Deep Thoughts by Mr. G

For Every 10 Men in your Church: 10 are struggling to balance work and family. 9 will have children who leave the church. 5 will have a serious problem with pornography. 4 will get divorced. Only 1 will have a Biblical Worldview. Source: Harry Gill. Men's Retreat April 24-25, 2009. A Big part of the Men's Retreat was a study of 1 Peter 1. The above stats were in context of what Harry had experienced in his own ministries. One of the things that stood out to me was a prayer of one of the guys there. His prayer that we "Produce Reproducing Disciples". That are time is limited so use it wisely.

What is community? What is it not? Defined: where you share life together. There are some basic elements to it. One has to want to be a part of a community. One has to love, and be willing to be loved. It is different in a world context due to how one defines love and value. The church and its community should be based upon management of what God has given us. In our relationship to God it is our life sharing as a part of His'. That's community defined in its simplicity.

There seems to be this debate of whether there should be fans or followers of Jesus. Fans tend to focus on cheers. Give me a J - give me an E. Fans tend to focus on Big crowds. The excitement. Fans tend to goto Big Events ... mountain top experiences ... but when there are valleys ... the fans are nowhere to be seen. Fans love conferences, conventions, Mega, and Super Size. Fans tend to love the idea of Jesus; but only when its convenient. Followers are True lovers of Jesus. They are Disciples, Christians. Followers love one another. Followers love their enemies. Followers do what Jesus said. Sometimes I see our churches more full of fans than followers of Jesus. You see followers of Jesus takes time. It takes discipleship and isn't easily summed up into a formula, 4 laws, or a finger exercise. Fans tend to do things quick ...say this prayer; do this act and you're done. Lots of shouting and confronting without the relationship. I want to make followers, how about you? (And yes

Moving to a new ministry or in the midst of one? Want to know who you should connect with and why? Here are some good suggestions: I. Local Education personnel - a teacher, educator, principal etc. They can give you insight to the local schools, the school board, and the INs and OUTs of ministering to them. II. Hospital Personnel - where are the local hospitals, medical facilities, policies, visiting hours etc. III. Chaplains - Gives you a spiritual insight to where you live and how the policies and procedures work. I appreciated the chaplains here helping me with resources for "pastoral care" and getting to know how to minister more effectively. IV. Funeral Directors - know where the local funeral homes are. As what resources they offer to help the bereaved. Take advantage and interest in what they do. My first "Funeral" visit in MD was where a lady had a fishing pole in one hand and a cigarette in another. Very amusing. V. Office supply personnel - know where to g

About a few months ago I had to conduct one of the hardest funerals I've ever done. A young man took his life. This past weekend, One man took his own family's lives Mere miles from our Church. Another happened up the road from us Then a CFO of Freddie Mac apparently commits suicide as well. With tough times, financial crisis ... people get depressed and think the only way out is to end it all. So what is one to do with dealing with suicide? what is the Church's Role? Here are some things I'm currently learning and have learned. I. When someone mentions suicide - take it seriously. Don't brush them off or say don't talk like that. II. Listen. Sometimes the best thing is to just be there for the person or the family that has lost a loved one. III. Empathize but don't over do it. You can try to understand but know you aren't exactly them. Don't try to trivialize loss. IV. Encourage the person. Know that they are loved and valued. V. Pray for them. Li

10. You think you have teens figured out 9. You understand the parents 8. Your name is Doug Fields and you sold all your material 7. You think doing having Fun and games is all there is to youth ministry. 6. You bought all the Youth Specialties material and are thinking; and now what? 5. You want to reach out to Generation X; and don't even know that we are past post-modernism. 4. You don't even have a computer. 3. You still teach out of the KJV 2. You don't know who Yaconelli, Kimball or Fields are ...and don't even read Riddle's Rants 1. You don't love students; and you don't even know if there is a God.