meeting ruined people. I’m not talking about a destructive ruin. I’m referring to the work of a loving God who breaks us and ruins us for his glory. Maybe its time to let God ruin you. Let God crush you with a burden.
Heal Me
Allow the Spirit of God to make things new within you!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
L'Aquila Earthquake
As the world has seen, on 6 April most of central Italy was struck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. The earthquake centred in the city of L'aquilla (incidently reknowned for its rugby)caused serious damage to several medieval hill towns in the region, killing over 260 residents, injuring over 1,000 and leaving 28,000 homeless. Despite the dangers from aftershocks, the search for survivors continues, and will be maintained until Sunday, after which the daunting tasks of cleanup and reconstruction willl begin.
The questions asked again at times like this is "Why did God allow this to happen?' 'Where was God?'
I don’t really know. However I do know that His love and compassion are revealed in how we respond to such a disaster. When we see such a catastrophe how do we respond? In a way that reflects the love of Christ?...or are we momentarily distracted, then move back to ‘real life’ quickly?
When catastrophe happens do we offer a momentary thought or prayer or are we moved to action? It is only when we act that bring the love of god into such a situation.
Apparently the Evangelical church here in Italy has revealed the love of Christ in the midst of tragedy. The church has been noted for its relief efforts. One news item mentioned organisations that were ‘not the evangelical church – in other words the evangelical church led the relief efforts, but there were some other organisations that helped!
Here Christ is glorified through the actions of Christians.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Hearts Focused Outward
More from Craig Groeschel
If your gospel isn’t touching others, it hasn’t touched you. – Curry R. Blake
I’d argue that people today aren’t rejecting Christ so much as they’re rejecting the church.
It-free churches are often very friendly. In fact, they can be so tight, so bonded, so close – to each other – that they unintentionally overlook those they don’t know. On the other hand ministries with it remember that Jesus came for outsiders. He came for those who were lost. Broken, hurting, disenfranchised. Alone, overlooked.
Who Do you love?
Do you love those who are without Christ? Be honest. Does your ministry have people whose hearts beat for those outside the family of God? Churches that have it care fore each other and for people who are far from God.
An Open-Roof Policy
When have we forgotten that the church doesn’t exist for us? We are the church and we exist for the world. – Erwin McManus
Turning Outward
- When is the last time you’ve had a lost person in your home
- How many meaningful conversations did you have with non-Christians this week?
- Who are the nonbelievers you prayed for today?
Your love for them will increase. When that happens, you get it, and it’s almost impossible to turn off. Your prayer life increases. You’re looking for opportunities to shift conversations toward spiritual things. You’re ever aware that you’re representing Christ.
If you’re a leader of your ministry, you need to recognize that for better or for worse, your ministry reflects you. If you don’t care about Christless lives, the people you lead aren’t likely to care.
Shifting the Focus Outward
- Your people don’t have relationships with the lost
- Your people are too embarrassed to bring their friends to church
- Your building and/or people are subtly communicating ‘stay away’.
If your gospel isn’t touching others, it hasn’t touched you. – Curry R. Blake
I’d argue that people today aren’t rejecting Christ so much as they’re rejecting the church.
It-free churches are often very friendly. In fact, they can be so tight, so bonded, so close – to each other – that they unintentionally overlook those they don’t know. On the other hand ministries with it remember that Jesus came for outsiders. He came for those who were lost. Broken, hurting, disenfranchised. Alone, overlooked.
Who Do you love?
Do you love those who are without Christ? Be honest. Does your ministry have people whose hearts beat for those outside the family of God? Churches that have it care fore each other and for people who are far from God.
An Open-Roof Policy
When have we forgotten that the church doesn’t exist for us? We are the church and we exist for the world. – Erwin McManus
Turning Outward
- When is the last time you’ve had a lost person in your home
- How many meaningful conversations did you have with non-Christians this week?
- Who are the nonbelievers you prayed for today?
Your love for them will increase. When that happens, you get it, and it’s almost impossible to turn off. Your prayer life increases. You’re looking for opportunities to shift conversations toward spiritual things. You’re ever aware that you’re representing Christ.
If you’re a leader of your ministry, you need to recognize that for better or for worse, your ministry reflects you. If you don’t care about Christless lives, the people you lead aren’t likely to care.
Shifting the Focus Outward
- Your people don’t have relationships with the lost
- Your people are too embarrassed to bring their friends to church
- Your building and/or people are subtly communicating ‘stay away’.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Comaraderie
Craig Groeschel has a great chapter in his book about camaraderie. You need to enjoy ‘It’ With Others
Ministries that have it enjoy it together. They have an unmistakable camaraderie.
People with friends at work are 96 percent more likely to be extremely satisfied with their life. Happier people make better team members.
The team with it loves each other. Not only do they minister together, they do life together. What they have is more than friendship. It’s something that God gives – more of a partnership of people with deep love committed to a single mission. You’re more than friends. You’re a team.
We need to make sure there are people close to us who have refrigerator rights. What are refrigerator rights? Someone with refrigerator rights is a person who is so trusted they can walk into your home, open your refrigerator and help themselves to a sandwich and a drink.
Teams with it look for excuses to celebrate. Anniversaries, completion of significant projects. Ministry launches. Personal victories.
Oprah Winfry said, “the more you praise and celebrate your life the more in life there is to celebrate.
I thought this was a great challenge, especially the idea of refrigerator rights.
Ministries that have it enjoy it together. They have an unmistakable camaraderie.
People with friends at work are 96 percent more likely to be extremely satisfied with their life. Happier people make better team members.
The team with it loves each other. Not only do they minister together, they do life together. What they have is more than friendship. It’s something that God gives – more of a partnership of people with deep love committed to a single mission. You’re more than friends. You’re a team.
We need to make sure there are people close to us who have refrigerator rights. What are refrigerator rights? Someone with refrigerator rights is a person who is so trusted they can walk into your home, open your refrigerator and help themselves to a sandwich and a drink.
Teams with it look for excuses to celebrate. Anniversaries, completion of significant projects. Ministry launches. Personal victories.
Oprah Winfry said, “the more you praise and celebrate your life the more in life there is to celebrate.
I thought this was a great challenge, especially the idea of refrigerator rights.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Vision - From Craig Groeschel
Vision
Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint. - NIV
Where there is no vision, the people perish - KJV
When people do not accept divine guidance they run wild - NLT
Without prophetic vision people run wild – God’s Word)
Where there is no prophecy the people cast off restraint - NRSV
If people can’t see what God is doing they stumble all over themselves – MSG
Without chazown (vision, revelation, divine guidance), the people we lead will be confused, scattered, unfocused and easily distracted. Unfortunately, this is how many ministries and organizations function: visionless and without it.
People in a visionless church are like that. Without vision alignment, the people are busy doing something. They’re driving along, doing church, but without any direction and are easily pulled off center. The ministry may have tons of activity, but there’s little spiritual movement.
Ministries that have it always have a clear vision. The people know the vision, understand the vision, believe in the vision and live the vision. The vision guides them, motivates them and energizes them.
Without vision, people perish. Dreams fade. Youth groups lose their life. Once vibrant churches slowly die.
The original mission fades as the organization drifts.
Define Your Vision
Do you have a vision? Many churches and organizations have a vision statement. But in reality, they have no vision.
Finding The Vision
Hopefully the leaders of your church will seek God, find a divine burden examine their resources and context and present a Spirit-breathed, God-sized vision!
1. Why does your organization exist?
2. What can your organization be the best in the world at?
3. If you could do only one thing, what would it be?
4. If you left your organization tomorrow, what would you hope would continue forever?
5. What breaks your heart, keeps you awake at night, wrecks you?
An Effective Vision
An effective vision will always be memorable, portable and motivational - Dr. Sam Chand
A great vision statement is memorable.
Your vision must be portable.
Your vision should also be motivational.
It should cause agitation, ambition, ignition, even competition.
- People tend to give sacrificially for it
- People will tolerate inconveniences for the greater cause
- People will talk
- The organization and ministry will take on a life of is own
- Opportunities for distraction will decrease
Vision leaks – Andy Stanley
Talk about the vision. Tell stories about the vision. Illustrate the vision. Reward those who live the vision. Highlight the vision. Once you have done all of the above, do it all again.
Divine Focus: You Know Where It Is Not
Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets. – Nido Qubein, Business Consultant
In my observation, ministries that have it tend to be focused on a limited set of targets. They do a few things as if all eternity hinged on their results, and they do these things with godly excellence.
They are almost obnoxiously passionate about a few important things.
Someone once said, “if you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”
Too Many, Too Much, Too Bad
An Italian proverb says, “Often he who does too much does too little.”
Cutting Back To Move Forward
Don’t let your vision become blurry. Busyness blurs ministry vision.
Where there is no revelation the people cast off restraint. - NIV
Where there is no vision, the people perish - KJV
When people do not accept divine guidance they run wild - NLT
Without prophetic vision people run wild – God’s Word)
Where there is no prophecy the people cast off restraint - NRSV
If people can’t see what God is doing they stumble all over themselves – MSG
Without chazown (vision, revelation, divine guidance), the people we lead will be confused, scattered, unfocused and easily distracted. Unfortunately, this is how many ministries and organizations function: visionless and without it.
People in a visionless church are like that. Without vision alignment, the people are busy doing something. They’re driving along, doing church, but without any direction and are easily pulled off center. The ministry may have tons of activity, but there’s little spiritual movement.
Ministries that have it always have a clear vision. The people know the vision, understand the vision, believe in the vision and live the vision. The vision guides them, motivates them and energizes them.
Without vision, people perish. Dreams fade. Youth groups lose their life. Once vibrant churches slowly die.
The original mission fades as the organization drifts.
Define Your Vision
Do you have a vision? Many churches and organizations have a vision statement. But in reality, they have no vision.
Finding The Vision
Hopefully the leaders of your church will seek God, find a divine burden examine their resources and context and present a Spirit-breathed, God-sized vision!
1. Why does your organization exist?
2. What can your organization be the best in the world at?
3. If you could do only one thing, what would it be?
4. If you left your organization tomorrow, what would you hope would continue forever?
5. What breaks your heart, keeps you awake at night, wrecks you?
An Effective Vision
An effective vision will always be memorable, portable and motivational - Dr. Sam Chand
A great vision statement is memorable.
Your vision must be portable.
Your vision should also be motivational.
It should cause agitation, ambition, ignition, even competition.
- People tend to give sacrificially for it
- People will tolerate inconveniences for the greater cause
- People will talk
- The organization and ministry will take on a life of is own
- Opportunities for distraction will decrease
Vision leaks – Andy Stanley
Talk about the vision. Tell stories about the vision. Illustrate the vision. Reward those who live the vision. Highlight the vision. Once you have done all of the above, do it all again.
Divine Focus: You Know Where It Is Not
Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets. – Nido Qubein, Business Consultant
In my observation, ministries that have it tend to be focused on a limited set of targets. They do a few things as if all eternity hinged on their results, and they do these things with godly excellence.
They are almost obnoxiously passionate about a few important things.
Someone once said, “if you chase two rabbits, both will escape.”
Too Many, Too Much, Too Bad
An Italian proverb says, “Often he who does too much does too little.”
Cutting Back To Move Forward
Don’t let your vision become blurry. Busyness blurs ministry vision.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
What is it?
In his book, “How Churches and Leaders Can Get IT and Keep IT” Craig Groeschel explains that ‘IT’ is that unexplainable ‘something’ that creates health, life and growth.
It is what God does through a rare combination of these qualities found in his people:
- Passion for his presence
- A deep craving to reach the lost
- Sincere integrity
- Spirit-filled faith
- Down-to-earth humility
- Brokenness
It is what God does through a rare combination of these qualities found in his people:
- Passion for his presence
- A deep craving to reach the lost
- Sincere integrity
- Spirit-filled faith
- Down-to-earth humility
- Brokenness
Friday, March 27, 2009
How Churches and Leaders Can Get IT and Keep IT
I have just finished reading “How Churches and Leaders Can Get IT and Keep IT” by Craig Groeschel. It is a brilliant practical book on church leadership that I highly recommend. Craig is the founding and Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv which is a highly innovative church with dozens of weekly worship experiences in thirteen locations, including an internet campus!
Craig has a blog which is really thought provoking for those in ministry www.swerve.lifechurch.tv
I see Craig is speaking at Hillsong Conference this year so I am a bit disappointed I won’t be there. I would have loved to have heard him.
I will blog a few notes from my reading of his book over the next few days.
Craig has a blog which is really thought provoking for those in ministry www.swerve.lifechurch.tv
I see Craig is speaking at Hillsong Conference this year so I am a bit disappointed I won’t be there. I would have loved to have heard him.
I will blog a few notes from my reading of his book over the next few days.
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