Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

They say every leader is a reader. So here is what I am currently reading. What are you currently reading?

I just finished reading "A short History of the Christian Church" published in 1915. Several things stood out to me especially the quote from President Johnson of former Johnson Bible College now Johnson University ... pg. 171; "President Johnson says we must do one of two things: train more preachers, or become a 'disappearing brotherhood' amd he prefers the former, and is doing his part in preacher-training." How true a Statement!!! Even for the 21st Century over 97 yrs later. The other thing that stood out to me was on pg. 192 "Canada now has 100 churches, 10, 000 members, 90 ministers ..." I don't know if that is true for today. (I'll have to do some research - but thinking it is less thus more of a mission field needed) I loved reading this book, couldn't put it down. It helped this reader give reason why He loves the Restoration Movement and part of the plea ... and being who God called us to be. May we stand firm

There is more than rules to Christianity. Fans have rules. Followers go beyond the rules .... Rules tend to hinder and make a religion. Jesus wants a relationship. Rules define, and bound. A relationship is ongoing, and consuming.... helping the journey, not hindering the outcome. So this week - we look at why Christianity, Jesus, and the Bible is more than rules ....

Here are some TV shows I occasionally like watching: 10. America's Funniest Videos 9. World's Dumbest .... 8. Psych 7. Shipping Wars 6. American Pickers 5. Pawn Stars 4. Ice Road Truckers 3. Lizard Lick Towing 2. Today show 1. Storage Wars. What Shows do you watch?

Not including certain movies based upon books (LOTR, Chronicles, Potter) Here are films I've seen again and again and can quote lines from 10. Footloose. (Original) 9. Spaceballs. 8. Field of Dreams. 7. Princess Bride 6. Indiana Jones and Last Crusade (Exception to the Rule ... but best of the movies) 5. Way of the Dragon (Aka Return of the Dragon) 4. A Christmas Story 3. Superman 2. Bill N. Ted's Excellent Adventure 1. Lost Boys. Weird assortment of movies looking over the list.

These are movies I watch again and again. Notice a few based on true stories. 10. A League of their Own. 9. Rudy. 8. Remember the Titans 7. Miracle 6. Field of Dreams 5. Major League 4. Slap Shot 3. Mighty Ducks 2. Rocky 1. Hoosiers

Everyone loves a Christmas movie (Even up to a month later) Here are my Top 10: 10. Die Hard 9. Christmas Vacation 8. Scrooged. 7. Home Alone 6. How the Grinch Stole Christmas 5. White Christmas 4. Miracle on 34th Street (Original) 3. The Nativity 2. The Polar Express 1. A Christmas Story What are your Favourites?

A taxi driver and a minister arrived at heavens gates at the same time. The taxi driver was given a beautiful suite of rooms while the minister got just a tiny cubicle of a room. The minister said, I just dont get it. All he did was drive a cab and I was in the ministery for years. He was told by St. Peter: Up here we go by results. While you preached, people slept, while he drove, people prayed. (I told this story on Sunday)

In preparing for this week's message I couldn't get this song out of my head. (Michael W. smith's Cross of Gold) this week we look at the meaning behind the cross, and why we are so comfortable with it? Hope you can join us.

This week we look at Luke 7 and the relationship God wants with us ..... as we continue on our journey to be Followers, not Fans of Jesus.

Catherine M. Newcomer I just finished reading Cathy Reese Newcomer's 3 books Precious Memories series. (From Boonsboro Mountain) (The Rest of the Way) (A New Life). I must say it gave me a great insight to Cathy's life and her family and people I serve near South mountain and the surrounding area. Her stories brought life, joy, and yet some tears. The way she talkied about her mother, her family, and how God was in the midst of it all. It was a joy to have met Cathy and known her even though she was struggling with illness these last 3years of her life. I do know her family and friends loved her. Charlie did as well. It was good to hear stories about Janet Swain, Bryan Bailey and others that I can say I know that person. The testimony she leaves is one on how she depended on God and now is in the arms of a loving Savior. Thanks Cathy for the Precious Memories .... maybe your children will write Precious Memories 2.0

I had just picked up this book ... and really couldn't put it down. I would recommend to any of my church members. The book is broken into 3 section on the Church Leader's Life: I. Personal Life. II. the Church III. The World and Community. The conclusion is that the church leader takes their calling seriously. Ministry is tough. It isn't meant for sissies. It is also rewarding. Church leaders aren't perfect; but serve a perfect God. Sometimes we need to remind people of that.

I just finished reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It really is a handbook and great resource. I wish I had this resource and book when I was in Bible College. I remember taking a class entitled: Life and Work of the Minister. This book definitely needs to be recommended reading for any student now and those currently in the ministry. The book goes over the ministry of the church leader. From Church organization, programs, calling and how one handles different issues. A good resource for any preacher to have in their library.

So for my Fusion (Church Leaders' monthly Group of Church Leaders that gets together to discuss, pray, and meet together about the challenges in ministry)we were to read this book. The Nine Marks being: I. Expositional Preaching. II. Biblical Theology. III. The Gospel. IV. Understanding of Conversion V. Evangelism VI. Church Membership VII. Church Discipline VIII. Concern for Discipleship and Growth. IX. Church Leadership. (though truth be told I think a lot of these marks go together and are hard to separate one from another ....). I liked the book at first, but it got a little dry and redundant in the middle. I liked what Dever had to say ... some of it was very well taken. The last Appendix of Tips for leading Healthy Churches in the Right Direction is worth the price of the book. what books are you currently reading?

The experiment of youth ministry is a failure. Few will say it. Few will say it has flatlined or could do better. But the ole youth ministry of glorified babysitting, games, gimmicks, and glamour is over. Some of the parachurch organizations and that of Youth Ministry 1.0 "If you build it ... they will come" had died. Youth Ministry 2.0 being about this "Youth pastor - Youth group" is still hanging on but slowly people see it dying. And then people are seeing well, what about Youth Ministry 3.0 or beyond? Let's face it - the experiment has died. What youth need is not another program, group, activity. What youth ministry needs ius to stop being well, youth ministry. Youth Ministry needs to go beyond that of just youth lead, or youth leader lead; but help both adults and students instead of being separated from the church to be well, The Church. Afterall, that is what students are - the Church. You won't find too much about "Youth Ministry" pr

Acts 17:11 New International Version (NIV) "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." The Bereans did three things: I. Evaluated themselves. They compared themselves and tried to make themselves better and be of more noble character. II. Examined the Scriptures. They examined to see if what their leader said was true. III. Established rapport with their leader. They encouraged their leader to see what was true, and also was encouraging to him, because they didn't just take his word for it; but were in the WORD. Don't you wish more people in our churches would be more like the Bereans??

So I kicked off our "Not a Fan" series this week. This week's sermon was on Fan or Follower. You see "Not a Fan" is more than a slogan - it's a movement of sorts. By definition a fan(n)/faen/: an enthusiastic admirer. The church seems to be full of fans. We don't want to be just fans of Jesus, but a Complete, committed follower. So as God's people, I hope they declare that they are "Not a fan" but a follower of Jesus and able to tell the difference. This Sunday we talk about the "Open Invitation" that Jesus gives to us.

So my wife made a Cat Litter cake for my Son's Birthday so we brought to the New Year's Eve Party at Church. The Cookies are actually dog biscuits that a friend had. Such unusual items ... don't you think? so what is the most unusual cake or cookies you ever ate?