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Have you ever had to do something you could do but it isn’t really a perfect fit for your talents, gifts, and personal style? Right now, I am knee deep in remodeling a couple of rooms at the church. A couple of our guys have really stepped up to the plate to take over a lot of the responsibility but I am still in uncharted waters here. I can do it, but it does not fit my talents and gifts well.
That’s why we are about to go through the Network process on November 9-10. Network helps people identify their spiritual gifts, personal style, and spiritual passion and helps them find there perfect ‘fit’ for service through Riverside. Sometimes you have to do things that are not your perfect ‘fit.’ But why not get plugged in where you ‘fit’ the best?
God wants everyone to be serving where they ‘fit.’ Come be a part of Network!
The past two weeks have been a blur. Satan raises his ugly head and then God chops it off in the end. That’s the way it’s been going. A tough but satisfying two weeks.
Let me give you a few examples of my God’s power over the last couple of weeks:
1) One of my favorite people in our church, Jane Ranatza, was diagnosed with cancer about a month ago. She had been battling this ugly disease in the hospital during this time. A couple of weeks ago, while having physical therapy, her hip broke. The cancer had ravaged her body and gotten into her bones. The pain for her was immense. A doctor came and told her that she did not have long to live. You might think now she went into a depression and died. No, she wanted to have a party. She knew her homecoming to heaven was at hand and she was ready. She went to be with the Savior last Friday. I was honored to conduct her funeral on Monday. I could see the many lives she touched and that even through her death, people were able to hear about the life giving power of Jesus.
Scoreboard: God 1 - Satan 0
2) Last week, a plan was devised by Satan to disrupt our weekday preschool ministry. His plan was so devious that there was obviously no way God could win this one. God led myself and our preschool director, Jodie Marsh, to handle the situation quickly and appropriately. Although a tough situation that we would never want to go through again, God’s Spirit led us to the overall victory!
Scoreboard: God 2 - Satan 0
3) Last night, I received a call from one of my favorite church members asking me to come by - right now. Usually, when the pastor receives a call like this, it is not to thank them for their sermon on Sunday. I went to the house and, needless to say, it wasn’t to thank me for my sermon on Sunday. There was a very serious consequence to a sin problem that required ministry and counseling. When the visit was over, I felt a since of God’s peace and relief.
Scoreboard: God 3 - Satan 0
This is just a few of the instances that God has moved mightily in the past couple of weeks. I am finding out that whatever Satan throws at us, God is bigger (and “realer” ha! ha!) to handle it and turn it around to glorify Him. What’s going on in your life that you don’t think God can overcome? That may be how you feel but it is not the truth in God’s reality!
I’m preparing for a talk I have to share this Sunday afternoon with new members and people who are considering joining Riverside Church. One of the things God is placing in my mind is what some are certainly asking, “what difference does it make if I join or just attend Riverside?”
There is an author that had a huge impact on my life and ministry (I won’t name him). God used his teaching to revolutionize the way I see God and life in general. But now I hear him saying that the church, as we know it, is no longer valid. Everything you need for Christianity you can do on your own. He says there is no longer a need for the church when you have everything you need in Jesus Christ. Whoa! Slow down. He is now saying what? I couldn’t believe it. This man who had such an impact on my life has gone off the deep end. What do you do with passages about the church?
I do understand, in some ways, what he is talking about. The organized church as a religious, business led model, program oriented group is not what Christ had in mind when He died on the cross. This kind of church God can do without. Christ didn’t die to make us religious!
But as I look at the New Testament, I see letters written to churches that had formed in cities throughout that era. These churches were groups of believers who, through the power of the Holy Spirit, carried the message of God throughout the entire world. The church is not the problem. I believe that you cannot have a Christian island. One man, even with Christ inside him, is not the total plan of God. God wants us to mold together in unity into being the church in the world. And that does mean coming together in some organized way to carry out the plan of God as led by the Holy Spirit.
So what difference does it make if I just attend or become a member of the part of the body of Christ called Riverside Church? Worship (and the church) was never meant to be a specatator sport. You can’t worship God on Sunday and you not be sold out on Monday, Thursday, or any other day. When you say you are joining Riverside you say you are joined in ministry with God in the purposes He is calling Riverside Church. You say you are bought into what God is doing and want to wholeheartedly throw yourself into the heat of battle. Do you want to be part of something that is greater than you? Do you want true purpose for your life?
Throw yourself into His service here at Riverside. That means getting dirty. That means serving people who are messy. Life is messy when it is infiltrated with sin and flesh. Are you ready to throw yourself to God and let Him take over? That’s what being a member of Riverside is about. It is the most exciting ride of your life! I promise!
I’m sitting here this morning in my living room. I have two iches that won’t quit: The first is a physical itch… I have poison ivy covering both my arms. What a miserable last couple of days! I know that this itch really will stop one day. After shots, medication, and rest, this itch will go away.
My second itch I don’t want to get rid of… my spiritual itch in my relationship with God. He is so good to live in me and guide me. My physical itch is a botersome itch. My spiritual itch is beneficial to my life and I don’t want it to go away.
What do I mean by spiritual itch. It is that prompting that God sends my way every day to walk with Him. It is gentile reminder to do something He is calling me to do. It is the joy of knowing that this spiritual itch is the work of the Holy Spirit in my life. Thank God for that spiritual itch!
I have been telling everyone that will listen that God is doing an amazing work in the part of the body of Christ known as Riverside Church. I tried to think about what does it really look like when God moves.
It is NOT something that I can count on a report. It is NOT just people “joining the church.” It is NOT even people being baptized.
It IS the unseen God of the universe showing His hand through frail human beings. It IS God moving through people to encourage each other. It IS God moving through people to care for each other. It IS God moving people to care for people who are not like them. It IS God moving to change people from the inside out. That’s what is happening at Riverside. Sometimes it does look like people joining the church or being baptized. But it’s God’s work on the inside that is causing the world to look and see what is happening at Riverside.
What does it look like to you? Reply to my blog and let me know!
I love being a pastor. You never know what each day will hold. Some days I’m an administrator, some a counselor, some a contractor, some a computer guru, some a monk recluse studying, and other days have no particular role but things just unfold around us. Today I put on the hat of shepherd.
I was at the hospital at 6:30 am this morning to pray with one of my favorite people that was having surgery. A cup of Starbucks and a staff meeting later I received a call that two other families I have become friends with had people in the hospital. So back to the hospitals I go. I saw a total of six (6) people in three (3) different hospitals spread over the New Orleans area. I shephereded hospital folks from age 9 - 80. It really takes a lot out of you physically and emotionally so I’m now sitting at the house at 5:45 pm veggin out in front of the TV. I know the veggin won’t last long but I’ll take it while I can get it.
I just enjoy God’s call on my life… even when it’s hard… which it is many times. See ya!
Coming back from a weekend of peace and quite, I had almost forgotten how different the speed of life is in New Orleans compared to middle Louisiana. Susan and I had the priviledge of attending a pastor and wives retreat last weekend. I am so used to having lots of things going on and not much time for anything even close to relaxing. Susan and I found ourselves actually being bored some of the time.
We had a hard time adjustng to the pace of life in Alexandria. This Bible belt town has a church on every corner and life is just a little bit slower. I appreciated the difference for a weekend but was glad to get back to the rat race known as New Orleans. Here on Tuesday afternoon the thoughts of a slow paced life are almost forgotten.
It’s a crazy life Jesus has given us here in New Orleans but I wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I was having a discussion with a person I respect for many things, but one of the things is her leadership ability. We were talking about why people decide to buy into a church or just pick up and leave. She said that you either feel like you are “in” or “out.” That is, you are either “in the know” and bought in or you are “on the outside” and don’t feel a part of the ministry. We continued that we wanted more people to feel like they are “in the know” and were discussing ways to make that happen. We began talking about some specific examples in our church that we know feel “in” and some others that would be considered in the “out” group. We tried to find things that the “in” group had and see why the “outs” don’t feel the same way.
Then another factor hit me, a lot of whether you are an “in” or an “out” depends on your expectations. People with high expectations (and sometimes unreasonable) of their church experience usually end up as “outs.” People with low expectations usually get their socks blessed off. Attitude and expectations are huge factors in determining whether someone stays or leaves your church.
Maybe all of us, as a church body, need to listen to what Paul says in Phil 2, “Have this attitude which was in Christ Jesus… he humbled himself.” Maybe we all need attitude and expectation adjustments. Let’s get over the attitude at church of “what’s in this for me.” Let’s look at what we can do for others. Let’s look at how we can be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. When this happens we will have far fewer “outs” and the majority of people will be on the “in” group.
There is no greater output of energy and resources than attempting to go on vacation. We have an awesome staff that will do a fantastic job… Riverside Church will not miss a beat without me. I know that as a fact. It’s a good thing for the leader to leave sometimes, to get away, to let the team come together and do their thing.
But getting ready I feel like a parent about to leave his 13 year old home for the evening alone for the first time. I know I shouldn’t feel that way but feelings are feelings. They are not always true. I am glad God gave us feelings and emotions. But you can’t always trust them.
I am pumped about what God is doing through the body of Christ at Riverside. Many are growing in Him and coming to know Him. My prayer, as I leave on vacation, is for God to blow the body of Christ at Riverside away while I’m gone. To reveal Himself in new and personal ways. For people to realize who this God is that He is in control. That’s how I’m praying this afternoon.
I’m reading a book called “A Renegade’s Guide to God.” It’s a great read and will challenge your walk. I love those kinds of books. I encourage you to give it a try if you are ready to listen to God instead of tradition.
I’ll let you know how it goes with Mickey M. over the next week. Let’s see what God has in store for my family in Orlando. God rocks!
