Comments on: Things I Want to Know About My Staff 1 (of 4)

By: Sheri

Sheri — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 04:33:25 +0000

I just found this on my husband’s pc…

Problem:
We long to love, be loved and belong
The world thunders the Christian “checklist�?
Like storm chasers, we race after the thunder and the list
We miss the intimacy of the gentle whisper of our true Love
We trip past the true Love in God’s unchanging character
We find emptiness in the “list�?
The result – insecurity and an “Identity Crisis�?

Where’s our Identity?

By: Things I want to know about my staff « Media Thoughts

Things I want to know about my staff « Media Thoughts — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 14:23:57 +0000

[...] (11-12-07) http://swerve.lifechurch.tv/2007/11/12/things-i-want-to-know-about-my-staff-1-of-4/ [...]

By: Faith Walker

Faith Walker — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 07:13:35 +0000

One think that Chris Walker forgot to mention was that we not only attent Vineyard Community Church Cincinnati but we have also taken on to being kind of sermon Junkies. We are also a part of the Life Church Internet Campus. We think(this week will be only our 2nd meeting with them) that we have also found a place to do life with other Christ followers so that way we are not only challenging one another but have someone else to hold us accountable. I hope to have found people to be barefoot buddies and have refrig right with.

By: gina

gina — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 04:38:06 +0000

i’m in the midst of something. tired of the systems i have in place and the steps i take to orchestrate a moment with God. (most of which involve a cup of coffee and a comfy chair) breaking myself out of those comfortable things that ‘feel good’ and forcing myself into moments that don’t ‘feel good’ but where i encounter Jesus. identifying a lot with Cindy B and Kendra. on the verge of something… just don’t know what that is yet.

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 04:15:58 +0000

I have learned as a worship leader that week in and week out of leading worship results in an empty spiritual tank…unless I am intentional about seeking God in prayer, study, and personal worship time. I have to have people who pray for me and hold me accountable about my relationship with Jesus. Doing ministry is NOT a substitute for a relationship with God!
Is. 64:6 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Thank you, Craig, for asking this very important question…I venture to say there is NOTHING we might do for our congregations that is so important that it is worth neglecting our own relationship with Christ.

By: Rahul

Rahul — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 02:10:15 +0000

What you say is very true Craig. I never check on how my staff is doing spiritually. I just expect and assume they are doing great spiritually. I wish more people would check on me, I mean seriously, not just say how are you doing “good.” And end the conversation at that. We should be calling out ministers out of love.

By: T

Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:38:07 +0000

Honestly - and I assume you want an honest answer….I have no clue. One day I think I’m on the right track - moving good - the next day is a total derailment & with it comes total doubt . So, to be honest, I have no clue how I’m doing spiritually.

By: lloyd

lloyd — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 21:02:46 +0000

Again, a post that could not have been more timely. I have a good friend and leader who is struggling, and as his accountability partner, we can think of a million things to do or say, but who often do we just ask a simple question like this. Thank You!!

By: Bradley

Bradley — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:49:40 +0000

I heard Bill Hybels say in a sermon leaders from our church watched two fridays ago that a leader that was willing to die for the purpose was unstoppable. I also read in Rob Bell’s book Velvet Elvis last thursday that Jesus has faith in me! I have never been so alive in Christ, free and willing to die for a purpose than I am now. I am enjoying a relationship with Jesus that I did not know was possible. I have died of self a whole lot in the last 10 days and am prepared to crucify the rest when He is ready. I pray each day that He will use me up.

By: Chilly Chilton

Chilly Chilton — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:10:09 +0000

Great Post! I know with our staff we really strive to create an environment where the main thing is the main thing - which allows conversations about our walks with God and praises or pains to flow naturally. We not only meet for staff “meetings” but also just hang a few times a week at Starbucks, my living room, Buca or other fun spots.

As lead pastor, the transparency starts with me. In the past I served on a few staffs where they discouraged vulnerability or friendships in the church with the warning: “you will be betrayed or burned” - I did it anyways!! And yeah, I did get burned a few times but the benefits FAR out weighed the occassional frustration. And my team grew as a result. The saying is true, “we reproduce what we are, not what we say”…

I’m going to call a few of my staff right now just to say I love you and thank them for yesterdays ministry to others…

By: Avery

Avery — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:01:43 +0000

Natalie…

Ohhh… “Humility” was a lifechanging book for me…all of those mentioned by Andrew Murray were great helps…

By: Natalie

Natalie — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 19:07:00 +0000

Something that has really changed in my life over the last year is the way I view the Sprit.

I am keenly aware that the Spirit of God lives in me and having that truth at the forefront of my mind has changed everything. I don’t feel condemnation, but conviction. I’m not living like a “sinner saved by grace”, but rather a “new creation.” I don’t look at myself based on who I used to be, but who I am. If He sits on the throne in me, then there is so much more to this life than what I think I can come up with.

I don’t carry guilt for not checking off the “read my Bible” box and prayed today box. Funny thing is, those are so natural now. I’m not tooting my horn, but His. One of the greatest things I am learning is the more I yeild to Him, the more I am filled with Him. And it is very good!

There have been a few books from a wise dead guy named Andrew Murray that have really taught me so much about the work of the Spirit.

“With Christ in the School of Prayer”
“Spiritual Authority” (may or may not agree with all of it)
“The Indwelling Sprit” (my favorite)
“Humility” (haven’t finished it…wonder why?)

I picked these up at Mardel.

By: Patrick Sievert

Patrick Sievert — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:58:44 +0000

I've sort of led myself to a dry season. I've focused my learning on things about God and how to do things for God that I've kind of neglected God. Please pray for me. The hunger is staring to burn again.

By: Adam Young

Adam Young — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 18:42:07 +0000

I am a new father (6 week old baby boy!) I have always been told how much your whole world will be turned upside down and how you view God in a completely different way after becoming a father. You can’t understand it until it happens. One of the greatest joys in my life has taught me so much more about our “Heavenly Father,” and has completely changed the way I relate to Him!

There is also nothing greater than being a part of a church that is not only concerned about how you are leading others spiritually, but how you are being lead spiritually!

By: Brandon Donaldson

Brandon Donaldson — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:41:05 +0000

A man that was very influential in my spiritual life would always ask me a piercing question anytime he saw me. “What has God shown you this week?” or “What has God shown you today?” The “this week” and “today” is the great part of that question. It required that I re-count my recent time with God or admit I needed some.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:32:30 +0000

Anyone have any good material suggestions on a daily devotional?

By: Avery

Avery — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:11:49 +0000

So… how are you doing spiritually?

The last three years have been tough. I have been caught up in a time of testing, and the pressure has been tough.

I spent several years being “busy” for God, and not spending time with Him…

I got tired, and burnt out… and was missing that intimacy.

I am spending more time with God, and less being “busy” trying to fit God into my agenda…

If I never accomplish anything for God, but spend time with Him, it is enough for me.

To answer that honestly, I would have to say I am doing terrible spiritually… but that drives me to Christ now.. when it used to drive me to get busy to do something for God to make me feel better…

Thanks for reminding me today, how much I depend on my time with Jesus…

By: Tyler Braun

Tyler Braun — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 17:01:27 +0000

I think this is so true. Sometimes we even want to justify that we’ve spent time with God because we were at church all day even though we really haven’t spent time with him. I know for me I can be lazy about it and just justify it like that. Thanks for the encouragement.

By: Valerie

Valerie — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:28:05 +0000

One thing is certain, it shows when we aren’t spending quality time with God! We must get to know God’s heart, which we learn from reading the Word, and communicating with God. He will show us Himself in many ways. I learned so much of His love through having children. The beauty of this earth, and the skies above fill me to overflowing with my love for our Creator. The competitive heart of man is a beautiful thing, that I know God loves. He loves it when we do our very best at what we do. He loves it when we think of others, instead of ourselves. (That doesn’t mean not taking care of ourselves.) He loves to reveal Himself to us. He loves the good in us. We should strive for that.
FAITH is the ‘magic key’ God gave mankind! He said the “Faith of a mustard seed can move mountains!” And when Jesus came to a town without faith, “He did no miracles because they had no FAITH”. The FAITH is what makes us not worry about tomorrow, but trust God! We should all pray for God to use us however He will. If we do that, then God surely will use us, and as Ministers we will reach the masses. But first we must…”BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD.”

By: Amber

Amber — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 16:05:58 +0000

Kevin - Although I don’t know you or the adversity you are going through, I would like to offer a word of encouragement to you. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were taken out of the furnace they didn’t even smell like smoke. When the Lord delivers you from this fire of adversity, know that your faith will be built and refined and you will not have a hint of this adversity clinging to you as the smell of smoke would and you will experience a freedom in Christ unparalleled to anything you’ve known.