I read a leadership statement on twitter earlier today and I wonder if it’s true, actually I hope it’s not. I’ve actually said it before. I’ve taught it and I’ve tried to live it. But, again, I hope it’s not true. “Remember, you cannot lead where you haven’t been.” Is this true? I hope not. I hope that I can be a lead-learner, a pioneering leader, going to depths and places none of us have been before. Is God’s calling fluid and process-oriented? Are we to be an organism and movement or an organization and institution? Within the confines of an organization and institution; safety, caution, protection of the established and oiling of the machine are valued as necessary goals. Within the culture of an organism and a movement; change is necessary for life, mission (The Great Commission) and growth are the primary measurements of health. The advancement of the Kingdom of God is primary, not maintenance of comfortable cultural norms. I hope my leadership is not required to be ‘been there, done that’ before followers will embrace the call and mission Christ is calling US toward. I pray our leadership and followers are always asking reflective questions, I pray we are always challenging our methodologies and preferences in light of the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. “Are we willing to do anything short of sin to keep people from dying and going to hell?” Are we willing to sing songs we don’t like, listen to messages that convict and confront us and move us to uncomfortable action, do things inside and outside the church we are uncomfortable with to be obedient to the call of Christ on our Community of Faith? I hope so….I know I’m not yet….let us pray and read the Word and do it….God bless

I read something (click here) the other day that has continued to stir my spirit. Who is God to you? What are you willing to do for Him? Covenant or contract? However, as quoted on the website, “It is useless for large companies of believers to spend long hours begging God to send revival. Unless we intend to reform we may as well not pray. Unless praying men have the insight and faith to amend their whole way of life to conform to the New Testament pattern there can be no true revival.” – A.W. Tozer. I pray I am able, faithful and transformed toward the ‘New Testament pattern’ of life.

I hope to, over the next several days, post and discuss the items listed by Mr. Gordon on his website. I believe they are timely and impacting for the local church and her individual members. James 1:22 has continually resonated within my spirit for the past several months. I do not want to walk in self-deception, nor do I want to coddle others, condone carnality or provide safety from biblical conviction. The balance between condemnation and conviction is somewhat elusive. The Spirit’s conviction must be welcomed and heeded; Satan’s condemnation must be abhorred and rebuked.

Let us prayerfully and honestly Share our story with God and His community through confession, authenticity and accountability.
Let us prayerfully and honestly Search the Scriptures in community for the Words of life and meat. All Scripture is from God and divinely inspired for correction, rebuke and exhortation. We need to receive each as His love. (pruning, discipline and guidance are necessary for spiritual growth).

Let us prayerfully and honestly Yield to the Spirit in community as He speaks through the Holy Scriptures.

Let us prayerfully and honestly Respond to the Call of God in community as He convicts, commissions and calls us toward consecration to service through holy encounters of His Spirit through His Word and Presence.

Since we are to allow Scripture to speak to us communally (no Scripture is given for private interpretation), I figured I would provide space for us to talk about Scriptures that are speaking to you (us). So, why don’t you comment on here with some of the Scriptures that God is walking you through (or He may just be straight up messing you up with!!). I will comment and choose a few for us to discuss. So, 1, 2, 3…GO!

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It seems we are also wanting more from Christ…(this isn’t necessarily bad). In this passage, Christ had given His followers instruction, promise, power and authority. Yet, they wanted details to the plan. I find myself often in this position. God has called and equipped, however, I want in on the know, I want the steps and the process. Most of the time it’s because I’m excited and fired up…sometimes it’s because I’m leary and afraid. He proves Himself over and over and I want more. He desires obedience and faithfulness and trust and I ask for Gideon-like proof. Lord help us to act and believe, help us to be faithful and full of Your power and know that as we go and as we make disciples, You are with us and empowering us to fulfill Your will.
Acts 1:8-10

I’ve read many blogs that have allowed guests to blog and I thought who better to talk to us about grace and truth than Charles Spurgeon! I think he alludes to One Prayer way before Craig thought of it! How true, the passion SHOULD be of the believer! Let me know your thoughts and convictions; mine are many as I am still processing this powerful devotion.
“For the truths sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.”
— 2 John 2

Once let the truth of God obtain an entrance into the human heart and subdue the whole man unto itself, no power human or infernal can dislodge it. We entertain it not as a guest but as the master of the house—this is a Christian necessity, he is no Christian who doth not thus believe. Those who feel the vital power of the gospel, and know the might of the Holy Ghost as He opens, applies, and seals the Lord’s Word, would sooner be torn to pieces than be rent away from the gospel of their salvation. What a thousand mercies are wrapt up in the assurance that the truth will be with us for ever; will be our living support, our dying comfort, our rising song, our eternal glory; this is Christian privilege, without it our faith were little worth. Some truths we outgrow and leave behind, for they are but rudiments and lessons for beginners, but we cannot thus deal with Divine truth, for though it is sweet food for babes, it is in the highest sense strong meat for men. The truth that we are sinners is painfully with us to humble and make us watchful; the more blessed truth that whosoever believeth on the Lord Jesus shall be saved, abides with us as our hope and joy. Experience, so far from loosening our hold of the doctrines of grace, has knit us to them more and more firmly; our grounds and motives for believing are now more strong, more numerous than ever, and we have reason to expect that it will be so till in death we clasp the Saviour in our arms.

Wherever this abiding love of truth can be discovered, we are bound to exercise our love. No narrow circle can contain our gracious sympathies, wide as the election of grace must be our communion of heart. Much of error may be mingled with truth received, let us war with the error but still love the brother for the measure of truth which we see in Him; above all let us love and spread the truth ourselves.

The other day I went shopping for shampoo….big mistake. When the grocery list says, “shampoo” one would think it wouldn’t be very difficult to purchase the item. Well, easier said than done. Upon arriving in the ‘hair care’ isle, I quickly realized I was in over my head! The countless namebrands were overwhelming to say the least, but truly, that’s only the beginning of the problem! I arbitrarily chose Pantene. (Don’t ask). Well, the subdivisions and categories were ridiculous! Frizz control, volumizer, damaged hair, oily, dry, treated, thin, ugly (I made that one up), this is not to mention the conditioners and other products. I simply wanted something that would clean my hair. I’ve been wondering if excess is still cool? Is there a time (now) when too many options are detrimental? Shampoo shopping is now intimidating and scary. I DONT want to do it! I WONT do it! I guess shampoo shopping for my wife and mother-in-law might be different. You see, Sarah, my mother-in-law, runs her own Salon. She’s trained, educated and experienced in all things hair. She’s not intimidated. She probably enjoys it and dominates it. My wife grew up in that environment. (She’s a girl too, that probably is a factor )

What are the implications for the church? I enjoy all things church. I’m trained, educated and experienced. I grew up a PK and LOVED it! However, there are many in our culture that are overwhelmed by the options, diversity and emphases of our churches. I sometimes wonder if church diversity is one of our worst enemies? I’m just sayin….What if we have allowed so many options to creep in and distract the Church from our primary mission of the Great Commission grounded in the Great Commandment? We tend to become so focused and specialized that we excuse ourselves from fulfilling THE ONLY TRUE mission for the Church. Could our options and specializations end up intimidating and confusing those “shopping” for God in our churches? Are there those that are simply wanting to connect to God (much like I simply wanted to wash my hair)? But, they are so confused they may actually back down from pursuing Him in our communities of faith? Do they see marketing, competition and overselling our specializations as desparate attempts to grow our God business? I don’t know…I’ve just been thinking about this for the past few weeks. Excess and options tend to be overdone for our generation. We tend to desire simple and authentic purposeful products and relationships. What do you think?

Acts 2:42 tells us that THEY devoted THEMSELVES to the Apostles doctrine. How much effort are we to muster to disciple someone? Many ministers can recount stories of devotion of time, energy, teaching and resources for the spiritual formation of a convert in their care, only to witness this person fall from the faith. Other stories demonstrate the small seed planted by one, watered by another and then supernatural increase by God’s own hand and their insatiable desire for His Word and His Presence.

Acts 8:34-39 further illustrates the point with Phillip and the Eunuch. Obviously, there are multiple passages that encourage studying the Word of God with one another, bearing burdens, and bearing the weaknesses of fellow believers. I just wonder (out loud-I guess) how much of our efforts should be placed on pushing Christians toward discipleship? Shouldn’t most of our efforts be toward salvation? Again, obviously, we should and must provide opportunity (and make that opportunity easily accessible) for Christians to engage in discipleship. We should provide structures, processes, trainings, resources to equip the saints to do the work of ministry. However, Christians/Disciples must devote THEMSELVES to the Apostles’ teaching, fellowship, prayer and breaking of bread (one of my first sermons focused on this passage as the four pillars of the church–discipleship based message–still believe it by the way).

However, shouldn’t most our resources be placed on sending the Gospel out into the community? Cultivating an atmosphere on Sunday mornings where God’s Presence reigns? (Thus, confronting, convicting and converting the sinner). Resources of creativity, money, talent, prayer, preparation, planning, recruiting (inviting lost), and anticipation should be poured into creating an atmosphere of God’s Presence on Sunday mornings that is soooo real that NO ONE can deny His existence. Lives are transformed. It’s not about seeker-sensitive, it’s not about culturally relevant, it’s not about performing excellence—it’s about creating an atmosphere where He reigns and demonstrates His power for salvation. Now, that doesn’t mean that all of those aren’t elements, there just not the main thing!! HE IS.

Discipleship MUST be about moving Christians toward salvation machines. It’s ALL about not letting people die and go to hell. Not just having a better marriage, not just having sweeter kids, not just saving/making money God’s way—-DON’T let your friends die and go to hell.

Let us be DOERS of the Word and not HEARERS only—deceiving ourselves and letting our religion become useless.

I’m totally ready (at least I think I am) for an Acts 4:31 leadership style to take over. Books, conferences, degrees, wisdom, strategy, planning, and new implementations of models and methods are great and effective….BUT, they don’t mean squat without a TOTAL infusion of the Holy Spirit’s power. I am totally into leadership and leadership development. We’ve all seen the leader that believes screaming, drumming up emotions, and speaking in tongues causes God to move and people to respond. Not so (Speaking in tongues is often our response to God). But, there is a place of Spirit-FILLED leadership. This place is one where we DO EVERYTHING with the power, authority and anointing of the Spirit of God. Lunch meetings ooze with His presence. I want to no, I need to be FILLED with His Spirit just like Acts 4:31. These men were filled in Acts 2, but now they experience another infilling.

Acts 4:31 After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
32 All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.33 With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales

35 and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Last post ended with verse 8 of chapter 1. Receiving power to be witnesses is truly the ultimate requirement for leadership. (We could reminisce about David and his leadership in the Spirit, Moses, Judges, well I guess the OT for that matter!) Verses 9, 10, 11 are just awesome! “As they strained to see Him rising into heaven…” That totally describes many church leaders today. We have received instruction from God, yet we strain to see Him where He WAS. (Reminded about a cloud and fire and a man named Moses–we won’t go unless you go with us LORD.) These Apostles needed another visitation; they had just talked with GOD!! But they still needed angels to tell them to do what God/Jesus had instructed them to do.

Down to verse 15…the Apostles DO work. I think often, when we hear from God, we tend to pray (some) do (little) and wait (a lot). But by knowing the Word, they understood there was preparation to DO during the praying. Peter understood that “the Scriptures had to be fulfilled”…They had to prepare for revival and growth. Prayer and preparation for revival and growth are important (we need to know we CAN’T plan revival-but we can pray and prepare). The Apostles talked through replacing Judas and followed the Word and Spirit and appointed Matthias.

One thought about chapter 2 (for now)—once they had prayed (obeyed), prepared (appointed Matthias –or hired for growth?) then God GAVE them the increase He desired. See, jumping back to Christ’s ascension, He spoke to His Disciples-not the masses. He knew pouring into them prepared them for the HUGE harvest to come. 3000 added in ONE day!!! Added to EVERYDAY!!!! Only the Holy Spirit CAN do this!! He will only do this when WE are prepared!!

Acts seems to be THE best book out there on leadership. Acts 1:2 gives great insight to leadership. Christ worked until the VERY end. He leveraged EVERY opportunity to pour in further instruction. This verse also lets us know that Christ LED through the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ spent time with the chosen disciples. Most leaders would want to be in front of the largest crowds, hopefully empowering, reaching the most with the best efforts. However, Christ understood His purpose: to empower those that were called and chosen to carry out the mission. Leadership development.

Verse 3 illustrates Christ passion to model and lead by example. He PROVED through many ways to His apostles that He had done what He said He had done! How often do we get offended and off track when we sense our team needs more evidence from us? How is it that we drift off point so easily? Christ talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Verses 4 and 5 give us a specific example of His teaching. Basically, He told them to drop everything to ensure they received the gift of the Holy Spirit. “Do leave Jerusalem….” He reminded and reinforced of the promise and the baptism coming. Do we continue to remind and reinforce the promises of God are coming? Do we really believe they are coming? As David states in Psalm 5:3 do we wait in expectation? Or are we now leading and moving through the motions?

Verses 6 and 7 are interesting to me…the disciples are asking (still) if the promise in NOW and earthly. This question reveals another aspect of leadership. Christ didn’t pretend to know things He didn’t know. He didn’t want His leaders to waste time on off point issues. Wow, “Lord has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our Kingdom?” —is this question off-point?!! Do we let the good become the enemy of the best? Do we entertain really good questions, causes and agendas at the cost of THE MISSION?

For now, verse 8 will be a great ending point (or beginning). The Baptism of the Holy Spirit launches the Apostles and disciples into passionate and empowered ministry. Empowered to DO all that we envision doing. (Greater works-kinda stuff). It is amazing that the authors of the New Testament were baptized in the power of the Holy Spirit, the recipients of these gospels, epistles and writings were baptized in the Holy Spirit, however, we often treat this empowerment as optional. A command from Christ to drop everything until this gift is received. Many of you know, I have earned a degree in leadership, however, NOTHING can replace the empowerment, wisdom and direction that the Holy Spirit brings. He is the Spirit of Wisdom. Think about the Comforter, the one who brings back everything to memory, the one who breaks every yoke. Shouldn’t we desire to yield fully to His Spirit and Voice?

The rest of this passage is full of leadership, preparation, planning and yielding to His will for ministry advancement.