How Big is Your God?

I’m currently reading through the book “In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day” by Mark Batterson which explores the Biblical story in 2 Samuel 23. 20-21 of thriving in God-sized opportunities.

Helping Haiti

Elevate Church is on mission to do something to help those in need as a result of the disaster in Haiti.

S.O.A.P. Bible Reading Plan

Get the most out of your Bible reading in 2010.

Sacred Decisions??

Last week in the office, we listened to a podcast titled “Leading in uncertain times” by Andy Stanley. The whole idea was centered around clarity & flexibility.

Ministry Partners

We’re looking for prayer & support as Abby and I continue this journey of being part of the Elevate Church staff.

Loaded Down?

I came across this car on my way to the office recently. At first it made me laugh because it’s completely ridiculous. I wondered if the vacuum can’t be put in until the driver is in place.

As I thought about it more though, sometimes this is what our life can look like. The baggage we carry with us from past hurts, anger, frustration, dissapointments can stuff us full of junk.

The amazing thing is that it’s outside of God’s plan for us to be weighed down by our baggage. Check out the hope he gives us in the book of Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 30:17a (NLT) “’I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,’ says the Lord.”

My 2 Fish

Like many, I grew up hearing about the story where Jesus feeds 5,000 men with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. As many times as I’ve read this story over and over, it didn’t take on such a profound meaning until recently. I’ve been thinking a lot lately of my situation and how the disciples must have thought that night.

Here there are thousands of hungry people and the disciples feel the burden to feed them, yet the task alone seems so overwhelming! It’s almost laughable that all they can find are 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish to feed at least 10,000 people. Some would probably say it’s laughable to give up a stable teaching salary to be in full-time ministry. Yet, check out what Jesus did with those 5 loaves and 2 fish. I’m certainly not putting myself on a pedestal by any means; in fact, I’m more preaching to myself about the promise of doing what God is calling us to do.

Sometimes I feel like I only have 5 loaves and 2 fish, but imagine what God can do with that when I yield it all over to him. That is what I want to motivate and drive me and my every decision… as difficult as that is sometimes.

Fresh Expression of the Ancient Faith

“People are not tired of the gospel, but tired of old presentations of it.”

- Wayne Cordeiro, pastor of New Hope Church

The message of Christ isn’t what needs to be fixed. In fact, we know that the message laid out throughout the Bible is perfect! The message has the power to make an eternal impact. How we communicate that message however, determines the effectiveness of the message of Christ on the hearers.

At Elevate Church, church plant in Monroe, MI, we seek to give a fresh expression to the ancient Christian faith. When I look at the life of Jesus, he embraced the Hebrew tradition while utilizing the practices and media of an ever-changing culture. In the Big picture God’s timetable, we are in a continual process of expressing the ancient Christian tradition, that has been going on for over 2,000 years and will continue for who knows how long.

I don’t see Jesus, his disciples, nor the early church hanging on to the traditions of the past, but rather I see them moving forward in making an eternal impact on their world, within the cultural context of the first century.

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

What is Your “Calling”?

The New Testament refers to our calling in two distinct ways. First, it is used in conjunction with our salvation when we are called to a relationship with God (Big-“C” Calling). Secondly, it refers to God’s individual plan for our lives (little-“c” calling) In all reality, when we isolate these two callings, it can lead to a dangerous form of dualism; there’s no biblical evidence for a Big-C calling without the little-c calling.

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Eph 2:10, NLT)

The amazing thing is that God has a unique plan for each one of us. Because we’re all uniquely created and our “little-c” calling is specific to how God has designed us, there is no one else in the world that can fulfill God’s calling for us. So, what passions & desires has God given you as part of his unique calling in your life?

Reflections on Jesus’ Leadership

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus lived leadership. There’s much to be learned from his style of leadership. Here are a few of my initial observations on how Jesus led:

1. Jesus spent a lot of time with a few rather than a little time with a lot. To make a true impact and influence on another person, it takes time, energy, and effort. Jesus certainly understood that in order to “reproduce” himself, he had to pour his life into a small group of others that would then take continue the mission of building the church. He modeled leadership for his 12 disciples, equipped them for ministry, and even choose his inner circle of three.

2. Jesus had a clear mission. His mission was, as he put it, “to do the will of his Father.” This was the driving force behind everything he did. He had a clear focus on his overall mission and allowed that to define everything he did. Leadership is all about moving people onto God’s agenda.

3. Jesus understood how to follow. Before going to the cross, he asked if it was possible, that “this cup would pass.” He knew what was in store for him in the immediate future, and asked his Father if there was any other way. Ultimately, Jesus came under the will of God. In many other situations, Jesus tells us that his will is to “do the will of the Father.” You can’t be an effective leader unless you learn how to become an effective follower.

4. Jesus had confidence. It wasn’t an arrogance, but rather a confidence in who he was and his relationship before God. He knew what his calling was and his mission. He understood himself and didn’t waver from who he was called to be.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but just a few observations from the Gospels. As you read through the Gospels, what are some leadership principles that stand out to you?