A Joshua Generation - CFNI Spring Graduation 2010

Sorting through some files on my computer today, I came across this video recording of the message I preached at the Christ for the Nations Institute Spring Graduation Ceremony earlier this year entitled, "A Joshua Generation." I am so thankful for the opportunities God has given me to minister there. Nothing gets my "juices" going like a chance to share my heart with a bunch of young "leaders in the making...!" I attended CFNI myself in 1978 and my life was profoundly impacted, particularly in the areas of worship and missions. Experiencing the manifest presence of God day after day in chapel service and sitting in classes taught by John Garlock, the World Missions teacher, changed me forever...!

Leading Others Through Change

As often happens when I finish preaching, I drove away yesterday thinking about some of the points I had in my notes that I did not mention. Each of the four word pictures Jesus used in John chapter five to talk about change has lessons to teach us about how to lead others through change. If you would like to check out those insights, you can download my notes or read them online at my Sermon Seeds blog.

Growing in my understanding of growth

I am having a great time during the first part of this week here in Van Nuys, California where I am taking a class entitled, "Church Growth: Growing the Local Church," at the King's Seminary founded by Jack Hayford. The course is taught by Jim Tolle, Senior Pastor at the Church on the Way.

God has so many wonderful things in store for our church! As I shared on Vision Sunday, YOU have an important part to play in making that happen in three simple, yet powerful and important ways:

1. SUPPORT this church with our prayers, attendance, finances, and words.
2. SERVE this church with our gifts, talents, and experiences.
3. GROW this church by inviting others to our services.

Together, WE can make it happen!

Leadership as seen through the eyes of a five year old

A few moments ago, our son ran into our bedroom, jumped up onto our bed, and asked me what I was reading.

"A book on leadership that will help Daddy be a better leader, so I can be a better pastor," I replied. "Do you know what a leader is?"

"Sure," he answered, "A leader is not selfish."

Astonished, and impressed, I continued, "What else?"

"A leader has a book."

"That's right! Leaders read books! What else?"

"A leader is an animal."

"An animal...?...!...?"

"Yes, a leader is a goat!"

"A goat...?...!...?"

"Yes, a goat that eats lots of grass!"

Somehow, I think that's the way most leaders are. We may understand some things about leadership, but no matter how much we learn, there always seem to be things we do not grasp.

Here's the good news: No matter how much we still need to know, Jesus is willing to coach us. He is the greatest leader who has ever lived. No one else has ever influenced over one billion leaders and followers on a daily basis two thousand years after his death. No other leader, I mean absolutely no other leader can answer all our questions on the subject.

The Holy Spirit gave us this precious promise through the apostle James in his epistle,

"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault..." (James 1:5)

When it comes to leadership, the most important thing is not what you know, but who you know!