Thanksgivng

"Give Thanks with a grateful heart."

We have much to be thankful for in our world. Yes, we may be going through a recession, but God still cares for His people. When we stop to ponder, we realize that we are blessed to overflowing.

We are not Super-Pastor's

Look up in the front it's a singer. No, it's an entertainer. No, it's a prayer. No, it's a manager. No, it's the C.E.O. No, it's a compassionate friend. Actually it's just the smaller church pastor, and it must be Sunday morning.

Somewhere between planning worship, preparing sermons, and visiting the sick you are still called to help feed the poor and encourage the newly wed's down the street. How can one person do so many things? Well remember Paul said, "I was all things to all people that some might be saved." This is our motto, and our creed. We praise this creed, and promote it to others would follow in our footsteps.

For Superman it was the the sun which gave him his extraordinary strength, with which to do his mighty deeds. The reality is that for us we need to spend our time with the Son, as well. We do not minister under our power, but in the power of time spent with Scripture regularly in our lives. Be sure your soaking in the the Son continually to be a vibrant minister long term

Keep It Real With Those Closest To You

You need to keep it real with family, and with the leaders you work alongside. You may need to give information to your leaders, at the right time, but don't withhold information too long, or you risk loosing their trust. Trust is essential in working together in church leadership.

The busy life

We had one of the most busy times since arriving here at Clifton during August and September. The church celebrated 150 years of ministry. Amazingly the usual few people offered their help in preparing. With historical research, preparations for dinners, and all of the work to carry it off I know several of us put in 80 hour weeks for over a month. Was it worth it? I am still not sure.

In many ways celebrating the victories of the past can be a blessing, but I also watched some people show their sadness and anger with times of struggle in the past of the church. I think remembering is good, and that working through life is needed. The only way we can move ahead and change ourselves is to change our past, but we must truly use history as a tool to push us to a strong future. I and others stressed this, as we celebrated the past.

We were challenged to move to a brighter, stronger future by a former District Superintendent. We were challenged to move and grow to a place beyond our current size and out grow our facility. The potential exists. God is big enough. I just pray we all were listening, and that hearts are willing to grow.

We All Need An Update and Reboot

This morning before starting my devotions I started the automatic antivirus updates. I did my devotions, and took some time to think. In a real sense doing daily devotions of Bible reading, prayer, thinking, and journal writing is a way of updating and rebooting our spiritual lives. We go through each day and hear and see millions of things that are unholy, unrighteous, and ungodly. We all need time to step away from the everyday. We need to download the thought and presence of God to protect us against the evil of this world. It strengthens us to be able to continue our work in the world around us. Make sure your taking your daily update and reboot in devotions.

- Keep on your journey with Jesus.

Church Camp Still A Needed Element of Spiritual Growth

I am part of a Holiness denomination, which was built on the foundation of camp meetings. A time of bringing together all who people of the same faith, belief, and foundational background. For many this is a blessed tradition, of getting away from the everyday life to spend time focused on spiritual growth.

I didn’t grow up in this background, but began attending with my wife when I was twenty. She loved going to camp, and I quickly fell in love with the Northern Michigan camp we attended. We were blessed by many speakers, special music, and the fellowship with those of kindred spirit. It was nice to get away from the computers and television to enjoy some time with God. Helping out with children’s ministry a couple of years was an additional blessing. It is great to enjoy the outdoor’s, and a place a little off the beaten trail.

The problem today is that many, even in our own denomination are forgetting the revivals and the blessings of going to camp meetings. Many feel that older camps are far too outdated to be effective. They want glamour, flash, new buildings, and physically aesthetic places to seek God. Some are closing campgrounds, even when people are coming in large number. They may wish to build a more modern facility, which will cost far more than adding or maintaining what is already owned.

I find it funny to hear friends in other districts who are facing these fights to save their campgrounds. People will not come to an old tabernacle to worship, yet the younger generation will gather in garages, pole barns, warehouses, and even barns to worship every week. The younger generation may be hooked on IPODS and computers, but when they worship they love traditional atmosphere, with new amenities. Maybe those considering closing a camp should look at this upcoming culture and realize what they really like. With a few modernized changes, most due to electronics and not the look of the building a camp may be able to be used for the next generation to be blessed by a new revival spirit.

We now live in Central Illinois and our district hasn’t had camp in years. There is a great separation between many of our church. We do gather yearly for conference and we try to get together at other times, but it is difficult to pull the district together at times. We miss the fellowship of pastors, generations of believers gathering for worship, and the atmosphere of revival found at church camp.

My wife is in ministry training and attends FLAME courses from the Wesleyan Church. They often use district camps to offer training through out the country. I am blessed to join her each year in Frankfort, Indiana; at the Wesleyan Campground. It is not exactly like going to a family camp, but it helps to fill the void missing to the two of us. I hope and pray that those considering the closure of camps think long and hard about the purpose of camp meeting. I also hope they never forget either the foundation we are built upon, or the ability to reach the next generation through camping. May the fires of revival continue to burn from campgrounds, just as the fires of the campers shine into the darkness of the night.

- Keep on your journey with Jesus

Helpmate in Ministry

Billy Sunday once said, "Praise your wife, even if it scares her at first." Does your spouse fear when you are being kind, or say a kind word. More important, how high in value is your spouse. I know I do not thank my wife enough for standing by my side in the ministry. I try to say thank you, but then I know the sacrifice, the work, the time, and the energy she puts into the ministry alongside me.

There are many young people going into ministry who may say, "Ministry is my calling, and my spouse has no need of being involved. The churches I candidate to must understand that she is not a free laborer for the Lord."

My wife would argue that she is called to work along my side, and that ministry is package, which she is very happy to be a part of. She is valued by those who seek her counsel, the children she ministers to, and those whom she is able to demonstrate her gifts of hospitality to.

She is not paid in monetary amounts, and she gets tired. However, she understands the bigger picture of the Kingdom. It is the Kingdom she willingly keeps in mind when she works alongside me as helpmate, advisor, and friend.

Yes, I know we should set limits and be responsible with the most precious resource we have on earth; our spouse. I am not saying that you should sit back and let a church walk on your spouse. However, your spouse should be part of your ministry. They should be as involved as you expect any parishioner in your church to be involved. Too many seeking or in ministry are willing to protect their personal time and family involvement, while expecting high commitment from members within the church. Be sure your commitment levels in your ministry begin within your own life, and your own family example.

- Keep on the Journey with Jesus today