Get Out Of The Church

 

Yes...I've been away for a few years but I had to put blogging on the back burner for awhile so here I go...

 

This is a word to my fellow pastors and ministry leaders though in reality, any believer in Christ could model this in their lives to reach more people for the Kingdom of God.

 

Pastors...can I encourage you to NOT think of your role as shepherd and leader to strictly ministry or "spiritual" things? What are you good at that you can help others with? What is a passion of yours that you can share with others?

For me, I enjoy dabbling in some MINOR website design and "tech/online" stuff. There are two business owners in our church that I have come alongside to help them with some website matters. I assure you...for them, it is monumental because it helps them financially AND they are given opportunities to reach people for Jesus by praying with them, talking about how God impacts them and their client base receives the love of Jesus whether they realize it or not.

Youth football has been part of our family activities since my son started flag football in second grade; he will be a senior next year. Needless to say, our family knows our way around football from a fan, coaching and recently, an announcer standpoint. Parents, players, league members, fans have at one time another been around Jesus by being around me. I've spoke with moms raising boys on their own about my influence in their son's life. People have asked questions of faith or even walked in to church services because they knew me from a football field FIRST then knew me as a pastor.

 

Hebrews 13:16 (esv) Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. 

 

Philippians 2:4 (esv) Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Pastor, let me leave you with this thought; If your ministry ONLY happens in church, YOU'RE DOING IT WRONG!!!

#ThinkOutsideTheBox #PreachJesusLovePeopleBeReal #GetOutOfTheChruch

You Never Know...But God Does!

“You Never Know”, how many times do we use that phrase?  It is used so often by so many people for various reasons.  I have been known to say it myself and you likely clicked on because you have used the phrase recently and perhaps, even today.  Most of the time when we use that phrase we do so in an attempt not hold ourself to something or a situation we find ourself in.  One example that comes to mind is, “Do you really think the situation can get any worse?”...followed by a “You never know.” We say that because there is a bit of fear or worry that it could get worse but we say that to ease our minds.

God will only clue us in on so much but we should remember that what we may never know, he already knows.  Unfortunately, we are sometimes our own worst critic and count ourselves out too often.  I am thankful for the truth in 1 John 3:20 (nasb) “We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.”  God knows all things.  Just rest in that today and the next time you admit that “You Never Know.”

Take Some Risks

Some people know the details of this post well, some don't but I believe you will get a sense of what has happened.  When as a first time lead pastor you experience tremendous growth in a church and think it's the right time to expand so you take some steps forward in the process, only to realize it wasn't the right time, well, IT STINKS.  That was a risk I took almost 2 years ago when incredible things were happening at Velocity Church and we were running out of space.  With 100% board support (because no one said no) and 100% church support (because no one said no), we began the process of a building expansion.  Long story short, we got some concept drawings done, we didn't go in any debt, no finances were improperly handled and we never broke ground but I did make one VERY COSTLY mistake.  I got focused on planning a project and forgot about pastoring people.  As time passed...it blew up.  I was convicted of using the project for self validation and got prideful.  God wasn't going to allow that to happen.  When a church you pastor, ministry you lead or company you run sees tremendous growth in a short time, it's fun and you really enjoy it. However, if things don't move forward correctly then you need to get ready for chaos to ensue, know that people will question YOU (not what you did), and you will likely see  your "dreams" or "success"  crash HARD.  For me, I handled some things wrong.  I admitted that publicly and repented before God and the church I lead.  I'm sure I hurt some people in the process.  MANY people left the church because well, their pastor messed up.  If you're reading this and you attend a church, don't expect perfection from your pastor.  Extend the same grace to them they do to you time and time again.

For many people, they ask what's the big deal, Bill? You always take risks. They would be right because I jumped out of a perfectly good plane in 2015 and had an incredible skydiving experience.  I am that guy that will do about anything once that isn't illegal and doesn't cross my spiritual or moral convictions.  Well, since last December, I haven't been that risk taker. As a matter of fact, I have begun to put up some guards. Some of those guards are ok...but most were put up out of selfishness and hurts. Hurts that shouldn't really be hurts at all.  I guess I have played it "safe" since December.  I have kept some people at a distance. I have neglected to provide leadership at times. I've been hesitant to allow people to help me with ministry because of a fear they may leave me high and dry.

I had lunch with a good friend and mentor a few weeks ago.  He was concerned for me.  He has watched me pastor Velocity Church and has even been there to coach me through a few things.  He asked me a question that struck me hard.  He asked, "Have you taken any risks since everything went down?  I asked that because you didn't get where you got by playing things safe."   Only a few days later, God began to speak to me about the first risk I needed to take and man did I argue with him.  As God would have it, Sunday August 30th, I took my first ministry risk in a long time.  What was the risk...I shared VERY openly about the Struggle In My Own Mind the last 9 months as part of our #StrengthInTheStruggle series.  (You can catch the video here: http://www.wearevelocity.church/sermons/strength-in-the-struggle/ )  I was open about why I have been playing it safe.

The big risk came when I invited up people to pray for God's power to be released and I didn't "pre-select" them .  I simply called for people to come up who were willing to pray for others that had been Baptized in the Holy Spirit.  I am telling you...God moved in incredible ways.  I love Pentecost.  I love when the Gifts of the Spirit happen.  At the same time, I have seen some weird stuff in my 17 years as a Christian, so I have guarded against some of that happening at Velocity by being very picky about who and how we pray.  Don't get me wrong, I know God does some amazing things.  I also know people do some weird stuff and say they "Experienced The Holy Spirit", giving credit to The Holy Spirit.  Sorry but my Bible doesn't have the Holy Spirit acting a fool or being some weirdo.  He is powerful.  He is incredible.  He is full of compassion but He is no weirdo.

We had an incredible altar experience.  Yes I gave some instruction on how people needed to pray for people but asked that they pray with POWER and BELIEF.  God is doing something new in me and at Velocity Church.  I have been troubled and challenged by a lack of SIGNS not following me (Mark 16:15-20).  I thank GOD that on 4 separate occassion by 4 different men,  I was challenged with a simple principle.  Basically, "Christian, you can see those same signs happening in your life."  My cry, my focus, my prayer, my HEART now is that people begin coming to Velocity Church because of miracles, signs and wonders...NOT some nice worship experience, a good sermon or incredible kids stuff.  So, take it from me...Take Some Risks.

Stay Connected

I get it.  It is tough to do.  You get that email or text from a ministry colleague about an upcoming meeting and conference and you think to yourself, "If I was full time, I would go."  Let me tell you that those meetings or occasional conference may be what you need to get over the "funk" you are in.  If your "other job" gives you personal time, use it for that afternoon meeting with some pastors in your town/area.  You can't expect to stay healthy if you aren't staying connected with other like minded people.  It is good for you and I to attend those meetings so we don't fall prey to the lone ranger mentality that says it's just me and my church...I got this.  YOU DON'T.  If that is your thought, prepare for wreckage because it is coming.

Trust me, your spouse will understand if you need a couple nights to get recharged at that conference.  If they don't then I question how much they really supported you being a Bivocational pastor.  Perhaps your job will give you the time off but you don't earn paid time off.  No problem, just approach your church board about covering the salary you will miss out from that employer.  Your board should love you and want to see you taken care of.  Besides, you're the one making a major sacrifice for the church to not receive a full time salary.  I find it hard to believe that most churches couldn't find a couple hundred dollars to cover missed salary and conference registration for you.  It may require some creative approaches such as a special offering or shifting some funds but most churches can make it happen but they don't know because YOU haven't asked.

Personally, I am blessed that the church I serve covers my conference expenses.  They don't cover my missed salary from my sales job for conferences, instead they cover me for my MANDATORY 2 weeks vacation I now take.  Yes, the church board has mandated me take 2 weeks off a year and they value that so much that they make up my lost commission because if I don't sell, I don't get paid.  There were several things that lead to this understanding but it all started with a conversation.

Let me add one final thought.  If you don't value your own personal growth and connection with other pastors, will those people you minister to value their personal growth and connection with other believers?

Pastor The Moment...Not Just The People

DISCLAIMER: This post isn't about bivocatonal ministry but certainly will help you.

I have the privilege of pastoring an Assembly of God church to which our fellowship (denomination) has some deep Pentecostal roots.  We understand that the Gifts of the Spirit are still available for today's believer in Christ in order to encourage, build up and bring direction to the local body.  Full confession...our church doesn't experience these gifts in operation on a weekly basis.  Some would argue that we aren't "Spirit Led Enough."  To that point, I would steer the conversation by asking if the pastor of their "Super Spiritual" church is pastoring the moment and they would likely look at me with a very confused look.

At Velocity Church, on nearly every occasion that the gifts have been in operation, I Pastor The Moment (I say nearly just in case I have missed doing so once in 6 years).  What I mean is that I take a few moments and explain to the audience what they just heard or experienced.  It only takes a matter of minutes and usually ends with two tasks for those who aren't familiar with it.  The first is for them to go a read 1 Corinthians 12 & 14.  Go figure, right...I direct people to God's word in hopes He speaks to them through it.  The second is I encourage them to speak with me about the experience if they still have questions.

I really felt the need to share this after speaking with someone after service yesterday who had visited our church, along with another couple, for the last two weeks.  Guess what happened on their first visit last week...YEP...God showed up in an incredible way and gave the church a message in tongues, followed by an interpretation that encouraged our church so much and was right in line with the message of the day.  When that happened, I pastored the moment.  What they guy shared with me yesterday floored me.  For him, seeing the gifts at work during a service weren't new to him because he had attended Pentecostal churches in the past but he said that until his visit at Velocity Church, he had never heard a pastor do what I did.  He expressed there were many teachings and sermons on the Gifts of the Spirit, but he hadn't experienced a brief explanation after something had happened in the service.  Now, that doesn't mean I am some great pastor, only that I care a great deal that people experience Pentecost in a way that draws them closer to God and doesn't have them running for the doors.  It isn't unusual for that same experience to happen when someone first visits the church because there are many families still at Velocity Church and on their first visit, they experienced the moving of the Holy Spirit through the gifts He gives...and they are still around!!!  Not only are they still around, many have since experienced the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a result of me pastoring the moment when they first walked through the doors.

To wrap this up, I want to share a few reasons why I believe this is so important for Spirit filled churches to do in the moment.  The first reason I would give is because Peter did.  Right after the Upper Room experience happened, Acts 2:14 begins telling us about how Peter pastored the moment. Secondly, if 1 Corinthians 14:22 tells us that tongues are a sign to the unbeliever, they have to be told what that sign means.  Imagine a new driver being handed the keys to a car.  They are going to see some signs on the road.  If they don't know what they mean,  they are going to cause some damage.  The same will happen in the church if we fail to tell people what is happening in the service.  Let me also add that 1 Corinthians 14:33 & 40 CLEARLY lay out the fact that God is about order, not chaos.  Explanation brings clarity.  Clarity brings order. Don't let things get away to the point it seems as if the circus has showed up.  You're not "quenching the Spirit"...you're ensuring order that is needed. Finally, I would say that I believe when we pastor the moment, it causes people to want to know more.  In their wanting to know more, they soon begin desiring those gifts, just as Paul instructed the early church to do in 1 Corinthians 14:1,12 & 39.  The Gifts of the Spirit are still FOR TODAY...but it is up to Pastors to "Pastor The Moment."

Systems vs Relationships

So, you're in bivocational ministry.  That likely means you are in smaller churches with less than 200 people.  If you are like me, you find yourself at conference after conference waiting for one word to come up..."systems".  Don't get me wrong, I know systems are necessary.  I am thankful for the brake system in my car and the alarm system at the church.  God gave us systems within our bodies to ensure they function the way they are intended to.  As necessary as the systems are, they don't tell the whole story.  

For us in smaller churches, we must first learn to build relationships before we ever begin to lock down systems.  If you leave that conference or that meeting and all you can focus is implementing new systems, you have missed something.  Think about some larger churches you know and what they do to make sure their systems work...they have small groups.  The small groups give opportunity outside of their Sunday mornings for people to connect with other people.  They are building relationships.  Trust me, that didn't happen overnight and yes, they messed it up time and time again but they stayed with it.  

Good systems don't flourish until great relationships become the focus.  For smaller churches, the "system" you need to focus on first is getting people to move from a guest to part of your church family.  Of course, you need to have plans or systems in place for the newcomers to your church but if that system doesn't happen with the intention of building relationships, then all you have become is a concierge service at the front door.  You can't expect to just find someone with a nice smile and a great personality to put at the front door and think it will turn in to people flooding your church because you're the "friendly church" in town.  At the same time, you can't have an incredible assimilation plan that leaves out people connecting with people.  It takes both relationships and systems working together to make your church a great fit for new people coming in.  Remember, the focus must be on building relationships that help lead to creating better systems.

Making An Impact vs Getting Out

As a bivocational pastor, I am asked many questions when it comes to what I do.  If you have done this for a year or longer, you know the questions.  Questions such as "How do you balance everything?", "Does your church have a problem with you not being at the office every day?" and the BIG ONE..."When do you hope to get out of bivocational ministry and be full-time?"  Many people are surprised that I don't CURRENTLY have a 5 or 10 year plan to get out, I simply want to make an impact.  Sure, in the beginning, it was a nice thought but soon it became more of passion rather than a plan.  I have told our board that when they feel there are funds in the budget to bring me on full-time, then that would be a great time to hire someone to help with the ministry of Velocity Church.

When I interviewed at Culligan, I told them I would expect to be back at the church within 2 1/2-3 years...that was nearly 4 1/2 years ago and I am so grateful.  There was a slight transition that took place in April of 2015 when I moved into sales but I was thankful because I realized God was continuing to allow me to walk into peoples homes long before they would ever walk in my office at church during the day.  I am thankful that I get to walk in numerous homes every week and make an impact on them.  No, I am not going in there to share the gospel of Jesus but I do hope to make an impact by the way I treat them.  When I am in meetings or hanging out with our service techs, I can be a voice that builds people up, not one that tears them down.  I don't walk in homes and announce I am a pastor but it has come up and opened the door for me to pray with people, encourage them and on occasion, invite them church.  Some have visited, many have not, few have stayed.  For all I know, there may be customers of mine that are sitting in a church in Knox or Richland County because their Culligan Man told them to find a church and get plugged in.

I don't use the platform of bivocational ministry to build Velocity Church.  If it happens in the process, GREAT. I do my best to use it to make an impact in the lives of people and do my part to build the Kingdom of God.  If you are in bivocational ministry and thinking more about going full-time than making an impact on people, you need to reevaluate some things.  If you can't honestly see yourself stepping in to bivocational ministry without knowing there's an end in sight and you may have to do it for many years to come, you probably shouldn't go down this road right now.