Try Not To Step Across the Line

When bringing you, authenticity is crucial.

Everything you say must be true. But everything that is true doesn’t need to be said.

• If you or your spouse is uncomfortable about sharing something too personal—don’t.
• If you might make someone look bad, don’t share it.
• If your challenge is “too fresh,” you might allow some time to pass before sharing it.
• If you are going to tell a story about someone in the church, get their permission first.
• If you are telling a story about someone else that would be upset if they find out, don’t tell the story. (Even if you don’t use their names, it is amazing how small the world is and what people hear.)

In today’s world, the things you say tend to live forever.

Have you ever said too much?

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American Idol and the local church

It’s always great to see talented individuals who are part of the Church be successful in their careers, and one of our LifeChurch.tv attendees has made it to the top 36 in the American Idol competition.

This week we’re following the story of some people from local churches we know, including, Matt Breitzke, who attends our South Tulsa campus, Kris Allen, who worship leader for our friends over at New Life Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, and last week Danny Gokey, a worship leader from Milwaukee, Wisconsin moved ahead in the competition.  We’re looking forward to seeing their performances.

Last year we had another one of our attendees, Alaina Whitaker, make it to the top 18 out of 100k+ people auditioning.  Two years ago, our friends at Seacoast Church saw one of their worship leaders Chris Sligh make it to the top 10.

I’m sure I missed a few others that we are connected to…there are a lot of talented people in the Church!

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Take Some Risks

Most people will see you as a pastor first. I want people to see me as a follower of Jesus who happens to be a pastor. (In my mind, the difference is big!)

Accomplishing this goal takes some work. Many church members see pastors as a step above the normal person. (Some pastors even believe this to be true.)

To me, the pastor who is viewed as a normal person has an extreme advantage over the one who is viewed as the perfect spiritual leader.

To demystify your pastoral role, you’ll have to take some self-revealing risks. Here are a few suggestions when revealing personal flaws.

• If you are courageous enough to expose selected spiritual doubts, people may relate to you as a real person.
• If you carefully reveal a martial struggle (with permission from your spouse), people may be more likely to listen.
• When you tell about certain failures, many people will feel an increased bond with you.
• If you are hurting and you express your need, your church family can be aware to pray for and minister to you.

It is not uncommon for someone to say, “Craig when you shared about your struggle with ____________ (fill in the blank), I knew you were a pastor I could relate with.”

A few people might reject you for you authentic confessions, but the vast majority will accept, embrace, and trust you as a genuine believer wrestling to grow closer to Christ.

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Harder Work

We’re talking about the importance of bringing you in a message to your church.

To bring you, means you’ll have to spend more time in study and prayer.

(Notice I didn’t say research. Studying the text is vital, but don’t stop there.)

• A “Saturday night special” sermon that you throw together won’t likely empower you to bring you.
• A sermon you lifted from www.quick&easy&freesermonsforlazypastors.com won’t do the trick either. (I made up that site.)
• A rehashed sermon you preached five years ago will likely feel like a rehashed sermon you preached five years ago.

You must live the message. Breathe the message. Experience God’s Spirit speaking to you. That generally takes time. In my opinion, the best messages are usually ones that are born out of days or weeks of wrestling with God’s word.

When possible, I suggest:

• Spend four days studying three hours a day rather than one twelve-hour day. (This gives your spirit and mind time to process what God is saying to you.
• Interview a few other people about the text. See how God speaks to them. God might say something to you through them.
• Let the message “cook.” Instead of microwaving a message, give God time to slowly burn the message on your heart.

If you are unwilling to do what it takes to bring you, your effectiveness as a biblical communicator will be drastically limited.

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Authentic and Transparent Communication

This week I’d like to discuss the value and necessity of authentic and transparent preaching.

Bring You

Every year, I personally mentor a handful of young speakers. Most of the speakers I work with don’t struggle with researching the text, preaching creatively, building meaningful outlines, or pointing people toward the gospel. Most of the communicators I see struggle to bring all of themselves to a message.

When you preach or teach, you must bring you. Without you in, around, and through the message, you will not impact today’s listener.

The younger audience today has a built in authenticity-meter. You can preach with passion, humor, clever points, or heart-wrenching stories. But if the scriptures haven’t touched your life, the listener will know it—and ignore your well-crafted message.

People want to know:

• How has the text affected you?
• How have you failed in the area the Scripture addresses?
• What about the text makes you uncomfortable?
• What do you feel about what Scripture is saying? (I know our feelings don’t trump scriptural truth, but talking about how we feel about the text can help engage others at a deeper level.)
• How are you becoming different because of your study in God’s word?

Which preachers do you listen to that do a good job of brining themselves into the message? How are you learning to “bring you” as a communicator?

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Catalyst One Day Next Week

Next week we’re heading to Andy Stanley’s home turf at Northpoint Community Church for a Catalyst One Day event. On Thursday, February 26, Craig will and Andy will be sharing some thoughts about church, leadership, momentum, and more.

We’re able to pass along a discount from the folks at Catalyst to Swerve readers who register for next week’s event - just use the word “swerve” as the RATE CODE on the registration page, and it will automatically populate the 10% discount on your registration total.

We’re looking forward to a great time of connecting and learning. Hope to see you there!

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“It” is Now On Video

I am extremely grateful that God is using my latest book, It, to impact church leaders around the world. The book is currently in its 7th printing.

A lot of churches are purchasing books for their staff and leaders to read. If you’d like to buy 12 or more for 50% off the cover, please contact Sarah.

“It” is now on video. You can purchase it here or find more information here.  We produced nine different videos that are available on one dvd. The video above is a sample.

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Generational Ministry

I saved this topic for last because I believe it is most important and also the most overlooked.

If you want to reach the next generation, you must believe in them and invest in them.

Many in my generation don’t believe in those coming behind us (much like the generation before me didn’t believe in my wild ideas).

Here are some of my thoughts:

• Most of this generation had both parents working. They were given lots of things but not lots of time. Deep down, most crave support.
• In their mostly gray world, they hunger for a someone to point to black and white.
• Many were materially blessed and didn’t have to “scrap” to make it. No one expected a lot from them. They want to be pushed.

I challenge you to invest in this coming generation. They want to learn from you. (And they can also teach you some things.) See yourself as a Paul and find a Timothy. Even if you are only 23 years old, find an 18 year old and speak life into them.

It is one of the greatest joys in my life to invest in the next generation of pastors and leaders.

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