Dear Ministry Search Team,

You’re in the middle of an extremely important task that will have eternal consequences for you, your church, your community and the Kingdom of God. God is doing something and He’s called you to be a part of it. Exciting. Scary.

Over the past few weeks, I asked people that were looking for a calling in ministry to give me some feedback about the ministry search, specifically, I asked them this: “If you could say 2-3 things to a search team, what would it be?”
Here are the thoughts, distilled down for you:

• Have a clear, concise job description. A candidate should be able to clearly see what you’re hiring for. If something like office hours is a value for you, include that in the job description.
• Think hard about expectations and requirements. When your post reads, “Seeking someone in their late-20′s with children, an MDiv, 10 years of senior pastor experience in a church of 250 or more” the possibility exists that you are aiming a little high.
• The Search Team: Cast a wide net and seek people with giftedness and skill sets in this area. Strongly consider including someone on the team with hiring/firing experience.
• Pray.
  • The church
  • The search team
  • Those who will be applying
• Create the email address that people will be sending their information to, along with an auto-reply that tells candidates the following:
  • Thanks for applying…
  • We’re accepting resumes through…
  • We’ll know more by…and then, we’ll tell you…
  • We are praying for you.

• Communicate- As you remove people from the process, let them know quickly and with dignity. If you can provide any information, anything at all, please do do. If they made it to a next step (questionnaire, initial phone call, etc), let them down personally. I don’t mean “in-person”, I mean “personally”; if there is a skill-set mismatch, if something seemed off on the way that they presented themselves, please tell us. Because we cannot fix what we don’t know is broken.

In closing, please remember that we’re all on the same side here. Much of what we, as candidates as for, is simple communication, and communication takes two, one to say, and one to hear. In that spirit, I’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback. What might you add? What might you remove?

Yours,

Pastors seeking ministry

Your help requested

For almost 20 years, I’ve been on both sides of the hiring process- I’ve hired people and I’ve fired people. I’ve been hired, and yep, I’ve been fired. I’ve resigned and “been resigned.”

I’m not the only one looking. Your church is not the only one seeking. Having been on both sides in the church, this is easily one of the most stressful and important things that we do.

No matter which side you’re on, I’d like to help. I’m in the process of creating a brief blog series on the process that churches go through as they seek to fill a position and the mindset of those seeking a position have. It’ll be no more that 3-5 posts, and will be in an open-letter format. This is where you, the experts, come in.

If you serve (or have served) on a search committee, you can help by responding to this one question survey. It’s anonymous, and I’ll take the responses and create the “Open letter to ministers seeking a position” based on them.

If you’re seeking a position in ministry (lead pastor, children’s, student, worship, etc), or, if you’ve just been hired after a season of searching, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please respond to this one question survey. Like the above survey, it’s completely anonymous and I’ll take the responses and create the “Open letter to search teams” based on them.

Thanks for your thoughts, your help, and your desire to serve God faithfully.

 

 

“Peace, Be Still”

“I’m sick of hearing, again and again, that there’s gonna be peace on Earth”- Bono

Here are a few things that Jesus said about peace:

• “Do not suppose that have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”- Matthew 10:34.
• “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”- John 16:33
• “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”- Matthew 5:9.
• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”- John 14:27.

Jesus did not come to bring peace

Jesus did not come to bring peace. That’s what he said. several times. Several weeks ago, Micah 5:1-5 was the Old Testament text at Gospel Fellowship Church. Of particular note is the first part of verse 5.

“And he will be their peace”- Micah 5:5a

Jesus WAS peace. Jesus IS peace. Peace is found in Him. He gives it to us and we become peacemakers. Not peacekeepers, but peacemakers. A peacekeeper is one who goes in after a conflict is mediated to ensure that the peace remains, the two sides “play nice.” Jesus was not a peacekeeper. Since the Fall of Man, we’ve been at war with God and this war has left in it’s wake relational destruction with God and man alike. Here’s what Jesus did…he brought the sword. He set men against their families, against one another because some people? They just don’t want peace. So, Jesus divided. It was only after this division that he could make peace.

During Jesus’ time on earth, he make the contrast stark between those who thought they had God figured out and those that did not. He took the law and demonstrated that it could be fulfilled. He declared all-out war on those who wanted war. They killed him. Then, something crazy happened. He came back. After 3 days, He rose. Vanquishing the real enemy. Death. Spiritual death. Jesus was a peacemaker because he fought, bled, died and then came back for you. For me. While the sacrifice was indeed once for all, Jesus is still making peace today.

His peace is not like that of the world. His peace includes division and separation. Why? Because not everyone wants it. They need to be revealed for who they are so that peace might reign, might be made.What’s more, peace will reign. One day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. And, that won’t happen when everyone’s in heaven. People need to be so bad, the contrast between God and man and God’s will and our rebellion so obvious, that only God can bridge it. That’s why God’s justice is about our repentance. And, that’s why we don’t place our hope in tomorrow. Sadly, not all will seek this peace. Why? They’ve not been defeated by the sword. James would call it “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition.” Which really means no repentance and faith in their schemes for tomorrow. It means, “no peace.”

“Peace, be still“

In the middle of a terrible storm, Jesus simply said, “Peace, be still.” In those three words, he overcame nature itself. When he died and rose, he overcame the world. Find peace in your defeat.

The Folly of “Tomorrow”

Yesterday’s post dealt with looking back at 2013. Today’s is about 2014 and beyond.

It was the perfect plan.

In late 2011, after 6.5 years in Cedar Rapids at a great church in a student ministry that I loved, I felt God calling me away to a new season of ministry. God wanted me in a ministry environment where we’d be ministering directly to families and helping equip them to be the primary spiritual leaders of children. Months of searching and near-misses led us to Naperville, Illinois.

 “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money…””

I’d move to Naperville in advance as our two sons finished school. We’d put the house up for sale. Despite a lousy market, we’d sell it and break even. Taking advantage of said market, we’d buy a great new (-er) house. It would be awesome. We’d be in Naperville for at least 4 years as our youngest son completed high school.

“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

My plan? A cruel joke, a hoax played on myself. All those months of concern and frustration about a house that would never sell and eventually go into foreclosure.

So, we didn’t buy that fancy house that we truthfully could not afford.

In December of 2013, I’d leave my job. Before I found a new one.

He knew.

What if I got what I had wanted? What if our house had sold and we bought that awesome new (-er) one? The situation with our youngest? It kills me. Breaks my heart. But, God knew about that too. And even now, He’s taking steps to be present to John 3.

God knows what today holds. And tomorrow. And next week, and the week after that. Even February.

The Truth

I’m a mist. God, is not a mist. He has called me to be His. Regardless of the “good or troubles” that I’m in the midst of. And woe to me if I fail to know the Good I ought to do and not do it (James 4:17). My plans and schemes, the hope of wealth that I was looking to? Rotted and corroded (James 5:1-6). Like the farmer who’s planted a crop, I’m totally at the mercy of the one who is NOT a mist (James 5:7-12). My only response is to be patient, to stand firm, to pray (James 5:8, 13-20).

When we enter into this relationship with the God Who Is Not a Mist, we are guaranteed to experience both good and trouble. And it is in the midst of these experiences that He is revealed: His goodness, mercy, grace, His justice, His righteousness and ultimately, His reconciling work, a work that He began and will complete.

The is what it means to be reconciled to God. The old self dies. The new self rises with Christ.

God’s Justice, God’s Timing

The Past

On NYE, I posted the following:

• “On 2013: ‘Shall we accept the good from God and not trouble?’- Job 2:10.
• On 2014: ‘You do not even know what will happen tomorrow…Be patient and stand firm’- James 4:14, 5:8.”

The first verse is important because 2013 was a year of great highs and one tremendous low; it’s been on my mind since mid-October and took on a greater meaning in early December. As I ponder the meaning of the past 3 months now, I believe God’s revealed a third verse, one that gives context to both of the above: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today”- Genesis 50:20.

God’s Better Plan

Over the past day, I’ve dialogued with a few people about my NYE post. It struck me that many years passed between Joseph being sold and the redemption spoken of in the Genesis text. Joseph was 17 when we meet him; one of many sons of Jacob (son of Jacob, grandson of Isaac, great-grandson of Abraham), Joseph was sold twice- first to the Midianites, then to Potiphar. He was given authority in Potiphar’s house, only to have Potiphar’s wife try to seduce him. Failing, she then accused him of rape, so Potiphar had him thrown in jail, where he remained for 2 years. He interpreted a dream for Pharaoh, and was released from prison. He rose to power at 30 and was given authority over all Egypt. There were 7 years of plenty, followed by 7 years of world-wide famine. Joseph’s father, starving in the land promised to his father’s father, sends his remaining sons to Egypt to buy food from…Joseph.

Joseph’s life is a series of both good and trouble. Reading through the text, the faithfulness of Joseph is revealed in the good times…but what about the “trouble”?

Mercy vs. Sacrifice

We see the heart of Joseph when he recognizes his brothers. The ones who mocked him. Wanted to kill him. Stole his prized possession. Threw him into a pit. Sold him into slavery. Surely, Joseph was tempted to tell his brothers to pound salt, to curse them, tell them to go and die. The justice of man. And this is where we are. “Bad things” happen and we demand punishment. Judgment. Sacrifice. But that’s just not God’s story.

More years would pass until we get to Genesis 50:20. Joseph’s family has relocated to Egypt, and Jacob died. It is here, when the brothers are no longer “protected” by their father, do we really see repentance. They come to him in fear, on their knees. And Joseph does what we need to do. Forgive. Reconcile. Make peace. That is God’s desire.

The God Who is Slow

Peter puts it this way, “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” We can see from Joseph’s story that at least 20 years passed for this vengeance to happen, for the “bad” to be made “good”.

20 years is an eternity in 21st century America. Bad things happen and we want it fixed today. We want to see selfish, deceitful, lying and manipulating men brought down. Today. We want, demand, a sacrifice because someone needs to pay. Now.

What God wants is repentance. What God wants is reconciliation.

We both find exactly what we call out for in the Person of Christ.

Jesus is our perfect sacrifice, once and for all. If “vengeance is the Lord’s”…then the Lord has wreaked it. And the ultimate payback is not punishment to man, but repentance by him. The absolute best thing that could ever happen would be us, in eternity with God, finding those people that have maligned us the most…not because they deserve it, but because we, like they, have found reconciliation with God through Jesus.

What our enemy has meant for evil, God has used for good. This is God’s justice. And this is the past.

Soon, the future, and the folly of planning for it.

#30DaysofHustle

Created by Jon Acuff:

“30 Days of Hustle is based on one simple idea, Get Stuff Done. Turns out 98% of New Year’s Resolutions fail. Not this year. Using scientifically proven methods to knock out our goals, we will be collectively storming through 2014. Tasks will be emailed out daily to members of the group. The group is closed, but at the end of every 30 day cycle we will have a 24 hour period where new members can be added to the next round.”

My task for January 2014? Write 6 meaningful blog posts. Look for post #1 by the week’s end.

 

Battles of flesh and Spirit

The Text:

^“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”- Ephesians 6:12.

Their Story:

Shortly before this, in the same chapter, he told children to obey their parents, fathers to not exasperate their kids, slaves to obey their masters (and to work as unto the Lord) and for masters to treat their slaves as they might Jesus. Paul’s letter here is to “God’s holy people at Ephesus.” This matters immensely because his audience would only be comprised of believers (or at least those who would call themselves that).

Let’s combine all of this…

• “Christian kids, obey your parents. When they act unreasonable and in unchristian ways, remember, your battle is not against them. God’s still making them His.”
• “Christian parents, don’t be total (or even partial) jackwagons to your kids. Love them and treat them with respect. There is a war going on within them as God works on them.”
• “Christian slaves, serve your masters as you’d serve God. You must love them as God has loved you, even when they don’t deserve it because God is watching, and sees, all.”
• “Christian masters, treat your slaves as you’d treat God. God’s not partial in his treatment of man, and He’s watching.”

Certainly, this text offends 21st Century man. But…that doesn’t make it irrelevant, less truthful, or not timely. Why? In 1 Corinthians 2:2, he’d write this gem, “For I resolved to to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Paul wasn’t fighting a culture war, he was telling people about Jesus.

Our Story:

Over the past 24 hours, parts of an interview with Phil Robertson from GQ has been leaked. Surely every person that might read this post is familiar with this, if not, look it up. In response, A&E has placed Phil on hiatus. Then…”christians” went to work; here’s what I’ve observed: many Christians seem quick to fight this battle as though we are battling flesh and blood: boycotts, open-letters, Facebook statuses and Tweets galore.

When we fight this way, we simply do not honor Christ.

Some will be quick to defend themselves…

“What about freedom of speech?” Paul warns against this attitude in 1 Corinthians 6. The Christian should choose to be wronged. Yep, we live in a country where we have rights. We should honor that. Live within it. But, America is not the Promised Land and our Constitution is not God’s Word.

“This is persecution!” Paul wrote his letters at a time of strong persecution. The kind that found one beaten with rods, stoned and cast outside the city gates because they think they’ve killed you, where one might end up covered in oil, impaled on a stick and set alight so someone might enjoy their garden at night.

Here’s the deal, neither the truth nor the gospel of Christ is so weak that they need your open-letter. When we act out of the flesh, not only do we fail to live up to our calling, we cause God’s word to be maligned. It’s not love. It’s not grace. And it’s not obedience.

Cold weather running

I’m a year-round outside runner. Today, air temp was 5 with a windchill of -13 in Naperville. This is when people look at my like I’m deranged and ask, “How can you run in this weather?” Both Runner’s World and Competitor magazines offer great advice. For me, the answer comes down to 2 things: gear and prep/motivation.

1: Gear-

From top (clockwise):

Koppen coat, two-pieces (inner/outer shell): Bought this at Dick’s Sporting Goods on sale- $180 jacket for $65. I’ve worn this just twice while running, last year in Sioux Falls South Dakota when the air temp was below zero and windchill in the negative teens. It is ridiculously warm.

Columbia Ascender II Omni-Heat Gloves- I put these on when the air temp is below 20 or there are strong winds. Pro-tip- pull your fingers out of the fingers and make a fist in them- there is plenty of room.

Nike Thermal Tech Run Gloves- These are my standard gloves, from about 40 degrees on down. Nike makes gloves for colder weather, but these work fine.

Nike Dri-Fit Sweatpants- I rarely run in these on top of my running tights. I did this morning.

Nike Pro Compression Tights- The highest temperature I wear these is mid-40′s, and then only if it is windy. Wearing a standard pair of Nike running shorts (next) over them (you’re welcome) is plenty warm.

Next two items: SmartWool socks- I am thankful for the inventor of wool socks. I usually wear the ankle-highs, but wear the calf-length if I’m out in shorts for that sketchy upper- 30′s to mid-40′s temperature.

ASICS GT-2000- ASICS are my standard shoes. I keep ALL of my old pairs. when conditions are snowy, icy, or traction is an issue. I pull out an old pair and put 10-12 sheet metal screws into the bottoms of them and run off.

Nike Compression Insulated Top- This is NOT the hyper-warm gear. Cost is around $50. For temps 10-25, I’ll wear this under a standard Nike compression short-sleeved top.

Nike Compression Top- Standard compression long-sleeved top. Perfect for temps 20-35 under a short-sleeved shirt or alone under the next item.

Nike Quarter-Zip NikeFit- This is one of the first things I purchased when I began running in 2008. Over the years, it’s been in and out of the rotation. This morning, I wore it over the Nike Insulated top and it was absolutely PERFECT for the temperature and conditions.

Under-Armour hood- Covers the entire heat and the mask covers the mouth. Just pull it down when you get too hot.

Nike NikeFit hat- This is what they now call “Dri-Fit”. Insulated.

Under-Armour sunglasses- Year-round, great for snow glare and wind in the eyes.

I do a lot of mixing and matching of the above items. A good rule of thumb is to dress as though it’s 20 degrees warmer because as you run, your body temp increases. Layering is important because you can remove things as you heat up, and put them back on as conditions change. I’ve made some terrible mis-judgments, been too hot and too cold. If I’m going to err, I’d honestly rather be a little cold than too hot.

One more thing on clothes…get them on sale! Shop at the end of the season and look for deals. Buy last year’s model (I’m at least one cycle behind in my ASICS). When I began running, I signed up for a Dick’s Sporting Goods Rewards card. We used that Mastercard for everything, earning a ton of cash in gift cards at Dick’s- so many of the above items (especially the Nike stuff) was free. Also, take care of your gear. Wash it regularly, hang to dry the compression stuff. Untie your shoes when you take them off.

2: Prep/Motivation- I highly prefer cold/cooler weather running. In Summer, I’m out early morning and I despise humidity. I love being out in the snow, especially when it is falling. Out on the prairie path it’s quiet, peaceful and I love seeing only my footprints on the return; there’s just something about being the only one (or one of a few) out in it that gives me a good feeling. When I first started running in the cold, I’d set my clothes out the night before in another room, forcing me up and out of bed, turning the light on, forcing myself to get ready. No more. I just love Winter running.

How do you get ready for Winter? What are your gear choices? Secrets? Tricks of the trade?

 

The Gospel and Arcade Fire’s “Reflektor”

Arcade Fire has a problem with authority. Win Butler was quoted as saying, “”I never wanted to be in a band that could never play whatever music we wanted to.” Their latest album, Reflektor, is just that…whatever music they wanted to play.

Part pop (genre and U2), it’s 75-minutes of noise; glorious, joy-filled, and in many places, gospel-proclaiming noise. Kind of like the God described in Romans 1:19-20…He’s there if you’re looking.

The second song is “We Exist”, and as I listened yesterday, I imagined a  dialogue between the Trinity. The three primary characters are Jesus, the Trinity as One (The Godhead- probably the Father) and man, at the end. I wondered who or where the Spirit was in this, then it hit me, He’s right where He always is…in the midst of it; the Spirit is present in Presence.

The characters are in BOLD, and I added them…

The Godhead- “Walking around head full of sound
Acting like we don’t exist
Walk in a room stare out through you
Talking like we don’t exist
But we exist”

Jesus- “Daddy it’s true, I’m different from you
But tell me why they treat me like this?
You turn away, what could I say
Not the first betrayed by a kiss
Maybe it’s true
They’re staring at you
When you walk in a room”

The Godhead- “Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through
Down on your knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don’t exist”

Jesus- “Daddy it’s fine, I’m used to them now
But tell me why they treat me like this?
Is it because we do it like this?
Maybe it’s true
They’re staring at you
When you walk in a room”

The Godhead- “Turn on us fine
Stare if you like
Or just let us through
Just let us through
Let them stare
Let them stare
That’s all right with you

Man- “But lose myself
If it turn away from you
Daddy told him to wait
Mother, I’m so scared
But will you watch us drown?
You know that they will
You know that we’re young
You know that we’re confused
But will you watch us drown?
What are you so afraid to lose?”

The Godhead- “Down on their knees
Begging us please
Praying that we don’t exist
We exist”

The Power of Discordance

A long time ago in my corporate Best Buy days, one of my managers gave me a bit of advice that I’ll never forget: “You can’t control what happens, you can only control how you respond.”

At the beginning of October I traveled to Loveland Colorado for the IT3 Summit, a conference of sorts for those who plan Group Publishing’s  2014 Simply Youth Ministry Conference. In addition to conference prep and community, my favorite part of the Summit the “Rick Lawrence Experience.” If you’ve been to SYMC, you’ll know Rick because of his crazy Sunday antics, usually involving mirrors, balloons, paper airplanes. Essentially, if you’ve had an object lesson go awry, Rick has probably done it first.

On Tuesday morning at Summit (and clearly with the goal of annoying me) Rick showed us a TED Talk involving improvisational jazz (you should watch it):

I’ve been awake since 1:15am, and I cannot get this video out of my mind (It’s now 4am). The assertion of Stefon Harris is this, “many actions are perceived as mistakes only because we do not react to them appropriately.” This is known as discordance.

Life is frequently filled with what we might call “discordant notes.” Sometimes, you move to another state and a new ministry, and your house never sells, only to go into foreclosure. Sometimes, your wife gets cancer. Sometimes, someone hits the wrong key as you’re making music together.

Discordance happens. And the only questions that matter are: “How will we respond in the midst of discordance?” “Will we notice the discordance?” “Will we allow it to distract from the song of our lives being played?”

For the follower of Christ, the challenge is to view discordant notes as God might. God flows with the discordance, not as a distant Deist, but as an engaged and interactive Jazz Band Leader who utilizes the discordance for His glory and our good. God is not fazed by the discordance of humanity. He’s not surprised, not caught off guard. As Stefon states in the video, “A note is only bad if you don’t resolve it properly.”

God is the Resolver. And it is in the discordance of life that His grace, mercy and peace are resolved.

I’ve never been more thankful for jazz, discordance, Rick and his shenanigans, or God as “Resolver.”