Saturday, December 29, 2018

Teach Your Teen How to Read Their Bible

This article from Jen Wilkin is exactly what I was looking for this year as I seek to grow in helping my teen boys to read their bible more faithfully. She recommends a very simple plan for meeting 30 minutes a week with your teen within the following structure.

  1. Choose a book of the Bible to read and discuss 
  2. Get a copy of your selected book of the Bible that has room for notes
  3. Set a schedule to meet once a week for a 30-minute discussion
  4. Get a bird's-eye view
  5. Prepare for discussion
  6. Meet to discuss
  7. Pray together

You can read this helpful article here.


Friday, December 28, 2018

Vision Frame Draft

The Church Multiplication Team for the Forest Lakes District has worked with me to develop the following vision frame based on a process outlined by Will Mancini in Church Unique. This frame will become the basis for future development goals. Because this is a draft your feedback is welcome and desired.

MISSION
  • We exist to glorify God by multiplying transformational churches among all people. 
VALUES 
  • Gospel Centered: We embrace the Gospel as the power of God to save and transform lives and communities. 
  • Prayerful Dependence: We are a Spirit-filled people who pray continually, depending on God to lead and guide.   
  • Collaborative Community: We support one another as a community of leaders and churches.  
  • Creative Culture: We encourage innovation and creativity in order to better display God’s transcendent glory to the world. 
  • United Family: We unite in Christ as an increasingly diverse people from every race, ethnicity, age, status & community. 
  • Multiplication Driven: We are committed to multiply at every level... disciples, leaders, churches and networks.  
STRATEGY
  • Recruit: We invite, develop and mobilize new generations of pastors, planters and leaders.
  • Assess: We help potential planters to identify and affirm their readiness, gifts and calling.
  • Train and Coach: We provide the resources and accountability for planters to flourish.
  • Establish: We guide planters to produce healthy and well-ordered lives, marriages, leadership and communities. 
  • Network: We equip disciples, pastors and churches to multiply themselves as a family.
MARKS OF SUCCESS

Every Planter Is… 
  • Well prepared for planting  
  • Well supported and loved 
  • Multiplying at every level


Tuesday, December 18, 2018

10 Tips for Your Christmas Sermon

Here's a helpful article by Chuck Lawless on how to deliver your Christmas message in a way that will better engage your audience. You'll appreciate these 10 helpful ideas for a season where sermonizers are tempted to rest on tradition at the cost of impact.

Here's the first three of ten:

1. Renew your own sense of wonder first. It seems to me that we celebrate Santa Claus more than we celebrate Jesus. Let your telling the Christmas story naturally erupt from your heart.

2. Don’t simply repeat your sermons of the past. It’s too easy to simply repeat something from yesterday. Get back to the Word, dig in and ask God for a refreshed look at the Word.

3. Get some prayer warriors to pray as you tell the story. The fact that you know the story well doesn’t mean you should pray less; no, it should challenge you to pray more so you don’t tell the story in your own power.


Wednesday, December 05, 2018

Depression Among Pastors: How Can You Help?

Here is a helpful guest post on depression among pastors written by friend and pastor, Michael Thompson. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this important issue Mike!

Thom Rainer recently posted an article entitled "5 reasons pastors get depressed (and why they don’t talk about it)."

In that article, Rainer listed 5 causes of pastors' depression:

1. Spiritual warfare
2. The reality of pastoral leadership
3. A sense of inadequacy
4. Critics and bullies
5. Loneliness.

Though there was a general call to pray for pastors (which I do affirm), I would like to present more specific actions laity may take to relieve or prevent this depression.

Spiritual Warfare

As a lay person, please understand there are some things that will occur in your life and church that are a direct result of spiritual warfare. There may be times, for example, that your thinking becomes totally negative toward your pastor. Perhaps your pastor did not back your preferred program or preferred worship style.

If you are consumed with negativity over such things perhaps your program or worship style have become more important to you than the debt of love owed to one another.

If your view of your pastor turns totally negative two things may be going on. First, you may need to learn to fight over the right things. If your pastor denies the Trinity or the resurrection, a negative response is warranted. However, not every conflict should result in a fight to the bitter end.

Secondly, if your view of your pastor has turned completely negative, your mindset may be a result of spiritual warfare. One of the primary activities of our enemy is deception. It is likely that a completely negative view of your pastor, church, or church leader is being supercharged by the enemy. The enemy provokes us to turn non-essential issues into assured mutual destruction. When disagreements arise, Satan may hook your pride or insecurity in such a way that you are quick to blame others rather than carefully observing yourself and the circumstances.

Practically speaking, then, when your view turns totally negative, pause and ask God to remove negative, demonic-originated thoughts toward others from your mind. Ask God to help you see that person with whom you disagree with His eyes and perspective. Engage in warfare prayer BEFORE you rant about such things that cannot be unwritten or un-spoken.

Reality of Pastoral Leadership

Have you ever read the job description of a pastor? If not, I would encourage you to get ahold of one. Then ask yourself whether it is possible for one person to do all the things well that we have dropped in the lap of our pastors. Think of yourself following through with that same job description.

Increasingly, pastors receive job descriptions that include the duty of providing a clear, compelling vision for the church’s future. In addition to his ability to cast vision, the pastor may be required to provide management, including the oversight of staff, volunteer leaders, and sitting as a member of every committee and board, this, in addition to the Scripture's instruction of pastoral duty to rightly divide the Word of God.

With these things in mind, laity might help their pastor succeed by giving him permission to work out of his strengths. In areas in which your pastor is less skilled or gifted, you could partner with your pastor and encourage others to do likewise.

A Sense of Inadequacy

In a recent conversation, a pastor friend confessed his feelings of inadequacy. Uncertain of the next step to take in his church plant, he found himself growing weary due to a seemingly lack of recent progress and growth. In response, I shared that after serving more than 25 years as a pastor, I often feel inadequate to the task. However, a feeling of inadequacy could be seen as a sign of humility. If on the other hand pastors are expected to over perform, pretending that every area of a church ministry should be a strength, shame and paralyzing inadequacy is certain to follow.

One of the ways you could encourage your pastors is to let them know that inadequacy in certain areas is not a problem, if he or she is humble and permission giving. After all, a pastor’s inadequacy in certain areas is what allows you as a lay person the honor of serving God in the areas of your strength.

Critics and Bullies

One of the most grievous things pastors encounter frequently is criticism and manipulation in the form of ungodly speech. Every pastor (and every parishioner) must display the required humility to receive feedback.

Ungodly criticism often occurs within the church context for two primary reasons. First, parishioners fight about the wrong things. There are right things over which we are called to be critical. Again, if your pastor denies the Trinity or the resurrection of Jesus, I would expect and even urge upheaval. Paul, in 1 Corinthians, expressed gladness that there was a dispute because it signaled that someone was attempting to stand for what is right. However, in my experiences, most church fights are about non-essential matters. They are called non-essential matters because no one’s salvation or walk with God will be affected by non-essential decisions (like which church accounting software to use).

Second, ungodly criticism occurs when people become critical. This is especially true of those who believe they should have more say so in church matters because they know better or have been members longer than most. To these entitled, I would suggest they express love toward the pastor and others while offering but not forcing their opinion. Earn your pastors trust by your godly attitude and humble service. You will often find (if your pastor is godly) that he or she will not only welcome your input but actively seek it out. This is especially true if you have proven yourself trustworthy, which includes avoiding gossip and slander. On the other hand, pastors avoids politicians who they know are sabotaging their efforts in secret. And they do really know.

Loneliness

Loneliness often results from the truth that few understand the pastor’s world and experiences as well as other pastors. When serving as a solo pastor, it can be even more lonely without daily peer contact.

So, what can you do? Be a safe and trusted person who keeps confidences and invite your pastor and family to dinner. Please do not do this out of obligation. Pastors can see through that.

One of my dearest friends and a member of my former church spent time with me, helping me with various projects around my house. He and his wife often invited us to dinner at his place. And it was not out of obligation. We talked, guns, sports, construction ideas just like friends do. And when I opened up to him, he and his wife earnestly prayed for me, offering honest feedback as a trusted friend and advisor.

The other thing this true friend did was to actively confront those who wanted to fault find behind my back. He was not blindly loyal to me. He was loyal to God’s Word which forbids speech among believers that fails to strengthen the Church, the Bride that Jesus Christ loves so much. 

My prayer is that through this article you have gained some insight into the current challenges involved in pastoral and congregational relationships. Relationships can be challenging. God has brought together a people with diverse perspectives, skills, giftings, and passions to bring saving faith to the world. Our relationships with one another can be a catalyst toward the advancement of our mission or be its greatest hindrance.

Pastor Mike Thompson MSE, MDiv, DMin Student
Cell 715-661-3254 
pm.fefc@gmail.com

Michael Thompson has served as a pastor with the Evangelical Free Church of America since 2002. He has served as a mentor to pastors, a ministry consultant, and has planted church ministry centers and theological programs in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  

Friday, November 23, 2018

What is True Greatness?

Here are some reflections on true greatness after meditating on Jesus' teaching for His disciples from Mark 10:43-45. So what are some principals of true greatness for leaders?
  • To perform humble tasks, out of love and with no need of recognition.
  • To always ask the question, "What is best for others?"
  • To look for ways to help others reach their full potential.
  • To serve, even at the risk of being thought less of by others
  • To surround yourself with highly gifted people, with no fear of losing power and no insecurity when their lights shine brighter than your own. 
  • The ability to celebrate when others succeed.
This is not how many in our world define greatness. As Christians we mustn't cave, believing that the world's standard of greatness is better than God's. He who longs to be great, must be a servant of all.


Wednesday, November 21, 2018

A Study in Brokeness

Over the last few days I read Gene Edwards short story, "A Tale of Three Kings" which is a short tale of the three kings Saul, David and Absolom. As a study in brokenness, it helps us to answer the questions, "What do you do when someone throws a spear at you?" For my own benefit, I thought I would document a few of the best quotes below. It's definitely a thought provoking read for those facing a season of brokenness.

  • Regarding king David, "God did not have - but wanted very much to have - men and women who would live in pain. God wanted a broken vessel." (12)
  • Regarding the school of brokenness, "Because all students in this school must suffer much pain. And as you might guess, it is often the unbroken ruler (whom God sovereignly picks) who metes out the pain. David was once a student in this school, and Saul was God's chosen way to crush David." (15)
  • When others throw spears at you you must learn two lessons, "One, never learn anything about the fashionable, easily mastered art of spear throwing. Two, stay out of the company of all spear throwers. And three, keep your mouth tightly closed." (20)
  • "King Saul sought to destroy David, but his only success was that he became the instrument of God to put to death the Saul who roamed in the caverns of David's own soul. Yes, David was virtually destroyed in the process, but this had to be. Otherwise the Saul in him would have survived." (24)
  • As David hid from Saul's wrath in the dark caves, "everything was being crushed out of him... There in those caves, drowned in the sorrow of his song and in the song of his sorrow, David became the greatest hymn writer and the greatest comforter of broken hearts this world shall ever know." (30)
  • After David's season of sorrow, "The truth was that when they did see him, they didn't recognize him. He had changed. His personality, his disposition, his total being had been altered. He talked less. He love God more. He sang differently. They had never heard these songs before. Some were lovely beyond words, but some could freeze the blood in your veins... and so, for the first time, true kingship had its nativity." (33-34)
  • "He (God) sometimes gives unworthy vessels a greater portion of power so that others will eventually see the true state of nakedness within that individual... What does this world need: gifted men and women, outwardly empowered? Or individuals who are broken, inwardly transformed?" (42)
  • "The passing of time (and the behavior of your leader while that time passes) reveals a great deal about your leader. And the passing of time, and the way you react to that leader - be he David or Saul - reveals a great deal about you." (44)
  • Referring to David, "Authority from God is not afraid of challengers, makes no defense, and cares not one whit if it must be dethroned. That was the greatness of the great... of the true king." (48) 
  • David regarding his son Absalom's plot to overtake his throne, "Only God knows, and he has not spoken. I did not fight to be king, and I will not fight to remain king... May God come tonight and take the throne... and His anointing from me. I will seek His will, not His power. I repeat, I desire His will more than I desire a position of leadership." (75)
  • "The person who wields the rod of God's authority should be the meekest, a broken man, lest his people live in terror." (98)


Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Summit on Sexual Violence in Churches

On December 13, the Billy Graham Center is hosting the GC2 summit on responding to sexual violence in our churches. You can learn more about this important conference at the following links.

Here is the link to the website where you can learn more about the speakers, schedule and vision.

Here is where you can register.


Friday, November 09, 2018

Update on Relationships and Resources

In my recent monthly email I take some time celebrating a few ways we are working in the FLD (Forest Lakes District) to support planters and multiplication leaders through relational networks and quality resources. The examples are only the "tip of the iceberg" when it comes to how we hope to continue to connect leaders with the encouragement and support required for healthy and effective ministry.

If you'd like to subscribe to my monthly email, click this link or the image below and select the "subscribe" button in the upper left corner. As always, we appreciate your prayers and support!


Wednesday, November 07, 2018

Church Planting on the Cheap

I remember the shift of thinking that was required when we planted our church after I had been on staff for 12 years at a large established church. It was a little like moving from the Hilton to Motel 6, from steak to ramen, from Tesla to Prius. Bottom line, I had to learn, like every other church planter, how to "live on the cheap". Here's a short article with some creative cost saving ideas for planters from Linda Bergquist.

















(HT: Outreach Magazine)

Tuesday, November 06, 2018

Guide to the House Church Movement

Here is a simple e-book on the house church movement by Roger Thorman. In it Thorman shares his experience with house churches and then goes on to layout a case for why multiplying house churches is a viable and effective means for church planting and disciple making.



(HT: Simple Church Revolution)

Sunday, November 04, 2018

Outreach Basics for Small Towns

Here's some good simple reminders for those of you on mission and planting in rural communities.

  • Identify existing relational networks
  • Get involved in the school
  • Commit to long term consistency

You can read the whole article by Luke Geraty here.

The only thing I would add is, get the book "Small Town Mission" by our own Aaron Morrow.

Saturday, November 03, 2018

Your Best Parenting May Not Work

This is a helpful article by Pastor Glen Mills on parenting and why it is that children walk away from the faith. It's an important reminder to us all that God calls us to parent from our knees.
I used to think if Christian parents did everything right, our kids would turn out fine. Now I know that Christian parents will never do everything right. There is no such thing as perfect parenting. And even if we did everything “right,” our kids still may wander away. 
My son Nathan is a twin. We parented him and his sister Emma identically. Our daughter became the model Christian daughter, following our Lord faithfully from a young age. But Nathan rejected God. Watching them grow taught me that I couldn’t take credit for Emma’s salvation. God had ultimately done the work. It took longer to learn that I wasn’t responsible for Nathan walking away.
You can read the rest here at Desiring God's website.

Thursday, November 01, 2018

Leadership Challenges in Planting

In this podcast Daniel Im and Todd Adkins discuss the challenges of leadership in the early stages of church planting. Those who have planted know that one of the biggest challenges in a young church is a shortage of good leaders. So how do we solve this problem? On one end of the spectrum some hold off on appointing leaders for too long, which can lead to burnout. On the other end of the spectrum some empower leaders too early, which can harm the long term health of the church.

Daniel and Todd suggest that there are three primary qualities to look for in leaders; character, chemistry and competency. Chemistry represents a shared passion for the values and vision of the church. Competency represents the knowledge and skills needed for effective leadership. They suggest that character and chemistry are essential, but competency can be mitigated in the early months and years of planting.

In light of their recommendation, here are some rules of thumb for leadership in the early years of planting.
  1. Adopt a transitional leadership model that will allow you to have flexibility in your leadership standards. In other words, hold off on eldership and other permanent leadership roles until you are ready to empower fully prepared and qualified leaders.
  2. Don't compromise on good character and common chemistry. If you settle for less in these areas you will end up producing an unhealthy culture of leadership that works against your vision and leads to mission drift.
  3. Have a mechanism in place to develop the competency of early leaders. Competency can be developed, but it requires intentional pathways for learning and growth. 

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

The Gospel Comes with a House Key

I'm at the end of the audio book The Gospel Comes with a House Key and I can't recommend it enough. Rosaria Butterfield wrote this book to  share how she and her husband sought to live their lives on mission through the vehicle of hospitality. The audiobook is really interesting because Rosaria is the reader, which gives the book a unique personal feel, especially as she sings the Psalms shared in several of her stories. This could be a great tool for giving your people an illustration of how it is biblical hospitality can and should function in the life of the church and the rhythms of the daily life for a Christian.


Sunday, October 21, 2018

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Good Leaders Catch the Wind

Click below to see my October update for the Multiplication Ministry in the Forest Lakes District!


Church Multiplication Sunday

Here's a video that was used to promote our recent invitation to prayer for the multiplication of churches in the Evangelical Free Church of America. Many of the churches in this video are part of the Forest Lakes District. Thankful for all God is doing in this association of churches!

Church Multiplication Sunday – Full Promo from EFCA on Vimeo.