If I learned anything from the experience, I learned that working with Chuck, our Senior Pastor at Stonebriar, gets some odd attention from a lot of people outside our church family. While I sat in the hospital examination room after a severe allergic reaction (which felt as if my eyes were bugging out of my head and throat constricting in a way only Steven Spielberg could have visualized on screen), the receiving doctor sat down to tell my wife and me how much Chuck’s radio preaching had meant to him over the years (he heard that I worked with Chuck on staff). As I listened to “Chuck stories,” I wanted to remind him that I was the one on the clinic bed. “Um, Doc, don’t forget me here on the bed.” In actuality, he was a wonderful doctor, but in my coughing spasms I learned to not think too highly of yourself while you lay on the table. The lesson is a fond—and chuckling—reminder for my family.
My return to work also reminded me of another important truth about life. When you return from being sick for a while, it feels somewhat daunting at least—perhaps difficult at worst—to get back into the swing of things. The body moves slowly. Even the mind and heart gaze around to find their initial first step. Yet here’s the beauty—the Holy Spirit never stops beckoning and drawing us back to his mission while we wrestle with the bacterial bugs. As he pulls us back to his work, our heart again soars because we were created for his strategies. Sickness never changes the mission; it just slows the body for a while.
When I think of the church, or even our individual Christian life, the same is true. If some “sickness” (and I mean sickness in very general terms, such as struggle, tragedy, problem, conflict, etc.) knocks us out of the saddle of Christ’s mission for a while, it may feel somewhat daunting at least—perhaps even difficult at worst—to get back into the saddle. Yet the Holy Spirit never stops drawing us back to the mission and strategy of the church. Why? Because we are designed for mission, for his strategies, for ministry. In a similar way, sickness never changes the mission; it just slows the Body for a while. And of course, I love the way our heart soars when we return to the mission.
]]>Our strategic planning at Stonebriar began five months ago as we evaluated whether we have a straightforward process that moves people through the stages of spiritual growth. None of us can force another person to grow spiritually. Only God produces growth. Yet wise leaders create environments in which the Holy Spirit causes life change to occur. In that sense, church leaders become skillful engineers and builders. So a number of pastors and directors from Stonebriar retreated to Pine Cove Conference Center in Tyler in order to think aloud together. We asked ourselves, “Have we created a ministry that is simple, clear, and straightforward for people?”
Each of us completed a short survey. As we compared notes, the results exploded in front of us. With absolute certainty, we knew that we needed to hone a clear and simple church strategy. Thus, the process of strategic planning at Stonebriar was born. We were committed to creating a new plan—nothing less than the momentum of the church was at stake.
If you are curious about the survey, I’m including it here (at least, I’m including it if our wonderful blog editors feel we have the space for it). Walk yourself through it. Think prayerfully and honestly as you evaluate each statement. Do you answer yes or no to each statement? I hope you feel the same conviction that we can do better, just as we cinched up our belts for future work. The credit for the survey goes to Thom Rainer and Eric Geiger, from their insightful book, Simple Church (Nashville, Tennessee: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2006). Have fun with it.
2. Our process is easy to communicate.
3. Our congregation is easily and often reminded of our ministry mission and process by verbal stories, reminders, and life examples.
4. Our congregation is easily reminded of our ministry mission and process through visual images and illustrations.
5. We have a system in place to evaluate if people are progressing through our process of transformation.
6. Leaders discuss the ministry process on many occasions, encouraging each other and evaluating our commitment to the process.
7. Our church members have a clear understanding of our ministry process.
8. We have placed our programs along our strategic process.
9. Our programs are sequential, based on our strategic process.
10. We are intentional about moving people from one program to another.
11. After joining the church, the next step for someone in the spiritual transformation process is clear.
12. We have a class or group to move new people into the life of the church.
13. We recruit volunteers and leaders who are committed to our strategic process.
14. Our staff and leaders are held accountable for how the church process is implemented in their respective areas.
15. While the styles and methods vary in different ministry departments (such as children and youth), the process is the same.
16. Our mission and process are the unifying factors that keep all of our leaders focused.
17. Before we begin a new ministry or group, we ensure that it fits within our mission and process.
18. We eliminate programs that do not fit in our process, even if they are good.
19. Our special one-time events are related to the mission and process.
The elders and staff from Stonebriar met last weekend for our first combined strategic planning retreat. As a new guy, I entered those two days with a mixed bag of emotions and hopes. I was comfortable with the concept of strategic planning. Been there, done that. Yet I wondered whether we were ready for such a process. Do we have the relationships, I wondered, that are strong enough to endure any initial disagreements about our priorities? Is our vision clear enough to create exciting steps towards the mark?
The answer was a resounding yes. God did, in fact, show up in several ways.
• Our group breakouts were filled with thoughtful reflections. Sometimes we even broke into raucous laughter. Such joy is the fruit of the Spirit’s involvement. Only God can do that when he shows up.
• We spent strategic times in prayer. I particularly appreciated one of our prayer sessions during which we confessed to God that we, as a congregational people, had failed to always pursue him with passion. Such prayer is the expression of the Father’s heart. Only God can do that when he shows up.
• We focused on our new strategy, especially upon six stimulating environments that we will create in which people can connect and grow. Such determination is the pattern of Christ’s life. Only God can do that when he shows up.
• By late Monday afternoon, God focused us onto three crucial areas of need for the next year (in the following order of importance): maximizing strategic service among all Stonebriar people, developing an area in which we will easily connect with new people (we’re calling it The Starting Place in our new worship building), and strengthening the adult fellowship groups so that people are engaged in their spiritual growth, service, and outreach. Such guidance is the gift of God’s blessing.
One of the things that surprised me like a cool wisp of air on a hot day was the intensity—and participation—in group prayer for our planning and church. I’m not sure why it grabbed my attention so graphically, but it did. I absolutely loved the amount of time we prayed, rather than debated. Without doubt, our final actions will move us into the future. But even more, our dependence upon prayer is the true step into the future.
You might be curious about the steps that actually brought us to the front door of this planning weekend. I’ll share some of that process in future blog entries.
]]>Basically it’s another new thing—for me as a new guy at this church, as well as for our elders and staff together. We’ve not done this together before here, so it’s new for all of us. If you push us into the quieter corner where we can admit our inner thoughts, it therefore carries a mixed bag of emotions and hopes. Remember, it’s new.
If you’ve never been involved in strategic planning, strategic planning is the clarification of the journey that a group of people will take to reach their goal. Simply put, the planning process clarifies your final vision (what you hope to create in the end), the method (how you plan to arrive at the end), and the people and resources needed to arrive at your destination. It is analogous to vacation planning—you plan ahead where you choose to go, how you choose to get there, and who is going to ride together in the car (and, in some families, who carries the money).
For a guy like me, it’s a fascinating process. We will hopefully conclude with a clearer picture of how Stonebriar will accomplish our mission (as some might say, “How cool is that?”). Yet whenever the process is new to a group, it is also filled with a strange mixture of anticipations.
My own personal hope is that we experience God showing up, in whatever way He chooses. If that happens, I’ll be walking on clouds. To be honest, I’m extremely excited about the potential of our two days. Yet I’m also wondering, are we ready for such a process? Do we have the relationships that are strong enough to endure any initial disagreements about our priorities? Are we living with a deep discernment to hear from God as a group? Is our vision clear enough to create exciting steps towards the mark? Will we press towards the completion of our strategy? Of course, since the church is the hope of the world—as the depository of Christ’s life—then it’s crucial that we answer these questions with a resounding yes. Nothing less than the momentum of the church is at stake.
So I hope we end up with a plan for Stonebriar that moves us into a new season of active volunteerism, relevant ministries, and effectiveness in reaching the community. We have many strong foundations upon which we can stand—but we also have many ways to improve. Foundations are comfortable; improvements can be awkward (or even threatening to some people). Remember that the very word, improvement, implies something new. But this “new thing” is worth it.
Pray for us, and we can converse about the results next week through this blog.
]]>I walked outside this morning and could not believe that I was feeling a cool breeze. Yes, it seems as though the Fall season is upon us. This afternoon while picking up a prescription at Walgreen’s, I noticed they’re already beginning to display Christmas decorations. I began to think that once the cool air arrives, we all seem to let Fall rush by as we anticipate Winter and we miss the joys of this time of year that God blesses us with.
With the beginning of the Fall season arriving also begins the kickoff of Fall ministries here at SCC. A summer of planning and preparing has now yielded a time of harvest in sharing God’s word through teaching, supplication, and shepherding of all ages. Preschool Pals begins and you see Moms with tears on the first day as they leave their little ones behind but by day two, they’re giddy with excitement as they can now run errands without the wee little hands tugging at their legs! Yes, the Fall season brings a renewed excitement as the diverse ministries of SCC begin again and it reminds us that knowing God is and should be our life’s major pursuit.
As I began to think about looking forward though, I began to recall some of my favorite Fall memories. My best Fall was the year I met my wife, Kim. No pun intended but yes, we did fall in love and God has immensely blessed my life since that day. What is your favorite Fall memory? Did you also meet your spouse or did God take you on an awesome journey that held on for the ride? As we move through our daily tasks, I hope all of us will take time and enjoy the view and find a renewed spirit as ministry kicks off again. And who knows, you might end up falling in love with God, all over again.
Enjoy this season and do your best to avoid the temptation to buy the colored Christmas lights or dancing Santa Claus until December 1st!
]]>I see that your interpretation of the phrase focuses on the sovereignty of God, the point being that we should recognize that He is in control. The reference you cited from Proverbs is in chapter 16, verse 33:
“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.” To answer your question: in an absolute sense, there is no such thing as gambling, as gambling presumes that there is an impersonal force that controls things called “luck” or “chance.”
The author of this proverb affirms that not only is there no power or force that supersedes the power of almighty God, but that His control extends to every aspect and decision in life. Right down to the toss of the dice. Note how many times in the Scripture decisions were relegated to a roll of the dice. Determining the will of God meant trusting that He controlled the outcome of the lot.
Which explains why I don’t buy lottery tickets: “Why would a wise father like my heavenly father turn an idiot like me loose with millions of dollars that I did not earn the hard way?”
I’m a little unclear about your use of the “control stick” (on the B-52 it is called the “yoke”) and “autopilot” analogy. Autopilot is an aid to the pilot flying the aircraft; control of the aircraft is always the pilot’s responsibility. Functionally, all control inputs flow through the yoke (even with autopilot engaged) so that the pilot at all times has immediate control of the aircraft. This is critical since autopilots do disengage and heading or attitude gyros do tumble.
That being the case: who is the pilot in the analogy? If “God is my pilot (not co-pilot)”, then the analogy makes your point that He is always in charge. Autopilot – our complicity? - makes His job easier.
Mention of a co-pilot reminds me of the old question: “What’s the difference between a co-pilot and a jet engine?” After the flight, the jet engine stops whining.
Thanks for conveying a usable meaning to “Let go and let God.” The phrase has a nice ring to it, but has no meaning without a definition of what we are to let go of. There are things we are commanded to release to God, like justice for wrongs done to us (Romans 12:19). Apart from an explanation or definition, the phrase suggests a passivity or disengagement in our lives that I am not comfortable promoting. Think about it: if the car is not moving, does it change direction when you turn the steering wheel?
OK, Darth and Leslie: how about this as a working definition for religion? Religion is man by his own efforts attempting to curry favor from God, be a god, or achieve equality with God. Christianity recognizes the truth: God reached down to restore mankind to relationship with Him doing everything necessary to restore the relationship broken by sin. He did so out of love, in the face of man being undeserving and totally unable to earn or merit that love. Religions practice good works “in order to” achieve something; Christians practice good works in response to or “because of” the love we have already been given.
“Spirituality” is like beauty – it is in the eye of the beholder.
The definition of spirituality depends on the identity of the spirit or Spirit that guides your life. For the Christian, spirituality is the guidance and empowering of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. Secular “spirituality”, guided by either the spirit of man or the “spirit of this world,” is either a kind of contemplative narcissism or an extended emotional response to stimuli from nature. In the 60’s, there were also substances that produced “spiritual” stimuli, along with a preference for bell bottoms and garish colors. But that is a different issue.
So, was Jesus spiritual or religious? The ball is now in your court.
]]>He is also deeply excited about sharing what God did for him—to test new ideas and further those ideas. Yet he desperately wants to reconnect with the old momentum as well, one that he left prayerfully in the hands of others. He wants to know what happened during his absence—what we (the congregation) learned, what we felt about things that happened, what we feel about our future. He wants—and needs—to be drawn back into our life. If you could see into a shepherd’s heart, you’d see your face; he cares about you and wants to know how you are doing.
In light of this general description, allow me to suggest some things that you can do to welcome a returning pastor who again puts on his spurs for action.
The bottom line is to make a proactive effort to welcome a returning pastor in a way that is meaningful to both of you. Certainly a good shepherd does what it takes to get his sheep to pasture—even if he is unnoticed at times. Yet a good sheep communicates his/her care and appreciation to the shepherd as well. The combination makes for a wonderful experience.
]]>Yet a good shepherd recognizes that he needs to rest his own body and soul at times. This is an important part of shepherding as well. During that same vacation, we went into the nearest mountain town—more of a village than anything else—and ordered dinner (sometimes my family gets tired of my barbecuing). As we sat at the dinner table we noticed the same shepherds. They were enjoying an evening rest along with the tourists. Not one sheep tagged along. The men weren’t anxious about any cars. They just rested for the night. A good shepherd recognizes that he needs to rest his own body and soul at times.
Our Senior Pastor, Chuck, has been away on a sabbatical rest. He has been resting his body and soul like a good shepherd should. Yet he returns soon. His period of God-given rest is nearing its conclusion. We are looking forward to his reunion with us. I suspect, though, that he may be wondering about that return—just as every pastor wonders as he returns from a prolonged absence. You yourself may be wondering how to reconnect and encourage him. Perhaps you are pondering what a pastor even thinks as he walks into his office and begins to dust off the shelves after his absence.
…More about this later
]]>I hope you weren’t looking for a deep answer, because this ain’t the place. And I’m not the guy.
I guess I should tell you who I am. I am Roy Williamson and I serve as the Pastor over Families and Parenting Ministries at Stonebriar Community Church. I am the oldest new pastor around; I graduated from Dallas Seminary in August of 2003. I took a 26 year detour between college and seminary on my way into vocational ministry, spending 20 of those years in Uncle Sam’s Air Force flying B-52’s (the aircraft not the band).
As would be expected, I developed a full military vocabulary over the years – the one with the jargon and acronyms (as the son of an El Paso contractor, I was already conversant in single syllable expletives). In military terms, “Proceed TDY after PCS CONUS remote, requal CCTS (KMER) IAW 60-1,” describes three years Det 18, 1CEVG/ECRG. Clear, huh.
So it has been a challenge for me to decipher and master the jargon and phrases that are prevalent in Christian circles. I mean, come on: you hang around a group of evangelicals long enough and you’ll pick up a different lingo. It sounds like a mixture of biblical terms and concepts expressed in pseudo-biblical terminology, but I suspect it is just sanctimonious whimsy. Serve it up with a generous helping of piety and earnestness and everybody nods like they actually understand what is being said.
So help me out here. Can anyone out there tell me what is meant by: “Let go and let God.”? How about “There’s another jewel in your crown”? What exactly are “journeying mercies” and a “hedge of protection”?
How about some other phrases? What are you curious about? (Enquiring minds want to know.)
I will throw this out: Christianese linguists tell me that the expression “Bless your heart” is from the Alabama Baptist dialect, and means “you’re so foolish.”
But I’m still in the dark about the others. Help me out.
]]>Then I remembered God’s disappointment with the Ephesian church in Revelation 2. “I have this against you,” he said, “You have left your first love.” In my mind, our first love was our passion for Christ that literally erupted in surprising, but very real, ways to show people the reality of our love for God.
Now that’s a different kind of first. And I’m wondering about myself at times. Can someone look at my life and see a real difference that erupts from the fire in the belly that comes from Christ’s life in me? Sometimes yes. Sometimes no. It’s the latter times of “no” that concern me the most.
I’m also wondering about our church at times. Our church had an earlier season of hands-on service while we met in schools. But we moved into a season of professionalism when we moved into our current building. I’m wondering, “Did we leave behind anything of our first love, left behind with the white plastic chairs in the school building? Have we possibly left behind some of our clear joy and passions that rose from our weekly service?” In some ways, no. In other ways, yes.
We certainly continued with a commitment to the mission. As well, many people have been authentically touched for life by some relationship at church. Yet we see so many needs and seeking people that we can always stoke the fires of our servant-leadership. We are about to enter a new season in the church’s history (that new building is going up every day)—so I’m thinking it’s time to experience a new first once again. I hope our new season is filled with the same approach to service as in our first love—the first love of erupting with acts of care and service for Christ, the first gestures of acceptance for anyone coming through the doors, the first sense of calling and passion for a ministry that can actually change the atmosphere of Frisco.
I’m thinking we need to commit to this new first something. It sounds right to me, how about you? It’ll require courage, but that’s a different conversation for a future time.
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