Top 10 Things that I've Learned from IRT

Top 10 Things that I've learned from Ice Road Truckers ... and can be applied to the ministry as well:

I. Going Slow isn't always bad.

II. Everyone needs patience.

III. Attitude is everything.

IV. It is good to know where you are going.

V. Prayer helps ...Alot.

VI. Conflict resolution comes in handy.

VII. It is good to know WHO is in control.

VIII. Respect, respect, respect ...need I say it again?

IX. Communication is a Must.

X. If things get out of control - check that you are not. Taking care of one's self and being flexible when things are beyond what you can handle.

(This helps also to take care of your own soul as well)

Others you would add?

Basic. Who is God? New Wed. Nite Series starting

What would God say to ...new Sermon Series starts August 19

Three Things We are to Strive For.

We are to strive for:

I. Holiness


"Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (1 Peter 1:13-16)

II. Love one Another.

1 John 4:7,8
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

III. Fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.


What are you striving for?

Lies We're Told.

There are several lies we are told all the time.

I. The government can fix anything.

II. You can have it all.

III. Education is the answer.

IV. I can trust everything my preacher says.

V. You can do it on your own.

The problem with the these "lies" is they sound good but in reality Jesus is the answer. Government cannot fix sin. You can't have it all. You can have all the knowledge without wisdom. Preachers are fallible thus trust God's Word. And without Christ and the Holy Spirit - it cannot be done on your own.

Our Attitudes.

Our attitudes reflect our heart. We just finished studying, "Lord, Change my Attitude." by James MacDonald.

so what how is your attitude?

Is it reflecting the things of God?

It isn't so much as to you are what you eat, but what is eating you?

Our Lord, Jesus talks about our attitudes through the parable of the Good Samaritan. That ultimately we are to love God, and love others.

How are you loving God?

How are you showing love to others?

How is your attitude changing and being transformed for Him?

Ministry is more about Listening than it is Speaking.

I'm learning this lesson along life's journey. Life is full of surprises. Life is messy, broken and isn't easy.

Ministry is about listening.

It is about listening to:

1. God's Voice - and doing what He would have us do.

2. It is about listening to God's people - their stories. There are many hurting people out there that just want you to listen.

3. It is about listening leaders. We need leaders that don't just talk, but sit still and listen and try to comfort, grieve, be joyful when the occasion is needed.

4. It is about listening to those that need Jesus. Listening to their stories of suffering, pain, and on life's journey ...knowing that that the GREAT Listener has been there all along.

5. It is about listening to parents. Listening to their dreams, visions they have for their children. It isn't so much telling parents how to parent; as it is listening and encouraging parents to parent.

6. It is about listening to mentors. Learning how one disciples. Want to know how to disciple - listen to others who been there.

7. It is about listening to servants. Those that serve have Great stories. Stories of Faith. Stories of stepping out of the boat and getting out of their comfort zones. Stories to go beyond of which they only trusted God.

8. It is about listening to children. Listen to a child use their imagination and dream Big things. Listen to their innocence. Listen to them having fears, and also No fears. Listening to them not caring what holds the future.

9. It is about listening to a heartbeat. Sometimes hearing the simple things in life cause us to pause. Be Still. Have balance. Embrace life.

10. It is about listening to all. Listen to a teen talk about college. Listen to some of the elderly when they talk about "when they were young ..." Listen to young adults who have hope for the future.

Listening isn't easy. Sometimes, we, who are in ministry, like to talk more than listen. We do that because it is easier. Talk is cheap. Actions are few. Listening is hard. I wish I'd just listen more often.

A Lesson from Bob Pierce

A generation ago this is what Bob Pierce wrote in the margin of his Bible. That directive ordered his life.

Here are some things I found from

Lookout Magazine August 14,2005 editon


"For 20 years, he traveled to Korea,
Africa, China, India, and Europe saving
souls, housing orphans, and building
hospitals. Through his documentary
fi lms, radio broadcasts, and personal
appearances, he awakened the social
consciousness of an entire generation of
American Christians. In the process he
formed a worldwide relief organization,
World Vision, which continues to be an
effective Christian relief agency.

The man’s name was Bob Pierce.
But while Bob Pierce was reaching the
world, he was losing his family. He had
accepted the believable lie, “If I take care
of God’s business, God will take care
of my family.” His all-consuming work
kept him away from home for months
at a time. Relational distance increased
as time with his family decreased.
Eventually he became frustrated, even
hostile, toward his family and in time was
legally separated from his wife. One child
committed suicide; another married
prematurely and was shortly divorced.
Soon even his closest associates found it
impossible to work with him.

Consequently, they removed him from
the organization he had created. Bob
Pierce became a bitter and reclusive man,
suffering severe bouts of depression. On
his deathbed he experienced one evening
of reconciliation with his alienated wife
and family. He died at peace, but his
family life, in many ways, was still in
pieces."

Don't Buy the Lies ....

So I read Group Magazine's old issue from Sept/Oct. 2006. And in it is 3 Dirty YM Lies and a Fourth.

Here are the lies:

1. YM is a meat grinder that will destroy you.

I like How Rob Bell puts it in Velvet Elvis, you can be cynical, and bitter or you can choose to reclaim your innocence.

2. "Do it all myself" is the best way. - UMM ever hear of working yourself to an early grave?

3. Close Relationships are the goal of Youth Ministry. Umm isn't the goal about presenting Jesus?

4. The percentage if young people who are Bible Believing Christians has now dropped to 4%. Funny thing is it is based upon sampling polls from Barna and even the Data from that April 2003 Report is different. I think there is more hope.

Here are some more lies (The above 4 were discussed in the issue but I gave them and my opinion)

5. The average Tenure of a Youth Minister is 18months. Where did this come from? I still haven't seen the stats for this. And if it is? in 6years to have 4 churches ... Might invest in U-Haul rather than Youth Ministry."Youth Ministry Tenure

Most of us have heard it quoted that the average length of a youth minister's stay at any one church is a year and a half. GROUP magazine reports, "The 18-Month Myth is now part of youth ministry lore. It's been used over and over to describe youth ministers as easily scared gypsies who bolt at the first sign of trouble. And it's all a bunch of bunk. We here at GROUP asked our research staff to complete a scientific survey of North American churches using a representative sampling of denominations. We discovered that the average paid youth minister has been at the same church for almost four years (3.9 years, to be exact)." From Group.

6. Most High School Christian Teens Desert the Church. Over 66% or more in their freshmen year. Where Does this come from?

7. Bigger is Better. Mega Church Student Ministry is the way to go.Umm didn't Jesus start with 12 ordinary men who turned the world upside down?

8. If you build it, they will come. Now come on. What you win them with is what you have to keep them with. So gimmicks, games, and prizes ..guess what you have to keep doing.

9. Youth Ministry is easy. Umm, ever do a lock-in, ever deal with teens' issues. It isn't easy but the rewards are worth it.

10. You will get Rich in Youth Ministry. Book deals, meeting Doug Fields, everyone will like you. Ummm hello, McFly .... you are in it due to the calling not some Christian celebrity bit.

Thoughts? Other lies to add?

Four Types of Sheep.

In a recent conversation I had with a fellow church leader in our area ... he mentioned to me that there are 4 types of sheep.

I. Sheep that are leaders. They know the Master. They are ready to follow Him and lead others and other sheep to Him.

II. Flock. Those sheep that just go with the flow. Never really do anything but go any direction.

III. Renegade Sheep. This sheep is the one that sometimes needs to be broken to be mended to follow the Shepherd's voice ... It tends to go its own way and let pride get in the way ...rebeling against everything and everyone and tries to thwart any change, leadership, and leading.

IV. Loner sheep. Not really a follower nor rebel but stand offish .... tends to get lost easy and the parable of the lost sheep applies here.

So question is which sheep are you? Leader? Rebel? just in the crowd or the loner?

Blog Silence

You may of noticed my blog silence over the last few weeks.

It has been kind of hectic.

I. Been in a season of ministry from VBS to a few funerals, baptisms, and ministry opportunities.

II. My children have been in camp: Church camp, scouts, and day camp.

III. I've moved from one part of town to a bigger home ... so the moving has taken a toll.

IV. I've moved others - my favourite mother-in-law to my favourite American Sister-in-law's home.

V. I needed the break to concentrate more and pray more. Being online alot takes time and I don't need to be.

VI. won't you take time to continue to pray for me?

Thanks.

Upcoming Sermon Series End of Summer/ Fall 2012

Top Ten Reasons Why Ministry?

Top Ten Reasons Why Ministry?

People seem to have looked at ministry as sometimes depressing.. When people ask "Why ministry?" I answer "Why not?" Here is a top ten reasons to consider supporting the preaching ministry within your church.

I. It helps to train, equip, rebuke, in righteousness in helping them know God's Word. To preach the Word.
2 Timothy 3:16,17.

II. It helps people to "Go ...." People
more than ever are willing to be stretched, used and be out of their comfort zones than ever before. Thus the Mission Trips and Service Projects are very important.
"Go ye into all the world ..." Matt. 28:19,20.

III. It helps ministry be professional more so than ever before. Ministry is now seen as a must need within the church. It helps people lead balanced lives in their mental, social, physical and spiritual aspects. It clarifies the expectations.

IV. It makes disciples. Matt. 28:19,20. The old stats of 80% of Christians do so by the age of 18. With such influences as conventions, camps, retreats.

V. It Teaches. Matt. 28:19, 20 " ...teaching them to obey all things ..." Education in our Bible Schools, our Bible Colleges, and our campus ministries.

VI. It helps simplify the Gospel. Where else can you teach the basics of the faith and leave a heritage? Acts 4:12; Hebrews 11.

VII. It teaches Unity. John 17. Ministry must and does functions with the rest of the body of Christ. It works with parents, relatives and the family of God.

VIII. It builds community. Where else can you love God and Love kids? Be silly; know that God is there. I know this is the one of the basics Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples. Mark 12:28-34.

IX. It is relational. I know a young lady that has been teaching Bible School for 67years. Why? Her educational style has changed but her relationships with those she teaches has not. She loves her Lord, and loves the youth she teaches.

X. It is Life Changing. The impact. The purpose, philosophy, support of families, crossing the generations makes it all worth it.


So Now we Know Why Ministry, Now What?

One has to envision what their ministry is going to look like.

The premise or the purpose behind the reasons for their ministry to which direction they will go.

Here are some practical suggestions to start with.

I. Ask yourself the tough questions. What are we doing right now? What can we change? How do we do it? What is the purpose? What is our vision, philosophy or mission statement for the ministry here?

II. Set some goals. Recruit. Have job descriptions. Screen your workers, train, have a budget etc

III. Have ways to achieve the objectives. Do we have the staff?
Volunteers? Be flexible and balanced.

IV. Follow through on your objectives. Start small and build from there. (Rome wasn't built in one day either).

V. Don't be Discouraged. Ministry is not easy, nor is it meant to be.What you win them to is what you have to keep them with. If all fun and games, Guess what you got to continue to do? If Big events and so on and so forth. Make the ministry your church's, have them own it. Again
Flexibility and balance come into play.

VI. Actually this should of been number 1. Get the support of the people

VII. Have some accountability. Set boundaries, rules etc. Recommend the book Better Safe Than Sued
and Brotherhood Insurance's Reducing the Risk.

VIII. Get the Leadership behind you. Nothing makes or breaks a ministry more than if the leaders are behind it or not.

IX. Communicate. Overcommunicate. Nothing does better than to have lots of PR .... Plus it gets your light too out to the community.

X. Get some resources that can be adopted, adapted to met your people's own faith journey needs.

So we discussed the Why, What, The Who and Where are easy. Who? as in Who can be involved in ministry? Anyone that loves God and loves people.
We do this through our own objectives of the 4Cs in which we have people Come, Connect, Committ and be Commissioned. Currently we havepeople at various stages of this. As to resources and sites.

An unknown author once wrote "To touch the past, touch a rock. To touch the present, touch a rose. To touch the future, touch a child" We that are involved in ministry are doing just that. Touching people's lives with the Love of God. May we continue to press on being the hospital for sinners, and not letting our Church be some museum or clique for saints.

Summer/ Fall Sermon Series 2012